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AT THE
IMVERSITY OF
TORONTO PRESS
N
1o
?3^^
A NEW
ENGLISH DICTIONARY
ON HISTORICAL PRINCIPLES.
VOLUME X. PART E. V-Z.
Oxford University Press
London Edinburgh Glasgow Leipzig Copenhagen
Ntiv Tori Toronto Mdbournt Capetown
Bombay Calcutta Madras Shanghai
Humphrey Milford Publisher to the University
Printed in England
At the Oxford University Press
By John Johnson
Printer to the University
A NEW
ENGLISH DICTIONARY
ON HISTORICAL PRINCIPLES;
FOUNDED MAINLY ON THE MATERIALS COLLECTED BY
Clje ^Pljilological Socttts.
EDITED BY
SIR JAMES A. H. MURRAY
HENRY BRADLEY, W. A. CRAIGIE, C. T. ONIONS.
VOLUME X. PART E. V-Z.
Y.
W.
By W. a. CRAIGIE
I.A. OXOM. , H.A.»LL.D. ST. ANDREWS, HON. D.LITT. CALCUTTA ;
PROFESSOR OP ENGLISH IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO;
ftOMETIME RAWLINSON AND BQSWORTH PROFESSOR
XM TBS UMXVSRSITY OF OXFORD
Bv HENRY BRADLEY
M.A., HON. D.LITT. OXON.; HON. PH.D. HEIDELBERG ; D.LITT. DURHAM;
Lirr.D. SHEFFIELD ; FELLOW OF MAGDALEN college; FELLOW
OF THE BRITISH ACADEMY
W. A. CRAIGIE & C. T. ONIONS
XTZ.
Bv C T. ONIONS
H.A.OXON., H.A.LOND.; FELLOWOF MAGDALEN COLLEGE *,
READER IN ENGLISH PHILOLOGY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
9-^
/C
tfll*
/6-^
'^•^(f
OXFORD:
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS.
1928.
[All rights reserved']
PRINTED IN ENGLAND
mi
v,io
THIS DICTIONARY
OF THE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
WHICH WAS DEDICATED IN 1897
TO
HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA
IS NOW ON ITS COMPLETION
PRESENTED
BY HIS MAJESTY'S GRACIOUS PERMISSION
TO
KING GEORGE THE FIFTH
BY
THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS
AND SCHOLARS
OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
PREFACE TO VOLUME X.
THIS volume, which, on account of its great size, is issued in two parts, contains, in Part I, the words
beginning with Tl— Tz, edited by the late Sir James Murray, and U by Professor W. A. Craigie ; in
Part II, V by Professor Craigie, W-Wezzon by the late Dr. Henry Bradley and Professor Craigie, Wh-
WORLING by Mr. C. T. Onions, Worm-Wyzen by Professor Craigie, and X-Zyxt by Mr. Onions.
The statistics for the whole volume are : —
Main
Subordinate
Special
Obvious
Total No.
No. of
words.
words.
Combinations.
Combinations.
of Words.
Quotations.
Tl-Tz (565 pages)
8,407
3,063
3,851
3,330
16,650
63,036
U _ (493 „ )
»3,'65
i,ij6
309
766
15.366
69,713
■V' (33» „ )
4."9
1,671
393
1,492
r.??.-!
40.346
W (734 „ )
6,087
3,820
a.845
3,766
16,518
94,097
X-Z (105 „ )
1,723
33.600
a,3i2
316
6,614
496
9,850
4.746
61,055
13,580
Ti-Z (3,J39 „ )
10,991
279,761
The 33,600 Main words are distributed approximately as follows : —
Current. Obsolete. Alien. Total.
Ti-Tz 6,483 1.504 430 8,407
U 11,029 3,063 73 '3>'6s
V 3,888 1.074 »57 4.»'9
W 4,365 1,780 43 6,087
X-Z 1,311 370 141 1,722
35,976 6,691 933 33,600
The comparative scale of this work and of certain other Dictionaries is shown as follows : —
Johnson.
Words recorded, Tl-Z 4,888
Words illnstratc4 by quotations 4,54^
Number of illustrative quotations 1.^,367
In the corresponding portion of Richardson's Dictionary the number of quotations is 15,773.
The aggregate numbers for the whole ten volumes of the Dictionary are : —
Cassell's
■ Encjclopsedic '.
' Century ' Diet.
Here.
31,661
»8,457
61,8^5
10,309
"0,739
50,463
15,050
34,249
379,761
Main
words.
Subordinate
words.
Special
"Combinations.
Obvious
Combinations.
Total No.
of Words.
Illustrative
quotations.
340.165
67,105
47,800
59.755
4M,8i5
1,837,306
Of the 340,155 Main words 177,970 are current, 53,464 are obsolete, 9,731 alien.
For observations on the etymological and other characteristics of the words included in these volumes,
and for detailed statistics of the numbers of words of various classes, and of the numbers of quotations, the
reader is referred to the separate prefaces to the various sections, parts, letters, or volumes.
KEY TO THE PRONUNCIATION.
I. CONSONANTS.
g as In ^ (gm).
h ...
^o ! (h^u).
r ...
>Tin [Tvn), terrier (te-riai).
J ...
her (haj), farther (fauSai)
s ...
see (sD, cess (ses).
w ...
a/en (wen).
hw...
jvAen (hwen).
y •••
yes (yes).
b, d, f, k, 1, m, n, p, t, v, z /itwt their usual valtus.
J) as in thin (>in), ba/A (bajj).
8 ... Men (Sen), haJhe (b^'S).
J ... sho'p (Jpp), i-ish (dij).
tj ... cAop (tj<>p), di/cA (ditj).
J ... vitjon (vigan), de/euner (d«3on£).
d3 ... yW^ (dgpda).
g ... %\ng\ng (srqiq), think ()>ii)k),
gg ... fi«^r (figgaj).
(FOREIGN.)
n as in French nasal, environ (anviron).
1" ... It. sera^/io (s^ra'lyo).
n' ... It. si^«ore (sia^o-re).
X ... Ger. acA (ax), Sc. lo^rA (bx, lox")-
X' ... Ger. ich (ix'), Sc. nirAt (nex't).
7 ... Ger. sa^n (za-7en).
7' ... Ger. le^n, r^fnen (l«-7'en, r^*7Tnen).
ORDINARY.
a as in Fr. ^ la mode (a la nwd').
a as 1
ai ... a)e=>« (ai), Isaj'ah (aizai-a).
ae ... man (msen).
a ... pass (pas), chant (tjant).
an ... hud (laud), nmo (nau).
V ... c»t (k»t), son (sCTi).
V
e ... yrt (yet), t^ (ten).
e (e.)...
e ... survey J*, (spjvi), Fr. attach/ (ataj<).
^>-')...
II ( ... Fr. ch«f (Jff).
/ ...
3 ... ever (evar), nation (n^'-Jan).
a
ai ... /, eye, (ai), bind (baind).
|7 ... Fr. ean d« vie (^ d> vr).
i ... stt (sit), m>^t<c (mistik).
I (!•)...
«■ ... Psych* (sai-kj"), rrract (ri|Se-kt).
«
o ... achm- (^'"koj), morality (moneliti).
0(6.)...
oi ... o«I (oil), b<?y (boi).
e ... her« (hl»*r«), z<K)logy (zoiplodji).
o-(oi.)...
9 ... what (hwgt), watch (wjtj).
9 ...
PJ*- got (g(>t), soft (s^ft).
P ...
II 0 ... Ger. Koln (koln).
Ho ...
(o ... Fr. peu (po).
Ilo ...
n ... fall (ful), book (buk).
u(u.)..
in ... dr/ration (diur^-Jan).
iti,'ii,..
u ... unto (p-nt«), frugality (hu-).
u ...
iu ... Matth«c/ (mse-|ri«), viitM (va*Jti«).
xii, '»...
Bu ... Ger. Mailer (mu-ler).
III! ... Fr. d«ne (dtia).
II 5 ...
{see 5s e.. 6., u.)| ^ ^ j j j
' as in able (/ib'l), eaten (ft'n) - voice-glide.
II. VOWELS.
LONG.
a as in alms (amz), bar (bai).
c»rl (kul), f«r (fvi).
thn-e (8e»j), p<rar, pare (pe»j).
rrtn, rain (xta), thy CS^i).
Fr. faire ((?r').
fir (fai), iem (fajn), eaith (ai])).
b«^r (bi«j), clear (klioj).
thfVf (^»f), iee (si).
boor, bore (b6»i), glory (gl6«Ti).
so, sow (soo), so«l (so"l).
wa/k (wgk), wart (wgjt).
short (J^it), thorn (Ji^Jn).
Fr. coear (kor).
Ger. Gothe (gote), Fr. \etlne (3OT1).
poor (pii»i), moorish (mu'TiJ).
pare (piu»j), lare (I'O'j).
tioo moons (ta munz),
iew (fia), late (I'at).
Ger. gran (gran), Fr. j«s (ja).
OBSCURE.
a as in amoeba (amrba).
se ... accept (aekse'pt), maniac (m^'-nisek).
S ... datam {Al^-tim).
e ... moment (moament), several (se"veral).
/ ... separate {adj.) (se-par/t).
e ... added (x-ded), estate («ste'-t).
1 ... vanity (vae'niti).
t ... remain (r/me'-n), believe (bHrv).
6 ... theory (Jy'ori).
H ... violet (vai'^et), parody (ps'riWi).
§ ... aathority (g)>oriti).
/ ... connect (kjJne-kt), amazon (ae-maz^n).
iii, 'ii verdare (vaudiili), measare (me'j'uj).
a ... altogether (jltage-Saj).
i><! ... circalar (saukiiiilai).
* ^ the o in soft, of medial or doubtful length.
II Only in foreign (or earlier English) words.
In the Etymology,
OE. e, 0, representing an earlier a, are distinguished as {, p (having the phonetic value of ; and p, or 9, above) ; as in ftide from andi (OHG. anti,
Goth, atuiei-s), mfnn from mann, gn from an.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, SIGNS, &c.
a. [in Etyraol.] .,, • adoption of, adopted from,
« (asa 1300) = ante, b«fore.
«., <M$^ adj ■= adjective.
mistL, abcol — absolutely.
absit. " abstract.
ace = accnsative.
ad. [in Etymol.]... — adaptation of.
adv., ad» — adverb.
advb. = adverbial, -ly.
AF., AFr. — Anglo-French.
Amtt. » in Anatomy.
Amtif. = in Antiquities.
aphet. — aphetic aphetiied.
app. — apparently.
Anb. ■= Arabic
ArcL » in Architecture.
arch, = archaic.
Archt»l. = in Archaeology.
asMC ■= association.
Attr, — in Astronomy.
Astnl. — in Astrology.
attrit. — attributive, -ly.
bef. = before.
Bid. = in Biology.
Boh = Bohemian.
Bot. = in Botany.
Build. = in Building.
€ (as c 1300) — circa, about.
c. (as 13th c) = century.
Cat = Catalan.
calackr. ^ catachrestically.
Cf., of. ■= confer, compare.
Chtm = in Chemistry.
d. L, = classical Latin.
cogn. w. = cognate with.
coliul. — collective, -ly.
calloq. = colloquially.
comb <" combined, -ing.
Cemb = Combinations.
Comm. — in commercial usage.
comp = compound, composition.
compl = complement.
Conck = in Conchology.
comr. = concretely.
conj. = conjunction.
cons = consonant.
Const., Const, ... = Construction, construed
with.
Cry St. = in Crystallography.
(D.) = in Davies (Supp. Eng
Glossary).
Da — Danish.
daL = dative.
def = definite.
deriv. — derivative, -ation.
AKzX.ydial. = dialect, -al.
Diet = Dictionary.
dim. = diminutive.
Dn = Dutch.
Eccl. = in ecclesiastical usage.
ellipt = elliptical, -ly.
e. midl = east midland (dialect).
Eng - English.
Ent = in Entomology.
erron. = erroneous, -ly.
Cf/., esp — especially.
etym. = etymology.
tuphem •« euphemistically.
exc. — except.
f. [in Etymol.] ... — formed on.
C (in subordinate
entries) = form of.
fem. {rarely f.) ... = feminine.
fig. «■ figurative, -ly.
F., Fr. — French.
&eq. = frequently.
Frii = Frisian.
G., Ger. = German.
Gael ss Gaelic.
gen ■■ genitive.
gen = general, -ly.
gen. sign = general signification.
Geo! »= in Geology.
Geom = in Geometry.
Goth = Gothic (— Moeso-Gothic).
Gr = Greek.
Gram = in Grammar.
Heb = Hebrew.
ffer. = in Heraldry.
fferb = with herbalists.
/fort •= in Horticulture.
imp = Imperative.
imptrs = impersonal.
impf. — imperfect.
ind. = Indicative.
indef. = indefinite.
inf. = Infinitive.
infl = influenced.
int. = interjection.
intr = intransitive.
It = Italian.
J., (J.) = Johnson (quotation from).
(Jam.) = in Jamieson, Scottish Diet.
(Jod.) = Jodrell (quoted from).
L = Latin.
(L.)(in quotations) = Latham's edn. of Todd's
lang = language. [Johnson.
LG = Low German.
lit = literal, -ly.
Lith = Lithuanian.
LXX = Septuagint.
Mai = Malay.
masc. {rarely ra.) = masculine.
Math = in Mathematics.
ME = Middle English.
Med. = in Medicine.
med.L = mediaeval Latin.
Mech = in Mechanics.
Metaph -= in Metaphysics.
MHG = Middle High German.
midl. .., = midland (dialect).
Mil. = in military usage.
Min = in Mineralogy.
mod = modern.
Mus = in Music.
(N.) = Nares (quoted from).
n. of action = noun of action.
n. of agent = noun of agent.
Nat. Hist = in Natural History.
Naut = in nautical language.
neut. {rarely n.) = neuter.
NF., NFr = Northern French.
N. O = Natural Order,
nom — nominative.
north = northern (dialect),
N, T, = New Testament,
Numism = in Numismatics.
obj = object,
Obs., obs., obs. ... = obsolete.
occas = occasional, -ly.
OE = Old English (= Anglo-
Saxon).
OF., OFr. = Old French.
OFris = Old Frisian.
OHG = Old High German,
Olr, = Old Irish,
ON = Old Norse (Old Icelandic),
ONF = Old Northern French,
Opl. = in Optics,
Ornith = in Ornithology,
OS = Old Saxon,
OSl ^ Old Slavonic
O. T, = Old Testament,
OTeut = Original Teutonic,
orig = original, -ly,
Palseont == in Palaeontology,
pa, pplc = passive or past participle,
pass = passive, -ly.
pa, t = past tense.
Path = in Pathology.
perh = perhaps,
Pers, = Persian.
pers, = person, -al.
pf. .., = perfect,
Pg = Portuguese,
Philol. = in Philology,
phonet = phonetic, -ally.
phr. = phrase.
Phren = in Phrenology.
Phys. = in Physiology.
pi,,//, = plural.
poet. = poetic
pop = popular, -ly,
///, a., ppl. adj.... = participial adjective.
pple = participle.
Pr. = Proven9al,
prec = preceding (word or article).
pref. = prefix.
prep. = preposition,
pres = present.
Prim, sign, ..... = Primary signification,
priv = privative.
prob = probably.
pron = pronoun.
pronunc = pronunciation.
prop. = properly.
Pros = in Prosody.
pr, pple = present participle.
Psych = in Psychology,
q,v = i/aarf M'a!;, which see,
(R.) = in Richardson's Diet.
R, C, Ch = Koman Catholic Church,
refash = refashioned, -ing.
rejl., refl = reflexive.
reg = regular,
repr. = representative, representing,
Rhet = in Rhetoric,
Rom = Romanic, Romance.
A>.,sb, = substantive,
Sc = Scotch,
sc, = jo««/, understand or supply.
sing, = singular.
Skr - Sanskrit,
Slav, , = Slavonic
Sp = Spanish,
sp = spelling,
spec. = specifically.
subj = subject, subjunctive.
subord. cl. = subordinate clause.
subseq = subsequently.
subst = substantively.
suff. = suffix.
superl = superlative.
Surg. = in Surgery.
Sw = Swedish.
s.w = south western (dialect).
T. (T.) = in Todd's Johnson.
iechn = technicjil, -ly.
Theol, = in Theology.
tr. = translation of.
trans. = transitive.
transf. = transferred sense.
Trig. = in Trigonometry.
Typog. = in Typography.
ulu = ultimate, -ly,
unkn = unknown.
U.S = United States,
v., vb = verb.
V. sir., or w = verb strong, or weak.
vbl. sb, = verbal substantive.
var. = variant of
wd = word.
WGer = West Germanic
w.midl = west midland (dialect).
WS = West Saxon.
(Y.)..., = in Col. Yule's Glossary.
Zool. = in Zoology,
Before a word or sense,
+ = obsolete.
II 1= not naturalized.
In the quotations.
* lometimes points out the word illustrated.
In the list of Forms.
1 = before 11 00.
2 ■■ 1 2th c. (i 100 to 1 200).
3 = 13th c (1200 to 1300).
5-7 = 15th to I yth century. (See General Explan-
ations, Vol. I, p, XX,)
In the Etymol,
* indicates a word or form not actually found, but
of which the existence is inferred,
:— = extant representative, or regular phonetic
descendant of.
The printing of a word in Small Capitals indicates that further information will be found under the word so referred to.
By W. a. CRAIGIE
MJV., LL.D., D.LITT.
p
PREFACE TO THE LETTER V.
Johnson.
Cassell's
* Encyclopaedic '.
' Century ' Diet.
Funk's
'Standard
Words recorded
684
2790
3744
3168
Words illustrated by quotations
557
"45 -
1353
448
Number of quotations
1738
1881
4139
598
In this portion of the Dictionary there are 4319 Main words, 393 Special Combinations explained under these,
1492 Obvious Combinations, and 1671 Subordinate entries of obsolete or variant forms ; in all 7775 entries. Of
the Main words 1074 are marked f as obsolete, and 257 are marked |1 as alien or not fully naturalized.
Comparison with Johnson's and some recent Dictionaries gives the following results : —
Here.
7775
5954
40,418
In the corresponding portion of Richardson the quotations number 1935.
For the reasons given in the introductory article on the letter, the words beginning with V are almost entirely
of foreign origin, and the great majority either directly or indirectly have their source in Latin. Most of the
important Latin stems with initial v are represented in English, and many of them very extensively, so that they
frequently occupy large and continuous portions of the following pages. Many of the words from these stems are
also found, with little change of form, in all the modern Romanic languages ; the vocabulary throughout this letter
thus corresponds very closely with that of dictionaries in these tongues. As usual, many of the stems and their
derivatives have passed into English through French, which has at different periods contributed a large number
of common words, as vain, vale, valiant, valley, value, vanish, vanquish, vantage, varnish, etc. Notable among
these is the adj. and adv. Very, which forms one of the longest articles in this portion of the dictionary. An
interesting group is also presented by the words formed with the prefix Vant-. The prefix vis-, vi-, originally
introduced from French, subsequently assumed the Latin form ViCE-, but has survived unaltered in Viscount and
its derivatives. The other Romanic languages are represented by adoptions from Spanish and Portuguese, as
vanilla, vaquero, vara, vega"^, vellon, veranda, verruga, vintem, and from Italian, as vendetta, vermicelli, viola^,
violin, violon, violoncello, virtu, virtuoso, vista, viva, volcano. The Romanic element is also prominent among the
proper names and adjectives formed from these, the number of which in some parts of this section is above the
average.
The remaining sources are of limited extent and for the most part of less importance. A few entries are
southern English variants of forms in f-, as vade \}, van sb.^, vane, vat, vease, veil v., vent sb.^, and vixen. An
exceptional instance of this substitution is found in veneer for the earlier ^«^^r. This is one of a small number of
words which have been adopted from the other Germanic languages ; among these is veer, to let out (from Dutch
vieren), which has hitherto been confused in dictionaries with the unrelated veer, to turn round (from French virer).
Others are the Dutch veldt, vlei, vrouw, and the Scandinavian Valhalla, Valkyrie, viking, voe, and vole. The
remoter European, with some Oriental, African, and American languages, have contributed such miscellaneous
words as vaivode {voivode), vakeel, vampire, Veda, verst, vicuna, viscacha, vizier, vodka, voodoo.
Words of similar form, but of different origin and meaning, are rarer than in some other portions of the
alphabet ; there are, however, seven substantives with the spelling vice. The variety of spelling possible in the
older stages of English is well illustrated in the forms of verjuice, victual, vinegar, and vouchsafe ; the lack of
obvious meaning in the latter was no doubt the main cause of the extraordinary variety of forms and spellings in
which it appears down to the i6th century.
The historical interest of many of the words beginning with V is considerable. A number of these have
ecclesiastical or religious associations, as valor (i d), Vatican, Vaticanism, etc., Vaudois, Venite, verger, vernicle,
veronica *, versicle, vesper, vestiary, vestry, viaticum, vicar, vicarage, victim (introduced by the Rhemish translators
of the Bible), vigil, virgin, virtue, vision, etc. Others are of importance for social, political, or legal history, as
vaccination, vagabond, vagrant, valentine, valet, varlet, vassal, vavassour, velocipede, ventilation, ventriloquism, venue,
verderer, verdict, verge sb.^ vice-chancellor, vicegerent, victualler, viewer, villa, village, villein, virgate, voidee, voider,
volunteer, voluper, vote (before 1600 almost exclusively in Scottish use), vouch, vouchee, voucher, voyage, and vulgar.
Many other words are of interest for various reasons, as vernier, verse, vignette (with the earlier form vinet), viol,
violin, vogue, volley, volume, vortex, etc
. The material first collected for V was arranged and sub-edited by the Rev. T. H. Sheppard in 1883. Much
new material was incorporated, and the sub-editing revised, for V — VAGABOND by the Rev. C. B. Mount in 1908 ;
Vagabond— Vanquish by Mr. C. B. Winchester in 1908 ; and Vanquish— Vywer by the Rev. W. B. R. Wilson
in 1910-13.
The staff which assisted in the preparation of the letter consisted of Mr. L. F. Powell, Mr. G. Watson,
Mrs. Powell, Misses Elsie M. R. and Rosfrith A. N. R. Murray, Miss I. B. Hutchen, and Mr. E. N. Martin.
Proofs were read by Canon J. T. Fowler, and verification at the British Museum was done by Mr. W. W. Jenkinson.
For information on special points thanks are due to Canon Fowler, Dr. D. Hay Fleming, Mr. E. W. Hulme,
Sir Frederick Pollock, Bart, and Mr. E. J. Thomas.
W. A. CRAIGIE.
Oxford,
Aug. 1927.
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.
Va*riolist. rare-"^. [f. Variol-a + -ist.]
One who ]irefers small-pox to vaccination.
1799 Gftttl. Mag. Aug. 665 A consciousness of propriety,
wliich it seems that the Variolisis have not had sufficient
shame to acknowledge.
Vaseline. Add to etym. note : — The term,
wiiich was registered as a trade mark 28 June 1877
by the Chesebrough Manufacturing Co., was first
applied to petroleum jelly (see def. and quots. ),
later to preparations containing that article, and
ultimately used upon all goods manufactured by
the Company.
Ve'llumize, v, [f. Velldm + -ize.] trans. To
convert into vellum.
1907 C. Davenkort The Book 173 The white ' vellumised '
pigskin has always been the most favourite material for the
Covering of German books.
tVene'dic, a- Obs, [f. med.L, Venedi (pi.) :
see Wend sb,'\ Wendish, Vendish.
1768 T. NucKNT Trav. Germany II. 178 Mirow is..
supposed to have derived its name from the Sclavonic, or
Venedic word mir, signifying peace. 1790 Dornkord
Putter's Hist. Developm. Gcr. Emp, I. 8 Except in Bohemia
and I.usatia, the Venedic language has been under the
necessity of yielding to the German.
Ventel, v. Delete, and see Unteld v.
Verger^, 1. Earlier instance : —
ci^oz in Peterborough AV^is/r>' (MS-), fol. 457. OfficUim
hostiarii, alias dictum verger, in eodem [collegio de Wynde-
sore] vacans.
Vitamiue, -xuin (vai'tamain, -in), [f. L. vU-a
life + Amine ; named by Casimir Kunk (1913),
from the erroneous idea that an aniino-acid is
present in these substances.] One of a group of
essential food-elements found in various natural
food-stuffs, as vegetables, cereals, milk, etc.
1916 R. R. Williams in Jrnl. Biol. Chem. XXV. 437
[Article on] The Chemical Nature of the * Viianiines '. 1918
C. W. Salrkby Science A'aiionat A'i/chefts 1 The'accessory
factors ' or vitamines only recently discovered, igxz Daiiy
Mail <^ Nov. 4 The vital principle of food known to doctors
as vitamins.
Jig. igzi Spectator 16 Apr. 492/2 A book. .so full of the
vitamines of literature. Ibi'i. 7 May 588/2 The vitamines
of ttie spirit and , .of true religion.
Vocabular, sb. Later example : —
1659 W. Jacob in Somner Dictionariuin^ To list your
names in this Vocabular.
A NEW
ENGLISH DICTIONARY
ON HISTORICAL PRINCIPLES.
(Volume X. Second Half. V — Z.)
V.
HY
W. A. CRAIGIE, M.A., LL.D.
PREFATORY NOTE.
In this portion of the Dictionary there are 4219 Main words, 393 Special Combinations explained under these, 1492
Obvious Combinations, and 1671 Subordinate entries of obsolete or variant forms; in all 7775 words. Of the Main words
1074 are marked t as obsolete, and 257 are marked || as alien or not fully naturalized.
Comparison with Johnson's and some recent Dictionaries gives the following results : —
Joh^on. .Encydo^dic-. 'Century Diet. ,J--^^,._ Here.
Words recorded 684 2790 3744 3i68 7775
Words illustrated by quotations 557 1145 i.?53 44^ 5954
Number of quotations 1738 1881 4139 598 40>4iS
In the corresponding portion of Richardson the quotations number 1935.
The following prefatory notes have been issued with the Sections of which this Part is composed : —
V— VERIFICATIVE.
For the reasons given in the introductory article on the letter, the words beginning with V- are almost entirely of
foreign origin, and the great majority either directly or indirectly have their source in Latin. Most of the important Latin
stems with initial v- are represented in English, and many of them very extensively, as a glance over the pages of this
section will show. As usual, many of these stems have passed through French, which has thus at different periods
contributed a large number of common words, as vam, vale, valiant, valley, value, vanish, vanquish, vantage, varnish, etc.
An interesting group from this source is formed by the words enumerated under the prefix Vant-. The other Romanic
languages are represented by vanilla, vaquero, vara, vega ', vellon, vendetta, veranda, and a few others. The Romanic element
is also prominent among the proper names, and adjectives formed from these, the number of which in this section is above
the average.
The remaining sources are of limited extent and for the most part of less importance. A few entries are southern
variants of forms iny^, as vade v.', van sb.', vane, vat, vease, veil v., and vent sb.' ; an exceptional instance of this substitution
is found in veneer for earlier fineer. This is one of a small number of words which have been adopted from the other
Germanic languages : the most interesting of these is veer, to let out (from Dutch vieren), which has hitherto been confused in
dictionaries widi the unconnected veer, to turn round (from French virer). The remoter European, and some Oriental,
tongues have contributed such words as vaivode, vakeel, valonia, vampire, Veda.
A considerable number of the articles in this section have a historical or antiquarian interest, as those on vaccination,
vagabond, vagrant, valentine, valet, varlet, varvel, vassal, vavassour, velocipede, ventail, ventilation, ventriloquism, venue,
venville, verderer, verdict, verge sb.', verger, etc.
VERIFICATORY— VISOR.
In respect of vocabulary this seclion presents no material difference of character from that containing the earlier portion
of V, the great majority of the words being either directly or indirectly of Latin origin. Large portions are occupied by
derivatives of the usual types from such Latin words or stems as virus, vermis, venia, vers-, vert-, vertex, vesiis, etc. Both in
the earher and later periods French influence is also prominent ; in addition to many substantives and verbs, this has
supplied the common adj. and adv. Very, which occupies one of the longest articles in the section. The prefix vis-, vi-,
originally introduced from French, subsequently assumed the Latin form Vice-, but has survived unaltered in Viscount and
its derivatives. Other Romanic languages are represented by the Italian vtrmicelli, viola '', vio/in, violon, violoncello, virtu,
virtuoso, the Spanish verruga, and the Portuguese vintem. The few contributions from other sources include the Russian
verst, the Scandinavian viking, and the South American vicuna and viscacha.
Words of similar form, but of different origin and meaning, are rare ; there are however seven substantives with the
spelling vice. The variety of spelling possible in older English is well illustrated in the forms of verjuice, victual, and vinegar,
and the uncertainty in the pronunciation of some Latin words is exemplified in vertigo and videlicet.
The historical interest of many words in this section is considerable. A number of these have ecclesiastical or religious
associations, as vernicle, veronica^, versicle, vesper, vestiary, vestry, viaticum, vicar, vicarage, victim (introduced by the
Rhemish translators of the Bible), vigil, virgin, virtue, vision, visit, visitation, etc. Others are of importance for social,
political, or legal history, as vice-chancellor, vicegerent, victualler, view, viewer, vill, village, villein, villeinage, virgate, while
the arts and sciences are represented by such words as vernier, verse, vestibule, vignette (with the earlier form vinet), villa,
viol, violin, etc.
VISOR— VYWER.
In this concluding section of V the vocabulary continues to be predominantly of Romanic origin, and consists largely of
adoptions of, or formations on, common Latin words and stems. Many of these are found, with little change of form, in all
the modern Romanic languages. Of more distinctive forms, the majority have, as usual, been adopted from French, as vogue,
voice, void, volley, vouch, vow, vowel, voyage, etc. Italian has contributed a few words, including vista, viva, and volcano.
The native English element is represented by only one important word, vixen, and very few have been adopted from the other
Germanic languages, only the Scand. voe and vole, and the Dutch vlei and vrouw, calling for any special notice. Of words
from more remote sources, the most important are the Slavonic Vlach, vodka, and voivodc, the Arabic vizier, and the
American negro voodoo.
Although the section includes many important words, there are comparatively few which present any striking features in
their history or ihe development of their senses. The most interesting in this respect are vocable, vogue, volley, volume,
volunteer, vortex, vote (before 1600 almost exclusively in Scottish use), vouch, voyage, and vulgar. Among older words of
historical interest are Vitry, voidee, voider, voluper, volvelle, vouchee, and voucher. The lack of obvious meaning in vouchsafe
was no doubt the main cause of the extraordinary variety of forms and spellings in which it appears down to the i6th century.
V.
V(vj), the 22nd letter of the modern English
and the 20th of the ancient Roman alphabet,
was in the latter an adoptiofi of the early Greek
vowel-symbol V, now also represented by U and Y
(q.v.), but in Latin vis employed also with the
value of the Greek digamraa (viz. w), to which it
corresponds etyraologically. When not purely
vocalic, it still denoted this sound at the time
when the earliest Latin loan-words were adopted
in the Teutonic languages ; consequently such
words beginning with v appear in Old English
with TV. Under the Empire, however, the semi-
vocalic sound gradually changed to a bilabial con-
sonant, and finally became the labio-dental voiced
spirant now denoted by the letter in English and
various other languages. This development did
not take place in Old English ; and no v, whether
bilabial or labio-dental, occurred initially in the
older Teutonic languages, although the sound was
common in other positions (in OE. denoted by /,
in early texts by i).
In OE. dictionaries there is thns no set of
words with initial V, one or two Latin words
adopted at a late period usually appearing withy,
as /ann, fers (but clso vers), from L. vannus,
versus. The first appearance of V-words is found
in those ME. texts which begin to show a distinct
French influence, as the Aruren Riwk ; even early
writers like Orm and Lajamon, while not free
from the use of French words, do not employ any
beginning with v. The number of such words
steadily increases in later texts, and is subse-
quently greatly reinforced by direct adoptions
from Latin, by new formations on Latin stems,
and by adoptions from other Romanic languages.
The other sources of initial V are of minor im-
portance. The change of w to v, which took place
in the middle period of the Scandinavian lan-
guages, is represented in a few words, as Valhalla,
Valkyrie, viking, but otherwise the words with this
initial are chiefly derived from languages not
directly related to English. A small number of
words, however, as vat, vixen, exemplify the voic-
ing of/- peculiar to southern (now only south-
western) dialects. This change is not indicated in
OE. spelling, and how far it had developed in
speech is uncertain, but in southern ME. texts
all native words (rarely those of French or Latin
origin) beginning with / may appear with v- (or
its equivalent «-); the more important variant
forms due to this cause are entered in their places
below. Conversely words properly having v- are
occasionally written with/, .ind there is evidence
that this is not merely graphic, but represents an
actual pronunciation. ('Enen so onre English-
men vse to speake in E^xe, for they say fineger
for vineger, feale for veale, & contrary wyse a voxe
for a foxe, voure for foure, etc' 1546 Langley, tr.
Pol. Vtrg. de Invent, i. vi. 14.)
When not initial, v occurs freely in native words
as well as in those of Latin or other origin. In
the former it represents OE. / when voiced, as in
it/en even, drlfan drive, lufu love. The use of/
(or^) in sncll words was partly retained in ME.
(and especially in Sc. down to the l6th century) ;
but even in late OE. u is frequently substitute<l,
and in early ME. (as in med.L. and OF.) « and v
come into general use to denote the sound in all
positions. It was only in the 17th century that
these two letters, both of which had been employed
in a double function (see U), were finally distin-
guished as vowel and consoniint; and down to the
19th century words beginning with either letter
continued to form one series in dictionaries.
In some ME. (chiefly northern) manuscripts,
and in many Scottish texts of the 15th and i6th
centuries, v is more or less frequently written in
place of w, while conversely w is freely written
instead of v. These forms are merely graphic,
and do not imply a phonetic interchange of w and
V (though in mod. north-eastern Sc. wr- has be-
come vr-'). In south-eastern English dialects the
Vol. X.
change of v- to w- does occur, and older repre-
sentations of Cockney speech exhibit a converse
change of iv- to v-, which recent investigators have
been unable to verify as still existent. The latter
change is illustrated in the following quotations.
1803 Pegoe Atucd. Eng. Lang. (1814) 77 Villiam, I vants
my vig...yitch vig, Sir?..Vy, the vite vig in the vooden
vig-box, vitch I vore last Vensday at the westry. 1824 Spirit
Publ. jrnls. (1825) 37, I vas valking by the Admirallity in
my vay home. 1837 Dickens Pickw. xxxiii, Ve got Tom
Vildspark off..venaIl the big vigs.. said as nothing couldn't
save him.
Elision of v when not initial has taken place ex-
tensively in dialects, especially those of the North
and Scotland, as in deil devil, shule shovel, hairst
harvest. In standard English this is represented
by such words as hawk, head, lark, lord, and is
specially indic.ited in a few archaic or poetic forms,
as e^en even, eer ever, ne^er never, der over.
I. 1. Illustrations of the use of the letter or of
its name. ■^ Double V \\.t. U^ ='^ .
? 1460 in Arcliacol, (1842) XXIX. 331 There was an V and
thre arres to-gydre. 1530 Palsgr. 440 A byfore V. 155a
HuLOETs.v., 'there is a diuersitie betwene the single V. and
the dowble W., tberfore the alphabete of them shatbe set
diuersly. 1593 G. Harvey PUrces Super. Wks. (Grosart)
II. 211 He that can tickle Mar-prelate with taunts, can
twitch double V. to the quicke. 1636 B. Jonson Eng. Gram.
iii, V, .is, like ourt, a letter of a double power. 1668 Wilkins
Real Char, 16 Some Letters of the same name and shape
are used sometimes for Vowels, and sometimes for Conson-
ants! as J, V, W, Y. 1676 Grew Anat. PL, Aiiat. Ft. iv.
154 An Angle, twice as big as that of a V Consonant. 1728
Chambers Cyct. s.v. U, Besides the Vowel U, there is a
Consonant of the same Denomination, wrote V, or U. 1736
AiNswoRTH It. S.V., Our Saxon ancestors, who commonly
subslituteyin the place of v. 1808 Jamieson, V, in some
of our old printed books, is invariably used for IV. t888
Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 151, V is not used as a signature in
the printer's alphabet, s^i Scotsman 9 Oct. 11 The letter
for the ensuing year was directed to be changed to V Gothic.
2. Used with reference to the shape of the letter ;
an object having this shape ; a V-shaped, acute-
angled formation.
1831 [see next]. 1835 Court Mag. VI. p. xiii/r The corsage
draped in the form of a V on the bosom. 1863 Tyndau. Heat
(1870) tv. 5 131 The water, -is first brought into one arm of
the V. 1894 Outing XXIV. 45/2 The first geese of the
season will wing their way in lines and V's from the south.
b. atlrib.,aa V-form, shape; freq. in the sense
' shaped like the letter V ', as F anvil, edge, hut,
slide, thread, tool (in fret-cutting), -trough, etc. ;
V-pug, a species of moth (see quot.).
I 1861 Sir W. Fairbairn Iron 125 The'V anvil, fig. 43, the
natural offspring of the steam-hammer. 1844 H. Stephens
Bh. Farm III. 794 A rod passing., through a* V-form brace
of iron. 1857 R, B. Paul Lett. Canterbury 57 The form is
that of a*V hutfthe extremities of the rafters being left bare.
1879 C. L. I.\NES Canterbury Sk. 20 A 'V hut.. is exactly
as if you took the roof off a house and stood it on the ground.
183a }. Rennie Consp. Butterfl. t, lit. 132 The *V. Pug
{Eupithecia K. a/a].. .Wings, .marked with a black V Ije-
hind the middle. 1869 Rankine Machine ^ Hand-toots
PI. N 2, A pair of opposite dies of a *V shape. 1844 Civit
Eng. ff Arch, "jfrnt. VII. 88/1 A rectangular or oblong
table of iron.. upon two "V slides. 1869 Routledges Ev.
Boy's Ann. 479 The "V supports may now be secured in
their places. 1887 D. A. Low Machine Draw. (1892) 14 The
Whilworth "V thread.. is the standard form of triangular
thread used in this country. 1875 Sir T. Seaton Fret.
Cutting i The "V tool is the most difficult of all tools to
sharpen. i8<2 Catat. Intemat. E.xhib., Brit. II. No. 2983,
*V-trough for funnel and subterranean wires. 184a Francis
Diet. Arts, 'y tube, a glass tube, in the form of the letter V
.,, to show the decomposition of a neutral salt by galvanism.
o. Comb, in V-shafed adj.
1835-6 Todds Cyct. Anat. I. 202/1 A fissure or triangular
V-shaped notch. 1843 Penny Cyct. XXV. 423/2 Tools..
generally double-angular or V-shaped. 1872 Coues N.
Amer. Birds 103 A V.shaped black mark on side of head.
3. Used to denote serial order, as V Battery,
MS. V, or as a symbol of some thing or person,
a point in a diagram, etc.
II. 4. The Roman numeral symbol for; Five
(t or fifth).
13.. K. Alls. 1851 Anon he doji his bemen blowe, v c. on
a t>rowe. 1340 Ayenb.^ 23 pe v. bo; of prede. c 1449 Pecock
Re^. I. V. 23, V. Chapiter. The v*. principal argument . . is
ihis. 1484 Caxton Failes of yEsop, At/once m, (Of the x
tonnes) v were ful of oylle, & the other v were but half ful.
1530 Palsgr. 58 As appereth in the 111 chaptre and the v
rule of the same. 1535 Coverdalk Job i. 3, v. C. yock of
oxen, v. C. she asses. 1636 B. Jonson Eng. Gram, ii, Our
numeral letters are, I for i, V lor 5. 1788 Gibbon Dect. Ii
F. xlviii. V. 6 A single chapter will include, III. The Bui-
garians, IV. Hungarians, and, V. Russians. li^iCivilEng.
f, Arch. Jml. V. 151/a With an Engraving, Plate V. Ibid.
197/1 Lecture V.
b. V, V-spot, V-note, a five-dollar note. U.S.
1837 Knickerbocker Mag. IX. 96 My wallet.. [was] dis-
tended with V's and X's to its utmost capacity. 1849
Lowell Biglow P. Ser. i. viii. 57, I vow my holl sheer o' the
spiles wouldn't come nigh a V spot. 1864 Browning Dram.
Perso/tagVtkfi. 1896 I. 603 Sixty Vs must do. A I rifle, though,
to st.irt with ! ibid., A poor lad . . hears the company Talk
grand of dollars, V-notes, and so forth.
III. 5. Abbreviations.
a. Of various Latin words or phrases : v. - verso
'the back of the leaf, versus 'against', vide 'see';
v.g. = verbi gratia.
1678 Phillips, I'.G. an usual character or abbreviation of
the words verbi gratia, i.e. namely, or to instance in a word.
1690 Locke Hum. Und. 11. xxx. § 5 [Ideas] made up of
such collections of simple ideas as were really never united
••• ^-S; '^"^-l- '?38 Chambers Cyct. (1751) s.v. Angle, V.
Phil. Trans. N". 420. p. 147. 1767 R. Burn Eccl. La:u
(ed. 2) IV. Cc, A Table of the Cases adjudged ,-.. Acton
V. Smith. ..Adams v. Rush [etc.]. 1827 Jarman Po-.feil's
Devises II. 311 It is to be observed that Maddison 7'.
Andrew, and Mills v. Norris, were decided at a period when
the rule.. was not so well settled. 1865 Recuier 28 Jan.,
Rime v. Rhyme.
b. Of English words and phrases : V. = various
proper names, as Victoria, Vincent, Violet, etc.;
the chemical symbol of Vanadium ; v. = verb,
verse, vision (in Med.) ; very (in various phrases,
as v.g. very good, v.h.c. very highly commended,
etc.) ; V.A. = Vicar-Apostolic ; V.C. = Victoria
Cross; v.d. = various dates ; V.M. = Virgin Mary ;
V.P. = Vice-President ; v.r. = variant or various
reading; V.S. = veterinary surgeon ; v.y. = various
years.
1670 CoviL in Early Voy. Levant (Hakluyt Soc.) iii A
pretty little picture of the V.M. 1787 in Milner Suppl.
Mem. Eng,^ Catk. (1820) 48 The ecclesiastical government
by V.V.A. is by no means essential to our religion. i8ao
Milner Ibid. 252 The Prelate who did publish the Re.solu-
lions was the Western V.A. 1863 Hotten Hand-lik. Topogr.
105/2 Cuttings from Newspapers [etc.].. V.D. 1866 K. H.
Wilson Our Father (1869) 122 Placards with the lion and
unicorn at the lop, the letter V at the one side and R at the
other. 187a Lever Ld. Kitgobbin\\x\\, It's a case for the
V.C. tool Essex ll'eekly News 8 Mar. 3/4, I have been
'good, bad, and indifl^erent ' and I have been 'v.g.' 1901
Scotsman 9 Oct. 10/2, v.h.c. in the cheese fair.
O. In music an abbrev. of various Italian words,
as verte ' turn ', violino ' violin ', vote ' voice ',
volta ' time '.
1724 Short Exptic. For. Wds. in Mus. Bks. i The Letter
V is often iLsed as an Abbreviation of the Word Violino.
Ibid., The Letters VS at the Bottom of a Leaf are often
used as an Abbreviation of the Words Volti Subito. 1753
Chambers'' Cyct. Suppl., V, in music, is.often used to shew
that a piece is designed for the violin; and VV, for two
violins, or more.
Hence V-A.pa.pple., cut with a V-shaped incision.
1881 Greener Gun 380 The sight consists of a steel spring
screwed on to the top rib, with one end set at right angles
and V-d to form the sight.
Va, southern ME. var. FoE sb. ; obs. Sc. f. Way
sb. , Woe sb. and a.
Vaalite (va-lait). Min. [f. the Vaal River,
S. Africa, -H -ite 12b; named by Maskelyne.] A
variety of vermiculite.
1874 .Maskelyne in Geol. Soc. Land. XXX. 409 Vaalite. .
occurs in hexagonal prisms, the angles of which are nearly
60° and 120''.
Vaat, obs. form of Vat.
Vac (vaek), abbrev. (chiefly in Univ. colloquial
use) of Vacation sb.
1709 Brit. Apollo No. 55. 3/2 It was very hard in the Vac,
without Gains. 1864 Bp. Creighton in Mrs. Creighton
Life (1904) I. ii. 11, I shall have all the rest of the V.ic. to
perpend and meditate on that point. 1871 M. Legrano
Cantb. Freshm. 365 When I was a boy at Harrow, I always
hated going home lor the 'vacs'. 1906 Catholic Weekly 18
May 7 Others lectured to working men in the vacs.
t Vacataond. Obs. Forms : a. 5-6 vaca-
bound(e, 5 wayka-). ;3. 5-6 vaoabund(e. 7. 5-6
vacabond(e, 6 vaoo-, vaka-). S. 6 vacabo(u)n,
wacabone. [a. OY .vacabonde {vacquabonde,vacca-
ion), app. an alteration of vagabond{e Vagabond
under the influence of L. vacare (F. vaijuer) to be
unoccupied or idle.
The form survives in northern F. dialects, and in the i7lh
century Chiffiet gives vacabond as the pron. of vagabond
(LittrO. In Anglo-L. of the i5-i6th cent, vacatundus
occurs in place of vagabundus,]
1. A person having no settled means of living or
no fixed home ; a vagabond.
a. 1404 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. it. I. 37 Al men of the
forsaede shirs exepte fowre or five gentilmen & a fewe vaca*
boundis, woldin faene cum to pees. 1472 Presentments q/
\
VACABUNCY.
ymries in Swrttes Misc. (1890) 24 John Bek is a \*acabound.
14^ Ibid. 28 One Wrodyngton, a waykabound. xw-i
AcinHen. yill,c. 12 It shall be leful to the constables..
to ai«st the sayde vacaboundes and ydell persones. 1578
Whbtstonr Promos «f- Cass. i\. iv. i, Fetche me in all ydle
vacaboundes.
p. I4S3 Roiis ef Parlt. V. 270/1 Thomas Waikj-nson . .
Yoman and Robert Withes late of Salley in the shire of
York Vacaboude. 1495 CavtMtr^ Leet Bk. 568 All maner
vmcabundes & b^gers myghty in body within k>is Ciiie.
1530 Palsgr. 183 VngxpiegZy a payre of stockes to punysshe
vacaboodes. 1551 Nottinghant Rec. IV. 103 Any \aca-
boDde^ suspect person, or nowghiy people. 1584 Mirr.
Mmg. z6tsHe commaunded, that vnto a nomber of yong
diseased vacabunds, there shuld be ministred a thin Diet,
an excessioe labor, and cleanly lodging.
y. i47» Preuniments of Juries in Sttrtees Misc. (1890) 24
Thomas Dransfeld .. liffei as a vacabond. « x533 Ld.
Berners Hmoh xxviii. S5 There was no begger, vacabonde,
nor r>'bault..but by grete flockys they came. 1563 in
Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 303 Beggers or vaka-
bondes do come into the Cytye. 1588 Greene Perimedes
Wks. (Grosart) VII. 39 Hast thou these fourteen yeeres gone
as a vacabonde about the world vnknowen and despised?
1. issfi Nottiftgham Rec, (1889) IV, 113 He dothe harber
wacabones, 1567 Harman Cat'cat 19 Vagarantesand sturdy
vacaboos. 1571 R- Edwards Damon ^ Pithias E iij b,
Betteu with a codgeU like a Slaue, a Vacaboun, or a lasie
Lubber.
2. atirib, or as adj. (Cf. Vagabond a.)
1538 Elyot, Errabundus^ moche wanderynge, or vaca-
bunde. 1550 J. Coke Eng. 4- Fr, Heralds § 190 The true
beginning of the Frenchmen was by a vacabunde captayne
named Marcomyrus. 1551 Huloet, Vacabund parson, erro.
1591 Savile Tadtusy Hist. 11. viii. 57 Adjoining vnto him
certaine fiigitiue and beggerly vacabond persons.
+ Vacabuncy. Obs."^ prreg, f. vacabund
Vagabond. Cf. Vagabcncy.J Vagabondage.
1535 Act 27 Hen, VII [^ c. 25 Euery stronge and valiant
begger and vacabound, after he were whipped for his vaca-
buncie and idelnes.
Vacance (v^-kans). Chiefly Sc, Also 6 wac-
ance, vacans, 9 vacanse. [ad. L. vacantia
(se€ next), or a. F, vacance (1642).]
t L a. A vacant period. Obsr"^
1533 Beixenden Livy\. vii. (S.T.S.) I. 43 This gouernance
.. wascallit the Interregne, That is to say, J?e vacance betuix
the deith of ane king to ^ electioun of ane vtbir.
+ b. Cessation or suspension of laws. Obs.
1553 Bellenden Lizfy 111. iL (S.T.S.) I. 247 J?e vacance of
la WIS [L,yaj//V/K/«] was commandit. Ibid. 249 At the re-
turnyng of quintius to rome, the vacance of la wis ceissit,
+ 2. The fact of becoming vacant ; the vacation
^an office. Obs,
1579 Re^. Privy Council Scot. III. 177 Upoun the vacance
of ony prelacie the kirkb thairof salbe dlsponit to qualifiit
ministeris in tttilL
3. = Vacation 2. Now rare.
X563-7 Buchanan Reform. St. Andros Wks. (S.T.S.) lo
Heir efter . . thair may be gevin sum vacans on to the first
day of October. 1567 S^. Acts^ Jas. VI (1814) III. 32/2
The Lordis of counsell and sessioun hes bene in vse..to
haue vacance at 5ule, Fastingis euin, Pasche, & Witsonday.
x6og in Seton Life A.Seton (1882) 9 The Yule vacance to be
and continue from the 24th December to the 6th January
inclusivi, 1678 Sir G. Mackenzie Crim. Laws Scot. n.
xii. § ii. (1699) 207 Neither the Sheriff, nor Barrens, can hold
Coiuis inferiati or close, time of Vacance. 169s Sibbald
Auiobiog. (1834) 129, 1 past the Bajonyeer under Mr. James
Wyseman, who died the vacance thereafter. 175a J.
LouTHiAN Fortn of Process (ed. 2) 28 These Letters pass
upon a Bill signed by three Lords in Time of Vacance, and
four in Time ofSession. i8a6 J.Wilson Nod. Aittbr. Wks.
1855 I. 242 The fates o* the laddies at the Edinburgh Mili-
tary Academy, on the Saturday before their vacanse. 1835
Blackw. Mag. XXXVIII. 154 We have angled ten hours
a-day for half-a-week (during the vacance). 1901 Trotter
Gall. Gossip 338 Give them vacance to-morrow.
attrib. aijiz Fountainhall Decis. (1759) II. 345 It was
just and necessary to arrest him, and make him answer,
though in vacance-time. a 1774 Fercusson Poems (1789)
II. 46 Their stamack's aft in tift In vacance-time.
•f* 4. In Eng. use : Leisure, relaxation. Obs. rare.
1609 Bible (Douay) Ecclus. xxxviii. 25comm.f The wisdom
of a scribe in the time of vacance. aiy6o J. H. Browne
Poems (1768) i^i Nor thou disdain Fit hour of Vacance with
the Muses* train.
Vacancy (v^kansi). Also 6 vacantie, 7 Sc.
vaccancy. [f. Vacant a. (see -ancy), or ad. late
and med.L. vcuantia (Sp. and Pg. vacancia, It.
vacanza), f. vacant-, vacans vacant. Cf. prec]
I. 1. «Vacatiox 2. Also in pi. Now arch.
C 1580 W. Spelman Dial. (1896) 6 There I contynued my
sutc untill the tyme of ther vacantie in the Lawe. 1633 " •
Robinson in Rigaiid Corr. Set. Men (1841) I. 18 He is to
come this vacancy into Lincolnshire about business of his
own. 1679 Trials of White ff other Jesuits 62 Joseph. He
was [absent] in the time of the Vacancy. . .L. C. J. When
are the Vacancies? Joseph. In August, my Lord, 170a
Marwood Diary in Cat/i. Rec. Sac. Publ. VII. 134 To-day
the Vacancys of the lower Classe began, and end at S' Luke.
1703 in Ritchie Churches of St. Baldred 128 He mast not
frant the vacancie without acquainting the session. 1780
TILES Diary (1901) II. 409 At the End of the Vacancy 1744
Mr. Reed carried his 3 pupils.. lo enter into Harv[ardJ
College. ijh6 Grant Burgh Sch. Scot. n. v. 182 Besides
the half and occasional holiday two annual plays ', or
'vacancies', have of old been granted to the scholar. 1876
in Hare Story Life (1896) IV. 412 They are having their
vacancies.
t b. Without article. Obs. rare.
1643 in Fasti Aberd. (1854) 421 The porter. .shall attend
the colledge for saving the fabrick, both in tyme of play and
vacancie. 1691 tr. Emiliane's Obsetv. Journ. Naples 15
Every year in Autumn they have two Months of vacancy.
[ f 2. Temporary freedom or cessation from bnsi-
j ness or some usual occupation. Also const, from.
I 1599 Broughton's Let. vii. 21 His assiduous reading in
] any vacancie from busines. i6oa Segar Honour Mil. <5-
I Civ. IV. xxi, For he that hath been longest vacant may take
place before him that is lesse ancient in Vacancie. c 1630
Milton (title). On the University Carrier who sickn'd in
the time of his vacancy, being forbid to go to London, by
reason of the Plague. 1663 Bp. Patrick Parab. Pilgr. xxix.
: (1668) 337 He did not find so much vacancy as his heart
I desired for private Prayer. 1775 Johnson Lett. (1788) I. 291
■ Air, and vacancy, and novelty, would.. afiford all the relief
j that human art can give.
1 f b. Free or unoccupied time ; leisure. Obs.
\ j6o6 Shaks. Ant. ^ CI. i. iv. 26 If he fiU'd His vacancie
i with his Voluptuousnesse. a 1628 Preston Breastpl. Love
\ (1631) 114 So occupied with outward things abroad, that
they have no vacancie to feed their souls within. 1656
Blount Glossogr. To Rdr., This Work.. has taken me up
the vacancy of above Twenty years,
t c. An interval of leisure or unoccupied time.
1654 Whitlock Zootomia 305 Daies of nothing, but Riots,
visits.. and such like Exiles from themselves, and vacancies
from the businesse of life. 1676 Hale Contevipi. i. Re-
dempt. Time 21 An industrious Husband-man, Trades-man,
Scholar, will never want business for occasional vacancies
and horae subcisivae. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. iv. xx. §3
There are none so enslav'd to the necessities of life, who
might not find many vacancies that might be husbanded to
this advantage of their knowledg. 1748 in Welsh Rev. Feb.
(1892) 350 Filled in y" vacancies of y« day with work.
3. The state or condition of being free from or
unoccupied with work, business, or action ; ab-
sence of occupation ; idleness ; inactivity.
Freq. in the 17th c. ; now rare.
j6is G. Sandys Trav. i. 64 Chesse,. .a sport that agreeth
well with their sedentary vacancie. 165J Hobbes Govt. Sf
Soc. xii. § 10 They who are least troubled with caring for
necessary things.. are invited by their vacancy sometimes
to disputation among themselves concerning the Common-
weal. 1670 Cotton Espernon Pref., Having about three
Years since, and in the Vacancy of a Country Life, taken
this Volume in hand. 1781 W. Heberden Comment, xiii.
(1806) 78 Nor does the vacancy of a Bath life suit com-
plaints. 1818 Coleridge in Lit. Rem. (1836) I. 200 The
source of the common fondness for novels of this sort rests
in that dislike of vacancy and that love of sloth, .inherent
in the human mind. 1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv. vi, Such is
the refuge of our youth and age. The first from Hope, the
last from Vacancy.
f b. Qon^l. from. (Freq. in 17th cent.) Obs.
161S Jackson Creed 111. Pref. Ash, God . .blesse me out-
wardly with that measure of health, of vacancy from other
businesse [etc.]. 1631 Byfield Doctr. Sabb. 143 A precise
vacancy from all worke . . is morall. iSqOjNorkis Beatitudes
(1692) 80 Implying, that a Vacancy from Wrath is a neces-
sary Qualification for Prayer. 171a Spect. No. 408 P 8 An
absolute- Indifference and Vacancy from all Passion.
fc. Freedom from mental preoccupation. Obs.
1732 Johnson Rambler No. 204 p 13 Nor was he able to
disengage his attention, or mingle with vacancy and ease
in any amusement. 1796 Mme. D'Arblay Camilla V. 293
Her pliant mind, in this state of vacancy, had readily been
bent to the new pursuit. 1837 Carlvle Fr. Rev. 1. i. rii,
' Every evening at six ' . . [theyj walk majestically out again,
to embroidery, small-scandal, prayers, and vacancy. 1856
Aytoun Bothwell 11. i, The fishers.. whistle o'er their lazy
task In happy vacancy.
d. Absence of any determining influence or
factor, rare ""\
1754 Edwards Freed. Will u. vii. (1762) 64 The Will's
Freedom consists in., this Vacancy and Opportunity that is
left for the Will itself to be the Determiner of the Act.
II. 1 4. An unoccupied period or interval ; a
time of absence ^some activity. Obs.
1601 Shaks. Tivel. N. v. !. 90 For three months before,
(No int'rim, not a minutes vacancie,) Both day and night
did we keepe companie. 1625 T. Godwin Moses ^ Aaron
I. (1641) 2 In these vacancies or distances of time, between
ludge and Judge. 1663 Heath Flagellum (1672) 32 In so
long an interval and vacancy of War, from which this
Nation had been blessed.
6. The fact or condition of an office or post
being, becoming, or falling vacant ; an occasion or
occurrence of this.
1607 in Hist, Wakefield Gram, Sch. (1892) 59 Within
foure daies of the vacancie knowen. 1665 Manley Groiius''
Loiv C. Wars 197 They began a new Custom, which was.
That they would in Vacancies, name the Captains, and other
inferiour Officers under their Pay. 1765 Blackstone Comm.
I. ii. 172 Nocandidate shall, after the date, .of the writs, or
after the vacancy, give any money or entertainment to his
elector.^. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) HI. 35 A sale of an
advowson, the church being actually void, was simoniacal
and void in respect to the then present vacancy. 1896 La7v
Times Rep. C. 408/1 With reference to the vacancy among
the Chancery taxing masters.
b. Const, ^(an office, position, etc.).
i6io G. Carleton Jurisdict. 2 That power whereby we
succeed the Emperour in the vacancie of the Empire. 1659
H. L'EsTRANGE Alliance Div. Off. y2\ As did the Clergy of
Rome also in the vaca[n]cy of that Sea determine. 1687 A.
LovELL tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 77 Tiotet Zornesan Mustapha
Basha made Keeper of the Seal during the vacancy of the
Charge of Grand Visier. 1726 Avliffe Farergon 129 In
the Vacancy of a Bishoprick.the Guardian of the Spiritual-
ities was summon'd to Parliament in the Bishop's Room.
1765 Blackstone Comm. I. 152 The vacancy of the throne
was precedent to their meeting without any royal summons.
C. An instance or occasion of land, a tenancy,
etc., being or becoming vacant, rare.
1809 Christian in Blackstofie^s Comjit. IL 9 It cannot be
said that in such a case there is ever a vacancy of possession.
1845 PoLSON Eng. Law in F?icycl. Meirop. IL 827/i_The
VACAND.
maxim . . that the tenancy of the land should always be filled,
and that the tenant could make no disposition of his interest
likely to involve a vacancy in the same tenancy.
6. A vacant or unoccupied office, post, or dignity.
1693 LuTTBELL Brief Rel. (1857) III. 8i Mounsieur
Catinat. .has sent 250 officers to throw themselves into the
towne to supply the vacancies of those that were sick and
dead there. 1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (ijoB) 71
He shall force a Rupture with some one of his Lieutenants
to make a Vacancy for him. 1769 Junius' Lett. iii. (1788)
46 His military cares have never extended beyond the dis-
posal of vacancies. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. x. II. 638
How could there be an election without a vacancy? 1858
Fhqude Hist. Eng. IV. 286 Wore than twenty vacancies in
the order of the Golden Fleece were placed by him at
Henry's disposal.
b. A church without an incumbent or minister,
1867 J. Macfarlane Mem. T, Archer I. 17 The 'vacan-
cies ' sought after him.
7. Absence or lack of something, rare.
i6so'-FuLLER Pisgah 11. xiii. 269 Jordan, in the vacancy of
the inhabitants, having got violent possession, fenced and
fortified himself in the slimepits. 1805 Fosier Ess. 111. i.
II. II With this cast of significance, and vacancy of sense,
it is allowed to depreciate without being accountable.
III. 8. Empty or void space.
x6o2 Shaks. Ham. in. iv. 117 Alas, how is't with you?
That you bend your eye on vacancie, And with the incor-
porall ayre do hold discourse. 1606 — Ant. ^ CI. 11. ii. 221
Th'ayre: which but for vacancie, Had gone to gaze on
Cleopater too, And made a gap in Nature. 1813 Byron
Corsair i. xv. The tender blue of that large loving eye Grew
frozen with its gaze on vacancy. 1827 Svd. Smith Whs.
(1867) II. 134 To roar and bellow No Popery to Vacancy
and the Moon. 1854 J, S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) II.
X. 164 Folding his arms upon his breast, with his eyes fixed
upon vacancy, he stood in gloomy silence. 1899 F. T.
BuLLEN Way Navy 79 Meanwhile the 'Mersey' came up
out of vacancy at her best speed.
9. A vacant, unfilled, or unoccupied space ; an
open space between objects or things, or in a row
or series ; a breach, gap, or opening ; f an un-
occupied or uninhabited piece of ground.
1653 Needham tr, Selden's Mare CI. 18 In the case of
those who first inhabited Vacancies; or who became possess't
by right of War and Conquest. 1670 W. Perwich Desp.
(1903) 90 As soon as ever he passed the great vacancy, he
went to see the Cittadell. 1690 Levbourn Curs. Math. 901
In measuring of Roofing, seldom any deductions are made
for.. the Vacancies for Lutheren Lights, and Sky-Lights.
1726 R. Eradlev Country Gentl. Monthly Director 3 In
places where there are Vacancies in Hedges, set Truncheons,
or Twigs of the White Sallow. 1744 M. Bishop Life i^ Adv.
209 It [i.e. gun-fire] soon broke us in a terrible manner,
though our Vacancies were quickly filled up. 1779 Forrest
Voy. N. Guinea 20 Their saddles have in the middle a
vacancy, which must make it easy for the horse. xSao
Scoresbv Acc. Arctic Reg. I. 55 Small vacancies in the ice
would not prevent the journey. 1858 Hawthorne Fr. ^ It.
Note-bks. (1872) I. 20 This great arch .. with the lofty
vacancy beneath it. 1903 Westni. Gaz. 26 ^an. 1/5 The
closing of the fontanelle, or the ' vacancy * in the infant
cranium.
b. transf. A blank, gap, or deficiency.
175^ Johnson Rasseias i, Every one.. in the valley was
required to propose whatever might contribute to fill up
the vacancies of attention, and lessen the tediousness of
time. 1846 Landor Imag. Conv. Wks. I. 2 Visions of
reluctant homage from crowned heads, .have passed away
from me, and leave no vacancy. 1856 Dove Logic^ Chr.
Faith v. ii. 317 Without revelation there would be a distinct
vacancy in the scheme of knowledge.
10. The state or condition of being vacant,
empty, or unoccupied ; en^ptiness.
1788 Gibbon Decl. <5- F, xlv. IV. 453 He contemplated with
horror the vacancy and solitude of the city. 17^ Mme.
D'Arblay Camilla I. 214 Such is the vacancy of dissipated
pleasure, that., an opening always remains for something
yet to be tried. 1817 J. Scott Paris Revisit, (ed. 4) 52 The
dullest country town in England can afford no idea of the
stillness and vacancy of the several noble-looking cities.
1823 Scott Quentin D. xix, Quentin felt a strange vacancy
and chillness of the heart, 1878 Stewart & Tait Unseen
Univ. i. § 12. 31 When David or Hezekiah shrank from the
gloomy vacancy of the grave.
b. Lack of intelligence ; inanity; vacuity.
184X Dickens Barn. Rudge v, Where in his face there
was wildness and vacancy, in hers there was. .patient com-
posure, 1866 — Boy at Rugby Christm. Stories (1874) 332
He is a smiling piece of vacancy,
t Vaxaudf ppl' a. and sb. Sc. Obs. Also 5
wacande, 5-6 wacand, 7 vaicand, vacane. ^.
5 wak-, vakande, 5-6 vakand, 6 vaken. [Sc.
pres. pple. of Vake v. The usual spelling with c
follows that of L, vacant- : see next.]
A. ///. a. = Vacant a. (esp. in sense i).
o. 1405 in Fraser The Lentiox {1B74) II. 57 With thegyffing
and the patronage of the said Kirk . . alse often as it happinys
to be vacand. i^s8 Burgh Rec. Peebles (1872) i26Sir Wilyam
of Fulop chapellane sal be present, .to the first service that
sal hapyn vacand in thair gouernans. c 1470 H enrv Wallace
X. 531 As Bruce at the pal^oun So entryt m, and saw wacand
his seit. igoo-ao Dunbat* Poems Ixxi. 26 Couatyce ringis
into the spirituall state, ^arnand banifice the quhilk ar now
vacand. a 1578 LiNDESAv''Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.)
I- 286 Hegaue him the pryorieofColdinghame.. quhilk was
wacand in his handis at that tyme. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj.
26 After the deceis of the husband, the Dowrie of his wife
named be him, is vaicand (possessed be na manj or nocht
vaicand. 1649 Lamont Diary (Maitl. Club) 11 He [the
minister] was excommunicate, and his church declared
vacane,
^. C1425WVNTOUN Cron. viii. 27 Qwhil l)us I?e kynrik was
wakande. Off Inglande J>e kynge was J?an thynkande [etc.].
i4S6>E",3r/r.-^^^r(y..ffri:. (1844)1. 21 That chapelnary of Saynt
VACANT
NichalHs altar was than yakande. 1513 DoUGUls j^neid
(1710) xlil. X. 119 With this the Kyng Latinus can deceis,
And left the sceptoure vakand to his hand.
B. sb. 1. One who is free to take a mate.
X508 Dunbar Ttta Mariit IVenten 206 5e speik of berdis
on bewch ; of blise may thai sing, That, on sanct Valentynis
day, ar vacandis ilk ;er.
2. A vacant office ; a vacancy.
1567 Burgh Rec. Peebles (1872) 306 Nixt vaken that fallis
within the towne of Peblis, that the said Thomas sones sail
haif the samin.
Vacant (v^kant), a. and sb. Forms: 3-6
vaoaunt (5 vaoavnt), 4- vacant, 5-7 vacante.
[a. OF. (also mod.F.) vacant ( = It, Sp., Pg.
vacanie), or ad. L. vacant-, vcuans, pres. pple. of
vacare to be empty, etc. : cf. pr«c. In early senses
the evidence is scanty until the latter part of the
l6th century or later.]
A. adj. 1. Of a benefice, office, position, etc. :
Not filled, held, or occupied ; in respect of which
a successor to the previous incumbent or holder
has not been appointed.
Freq. of ecclesiastical benefices (see first eroup of quots.).
(a) c 1190 .S. Eng. Leg. I. 72/51 pe bischopnche of wiri-
cestre vaoaunt was and !ere. 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810)
no per Steuen..suore, pat if a bisshopriche vacant war be
se, pe kyng, no non of his, suld chalange l?at of fe. 1560
Daus tr. Sleidnm's Comm. 237 b, Many churches lye vacant.
XS77 HoLlNSHED Chrvn. I. 223/1 The Pope had accursed the
english people, bicause they suffred the Bishops seas to ba
vacant so long a time. i6li in 10th Kef. Hist. MSS.
Comm. App. I. 546 There hath fallen vacant a benefice
annexed to y« vicariat. 1671 J. Davies {tUle\ The Cere,
monies of the Vacant See : ora True Relation of what passes
at Rome upon the Pope's Death. 1803 Nbi.son Let. to R,
Suckling 23 .Mar., Mr. Horace Suckling.. is very anxious
that you should trresent him to the vacant living. 1849
Macaulav Hist. Eng. vi. II. 95 The archbishopric of York
was vacant. 1887 New York Independent 8 Sept. 16 One
sixth of its churches are * vacant *, meaning of course, with-
out pastors.
(b) 1431-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) IV. 381 That he my^hte
haue reioycede an oper tetrarchye, beenge vacante l>at tyme.
£1440 Promp. Par:'. 507/2 Vacavnl, not occupyyd, vacans.
1560 Dal's tr. SUidane's Comm. 303 b, Vet hath no man
hetherto desyred the same places.. as common & vacant
to be geven them. 1607 Shaks. Timott v. i. 145 Special!
Dignities, which vacant lye For thy best vse and wearing.
1681 PRrDE/.t;x Lett. (Camden) 87 Vou may be assured y'
as soon as this or any other place is vacant you shall be put
in into it. 1805 Med. Jmt. XIV. 192 Dr. .\rneman . . has
undertaken to superintend the foreign department of the
Medical and Physical Journal, v.acant by the decease of
the late Dr. Noehden. 1849 Macaulav Hist Eng. x. II.
634 If the throne was vacant the Estates of the Realm
might place William in it. 1907 Verney Mem. 1. 115 Three
places had fallen vacant.
t b. Const 0/ (an incumbent or holder), rare.
«»97 R. Glooc. (Rolls) 9697 J>e vifte was t>at bi'^sopriches
& abbeies al so pat vacauns were of prelas in |je kinges bond
were ido. I43*-S<> f. Higden (Rolls) II. 109 Northumbre.
londe was vacante of a kynge viij"' yeres.
t o. Having no owner or possessor. Obs. {
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 16 The goodes of the I
Empire, whiche shall chaunce to be vacant, he shall geve ]
away to no man. 1730 Bailev (fol.), Vacant Effects (id i
Law^ are such as are abandoned (or want of an Heir, after j
the Death or Flight of their former Owner. !
2. Devoid of all material contents or acces- '
sories ; containing, or occupied by, nothing ; tm- |
filled, empty, void. j
a i4ao-ss Atexandir 4774 For, fra it droje to |>e derke ay |
till it dawid cftir. It was bot vacant & voide as vanite it
were, c 1450 Godstmu Reg. 417 [One voide place of ther
owne lond. tbid.^ The forsaid vacant place of lond. 1634-5
Brereton Trav. (Chetham Soc.j 15 In the middle a square
vacant place, wherein the moulded brick is disposed. 1671
Milton Sttmson 89 The Moon, When she deserts the night,
Hid in her vacant interlunar cave. 1730-46 Thomson
Autumn 32^ The billowy plain, floats witlej nor can evade
..its [the blast's] seizing force; Or whirl'd in air, or into
vacant chalT Snook waste. 1753 HotjARTH AnaJ. Beauty 8
Ihe vacant space within the shelL Ibid. 91 It fills up the
vacant angle under the arm. 1791 Cowper ///Wxxiii. 47a
Instant to his aid The Goddess hasted, to his vacant hand I
His whip restored. 1817 Jas. Mill .Sci/. /«</(« II. v. ix. 1
714 From that very moment, complaint was extinguished;
and the voice of praise, .occupied the vacant air. 1858
Glehny Everyday Bk. 76/2 All the plants that are strong
enough, .may be planted in vacant places,
trans/, a i8aj Shellsv Death i. 6 .Ml dead 1 those vacant
names alone .. remain. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 233
Philosophy was becoming more and more vacant ana
abstract.
b. Devoid of an occupant ; not taken up by any
one. Also fig. |
•599 Shaks. tifuck Ado i. i. 304 But now. .that warre. I
thoughts Haue left their places vacant, in their roomes Come
(etc.). lAoa MARST0.N Ant. «, Met. it. i, fhere's not a vacant
corner of my heart. But all is fild with deade Antonioa losse.
i««7 Milton /".A. VII. igo Instead Of Spirits maligne abetter ,
Race to brmg Into Ihir vacant room. 1713 Vouno /;<«/ £>aj>
fir. 220 Satan's accurs'd desertion to supply, And fill the
ivf^"!!^!'^''""' °f "''= s''y- '780 Burke (Jicon. Reform.
1 i^ '"■ y9Thebleakwinds..howlingthroughthevacant 1
lobbies, and clattering the doors of deserted guardrooms.
'?^i Tennvson In Mem. xx. To see the vacant chair, and I
'hink How good ! how kind ! and he is gone '. 1887 Ruskin ;
Prxterita 11. 247 There was a spacious half of seat vacant t
in my little hooded carriage. [
O. Of land, houses, etc. : Uninhabited, unoccu-
pied, untenanted. Also, of a room : Not in use,
disengaged. 1
1518 Star Chamber Caut (Sdden) II. 14^ About viij c '
3
howseholdes in the same Towne desolate, vacante, and
decayed. i6to Holland Camden^s Brit, in. Let the old
souldiers..enter upon the vacant lands. 1785 Palev ^/o>-.
Philos. (1B18) II. 383 The new settlers will naturally convert
their labour to the cultivation of the vacant soil. 1847 Helps
Friends in C. (1851) I. 2 .\ house which had long been vacant
in our neighbourhood. 1891 S. C. Scrivener Our Fields
<t Cities 140 There are at least a million and a-half acres
likely to be vacant every autumn.
d. Marked or characterized by the absence of
life, activity, or sound.
1791 Cowper Iliad 11. 68 Amid the stillness of the vacant
night. i8so Tennvson /« Mem. xxxiv. 16 To drop head-
foremost in the jaws Of vacant darkness and to cease. 1894
Hall Caine Manxman ill. iv. 136 Somewhere in the dead
and vacant dawn Philip went to bed.
e. Of water : Free from ice ; open.
1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. x. (1856) 71 In the morning of
the 7th, a large vacant sheet of water showed itself to the
westward.
3. With of. Devoid or destitute of, entirely lack-
ing or free from, something.
a 1400-sa Alexander S116 We at ere voide ay of vice &
I vacant of syn. a 1450 tr. Be Imitatioiie m. xxxii. loi If l>e
: state of Jtc herte be vacant of a ri^t fundement. 1613 Shaks.
Hen. VIII, V. i. 125 My person, which I waigh not, Being
of those Vertues [truth and honesty] vacant. 1634 Milton
Comus 718 That no corner might Be vacant of her [i.e.
Nature's] plenty. 1663 Bp. Patrick Parai. Pilgr. xxxii.
(1687) 391 A company of select friends, vacant of business,
and full of chearfulness, met together at one table. 1751
Franklin Essays Wks. 1840 II. jig Was the face of the
earth vacant of other plants, it might be sowed and over-
spread with one kind only. 1784 R. Bage Barham Do^vns
II. 7 The hour being vacant of business, he got upon his
legs. 184a Tennyson Locksley Hall 175, I, to herd with
narrow foreheads, vacant of our glorious gains ! 1910 Fair-
bairn Stud. Ret. ^ Theol. i\. 11. ii. 292 How could men
vacant of good have affinities with Him [etc.]?
ellipt. 1581 N. r. (Rheims) 2 Peter i. 8 They shal make
you not vacant tL. vacuos\ nor without fruite.
tb. Empty-handed; destitute. Ohs. rare.
i43o-4<> LvDC. Bochas iv. vi. (.MS. Bodl. 263), They ban-
ished hym neuer to come agayne : And so this tiiaunt, vacant,
wente in veyn Aboute the world as a fals FugityflT. 1576 in
Collier Illustr. E. E. Pop. Lit. No. 16. 44 So that none of
us went vacant away, But of one of the parties had honestly
our paye.
4. Of time : Free from, unoccupied with, affairs,
business, or customary work ; leisure. Also const.
from (an action or occupation).
Freq. from c 1550 to c \^ia ; now Obs. or rare.
(a) 1531 Elvot Gov. I. viii, Puttyng one to hj-m . . in vacant
tymes from other more serious lernynge. Ibid, xviii, Alex-
ander, in tymes vacaunt from bataile, delyted in that maner
huntinge. a 1548 Hall Citron., Rich. Ill (1550) 34 Such
euyl persones as wyl not leue one houre vacant from doyng
and exercysing crueltie. 1631 BvriELD Doctr. Sabb. 80
Feriarum, that is, dayes vacant from pleading and labour.
{b) 1548 Udall, etc. F.rasm. Par. Luke xiv, He wil with
food laisure at a vacaunt time sitte down [etc.]. 1593 G.
[arvev Pierces Super. To Rdr., Such scriblings are hardly
worth the vacanlest bowers. i6osBacon Adv. Learn, i. ii. § 7
The most active or busy man that hath been or can be, hath
. . many vacant times of leisure. 1631 Gouge Gotfs A rrews
V. lo. 419 Vacant houres cannot better be spent then in the
Artillery Garden. X7i« Addison Sped. No. 471 P3 The
Memory relieves the Mind in her vacant Moments. 1781
Gibbon Decl.i F. xviii.(i787) II. 104 Chosroes.. consumed
his vacant hours in the rural sports of hunting and hawking.
1805 T. LiNDLEY Voy. Brasil (1808) 34 The females, who fill
up their vacant hours with this elegant amusement. 1815
Jane Ausien Emma I. iii. 35 Any vacant evening of his
own blank solitude.
t b. Of persons : Not engaged or employed in
(one's usual or regular) occupation or work ; dis-
engaged or free from labour or toil ; at leisure ;
also, having nothing or little to do. Obs.
(a) 1600 Palprevman Bauldtinn's Mor. Philos. I. xliv. 28
When he was vacant from his labor, he wold write most elo-
i|uent..Comodies. a i6a8 Preston New Cent. (1634) 152
Those that are vacant from such things are at rest.
(b) 1631 BvFJELD Doctr. Sabb. 154 They may be vacant as
Christians. 1671 Milton P. R. 11. 116 For Satan with slye
preface to return Had left him vacant. 1697 Potter W ntiq.
Greece i. xxvi. (1715) 158 If he can produce any vacant Person
richer than himself, a 1^3 Shenstone Elegies xlx. 4 .Another
spring renews the soldier s toil. And finds me vacant in the
rural tave. 178a Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2) IX. 6933/2 In such
excursions those vacant people [Laplanders] find a luxurious j
and ready repast in these fish. |
nbsol. I7S3 .Smollett Ct. Fathom Ded., To instruct the
ignorant, and entertain the vacant.
o. Characterized by, arising or proceeding from,
absence of occufiation, leisure, or idleness; nn- |
disturbed by business or work.
161S Sandys Trav. 256 Here vacant Life, here Peace her
empire keepes. 1630 Wotton £.«//. (1907) II. 332 A great
natural principle, tnat the vacantest thoughts are every-
where the worst. 1661 Gunning Lent Fast 202 A season of |
vacant attendance on fasting and prayer. 1766 GoLDSM.
Vicar V, Every morning waked us to a repetition of toil ; but
the evening repaid it with vacant hilarity. 1777 Macpher.son
Ossian Introd. 10 That poetical enthusiasm, which is betler
suited to a vacant and indolent state. 1866 R. Chambers
Ess. lam. >, Hum. Ser. M. 89 An idle and vacant life.. is
not calculated to be a happy one.
d. At leisure to devote oneself to some object.
Also of things, open or accessible to some in-
fluence, etc. Now rare or Obs.
1631 BvFiELD Doctr. Sabb. 151 How much more ought
Christians to bee vacant to God alone on the Lords day?
1860 H. More Myst. Godl. v. xiv. 172 Grotius,. .who by
reason of his Political emploiments could not be so entirely
vacant to the searching into so abstruse a Mystery. 1685
VACAT.
Baxter Paraphr. N. T. i Tim. v. 13 Those that are taken
up with \ amily Business of their own are not so vacant and
''^°l« to these Crimes. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 1 1 1 r 5
When the heart is vacant to every fresh form of delight.
'7*3. — Let. to Boswell 8 Dec, Vacant to every object, and
senMble of every impul.se. 1838 Siii J. Stephen Eccl. Ess.
JI. 184 bo long as they shall be vacant to record, .contrite
reminiscences of a desire for roasted goose.
t e. At leisure _/ir something. Obs.-'^
1647 Clarendon Hut. Reb. vni. § 147 F^r John Berkely,..
who was the more vacant for that service by the reduction
of Barnstable.
5. Of the mind or brain : Devoid of or un-
occupied with thought or reflection. Chiefly /o«/.
IS79 Spenser Sheph. Cat. Oct too The vaunted verse a
vacant head demaundes, Ne wont with crabbed care the
Muses dwell. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V, iv. L 286 The wretched
Slaue : Who with a body fill'd and vacant mind, Gets him
to rest. 1770 GoLDSM. Des. VilL 122 The loud laugh that
spoke the vacant mind. 1781 Cowper Retirem. 624 Absence
of occupation is not rest, A mind quite vacant is a mind
distress d. 1818 Miss Ferrier Marriage xv. The demon
of ennui again took possession of her vacant mind. i8ss
Tennyson Daisy 106 Perchance, to lull the throbs of pain,
Perchance, to charm a vacant brain.
t b. Abstracted or disengaged /yu/w (the body,
etc.) in contemplation or reverie. Obs.~^
T '*?? ?■ '^'°'"^ Apoeal. Apoc. s, I was in the spirit on the
Lord s day, . . my mind being vacant from this earthly body,
and external senses.
t c. Free from care or anxiety. Obs. rare.
<? J639 Wotton in Retii/. (1685) 171 The Duke, .even in the
midst of so many diversions, had continually a very pleasant
and vacant face (as I may well call it) proceeding no doubt
from a singular assurance in his temper. 1723 Steele
Conscious Lovers 11. i, Why so much Care in thy Counten-
ance?. .Vou, who used to be so Gay, so Open, so Vacant !
6. Characterized by, exhibiting, or proceeding
from, absence of intelligence or thought ; ex-
pressionless, meaningless; inane.
17U Steele Sfcct. No. 515^4 The vacant look of a fine
Lady is not to be preserved, if she admits any thing to take
up her Thoughts but her own dear Person. 1780 Cowper
Progr. Error 205 Yet folly ever has a vacant stare. 1819
Shelley Cenci 111. i. 277 Let me mask Mine own [looks] in
some inane and vacant smile. 1830 J. G. Strutt Sylva
Brit. 31 The loud laugh of the woodpecker, joyous and
vacant. 1841 James Brigand i, His eyes gazed upon the
.scene, but with somewhat of a vacant aspect. 1878 E.
Taylor Deukalion il i. 56 Vacant are thine eyes. Cold thine
insulted brow and mute thy lip.s.
b. Empty-headed, unthinking, rare.
1879 Froude Cxsttr xii. 163 Metellus was a vacant aristo-
crat, to be depended on for resisting popular demands, but
without insight otherwise.
7. Comb., as vacant-looking, -minded adjs. ;
vacant-heartedness, -mindcdness.
1796 Mmk. D'Arblav Camilla III. 219 We .ill heard he
was engaged to your beautiful vacant-looking cousin. 1846
Mrs. Gore En^. Char. (1852) 49 If they have formerly
figured as beauties, the fickle voice of fashion now proclaims
that they are ' pretty, certainly, but silly and vacant-look-
ing'. 1879 HowELLS L. Aroostook xviii. Her frivolity—
her not so much vacant-mindedness as vacant-heartedness.
1883 J. Mackenzie Day-dawn Dark Places 272, I have
been saddened by the vacant-minded pupil.
B. sb. \ 1. Sc. A vacant estate. Obs.~^
c '4.7S. Rauf Coiliear 758 And als the nixt vacant. .That
ha^jnis in France, qubair sa euer it fall, Forfaltour or fre
waird .. I gif the heir heritabilly.
1 2. One who has held office but is for the time
being unemployed or in retirement. Obs. rare.
i6o» Segar Hon. Mil. f, Civ. iv. xxi. [236 These diners
degrees were in the Emperiall Court called Administrantes,
Vacantes, and Honorarii. /Wrf.]237 Note likewise that the
Oflficers whom we call Vacants are of two sorts.
1 3. //. A vacation. Obs.-^
1647 May Hist Part. i. iii. 35 T he next Terme, after the
ordinary vacants, to be held at the Burgh of Dendie.
1 4. poet. A vacant space ; a vacuum. Obs. rare.
1711 Blackmore Creation v. 248 Ready by Turns to rise
or to descend. Nature against a Vacant to defend. Ibid.
VII. 355 Thou in the Vacant didst the Earth suspend.
Hence f 'Va'cant v. a. trans. To render vacant,
in various senses ; to v.icate. b. intr. To take a
vacation. Obs. rare.
164;! Rainbow Funeral Serm. 29 Jlay 30 She applyed her
self vigorously to the selling of all things, which concerned
the secular alfairs of her Family, that so she might totally
and wholly be vacantcd to God. 1674 [Z. Cawdrey]
Catholicon 18 Which Sacredness they know may be presently
vacanted by the Prevalency of a greater opposite Power.
1751 Scotland's Glory 57 For getting Yule kept up Our
hichest courts vacanted.
Vacantle, obs. var. Vacancy.
Vacantly (vt'^-kantli), adv. [f. Vacant a. +
-LY 2.] In a vacant manner ; f i" freedom from
business or work.
161S Sandys Trav. 288 Great is the difference between
leading thy life vacantly and leading it slouthfully. 1817
Shelley Rev. Islam v. 1915 Its sculptured walls vacantly
to the stroke of footfalls answered. 1839 Dickens Nicklcby
XV, The back parlour sat with her mouth wide open staring
vacantly at the collector, in a stupor of dismay. 1897
Rhoscomvl White Rose Amo 322 Striding over to the place
he laughed vacantly as he heard the story.
tVa'Cantry. Obs.-'- [f. as prec. -I- -KY.]
Vacancy, idleness, inoccupation.
1606 Chapman Hero <V Leanderw. 13a So serious is his
trifling companie In all his swelling ship of vacantrie.
II Vacat. Obs. [L., 3rd sing. pres. ind. oi vacare
to be vacant. Cf. Vacatub.J An annulment or
abrogation.
\-i
VACATABLE.
1591 Ckiid-Marruiges 160 To thend that the Recogniz-
aunce thereof may be Adnihilated and voyd, and a vacat
therevpon to be entred. 1643 R. Baker Chrou.., Edw. II
145 The want of his lathers blessing . . without which a Vacat
is set upMi the labours of men. a xbjx Twvsden in S^el-
mam's Nisi, Sacrilege (169S) Add. 21, Matt, Paris, .having
written that Marriage to have been CcKtra CoHsilium Episc.
E^mundi, [he] did afterwards niake a Vacat of it.
Vaca*table, a. [f. Vacate v. + -able.] That
may be vacated ; capable of becoming vacant.
189s Jl'cstm. Cox, 16 May 2/1 The number of Liberal
•tats vacatable in England and Scotland.
1'Vacatei A** PP^^' Ods~^ [ad. L, vacdtus^
pa. pple. of vacare : see next,] Annulled, made
legally void.
_ci688 Vind. Proc. HM. Eccl. Comm. 5^ The statute is
; if it had been vacate
and nuIL
Obsolete, . . and must be esteemed as i
Vacate (v^'-k^t, vak^*t), v. [ad. L. vacdt-j
ppl. stem of vacare to be empty, free, etc.]
1. irans> To make void in law; to deprive of
l^al authority or validity; to annul or cancel.
Very common in the i7-i8th c. Now only in legal use.
1643 Pbvnne Sifv. Power Pari. 11. (ed. 2) 53 The King
calling a Parliament at Winchester, utterly repealed and
vacated those former Ordinances. 1677 IVIarveli. Corr,
Wks. (Grosart) II. 538 If any one should spend before the
day of election aljove ten pound, ..it shall be accounted
briberj*, and \'acate his choice. 1709 Land, Cos, Na 4538/1
All Entries.. shall be vacated and cancelled. 1750 Cart k
Hist, Etig. II. 158 Her relations.. incited him [Hen. VIII]
to remove the obstacles to his happineivs, by vacating his
marriage with Anne of Cleves. 1790 in Dallas Aftter. Law
Rep. I. 120 The court will confirm the Judgment as to one,
and x-acate it as to the other. 1817 \V. Selwvn Laiv Nisi
Prins (ed. 4) II. 1141 Such omission on the part of the
officer will not \-acate the contract. 1855 Macaulav Hist.
Eng. xxiiL V. 35 The opposition asked leave to bring in a
bill vacating all grants of Crown property which had been
made ance the Revolution. 1883 Laiu Times Rep. XLIX.
'33A» I-. declare the deed to be void, and that it ought to
be cancelled and the registration vacated.
b. trans/. To deprive of force, efficacy, or
value ; to render inoperative, meaningless, or use-
less. Now Obs. or rare.
x6s5 GuRNALL CAr. /« Artn. (1669) 584/1 The Christians
Creed doth not vacate the Ten Commandments. 1698
Chilcot Evil Thoughts i. (1851) 4 Endeavouring to vacate
the obligation of the fifth commandment 1711 in 0. Hickes
fwc Treat. Chr* Priesth. (1847) I. 323 A punctilio;., as such
it is vacated by the universal practice of the Church, a X791
Wesley To Sen^ants Wks. 1811 IX. 103 The character of
the master.. does not vacate the duty of the servant. 1801
Paley Nat. Tkeol. i. i. § 3. 6 These superfluous parts.,
would not vacate the reasoning which we had instituted
concerning other parts. 18*7 R. Hall Wks. (1832) VI. 414
They .. inculcated the obligation of circumcision,.. thereby
vacating and superseding the sacrifice of Christ.
O. To remove or withdraw (a record).
1769 Bi^CKSTONE Comm. IV. 128 Imbezzling or vacating
records., is a felonious oifence against public justice.
2. To make or render (a post or position) vacant;
to deprive of an occupant or holder.
1697 J. Lewis Mem. Dk. Giocester (lySg) 80 As a Garter
was \'acated by the death of Lord Strafford. 1751 T. Sharp
in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 375 Some of the Bishopricks
vacated by the deprivation of the Nonjur. Bishops. 1765
Blackstonk Comm. I. 153 Suppose.. that the whole royal
line should at any time fail, and become extinct, which
would indisputably vacate the throne. 1828 Lytton Pelliavi
I. XXV, One of the seats in your uncle's borough, .is every
day expected to be vacated. 1871 Freeman Norm. Conq.
(1876) IV. xxi. 678 Hadrian de Castello sought the death of
Pope Leo in order to vacate the throne which, when it was
vacated, was filled by Hadrian of Utrecht.
b. To leave (an office, position, etc.) vacant by
death, resignation, or retirement; to give up, re-
linquish, or resign the holding or possession of.
1850 Thackeray Pendennis Ixv, Pen. .promised that he
would give his election dinner there, when the Baronet
should vacate his seat in the young man's favour. 1875 M.
Arnold Ess. Crit. (ed. 3) Pref p. x note^ When the above
was written the author had still the Chair of Poetry at
Oxford, which he has since vacated.
c. absol. To give up an office or position,
i8xa in Examiner^ 30 Nov. 763/1 As soon as the forms of
the House will admit of a MeratJer vacating, in consequence
of a double return.^ 1894 Boase Exeter Coil. <O.H.S.)
p. Ixxix, A Devonshire fellowship was given to Maurice
j^y,. . but Ley soon vacated.
3. To leave or withdraw from (a place, seat,
etc.); to quit or give up.
1791 Mrs. Radcliffe Rom. Forest iv, It was most pro-
bable that if the officers, .found the abbey vacated, they
would quit before morning. 183a G. Downes Lett. Cont.
Countries I. 172 The English ladies .. had caused their
servant to insult one of the collegians. . in the hope that they
would vacate the premises. 1856 Kane Arct. Expi. 11. v.
61, I have determmed. .to remove him to the berth Riley
has vacated,
b. absol. To give up possession or occupancy of
a house, etc.
X854 Thoreau Walden 48, I to pay four dollars and
twenty.five cents to<nisht, he to vacate at five to-morrow
morninz. 1856 Miss Mulock J. Hali/ax xiv, So we
vacatea s and all that long Sunday we sat in the parlour
lately our neighbour's.
4. intr. \ a. To devote one's time, to give one-
self up, to something. Obs. rare.
X685 Evelyn Mrs. Godoiphin (1888) 7 Presc Ibeine to her-
selfe a constant method of devotion,, .that she might the
better vacate to holy dutyes. a 1706 — Hist. Reiig. (1850)
II. 260 There must be deacons and deaconesses, .m> that
the preachers may wholly vacate to the Word.
t b. To withdraw oneselfyV^w (a task). Obs.-^
1665 G. Harvey Adv. a^st. Plague 1, I might justly
vacate from this task, having so lately amused my self
about a Tract of the French Contagion.
c. LKS. To give up work for a time; to take a
holiday or vacation.
1885 Advattce (Chicago) 23 July 476 One thing he [a
Chinaman] can never learn, and that is how to vacate.
Hence Vaca'ted ppl. a.
17^1 On Reiig. Fashionable World 114 It is the very
genius of Christianity to extirpate all selBshness, on whose
vacated ground benevolence, .plants itself. 1831 I. Taylor
Edzvards^ Freed. Will Prefat. Essay p. xxxix, They find a
deserted city and vacated palaces. 1863 Dana Man. Geol.
727 Leaving the rock either side of the vacated space to be
pressed together. 1903 W. Bkight Age of Fatiiers II. xxx.
94 The priest Eugenius . . was rewarded by promotion to
the vacated see.
Vacating (vak^i-tig), vbL sb, [f. Vacate v!\
1. The action of annulling, making void, or de-
priving of legal authority or validity.
1648 {.title), A Declaration of the Commons of England,. .
expressing their reasons for the Adnulling and Vacating of
these Ensuing Votes. 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. Nnu Invent.
p. xcvii, How . . several Lord Mayors . . prosecuted the
vacating of Patents that they judged entrenching on the
Conservacy. 1764 T. Hutchinson Hist. Mass. ii. (1765) 229
From the restoration until the vacating the charter. 1818
Cruise Digest (ed. 2) V. 227 Such a method as the vacating
a statute long before extinguished.
2. The action of giving up, leaving, or relin-
quishing.
i8ao Southey Wesley I. 121 He therefore looked upon
himself to be fully discharged from that cure by the vacat-
ing of his primary design. 1855 Brewster Neivton I. iv.
98 The expected vacating of his Fellowship. 1905 Sat. Rev.
23 Sept. 397/2 The vacating of a Warden's residence.
Vacation (vaki?'*j3n), sb. Forms : 4-5 vaca-
cioun, 5 vacacyone, -clone, -cyoun, viraca-
cion(e, 5-6 vaoacion (6 -cyon), 6 vacatione,
5- vacation, [a. OF. (also mod.F.) vacation
( = It. vacazione, Sp. vacacion, Pg. vaca^do)^ or ad.
I.,, vacation-^ vacdtio (med.L. also va€dcio\ f.
vacare : see Vacate z'.]
I. 1. Freedom, release, or rest/rom some occu-
pation, business, or activity.
c 1386 Chaucer Wife's Prol. 684 Whan he hadde leyser
and vacacioun From oother worldly occupacioun. 1531 Elvot
Gov. I. ii, What vacacion had they from the warres? 1575
Laneham Let. (1871) 12 , The forenoon occupied, .in quiet
and vacation from woork. i6ax Brathwait Nat. Fmbassie
(1877) 156 Admit of no vacation, saue onely vacation from
vice. _ 1650 R. Lucas Hutnane Life 245 The life of the
sluggish is but a waking dream, a vacation from all busi-
ness. j86s W. G. Palgrave Arabia II. 165 Especially
during the days of vacation from ordinary business.
b. Without const. Freedom or respite from
work, etc.; time of rest or leisure.
£'1425 Wvntoun Cron. v. iv. 777 Bot l>ai war til Sancte
Petyr ay Helparis in his lattyr day, Qwhen he gaf his
vacacion Al hail til his deuocion. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm.
Par. yohft viii. 58 A secrete place, or some vacacion is
conuenient for preachers of the gospell. 1570 T. Norton
No^ve^s Catecii. (1853) ^^g When, resting from worldly
business .., and as it were having a certain holy vacation.
1610 Healev5/. Aug, CitieofGodxn. xvii. (1620) 435 His
vacation is not idle, sloathfuU nor sluggish. 1655 Fuller
Ch, Hist, I, iv. 20 The Primitive Confessours were so taken
up with what they endured, they had no vacation largely to
relate their own or others Sufferings.
transf, 1639 Fuller Holy War n. xii. (1840) 66 After the
tempest of a long war,.. king Baldwin had a five years
vacation of peace in his old age.
•j-C. Leisure for, or devoted to, some special
purpose; hence, occupation, business. Obs.
<: X450 tr. De Imitatione in. Iviii. 135 Put J?e vacacion of
god [L. Deivacationem] before all ot)er l^inges. 1349 Compi.
Scot, vi. ^5 Ther prencipal vacatione vas on the neuresing
of bestialite. /3/<V.,Ther is na faculte, stait, nor vacatione
. . that can be conparit til oure stait. 1603 Flokio Montaigne
ir. xii. 308 She [Philosophy] ascribeth no other consultation
[to the Gods], nor imputeth other vacation vnto them. 1627
W. Sclater Exp. 2 T/tess. {1629) a Charity, which is the
vtmost pretended aime of single life, and wilfuU pouertie,
whole Vacation to the Contemplation of the glorious Deitie.
i6s4 Hammond Fundam, xi. Wks. 1674 I. 298 The inestim-
able benefit of peace, and quiet and vacation for piety.
t d. Absence from duty or from some usual
post ; also, a sum paid for absence or exemption.
1461-83 in Househ. Ord. (ed. 4) 32 Savynge the right of
the countynghouse in chekking them for theire vacations or
for lak of recordes. 1472-3 Roils ofParit. VI. 57/1 Somines
of money. .abated of the fees., of any of the said Souldeours
. . for the vacations and absence oute of the said Toune. 1583
Melbancke Philotimus Q ij b, Parmenio his tongue was
very fine and voluble to run ouer his masters whole life this
time of vacation from his mistris. 1591 Savile Tacitus^
Hist. I. Iviii. 3^ Vitellius-.paies the vacations to the Cen-
turions out of his cofers.
2. A period during which there is a formal sus-
pension of activity; one or other part of the year
during which law-courts, universities, or schools
are suspended or closed ; holidays.
c 1456 Pecock Bk. of Faith (1909) 228 Hou myche labour
is maad in ynnes of Court in Londoun, bi tymes of vaca-
cioun, aboute the reding.. of the Kingis Statutis. 1:1460
FoRTEScuE/3^.f.<5-Z-:;«. Mon. x v. (1885) i48Howmonyowres
off the daj' this counsell shall sytt, when thai shall haue any
vacasion. 1529 Set. Cases Star Chamber (Selden) 11.36
We dyd apoynte them there to mete ageyne at the vacacion
of Christmas last past. 1600 Shaks. A. V. L. in. ii. 349
[Time stays] With Lawiers in the vacation : for they sleepe
bctweenc Terme and Tcrinc 1617 Morvson Itia. 111. 10, 1
vacation.
judge Lawyers and Officers more happy, who have their
Termes to live in the City, and their Vacations to returne
into the.Countrey. a 1668 Davenant Play-ho. to be Let i. i,
We are standing Properties of the Play-house, which, in
Vacation, lye in pawn for the Rent. 1722 De Foe Plague
(Rildg.) 29 It being in the Time of the Vacation. 1771
i'iiil. Trans. LXI. 324 The young nobleman, .. whom I
accompanied to his seat from the university, during the
Christmas- vacation. 1796 Burke Let. Noble Lord Wks.
VIII. 35 Every honest father of a family. .will pray that
there may be a very long vacation in all such sjhools. 1818
Cruise Digest (ed. 2) V. 216 For no other reason, perhaps,
but because the fine was levied in the vacation, and was
dated as of the preceding term. 1829 Lytton Diso-umed vi,
To this house Algernon was constantly consigned during his
vacations from school. 1904 Mrs. Creighton Life Bp.
Creighton I. x. 308 In the Easter Vacation we went for a
short walking tour in Norfolk.
transf. 1642 Fuller Holy <§• Prof. St. iv. i. 242 Wherefore
in the midst of the Term of his businesse he makes himself
a vacation to speak with them. ci6s6Ussher Ann. (1658)
814 The King of Kings forbore his hunting and feasting of
the Nobles, which is a Kinde of Vacation among the Par*
thians.
b. Long Vacation (see Long a.i 18).
ai6oi Sir T. Fanshawe Tract. Exch. (1658) 160 In every
long vacation all the bills, .and other pleadings are to be
taken from the common files. 1631 T. Adams in Lett. Lit.
Men (Camden) 150 The arabick Lecture.. to be enired
upon after that long vacation following. 1693 [see Long a.
18]. 1706 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) I. 215 In ye Long-
Vacation [he] made an Excursion. 1825- [see Long a. 18].
1882 H. C. Merivale F'aucit of B. v, When season, reading-
party, and long vacation were all over, ..much distressed
was the Oxford world [etc.].
c. A holiday. Chiefly U.S.
1878 Masque of Poets 177 At Saratoga, where you meet
all grades of well-dressed people spending short vacations.
1888 A. K. Green (Mrs. 'RohXh) Behind Closed Doors \\, She
went away for a short vacation a few days ago.
d. attrib.j as vacation-exercise ^ -task^ -time, etc.
1628 M iLTON {title). At a Vacation Exercise in the CoUedge.
a 1668 Davenant Plaj^'ho. to be Let Wks. (1673) 75 Good,
Sir, no French translation till the Tearm; It is too precious
for Vacation-ware. 1721 Amherst Terrs Fit. No. 47 (1726)
251 Every monday throughout the year, in vacation-time as
well as in term-time. 1797 in Fowler Hist. C. C. C. (O. H.S.)
298 This Vacation exercise, the subject of which will be
communicated to him at the usual time. 1828 Lytton
Pelhain \\. xiii, It is now vacation time, and 1 have come
to town with the idea of holding lectures on the state of
education. 1844 Talfourd {title), Vacation Rambles and
Thoughts. 1894 Ld. Coleridge in Life {1904) II. xii. 3B2,
I am smitten once more with the fate of Vacation Judge.
J904 *M. V. Hahdom ' Weird T?-ansform. x. 84 What with
his walks and his vacation tasks, small danger was appre-
hended.
3. fa. A state or period characterized by the
intermission or absence ^something. Obs.
1567 Allen JDe^ Priesth. Pref., In this pitifull vacation
and long lacke of the practise of priesthoode. 1630 Len*
NARD tr. Charron's Wisd. (1658) 31 Whereby followeih a
kind of intermission and vacation of the actions. 1677
Temple Ze/. to HydeWks. 1720 II. 474 We have had since
Monday last, a perfect Vacation of all Affairs, a 17x1 Ken
Preparatives Poet. Wks. 1721 IV. 115 Sleep's a Vacation of
our Pow'rs, And innocently wastes our Hours,
t b. A cessalion/>'tfw something.
1617 in Buccieuch MSS. (Hist. MSB. Comm.) I. 184 Thb
day IS here Good Friday, and such a dead vacation from
all kind of business, as I can now add little to this letter.
c 1770 Eliz. Carter Lett. (1808) 96 That dead vacation
from all present hopes and fears that stupifies the retirement
of a convent.
C. A state or period of inactivity.
X644 Bulwer Chiron. 116 The inconvenience of this cold
vacation in the Hand, gave being to that Axiome in Rhet-
orique [etc.]. 1660 Boyle New Exp. Phys. Mccli. Pref.
p. viii. The occasional vacations of the Press, by reason of
Festivals, or the absence of the Corrector. 1862 StanlTcy
Jexv. Cii. (1877) I. iv. 75 The city was in a state of compara-
tive desolation;., a vacation of centuries had passed over it.
4. A time of freedom, release, or respite [from
something),
1614 Raleigh Hist. World ni. xii. 125 The Mantina;ans,
finding the war to be carried frcmtheirwals,.,wouldusethe
commodity of that vacation. 1639 Fuller Holy IVar i. vi,
The longest vacation from persecution they enjoyed was
when Charles was Emperor of the West. 1670 Cotton
Espemon 1. iv, 189 Giving himself a vacation from the
hardships of War. 1714 R. Fiddes Pract. Disc. \\. 100
Such times should be vacations from the common business
and affairs of humari life. 1748 tr. Vcgetius Renatus 244
Let.. a Vacation from Labour be given him,
II. + 5. The fact of an office or post becoming
or being vacant; the time during which the
vacancy lasts. Obs.
Chiefly in ecclcbiastical use : see («)._
{a) c 1425 Wvntoun C^-on. viii. xxxiii. 5897 In til a waca-
clone pai walde nouclit mak electione Twys. 1454 Rolls of
Parlt. V. 247/1 Of all . . voidaunce of Bisshopriches, Abbeys
and Prioryes, tyme of vacation [etc.j. x$33-4 Act 25 Hen.
Vllly c 21 § 16 AH.. licences.. shall (during the vacation of
the saiiie see) be . .graunted vnder the name and scale of the
gardiane of the spiritualities. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's
Comm. 366 b, Bishopprickesaboutelxxxxvi, by the vacations
whereof, as they terme it, is caried to Rome a wonderful
some of gold. 1602 Segar Hon. Mil. -y Civ. iv. xxiv.
244 If it fall out that the Archbishop of Canterburie be
not there, by the vacation of his See, then the Archbishop
of Yorke is to take his place. 1655 Fuller Cii. Hist, ix. 71
Certain lands assumed by the Queen from some Bishopricks
during their vacation. 1709 Strvpe Ann. Ref I. vi. 9S
All arrearages of subsidies and tenths past in the days of
their predecessors, and in times of vacation.
ib) 154a Hen. VIII Decl War Scots DVy, AW castels &
holdes were surrendred to him as to the superior lord in the
tyme of vacation. 1560 Daus tr. Slcidanc^s Comm. 16 That
VACATION.
he shall ratifie that wliich was done in the vacation of
thempire, by the countie Palatine. 1614 Ralkigh Hist.
World II. xxii. 475 But we are now arrived at a nicere
vacation, wherein the Crown of Juda lay voyd eleven whole
yeares. 163a Lithgow_ Trav, ill. 89 This commonly they
practise in euery such like vacation, which otherwise, they
durst neuer attempt.
■f b. A vacant post ; a vacancy. Obs.
1535 Cromwell in Merriman Li/c ^ Lett. (1902) I. 39S, I
hertely desyre & pray you.. to graunt vnto the said Robert
the next \'acacion of one of the iiii Clarkes of that your
courte.
t 6. The fact of a house being unoccupied or
untenanted ; loss of rent due to this. Obs.
1479-81 Rec. St. Mary at Hill (15^5) 96 Vacacions, In
primys, syr Rafis chambyr, voyde by ij quarters, the quarter
at ij s iijd. Ibid. 192 Item, ffor theovacacion of the howse
that Wylliam Raynsford dwellyd in, for iij quarters, xx s.
1 7. Empty space ; vacuity. Obs.~^
i;r43 Lond. ff Country Brew, in. (ed. 2) 211, I am of
Opinion nothing less than four or five Feet high Vacation
ought to be allowed - . in order to break the Force of such an
Ebullition, by thus giving it Room enough to expand.
HI. 1 8. The action of voiding or evacuating.
1607 -Mahkham Ca7el. vii. (1617) 33 From fulnes, as from
surfeit of meate or drink, or the want of vacation of humors.
9. The action of vacating, of Iciving (or being
left) vacant or unoccupied.
1876 Clark Russell Is he tlu Manf II, 2 The 'servants
were ignorant of the true reason of old Mrs. Ransome's
sudden vacation of the house. 1884 Manch, Exam. 29 May
5/2 The Viceroyalty of India, .will then be on the point of
vacation by the Marquis of Ripon. 1892 .Sat. Rev. 22 Oct.
465/1 Seats chosen for vacation by the Gladstonians them-
selves.
Hence Vaoa-tion v. intr., to take a vacation or
holiday. Vaca-tioner, («) f^. 5"., a holiday-maker;
(,/») a vacation-student. Vaca'tionist, = prec. (a).
Vaca'tionless a., having no vacation or holidays.
1896 Advance (Chicago) 27 Aug. 273 Despite hard times,
people will go 'vacationing. 1890 Hid. 28 Aug., The
' swallows homeward fly ' ; and so, by sea and land, do
•vacationers and tourists. 18^ At/antic J/ontAiyL\XXll.
401/1 It did my vacationer's heart good to see men so
cheerfully industrious. 1904 Middle Temple Rec., Min,
Parlt. I. 389 The following vacationers are fined 201. each
for absence from Air. Daston's reading. 1885 yield 18 .'\pr.
511 The 'vacationist in quest of bracing air.. will find in
Tyrol many places to suit him. 189a Ibid, a July 25 /2 Rivers
..attractive to the summer vacationist. 1891 Advance
(Chicago) 25 June, I dislike to go away leaving people
*vacationless who deserve an outing more than I do.
II Vaca'tnr. Obs, [L. vacatur, 3rd sing. pres.
ind. pass, of vacare : of. V.\cat.] An annulment.
i68a Lond. Gaz. No. 1739/3 Whether Your M.ijesty will
be pleaded to order a Vacatur to be entred upon the ICnroll-
ment of the Charter now surrendred. 1811 in Rejt. Cotnmis.
PubL Rec. Ircl, (1815) 71 For every Vacatur— (This seldom
happens, not one having occurred these six years back),
1-2. 17. II.
Va'CCarage. rare, [See next and -age. Cf.
also med. L. vaccagium^ = next.
1895 Line, N.frQ. IV. 131 The vaccaria, vaccarages, or
cow.pastures attached to the Abbey.
Vaccary (va;-kari). Now only //ij/. Also 5-6
vaooarie, 6 vaooharie, 7 vacharie. [ad. med.L.
vaccaria, f. L. vcuca cow. Cf. Vachery, and Pg.
vacaria herd of cows.] A place where cows are
kept or pastured ; a dairy-farm.
1471 in Archaeol. XLVII. 195 Th'issues, prouffites. and
revenues coming.. of the ferme of the vaccarie of .Sleig.
holme. IS4S Act 37 Hen, VIII, c. 16 One parcell of lond
called the Vaccharie, conteyninge by estimacioil threscore
Acres. 1594 Crompton yurisd, 194 Without warrant no
subiect may haue within the forest a vaccarie. 1656 Blount
Glossogr,, Vaccary, alias vacharie, seemes to be a house
to keep kine or cowes in. (Hence in Phillips, etc.] 181J
Dickson Lancashire 13 The Forest of Wyersdaie.. being
distributed into twelve different tracts .. which still retain
the ancient title of vaccaries or cow.pastures. [1863 J. R.
Walbban Mem, Fountains Abbey (Surtees) 343 note. To
render annually of the profits, of the vaccary twenty six
stones eight pounds of butter.l
Vaoche(n, southern ME. van Fbtch v.
Vacci- (vte-ksi), combining form of L. vacua
LOW, as in Taoclclde, the killing of a cow;
Vacclmnl^enoe, milking of cows.
Also, in recent Diets., vaccigcnout (for 'vacdmgemrus)
adj., * producing vaccine *.
1796 Coleridge Biog. Lit. (1845) II. 381 Will you try to
look out for a fit servant for us, . . scientific in vaccimulgence 1
That last word is a new one. looo M. C Wilson Irene
Petrit xi. 249 In Kashmir vacciciJe is a capital crime.
tVa'CCin. Obs,—^ [ad. L. vaccin-ium,^ (See
Vaccinium,)
1589 Fleming Virg. Geori^, x, 38 What then, ifAmint bee
Both blacke fand swart) so violets and vaccins too are blacke.
Vaccinable, a. [f Vaccin-ate »,] Capable
of being successfully vaccinated.
18^ in S^yd. Soc. Lex.
Vaccinal (vic-ksinal, vseksai-nal), a. [f. Vac-
cine sb, + -AL, or a. F. vaccinal { 1 8 1 2).] Of or per-
taining to, connected with, vaccine or vaccination.
1888 Encyct. Brit. XXIV. 2(</2 The vaccinal eruption,
especially on Ihe scalp. Ibid. 27/1 Epidemics of vaccinal
sore arms. 1899 I><^'ly Maus 6 March 8/5 An inspector
comes down to inquire into the vaccinal condition of the
sufferers.
Vaccinate (vae-ksin^if), V. [f. Vaccine a,
Cf. F. vacciner .aiSoi), h. vaccinare,.Fg. vac-
cittar, Sp. vacunar,'\
1. irans. To inoculate with the virus of cow-pox
as a protection against small-pox.
1803 Ring Treat, Co-.v-pox m. 1026 .\ French physician.,
having vaccinated the son of the English Consul. Ibid. 1027
A number of those who were vaccinated in New England.
c i8as S. M. Lloyd Tommy Sole 2 When her only child,
1 omray, was at a proper age, Mr. Howard proposed to vac-
cinate him. [Foot-note, To inoculate him with the cow.pox.)
1856 Miss Mulock y. Halifax xxv. Rather against
Ursula's wish, I vaccinated the children,
yff. 1809 SoUTHEY in Q. Rev. I. 212 It might be supposed
their ablutions at the cow's tail vaccinated tiiem against the
contagion of any other religion. 1872 O. W. Holmes Poet
Break/.-t. X, There are teachers .. who vaccinate the two
childhoods with wholesome doctrine. 1892 Zangwill Child,
Glietto II. 3 Who will vaccinate him against free-thinking
as I would have done ?
b. transf. To inoculate with a virus.
1904 Brit. Med, yml, 10 Sept. 574 By vaccinating animals
..with a strongly neurotoxic poison.
2. intr. To perform or practise vaccination.
1837 Macaulay Ess., Ld. Bacon (1897)404 The Baconian
takes out a lancet and begins to vaccinate. 1843 Marryat
M, Violet xviii. As I have before mentioned, the Shoshones
vaccinate. 1878 [see Vaccine sb. n\
3. trans. 'To inject by or in vaccination.
186S Seaton Hcuidbk, Vaccination -zi When lymph raised
in cows by retro- vaccination is vaccinated back to the human
subject.
Hence Va'ooinatad///. a,, Va'ocinating vbl, sb.
and///, a,
1808 Reece Med, Diet, s.v. Cow-pox, The proportion of
*vaccinated persons. 1876 Bristowe Th, ^ Pract, Med,
(1878) 177 Sometimes a roseolous rash spreads over the vac-
cinated limb. 1888 Ettcycl, Brit, XXIV. 29/1 Do the
vaccinated escape in an epidemic ? 1867 Cltambers^s Encycl,
IX. 688/2 The method of *vaccinating and the phenomena
of cow-pox. 1868 Ballard Vaccination 355 The puncture
of the vaccinating lancet. 1897 Allbutt's Syst, Med, 1 1. 715
An active vaccinating material.
Vaccination (vaeksin^-Jan). [f. Vaccine a.
Cf. F. vaccination (a 1803), It. vaccinazione (1809),
Pg. vacciitofdo, Sp. vacunacion.']
1. The action or practice of inoculating with
vaccine matter as a preventative of small- pox.
1800 R. Dunning (title), Some observations on vaccination,
and the inoculated cow-pox. z8ox Rep, Committees, Ho,
Commons XIV. 187 Vaccination has justly called forth their
particular attention. 1813 Examiner 26 April 264/2 Prior
to the_ introduction of vaccination, several hundreds annu-
ally died of the small pox. 1846 Brittan tr. Malgaigne's
Man. Oper, Surg, 60 Vaccination comprises the modes of
collecting the vaccine, and of inoculating. 1876 Bristowe
Th, t, Pract, Med, (1878) 178 Small-pox has died out.. in
exact proportion as efficient vaccination has been generalised.
b. Inoculation with a virus.
189Z Nature 3 Sept.. To the old dangerous method . . ,
Pasteur had added the less dangerous one of preventive in-
oculation by means of an atteuuated viru.s, to which he had
applied the term vaccination. 1897 Allbutt's Syst, Med, II,
711 The vaccination [with anti.rabic fluid] is usually made
into the subcutaneous connective tissues of the sheep^
2. attrib,, as vaccina/ion acl, defaulter, law,
officer, scar, etc.
1867 Chambers^s Encycl, IX. 600/1 In 1841, the Vaccina-
tion Act was; passed. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XX I V. 28 To make
the vaccination law more stringent. Ibid, 30 To certify to the
vaccination officer the fact of vaccination. 1S97 Dctily Neivs
18 Sept. 3/3 Inflicting repeated penalties on vaccination
defaulters. 1897 Allbutt's .Syst, Med, II. 627 Any case of
cancer affecting the vaccination scar.
Hence 'Vaccina'tionist, a believer in the efficacy
of vaccination.
188s Pall Malic, 24 Mar, 2/1 This and similar allega-
tions form the sheet-anchor of the vaccinationist.
Vaccinator (v£e-ksin<f'taj). [f. Vaccinate v.
Cf, F. vaccincUeur, It. vaccinatore, Pg. vaccinador,
Sp, vacunacior,'\
1, One who performs, practises, or advocates
vaccination.
1808 Reecb .Med, Diet, s.v. Cow,po.x, How the vaccinators
account for this, I am at a loss to conjecture. 1863 Times
25 Apr., Many public vaccinators, it is said, are wholly in-
competent to perform their duty. 1897 --illbutt's Syst. Med,
II. 590 In another case the vaccinator. .died of erysipelas.
2. An instrument used in performing vaccination.
187s in Knight Diet, Mech, 2686/1. 1897 Allbutt's Syst,
Med, II. 633 Cases of. .septic infection have been known to
follow the use of some mechanical vaccinator.
Comb. 1885 Harries tr, IVarlomant's Anim. Vaccination \
124 [\n\ apparatus which we have called the vaccinator-
trephine.
Va'CCiuatory, a, rare, [f Vaccinatb ».]
Used for, connected with, vaccination ; vaccine.
iSaS Blackw. Mag. XXIV. 834 Quassia might be dis.
tributed gratia at Apothecary's Hall, as vaccinatory matter
is at the Cow-pox Hospital. x88o Daily News 25 May 5/7
Piis just as efficacious for vaccinatory purposes as the lymph
habitually used.
Vaccine (v^-ksain, -va),sb, [f. as next, or a.
F. vaccine (:8oo) cow-pox, vaccination, vaccin
(1812) vaccine matter, = It. and Pg. vaccina, Sp.
vacuna^
tl. Vaccination. Obs.~^
1803 tr. P, Le Brun's Motts, Botte lit. no Is it to them
the world owes inoculation, which they so long opposed ; or
the vaccine, which they still oppose ?
2. Vaccine matter used in vaccination.
1846 [see Vaccination 1). 1851 Leadam Homoeopathy 361
A child.. totally insusceptible of the influence of vaccine.
1B64 Spectator 375 As ordinary Englishmen say, the vaccine
took. 1878 T. Bryant Preset. Surg. I. 94 It would be also
VACCININE.
well, for the purpose of keeping up a good supply of vaccine,
occasionally to vaccinate direct from the heifer.
y(ir..i86i Gen. P. Thompson Audi Alt. cliv. III. 155 Im-
pressing the advantages of industry, with the chance of
acting as a vaccine to the habits of thieves.
attrib, 1889 Buck's Re/. Handbk. Med. Sci. VII. 518
Unies vaccme.scarificator consists of four blades fixed upon
a horizontal axis.
b. A preparation of some virus used for the
purpose of inoculation.
1894 Daily News 15 Jan. 3/1 Graduated solutions of what
for want of a better word may be called the vaccine.
Vaccine (va;-ks3in, -in), a, [ad. L. vacctn-us
{i, vacca cow), esp. in variolas vaccinse cow- pox
(Dr. Jenner, 1798). Cf. It. vaccina.']
1. Vaccine disease, pock, — Cow-pox.
"799 '''led, yrnl. I. 281 The certainty that the having
suffered the vaccine disease, will prove a preservative from
the infection of the small.pox. i8oz Ibid. VIII. 169, I found
the Vaccine-pock so safe and mild a disease, .that 1 became
a convert. 1851 Leadam //<?w/^<>^a/Aj' 360 When the system
has been satisfactorily infected by the vaccine disease.
b. Appearing in, characteristic of, the disease of
cow-pox,
1800 Med. yrnl. V. 28 Matter taken from a vaccine pus-
tule. 1816 SoUTHEY in g. Rev, XVI. 383 It might be sup-
posed that, like the vaccine infection, it secured the system
against a stronger poison. 1845 Encycl, Mctrop. VII. 755/1
The vaccine cicatrix is round, deep, radiated, and puckered.
1888 Encp/cl. Brit. XXIV. 26/2 Ulceration of the vaccine
vesicle . . IS one of the commoner forms of ' bad arm '.
2. Vaccine lymph, matter, virus, the character-
istic virus of cow-pox (obtained directly or from
human subjects) wliich is employed in vaccination.
1799 Med, yrnl, II. 25 Manifestly arising from absorption
of vaccine matter into the system. 1799 Jenner Further
Obs. Var, Vaccina! (Crookshank, 1889) II. 188 Mr. Henry
Jenner.. inserted the vaccine virus into the arm of a child.
1813 D. Milne in Home Papers (Hist. MSS. Comm.)
159, I gave his phial of vaccine matter to a Dr. Staunton.
1880 A. Flint's Princ. Med. 1043 The vesicles.. contain a
transparent, viscid liquid called the vaccine lymph. 1897
Allbutt's Syst, Med, II. 644 Essential constituents of vaccine
j lymph.
3. Vaccine inoculation, ^VACciDATioy I,
1799 Med. yrnl. II. 310 Extracts of Letters on the Vaccine
Inoculation. i8aa Ann, Reg., Hist. Europe 182/2 Dr.
Jenner, the discoverer of the vaccine inoculation. 1806 R.
WiLLAN (title), On Vaccine Inoculation.
b. Connected with vaccination,
i8ia Examiner 21 Sept. 597/2 The National Vaccine
Establishment has. .published Its report. 1816 J. Ring
Uitle), -^ caution against vaccine swindlers and impostors.
4. Derived from, pertaining or relating to, cows.
1804 .Med. yrnl. XII. 242 We have milk . . , butter, . cheese.
All ihis is vaccine matter. 1864 Daily Tel. 10 June, Cows
. . executed a kind of comic vaccine war dance. 1881 S. R.
Macphail Selig, House 0/ Pluscardyn ii. 51 When any
animal about the farm became ill, there was generally to be
found some skilled person who professed vaccine medical
knowledge.
Va'ccine, v, rare ~*. = Vaccinate v, i .
1803 Mar. Edcewortii To-morrow Wks. 1833 V. 355,
I think we had better have him vaccined.
Vaccinee (vaeksinr). rare, [Cf. prec. .md
-EE 1.] One ivho is, or has been, vaccinated.
1889 Buck's Ref. Handbk. Med. Sci. VII. 518 Vaccineesof
twelve or more years. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II, 594
The three groups of vaccinees (vaccinated on the same day)
to which these children belonged.
II Vaccinia (v^ksinia). Path, [mod.L., f.
L. vaccin-us Vaccine a,] Cow-pox.
Recent Diets, also give vaccinella and vacciniola as names
of spurious or secondary eruptionssometimes following upon
vaccination,
1803 Med. yml, IX. 35^ The Small-pox will never be ex-
tirpated till every parent is in the habit of inserting the vac-
cinia in the arm of his child. 184a Bukcess Dis. Skin 129
Genuine vaccinia is sometimes developed on the hands of
ostlers. 1878 T. Bryant Pract. Surg. I. 52 In other cases it
precedes an attack of smallpox, attends vaccinia, and is
common in children.
Hence '7acci'nlal a,
1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med, II. 572 A generalized vaccinial
eruption has been produced in children who had sucked
their vaccination pocks.
Vaccinide (vsc-ksinsid). Path, [a. F. vac-
cinide, i. vaccine Vaccine u,] (See quot. 1S89,)
1889 Crookshank Hist. Vaccination II. 552 The Lyons
Commission is unwilling to admit the existence of generalized
vaccinal eruptions, or vaccinides. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
II. 571 "The only decisive test whether an eruption following
vaccination be a true ' vaccinide ' or not.
Vaccinifer (va:ksi-nifsj). [f. Vaccine sb:\
A person (esp, a child) acting as the transmitter
of vaccine virus.
1868 Ballard Vaccination 555 The admixture of blood
from the vessels of the syphilitic vaccinifer, 1878 T. Bryant
Pract, Surg. I. 94 When the blood of a syphilitic vaccinifer
is transferred . . to a non-syphilitic subject. 1888 Encycl.
Brit, XXIV. 24/2 The circumstance that the calf, .becomes
the vaccinifer, instead of the child.
Hence '7acoinl'feron8 a,
1885 Harries tr. IVarlomont's Anim. Vaccination ■i^'Vhfs
vacciniferous property of * the grease '.
Vaoci-nirorm, a. Path, [f. Vaccinia.] Re-
sembling cow-pox. (In recent Diets,)
Va'ooinlne. Also -in, [Cf Vaccine sb, and a,.
Vaccinia.] ' The specific contagion of cow-pox.'
(In recent Diets.)
Vacciniola : see note to Vaccinia.
VACCINIST.
VaCCiuist (vse-ksinist). [f. Vaccinb si. or a.
+ IST. CI. atUi-zuKciHis/ (,1822).] A vaccinator;
a supporter or advocate of vaccination.
1847 Wkbster, yacciHtsty one who inoculates with the cow.
pox. iW^ ymcdJuMm lxf*irer IV. 189 llie most insolent
and OtnatKal vacdntst on the Metropolitan hench. XS98
Dmily Sews a -Apr. 4 From the point of view of the strict
\lKxuusts and from that of the anti-vaccinists.
iVtecininni (va;ksi"ni/(m). Bot. [L. vac-
clnium bilberry (?).] ». A large genns of plants,
chiefly belonging to the northern hemisphere,
many species of which bear edible berries, b. One
or other species of this genns ; sfec. a bilberry.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vaecinium, a Black-berry, a
Biftperr>', or Hurtle-berry ; also a Violet-flower. 17S3 Cliam-
itn' Cycl. Suppl.. Vaccinium, in botany, a name by which
some authors have called the great bilberry, or vitis iJxa
magHa of other \iTiter5. 1796 Withebing Brit. PI. (ed. 3)
II. 373 In structure (this islcertainly different from the other
Vacdniums. 1819 Stephens in Shaw's (,><(. Zool. XI. 11. 269
It feeds upon the berries.. of the vaccinium. 1881 Garden
29 Am-. 392/3 Vacciniums mix well with American plants.
1894 VKSs/HAlfine Valley III. 36 The dense mass of tender
leam) vaccinium.
VwJCinizatiOIl (v:e:ksinaiz?'j3n). [a. F. vac-
ciMtsatieti, f. vaccine Vaccine sb^ Vaccination
continued or repeated until the vaccine virus has
no effect.
1889 Buck's Re/. Handbk. Med. Sci. \\\. 515 In Holland,
a moaiiied vaccinization has been practised for a long time,
ten insertions being m.ide upon each subject.
Va'CCinO-, combining form of Vaccine sh.
or (J., or of V'accinia, as in varcinophobia (1899),
•vaccino-syphilis, vcucino-syphilitic adj.
i8<8 Ballard Vaccination 362 The dread of performing a
vaccino-sj-philitic inoculation. 1878 T. Brvant Pract. Surg.
I. 94 Vaccino-syphilis may be transferred by means of vac-
cination. 1885 Harries tr. Warlomont'sAnim. Vaccina-
Hen 78 The most pronounced case of vaccino-syphilis.
Vaccinogenic, a. rare. [f. Vaccine ji.]
Producing vaccine ; vaccinal.
1889 Cbookshank Hist. Vaccination II. 585 According to
some, the vaccinogenic eruption is never spontaneous in the
cow.
So Taccino'g'enons a. (1899 Syd. Soc. Lex.)
Ya'CCinoid, sb. or a. Path. [f. Vaccine sb.
or a., or Vaccinia. Cf. F. vcucino'ide vaccinide.]
(See quots.)
1880 .4. Flint's Princ. Med. [1044 Incomplete vaccinia,
vaccinoid, as it was termed by Trousseau. Ibid.] 1045 Par-
tial success, as shown by imperfect or vaccinoid vesicles, is
still more common.
II Vaceiola. Obs. [mod.L. (Stokes), f. vacca
cow.] Cow-pox; vaccinia.
j8oi Med. jfrnl. V. 454 The incised part bore the charac-
teristic marks of pure Vaceiola. x8o4 Ibtd. XII. 440 Small-
pox inoculation after vaceiola.
+ Va'oeiolate, v. Obs. [f. prec] trans. To
vaccinate. So Vaooiolation, Va'coiolator.
1804 Med. jfml. XII. 242 The French inaccuracy, which
many of our most eminent vacciolators so complaisantly
adopt. Ibid. 440, I know many who.. have by design vac-
ciolated themselves after the small-pox. Ibid. 441 The effect
of vacciolation (inoculation of vacciolous matter).
+ Vacci-olous, a. Obs. [f. as prec] = Vac-
cine a. 2.
Z804 Med. yrnl. XII. 242 Vacciolous matter is matter of
vaceiola or cow-pock,
Vaoh, obs. So. f. Watch. Vaehe, obs. f. Vetch.
tVa'Chery. Obs. Also4vaoherie, 5 -erye,
-yre. [a. OF. (also mod.F.) vacherie, f. vacke
cow.] =Vaccabt. Aho ailrib.
a 1^5 .MS. Rawl. B. S20 fol. 28 Recouerer . . J>oru forme }>at
him IS i'graunted honi acheson of wind muUe, bercherie,
vacherie, auoiting of his curt. 14.. Ftȣ:. in Wr.-WUlcker6i8
VaccariurHy a vacherye. c 1440 Projiip, Pnrv. 507/2 Vach-
erye, or dayrye, vaccaria, arinentariuin, 1450 Rolls 0/
Parlt. V. 191/1 Of the two Vachyres called Brenand and
Whytledale. 1650 in Sussex Arcltxol. Coll. (1871) XXIII.
296 The vachery lands.. are not included in the valluacon.
Ibid.f [The] litle stone gate below the vachery.
Vaoht, obs. So. form of Waught v.
Vacillancy (vae-silansi). Now rare. [f. next.
See -anct and cf. It. vacillanza.'\ Vacillation.
1668 H. More Div. Dial. 1. xviii, That Vacillancy in humane
SouUuand such Mutations as are found in corporeal matter.
1678 Sir G. Mackenzie Crim. Laws Scot. 1. i. § v. (1699) 8
The committing these Crimes may be occasioned by levity
and vacillancy of judgment in minors. <zi68o Glanvill
Sadducismus 1. 95 That the weakness and vacillancy of
this Method may yet more clearly appear. 1811 Chal.mers
in Hanna litem. (1849) I. x. 253 My mind was in a state of
vacillancy and discomfort.
Vacillant (v:E-silant), a. [ad. L. vacillant-,
vacillans, pres. pple. of vacilldre : see next. So
F. vacillant (14th c).]
1. Uncertain, hesitating, wavering.
iSai Bradsha-ujfs St. IVerburgc, Ball, to SI. Werburge 2
With hert contrite accepte my supplicacion, Aydynge my
fraylete and lyfe vacillaunt. 1663 H. More Philos. Writ.
Pref. Gen. (1712) p. v. Because the reason of Universal
Nature, and of Man, ought to stand firm on all sides, and
to be no where vacillant. 1901 Blackrv. Ma/r. Nov. 715/1
The vacillant, magnanimous, simple-hearted Levin.
2. Enl. Unsteady ; swaying readily.
186a Mayne Expos. Lex. 1319/1 Vacillans, applied to
anthers when they are oblong, attached by the middle of
their length, and mobile ; vacillant.
6
Va-Cillatev //^. a. [Cf. next and -ate 2.]
N'acillating, unsteady.
1830 \V. Phillips Aft. Sinai \. 74 With purpose vacillate,
.^nd ch-inged resolve, He follow'd lsr.iel.
Vacillate (vae'siU't), v. [f. L. vaciilat-j ppl.
stem of vacilldre to sway, stagijer, totter, etc.,
whence also F. vaciller {\^\j^.. It. vacillart, Pg.
viicillary Sp. vacilar.']
1. t'ftlr. To swing or sway unsteadily ; to be in
unstable equilibrium ; to stagger.
i§97 A. M. tr. GuilicMieau's Fr. Chirurg. cjb, Those
which are too longe doe vacillate, and turns this way and
that way in the hand. 1721 Bailey, To Vacillate, to.. stag-
ger, waggle, or shake. 1757 Phil, Trans. L. 505 Wliether
the earth, during the agitation of the waters, does rock and
vacillate,, .iswhat I shall leave to future inquiry. 1801 Paley
A'ai. TluoL xxii, When a spheroid. -turns upon an axis
which is not permanent,. .it is always liable to shift and
vacillate from one axis to another. 1888 Stevenson Black
Arrcnv 175 Lawless, vacillating on his feet, and still shout-
ing the chorus of sea-ballads, took the long tiller in his hands.
b. To vary ; to hover doubtfully.
1841 D'lsR.^KLI Afuen. Lit. (1867) 231 The fate of books
vacillates with the fancies of book-lovers. 1873 Earle
PhiloL Eng, Tongue (ed. 2) § 186 Among the words which
still vacillate between the two sounds of E A, is the word
break.
c. To fluctuate ; to produce varying results.
1835 Sir J. Ross Narr. snd Voy. xv. 2^5 In the course of
these attempts at discovering and maintaming the best tem-
perature, it [an apparatus for condensing the vapour] was
found to vacillate.
2. To alternate or waver between different opin-
ions or courses of action.
1623 CocKERAM I, Vacillate^ to wauer, to be inconstant.
i66i R. HuRNEY K. C has. presented _<) His Majesties wrath
..causes the spirit of the ill-affected to vacillate. 1830
I^'IsRAELi Chas. /, III. ii. 19 In his last years he .stood
alone, and never less vacillated in his conduct. 1846 Ruskin
Mod. Painters II. iii. iii. § 2. 179 note^ He may pause, but
he must not hesitate,— and tremble, but he must not vacillate.
i8gi Up. Creighton in Mrs. Creighton Life (1904) II. i. 22
You can judge if you look within ; you vacillate if you look
without,
b. Freq. const, between.
1817 J. F. CoorER Prairie II. xiii. 217 His looks appeared
to be strangely vacillating between hope and fear, 1850
McCosH Diz'. Govt. 11. ii. (1B74) 212 The superstitious man
vacillates. .between hope and fear, between self-confidence
and despondency.
Vacillating, ///. a. [f, prec]
1. Of persons: Given to vacillation.
^1814 VVoRDSW, Excurs. iv. ^09 The bad Have fairly
earned a victory o'er.. The vacillating, inconsistent good.
1844 Mem. Babylonian Princ, II. 57 This vacillating man
,, wrote a second time, i860 Pusey Mitt. Proph. 86 The
vacillating sinner, . . impelled by his sufferings, yet presenting
a passive resistance. 1872 Yeats Groivth Contm. 232 The
vacillating monarch restored the fishing privilege.
2. Of conduct, etc. : Marked by vacillation,
xSaS DTsRAELi Clias, /, II. v. 1^2 [The] address.. throws
a clear and steady light on the vacillating conduct of Charles
the First. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 255 Very
unwillingly . . he was compelled to act his vacillating part to
England. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola xli, The vacillating
expression of a mind unable to concentrate itself strongly.
3. Of things : a. Varying, changeful, b. Un-
steady, swaying.
1822 Scott Peveril i, Following the vacillating and un-
happy fortunes of his master. (Z1827 M'Arthur in Good
Study Med. (1829) II. 180 Pulse quick, generally full and
strong, in some cases quick, low, and vacillating. 1834 Lytton
Pompeii iv. v, He. .rushed with swift but vacillating steps
down the starlit streets.
Hence Va'cillatingly adv.
a 1849 PoE Marginalia Wks. 1864 III. 565 He has made
successful and frequent incursions, although vacillating! y,
into the domain of the true Imagination.
Vacillation (vcesil^-Jan), Also 5 -acion. [ad,
L. vacilldtio, noun of action f, vacilldre Vacil-
late V. So F. vacillation (151 2), It. vacillazione^
Pg. vacilia^ao, Sp. vacilacion.^
1. The action or quality of alternating or waver-
ing in respect of opinion or conduct ; hesitation,
uncertainty,
c 1400 Pilgr. So^vle (Caxton 1483) iv. xxx. 80 The that ben
naturelle of the same countre withouten vacillacion^ wille
done theyr deuoyre. 1623 Cockeram i, Vacillation^ incon-
stancy, wauering. a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth. Hist. Jas. Illy
Wks. (1711) 40 That the friendship begun might continue
without all vacillation. 1697 Burghope Disc, Relig. Assemb.
101 This vacillation of thoughts is in some the consequent
of their very constitution, ijrgx Boswell Johnson (Oxf. ed.)
I, 204 Christopher Smart, with whose unhappy vacillation
of mind he sincerely sympathised. x8a8 DTsraeli Chas. /,
I. iii. 34 In the vacillation of the disputants, victory hung on
the subtilty of an argument, a 1853 F. Robertson Serm.
Ser. iv. vii. (1876) 49 There is such an indecision, such a
vacillation about the man. 1874 Green Short Hist. \\\. § 3.
365 Elizabeth . . screened her . . statesmanship under the
natural timidity and vacillation of her sex.
b. An instance of this.
1828 D'IsRAELi Chas. /, I. V. 116 The agents on both sides
were shocked at the vacillations of their own Cabinets. 1879
Church Spenser 22 When all about her [Elizabeth] were
dismayed both at the plan itself and at her vacillations. _
2. The action, or an act, of swaying or swinging
unsteadily to and fro.
Quot. 1633 is a rendering of St. Augustine De Red. Cath.
Conv. § 5, where the reading vacillationes is doubtful.
1633 Prvnne ist Pt. Histrio-m, 27 To prohibit the vse of
all diaboiicall Enterludes, Vacillations, and aongs of the
VACUIST.
Gentiles. 1635 H. Valentine Sca-Semt. 57 The second
effect of a tempest is the vacillation, staggering, and trepida-
tion of their bodies. 1711-2 Derham Phys.-Theol. v. ii.
(1759) II. 667 To keep the Body upright, and prevent its
falling, by readily assisting against every Vacillation thereof.
1802 Paley Nat, Thcol. xi. § 5. 220 The bones of the feet. .
are put in action by every slip or vacillation of the body, and
seem to assist in restoring its balance. 1837 Blackxv. Mag.
XLII. 233 For this cause did the intelligent creature repose
(though not indeed without vacillation) on the lower perch.
3, Variation between extremes. rarx~^,
1768 Phil. Trans. LVIII. 160 We shall then have. .the
double menstrual parallax, or vacillation, arising from the
whole diameter of the epicycle, 14".
Vacillator C^se-siU'taj). [f. Vacillate z*.]
One who vacillates or wavers.
1890 spectator 30 July, If we win, ..the vacillators will
flocic over to the Unionist standard. 1902 Sat. Rev. 8 Nov.
590/2 He., is now but a querulous vacillator.
Vacillatory (vse-silatori), a. [f. Vacillate z*.]
1. Marked by vacillation.
a 1734 North Examen \. i. {1740) 25 If ever such vacilla-
tory Accounts of Affairs of State, Kings and Monarchies,
were given in Print before, I am mistaken, a 1835 M<Cul-
loch Attributes (1837) xHi. III. 8g The details are far too
numerous or obscure or vacillatory to admit of a place here,
1851 Hawthorne Twice-told T. II. viii. 118 My political
course, I must acknowledge, has been rather vacillatory.
2. Of persons : Tending to vacillate.
1854 MiLMAN Lat. Chr. vn. iii. III. 183 Hildebrand..
for the first time.. is vacillatory, hesitating, doubtful. 1876
Trollope Amer. Senator xxxiv, The Postmaster, half
vacillatory, in his desire to oblige a neighbour produced the
letter.
Vacive, a, rare'~^, [ad. L. vacwus]. * Empty,
void' (1656 Blount GlossogrJ), Hence Vaci*vity,
* emptiness* (1721 Bailey).
t Va'cnate, /a. ///tf. Obs."^ [ad. h.vacuat-
7is, pa. pple. of vacudte : see next.] Made empty.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) III. 339 Philippus . . scholde
destroye sone the cite if that hit were vacuate and voide of
discrete men.
t Va'CUate, ^. Obs. [f. L. vacudt-j ppl, stem
of vcuudre (hence It, vacuare) to empty, clear, free,
f. vacuus : see Vacuum.]
1, trans, a. To clear out ; =' Evacuate v. 5.
'57' J- Jones Bftchstones Bat/us Benef^ie 15 b, Galen
willeth to vacuat, dense, or empty, that which is euill. 1607
Walkington opt. Glass 49 That so the superfluous humidity
of his stomach may be vacuated. 1657 Tomlinson Renous
Disp. 165 Senny, Rhabarb. .vacuate fiegm also. 1760 Ann.
Reg. I. 158/2 We have .. portable ventilators which are con-
tinually employed in vacuating the foul air from our hold.
b. To empty ; = Evacuate v. i.
1651 Wittie tr. Primrose's Pop. Er>-. iv. vi. 239 If he that
hath been once abundantly vacuated, must necessarily re-
lap.se into the same disease. 1684 Bonefs Merc. Covipit.
\\\, 84 When the Heart-burn is violent, we must not vacuate
the whole Body. 1765 Phil. Trans. LV. 84 Its so well
vacuated by boiling the quicksilver in the tube, that I
depend on its being luminous after being carried so far.
2. To annul, cancel, abrogate, set aside ; =
Evacuate v. 4.
1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes 111. x. 129 Toboso too was flesh
and blood ; and how If some great Prince should vacuate
her vow? 1681 Hickeringill Black Non'Conf. xiii. Wks.
1716 II. 104 Which Law vacuates and makes null and void
all Laws of Man, ipso facto, that are made to the contrary.
1709 Mrs. Manley Secret Mem, (1720) II. 234 There can
be no Laws contrived . . but what they can vacuate.
Hence f Va'cuating vbl, sb, Obs,
1684 Col.Rec. Pemisylv. I. 125 They may act Eregularly,
to y» Vacuating and Insecurity of such acts and Judgments
of y« said Courts.
fVaCUa'tion. Obs, [ad. xti<tA.\j.vacudtio, f.
L. vactidre Vacuate v. So It. vaataziofUy Pg.
vacua^do^
1. A vacuity or hollow part,
1541 R.Copland Guy doiCs Quest. Chirurg. D2 [Of bones]
They that haue the embossynges and vacuacyons be they
that make the ioyntes.
2. = Evacuation i a, i b.
1590 Barrough Meth. Physick 54 Through abundant
swets, and all other immoderate vacuations. 1607 Topsell
Four-/. Beasts 284 The vacuation of blood & seede, is a
dubble charge to nature. 1635 A. Read Tumors ^ Vlcers
197 The vacuation of the humor impacted in the part. 1657
Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 45 Which distinction is taken
from the manner of excretion or vacuation. i7»i Bailey,
Vacuation^ an emptying.
3. Emptiness, rare,
1611 Florio, Vacuatione, emptinesse, vacuation, vacuity,
voidnesse. a 1660 Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archaeol . Soc.) I.
103 They very joyfull handlinge the same [a trunk], found it
promisinge noe vacuation, but verie heavy.
t Vaxnative. Obs. rare-"^, [f. Vacuate t*.]
= Evacuative sb.
x6s6 RiDGLEY Pract. Physick ^J^B The vital spirits.. are
constimed by heat, malignity, vacuatives, grief.
Vacu'ely, v. [f. Vacuum, after L. vacttifacire
to make empty.] To produce a vacuum,
1727 Bailey (vol. II), To Vacue/y^ to make void or empty.
1828 D. Craigie Path. Anat. 175 Vacuefying apparatus.,
found in the upper surface of the head of the sucking fish.
tVa'CUist. Obs. [ad. mod.L. vacuista^ f.
vacu-um Vacuum. So It. and Sp. vacuista, F.
vacuiste,"] One who "maintains the possibility of a
vacuum in nature.
1660 Boyle New Exp. Phys.-Mech. xvii. 122 Those spaces
which the Vacuists would have to be empty, because they
are manifestly devoid of Air, and all the grosser bodies.
VACUITOtJS.
VACUOUS.
1664 PowFR E.xp. Philos. II. 132 The second Hypothesis 's
of the Vacuists. i68a Creech LttcretUts (1683) Notes 14 Mr.
Hobs adds another Argument, which is of no force against
the Vacuists.
t VaCUitouS, a. Obs.-^ [C next.] Having
the nature of a vacuum ; empty of matter.
1766 G, Canning Antl-Lucreiius m. 172 Where'er a spot
vacuitous is found, There you must own that Matter feels a
bound.
Vacuity (vsek-ifi-iti). Also 6 vacuytee, 6-7
vacuitie, 7 vacuety. [ad. L. vacuitds empty
space, vacancy, freedom, etc., f. vacuus: see Vacuum.
So F. z^a<rK/V/ (1314), It vacuUd, Sp. vacuidad^ Pg.
vacuidade^
I. 1. Absolute emptiness of ^pace; complete
absence of matter.
1546 Langlev tr. Pol. Verg. de Invent, i. ii. 4 b, Epicurus
..putteth two Causes Atomos or Motes and Vacuitie or
emptinesse. 1597 Middleton Wisd. Solotnon \. 2 For him
..The Horizons and hemespheres obay, And windes the
fillers of vacuitie. ^ 1626 Donne Senn. Wks. 1839 IV. zo
Water will clamber up hills and Air will sink down into
Vaults rather than admit Vacuity. 1644 Digby Nat. Bodies
iii. {1658) 24 Aristotle, .hath demonstrated that there can be
no motion in vacuity, a 1700 Ken Hymfwtlieo Poet. Wks.
1 721 III. 294 Some Dotards dream'd- .That Atoms. .Should
rise from nothing in Vacuity. 1738 Chambers CycL s.v.
Vncuum, But mere Space, or Vacuity, is suppos'd to be
extended ; therefore it is material. 1829 Chapters Phys, Sir.
231 A large portion of interspersed vacuity is sufficient for all
purposes. x86. G. Outram La7a Lyrics, The Annuity viii,
She beats the taeds that live in stanes An' fatten in vacuity.
b. With a^ ito, etc. (Passing into 8.)
1603 Holland Plutarch^ s Mor. 1021 There is no voidnesse
or vacuity in nature. 1660 R. Coke Poiuer ^ Subj. 54 So
the laws of nature will admit of many things contrary to
nature, rather then eadure a vacuity. 1704 Rav Creation
I. 83 Nature's abhorrence of a Vacuity.
trans/, a 163X DoNNB^^/tfc/. (1840) 244 In the first vacuity,
when thou wast nothing he sought thee so early as in
Adam. 165s Fuller Hist. Catnbr. (1840) 237 To prevent a
vacuity, (the detestation of nature,) a new plantation was
soon substituted in their room.
2. Emptiness consisting in the absence of solid
or liquid matter.
"579 G. Baker Guydo's Quest. la Some [bones] are em-
bossed for to enter, and other haue vacuity that rcceiueth.
1651 Biggs New Disfi. 1 56 The vacuity of the depleted veins
doth attract the bloud beneath. i8zs Good Study Med. II.
10 This vacuity of the arteries upon death, was one of the
objections urged very forcibly by the ancients against the
circulation of the blood.
b. Absence of any of the visible objects usually
occupying certain spaces ; complete emptiness in
respect of things or persons.
x66o F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 268 Leading him to
a dark deep well, . .but terrified with the vacuity and dark-
nesse, he retired. 1759 Johnson Rasselas xv, The princess
and her maid,, .seeing nothing to bound their prospect, con-
sidered themselves as in danger of being lost in a dreary
vacuity. 1775 — in Bonvell (1816) II. 424 Madam, I do
not like to come down to vacuity. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xx,
Such sunbeams as forced their way through the narrow
Gothic lattices.. and. .lost themselves in the vacuity of the
vaults behind. 1S43 H. Rogers Introd. Burke's Wks. 67
The grim spectres . . who stalk from desolation to desolation,
through the dreary vacuity, .of chill and comfortless cham-
bers. 1891 T. Hardy Tess (1900) 139/1 As he gazed, a moving
spot intruded on the white vacuity of its perspective.
e. The fact of being unfilled or unoccupied,
1664 Evelyn Sylva 41 But 'tis cheaper to supply the
vacuity of such accidental decays by a new plantation. 1844
Mrs. Browning Drama of Exile 168 To fill the vacant
thrones of me and mine. Which affront Heaven with their
vacuity.
3. The quality or fact of beiog empty, in various
fig. senses.
1603 Florio Montaigne w. xil (1632) 247 To make them
feele the emptiness, vacuity, and no worth of man. 1640
Bp. Reynolds /'<iJ«(»«j xvi. 169 The most generall [cause
of desire], .is a Vacuity, Indigence, and selfe-insufficiency
of the Soule. 1690 C. Nesse Hist. Myst. O. * A^. T. I. 2^
They have the most light to discover to themselves their
own vacuity and nothingness. 1806 A. Knox Rem. I. 21
It would foUowihat . . the great central appetite of intellectual
man.. was abandoned to the self.torture of irremediable
vacuity. 1850 Carlyle Latier^d. Pamph. vi. (1872) 203
Here is an abyss of vacuity in our much-admired opulence.
1885 Patf.r Marius W. 144 It was an experience which came
in the mid^t of a deep sense of vacuity in things.
b. Emptiness (in fig. senses) as a condition or
state having a kind of real existence.
a 1711 Ken Christophil Poet. Wks. 1721 I. 429 Thou all-
sufficient art, and I Am nothing but vacuity. 1751 Johnson
Rambler No. 141 F g Ihink on the misery of him who is
condemned to cultivate barrenness and ransack vacuity.
1776 — Let. to Mrs. Thrale 30 Mar., I know that a whole
system of hopes, and de^ign-i, and expectations, is swept
away at once, and nothing left but bottomless vacuity. 1819
WiFFEN Aonian Hours (1820) 25 The drear V.-iCuity of
sorrow on thee lay. iSao Cahlyle Heroes vi, (1904) 2^5
Having once parted with Reality, he tumbles helpless in
Vacuity. x888 P. Fitzgerald fatal Zero iv, In my lonely
blue chamber, there is a sort of vacuity for thought, the
world is shut out.
4. Complete absence of ideas ; vacancy of mind
or thought.
1594 Hooker Reel. Pol. i. vi. ( i Men.. are at the first
without vnderstandins: or knowledge's! all. Neuerthelessc
from this vtter vacuitie they grow by degrees. i66x K. W,
Con/. Charac.y Metre Polititian (i860) 27 Which will
avaite him little ; but to be an indicium of his own vacuity
and emptiness of all sollidity. 1707 Floyer Physit. Pulse*
Watch 363 The Pulse,. .if it be weak,.. indicates Vacuity
and Fear. 1773 Han. More Search after Happ. ii, Though
more to folly than to guilt inclined, A drear vacuity
possess'd my mind. 1818 Miss Fehrif.r Marriage xv,
imputing to fatigue of body, what in fact was tlie con-
sequence of mental vacuity, he proposed returning home.
1854 Marion Harland Alone xvii, She heard and saw all
that passed ; but in place of heart and sense, was a dead
vacuity. 1883 Clodd Myths ^ Dr. i. i. 9 We cannot so far
lull our faculty of thought as to realise the mental vacuity
of the savage.
b. Const, of {eye, mind, thought).
1760 Sterne Tr. Shandy iii. i, That perplexed vacuity of
eye which puzzled souls generally stare with. 1784 Cowper
Task IV. 297 'Tis thus the understanding takes repose In
indolent vacuity of thought. 1829 Cobbett Adv. Vojtng
Man V. 247 A great fondness for music is a mark of. .great
vacuity of mind. 1863 Cowden Clarke Shaks. Char. xx.
507 He frequents low dissolute haunts from no graver cause
than idleness and vacuity of mind. 1879 Farrar St. Paul
I. 183 We may be sure that the vacuity of thought in which
most men live was for Saul a thing impossible.
5. Complete absence or lack ^something.
1601 Sir W. Cornwallis Rss. ii. xIv. C1631) 251 Which
vacuitie of vertue at that time will breede more terrour to
him then darknesse to children. 1643 D. Rogers Naanian
172 Christ is a sufficient store to a poore soule in the vacuity
of other things. 1698 J. Cockbvrn Bourigninnism Detected
i. 7 She .. was in an admirable vacuity of all Desire of
knowing. 178a Miss Uurney Cecilia iv. vi. When he is
quite tired of his existence, from a total vacuity of ideas, he
must affect a look of absence. 179J A. Young Trav. France
118 There is as much character in his air and manner as
there is vacuity of it in the countenance of. -St. Etienne.
i8aa Good Study Med. III. 46 To contemplate the body
and mind . . at birth . . as consisting equally of a blank or
vacuity of impressions.
t 6. Complete freedom or e.xemption_^(7OT some-
thing. Ol>s.
A 1619 F0THER8Y Atheom. i. xii. §1 The soule cannot
haue in it, any true ioy,. .vnlesse the same be founded, both
in security, and in confidence, and in tranquillity. All which
do imply a vacuity from feare. 1648 Samderson Sertii. (1681)
II. 246 By the Evenness of the Mind and the Vacuity from
those secret lashes.. that haunt a guilty Conscience, a 1665
J. Goodwin Filled -w. the Spirit (1867) 429 A well-grounded
vacuity or freedom from all troublesome, distracting, and
tormenting fears and cares,
7. t a. leisure yi7r some pursuit. Obs.—'^
1607 Scholast. Disc. agst. Antichrist i. iii. 137 From this
preposterousnesse of the Crosse setting the sense before the
sptrite, come wee to his Vacuitie for his inwarde Devotion.
b. Lack of occupation ; idleness.
1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India I. 11. ix. 389 A whole race of
men . . whom the pain of vacuity forced upon some applica-
tion of mind. 1875 A. R. Hope My Schoolboy F. 72 Thebours
of thoughtful vacuity I had spent.
II. 8. A hollow or enclosed space empty of
matter ; esp. a small internal cavity or interstice
of this kind in a solid body.
1541 R. Copland Guydon's Quest. Ckirurg. D ij. Some
[bones] are enbosscd for to entre, and other haue vacuytees
that receyueth. 1607 Topsell Four-/. Beasts 330 That so
those places being emptied . . the vacuety may be replenished
with better blood. 1659 Hammond On Ps. Ixv, lo The earth
. .sinks down and fills up the vacuities, 1677 Grew Anat.
PI. (1682) 3ooThere are Vacuities in Water. That is to say,
that all the parts of Water are not contiguous. 1731 Medley
Kolben's Cape G. Hope II. 95 Those pieces become as hard
as flints, ana altogether as smooth and solid ; not the least
vacuity or interstice being to be seen. 1770 Phil. Trans,
LX. 422 Every particle of light that issues from the sun,
must leave a spherical vacuity of one millionth of one
millionth of an inch diameter. 1800 Ilnd. XC. 235 A wad
was placed over the powder, dry sand superadded, to fill all
vacuities. 1840 yrnl. Engl. Agric. Soc. I. iii. 355 Water in
descending seeks the nearest vacuity. 187J Dana Corals i.
38 The polyp has. .no blood-vessels but the vacuities among
the tissues.
b. A cosmic space empty of matter.
1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med.i. §40 When this sensible
world shall be destroyed, all shall then he here as it is now
there, an Empyreall Heaven, atjuasi vacuitie. 1667 Milton
P.L. II. 932 That seal soon failing, (hej meets A vast vacu-
itie. 1685 BovLK En^. Notion Nat. 75 Whilst their number-
less Atoms wildly rov'd in their infinite Vacuity. 179S W.
Blake Bk, Los iv, 'Ihe Deep fled away On all sides, and
left an unform'd Dark Vacuity.
9. An empty space left or contrived in some-
thing, esp. in some composite work or structure,
i6s4 WoTTON Archil. (1672) 26 To place the Columnes
precisely one over another, that so the solid may answer to the
solid, and the vacuities to the vacuities, 1655 Fuller Hist.
Waltham Abbey (1840) 257 The great pillars thereof are
wreathed with indeniingsj which vacuities, if formerly filled
up with brass,, .added much to the beauty of the building.
I7»6 Leoni AlbertCs Archit. L 55/2 The vacuities which are
left between the back., of the Arch, and the upright of the
Wall. i775joHNSON/f«/./f/,Wks.X.509 Round which there
are narrow cavities or recesses formed by small vacuities or by
a double wall. 1813 P. Nicholson Pract. Buthl. 425 Rooms
are the interior vacuities or habitable parts of a building.
iZ^a Florist's y ml. 67 An ingeniously contrived trap for
earwigs,. .leaving a vacuity for the reception of the insects.
1870 RoLLESTON Anim. Li/e% By a vacuity in the skull
walls for the blood to pass out from the lateral sinus.
b. An open space, gap, or interval left between
or among things, rare.
1658 Sir T. Browne Card. Cyms ii. F 12 Whereby the
Elephants passing the vacuities of the Hastati, might have
run upon them. _ 1757 Burke Abridgtn. Eng. Hist. i. iv,
The Scots and Picts. .rushed with redoubled violence into
this vacuity. 1863 Hawthorne Our Old Home (1879) 153
The market-place, .of the town is a rather spacious and
irregularly shaped vacuity.
o. An empty space due to the disappearance or
absence of some special thing.
1822-7 Good Study Med. (1829) III. 227 He has also seen
others, .reproduce a smaller or larger number of teeth to
supply vacuities progressively produced in earlier life. 1840
Mrs. Somekville Connex. Phys. Sci. xxxvii. 415 Those dark
vacuities called ' coal sacks ' by the ancient navigators, whicli
are so numerous between a Centauri and a. Antaris. 1867-77
G. F. Chambers Astron* vi. iv. 519 The central vacuity is
not quite dark.
10. An emptiness, an empty space, a blank, in
various fig. uses.
_ a 1631 Donne Select. (1840) 5 A filling of all former vacu-
ities, a supplying of all emptinesses in our souls. 1651
Baxter In/. Bapt. 325 In this age, when men may say any
thing if they have but Rhetorick to fill up the Vacuities.
1682 W. Owtram Serm. 342 Our Saviour,, filled up the
vacuities that Moses had left in moral duties. 1732 Poi'E
Ess. Man ii. 286 Each want of happiness by hope supply'd.
And each vacuity of sense by pride. 1776 Adam Smith
\V. N. w. ii. (1869) 303 Whatever vacuities this excessive
circulation occasioned in the neces.sary coin of the kingdom,
184X Emerson Ess. Ser. 1. x. But yesterday I saw a dreary
vacuity in this direction in which now I see so much. 1850
KiNGSLEY A. Locke i. Oh those Sabbaths, .when there was
nothing to fill up the long vacuity but books of which I did
not understand a word.
11. An empty or inane thing.
1648 J. Beaumont Psycfie xi. Ixviii, That with those huge
ador'd Vacuities, Which puff the World up with their frothy
flood, Ev'n massy Gold must counted be. 1665 Manlev
Grotius' Low C. Wars 511 The Prince, by the Concessions
of these Honorary Vacuities, redeeming the War from de-
lay. 1843 Caklvle Past ^ Pr. i. iv, Thou for one wilt not
again vote for any quack, do honour to any edge-gilt vacuity
in man's shape.
II Vacuo (in the phrase in vacuo) : see In (Latin
prep.) 20.
Vacuolar (vse-ki«|(yiaj), a. [ad, F. vacuolaire,
f, vacuole Vacuole,] Of or pertaining to, of the
nature of, a vacuole or vacuoles.
1853 Zoologist X. 3406 He [Huxley] next mentioned ap-
pearances which he terms vacuolar thickenings, 1859 J, R.
Greene Protozoa 45 In some specimens the central cavity
is replaced by an aggregation of large vacuolar spaces. 1877
Huxley Afiat. /nv. Anim. iii. 141 The interior of these fre-
quently contains vacuolar spaces.
So Va'cuolary a.
1897 Alibutt's Syst. Med. II. 907 Ebrlich says that
changes are to be found in the hepatic cells — a 'vacuolary '
degeneration.
Vacuolate, a. = next.
1890 Q. yrnl. Microsc. Sci. XXX. 6 In some cases the
stalk has a vacuolate structure.
Vacuolated (v3e'ki«i^^ited), ///. a. [f. Va-
cuole: cf. next.] Rendered vacuolar; modified
or altered by vacuolation,
1859 Huxley Oceanic Hydrozoa 84 The cavity of the base
of the involucrum appears to become filled tip by vacuolated
tissue. 1878 F. J. Bell Gegenbauer's Cotnp. Anat. 24
There are often vacuolated spaces in the cells, which are
filled with a fluid. 1896 Alibutt's Syst. Med. I. 211 Cell
invaginations, the protoplasm of which is highly vacuolated.
Vacuolation (vae^kiw/li^'Jan), [f, next: cf.
prec. and -ation.] The formation of vacuoles ;
change to a vacuolar state,
1858 Carpenter Veg. Phys. §318 In other cases it would
appear that a number of cells are formed by a process of
vacuolation. 1881 Mivart Cat 329 Vacuolation— denoting
the spontaneous resolution of part of a more or less dense
structure in such a way as to give rise to a cavity or cavities
within it. iSm Alibutt's Syst. Med. VI. 508 Vacuolation of
the nerve-celfis peculiarly frequent in senile brain atrophy.
Vacuole (vx'kiwiJul). [a. F. vacuole (Dujar-
din), f. L. vacu-us empty.]
1. A small cavity or vesicle in organic tissue or
protoplasm, freq. containing some fluid.
a. Zool, &nd Anat. 1853 Ray Soc, Bot. ^^ Physiol. Mem.
534 All these properties had already been observed by Du-
jardin ; . . the aqueous spaces or hollows lie named ' Vacuoles *,
regarding them as the most cliaracteristic feature of the sub-
stance, 1859 Huxley Oceanic Hydrozoa 10 Ihe structure
of the villi and vacuoles in Athorybia. x8j>7 Allbutfs Syst.
Med. II. 224 Into the vacuoles or locuh of this net-work
the serum exudes.
b. Bot. 1875 Darwin Insectiv. Plants xv. 351 Two or
three vacuoles or small spheres appeared within some of the
larger globules. 1885 Goodale Physiol. Bot, (1892) 280 In
numerous succulents the vacuoles of the assimilating cells
frequently contain a thin mucus.
attrib. 1882 Vines tr. Sachs' Bot. 585 The centre of the
sac is filled in the unripe seed with a clear vacuole-fiuid.
2. An empty or open space (in a comet).
1881 Science II. 317 In this envelope was a curious oval
vacuole, behind the nucleus, but on the preceding side of the
axis of the tail.
Va^cuoliza'tion. [f. prec] « Vacuolation.
Cf. vacttolized - vacuolated. (In recent use.)
1883 yml. Microsc. Sci. Jan. 4 What is the nature of the
vacuolisaiion? 1897 Alibutt's Syst. Med. VII. 168 Small
and large neuroglia cells, ..in a state of vacuolisation and
progressive liquefaction.
Vacuous (vaekiwas), a. [f. L. vacu-us empty,
void, free, clear, etc. (cf. Vacuum) + -ous.]
1 1. Not properly filled out or developed. Obs."^
1651 Smai.lwood Commend. I'erses to IK Cariivrighfs
Wks., False Vacuous Births in every street we sec 1 But
seldome, true and ripen'd, such as He.
2. Empty of matter; not occupied or filled with
anything solid or tangible,
i6«-6o Stanley Hist. Philos. (1687) 374/1 It were im-
possible for one body to make another to recede, if the triple
dimension, .were vacuou-;. 1677 Gale Crt, Gentiles iv, 226
Wil they say that these Atomes were introduced or pro-
duced in this vacuous space in time V 1794 R. J. Suhvan
VACUOUSLY.
yitm Ifai. IV. 3 He contended, that thunder or sound would
not be able to pass through walls, , .unless there were some
\-acuous spaces in ihase bodies. 18x3 T. Busby Lucretius
II. VI. Comm. p. xxiii.He notices many natural circumstances
which, .demonstrate the \-acuous natures of all substances.
x86o Tysdall Giac. 11. xxiv. 356 The water, .is not able to
fill it, hence a vacuous space must be formed in the cell.
b. Empty of air or gas; in which a vacuum has
been produced.
1669 BOYLS CcMtim. Ntw Sa^. 11. (1682) 158, I put Pears
bruised into a vacuous RecJever. 184a E. A. Parnkll C/iem.
Amml (1845) 490 The difference between its weight when con*
taiiung the gas, and when \-acuous. i86a Grove Corr. Pkys,
Forces (ed. 4) 59 No air is gi\'en off from the bubbles, so they
seem to be vacuous. iSgj Fkotosr. Ann, 11. 233 In incan-
descent lamps the electric current heals up a carbon filament
inclosed in a \-acuous globe.
O. B<^. Not containing some part or feature
usually present.
1866 Trtas. Bot. 1 199/2 Bracts which usually support
flowers are said to be vacuous when they have no flower in
their axiU.
d. Empty of any visible object.
1877 MoBLEV Crit. Misc. Scr. 11. 255 As the flies of a
summer day dart from point to point in the vacuous air.
3. Empty of ideas; unintelligent; expressionless.
Cf. Vacant a. 5.
1848 Thackeray Bk, Snobs x, A vacuous, solemn.. Snob.
1883 Standard a Jan. 5/2 The absence of anxiety, .leaves
their minds vacuous. 1889 Times 26 Oct. 9/1 That gift of
oppressive familiarity which by some vacuous people is
taken to indicate, .sterling sense.
Comb. 180s * H. S. Merriman' Grey Lady i, iii. (1899) 28
He was rather a vacuous-looking young man.
b. Indicative of mental vacancy,
185s Thackeray Nezvcomes II. 25 With that vacuous leer
whi^ distinguishes his lordship. 1858 O. W. Holmes Aut.
Breai/.-t. vi. 55 These negative faces with their vacuous
eyes and stony lineaments. 1873 Black Pr. Tliule xx. 320
There was a cheery, vacuous, smiling expression on his
round face.
Comb. 1879 M<=Carthv CHvh Times v. I. ii6 A huge white-
beaded, vacuous-eyed man was to be seen.
4. Devoid of content or substance.
1870 Swinburne Ess. <5- Siud. (1875) 56 The vacuous mono-
tonous desire and discontent, the fitful and febrile beauty
of Alfred de MusseL J879 Howells L. Aroostook (1883) I .
45 Mrs. Erwin wrote an epistolary style exasperatingly
\-acuous and diffuse.
5. Unoccupied, idle, indolent ; not filled up with
any ^profitable) employment or activity.
187a MoRLEV Voltaire 334 It cannot for ever be tolerable
that the mass should wear away their lives in unbroken toil
without hope or aim, in order that the few may live selfish
and ^-acuous days. 1897 Rcz'ie^v of Rev. 37 There are many
rich people who. lead such mean and vacuous lives.
Hence Vaxucualy adv. ; Va'ouousness.
1648 W. MotWTAGUE Devout Ess. 1. 352 In that vacuousness
the winds and vapwrs of tediousness and displicence rise.
1816 J. GiixHRiST Philos. Etytn. 226 The mistiness and
vacuousness of abstract expression, i860 All Year Round
No. 88. 283 He had.. a broad fair face, rather vacuously
good natured in its ordinary expre.ssion. 1880 Daily Tel.
14 Feb., So there he stood, with his hands in his pockets,. .
gazing vacuously at the fighting and rough play.
II Vacutun (v3e*kiw,;5m). PI. vacua and vac-
uums. [L. vacuum, neut. of vacuus empty : cf.
Vacuous a. So F. vacuum. It., Sp., Pg. vacuo.'\
1, Emptiness of space ; space unoccupied by
matter. Now rare or Obs.
1530 Cranmer Lord's Sufiper^i Naturall reason abhorreth
vacuum^ that is to say, tnat there shoulde be any emptye
place, wherin no substance shoulde be. 1570 Dee Math.
Pre/. 35 This Arte is very profitable : to proue, that
Vacuum^ or Emptines is not in the world. 1626 Bacon
Sylva § 83 The more gross of the Tangible Parts do contract
and serve them'selves together.. to avoid Vacuum. 1657
Trapp Ezra ix. 6 For beyond the moveable Heavens, Aris-
totle..saith there is neither body, nor time, nor place, nor
vacuum, 1676 Poor Robin's Intell. 30 May-6 June i/i
Having his head as ful of Vacuum as his small proportion
of brains was capable of. 1795 W. Blake Bk. Los 1, Round
the flames roll, .. mounting on high Into Vacuum, into
nonentity, Where nothing was. 1S43 Penny Cyd. XXVI.
76/1 The astronomical argument, therefore, in favour of
absolute vacuum has fallen.
2. A space entirely empty of matter.
1607 A. Brewer Lingua iv. i. H i b, First shall the whole
Machin of the world .. returne to.. Chaos, then the least
vacuvm be found in the \'niuerse. 1638 Wilkins Netv World
I. (1684} 23 To dispute against Democritus, who thought,
that the World was made by the casual concourse of Atoms
in a great Vacuum. 1714 Let. from Layman (ed. 2) 7 A
Government can't rightfully restrain a Man's professing the
Belief of a Vacuum^ or a Plenum. 1763 Johnson in Bosv>ell
21 July, There are objections against a plenum^ and objec-
tions against a vacuum ; yet one of them must . . be true. 1865
J. Grote Plato I. i. 80 Proceeding upon his hypothesis of
atoms and vacua as the only objective existences. 1884 F.
Temple Relat. Relig. ^ Sri. I (1885) 8 The reasons why..
Nature abhors a vacuum were discovered.
b, A space empty of air, esp. one from which
the air has been artificially withdrawn.
sing. 1653 French VorksA. Spa ii. 7 So much air being
spent, there would of necessity follow a vacuum. 1660
Boyle New Exp. Phys. Meek. Proem 2 The Interest of the
Ayr, in hindring the descent of the Quick-silver, in the
famous Experiment touching a Vncuutu. 1713 Dp:rham
Phys..Tfieol. 8 note^ The Ear-wig. .and some otner Insects
would seem unconcerned at the Vacuuir* a good while, and
He as dead; but revive in the Air. 1758 Reid tr. Macguer's
Chym. I. 299 The air contained therein is condensed, and
leaves a vacuum, which the external air. .tends to occupy.
x8j9 Nat. Philos., Heat I. ii. 2 (L.U.K.), Count Rumford
proved the passage of heat through a Torricellian vacuum,
8
that is, the sp.-ice left at the top of a barometer by the
mercury falling, i860 Maury Phys. Geog. i. § 6 At the
height of 80 or 90 miles there is a vacuum far more com-
plete than any which we can produce by any air-pump.
187a J. P. CooKE Ne7v Chem. 17 Alcohol expands more
slowly into the aqueous vapor than it would into a vacuum.
//. 1777 Phil. Trans. LXVII. 679 That the vacua be a-s
nearly as possible compleat. 183a Brewster Nat. Magic
X. 262 The plates, being raised or depressed by the voluntary
muscles, form so many vacua.
3. An empty space ; a portion of space (left) un-
occupied or unfilled with the usual or natural
contents.
1589 Nashe in Greeners Menaphon (Arb.) 12 The
Scythians, who.. swaddle themselues streighter, to the in-
tent no vacuutn beeing left in their intrayles [etc.]. a 1635
T. Randolph Poems, Parley ivith his Empty Purse
(1640) 113 Unnatural vacuum, can your emptinesse Answer
to some slight questions? 1700 T. Brown tr. Fresny's
Amusem. viii. He made a Dive into my Pocket, but en-
countring a Disappointment, Rub'd off. Cursing the
Vacuum. 1758 J. S. Le Dran''s Observ. Surg. (1771) 141. I
discovered a Vacuum upon the intercostal Muscles, from
whence about a Spoonful of. . Matter was discharged. 1791
H. Walpole in Miss Berry's Jrttl. I. 328, 1 shall fill my
vacuum with some lines that General Conway has sent me.
0x838 C. Morris Lyra Urban. {1840) II. 97 The Dandy's
head, A vacuum dead, Ne'er tries for thought to seek !
b. In various fig, uses.
16x7 MiDDLETON Fair Quar. u. D iij b, I cannot sec that
vacuum in your bloud. 1630 Lennakd tr. Cliarron's IVisd.
vii. 33 It were a vacuum, a defect, a deformitie too absurd
in nature, .that betwixt two extreames.. there should be no
middle, a 16^0 Hacket Alp. IVilliams \. (1692) 10 Com-
monly they misspent that triennial probation, and left upon
that place a vacuum of doing little or nothing. 1710 Palmer
Prov. 384 'Tis infinitely pleasing to observe there has been
no Vacuum in our Life. 177a Phil. Trans. LXII. ^17 It
should therefore seem that the larks from the more adjacent
parts croud in to supply the vacuum occasioned by the
London Epicures. 1829 Mabrvat /•'. Mildmay ix, The.,
vacuum occasioned by my mother's death. X846 Grote
Gr««Ci862) I.xvi.2Q4 They filled up the vacuum of the un-
recorded past. X879 R. H. Elliot Written on Foreh. 1. 140
So Martin Kerr.. was left with a sheer, hopeless vacuum to
fill up as best he could.
4. atlrib. and Comb., as vacuum-brake, cleaner^
cleanser, disk, distillation, engine, -made, -pan,
-pump, -vessel.
Also vacttum.apparatus, -cylinder, -filter^ -gauge, -shunt,
.valve (Knight, 1875-84).
X875 Knight Diet. Mech. 2686/1 * Vacuum-brake, a form
of steam-operated car-brake. 1889 G. Findlav Eng, Rail-
way 168 The train is fitted throughout with vacuum brakes.
1903 Hard'wareman 23 May 395 A decision of. .serious
import as regards the operations of the 'Vacuum Cleaner Co.
1903 Westm. Gaz. 30 May 5/3 There is a machine at work,
called the ' '"vacuum cleanser ', which gives them all, in
turn, a thorough 'spring cleaning '. i860 Tvndall Glac. i.
xxiii. 163 Sometimes the*vacuum disks were parallel to the
veins [of the glacier]. 1899 tr. R. von Jaksch's Clin. Diag.
v. (ed. 4) \^o Still better for this purpose is the method of
•vacuum distillation. 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic
670 The application of Mr. Brown's pneumatic, or *vacuum
engine. 1853 Ure Diet. Arts (ed. 4) II. 879 *Vacuum-made
liqueurs. 1839 Ibid. 1208 An apparatus mserted air-tight
into the cover of the *vacuum-pan. 1857 Miller Eiem.
Chem., Org. 66 The syrup.. is boiled down again in the
vacuum pan, and is obtained in the form of. .crushed sugar.
1858 SiMMONDS Diet. Trade, *Vacuum-pump, a pump
attached to a marine steam-engine. 1899 ^din. Rev. Apr.
323 Professor Dewar's coils and *vacuum-vessels.
vad, southern ME. var. Fade a.'^ ; obs. Sc. f.
Wed sb., WoAD.
tVa'dable, ^> Obs. rare. Also vadeable. [ad.
med.L. vaddbilis (f. vaddre to wade through) or
a. Sp. vadeable (Pg. vadeavely OF. vadable).']
Ford able.
1555 Watreman Fardle Facions'Prcf. 11 To the ende thei
[sc. the rivers] might not onely be vadable, but passed also
with drie foote. 1578 T. N. tr. Conq. IV. India 65 After hee
had iourneyed three leagues, hee came to a faire vadeable
Riuer. i6xx Florio, Vadoso, vadable, or foardable.
Vadam, southern ME. var. Fathom.
Vaddah, obs. form of Veddah.
+ Vade, -f*^. Obs.-'^ [ad.h.vadum.'] A shallow
place in a river.
1538 Leland /tin. (1769) V. 94 Irwel Is not navigable but
in sum Places for Vadys and Rokkes.
t Vade, ^.^ Obs. [var. of Fade v.^, chiefly
used in fig. senses (very common c 1530-1630) and
app. to some extent associated with L. vdd^re to
go : see next, to which some of the quotations
placed under 3-3 c may really belong.
This association may be the real explanation of the form,
but see the note to Fade a.^
1. inlr. Of colour : = Fade 7^.1 4.
1471 Ripley Comp.Alch. Pref in Ashm. (1652) 127 Colour
whych wyll not vade. c IS3» Du \i^?iIntrod, F'r. in Palsgr.
956 To vade, ternir. a 1586 Sidney Astr. 9f Stella (1622)
578 How doth the colour vade of those Vermillion dies. 1594
Plat Jeiuell-ho. iii. 45 As soone as the beautiful hew of the
leaues begin to vade. 1613 Answ. Uncasing Machiai:
Eivb, Whose colours never vade. 1647 C. Harvey Schola
Cordis xvii. 4 The staines of sin I see Are vaded all, or di'd
in graine.
2. Of flowers, etc. : = Fade v^ i.
1492 [see 3 bj. c 1532 Du Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. 894
Rose that can nat vade, rose inmarcessible. 1578 Lvte
Dodoens 1 Small grayish leaves.. the whiche do perish and
vade in winter. 1593 Shaks. Rich. II, \. ii. 20 One flourish-
ing branch of his most Royall roote..Ishacktdowne, and his
summer leafes all vaded. i6ax Lady M. Wroth Urania 22
Do not the flowers vade, and grasse die for her departure?
VADIMONY.
3. To pass away, disappear, vanish ; to decay or
perish; =Fade v^ 6.
■495 Trevisa's Earth. De P. R. xvi. xxxvi. 564 Aege that
passylh&vadythchaungyth tymesofthynges. a 1548 Hall
Chron., Hen, /F (1550) 4 When he departed, the only shelde,
defence and comfort of the common people was vadid and
gone. 1568 T. Howell Arb. Amitie {.xZ-^^ 19 Forme is most
frayle,..it vadth as grasse doth growe. 1607 Middleton
Fam. Lave \. \, I know how soon their love vadeth. 1641
Brathwait Eng, Gcntleiv. 324 Where. .beauty never fadeth,
love never faileth, health never vadeth. a 1678 Marvell
Poems, Clorinda fy Damon (1681) 12 Grass withers; and
the Flow'rs too fade. Seize the short loyes then, ere they
vade.
b. Const, from, into, to.
X492 RvMAN Poems Ixxxiv. 2 in Archiv Stud. neu. Spr.
LXXXIX. 253 As medowe floures . . Vadeth to erthe . . Like-
wise richesse and grete honoures Shall vade fro euery
creature, c 1537 Thersites Dij, The cowherd of Comer-
towne, with his croked spade, Cause frome the the wormes
soone to vade. 1596 Spenser F. Q. v. iL 40 How euer gay
their blossome or their blade Doe flourish now, they into
dust shall vade. 1663 Cane Ep. to A uthor of A nimad. Fiat
Lux 96 All your talk in this your eighteenth chapter vades
into nothing.
c. With away.
1530 Proper Dyaloge in Roy^s Rede me, etc. (Arb.) 133
Aflfermynge that oure loue shuld a-way vade Without any
memory of them at all. 1587 M. Grove /'^/o/j <^ /////. (187S)
38 The time thus doth consume & wear, the night doth vade
away. 1625 Purchas Pilgrims 11. 1761 The bankes of sand
doe fleet and vade away out of the river.
t Vadei z'-'-^ Obs. [ad. L. vadere to go ; cf. prec]
1. To go away, depart, rare.
1569 Elviden Pcsistratus ^ Catanea (Bynneman), Then
proclamation made That Pisistrate to proper soile should
vade. 1638 Brathwait Barnabees JmL 11. (1818) 67 Beauty
feedeth, beauty fadeth, Beauty lost, her lover vadeth.
2. To proceed, advance.
a 1660 Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archseol. Soc.) II. b You
are too yonge to vade unto these graue matters.
Vade, obs. Sc. form of Wade v.
t Vadelect. Obs. Also 6 -lict. [ad. Anglo-
L, vadelectus, vadlecttts (13th c), ad. AF. vadlet,
var. OF. vaslet^ vallet, varlet : see Valet sb, and
Varlet.] a servant, serving-man.
X586 Ferne Blaz. Gentrie 161 The same French king, for
want of a Hereald , . , was constrained to subbomate a vade-
lict, or common seruiig-man. 1628 Coke On Litt. 156 But
if the sherife be a Vadelect of the crowne or other meniall
seruant of the King, there the challenge is good. 1661
Blount Glossogr. (ed. 2), Vadelet or Fa<i^/?c^.. signifies a
servant, and is used in the accounts of the Inner Temple,
for a Benchers Clerk or Servant,
So Vadelet, Vadlet. arch.
x66x [see prec.J. 1813 Williams Law 0/ Clergy 398 The
King as founder of, .many religious houses had a corrody
for his vadelets, and a pension for a chaplain. 1861 Riley
tr. Carpenter" s Liber Albus ^o As soon as the Sheriff's are
sworn, all the Servants of their office — clerks, Serjeants and
their vadlets. , — shall also be sworn.
jl VOide-lXiecilIll (v^i'd/ mrkz;m). Also vade
zuecum. [L., vade imper. sing, of vadire to go
-i-jnecum with me. So F., Sp., Pg. vademecum
(Pg. also •meco).']
1. A book or manual suitable for carrying about
with one for ready reference. (Sometimes used as
the title of such a work.)
1629 {title), Vade Mecum : A Manuall of Essayes Morrall,
Theologicall. 1649 F. Roberts Clavis Bibl. 405 Among
the very Ethiopians this book was in such repute, that the
Ethiopian Eunuch made it his (Vade mecum) his companion
in his journey. 1679 {title), A Vade-mecum for the Lovers of
Musick. 1731 Fielding Grub St. Op. Introd., It is ^ sort of
family Opera. The husband's vade-mecum ; and is very
necessary for all married men to have in their houses. 1797
Monthly Mag. III. 128 The Odeon shall possess a literary
journal,, .to be a valuable vade-mecum for such persons as
are not in the habit of deciding on the merits of theatrical
performances. x8i8 Bykon y«a« i. cci, Aristotle's rules,
The Voile Mecum of the true sublime. Which makes so many
foets, and some fools. x88o Muirhead Gaius Introd. p. xv,
t is the remains.. of a handbook for the practitioner; a
z'ade mecum, as modern law-writers would call it.
J^g- « "631 Donne Select. (1840) 51 His vade mecum, the
abridgment of all nature, and all law, his own heart, and
conscience.
2. A thing commonly carried about by a person
as being of some service to him.
163a LiTHGOw Trav. viiL 355 Gold. .was my continuall
vade Mecum. 1654 Whitlock Zooiomia 71 Whose Vade
mecum is an Aqua vitae Bottle. 1678 Yng. Man's Call. 50
You may safely take it [a maximj asyour 7'a(^ w/(rc«/«along
with you, in reference to the things of this life. X774 ' J.
Collier ' Mus. Trav. App. 23 To write a pamphlet against
the use of a medicine which had been his vade mecuv: in all
his journies.
Vader, southern ME. variant of Father.
Radiation (Vi"'di."'-j3n). Law, rare, [ad.med.
L. vadiatio, f. vadidre to give security.] The action
of requiring or giving surety or pledges.
X753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v., Vadiation, Vadiatio, in
the civil law. 1S02-12 Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid. {iZ2-])
IV. 557 note. Remedy against . . sequestration, or vadiaiion
in this or that shape.
t Vadimony. Obs, Also 6 vady-, 7 vade -
mony. [ad. L. vadimonium, f. vad-, vas bail,
surety.] A pledge or recognisance.
150a Arnolde Chron. {1811) 2 That they haue ther vady-
monies [printed -memes] and weddes: the .\iiii. artycle.
ci6ao A. Hume Brit. Tongue (1865) 22 The accent in the
fourth syllab from the end ; as in rodtrimonie, patrimonie,
VADINQ.
vadimonie. 1654 \VARRE>i Unheliir.'trs 48 His Obligation
was arbitrary and volantary; not arising from the guilt of
. . sin, but by way of vadimony, and susception. 1699 J.
Barry Reviv. Cordial (1802) 80 In this work, ..which he
himself, as vademony and surety for God's elect, hath under-
taken to. .perform.
tVading.i'W.j*. Ohs.-' [f. Vade t/.l] The
action or process of disappearing, declining, etc.
IS70 FoxE A. * M. (ed. 2; I. 254/2 Y= lyke vadyng of
water happened also in the floode of Medewaye.
t Vaaing, ///. 3. Obs. Also 7 vaid-. [f. as
prec] Fading, passing away, fleeting, transitory.
1566 .\dlington Afultius Ep. Ded., The vaine and soone
vadynge beautie of the worlde. 1577 Grange Golden
Aphrod., etc. R j. My Lady fayre whpse shape doth shine
And glyster in ray vading sighte. 1S96 Warner Alb. Eng.
M. Ixv. (1612) 279 What els is Forme but vaiding aire » 161S
Brathwait St-nfpado (1878) S3 Thy form's Diuine, no
fading, vading flower. i66i Sir A . Hasleriff's Last IVill
/f Test. 2 \Vhat a vading breath, or light blast is this flash
of Honour.
Vadlet : see Vadelet.
Vadmal, -mel, varr. (after mod. Scand. forms)
of Wadmal.
[iT^S/al. Ace. Scot. XIV. 326 The old men and women . .
contmue to wear good strong black clothes without dying,
called by the ancient Norse, Vadmell.] 1851 THORPa
Northern Myth. 1. 112, I am Kraka, Coal-black in vadmel I
1881 Du Chaillu Land Midnight Sun II. 78 The tent was
made of coarse heavy vadmal.
Vadome, southern ME. variant of Fathom s6.
t VadO'Sity. Ois.~^ [f. L. vados-us, f. vadum
ford.] The fact of being fordable.
1658 BuBTOM Comtii. Itin. Antoninus 224 The word Ford,
by reason of the vadosity of the River there, being added.
Va'dy, a. soulH-w. dial. [Of obscure origin.]
Damp, moist.
1880 SIrs. Parr Adam ^ Eve xiii. 188 The gi:ass was too
' vady ' for him to sit down upon.
II VSB. Obs. Also 6 ve. [L. vse alas !] A de-
nunciation or threatening of woe.
'5S9 Abp. Parker Corr. (Parker Soc.) 79 We should.,
deserve the wrathful vx and vengeance of God. 1584 1x}dcs
Alarm agst. Usurers V iiij. The Lord shal place you amonz
the goates, and pronounce his Ve against you. 160a Mi^
Watson Quodl. Relig. ^ State 9 With how many vsees and.
woes to you Scribes and Pharisees did he come vpon them?
a 1636 Westcote I'iezu Devonsk. (1845) 61 There was a vM
or woe pronounced against them in these words, — 'Woe
unto you Piltonians, that make cloth without wool *.
V®der,VaBie,VsBlde,Va9le,Vfflren,VaBmo,
Vaex, Vaejer, southern ME. varr. Father, Fet
a., Field s6., Fele a., Febe f.i, Fern sb.. Fax,
Fair a.
Vafand, Vafirand, obs. Sc. ff. waving Wave v.
Vafrovin, var. Waprodn S(. Obs.
+ Vafrons, a. Obs. Also 6 vaCBrous. [f. L.
vafer, vafr- -t- -ous.] Sly, cunning, crafty, shifty.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. Vtl, ti Thinkyng surely that
they,. would neuer-.Ionge agree with the Englishmen,
accordyng to their olde vafTrous (1550 crafty! varietie. 1630
R. yohnson^s Kingd. ^ Commiv. 17 Divine providence.,
adjudged it best.. not to bestow.. upon subtle and vafrous
people, Courage, and .Strength of body. 1650 B. Discolli-
minium 17 These are subtle, and vafrous Men, whoare never
solidly, nor honestly Wise. 1664 H. More Myst. Iniq. 106
This vafrous and bloudy Treason against the holy Majesty
of Christ. 17x1 in Bailev.
Vag, sb. Devon, dial. [Cf. Fag sb%'\ Dried
tnrf or peat used as fuel ; a piece of this.
1796 W. H. Marshall (K England II. 6 Towards the
Mountains, Turf (provincially ' Vags ") and Peat fprovin.
cially ' Turf ■). 1889 Port/olio }:in. 11/2 In the winter he
may turn many an honest penny by the sale of ' vags '. 189$
G. Mortimer Tules Moors 224 Vou can cut as much vag—
or peat, as you calls it up country— as you'm a mind ta
Vajf, V. U.S. slang, [f. vag. abbrev. of Vaoa-
BONDJ trans. To treat or deal with (one) as a
vagabond or vagrant.
1891 C. Roberts Adri/l Amer. 169, I was arrested as a
vagrant As the popular expression went, I got ' vagged *.
Vag, dial. var. Fao v.''-, obs. Sc. f. Wage sb.
Vagabond (vse-gab^md), a. and sb. Forms:
5-6 vagabound(e, -bunde, 5-6, 8 -band, 5-7
-bonde, 7- vagabond ; 6.SV.wagabund, -bond ;
7, 9 dial., vagabone, 9 dial. -bon. [a. OF. vaga-
bond {\i,i^ c.) or ad. L. vagabund-tis, f. vagiri \.o
wander. Cf. mod.F. vagabond. It. vagabondo, Sp.
and Pg.vagaiundo, vagamundo ; also G. vagabund,
■bond, Sw. vagabond, Du. vagebond. As a sb. the
form finally takes the place of the earlier Vaca-
BOND.]
A. adj. 1. Of persons, etc. : Roaming or wan-
dering from place to place without settled habita-
tion or home; leading a wandering life; nomadic.
a. In predicative use.
I4a« LvDG. De Guil. Pilgr. 1684a O tbow blyssed Lady, hyde
bem that flen vnto the for helpe, and they that be vaga-
bonde, dyscoure hem nat. 1533 Bellenden Livy i. xii.
(S.T.S.) I. 71 MonyofJ>ir pcpill vagabound and ouresett with
pouerte tuke wagis of l?e sabynis. a 1578 Lindesay (Pit.
scottic) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 322 He staw away, .and
5eid wagahund dissagyssit ane lang quhill. 1838 Stephens
/"r«i>. in Russia 96/1 Dbpersed and vagabond, exiled from
tbeir native soil and air, they wander over the (kce of the
earth.
J^g- « '430 LvDG. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 256 My look,
myn even, unswre and vagabounde. 16*7 Milton P. L.
VOL. X.
9
XI, 16 To Heav'n thir prayers Flew up, nor mlssd the way,
by envious windes Blow'n vagabond or frustrate.
b. In attrib. use (occas. hyphened).
*SS5 Eden Decades i. ix. (Arb.) 97 Owre men suppose
them to bee a vagabunde and wandennge nacion lyke vnto
the Scythians. i6oa Mountjov Letter in Moryson Itin.
(1617) II. 233 How, as a Vagabond Woodkerne hee may pre-
serve his life, . . I know not. 1640 tr. Verdere^s Rom. of Rom.
III. 31, I have for my brother and Soveraign, the Prince of
Greece, whom but even now I beheld to be a vagabond
Girle. 1691 tr, Emiliane's Observ. Journ. Naples 226 They
become soon weary of it and then turn Vagabond- Hermits.
17»6 Ayliffb Parergon 181 A vagabond Debtor may be
cited in whatever Place or Jurisdiction he is found. 1784
CowPER Task I. 559 A vagabond and useless tribe there
eat Their miserable meal. 1819 Scott Ivanhoe xxix, Those
ballads which vagabond minstrels sing to drunken churls.
1857 Hughes Tom Brown \, We are a vagabond nation now.
trans/. 1606 Shaks. Ant. ^ CI. i. iv. 45 This common
bodie, Like to a Vagabond Flagge vpon the Streame, Goes
too, and backe. 1638 VVilkins Ne-w World xii. (1707) 98
The Concourse of many little Vagabond Stars, by the union
of their Beams. 1868 Lockver GuiUemin's Heavens (ed. 3)
S99 Those vagabond bodi^, the comets,
t c. spec. Of soldiers or sailors. Obs.
1748 LiND Lett. Rel. Navy (1757) ii. 85 If they are to be
set at liberty, who are accused of perjury, how is a vagabond
seaman to be found, when he comes to England '? 18x3
Wellington in Gurw. Desp. C1838) X. 510, I do not know
what measures to take about our vagabond soldiers.
t 2. (See quot. and cf. Extravagant a, 2.) Obs,
1456 StR G. Have i^azw ^rwj (S.T.S.) 258 5it is thare
othir la wis callit tawis extravaganis, that is for to say la wis
vagaboundis, that arnocbt incorporic in othir bukisof lawis
of Lombardy.
3. Inclined to stray or gad about without proper
occupation; leading an unsettled, irregular, or dis-
reputable life; good-for-nothing, rascally, worthless.
1630 Greeners Fr, Bacon 11. L (Q.'), Where be these vaga-
bond [1594 vacabond] knaues, that they attend no better
on their Master? i68a Bubnet Rights Princes ii. 66 Some
idle vagabond Clarks that had procured themselves to be
put in Orders. 1741-3 Wesley Jrnl. (1749) 9 A clergyman
came into the.. room, and ask'd aloud, with a tone un-
usually sharp, * Where those' vagabond fellows were?' 1777
W. Dalrymflb Trav. Sp. <$• Port, civ, A most vagabond
crew I 1836 W. Irving Astoriall. 125 He took a ceremon.
ious leave of the Crow chieftain, and his vagabond warriors.
c 1870 B. Harte Coyotte Poems (1886) 16 Lop-eared and
large- join ted, but ever al way A thoroughly vagabond outcast
ingray.
4. Of or pertaining to, characteristic or dis-
tinctive of, a homeless wanderer.
1585 T. Washington W.Nicholay's Voy, in. xviii. 104 By
suche vagabounde beggerie, they make . . beleeue, that they
canne foresay and deuine. 1607 Shaks. Cor, iii. iiu 89 Let
them pronounce the steepe Tarpeian death, Vagabond exile,
. . 1 would not buy Their mercie. 1653 R. Sanders Pkysiogn.
40 Voyages by Sea and Land, and a vagabond life. 1698
Crownk Caligula iv. Dram. Wks. 1874 IV. ^06 Rase from
thy memory my sinful hours, And all my lntle vagabond
amours. 17*6 De Fo« Hist. Devil 1. vi. (1840) 73 Satan
being confined to a vagabond, wandering, unsettled condi.
tion. 18*4 W. Irving T, Trav. II. 27 They have the true,
vagabond abhorrence of all useful.. employments. 1841
Borrow Zincali I. i. I. y Abandoning his vagabond propen-
sities and becoming stationary. 187* Blackie Lays Htgkl.
Introd. 13 This book is well-suited for your migratory needs,
and vagabond habits.
6. Jig. Roving, straying ; not subject to control
or restraint,
*635 Quarles Embl. iv. I, My heart is a vain heart,
a vagabond and unstable heart. 1643 Milton Divorce
Introd., The brood of Belial, ..to whom no liberty is pleas-
ing but unbridl'd and vagabond lust without pale or parti-
tion. ai68o Butler Rem. (1759) II. 455 The Inconstant
has a vagabond Soul, without any settled Place of Abode.
1878 MoRLBY Carlyle 195 In that house are many mansions,
the boisterous sanctuary of a vagabond polytheism,
B, sb 1. One who has no fixed abode or home,
and who wanders about from place to place; spec.
one who does this without regular occupation or
obvious means of support; an itinerant beggar, idle
loafer, or tramp ; a vagrant,
a. /■148s Digby Myst. (1882) iv. 653 Now shall all the
cursinges of your lawe, Opon yow (i.e. the JewsJ fall most
myschevose, & be knawen of vagabundes ouer awe. 1496
Ld Bothwell in Ellis Orig. Lett, Ser. 1. I. 24 Evere day
throw ^am ^ir vagabunds escapis, cummyn to Perkin. 158s
Stanvhurst /Sneis i. (Arb.) 25 And ycet theese wretched
vagabunds hard destenye scotirgeth,
/3. 1495.^^:/ II Hen. K//,c.3 Every vagabounde, heremyte,
or beggar able to labre, or clerk, pilgryme, or shipman.
1533 Bellenden Livy i. xiL (S.T.S.) I. 60 Gif bai suld pas
as vagaboundis and vncertane pepill throw pare howsis.
1576 1-LE.MiNG PanopL Epist, 354 Thedogge. .defendtsj our
houses from thecucs, vagaboundes, lewde fellowes. 2594
R. AsHLEV tr. Lays le Roy 60 b, Some of them hauing bin
vagabounds and be^gers. 1635 Reg. Privy Coitnc. Scot/.
Ser. II. VI. 5 Haveme corrupted all the equipage of the
ship, who are bot vagabounds. 1706 Stf.vens Span, Dict.f
Vagamundear^ to play the vagabound, to strole about,
y. X5»6 TiNDALK Acts xvii. 5 The iewes-.toke vnto them
evyll men wich were vagabondes and gadered a company.
JSlS'^^^^^it land Club Misc. I. i2oAIt wagabondis and idiU
personis that hes nochl quhairupoun to sustene thame selfis.
1577 HoLiNSHED Z>«vfr. Brit. n\. v. 106 b. The third [sort]
consisteth of thriftlesse poore, as.. the vagabond that will
abide no wheres, but runneth vp and downe from place to place
(as it were seeking woorke and finding none). 1605 London
Prodigal v. i, For shame, betake you to some honest Trade
And liue not thus so like a Vagabond, a 1639 Hinde
y. Bruen xxx. (1641) 94 Such assemblies area very randa-
vous of ail rogues, and vagabonds. 1684 Burnet tr. Mare's
Utopia 22 If they do this, they are put in Prison as idle
Vagabonds. 1736 Gentl. Mag. VI. 718/1 A Bill.. for the
VAGABONDIAL,
more effectual punishing Rogues and Vagabonds. 1796 H.
Hunter tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) I. 376 His rela-
tions, dishonoured in the public estimation, abandon their
home, and become vagabonds. 1833 Ht. Martineau Three
Ages in. 95 Issuing forth as a vagabond to spread the
infection of idleness and vice. 1849 James IVoodman xviil
We have more vagabonds in the forest than 1 like. 1873
' OuiDA ' Pascaril II. 111. i. 8 He was a stroller and a vaga-
bond, so far as social status went, an idle rogue,
trans/. 160a znd Pt, Return Pamass, iii. iv. 1352 You
grandsyre Phoebus with your louely eye, The firmaments
eternall vagabond.
Comb, 1579-80 North Plutarch (1657) 233 They were
loose people and abjects..who vagabondlike wandred up
and down the Countrey. 1816 Tuckev Narr. Exped. R.
Zaire i. (1818) 16 This corps being composed of the most
ragged, bare-legged, sans-culotte vagabond- looking wretches.
6. 1567 Harman {^title\ A Caueai..for Commen Cursetors
Vulgarely called Vagabones. i6oa Narcissus (1893) J24
Wee ar noe vagabones, wee ar no arrant Rogues that doe
runne with plaies about the country. [1843 (see 2 b).] 1901
Trotter Gall. Gossip 188 Rogues an vagabons.
b. A nomad, rare,
1756 Nugent Montesquieu xx. ii. (1758) II. 3 Hospitality
. .is found in the most admirable perfection among nations
of vagabonds. 1837 W. Irving Capt. Bonneville III. 108
They claimed.. to be thorough mountaineers, and first-rate
hunters— the common boast of these vagabonds of the
wilderness.
c. Vagabondes discoloraHon, disease^ skUi (see
quots.).
1876 Greenhow in Trans. Clinical Soc. IX. 46 These
cases.. have received the special name of *Vogt's Vaga-
bonden-Krankhcit ', which 1 have rendered into English as
'Vagabond's Discoloration'; because this discoloration of
skin. .is. .brought on by long-continued exposure, dirty
habits and the irritation of vermin. 1890 F. '1'aylor Man.
Pract. Med. (1891) 803 The disease has then been called
prurigo senilis^ and also vagabond's disease. iB^gAllbutt's
Syst, Med. VIII. 701 The vagabond's disease, or Morbus
errorum of Greenhow. Ibid. 866 Excoriations, wheals and
pustules are produced by scratching which, if long con-
tinued, may produce a brown, leather.like condition — the
so-called vagabondes skin seen in tramps,
2. A disreputable or worthless person ; an idle,
good-for-nothing fellow; a rascal or rogue (some-
times without serious implication of bad qualities).
x686 tr. Chardin's Trav. Persia 178, 1 spoke in the mildest
Terms imaginable : which nothing mov d this Vagabond.
1848 Dickens Dombey vi. No young vagabond could be
brought to bear its contemplation for a moment. 1887 Hall
Caine Son 0/ Hagar in, iii, I couldn't be such a vagabond
of a husband. 1890 'R, Boldrewood ' Col. R e/ortn er (iSgi)
316 The dishonest, scheming vagabonds !
b. Used as a term of reproof or abuse.
184a Lover Handy Andy x, Mind, on your peril, you old
vagabone, don't let them fight that badger without me.
1844 Dickens Mart. Chuz. iv, You were eaves-dropping at
that door, you vagabond ! 1884 Pae Eustace 66 ' What are
you lying there for, you lazy vagabond ? ' roared Randolph.
VSLgaboud (vae-gab^jnd), z/. Also 7 vaga-
bound, -bund. [f. Vagabond sb, Cf, F. vaga-
bonder (1526).] intr. To roam or wander {about)
as or like a vagabond or vagrant ; to vagabondize.
Also with it,
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia iv, (1598)414 In this sort vaga-
bonding in those vntroden places, they were guided tctc.].
1611 CoTCR. s.v. Rodi, That hath roamed, wandered, vaga-
bonded it all the countrey ouer. c 16x4 Sir W. Mure Dido
Sf Aineas iii. 27 [Dido] vagabounding in ane heavy cace
Through fields vnknowne, accompanyed by none. 1748
Richardson Clarissa (iSii) VI. 357 Vagabonding about
froni inn to inn. 1861 Reade Cloister 9f H. Ivi, Why is he
not in my counting house at Amsterdam, instead of vaga-
bonding It out yonder? 1901 IVes/jn. Gaz. 18 Oct. 2/1 I'he
said son went vagabonding about the world.
Hence Va'gabonding vbl. sb.
ai6a8 F. Grevil Cxlica xii, Cupid, thou naughtie Boy,
when thou wert loathed. Naked and blind, for Vagabunding
noted.
Vagabondage (vse-gab^nded^). [f. Vaga-
bond sb, +-AGE, or a. F, vagabondage (1798).]
1. The state, condition, or character of a vaga-
bond ; life or conduct characteristic of or resem-
bling that of a vagabond ; idle or unconventional
wandering or travelling; vagabondism,
1813 [implied in Vagabondager : see belowj 1813 New
Monthly Mag. VIIl. 336^ That love of. .bird's-nesting and
vagabondage, which, .is inherent in all boys. 1858 Times
4 Nov. 6/2 [The lonlans] have been elevated from the lowest
grade of Mediterranean vagabondage. 1871 Holme Lee
Miss Barriftgton I. vii. 102 Spring arrived and he grew
restless again and betook himself to vagabondage and the
streets.
/g. 1863 Lecky in Mem. (1900) II. 34, 1 have been indulg-
ing in an enormous amount of literary vagabondage. 1871
Miss Braddon Lovels 0/ Arden xxii. 171 Her random
sketches— some of them mere vagabondage of the pencil,
jotted down half unconsciously,
2. Vagabonds collectively; persons of a vaga-
bond class or order,
18155 y. D. Burn] AutoHogr, Beggar Boy (1859) 137 One
of the immediate consequences of their conduct would be,
to let loose the whole vagabondage of the country. 1903
Times 14 Feb. 11/5 They are already bringing a good deal
of rural vagabondage to London.
Hence Vagabcndaffer, one who practises vaga-
bondage.
1813 Sir R. Wilson Priv, Diary (1862) II. 52 At midnight
I entered my carriage, and found myself in solitude with a
cheerless imagination... Thus vagabondagers pay for their
temporary pleasures.
tVagabO'ndialf a. Obs,'~^ In 7 -bundiall.
[f. as prec. + -ial.I = next.
VAaABONDICAL.
10
VAGARY.
1615 J. H. Wcrids Foily C b, The recollection of the vaga-
bundiall lewes into the sheepe-fold of lesus Christ.
Va^bo ndical, a, rare. Also 6-7 vaga-
bund-. [f. as prec. + -ical.] Roaming, wander-
ing ; vagabondish.
XS76 Fleming tr.C<u»x^i7tf^(t68o) 35 Dogges.. which are
taught and exercised to daunce in measure,, .and sundry
such properties, which they leame of theyr vagabundJcall
masten. 1658 Cokainb Ohst, Leidy 11. i, He. .vaticinated
future Occurents by the mj-sterious influences of the sublime
Stars, and vagabundical Planets,
m. 1864 G. Daniel Afcfrie Eng^. xiv, Joe Haynes-.was the
hero of a \arie:y of vagabond ical adventures.
Vagabonding (vse-galyndirj), ///. a. [f.
Vagabond v."]
1. That roams or wanders as, or in the manner of,
a vagabond. Also transf. v^xi^fig*
a i^ Sidney Songs in Astr. 4- SUila v. xii. (Grosart) I.
86, I now then staine thy white with vagabonding shame.
1603 Flob:o Montaignt lit. xiii. 610 Even vagabonding
roagues . . have their niagni6cences and vol uptuousn esse.
1614 Drumm. of Hawth. ii'ks. (1913) 1. 13, L.Oneuerypart
my vagabounding Sight Did ca<;t. 1631 Lithgow Trav»
IIL iti A vagabonding Guest, Transported here and there.
ibid, J18 Concerning vagabonding Greekes, and their
counterfeit Testimonials. 1881 Dlackzv. Mag: May 571 The
sword, .went fairly straight along its vagabonding road.
2. Characterized by roaming or wandering ;
vagabond ish.
Not clearly distinct from the vbl, sb. used nitrib.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia (1622) 47a These iewels certainely
with their diitgmsing sleight;;, they haue pilfred in their
vagabounding race. 1814 New Monthly Mag. X. 285 Some
would spend our prime's best age In vagabonding pilgrim-
age. 1904 A. B. Paterson Poems ga And through our blood
there runs The vagabonding love of change.
tVagabo-ndious, a. Obs.-'^ [f. Vagabond
shJ\ >7agabond, vagrant.
x66i in MSS. Ho. Lor.is (Rtp. Hist. MSS. Comm.) VII.
153 [The whole trade of cardmaking and wire drawing was
nearly spoiled by] vagabondious persons.
Vskgabondish (voe'gabpndij), a, [f. as prec]
1. Pertaining or appropriate to, characteristic of,
a vagabond or vagabonds.
x8i6 J. ScoTT yis. Paris (ed. 5) 97 All this has a shew of
business, though of a light vagabondish kind. x868 Miss
Braddon Birds of Prey 11. i, There was a vagabondish kind
of foppery in his costume. 1884 Harper s Mag, Slay %j\
The vagabondish spirit engendered by their long.. journey.
2. Of the nature of a vagabond; somewhat like
a vagabond in conduct or life.
1854 Greenwood Ha^s 4- Mishaps 105 By far the larger
number of those who_ apply to the traveller for charity are
vagabondish in their instincts and indolent in their habits,
1881 rimes 5 July 9 This vain and vagabondish mendicant.
Vagabondism CvEe-gab^rndiz'm). [f. as prec]
1. ^Vaoabondagb I,
x8at Blackiv. Mae. aI, 139 Who, after forty years of
indigence and vagabondism, is admitted into the first
societies. 1859 Hist. Cant in Slang Diet, p. ix. The
G>*psies were not long in the country before they found
native imitators. Vagabondism is peculiarly catching. 1888
Charity Orgatiis, Rev. April 145 Vagabondism as a licit
mode of life.
b. A rascally or knavish act, rare.
1840 Carlyle Heroes v. (1904) 188 All errors and perver-
sities of his, even those stealings of ribbons, aimless confused
miseries and vagabondisms.
2. = Vagabondage 2. rare"^,
187a Brewer Eng. Studies (1881) iv. 196 All the vaga-
bondism of the kingdom had scented the fray.
Vagabondize (vx-gab^^ndaiz), V, [f. as prec.
+ -IZE.] intr. To live, wander, or go about as,
or in the manner of, a vagabond ; to roam or
travel in a free, idle, unconstrained, or uncon-
ventional manner ; to play the vagabond,
a. With indefinite it.
x6ix CoTQVL.^Roder, toroame, wander, vagabondize it. 1776
Ann. Reg., Characi. 35/2 After thus vagabondizing it for
some time, he was discovered by the consul. t86i Reade
Cloister ^ H, liii. How much earlier he would have found
her by staying quietly at Tergou, than by vagabondizing it
all over Holland.
b. In ordinary use. Freq. with advs. and preps.
1794 Mrs. a. M. Bennett Ellen III. 39 No modest woman
would go vagabondizing about the country. X795 tr.
Mercter's Fra^m, Pol. Sr Hist, II. 323 The streets would be
filled with wretches, vagabondizing round the palaces of
sloth. x83a tVestm. Rev. July 38 Peoples among whom
his fortunes cast him while vagabondizing in the remotest
corners of the globe. x868 Holme Lek B, Godfrey xxvi.
That. .scapegrace, .had vagabondised all over Europe as a
newspaper correspondent. 1894 D. C. Murray Making 0/
Novelist 87, I.. acquired a taste for vagabondising about
among the poor.
fig. X864 Miss Braddon Doctor's Wi/em. The surgeon's
thoughts went vagabondizing awa^ from the little coffee-
room. s868 — Birdi 0/ Prey v. iii. My thoughts went
vagabondising off to Charlotte.
Hence Va'gabondizer.
x86o Ail Year Round No. 4a. ^62 The itinerant traveller
and poetical or arti-^tic vagabotidiser.
Vagabondizing (vae-gabf^ndaizii)'), vbl. sb. [f.
prec. + -ING 1.] The action of the verb; idle or
unconventional wandering ; an occasion of this.
1829 Sir a. W. Calcott Lett, to Chantrey 18 Aug., A
note we have had from the Phillips to join ;ou in a va^a*
bondizlng to Hampstead. 1849 W. Irving Goldsmith xviii.
203 The Continental tour. .had, with poor Goldsmith, been
little better than a course of literary vagaliondizing. 1853
DiCKFNS Bleak Ho. xxi. Then, vagabondising came natural
to you, from the beginning?
Va'gabondizing, ///. a. [-inq2.]
1. Tnat vagabondizes; vagabond.
1830 Fraser^sMag. 11. 200 We have a pretty considerable
..idea of how those vagal)ondising ragamuffins spend the
hours of the day. 1855 Household IVds. XII. 168 Her
wicked, vagabondising, brandy-drinking, .husband.
2. Characterized by, devoted or inclined to, wan-
dering or vagabondage.
X841 Fraser'sAfag. XXIII. 349[Theyl would prefer labour
to a vagabondising life. 1859 Sala 'Jvj. round Clod (1861)
175 They fade away with the dawn. .and are not beheld
any more till vagabondising time begins again. 1883 Miss
C. F. WooLSON Anne 377 July, .already fek a strong affec-
tion in his capacious vagabondizing heart for the stranger.
Va'gabondry. Now rare or Obs. [f. Vaga-
bond sb, + -RT.] = Vagabondage i.
X547 Act 1 Edw. K/,c. 3 Preamble, Idlenesand Vagabund-
rye is the mother and roote of all theftes. 1611 Cotcr.,
MaraJidise, beggerie, roguerie, idle knauerie, base vaga>
bondrie. 1681 W, Robertson Phraseol. Gen. (1693) 1257 A
base vagabondry, mendidmoniunt, 1869 W. Cory Lett, f^
yrnls. (1897) 257 We went through Dropmore with unusual
vagabondry.
t V agabuncy, later f. Vacaboncy. Obs.
1549 CovERDALE, etc. Erasm. Par, Thess. Ded., To banysh
..ryot, idlenes, ruffianynge vagabuncie [etc. J.
t Vagabundnlo. nonce-word. [f. vagabund
Vagabond sb\ ? A roguish trick.
1631 Shirlly School 0/ Complement v. iii, Gorgon has had
his deuices and vagabunduloes as well as the best on yee.
Vagal (v^'gal), a. Anat, 'SlU^ Path. [f. Vag-us
+ -al.J a. Vagal nerve^ the vagus or pneumogas-
tric nerve, b. Of, pertaining to, or affecting this,
1854 Orrs Circ. Set,, Org. Nat. I. 205 The exoccipitals..
are perforated to give exit to the vagal and hypoglossal
nerves. 1885 M-VVilliam in yrnl, Physiol. VI. 223 'I'he
effects of vagal stimuliition were frequently investigated.
1899 Allbutt's Sysi. Med. VI. 816 I'he upper vagal roots
are more concerned la inspiration than the lower ones,
t Va'gancy. Obs. rare. [f. Vagant a. ; see
-ANCY.] A wandering or strolling. Also_/f^.
1641 Milton Ch, Govt. i. i, That our happinesse may orbe
it selfe into a thousand vagancies of elory and delight. 1641
Brome Joviall Crew v, Springlove. My humble suit is that
you will be pleas'd To let me walk upon my known occasions
this Sommer. Lawyer, Fie ! Canst not yet leave off those
Vagancies?
t Va'gant, a. {•a.nApres.pple.). Obs, Forms:
4-5 vagaunt, 5-6 -aunte, 5-6, 8 vagant, 5 -ante.
[a. OF. vagant J vagaunt^ or L. vagant- ^ vaganSj
pres. pple. of vagdrt to wander.]
1. Wandering, roaming, roving; travelling or
moving from place to place ; having no settled
home or abiding-place. Cf. Vagrant a. 3.
X38J WvcLiF Gen. iv, 12 Vagaunt and fer fugitif thow
shall be vpon the erthe alle the dales of thi Hjf. x43a-5o tr.
Higden (Rolls) II. 135 In the tyme of Hinguar and Hubba,
Ardulphus the bischop was vagante longe with l>e body of
Seynte Cuthberte. 1480 Caxton OvicCs Met. xiv, x, For al
we haue be disparblid & longe haue be vagant on the see.
1483 — Gold, Leg. 407 b/i Thus Josaphat was two yere
vagaunte & erryd in deserte. X517 Watson Shypp'e 0/
Fooles A ij, I am the fyrste in the shyppe vagaunte with the
other fooles. 1578 Sc, Poems 26th C. (1801) II. 170 Thocht
vagant freirs faine wald lie. The trueth will furth,
2. Devious, erratic, rare.
138a Wyclif Prov. v. 6 Bi the path of lif thei gon not ;
vagaunt ben the goingus of hir, and vnserchable. 1708 Brit.
Apollo No. 50. i/i By so Vagant a Proceedure, it is a Chance
but he must hear some points of Duty ..repeated.
3. Of thoughts : Wandering.
c 1450 Myrr. our Ladye 42 Yt can not sturre vp yt selfe
from wandryng and vagant thoughtes that yt is accustomyd
in. Ibid, 165 Also the harte oughte fuUe besyly to be kepte
from all vagaunte thoughtes.
Vagara(u)nt, -ent, obs. forms of Vagrant.
Vagare, obs, form of Vagary.
Vaga-rian. rare-^, [t as next -i- -an.] One
given to vagaries or whims.
1891 in Cent. Diet,
Vagarious (vage^'rias), a. [f. Vagary sb."]
•\ 1. Variable, inconstant, changing. Obs."^
1798 R. P. Tour in Wales (MS.) 36 Thus life's vagarious
tenure passes on ! And thus, the scenic vision glows with
change !
2. Marked or characterized by, full of, subject
to, vagaries ; erratic.
1827 Examiner 70/1 The Travels of Wilhelm Meister,
wild, vagarious, and disconnected as it is. a 1871 De
Morgan Budget Parad. (1872) 153 Mr. Wirgman's mind
was somewhat attuned to psychology; but he was cracky
and vagarious. 1897 Atlantic Monthly LXXIX. 134 The
work.. IS free from the vagarious theorizing.
3. Wandering, roaming, roving.
x88a HarPer^s Mag. April 661 Sharp interruption from the
vagarious homed enemy. 1888 Sat. Rev. 22 Sept. 363/2
The history of the vagarious canary, Kiki.
Hence Vaga'rionsly adv.
x^x Dispatch (Columbus) 17 Nov., An idly planned and
vagarioiisly disposed though always picturesque college
retreat.
Vagarish, a. Now rare or Obs. [f. as prec]
1. Of the eyes: Disposed to wander; wandering.
x8ox Wolcot'(P. Pindar) Tears 9f Smiles Wks. 1812 V. 40
His eyes were oft vagarish. 1823 New Monthly Mag. VII,
230 My people's eyes were all vagarish While striving your
hard phrases to conjecture.
2. Somewhat vagarious or whimsical.
1819 Krats in Ld. Houghton Li/e (1848) II. 26 But you
knowing my unsteady and vagarish disposition will [etcj.
Vaga'risome, a- U- as prec, + -some.] Vaga-
rious, capricious.
X883 bazaars Sept. 259 Early autumn clothing is slightly
vagarisome, and steady observation is^ necessary in order to
determine what is * worn ' from what is ' put on *.
Vagarist. rare, [f. as prec. + -IST.] One
wlio IS subject to vagaries ; a vagarious person.
1888 The yoice (N. V.1,24 May, The Prohibition party
are now free from , . suspicion of being vagarists.
Vagarity (vage^-rlti). rare""^, [f. as prec. +
-ITY.J Capricious irregularity or variability.
x886 N.^ g. 7th Ser. II. 89/1 Instances of vagarity are
noticeable with each Prince of Wales, many of whom seem
to have ignored . . the title (of Duke of Cornwall].
Vagary (vagee-ri), sb. Also 6-7 vagare, 6
-arte. [prob. ad. L, vagdrl (It. vagare) to wander.
Cf. Fegary.]
+ 1. A wandering or devious journey or tour ; a
roaming about or abroad ; an excursion, ramble,
stroll. Obs.
Freq. in the 17th c, chiefly in verbal phrases as tofetch^
fjtake, or take a vagary.
X577 Stanvhurst Descr. Irel. in Holinshed (1808) VI. 24
The Irish enimie spieing that the citizens were accustomed
to fetch such od vagaries, . . they . . laid in sundrie places for
their commine. 158a — J-Eneis 11. (Arb.) 44 Thee gates vn-
cloased they skud with a Huely vagare. x6oo Pory tr. Leo^s
Africa 1. 19 These haue often vagaries ouer the deserts vnto
the prouince of Tedgear. c i^i-iSoc.Cond. People Anglesey
(i860) 40 To entice his neighbours wifes..to leave their
husbands, .and to follow him by turns, into other counireys,
and after a long vagare, to return again. 1657 S. Purchas
Pol. Flying Ins. i, v, 12 A hot Sun-shine.. will quickly
prompt them out of their Hives to take a short vagary.
1677 LiiLPiN Demonol. (1867) 320 The like did Dinah, when
she made a needless vagary to see the daughters of the land.
x8a6 W. E. Andrews Crit. Rev. Fox's Bk. Mart. II. 413
Whether.. it is likely that such a person should be per-
mitted to make a walking vagary throughout all London.
transf. zxiA fig. ^1630 Risdon Surv. Devon §225 (1810)
237 Torridge, after a long vagary, making many meanders,
empiieth itself in the. .sea. X655 Gurnall Chr. in Arm,
xvi. (1665) 359 Our hearts are soon gone away from the duty
in hand, and taken a vagary to the furthest part of the
world. X759 Stebne Tr, Shandy i. xxii. My aunt Dinah
and the coachman, .led us a vagary some millions of miles
into the very heart of the planetary system.
+ b. To play his vagary y of a horse, to leave or
refuse to follow the proper or desired course. Obs.—^
1580 Blundevil Art of Riding i. 11 If he will then play
bis vagarie, beate him forthwith with your wand.
f 2. A wandering in speech or writing ; a ramb-
ling from the subject under consideration ; a
digression ordivagation. Obs, (passing into senses),
X579 G. Harvey Letter-bk, (Camden) 67 Countenaundnge
oute the matter ether with tunge or penne withoute the
same discoursinge vagaries. x^96 R. H. tr. Lavaterus'
Ghostes (J- Sp. To Rdr. aij. His histories seeme not idle
tales, or impertinent vagaries, but very truthes. x6sx
Baxter Inf. Bapt. Apol. 15 When ever he was at a loss, that
the people might not perceive it, he presently would fall
into a wordy vagary. i68x — Answ. Dodwell iv. 54 You
must talk at other rates than you have done in your tedious
fallacious Vagaries. 176a in Ellis Orig, Lett. Ser. 11. IV.
45! Mr. Beckford..had his vagaries as usual, and gave the
House a little prelude of what they were to expect.
3. A departure or straying from the ordered,
regular, or usual course of conduct, decorum, or
propriety; a frolic or prank, esp. one of a freakish
nature. Now rare or Obs, (passing into sense 4).
1588 Babington Prof. Exp. Lord^s Pr. {1596) 274 A
short vagare.. layde a grinding griefe vpon his conscience
during life. i5<>3 B. Barnes Parth. <5- Partk. vi, I will be
His bail for this offence; and if he make Another siich
vagary, take of me A pawn. 1609 W. M. Man in Moon
(1849) 21 Hee that might doe well and would not, when hee
wanteth shal be unpittied..; then shall you hear of your olde
vagaries. X667 Milton P, L, vi. 614 Strait they chang'd
thir minds, Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell, As they
would dance. 1693 Locke Educ. § 96 Would your Son
engage in some Frolic, or take a Vagary, were it not. .better
he should do it with, than without your Knowledge? x^i4
Gay What d*ye call it i. iv, Ye Goblins and Fairys, With
Frisks and Vagarys. 1785 Grose Diet. Vulgar 7"., P'agaries,
frolicks, wild rambles, a 1845 Barham Ingol. Leg. Sen iii.
Hoitse-W arming y That should she incline to play such a
vagary . . She could turn a knight into a waggon of hay. x86a
C. Stretton Chequered Life II. 100, I could not sleep: I
was too much amused at the vagaries of my new acquaint-
ances \sc. rats), and kept watching them.
fig. X794 Mks. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho i, Let us hear
what vagaries fancy has been playing in your mind.
t b. Without article : Frolic, gambolling. Obs.
X79X Wolcot (P. Pindar) Rights of Kinp Wks. 1812 11.
401 Here— there. Up, down, she dances it ; now ^ar, now
near, In mad and riotous vagary.
4. A capricious, fantastic, or eccentric action or
piece^of conduct.
1619 Massincer Picture v. iii, An old bachelor, as I am,
..is not troubled With these fine vagaries. X7XX Steele
Sped. No. 260 P I The Vagaries of a_ Child are not more
ridiculous than the Circumstances which are heaped up in
my Memory. X753 Richardson Grandison liySj) IV. xxi.
162 She . . , not having so great a fortune to support vagaries,
would have shone. .in Italy. 1831 Carlyle .V«r/. Res.iu.
vi, A noble natural Courtesy shines through him, beautify-
ing his vagaries. x86i TuLrocH Eng. Purit. iv. 409 Ignor-
ance and vanity once unbridled knew no limit to the vagaries
..into which they ran. 1888 Bryce Amer. Commw. III.
Ixxxvi. 150 The sentiment of the nation at large, acts but
slowly in restraining the vagaries, .of one particular State.
b. A caprice or trick of fortune, fancy, the
brain, a malady, etc.
VAGABY.
1717 Dennis Remarks Pope's Homer Pref. A, A vagary of
fortune who is sometimes pleased to be frolicsome. 1840
Hood Up Rhine 27 The vagaries of the perspective, originat-
ing in such an arrangement, were rather amusing. i86z
Burton Bh. Hunter (i86j) 17, I must yet notice another
and a peculiar vagary of his malady. 1871 Naphevs Frev.
tf Cure Dis. I. iv. 123 To follow the vagaries of fashion.
5. An erratic play of fancy; a fantastic, eccentric,
or extravagant idea or notion. (Cf. 2.)
. «7S3 Richardson Grandismi (1781) VI. xxxii. 218 These
ideal vagaries, which, for the time, realize pain or pleasure
to us. 1771 Geav in Ctrr. w. NichoUs (1843) '37 But by all
means curb these vagaries and wandering imaginations.
a 1806 H. K. White To Contemplation Rem. (1825) 384, I
alone,^ A wayward youth, misled by Fancy's vagaries,
Remain'd unsettled. 1856 i)ovE Logic Chr. Faith r. § 2. 77
Every system that would land in su*h a conclusion is a mere
logical vagary. 18S2 Faerar Early Chr. II. 270 nete. But
it IS worse than useless to record the vagaries of Apoca-
lyptic interpretation.
tVaga-ry, v. Ois. [Cf. prec] int>: To
wander or roam. Also trans/.
1598 Florio, Vagare,.. to vagarie, or range, to straie
abroade. 1599 N'ashe Lenten Stuft Wks. (Grosart) V. 224
The marishes and lower grounds lying vpon the three riuers
that vagary vp to her. i6n Cotgr., Vaucrer, to raunge,
roame, vagane, wander, idle it vp and downe. J656 S. H.
Gold. Law 60 Though he might decline Law, yet he vagari'd
not therefrom. 1681 W. Robertson Phraseot. Gen. U693)
1257 To vagary, vagari^ palari.
t Vaea'txon. Obs. Also 4 vagaoyone, 5-6
-oion, 0 -oyon, -tione. [ad. L. vagdtion-, vaga-
lio, n. of action f. vagari to wander. Cf. OF.
vagation (Godef.), Pg. vagojfao.l The action of
wandering, straying, or departing from the proper
or regular course ; an instance or occasion of this ;
a wandering, rambling, roaming; an aberration.
In lit. and fig. use.
CIMO YlKVLvave. Prose Tr. (1866) 14 Whene fce raynde es
sublede sadely with-owtten changynge and vagacyone in
Godd. c i4sa Myrr. our Ladye 42 For this vagacion is
caused of dulnes, and of heuynes of harte. x5oa Atkvnson
Ir.De /mita/iane til. xxvii. 219 Chase fro myn hertall raaner
darkenes, stablysshe the great vagacions of my mynde that I
suffre. IS49 CompL Scot. xiiL 1 1 1 Ane of his familiar frendis i
inquyrit hym of the cause of his inconstant vagatione, 1597
Harvey /rimming T. Nashe Wks. (Grosart) III. 53 Neuer-
thelesse can I accuse you of lazines; for all this time of :
your vagation. with you I thinke the Signe hath been in
Pisces. iSsj Gaui.e .Magastrom. 291 Socrates, offended at
the bold and blind vagations of men, in their di'^putalions
about the measures of the sunne. 1713 Derham /'/ij'r.. yvito^.
IV. ii. 100 By this so curious and exact a Libration, un-
seemly Contortions and Vagations of the Eye are prevented. 1
1714 — Astro.Theot. iv. v. (1769) 118 But I have myself
observed a greater vagation in the third satellite,
t Vage, a. Obs. rare-^. [app. ad. It vago. Cf.
Vagisness.] Fine, handsome.
1604 T. Wright Passions v. J 4. 198 The finer gold, the
richer stones,,. the more vage and beautifull iewell.
Vage, southern dial. var. Fage v.\ obs. f. Vaguk
sb. and v.; obs. or dial. f. Voyage; obs. Sc. f.
Wage v., Wedge sb. Vagelt, obs. Sc. f. Waged
fpl. a. VageowT, obs. Sc. f. Waoeb (soldier).
Vager, obs. Sc. f. Vaguer (wanderer), Waoeb
(soldier). Vagging, dial. var. Faqgino vbl. sb.
Vagi- (v? d.5ail, comb, form of L. vagus Vaodb
a., occurring in a few botanical terms, as va-giform,
vaginervose adjs. (see qnots.).
i8m .Mavne £j->«. Lex., yagi/armis,.. xppMcd by de
CandoUe to leaves of cellular plants when their false
nervures are dispersed without order or regularity ; vagi,
form. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1 199 l^aginemose, having the veins
arranged without any order.
t Va'gient, a. Obs. [ad. L. vd^nt-em, pres.
pple. olvagire to cry, squall.] Of infants, in-
fancy, etc. : Crying, squalling, wailing.
t6>8 Gaul« Pract. Tkto. (1629) 417 There shall be nor
vagient Youngling, nor decrepit Ageling. x&u H. MoRi
^ongc/Soul 11. IV. 111. xlii. But for the cradle of the Cretian
Jove, And guardians of his vagient Infancie, What sober
manbut sagely will reprove? i6u — Immort. .Saul (1662)
142 The vagient cries of the Infant Jupiter amidst the. .danc-
ings of the Cretick Corybantes.
II Vagina .vad.53i-na). PI. vaginae (-ai-n/),
vaginas. [L. vagina sheath, scabbard. Cf. F.
vagin (176J), f vagina, Pg. vagina.']
L Anat. and Afed. The membranous canal lead-
ing from the vulva to the uterus in women and
female mammals.
i68jGibson/)»i<^. 20 It has passages.. for the neck of the
BliKider, and in Women for the vagina of the Womb. 17S4-
64SMKLUEAfid-M/ery I. 95 The upper end of the vagina is
JO'n«l to the circumference of the lips of the os uteri. 1805
A/ea. Jrnl. XIV. 21 Neither could we discover by the touch
any communication between the rectum and vagina. 1847
Youatt Horse viii. 174 The true polypus .. is usually
found in the nostrils, the pharynx, the uterus, or the vagina.
1896 tr. Boas Text-bk. Zool. 490 In the Marsupials, .the two
vaeinajopen separately on the floor of the urinogenital sinus.
D. A canal or organ having similar form or
function in other animals ; a genital passage.
l8j< KiRBY & Sp. Entomot. IV. 146 This vessel, which con.
Hsts of a double tunic, in the cabbage-butterfly terminates
the vagina. 1871 T. R. Jones Anim. Kingd. (ed. 4) 358
Y emale generative organs of the Queen Bee : . . ^ , vagina, or
common excretory duct,
2. A part or formation serving as or suggestive
of a sheath; a sbeath-like covering, organ, or
part ; a theca.
11
1713. Derham Phys.-Theol. vm. iv. (1727) 363 note. The
female hath vagina: prettily furrow'd ; the Male smooth.
ma. 36s ilany of them provided with the finest Articula-
tions, and foldings, for the Wings to be withdrawn, and
neatly laid up in their Vaginae, and Cases. 177J Encycl. Brit.
1. 191/ 1 I he fibres [of the muscles] are .. distinguished by
membranous, cellular, or adipose septa, as by so many par-
ticular vaginae. 1836 Kirby& Sp. Entomot. III. 361 Vagina
(the Vagina), the jointed sheath of the Promuscis, represent,
ing the Labium m a perfect mouth.
b. Bot. = Sheath sb^ 2 b.
'.7?° P-, BcAiR Bot. Ess. i. 28 Sometimes they are covered
with a Vagina or Sheath at the top. 1731 p. Miller Card.
Vict. S.V. Narcissus, The Empalement, which commonly
rises out of a membranous Vagina. 1833 Lindley Introd.
bot. 1. 11. 95 Occasionally the petiole embraces the branch
from which it springs, and in such cases is said to be sheath-
ing ; and is even called a sheath or vagina, as in grasses.
1857 Henfrev Bot. § 75 The sheathing portion, .or vagina.
c. Sculpture. The lower part of a terminus,
out of which the bust or figure appears to rise.
(So F. gaine.) rare—".
1718 Chambers Cycl. s.v.. The Vagina is that long Part
between the Base and the Capital ; and is found in divers
Manners, and with divers Ornaments.
Hence Vagi-na-Iess a.
1897 Allbutfs Syst. Med. II. io6i,I have recently pointed
out. .the process by which the embryo dracunculi quit the
body of the vaginaless parent worm.
Vaginal (vad.^ai-nal, vsed^inal), a. and sb. [f.
prec. + -AL. Cf. F. vaginal (1762), Pg. vaginal.']
A. adj. 1. Anal, and Med. Of the nature of,
having the form or function of, a sheath ; serving
as a sheath. Vaginal process, a process or apo-
physis of the lower portion of the temporal bone,
partially enclosing the styloid process.
1716 Monro .4 »<ito«/j' 164 The Cavity between the Zygo-
matic, Auditory and vaginal Process. 1767 Phil. Trans.
LVII. 295 The vaginal coat of the testicle. 1831 R. Knox
Cloquets Anal. 55 A bony lamina, called the vaginal
process.., which forms the posterior Umit of the glenoid
cavity. 1873 MivART Elem. Anat. 80 A sharp ridge runs
inwards and forwards from the root of the styloid process.
1 his ridge is termed the vaginal process. 1899 Syd. Soc.
Lex. .S.V., Vaginal coat of the eye, capsule of Tenon. Ibid.,
Vaginal tunic
D. Bot. = Vaginaxt a.
1857 Hesfrey Bot. % 75 The vagina! petiolar region is more
or less distinctly evident in many Monocotyledonous leaves.
2. (Jf, pertaining to, or affecting the vagina.
i8»5 Good Study Med. (ed. 2) V. 156 marg.. The vaginal
polypus sometimes dispersed by stimulants and astringents.
'8^ E- Wilson Anat. Vade M. (1842) 314 The Uterine
and Vaginal arteries of the female are derived from the
internal iliac, or Ischialic arteries. 1855 Ramsbotham
Obstet. Med. ft Surg. 36 The vaginal canal becomes much
contracted in advanced life. 1878 T. Bryant Pract. Surg.
I. 688 Vaginal and labial hernia may be mistaken for the
mucous cysts of those part&
b. Ot instruments: Used in dealing with, or
operating on, the vagina.
187J Knight Z)iV:/. Mech.2(Ai'2 Vaginal speculum. Ibid.,
Vaginal syringe. 189S A rmild * Sons' Surg. Instr. Catai.
411 Vaginal and uterine instruments-
B. sb. A vaginal artery or muscle.
1871 F. G. Thomas Dis. Women (ed. 3) 52 Sim's instru.
raent, on the other hand, elevates the posterior vaginal.
Vaginalitis (vaedjinabi-tis). Path. [f. prec.
-H-iTis.] Inflammation of the vaginal coat or
tunic of the testicles.
i86t Bumstead Ven. Dis. {1879) 134 Vaginalitis, although
a very frequent, is not a constant symptom, and is always
consecutive to the inflammation of the epididymis.
Vaginant, a. Bot. [ad. mod.L. vaglnant-,
vaginalis, I. vagina sheath. So F. vaginant.']
= Sheathing///, a. b.
17*0 J. L«E Introd. Bat, ni. viL (1765) 191 Vaginant,
forming a Vagina or Sheath ; when the Base of the Leaf
forms a cylintlric Tube that invests the Branch. 1851 G. F.
Richardson Ceal. vii. 203 Sessile leaves are sometimes
vaginant, that is, sheathing, as in grasses.
Vaginate, a. rare. [ad. mod.L. vdgfnSl-us,
f. as prec. : cf. next and Vaoinated ppl. a.] En-
closed in a sheath or vagina ; invaginate.
1849 Craig, Vaginate, Vaginated, in Botany, sheathed,
invested by the tubular base of the leaf, as a stem. 1856
\y. Clark Van der Hoeven's Zaot. I. igo Penis vaginate
simple, with a small posterior accessory part. Ibid. 300
Mouth, .composed of a rostellum, iwractile, vaginate at the
base. 1859 AIavnk Expos. Lex, 1320 Vaginatut, cased,
sheathed, vaginate.
t Vaginate, v. Obs.-« [f. L. vagina: cf.
prec] To sheathe (Blount Glossogr. 1656).
Phillips (1658) substitutes ' Vagination, a sheathing '.
+ Vaginated, ppl. a. Obs. rare. [f. as prec.
■f-EDin = Vaginate a.
1698 Phil. Trans. XX. 402 Those above are wholly
vaginated (or sheathed) and come trifoliate at every Joynt.
iTj6 Evelyn's Silva viii. 445 The rest of the vaginated stem
touches no other part of the whole cavity. 1849 [see Vagin-
ate <!.].
Vaglne. Obs.-^ [ad. L. vagina Vagina,] A
scabbard (Cockeram, 1623).
Vagini-;, comb. f. of L. vagina sheath (see
Vagino-) in a few scientific terms, as vagini-
form adj.; vaginiglutsBUS, a muscle acting upon
the sheath of the thigh; also vaginigluteal adj.;
t vaginipennous a., of beetles, having the wings
covered with a sheath ; coleopterous.
VAGRANCY.
A fe^y other instances of scientific or technical usage are
given in some recent Diets., as vaginicoline, vaginicolous,
vagmiferous, vaginipennate adjs.
1S46 Sir T. ^kovise. Pseud. Ep. 111. xv. (1686) 141 All vagini.
pennous or sheath-winged insects, as Beetles and Dorrs.
J656 Blount Glossogr., Vaginipennous, pertaining to such
Hies, which have their wings cloased as it were in sheaths or
cases, as the Beetle hath. Dr. Br[owneJ. 1859 Mayne £.n>«.
Lex. 1320 Vagini/ormis,..i?i%ix\iio^m.
II Vaginismus (vKdjini-zmcs). Path. [mod.
L. (Sims), f. vaghta.] Painful spasmodic contrac-
tion of the vagina ; vulvismus.
_ x866 J. M. Sims Uterine Surg. 326 By the term vagin-
ismus I mean an excessive hyperaisthesia of the hymen
and vulvar outlet. 1879 St. Gearee's Hasp. Rep. IX. 443
i he patient then left for two months, but was readmitted as
the vaginismus still persisted.
Vaginitis (vzed^insitis). Path. [f. as prec. -H
-ITIS. Q.i.¥.vaginite.] Inflammation of the vagina.
»*4« G. E. Day tr. Simon's Anim. Chem. II. 96 He found
other forms of infusoria in the pus from syphilitic vaginitis.
i8«i Bumstead Ven. Dis. (1879) 187 Vaginitis is more
common than any other form of gonorrhoea in women.
1879 St. George's Hasp. Rep. IX. 443 Spasm of sphincter
vagina; marked, with some vaginitis and endocervicitis.
Vagino-; (vadjsi-no), used as a comb, form of
L. vagina in some scientific terms, as f vagino-
pennouB, = vaginipennous ; vaginoscope, an
instrument for examining the vagina; vagino-
vesical, pertaining to the vagina and the bladder.
Recent Diets, give a number of others in Med., Path., or
Surg., as vagino-Ji. ration, vaginotomy; vagino-abdominal,
•labial, .vulvar adjs. (Cf, F. vaginolabial, -PMIoneal.
'Vesical, etc.)
•7SS,Iohnson, Ladybird, a small red insect vaginopcnnous.
182s Good Study Med. (ed. 2) V. 154 Vagino-vesical prolapse.
Prolapse of the vagina dragging the bladder along with it.
1866 J. M. Sims Uterine Surg. 33 Dr. Routh..has detected
pregnane]? . . by means of his vaginoscope.
llVaginula (vadgsiniala). PI. vaginulee.
Zool. and Bot. [L. vaginula, dim. of vdgitta
Vagina.] A little sheath or vagina ; esp. in Bot.
the capsule or theca enclosing the base of the seta
in certain mosses.
a. 1843 Wilkinson tr. Swedenborg's Anim. Kingd. I. i.
18 The external .. membrane of the mouth forms a number
of pyramidal and globular pouches or vaginuls.
b. 1849 Balfour Man. Bot. § 1114 Urn-shaped pistillidia
.., enclosed at first within a calyptra.,, which is ultimately
carried up with them . . , leaving often a sheath (vaginula)
round the bottom of the fruit-stalk. 1863 M.J. Bekkei.ev
Brit. Mosses iii. 20 in Sphagnum the vaginula is lifted up on
a cylindrical hyaline stalk. i88a Vines tr. Sachs's Bot. 360
The basal portion of the growing archegonium becomes
swollen out and penetrates down into the tissue of the stem,
being nourished and firmly enclosed by it (the vaginula).
Vaginnle. Bot. [Anglicizing of prec. or a. F.
vaginule.] — prec
1861 Bentley Man. Bot. 380 In Jungermamiia the spor.
angia are elevated upon stalks arising out of the vaginule.
t VagisneSB. Obs.-' [? f. It, vaghezza, i. vago
Vage a.] Handsomeness, elegance.
1604 T. Wright Passions v. § 4. 197 All these [parts of the
worldj.-areinameled with a most gratious vagisnesse, lustre,
and beautie.
tVa'git. Obs.-'^ [ad. L. vdglt-us, f. vdglre to
cry, squall.] A cry, lamentation, wail.
1617 Hakewill.4/<;/. (1630) 294 His cruell altars with sad
vagits sounde.
•t Va-gitate, v. Obs.-^ [ad. med.L. vagildre, i.
L. vagdrl to viiindieT.] intr. To roam or travel.
1614 Raleigh Hist. World 1. viii. (1654) J03 Before the
use of the compass was known it was impossible to vagitate
a-thwart the Ocean.
Vago- (v^'*go), used as comb. f. of Vagds in a
few terms of Anat. or Med. in the sense ' of or per-
taining to, denoting, the vagus or pneumogastric
nerve (and some other nerve or part)', as vago-
accessory, -glossopharyngeal, -sympathetic adjs.
1877 M. Foster Physiol, ill. i. (1878) 392 In the mixed
vago-sympathetic trunk. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. IV. 860
Among bulbar nerves the vago-acccssory is by far the most
frequently attacked. 1899 Ibid. VI. 811 The hypoglossal
root fibres lie in close proximity to those of the vago-glosso-
pharyngeal nerve.
t Va'gons, a. Obs. [ad. L. vagus : see Vague
a.] Vagrant or vague, in various senses ; departing
from or exceeding just or ordinary bounds; irregu-
lar, inordinate; tmsettled, wandering.
1660 tr. Amyraldus' Treat, cone. Relig, 1. i. 15 We have
noother assurance of it then so wild and vagous a tradition.
Ibid. iii. 32, I know not what natural vagous and indeter-
niin'd notion. 1684 N. S. tr. Crit. Enq. Edit. Bible ix. 67
The first is only a Vagous way of Disputation, propounding
now one thing, now another. 1710 T. Fuller Pharm.
Extemp. 78 The whole throng of Physicians., crieth it up.,
to.. cure vagous Pains. 1716 AvLiiFE /'a>-frf<7« 107 Such
as were born and begot of a single woman, through a vagous
Lust,, .were called Spurii. 1737 Bracken Farriery Impr.
(1757) 1. 319 [They] were no doubt liable to vagous and
wandering Pains.
Va'grance. rare. [f. as next: see -ance.]
Vagrancy.
I7S1 Johnson Rambler No. 85 f 9 The understanding
may be restrained from that vagrance and dissipation by
which it relieves itself after a long intenseness of thought.
1871 B. Taylor F.inst (1875) I. xxn. 197 You'll never mount
the airy steep With all your tripping vagrance.
Vagrancy (vt^'-gransi). [f. Vagrant a. : see
-ANOY.]
2-2
VAGRANT.
1. Jig. The action or fact of wandering or digress-
ing in mind, opinion, thought, etc. ; an instance of
this. (Cf.3.)
x6^ H. More SongofSoul ii. iii. in. Ixxui, Curious men
will judge't a vagrancy To .start thus from my scope. 1778
Johnson in Boswell (1831) IV. 176 Of tliis vacillation and
vagrancy c^ mind, I impute a great part to a fortuitous and
unsettled life. x8o8 Han. More CceUbs 1 1. 200 Poetry . . has
of late too much degenerated into personal satire, . .and cart.
cature;. .it has e.\hibited the vagrancies of genius, without
the inspiration. 1853 G. Johnston Nat. Hist. E. Bard. I.
936 We can all of us apprehend the pretty vagrancy; of the
&ncy. i86iTfLLOCH Eng. Purit. ii. aqi The workings of
conscience helped to check the vagrancies of the heart.
2. The state, condition, or action of roaming
abroad or wandering about from place to place.
rt 1677 Barrow Serm. iv. \Vks. 1686 III. 42 Thereforedid
he spend his da>'S in continual labour, in restless travel, in
endless vagrancy, going about doing good. IHd.-v. S7 Moses
did not lose his affection towards his Countreymen, because
he was by one of them threatned away into banishment and
vagrancy. 1776 Johnson in Bos%vell (Oxf. ed.) II. 40 As
a^epherd..he is answerable for those that stray... But
no man can be answerable .. for vagrancy which he has not
authority to restrain. x8aa-s6 De Quincey Conf. VVks.
1S62 1. 131 Happier life I cannot imagine than this vagrancy,
if the weather were but tolerable, through endless successions
of changing beauty. 1899 Lytton Devereux i. i, Before
terminating for ever his vagrancies. 1889 B. HARTECrwjj'
ij It had b^n the habit of the master to utilize these pre*
hminary vagrancies of his little flock.
trans/. xGB4 Harper's Mag. Dec. 76/2, I was struck by
the wild untutored \'agrancy of every growing thing.
b. Spec. Idle wandering with no settled habita-
tion, occupation, or obvious means of support ; con-
duct, life, or practices characteristic of vagrants or
idle beggars.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vagrancy^ a vagrant, dis-
orderly, OT ill Course of Life, a 179a Burke Sk. Negro
Cod* ^Vks. (Bohn) V. 544 He shall by office prosecute them
for the offences of idleness.., gaming, or vagrancy. 1857
TouLMis Smith Parish 145 Vagrancy had thus everywhere
a colourable excuse given to it, and soon largely increased.
1876 J. Weiss Wity Hum. <§• Sliaks. iv. 141 He ought to be
taken up for vagrancy as having no visible means of support.
attrib. 1901 Scribncr's Mag. April 406/1 The sleepy un-
wary are lucky if they escape the Island on a vagrancy
commitment.
3. An instance or occasion of wandering or roam-
ing ; a rambling journey ; a straying.
1763 Ld. Hardwicke in Li/e (1847) III. xv. 381 The run-
aways need not shorten their vagrancy on that account,
1799 Strutt Dress 4- Habit II. 318 It was evidently his
intention to hold up these idle vagrancies to ridicule.
Vagrant (v^»'grant), sb. and a. Forms : a.
5-6 vagaraunt(e, 6-7 vagarant, 6 -ent. ^. 6-
vagrant, 7 vag'rant, [Late yiK^vagr aunty vaga-
raufttf perh. an alteration of earlier AF, wakermit
{wacrantf waUrattt^ through association with L.
vagdni of. Vagabond. The AF. word is em-
ployed in the sense of * vagrant ' in enactments of
the 14th cent]
A. sb. 1. One of a class of persons who having
no settled home or regular work wander from place
to place, and maintain themselves by begging or
in some other disreputable or dishonest way; an
itinerant beggar, idle loafer, or tramp.
Vagrants have been the subject of many legal enactments,
and by the Act 5 Geo. IV, c. 83 (the Vagrancy Act), now in
force, they are divided into * idle and disorderly persons,
rogues and vagabonds, incorrigible rogues and other
vagrants '.
a. J444 Rolls of Parlt. V. 113/1 Alle Statutes of Laborers,
..Vitaillers, Servauntz and Vagarauntz, afore this tyme
made. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. i\. (1882)75 They runne
roging like vagarents vp and downe the countries like
maisterlesse men. ^ 1598 Barkcley Feljc. Man (1631) 378
ISeamen] are alwaies as vagarants and in continuall exile.
p. i4sa in Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. Var. Coll. IV. 201
Ail manere vagraunts, vacabunds and beggers begging oute
of the hundred wheras they duelle. 1547 Act 1 Edw. V/,
c 3 § 6 Vf it shall appear, .suche man.. to have been a vag-
rauntc and vacabound or ydle parsone. 1606 Warner Alb,
Eng, X!V. xcL 367 Lest his Bagpipe, Sheephooke, Skrip,
and Boltell..By Vagrants (more then many now) might
suffer of their stealth. 1698 Frver Acc. E. India <S- P. 392
These then are Vagrants, while the Husbandman fixes him-
self in the Villages. lyas Pope Odyss, xi, 452 Vagrants who
on falsehood live, Skill'd in smooth tales, and artful to
deceive. 1781 Gibbon Decl. <$• F. xvii. (1787) II. 34 The
praefect, who seemed to have been designed as a terror only
to slaves and vagrants. 183a Ht. Martineau Ireland 119
The listless or bold expression which characterises vagrants.
1856 Feoude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 75 For the able-bodied
vagrant, it is well known that the old English laws had no
mercy. 1884 Pae Eustace 57 If you dare to trespass on my
grounds . . you will be treated as a vagrant or a beggar.
2. One who wanders or roams about; a person
who leads a wandering life ; a rover.
c 1590 Greene Fr. Bacon xi, Vagrant, go roam and range
about the world, and perish as a vagabond on earth 1 17x8
Pope Odyss. 11. 212 Unnumber'd birds glide through the
aerial way, Vagrants of air, and unforeboding stray. X719
De Foe Crusoe 11. (Globe) 361 In about five Days Time the
three Vagrants, tir'd with Wandring,.. came back. rti77o
JoRTiN Serm. (1771) V. ix. 194 He chose the Israelites, poor
vagrants who had not a foot of ground of their own. 1807
J. Barlow Columb.u. 194 Why,., if ages p? it Led the bold
vagrants to so mild a waste, . . Why the wild woods for ever
must they rove?
j^g. x6ia T.Tavlor Comm. Titus iii. 3 We shal not neede
trauell faire to seeke instances of such vagrants out of the
wayes of God.
13
3. A wandering or non-sedentary spider (see
first quot.).
xSiS KiRBY & Sp. Entomol. xiii. (1816) I. 423 The former
Walckenaer, in his admirable work on spiders, has designated
by the name of Vagrants. 1835 Kirby Hab. Sf Inst. Anim.
II, xix. 298 There is a very common black and white spider
amongst the vagrants.
B. ad/. 1. Wandering about without proper
means of livelihood ; living in vagrancy or idle
vagabondage ; of or belonging to the class of
vagrants or itinerant beggars.
a. 1461 Lilt. Red Bk. Bristol iigoo) II. 127 Many. .of the
Kynges liege people.. gothe vagaraunt and vnoccupied and
may not haue ther labour to ther levyng. 1530 Act 22
Hen. VIII, c. 12 § 2 Vf any suche ympotent person after
the sayde Feast of Seynt lohn, be vagarant & goo abeggyng.
Ibid. § 9 Whypped for a vagarant stronge begger. 1608
Bacon Comment. Sot, i. Wks. 1868 IV. 91 The Indited re-
cusant, the Non Communicant, the vagarant person. 163a
Sanderson Serm, 383 Sturdy Roagues and vagarant towns-
end beggars.
p. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 160 In all which
places they mustred souldiers,. .entertaining also strangers,
and other vagrant and masterlesse men. 1641 Brome
Joviall Creiv ir, Current and vagrant— Stockant, whippant
Beggars ! 1722 De Foe Plague 122 Every vagrant person
may, by the laws of England, be taken up. 177a Goldsm.
Des. Vill. 149 His house was known to all the vagrant train.
1814-28 SoMERViLLE Life ^ Tivies (1861) 370 Before the
general establishment of poor's-rates, the country was over-
run with vagrant beggars. 1854 Act 17 ^ 18 Vict. c. 74
An Act to render Reformatory and Industrial Schools in
Scotland more available for the Benefit of Vagrant Children.
Jig. 1663 J. Spencer Prodigies {iS6s) 252 If once Right
Reason . .be put by its office, our inward house will soon lie
..free for every vile and vagrant Opinion to take up and
dwell therein.
^. Jig. Wandering, straying, roving; inconstant,
unsettled, wayward, etc.
1523 More De guat. Noviss. Wks. 76A It often happeth, y*
the very face sheweth y« mind walking a pilgrimage, in such
wise y' not withoute som note & reproch of suche vagaraunte
mind [etc.]. i6xa T. Taylor Comm, Titus iii. 3 We haue
a wandring and vagrant vaine euen after our calling, and
therefore much more before. 1651 H. More Enthus. Tri.
(1662) 48 His causality is more vagrant, more lax and
general, then to be brought in here. 1684 Burnet tr. Utopia
141 They think that if they were not so strictly restrained
from all vagrant Appetites, very few would engage in a
married state. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 143 _P4 Ambition,
Envy, vagrant Desire, or impertinent Mirth will take up our
Minds. 1729 Butler Serm. Wks. 1874 II. Pref. 26 Men
daily, hourly sacrifice the greatest known interest, to. .any
vagrant inclination. 1755 J. Shebbeare Lydia (1769) I. 116
Pleasure skin-deep and vagrant, pain heart-felt and long-
lasting ! 1820 Hazlitt Lect. Dram. Lit. 154 We wander
by forest side or fountain,.. following our vagrant_ fancies.
1849 Macaulay Hist, Eng. v. I. 542 The offspring of a
vagrant and ignoble love. 1879 Dixon Windsor I. xxiii. 234
A child, .with a violent and vagrant temper,
3. Leading a wandering or nomadic life; ranging
or roaming from place to place ; straying, strag-
gling. Cf. Vagant a. r.
Pred. 1546 Yorks. Chantry Snrv. (Surtees) 201 They
shulde here and se lernyng in the sayd college, and not to be
vagrant abrode in the sayd towne. 1589 Puttenham Eitg.
Poesie i. iii. (Arb.) 22 The people remained in the woods
and mountains, vagarant and dispersed like the wild beasts.
1610 Healey St. Aug, Citie 0/ God 889 [TheyJ became
vagrant through most parts of the Romaine Empire, 1649
G. Daniel THnarch., Heit. /F, Ixxxii, Vagrant as a Rout
Possest with feare, led by vnskillfull guides. 1728 Pope
Dnnc. I. 232 Ye shall not beg,., Sent with a Pass, and
vagrant thro' the land.
attrib, 1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 90 Fearing his
vagrant sonne might grow too potent.. he rowses himselfe.
X746 Francis tr. Horace, Epist. i. xv. 37 A vagrant Zany,
of no certain Manger, Who knew not, ere he din'd, or Friend
or Stranger. 17S9 Johnson Rassclas xxxvii, I amused my-
self with observing the manners of the vagrant nations.
1781 Gibbon Decl, ^ F. xxv. (1787) II. 532 The vagrant
soldiers were recalled to their standard. 1812 J. Henry
Camp, agst. Quebec 68 Without the path of the vagrant
savage to guide us. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. x. II._6^o
It might well be. .that.. regents would continue to adminis-
ter the government in the name of vagrant and mendicant
kings, i860 Hawthorne Marb. Faun I. x. 100 They proved
to be a vagrant band, such as . . all Italy abounds with.
b. Of animals, birds, etc,
1743 Francis tr. Horace^ Odes iv. iv. 4 To whom the
monarch of the gods assign'd Dominion o'er the vagrant,
feather'd race. 1767 Phil. Trans. LVII. 396 It becomes a
resting place to vagrant birds. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist.
(17^6) 111. 53 (The goat is] lively, capricious, and vagrant;
it IS not easily confined to its flock.., and loves to stray
remote from the rest. 1817 Wordsw. Vernal Ode 90 The
soft murmur of the vagrant Bee. 1853 Poultry Chron. Ill,
562 In one case two swarms, both of them vagrant swarms,
took possession of the same hive.
c. Of plants : Rambling or straggling in growth
or habit ; straying. Also of hair.
1827 Hood Mids. Fairies xHx, And sometimes we enrich
gray stems, with twined And vagrant ivy. 1851 Longf.
Gold. Leg. ii. A Farm, The vagrant Vines that wandered.
Seeking the sunshine, round and round. 1862 Sala Seven
Sons I. xi. 265 She had, .a quantity of vagrant brown hair.
4. Of or belonging to a vagrant or wanderer ;
characterized by, peculiar to, devoted or given up
to, vagrancy or wandering.
1583 Stubbes -4 w«^..f4iKj.n. M4b, Doe you allow of that
vagarant ministerie, which is in manie Countries, .spron^vp
of late, to the discredite of the Gospell of Jesus Christ?
1598 Hackluyt Voy. I. '490 The worde Turk signlfieth a
Shepheard or one that followeth a vagarant and wilde kinde
of life. X613 PuRCHAS Pilgrimage (1614) 665 The Ethiop-
VAGUE.
ians.-liued before a vagrant life, like the Nomades of olde.
1659 Hammond On Ps. Ivi. 8 Thou knowest the dayes of
my exile, and vagrant condition. 1709 Prior Henry ^
Emma 304 That Beauteous Emma vagrant Courses took;
Her Father's House and civil Life forsook. 1^75 Johnson
Let. 27 May in Boswell, Because it will be inconvenient
to send them after me in my vagrant state. — Tax. no
Tyr. 22 But the age being now past of vagrant excursion.
1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 212 Persons whose life has
been passed in vagrant diplomacy. 1867 Mokris Jason
XIV. 416 Keeping but vagrant life for thine own part Of
what thou boastest with the Gods to share.
6. Of things : Not fixed or stationary ; moving
hither and thither ; spec, in Fath, of certain blood-
cells.
1586 Marlowe \st Pt. Tamhurl. i. i. Ere he march in
Asia, or display His vagrant Ensigne in the Persean fields,
i6x2 WooDALL Surg. Mate Wks- (1653) 226 Mercuric.. i»
in truth a fugitive vagrant substance. 1743 Francis Xx,
Horace^ Odes i. xxvi. 3 Bear them, ye vagrant winds, away
Ibid, xxxiv. 14 The ponderous earth, and vagrant streams.
X794 R. J. SuLivAN View Nat. II. 417 When we consider
the motion of those vagrant worlds, the comets. 1800 Moore
Anacreon Iviii. 10 Then I loose all such clinging cares, And
cast them to the vagrant airs. 1841 Dickens Barn. Budge
xv, A vagrant ray of sunlight patching the shade of the tali
houses. 1857 DuFFERiN Lett. High Lat, (ed. 3) 203 The
lofty ice mountains that wander like vagrant islands along
the coast of America. 1899 A Hbutt's Syst. Med. VI . 497 Ihe
fixed cells of the tissue to a great extent appear to supplant
in its office the vagrant leucocyte.
fb. Of a disease or pain : Not local or confined
to one particular part. Obs.
1656 RiDGLEY Pract. Physick 24 Arthritis that is vagrant
is Scorbutical, and a pain of divers parts. 1684 tr. Bonei's
Merc. Compit. iv. 126 M. N. was suddenly taken with
most sharp vagrant pains.
Vagrant, v. rare~~^, [f. prec] intr. To be-
have like a vagrant ; to ramble or roam.
x886 Miss Broughton Doctor Cupid I. ix. 156 The boy is
out — , .vagranting after his kind.
Va'gr autism, [f, Vageant j^. or c] Inclina'
tion to, love of, vagrancy.
1908 G. S. Hall Adolescence I. 296 The erratic acts of
these cases,, .passionate vagrantism and vagabondage, soli-
tude and soliloquy.
Va'grautize, ^- rare. [f. Vagrant sb.-\-
-3ZE.] ta. trans. To arrest as a vagrant, Obs,
b. To reduce to the condition of a vagrant. In
quot. absoL
1797 Mrs. A. M. Bennett Beggar Girl (1813) I. 21 Setoff
to the next justice of the peace, for the purpose of getting
the whole set vagrantized. 1893 Liverpool Daily Post 22
Dec. 4/10 The result is rather to permanently vagrantize—
if one may coin a verb for the occasion— instead of inculcat-
ing., independent effort.
Va'grant-like, adv. [f. Vagrant sb,"] In or
after the manner of a vagrant.
1679 J. Goodman Penit. Pard. i. iv. (1713) 97 He vagrant-
like wandred on in a course of dissoluteness.
Vagrantly (v<?'-grantli), adv. Also 6 vag-
rauntlie, [f. as prec. + -ly 2.] As a vagrant ; in
a vagrant or wandering manner; f irrelevantly,
1547 Act I Edw. Vf, c. 3 § 6 We haue taken this bearer
I. iC. vagrauntlie,. .going loytering idellie abowt. a 1603
T. Cartwright Confut. Rhem. N. T. (1618) 634 The con-
trary..being barely and nakedly affirmed of the lesuiies,
and that most vagrantly, and from the purpose. 1604 N. D.
grd Pt. Three Conversions of Eng. 93 Who would neither
aue lands, .nor any certaine seats or habitation, but went
abroade vagrantly. 1736 Ainsworth Lat. Did,, Vage,
wandringly, scatteringly, vagrantly. 1847 Webster, Vag-
rantly, in a wandering, unsettled manner. 1893 Dispatch
(Columbus) 20 April, Come with me then, vagrantly, into a
few of these lovely old home-spots of rural England.
tVagrarious, a. nonce-word. [Cf. next and
-ABIOUS.] Vagrant, wandering.
1795 WiLBERFORCE in Li/c (1839) II. 105 My health is not
equal to this vagrarious kind of life.
tVa"grate, v, nonce-word, [f. Vagr-ant sb. :
see -ATE.] intr. To range or wander.
1807 J. Barlow Colnmb. ix. 314 In this unbounded range,
Where error vagrates and illusions change.
t Va'gring, ///. «. Obs,—^ [f. as prec] Vag-
rant, wandering ; nomadic.
1619 W. ScLATER Exp. I Thess.ijti^^ 310 There are risen
vp a scattered and vagring company, vnder color of
deuotion.
Vagrom (vt^'gr^m), a. [Illiterate alteration of
Vagrant a, : cf. Ingram a. In mod. use only
after Shakspere.]
1. Vagrant, vagabond, wandering.
1599 Shaks. Much Ado in. iii. 26 Dogberry. Vou shall com-
rrehend all vagrom men. 1863 G. A. Sala Capt. Dangerous
. X. 285 Sheep-stealers, footpads, vagrom men and women.
1874 M. Collins Transmigr. II. ii. 49 With him came the
vagrom guest, ..a boy almost. i88a Besant All Sorts 164
Bom of a poor vagrom woman. .
2. Eccentric, erratic'
188a Sat. Rev. LIV. 497 Words lose their character and
have their history obscured by being spelled after the vagrom
devices of the phonetic people,
Vagt, southern ME, var.yJz^/, pa. t. Fight v.
tVagUe, sb.^ Obs. Also 6 vage, [Of obscure
origin.J A prank or trick. Only in pi.
Freq. in the second quarter of the i6th c, esp. in the phrase
to play one's vagues, with which to take cne's vogues
appears to be synonymous.
ia) 1523 St. Papers Hen. VIII, VI. 200 Thei thought that
Columpna had..takyn so his vages against the said Car-
dinall de Medyces . . that the said Columpna dorst never have
VAGUE.
trastyd..hymself afiir in the desperat handes of the Car-
dinall. 15*8 Rov Rede me (Arb.) 120 Yf they playe thus
their vages, They shall not escape the plages Which to
theym of Rome happened, a 1548 Hall CkroiU, Hen, VIII,
352 b, The Scottcs had some Icysure to play their vagues
and folowe their accustomed manier. c 1557 Abf. Parker
Ps. civ, There playth his vages Leviathan.
{b) 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de \V. 1531) 80 b, She despyseth
all outwarde vages & vanytees, & is content to fulfyli all y'
her lady commaundeth. iS»6 Skelton Magnyf. 1968 Be-
cause of theyr neglygence and of thej'r wanton vagys, I
vysyte them and stryke them with many sore plagys.
Vague (vtf'g), a.,a£/2'., j(J.2 Alsoyvage. [% F.
vague (13th c.) or ad. L. vag-us wandering, incon-
stant, uncertain, etc. (hence also It., Sp., Pg. vago).'\
1. Of statements, etc. : Cooched in general or
indefinite terms ; not definitely or precisely ex-
pressed ; deficient in details or particulars.
1548 VicARY Anat. (18S8) 15 Likewise a Chirurgion must
take heede that he deceiue no man with bis vague promises.
a i66i Fuller Worthiest Durham i. (1662) 298 With
subiilty not light, slight, vage as air, But such as Truth
doth crown. 1750 Johnson RantbUr No. 76 F 8 Men often
extenuate their own guilt, only by vague and general
charges upon others. 1784 Cowper Task \\. 521 Their
answers, vague. And all at random. 184^ Thirlwall Greece
Vin. 179 He remained inflexible, covering his refusal with
the vague pretext, ' that circumstances were not in his
power*. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. ix. U. ^00 He wanted
..to have, not vague professions of good will, but distinct
invitations and promises of support. 1884 Laxu Times Rep.
XLIX. 773/2 The statement of claim is so vague that we
had to go into detail, so as to make the case clear.
2. Of words, language, etc. : Not precise or
exact in meaning.
1690 Locke Hum. Uttd. To Rdr., Vague and insignificant
forms of speech, and abuse of language, have so long passed
for mj-steries of science. 1744 Harris Three Treat. Wks.
(1841)2 So it was., with a thousand words beside, all no less
common, and equally familiar; and yet all of them equally
vague and undetermined, a 1781 R. Watson Philip III
(1793) \. \\\. 306 It was conceived in vague and general terms.
179(5 KiRWAN Elem.^ Min. (ed. 2) L Pref. p. xi. Its descriptive
language was. .arbitrary, vague and ambiguous, 1813 J.
Thomson Led. Inflam. 502 By an indiscriminate use of
vague terms. 1849 Macaulay Hist.Eng. vL II. 152 These
vague phrases were not likely to quiet the perturbed mind
of the minister. 1870 Farrar Fant. Speech iii. (1873) 87 But
the name Chaldee is so vague and misleading that I have
purposely excluded it. 1900 E. Holmes What is Poetry f
79 Vague words, then, stir emotion ; exact terms repress it.
Ifig. 18x3 Shelley Q. i1/*^viii. 23 Like the vague sighings
of a wind at even, That wakes the wavelets of the slumber-
ing sea, And dies on the creation of its breath.
3. Of ideas, knowledge, etc. : Lacking in defin-
iteness or precision ; indefinite, indistinct.
a 1704 Locke (J.), These vague ideas, signified by the
terms, whatsoever and thin^. 1753 Hogarth Ana/. Beauty
7 So vague is taste, when it has no solid principles for its
foundation. 1791 Mary Wollstonecr. Rights Worn. v. 186
Though prudence of this sort be termed a virtue, morality
becomes vague when any part is supposed to rest on false-
hood. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) VI. 172 The metes and
bounds of property would be vague and indeterminate. 1845
BuDD Dis. Liver 2 To the vague and unsatisfactory state
of our knowledge respecting them. ax88i A. Barratt
Phys. Metempiric (1883) 156 Beyond this we only get a
vague analogy.
b. Similarly of feelings or sensations.
1797 S. & Ht. Lee Cant. T. 1. 106 (He was] trembling
with a new and vague apprehension. 1837 W, \\ci\noCapt.
Bonmvilit HI. 356 Their movements not onlygive a vague
alarm, but,. will even indicate to the knowing trapper the
very quarter whence danger threatens. 1845 Budd Dis,
Liver 3S7 The i>atient*s illness begins with general disorder;
..vague pain"; in the belly, and sometimes with vomiting.
f868 Geo. Eliot F. Holt 15 The vague but strong feeling
that her son was a stranger to her. 188^ £. Clood Myths
I. J 6. Ill Man's sense of vague wonder in the picsence of j
powers whose force he cannot measure.
4. ta» K<2§7*^ (KT/V/ (see quots.). Obs.
i'ji^xSHKVftT.Boerhaave^sCktm,{fid. 2)L ii20fthe Vague !
Acid. The vague volatile liquid acid, found perhaps every
where in mines. 1753 Chambers* Cycl. Suppl., Vague
Acid, a term much used by the modem chemists, and signi-
fying a certain volatile fluid salt or acid, supposed to be
found every where in mines.and in combination with different
other substances, to form many of the ordinary compound
fossils. X764 PhiL Trans. LIV. 45 A Belemnite, whose
laminae were in a manner dissected and laid open by the
vague acid, . . which every where pervades the earth, destroy-
ing some bodies, and forming others.
b. Bot, (See quot.)
X84J A. Gray Struct. Bot. viii. (1880) 313 Vague, when the
radicle bears no evident or uniform relation of the kind to
the pericarp.
6. Lacking physical definiteness of form or out-
line ; indistinctly seen or perceived ; formless,
obscure, shadowy.
i8ss B. W. Proctor Flood o/Thessaly i. 3 Chaos, touched
with light and form, Ix>st its vague being. 1849 Mrs.
Somerville Connex. Phys. Set. 433 These are in every state
of condensation, from a vague film hardly to be discerned to
such as have actually arrived at a solid nucleus of stars. 1879
Huxley Hume iv. 96 We travel through countries where
every feature of the .scenery is vague.
6. Of persons, the mind, etc. : Unable to think
with clearness or precision ; indefinite or inexact
in thought or statement,
x8o6-ao WoRDSW. River Duddon xxvi, Random cares and
truant joys, That shield from mischief and preserve from
stains Vague minds, while men are growing out of boys.
i8»7 Carlyle Misc.(\%£o) U17 Richter has. .an imagination
vague, sombre, splendid, or appalling. 1847 Helps Friends
im C, t. viii. 143 The sharp practice of the world drives
13
some logic into the most vague of men : women are not so
schooled.
b. ;>o^/. Oftheeyes: Devoid of expression, rare.
1810 Keats St. Agnes viii, She danc'd along with vague,
regardless eyes.
7. t a- ? Vagrant, vagabond. Obs. rare.
a i6»7 Sir J. Havwakd Edw. VI (1630) 63 The Lord Gray
encouraged his men to set sharpely upon the vague villaines,
good neither to liue peaceably nor to fight.
b. Of the Egyptian month or year : Beginning
at varying seasons ; moveable, shifting.
ai6s« UssHER^«». (1658) 762 The beginnings of these
years being taken from the first of the vage or moveable
moneth Tlwth of the Egyptians, i860 R. S. Voole in
Smith's Diet. Bible I. 506/1 (Egj/pt), The Vague Year con-
tamed 365 days without any additional fraction, and there-
fore passed through all the seasons in about 1500 years.
1876 Encycl. Brit. IV. 665 This [Egyptian] year is called
vague, by reason of its commencing sometimes at one season
of the year, and sometimes at another.
8. As adv. Vaguely; indistinctly.
1864 LoNCF. Wind mer Chimney i.x, The night.wind
drear Clamours louder, wilder, vaguer.
b. In combs., as vagtte-havering, -menacing,
-sailing, -shining, etc.
1856 R. A. \\i:oHt.^ Mystics (i86o) I. 238 In this wild
Universe of ours, storming-in, vague-menacing, it is enough
if youshallfind.. existence. 1871 J. lif,t PikeCounly Ball.
(i88q) 90 Vague-hovering o'er her form.. A warmer and a
dearer charm. Ibid. 95 Vague-sailing, where the feathery
clouds Fleck white the tranquil skies. 2879 Dowden Southey
vii. ig6 Will-o'-the-wbp, vague-shining theories that beguile
night wanderers.
S. absol. as sb., esp. the vague, the vague aspect or
consideration of things. In the vague, in a vague
or indefinite state or condition, uncertain ; without
entering into details or particulars, in general.
1891 Carlvle Sterling: I. xii, John Mill, .spoke of him. .as
a gifted amiable being,.. in danger of dissipating himself
into the vague. 1856 Mrs. Carlvle Lett. II. 280 My plans
are still in the vague ; I feel no haste to ' see my way '. 1881
Masson De Quincey 196 The meaning is all but lost in a
mere vague of music. 1883 Bain y. S. Milli. 13 All this is
completely in the vague. 1894 Month Oct. 207 We must
take them rather in the vague.
b. The vague or uncertain future, rare.
1865 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. III. 260 Dr. B. b postponed into
the vague.
o. The vague or undefined expanse ^something.
1870 Lowell Study Wind. 90 The great Genoese did not
draw that first sur-guided furrow across the vague of waters.
1875 RusKiN Led. Art vi. 169 The shadows lost or dis-
regarded in the vague of space.
Vague (v?g), i^.l Chiefly Sc. Now rare or
Obs. Forms: a. 6-7 vage. /3. Sc. 6-7, 9vaig, 7
uaige. 7. 7- vague, [ad. L.i'o^an to wander :
cf. F. vaguer, Pg. vagcw. It. vagare.'\ intr. To
wander ; to range, roam ; to ramble idly or as a
vagrant.
a. c 1415 WvNTOUN Cron. v. x. (Royal MS.) 3394 Fra land
to land.. he wes vagar.d [v.r. wauerande]. 1548 Compl.
Scott, xiii. (iS/a) iti Quhen metellus hed vagit vp and doun'e
there ane lang tyme. 1579 \V. Wilkinson Confut. I'am.
Love 2 Euill tlisposed persons vage and wander abroad at
midnight.
3. ish-'>c-^cts, yas. yf,c. 11QP12 Tbaysall remane within
this realme. .and sail not vaig tbairfra. 1647 Aberd. Rec. in
Aberd. yml. N. 4- Q. (1908) I. 16/1 That all persones..heir
the word of God, and not vaig nor goe to the old toun. c 1657
Sir W. Mure Ps. cix. 10 Still valge, and sharke, and beg
about. Their bounds lay'd waist, they may. z8oa Levden
Compl. Scott. Gloss. 379 To vaig is in common use, as well
as stravaie.
y. 1600 Holland Ziiy xxiii. xlii. 503 To.. suppresse these
robbers that vague about our country. Ibid. xxxi. xxi. 785
They vagued to and fro in scattering wise up and downe the
countrey a foraging, c i6ao Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855)
121 Thou idle boy thus vagueing here and there. X678 Sir
0. Mackenzie Crim. Laws .Scot. 11. xxvi. § iv. (1609) 266 If
they were necessitated to vague up and down at all Courts,
upon alt occasions, 1766 Nichol Poems'i Thus through the
country I went valuing. 1786 in Old Ch. Life Scott. (1885)
320 The profanation of this holy day by idly vaguing
together.
t b. In fig. use. Obs.
1567 Djihsr Horace, Ep. Bj, Should I go« wryte at Ran-
donne tho, and vage abroade, and raue? 1596 Dalrymple
tr. Leslie's Hist. 5<:»/. (S.T.S.) I. 280 [Hejlouset abrydle to
thame to vaig in quhat lust or leicnerie lyket thame best.
a 1614 J. Melvill Diary (Wodrow Soc.) 445The Kingsould
be judge if a Minister vag from his text. 1641 R. B. K. !
Par. Liturgy w. MassM., etc. 39 In these conceats all of j
them agree to vage.
Vague (viSg), w.* rare. [f. Vaque a.] intr. I
To act or write vaguely ; to be vague or indefinite. 1
1880 Comk. Mag. Dec. 649, I have vagued away in a sort
of circle round my diaries still heaped on the floor, and
Josephine standing between mc and the lamp. 1894 Mrs.
C. Praed Christina Chard I. 123 I've vagued all my life—
that's been my curse. Ibid. 128 Vou are to fulfil yourself.
Vou are to * vague ' no more. |
Vaguely (v^i-gll), adv. [f. as prec. -l- -lt 2.] [
L In a vague, indefinite, or indeterminate
manner ; with vagueness or lack of precision ; in |
vague terms.
1781 Gibbon Decl. », F. xxx. (1787)111. 185 The services o(
Stilicho are great and manifest; his crimes, as they are i
vaguely stated in the language of flattery and hatred, are 1
obscure.^ 1791 Boswell Johnson (1831) I. 330 Concerning '
the publication of which Sir John Hawkins guesses vaguely
and idly. 1824 W. Irving T. Trav. I. 30 When my uncle 1
was dressing, he called vaguely to mind the visitor of the |
preceding night. 185s Macaulay Hist. Eng. xix. IV. 303 I
VAIDIE.
A motion was made so vaguely worded that it could hardly
be said to mean any thing, a x88i A. Barratt Phys.
Metempiric (1883) 104 To some such conception we are
vaguely led,
b. Dimly, obscurely.
_x87i Tyndall Fragm. Sci. (1879) I. xxi. 494, I vaguely
discerned the audience and apparatus. 1873 Black Pr,
2'hule xix. 316 The houses grew vaguely distinct.
2. Without attention or concentration of mind or
thought ; idly, vacantly.
1828 Scott F, M. Perth x,\xiv, Hestood . . listening vaguely
to what the magistrate was saying to him. 1878 T. Hardy
Ret. Native v. v, 'No,' said Eustacia, looking vaguely
through the window at the fire.
Vagueness (v^-gnes). [f. as prec. + -NESS.]
The quality or condition of being vague ; lack of
distinctness or preciseness ; indefiniteness.
1799 Mackintosh Study Lniv Nat. 8 Notwithstanding
the objections of some writers to the vagueness of the lan-
guage. 1829 H. Neele Lit. Rem. 52 A great fault into
which descriptive writers fall is the vagueness and indistinct-
ness of their pictures. 1843 Mill Lo^c i. ii. § 5 We shall
have occasion to show under what conditions this vagueness
may exist. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I.
vii, 238 A general vagueness as to the ordinary duties of
mankind, a 1881 A. Barratt Phys. Metempiric (1883) 52
The weakness of this conception is its vagueness.
b. An instance of this ; a vague thing, feature,
word, etc.
1838 Lond. <S- IVestm. Rev. XXIX. 68 With a remark or
two on those errors and vaguenesses we shall conclude.
1839 PoE Fall House Uslier\^\i%. 1864 I. 298 The paintings
. .which grew, touch by touch, into vaguenesses at which I
shuddered, a 1849 — R. H. Home Ibid. III. 436 Pure
vaguenesses of speech abound.
Va'guer. Sc, Also 6 vaigare, 7 va(i)ger. [f.
Vague z;.*] An idle stroller or wanderer ; a vagrant.
13. . Aberd. Reg. (Jam.), Vaigares, adhantaris of ailhoussis.
1647 Baillie Lett. (1841) III. 15 An act against vagers from
their own ministers. 1876 Gkant Burgh Sch. Scot. 11. v. 195
They were forbidden . . to be perturbers or vaguers, wander-
ing from place to place.
Va'gmng, vb/. sb. Now rare. Also Sc. 6 vaig-
ing, 7 -in, vaging. [f. as prec] The action of the
vb. ; idle rambling or wandering ; an instance or
occasion of this. Chiefly Sc
1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. (S.T.S.) 1. 258 His
wyfe . . culde nocht suffir his fouU, inordinat, and voluptuous
vaiging by her. 1659 A. Hay Diary (S.H.S.) 38 That the
Lord wold reforme . . the vaigings and whorings of my heart.
1693 in Bower Hist. Univ. Edinb. 1. 54 That thereby vaging
and vice may be discouraged. 1770 J. Watt in Muirhead
Li^e (1B58) 203 The vaguing about the country, and bodily
fatigue, have given me health and spirits. 1900 H. G.
Graham Soc. Li/c in Scot. iSth Cent. (1901) III. ii. ^2 The
vaguing or loitering idly in the streets.. was a subject of
condemnation.
Vagning,///. a. Also 7 vaging. [f. as prec]
Wandering, roving.
x6a7 W. Sclater Exp. 2 Thess. (1629) 223 Men of no setled
abode; vaguing, or vagabond lewes. 1629 Sir W. Murk
True CruciJix-2T\^ Sathan, . . whocoursedoth take On wings
of vaging thoughts, before to send His Mcssingers. 1633
Struther True Happiness 1^5 Hee saw nothing beside,
that could so much as draw his vaging desire to it. 1905
GuNN Baron Crt. 0/ Stitchill (S.H.S.) Introd. p. xxii, The
sturdy, vaguing beggar who would neither work nor want
was a constant menace to the cottar and villager.
Vaguish (vfi'gij), a. [f. Vague a, + -ish]
Somewhat vague or indefinite.
i8i8 Blackw. Mag. Ill, 532 It is very clear That I into a
vaguish stjjle have got. 1853 G. J. Cayley Las Alforjas
II. ,146 It is a vaguish affair to have to squeeze a whole
capital into a postscript, but I have no time to individualise.
Vagus (vagi's). Anat. and Path, PI. vagi
(v^'dgsi). [a. L. vagtts wandering, straying.] The
pneumogastric nerve (see Pneumogastric a.).
1840 E. Wilson Anat. Vade M. (1842) 403 The Pneumo-
gastric Nerve (vagus) arises by numerous filaments from the
respiratory tract immediately below the glosso-pharyngeal.
1876 Trans. Clinical Soc. IX. 96, 1 endeavoured to compress
the right vagus at the angle of the jaw. x^^Allbrctt's Syst.
Jlled. VII. 773 Some fibresof the vagus pass to the intestines.
b. attrib. in vagus nerve, etc.
1856 Todd & Bowman Phys. Anat, II. iig The Vagus
Nerve emerges from the Medulla oblongata immediately
below theglosso-pharyngeal. 1896 Allbutt'sSyst. Med. I.
228 Atropine paralyses the vagus endings and centre. 1897
Ibid. IV. 631 Vagus pneumonia, as it is called, which follows
section of the vagi in rabbits.
fl Vahy :«/. Obs. Also 4 vath. [L. vak (hence
Gr. oifd) ; med.L, also vath."] An exclamation
expressive of exultation, contempt, or disgust.
1382 WvcLiF Isaiah xliv. 16 He.. is chaufid, and seide,
Van \v,r. vathj Cov. A ha], or weel, I am hat; V sa^ the
fyr. — Matt, xxvii. 40 Forsothe men passynge forth
blasfemyden hym, moouynge her heuedis, and seyinge,
' Vath, or fie, to thee '. 1582 N. T. (Rhem.) Matt, xxvii. 40
Saying, Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God. x6i6
I. Lane Contn. Sqr's T. iv. 191 Vah, but ift bee your
fortunes to goe hence, leave mee some suer gard for my
weake defense \ 1619 Harris Drunkard's Cup 19 Vah,
vah, vah, you would sinke to see and smell. 1631 Anchoran
Cotnenius' Gate Tongues 186 Vah, away with shame, dis-
honestie and lecherie !
Vaiage, obs. Sc. f. Votage. Vaick, var. Vake
V. Obs. Vaid, obs. Sc. f. Wade v.
tVaidie. Obs.~^ [a. AF. vauiye, vaidie, ~
ONF. vei{s)diey OF. vot(s)dtef of doubtful origin.]
Subtlety, guileful cimning.
c 1325 Meir. Horn. g6 This said Herodes in valdye {v.rr.
ful coutly, full falslyel, For at Crist hauid he gret enuyc
VAIIi.
Vaifsr, obs. Sc f. Waveb v. Vaig, obs, Sc. '
f. Vagl'e, Wage. Vaik(e, later ff. Vakk ». Sc,\ i
obs. Sc ff. Wake r., Weak a. and r.
Vail (v^*l)i J^-^ Now arcA. or dial. Forms :
a. 5 vayUCe, 5-7 vayle ; 5 Sc, waill(e, waile,
6-7 vaile, 6- vail (6 ^^r. vaill), 9 dial, vaail; 6
voyle, 7 Telle, 8 veiL ^. 5-9 vale. [f. Vail vX
Cf. Avail sb^
I, fL Advantage, benefit, profit. Obs,
c 1430 Lydc MiH. Points (Percy Soc) 9 God send also
unto thy most vayle.. A spir>ti a strcnghte, and of good
counsay lie. c 1450 Mirk's Festial 76 For, what maner yertu
^t a man haue, but yf he be yn char>te, bit stondys him in
DO \-ayle. c 1470 Henry l^ailace v. aoi He wyst no waill
thar langar for to bide, ^1500 in Denton En^- in 15th C.
(1888) ^iS He to kepe vnder yowre tenants and haue all the
vayle and thay the burd>-n, li>i(i., [To] destroy the cherch
& the townc for a lytell vayle to yowre place. 1550 Crowley
£^i^' 392 At Par>'se garden.. a man shall not fayle To
*>-ndc two or thre hundredes, for the bearwardes vaile. ,
b. dial. Advance, progress.
rt 1847 Isle of lyi^At Gloss, (E.D.S.) s.v., Thee dosn't zim
to me>'ak much vaauL
t2. 0/{, ,) vaily of profit, value, or worth, Obs.
Chiefly Sc.
c 1450 3firk*s Festial 262 I>eras he was wont . . to spcke
mony an ydull wordc and of no vayle, aftyr he turnet al
his speche >Tito prof>t. C1470 Henry Waliace i. 167 The
byschopr>-kis, that war of gretast waile, Thai tuk in hand.
H7S in 3'''^ R^p. Hist. MSS, Comm. 418/1 Sayand that the '
brocht that Master Thomas . . fand is of vayll, and the brocht
that I ..^d..is of na wayll. 15M Stewart Cre7». Scot. II.
136 Quhen he considderit batUTbe Britis war bot of sa
litUI vaill.
1 3. Sc, Value or worth ; account, estimation.
X471 ActA Audit, ii/i And gif }iai oxin be of mare vale, he
to rcstor again be Remanent. _ x^l^Acta Dom. Cone, (1839)
52/1 Henry to pay to J»e said sir edward sa mekle as Jw said
teind w'as of vale. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot, I. 98 Als
force it is no tyme to him to faill, And lufeall thing ay efter
the awin vaill. 1567 Gtide ^ Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 74 Than
man !..my Goddis name manesweir, And set him at full
lytill vaill.
n. 4. A casual or occasional profit or emolu-
ment in addition to salary, stipend, wages, or other !
r^nlar payment, esp. one accruing or attached to I
an office or position ; a fee or offering of this I
nature. Usu. in pi. Now arch, or Obs, \
The pi. is occas. found construed as a sing. \
c 1450 Godstow Reg, 648 The half of all offeryngcs & j
vayles of the auter. Ibid.., The offrynges & the vaylys of :
fowre days by the yere. cxifim Oseney Reg. 113 A. .chapel- !
eyne, t>e which shall lake all )>e obuencions (or vayles) of J>e ;
Auter of ^ same chapell. 1550 T. Lever in Strype Eccl. I
Mem, (1721) II. 103 The number of the stock reserved, all |
manner of vails beside. 1563-70 Foxe A. <S- M. (1596) 265/z i
The church of S. Helen, . .which was then esteemed woorth '
an hundred marks by yeere, besides other vailes and com- \
modities belonging to the same. 1618 BameveWs Apol, \
Fiijb, Out of the wages allowed by the citie with other \
vetles I could wel-nigh raaintaine my family. 1645 Pagitt
Meresiogr. (1647} 84 Our vaites for Burtalls Sz. Christenings j
is-.ceast.^ 171a Arbuthnot yokn Bull (172^) 102 For he
would quickly lick himself whole again by his vails. 1720 !
Swift Fates Clergymen Wks. 1751 11. 11. 27 His revenue |
(besides vails) amounted to about thirty pounds a year.
1834 Macaulay Ess.t TkackerayU Earl Chatham (1897)
300 These ignominious vails Pitt resolutely declined.
tra*is/. a.nd^g, 1608 Topsell Serpents (1658) 627 To shew
that mindes and tongues with Learnings brand, Are blest
with plenty in all wordly vails. 1694 Crowne Regulus v,
You scorn those scorns which always are the vales Of that
unlucky office [i. e. of a spy].
b. A dole or gratuity given to one in an inferior
position. (Cf. 5.)
i6u T. Taylor (Water P.) Very Merry-Wkerry-Ferry
yoy. Wks. (1630) 13 Let Trencher- Poets scrape for such base
vailes, 11 take an Oare in hand when writing failes. 1693
Drvden Jiivenal i. 176 Since our Knights and Senators
account To what their sordid begging Vails amount. 1863
W. W. Story Roba di R. Hi. 45 There are festivals and
ceremonials where the people demand as of right certain
vails and presents called mancie and Propine,
O, A gift or present in the nature of a bribe.
X6B7 A. LovELL tr. Thevenofs Trav. i. 253 Not reckoning
a great many other Vails that are to be given every day
almost to the Sous-Basha and several other knaves. x886 C.
Dick The Models etc. 80 The Custom House they passed
with smile and tributary vail.
6. A gratuity given to a servant or attendant ; a
tip ; spec, one of those given by a visitor on his
departure to the servants of the house in which he
has been a guest Now arch. a. In pi.
In the 17th and 18th centuries servants were largely paid |
by these gratuities, and the practice of giving them is freq. |
alluded to in the literature of the period. The word is :
recorded in various midland dialect glossaries, but usually '
as obsolescent. j
a. 1605 London Prodigal 11. iv, Articlwke [servant to Sir
Launcelot]. Our yeares wages and our vailes will scarcely 1
pay for broken swords and bucklers. 1653 Milton Hirelings \
Wks. 1851 V. 362 Why should he, like a Servant, seek Vails
over and above his Wages ? 17*9 Swift Direct. Serv. Wks.
1883 XI. 375, I advise you of the servants, .who expect
vails, always to stand rank and file when a stranger is
toking his leave. 1757 Mrs. Griffith Lett, Henry 4-
Frances (1767) IV. 157 note^ An Agreement entered into
among the Gentlemen of several Counties in Ireland, not to
give Vails to Servants. 1778 T. Hutchinson Diaryll.ziZ
One custom they kept up, which is laid down almost every-
where else— they allow their servants to take vails. i8»3
Sfirit Public Jrnls. 107 If you tell tales. My son shall your
place have, and pocket your vails. 1859 Thackeray Virgin,
14
4!, The lacqueys rose up from their cards to open the door
to him, in order to get their ' vails '. 1^04 Times 20 Aug.
12/6 English visitors measure their vails. .with discretion
. .in America.
Jig. 1631 Sanderson Serm. (1681) I. 3x0 These things
among other the servants of God may certainly reckon
upon, as the certain vails and benefits 01 His service. 17^
Young Nt. Th. i. 408 Time lodg'd in their own hands is
folly's vails.
Comb. 1760 i.title)f The Sentiments and Advice of Thos.
Trucman, a Footman, setting forth the Custom of Vails-
Giving in England- i860 Smiles Self Help vii. iSS One of
the minor social evils . . was the custom of what was called
vails giving.
&. 17x5 Addison Drttmmer 11. i. (1722) 18 But. Rare
News, my Lads, rare News! Gard. What's the Matter?
hast thou got any more Vales for us? a 1763 Shenstone
Odes Wks. (1765) 197 Phoo— how she stands— biting her
nails— As tho* she play'd for half her vales. X823 A. Clarke
Mem. Wesley Ftun. 453 Vales to servants, that sovereign
disgrace to their masters. X878 Lecky Eng. in iSth C. I.
iv. 571 The system of vales which made servants in a great
degree independent of their masters. 1894 Wevman Matt
in Black 116 They expect their vales at those places.
b. In sing, rare,
x68a WHEI.ER Jottm. Greece 11. 192 There are commonly
Attendance, who, for a small Vale, will provide you such
things as you have Occasion for. X807 Hoare Tour Irel.
320 The vale or parting token, which the menial servants
still in many houses expect. 1866 Loud. Rev. 7 April 337/2
Calling for the bill, and settling it off-hand was pleasant,
but the vail to the waiter was delicious.
6. //. = Perquisite 3 c. Now rare.
In early use applied to the remnants of material left over
by a tailor after making a garment or suit. ^
xua Greene Upst. Courtier Db, He is paide for his
workmanship, vnlesse by misfortune his shieres sHppeawrye,
and then his vales is but a shred of home spunne cloth.
Ibid.y The vales of one veluet breech is more then twenty
paire of mine. x6xs T, Taylor Comm, Titus i. 7 All that
IS gotten . . by stealth or vailes, whereby men vnconscionably
shape out their owne commoditie out of another mans cloth.
a 1658 Cleveland IVks. (1687) 75 By the same title as the
upper Garment is the Vails of the Executioner. 167^ Compl.
Scrvant'Maid 114 Do not covet to have the Kitching Stufif
for your Vales, but rather ask the more wages. 1731 Field-
ing New Way to keep a Wife 111. iii, Where ladies govern
there are secrets, and where there are secrets there are vails.
I lived with a lady once who used to give her cloaths away
every month, a 173a Gay Fables ii. xi, A Carrier. .Would
see his horses eat their corn : This sunk the hostler's vails,
'tis true ; But then his horses had their due. 1821 Scott
Kenilw. xxxvi, These tell-tale articles must not remain here
— they are rather too rich vails for the drudges who dress
the chamber. X890 Glouc. Gloss, s.v., The malter did always
get the malt-dust for his vails.
fig. 1650 Owen Epigr, No. 34, Things only proper unto
Males, The Female Sex claim as their Vales.
+ Vail,^<^.2 Obs,~^ [f. Vail v:^'\ The going
down or setting!?/" the sun,
x6o6 Shaks. Tr. 4* Cr. v. viii. 7 LookcHow vgly night
comes breathing at his heeles, Euen with the vaile and
darking of the Sunne.
t Vaill v.^ Obs, Forms: a, 4-6 vayle (4
uayle), 5-6 vayUe (5 waylle) ; 4-6 vaille, 4-7
vaile, 5-6 vale ; 4-6 vayl, 5-6 vayll ; 4-7 (9)
vail (4 wail), 4-6 vaill (5-6 waill). )3. north.
and Sc. 4 vaily, 5 wayly; 5-6 valine, valje,
wail5e (6 velje, welje). [ad. OF. vail^ vailly ist
pers. pres, incfic, or vail-^ vaill-y subj. and parti-
cipial stem of valoir to be of value or worth : — L,
valere. Cf. Avaii, z/.]
1, intr. To have might or power ; to prevail.
0x300 Cursor M. ^375 His faas sal noghta-gain him wail
[Fairf. vaily]. For him ne his sal i noght fail.
2. To be of use or service ; to avail or profit : a.
Used impersonally with it.
^ Usu. in negative or interrogative sentences and freq. with
infinitive compl.
X303 R. Brunnb Handl. Syntie 9471 Vn erytage nat long
hyt vaylej>, pe t>red eyre lesejj, )?at ou)?er trauayle}?. 1387
Trevisa Htgden (Rolls) VIIL 37 In a tyme an holy man
blamed hym for |jat dede, and it vayled noujt, c X400
Beryn 3883 ' What vaylith it,* quod hanybald, ' to angir or
to curs? ' X426 Lydg. De Gnil. Pilgr. 6160 Whan she sawh
yt wayllede nouht Mor to maken resistence. 1509 Hawes
Past. Pleas. 35 Where is no reason it vayleth not to chatter.
159a W. WVHLEY Armorie 119 What booteth it of Gentries
brag to boast. What vaileth it, old ensignes foorth to show?
160X Weever Mirr. Mart. Ej^ What vaileth it a lion be a
king Closely shut vp within this tower of stone.
"6. With Other subjects.
c X340 Hampole Pr, Consc. 3646 Ay, whiles he is in dedly
syn, His help vailles noght, bot es in vayne. 1390 Gower
Conf. in. 89 Thurgh this science it is ful soght, Which
vaileth and which vaileth noght. c X430 Lydg. Min. Poems
(Percy Soc.) 26 Withoute trouth what vailith high noblesse?
1456 Sir G. Have Law Anns (S.T.S.) 178 Gif be the
benefice of sauf condyle vaiUis nocht, never man wald traist
efter in sauf condyt. 1522 Skelton Why not to Court xo\
Ther vayleth no resonynge, For wyll dothe rule all thynge.
1568 T. Howell Arb. Amitie (1879) 66 What vailes the
glittering Golde, when loue is forcde to flee. 1608 Topsell
Serpents (1658) 791 Small was the bodies band, And of the
Lizards poysonous, this least in shape did vail.
O, Const, to (a person or thing). Cf. 3.
CX400 Rom. Rose 5765 To hym not vailith his preching.
X4» VoNGE tr. Secreta Secret, 247 To this thynges hit
vaillyth moche to haue richesse and glory, c 1475 Pol.
Poems (Rolls) II. 284 And yet when suche clothe ys alle
ywrowte. To the maker it waylyth lytylle or nowgtte,
d. Vail que (or quod) vailj vail that vail might
[ad. F. vaille que vaille'], whatever may (or might)
happen, at all hazards ; = Avail v. i c. Chiefly Sc.
«375 Barbour Bruce ix. 147 Bot gif othir wald thame
VAIL,
assal^e, Thai wald defend, aval^e que valje \Edin. MS.
waii^e que wail^e]. c X475 Partenay 2672 Vail that vail
might, the monkys brend so. 1513 Douglas ^neidw. ProL
86 Thus, vaill que vaill, ilk gude deyd helpis other. 1530
Lyndesay Test. Papyngo 161, I wyll, said scho, ascend,
vailjc quod vailje. xsjo ^ Sgr. Meldrum 951 Now, vailjc
quod vailje, Upon the Ladie thow mak ane bailee.
3. trans. (Orig. with indirect object.) To be of
use, advantage, or benefit to ; to aid, assist, or help
(a person, etc.) : a. With ity or infin. clause.
0x300 Cursor M, 3640 Bot J>ou sal do sun mi consail, Wei
i wat it sal J?e wail, c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 8550 Hit hadde
the 'vayled, hadde it be-tid. c: X460 Sik R. Ros La Belle
Dame 720 What vayleth you to schew so gret rygour ? 1509
Hawes Past. Pleas. I (Percy Soc.) 7 It vayled not the
bodye for to dispose Against the head. X596 Lodge Life <V
Death W. Longbeard C j b. What vailes me to compose As
many verses as Homer did make? X813 Scott Rokebyxi.
xxviii. What 'vail'd it him, that brightly play'd The morning
sun on Mortham's glade?
b. With other subjects.
a 1300 Cursor M. 26147 if I'ou be stad in suilk a ncde For
mikilmay J>e wail JjIs dede. c X330 R. Brunne Citron. Wace
(Rolls) 12580 J^er-to algate dos 5our trauail, & bat we may,
we wil 50W vaille. c 1380 ^^V Ferumb. 877, xx^' blow he of
|?at rout, fjat non armure ne mi3t hem vaille. c 1450 Love-
LicH Graal Iii. 900 His defens ne vaillcd him not sekerly.
C1470 Henry Wallace 11. 112 The thrid he btraik..The
crag in twa ; no weidis mycht him waill. a 15x0 Douglas
K. Hart 11. 273 In all disport he may ws gritlie vaill. 1530
Palsgr. 764/z What vayleth your rychesses you nowe?
a XS57 Abp. Parker Ps. i. 2 My goodes can vayle thee
nought.
4. Of persons : To be worth in respect of means
or wealth.
X576 Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. i. II. 520 Ane honest
man and baroun vailyeand in landis and gudis mair nor
twenty thowsand pundes.
Hence + Vai'llngf ///, a.l Obs.
_ c X470 Col. <5- Gaw. 328 Ane sayndis-man.,Wise, vailye-
ing, and moist of valour.
Vail (v^l), v,'^ Now arch. Forms: a. 4-7
vale. ^. 6-7 vayl(e, vaill, vaile, 6- vail. 7. 6
veile, 7-9 veil, [ad. OF, valer (rare), or aphetic
f. AVALE v.]
I. trans. 1. To lower (a weapon, banner, etc.) ;
to cause or allow to descend or sink.
CX330 R, Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12384 pat swerd he
lifte wel on hey, & valede his scheld a party. x6oo Fair-
fax Tasso XX. xlii, She broke and cleft the crown ; and
caus'd him vaile His proud and lofty top, 1610 G. Fletcher
Christ's Vict, on Earth xxxvi. But all so soone as beav'n
his browes doth bend, Shee veils her banners, and pulls in
her beames. 1864 Skeat tr. Uhland's Poems 234 Faint with
toil, he vails his spear.
b. spec. To lower in sign of submission or
respect.
X59Q Greene George a Greene G ij, If any aske a reason
why for how? Say, English Edward vaild his staffe to you.
x6x6 J. Lane Contn. Sqr*s T.v. 331 At whose approche th'
whole armie veild their pikes, soldiers and officers on knees
down strikes. 1651 Davenant Gondibert i. i. 68 They
vayl'd their Ensignes as it by did move. X687 A. Lovell
tr. ThevenoCs Trav. \. 289 The besieged begged Quarter,
veiled their Standards and Colours, as a sign that they sub-
mitted to the Discretion of the Sultan.
C. To lower or cast down (the eyes) ; to bend,
bow down (the head, etc.) ; to hang (the tail).
xs86 Febne Blaz. Gentrie 28 Which bird,, .after he hath
caste downe his eyes as ashamed at the lothsomnes of his
feet, vayleth his taile and plucketh downe the pride of his
plumes. 1594 Kyd Cornelia v. 418 VaJing your Christall
eyes to your faire bosoms. X646 Quarles Hieroglyphikes
vii. I What dire disaster bred This change, that thus she
vails her golden head? x6s7 Lust's Dominion i. iir. in
Hazl. Dodsley XIV. 105, I, vailing my knees to the cold
earth. 1675 Plume Life Hacket m Cent. Serm. p. xlvii,
The jolly Prelat .. never stoopt nor vail'd his head. 18^
Keble Lyra Apost. 1 17 Voice of the wise of old ! Go . . teach
proud Science where to vail her brow. 1859 Tennyson
Guinevere 655 Here her hand Grasp'd, made her vail her
eyes : she look'd and saw The novice.
f d. To throw down, give up or surrender (a
purse). rare~^.
XS93 Peele Edtv. /, Hijb, And this sentence is.. con-
firmed by our I>ord Lluellen Prince of Wales, and Robin
Hood of the great mountaines. So vaile your budgettes to
Robin of the mountaine.
2. To doff or take off (a bonnet, hat, crown, or
other head-dress), esp. out of respect or as a sign
of submission. Alsoconst./£7or««/(7 (a person, etc.).
a, (3. c X460 Emare 992 When he mette the emperour, He
valed his hode with gret honour. xsaS Rov Rede me (Arb.)
32 In every place wheare we were presente, They vayled
their bonetis and bowed a kne. 1591 Lyly Endym. 111. iii,
Hee. .sayth, seeing it is the fashion of the world, heewill
vaile bonet to beautie. x6oo Fairfax Tasso 11. xlviii. 29
This said, the virgin gan her beauoir vale. X654 H.
L'EsTRANGE Chas. I O655) 11 His Speech being ended, the
King vailed his Crown, a thing rare in any of his Pre-
decessors, a 1693 Urguharfs Rabelais in. xlii, Pantagruel
vayling his Cap and making a Leg with such a majestick
Garb,., fare wel I'd Trinquamelle the President. 1819 Scott
Leg. Montrose viii, The bonnets, which hitherto each Chief
had worn,.. were now at once vailed in honour of the royal
warrant. 1843 Lytton Last Bar. 11. ii, The earl acknow-
ledged their greeting by vailing his plumed cap.
y. x6ox Holland ^/iwv II. 305 As for veiling bonnet before
great rulers and magistrals, or within their sight [etc.].
1603 Dekker Wonderfull Year Wks, (Grosart) 1. 138 Into
which [alehouse] as good lucke was, . . veiling his Bonnet, he
strucke in. 1740 Somerville Hobbinolia 11. 279 He spake,
And veil'd his Bonnet to the Crowd. 1825 Scott Talism,
xxiv. The spiritual dignitaries, who in those days veiled not
VAIL.
their bonnets to created being, bestowed on the King, .their
blessing instead of rendering obeisance.
b. fig. with bonnet: To manifest submission ;
to acknowledge oneself overcome or surpassed ; to
yield, give way. (Cf. 3 b.)
1579 GossoN Sch. Abuse (Arb.)59 If you giue but a .glance
to j-our beholders, you haue vayled the bonnet in token of
obedience. 1596 K. Ediv. Ill, v. 78 Copland, .with a lowly
minde Doth vale the bonnet of his victory. 1609 Holland
Atnm.Marcell. 360 My heart yerneth.. to thinke how many
right honourable personages in this unseemly . .manner were
debased and brought to vale bonet. i6»6 in Foster Eng^,
Factories India (1009) HI. 138 None is made so happy but
he hath cause to vale the bonnett. 1739 R. Whatley Three
Lett, 14 After the noted rupture in St. James's Square, he
had so remarkably veil'd his bonnet. *
c. (Asprec.) To submit or yield, toshowrespect,
to some person, etc.
1587 HoLiNSHED Ckron, III. 297A All christendome must
veile the bonnet to his holinesse. 1590 Nashe Martin
Marprelate Wks. (Grosart) I. 241 All Schooles of Phylo-
sophers shoulde haue vailed the bonet vnto God. i6ix
CoRYAT Crudities 266 Shee wil very neare benumme and
captivate thy senses, and make reason vale bonnet to affec-
tion. 1675 J. Smith Ckr. Relig: App. 11. 14 Therefore we
see all the Grecian Pliilosophy that was not founded upon
Tradition . . veil'd the Bonnet to that of Pythagoras, Socrates
and Plato.
t3. Naui. To lower, to let or haul down (a sail).
1553 Bresde ^. CMr/:Vf Cciiij, The waues dyd ryse so
hygh and thicke.-tbat the shipmen beganne to vale their
sayles— 1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. I. 351 In the
meane while he taketh the helme into his hande, he vaileth
the fore^aile, and..laboreth to come out of the darke sea.
'634-5 Breretom Trav. (Chetham Soc.) 3 We vailed our
topsail, and. .it being answered that we were of London and
bound for Rotterdam, we were dismissed.
Ae- «589 Greene Menaphon Wks. (Grosart) VI. a8 If he
wilt her to keepe a low sayle, she will vayle al her sheete.
b. esp. To lower as a salute or in acknowledge-
ment of inferiority. Chiefly with bonnet as object.
Sometimes y?^. (Cf. a b.)
(a) 1509, a x5a9 [see Bonnet sh. 2]. 1560 Daus tr.
Sleidan^s Comm. 365 The french Captaine. .signified vnto
them that for honoure sake, after the olde accustomed
facion, they shuld vaile their bonnets, strike saile, and
hatlse her with shoting of their ordinaunce. 1613 Purchas
Pilgyimage (1614) 730 Mysians, Troyans, Tynans yaile
your bonnets, strike your top-sailesto this Indian- Admiral 1.
1633 Sir J. Burroughs Sov. Brit. Seas (1651) 62 Divers
Ships.. that have constantly kept the Narrow Seas, unto
which all strangers even at this day vaile Bonnet in
acknowlegement of this Superioritie. 1678 Marvell Growth
Popery Wks- 1875 IV. 283 The pretended causes [of war]
were made publick, which were, the not having vailed bonnet
to the English yacht [etc.).
(^) 1631 Hevwood Fair Maid 0/ West i. iv, It did me
good To see the Spanish Carvel vail her top Unto my
maiden flag. 1653 "• Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. xix. 68 In
token of joy they gave a great shout, and withall vailing
their top sails in shew of obedience.
•\'^, fig, a. To abase, humble, or lower (one's
courage, the heart, etc.) ; to submit, subject, or
yield (one thing) to (another). Obs,
158X Stamyhurst /Eneis iv. (Arb.) 98 Also let cure Dido
vayle her hert too bedfeloe Troian. c 159a Marlowe ^ew
0/ Malta V. ii, Now vaile your pride you captiue Christians.
160a J. Daviks (Hcref.) Mirutn in Modum Wks. (Grosart)
I. 15/2 Vaile, vaile thy thoughts, th' imaginations vaile,
Vnto the depth of all profundities. 1649 Bp. Hall Cases
Cofisc. i. (1650) 2 There can be no reason why you should
vail your owne just advantage to another mans excesse. 1654
Owen Saints' PersezK iv. Wks, i8_5i XI. an Expressing
much confidence that the world of saints . . will vail their faith
and understanding to his dictates. 18*7 Scott Surg. Dan. v.
When his gold-laced hat veiled its splendour before the
fresher mounted beavers of the 'prentices of Dr. Gray.
b. To strike or cast down, rare-"^,
1590 Greene Orl. Fur. v. i, Then maist thou think that
Mars himself came down To vaiie thy plumes and faeaue
thee from thy pompe.
II. intr. t6. To fall {down)\ to descend. Obs.
c 1400 Rowland <V O. 497 A quartere of his helme a*waye
gane vale, And halfen-dele bis one Ere. ?ax^ia Lydo.
Two A/ercA. 542 Thus is he valyd adoun from high degre.
ri5?o Henrys IV^aliace viii. 1189 The donk dew doun fra
the heuin did vaill. iMX Sylvester Du Bartas \. iii. (16^1)
i\ When, through Hcav'n's Vault vailing toward Spain,
'J he Moone descendeih. Ibid. i. vii. 59 Here vales a Vjilley,
there ascends a Mountain. x6»4 Fletcher Wife /or Month
in. iii. His jollity is down, valed to the ground Sir, And bts
high hopes. .Are turn 'd tormentors to him.
tb. Of a swelling: To go down, subside. Obs,
c 14S0 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 4261 He laide >e hare on his
eye hdd, Abouen J»e bolnyng.. -Be fore t>e mete, it vale,
fc. Of a storm : To abate, cease, Obs~^
1606 Sylvester Tropheis 235 Wks. (Grosart) II. 241 The
Stormes that long disturb'd the State arc val'd.
6. Of a bonnet or banner: To be doffed or
lowered in token of respect or submission,
c 1550 A pore helpe 214 m Hazl. E. P. P. III. 260 And
telles them suche a tale As makes theyr bonettes vale. 1743
Pope Dune. iv. 20^ His [i.e. Bentley's] Hat, which never
vaird to human pride, Walker withrev'rcnce took, and laid
aside. i8s6 Mrs. Shelley Last Man II. 15 The inhabit.
ants in thousands were assembled to give him hail,, .the
soldiery presented arms, the banners vailed.
•f* 7. To drop or sail down stream or with the
tide. Also with down. Obs.
1^ St. Papers Hen. VIII, X. 118 Our other shippes,
which be already valed. 1553 in Hakluvi Voy.^x^t^Z) I. 234
We departed from Detford, passing by Greenwich.. and so
valed unto Blackwall. 1598 Hakluyt Ibid. 367 Wee de-
parted., before Sunne rising and valed downe the riuer
sometime sailing, and sometime rowing.
15
+ 8, To bow or bend down to the ground in
obeisance or salutation. Obsr""^
c_iS93 Marlowe Hero ^ Leander i. 159 There Hero..
Vaild to the ground, vailing her eie-lids close, And modestly
they opened as she rose.
III. absol. 1 9. Naut. To lower the sail, (Cf.
3.) Also in fig. context. Obs.
iSia in Rymer Foedera (1710) XIII. 330 No Vessell of
the Flete vale or plukke doun his Saill unto such tyme as
the Admiral hath valed. c\^^ Marlowe Je^uof Malta \\.
ii. Because we vail'd not to the Turkish Fleet. i6ox B.
}q^s,o-h Poctasterwx.'w^ What, will he saile by, and not once
strike, or vaile to a Man of warre ? 1650 Weldon Crt,
Jos. /, 49 A Dutch Man of Warre comming by that Ship,
would not vail, as the manner is, acknowledging by that,
our Soveraignty over the Sea.
10. To doff or take off the cap or hat {to a person,
etc).
1599 ^' JoNSON Ev. Man out o/Hum. v. iv, xst Cup. The
health of that honourable countess.. .2Mrt?C7<;*. I doe vaile
to it with reverence. X63X Massinger Emperor East i. ii,
I have.. set down, To a hair's-breadth, how low a new-
stamp'd courtier May vail to a country gentleman. 1648 G.
Daniel Poems Wks, (Grosart) I. 214 Hee [Herbert] the
vtmost Fame Has gain'd ; and nowthey vaile, to heare Him
Sing. C1700 Pomfret Poems^ Dies Novissima (1736) g
Straight I finish'd— veiling low. 1753 Richardson Grandi'
son n. iv. 39, 1 would sooner veil to such a Man as this than
to a King on his throne, a 1845 Barham Ingol. Leg.
Ser. III. Lord of Thoulouse^ Knights. . Before Count Ray-
mond bend the knee, And vail to him,
transf. 1597 Lvly IVom, in Moon v. i. The locund trees
that vald when she came neare, And.. Did seeme to say,
* Pandora is our Queene \
11. fig. To submit, yield, give place to (or unto) ;
to acknowledge the superiority or supremacy of.
In freq. use by 17th c divines.
1610 Holland Camden's Brit, u 301 All rivers else beside
Vaile unto me. 16J7 Hakewill Apot. (1630) 395 To Caesars
Amphitheater all other workes must vaile. <xx677 Barrow
Serm. (i636) I. 335 These indeed are lofty commendations
thereof, yet all of them ma^ worthily veil to this. 1706 Dg
Foe yure Divino x. 232 Vail Satyr to the mighty Edward's
Fame. 1779 T. Hutchinsos Diary II. 243 The Ministry
vail to every measure to humour the people. 18*4 L.
Murray^ Eng. Gram. (ed. 5) I, 525 They all vail to the
English idiom, and scruple not to acknowledge its superior-
ity over their own.
b. To do homage to one.
x6o8 Shaks. Per, iv. Prol. 29 When She would with rich
and constant pen Vail to her mistress Dian.
Hence Vai'ling///. fl.2
a 1630 WoTTON in l^^^i^' (1672) 386 Where surging flouds
and valing ebbs can tell That none beyond thy marks must
sink or swell.
t Vail, v.^ Obsr-^ In 7 vaile. [f. Vail sb."^ 5.]
absoL To give vails or gratuities.
iS9&-^ B. JoNsoM Case A Hered 11. ii. Why, now you ccnne
near him, sir; He doth vaile, he doth remunerate.
Vail, obs. f. Vbil sb, and v.
t Vai'lablei <t' Obs. Forms : a. 4-7 vailable,
5-6 vaylable ; 5 vaill-, 5-6 vayllable (6 veyll-) ;
5-6 vaile-, 6 vayleable ; 5 waleable {Sc. wal-
able), 6 valeable {Sc, valabiU). /3. 6 Sc. vail-
aieablll, valiabill, -able, 7 Sc, valliable. \i,
VAIL v.i + -ABLE, Cf. Available «.]
1. Of avail, advantage, or benefit ; availing,
advantageous, beneficial, profitable, etc, ; effectual,
efficacious, a. Const.yi'r, to {unto')^ or with inf.
(a) X390 GowER Conf III. 136 Wordes that ben resonable.
And for this art schal be vailable. Ibid. igS To at the lond
it is vailable Only thurgh grace of his persone. c 1407
LvDG. Reson <J- Sens. 94S The Ryvers . . wern also ful pro-
fitable And vn«to manne ryght vayllable. 1483 Caxton
Gold. Leg. 88 b/a Holy oylle. . whiche is moche vayllable to
thelihe of sykenesses of many men. 1530 Palsgr. 794 Every
exemple is as vayllable to the lemer, as thoughe I gave a
rule. 1561 Godly Q. Hester {.x%t^ 57 The dayly prayer of
that hole secte. . Eke holy ceremonies of gods prouiseon To
god is vaileable.
{b\ X390 GowER Conf. III. 333 Thei tuo \sc. pitjr and
justice] remuen alle vice, And ben of vertu most vailable
To make a kinges regne stable, i^x Caxton Vitas Patr.
(W. de W. i4C)5) i. xxxiv. 28 b/a It is moche better & more
vaylable to dispose & apptie hym to folow thother gode
maners & vertues of the holy fadera 1565 Harding in
Jewel Def. Apol. (1611) 443 For the promise with the
deliuery is more vaileable to transfer my right in the horse,
then my promise alone.
b. Without const.
c 1400 GowER in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 8 Aboute a kyng
good counseil is to preise. Above alle othre thinges most
vailable. ^cxajo G. Ashby Active Policy 475 Whether thei
{t. e. servants] be good or nat vailable. 1530 Palsgr. Ep. p. v,
Howe soever veyllable my poore dilygence hath ben. 1544
Betham Precepts IVar i. cxUx. H ij b, Therefore let the
capitaine be sure to haue some man vaileable in feates and
strenjjth. ax577 Sir T. Smith Commtu. Eng. \i. iv^ The
souldier might bee kept in more strait obedience, without
which neuer Captaine can doe any thing vaileable in the
warres.
C. Sc, Morally profitable or allowable.
1456 Sir G. Have Laiv Arms (S.T.S.) 301 A prince sutd
be amesurit to tak delytis flescbly, nocbt vaillable. a 1500
Ratis Raving., etc. 3663 Kepthaim fra delyt nocht walable,
And fra al deid dishonorable.
2. Legally valid or effective.
a. X433-4 Rolls of Parlt. V. 437/2 In the same Parlemenl
..her seid demenyng of the seid Revenues of the Feoffa-
ment be declared as for good and vaillable. 1451 Ibid. 214/1
That the Acte made.. be vaillable and stond in strengh and
force. 1563-4 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 262 Grantis the
■omin redemptiouQ als valabill as gif ane decrete of the
VAIN.
Lordis of Counsale wer gevin. 1592 Wvrlev Armorie 18
The law did then take the said grant to be good and vail-
able. a 1648 Ld. Herbert Hen. VIII (1683) 403 Whereby
it doth plainly appear, that the Sentence given by the Pope
to the contrary was not vailable. i6sa Wausworth tr.
Sandoval's Ciz>. Wars Spain 9 Adriano's Commission was
dated long before Don Ferdinando's deceas, therefore not
valeable.
^. 1565 Inchaffray Charters (S.H.S.) 162 All fredomes..
be als valiable and of als greit strenth, force, and effect, .as
gif [etc.]. c X57S Balfour's Practicks (1754) 456 Reversioun
is vail^ieabill to redeme the landis fra ony possessour
thairof.
3. Sc. Of sufficient means ; solvent, rare,
1609 Skene Reg, Maj. 77^ Gif the debtour confessis the
debt, and is not valliable in gudes and geir, to pay the
samine. Ibid. Bo Gif the borgh may proue that the principall
debtour is vailable.
tVailance. Obs, In4vayl-. [a. OF. z/a///-,
vailance-. cf. next and -ance.] Value, worth.
1387-8 T. UsK Test. Love it. v. (Skeat) 1. 85 There the
vaylance of men is demed in richesse outforth, wenen men
to have no proper good in themselfe.
t Valiant, a. Obs, Forms : 4 vaill-, 5 vayll-
aunt, vayl-, valiant, [a. OF. vaill-y vailajti,
pres. pple. of valoir to be of use, etc. : see Vau.
z/.i] Of avail, advantage, or value ; valid.
a 1323 MS. Raivl. B.^zo foL 56 b, J>anne nere jiat jifle no?t
vaillaunt >e wile >at a mi^tte be repeled cf \^ Eir. Ibid.
61 b, [>ulke excepcion is vaillaunt ase to t>e writ of posses*
sion. J4» YoNGE tr. Secreta Secret. 125 New Ensamplis
that oryson is moch vaylant agaynys the Malice of ennemys.
c 1450 tr. De Imitatione in. vi. 71 It \sc. lovej is vailant J>er-
fore to all Jjinges.
Vaila(u)nt, obs. ff. Valiant a.
Vaile, obs. f. Fail v., Vale sb,^^ Veil sb.
t Vailed, ///. a. Obs. rare. [f. Vail 7/.2]
Lowered, drooped ; doffed or taken off in salutation.
1591 Greene Maidens Dreavie 28 A golden Hind was
placed at her feet, Whose valed eares bewraid her inward
greet. i6oa Shaks. Ham. i. ii. 70 Do not for euer with thy
veyled lids Seeke for thy Noble Father in the dust. i6ai
QuARLES Div. Poems, Esther Wks. (Grosart) II. 53/2 Doe
him honour, fitting his degree. With vayled Bonnet, and
low bended knee.
t Vai'ler, Obs. ra^-e, [f. as prec. + -ER l.]
1. One who abases or brings down ; a humbler.
1600 TouRNEUR Transf. Metam. ix, With all the force of
. . fearefull thunder, vailer of Earth's pride.
2. One who vails or doffs the hat, etc. in salutation.
a 1613 OvERBUBY A Wife, etc. E v b, If hee finds not good
store of vailers, he comes home stiff and seer.
Vailful, a. = Availful a.
A conjectural reading in Shaks. Meas.for M. iv. vi. 4 for
vaiKe full o( ihe Folios.
tVail'ixig, vbt. sb, Obs. rare. [f. Vail ^'.2]
The action of the vb. ; a descent.
1593 Marlowe Ediu. II, 1. ii. And happie is the man,
whom he vouchsafes For vailing of his bonnet one good
looke. 1624 WoTTON Archil, in Rcliq. (1672) 64 The Be-
holder descending many steps was_ afterwards^ conveyed
again by several mountings and valtngs to various enter,
tainments of his sent and sight.
Vaill, obs. Sc. f. Vale sb, ; obs. var. Wale v,
(choose) 3V. Vaillant, obs. f. Valiant fl. Vaill-
aunt, var. Vailant o. Obs. Vailliatince, obs.
f. Valianck.
t Vail staff. Obs,-^ [f. Vail t;.2 i b.] The
practice of lowering a staff in token of respect or
as a salute.
1599 Green-e George a Greene v. i. And for the ancient
custome of Vaile staffe, keepe it still, Clayme priuiledge
from me: If any aske a reason why? or how? Say, English
Edward vaild his staffe to you.
Valmure, var. vamure Vaumure Obs,
Vain (v^n), a. and sb. Forms : a. 4-5 vayn
(4, 5-6 Scy wayn), 4-6 vayne (5-6 wayne), 4-7
vaine (5 Sc, waine), 4, 6- vain (4 wain). ^, 4
vein, veen> 5 veine ; 4-5 veyn (4 ueyn, 5 weyn),
veyne(5 veyyne,feyno, ^c. weyne). 7. 4 wan,
5, 6 Sc.j wane, 5-6 Sc, vane (6 uane), [a. OF.
veittt veyUy vain (F, vain) : — L, vdnus empty,
void, idle, etc. (whence also It. and Sp. vano,
Pg. vao).']
I, 1. Devoid of real value, worth, or significance;
idle, unprofitable, useless, worthless ; of no effect,
force, or power ; fruitless, futile, unavailing.
a. a 1300 Cursor M. 28332 Quen idel thoght me come and
vain. Wit will i stode J>am noght again, c 1340 Hampole
Proie Tr. 3 Na thynge . .sa . . dos awaye coryous and vayne
ocupacyons fra vs. 1387 Trevisa Higden {KoWs) VII. 135
Witebal-.men l^at the power of kynges is vayne. C1450
Mirk's Festial 64 To put away all maner worldes vanyte,
and vayn murthe, and reuell. 1484 Caxton Fables of fEsop
I. V, For the loue of a vayn thynge men ought not to leue
that whiche is certeyn. 1599 Supplic. to A7«.f (E.E.T.S.)
23 Such wayne, vngodly, and vnprofitable lerninge. 1560
Daus tr, Sleidane's Comm. 102 b, Many wouide judge that
promesse to he vayne. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World u. (1614)
372 After which victorie it is said that Jephta performed the
vaine vow which he made. j66a Stilliscfl. Orig. Sacrx
II. iii. §6 Certainly God.. will never alter the course of
nature, meerly for satisfaction of mens vain curiosities. 1713
Steele En?lishtn. No. 7, Without a natural Talent, all the
Acquirements of Learnmg are vain. 1759 Franklin Ess,
Wks. 1840 III. 525 The remainder of that day. .was wasted
in a vain discussion. i8oj Mar. Edgewobth Moral T,
(1816) I. xiii. 103 It was vain for him to attempt any ex-
flanation. A1853 Robrrtsom Serm. Ser. in. xiv, (1866) 178
n vain regrets for the past, in vainer resolves for the
VAIW.
16
VAINGLORY.
fittore. 1871 Ri'SKiN £ag/f*s A'. §177 All literature, art,
and science are \'ain, and worse, if they do not enable you
10 be glad.
fi. 1303 R. Brukne Htmdl. Syntu 5350 Y rede J>ou jelde
hyt aien, f^* saluacjnin >-s dies alle veyn. 1390 Gower
Cmf. Prol. i. 1 1 The vein honour was noght desired, Which
hath the proude hene fyred. 14*6 Lydg. De Guit. Pitgr.
1291 Thanne me scmpte yt was but yeyn, Mor for me to
speke ageyn. a 1450 Mankind 846 in Macro Plays 3a
Beware of wej^ confidens of mercy, c 1500 Lancelot 382
Drem>*s..ben thingis weyn, of non affek.
Y. a 1450 Mankind 533 in Macro Plays 20 He xall wene
grace were wane, isoo-ao Dunbar Poems xii. 39 Wirk for
the joy that lestis evir ; For vder joy is all hot vane. 1596
Dalhymplk tr. Leslie's Hist Scot. I. 105 That rathir thay
appeir nocht to be spokne of a vane ostentatione, than of
toe veritie.
t b. Of material things : Useless, worthless. Obs.
1576 LvTE Dodoens 384 C>*claminus altera hath an un.
promable and vaine roote. 1596 Spenser F, Q. iv. ii. 48
Most wretched men, whose dayes depend on thrids so
vaine. 1769 Sir W. Jones Palace Fortune Poems (1777) 20
His spear, vain instrument of dying praise.
C. Trivial, unimportant. rare~^.
1731 Pope Ep. Burlington 29 Imitating-Fools, Who. . Load
some vain Church with old Theatric state, Turn Arcs of
triumph to a Garden-gate.
+ 2. Empty, vacant, void. Also const. ^ Obs.
1381 WvcLiF Gen. \. a The erthe forsothe was veyn with-
yniw and void. C1400 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton) iv. xxix,
(1859) 62 Alle folke the alouteth and abeyetb, and thou arte
vevDe, and voyde of al maner of vertue. >5i3 Douglas
J^neid 1. Prol. 19 With dull forhede and wane. With ruide
engine and barrand emptive brane. 1544 Exhort, in Priv,
Prayers (1851) 568 Outwardly shewing a ^reat pretence of
holiness, and being vatn of true godliness inwardly. [x8aa
Shellsv tr. Calderon's Mag. Prodig. iii. 166 Such melan-
choly. .is Skilful in forming such in the vain air Out of the
motes and atoms of the day.)
8. Of persons: Devoid of sense or wisdom ; fool-
ish, silly, thoughtless; of an idle or futile nature or
disposition. Now rare or Obs,
tygo GowER ConJ". I. 217 Wherof he wax so proud an^
vein, That he his fader in desdeign Hath take, c 1400 Destr,
Troy 4384 At Vaxor l>e vayn pepuU voidly honourit Bachian.
c 1450 tr. De hnitatione i. vii. 8 He is veyne t>at putti^ his
hope in men or in creatures, 1535 Covkrdale James \\.
30 Wilt thou vnderstonde o thou vayne man that faith
with out dedes is deed? 1568 Grafton Chron. II, 106
Diuerse vaine persons bruted dayly among the Commons of
the realme, that Christ bad twise apered vnto him. 1590
Shaks. Com. Err. 111. ii. 185 This I ihinke, there's no man
is so vaine, That would refuse so faire an offer'd Chaine.
ax63x Donne Poems^ IVomoft's Constancy^ Vaine luna-
tique, against these scapes I could Dispute, and conquer,
if I would. 1663 Bp. Patrick Parab. Pilgr. xx. (1687) 210
If it., would make you a medler in other mens matters (as
most of our vain Believers are). 1784 Cowper Ttroc. 754
(Art notl thou at best, and in thy sob'rest mood, A trifler
vain? x8ia J. Wilson Isle 0/ Palms i. 587 Hushl hush!
thou vain dreamer 1 this hour is her last. x8x9 Shelley
Cenci V. iii. 36 So that our hatr should sweep The footsteps
of the vain and senseless crowd.
absol. c 1^50 [see 7 aj. 1^781 Cowper Conversai. 590 Is
sparkling wit . . The nxt fee-simple of the vain and light ? 1817
Shelley Rev. Islam ix. xiv. The peace of slavery, With
which old times. .bad quelled the vain and free.
4. Given to or indulging in personal vanity ;
having an excessively high opinion of one*s own
appearance, attainments, qualities, possessions, etc.;
delighting in, or desirous of attracting, the admira-
tion of others ; conceited. Also absol.
x69a Dryden Eteonora loi For to be conscious of what
all admire, And not be vain, advances vertue high'r. 1703
KvELVN Diary Feb., She..! believe carried with her out oT
this vain nation above ^looo. i76a-^x H. Walpole Vertue^s
Anecd. Paint. (i;?86) III. 56 Perceiving the poor man to be
immoderately vain, he piqued him to attempt portraits.
1833 Lytton Eugene A. 1. x, It might teach the vainest to
forswear vanity. 18J7 Buckle Civiliz. I. x. 609 The vain
man, restless, insatiable, and always craving after the
admiration of his contemporaries. 1884 F. M. Crawford
Rom. Sitiger I. 18 The heart of the vain man is lighter
than the heart of the proud.
trans/. 1781 Cowper Cortversat, 366 The vainest corner
of our own vain heart.
b. Const, of.
x6j»7 Drvden y^irg. Past. Pref., We deserve more com-
passion, because we are not vain of our Barbarities. 1749
Fielding Tom Jones l viii, A good, honest, plain girl, and
not vain of her face. 18*9 Lytton Devereux \. i, Between
you and me, he was not a little vain of his leg. 1848
Thackeray Van. /"o/rxxiv, The General., sate down to pen
Skpoulet (he was exceedingly vain of his French) to Made-
moiselle Am^naide.
H. 5. In the advb. phrase In vain, to no effect
or purpose; ineffectually, uselessly, vainly.
After L. in vannm^ or OF. en vein (F. en vain, = It, in
varto^ Sp. en vano, Pg. em vaa).
a. a 1300 Cursor M. 16172 Of him he wend ha signes sene,
For noght, al was in vain, ai^ Hampole Psalter xx. i
That.. he spend noght his preciouse blode in vayn on vs.
1375 Barbour Brme iv. 48 Bot J>at trawaill \f^\ maid in
wayne. 142a Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. ig8 Thar Prayer
was not in wayne. c 1470 Henry Wallace 11. 151 The more
thai bad, the mor it was in wayne. 1535 Coverdale Job ii.
3 Yet is it in vayne, for he contjmuetn still in his godly*
Desse. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. \. xviL 20
All was in vain, for there was no remedy but to obey. 1651
HoBBES Levtatk. 11. xviii. 89 It is therefore in vain to grant
Soverai^nty by way of precedent Covenant. 165)7 Dryden
Virf. Georg. in. 394 Nor Bits nor Bridles ci..i his Rage re-
strain; And rugi^ed Rocks are interpos'd in vain. 1711
Addison .V/ft/. No. 1 w-j The secret Satisfaction of thinking
that I have not Lived in vain. 1751 Hume Ess. <jr Treat.
(1777) I, 157 In vain do you seek repose from beds of roses.
1836 W. Irving Astoria II. 227 Here h« endeavoured in
vain to barter a rifle for a horse. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng.
V. I. 623 He wrote piteous letters to the king and to several
courtiers, but in vain. 1864 Bryce Holy Rom. Emp. vi.
(1875)76 Lewis tried in vain to satisfy his sons., by dividing
and redividing.
p. 1303 R- Brunne Handl. Synne 10252 Alle heretrauayle
J)ey do yn veyn. c 1385 Chaucer L. G. IV. 1359 Dido, For
wel I wot that it is al in veyn. C148O Chron. Vilod. 41:73
He..sayde, 'nowe haue y trauellede twey [= twice] in
feyne'. ^1430 Lydg. Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 65 Ye
schal nat labour al in veyne, Ye shul have hevene. c 1500
Lancelot 524 The king..al this resone thinkith bot in
weyne.
Y. «I300 Cursor M. 19411 (Edinb.), Al ^aire striue was
bot in wan. C137S Sc. Leg, Saints ii. {Paul) 518 5et wald
nocht god his prayer war in wane, c 1480 Henrvson
Orplieus <S- Eurydice Wks. (S.T.S.) UI. 37 Him to reios
5it playit he a spryng, , . Bot alt in wane, l>ai comfort him no
thing. 1483 Cath. Angl. 197/1 In vane,/rwj/ra. 1533 (5au
Richt Vay\-i Thay that sweris in uane and thay that sweris
ony fals aith. 1573 Satir. Poems Reform, xxxix. 140 For
lake of lederis thair tha^ wrocht in uane. a x6oo Mont-
GOMERIE Misc. Poems xviii. 37 Vhen they sau they wroght
in vane.
t b. So/or vain. Obs,"^
1603 Shaks. Mcas.for M. 11. iv. 12 My Grauitie Wherein
..I take pride, Could I, with boote, change for an idle
plume, Which the ayre beats for vaine.
6. To take . . in vain ; f a. To disregard, to treat
with contempt. Obs.
13. . Coer de L. 3769 Kyng Phelyp took theroff non hede,
But layde thertoo a deflf ear. ..Kyng Richardys words he
took in vain, 1:1330 R. Brunne Chron. IVace (Rolls) 16271
Osewy tok J>y somons in veyn, To come to court he hadde
disdeyn.
b. With name a3 object. To use or utter (the
name of God) lightly, needlessly, or profanely;
trans/, to mention or speak of casually or idly.
A literal rendering of assumere {ttomen Dei) in vanum in
the Vulgate text of Exod. xx. 7,
13., Cursor M. 25228 Len vs lord swilk mode and mayn
pat we tak neuer t>i name in vayn, 138a Wyclif Exod. xx,
7 Thow shalt not tak the name of the Lord thi God in
veyn. £'1450 Mirour Saluaczoun (Roxb.) 41 The secunde
thow shalle noght in vayne thi lord god name take. 1564
Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 298 To sweir and tak his name
in vane. 1630 W. T. Justific. Relig. nojv Pro/essedm. 22
His name is taken in vaine. 1731-8 Swift Polite Conv. 99
Who's that takes my Name in vain ? x86o Tennyson Sea
Dreams 185 Who, never naming God except for gain. So
never took that useful name in vain. 1884 Rider Haggard
Dawnxx, I always call Chancery ' it '. I wouldn't take its
name in vain for worlds.
+ 7. As sb. a. Vanity ; a vain thing. Obs.
^1330 King of Tars 71, I schal him seende such wordes
to seyn, That al his thought schal torne to veyn. c 1450 tr.
De Imitatione i. xx. 26 Leeuo veyn [L. vana} to t>e veyn,
& take \>o\i hede to l>o l>inges ^at god comaundil> ^e. 1606
Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iv. Magni/icettce 1208 AH the
World proclaiming Vain of Vains, Man's happinesse in
God's true Fear maintains. X628 Feltham Resolves i. Hi.
Wks. (1677) 84 The power of the Gospel, in crying down the
vains of men. x74a Young Nt, Th. in. 267 The fruits of
dying friends survey; Expose the vain of Hfej weigh life
and death.
f b. Emptiness, void space. Obs.
138J Wyclip Job xxvi. 7 He that streccheth out the north
vp on vein \\j.sitper vacuu?n], and hangeth vp the erthe vp
on noit. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. 105 Wythouten vayne he
dyd all thyng fulfyll As astronomy doth make apparaunce.
8. In misc. adjectival or adverbial combs, or
attrib. uses, as vain-avertedj -boasting, -conceited^
-headed, -hearted, -proudj -spent^ -talking adjs, ;
vain-speaker^ -struggling.
1549 Latimer jr</ Serm. be/. Edw. VI (Arb.) 78 There be
some sclaunderouse people, vaynespeakers, ..whych I must
nedes speake agaynst. xs6a Phaer j^neid ix. Bbiij, And
furst Eurialus he seeth. .Vainstruggling working much.
1562 WinJet IVks. (S.T.S.) II. 28 Wanetalkand men and
dissauearts, quha peruertis hail houssis. 1590 Marlowe*s
Tamburl. To Rdr., Though (happly) they haue bene of
some vaine conceited fondlings greatly gaped at. 1603
Breton Dialogue 0/ Pithe Wks. (Grosart) II. 17/1 If you
will be vaine-headed, God helpe you, for I cannot, a 1618
Sylvester Paradox agst. Liberty 667 Wks. (Grosart) II,
61 The.. vain-proud state and port, That for the grace of
Kings adorns the Courtly sort^ 1633 P. Fletcher Purple
/si. viii. xxii, A vagrant rout..Strow him with vain-spent
prayers, and idle layes. 1848 Buckley Hiad 2^1 O babbling
and vain'boasting Ajax, what hast thou said? 1858 H.
Bushnell New Life vi. (1861) 79 He drove Lot's family,
or his vain-hearted wife, out of the citj?. 1871 H. King
Ovid's Afetam.vu. 523 Struggling with vain-averted eyes to
shun The noontide beams.
Hence f Tain v. trans., to frustrate. Obs.~^
1628 Feltham Resolves n. xii._ 34 Euery good man_. .must
be wise and circumspect, to vaine the sleeke nauations of
tho^ that would undoe him.
Vain, obs. f. Vein sb. ; southern ME. var. Fain
a. and adv. VaincUT, Sc. var. Vainquer Obs.
Vaine, var. Woke sb, (hope) Obs. Vaines8(e,
obs. ff. Vainness.
Vai*nful| a. Obs. exc dial. Also 6 vaynfull.
[f. Vain a. + -ful.] Vain, unprofitable, useless.
1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. 55 They, .spende theyr time in
vaynful vanyte. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 10 Though
countrie be more painfull, and not so greedie gainful!, yet
is it not so vainfuU, in following fansies eie. 1888 in
Elworthv py. Som. IVord-bk. 795,
Hence f Vai'nfally adv., in vain, vainly. Obs.
1509 Hawes Conv. Swearers 21 Vnto the man 1 gaue com-
maundement Not to take the name of thy God vaynfuUy.
Vaingloriness.
Vaingloriousncss.
rare-\ [f. Vainglory j^.]
i8ao T. Mitchell Aristoph. I. 4 That spirit of foppery
haughtiness, and vain-gloriness.
Vainglorious (v^'ngl6»Ti3s),fl. Also 6-8 vain
glorious, 6- vain-glorious, [f. Vainglory j/».
Cf. med.L. vdnagloriosus (OF. vana-, vaneglori-
cus), sp. and It. vanaglorioso , Pg. vanglorioso^
1. Filled with, given to, indulging m, vainglory;
inordinately boastful or proud of one s own abilities,
actions, or qualities ; excessively and ostentatiously
vain. a. Const, of.
c 1480 Henrvson Fables, Cock ^ Fox, Nyse proud men,
woid and vanegloreous Of kin and blucle. 1648 Gage
West Ind. 160 Being not a little vain glorious of what he
had done with me. 1729 Law Serious Ca// xviii, (1732) 330
They think it a part of their duty to be proud, envious, and
vain-glorious of their own accomplishments. 1784 Cowper
Task III. 715 When he call'd, Vain-glorious of her charms,
his Vashti forth To grace the full pavilion,
b. Without const.
ri5io More Picas Wks. 6/2 Not the knowlage oi the
Hebrew, Chaldei, and Arabia language, beside Greke &
Latin, could make him vaingloriouse. 1599 U. Jonson Ev.
Man out of Hum. Char. Pers., A Vaine-glorious Knight,
over-Englishing his travels, and wholly consecrated to
singularity; the very Jacobs staffe of complement, a 1639
W. V<lHKTF.ve.\ Prototypes 1, xi. (1640) 88 Be not vaine-
glorious, studying to doe some earthly vaine thing, for
which you may be talked of farre and neere. 1651 Hobbes
Leviath. i. xi. 49 Vain-glorious men.. delight in supposing
themselves gallant men. 17x3 Young Last Day in. 79 Look
round, vain-glorious muse, and you whoe'er Devote your-
selves to fame, and think her fair. 1785 Grose Diet. Vulgar
T., Vain glorious, or ostentatious vian, one who boasts
without reason. 18x3 Shelley Q. Mab iir. 139 Where is
the fame Which the vainglorious mighty of the earth Seek
to eternize? 1840 Ainsworth To^er of London (1864) 370
One of the galleries of the palace, where the vain-glorious
mannikin was lingering in the hope of being admitted to
the royal presence. x88i T\lok Anthropology 384 Even the
vainglorious scribes of Egypt^ would hardly venture to
record events without a foundation of fact.
absol. a 1553 Udall R oyster^ D. Prol., Our Comedie..
against the vayne glorious doth inuey. 1596 Norden Progr.
Pietie (18^7) 173 Though it please the vain-glorious for a
time it will bring repentance. 1636 Featlv Clavis Myst.
viii, loi He baiteth the hook,. for the vaine-glorious with
i opularitie, 1850 W. Irving Mahomet viii, (1853) 43 For
God loveth not the arrogant and vainglorious.
transf. and fig. x6oa Nixon Chr. Navy B ij, Lofty mindes
That in this world doe seeke to glister so, Blowne on this
rocke by fond vaine glorious winds, Fall headlong downe,
1619 J. Taylor (Water P.) Kicksey IVinsey Wks. (1630) 36
Itch'd with the vain-glorious worme, To write and lye.
2. Characterized by, indicative of, or proceeding
from vainglory.
1533 Gau Richt Vay 4 Sic vane glorious tetels and namis
and pouers. 1575 Gascoigne Glasse Govt. Wks. igio II. 68
Wandring,.in a vayne glorious oppinion of their owne wit.
1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 331 Such stateiy honours
and vaine-glorious praises as he in his life time enioyed. i66a
Stillingfl. Grig. Sacrx in. iv. § 11 Whether that bee
ground of that vain-glorious boast . . I here dispute not.
a 1700 Evelyn Diarpf 25 Oct. 1667, The Vice-Chancellor's
letter .. were too vame glorious to insert. 179X Cowper
Odyss. iv. 610 Neptune that speech vain-glorious hearing,
grasp'd His trident. 1809 W. Irving Knickerb. vi. ix.
(1849) 376 Let not m>^ readers imagine, .that I am indulging
in vainglorious boastings. 1861 Sala Dutch Pictures xvi.
243 'See Naples and then die,* is the vain-glorious saying
of the Neapolitans. 1896 Dk. Argyll Philos. BelieJ 268
They were the very incarnations of vainglorious pride.
Vainglo'riously, adv, [f. prec] In a vain-
glorious manner.
X545 Elvot Diet., Gloriosus, renoumed, some tymc in
the yl! parte, vaynegloriousely \sic\, or bostynge hym selfe.
1548 Udall, etc Erasm. Par. Luke iii. 31 I^at it there-
fore no more entre into your hertes to thynke with your
selues vaingloriously. 1565 Golding Ovid's Met. ix. (1593)
211 Sure i meane not I To vant my selfe vaine -gloriouslie
by telling of a lye. 16*3 N. Rogers Strange Vineyard 36
When Nebuchadnezzar vaunted vainegloriously of that great
Babel which he had built. 1648 Milton Tenure Kings 38
Which heretofore in the persuance of fame and forren
dominion spent it self vain-gloriously abroad. x7oa Loud,
Gaz. No, 3808/3 The Ambition of Spain, when it . . vain
gloriously siiled its Artnado Invincible. x8o8 Edwards
Plain Pract. Plan i. 8 A character which France can no
more than vain gloriously affect to be. x8a4 W, Irving
T. Trav. I. 207, I cannot tell you how vain-gloriously I
walked the streets.
Vainglorionsness. [f. as prec] The
quality or character of being vainglorious,
i5<^2 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 328 Their facion of mak>'ng
oracions was..replenyshed with vauntyng..& vainglorious-
nesse. 1577 Test. 12 Patriarchs (1706) 25 The spirit of
lying or vain-gloriousness in boasting a mans s^f, and in
desire to fill his talk concerning his kindred and acquaint-
ance. 158X Pettie Guozzo's Civ. Conv, 1. (1586) 46 b, By jr*
meanes you see that one offendeth by arrogancie, another
by obstinacie, . . another by vaingloriousnesse. 1831 L. H unt
Sir R. Esher (1850) 134 An amor patriae above ail our vain-
gloriousness, 1844 Thackeray Barry Lyndon v, Led away
by the vaingloriousncss of youth,,. I invented a thousand
stories. 1886 Topper My Life as Author 355 He had re-
pented of the vaingloriousness of those herald angels and
their dome.
Vainglory (v^nglo^'ri), sb. Also vain-glory,
vain glory. Forms : see Vain a. and Glory sb.
[ad. med.L, vana gloria. Cf. OF, and mod.F.
vaine gloire, It., Sp, vanagloria^ Pg. vangloria.^
1. Glory that is vain, empty, or worthless ; in-
ordinate or unwarranted pride in one's accomplish-
ments or qualities ; disposition or tendency to exalt
oneself unduly; idle boasting or vaunting.
VAINGLOBY.
o. a 1300 Cursor M. 26933 Noght als intent o waynglori,
Orals ))is ypocrites dos. <:i34o Hampole Pr. Cmsc. 1145
Honours nuryshes, als men may se, Vayn glory, vauntyng,
and vanite. 1393 Lanol. P. PI. C. vii. 35 Bostynge and
Braggynge wyth meny bold ol>es, Auauntyng vp-on my veine
glorie for eny vndernymynge. c 1430 tr. De Imitatione m.
xlv. 116 Verily, veyn glory is an euel pestilence & grettist
vanyte. 1484 Caxton Fables 0/ Avian vi, He that laketh
within hym self vayne gloiye of that thynge by the whiche
he shold humble hym self is a very fole. 1535 JoYE Apol.
Tindale (Arb.) 22 For he that doth a thing secretly, . , how
seketh he vaynglory ? 1583 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's
Voy. IV. xxxiv. 156 b. Through the. .increase of their power,
they fell into such a vainglory and arrogancy. 1637 in
Foster Eng. Factories India (1909) IH. 174 Their trade. .is
not augmented but deminnished by vayneglorie and un-
necessarie disburcements. 1636 Eaih Monm. tr. Boccalinis
Advis. /r. Parnass. 1. xxxv. (1674) 44 Tamberlan the
Scythian . . had the vain-glory to be called the Emperor of
the East. 1710 Norris Ckr. Prud. vii. 309 Vainglory,
whereby Men affect a great many dry and insipid Studies
..only to please others, and procure from them a blind
Admiration. 178a Miss Burnev Cecilia vii. v. Thus have I
..acknowledged my vain-glory. 1841 Helps Ess., Exerc.
Benevolence (1875) 34 That portion of his thinking time
which he spends upon vain-glory, upon imagining, for in-
stance, what other people are thinking about him. 1878 B.
Taylor Deukalion lii. ii. 106 The wisdom of the world?
Nay : 'tis vain-glory.
S. 1390 Gower Con/. 1 1. 35 Bot he such veine gloire hadde
Of that he was set upon hyh. c 1415 Wyntoun Cron. iv.
2610 ni vsurpe til hym J>at nayme It war bot wayne glore
or defame, oisoo Rails Raving, etc 3644 To schaw hire
proud, at men may see. Is pryd, wanglore, and vanite. 1500-
ao Dunbar Poems ix. iiB, I synnit. . In fals vane gloir and
deidis negligent
b. In the fia. for vainglory.
C1380 Wyclif IVJts. (1880) 3 Men doon t>is nouelrie for
vein gbrie. 1387 Thevisa Higden (Rolls) III. 367 Som
men telle); l>at Anstotil made his bookcs so schortliche and
so hard for cnvie and for vaynglorie. a 1548 Hall Chrou.,
Hen. ly, 23 He .. mervailed that the duke..wolde nowe
for vainglory under colour of doyng dedes of Armcs..
violate the peace.
c. As a personal name, or in personified nse.
c 1400 St. Alexius (Laud MS.) X004 Hou his fader ser-
geauntz alle, veyn glorie gonne hym calle. And gorre on hym
gonne browe. 14.. Wky I can't be Nun 228 in E.E. P.
(1862) 144 Dame sclowthe and dame veyne glory. i<a6
Lodge Wits Miserie B ij, His first sonne is Vainglory. i?i7
L. HowEL Desiderius (ed. 3) i3 She gave him her Name,
Vain-glory.
2. A vainglorious thing, action, etc. rare.
<:t4S0 in Aungier Syon (1840) 378 None schal take any
•ynguler abslynence up-on her withe-oute licence of the
abbes, in awnter God tal<e it for a veyne glory. 1607 Shaks
Timon I. 11. 249 What needs these Feasts, pompes, and
Vaine-glories? 1649 .Milton Eikon. viii. Wks. 1851 lU.
392 Th(r Vulgar; who notwithstanding what they might
know, will beleevc such vain-glories as these.
Hence Vainglo-ry v. fa. refl. To exalt or
make much of (oneself) unduly. Obs. b. intr.
To indulge in vainglory. Also Vaing'lo-ryin^
vbl. sb.
a 1637 N. Ferhar tr. Valdes' tio Consid. (1638) 104, I
understand, that a man being lust by his Justice, doth as
much prize himselfe,. .or vain-glory himselfe, as much as the
theife, who is taken from the Gallowes in the Holy Week
..vaine.glories himselfe for his deliverance. 1881 StevenI
SON New Arab. Nts. (1884) 46 The scheme., had involved a
little vain-glorying before his acquaintance. 1887 Westm
Key. July 485 It would be idleand frivolous to mention these
points for thesake of vain-glorying during the Jubilee year
tVailUing. Otii. rare. [f. Vaim a. ■^ -lino l
I.] A vain or vainglorious person.
^5'*^^i ^'^yy?'"''''- Maiestie Ep. Ded., Presuming him.
selfe (fond Vainling) to be of more esteeme, because he was
the Nuncio and Interpreter of the Gods. /bid. 134 Thus
we see he was no vainelin|;, who pronounced all things
vnder the bunne to bee vanitie of vanities.
Vainly (vr*-nli), arfz;. Forms: o. 4, 6 vaynly,
6-7 vainUo, 7 vaine-, 6- vainly. ;3. 5 veynli,
-(e)ly, velnly. 7. 6 Sc. vaneUe. ft Vain a. +
-LY '^.]
1. In a vain or futile manner; without advantage,
profit, or success ; to no effect or purpose ; in vain •
uselessly, fruitlessly, ineffectually. '
138a Wvci^ip yames iv. 5 Wher weenen ?e, that veynlv
RolE?"vn ' ',^! TV!"'' ''J"" '^i""'- ,'387 1 "svisA Higden
„ h. llif '.I 3'' /°[*,"^'f"' "»f'- trowed vaynly for
to be defended and helped by ,oure prayers. <: 1450 tr
-- ----■-".«-« -..« ...;.p.:u uy ^ourc prayers. <: 1450 tr.
De Imttatione 111. li. 123 Ner he shal not ioy vemly, if
he be resonably excused by o^x. 1509 Fisher Funeral
Serm. C less Richmond Wks. (1876) 293 This noble prynces
■-- •••* "'«*_..iv3. v,o7u^ 293 A nis noDie prynces.
..whome my purpose is not vaynly to extol, .aboue hei
merytes, but to the edefyenge of other, a 1548 Hall Chron.,
Hen. VI (1550) 23 Viiayll .. not wantonly consumed, no^
vainly spent. 1607 Shaks. Timon v. iv. 3 Till now, my selfe
and such As slept within the shadow of your power Haue..
breath d Our sufferance vainly. 1667 NI.lton P. L. 11 811
LS."t*'^'''"'i*''"v,"'' ''==«">' '»"°»'! "««h" vainly
hope To be invulnerable, ,69s Ld. Preston Boeth. .. ,2
v=^^ ^r <=<;'"8 =>«'?y with that Rag which he had snatch 'd,
vainly believM that he had possessj himself of Philosophy
•743 Francis tr. Hor., Odes 1. xiv. 13 What though Sstfc
in your pride you stood.., Vou now may vainly bSSt an
empty name. .;78i Gibbon Decl I, F. xxix. (1,87) lU ,1o
in!: eTof\„™"l^ r-'^r''' "■*' •" '-'-'"-i for t":
Th^t \,^- f S" ''i.''l"«!'.',V- '*"■ Scott Marm. ,. xii,
Ihere, vamly Ralph de Wilton strove 'Gainst Marmion's
force to stand .8,8 Froijde Hist. ^«^: IV. x"^ In
LulS""' "■ F*"'"." ""i '"""°"' »"= ^°°^ "inly fof any
guiding principle. 1870 Bryant Hiad 111. I. 98 from mv
tiand 1 he spear was vainly flung and gave no wound.
Comb. .648 J. Beaumont Psycie xvi. xxviii, He.. Beyond
my vainly.panting reach is plac'd. .."cjonu
VouX.
17
1 2. Foolishly, senselessly, thoughtlessly, Obs.
■J,^ '^2"'''"",'. ^'f'^- (Surtees) 330 She spoke somwhat
idhe and vainlie, by reason of the extremitie of her sick-
ness. 1596 DALRV.MPLE tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. loi Nathir
haue thay TOchtwithstandeng now vanelie fallin frome the
&;L ,S ,j Cathohk Kirk. i6i> Drayton Polyolb. xi. 346
Ethelbald,.. though most vainly given when he was hot and
young. Yet, by the wise reproofe of godly Bishops brought
I'roni those unstayd delights by which his youth was
caught. 1S47 CowLEV Misir., Vain Love 46 What Lover
can like me complain. Who first lov'd vainly, next in vain !
^W r>*r'-''5'' ' ° •'' l'"^iloi^"'t, talking or babbling vainly.
<J. With personal vanity ; conceitedly
ifca Ld. Cromvell iv. i. 35 'Tis greater glorie for me,
1 hat you remember it, then of myselfe Vainlie to report it^
1IS50 HOBBES De Corporc Politico 3 How some are vainly
Glorious and hope for precedencie and superiority above
their Fellows. ,69. E. Walker tr. Epictetus' Mor.x\,
When with too mtich pleasure you admire Your Horse's
Worth, and vainly boast his Sire. 1779 Cowper Human
Frailty 20 A stranger to superior strength, Man vainly
trusts his own.
Vaiimess (ve<'n,nes). [f. as prec+.NESS.]
Ihe state or condition of being vain, in various
senses : a. Futility, ineffectiveness, uselessness.
IS7I GoLDlNG Calvin on Ps. xxxiii. 18 The helps of the world
hold our senses entangled.. till they have given us a tri-all
of theyr vaynenesse. iSoo Palfreyman Baldwin's Mor.
« . «>3?> •" vaincnes of this life is greater then the profit.
1648 W. Browne Polexena v. i. 284, I knew the vainnesse
of my hopes, and the just cause Alcidiana had to punish my
boldnesse. 1719 D Urfev Pills (.872) IV. 303 Beauty
shew d the vainess of Defence, When Phillis does Invade.
X849 Robertson Serm. Ser. 1. xix. (i86«) 314 Pilate, feeling
the vainness . . of these pretensions. 189a At/uxattm 18 June
790/1 i. he vainness of this and that creed.
b. Vanity, esp. personal vanity or conceit Now
rare,
a iS8« SiDNEV Ps. XXVI. iii, I did not them frequent. Who
be to vainesse bent. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V, v. Prol. 20 Free
Irom vain-nesse, and selfe-glorious pride. 160a Palfreyman
Baldwin s Mor. Pkilos. 1. 12 Hee despised .. much all vain-
nesse of apparell. 1645 Wither Vox Pacifica 19 The vice*
and the vainnesse of thy tongue. 2815 Coleridge Lett,
Lonvers., etc. II. 179 Mr. Chance is a self.satisfied man, but
of the very best sort... I regard such vainness but as the
overflow of humanity.
t o. Foolishness, stupidity. Obs.-'^
1591 Spenser Vis. Worlds Vanitie vi, O how great
vainnesse is it then to scorne The weake.
t Vainquer. Obs. rare. In 5 vaynquer, Sc.
vainour. [a. OF. vainqu{t)erre , veittqueor, etc.
(mod.F. vaittqueur), f. vaincre to conquer.] A
conqueror, vanquisher, victor.
1456 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 272 Thare cummys
the vaincur, askand jugment of rycht. 1481 Caxton God/rey
ecu. 296 Ihenne made they.moche ioye & grete, as doon
the vaynquers and conquerours whan they departe thevr
gayne. ^ t~ 3
tVain^UeresS. Obs.-^ In 6 venqueresse.
[a. OF. vainqueresse, veinq- : see prec] A female
conqueror or vanquisher.
0.S13 Vkwkh Chrou. VI. clxxx. (1811) 178 Elfleda that
heldes so ofte dyd rayse Agayne her enemyes, this noble
shel— .. .™ „,.^^ u,u i*ysc rtgayne ner enemyes, tbis noble
venqueresse Virago and made, whose venue can I nat
expresse.
vair (ve»j), sb. Forms : 4 velr(e, veyr(o, 5
feyre ; 4, 6-8 vaire, 4, 8- vair, Sc. wayre, 7 vayre,
9 dial, vare, fare, viare, etc. [a. OF. vair,
veir (also nom. vairs) :— L. varium, ace. sing,
masc. of varius parti-coloured. Cf. med.L. varius
also vairus, vayrus, veyrus (from OF.), and vaju's
(from It. vajo), in the same sense.]
1. A fur obtained from a variety of squirrel with
grey back and white belly, much used in the 13th
and 14th centuries as a trimming or lining for gar-
ments. Now only arch.
Colgrave's definition of F. vair as ' a rich furre of Ermines
powdered thicke with blue haires ' is app. unsupported by
a >3oo Cursor lit. 25466 Nu ask i no|>er gra ne grene, . . Ne
purperpall, nee pride o pane, Ne riche robe wit veir and
^'i"^" ^r'-"" "*• B«UNNE Chron. IVace (Rolls) 11194 Man-
teles . Of meneuer, stranlyng, veyr.&gris. ci^jiScLeg.
Saints vil. (.James tht less) 764 Furryt wele in wayre &
gnxe. c 138a Pol. Poems (Rolls) I. 265 For somme vaire,
and somme gryse,..In bagges about thai here.
1810 Scott Lady o/L. iv. xii. If pall and vair no more I
wear. 1818 Ranken Hist. France IV. 377 It was ordained,
*i.°' I'j'''*'' ' "" «"'«'»stic, but dignified clergymen,
should wear vau', gray, or ermine, excepting [etc.]. lifx
Swinburne Poems I, Ball, Laus Veneris 266 Each man'i
nair l^rowned with green leaves beneath white hoods of vair.
i. A weasel or stoat. Now dial.
Prob. due to an early misunderstanding as to the source
of the fur.
1387 ■Y%z^KK Higden (Rolls) \. 335 pere beeb veyres
\U mustelas: C^lon /eyres] litel of body and ful hardy
and strong. 1796- in tfial. glossaries (Dev., Dorset, Somer-
set, i-emb., Glamorgan, Wexford, etc.) in forms vare, /are,
viare, vier, wyer, veer. 183a Mrs. Bray Descr. Part 0/
Dez'on (1835) I. xix. 342 The stoat, vair, or vairy, is the
commonest of the weasel tribe.
3. Her. One of the heraldic furs, represented by
bell- or cup-shaped spaces of two (or more) tinc-
tures, usu. azure and argent, disposed alternately
(in imitation of small skins arranged in a similar
manner and sewn together).
Vair cupfa or lossy (see quot. C1828 and Vairv<i. i b).
Vaircn.pal, vair-en-point (see quot. 1766). Cf. also
CoUNIERVAIg.
VAIVODE.
1561 Legh Armoriei-i2 The ninthe and last [doubling] of
liefore rehersed (1. e. azure and vert]. It may be also of
s "^^"''Tsf' r"^' ^h!-^^.. colours must be t'olde as°hk
is blazed 1610 Guillim Heraldry i. iv. (1611) tc If vou
obserue the proix>rtion of this vairefyou shall eiily^disceme
the very shape of the case or skinne of little beasts in them
l6aa Peacham C«„//. Gent. xv. (1906) 194 Qu« e'r? GuS
and Vaire. .637 Camden's Rem. 209 Hubert de Burg?
. . who bare for his Armes in a Shield, Gules seven Lozenfes
"""".' 5' 3|J- , f'* Chambers Cycl. s.v. Furr, The HeraUs
use two Metals,. .and two Furrs, or hairy Skins Ermin^
and Vaire. 17« Porny Heraldry iii. (j^yfC^l'vJh^'Pn
po.ntoT Vair.e,^tal, is said when the poini o? a Vair U
opposite to the Base of another. 1816 Gentl. Mag March
223 A fesse between two chevrons Vaire. c 1818 Bfrry
Encycl. Her. I. Gloss., Vair cuppa, or Vair TasVy is bv
niost writers upon heraldry, considered a kind of fur 'and
shaped in the form of cups or goblets by divisions potent
counter-potent. 1864 Boutell Her. Hist. ^ Pop iv (ed 3)
20 Vair, Counter Vair,. .are always Argent and Azure,
unless other tinctures are named in the blazon.
t Vair, a. Obs.-^ Sc. In .5 wayre, •wa(i)re.
[a. OF. vair, veir:— I., varium: see prec. and
Vary a.] Varied or variegated in colour
c 14.5 WVNTOUN Cron. i. v. 217 The brukyd bestys and
vS^ '"• K ''"o^' "/'^!) ''= 6"' depart fra quhyt & fayre.
Vaird, obs. Sc. f. Ward.
Vair(e. southern ME. varr. Fair a. and adv.
tdl^rV- ^V J$''-'^^'"^*-] =VAiRTa.
1058 Sir i. Browne Card. Cyrus ii HeraM= ri;c.<n»j
Jhe^fi^ures of Ermins, and vaire5 colt"" in"t"is' Quincrcul
t Valres. Obs.-_^ [perh. pi. of F. veire (voire)
truth : see Veire.] /« vaires, ? in verity, truly
f.'A\ ?"'« \^''- f "'• '°'5 Wyth dene cortays carp, cloKd
frofylJ,e j & hor play was passande vche pryjice gomen, iS
Vairhode, ME. var. Fairhead. Vairloch
obs. Sc. f. Warlock. Vaim, obs. Sc. f. Warn v
VaIrBta(ll, obs. Sc. ff. Warestall.
■Vairy(ve»-ri),a. (andji5.). Forms: o. 5 varri
6-7varrye(7-ie),vaiTy, 6-7, gvarrey. 0. 7-0
vairy, 8 vary. See also Verrt a. [a. OF. vairv
f. vair Vair sb. <■ m
herardic"'b»ki)''°"" ""''" ^ ""==" '"P'o^'" '" -""=
1. Her. Of a coat, charge, etc. : Varied or varie-
gated with two or more colours; having divisions
and tinctures like those of vair.
Some writers have drawn a distinction between vair and
vaip, using the latter when tinctures other than argent
and azure are blazoned.
,^ '♦^ f*- ^'- i,'4''«' ""■■ Bivb, Thre cootarmuris be
ther called restryall in armys. Con is whan a cootarmure is
varri of dyuerse colowrls to the poynt. 1561 Lech /« r,norie
52 b, A playne crosse, varrye. Ibid. 13, b. The eight
doubling IS Varry and is so properly called, although it be
Or, and Vert, or els Vert and Or. 159a Wvblev Artnorie.
Ld. Chandos 97 A patie crosse of red in gold he bare On
which fiue losingcs varrcy placed are. 1610 Guillim Her
(1611) I. IV. 15 As for the rest, viz. Verry and Varrye they
are meere fantasies and improper termes. 165s Fuller C*.
Hist. VI. 321 Tavestock in Devon shire gave Varrey Or and"
Azure, on a Chiefe Or, two Mulletts. Gules. 1656 Blount
Glossogr., Varry.. sig,n\hts that which is diversified with
argent and azure, c i8a8 Berry Encycl. Her. I. Gloss
Varrey in point. '
£. \r*Lond. Caz. No. 4217/4 The second Vary, a Canton.
176a tr. Buschmg's Syst. Geog. V. 235 The arms of Oettineen
are vairy ruby and a shield saphire. 1868 Cussans Her.m.
53 If the field were Or, and the bells Gules, it would be
blazoned as Vairy, Or and Gules.
tb. Vairy-cufpy, tassa {xe o;ao\.%.). Obs.
1610 Guillim Her. i.iv. (161,) 15 This sort of furre or
doubling was.. of some old Heralds called varry cuppvand
varry tassa. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, VairZCopty.
or Potent Counter-Potent, is a Bearing in Heraldry. Vi«6
P°^^^ //'.r'^'lry ii. S ii. 27 Potent-counter.potent, anciently
calkd Vairy -cuppy, is when the Field is filled with Crutches
or Potents counter-placed.
11 2. Furred with vair. Also used as if the name
of a material.
. 7*® Chambers Cycl. s.v., Vairy gowns are observed bv
Julius Pollux to have been the habit of the antient Gauls.
M Errams were of the Armenians. 1861 Ainsworth Const.
Tower (1862) 187 Wrapped m cerecloth of many folds, and
m an outer cover of cloth of vairy and velvet,.. the corpse
was laid out. *^
Vairy (weasel, stoat) : see Vaih sb. 2. Vaise,
dial. f. Feeze v. Vaist, obs. Sc. f. West.
Vaistie, var. Sc. Wasty a. Obs. Vaistour,
obs. Sc. f. Waster.
II Vaisya (v9i-sya). Also 9 velsya. [Skr. vaiiya
peasant, labourer, etc.
In Sir T. Herbert's Trav. (1634) 38 the form wyscs occurs,
and BicE from UrdQ has had some currency.)
The third of the four great Hindu castes, com-
prising the merchants and agriculturists ; a member
of this caste. Also altrib.
I7M Sir W. Jones /«i'. o/Menu i. J 3, [Brahma] caused
the Brahmen, the Cshatriya, the Vaisya, and the Sudra..to
proceed from his mouth, bis arm, his thigh, and his foot.
iSooAsial. Ann. Keg. 53/2 Born of a Vaisya woman. iSoi
K. Patton Asiat. Mon. 123 The functions of the vaisya
tribe. 1841 Elphinstone Hist. Ind. I. 31 The practical
knowledge required from a veisya is more general than that
01 the other classes.
Vait, obs. Sc. f. Wait v., and wot Wit v.
Vaivode (v^"vJud). Now Hist. Forms: a.
0-7 vayuod(e, 7 vayvod, 7, 9 vayvode, 8 vay-
3
VAKE.
18
VALANCED.
wode. $. 6 uai-, 7 vaiuoda; 7 valuod, 7-8
T&irod (7 vavoyd), 7-9 vaivode, 8 vaiwode.
[Ultimately ad, older Magyar vajvoda (now vajda).,
representing the common Slavonic voj{e)voda
VoivoDK. The immediate source is partly mod.L.
vayvoda (cf. Sp., Pg., and It. vaivoda) or F. vay*
vide. See also Waywode.] A local ruler or
official in various parts of south-eastern Europe (in
older use esp. in Transylvania).
«. 1560 Daus ir. SUidatu's Comm, 71 He had an adver-
sarye John Sepuse, the va>*uode of transsylvania. ^ 1590 Sir
J. Smyth Disc. !^'ea/ons 44 b, In a great baitaile fought
betwixt him and that (kmous Vayuod luan Huniades
Comino. 1665 Manley Grotius' Lmv C. It 'ars 579 The one
[sister]^ marrj^d to the King of Poland ; the other, to
Sigbmund Battor, Prince or Vayvod of I'ransilvania. 1685
Ltmd. Gms, No. 2070/2 The Vayvode Janco was drawing
toscClier a great Body of Morlacks with a design to attack
aonw pbce in the Province o( Bosnia. 1768 A»ft, Reg, 1. 19
Cooat Potocki. V'aywode of Kiow, had no less than ten
towns, and one hundred and thirty villages, destroyed in
bis own territories.
/ig, 1613 Dbkker DiMth Last Will Wks. (Grosart) 111.
fjt Behemah Dornschweyn,. .cbiefe Vayuode of Vsury,
ymony, Bribery, Periury, ..etc.
3. 156a J. Shute tr. CambinTs Turk. Wars 7 John
Uaiuoda sougbte to haue al the glorle of the victorietohim
selfe. 1601 K. Johnson Kin^d. 4- Comntw. (1605) 51 The
Vaiuods of Valachia, Moldauia and Transiluania hold their
estates bjj vertue of this bribery. 1696 tr. Du Mont's Voy.
Ltvant xix. 342 The Government of the Cities is manag'd
by Five Kinds of Officers, the Bassa, Sub-Bassa, Vaivode,
Cfadi and Receiver of the Customs. 1771 W, Guthrie's
GeogT, (ed. 3) 114 Their ancient nobility were divided into
koezes, or knazeys, boj-ars, and vaivods. 1776 Ann. Reg.
n. 7 At .-Vihens. .his patrimony had suffered from the extor-
tions of a tyrannical Vaiwode. 1833 Ellis Elgin Marbles
I. 2 Lord Elgin then received very strongly expressed fir-
mauns from the Porte, which were carried.. to the Vaivode
of Athens and the Disdar of the Acropolis.
trans/. 1618 BoLTOS Florus 11. xiv. (1636) 132 Andriscus. .,
delivered up into our hand^ by that Vaivod, or petty King,
of Thrace to whom hee had fled for succour.
Vaije, southern ME. var. Fey a, Vak, obs.
Sc. f. Wake v. Vakabonde, obs. f. Vacabond.
tVake, f?. Obs. rare. [ad. L. z'^c-wkj.] Empty,
2600 Holland Liiy i. xxxiii. 24 Whitest it stood void and
vake, the old Latines had surprised and taken it. Ibid. xxiv.
vii. 513 Certeine conspiratours.. possessed themselves of a
vake house, standing over a narrow lane.
t Vake, vaik, v. Sc. Obs. Forms : a. 5 wake,
5-7 vake, 7 veak. ^. 5 wayk, 5-7 vaik, 6 walk,
6-7 vaick, 7 vaike. [ad. L. vaC'dre to be empty :
cf. prec. So OF. and F, vaquer^ Sp. and Pg. vacar,
It. vacare. With the exception of quot. 1543 in
I a the use of the word is entirely Scottish : cf.
Vacand///. a^l
1. inir. Of a benefice, office, or position : To
become or fall vacant; also, to remain vacant or
unfilled.
Freq. from c 1550 to £'1650, esp. of ecclesiastical benefices.
a. c 14x5 Wyntoun ChroH, v. 4110 (Cott.), Qwhen he was
ded, J>an dayis nyne J>at se wakyt [IVeinyss MS. vaikit].
X4s6 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 223 For and the
Archebtscbopryke of Ranis or Rowan vakit, and the chan-
ouns wald ches ane Inglisman to be archebischop. 1513
Douglas in IVks. (1874) I. p. ex, The beneficis and grete
prelaceiis that wakts. 1543 Sentlecer in St. Papers
Hen* Villi III. III. 485 Ther is a Statute here [at Water-
fordl,..that when suche rombe shulde vake, ..they shoulde
then electe and chose.. one IngUsheman. 1604 A. Seton in
G. Seton Memoir (1883) iv. 57 Quhen eiuer onye place
sould vake in onye maner.
fr tf 1550 Lyndesav Tragedie 361 Quhen thare doith vaik
ony benefyse. 1558 Kennedy Comp. Treat, in Misc.
Wodrow Sec. (1844) 151 Gyf ane benefice vaick, the gret
men of the realme wyll haue it ts-joSatir. Poems Re/orm.
xviii. I03 Sic [a lord] as . . feiris God now sen the roume dois
waik. 1639 Marq. of Hamilton Expl. Meaning Oath ^
Covenant 16 [It] also declares, that all bishopricks vaick*
ing, or that shall vaick, shall be only disponed to actuall
preachers and ministers in the Kirk, a 1670 Spalding Troub.
Chas. I (1851) U. 204 Thus Oswall cumis bak with this
ansuer, and Doctor Forbes place still vaikis. 1696 in Home
Papers (Hist. MSS. Comm) 271 The Justice Clerk. .dis-
po^ of the Clerk to the Justice Court bis place when it
vaikes.
b. Of a tack or tenancy.
\^%Rental Bk.Cupar^Angus{^%^<^ 1. 197 Gifithappynis
. . tnar takis to wayk be ony maner of wa. 1542 Records 0/
Elgin (New Spald. CI.) U69 Fail^eand heirof the forsaidis
takkis to vaik eo facto.
2. Of persons : a. To be free, to have time or
leisure, for engaging in some occupation; to be
occupied or busy. Const, ybr, on or upon (also, to
wait or attend upon one), to.
1456 Sir G. Have iaw/ rwj (S.T.S J aai The law levis
all clerkis to vake in scolis and in studyis to.. sciences and
literature Ibid. 222 Of thame quhilkis levis all richessis. .
to vake thareapon. Z50X Douglas Pal. Hon. \\\. xviii, All
thtr..on Venus seruice vaikis, In deidis of armis for thair
ladyis saikis. 1566-7 Reg. Privy Council Scot. 1. 497 Becaus
the hail) Lordis of becreit Counsall may nocbt weill vaik at
all lymes for the ordouring thairof being occupiit with uther
wechtie materis. a 1600 Mont(;omerir Misc. Poems xlt. 29
Nou Cupid compellis Our hairtis echone On Venus vba
vaikis. To muse on our matkis. a 1614 J. Melvill Diary
<Wodrow Soc.) 45, 1 was resigned owcr be m> father hailelie
onto him to veak upon him as his sone and servant.
b. To be at leisure or ixttfrom some occupation
or business.
C 1470 Henrvson Mor. Fab, viii. {Preach. Swallow) xxxix,
Esope.. Quhen that he vaikit frome mair autentik werk,..
this foirsaid fabill wrait. 1506 Dalrymfle tr. Leslie's Hist,
Scotl, II. 107 Quhen he mycnt vakefra temporal effayres, his
exercise was ay in spiritual, a i6oo Montgomerie Sonn
Ixv. 4 Quhan I may vaik fra service of the king.
Hence f Va^edppL a. ; f Va'king vb/. sb. and
///. a. Obs.
157a J, Knox in Calderw. Hist. Kirk Scotl. (Wodrow Soc.)
III. 766 That all bishoprics vacand may be presented.,
within a yeer after the vaiking therof. 162a in R. M. Fer-
gusson A. Hume (1809) 221 They assigne to him the first
vaiking Gilbrotheris fyne that sail occur to thame. 1638 in
A. Maxwell Hist. Old Dundee {1884) 388 Being oft times
requirit, (he] would propone nothing but only ane mein
t = moan] ' Vaiked Sea 1 ' 1660 in Crookshank Hist. Suffer.
Ch. Scot. (1749) I. 59 That hereafter vaking stipends may
be intromitted with by Presbyteries.
II Vakeel, vakil (vakrl). Anglo-Ind. Forms:
a. 7 vakill, vekill, -ilo, -ell, vikil, vide, 8 vekil,
9 vakil, vakil. &. 7- vakeel (7 fakeel), 7
viokeele, 7-8 vaek-, vekeel. [a. Urdu (Pers.-
Arab.) J-^ vakll^ wakU : cf. Wakeel.]
1. An agent or representative, esp. one represent-
ing a person of political importance either per-
manently or on a special occasion ; a minister,
envoy, or ambassador.
«. x6aa in Foster Eng. Factories Tnd. (1908) II. n Two
coppyes, to the Governour of this place and his owne vekile.
Ibid. 69 Receaved two letters of Isacke Beages to Assuff
Chon, and the other to his vekill. x68a W. Hedges Diary
(Hakl. Soc.) I. 35 The Dutch Director's Vakill. 1687 A.
Lovell tr. Thevenofs Trav. II. 171 Through the bad Con-
duct of the Vikil, he was necessitated to reimbark, 1844
H. H. Wilson Brit. India 11. 283 Terms, .were proposed,
and the Vakils returned with them to the Bai. 1870 Sir
W. W. Hunter in Life (1901) xi. 182 His Vakil or repre-
sentative told me the story of the sunken fortunes of the
family.
^. 16*3 in Foster Eng. Factories Ind. (1908) II. 307 That
hereafter the Kings people may recoure it from the vickeeles
of Agha Reza. 1614 Ibid. (1909) III. 30 Iheir vackeels at
Court is to accquaint the King thereof. 1691 J. Ovington
Voy. Suratt 415 November the ist, arriv'd a Pattamar or
Courrier, from our Fakeel, or Sollicitor at Court. 1763
ScRAFTON Indostan (1770) 74 He was determined to fall on
us, and turned our vacqueel out of the durbar. 1776 Trial
of Nundocomar 24/2 He was Vakeel of Bollakey Doss, and
executed whatever business he ordered. 1803 Edkonstone
in Owen Wellesley''s Desp. (1877) 322 Duplicates have been
delivered to the Vakeels of those chiefs at the Presidency
for transmission to their principals, 1878 E arl Lvtton Lett.
(1906) II. -57 The Amir undertook to keep a vakeel at
Peshawur.
2. A native attorney or barrister ; a pleader in
the Hindu law-courts,
1858 SiMMONDS Diet. Trade, Vakeel, a native attorney in
India. 1887 Pall Mall G. 12 July 13/2 An official known
as the poor man's vakeel, whose duty it is to see that every
prisoner.. shall be represented in court by a competent
counsellor. 189a Kipling City Dreadf. N. 15 He looks like
a vakil to the boot*heels, and.. recalls memories of up.
country courts.
Vakin, obs. Sc. f. Waken v. Val, southern
ME. var. Fall sb. ; obs. Sc. f. Veil sb^-. Wall sb.
Valachian, var. Walachian.
Valance (vse-lans), sb?- Forms : a. 5 valaunce,
6-7 valans (6 wal-), 5- valance (8 vol-) ; 5-9
vallance, i5. 5, 7 valens, 6 valense, 7-9 vallens
(7 -ins), 6- valence, 6-7 vallence. 7. //. 6
vallanes, 6, 8 vallance, 7, 9 vallens; 6, 9
valence, 7 valens. 5. pi. 6 valandes, 7 vaUands,
-ents, 9 valends. [Of obscure origin : perh. a.
AF, *va!ance^ f. va/er = OF. avaler to descend
(cf. vale Vail z;.2).
Florio (1598) gives ' Valenza, valenzana. Say or Serge for
bed-curtins or valances for beds', and ' Valenzana del letto,
valences for beds ', but there is no evidence for the genuine,
ness of these.]
1. A piece of drapery attached lengthways to a
canopy, altar-cloth, or the like, so as to hang in a
vertical position. Also attrib.
o. 1463 in Bury Wills (Camden) 36 The selo' of cloth on
loffte, with the valaunce of scripture abowte the ymage.
1494 Househ. Ord. (1790) 115 The ninth question; whether
in the same feaste the Queens cloth of Estate shall hang as
highe as the Kings or noe? answere thereunto; the Queens
shall hang lower by the vallance. 1540 Ludlow Churchw.
Ace. (Camden) 2 For wesshynge of autor clothis and albes,
..and the sowynge on of the valans of them. /3/</.,The
walans that hangyth over the heygh auter. 1670 Lassei^s
Voy. Italy (1698) II. 22 Four stately pillars of brass bear
up a canopy of the same metal.. with vallances and a gilt
fringe, yet all of brass. 1762-71 H. Walpole Vertue's
Anecd, Paint. (1786) I. 54 A tent, striped with white and
gold,, .and the valance, of the same colours. 1867 Baker
Nile Trib. v. 106 Upon striking the tent, we found beneath
the valance between the crown and the walls a regiment of
scorpions.
attrib. x8ga Lowndes Catnping Sketches 49 Waxing elo-
quent over knotted guy-ropes and missing valance-loops.
0. 1500 Will of M. Vonge (Somerset Ho.), Afore the ymage
of our Lady within the valens of the same Chirch. a 1548
Hall Chron. (1809) 639 Sarcenet .. let doune in maner of a
valence before the gallery. 1577 Holinshed Chron, II.
1082/2 A rich herse,..couered with blacke veluet, with a
valence fringed with golde.
y. 1806 Naval Chron. XV. 231 The vallens [of the funeral
canopy) were fringed with black.
2. spec. a. A border of drapery hanging round
the canopy of a bed ; in later use, a short curtain
around the frame of a bedstead, etc., serving to
screen the space underneath,
o. c 1450 Bk. Curtasye 447 in Babees Bk.^ For lordys two
beddys schalle be madc.po valance on sylour shalle henge
withwyn, iij curteyns street drawen with-inne. 2480 Wardr.
Ace. Edw. IV US^o) 132 A sperver.., conteignyng testour,
celour, and valances lyned with busk. 150a Priv. Purse
Exp. Eliz. York (1830; 66 The seler ij yerdes dim. and the
quarter long, the valance j quarter dim, depe. a 1593 Mar.
LOWE in Engl. Parnassus (1600) 480 And^as a costly vallance
ore a bed. So did their garland tops tKe brooke orespred.
x6xi CoTCR., Les pentes d'vn lict, the Valance. 1676 Covel
in Early Voy. Levant (Hakluyt Soc.) 165 The vallance was
of the same make. 1749 Mrs. Delany Life ^ Corr. (1861)
II. 527, I think the fringe of the valance and bases should
be the same depth as that on the bottom of the curtains.
1837 Barham Ingol. Leg. Ser. i. Spectre of Tappington, He
peeped under the valance of an old-fashioned bedstead.
1861 Flor. Nightingale Nursing (ed. 2) 56 An iron bed-
stead, (no vallance, of course), and hair mattress. 1883
F. ^L Peard Contradictions i, They had tucked away the
scalloped valance,, .and drawn back the striped curtains-
fi. 1591 Pehcivall Sp. Diet., Presilia pelada,\&\\znQ(i for
a bed. z6os l7tv. in Collectanea Archseol. (1863) II. 97 One
bedsteede,,.The vallence and frynge of curtaines of say.
1623 Peacham Compl. Gentl. xiii. (1634) 139 As we see in
knops now adayes upon the Valences and Canopies of beds.
1679 Lotid. Gaz. No. 1434/4 The Curtains and double Val-
lence of a red Damask Bed. 1748 Richardson Clarissa
(1811) IV. 396 She had had the presence of mind.. to tear
down the half-burnt vallens, as well as curtains. 1794 Girl.
koodofM. % Holroyd {iBg6) 287 Mrs Maynard has made
up. .the Bed., with full Valences. iB^iRemembraneeSolhe
hangings of the large square bed were of yellow merino,.,
with plain, moth-eaten valences.
■y. 1567 Harman Caveat (1869) 67 These make laces vpon
staues, purses,, .and whyte vallance for beddes. 1587 Wills
K( Inv. N. C(Surtees 1860)317 A pare of sheates, acoueringe,
a teaster, courtaynes and vallanes. i6ia Webster White
Devil in. ii. 177 Let him make Valence for his bed on't, or
a demy foote-cloth. 1730 Southall Treat. Bu^gs 40 The
Tester-Cloih,..to which the Head-cloth, and inside and
outside Vallens are to be fixed. 1759 Phil, Trans. LI. 284
All the vallance were unnailed.
6. 151a Test. Ebor. (Surtees) V. 38 Twopilloo coddes with
the valandes. 1590 Shutllewortlis' Ace. (Chetham Soc.) 58
Lyttell nelles to festen valandes to bedesse, ij"*. 1631
QuARLES Hist. Samson Wks. (Grosart) II. 161/2 My beds,. .
My sheets; My vallents, and my curtaines. 1675 Teonge
Diary {i^2s) 47 Thebedds . . with white curtens, and vallands.
1881 Blackmore Christowell xxi. (1882) II. so They came
from the vaiends of the broken down bedsteadf.
b. A short window-curtain, rare.
I7a6 Adv. Capt, R. Boyle (1768) 3 Nailing up some Vallens
to the Windows in the Dining-room. 1875 Knight Diet.
Mech. 2688 Valance, a lambrequin^ or drooping curtain
hiding the curtain-rods of a window.
3. A pendant border or edging of velvet, leather,
or other material.
avjoo Evelyn Diary i Apr. 1644, The Duke of Orleans s
Library;.. the valans of the shelves being of greene velvet
fring'd with gold. x8oi tr. Gabriellfs Mysterious Husb.
III. 5 Nor were the valence less adorned ;— indeed, they
appeared to have been fashioned by a chissel. 1875 Knight
Diet. Meeh. 2688 Valance, the drooping ledge at the parting
of a trunk.
transf 1884 W. K. Parker Mammalian Descent li. (1685)
55 note, In whose larval skull a similar vallance of cartilage
grows copiously.
b. A flap attached to a head-dress, esp. as a
protection against the sun.
1791 H. Walpole Lett. (1891) IX. 318 The hats with
valences, the folds above the chin of the ladies, and the
dirty shirts and shaggy hair of the young men,, .have con-
founded all individuality. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1246
Like the cap with a valance named from the East Indian
hero ' ttavelock '.
t Valance, sb.^ Obs.-'^ In 5 -aunce. [ad,
F. Valence Valencia in Spain.] A Valencia almond.
1469 in Househ. Ord. (1790) 103 Item Jardens and Valaunces
330 lb.
t Valance, sb.^ Obs.-^ In 6 -aunce. [app. ad.
med.L. valesia, valisia Valise, with ending assimi-
lated to J^.'] A cloak-bag.
a 156a Cavendish Wolsey (1893) ^4 Byfore hyme he badde
..a gentilman that caried his valaunce, otherwyse called a
clookebage; which was made all together of fynnescarlett
clothe, enbrodered over., with clothe of gold very richly.
Valance, v. rare. Also vallance, [f. Vxt-
ANCB sb.^ : cf. next,] Irans. To drape or fringe
with, or as with, a valance.
1857 Heavysege Saul 294 Butter-cups and scarlet bean
Do vallance like pied beard his chin.
Valauced (vse-lanst), ppL a. Also 6-7 val-
enced (6 -ensed), 7, 9 vallanced. [f. as prec]
Provided or furnished wilh a valance or draped
edging of a specified material.
a 15^18 Hall Chron.^ Hen. VIII, 9 b, The compas of the
Pauilion above, enbroudered rychely, and valenced with flat
golde* beten in wyre. Ibid. 207 b, A clothe of estate . .
valanced with freltes. 1591 in Gentl. Mag. (1779) 121 The
Canapie was of greene satten, . . valenced about and fringed
with greene silke and siluer. 1760 Sterne Tr. Shandy iii.
xxix. An old set-stich'd chair, valanced and fringed around
with party-coloured worsted bobs. 1825 Scott Betrothed
xi, [The pavilion] was of purple silk, valanced with gold
embroidery, having the cords of the same rich materials,
b. transf. Also elHpt.^ fringed with hair.
160a Shaks. Ham. ir. ii. 403 What my olde Friend, thy
face is vallanced [Q.' valanct'j Since I saw thee last, com'st
thou to beard me in Denmarke? 1817 Keatinge Trav. I.
113 Men, barbons, -w^o^^ faces have been \oifg vallanced,
act the parts of women. 1853 G. J. Caylev Lets Alforjas
II. 179 A broad and nobly-cut brow, valanced with shaggy
eyebrows, overhung serious, deep-set eyes. 1892 Speaker
VALANCHB.
19
VALEDICTORY.
«9 Oct. 533/1 A taH-masted schooner rode grandly in between
the Heads, valanced with foam.
t Valanche. Obs, rare. [ad. F. dial, (la)
valatiche ^for F. f avalanche).'] = Avalanche.
1766 Smollett Trav. xxxviiij Scarce a ycar^ passes in
which some mules and their drivers do not perish by the
valanches.
Valanea, obs. f. Valoxia. Valay, obs. Sc. f.
Valley. Vald, obs. Sc. var. would Will v.
Vald(e, ME. var. Field sb. Valdenses, -Ian,
van-. Waldenses, -ian. Valdinge, obs. Sc. var.
Wielding vbi. sb. Valdois, obs. var. Vaudois.
+ Val-dunk. Obs."^ (Meaning obscure.)
1631 Brathwait IVkimzieSt IVine-soaker 102 By this time
his cause is heard, and now this val-dunke growne rampant-
drunke, would fight if hee knew how.
Vale (v<?^0)^^-^ Forms: a. 4-vale (4-5 vaal),
4-5 (6 Sc.) wale. ^. 5-7 vailo (7 vaille), 6 Sc.
▼aill, 7-8 vail ; 5 Sc. wail, waill(e, 6 Sc. waile,
wayill. [ad. OF. val {= It., Sp., Pg. valie):-
L. vaiUnt^ ace. oivaiUs, valles valley.]
1. A more or less extensive tract of land lying
between two ranges of hills, or stretches of high
ground, and usually traversed by a river or stream ;
a dale or valley, esp. one which is comparatively
wide and flat.
In later use chiefly /iJf/. (exc. as in b), but employed as an
ordinary prose word by American writers in the second half
of the i8th century.
a. \%.. E.E. A Hit. P. B. 673 For bat Cite Hr bysyde was
sette in a vale, c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxxi. 138 pare es
a vale betwene twa hiUes. 1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr.
21198 Aflfter philisofres talys, Ther ben hylles, ther ben
wales, Medwes, ryvers. xjoS Dunbar Goldyn Targe 248
Suete war the vapouris, ..Halesum the vale, depaynt wyth
flouris ying. 1588 Shaks. Titus A, 11. iii. 93 These two
haue tic'd me hither to this place, A barren, detested vale
you see it is. t6i8 J. Tavlor (Water P.) Penniless Pilgr.
Wks. (1630) 136/2 Then let who list delight in Vales below,
Skie-kissing Mountaines pleastue are for me. 1660 F.
Brooke tr. Le Blanc*s Trav. 7 Towards the Tiberiade Sea
there is another vale very hollow, between two hills, where
the Sun is hardly ever seen, xjzj-i^fi Thomson Summer
606 [The wave] steals, at last, Along the mazes of the quiet
vale. 1751 J. Bertram Observ. Trav. Pennsylv., etc. 35
We lodged by Front Creek in a spacious vale. 1787 M.
Cutler in Li}i\ Jmls., ^ Corr. (i888j I. 277 At the bottom
of the vale, and on the bank of the river, is a huge rock.
1835 THiRLWALLGr«cf (1839) I. ^ Into which the Spercheius
..winds through a long narrow vale. 1857 Hughes Tom
Broxvn I. i, I pity people who weren't born in a vale. I
don't mean a flat country, but a vale : that is, a flat country
bounded by bills. 1878 Browking La Saisiaz 8 Forth we
sallied to see sunset from the vale.
tram/, x8ao Shelley Vision of Sea 15 The walls of the
watery vale.. are unmoved by the gale. Ibid. 96 The
mountainous vale of the wave.
j8. a, 1400-50 Alexander 3980 If I be vencust in ^e.^'aile &
voidid of my lyfc. c 1440 Gentry des 216 Ihey rode in a full
fayre vaile. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scotl. I. 14 In ane vaill
that is besyde the toun, Eberieus stentit thair pal^eonis
doun. a \^A A. Scorr Poems (S.TS.) xiv. 16 The wallowit
weidis in pe vaill. 1617 Sir W. Mure Misc. Poems xxL
102 Heir wods and vails and echoes that resounds. 1770
Washington iVrit. (1889) II. 308 The vail (through which
this creek runs), .appears to be wide.
b. Const ^(the distinctive name of the vale).
a xjoo Cursor M. 2705 Abram satt his hus..Bi<side l^e
wale ofmont mambre. c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 5164 Al
men sal ryse to J>e dome, And in J>c vale of losapbat come.
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints ii. {Paul) 285 I n J>e wale of comptone
[r^Aff campioune ; L. pugilu/fi]. c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.)
viiL 30 Men schalt passe thurgh H* deserte to [fe vale of
Elym. ci4as Wyntoun Cron. viii. xxvi. 4364 A companny
pat. .war walkande In til t»e wail of Anande. 1560 Daus tr.
Sleidant's Comm. 367 By the vale of Remsie. 1577
Harrison England i. xiii. The famous vales in Englande,
of which one is called the Vale of white horse, another of
Eouesham,..the third of Ailesbyry [etc.]. 1667 Milton
P. L. xn. 266 And thou Moon ['%und] in the vale of Aialon,
Tin Israel overcome. 1804 C. B. Bbowh tr. Volney's View
33 West of the Allegheny, towards the vale of the Ohio,
there are many remarkable hills. 1846 MKI^ulloch Acc,
Brit, Empire (1854) I. 21 The Vale of Gloucester, or that
part of the Vale of Severn . . which lies in Gloucestershire.
O. Without article, occas, contrasted with hill,
mountain, etc.
c 140a LvDG. Compl. Bl. Knt, vii, The briddes . . Which on
the braunches, botne in pleyn and vale, So loude songe.
C1470 Hesry Wallace y.. 999 Baith hycht and waill obeyed
all till his will. 1667 Milton P. L. xi. 563 Where casual
fire Had wasted woods on Mountain or in Vale. ? 1786
WoRt>sw. 'Calm is ail nature' 6 A slumber seems to steal
0*er vale, and mountain. z8m Shelley Scenes Jr. Faust
II. 63 A voice.. which, .vibrates far o'er field and vale.
2. In fig. uses. Also const, ^(adversity, etc.).
x4ix-ao Lydg. Chron. Troy n. 43 Sche can plonge wor^)!
emperoures From (« hille of hi^e prosperite In-to be vale of
aduersite. C1450 Pol., Rel., ff L. Poems (tgos) i8t In the
vailc of restles mynd, I sowght in mownteyn & in mede.
('535 Covebdale Ps. Ixxxiii. 6 Which goinge thorow the
vale of mysery, vse it for a well.J 1604 Breton Grimello's
Fortunes Wks. (Grosart) U. 5/2 After that I had past the
great MounUine of mishaps, I fell into a long vaile of
miserie. 1784 Cowper Task vi. 721, I.. Have pour'd my
stream of panegyric down The vale of nature. 18^ Shelley
' For my dagger ' 22, I dare not unveil The shadows that
float o'er Eternity's vale.
b. The world regarded as a place of trouble,
sorrow, misery, or weeping. Usu. with t/its.
14.. in Tundale's F/r. {1843) 123 In thys sorowfull vale Of
trowbull of woo and of hevynes. 1435 Misyn Fire 0/ Love
12 In ^is vale of wepynge ^ai haue bene delityd. 14^ Bp.
Alcok Mons Perfect. A iij/2 ¥• transytory Joye of this vale
of mysery. i5o&*ao Dunbar Poems Ixxiii. 7 Out of this
vaill of trubbill and dissait. 15^ in Maitl. CI. Misc. III.
(1855) 65 The labilitie and breuitie of tymes..and of men in
this wale of teiris beand considerit. x6x8 Raleigh Rein.
(1664) 113 What could you find in the vail of tears [etc.]?
1655 in Verney Mem. (1907) II. 12 For afllicktions whille we
live in this vaille of miscrey must continually be loocked
for. 1781 Cowper Conversat. 881 Though life s valley be a
vale of tears, A brighter scene beyond that vale appears.
1816 Shelley Hymn Intell. Beauty ii, Why dost thou pass
away and leave our state, This dim vast vale of tearSi vacant
and desolate ?
o. The world regarded as the scene of life. With
various qualifications, as earthly ^ mortal, etc., or
const ^(life, etc).
C1446 Lydg. Nightingale Poems 11. 351 Where-as t?at god
of love hym-self doth dwelle Vpon an hille ferre from the
mortal vale. 159J Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, 11. i. 70 Great is bis
comfort in this Earthly Vale, Although by his sight his
sinne be multiplyed. 1718 Prior Solomon \. 621 Why,
whilst We struggle in this Vale beneath... Do They more
bless'd perpetual Life employ. .in Scenes of Joy? 1784
Cowper Task iv. 799 An unambitious mind, content In the
low vale of life. 1819 Shelley * A gentle Story ^ 6 In this
world's deserted vale. 1850 Tennyson in Ld. H. Tennyson
Mem. (1897) I. 309 In this vale of Time the hills of Time
often shut out the mountains of Eternity.
d. The vale 0/ years, the declining years of a
person's life ; old age.
X604 Shaks. 0th. ni. iii. 266 Haply, ..for I am declin'd
Into the vale of yeares, 1676 D'Urfey Mme. Fickle iv. i,
A man that has the misfortune to decline into the vail of
Years. 1769 Ld. Holland in Jesse Sclivyn ^ Contemp,
{1843)11.372 Yet I. .am weak enough sometimes to thinlt,
that if Rigby . .had pleased, I should have walked down the
vale of years more easily. 1796 Burke Z.^//. Regicide Peace
Wks. VIII. 310 That venerable potentate and pontiff, issunk
deep into the vale of years. x8i8 Scott Hrt. Midi, ix, Mrs.
Butter [was] a woman, and declined into the vale of years.
1 3. a. One of the grooves in the beam of a hart's
antler. Obs."^
(7x4x0 Master of Came (MS, Digby 182) xxiv, Alle al-
longe )7e beames pere be smale vales, pat men clepe gotters.
t b. ? The notch at the back of a barbed arrow-
head. Obs.-^
c X400 Laud Troy Bk. 7794 To that kyng he gan to hale,
And drow an arwe vp to the vale.
4. attrib. and Conib. a. Attrib,, &s vaU'dwellery
-hifid ; vale-lily, the lily of the valley.
x8» Beddoes Poetns, Rom. Lily 150 My tribute shall be
sweet, though small :— A cup of the vale-lily bloom. 1831
Bree St. Herbert's Isle 13 To mark the vale-hind ted the
ripened shock. xZ&gArcIiaeol. y^liana X.111. 266 The fierce
pagan vale-dwellers by the North Tyne.
D. Attrib., occas. passing into ai/J., in the sense
* of or belonging to, found, grown, or produced in,
a (particular) vale *, as Vale-barley y '\-dog, -farmer,
-grey (a variety of pea), -tnan^ soil.
x6i5 Markham Country Contentm. i. viii. 98 Now the
Gentlemen which dwell on the dounes and plaine grounds,
to maintaine the reputation of their Dogs, affirme them to be
much more nimble . . in turning, then the vale Dogs be. X677
Plot Oxfordsk. 240 When at any time they sow Peas on
this Land, the best Husbandmen will chuse the Vale-^ay
as most proper for it. aij^* Lisle Htab. (1757) 152 The
hill-country-barley is generally better esteemed by the mal-
sters than the vale-barley. loid.. The vale-lands are gener-
ally too wet, cold, and clayey. 1733 W. Ellis Chiltem fr
Vale Far>M. 92 The Beech will never make a good Tree in
their vale, spewey, and wet Soil. Ibid. 221 The Vale-men
in their open, low Fields, ..won't sow Peas alone, X740
Somervile Hobbinolia 11. 7 The Vale-Inhabitants, proud, and
elate With Victory. x8is Birkbeck Joum. thro' France
63 The vale farmers are busy sowing lupines . . on their wheat
stubbles, X895 Outing XXVII. 194/1 Those Vale farmers,
no pen can ever accurately depict.
C. Comb., as vale-born, -buried,
x8oi Mrs. Robinson Sylphid III. 34 (Jod.), Her emblems
are the white rose bending in a graceful curve over the
modest vale-bom lily. x8o8 Eleanor Sleath Bristol
Heiress V. 102 The vale-buried town of Keswick,
f Vale, id. * Obs. rare. (Erroneous var. of Dale 3
I, either after Vale sb.'^ or by simple misprint.)
c X63S [see Pump sb.^ 6J. X710 J. Harris Lex. Techn. II,
Vale of a Pump, at Sea, Is the Term for the Trough by which
the Water runs from the Pump along the Ship sides, to the
Scupper- holes. [Hence in later Diets.]
II Vale (v^'lf)j *"^* *"*1 ^^'^ [^M 2nd pers. sing,
iraper. of valSre to be well.]
A. itti. Farewell ; goodbye ; adieu.
xssoCovERDALEtr, IVermullervs' Treat. Death Pref, iiij b,
Vale, Loue God, leue vanitye, and lyue in Chryst. 1556 Rob-
inson More's Utopia To Rdr. (Arb.) 20 So doynge thou shalt
minister vnto me good cause to thinke my labour and paynes
herein not altogethers bestowed in vaine. Vale. x6xa
Shelton ^wijr. To Rdr. Aiij, And herewithall I bid thee
farewell, and doe not forget me. Vale, 1656 Blount
Glossogr., Vale, farewel, God be with you, God keep you in
health, xoxa L. Inkster {title). Vale, a Book of Verse, Ibid.
63 Vale. 'Goodbye, Goodbye ! '
B. sb. A farewell greeting, letter, etc. ; a good-
bye, farewell, or leave-taking.
XS80-3 Greene Mamillia Wks. (Grosart) II. 86 Giuing her
hex vale with a counterfeit kind of curtesie. XS84 — Arbasto
Ibid. III. 211 The thankes I had for this. .was a. .churlish
vale of the old trot Vechia. X619 Sir S. D'Ewes in Coll.
Life Jas. I (1851) 81, I took my vale of him, with many
thanks, and posted homewards. x6z<S Brkton Fantasticks
Wks. (Grosart) II. 6/2 The Nymphes of the Woodes in con-
sort with the Muses sing an Aue to the Morning, and a Vale
to the Sunnes setting. 1675 J. Smith Christ. Relig. Appeal
I. XI. $4. losThey must bid an eternal Ka/* to their admired
Law and Temple. 814 Scorr Let. in Lockhart (1837) III.
iii. 129, I am going to say my vales to you for some weeks.
« X839 Praed Poems (1865) II. 128 So instead of laughing
gayly, 1 dropped a tear, and wrote my ' Vale .
fig. x63x Lenton Charact, C i, He takes his vale for a
certaine season to some sinister Sanctuary.
Vale, southern ME. var. Fble a. ; obs. f. Vail,
Veil sb.^ and v. ; obs. Sc. f. Wale sb. and v..
Wall sb.
t Valect. arch. Obs. [ad. med.L. vaiectus, var.
vadeleclus Vadelect.] A personal attendant.
x6xo Holland Camden's Brit. i. 713 William de la Pole
is in plaine tearmes called Delectus Valectus,.. tha^t is our
well beloued Valect. . ; now, Valect. .was in those dales an
honorable title [etc.]. ai66x Fuller IVorthies (1840) III.
439 In recompence whereof the king made him bis valect
(equivalent to what afterward was called gentleman of the
bedchamber).
t Valedatory, variant of Valedictory a.
App. f. L, dat-, dare to give, after the obs. phrase ' to give
(one) farewell ',
1633 Breton Packet Mad Letters 102 A valedatory Letter
to his inconstant Mistris.
Valedict, v. rare~°. [ad. L. valedict', vale-
dlcere : see next.] intr, * To bid farewell ' (Bailey,
1721).
Valediction (vsel/di-kfan). [ad. L, type
*valedictio, noun of action i, vale-dicere, f. L. vale
Vale int., and dJcere to say, speak.]
1. The action of bidding or saying farewell {to a
person, etc.); an instance of this; a farewell or
leave-taking.
x6x4 Tfoviiv, Lett. Ii. Wks, 1839 VI. 368 For I must do this
as a Valediction to the World, before 1 take Orders. X654
H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 3 There [were].. such dear
accoUado's. .at their valediction and parting, as eye scarce
ever beheld the like. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India ff P. 324
After a formal Valediction ashore, the next day we passed
the Straits. X796 Morse Amer. Geog. II. 68[Gustavus III]
after the last valediction to thequeenand prince,died. x87>
Le Fanu In a Glass Darkly I. 158 They parted with a
hurried and melancholy valediction.
2. An utterance, discourse, etc., made at (or by
way of) leave-taking or bidding farewell.
X619 Hales Cold. Rem. 11. (1673) 86, I dealt with Mr.
Praeses concerning a Copy of Mr. Deans Valediction to the
Synod. X641 H. L'Estrange God's Sabbath 73 The Spirit
of Comfort (which in his late valediction he promised to send
his Apostles). X658 Sir T. Browne Hydrioi. 35 Their last
valediction, thrice uttered by the attendants, was also very
solemn. 1834 Lytton Pompeii iii. x, He stayed not to hear
the valediction or the thanks of the witch. X863 Q. Rev.
July 203 The truly Yankee valediction, ' I guess we will all
go home, and so, good night '.
Valedictorian (vsel/dikto^'rian). U,S. [f.
next 4- -AN.] In colleges, academies, etc., the
student (male or female) appointed on grounds of
merit to deliver the valedictory oration on Com-
mencement day.
1847 in Webster. x86oO. W. Holmes Elsie V. (1887) 100
The last year's ' Valedictorian ' of the Apollinean Institute.
1873 Eliz. Phelps Trothy^s Wedding Tour 172 The vale-
dictorian of her class in the young ladies' Star of Hope
Seminary. 1887 Lippincott's Mag. Aug. 294 Among others
..chosen are the valedictorian of the Senior class [etc.].
Valedictory (vselidrktori), a. and sb. [f. L.
valedict-tim, pa. pple. of vak-dicere (see Valedic-
tion) + -ORT.J
A. adj. L Uttered or bestowed in bidding or
on taking farewell ; of the nature of a valediction.
X65X Baxter Infant Bapt. 159 In the Pulpit in his Vale-
dictory Oration to the People of Bewdeley. a X700 Evelyn
Diary 11 Jan. 1694, He [DrydenJ read to us his Prologue
and Epilogue to his valedictory Play, now shortly to be
acted. 1764 Harmer Observ. v. § 4. 213 These valedictory
songs.. which the Prefetto takes notice of. X778 Stiles
Diary (1901) II. 288 The President [of Yale] introduced the
exercises in a latin Speech. ..Then succeeded.. Valedict-
ory Orat[ion]. Eng(lish. By] Sir Tracy. xSm Southey
Lett. (1856) IV. 155 The Bishop who deliverecf the vale-
dictory address, X850 Irving Goldsmith iv. 70 He penned
his valedictory letter to his good uncle, 1865 Dickens Mut,
Fr. 1. XV, While delivering these valedictory observations,
Wegg continiuilly disappointed Mr. Boffin of his hand by
flourishing it in the air.
2. Manifested, performed, or done by way of
valediction.
x8o6 R. Cumberland Mem. 166 Crowds of people,, .studi-
ous to pay to their popular chief governor every valedictory
honour that their zeal and attention could devise. 2849
Mrs. Craik Ogilvies xxii. All that passed between them
was a valedictory bow. 187X Ainsworth Tower Hill it. xi,
As he cast a valedictory look around, his eye alighted upon
Dereham, x^ Pall Mall G. 15 Nov. 8/1 Lord Ripon's
valedictory tour. . in the Punjab and North- West Provinces.
B. sb. 1. U,S, A valedictory oration. (See
quot. 1847 and cf. Valedictorian.)
1847 Webster, Valedictory^ in American colleges, an ora-
tion or address spoken at commencement, by a member of
the class which receive the degree of bachelor of arts, and
take their leave of college and of each other. 1884 J. Quincv
Figures of Past 54 An oration in English and a Latin vale-
dictory were commonly spoken by three-year graduates.
2. A statement or speech made by way of vale-
diction on leaving a position, person, etc.
x89a MonistU. 309 In his Valedictory on retiring from the
Editorship, X893 Goldw. Smith United States 296 John
A. Andrew also., said in his valedictory of January the4th,
1866, that [etc.].
Hence Valedlctorily adv. rarr-^,
x8s6 Clough Poems,^ etc. (1869) I. 228 Charles Norton
dines with us this evening, valedictorily.
8-a
VALE-DICTUM.
II Vale-dictiun. Obs, rare, [U vale-dicium,
neat. pa. pple. of vale-dtcere to say farewell.]
= Valediction 2,
1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 23 We have said
enough : let my vaU'dtctum now be this ; the Land mournes
[etc.), Ibid, 14a
Valeie, obs. f. Valley.
+ Valence ^. Obs, rare, [prob. the name of
the French town Valence on the Rhone.] Some
thin woven fabric.
C1381 Chaucer PoH. FouUs 272 The remenaunt was wel
keuerede to m>Ti pay Ryeh[tl with a subtyl couercheif of
valence; Ther nas no thikkerc cloth of no defense, c 1430
Lvoc. Min, Poems (Percy Soc.) 47 Upon hir hed a kerche of
Valence, Noon other richesse of counterfet array.
Valence 2 (v^'l&is). [ad. L. vaieniia; see
Valescy.]
tL An extract or preparation (^/^ some herb)
used in medicine. Obs,
cx4as IT. Ardern/s Treat. /Vr^«/a,etc.69 J>is medicjTie is
called tapsi ualencia . . ; in |>e brissing . . putte in litel bi litcl of
oilc of rose, or vioteti or camamille, ^>at |>e valence may com-
petently imbibe it. Ibid, 98 pis medyc[m]e is called Valence
of scabious for )>e valow of it. Ibid.^ Valence of wormode
is )ms made.
t 2. Valour, courage ; = Valiancb i. Obs,
a 1604 Hanmer Chron. Irel. (1633) 172 For his valence, he
was called Coeur de Lyon, the Lyons heart.
3. Ckem, = Valency 3. (See also quot. 1902.)
Cf. Equivalence 2 and Quantivalence.
1884 American VIII. 300 To what extent is the Hypo-
thesb of ' Valence ' or * Atomicity ' of Value in explaining
Chemical Reactions. 190a Foriru Rev. June 1018 Mean-
while, it is clear that the ' valence ', the ffMrn/'^r of electrical
charges [in poisonsj^ plays an important part.
Valenoe, var. Valance sb,'^
Valencia (vale'nj'a). Also Valentia. [See def.]
L attrib. Of or pertaining to, cultivated in or
obtained from, Valencia, a province and town
of eastern Spain.
1796 KiBWAN Elem, Min, (ed. 2) I. 207 The Stones com-
moDly called Valentia garnets are.. of this species. ..They
may be the garnets of Spain, mentioned in..Raab's Cata-
logue. x8aa A. T. Thomson Dispensatory 150 The Valentia
almond is a sweet, large, flat almond, pointed at one ex-
tremity. 1858 Homans Cycl. Commerce xs^'nl"^ In Europe,
the Valencia oranges are eagerly sought after, on account of
their early appearance, large size, and beautiful color.
2. A mixed fabric mainly employed for waist-
coats, having a wool weft with a warp of silk, silk
and cotton, or linen, and tisually striped. ChieBy
in pi.
1850 in OciLviE. 1851 Caial. GU Exhih, 49o/« Fancy
vesting called valencias or loilinets. Ibid. 11 15/2 Toilinets
and valentias. x88a Caulff.ild & Saward Diet. Needlew,
510/1 Valentias are produced at Spitalfields, and many are
showy in appearance.
3. ellipt. in //. Valencia almonds or raisins ;
raisins similar to those of Valencia.
i867SiMMoNDsZ>/W. Tra^* Suppl. 460/1 Fa/<r/u:/<u, raisins
prepared by dipping the bunches of grapes into a hot lye
made of wood ashes, oil, and lime, and then dried in the
. sun. X904 Daily Ne7vs 12 Nov. 9 This year we have some
of the finest Valencias (we call all raisins Valencias, you
know) from Australia.
Valencian (vale*njtan), 5^. and a. AlsoValen-
tian. [See prec, and -an.]
A. sh, A native or inhabitant of the town, pro-
vince, or former kingdom of Valencia in Spain.
1769 Robertson Chas. V^ i. Wks. 1851 IIL 517 The
grievances, which the Valencians aimed at redressing. 1843
Penny Cycl. XXVI. 88/2 No great number of cattle or
horses are kept by the Valencians.
B. Of or belonging to Valencia (see prec.) or its
people.
1753 Cliambers" Cycl, Suppl. s.v. Almond^ Valentian and
Barbary Almonds, which are those from whence the oil is
eocured. 1769 Robertson Chas. K, 1. Wks. 1851 IIL 399
ut the Valencian nobles .. considered this measure as an
indignity to their country. 1843 Penny Cycl, XXVI. 8§/i
Ribalta, Victoria, . . and other painters of the Valencian
school. 1847 tr. Bouterivek's Hist. Span. Lit, 6 The author
is one of the last poets who wrote in the Valencian dialect.
Valenciennes (valanszen). Also 8 Sc, Va-
lentians. [See def.]
1. The name of a town in northern France, cele-
brated for the manufacture of lace, used attrib, in
Valenciemtes lace (see quot. 1858). Also Comb.
1717 Ladv G. Baillie Household Bk, (S.H.S.) 214 For
narow valentlans lace at its. 1854 Greenwood Haps ^
Mishaps 120 There is also a class engaged in weaving
Valenciennes lace, of a beautiful quality. 1858 Simmonds
Diet. Trade, Vetlenciennes-lace^ a rich lace which has a
six-sided mesh formed of two threads partly twisted and
plaited, the pattern being worked in the net. i88a Caul-
FEiLD & Saward Diet. Needlew. 507/2 In Belgium there
are six centres for Valenciennes lace making.
2. ellipt, A variety of lace originally manufactured
at Valenciennes ; a ruffle or the like made of this.
1764 \V. Varey in Jesse Seltvyn^ Contemp, (1843) I. 270,
I shall be obliged to you for four pair of Valenciennes, as
good as people wear when they dress, but not too deep.
x8oi Mar. Edgeworth Angelina iii. Eight and twenty
[shillings!., is really nothing for any lace you'd wear; but
more particularly for real Valenciennes. x8s9 Reade Lo^ie
me LtitU (1888) 169 ' Well ! does not every lady wear lace
on her nightgown?.. What is that on yours, pray?' 'A
little misery of Valenciennes, an inch broad.* 1905 Elin.
Glvn Viciss, Evangeline 99 Short sleeves ruffled with
Valenciennes.
3. ' A pyrotechnic composition, usually employed
as incendiary ' {Cetit, Vict, 1891).
Valency (v^i'lensi). Also 7 -cie. [ad. L.
(ante- and post-classical) valentia vigour, capacity,
f. valere to be well or strong. Cf. Sp. and Pg.
valentia^ It. valenzay valen%ia,'\
tl. Might, power, strength. Obsr^
i6a3 in Cockeram 1. 1656 in Blount.
2. Physics. Energy, active force.
1869 Eng. Meek, 19 Nov, 222/1 The molecule . . is therefore
a body in which all the attractions or valencies are satisfied,
leaving the combined atoms to act as a whole from one centre.
3. Chem, The power or capacity of certain ele-
ments to combine with or displace a greater or less
number of hydrogen (or other) atoms ; atomicity.
Cf. Equivalency z and Valence ^ 3.
1876 Encycl. Brit. V. 473/2 The valency of an element is
usually expressed by dashes or Roman numerals placed on
the right of its symbol, a x88x Barratt Phys. Metet/ipiric
65, I think it will probably be eventually found that the
atoms of high 'atomicity ' or valency are really molecules.
1894 Athen3fum 14 Apr. 481/1 The valencies and atomic
weights in some cases need correction.
b. A unit of this capacity. Usu. in pi.
X891 Cent. Vict, s.v., Carbon is said to have four valencies.
4. Importance, significance,
1897 AUbutt's Syst. Med. III. 166 These two conditions. ,
are by no means of identical pathological valency.
II valent (v^^'lent), sb,"^ Sc. Law. [L. valenty
3vd pi. pres. indie, of valere to be of worth.]
1. Value or worth.
1765-8 Erskine Inst. Law Scot. i\. v. § 37 The old and
new extents of lands, of which the valent is not known.
2. Valent clatise^ in a retour of special service,
that clause in which the old and new extent of the
lands are specified (W. Bell Diet, Law Scot.).
175a A. MacDouall Inst. Laws Scot. iv. \. 11. 460 The
Vaient-clause, whereby the inquest ought to have returned
both the old and new extent, 1765-8 Erskine /«j/. Law
Scot. 11. V. § 38 Because annualrents arising out of lands had
no distinct valuation or extent, therefore they are said in
the valent clause of the retour, valere seipsum.
Valent (v3e*lent), sb.^ teckn, and dial, [Back-
formation from valents Valance j^.^J A valance.
1794 W. Felton Carriages (1801) I. 143 The pockets, the
falls, and valents. Ibid. 204 Abroad stripe of leather, welted
on the edge,.. which shelters the inside, and is called a val-
ient. x888 Elworthv W. Somerset IVord-bk, 795 Valent^
a short curtain ;. .also the name of the upper or £xed part
(if any) of window drapery.
tVa*lent, a. Obs.~^ [ad. L, valent- f valenSf
pres. pple, of valere."] Vigorous, flourishing.
X40> RvMAN Poems xviii. 2 in Archiv Stud, neu, Spr.
LXXXIX. 186 A roose, a valent floure, i-wis, Crist made
springe of a thorne.
VaJentia. ? Obs, [ad. Sp. venencia.] (See
quots. and cf, Valincher.)
x688 R. Holme ^r;«(7«ry III. 319/2 An Instrument belong-
ing to the Vintner or Merchant, called a Valentia. The first
being the Valentia is a Pipe made of Silver or Tin, round
and taper, and hollow withal. 1823 E. MooR Suffolk IVds.f
Valentia, the tin machine used for lifting beer, wine, etc.
out at the bung-hole of a cask, by pressing the thumb on
the small hole at top. . . I have never heard it called Valentia
out of Suffolk,
Valentia, variant of Valencia.
Valentian, variant of Valencian a,
tValentide. Obs.-^ [f, Valen-tine + Tide
sb.l Saint Valentide^ St. Valentine's day, or the
time of the year when this falls.
1596 Spenser F. Q. vi. viL 32 On a day, when Cupid kept
his court, As he is wont at each Saint Valentide.
Valentine (vse'lentain), sb. Also 5 valantine
(6 Sc, -tene), valeyntyne, 5-6 valentyne (6
-tyn) ; 7 vallentyne ; 5 .S(:., 6 walentyne (6 Sc,
wall") ; 5 volentyn(e, -antyne, -ontyn. [a. OF.
(also mod.F.) Valentin^ or ad. L. Valentinusy the
name of two early Italian saints, both commemo-
rated on the 14th of February.]
1. (6*/.) Valentine* s day, the 14th of February.
Freq. mentioned with reference to the choosing of sweet-
hearts or the mating of birds.
c 1381 Chaucer Pari. Foules 309 For this was oii seynt
Volantynys day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese
his make. ^ 1430 Lydgate's Min. Poems (1911) I. 304
A balade made .. in wyse of chesing loues at Saint
Valeiitynes day. c 1450 Chron. London (Kingsford, 1905)
127 The xiiij day of Feuerell, that is to say vpon seynt
Valentyne's day, the Kyng com to London. 1583 Fitzherb.
I/iisb. § 137 And after saynt Valentynes daye, it is tyme
to graffe both peares and wardens. x6o3 Shaks. Ham.
IV. V. 48 To morrow is S. Valentines day. x668 H. More
Div, Dial, in. xiii. (1713) zo6 As some, .embrace the first
they meet on Valentine's day. 1725 Bourne in Brand Pop.
Antiq. (1777) xviii. 209 Such is the Observation of Candle-
mas-Day, such is Childermas-Day, such Valentine's -Day,
and some others. x82s Nares Gloss. 538 The number of
letters sent on Valentine's Day, makes several additional
sorters necessary at the Post Office in London. 1828 Scott
P. M. Perth v. How blithe would she have been to see this
happy Saint Valentine's morning 1 1854 [see Valentine v, 2].
ellipt. 1590 Shaks. Mids. N. iv. i. 144 Saint Valentine is
past, Begm these wood birds but to couple now ? 1714 Gay
Shepherds Week iv. 37 Last Valentine, the day when birds
of kind Their paramours with mutual chirpings find.
b. St. Valentine's eve (Sc. Valentine* s e^en)y the
eve of St. Valentine's day.
1671 ^(?jri.5a//. (1890) VII. 113 A Crew on S. Valentine's
Eve did meet together. 2814-28 Somerville Li/c <$- Times
VALENTINE.
(1861) 344 Valentine's e'en, and Hallowe en,, .used to be
anniversaries observed in every house by the . . young people.
1828 Scott P'. M. Perth xiii, 1 will have no evasions, boy—
Where wert thou on St. Valentine's Eve?
2. A person of the opposite sex chosen, drawn
by lot, or otherwise determined, on St. Valentine's
day, as a sweetheart, lover, or special friend for
the ensuing year.
a 1450 MS. Harl, f^ fol. 48 (Halliw.), Godys blescyng
have he and myn, My none gentyl Volontyn, Good Tomas
the frere. 1477 Ptiston Lett. HI. 170 IJnto my ryght
welebelovyd Voluntyn, John Paston, Squyer, be this bill
delyvered. ^1485 Digby Myst. (1882) Hi. 564 A! god be
with my valentynes. My byrd swetyng, my lovys so dcre !
IS3S B7iry Wills (Camden) 126, I gyf and bequeth to my
valentyn Agnes Illyon xs. X596 Raleigh Disc. Guiana 23
After the Queens haue chosen, the rest cast lottes for their
Valentines. 1623 in Crt. <S- Times Jas. I (1848) 11. 395 To
the great grief of his sweetheart, Mrs. Bray, my ancient
valentine. 1667 Pepys Diary 14 Feb., This morning came
up to my wife's bedside .. little Will Mercer to Be her
Valentine... But I am also this year my wife's Valentine.
X712 WooDES Rogers Voy. r. World 359 That same Day,
in Commemoration of the antient_ Custom in England of
chusing Valentines, I drew up a List of the fair Ladies in
Bristol.. and sent for my Officers into the Cabbin, where
every one drew. 1719 Ozell tr. Missons Mem.Trav. Eng.
331 There is another kind of Valentine; which is the first
young Man or Woman that Chance throws in your Way in
the Street, or elsewhere, on that Day. a 1859 Macaulav in
Sat. Rev. (1863) 152 All good attend my Valentine !
trans/, c 1750G0LDSM. in W. Irving Biog. (1849) i^- 54 With
submission at your shrine, Comes a heart your Valentine.
t b. Applied to God, or to one of the Saints, as a
patron chosen by a worshipper. Obs.
c\\^Godstow Register {ic)\\) 14 O true valeyntyne is oure
lord to me. 1500 Will 0/ Hewetts (Somerset Ho.), To..
Saint Mary & to her moder Saint Anne my speciall voweis &
volentyns on whoos day I was borne, 1656 Blount Glossogr.,
Valentines,.. Saints chosen for special Patrons for a year,
according to the use of the Romanists.
3. A folded paper inscribed with the name of a
person to be drawn as a valentine. To draw valen-
tineSi to draw lots for this or other reasons.
C15S3 Cecil Papers (Hist. MSS. Comni.) I. 134 There is
three papers like unto walentynes put in a cap and so they
draw. 1639 Sc. Acts Parlt. (1870) V. 604/2 Act ordaining
the Commissioneris of shyris to draw lottis and valentines
seirlie at ilk parliament for thair places. 1725 Bourne in
aizxid Pop. A ntiq.(^\7jj) 22s It is a Ceremony, never omitted
among the Vulgar, to draw Lots, which they Term Valen-
tines, on the Eve before Valentine-day. 1774 Pennant
Tojir Scotl. I. 141 The young people.. in February draw
Valentines, and from them collect their futtire fortune in
the nuptial state. 1787 Burns Tajn Glen vi. Yestreen at
the valentines' dealing, ..thrice I drew ane without failing,
And thrice it was written— Tarn Glen 1
f b. A gift or present to a person drawn or chosen
as one's especial friend on St. Valentine's day.
c 1610 in Heriot's Mem. App. vii. (1822) 215 For gold, and
making of a Valentine. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. in. ii. 11.
iv, Many such allurements there are, . . tokens, favours,
symbols, letters, valentinesi &c.
o. A written or printed letter or missive, a card
of dainty design with verses or other words, esp. of
an amorous or sentimental nature, sent on St. Valen-
tine's day to a person of the opposite sex ; in later
use also a printed sheet consisting of a more or less
grotesque picture with humorous or satirical rhymes
(more exactly called a mock valentine).
1824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. 1. {1863) 42 A fine sheet
of flourishing writing, something between a valentine and a
sampler. 1844 Alb. Smith Adv. Mr. Ledbury xx'iv. {1886) 73
He had that morning received . . a valentine, in a lady's hand-
writing, and perfectly anonymous. 1870 Paper ^ Printing
Trades Jml. xxix. 20 One occasionally hears that valentines
are going out. 1898 Daily News 15 Feb. 7/1 Ihe Christmas
card has apparently killed the valentine. . .Valentines are still
sold, and sent, but they are chiefly of the satirical order,
d. trans/. (Cf. Valentine z/. i.)
1847 Tennyson Princ. v, 229 A song on every spray Of
birds that piped their Valentines.
1 4. Sc. a. (Meaning uncertain.) Obs.'~^
c 1450 Holland Ho^vlat 918 Thus wycit he the walentyne
thraly and thrawin.
-j-b. * A sealed letter from the Crown to land-
holders for the apprehension of persons offending
against the law." Obs.
1556 Ace. Ld.High Treas. Scot. X. 318 For ipbringinof
certane personis gevin in valentynis to the airis of £)lgin,
Banf, and Abirdene. _ 1561 Reg. Pri^y Council Scot I. 169
Tiiir personis underwritten : . .in presence of the Quenis Grace
ressavit thair valentinls of the names of the personis culpable
of thift. x^i Sc. Acts Parlt, (1814) III. 464/2 The kin^is
Maiesties clois valentynis to be send to the Maisteris,
. .baillies and chiftanes of all notable lymmeris and thevis.
6. attrib. and Comb,^ as valentine-bag, glove,
-writer \ Valentine-bun (see quot. 1854) ; Valen-
tine-day, = sense i.
1695 Lady G. Baillie Househ. Bk. (S.H.S.) 257 To Lisi
Rainald for my Robin's vallantin gloves. 1725 Bourne m
Brand Pop. Antiq. (1777) 225 On the Eve before Valentine-
day. 1802 {title), Fairburn's Annual, Original, Comic &
Entertaining Valentine-writer for the year 1802. 1828 Miss
Mitford Village Ser. in. (1863) 505 Those that issue from
the bursting Valentine-bag of our postman, 1854 Miss
Baker Northampt. Gloss, s.v., In Peterborough - . sweet
plum buns were formerly, and 1 believe are still, made,
called Valentine buns.
Valentine, v. [f. prec]
1. trans, and intr. Of birds : To greet with song,
to sing, at mating-time. (Cf. prec. 3 d.)
VALENTINIAN.
1851 Meredith Pastorals^ Poems 104 Shall the birds in
vain then valentine their sweethearts? 1885 — Thrush in
Feb. i, I know him, February's thrush, And loud at eve he
valentines.
2. intr. (See quots.) dial.
1854 Miss Baker Northampt, Gloss. 373 Valentining,
children going from house to house, the morning of St.
Valentine's day, soliciting small gratuities. 1864 Children's
Prize Feb. 22 'Ihe little fellow had cried bitterly till she had
given him leave to go ' Valcntining '.
Valentinian (vselenti'nian), so. and a. Also
7 -ean. [See def.]
A. sb. A follower of the Egyptian theologian
Valentinus (fl. c 150), founder of a Gnostic sect.
c 1449 Pecock Repr. v, iiL 497 The sect of Valentynyanys,
whiche hclden that Crist took no thing of Maries bodL
1565 Stapleton tr. Staphylus' Apot. 168 b, The conflictes
of Irenee with the Valentinians. 1579 Fulke Heskins' Pari.
2 As the olde Heretiques the Valentinians did. x6i6
BuLLOKAR En^. Expos., Valentiniafis^ certaine heretikes
. .who held opinion that our Sauiour receiued not his flesh
of the blessed virgin Mary. 170a tr. Le Cle re's Prim.
Fathers 15 The Valentinians .. learned what they said con-
cerning the Generation of their /Eones, of Hesiod. 1788
Gibbon Decl. <J- F. IV. 540 note^ The Valentinians em-
braced a complex, and almost incoherent, system. 1833 A.
Cbichtom Hist. Arabia I. v. 216 Sabellians, Valentinians.
and a host of obscurer sects, all rose up in the theological
arena. 1874 W. R. Cassels Snperjtaturat Relig. II. 11. x.
231 The Valentinians differed materially among themselves
regarding certain points.
B. adj. Adhering or belonging to the Gnostic
sect instituted by the heresiarch Valentinus; taught
or disseminated by Valentinus or his followers.
»579 Fulke Conf. Sanders 585 Yet came that estimation
of the crosse from the Valentinian heretikes. 1674 Hickman
Quinquart. Hist. (ed. 2) 56, I found that there were Valen-
tinian Anabaptists in those days. 170a Echard Eccl. Hist.
(1710) 554 And now he made many converts,, .particularly
Ambrosius, noted for the Valentinian heresie. xSia W.
Palmer Orig. Liturg. 1. 149 As a sufficient means ofprov-
ing the falsehood of the Valentinian doctrines. 1874 W. R.
Cassels Supernatural Relig. II. 11. x. 214 He calls him the
most noted man of the Valentinian school.
Hence Valenti'nianism, tbe doctrine or creed
of Valentinus and his followers.
187s LicHTFOOT Comftt. Col. 331 note. The later Basilid*
cans apparently influenced by Valentinianism superadded
to the teaching of their founder. 1879 Farrar St. Paul
(1883) 768 The word is tainted with Valentinianism.
Valentinite (vae'lentinsit). Min. Also-eite.
[f. the name of the alleged mediaeval alchemist Basil
VaUntitie\ named by W. Haidinger, 1845.] White
antimony; antimony bloom.
i860 Ures Diet. A^ts (ed. 5) I. 168 White Antimony
(Valentinite) b the result of the alteration of grey anti-
mony, native antimony, and other ores of that metal. 1863
{see Antimony 3J. 1867 Bloxam CA^w. 379 Antimony.. is
also found in nature as white antimony ore or valentinite.
Va'ler-, variant of Valebo-, employed before
second elements beginning with a vowel, as valer-
acelo-nitril{ej -aldekyd^Cy -aldim^ -amidey -anilide.
1848 Fownes Ckem. (ed. 2) 542 Alkalis convert.. "valcr-
acetonitril into valerianic and acetic acids and ammonia.
x868 Watts Diet. Chem. V. 973 Valcracetonitrile is a mobile
colourless liquid. 185a W. Gregory Handbk, Org. Chem.
236 •Valeraldehyde. 1857 Miller EUm. Chem.^ Org. 851
Valeraldehyd [= Valeric AldehydJ. 1868 Watts Diet.
Chem. V. 074 *Krt/^r(i/*/m*.. An organic base, homologous
with thialdine. xZ^m, W. GRE<x>Ry Handbk. Org.Chem. (ed.
3) 236 When valerate of oxide of cthyle is left in contact with
strong ammonia, *valeramtde and alcohol are formed.^ 1868
Watts Did. Chem. V. 974 VaJeramidr, . . the primary
amide of valeric acid. Ibid. 975 * Valeranilidt. . . Produced
by the action of valeric anhydride on aniline.
Valeral (vae*leral). Chem, [f. valer{ic)-¥
al\dehyde) : see Valeric a.] A colourless, very
mobile liquid obtained from valerianates or from
amylic alcohol. Also oHrib.
1851 yf.G^K*MiCi Handbk. Org.Chem. 236 Valeraldehyde
or valeral. x868 Watts Diet. Chem. V. 072 Valeral is usu*
ally prepared by oxidising amylic alcohol with chromate of
potassium and sulphuric acid. Ibid. 974 Valeral-aromoaia
melts when heatecf.
Valerate (vae-lerA). Chem, [t Valeb-ic a.
+ -ATE I c] = Valerianate.
iSss W. Grecoby Handbk. Org. Chem. 336 Valerate of
oxide of ethyle, or valeric ether. /?;V.,Valerateof Ammonia.
1857 Miller Elem. Chem.^ Org. 399 Valerate of zinc. ., as
well as some others of the valerates, has been used medi-
cinally. 1868 Watts Diet. Clum. V. 976 Valerates arc
decompO'>cd by mineral acids,
Valereue. Chem, [f. as prec + -ene.] (See
quots.)
18^ W. Gregory Handbk. Org. Ckem. 337 Valerenc.is
obtained as one of the products of the action of zinc on
iodide of amyle. 1863 Watts Diet. Chem, I. 626 Borneene.
VaUrene. Ci'H".— A liquid hydrocarbon, isomeric with oil
of turpentine.
Valereus, obs. Sc. f. Valobous a.
Valerian (van»rian). Also 4-5 valirian^ 5
valariau, 5-6 valeryan(e, 6 valeriane. [ad. OF.
valeriafte (mod.F. valeriane) or med.L. Valeriana
(also It,, Sp., and Pg.% app. the fem. sing, of the
L.adj. ValerianuSti. the personal name Valerius.']
1. One or other of the various species of herb-
aceous plants belonging to the widely-distributed
genus l/aleriana, many of which have been used
medicinally as stimulants or antispasmodics.
c 1386 Chaucer Can. Yeom. Prol. <y 7*. 800 And herbes
21
couthe I telle eek many oon, As egrimoigne, valirian, and |
lunarie. c x^oo Lan/rnnc's Cirurg. 269 Poudre maad of
J)e rotis of valarian temperid wil> wijn. r 1410 Master of
Game (MS. Digby 182) xii. An herbe..|7at men calleth..in
oure langage valeryane, J>e whiche maketh men fnese. 1530
Pai-sgr. 284/1 Valeryan an herbe. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 339
There be two sortes of Valerian, the garden and wilde. 1597
Gerarde Herbal 11. ccxl. 1078 Generally the valerians are
called by one name. x6ia Drayton Poly-olb. xiii. 213
Valerian then he crops, and purposely doth stampeT' apply
unto the place that's haled with the crampe. 1664 Evelyn
Kal. Hort. 67 Flowers in Prime. .. Syringa's, Sedum's,
..Valerian, Veronica [etc.]. 1763 Phil. Trans. LIII. 199
The roots of Valerian are esteemed most medicinal, which
are dug up in Oxfordshire and Glocestershire. 178a J . Scorr
Poet. Wks. 100 Gay loosestrife there and pale valerian
spring. i8aa Lamb Elia \, Praise Chimney-SweeperSy No
less pleased than those domestic animals — cats — when they
purr over a new-found sprig of valerian. 1866 Treas. Bot.
i2oi/i Two Valerians are natives of this country. x88a
Garden 25 Mar. 204/2 Any one requiring a useful plant for
some semi-wild garden ought to give the Valerian a trial.
2. With distinctive terms : a. Denoting varieties
of true valerian, as gardeHy great, little, wild., etc
Many varieties are enumerated in Parkinson Theatr. PI,
(1640) 120-2, Bradley Diet. Bot. (1728), Chambers' Cycl,
Suppl. (1753), Johnson Card. Diet. (1852), etc,
X548 Turner Names Herbes (E.D.S.) 62 The one is grow-
ing.-in moyst plasshes and in morish groundes, and it is
called in englishe wylde Valerian. 1578 Lvte Dodoens 339
Great wild valerian. Little wild valerian. 1597 Gerarde
Herbal M. 916 The tame or garden Valerian hath his first
leaues long, broade, smooth, greene, and vndeuided. Ibid.
917 Valeriana Petrata, Stone Valerian. x6oi R. Chester
Love's Martyr (1878) 83 Great wild Valerian and the Withie
wind, xftza Parkinson Parad. (1004) 386 Knobbed Moun-
taine Valerian. 1640 — Theat. Pi. 119 The great Valerian
hath a thicke short grayish roote. 171a tr. Pomet's Hist.
Drugs \. 42 The little Valerian has small Roots, of a good
Smell. 1753 Cheuttbers" Cycl. Suppl. s.v., The great garden
Valerian is an alexipharmic, sudorific, and diuretic. Ibid.,
The wild Valerian root is much more famous than this. 1790
Bucham Dom. Med. 427 Infusions of baim-Ieaves, . . the roots
of wild valerian, or the flowers of the lime-tree. x87a Oliver
Elem. Bot, \\. 192 The root of the Common Valerian
possesses a strong and peculiar odoiu-. 1890 Seience-Gossip
XXVL 183 The handsome heart-leaved valerian {.Valeriana
Pyrenaiea).
b. Red, Spur-, or spurred {a\so f l>asil) valerian,
=» Centranthus ruber,
IS97 Gerarde Herbal \\. 551 Of Basill Valerian. Red
V^crian hath beene so called of the likenesse of the flowers
and spoked rundles with Valerian, by which name we had
rather haue it called, then rashly to late vpon it an vnprcper
name. 1640 Parkinson Theat. PI. \-2i This small red
Valerian is very like unto the greater red Valerian, 1849
(sec Spurred a. 4J. 1855-63 Isce Spur sb^ 14 b]. x866
Treas. Bot. 247/1 The Red Valerian, C. ruber, formerly
known as Valeriana rubra, offers a good example of the
genus. 1809 Bridges Idle Flowers Poeu Wks. (1912) 35a
With red Valerian And Toadflax on the wall.
C. Greek {f Greekisk, Grecian) valerian, JslCoVs
ladder, Polemonium c&ruleum.
1578 Lyte Dodoens iii. 340 The garden Valerian and
Greeke Valerian are sowen and planted in gardens. Ibid.,
The Greekish Valerian hath two or three holow stalkes, or
moe. x6a9 Parkinson Parad. {1904) 3S8 The Greek Valer-
ian hath many winged leaues lying vpon the ground, . .very
like vnlo the wilde Valerian. x68a Wheler Journ, Greece
VI. 436 The Leaves were set upon a long stem, like to that
which is called Grecian Valerian. 1785 AIartyn Lett. Bot.
xvi. (1794) 189 Greek Valerian or Jacob's- Ladder which has
the corolla rather rotate. 1855 Miss Pratt Flower. PL
IV. 15 Blue Jacob's Ladder or Greek Valerian. 1858 Irvine
Brit. Plants 477 Polemoniacex, the Greek Valerian Family.
3. The drag derived from the rootstocks of the
wild valerian or other species.
1794 Godwin Caleb Williams 29, I shall hate you as bad
as senna and valerian. i8ox Med. Jrnl, V. 472 Internally
valerian with opium [was] prescribed. 184a Penny Cycl.
XXII. 347 2 It is curious that the Celtic and mountain
nards are also Valerians, the former being yielded by Valer.
tana Celtica and Saliunea. 1843 Ibid. XXVI. 92/3 Valerian
is considered acerebro-spinal stunulant. 1899 Allbutt'sSyst.
Med. VIII. 60^ Sedatives such as bromides and valerian.,
must be adminislered.
4. attrib.j as valerian oil, root, tea ; valerian
family^ order, tribe, -worts, the order Valerian-
aeeee,
a. 1747 Wesley Prim. Phrsiek (1767) 49 A Teaspoonful of
Valerian Root. 1783 Med. Comm. I. 214 She bad taken the
drops in the valerian tea. «868 Watts Did. Chem, V. 975
Crude valerian-oil is a mixture of several substances. 1874
Garrod & Baxter Mat. Med. 288 Valerian Root. The root
of Valeriana ojffieinatis, dried. ,
b. 1846 Linolev Veget. Kin^d. 698 Valerianworts are
principally distinguished from Icazelworts by their want of
albumen. 1849 Balfour Man. Bot. § 906 The Valerian
Family. 1855 Miss Pratt Flower. PL III. 160 The Valer-
ian Tribe. 1857 Henfrey Bot. 315 The Valerian Order.
ValeriaziaceOUS (vali^rian^-Jas), a. [f. mod.
L. Valerianace-m : see prec] Of or belonging to
the Valerian order.
184* Loudon Suburban Hort. 681 The Lamb's lettuce, or
corn-salad, .. is a valerianaceous indigenous annual.
Valerianate (valT»*rian^). Chem. [f. Valer-
ian + -ATE 1 c] A salt produced by the action of
valeric acid on a base.
184s W. Gregory Handbk. Org. Ckem. 168 Hydrogen is
given off, and valerianate of potash is formed. 1857 Miller
Elem. Chem., Org. 154 Apple oil is a similar preparation of
valerianate of amyl, x^ Hahley Mat. Med. 347 The
valerianates are all soluble in water, excepting those of silver
and mercury. 1899 Allbutt's Sysi. Med. VIII. 124 Zinc,
which may well be given as the valerianate.
VALET.
Valerianic (valiariae'nik), a. Chem. [f. bot.
L. Valeriana Valerian + -ic] Derived or ob-
tained from valerian.
X838 T. Thomson Clum. Org. Bodies 36 There pass over
into the receiver, water and an oil ; both of which contain
valerianic acid. 1839 R. D. Thomson in British A}in.354
Valerianic ether. 1866 W. Odling Anim. Oiem. 6 The
combination of water, valerianic aldehyd, and prussic acid,
1874 Garrod & Baxter Mat. i^Ied. 288 Valerian root owes
its activity to a volatile oil and valerianic acid.
Valeric (vale-rlk), a. Chem. [f. Valek-ian
+ -ic] •= prec.
x8sa W. Gregory Handbk.'Org. Chem. (ed. 3) 236 Valerate
of oxide of ethyle, or valeric ether. 1857 Miller Elem.
Chem., Org. 128 Under the influence of spongy platinum,
amylic alcohol gradually absorbs oxygen,, .and valeric acid
is produced. loid. 139 Valeric aldehyd. ..This compound
may be obtained in various ways. 1868 Watts Diet. Cltem.
V. 979 Valeric bromide. Ibid., Valeric chloride.
Valerin (vae-lerin). Chem. [f. as prec. + -in.]
(See quots.)
1866 W. Odling Anim. Chem. 93 By combining valeric
acid with glycerin we produce valerin, a constituent of
whale oil. i8«8 Watts Diet. Client. V. 980 Valerins,
glycerides produced by heating valeric acid with glycerin.
Va'lero-, combining form of Valebian or Va-
leric a., used in a few chemical terms, as valero-
btnzoic, -glycerol, -lactic, (Cf. Valeb-.)
1854 Fffwnes's Elem. Chem. (ed. 5) 488 Anhydrous Valero-
benzoic Acid. 1868 Watts Did. Chem. V. 980 Valero-
glyceral,..^ compound analogous to acetal. Ibid. 981
Falerolactic acid, . . syn. with ethyl-lactic acid.
Valerol (vse-lerjil). Chem. Also -ole. [f.
Valeb-iaN + -OL.] ' The neutral oxygenated con-
stituent of valerian-oil ' (Watts).
184s W. Gregory Handbk. Or^. Chem. 447 When fresh,
it contains no valerianic acid, but an oil, yalerole.
1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. 398 The valerian root
contains a compound (valerol, CiaHjoOa), which by oxida-
tion becomes converted into valeric acid. 1874 Garrod &
Baxter Mat. Med. 289 Valerole. .is a crystalline body at a
low temperature. 1876 Harley Mat. Med. 545 Valerol b
a constituent of the volatile oil of bops.
VaJerone (vasleroun). Chem. Also -on. [f.
as prec. -h -ONE.] (See quots. 1852, 1868.)
1839 R. D. Thomson in 5nV:VA/4««. 362 Valeron. 1851 W.
Gregory Handbk. Org. Chem. 237 Valerone,.. homologous
with acetone, is formed when valerianic acid is heated with
excess of baryta. i868 Watts Diet. Chem. V. 981 Valerone
is a transparent, colourless, mobile liquid, having a pleasant
ethereal odour and burning taste.
Valeroui'trile. Chem. Also -yle, -il. [f.
Valebo- + Nitbile.] Cyanide of tetryl.
1847 W. Gregory Handbk. Org. Chem. (ed. 2) 597 Valero-
nitrile . . may l)e derived from valerianate of _ ammonia.
1848 Fownes Elem. Chem. (ed. 2) 542 Alkalis convert
valeronitril into valerianic acid and ammonia. 1857 Miller
EUm. Chem., Org. 627 If it be distilled with dilute sulphuric
acid and peroxide of manganese, valeronitrile with carbonic
acid and water are produced.
Valerous, obs, f. Valobous a.
Valeryl. Chem. Also -yle. [f. Valeb-iak
+ -VL.] ' The radicle of valeric acid and its deriv-
atives (Watts).
j8s» W. Gregory Handbk. Org. Chem. (ed. 3) 236 Hy-
drated oxide of valeryle. Ibid. 237 The compounds of amyle
and valeryle. 1868 Watts Diet. Clum. V. 981 The bromide,
chloride, &c. of valeryl.
Va'lerylene. Chem. [f. as prec. +-ENE.]
A hydrocarbon homologons with acetylene.
x868 Watts Diet. Chem. V. 981 Valerylenc.is a colourless
very mobile liquid, which floats on water, and is nearly
insoluble therein. 1873 Rolfe Phjis. Chem. p. xviii,
(^uintine or Valerylene.
Valesian (val/T'an). [ad. mod.L. pi. Vales-
iani, Valesii, ad. late Gr. OuaAiJtrioi, f. OvaXrjs,
L. Valens.'\ (See quots.)
170a Echard Eccl. Hist. (1710) 585 There appeared a new
sort of hereticks in the Church called Valesians from
Valesius an Arabian. They made all their followers
eunuchs. 1718 Chambers Cycl., Valesia/ts, . . anlicnt
Sectaries, so called from one Valens, a Person unknown to
Epiphanius, who makes mention of this Sect. 1808 W.
WILSON Hist. Dissenting Churches 1. 96 Others who were
called heretics at that period; such as the Valesians.
Valeslye, obs. var. Falsely adv.
Valet (va;-let, vie-l<!')> ■f*- Also 6-7 vallet (6
-ett, Sc. wallett), 7 valett ; 8 Sc. vallie. [a. F.
valet, OF. valet, vallet, vaslet, prob. related to
Vassal. Cf. Vadelect, Valect, and Varlet.]
1. A man-servant performing duties chiefly relat-
ing to the person of his master; a gentleman's
personal attendant.
1567 Fenton Trag. Disc. i. (1898) I. 34 Not worthy anye
waye to be vallet to Ihe worste of us. 1587 Reg. Pnv)/
Council Scot. IV. 181 Ane of the vallettis of the Kinps
Majcsteis chalmer. 1614 Selden Titles Honor 333 At this
day, a Diener, seruant or vallet is both in Alemanique and
Belgique called Ein Knecht. 1664 Butler Hud. 11. 11. 6st
Before the Dame, and round about, March'd Whiflers, and
Staffiers on foot, With Lacquies, Grooms, Valets, and Pages.
1601 Salyr agst. French 15 That Gentleman does much
himself forget, Who in his Chamber has not French Vallet.
Ibid 25 From hence they'd fly,.. And leave not one poor
Vallet here behind. 1719 Hamilton Ep. to Ramsay 11. vui,
I wad nae care to be thy vallie, Or thy recorder. 1771
Smollett Humph. CI. (1815) 102 We have taken an
occasional valet, whom I intend hereafter to hire as my own
servant, a 1845 Barham IngoL Leg. Ser. m. Knight t,
Lady, Thompson, the Valet, Look'd gravely at Sally. 18S6
Sir B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. I. vi. 218 The rich man 5 valet
VALET.
22
VALHALLA.
Studies his master's temper and caprices. 1885 Aihenxum
36 Sept. 393/2 The chief characters in his plays are heavy
fathers and confidential valets.
Jig. 1837 Carlvle /^"r, Etv. 1. 1. i. Which would not end
till *■ France * (La France, as she named her royal valet)
finally mustered heart to see Choiseul.
2. Afi/. A footman acting as attendant or servant
to a horseman. rar£. (Cf. Varlet i b.)
1591 Garrard's Art Wetrrt 260 There be.. two quarters
for horsemen, the which their vallets are to entrench with a
smal trench. 1831 tr. Sismondis Ital. R<p^ xiii. 281 Ihey
became terror-struck when they perceived that the French
caused dbmounted horsemen to be put to death by their
valets.
3. a, Appositive, as vakt-couricr^ harquebusierj
maid^ •musician.
t^ Dallington MetA. Trav. K 4 (A horseman] who shall
qmtte his horse, and serue on foot, prouided that hee baue
with him a vallet Harquebusier. 1845 E. Holmes Li/£
Mosart 5 The Archbishop of Saluburg..enteruined him
in the capacity of \*alet. musician. 1867 Carlvle Remin,
(1881) II. 32 The clever old valet maid that waited on them.
1807 'H. S. SIerriman' In Kcdar's Tents xxii. 243 A
valet-courier of taciturn habit.
b. Attributive, as valet judgement ^ world.
X843 Carlvle Past ^ Pres. i. iv, It is to the sham-hero
that, .the valet world belongs. 1855 — Misc. (1857) IV. 354
Sublime to the valet judgment.
Hence Valetag'e, the service rendered by a valet ;
Ta-lethood, the state or condition of being a valet ;
Va'letisxu, the character or spirit of a valet.
1843 Carlvle Past * Pres. 11, ix. The fruit of long a§es
of confirmed Valethood ;. .cloth-worship and quack-worship.
187s Helps Soc. Press. x\\\. 183 To far other persons besides
the valet by reason of his valetism, does the hero often
cease to be a hero. 1890 Sat. Rev. 17 May 58S/2 The
vassalage or the valetage is prompted by an honest personal
devotion, like that of Tom Steele to O'Connell.
Valet, z*. [f. Valet j(J.] trans. To wait upon,
to attend or serve, as a valet.
1840 J. T. J. Hewlett P. Prig^ns xx, He always comes
down to college to valet me, take my things away to brush,
and so on. x8Si Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. i, Fancy me
waited upon and valeted by a stout party in black, of quiet,
gentlemanly manners. 1M6 A, Griffiths Pattper Peer i,
If he keeps no servant, the proprietor of the establishment
will valet him.
refi, 1893 McCarthy Dictator i, In the most splendid
da>*s of Gloria, he had always valeted himself.
absol. 1885 G. Allen Babylon xv. But can he valet, I
wonder ?
Hence Vs'leting vbl. sb.
1857 Hughes To/n Brown i. iii. He would have gone
without nether integuments altogether, sooner than nave
had recourse to female valeting. 1861 Mrs. Carlvle Lett.
III. 77, I have all the valeting to do myself.
II Valetaille (valeta'y). [F., f va/etVALSt sb.1
A number or retinue of valets.
1858 Caklyle Fredk. Gt, vii. iii. (1872) II. 266 No end of
military valetaille, chiePy 'janizaries' in Turk costume.
1863 H. Marryat Year in Siveden 1. 284 The rest of the
valetaille were closely incarcerated.
II Valet-de-chambre (vaU ds Jahbr). Also
7 valett-, 7-8 valette ; 7 vally, 8 vale ; 8 valet
de shamber, 8-9 valet de sham, 9 valley-de-
sham. [F. , lit. * chamber-valet *.] « Valet sb. i .
a. 1646 Chas. I Lett, to Q. Henrietta M, (Camden) 60
One Dubose, valett-de«chambre to the Queen Regent, 1655
Nicholas P. (Camden) II. 291 There finding a valet de
chambre attending, the Marquis wild him to tell the prince
I was there. 1711 Addison Sped, No. 106 r 2 You would
take his Valet de Chambre for his Brother. 1764 Foote
Patron n. 31 It has been said, and I believe with some
shadow of truth, that no man is a hero to his valet de
chambre. 178a V. Knox Ess. No. 32. 147, I dare say, you
remember a shrewd remark of a writer, whose name I can-
not recollect, That no great man ever appeared great in
the eyes of his valet de chambre. 1839 Dickens Nickleby
xxvii), With noiseless tread two valets-de-chambre advanced
into the room. 1862 Aide Carr of C. III. 36 Though our
valets-de-chambre know us to be no heroes, it is clearly
their interest to make us appear such in the eyes of the
world.
p. 1678 in Pollock Popish Plot App. B. (1903) 384 A vally
de chambre to the Lord Bellasis. vjo^ O. Dykes Eng,
Prov. (ed. 2) 135 By the conversation of an illiterate Cox-
comb of a Vale De Chambre. 1776 Foote Capuchin i.
Wks. 1799 II. 384 His old shopman, whom he keeps as his
valet de sham. 1791 O'Keeffe l^Hd Oats \. \, I wish you
hadn't made me your valet de shamber, 1853 W. Irving
Li/e ff Lett. (1864) IV. 124 The door was opened by Mr.
Gray's factotum and valley-de-sham Phil.
Hence Valet-de-chambresliip.
1779 J. Moore View Soc. Fr. (1793) 1. 14 His dexterity and
intelligence in the science of valet-de-chambreship.
II Valet-de-place (vak da plas). [F., lit.
' place-servant .] A man who acts as a[ guide to
strangers or tourists; a cicerone.
1750 Chesterf. Lett. (1774) II. xiii. 52 You will have your
coach,.. your own footman, and a valet de place. 179a C.
Smith Desmond III. 267 A Frenchman, who had formerly
served me as valet de place. x8i8 Gentt. Mag. Nov. 406/2
We chose rather to stroll out alone, than to put ourselves
under the direction of a valet-de-place. x886 Ruskin Time
^ Tidetn, I asked a valet-de-place at Meurice's what people
were cenerally going to [for amusement],
Valetry Cvae-letri). [f. Valet sb.'\ Valets
collectively; the office or quality of a valet.
1806 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. IV. 24^ Hospitals for
decayed valetry and dependents of ministerial land-owners.
'853 James Agnes Sorell. 191 The cutler, .could not for-
bear some grumbling observations upon valets and valetry.
1880 Swinburne Stud. Shaks. 97 Work fitter for ushers
and embalmers and the general valetry or varletry of Church
aod State;
tValetude. Obs. rare. Also valitude. [ad.
L. valetiido, valtiudo state of health, f. valere to be
well or strong.] a. Good health, b. Condition
as to health.
ais6oRoLLANDCr/. Venus u. 106 Thair was worschip with
welthand \-alitude.. .Thair was meiknes weil mixt withman-
suetude. 1613 Cockeram i, Valetude, health or sicknesse.
1657 ToMLiNSON Renou's Disp. 261 Esula..is frequently
used to the valitude of many, and the death of more.
tl Valetudinaire, a. and sb. rare, [F. vale-
tudinatre.] = Yaletudinaky.
168a Warburton Nist. Guernsey (1822) 131 One, that is
val^tudinaire, may, in the time of his sickness, contract with
any relation or stranger to take care of him. 1715 Pope
Farew. to Lond. x. Still idle, with a busy air, Deep whimsies
to contrive ; The gayest valetudinaire, Most thinking rake,
alive.
Valetudinarian (vseli'tiKdinea-rian), sb. and
a. [See Valetudinary a. and -ian.]
A. sK A person in weak health, esp. one who is
constantly concerned with his own ailments; an
invalid.
1703 Daupier Voy. III. i. 81 Many of our English Vale-
tudinarians have gone from Jamaica . . to the I. Caimanes, . .
to live wholly upon Turtle that abound there. 1746 R.
James Health''s Improv. Introd. 45 Such who have very
strong Constitutions, are more liable to pestilential Disorders,
and putrid Fevers, than Valetudinarians. 1787 Genii. Mag.
Dec. 1056/2 Every one knows how hard a task it is to cure
a valetudinarian. 1832 J. A. Heraud Voy. ^ Mem. Mid'
shipntan vi. (1837) 102 The hot springs and medicinal
vapours.. must at a very early period have excited the
attention of valetudinarians. 1880 L. Stephen Pope iv. 92
Naturally, he fell into many of the self-indulgent and
troublesome ways of the valetudinarian.
Jig. 1712 BuDGELL sped. No. 395 F 10 These are a kind
of Valetudinarians in Chastity. 1777 Sheridan School for
Scand. I. i, True, madam! there are Valetudinarians in
reputation as well as constitution. 1873 Goulburn Pers.
Reli^. 11. V. 81 The man becomes a valetudinarian in
religion, full of himself, his symptoms, his ailments, the
delicacy of his moral health.
B. adj. = Valetudinaey £?.
1713 Derham Phys.'Theol. iii. iv. (1727) 72 An admirable
Easement, .to the valetudinarian, feeble Part of Mankind.
1740 Chevne Ess. Regimen i. The Scorbutic, Gouty, Con-
sumptive, or Nervous Valetudinarian-low-livers. 1751
Earl Orrerv Rem. Sivift (1752) 113 His fortune exempted
him from care and solHcitude. His valetudinarian habit of
body from intemperance. 1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics
(i860) II. 118 The valetudinarian devotee becomes more and
more the puppet of his spiritual doctor. 18^3 Jowett Plato
(ed. 2) III. 283 Asclepius did not instruct his descendants in
valetudinarian arts.
Hence ValetadizLaTianism, the condition of a
valetudinarian ; tendency to be in weak health or
to be much concerned about one's own health.
i8s9 Eraser's Mag. XIX. 52 Those traces of laborious
valetudinarianism and nervous sensibility. 1868 W. R.
Greg Lit. <5- Soc. Judgm. 490 The bolder spirits.., perhaps
over-recklessly, despise such egotistic valetudinarianism,
1892 speaker 30 July 141/2 The schoolmistress has had to
forget her valetudinarianismand patent medicines in the
struggle for existence.
Valetu'dinariness. rarr-^. [f. Valetud-
inary a.l Weakness of health.
i;r42 Chevne Regimen iii. iv. 243 If there be an habitual
Thinness, Leanness, Tenderness and Valetudinariness.
tValetndinarious, a. Obs. [See Vale-
tudinary and -lous.] Having weak health;
valetudinary. AIso^^.
1648 Petit, Eastern Assoc. 14 Our Parliament might be
somewhat valetudinarious. 1662 Gurnall Chr. in Arm.
ill. Iv. ^04 Valitudinarious bodies can as well spare food
as physick. 1702 C. Mather Magn. Chr. vi. vii. 70 About
the Beginning of January he began to be very Valetudinar-
ious, labouring under Pains that seem'd Ischiatick. 1704 S.
Sewall Diary 1 Apr. (1879) II. 97 Visited my valetudinar-
ious son at Brooklin.
t Valetudinarist, Obs. [Cf. next and -IST.]
A valetudinarian.
1651 EiGGs A'irTc Disp. F204 Ere these valetudinarists arrive
at the broad and pleasant way of perfect convalescence.
Valetudinary (vseb-tiw-dinari), a. and sb.
[ad. L. valetfidindri-uSt f. vaietiidin-f valetiido
Valetude. So It., Sp., Pg. valetudinario, F.
vaUtudinaire.'\
A. adj. 1. Not in robust or vigorous health ;
more or less weakly, infirm, or delicate; mvalid :
a. Of the body, etc.
1581 Muix;aster Posit, xxx. (1887) no Either it is sickly,
. .or it is healthy,, .or it is valetudinarie, neither pure sicke
nor perfit whole. 1619 Donne Lett. Wks. 1830 VI, 374, I
carry an infirm and Valetudinary body. 1692 Boyle Hist.
Air 230 Oxford .. I have known to be very disagreeable
to some moist splenetick and valetudinary bodies. 1836
Frasers Mag. AlV. 705 His puny and valetudinary frame
would not permit him.
fig. 1712 Steele Sped, No. 300 F 3 This valetudinary
Friendship, subject to so many Heats and Colds.
b. Of persons. (In later use freq. implying
anxious attention to the state of one's own health.)
1584 CoGAN Haven Health cxcvii. i6i For they [students]
be commonly valetudinary, that is sickely. 1646 R. Baillie
Anabaptism (1647) Pref., Very small changes of the heaven
and air are able to vex much a crazy and valetudinary
Person. 1692 Boyle Hist. Air 1^1 Sick and valetudinary
'ersons used to be sent thither. 1733 Cheyne Eng. Malady
Pref. (1734) p. viii, A gross, full, high Diet, is [improper] for
a poor, thin, low, valetudinary Creature. 1779 Johnson
L.P.^ Pope Wks. IV. 91 All the unpleasing and unsocial
qualities of a valetudinary man. s8<» Scott in Lockhart
(1837) I. i. 19 Though valetudinary, he lived to be nearly
ninety. 1844 N. l?.\W\uusLady fane i. 44 The men being
old and valetudinary.
absol. 1646 Sir T. Bhowne Pseud. Ep. iv. xiii. 230 Pre-
ventive we call that [physic] which.. preventeth sicknesse
in the healthy, or the recourse thereof in the valetudinary.
1652 Gaule Magastrom. 139 Experience of all places, and
ages tell us, that the more valetudinary, have commonly
been the more vertuous. 1741 Compl. Fam.-Piece i. I 2
The Tender therefore, and Valetudinary, ought cautiously
to avoid all Occasions of catching Cold. 178a Med. Comm,
I. 11 note. The old and valetudinary, suffered most severely.
1823 J. Badcock Dom. Ainusem. 165 The valetudinary,
consumptive, and physic-taking, earliest fall victims of the
ship's motion,
2> Of conditions, etc. : Characterized by weak or
feeble health.
1620 Venner Via Recta viii. 163 Such as are naturally
infirme, and of a valetudinary state of body. 1684 tr.
Sonet's Merc. Commit, xv. 530 No Cough nor any signs of
a Valetudinary disposition of the Lungs do appear. 170X
C. Wolley yml. N. York (1B60) 26 A person seemingly of
a weakly Stamen and a valetudinary Constitution, a 1776
R. James Diss. Fevers {1778) 44 Mr. Collyer..has by that
means been brought from the most valetudinary state, to
one of great health and vigour. 1830 Scott Demonol. ix.
331 Apparently a man of melancholic and valetudinary
habits. 1876 L. Stephen Hist. Eng. Tk. 18th C. 11. 386
The last thirty-six years of his long life was passed in
valetudinary retirement,
B. sb. 1 1. An infirmary or hospital. Obs.
After med.L. valetudinarium.
1623 Cockeram i, Valetudinarie^ an Hospitall. 1677 W.
Hughes Man of Sin iii. ii. 45 There lay the poor man, till
being found, he was carried into the Valetudinary.
2. — Valet UDiNABiAN sb.
X785 Lounger (1787) I. zoo Dr. Doddipoll was a valetud-
inary like myself. 1787 Mme. D'Akblay Diary 15 Aug.,
General Grenville, a silent, reserved valetudinary, went
under the same convoy. 1851 E. FitzGerald Euphratzor
46 It is better to die well ever so young than to grow up a
valetudinary and a poltroon, i860 Macm. Mag. II. 36 'J he
painters who have shown him [Christ] as a delicate vale-
tudinary.
tValetudinoUS, (7. Obs.-"^ {i.'L.vaiilzldin-^
valetitdo Valetude + -ous.] Invalid, weakly.
165s Fuller Hist. Cambridge 128 It seemeth that soon
after, ..affrighted with the valetudinous condition of King
Edward,, .he retiwned to Heidelberg.
t Vaieur, Obs. rare. [a. OF. and F. valeur^
later f. valour Valour.] a. Value, b. Valour.
1433-4 Rolls of Parlt. V. 437/2 This thaire assent and grant
for to stande in strengthe, and ellus to be as voide and of noc
valeure. 1456 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 32 Gif the
key of jurisdiccioun dois thing that it aw nocht to do, . . that
suldbeoflytill \-aleur. i646HowELLZ,«(/MJf///, 115 Some
of the Provensall Gentlemen shew'd much Passion for the
honor of their Countrey , .by divers proofs of vaieur.
Valew, obs. f. Value sb.
t Vale- water. Obs. [f. Vajl z^.2] Ebb-tide.
1600 Hakluyt Voy. III. 257 The current runneth as strong
..as at London bridge vpon a vale water. x6io Holland
Camden s Brit. i. 720 Neere unto Hunl-Cliffe and not Ikrre
from the shore there appeere aloft at a vale water certaine
rocks.
Valewe, southern ME. var. Fallow v^ \ obs. U
Value sb. Valey, obs. f, Vallet sb.
ValgOUS, a. [See next.] ' Bandy-legged ;
having the legs bent outward ' (Craig, 1S49).
II Valgus (vae-lgos). Path. [L. valgus bandy-
legged.]^
1. A variety of club-foot in which the foot is turned
outwards (f or inwards).
1800 Med. Jml. IV. 195 In those diseases where the feet
turn inwards, and which, I presume, Mr. Watt will call
valgus. X836-9 Todds Cyd. Anat. ^ Phys. II. 348/2 Whin
the foot.. IS tunied outwards, called valgus. Ibid. 349/2
The same complication of the pes equinus with the valgus
is rare. 1^4 W. Pvk Surg. Handicraft 322 The second
expedient is only used for valgus, and consists in fixing a
pad under the sole of the fooL
attrib. 1884 W. Pye Surg. Handicraft 322 Valgus pad
for sole [of the foot]. 1899 Alibutt's Syst. Med VIII. 15
The abductors of the fool move it into the valgus position.
2. Spurious valgus, flat foot.
^» Bryant Prad. SuTgery 1014.
V alhall, occas. variant of next.
1763 Percy Five Pieces Runic Poetry 60 This place or
Ehzium was called ValhaJi or the hall of slaughter. 1770
— tr. Mallet's Northern Antiq, I. 87 These souls were
Odin's right, he received them in Valhall.
Valhalla (vaelhse'lla). Also "Wal-. [a. mod,
L. Valhalla, ad. ON. Valhall-, Valhgll, f. val-r
( = OE. wxl) those slain in battle + hpll hall. Cf. G.
Walhalla, F. JVal-, Valhalla.'] In Old Northern
mythology, the hall assigned to those who have
died in battle, in which they feast with Odin.
a. 1768 Gray Fatal Sisters 79 note. The Valkyriur..
conducted them to Valhalla, the hall of Odin, or paradise
of the Brave. 1780 Encycl. Brit. {ed. 2) V. 3288/1 That
their great Odinus excluded all those from his valhallay or
paradise, who [etc.], 1801 M, G. Lewis Tales of Wonder,
Hacho's Death Songx\\\, Soon as he gains Valhalla's gate,
Eight heroes there to greet him wait. 1855 Arnold Balder
Dead I. ig Enough of tears, ye Gods, enough of wail I Not
to lament in was Valhalla made.
0. 1851 Expositor II Jan. 171/2 A long and happy sojourn
in the Walhalla.
b. transf. andy?f. A place or sphere assigned to
persons, etc., worthy of special honour.
c 1845 Mrs. Browning Fourfold Aspect ii. That this Death,
then, must be found A Valhalla for the crowned. 1868
MiLMAN St. Pauts 480 That St. Paul's might fitly become
a Valhalla for English worthies. 1880 Ld. Acton Lett M,
VALI.
Gladstone (1904) 56 Neither Pitt nor Peel lives in my
Walhalla.
li Vali (vah--). [Turk. (Arab.) ^j valU Cf.
Wall] A cinl governor of a Turkish province or
vilayet.
The form vali^ occurs in thetransl. of Chardin's Coronai.
Solyman (1686) 34.
1753HANWAY yVor. (1762) II. V. iii. 139 Vachtanga.. ought
. .to have succeeded him in the dignity of vaii of Georgia.
187s R. Wilson tr. Figrier^s Hum. Race 284 A vali and
council is at the head of the administration of each govern-
ment or ' vilayet '. 1897 Outing XXIX. 387 The Vali, . . like
nearly all Turkish officials, . . had discarded the Turkish cos-
tume. X903 Times 5 Sept. 8 6 The corrupt and inefficient
government of the Vali of Beirut.
Hence Valiship, the office or position of a valL
1907 Times 17 Jan. 3/6 It may have been right to depose
Kiamil from his Valiship.
Valiable, obs. Sc. var. Vailable a.
Valiance (vaelyans). Forms : 5 vailliaiince,
vaylliaunoe, 5-6 valiaunce,-yaunce, 6 -eaunce,
6-7, 9 valiance. [a. AF. valiance (1304), or ad.
OF. vaillance (A F. vayilaunce), f. valiant ^ vaillantx
see Valiant «.]
1, Bravery, valour; = VxtrANCY r.
Very common in the i6th c ; now chiefly as a literary
archaism.
1456 Sir G. Have Lam Arms (S.T.S.) 53 The mekle
vahaunce of schir Cipro consul of Rome. 1475 Bk. Noblesse
55 For his gret trouthe, vailliaunce, and manhod . . king Pirrus
..offred to gyve hym the .iiijth part of his roiaurae. 1509
Barclay ShyP 0/ Folys (1570) 126 These fooles them boast
of deedes of valiaunce And worthy actes done by them in
battayle. 1581 A. Hall /liatt iii. 50 When I was yong,
and valiance had, and prowess. x6a3 Bingham Xenopfum
44 Let vs not expect, that other come and encourage vs to
be braue and resolute, but let vs begin to excite other to
valiance.
J807 G. Chalmers Caledonia I. m. vii. 387 His son exerted
many acts of forward valiance. 1841 Thackeray Drum 1.
v, In spite of our valiance, The victory lay with Malbrook.
1894 Academy 16 June 491/3 Equal to them in business
capacity, superior in persevering energy, in valiance of
heart and true courage.
2. A valiant act or deed ; a feat of valour or
bravery. Now arck.
1470-85 Malorv Arthur v. viii. 173 Crete valyaunces,
prowesses, and appcrtyces of werre were that day shewed.
1489 Caxtom Faytes o/A. i. vii. 17 By cause he had founde
so many valyaunces in the romayns. 1589 Puttenham
Eng. Poesie \. xix. (Arb.) 57 Places of assembly, where the
company shalbe desirous to heare of old aduentures and
valiaunces of noble knights in times past.
1879 Meredith Egoist I. ii. sx Our cavalier's is the poetic
leg, a portent, a vahance.
Valiancy (vse-lyansi). Forms : 6 val(l)iaun-
cie, 6-7 (9) valiancio (7 vaU-), 7 valianaie, 7-
valiancy (7 valiantcy), 6-7 valiencie. [Cf.
prec. and -ancy.]
1. The quality or attribute of being valiant or
courageous ; bravery, valiantness, valour.
Frrq. from c 1575 to c 1600.
*574 J- Jones Beg, Growing ^ Living Things 32 Feeble-
nesse of spirit, want of strength, and iacke of valiauncie,
1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. iVeapons 23 More to the effect of
our Archers, than to anie exiraordinarie valiancie of our
Nation. 1605 ist Pt. Jeronimo \\. i, That which they lost
by base Captmitie, We may redeemc with honored valiansie.
x^ E. JoHNSOM \Vonder--ufrkg. Provid. 30 Yet was he not
minded to make iriatl of his peoples valiantcy in fight at
this time. 1661 Morgan Sph. Gentry ui. v. 45 Those prizes
and Crowncs they had gained by their Valiancy in war.
1795 SouTHEV yoan 0/ Arc vi. 39a Though Talbot with
vain valiancy Yet urged the war, and stemm'd alone the
tide Of battle. 1817 Scott Ckron. Canongate ii, Cincin-
natiLS and the like, who fought not the common enemy with
the less valiancy that their arms had been exercised ia
hatding the stilts of the pleugh. 1850 T. H. Gill Golden
Chain of Praise (1894) cxxxvi. viii. Turn our darkness into
light; Give us valiancy for fear. 1893 F. Adams New Egypt
164 Would that gay valiancy be with him so lone as it waa
with Henri IV?
b. Const, ^(the mind, heart, spirit, etc.).
X579 TwYNB Phis. agst. Fortune i. Ep. Ded. 3 Her
flatteries haue ouercome that valiencie of mans minde.
c 1650 Don Bellianis 18 Truly Prince Don Gatlaneo you
have plainly expressed the valiancy of your mind. 1813
CoLERiDGK Lect. Shaks. in Retn. (1836) II. 143 This happy
valiancy of style Is but the representative and result of
all the material excellencies so expressed. 1846 Prowett
Prometh. Bd, 12 Or force of hands, or valiancy of heart.
O. arch. Used with possessive as an honorific.
i8aB ScoTT Fair Maid xxiv, His blood.. will flow as
temperately as your valiancie 's, when you stand up in your
stirrups to view a field of battle.
+ 2. A valiant act or feat. Obs.~^
i6»7 Lisander tf Cal. viii. 138 Acting in the fury wherein
hee was.. such valiancies, that thereby he did lessen all
those which heretofore hee had done.
Valiant (vae-lyant), a, (and sb^. Forms: a. 4
vaillaunto, vaylaunt, vailant,5 -aunt, vaiUant.
^, 4, 6 valliaunt, 5 valya(u)nte, 5-6 valy-
a(u)nt, 6 waly-, vaUaunt(e, iV. valliant, 4- vali-
ant (6-7 valient); 6 valeaunt(e, valeant, Sc.
vaiU-,waiUeant. 7. (Chiefly .S"c.) 5-6 vail3eand,
6 vail(l>-, wail^eant, -jeand, val(l)-, wal(l)-
jeandj-^eant, -yeanti-ie^eandj-ie^eantj-ieand,
etc. [ad. 0¥,vaiiant{-and^ AF. vaylant), vaillant
(AF. -aunt) J pres. pple. of valoir to be of worth ;—
L, val^re, Cf. It. and Pg. vaiente^ Sp. valiente.
23
The comparative valianter, superlative valianlest were
formerly frequent, the latter occurring occasionally in the
i6th and 17th c. in the shortened forms valiamist, valianst,
Talienst.}
1. a. Of persons: Stalwart ^ body, bone, hands.
Prob. with some implication of sense 2. In mod. Sussex
dial, the sense of ' stout, well-built ' is recorded
1303 R. BnuNNE Hand!. Synne 4370 pys Conred had a
seriaunt, .\ wj-s man, and of body vaylaunt. 1338 — Chron.
('?io) 9 So wis he was in dede, of body so valiant. Hid. 144
Richer kyng is non in t)is world bot je, No valianter of bon
"1 Cristendam als he. 1513 Ld. Bernehs Froiss. I. cclxxxiv.
424 Sir Moreau of Fyennes , . was a right valyant man of his
vS" •. "'*•' ^''"- Citron., Edw. V (1550) V, Antony
Wooduilc,..a wise, hardy and honourable personage, as
valiaunte of handes as politique of counsayll.
t b. Valiant beggar, a sturdy beggar. Obs.
1531 Dial, on Laws Etig, i. xvi. 27b, That no man.,
shuld gyue any almes to any valyant begger that is well
able to laboure. 1334 Nott. Rec. III. 373 Harberor of
valyeant begers and comyn woman. 1369 jf. Sanford tr.
Agiippa's Van. A rtes 104 b, The Emperoure made a streicte
ordinance touching valiant beggers.
t o. Of things : Strong, firm. Obs.
IS4» Becon Pathw. Prayer xy\\. H iij, For the name of
the Lorde is a stronge tower & valeaunt Bulwarke. 1603 G.
Owen Pembrokeshire viii. (iSgi) 60 The Wheat and Kie
endureth all the winter stormes & forces as a valiant and
stout grayne. 1607 Topsell Four-/. Beasts 460 A Lyon
hath a most valiant and strong head.
t d. Strong in respect of smell or taste. Obs.
1607 A. Brewek Lingua iv. iii. This, if your breath be
not too valiant, will make you smell as sweet as my lady's
dog. a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Cornwall (1662) i. 194 The
scent thereof (L e. garlicj is somewhat Valiant and Offensive.
2. Having or possessing courage ; esf. acting with
or showing boldness or bravery in fight or on the
field of battle; bold, brave, courageous, stout-
I hearted.
o. 1350 GowER Com/. II. 56 So that these heraldz on
h[m crie, 'Vailant, vailant, lo, wher he gothl' £1400
. I'tvaine ij- Gaiu. $^i Sir Gawayn, knyght vailant. C1450
Merlin xxiii. 423 Lepe to horse many a vailaunt knyght.
'474 Caxton Cheese iv. v. (1883) 176 And thus is hit of euery
; man the more vaillant the more honoured.
S. c 1330 R. Brunnk Chron. IVace (Rolls) 6952, I haue a
bro|)er, sire Constaunt, God werrour, & man valliaunt. 1338
— Chron. (1810) 9 Many tymes on Uttred Bretons batmle
souht : Uttred was so valiant, he gaf of ^am right nouht.
lanooMorte Arth. 299 Of this grett velany I salle be
vengede ones On 5one venemus mene, wyth valiant
knyghtes ! 1470-85 Malory Arthur x. xlii. 482 The good
knjghte Semound the valyaunt. a 1333 Ld. Berners huoii
xcii. 296 For he Is so noble and so valyaunt that he fereth
no man. 1535 Coverdale Esther xiii. 9 O Lorde Lorde,
thou valeaunt and allmightie kynge. 1578 T. Procter
Corg. Gallery M iij b. Wee subiect bee to griefe, eche
horror feares The valiaunst harts, when death doth daunt
the brest. 1600 J. Porv tr. Leo's A/rica iv. 233 The in-
habitants are valiant and warrelike people. 1634 Sir T.
Herbert Trav. 109 Crocodiles, .cruell and yet valiant.
1676 HosBES Iliad VI. t44 Glaucus.., Than whom a fairer
person there was not. Nor valianter in all the Land. 1706
Maule Hist. Picts in Misc. Scot. I. 39 He levies a mighty
and strong army of the valiantest warriors, 1743 Francis
tr. Hor., Odts 11. i. 33 Panting with terror, I survey The
martial host in dread array, The chiefs, how valiant and
how just ! 1814 Scott Lard 0/ Isles iv. xviii. It is the foe !
Each valiant lord Fling by his bow, and grasp his sword I
l8ss Macaulav Hist. Eng. xii. UI. 204 The Englishry
generally respected him as a valiant, skilful, and generous
enemy. 1871 Freeman Norm. Com;. (1876) IV. 68 In all
these castles. .William placed trusty and valiant captains.
trans/. Ja 140a Morle Arth. 2573 His vesturis ryche. With
the valyant Mode was verrede alle ouer ! 1591 Shaks. i
Hen. VI, III. i. 171, I gyrt thee with the valiant Sword of
Vorke. 1399 — Hen. V, iv. iii. 98 Those that leaue their
valiant bones in France. 1781 Hichmore Ramble Coast 0/
Sussejr iiSy;^) 19 The beauteous form of woman., graced with
. . her smiles the feats of valiant Arms.
Comb. i55fs Locrine 11. iii, There might we sec the valiant
minded knights, Fetching carreers along the spatious
plaines. 139* Shaks. i Hen. IV, v. i. 90, I do not thinks
a brauer Gentleman, More actiue valiant, or more valiant
young,, .is now aliue.
>• f M70 Co/. 4- Gttw. 243 The king .'stude . . maist vailye-
»nd to se. ijoo-aa Dunbar Poems Ixiii. 7 Men of armes,
and vailjeand knychtis. 1563 WinJet IVhs. (S.T.S.) II.
3 The wail^eant cheiflane of God . . Nehemia.s. 1396
Dalrvmple tr. Leslie's Hist. .Scot. II. 9 In the weiris thay
war maist valjeant, and in peace maist (aithfulL
b. Const, ^'courage, etc.).
1338 R. Bbunne Chron. (1810) 298 Knyghtes & sergeantz,
noble men fulle couth, Of prowes fulle valiantz. 1538
Elvot, Fortis, valyant of corage. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V,
IV. 1. 46 A Lad of Life, an Impe of Fame, of Parents good,
of Fist most valiant. 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Jack a
Lent Wks. (1630) L 2 b, I wish a plentifull encrease of good
appetites and hungry stomackes, that euery one in their
caUing may proue valiant of their teeth.
C. absol. with the.
1360 Bible (Geneva) Judges xxi. loTwelue thousand men
of the moste valiant. 158$ T. Washington tr. Nicholay'i
Voy. in. ii. 71b, (The) most valiant of the valiauntest. oiMS
Davenant Poems (1672I 335 O harmless Death I whom still
the valiant brave. 1718 Prior Henry * Emma 80 In Tilts
and Tumamenta the Valiant strove.. to purchase Emma's
Love 1816 WoRlKw. Ode, jSjj, $7 The valiant of this land.
td. Of material things : Fine, splendid. Obs.
1604 Middleton Blaci Boot Diijb, A valiant BufTe
Doublet, stuft with Points like a Legge of Mutton with
Parslye.
3. Characterized by, performed with, or exhibit-
ing valour or courage; of a valorous character or
nature.
c 1330 R. BiDHNB Ckrmi. IVace (Rolls) 12576 Schame hit
VALIANTNESS.
were (.at ey(«r 3ede Wijjouten bataille or vaillaunte dede.
1500-10 Dunbar Poems I. 11 He did full mony valjeant deid
00 S'-'^V""'' ^^""=iy 'and. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon Iv.
188 His barons stode styll to beholde his valyaunt dedes.
1568 C.RAFTON Chron. II. 304 Before Winter be past I will
enter into Fraunce, in puyssaunt and valyaunt maner. Ifioo
J. PORY tr. Leo s A/rica 11. 75 The foresaide captaine with
his armie..gaue them such a valiant onset, that the greater
part of them was slaine. 1655-60 Stanley Hist. Philos.
I (1687) 750/1 The valiant Exhortation of an old Man
chang'd the minds and fortune of the whole City. 184s
t Carlyle Cromuiell (r87i) I. 50 Truly with valiant patient
energy.. It carried its Petition of Right. 1907 Trans.
I Devon Assoc. 51 The valiant deeds of the great reign of
I Elizabeth.
1 4. Of great worth or merit ; worthy. Obs. rare.
1480 Caxton Myrr. i. v. (E.E.T.S.) 25 Other philosophres
ther were.. prudent alle and valyant, seen that they set to
fore alle other thynges clerg>'e.
t5. Marked or characterized by the use of
strength. Obs.~^
i53« Elyot Gov. i. xxvii. (r88o) 289 That some be done
with extending of myght, and as hit were violently, and that
IS called valiaunt exercise.
t6. Worth (a specified sum). Also const, in
(goods or property). Cf. Vail zi.l 4. Obs. rare.
1590 Reg. Privy Council Scot. IV. 557 The said Thomas is
bot ane puir man . . , not valiant in substance and guidis ane
hundreth pundis. 1603 Ibid.Vl. 525 AlL.landit gentlemen,
valiant tuentiechalderisofvictuall. 1608 Middleton Trick
to catchy Old One \. i, A rich country widow, four hundred a
year valiant, in woods, in bullocks, in barns and in rye-stacks.
+ b. Sc. As sb. Value or worth. Obs.-'^
i6o65'<r. Acts, Jas. VI (1816) IV. 286 The saidis decreittis
. . may bring t>e danger of the jeirlie violent proffeittis vpoun
the persones, . . thairby surmounting often tymes thair haill
valient.
1 7. Sc. Valid, effective, decisive. Obs.-^
163a Lithgow Trav. iv. 143 Their.. definitiue sentence in
Lawe or Religion is. .absolutely valiant.
8. As sb. One who is valiant ; a brave or cour-
ageous person.
1609 Bible (Douay) Jer. xlvi. 9 Get ye up on horses, and
tn chariots,and let the valiants come forth. x6ii Bible 2 .Saw.
xxi. heading, Foure battels against the Philistines, wherein
foure valiants of Dauid slay foure gyants. a i7aa Sewell
Hist. Quakers Pxef. (1735) A 4, For the most eminent Vali.
ants among this People in the Beginning were not Men of
Note or Learning, tho' of great Courage. 1909 IVestm.
Caz. 25 May 4/1 Valiants of the wheel who, when they
cannot drive, will tramp over the dreary marshes of
Turkestan.
Hence + Va'llant v. trans., to rendtr valiant.
i6a8 Feltham Resolves I. Ixxv. (1647) 231 Sure, Virtue is
a Defendress, and valiants the heart of man.
tValiantise. Obs. Forms : 4 vaillauntise,
4, 6 valyauntise, valiantise, 5 Sc. vailliantis, 6
valy-, valiauntise. [a. OF. vaill-, vallanlise,
valiandise, etc., f. vaillant Valiant a, ; see -ise ^.]
1. Valiancy, valour.
C1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12193 He (Arthur)
tristed weL.on his grete vaillauntise Ar he durst take J>at
emprise. 1338 — Chron. (1810) 168 Now is Ciprcs lorn fro
Isaac &_hise, & to R[ichard) suorn for his valiantise. c 1400
Laud Troy Bk. 6800 Philomene sende him vnto hise. For he
him wan with valyauntise. 1456 Sir G. Have Law Arms
(S.T.S.) 224 For suppos for grete vailliantis and honourable
dede of armes a bonde man war., maid knycht in armes. 1513
Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cccxvii. 489 Men of armes proued
well there their valyantise and prowes. 1598 Bp. Hall Sat.
IV. iv. 31 If brabling Make.Fray, at each Fayre and Sise,
Picks quarrels for to shew his valiantise.
2. A valiant act or deed. rare.
1513 Li/e Hen. V (1911) 11 For these and manie other
valiauntises, noble feates, and victories, .. the Prince was
honnored.
Valiantly (v^-lyantli), adv. [f. Valiant a.
+ -LT 2.] In a valiant manner ; with valour or
courage ; boldly, bravely, courageously.
«. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon viii. 22 And hys knyghtes
folowyde hym, . . determynyde to do walyauntly. 1568
Grafton CArwi. II. 296 The Erie Douglas of Scotland, who
fought a season right valiauntly. i6oa Marston Ant. *
Mel v. Wks. 1856 I. 65 He died unforst, I trust, and vali-
antly. 164a Milton Apol. Smect. Wks. 18^1 III. 286 The
Divine right of Episcopacy was then valiantly asserted.
169s Ld. Preston ^i7<'M.iv.205 Thou must engage valiantly
and fiercely against every Fortune. 1787 Burke Sp. Fox s
E. India Bill Wks. IV. 24 This man.. was slain valiantly
fighting for his country. 1879 Mrs.Hungerford W/rc/a/rj'
Lilian I. 104 Putting one foot into a friendly crevice, and
holding on valiantly to the upper stones. 1907 Verney Mem.
II. 210 He talked valiantly at first of military service.
Comh. 1609 Dekker Gull's Hombk. Proem. B3, Oh what
songs will I charme out in praise of those valiantly-strong.
stinking breaths.
&. 1508 Dunbar Tua Mariit IVemen 431 To furnyse a
bancat In Venus chatmer, val^eandly, withoutin vane ruse.
1533 Bellenden Livy 11. xx. (S.T.S.) I. 210 The batall beand
in ane_ parte renewit, manilius Consul faucbt na le.ss Vale-
;eantlie |}an he did in ane vthir weyng. a 1578 Lindesay
(Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 77 ^ehaue provin walie-
^eantlie. .for the defence and libertie of this realme. a 1600
in ^/i»«/'.^()w/^r/if'f /'(Vwj (S.T.S., Suppl.Vol.)246 That 1 may
wail^eandle resist the fleche, )7e warld, )>e dewell, & hell.
Va'liantneSS. ? Obs. [f. as prec. -I- -NESS.]
1. The quality or condition of being valiant ;
valiancy, valour. K\%o personif.
Very common in the i6th c.
a. 1470-85 Malory Arthur xii. xii. 608, 1 vnderstande
thy valyauntnesse wel. 1:1489 Caxton Sonnes 0/ Aymon 16
The whiche . , Charlemagne by hys prowesse and valj-auntnes
had dyscomfyted. 1513 Li/e Hen. V (ipti) 155 The Eng-
lishmen . . excelled so farr the Frenchmen in there valyantnes,
VALID.
24
VALIDNESS.
that they remaj*ned conquerors in the fietde. 1540 Morysine
Vives' Introd. Uysd. B v, Sirengthe and valiantnesse is» to
suffiseand accomplyshe the exercises of vertu without werj--
nes. 1560 Daus tr. SUidane^s Comm. 25 Which honor [Le.
knighthood] in times past.. was the rewardeofvaleauntnes.
1603 Rnolles Hist. Turks (1621) 343 Mahomet seeing this
valiantnesse of the defendants, openly said [etc.]. 167a
Baxter Bagskaw's Scandals 1. 6 They call out for Valiant-
ncss in suffering. 17*7 P. Walker Life o/R. Cameron in
Biogr. Prtshyt. (1827) I. 237 The Valiantness of the Four-
score Priests, that withstood Uzziah.
fi. 150S Dunbar Poems vii. 93 B, in thi name, hetaknis
batahus ; . . W, \-alyeantnes ; S, for strenewite. 1549 Compl.
Scotl. Ep. 6 The toune of sauerne baris vytnes of his delegent
vail^eantnes. a 1560 Rolland CrU Venus iv. 577 Sine
Cheualrie come in with vail^eantnes.
b. Const, ^(courage, heart, mind, etc.).
XS34 Whitinton TuUyes Offices i. (1540) 7 By ryght and
lawe, whereof forse & ^•aIyauntnesse of herte doth ryse,
1539 Tavkrner Gard, Wysd. i. 4 b, It greued moch this
excellent PrjTice, that so stronge an herte and valyaunt-
nesse of nature was spent in a matter of leudenesse. 1579
Twvnk Phis. agst. Fortune i. xv. 16 The mightinesse of the
Ciiie and Empire, and the valiantnesse of the peoples
myndes. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 400 Much inferi<
our to this great king in wealth and number of men, but not
in hautinesse of mind and valiantnesse of courage. 1736 Ains-
woRTH, MagnattimitaSf valiantness of heart and courage.
2. Physical strength ; robustness, sturdiness,
stalwartness ^(body). rare,
JSS3 T. Wilson Rktt. 104 In the Iliades are described
strengthe and valeantenes of the body. 1506 Dalrymplk
U. Leslie* s Hist, Scot. I. 311 Bartholomew Leslie, .. quhais
..ablenes of mynd, ^-al^eantnes of body and fercenes oi
force, king Malcolme meruelet sa mekle.
Valicot, obs. form of walycoat Wyliecoat.
Valid (vae'lid), a, (and 5b.\ Also 6-7 valide,
8 valed. [ad. F. valide {OV,valide^ Sp., It., Pg.
valido) or L. valid-us strong, powerftil, effective,
f. valere to be strong, etc.]
L Good or adequate in law; possessing legal
authority or force ; legally binding or efficacious.
1571 Reg. Priv^ Council Scot. II. 95 Seing his said tak is
valide and sufficient in the self. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. i.
XV, 72 The nature of Justice, consisteth in keeping of valid
Covenants, a x688 Cudworth Immut. Mor. (1731) 2 What-
soever is decreed and constituted, that for the time is Valid,
being made so by Arts and Laws. X7«6 in Naime Peerage
Evidence (1874) 36 Declareing if I do not exerce these
faculties in my own time these presents shall remain a valed
evident albeit not delivered by me. 1769 Robertson
Ckas. Vy IX. Wks. 1851 IV. 315 This strange tribunal founded
its charge upon the ban of the empire, which . .was . .destitute
of every legal formality which could render it valid. 1786
Burks Art, agst. IV, Hastings Wks. II. ^ A claim, which
they determined not to comply with but in return for the
surrender of another equally valid. 1844 H. H. Wilson
Brit, India III. 257 Those, who held rent.free lands by
titles that might be declared valid. 1878JEVONS Primer
Pol, Econ, 128 According to law, deeds, leases, cheques,
receipts, contracts, and many other documents are not legally
valid unless they be stamped.
b. Ecd, Technically perfect or efficacious.
X674 J. Owen Holy Spirit (1693) 235 So as that the Call
to Office should yet be valid, c x68o Beveridge Serm.
(1739) I. 28 Not but that the ordination is valid. 1876
Mellor Prtesth, viii, 361 No ordination is valid unless there
be in the recipient of orders what is termed in the Church of
Rome an habitual, or, at least, a virtual intention.
2. Of arguments, proofs, assertions, etc, : Well
founded and fully applicable to the particular
matter or circumstances ; sound and to the point ;
against which no objection can fairly be brought.
a 1648 Ld. Herbert ^K^tfi^/V. (1764) 138 The whole face
of Affairs was presently changed, insomuch that neither my
Reasons, nor the Ambassadors.., how valid soever cou'd
prevail 1693 Bentlev Boyle Led. iv. 11^ He may admit
of those Arguments as valid and conclusive. 17x7 Prior
Alma u 416 For when One's Proofs are aptly chosen ; Four
are as valid as four Dozen. X766 Pitt in Almon Anecd,
xxix. (1810) I. 432 The excuse is a valid one, if it is a just
one. X803 Wellington in Gurwood Disp. (1835) II. 164
Reasons which I thought valid but which I do not think it
necessary to communicate to him. 1859 Mill Liberty iL
36 An objection which applies to all conduct, can be no
valid objection to any conduct in particular. i88x Westcott
& Hort Grk. N. T. Introd. § 46 A generalisation obtained
from one book would be fairly valid for all the rest.
b. In general use : Effective, effectual; sound.
xfifix HoBBEsCtfp/.<J-6"(?c.ii. §7.23 If yet to words relating
to the future, there shall some other signes be added, they
may become as valid, as if they had been spoken of the
present. 1774 Reid Aristotle's Logic ii. § 2. 183 This same
et csetera- .shall in any future time shew a good and valid
right to a property in the subject. x8s4 Hvron Juan xvi,
XXXV, The effort was not valid To hinder him from growing
still more pallid. x86o Mansel Proleg. Log. (ed. 2) 22 The
only valid method of investigating the relation between
thought and speech. X87S Geo. Eliot in Cross Life III.
253, 1 should urge you to consider your early religious
experience as a portion of valid knowledge.
3. Of things: Strong, powerful, ^ovt arch,
1656 Blount Glossogr.^ Falid, strong, mighty, puissant,
able. 1667 Milton P. L. vi. 438 Perhaps more valid Armes,
Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve to
better us. X807 Chabbe Birth of Flattery 109 So on a
dream our peasant placed his hope. And found that rush as
valid as a rope. 1887 Browning Parleyings Wks. 1896 II.
692/2 What beseems a king who cannot reign, Bilt to drop
sceptre valid arm should wield? X89X Cornh. Mag. Nov.
^93 In addition to the strong jaws. .there are three exceed*
ingly valid hooks.
t b. Of malt liquor : Unduly thick. Obs,"'^
X74S London ^ Co. Brewer \, (ed. 4) 38 They also keep it
from running into such Cohesions as would make it ropyi
valid, and sour.
4. Of persons : Sound or robust in body ; pos-
sessed of health and strength. Also said of health.
165a Gaule Magastrom, J39 The more valetudinary have
commonly been the more vertuous j and the more valid, the
more vitious. X708 Motteux Rabelais (1737) V. 232 Thanks
to Jove's Benignity you're valid. X757 Mrs. Griffith Lett.
Henry <y Frances (1767) IV. 137, 1 much fear his excessive
Grief may injure his Health, which is not very valid, at
present. 1879 Sala in Daily Telegr. 12 June, When he was
a valid man he may have had many a boxing bout with Shaw
the Life Guardsman. 1899 Daily News i Dec. 7/1 The
Boers have evidently put every valid male into the field.
b. Of the mind : Sane, strong, rare,
1854 Emerson Lett. «$■ Soc. Aims, Poet. 4- Jmag. Wks.
(Bohn) III. 139 The restraining grace of common-sense is
the mark of ail the valid minds.
5. As sb, A person in good health. Opposed to
Invalid j-^. i.
x88a Pall Mall G. 20 Sept. 5 Knristen and valids may
alike thank Dr. Yeo for a series of highly interesting and
instructive Essays.
tVa-lidate,/"//. «. Sc Obs.~^ In 6 -at. [ad.
med.L. validdt-uSf pa. pple, oivaiidare ; see next.]
Valid, validated.
1586 Reg. Privy Council Scot. IV. 103 To be als validat
ane Act of Parliament as the former.
Validate (vse'lid^'t), v. [f. med.L. validat-,
ppl. stem oi validare{\-^<^\ in Du Cange), or after
K. valider (1586 in Godef. Contpl. \ = Sp. and Pg.
validar. It. validare)x see Valid a. and -ATE 3.
Cf. Invalidate z'.]
1. trans. To render or declare legally valid ; to
confirm the validity of (an act, contract, deed, etc ) ;
to legalize.
a 1648 Ld. Herbert Hen. VIII (1683) 209 Henry con-
sented, that.. the marriage betwixt Francis and Leonora
..should be validated and confirmed. 1659 in Burton's
Diary (1828) IV. 435 You only establish quantum in vobis
est, without either validating or invalidating the Acts and
Ordinances for the Excise. 1706 J, Sergeant Acc. Chapter
Bp. Chalcedon (1853) 121 The long prescription it has
enjoyed, which alone is able to validate and confirm it.
X750 Carte Hist. En^. II. 859 Pope Julius 1 1.. granted a
dispensation.. for validating the contract [of marriage]
if it had been already made. x8ox Jefferson Writ. (1830)
HI. 477 It is true the treaty was not ratified; but when
ratified it is validated retrospectively. X849-50 Alison
Hist, Europe 1. v. § 49* 607 The question of the royal
sanction being required to valid.-ite the acts of the legisla-
ture. x88o MuiRHEAD Gnius 11. § 220 The legacy will be
invalid by the civil law; but it will be validated by the
Senatus-consult,
h. .spec, [Now after F. jJ^/zV*??-,] To declare (an
election) valid; to declare (a person) duly and
properly elected. Hence Va*li dated///, a.
1658-9 in Burton's Diary (1828) III. 75 Have an account
brought in to validate the members for Scotland and Ireland.
X883 Daily Neivs 25 June 5/3 The Chamber has validated
the election for Passy of M. Cailla. 1893 Westm. Gaz,
5 Dec 7/1 Nearly all the validated deputies.. voted.
2. To make valid or of good authority ; to con-
firm or corroborate; to substantiate or support.
1775 C. Johnston Pilgrim 250 The lawyer found con-
venient witnesses to prove a marriage,.. and every circum-
stance necessary to validate his scheme. X775 S. J. Pratt
Liberal Opin. xlviii. (1783) II. 141 I intend my memoirs
shall serve as the counterpart of hisj and both will indis-
putedly prove and validate the peculiar truth of these
singular sentiments. 1803 Miss Porter Thaddeus (1826)
III. xvi. 34 1 Come, Lord Berrington, you must validate my
report, for I learnt it of you. xS?* Contemp, Rev. XX. 395
The eschatological idea shared the fortunes of the theo-
logical, was with it materialized, spiritualized, impersonai-
ized, validated, or dissolved.
Hence Validating vbl, sb.
a 1648 Ld. Herbert Hen. Fill (16B3) 409 An act also.,
was now confirmed and the Oath prescribed, for the more
Validating whereof also, it was declared [etc.].
Validation (vaelid^*Jan). [f. prec. : cf, F.
vaiidaiion (i6th c), Sp. validacion, Pg. -a^ao, It.
-azione."] The action of validating or making valid.
X656 Blount Glossogr. [copying Cotgrave], Validation^ a
strengthning, inforcement, confirming; an establishing or
ratifying. 1847 in Webster (citing Knowles). 187a Echo
3 Oct. 6 Father Hyacynthe has just applied to the French
tribunals for the validation of his civil marriage. x888 Act
51 4- 5a Vict. c. 42 § 5 An instrument, the enrolment whereof
is required . . for the validation of an assurance.
Validity (vali*diti). Also 6 valydyt3r(e, 6-7
validitie, 7 vallydety, Sc. validete. [ad. late
L. vaiiditas, f. valid-us Valid a, Cf. F. validiU
(i6th c), It. validity,']
L The quality of being valid in law; legal
authority, force, or strength.
c 1550 Life Fisher in F.'s Wks. (E.E.T.S.) II. p. 1, Two or
three daies after, he began to discusse with him the validitie
of his maryage. 1561 Reg, Privy Council Scot. I. 171 The
questioun standis nocht upoun the validitie and invaliditie
of the saising. x6o8 Willet Hexapla Exod. 310 Concern-
ing the validitie of these lawes. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. i.
XV. 72 The Validity of Covenants begins not but with the
Constitution of a Civill Power. X70X Land. Gaz. No. 3715/4
A Definitive Sentence hath been . . given by the Judges
Delegates, for the Validity of the Last Will of John Higgs.
X769 Blackstone Comm. IV. 315 Toconsider and determine
the validity of appeals or indictments. x8i8 Crijise Digest
(ed. 2) IV. 212 The validity of such a lease was established
in the following modern case. 1855 Macaulay Hist, Eng,
xvii. IV. 77 Much as they hated him, they could not question
the validity of his commission. 1884 Law Times Rep.l*,
s/2 The plaintiff denied the validity of the transfer.
2. The quality of being well-founded on fact, or
established on sound principles, and thoroughly
applicable to the case or circumstances ; soundness
and strength (of argument, proof, authority, etc.),
a. In the phrase of. . , validity.
X581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ, Osorius 488 b, Of no greater
valydyty is that Argument lykewyse which they rake out
of Augustineswordes. i599THVNNE^«/w/arfz'. (1810J 21 This
ys a mere coniecture, and of no valydytye. 1620 Venner
Via Recta ii. 34 Neither are their reasons of such validity.
1652 Needham tr. Selden's Mare CI. 145 It remain's in the
next place, that wee consider of what validitie the contrarie
Opinions of Writers are. X7»6 Shelvocke Vopf, r. World ^
Expressions full of contempt of the Commission, making it
appear as a thing of hardly any validity or consequence.
1768 Phil. Trans. LVIII. 222 No arguments brought in
favour of absorption by the common veins appear to me of
equal validity with those that can be urged against it. 1803
Wellington in Gurw. Desp, (1835) II. 138 note. The
assurance contained in his letter.. was of equal validity as
if given by the most Noble the Governor General.
b. In general use.
^ 1588 Fraunce Lawier's Log. i. i. 5 Artificial Logike then
is the polyshing of natural wit, as discovering the validitie
of everie reason. X609 C. Butler Fern. A/on. (1634) 60 In
this point the Philosopher, .seemeth toquestion the validity
of his own arguments. x6S5 Fuller Ch. Hist. 111. 80 Some-
thing must be premised about the validity of this writing,
learned men much differing therein. X689 G. Harvey
Curing Dis. bpf Expect, i. i If Antiquity be capable of con-
ferring Validity, the Art of Expectation.. may be termed
equally valuable. X7x6 Pope Lett. (1736) VI. 3 You are
doubtless persuaded of the validity of that famous verse
"Tis Expectation makes a Blessing dear', X703 Smeaton
Edystone L. § 188 To examine the validity of the notion
entertained by workmen, respecting Tarras Mortar. 1804
Wellington in Gurw. Desp. (1835) III. 552, 1 do not exactly
understand the validity of this objection. 1857 Buckle
Civiliz. I. vii. 418 Statesmen .. who denied the validity
of general principles in politics, a x88i Barbatt Phys.
MeternpiriciiBZ^) 185 That does not alter the validity of
the conclusion to be ultimately arrived at.
f 3. The quality or state of being physically strong
or sound ; robustness, strength, Obs,
1578 Banister Hist. Man i. 26 The shoulder blades,,
putting forth a strong ridge.. not a little to the augmenting
of their validitie. i6oi R. Johnson Kingd. «J Commw,
(1603) 148 Some men maintain great disputation, whether
fortre<;ses builte of stone, cbalke or earth be of greatest
validitie. i6ao Markham Farew. Husb. 11. xvii. (1668) 8x
The grain wanting his true nourishment, grows withered
and of no validity. 1651 Wittie tr. Primrose's Pep. Err,
IV. XXV. 300 If in debility of strength the bloud be tighter,
and in validity of strength it be heavier.
transf. x6os Shaks. Hatn. in. ii. 199 Purpose is but the
slaue to Memorie, Of violent Birth, but poore validitie.
1750 Johnson Rambler No. 29 P 13 Some pious persons who
,, question the validity of their own faith, because they
shrink at the thoughts of flames and tortures.
b. Physical value or capacity, rare.
X607 Topsell Four-/. Beasts 669 That a Bore or male
swine wil not remaine of validity and good for breed past
three yeare old. x868 E. Edwards Sir W._ Ralegh I. xxv.
612 No hope remained of his validity in active service.
4. Value or worth ; efficacy.
Merging into sense 2, from which in some instances it is
hardly distinguishable.
xS93.Habvev l^ew Lett. Wks. (Grosart) I. 290 Some sur-
mounting spirites loue to arreare a huge opinion of their
excessiue validity, pro, or contra. 1593 in Maitland Club
Misc. I. 76 To give in in writt. .the estait and validitie of
the vicarage of Kuglen. x6ox Holland Pliny II. 303 The
scrapings that come of sweating in banes and hot>houses, be
counted of greater validitie in all these infirmities. 163X
Lenton Charact, B 10 b, Shee hath lately.. giuen her selfe
out a brace of hundreds more then ere his estate was worth,
besides bis debts and legacies, wheras her validity propor-
tionable can scarce absolue those. 1788 Franklin A utooiog,
Wks. 1840 1. 189 He had too high an opinion of the validity
of regular troops. X793 Smeaton Edystone L. § 195 The
most certain index of the validity of a limestone for Aquatic
Buildings. 1809 Med. Jrnl. XXI. loi The character and
history of the most celebrated quacks, the ground of their
popular fame, and the validity of their various pretences.
+ 6. //. Valid powers or capacities, Obs.
1586 Day Eng. Secretary 1. (1625) 41 \yhose spirits caried
with greater efficacie of aspiring eternitle then those whose
duller conceits are adapted to more terrene and grosse
validities. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. Ixii. §13 Nature as
much as is possible incHneth vnto validities and preserua-
tions. 1607 J. Nobden Surv, Dial. 11. 67 You may indeede
call these things secrets, because their validities are not
suddainly apprehended or found.
Va'lidleSS, a. or adv, rare-^. [f. Valid a.]
Without strength or force ; powerless(ly).
1866 J. B. Rose tr. Ovid's Met. 346 The shield and helm
were cloven by the steel, Vet on the body validless it fell.
Validly (vae'lidli), adv. [f. as prec. + -ly 2,]
In a valid manner; with legal validity.
1637, Gillespie Eng.-Pop. Cerent, m. viii. 173 One simple
Presbyter, .can not validly give Ordination. x68x Baxter
Answ. Dodweli iv. 45 May a man be validly a Bishop,.,
that believeth not that there is a God ? 1767 Chauncv Lett,
(1768)32 They may be validly commissioned to propagate
the Gospel. 1791 Boswell Johnson I. 137 A Highland
gentleman.. once consulted me if he could not validly pur-
chase the chieftainship of his family from the chief. X863
H. Cox Instit, I. V. 25 The Court of Exchequer decided
that impositions on exports and imports might be validly
made by proclamation, X883 Weekly Notes 17 Nov. 170/a
He held that the Rule Committee were validly constituted
and their power validly exercised.
Comb. 1848 Soames Latin Church i. 16 note. Nor does the
tale itself necessarily imply transubstantiation.. whenever a
validly-ordained consecrator intended it.
Va'liduess. rare. [-NESS.] Validity,
VALIDOUS.
i7»7 Bailey (vol. II), Vaiidness, Ability, Power; also
Authentickness, &c. x88a Arnold in igih Cent. No. 69.
718 Lucidity is the perception of the want of truth and vaiid-
ness in notions long current.
t Va'lidouSy a. Obs. [f. L. valid-us Valid a.
+ -ous.] Valid, in various senses.
1603 Harsnet Pop. Impost. 98 Because the Consequence
is so Validous wee will looke a little into these holy fire-
works. Ibid. loo This ranke savor was so Validous and
strong that it seated through the glasse. i6iz Speed Hist.
Gt. Brit. IX. viii. §37. 553 The other [side urged} against
Norwich, that no second election could be validous, vnlesse
the former were first annulled. 1635 R. N. tr. CavtderCs Eliz.
Introd,, In the first Parliament which Queene Mary held.,
the marriage . . was judged to be . . validous and available.
Valienoie, obs. form of Valiancy.
Valient, obs. form of Valiant.
t Va'lienton. Obs,~^ [a. Sp. vaUnion, f.
valiente valiant.] A bully, braggart.
1681 RvcAUT tr. Gracian's CHttck 185 The Couragious,
and Valientons of the World, after some few bravadoes and
blustering words, . . submitted . . to the loss of Liberty.
Valinch(er, veliiiche(r : see quots. and
Valentia.
1843 E. Moor Suffolk IVds. s.v. Valentia^,. \ have met
with the word in print, spelled Vaiinch. 1847 Wehster,
Valinch, a tube for drawing liquors from a cask by the
bung-hole. x868 Loftus' Catal. Hydrometers^ etc. 6
Velinchers for samphng casks. 1875 Knight Diet. Meek,
2553 7"A/*y^/w^^,..asampling-tube; avelinche. X899A''. i^Q-
4 Feb. 97/1 The nearest approach to a Mong' measure is
the valincher, or valinch, used in sampling * from the bting'.
Valise (vaUs, valrz). Forms: 7 vallies,
valice, 8 valize, valaise, 9 *SV-. wal-, walliBe,
vallise, 7- valise, [a. F. vaiise (1568), ad. It.
valigia (Sp. balijd)y corresponding to med.L. vaii-
sia (1407), vaiixia, valesia (1398), of doubtful
origin.
Id Sandys Trfweis {\6i^) 115 the form valeisa is used.]
1. A travelling case or portmanteau, now usually
made of leather and of a size suitable for carrying
by hand, formerly also for strapping to the saddle
of a horse. Now chiefly C/.S.
1633 B. JossoN Tale o/Tub 11. i, I promise To keep my
master's privities seald up In the vallies of my trust, lock'd
close for ever. 1644 D. Hume Hist. Douglas 95 The
Country people.. sometimes robbed them of their horses,
sometimes of their valises and luggage. 1660 F. Brooke tr.
Le Blanc's Trav. 317 Poor Alari Tost above two thousand
franks which he had in his Valice, i7I3C'tess Winch elsea
Misc. Poems 130 Bringing their Noddles, and Valizes pack'd
With Mysteries, from Shops and Taylors wreck'd. 1785
A rab, Nts. Entert. 576 Having brought a valaise along with
him, he put as much gold into it as his horse could carry.
"797, Jeffrrson WV//, (1859) IV. 156 Your impatience to
receive your valise and its key was natural. 1815 Scott
Guy i\f. xxii, He drew the girths of bis saddle, adjusted the
walise, and put on the bridle. 1839 Dickf.ns Nickleby xiii.
He packed up a few clothes in a small leathern valise. 1884
E. Yates Rec. 4- Exp. I. 46 The letters being enclosed in
leather valises, which were strapped behind the post-boys.
b. MiL A cylindrical cloth or leather case
adapted for carrying the kit or outfit of a soldier,
esp, of a cavalryman or artilleryman.
1833 Re^. ff Instr. Cavalry i. 83 The valise being, .lightly
BtuScd with hay. 1851 Ord.^ ff Regul. R. E. xxvii. 124 The
Boxes of the Non-Commissioned Officers, and the Valisesof
the Men, to be placed under the foot of the Bedstead. 1877
Field Exerc. Infantry 410 The Officer Commanding a
piqtiet win decide if patrols are to wear Valises or not.
2. attrib, in valise dce^ equipment^ -lock, saddle^
strap t etc
185s BuRM Miiit. Did. if, s.v.. Valise or bagg&ge-straps.
1875 Knight Diet. Meek. 2688/1 Valise-lock, a small trunk-
lock. Ibid., A valise-saddle is placed on each oflf-horse of
an artillery-carriage. 1898 Allbutt's Sysi. Med, V. 853 The
modern valise equipment is less injurious to the young
soldier than the ola knapsack. 1898 Daily News 12 Dec.
9/2 The greatcoat straps will be passed downwards, through
the valise dees.
Valk, obs. Sc. form of Wake v.^ Walk v,
Valkin, -yne, obs. Sc. forms of Waken v,
Va'lkyr, abbreviated form of Valkyrie,
s8^x Cablyle Heroes L (1904) 31 Of the Valkyrs and the
Hall of Odin. Ibid.^ The Valkyrs are Choosers of the Slain.
Valkyrian, a. rare — ^ [f. next.] Of or
concerning the valkyries.
1847 Tennvson Princ, iv. 121 Ourself have often tried
Valkyrian hymns,
Valkyrie (vae-lkiri, vxlki'ri). Forms : a. 8-9
valkyria (//. -iur, 9 -iae), ^, 8-9 valkerie (9
-kery), 9- valkyrie. [a. ON, valkyrja (pi.
-kyrjur)^ f. val^r those slain in battle -^-kyrja
chooser, f. kur- (:— >6«2-), ablaut stem of kjSsa to
choose. Cf. OE, wm/cyrie (-^^, 'ige), 'kyrie Wal-
KTRIE.] In Scandinavian mythology, one or other
of the twelve war-maidens supposed to hover over
battlefields and to conduct the fallen warriors to
Valhalla.
o, 1768 Gray Fatal Sisters Note, The Valkyriur were
female Divinities, Servants of Odin (or Woden) in the Gothic
mythology. 1778 Mrs. Grant of Laccan Lett. Mount,
(1807) II. \x. ^5 The prophetic Valkyria may once more say
[etc.]. 1806 W. Herbert Set. Icef. Poetry i. 119 Two of
the Valkyrix or virgins of slaughter, a x8« Mrs. Hemans
Sword 0/ the Tomb Poems (1875) 339 Ihe £ar*renown'd
Whom the bright Valkyriur's warning voice Had call'd to
the banquet where gods rejoice.
^. X770 Percy tr. Mallet's Northern AtUiq. I. 102 There
Vol. X.
25
are other virgins in Valhall; .. they are called Valkeries.
Ibid. II. 99 These Goddesses are called Valkyries. 1784
Jerningham Rise Scand. Poetry Advt. p. iii, The Valkeries
are a female troop whom Odin sends to the field of
battle upon invisible steeds. i8oi M. G. Lewis Tales 0/
Wonder, Sword of A r^gantyr xxxiii, Tis the Valkyries who
sing, While they spin thy vital thread, a 1843 Southev
Death o/Odin, No virgin goddess him shall call ; . . No Val.
kery for him prepare The smiling mead. i88i Do Chaillu
Land of Midnight Sun 1 1. 420 Are you Scandinavian valky-
ries who travel through the air ?
t ValL Ois.-^ [ad. L. va/l-is.'] A valley.
1611 Chapman /Had iv. 479 As from hils, raine waters
headlong fall, That all waies eate huge Ruts, which, met, in
one bed, fill a vail With such a confluence of streames.
Vail, southern dial. var. Fall v. ; obs. Sc. f.
Wall si., Waw si., Well si.
Vallal, southern dial. var. Fal-lal si.
tValla'llcy. Ois.-^ [prob. the surname Fa/-
lancej/.'] Used aitrii. to designate a form of wig.
1674 Dryden Epii. ojxningtfe^ House 8 Criticks in plume
and white valiancy Wig, Who lolling on our foremost
Benches sit.
Vallax (vse-laj), a. Roman Antiq. [ad. L.
valldr-is, f. vall-um or vall-us rampart. Cf. It.
vallare, Sp. valar, F. vallaire.l Ol a crown or
garland: Bestowed as a distinction on the first
soldier to mount the enemy's rampart. (Cf.
Moral a.i i b.)
154* Udaix Erasm. Apoph. 255 Augustus used to geve
golden trappour muche sooner . . then garlandes, vallares,
and muralles. 1600 H0LI.AND Ptiny II. 115 The Vallare
and Murall Chaplets bestowed upon brave knights and
valiant souldiers, who. .mounted the wals in the assault of
a citie. a i66o Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archjeol. Soc.) II.
62 To whom shall be given now the ciuicke, murall, vallare,
and naualls garlands, that the Romaines were wont to
graunte theire respectiue conquerours? 1706 Phillips (ed.
Kersey) s.v., Vallar Crown. 1725 [see Garland sb. 3 c].
f i8ad Berry Encycl. Her. i. Gloss.
So Va'llary a. Also f VallaTlal a. Ois.
s6S8 Holme Armoury iv. iv. (Roxb.) 294/2 He beareth for
his crest, a Greyhounds head sable, out of a crowne Vallar-
iall. Or. 1777 PoRNV Heraldry (ed. 3) 207 The Vallary or
Castrense-Crown was of gold, formed like a circle with Pales
or Pallisadoes on the top of it. 1863 Burke Viciss. Families
Ser. HL 143 His famous attack on the. .Earl of Desmond, at
Kilmailock, where be won bis gold spurs, and bis vallary
crown.
Vallate (voe-l/t), a. rare~^. lad.L.va//dl-us,
pa. pple. of vallare to circumvallate.] Having a
raised outer edge.
1878 Ann. Nat. Hist. 5th Ser. II. 37 In its compressed
vallate character, proliferous growth, and marginal aper.
tures, it is identical with many of the siliceous sponges.
Va'llated, a. ran—^. [f. as prec. +-ED.]
Surrounded by or as by a wall.
1888 Science XII.^ 305 The favorite but not vallated
domain of literature is aesthetics in its true meaning.
Valla 'tion. rare. [ad. late L. vallatio, f. L.
vallare (see Vallate a.), f. vallum rampart.] A
ridge, wall, or bank of earth thrown up as a defence
or protection ; an earthwork or fortification of this
nature.
1664 EvKLYM Sylva 112 Two hedges, with their Vallations
and Trenches, will be requisite in all the Round j viz. one
next to the Enclosure, the other about the thicket, to fence
it from Cattle. 1781 Warton Hist. Kiddington 70 The
vallation . . called Dyke-Hills, consisting of two ridges or
borders with an intermediate trench,, .is not Roman. 1799
R. Warner Walk (1800) 12 He may. .please his fancy with
discriminating between the vallations of the Celtic abori-
genes, and the huge mounds of their Saxon invaders.
t Va'llatory, a. Ois.—^ [f. L. vall-um ram-
part.] Used or adapted for measuring a wall, etc.
a i68s Sir T. Browne Misc. Tractsi. (1683) 82 With such
differences of Reeds, Vallatory, Sagittary, Scriptory, and
others they might be furnished in Juda:a.
Valle, southern ME. variant of Falli".
II Vallecula (vsele-kitfla). PI. -lilsB. [Late L.
vallecula, var. of L- vallicula, dim. of vallis, vallis
Valley si. Cf. F. valUcule.'\
1. Anat. A furrow, fissure, or fossa; spec. =
Valley si. 6.
1859 Todd's Cycl. Anat. V. 883 Valley, or vallecula, of
Haller. 1875 Encycl. Brit. I. 871/2 This lobe forms a well-
defined inferior vermiform process, which lies at the bottom
of a deep fossa or vallecula. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. IV.
782 The spaces between these fglosso-epiglottic] folds are
named the valleculx.
2- Bot. A groove or channel ; a sulcus or stria.
1856 Henslow Bot. Terms 211 Vallecula, a depressed
space (interstice) between the primary ' Ridges * on the fruit
of Umbelliferse.
Hence Talle'onlar a.
1875 Bennett & Dyer Sachs's Bot. yj(t The vallecular
canals, which correspond to the furrows, arise in the funda-
mental tissue by separation.
t Vallentie. Ois.-^ [app. ad. med.L. valenlia
Valenxy.] Power, might.
1475 Bk. Noblesse (i860) 7 (There are] v. causes principalle
[for making war]: three of them bene of righle: and the
other tweyne of valiente.
Valler, obs. Sc. form of Waller.
t Va'Uet. Ois.-^ [Irreg. dimin. of Valley si.
Cf. Vall.] A small valley.
a 1647 Habincton Surv. Wore. (Worcs. Hist. Soc.) I. in.
450 In the myddest of thys vallet onalittell hylL.standetbe
the Churche with the Manner bouse.
VALLEY.
Vallew, obs, form of Value.
Valley (vse*li), sb, Fonns : a. 4-5 valeie (4
ualeie), 4-6 valei (5 Sc. walei, wale, vale), 4
valee;4-5 valeye (4ualeye), 4-7 valey (4waley);
4 valleie, 4, 6 Sc.y valle, 6 vallei, 6- valley; Sc,
and north. 4 valaye, 4-6 valay, 5 wala, wallay,
6 vallay. ^. 7 vally, vallie, pi. 6- vallies. [a,
OF. vaiee (AF. pi. valeys\ vallee (mod.F, valUe\
early OF, vallede, = Prov. vallada. It. vailaia, f.
L. vallis ^ valles', see Vale sb."]
1. A long depression or hollow lying between hills
or stretches of high ground and usually having a
river or stream flowing along its bottom.
In ordinary use a z'alley is distinguished from a vale by
having less width and a steeper slope on either side.
a. i»97 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 1277 po he com nei kaunterburi
In a valeie biside He sei t>e emperours ost, 13 . . Guy IVar^v,
3876 Smerteliche he dede him in J?e ways, Ouer Jjc dounes &
|)e valeys. c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 4796 For hiltes and
valeis sal turned be In-til playn, and made even to se, 1375
Barbour Bruce vn. 4 In-iill J^e wod soyn enterit he, And
held doun toward a vale, Quhar throu J>e vod a vattir ran,
£'1450 Merlin xiiL 195 He shewde hym the valey be the
wode side. 1490 Caxton Eneydos xv. 56 The reyne russh-
ynge doun from the mountaynes descended in to the valeyes.
1S3S CovERDALEZ,K^<r iii. 5 Euery valley shalbe fylled, and
euery mountayne & hyll shalbe brought lowe. 1577 Googe
tr. Heresback's Husb. 45 Choose suche a valley, where the
water can neither lye long, nor runne away to fast. i6ii
Shaks. Wint. T. v. 1. 206 We are not (Sir) nor are we like to
be : The Starres (I see) will kisse the Valleyes first. 1697
Dampier Voy. I. ii. 18 Our new Guide.. crost another
River, and enler'd into a large Valley of the fattest Land
I did ever take notice of. 1773 Cook \st V^oy. i. xvi. in
HawkesTv. Voy. II. 172 To trace our river up the valley
from whence it issues, and examine how far it's banks were
inhabited. 1794 Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho iii, As they
advanced, the valley opened. 1815 Elphinstone Ace. Caubul
(184a) I. 49 We marched up the valley, which became
narrower as we advanced. \Z^% Raymond Statist, Mines
<5- Mining 247 They cannot be of large extent, as the valleys
are all narrow, and without bottoms on either side.
p. 1596 Mascall Cattle 253 Goats ; their keeper ought for
to be..bolde, for to go with them through vallies. 16*5
N. Carpenter Geogr. Del. 11. x. 169 Plants, and Vegetalls
for the most part prosper best in the vallies and pTaines,
i663S.pATRiCK/*«rrt3./'//^gT3wxxxvi. (1687)461 Believe not
me but your self. . that these Vallies are watered from above.
i7a6 Leoni Alberti's Archit. I. 65/1 Hills. .with. .littU
Vallies between.., and very difficult of access thro' the
narrow passes of the Vallies. 1777 W. Dalrymple Trav,
Sp. ^ Port, ii, The verdant banks of the river, with the
Indian corn in the vallies. 18J7 J. F. Cooper Prairie i. I,
18 In the little vallies, which, .occurred at every mile of their
progress. 1849 James IVoodman iii^ A faint, blueish mist
prevented the eye from penetrating into the deeper vallies.
b. Const, tf/^ (the distinctive name of the valley).
c 1*90 S. Eng. Leg. I. 5/148 Ase he in be ualeye of Ebron
leouede with teone and wo. 13. . K. Alis. 7027 And in Jw
valey of Jurdan, pey founden eddren mony on. CX380
Wyclif Set. IVks. II. 405 Whether t>at Crist snal come into
be valey of Josaphath or [etc. J. 1535 Coverdale Ps. lix. 6,
I wil deuyde Sichem, & mete out the valley of Suchoth,
x6ii Bible Ps. Ixxxiv. 6 Who passing through the valley of
Baca, make it a well. 1667 Milton P, L, i. 40^ The pleasant
Vally of Hinnom. X7«6 Gordon///* Sept. 55 That eminent
Ground, which bounds the Valley of Kilsyth to the South-
ward. 1833 Lyell Princ, Geol. III. 30^ The valley of
Kingsclere, ..in Berkshire, is about five miles long and two
in breadth.
O, Without article.
c X470 Henry Wallace iv, 684 Thai maid To rype the
wood, bath wala, slonk, and slaid. 1667 Milton A L. ix.
116 Sweet interchange Of Hill and Vallie, Rivers, Woods
and Plaines. 1784 Cowper Task i. 322 A spacious map Of
hili and valley interpos'd between. 1859 Tennyson Marr.
Geraint 247 Out of town and valley came a noise. 1865
H. H. Dixon Field ^ Fern 233 Wood and valley backed up
by a Cheviot bill compose a pleasant landscape,
d. The extensive stretch of flattish country
drained or watered by one or other of the larger
river-systems of the world.
c 1790 Encycl, Brit. (ed. 3) VI. 393/2 In those early ages
..a certain people descended from the mountains near the
cataracts into the valley overflowed by the Nile. 1843
Penny Cycl. XXV. 472/1 Dividing the valley of the
Euphrates from the rivers which flow into the Black Sea.
1876 Eneyel.Brit. IV. 223/2 Surface 'drift' deposits.. occur
. . in the valley of the Amazon westward to . . Peru*
e. Geol, (See quot. 1839.)
i8« Lyell Princ, Geol. III. 305 Dr. Buckland on Valleys
of Elevation. 1839 G. Roberts Dict.^ GeoL.,^ Valleys of
elevation^ those which seem to have originated in a fracture
of the strata, and a movement of the fractured part upwards.
2. In figurative uses.
Valley 0/ the shadow {of death) ; see Shadow sb, i b.
138a Wvclip Isaiah xxii. i The charge of the valey of
viseoun. x^ix~a Hocclevb De Reg. Princ. 4444 The swete
venym of his tonge gydeth His lord vnto J>e valeie of dirk-
nesse. 1436 Lvdg. De Guit, Pilgr. 17447, 1 was engendryd
fjTst in heUe;..in that Valey Infernal 1 was begete, 1781
CowpER Conversat, 636 Youth has a sprightliness and fire
toboast, That in the valley of decline are lost. i8aj Shelley
Triumph Life 397 If . .Thou comest from the realm without
a name Into this valley of perpetual dream. 185X Robert-
son Serm. Ser. 11. i. (1864) 18 You must be content with the
quiet valleys of existence. 1881 J. Parker Apostolic Life
I. 78 Thou knowest how much we are in the valley, and
how often we pass through dark places.
b. Valley of tears : see Vale sb^ 3 b, ^ ^
[x38a Wyclif Ps. Ixxxiii. 6 In the valei of teris, in the
place that he sette.] a 1400 Prymer (1891) 51 To the we
syjen gronynge and wepynge in this ualeye of teeres, irx45o
tr, De Imitatione in. xxiii. 92 In |>is valey of teres Jjero
VALLEY.
26
VALOBOUS.
comefy many euell J>ingcs. 1894 J- H. S, (tUleX The Valley
of Tears... The Consolations of God.
3. transf. A depression or hollow suggestive of
a valley ; esp, a trough between sea-waves.
z6ii Shaks. iVint. T, 11. iii. 100 His Fore-head, nay, the
Valley, The pretty dimples of his Chin, and Cheeke. 1691
Ray CreattOK 11. (1704) 298 The Eyes are sunk in a Con-
venient Valley. 1845 Gosse Oaan iv. (1849) 164 The little
Petrel flits hither and thither, now treading the brow of the
watery hill, now sweeping through the valley. 1888 Steven-
son Blmck A rntw 1 76 The Good Hope swooped dizzily down
into the valley of the rollers.
4u techn. The depressed angle formed by the
meeting (at the bottom) of two sloping sides of
a composite roof, or by the slope of a roof and a
wall ; a gutter.
1690 Leybourn Curs. Math. 901 The Bricklayer sometimes
will require to have running measure for Hyps and Valleys.
1703 (R. Neve] City <5- C. Purchaser 162 Of measuring
Valties, or Gutters in Tiling. 178a P^i^- Trans. LXXU.
360 In like manner the two conductors from the chimnies A
and C united in the valley of the roof between them. 1833
LoUDOM EncycL ArchiU § 83 To steady and support the
lower edges of slates finishing against yallies. 1866 FiTz-
PATRICK Sham Squire 113 Murphy hurried Lord Edward to
the roof of the warehouse, and with some difficulty per-
suaded him to lie in the valley. 1899 Baring-Gould Book
of West II. xil 175 Here also are some quaint old slated
houses; the valleys are not leaded.
b. A tile used in roofing a valley.
1833 Loudon EncycL ArchiL § 296 The ridge pieces, hips,
and valleys, to be seven inches by one and a half inches.
t 5. Fr,HisU = Plain j^.i 6. (Cf. Mountain 6.)
170a Pre/. Expl. New Terms in A nn. Reg.^ p. xii, The
Vafi^> 1 he lower seats ; and these in the middle of the
ball of the Assembly.
6. Anai. (See quots. and cf. Vallecula i.)
184a EncycL Brit. (ed. 7) II. 807/3 A large hollow between
the hemispheres [of the cerebellum].. is the small valley
(roi//^«/a)ofHalley. c iZ^% Tod^s CycL Anat. III.688/2
A deep fissure which proceeds . . backwards along the median
line. .IS called the valley.
7. attrib. and Comb, in sense i (freq. denoting
* situated in a valley *), as valhy-botiom^ -cottage^
-fountain^ -gate, -glacier, -glade, etc. ; valley-like
adj., -ward adv.
1905 A. R. Wallace My Life II. 153 The little *valley-
bottoms were complete flower gardens. 1859 Meredith
Poet. Wks. (1912) 92 For me yon * valley-cottage beckons
warm, f 1600 Shaks. Sonn. cliii, In a could *vallie-foun-
taine. 1535 Coverdalb 2 Ckron. xxvi. 9 Osias buylded
towres. . vpon the cornerporte, and on the *vaUey gate. 1874
Geikie6^/. /ci'.t^^f?' (1894) 512 The *valley-glaciers becoming
confluent in their lower reaches. 1820 Keats Ode Nightin-
gale viii. Now 'tis buried deep In the next *val ley-glades.
1878 HuXLKV Physiogr. 28 Along the banks of the Thames
and its tributary streams there is a bed of * valley-gravel.
1894 Geol. Mag. Oct. 466 The amphitheatre form of terraced
land is always a *valley head. 1871 B. Taylor Faust in.
(1875) II. 184 The *valley-hills That in the rear of Sparta
northwards rise aloft. 1852 Thoreau Lett. (1865) 66 The
vast *valley-like *spore * .. of some celestial beast. 1859
CoRNWALLis iVlfw IVorld I. 172 A soUtary moorland with
valley-like undulations. 1894 Geol. Mag. Oct. 466 The
outflow of the stream— the *valley-niaker — marks ordinarily
the base of the amphitheatre. 1655 Moufet & Bennet
Health's Improv, (1746) 86 Contrariwise the *VaIley People
..are ever heavy spirited, dull, and sickly, 1B69 Tozer
Highl. Turkey I, 363 The four great *valley- plains . . divided
by lateral spurs. 1876 T. Hardy Etheiberta (iSgo) 243 A thin
young man. .who arrived at the castle by the *valley-road
from KnoUsea. c 1550 Rolland Cri. Venus i. 30, I walkit
furth on be ane *valay syde. 1872 Ingraham Pillar of Fire
578 Moses and the Israelites pursued their way up the cliflfs
of the valley-sides. 1841 Av, C. Bryant Walk at Sunset
Wks. 44 Oh, let me, by the crystal *valley-stream, Wander.
1871 Palcrave Lyr. Poems 80 Joining then the *vaUey-
streamlet 1894 Book News Mar. 274 Dark belts of wood-
land, with *valleyward the white gleam of the Froom.
1883 Science I. 326/1 These lakes are perhaps formed by a
local depression of the *valley-way.
b. Valley-lily, the lily of the valley.
1507 Gerarde Herbal 11. Ixxxvii. 332 The flowers of the
Valley LilHe. 1766 M. Bruce Lochleven Wks. (1914) 206
Her breast was fairer than the vernal bloom Of valley-lily.
x8i8 Keats Endymion \. 156 Wild thyme, and valley-lilies
whiter still Than Leda's love, a 1850 Beddoes Poems^ Lily
of the i^alley 201 The birthday-hours Of the valley-lily.
c. Valley of death tree^ the Upas-tree,
x888 in CasselVs Encycl. Diet.
8. attrib. in sense 4, as valley-board, -gutter,
-piecey -rafter.
1823 P. Nicholson Pract. Builder 230 The valley-rafters
of a roof. 1833 Loudon Encycl. Arckit. § 852 Proper valley
boards are to be put for the lead valleys. Ibid. § 1350 A
valley-gutter between two roofs. 1843 Gwilt Encycl. Arch.
1049 The rafter which supports the valley is called the
vcUley rafter or valley piece, and the board fixed upon it
for the leaden gutter to rest upon is called the valley board.
Hence Va-Ueyfol, the fill of a valley; Va'lleyite,
an inhabitant of a valley ; VaUeyletf a small
valley.
1866 G. Greenwood Rain ^ Rivers 188 Its infinite rami-
fication of stream and valley, streamlet and valleylet. 1890
Longman's Mag.}y\y -x^x A whole valleyful of appropriate
plants. 1893 Outing XXII. 136/1 While I roamed about
the burying-place oithe valleyites.
Va'lley, v. rare. [f. the sb.]
1. intr. To form a hojlow or hollows resembling
a valley.
a 155a Leland Itin. (1769) V. 51 A Peace of this Roke is
fallen, and valleith \v.r. valleyethl after a strange fa<icion.
1879 Meredith Egoist I. xviii.^23 In the billowy white of
the dress ballooning and valleying softly.
f 2. trans. To adjoin as a valley. Obs."^
163s J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Banish' d Virg. 36 In a deep
bottome that vallied a steeper precipice.
3. To make valleys in, to furrow.
(ri8as Beddoes Poems, Midnight Hymn iii The slaves
of Egypt.. Vallied the unaccustomed sea.
Va'Ueyed, ///. a. Also vallied. [f. Valley
sb.'\ Situated in a valley.
X844 Catholic Weekly Instructor ^1 He left the sunny Italy
..,and from his vallied home, wandered [etc.].
Vallidom. north, dial, [Irreg. f. vally Value
i-^.] The value or vi^orth of a thing.
X790 Grose Prov. Gloss.^ Vallidom, the value of. i8a8- in
north, dial, glossaries (Yks.,Durh., Cumbld., Lanes., Line).
1887 A. E. Barr Border Sheplierdess iv. 57 He knew the
vallidom of everything he possessed to a halfpenny.
fValUe. Obs.-"- [f. L. vall-um Vallum.]
Rampart, wall,
x6o2 Warner Alb. Eng. Epit. (1612) 356 Seuerus his forced
vallie, with other strong and huge laliors and fabrications.
Valliscau'lian, sb, and a. [See def.]
a. sb. pi. An order of ascetic monks, forming a
branch of the Benedictines, founded at Val des
Choux {Vallis Caulium) in 1193. b. adj. Of or
belonging to the Valliscaulians or their order.
188a Athenaeum 8 Apr. 442/1 Three priories of the Vallis-
caulian Order were founded in the remoter districts of
Scotland during the reign of Alexander II. 1888 Rankin
Handbk. Ch. Scotl. (ed. 4) 125 The Rented or endowed reli-
gious, ..subdivided into Benedictines, Cistercians, Carthu-
sians, Vallis- Caulians, and Trinitarians,
Vallon, obs. form of Walloon.
Vallonia, var. Valonia.
Vallor, -ow, obs. forms of Voller dial.
Vallota (vsel^u'ta). Bot. [mod.L., f, the name
of the French botanist An toine Vallot {iz^^-i6'ji)J\
A genus of amaryllidaceous plants, characterized
by rich scarlet flowers, and consisting of but one
species, V. purpurea, the Scarborough lily.
1837 W. Herbert Amaryllidaceae 133. 1852 G. W.
Johnston Cott. Gard. Diet. 904 A cross-seedling, .obtained
. .from Cyrtanthus obliquus, which no one could distinguish
from a Vallota of the same age. x88a Garden 25 Mar. 206/2
Vallotas may be increased by the quantities of offsets which
they produce.
Vallow, obs. form of Value.
t Vallow deer, obs. variant of Fallow-deeb.
1657 R. LiGON Barbadoes 104 Herds of Vallow Deer.
II Valluni (v3e*li?m). [L., f, vallus stake,
palisade.]
1, A wall or rampart of earth, sods, or stone,
erected as a permanent means of defence ; esp, one
of those constructed by the Romans in northern
England and central Scotland.
16x0 Holland Camden's Brit. 790 Wee gather out of
Bede, that the said Vallum or Rampier, was nothing else
but a wall of turffes. 1699 Temple Hist. Eng, 38 Agricola
began, and in some manner finished, a Wall or Vallum,
upon that narrow Space of Land. 1786 A. Gordon Itin.
Sept. 52 Thence the Vallum descends from the above-
mentioned Hill, to another Brook. 1781 Warton Hist.
Kiddington 55 The vallum or ridged bank.. crossing the
Ikenild-street within two miles of Ewelme. 1851 D. Wilson
Preh. Ann. {1863) II. 111. ii. 79 This British Vallum— a
vast rampart of earth and stone strengthened by a fosse.
1879 Lubbock Sci. Led. vi. 172 He would walk round the
ancient vallum, ..and wonder at the mechanical skill which
could have moved such ponderous masses.
2. In Roman castrametation, a palisaded bank or
mound, formed of the earth cast up from the ditch
or fosse around a camp or station.
1806 Ga^. Scot. s.v. CHchton, A circular camp or intrench-
ment, the vallutn of which is very distinct. x8x6 Scott
Antig. iv, Nothing can be more plainly traced — a proper
agger or vnllutn, with its corresponding ditch or fossa.
1833 Jas. Davidson Brit. ^ Rom. Rem. Axminster 13 It
has been said that this intrenchment had formerly a double
vallum,, .but no vestiges of the inner vallum remain, if such
an one ever existed. x88o Hodgkin Italy ^ Invaders i. i.
I. 120 The usual square form of a Roman camp strengthened
by ditch and vallum and palisade.
transf. x8i8 Lady Morgan Fl. Macartky (1819) II. v.
237 A small dunghill, which usually forms the first vallum
to the residence of an Irish peasant. 1829 Tvtler Hist.
Scot. (1864) I. 301 An inner keep or castle, surrounded by a
strong wall, beyond which was a ditch or deep fosse, ..and
beyond this again was raised an outer vallum or rampart.
Vally, dial, variant of Felloe, Value.
t Valoir. Obs.~^ In 6 valoyre. [a, F. valoir
to be of value.] Value, worth, price.
f X495 The EpUaffe, etc. in Skelton's Wks. (1843) II, 392
Gewellys of late poysyd at grete valoyre.
Valonia (vseUu^nia). Also 9 vallonia ; 8 val-
anea, 9 -onea ; 9 velonia, -ea. [ad. It. vallonia,
vallonia, whence also F. vallonSe, velonnie, "^vel-
onie (1553), ad. mod.Gr. ySaXayta, 0(\dvia, pi. of
pakdvi, ^iXavi acorn (anc. Gr, /SdXai'os).]
1. The large acorn-cups and acorns of Quercus
segilops (and the related Q. valloned), a species of
oak growing esp. in the north-eastern Mediterran-
ean regions, valued for the abundant tannin they
contain, and much used in tanning, dyeing, etc,
a. 1722 Lond. Gaz, No. 6040/6 Red Saunders, Shumack,
Sticklack, Turnsole, Valonia. Ibid. 7 Valonia the Tun
Weight, seven Pounds. 1812 J. Smyth Pract. of Customs
(1821) 266 Valonia is a dying ingredient, brought from Italy
and the Levant. It is the husks of the acorn, generally
mixed with that fruit. 1852 Morfit Tanning l^ Currying
(1853) 82 The leather made with valonia is said to be firmer
and heavier than the oak-tanned. 1889 Daily Neivs 12
Nov. 5/6 Another day, while I was collecting vallonia, I
was assaulted by four soldiers.
)3. 1775 R. Chandler Trav. Asia M. (1825) I. 27 The
species of low oak, which produces valanea, or the large
acorns used in tanning. Ibid. 124 The Valanea, or large
acorns, ..are exported, chiefly to Italy. 1867 Simmonds
Diet. Trade s.v.. In 1862, there were imported 29,720 tons
of valonea. 1898 Zangwill Dreamers Ghetto iv. 116 Hard-
headed Sephardim were busy.. shipping freights of figs or
valonea.
y. C1835 Encycl. Metrop. (1845) XXIII. 743 The acorns
..are extensively used by dyers by the name of Velonea.
1849 Balfour Man, Bot. § 1039. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1202/1.
b. attrib. and Comb.
1863 CataL Internal. Exhib., BriL II. No. 4628, Oak
bark and valonia tanned leather. 1903 Brighton Stand.
27 Oct. 9/3 A. .clerk in the hide and valonia business.
2. Valonia Oak, the Levantine species Quercus
segilops. Also ellipt.
z8z9 Loudon Encycl. Plants 7C»6 Velonia Oak. 1B30
LiNDLEV Nat. Syst. Bot. 98 A species known in the Levant
under the name of Velonia. 1841 Penny Cycl. XIX. 214/2
Q. ^gilpps. Great prickly-cupped Oak, or Valonia. 189a
Agnes Clerke Fam. Stud. Homer vi. 153 The tradition of
acorn-eating connected with the rustic Arcadians applied
evidently to the fruit of the valonia-oak.
II Valonidi. [ad. mod.Gr. 0a\aviSi acom-cup.
Cf. F. velanMe, avelankde.'\ V, oak, = prec. 2.
1878 GosSE Rivers Bible 266 The Valonidi oak, the
characteristic tree of this part of the country.
Valop, obs. form of Wallop sb, and v.
Valor (vEC'l^i). Also 6-7 vallor, 6 valore, 7
Sc, walor, [var. of Valouk by assimilation to, or
direct adoption of, med.L. valor^
fl. The amount in money, etc., that a thing is
worth ; = Value sb, 2. Obs.
i49fr-7 PliimptonCorr. (Camden) 127 If hir ladyship wold
send by him a token to my master, yt shall avale hir another
of XX tymes the valor. 1526 Line. Wills (1914) 1. 179 Yerely
spendyng the valore off the sayd v Roode [of land] att my
forsayd yereday. a 1577 Sir T. Smith Commw. Eng. (1609)
89 Thou hast stoln with force and armes an horse, .to such
a valor. 1676 Coles, Valor of Marriage. [See Valour 3 d.]
transf. c 1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.)xxvii. 26 Will scho
absent, Hyne sail I went, And at als littill valor set hir.
t b. In the phr, of {great, etc.) valor. Obs.
1467 Manfi. ^ Househ. Exp. (Roxb.) 174 5e have.. a lytel
stoffe of niyne for my howesold wesche [= which] is of no
grete valor. 1545 in I. S. Leadam Set. Cases Cri. Requests
(Selden Soc.) 84 What valor they were of this deponent
knoweth nott.
f o. The monetary value ^(a specified sum),
154a Test. Ebor. (Surtees) VI. 156 The yerlie valor of xl s.
a 1548 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. in. II. 65 A Prebend in York
. . of the yerly valor of xliiij. marks. 1602 Shetland Laiv Rep,
in Scotsman (1886) 29 Jan. 7/1 Gif he beis apprehendit with
the walor of an uris thift.
d, Eccl. An assessment-value set upon Church
property ; a list of these values.
1800 LvsoNS Environs London Suppi, 245 In the old
valors this rectory was rated at 70 marks. 1855 Milman
Lat. Chr. xiv. i. (1864) VI. 18 note, The Valor of pope
Nicholas was framed by those who wished.. to.. lighten
their taxation.
2. 1 8" Intrinsic worth or merit ; = Value sb, 6.
1580 Lodge Sch. Abuse B j, All your obiections you make
agaynst poetrye be of no valor. 1653 Gurnall Chr.in Arm,
(1669) 281/1 Why ! but because it hath not God to put a valor
on it.
b. Power, import, significance.
1676 Collins in Rigaud Corr, Sci. Men (1841) II. 12, I
have set down two valors of x to every equation. 1691 Ray
Coll. Words, Ace. Errors Alpk., Now I come to shew that
our alphabet is faulty as to the powers or valors attributed
to some letters. 1808 Jebb C(?rr. {1834) I- 4^9 If I may make
an English word to express the valor of the Greek word.
3. Courage, bravery ; = Valodr i c. Now chiefly
U,S,
1586 HoBY Pol. Disc. Truth xl. 36 They haue so often
beene subdued by the valor of the French. 1605 ist Part
yeronimo in. i, Our courages are new borne, our vallors
bred. 1674 tr. Schemer's Lapland Pref., Where so much
passive valor is necessary we may dispense with the want
of active. 1757 W. Wilkie Epigoniad Pref. p. xli. Besides,
I must have transferred, to Sthenelus, the valor, firmness,
and address of Ulysses. 178a Highmore Ramble Coast
Stissex {1873) 19 In the days of chivalry, when the soul of
valor animated every thought. 1828 Webster, Worthy,.,
a man of valor. 1874 Bancroft Footpr. Time i, The period
of rude and restless valor among the Greeks.
Valoriza'tion. U.S, [See prec. and -ization.]
The act or fact of fixing the value or price of some
commercial commodity.
1907 Amer, Polit. Sei. Rev. Feb. 249 {Cent. Diet. Suppl.),
The financing of the valorization scheme is provided for by
the issuing of bonds by the three coffee producing States,
guaranteed by the general government.
Valorous (vse-br^s), a. Forms : a. 5 vailler-
ous, 6 Sc. valereus, 7 valorous, vallarous, j8.
5- valorous, 7 Sc. val'rows, 8 vaTrous. 7, 6-9
valourous. [ad, OF. (also mod.F.) valeureux,
f, valeur Valour, or med.L. valorosus valiant,
valuable, f. valor Valor. Cf. It. valoroso, Sp.
and Pg. valeroso."]
1. Of persons : Endowed with valour; valiant,
courageous ; brave, bold.
o. c 1477CAXTON yason 12 She seeing that he was. .ayong
gentilman..hauyng a chiere of a vaiUerous man receyued
VALOROUSLY.
him into her wages as souldyour. i6€X» Hamilton in Cath.
Tract. (S.T.S.) 221 Al the noble successeurs of this Godlie
and valereus king. 1680 Debates in Part. (1681) 174 A King
on their side, endowed with a vallarous Spirit.
Comb. 1642-4 Vicars God in Mount (1844) 56 This piously
valerous-hearted Gentleman.
0. 1577-87 HoLiNSHKD Chron. III. 22/1 In which voiage
his valorous hart at all assaies..was most manifestlie per-
ceiued. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. /K, 11. iv. 236 Thou art as
valorotis as Hector of Troy. 1627 Lisander ff Cal. i. i
Henry, the valorous Father of our invincible Monarch,
1717 Swift On cutting down the thorn at Market
Hill Wks. 1755 IV. I. 88 Sir Archibald, that val'rous
knight. 1807 G. Chalmers Ca/^^/i^ma I. iii. vii. 418 William
invaded Scotland, .with design, perhaps, to chastise, rather
than subdue, a valorous people. 1879 Sat. Rev. 13 Sept.
324 As the valorous Swiss were som« twenty in number the
position of the travellers was hopeless.
Comb. x6oz Weever Mirr. Mart. D vii. They answered
me I was too valorous bold.
■y. 1600 Holland Lizy xxiv. xlvi. 541 Certaine Tribunes
and marshals, valourous and doubtie good men. 1647 F.
Bland Souldiers March 39 A token of a mJnde truly noble
and valourous. 1807 0. Chalmers Caledonia I. it. ii. 244
The Valourous Arthur of history, or the redoubtable Arthur
of romance. 1841 James BHgand xxxiii, 1 am about.. to
give you as a bride to this valourous prince.
2. Of actions, etc. : Marked or characterized by
valour, courage, or bravery.
1^90 Caxton Eneydos Prol. 10 This present booke, . . in
whiche may alle valyaunt prynces and other nobles see
many valorous fayttes of armes. 1590 Spenser F, Q. ii. x.
18 (She) gathering force, and courage valorous, EnCountred
him in battell well ordaind. z6ia North's Plutarch^ Epa-
minondas 1125 Not able any longer to defend themselues
against the valorous force of himselfe and his followers^
<zx66o Contemp. Hist. IreL (Ir. Archieol. Soc.) I. 174 The
enemie.. rather wonderinge at his valerous charge, then any
way able to oppose it. 18x3 Wellington in Gurw. Desp.
(1838) X. 532 note. The whole universe will acknowledge
those valorous efforts. X869 Tozer Highl. Turkey II. 209
Two tall peaks.., far famed for valorous deeds .. of the
Suliotes.
1 3. Having value, worth, or merit ; valuable.
XS02 G. Harvev Four Lett. iii. ig The Hexameter verse
..whereof neither Homer in Greeke, nor Virgill in Latine,
(how valorous Autors !). .were ashamed. X609 J. Davfes
(Heref.) Humours Hempen \\. Ixxxvi, Be their value ne'r so
valorous Its held but base and made by nature sleight.
Hence Va*loroTisne8s. rare^^,
xj*7 Bailey, l^alorousmss,\aM&ntnesSt Stoutness, Bravery.
ValorOUSly (vae*Ur^sli), adv. [f. prec. + -LT 2. ]
Bravely, valiantly.
1599 Shaks. Hen. K, iil ii. 125 He pay't as vatorously as
I may, that sal I suerly do. c 1614 Sir W. Mure Dido ^
ySueas 1. 549 The Trojans val'rowsly resist their force.
1675 tr. Camden's Hist.Eliz. n. 339 Which they valorously
and stoutly performed, wounding James himself. 1760-7*
H. Brooke Foolo/Qual. u8og) 1 1. 21 [He] pushed valour.
ously forward. 1834 Psingle Afr. Sk. viii. 287 Supposing
it to be a crocodile, they valorotisly determined to shoot it.
i88s MactH. Mag. XLVI. 251 ITje order was valorously
obeyed.
Valou, obs. So. form of Wallow v.
Valour (va bj). Forms : 4- valour (5-6 Sc,
wa-), 5 valowT, 5-6 valoure (5 Sc. wa-, 5-6
VO-), 6 vallour {^Sc, wa-), 5 vallouer, 6 valouer.
[a. OF. valour {valur\ later and mod.F. vaieur
Valeub), =- Sp. and Pi^. vahr^ It. vahre :— late
L. vaior-y valor Valor, f. valere to be strong, etc
See also Valube.]
L + a. Worth or importance due to personal
qualities or to rank. Obs.
CI330 Arth. ^ Merl. 340^ (Kulbing), Kay, ^e steward of
valour. Ibid. 4179 A damisel of gret valour Was l»o conicn
to king Arthour. <: 1350 Libeans Desc. 140 (Rilson), He
was a noble dysour, \vyth ladyes of valour, A mery man of
mouthe. c X477 Caxton Jason 28 Vc that be so moche
exellent and vertuous that alle my thoughtes ben lorned.,
to you that ar of so moche hye valour. 150s Atkynson tr.
De Imitatione iil iv. 198, 1 am very noughte, nothynge
hauynge, ne nothynge of valour. 1508 Dunbak Tua MaHit
U^emen 185 He lukis as he wald luffit be, thocht he be litill
of valour. 1586 B. Young Guazzo's Civ. Conv. iv. 179 b,
Whereby . . your valour and worthinesse maie bee deciphered,
and my insufficiencie not made vnknowne.
f b. Worth or worthiness in respect of manly
qualities or attributes. Obs.
13.. Coerde /.. 4920 Viff that he durstehymabydc, Undyr
the forest off Arsour He wolde assaye hys valour, c X375
Sc. Leg. Saints xxxi. {Eugenia) 421 Ane erle t>at wes a fare
man, quham for beute & waloure t>e emprice luffit para-
moure. a 1400-50 Alexamier 2493 How Alexander m his
armes all-way cncreses, In valour & in victori & vertucs so
noble, c X450 Merlin xxii. 405, I shall lete hem well wite
that I am not hidde, yef in me be so moche valoure. 1508
Dunbar Poems vii. a Renownit, ryall, right reuerend and
serene I*ord, hie trywmphing in wirschip and valoure.
C, The quality of mind which enables a person
to face danger with boldness or 6rmness ; courage
or bravery, esp. as shown in warfare or conflict ;
valiancy, prowess.
1581 PET-nztr. Gunzza*$ Civ. Conv. 1.(1586) 1 Ueuetenant
2eneraII...A degree .. won .. by meanes of bis owne valour
& seruice done to the king. 159a Kvd S/. Trag. i. ii. 39
Captainea stroue to haue their valours tride. X604 Jas. I
Counterbl. to Tobacco To Rdr., Our fortunate and oft
prooued valour in warres abroad. i6S4~<S6 Earl Orrery
Parihen. (1676) 54 He ow'd the Affront not to our Valours,
but to his fears. 1667 Milton P. L. xi. 686 In those dayes
Might oncly shall be admir'd, And Valourand Heroic Vertu
call'd. 17x5 Addison Freeholder No. 8, English Valour
cannot be matched when it is animated by English Beauty.
1776 GioaoM Dtd, ft Z** vi. (1783) 1. 184 Valour, and the love
27
of discipline, [became] the only qualifications for military
employments. 1822 Scott Peverii vi, Real valour consists
not in being insensible to danger, but in being prompt to
confront and disarm it. 1857 G. Lawrence Guy Liv. ix,
(She knew] that the better part of valour was advisable.
X878 MoRLEY Carlyle 191 The same principle which revealed
the valour and godliness of Puritanism.
personi/. 169a Prior Ah Ode i. Nor to melt at Beauties
Tears, nor follow Valour's Sword.
d. Used as a personal name or (with possessives)
as a quasi-title ; also, a person of courage.
1606 Shaks. Tr. ^ Cr. t. iii. 176 And at this sport Sir
Valour dies; cries, O enough Patroclus. X819 Scott
IvatUioe xl, An your valour be so dull, you will please to
learn [etc.]. X839 Lvtton Richelieu i. i, I, . . Leading young
valours, .reckless as myself, Seized on the town of Faviaux,
1855 KiNGSLEV West-w. Hot xxvi. But the stern-gallery?
How . . came your valour thither ?
e. Comb., as valour-breathings -loving, etc.
1605 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iii. Laiu 13 Rock-batt'ring
Bumbards, Valour-murdering Guns. 1598 Ibid. it. i. Furies
35 The snares of vertue,^ valour-softiiing Hyrens. X75S
Praises 0/ his 150 Warrior steeds, and valour-breathing
knights. 1848 Buckley Iliad 279 He sat in the tent of
valour-loving Eurypylus. X85X H. Melville Whale xxv.
I. 183 Immaculate manliness.. bleeds with keenest anguish
at the undraped spectacle of a valour -ruined man.
1 2. Value or worth in material or other respects ;
= Value sb, 6. a. In the phr. o/{. .) valour. Obs.
C1330 Arth. ^ Merl. 3265 (Kolbing), A launce he tok of
gret valour. Ibid. 6353 His stede he smot of gret valour.
c X400 T. Chbstre Launfal 984 Kyng Artour gan her fayre
grete, .\nd sche hym agayn, with wordes swete, That were
of greet valour, c X4a5 WvNTOUNCr<?«. Ixxiv. ipitWemyss),
In all |>at land wes nane Temple standand of valoure. CX475
Harl. Contin. Higden (Rolls) VIII. 511 That parliamenie
of kynge Ricardus was made voyde & as of noo valoure.
1526 TiNDALE Romans iii. 23 The prayse that is off valoure
before God. X56X T. Norton Calvin's Inst. \. 9 b, These
hys powers,. .0? what valoure they be, and to what end we
ought to wey them. X63X R. H. A rraignm. Whole Creature
ix. 69 Their Viands are of no valour, no valew without
these. 164a R. Carpenter .£".r/S^r/V«<:e \\. viii. 196 If we
compare his works being of infinite valour with our works.
fb. In other constructions. Obs.
X43a-5o tr. Higden (Rolls) IV. 35 Not discordenge in eny
thynge, neither in valoure of wordes, neither in ordre. xsoa
Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) u. xvii. 126 The lyfe
contemplatyf excedeth in valoure and in worthynes the lyfe
actyf. IS3S Stewart Cron. Scot. I. 559 In peice and rest
..Ane small thing growis to ane greit valour. xs6s Hard-
ing Ansiv. M. Ivelles^ Chalenge 220 Ihis is the doctiine
of the churche, touching the valour of ths Masse. 16x6
Champney Voc. Bfis. 307 For the effecluall applying of the
merite, valour, and effect thereof vnto us.
1 3, The amount (in money, etc.) or sum that a
thing is worth ; = Value sb. 2. Obs.
c X3S0 Libeaus Desc. 1039 (K.), He hai> me sent (>e valour
Of faire fi^tes four, Sel>e he ferst began, c X410 Syr Getter.
(Roxb.) 3000 Not for the valour of al this tovn Wold I lenght
thi life soo. X4S6 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S,T.S.) 13s To
restore agayne the thing or the valour. 1538 ia Marsden
Set. Pleas Crt. Adm. (Seldcn Soc) II. 67 Our goodes..io
t>e solid.. and of the monyc that shall cum of the valour of
those goodes [etc.]. 1566 Painter Pal. Pleas. (Marshj 56b,
A verye beautifull ringe of great price and estimation, which
for the valour and l>eautie he was very desirous perpetually
to leave unto his successours. 1609 Skene Reg. MaJ. 97
He sail pay to his parents, the valour of his marriage.
a x8as Forby Voc. E. Anglia, Valour, value.
fb. In the phr. 0/ {great, little ^ etc.) valour.
c x45;o Lovelich Grail xxvi. 332 This olde gentyl knyht . .
purveied him of Gold & of tresowr, and of man! a lewel
of gret valowr. X496-7 Plumplon Corr. (Camden) 123 She
hath in coyne Xn old nobles, c",. .with other goods of great
valour. 1518 Roy Rede me (Arb.) 32 Oure fyngres shyn.
inge with precyous stons Sett in golden rynges of ryche
valoure. X585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. in. xv,
09 b, A long and large girdle of silke and gold of no small
beautie and valour. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 439
[Zemes] caused bis treasure, [ilate, jewels, and other things
of great valour and light carriage to be trussed up.
t O. Const, of. ~ Value sb, 4, Obs.
'43«-5<» <r. Higden _iRo\U) IV. 267 That euery man..
scholde. .offrea peny in valoure of oure x. d. usualle. c 1440
Alph. Tales 526 He wold not gyff ]?er.for ^e valour of a
shred clowte. c 1475 Harl. Contin. Higden (Rolls) VIII.
473 Londesand rentes unto the valoure of a M lu X541 Act
33 Hen, V//I, c. X3 | 27 Plate ieweb or other goodes.. of
the valour of .xii. d. or aboue. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie)
Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 176 The quene gaif him ane chein^e
to the wallour of ane thowsand crounis. x6oo Holland Livy
xLiii. v. 1159 To send presents. .to the valour of two thou-
sand Asses over and above.
td. spec. (See quot.) Obs.—^
x6o7 CowEL Interpreter, Valour 0/ Mariage..\s a writ
that lyeth for the Lord, hauing profered covenable mariage
to the Infant, without disnaridgement, against the Infant,
comming to his yearcs, if he refuse to take the Lords offer.
And it is to recouer the value of the mariage.
4. Theamoimt, quantity, etc., ofi^o much or so
many), rare.
1614 B. JoNsoN Barth, Fair iv. vi, I tbinke wee were
best put hem in the stocks,, .for the valour of an hourc, or
such a thing, till his worship come, a xZz$ Forby Voc. E.
Auglia S.V., It might be about the valour of three hours,
two miles, four acres, etc.
Valouw^e, southern ME, var. Fallow v.l
Vals, southern ME. var. False a.
Valsalvaxif a. Med. [f. the name of the
Italian anatomist A, M. Valsalva (1666-1723).]
Associated with Valsalva's researches on the organs
of hearing ; introduced or used by Valsalva.
^ 1878 in St. George's Hosp. Rep. (1879) IX. 789 On Valsalvan
infiation, the whole .. bulges out into a whitish swelling.
VALUABLE.
1879 Ibid. 791 After some trouble, the left tympanum
becomes inflated by the Valsalvan method.
Valse (vgls), sb. Also 8 volse. [a. F. valse
( = Sp. vals, Pg. valsa. It. valzer)^ ad. G. walzer
Waltz.] A round dance in triple time, a waltz ;
the music for this. Also attrib,
X796 Times 19 Feb. in Ashton Old Times (1885) 321 The
young Ladies are particularly favourable to a German
Dance, called the Volse. x88o Grove's Diet. Mus. I. 350/1
[Chopin's] first .. cfompositions were dances: Polonaises,
Mazurkas, and Valses. X894 E. Scott Dancing 168 The
Versa, a new Valse Dance.
Valse (vgls), V. [f. prec, or ad. F. valser
(= Sp. and JPg. z/(z/fa?-).] intr. To dance the valse
or waltz; to waltz.
X870 H. Smart Race for Wife'i, I am quite willing to look
on at your valsing for another hour. 1876 The World V.
No. X14. 19 With whom Maud fancies herself in love because
he valses so divinely.
Hence Va'lser, Va'lsing vbl, sb. (also trans/.)
X870 Miss Eroughton Red as Rose L 102 The gnats are
dancing round and round..! wonder that that incessant
valsing does not make them giddy.
Valse, southern ME. var. False a. and v.
Valsen, -on, obs. southern varr, Fausen (eel).
Valshede, -liche, -nesse, southern ME. varr.
Falsehood, -lt adv., -kess. Valt(e, obs. ff.
Vault sb.^ and v.^ Valter, obs. Sc. f. Watek.
Valuable (v3e-li«iab'l), a. and sb. Also 7
valewable, 7-8 valueable. [f. Value z;. + -able.]
A. ailj. 1. Ofmaterialor monetary value J hav-
ing value for use or for exchange.
1589 Nashe PreJ. to Greene's Menaphon (Arb.) 8 Which
being the effect of an vndescerning iudgement, makes drosse
as valuable as gold. 1687 Burnet Trav. 111. (1750) 127,
I did not see the Gospel of St. Mark which is one of the
,yaluablest Things of the Treasure. X710 Prideaux Ortg.
tithes ii, 77 Which makes ' tithes * at least one fourth
part less valueable to them, than they were to the Levitical
Priesthood. 1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) IV. 53 A very
valuable cabinet where the arrangement is very judicious,
especially as to the coins and medals. X776 Trial Nundo-
coiuar 82/2 Do you know whether he kept jewels, or other
valuable effects there? xSag Mcculloch Pol. Econ. i. i. 2
A commodity or a product is not valuable because it is use-
ful ; but it is valuable because it can only be procured by
the intervention of labour. 1855 Poultry Chron. III. 430,
I have lately lost a valuable hen from a disease which is new
to me. X863 Fawcett Pol. Econ. 111. xvi. 503 Gold, during
the Middle Ages, was about sixteen times more valuable
than the same weight of silver.
+ b. Amounting to a reasonable sum ; not
merely nominal. Obs.
x^ixBury Wills (Camden) 159 Vpon trust and confidence
that they, .shall demise the same at a valewable rent, and to
the best profite.
o. Valuable consideration: see Consideration 6.
1638 Sanderson Serm. (1682) II. 97 Some smal! trifle
or other : which being of very little worth or use, and so not
to be taken for a valuable consideration, may therefore be
called nought or nothing. X698 in Sir H. Dalrymple Decis.
(1792) I A decree.. finding, that the bond was gianted for
no valuable consideration, and therefore discharging all
execution thereupon for ever. 1766 Blackstone Comm. II.
297 A valuable consideration is such as money, marriage, or
the like, which the law esteems an equivalent given for the
grant. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) II. 64 Not even an
alienation, for a valuable consideration, to a purchaser, .will
avoid it. X898 Ld. Harris in Westm. Gaz. 15 Oct. 7/1
Who will satisfy themselves that no valuable consideration
has passed between the respective county clubs to bring
about the transfer.
2. Having value or worth, of great use or service,
to a person ox for a purpose.
X647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. 1. § 182 King James.. would
often say, that his access to the Crown of England was
the more valuable to him, as it redeemed him from the
subjection to the ill manners. .of those Preachers, 1748
Anson's Voy. 11. iv. 164 These were the principal goods
on board her, but we found besides what was to us much
more valuable than the rest of the cargoe. xSsx Carlyle
Sterling ill. iv, I. .saw most of the usual wonders,— the
Pxstan Temples being to me much the most valuable. X878
Jevons Polit. Econ. 96 We may say that quinine is valuable
for curing fevers, . . or that water is valuable for putting out
fires. 1883 Law Times 20 Oct. 405/^2 Young solicitors will
find many hints valuable to them interspersed among its
contents.
b. Possessed of qualities which confer value or
bring into high estimation.
16^ Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 146 Somewhat further,
over heaps of stones of valewable portraictures, we mount
towards the most lofty part of this Pallace. X737 H. Wal-
POLK in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. I. 270, I should
be glad of purchasing a good collection of y» ancient Classicks,
and other valuable authors, 0x768 Secker Serm. (1770)
IV. xviii, 387 Vet we never.. doubt of their having a real,
though unknown, Subserviency to valuable Ends, x8ox
Med. Jrnl. V. 173 If they should accord with the spirit of
your very valuable Journal, you are at full liberty to insert
them. X855 AIacaulay Hist. Eng. xviii. IV. 248 At such a
moment the ministers could not refuse to listen to any person
who professed himself able to give them valuable informa-
tion. 1875 JowETT Plato (ed. 2) V. 81 No instnunent of
education is more valuable than arithmetic
t O. Of persons : Entitled to consideration or
distinction; estimable, Obs.
X647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. vi. § 65 [They] appear'd to
be a good Number of very valuable Men, on whose behalf
he had only Authority to conclude, X703 Hatton Corr.
(Camden) 1 1. 250 Mr. Pepys, who was a very valuable person,
..isdead,and was yesterday buryed. X7a7 Swift To Young
Lady Wks. 1755 U. ir. 49 A lady of^your acquaintance-
v<tiuuuicnci>s oi aciiuns varies a:
Valuably (vse-liK,abIi),
+ 1. a. With equivalence
VALUABLENBSS.
married to a very \-aluable person. 1730 Southall Treat.
Bitggi 3 The late Learned and truly Valuable Dr. Wood*
ward, .approv'd the Design.
+ 3. That can be valued ; capable of having the
value estimated. Ois. rare.
x6a7 Sanderson Serm. (1682) I. 363 That sin ..from which
he hath once escaped without shame, or so much as valueable
loss. 1690 Locke G<n't. i. ix. r 10 We are . . now speaking . .
of Possessions and Commodities of Life Valuable by Money.
+ 4. Capable of being compared or equated in
value with something. Obs.
1646 QuAKi-ES Juiigcm. t, Mercy Wks. (Grosart) L 86/3
Is . .a pufie of breath wee call life, valuable with his honour,
in comparison of whom the very Angels are impure ? 1651
HoBBES Gmt. t) Sx. ii. §14. 28 His Will.. hath simply
b^ore it, for its object, a certain good valuable with the
thing promised.
+ 5. Valid, sound. Ois.~^
1647 N. Ward Similt CoUer 8 He that will rather make
an tireligious quarell with other Religions then try the
Tmth ofhis own by valuable Arguments.
B. sb. An article of worth or value. Usually
in pi., valuable goods or possessions.
177s in -4sH. 1797 S. & H. Lee Cantcrb. T. \. 188 With
such valuables and papers as he deemed most likely to secure
him either impunity or revenge. x8sp Lytton Devereux
111. v^ I did not long wTcstle witn my pride before I obtained
the victory, and sent all my valuables to the hammer. 1843
R. \. WiLBERFORCE RuUUus ff I^^ctus 22 No onc but had
furnished himself with some valuable. 1878 Bosw. Smith
Carfha°;e 122 Which the crews helped by throwing over,
board their valuables.
Valaableness (vse-liwiab'lnes). [f. prec]
The character or condition of being valuable.
1683 LoRRAiN tr. Murci's Rites Fun. To Rdr. 4 Which
having said with regard to the valuableness of the Subject,
I shall only add [etc]. 1731 T. Thomas Pre/. Urry's
Ckauc£r p. 1, The valuableness of it will appear Dy the use
which has been made of it in the Glossary. X768 Tucker
Lt, Nat, L ti. xxiv. J34 There lies a nearer way for good
qualities to arrive at their valuableness. 1865 J. Grote
Moral Ideals vL (1876) 71 And then it may be that the
valuableness of actions varies as their usefulness.
li), adv. [f. as prec]
ce of value. Obs.—^
x6a9 Gaul£ Holy 'Madn. 137 A great Patrimony may be
valuably transubstantiated into the quantity of a little stone.
+ b. At a high rate or value. Obs.
X7SS Johnson, Preciously^ valuably ; to a great price.
2. With valuable or precious articles.
_ 1780 Gentl. Mag. L. 617 Danford gained intelligence at an
inn in the country of a box valuably filled. x8os Naval
Chron. XIU. 83 She is valuably laden.
3. In a valuable manner ; so as to be valuable or
highly useful.
186s Sat. Rev. s Aug. 177/2 Mr. Palgrave's sombre picture
must be treated as , . valuably qualifying, not as superseding,
such standard representations as that by Layard. 1895
Review o/Rev.\\ii. 167 If he had lived only to write that, he
would have lived valuably. 1896 Pofi. Sci. Monthly L. 285
Which perplex and exhaust the pupil without contributing
valuably to his mental discipline.
Valaate (vae-liai<it), V. [Back-formation from
next.] trans. To estimate the value of (some-
thing) ; to appraise.
18^ Loud. Soc. Feb. 140 It will be important to valuate
the influence of this extraordinary man. X893 Stevenson
& L. OsBotlRNE Wrecker 291 The actual harm I can do
I leave you to valuate for yourself.
Valnation (vseliai^i-Jsn). Also 6 valewaoion,
valuacion, -atioun, 7 valueacion, valluacon,
waluation. [a. OF. valuacion, -ation (cf. mod.F.
ivaluation EvALO ation), =Sp. valuacion, f. valtur
(Sp. valvar) Value v."]
1. The action of valuing ; the process of assessing
or fixing the value of a thing.
1539 More Sufpl. Souls Wks. 294/2 For surely it might
be that he was not ware of the newe valuacion : for he
ranne awaye before the valuacion changed. 15SX Sir J.
Williams Accompte (Abbotsf CI.) 13 Meters, ornamentes,
and other thinges received without weight or valuacion.
'S77-87 Holinshed Chron. II. 313/1 The valuation of their
goodes and substance, as well in cattell as in readie monie.
X673 Petty Pol. Anat. (1691) 61 These Valuations were
made as Parties interested could prevail upon and against
one another by their Attendance^ Friends, Eloquence, and
Vehemence. 1737 H. Walpole in ^ath Rep. Hist. MSS.
Comm. App, 1. 270, 1 . . would give more for them on a reason-
able valuation than a Bookseller would doe. 178X Gibbon
Decl. !, F.(f]ifi II. 71 The secret wealth of commerce, and
the precarious profits of art or labour, are susceptible only
of a discretionary valuation. 183^ Thirlwall Greece xlii.
V. 205 A new valuation of all private property had been
made. X858 Ld. St. Leonards Property Law vii. 42 If
they refuse to value the estate, or disagree in the valuation,
you cannot enforce the performance of the contract.
attrii. 1855 Statutes Gt. Brit, t, Irel. XXII. 514 Valua.
tion (Ireland) Act Amendment i further to amend 15 & 16
Vict. c. 63 relating to the Valuation of rateable Property.
1893 Pall MaU G. 19 Dec 2/1 The amendment of the
valuation law.
b. Estimated value ; worth or price as deter-
mined by deliberate estimation.
1631 Weever Anc. Funeral Mon. 816 The valuation of
this religious structure .. was three hundred eight pounds.
I7S7 Washington Lett. Writ 1889 L 437 There are many
Masters of Servants yet unpaid, who are very anxious to
receive their valuation. 1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opin. cxx.
(1783) ly. 119 The ear-rings were no trifles ir. point of price
. ., bearing no less a valuation than 200 guineas. 1813 G.
Chalmers Dom. Econ. Gt. Brit. 456 The fair valuation, at
which our commercial concerns might be calculated. X844
"• H. Wilson Brit. India 1. vii. I. 445 The money valua*
28
t tion of the estimated produce of the land in cultivation.
1868 Annie S. Swan Doris Cheyne vii. 122 Mr. Hardwicke
had paid the sum required for the goodwill, and had also
taken the furniture at a valuation.
t 2. Value or worth, esp. of a material nature.
1567 Trial Treas. (Percy Soc.) 6 It is not golde alwayes
that doth shine, But corrupting copper, of small valuation.
1583 Melbancke Philoiimus N j b, Diuers precious lewells
. ., whereof two or three Gemmes were of more valuation
in his accounte, then all the rest. 162a R. Preston Godly
Man's Inquisition \. 20 If any man hath lost any matter of
valuation, how diligently wilt they set themselues to Inquisi-
tions. 1655 tr. SorePs Com. Hist. Francion 11. 44 Without
receiving any considerable valuation for so precious a
Jewell. 1669 WoRUDGE Syst. Agric. (1681) 145 Which
casualties.. makes their Price and valuation so uncertain,
and proves so great a discouragement to the Countryman.
tb. Spec. Current value (of money). Obs.
1551 Robinson tr. Move's Utopiax. (1895) 88 One councell-
eth to rayse and enhaunce the valuacion of money, when
the king must paye any. 1622 Malynes Anc. Law-Merck.
4S6 By aduancing the Valuation of gold, .in England, when
Crowne gold was valued from fifiie fiue shillings the ounce
to three_ pound, 1699 Bentley Phal. 454 Here are four
Authorities then.. for the low valuation of the Sicilian
Talent. 1776 Adam Smith W. N. i. v. (1869) I, 46 No
creditor could . . be cheated in consequence of the high
valuation of silver in coin.
t o. « Value sb. 7 a. Obs."^
1636 Recorde's Gr. Artes 4,^, I may reckon them simply
without any respect of their valuation or place : saying,
3 and 3 make 5.
3. Appreciation or estimation of anything in re-
spect of excellence or merit.
15^8 Elyot, Aestimatioy a valuacion, consideracion, or
weying of a matter. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. /F, iv. i. 189 Our
valuation shall be such. That euery slight, and false-
deriued Cause, Yea, euery idle.. wanton Reason, .. Shall,
to the King, taste of this Action. 16x7 Moryson Itin. iv.
(Roxb.) 281, I obserued in England the same superstitious
neglect_ of Common Prayer, and excessive valuation of
Preaching, to haue infected some places among vs. 1650
Earl Monm. tr. Senault's Man bee. Guilty 256 The very
Theater whereupon things are acted, serves to put a valua-
tion upon them, a 1676 Hale Prim, Orig. Man, (1677) 356
The admirable Solution of many of those difficulties, .doth
five a very great valuation and esteem to the truth, .of the
criptures. 1745-6 Fielding True Patriot Wks. 1775 IX.
318, I believe it is difficult to find any two persons, who
place an equal valuation on any virtue, good or great quality
whatever. 1884 Manch. Exam. 14 May 5/5 The outside
public appear disposed to take Mr. Chaplin at his own
valuation.
Hence Talna'tioual a.
1887 Contemp. Rev. Feb. 285 They proposed a geometrical
survey, detailed and valuational.
tValuativef a, Obs.~^ [f. Value v.+
-ATiVE.] Expressive of value,
1566 Stapleton Rel, Untr. Jewelvj. 62 The Sacramentary
off Geneua will haue the verbe est is, to stand for, is in value,
not is in substance, and so {est) must not be a verbe sub-
stantiue, but a verba valuatiue.
Valuator (vse-liz^i-fitai). [f. Value v. + -atob,
after Valuation.] One who estimates the value
of things ; esp, one appointed or licensed to do so ;
an appraiser.
1731-3 Swift Consid. two Bills Wks. 1841 II. 225/1, I am
therefore at a loss what kind of valuators the bishops will
make use of. 1820 Hogg Tales ^ Sk. (1837) II. 197 The
valuator of books made toward the door as fast as his
loosened and yielding joints could carry him. 1848 Cham-
bers's Jrnl. X. 423 A small daily stipend from government as
a valuator of Books. x886 C. Scott Sheep- Fanning wi^ The
price is not always agreed upon that day; the valuators
sonietimes considering it advisable to wait for a time before
deciding.
Value (vse'liw), j(5. Forms : 4-5 valu, 4- value
(4ualue, 5 walue, valwe), 4 valuwe ; 4, *j valeu,
5 -ieu,-eue, 7 valleu ; 5-7 valewe (5-6 walew,
5 -ewe, -ywe) ; 4-5 valow(e ; 9 dial, vally. [a.
OF. value (13th c), valine (F. dial, vaillue), fem.
pa. pple. of valoir to be of worth :— L. valere, Cf.
med.L. valua (1235, from OF.), Sp, valua^ It.
valulaj]
I. 1. Thatamountof some commodity, medium
of exchange, etc., which is considered to be an
equivalent for something else ; a fair or adequate
equivalent or return.
X303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 5966 But Jtou gyve hyt
hym ageyn. Or j^e valeu.., pou art falle Jjan yn ^e vyce Of
coueytyse. X338 — Chron. (1810) 163 Amendes I wille make, '
. . pi godes i>e biken, or |>e valow verray. c 1440 Gesta Rom.
Ixv. (Harl. MS.) 288, I saide to you J?at I mygte not selle
you J>e ston, no lesse |>an I recyvid J^erfore the trewe value.
1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 254 The other two
Consuls .. were not released, till their Nations .. promised
the Basha to pay.. the value of the Ships Loadings. 17x6
Lond. Gaz, No. 5472/4 A Bill.. for Value received, for 60/.
'73s Johnson Labors Abyss., Descr. vii. 86 On Condition he
paid a certain number of Cows, or the Value. x8o6 Cumber-
land Mem. (1B07) II. 151 We hardly could be said to have
had value for our money. 18x7 W. Selwyn Law Nisi
Prius (ed. 4) II. 1286 For the recovery of the goods in
question, or the value thereof, if the plaintiff cannot have the
goods. 1868 Rogers Pol. Econ. (1876) 147 To pay at a
given date.. a specified sum of money, for which value
nas been received.
t b. A standard of estimation or exchange ; an
amount or sum reckoned in terms of this ; a thing
regarded as worth having. Obs,
, X398 Tbevisa Barth. De P. R. vi. xvii. (Bodl. MS.), Vma
IS a certeyne weijt and valewe. c 1460 Play Sacram. 290
For so lytelle a walew in conscyence to stond bownd. 1555
VALUE.
Watreman Fardle Facions 11. xi. 249 Thei game not for
money, or any valewe elles. 1655 Milton Lett. State Wks,
1851 VIII. 333 We thought it requisite to remit beforehand
two thousand Pounds of the Value of England, with all
possible speed. X754 Hanway Trav. vi. i. II. 146 They
stripped their habitation of everything that was valuable.
The Russians lost a great value [note, About one hundred
thousand pound],
fc. spec, = Valour 3d. Obs.
1607 [see Valour^ d]. at6y. Donne 5«/, HL 62 As Wards
still Take such wives as their Guardians offer, or Pay
valewes. 1660 Act 12 Chas. II, c. xxiv. § 2 Values and for-
feitures of marriage and all other charges incident to tenure
by Knights service. 1684 Manley, lvalue 0/ Marriage
[copying Cowel : see Valour 3 d].
2. The material or monetary worth of a thing ;
the amount at which it may be estimated in terms
of some medium of exchange or other standard of a
similar nature.
Sometimes, esp. in recent use, as the second element in
combs., as assay-, coin-, house; land-value.
1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 83 Extendours he sette forto
extend J?e land. ..Alle Jjei did extend to witte j^e verrey
valowe. c 1380 Wvclif JVks. (1880) 414 God. . wole not >at
men chaffere but in |?ingis whoos valu Jiei knowen. c 1407
LvDG. Reson <5- Sens. 2812, I ha no konnyng dywe To
declare the walywe So ryche of stonys and tresour. 1474
Cov. Leet Bk. 413 That ye. .certifie vs as-wel of the names
of all the seid gentilmen..as for |?e very value of their said
lyvelodes and goodes. 1552 in Feuillerat Revels Edw. VI
(1914) 117 An Estimate of the contentes and valewe of soche
parcelles and stuffe as was delyuered owte of the storehouses.
Ibid. 118 Pantacles one paier of bridges satten in valewe
iij« iiij**. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. zigb. Whan a
benefice or prebende is fallen.. what diligent inquisition is
made to knowe the yearely value. 1602 Ld. Cromwell \\,
iii. 56 The King of late hath had his treasurie rob'd. And of
the choysest iewelles that he had : The value of them was
some seauen thousand pound, a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759)
I. 53 As Metals rnixt, the rich and base Do both at equal
Values pass. 1771 Encycl. Brit. III. 255/2 Were pounds
sterling, livres, florins, piastres, &c. .. invariable in their
values. 1776 Adam Smith W. N. i. v, (1904) I. 43 In England
..the value of all goods and of all estates is generally com-
puted in silver. x8og Bawdwen Domesday Bk. 4 In the time
of King Edward the value of the city to the King was fifty-
three pounds. 1859 Tennyson Elaine 1208 To loyal hearts
the value of all gifts Must vary as the giver's. 1885 Meredith
Diana I. 116 The value of the stock I hold has doubled.
attrib. and Comb. 1854 in Tomes Amer. in yaPan 410 In
Japan, as in European countries, the standard of value-
weight, and that of currency-weight, differ. 1878 F. A.
Walker Money xiii. 263 The bi-metallic theory proposes to
harness two metals of somewhat diverse tendencies value-
wards.
fb. Valuation, appraisement, Ohs."^^
c X488 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 68 It was sene by our
tenants, & set to a valow what should be our charge to
do, & that shall he have.
C. In phrases. Under value, below the proper
value, + To good value, al a small value j at a low or
small price.
X638 Featly Transubst. 9 The fifth was nominated to a
pooreVicaridge under vallew. 1699 Bentley /'/wi/. 387
How is his Edition so scarce, that.. may be purchas'd at a
small value? ^1700 Evelyn Diary 14 July 1683, He..
shew'd me some very rare and curious bookes, and some
MSS. which he had purchas'd to good value.
3. Of value, valuable. Of , . value , possessed of
(a specified) material or monetary worth.
c X340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 9199 To precyouse stanes of
vertow. And to sylver and gold and thing of valow. c 1400
Maundev. (Roxb.) xxvi. 124 Oile of olyfe of grete valu.
c 1400 Pilg. Sowle (Caxton, 1483) iv. ix. 62 The prys of myn
Appel is of suche valewe that it passeth the estymacion of
ony creature. 1436 Libel Eng. Policy in Pol. Poems (Rolls)
II. 162 Hit is of lytelle valeue, . .Wyth Englysshe wollebut
if it menged be. 1485 Caxton Paris ^ K (1868) 33 Not al
onely these Iewelles whyche been of lytel valewe. a 1548
Hall Chron., Edw. IV (1550) 35 When he knewe the two
Erles to be a praye of suche a greate value, he determined
not to deliuer theim, 1556 Olde Antichrist 198 b. So noble
a garment, of more value than al y» treasures of golde. x6oo
PoRY tr. Leo's Africa in. 133 Their shops are full of fine
earthen vessels, which are of much greater value then the
things contained in them. 1628-9 Digby Voy. Medit.
(Camden) 22 Shee [a boat] had litle of value in her. 1634
Sir T. Herbert Traz'. ig Gold and Siluer is of no value
amongst them. X709 T. Robinson Nat. Hist. IVestmld. <V
Cu>nbld, vii. 37 Lead and Coal,., being of a disagreeable
Nature, the one makes the other of little Value. 1771 Encycl.
Brit. III. 260/2 The old [guineas] must be of less value still.
1861 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 45 A tower, with a fireproof
chamber for the muniments and jewels of especial value.
4. The equivalent (in material worth) of a speci-
fied sum or amount.
136a Langl. P, pi. A. xr. 34 Wolde neuer kyng ne knifat . .
5euen hem to heore geres-giue J>e value of a grote ! c 1386
Chaucer Frankl. T. 845 He .. broghte gold vn-to this
Philosopbre The value of fyue hundred pound I gesse
x4xa-3o Lydg. Chron. Troyu. 124 We trewfy may aduerten
..pat 'for the valu of a ^ing of nou^t, Mortal causes and
werris first bygonne. c X450 Merlin vii. 120 Of all the
barneys that thei hade brought thider, thei hadde not with
hem the valew of iji*. a 1533 Lo. Berners Huon xliiL 145
Thou shalt not lese the valew of one peny. Ibid. Ixviii. 234
They left not in y^ abbey the valew of a floren. X613
PuRCHAS Pilgrimage (1614) 652 A Bason, wherein each puts
the value of twelue pence in Gold. 1771 Encycl. Brit. III.
260/2 If. .the new guineas are below the value of a pound
sterling in silver. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 322/2 A gold coin
of the assayed value of 5A i8j. Zd. 1887 IVhitaker's Aim.
183 Bronze coinage.. to the value of;£57,563.
b. In contemptuous comparisons. Now rare,
c X380 Sir Ferumb. 124 Ne doutet? he kyng ne Emperour
)>e value of a ryssche. Ibid, 5441 pat i'e Amerel ne drede]>
VALUE.
29
VALUE,
hym no^t . . jtg value of a kerse. c 1386 Chaucer Shipman's
T. 171 He is noght worth at al In no degree the value of a
flye. c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 17506, I 3eue right not of alle
\\\& tene, Not the value of a bene. cx4as Wyntoun Crt;;*.
VI. xviii. 2170, I cowntyt noucht )« xo^xc twa Wicis be
walew of a stra. 1798 Wordsw. P. Bell 239 But not the
value of a hair Was heart or head the belter.
c. The extent or amount of a specified standard
or measure of length, quantity, etc. Now only dial,
itioo SuRFLET Countrit Famte 111. vi. 433 They must be
sharpened like a stake for the value of the length of halfe a
foote. 173X P. Miller Card, Diet, s.v. Sap^ Flowing out
very plentifully, .to the Value of several Gallons in a few
Days. 1764 Museum Rust. II. i. 10 Give each of them the
value of three large table spoonfuls of the mixture for a
dose. 179X Mrs. Radcliffe Rom, Forest (1820) 1. 67, I
jogged on, near the value of a leaguA, I warrant, and then
I came to a track. 1794 — Myst. Udolpho lii. They stood
in the same posture for the value of a minute. 1818
WiLBRAHAM Ckesk. Gloss. S.V., When you come to the value
of five feet deep. 1S54 Miss Baker Northampt. Gloss. 374
There was only the vally of a bushel of apples in all the
orchard. Ibid. , Dig down to the vally of seven or eight feet.
II. t5. Worth or worthiness (of persons) in
respect of rank or personal qualities. 'Ods.
c IJ30 R. Bkvssk CArort. Jf'at* (Rolls) 491 1 Alleofvalow,
moste & leste, Suld com to London to his feste. 1338 —
Chron. (1810) 100 f>erfor be duke himdight, as man ofgrete
value. C1386 Chaucer ParsotCs T. F398 Insolent is he l>at
dispisith in his lugement alle o^r folk as to regard of his
vaheu. c 1400 Bntt 248 Eueryche of ham hade ful riche
5iftes, euery man as he was of value and of State, c 14*5
WvsTOUN Cron. iL viii. 721 pai ^at duelt that ile wi> in
War sottis wylde of na walew. 1483 Caxton Caio Aiiij,
Thou oughtest to gyue place to hym that is gretter and
more of valewe than thou arte. 1590 Greene Mourn.
Garm. Wlcs. (Grosart) IX. 154 Some were Caualiers, and
men of great value, a 1639 Wotton in Relig. (1651) 484 A
young Widow of value : Who lately dying.. left order by
Will that her body should be buried in her dwelling Pariso.
t b. Worth or efficacy in combat or warfare ;
manliness, valour. Obs,
1590 Spenser F. Q, m. vi, 29 Who.. his sword forth drew,
And him with equal! value counteruayld. X59X Harington
OrL Fur. xxxiv. xii, Alceste by his value brought My father
and his friends to such distress. x6x4 Lodge Seneca 7 The
Emperour. .giveth a chaine of gold to some one souldier of
hb that approved his valew in some difficult enterprise.
6. The relative status of a thing, or the estimate
in which it is held, according to its real or supposed
worth, usefulness, or importance.
£1380 Wyclif i'^/. IV^ks. I. 195 Oure bilcve techij? as J?at
God kepij? Hngis after her valu, for if ony )»ing be bctere,
God makijf it to be betert c X385 Chaucer L. G. ly. 602
Cleapatra, Loue hadde brought this man in swich a rage..
That al the world he sette at no value. 1470-85 Malory
A ri Aur II. u.j8 Your bounte. .may no manpreyse half to the
valewe. 1584 B. R. tr. Herodotus 1. 68 These words with
Cyrus came in at one eare and went out at the other, lighter
in value then the wynd in waight. 1(^1 Hobbes Leviath,
I. X. 42 [Let men] rate themselves at the highest Value they
can ; yet their true Value is no more than it is esteemed by
others. X779 Mirror No. 5. 33 It unfortunately happen*:,
that we are very inadequate judges of the value of our own
discourse. iSaS Duppa Trav. Italvy etc. 21 These land-
scapes have no value but as being the earliest attempts to
represent scenes from nature. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit,
India I. 217 Attaching to its commerce and alliance more
value than belonged to either. X884 J. Gilmour Mongolt
xvii. 205 Buddhism . . tells him that each prayer repeated has
a certain value in cleansing away sin.
attrib. X899 Garvie Ritschlinn Thiol. 176 The theoretical
judgments cannot give an intelligible unity to the worta>
whole, but the value-judgments can.
b. In the phr. o/{,.) value, (Cf. 3.)
1375 Barbour Brttce i. 372 Quhar it fail^eys, na wertu
May be off price, na oflf valu. 1396-7 in Eng. Hist, Rev,
(1907) XXII. 209 pe correlari is be preyere of ualue spring-
and out of parfyth charite. 1423 Yonge tr. Secreia Secret,
171 That appartenyth to a feynte herte to lowe myche a
thynge of lytill walue. 1555 EoEN Decades (Arb.) 133 Vf
this opinion bee of anye value. 1849 James IVoodmeut \\\j
There may be news of value indeed. X855 Brewster Life
0/ Newton II. xviii. 166 Obser\-ations of such value, that
without them they could not proceed in their researches.
c. To set a . . value on or upon^ to estimate at
a specified rate.
xeji Hobbes Leviath. n. xviii. 92 Considering what values
men are naturally apt to set upon themselves. 1693 Locke
Ediic, 563 But the Backwardness Parents shew in divulg-
ing their Faults, will make them set a greater Value on their
Credit themselves, a 1763 W. King Pol. if Lit, Amcd.
(1819) 101 My Lord Hardwick..who is said to be worth
800,000/. sets the same value on half a crown now as be did
when he was only worth one hundred. X78a Burke Corr.
(1844) III. 7 You set too much value on the few and slight
services, that I have been able to perform. lZ^^CoM^T. Diges*
tioH 260 No one who sets any value on the lives of his horses
or dogs ever allows it to be disregarded. x868 J. H. Blunt
Re/. Ck. Eng. I, 64 Wolsey set much value upon the study
of Greek. 1890 Comhill Ma^. Oct. 365, I must see what
value the kahr sets on his services.
t d. Estimate or opinion of^ likingy^/-, a person
or thing. Obs,
(a) X65J LovEDAY tr. Calprenedc's Cassandra in. 232 Thus
parted those two great men, preserving in their soules such
a value of one another as you may easily imagine. 1677 in
Clevelancts Poems Ep. Ded., Such competent Judges,.. in
whose ju5t value of bun Cleveland shall live. .the pattern
of succeeding Ages.
ib) x686 tr, Chardin*s Trav. Persia 204 He has a very
great Value for her by reason of her great Estate. 1709
Steele Taller "So, j-i F5 Nay, child, do not be troubled
that I take Notice ofit 1 my Value for you made me speak it.
X749 Fielding Tom Jones xiv. v. 1 must esteem one for
whom I know M*^. Allwortby batli so much value. 1773
Life N. Froiude 182 In a few days she conceived a Value
for me, which she expressed in the warmest Terms, 1794
Mathias Purs. Lit. (1798) 434 Men of learning have always
had a proper value for the Greek language.
fe. ellipt. Esteem, regard. Obs.—^
1700 Drvden Fables Anc. 4- Mod. Ded., I am not vain
enough to boast that I have deserv'd the value of so
Illustrious a Line.
7. a. Math, The precise number or amount
represented by a figure, quantity, etc.
iS4a Recorde Or, Artes (1575) 43 Euery Figure hathe
two values ; One . . which it hath of his Forme, and y° other
. .whiche he taketh of his Place, a 1680 Butler Remaitis
(1759) IL 80 A huffing Courtier is a Cypher, that has no
Value himself, but from the Place he stands in. 17x5 tr.
Gregorys Astron. (1726) 1. 477 The Resolution whereof will
give the Value of the Root. 1737 Genii. Mag. VII. 134/2
That he can get a Value of z/ to substitute in the first Equa-
tion, to bring out the Value of z tiue. 1833 H. J. Brooke
Inlrod. Crystallogr, 255 As the value of p increases, the
planes b incline more and more on the primary planes. 1867
J, Hogg Microsc. i. i. 2 The values of these angles. .prove
that the glass of the ancients differed very little from that
manufactured in our ownJimes. 1881 Nature No. 618. 417
So boron in the crystalline salt.. has a higher atomic value
than in its fluoride.
b. AIus. The relative length or duration of a
tone signified by a note.
x66a Playford Skill Mus. \, vii. (1674) 25 The Semibreve
..is called the Master-Note. All the other Notes.. are
measured or Proportioned to its value. 1738 Chambers
Cycl. s.v. Measure^ The Measure is regulated according to
the different Quality or Value of the Notes in the Piece.
1840 Pentipf Cycl. XVI. 333/2 The valuej or length in time,
of the Semibreve may be considered as unity.^ 1869 Ouseley
Counterp, xix. 157 It is not allowed, in making the answer,
to change the value of the notes of the subject.
0. Of cards, chessmen, or the like: Relative rank
or importance according to the conventions of the
game ; the amount at which each (or each set) is
reckoned in counting the score.
1670 Cotton Gamester (1680) 76 The value of the_ Cards
[in CribbageJ is thus : Any fifteen upon the Cards is two.
Ibid. 87 The rest of the Cards are best according to their
value in pips. 174J Hovle IVhist 27 Suppose you have.,
four other Cards of no Value. 1850 Bohn^s Hand-Bk. Games
(1S67) 152 If in cutting there be two lowest cards of a like
value, the holders cut again for the deal. 1874 H. Gibbs
Ombre ( 1 878) 5 * French R uff,' * Five-cards ' and other games
in which the cards have the same value or nearly the same
value as in Ombre.
d. Painting, Due or proper effect or impor-
tance ; relative tone of colour in each distinct
section of a picture ; a patch characterized by a
particular tone.
1778 Sir J. Revnolds Disc. viii. (1876) 453 A certain
quantity of cold colours is necessary to give value and lustre
to the warm colours. xS^a Mrs. H. Ward David Grieve
IL 312 Working [at a pamting] now in the forest, now at
home, the lights and values had suffered. 1896 Daily News
10 Feb. 3/4 The new French stamp.. is printed in two im-
pressions full and mezzo-tint, white spaces furnishing a third
value.
attrib. i^oz Academy 12 Apr. 392/t Replace it in the
picture, it is still a vase, but quite without value relation to
the other parts of the picture.
Value (v3e*li«), V, Forms: 5-6 valow, 6-7
valewe, 7 vallew; 7 Sc. walow, wallow; 6-7
vallue, 6- value, [f. the sb. Cf, Sp. valuar^ It.
valutare,'\
1, 1. trans. To estimate or appraise as being
worth a specified sum or amotmt. Const, a/, 'f to,
or with inf.
i4Ba Caxton Trtvisas Higden viii. i, They hadde as
moche good and Jewellys, as was valewyd to fyve bonderde
thousand motons of Gotde. X535 Coverdale Lev. xxvii. 16
It shalbe valued at fiflye Sycles of syluer. 1548 Elyot s.v.
AestimOfHc valewed it at iii. pence. x6a7 ReP. ParisJtesScotl.
(Bann. CI.) 2 We wallow it to be worth sex boHis off wictuall.
Ibid. 3 Quilkis we walow at sex bollis. 163a Lithgow Trav.
VIII- 355 Their Rings. .were valued to a hundred Chickens
of Malta. 1686 tr. Chardtn's Trav. Persia 339, I valued it
at Ten Pounds. 1731^ R. Seymour Compl. Gamester i. 27
(In the game of Codillel a Fish is generally valued at Ten
Counters, 1760-71 H. Brooke Foot 0/ Qual. (1809) I. 151
The appraisers . . valued the same to four pounds. 1835
Tomlius' Law Diet. (ed. 4) s.v. Insurance, After stating that
the goods should be valued at so much.
t b. To equate in value -witA something. Obs,
1560 Bible (Geneva) Job xxviii. i6 Wisdome. .shal not be
valued with the wedge of golde of Ophir, nor with the
precious onix. Ibid. 19.
2. To estimate the value of (goods, property,
etc.) ; to appraise in respect of value,
1509-10 -4c/ I //«•«. y///, c. 20 § I Merchaundisez..to be
valued after that ihey coste at the firate byeng or achate.
15J3 FiTZHERB. BA, Survey, j b, To value what the grasse of
tlie gardens.. be worth by the ycrc. 1535 Coverdale Lev,
xxvii. 12 Y" prcst shal value it, whether it be good or bad,
& it shal stonde at the prestes valuynge. 16^ J. Davies
tr, Olearins'' Voy. Ambass, 19 The Presents had not yet
been valu'd, among which was the Cabinet.., which could
not be valu'd but by them. 1755 Magens Insurances I. 197
For Labour and Wood, .which has not been valued, but put
at least at 25 Rixdollars. X780 Burke CEcon. Reform. Wks.
III. 272, I propose to have those rights of the crown valued
as manerial rights are valued on an mclosure. 187a Morley
Voltaire{\%W) 206 Voltaire got bis bill back, and the jewels
were to be duly valued.
edssol. X667 Milton P. L. viii, 571 Weigh with her thy
self; Then value.
t b. To rate for purposes of taxation. Obs.—^
iSf^ TxiADAL& Luke ii. 1 All the woorlde shulde be valued.
o. With immaterial object. \ Also absol, with of,
1593 Greene Upst. Courtier Wks. (Grosart) XL 228 The
country swaines cannot value of my worth. 1643 Heming
& CoNDELL Ded. Shaks. Folio^ When we valew the places
your H. H. sustaine, we cannot but know their dignity
greater, then to descend to the reading of these trifles. 1670
Halk Contempt. 1. 513 The Lord, who can best try, And
value what is best, did pass it by.
3. To estimate or regard as having a certain value
or worth : t a. With various constructions. Obs,
1589 Warner Alb. Eng. vr. xxix. 129 And all their Styles
together Are lesser valewed than to Hue beloued of my
Tuder. 1599 Shaks. ^/Kc/i^(/f» in. i. 53 And her wit Values
it selfe so highly, that to her All matter else seemes weake.
? 1634 Earl Stirling Anacrisis P 2, I value Language as a
Conduit. . : I compare a Poem to a Garden. _ 1661 Glanvill
Van. Dogm. xxiv. Apol. Philos. 247 The Swine may see the
Pearl, which yet he values but with the ordinary muck.
az66^ Jer. Taylor Serm.{,\tT^ 124 He must by it regulate
his life, and value it above secular regards. 1736 Leoni
AlbertVs Archit. I. 26/1 In India the Cypress is valu'd
almost equal with the Spice Trees.
+ b. With complementary predicate. Obs.
'593 Shaks, 3 Hen. VI, v, iii. 14 The Queene is valued
thiriie thousand strong. 1619 in Eng. ^ Germ. (Camden)
107 His Master is here valued to be but a silly Jesuited
soule. 1638 R. Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. II) 138 He
valewes himself to be worthy of an informer, and of com-
missioners. X737 Franklin Ess, Wks. 1840 II. 286 Caligula
valued himself a notable dancer.
C, Const. (2^ or f ^(a specified amount). Also
without prep. Usually in negative clauses.
X614 Raleigh Hist. World iv. i. § i To value at little the
power of the Macedonians. 1667 Dryden Sir Martin
Mar-all \. i, I will not value any man's fortune at a rush,
except he have wit. 1751 Lavington Enikus. Meth, ^^
Papists itr. (1754) 42 They don't value Ignatius of a Hair.
"754 Richardson Corr. (1804) III. 218 If I am angry, you
can't help it (as much as to say you value it not a farthing).
1848 J. Grant Aide-de-C. xxiv, He would not value bis
ducats.. a rush. 1891 R. N. Bain tr. Jdkai's Pretty Michal
iv. (1897) 50 He cares not a fig for muskets, and does not
value bis life at a boot-lace.
II. 4. To consider of worth or importance ; to
rate high; to esteem ; to set store by.
1549 J- Cheke in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 8 Your sight is
ful of gai things abrode, which I desire not, as things suffi*
cientli known and valewd. x5oa Greene Upst. Courtier
Wks. (Grosart) XL 227,'Though I am disdained of a few
ouerweeningfooles, I am valued as well as thy selfe with the
wise. x6oo Shaks. A. Y. L. 1. iii. 73, 1 was too yon^ that
time to value her, But now I know her. 1656 in Vemey
Mem. (1907) 1 1. 50, I hope., that you will pries that which
is most to be valewd, which is virtue. 1703 De Foe in xstk
Rep. Hist, MSS.Comm. App. IV. 62,! value theesteem of one
wise man above abundance of blessings. 1771 Junius* Lett.
liv. (1778) 293 Perhaps the example might have taught him
not to value bis own understanding so highly. x8a8 Scott
F. M, Perth xii. Stir not your tongue, . .as you value having
an entire tooth in your bead. x8^ Lincard Anglo-Sax,
Ch. (1858) II. 195 Instead of despising, he will approve and
value their exertions. x88o L. SrEfHEN Pope iv. 94 He
valued money, as a man values it who has been poor.
t b. To commend or praise {po another) ; to
vaunt. Obs,
1670 R. Montagu in Buccleuck MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.)
I. 473 That your Lordship may value it to their Ministers
in England, if ^ou find them complaining. X67S I6id. 513,
I have not omitted to value to them the business of the
Banquiers. a 1700 Evelyn Diar^ 23 Apr. 1646, In this
room stands the glorious inscription of Cavaliero Galeazzo
Arconati, valueing his gift to the librarie of severail draw-
ings by Da Vinci.
f6. With negatives : To take account of ; to heed
or regard ; to be concerned about ; to care. Obs.
Freq. c 1630-1730 with various constructions.
XS9X Greene Maidens Dr. xix. But like to Scauola, for
countries good. He did not value for to spend his blood.
1634 Sir T. Herbert Travels 10 The foolish quality of
which Bird [the booby] b to sit still, not valuing danger.
166 X in Extr. St, Papers Friends S^r. ir, (1911) 125 My
opinion is thay will not vallew their Oath. 1722 De Foe
Plague (1754) 84 People infected.. valued not who they
injur'd, 17*6 Shelvocke Voy. round IVorld itjsy) 423 You
are in a condition of not valuing whether the coasts are
alarm'd or not. 1765 Earl Haddington Forest Trees 19
They do not value what soil they are set in.
6. re^, a. To pride or plume (oneself) on or t4pon
a thing, "t* Also to a person,
1667 Pepvs Diary 27 Alay, He.. values himself upon
having of things do well under his hand. 1699 Bentley
Phal. 332 Mr. B. was not ashamed to write it, nay to value
himself upon *t. ax7i5 Burnet 0%vn Time (1766) I. 20
Pierpont valued himself to me upon this service he did his
country. 1748 Anson's Voy, iii.x. ^13 The calm and
patient turn of the Chinese, on which^ tney so much value
themselves. 1838 Lytton Alice 11. ii, A sensible and fre«
quent . . speaker, . . valuing himself on not being a party man.
1855 Motley Dutch Rep. 11. v. (1866) 224 Moreover.., the
learned Doctor valued himself upon his logic
b. To think highly of (oneself)^*?/' something.
1687 T. Brown Saints in Uproar Wks. 1730 I. 75 What
sort of an animal was the dragon, which thou valuest thyself
so much for slaying ? 17*5 Portland Papers (Hist. MSS.
Comm.) VI. n8 They value themselves nere for making
very fine kid gloves for ladies. 1743 J, Morris Serm. ii.53
Those extraordinary gifts, for which the Corinthians so
highly valued themselves. 1837 J* H* Newman Par. Serm,
I. xvii. 251 Everyone is in danger of valuing himself for
what he does.*
+ 7. To give greater value to ; to raise the esti-
mation of, Obs, rare.
X614 Raleigh Hist. fVorldv, iii. § z; 431 Hanno. .and his
Partisans, being neither able to taxe the vertue of their
enemies, .. nor to pcrforme the like sexuices vnto tha
Common<weale, had nothing left, whereby to value them-
VALUED.
sdnes, exc^ing the general! reprehension of Warre. a 1635
Naunton Fragm. Reg. (Arb.) 16 U valued her the more,.,
and it took wst with the people. 1673 Templk United
Prmf, Wks. 1720 I. 54 The same Qualities and Dispositions
do not value a private Man and a State.
TTT ■(■ 8. To equal in value ; to be equivalent
to. Obs,
1561 T. HoBY tr. Casiigiione's Courfyer i. (1577) G j, Seem-
ing unto them no golde nor situer was inough to value them.
x^ MiDDLETOM Game at Cfuss 111. i, This goodness Whose
worth no transitory piece can value, a 164a Rowley BiriU
M*rUn IV. ii. What articles or what conditions Can you
expect to value half j-our wrong ?
t b. esp. To have the value of (so much money).
isn Hamme« Anc. EccL Hist. (1663) la In the Greek he
wnteth <^xM«i valuins «x half pence a piece, the hun-
dredth part of an Attick pound. i6xx Bible Mark xii. 15
A penny \marg\ Valewing of our money seuen pence halfe
penic. 1634 Sir T, Herbert Trav. 41 An English shilling
values twenlie two Pice. X658 Phillips, JuliOy a kind of
Italian coin, . .valuing about six pence.
fc. To be worth (nothing, more, etc), Obs.
X544 tr. LitiletoH*s Tenures 57 The parte of that one
valueth much more than the part of the other. x6oa
Marston Antonio's Rev. iv. i. Whose reeling censure, if
I \'alew not, It valewes naught. x6x^ Shaks. Hen. Vllly 11.
iii. 52 What wer't worth to know 'Ihe secret of your con-
ference? AnncJ^oK. your demand; it values not your
asking. x63a Lithgow Trav. ni. 113 Gold.. values more in
purest prise. Then drossc. 1799 Southev Lett. (1856) I. 69
The ' Maid of the Inn ' you selected for censure, and in my
own mind it values little.
Hence Va'Iuing vbU sb.
IS3S [see Value v. 2I. xgCg Cooper Thesaurus^ Aesttma-
tio^ the pris>^g or valuing of a thing. 1593 Q* Eliz.
Boeth. \. pr. iv. 12 The valuing of most, regardes more
fiwtunes event, than causes merit. x63X Stationers* Reg.
16 Nov. (Arb.) IV. 23 A Booke for the true valewing of anie
commoditie.
Valued (vse'li»d),///. a. [f. prec]
fl. In which value is indicated. Obs."^
1605 Shaks. Macb, iii. L 94 The valued file Distinguishes
the swift, the slow, the subtle.
b. Valued policy (see quot. 1848).
X76X in Burrow Laiv Rep. II. 1171 A valued Policy is not
to be considered as a Wager Policy. X7<S6 Ibid. IV. 69.
XS48 Arnould Marine Insur. 1. v. (1866) I. 318 A valued
policy is one in which the agreed value of the subject in-
sured, .is expressed on the face of the policy. X903 Daily
Chron: 25 Sept. 6/7 I^t. .the private individual demand a
* valued * policy, and the monopoly of the big companies
collapses.
2. Estimated, appraised ; to which a definite
value has been assigned,
X607 MiDDLETON Fam. Love x, ii. 58 Art or nature never
yet could set A valued price to her unvalued worth. 16x3
Tapp Paihw. K'lowledge 258 Now out of 252 H. the valued
price of 12 peeces of Linnen cloth ready money, substract
^6li.{etc.) i'js^li\^'Do\5M.i. Inst. Laws Scot. \\. 333 There
is no mention in the brieve or service of the Valued rent,
X798 in Hist. Moray (1882) I. i. 172 The valued rent is £zso-
3. Highly esteemed or appreciated.
1665 Glanvill De/ence l^an. Dogm. 79 Laertius sayes
in his [book that] the Epicureans, .were the only value^I
Secu of Philosophers. X7a5 Pope Odyssey xv. 129 This
silver bowl, ..this valued gift be thine. X746 Francis tr.
Horace^ Epist. i. xviii. 138 You.. boldly guard the injur'd
Fame Of a well-known, and valued Friend. X803 Visct,
Strangfobd Poems of Camoens (1810) 107 Within my
bosom's cell I bear A recent wound— a valued woe. X841
D'IsRAELi Amen. Lit. (1867) 160 The exposition of a politi-
cal transaction is never without some valued results. 1856
Kjm% Arct. Expl. II. xxvii. 272^ Ibave omitted that which
was its most valued characteristic. It abounded in life.
Valueless (vse'liwles), a, [f. Value j^.]
1. Destitute of value ; having no value.
1595 Shaks. John iti. i. loi You haue beguiPd me with a
counterfeit Resembling Maiesty, which being touch 'd and
tride, Proues valuelesse. 1684 Foxe's A. Sf M. III. 102/1
The Sentence.. might not be found faulty and valueless
[earlier edd, valureless]. 178a Miss BuRNEvCtfri7/« vii.vi,
One single obstacle has power to render them valueless.
iBi^-^>a^' Leg. Montrose vi, Take them, therefore — they
are to me valueless trinkets. X848 Thackeray Van. Fair
Ixvii, It was found that all his property . . was represented by
valueless shares in different bubble companies. X87X Free-
man Hist. Ess. Ser. i. ix. 262 Like all chronicles of the kind,
it is valueless alike for prophecy and for early history.
2. Priceless, invaluable. rar£~^.
x8jo Sheh-EV Pronutk. Unb, iv. 281 Infinite mines of
adamant and gold, Valueless stonesi and unimagined gems.
Hence Va'lnelessness.
1838 Lond. <J- IVestm. Rev. XXIX. 58 The valuelessness
of all prior statistics of crime. x88x Bruce Chief End
Revelation iv. 189 The Spinozan doctrine as to the value-
lessness of miracles for the purpose of revealing God.
Valuer (v2e'li«|3i). [f. Value v^ a. One
who estimates or assesses values ; a valuator, b.
One who values, or sets a value upon something ;
an appreciator.
x6ix CoTGR,, Appreciateur^ a praiser, rater, valuer,
X638 R. Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. II) 66 To say
nothing more hardly of you, you are too unjust a valuer of
your selfe. _x66o tr. A myraldits' Treat, cone. Relig. 11. viii.
366 What miserable valuers were they of its dignity. 1730
Bailey (fol). Appraiser^ a Valuer of Goods. X854 Act 17 ^
18 Vict, c 229 g 29 To appoint a valuer to value the same.
1888 Brvce Avier. Cemmw. I. 493 The varying scales on
which valuers proceed. 1893 The Voice (N. Y.) 31 Aug.,
A chairmaker . . might bring a chair, and receive from the
valuer., notes for as many hours' value [etc.].
t Valure, sb. Obs. Also 5 valur, wallure, 6
valuer, va(l)lewer. [app. an alteration of OF.
valur or vakur Valoub, after forms in -ube.]
30
1. a. Worthiness or merit ; » Valoub I a.
X4M YoNGE tr. Secreta Secret. 139 What glory or what
valure the may be-tyde. c 1440 ipomydon 284 She saw also
by his norture, He was a man of grete valure. c 1481 Caxton
Dialogues 4 Be swyft and redy Hym or hem first to grete,
Yf he be or they be men of valure. 1577 Stanyhurst
Descr. Ireland vii. in Holinshedy I doubt not, but hys fame
and renowme in learnyng, shall be aunswerable to his desert
and valure in writyng. 1593 Wvrley Arttwrie 65 As to the
gaser well it might appeere That all the Vallewer in the
world was heere.
b. Physical strength or ability ; power, might.
rare.
"574 Hellowes G««*arrt'j Fam. Ep. (1577) 3 Of ourselues
we are so weake, and our abllitie so small, our valure so litle,
and haue so few things, that,. of our selues we haue not
what to giue. 1605 Willst Hexapia Gen. 440 Causing the
Cananites to feare his force and valure.
o. Courage, bra veiy; — Valour ic.
Common c 1580-1610.
*577"8» Breton Flourish upon Fancy Wks. (Grosart) 1.
18/2 Thy valure is but vauntes, thy weapons are but wordes.
X585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay*s Voy. iv. xiL 125 The
Arabians .. beleue that in valure & hardines they doe sur-
passe al the other nations. x6o6 Chapman Gent. Usher i.
1, This is your old valure, nephew, that will fight sleeping as
well as waking. X640-X Kirkcudbr. War-Conim. Min. Bk.
(1855) 50 Barrones and gentilmen of good soirt,.by quhas
valure the kingdome hath ever been defendit.
2. Worth, importance, efficacy. Freq. in the
phr. of no valure.
(a) c i^oo Pilgr. So7vle\. xxiv, (1859) 29 This excusacyon is
of no valure. 1509 Fisher 7 Penit.Ps. xxxviii. Wks. (1876)
81 Good hope,.. without the whiche euery thynge that we
do is of no valure. 1594 Carew Huartes Exam. Wits v.
(1596) 61 We call memory a reasonable power, because
without it the vnderstanding and the imaginatiue are of no
valure.
{b) X4S6 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 214 For ellis war
it Htill of valure the privilege that the Emperour has gevin
to the hal^ kirk, a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. A urel.
(1546) B vib, Wordes, whiche were not mete,.. rude, and
least of valure. 1577 Harrison England 11. vi. (1877) n. 149
These [wines] are not least of all accompted of, bicause of
their strength and valure, 1596 Bell Surv. Popery 111. ix.
397 The naturall valure only of good words. Ibid.^ The
valure and just estimation of eternal life,
3. = Value sb. 2,
1453 Rolls ofParlt. V. 269/1 Decreas of the pris and valure
of the wolles. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xvi. 374
And whan Reynawde saw that that gy fte was iio riche he was
glad of it, bycause of yo grete valure of it. X5a3 Act 14 <$•
1 5 Hen. VII I^ c. 2 [They] shall . . put to such markes to every of
the same wares, .upon payne of forfeyture the double valure
of the same wares. xgSS Grafton Chron. II. 387 Swearing
vntQ him that he would prouyde other for him, that should
amount to as good a valure. 1588 J. Mellis Briefe Instr.
E j, Putting the valure of them, how much they be, after the
common price in ready money.
b. In the phr. of {great, etc.) valure.
X48S Caxton Paris ■§• V, (1868) 7 A shelde of crystaile of
grete valure. X49x-a Sarum Church'iv. Ace. (Swayne) 41
Smalle peces of clene golde of litelle valure. 1533 Ld.
Berners Froiss. I. cccxx, 495 He reputed this aduenture
of more valure than v. hundred thousande frankes. X553
Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 14 Hys horse is iudged to_ be
of such valure if you respect ye price, as is one of our cities
1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. 234 There they put all their goods
of any valure.
4. =: Value sb. 4. Const, of (so much).
c 1480 Childe of Bristowe in Hazl. E. P. P. I. 124 Alle
that for me thu dos pray, helpeth me not.. the valure of a
pese, X48S Caxton Cltas. Gt. no, I double the not the
valure of an olde dede hounde. 1518 Star Chamber Cases
(Selden Soc) II. 138 Robert edward wyll spendcto the
valuer of twenty markys to helpe them with all. 1534 More
Covif. agsi. Trib. ii. Wks. 1184/1 He neuer vsed to passe
vpon himselfe the valure of six pence at a meale.
5. = Value sb. 7 b.
1597 Morley Introd. Mus. Pref., With what toyle and
wearinesse I was enforced to compare the parts for trying
out the valure of some notes.
Hence + Valure v. trans, , ^ Value v. 2. Obs.
Also t ValTireless a., valueless. Obs. f Valurous
a.y valuable (cf. Valorous a. 3). Obs.
X487 Act 3 Hen. VII, c. 7 § 1 The nature, weight, content,
or valure of all maner other merchandises used to be weyed
or valured. XS63 Foxe A.^M. 1028/2 The sentence thereof
might not be founde fautye and valureles by me, 1586
Marlowe \st Pt. Tamburl. i. ii. Thy Garments shall be ..
Enchast with precious iuelles of mine owne : More rich and
valurous than Zenocrates.
Valure, obs, variant of Velure,
Valuwen, southern ME. var. Fallow i;.
Va-lval, a. Bot. [f. Valve sb, 3 b.] Valval
view, that aspect of a diatom in which one of the
valves is turned to the observer ; the side-view.
X89X- in Cent. Diet, and later Diets.
Valvar (vse'lvai), a. rare. [f. Valve sb. + -ar.]
Of the nature of, pertaining to, a valve.
X83X Macgillivray tr. Richard's Elem. Bot. 420 Their
calyx is superior with four or five valvar divisions, 1859
M AYNE Expos. Lex., Valvaris, . . of or belonging to a valve :
valvar.
Valvassor, variant of Vavasour.
Valvate (vse'lv.^t), a. Bot. [ad, L. valvdt-us
having folding-doors, f. valva Valve j^,]
1. Of sepals or petals : Applied to each other by
the margins only.
X830 LiNDLEY Nat. Syst. Bot. 51 Hamamelideae, .which are
known by their habit,., and also by their valvate sepals and
petals. X870 Hooker Stud. Flora p. xi, Malvacex :, .Sepals
5, valvate.
VALVE.
b. Of a calyx : Composed of sepals so united.
x8s8 Carpenter Veg. Phys. § 556 The calyx of the Rham-
neae being valvate (i. e. the sepals, before expanding, having
their edges in proximity with each other;. 1877 Hul.me
Wild Flowers I. p. xiii, Calyx five-partite, valvate in bud.
2. Of sestivation or vernation : Characterized by
this arrangement of parts.
x8ag LiNDLEY Synops. Brit, Bot. 72 Calyx, monophyllous,
4-5 cleft, with a valvate jestivation. 1849 Balfour Man.
Bot. § 186 Sometimes they are. .placed so as to touch each
other by their edges; thus giving ri^e to valvate vernation.
x86x Bentley Mcm. Bot. 218 The valvate sestivation may be
seen in the calyx of the Lime.
Valve (v:elv), j^.i Also 5 valwe, 7 value,
[ad, L. valva leaf of a door (usu. pi. valvx a fold-
ing door). So F. valve (1611), Pg. valva."]
I. 1. One or other of the halves or leaves of a
double or folding door.
X387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) IV. 449 At be laste ^^ey brende
^ valves of J)e temple l^et were i.heled wit gold, c X440
Promp. Parv. 508/1 Valwe, valva^ vel valve. ^ x66i Blount
Glossogr. (ed. 2), Valves, folding doors or windows. 1718
Pope Odyss. 1. 555 The bolt, obedient to the silken cord, To
the strong staple s inmost depth restored, Secured the valves.
X834 Beckford Italy 1. 326 Throwing open the valves, we
entered the chapel. 1863 Baring-Gould Iceland 280 The
outside of the valves [of the triptych] was painted with
figures of S. John the Baptist and Moses x87i B. Taylor
Faust (1875) H. 111. 164 Ye valves of yon dark iron portals !
transf. c X530 Judic. Urines i. iii. 8 For to delyuer and
purge them oule by that menibre, that is to say, by the
matryce, and so out by the value, that is to say, by y" gate
of hyr body.
b. A door controlling the flow of water in a
sluice.
1790 Act 33 Geo, III, c. 90 § 65 If any Person . . cause to be
opened.. any Lock Gate, or any Paddle, Valve, or Clough,
belonging to any Lock.. on the said Canal. 1847 Dwyer
Princ, ^ Pract. Hydraul. Engin. 74 The gate or valve of a
sluice is generally made to move by machinery in a vertical
position.
2. a. Conch. Oneof the halves of a hinged shell;
a single shell of similar form ; a single part of a
compound shell.
x66x Lovell Hist. Anim. 4- Min. Isagoge b 7 b, Some
are covered on every side, as oisters, cocks, and tellinse ;
others have but one valve, the other side sticking to rocks.
1771 Phil. Trans. LXI. 232, I separated the valves, and
the rising part of the hinge to the edge shewed them to be
shells, 1774 GoLDSM. Nat. Hist. (1776) VII. 69 These shells
take different forms, and are often composed of a different
number of valves ; sometimes six ; sometimes but three.
i8a8 Stark Elem. Nat. Hist. II. SoThe hollow valve of this
species, .was formerly used as a drinking cup. Ibid.^ The
lower valve white, and longitudinally sulcated ; upper valve
rufous. 187X T. R. Jones Anim. King. (ed. 4) 540 The
elastic ligament for opening the valves.. being placed ex-
ternally instead of within the shelL
b. £nl. (See quot.)
1836 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xxxiii. III. 390 Valvx (the
Valves), two lateral laminae, often coriaceous, by which the
ovipositor when unemployed is covered.
3. Bot. a. One of the halves or sections of a
dehiscent pod, pericarp, or capsule.
1760 J. Lee Introd, Bot. 1. vi. (1765) 13 Siliqua, a Pod, is
a Pericarpium of two Valves, wherein the Seeds are fastened
along both the Sutures or Joinings of the Valves. 1796
Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) 1. 294 Pod long, cylindrical ;
. .valves 2, opening with a jerk, and the valves rolling back.
x86x Bentley Man. Bot. 452 The valves of the fruit opening
longitudinally, and bearing transverse septa in their interior.
X870 Hooker Stud. Flora 235 Capsule globose:.. valves
septiferous.
b. In various applications (see quots.),
1785 Martyn Lett. Bot. xiii. (1794) 130 The inner (chaff]
consisting also of two parts or valves, which you may call
petals. 1796 Withering Brit. Plants {^6.. 3)1.176 Bloss[om].
X petal, funnel-shaped. Tube cylindrical, crooked... Mouth
closed by 5 prominent, convex, approaching valves. x8xa
New Bot. Gard. I. 23 The stamina have six filaments,
subulate, inserted into the valves of the nectary. x83a
LiNDLEY Introd, Bot. 104 The pieces of which these three
classes of bracteae are composed are called valves or valvulae
by the greater part of botanists. Ibid. 126 In the most
common state of the anther the cells . . open with two valves,
by a longitudinal fissure from the base to the apex. 1857
Henfrey Bot. §629 The cells (of Diatomacese] .. enclosed by
a membrane.. impregnated with silex and separable into
valves, X870 Hooker Sttid, Flora 12 Anthers opening by
3 ascending lids or valves.
II, 4. Anal. A membranous fold in an organ or
passage of the body (esp. in the heart, arteries, and
veins), which automatically closes after the manner
of a trap-door to prevent the reflux of blood or
other fluid.
x6is Crooke Body Man iSo In each of these passages
there are Values which hinder the refluence of the choTer.
i6« More A ntid. Ath. Scholia n. xii, § 6 As to the Fabrick
of the Valves and Veins of the Heart. 1688 Boyle Final
Causes iv. 157 Our famous Harvey. .took notice that the
valves in the veins.. were so placed that they gave free
passage to the blood towards the heart. 1799 Med. Jrnl.
II. 371 This foramen in the embryo, .is closed by a valve
which prevents the reflux of the blood. 1830 R. Knox
Biclard'a Anat. 208 The valves .. close the vein, sustain the
blood, and prevent its reflux towards the capillary vessels,
X870 RoLLESTON Anim. Life p. xlv, The valves, which in
other Vertebrata guard the entrance of the great veins into
the right auricle.
b. A similar part or structure serving to close a
passage for other reasons,
X805 Bincley Anim. Biog. (ed. 3I I. 97 Within each [ear]
there is a kind of secondary auricle . . so placed as to ser\-e
for a valve or guard to the auditory passage. X813 Ibid.
VALVE.
81
VAMOSE.
(ed. 4) I. no The ears are short, and have each a very small
inner valve. 1835-6 TodtCs Cyci. A not. 1. 322/1 The
pyloric orifice of the gizzard is gxiarded by a valve in many
birds. 1863 A. M. Bell Princ. speech 192 When the
Stammerer has brought the valve of the throat— the glottis
— under due control.
ftg. 1871 R. H. HuTTON Ess, (1877) I. 74 Animals.. have,
so to say, fewer valves in their moral constitution for tlie
entrance of divine guidance.
t 5. A supposed check (similar to above) to the
reflux of sap in plants. Obs.
1664 Fhih Trans. I. 30 About the Pores of bodies, and a
kind of Valves in wood. 1673-4 Grew Anat. PL, Anat.
Trunks UtZi) 126 Which.. plainly shews. That in the Sap.
Vessels of a Plant, there are no Valves. 01704 Locke
Elem. Nat. Phil. ix. (1754) 35 The htot dilating, and the
cold contracting those little tubes ; supposing there be valves
in them, it is easy to be conceived now the circulation is
performed in plants. 1807 Vancouver Agric. Devon (1813)
435 These valves possess a contractile force,, .whereby the
regress of the moisture is prevented, and of course it is taken
up by the tree.
6. Aleck. A device of the nature of a flap, lid,
plug, etc., applied to a pipe or aperture to control
the passage of air, steam, water or the like, usually
acting automatically by yielding to pressure in one
direction only.
Many classes and varieties of valves are in use, and are
distinguished by special epithets denoting form or purpose,
as ball-, clack-, cane-, disk',flap-vah>e\ air-^escape'^feed-,
inject'um-valve, etc. See also Safei^'-valve.
1659 Leak IVaierwks. 13 Of the Value or Suspiral. It
will be also necessarie . . to demonstrate the manner of the
value of Copper which openeth itself by intervals. 1667
Pht'l. Trans. II. 447 A Square Woodden Bucket. .on the
ends of which are the moveable bottoms or Valves £E.
170a Saverv Mimr^s Fr. 63 Will not these Brass Valves. .
in your Engine speedily ware out t 1800 Vince Hydrost. ix.
(1S06) 91 Each sucker has a valve opening upwards. 1839
R. S. Robinson Naut. Steatn Eng. 11 The pressure shuts
the valve in the neck of the air vessel, and opens the valve
in the piston. 1889 Welch Naval Archit. 133 Self-acting
or automatic valves are fitted where watertight bulkheads.,
are pierced for ventilation purposes.
fig. 1830 Gen. p. Thompson Exerc. (1842) I. 295 The
slightest degree of popular interference which can act as a
valve to the great boiler, and prevent the whole from blow-
ing up. 1847 De Quincev Seer. Soc. Wks. 1863 VI. 236
There was a valve in reserve, by which your perplexity
could escape.
7. attrib. and Comb, a. In sense 6, as valve-
board ^ -box^ casing y cJust^ engine j face, etc.; valve
governor y lifter \ valve-like^ -slta/>etl adjs. ; also in
collocations used attributively, as vahe-guide stem,
valve-rod end.
The number of attributive uses is very great, esp. in recent
technical works.
1869 Eng. Meek. 24 Dec. 352/5 There is a board screwed
down on the top of A. That is the ^valve-board. 1885
C.G. W. Lock Workshop Receipts Ser. iv. aoo/a The valve-
boards are next hinged on to the feeder-boards. 1797 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) XVII. 766/3 Above. .is the seat of the lower
steam valve, opening into the *valve box. 1869 Eng.
Mech. 3 Dec 282 a Take the high pressure valves out of
the valve-box. 1839 R. S. Robinson Naut. Steam En».
44 The flange to which is bolted the *valve casing. 1887
D. A, Low Machine Drain. (1892) 74 An elevation of the
valve casing with the cover and the valve removed. 1830
R. S. Robinson Naut. Steam Eng. 62 The blow-througn
pipe, terminating in a *valve chest. 1889 Welch Naval
Archit. xi. 124 In the former, a suction-box or valve chest
V is fitted beneath the pump. 1797 J. Cubr Coal yiciuer ^^
The plug floor in all the common engines falls 17^ inches
below the top of the boiler, and in the 'valve engine it falls
2 feet I inch below. 1864 Webster, * Valve-face, 1887 D. A.
Low Machine Draw. (1892) 70 The angle which the valve
face makes with its axis is generally 45*^. 1843 Penny
Cycl, XXII. 508/a To bring the *valve-gear within..
reach of the cni;ineer. 1835 Ure Pkilos, Mann/. 27 *Valve
governors, shafts, and other geering of mills. 1875 Knight
Did, Mech. 2476/1 The • valve-guide stem has an end knob,
by which its falling out is prevented. 1839 R. S. Robinson
Naut. Steam Eng, 97 The eccentric rod pulled backwards
and forwards by means of the "valve lifter. 1851 S. P.
Woodward Moilusca (1856) 34 The in-coming and out-golng
currents .. are kept apart by a *valve.like fringe, 1859
Semple Diphtheria 296 A valve-like sound or a peculiar
hissing noise. 1836-41 Brands Chem. (ed. 5) 524 A slender
pipe, open at both ends, inserted into the *valve-ptug. 1831-3
Encycl. Metrop. {1845) VIII. 187/1 In this engine the work-
ing the valves is effected by eccentrics., below the *valve
rods. 1861 Sir W. Fairba[rn Iron 123 To knock off the
point of the trigger from the shoulder on the valve-rod.
1887 D. A. Low Machine Draw. (1892) 119 Valve-rod end
for a marine engine. 1841 Civil Eng. 4- Arch. Jml, IV.
370/2 H, the "valve-scat. 1844 Ibid. VII. 1^/2 The next
valve was composed of several triangular pieces, opening
on leather joints, from the circumference of the *valve seat-
ing. 1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 365 Small "valve-
shaped wound over outer side of fracture. 1844 Civil Engin.
if Arch. yml. VII. 192 It was quite clear the •valve-spindle
must be of adequate strength. i8a7 Faraday Chem. Manip.
XV. (1842) 373 Applying the mouth to the lower aperture of
the "valve tube.
b. In sense 4, as valve-flap, -lesion, segment.
Many others occur in recent m^ical works.
1879 St. George's Hasp. Rep. IX. 433 The junction of two
of the aortic valve-flaps. 1898 AUbutt's Syst. Med. V. 953
A deformed valve segment must. .be a strained segment.
Jbid. 1024 In the remainder there was no valve-lesion.
C. Special Combs. : valve-shell, agasteropod of
the genus Valvata ; valve-tailed bat (see quot.).
1851 Woodward Moilusca i. 140 r'o/fa/a,.. Valve-sbell.
1871 CasselCs Nat. Hist. I. 316 note. The Valve-tailed Bat
..is remarkable, .for the presence of a curious homy case,
composed of two parts which covers the extremity of the tail.
t "Valve, j^.2 Obs. [perh. an error for ^volve,
by confusion with prec] A turn of a bandage.
1689 J. MovLE Abstr. Sea Chymrgery \. vi. 45 Then a soft
Rouler to come several turns about it, and every valve as it
comes over the wound cut . . in the middle. Ibid. 46.
Valve, V. rare. [f. Valve sby\
1. trans. To furnish with a valve or valves ; to
govern or check, to hold back, by a valve or similar
device.
1861 Smiles Engineers II. 160 Whilst the fresh waters
should be allowed freely to escape, the sea should be valved
back, and prevented flowing in upon the land. xZy^ AUbutt's
Syst.Med.Vl. 512 It is probable that by these synapses the
circuiisof the nervous system.. are.. securely valved against
regurgitation.
2. intr. To make use of a valve or valves ; spec.
in ballooning, to open a valve in order to descend.
1906 ll^estm. Gaz. 3 Oct. 8/i All we could do was to un-
dulate, alternately valving and ballasting.
Valved (vas-lvd), a. [f. Valve sb.'\
1. With limiting terms: a. Of a door : Having
(so many) leaves, rare.
1676 HoBBES Iliad 375 In the pale a high two-valved door
For chars and waggons to go in and out.
b. Bot., etc. Having (so many) valves.
See also tivo-valved s.v. Two a.
1771 Ettcycl. Brit. I. 637/2 Siliqua, is a double-valved
pericarpium, 1796 Withkring Brit. Plants (ed. 3) III. 867
Capsule 4-valved : seeds roundish. 1831 South C?//oV/'aM.
Anat. 74 There are some which, .live for protection.. even
in the double- valved muscles. 1847 W. £. Steele Field
Bot. 73 Fruit mostly a dry or fleshy capsule, i or many-
celled and valved.
2. Provided with a valve or valves, in various
senses.
1793 Mart\'k Lang. Bot,, Valvation petalitm, a valved
peul. 184a Francis Diet. Arts, Valved, anything that
opens upon hinges or to which a valve of any kind is
attached. 185* I'li. Ross tr, Humboldfs Trav. 1. i. 12 We
made several experiments by means of a valved thermo-
metrical sounding lead, on the temperature of the ocean.
iSfj'iRoutiedgii's VoungGcntl. Mag. Feb. 170/1 A complete
set of valved instruments, consisting chiefly of cornets,
clavicors, and trombones. 1899 AUbutt's Syst. Med. VII.
254 The blood is returned to the heart by means of muscular
movements acting on the valved veins.
Valveless (vse'lvles), rt. [f. Valve i^.] Having
no valve ; destitute or devoid of valves.
1830 LiNDLEV Nat. Syst, Bot. 219 Capsule.. sometimes
valveless, or dehiscing transversely. 1851 Woodward
Moilusca (1856) 69 Animal and pen like Loligo in most
respects;.. funnel valveless. 1881 Mivart Cat 216 The
hepatic veins are valveless. 1884 Knight ^L>ict. Mech.
Suppl. 9 19 The 'Wardweir valveless engine. .is horizontal.
Valvelet. rare. Also 9 valvlet. [f. Valve
sb. + -LET.] A small valve,
1793 Martym Lang. Bot.^ Valvula^ a . . Valvelet, or
Valvule. [Hence in later Diets.) 1870 tr. PoucheCs Uni-
verse 125 Two large openings, each furnished with two
valves or valvlets Intended to prevent the reflux of the blood.
Va'lvifomi, a. rare, \^^»mod.h.valviformis
or F. valviforme.'] Valve-shaped.
1819 Samouelle Entomol. Compend. 268 Valviform parts
of oviduct. 1859 Mavne Expos. Lex. 1321.
II Valvnla (vae-lviwla). Anat. PI. valvulaa.
[med. or mod.L., dim. of valva Valve sb. Cf. L.
valvolx pod of legumes.] A valve or valvule.
Usually with Latin qualifying term, as valviUa coli, val-
vula conniventes.
161S H. CitooKE Body of Man (1631) 853 Some men had
rather call them(j<:. valves in the veins of the Joints] Ostiolx
than Valiiutge, 1653 More Antid. Ath. n. xii. § 6 You may
add to these the notable contrivance of the Heart, its two
Ventricles and its many Valwlae. 183a [see Valve sb.^
3 b]. 1859 TodiCsCycl. A nat. V. 346/2 Opposite the attached
border of the vahmla. this layer is somewhat thick.
Valvular (vae-lvi^lflaj), a, [f. prec]
1. Having the form or function of a valve ; com-
posed or consisting of valves. Chiefly Anat. and Bot.
(«) 1797 M. ^wixxK Morb. Anat. {lZo^) ^2 The valvular
apparatus between the auricles and ventricles is also occa-
sionally thickened. Ibid. 104 The oesophagus necessarily
acquired a valvular communication with it. 1843 J* }• Wil-
kinson tr. Swedenborg's Anint. Ktngd. I. ii. 68 Among
these gUinds . . we observe a great number of transparent
vessels, with valvular divisions. 1878 T. Brvant Pract.
Surg, I. 25 It may appear as a direct or as a valvular
opening, depressed, or raised.
(*) 1^ LiNDLEY Synops. Brit. Bot. 54 Sepals 4-5, with a
valvular aestivation. 1830 — Nat. Syst. Bat, 141 The calyx
is valvular, and the i>etals only 2, 1870 Hookbb Stud.
flora 298 Ovary superior. Capsule valvular.
(c) 1876 J. J. Wilkinson Hum. Set. ^ Div, Rev. 67 The
gates of science are valvular, and open from above down-
wards, but cannot be opened from below upwards.
2. Furnished with a valve or valves.
1808 Barclay Muscular Motions 233 Valvular veins, when
divided across, require a ligature only at the oriiice which
points towards the heart.
3. Of or pertaining to a valve or valves.
1866 A. Flint Princ. ^^^. iii. 308 The structural lesions
relate, in the first place, to the valves and orifices of the
heart. These are known commonly as valvular lesions.
1876 Bristowe Tk, 9[ Pract. Med. 493 Valvular defects ma^
be of two liinds ; they may be obstructive, . .or such as admit
of regurgitation. t88i Med. Temp. Jml, XLVIII. 209
Valvular disease of the heart.
Valvnlate, cl. rare. [f. as prec. + -ate 1.]
Furnished with small valves.
1888 RoLLESTON & Jackson Anim. Life 564 The length of
the valve is greater than its breadth, except in the form
known as valvulate pedicellariae.
Valvule (vse'lvi?/!). [Anglicized f. Valvcla or
a. F. valvule.'] A small valve, in various senses,
^755 in Johnson. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. i. vL (1765) 13
The Inclosure of the Capsule, which surrounds, .the Fruit
externally, is called a Valvule. 1831 T. Hope Ess. Orig.
Man II. 62 Their weight, pressing backwards on the parietes
of the vessels, scoops these out at certain distances into
bags or valvules. 1870 tr. Poucket's Universe 126 In the
interior of this lengthened heart larger valvules., are folded
back against the wall to let the blood pass forward. 1879
Trans. Linn. Soc. II. i. 31 The edge.. is not straight, but
cut into a series of minute valvules, the crescentic or respir-
atory leaves.
II Valvuli'tis. Path. [f. Valvcla + -itis.]
Inflammation of the valves of the heart.
1891 in Cent. Diet. tZ^ AUbutt's Syst. Med. III. 43 A
grave sign indicative of serious and generally persistent or
recurrent valvulitis. 1898 Ibid. V. 866 Endocarditis affects
principally the valves of the heart, hence the name valvulitis.
Vaiwe, southern ME. var. Fallow sb. and v.^
Valx, obs. Sc. form of Wax sb.
Valyaunce, obs, form of Valiance.
t Valyl(e. Chem, Obs, [f. Val-ebian sb. +
-yl(e.] = Butyl.
1850 Daubeny Atofn. The. viii. (ed. 2) 249 The previous
discovery made by Dr. Kolbe, of a compound of car Don and
hydrogen derived by electrolysis from the valerianic acid,
and hence called valyle. %%$•] }AiLi£.V(. Elem.Chem ,^Org. 195
Tetryl, Butyl, or Valyl.
Valylene. Chem. [f. asprec. + -ene.] (See
quots.)
1868 ^yATTS Did. Chem.W. 982 Valylene. . .This hydro-
carbon is found .. among the products of the action of
alcoholic potash on dibromide of valerylene. 1868 Pownes'
CItem. (ed. 10) 564 Quintone or Valylene.
Vambrace (vacmbr^is). Now only Arckeeol.
Forms : a. 4 vaumbras, 4-6 vambras (-braae,
5 uambras, 6 Sc. wambraiss), 7 vambrasse (8
-brass). ^. 4- vambrace (5 warn-, 7 van-).
[var. oi vaunt- Vantbrace, through elision of ^ and
change of nb to mb by assimilation.] Defensive
armour for the (fore-) arm.
a. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 10030 Vaumbras
6 rerbras, wyt> coters of stel. 1385-6 Durham Ace. Rolls
(Surtees) 133, ij palets, j brestpiat, vambras. 139a Test,
Ebor, (Surtees) I. 171 Unum bonum par cerotecarum de
plate, cum vambrase et rerebrase. 1461 Will of Benney
(Somerset Ho.), j salett garnisshed cum argento, legharnes,
vambras, & rerebras. a 1548 Hall Chron,, Hen. /K, 12
One sorte had the vambrases, the pace gardes, the grand-
gardes . .parted with golde and azure. 1581 Styward Mart.
Discipi, 11. 165 To naue good..poldrones and vambrases
for their shoulders & armes. 1627 Drayton Agincourt 8
[Whether] The Vambrasse, or the Pouldron, they should
prize.
(3. 1411 E, E. Wills (1882) iQ A pare of vambrace and
rerebrace. C1450 Metham Wks. (E.E.T.S.) 37 Thys
knyghtys vambracys in coloure Alle depeyntyd with red
were. 1513 MS. Papers 5 Hen. VIII, No. 4101 (P. R. O.),
His vambraces, polvorines, ij Salettes [etc.]. 1581 Styward
Mart. Discipi. \. 44 A fayre Corslet, with all the peeces
appertaining to the same, that is the curats, y" collers, the
poldrens with the Vambraces. 1634 Capt. Smith Virginia
111. ii. 47 On his armc.an Otters skinne, or some such
matter for his vambrace. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's
Trav. iif. 44 They have likewise the Coat of Mail, the
Cuirats, the Head-piece, and a Vambrace fastened to the
Sword. X734 tr. Rollin's Rotn. Hist. (1827) II. 379 The
vambraces or greaves which covered the arms, thighs, and
legs of the horsemen. 1829 Scott Anne ofG. xxxii, Among
gauntlets, boots, vambraces, and such like gear. 1850
Bgutell in Genii, Mag. CXX. ii. 44 The arms are cased in
brassarts and vambraces of plate.
transf, 1766 Phil. Trans, LVI. 274, I supported the arm
with a vambrace, or half-canal, made of one very thin piece
of wood.
Vambraced, « . I^er. [f. prec] Of an arm :
Defended or covered by a vambrace.
1610 GuiLLiM Heraldry iv. xv. (1611) 232 He beareth
Gules, three Dexter Armes Vambraced and Proper. x688
Holme Armoury iii. xvii. 109/3 He beareth Gules a dexter
Arme Vambraced, Or. ^1828 Berry Encycl. Her. I. Gloss.,
Vambracedt a term which implies that the arm is wholly
covered with armour. 1868 Cussams Her. vi. 92 An Arm
encased in armour is Vambraced.
tVambrash, v. Obs. rare. Also -brishe.
[Of obscure origin.] trans. To brandish.
1577 Gkangb Golden Aphrod. N j. For lupiter touching
the heauens with his wande, caused them to thunder^ &
vambrishe lightnings. 1593 Nashb Christ's T. 27 b. With
glistering naked swords, wnich..he made semblance as if
fiee shaked and vambrasht. i6a3 Cockeram I, Vambrash,
to shake a staffe or laimce.
Vame, obs. Sc. f. Wem sb,, Womb.
Vamer, Vameixre, varr. vamure Vaumobe.
Vamose (vamJa-s), vamoose (vamw-s), v.
U.S. colloq. Also vamos, vamous, vamoos,
varmoose. [ad. Sp. vamos let us go.]
1. intr. To depart, make off, decamp, disappear.
a. 1848 in Bartlett Diet, Amer., Its occupants., forth with
vamosed with their baggage. 1855 Haliburton Nat. 4-
Hum. Nat. 1. 1 12, I makes a spring in after him, and caught
him by the hair of the head, just as he was vamosing. 1893
McCarthy Red Diamonds I. 173 The fifth name was that
of Ratt Gundy, opposite to which Seth Chickering had
written the one word : * Vamosed ',
fi. 1859 '^^atg Diet. 114 Vamous, to go, or be oflF. x86a
Illustr. Land. News 24 May 540/3 Guess, they'd better
varmoose. 1874 M. Collins Prances III. 80 If I can get
money down mr some of my gold bonds, well vamoos at
once. 1895 J. G. Millais Breath fr. Veldt {i8gg) 175 The
hunter was voted a fraud. .and was. .told to 'vamoose*.
VAMP.
2. trans. To decamp or disappear from ; to quit
hurriedly. Freq. in phr. io vamose the ranch.
185a F. Marrvat Gold Onartz Mining 8 On the old
Califamtan principle of * making a *' pile " and vamosing the
ranche*. 1857 in 1\iQxut.on Amer. Gioss., Another pair of
jail-birds have vamosed the \os jail at Jacksonville. x888
K B. CfSTER Tenting on Plains i. (1803) 32, I got that far
when the eyes of the old galoots started out of their heads,
and they vamoosed the ranche.
Vamp (v?emp), sbS Forms : 3 vaumpe, 3, 5
uaiunps, 5 vawmpe ; 4-5 wampe, 5 vampe, 6
vamppe, 7- vamp. [ad. AF. *vamp4, *vanpi
(Palsgrave wintpU) , « OF. avanpii ( 1 2th c. ; later
F. mnmipud), f. auanif) before +/;V foot. The
final syllable is preserved in the variant Vampet.J
1. That part of hose or stockings which covers
the foot and ankle ; also, a short stocking, a sock.
Now dial,
a xaaS Ancr, R, 4*0 Ine sumer ?e habbeS leaue uorto gon
and sitten baruot, and hosen wiSuten uaumpez, and Itgge
ine ham hwoso likefl. 13. . Seuyn Sages (W.) 843 He dede
his schon of-drawe. And karf his vaumpes, fot-hot. And
wente him forht al barfot. 1376-9 DurJmm Ace. Rolls
(SorteesJsS; Pro..j pare botarum et Wampes de Dubelsols.
C t4*S ^^' *n Wr..WuIcker 654 Hecpedana^ wampe. c 1440
Pr^mp. Parv* 508/1 Vampe, of an hoose . . , pedana, a X56a
G. Cavendish U^olsey (1^3) 923 A!lthoughe..that our pre-
decessors went uppon clothe right somptiously, we do
entend..to goo a footc frome thence, without any suche
glory, in the vamppes of my hosyn. 1676 Coles, Krt«//*,
a sock. (1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vamps or Va/npays,
an odd kind of short Hose or Stockings that cover'd the
Feet, and came up only to the Ancle, just above the Shooe. J
1880 in £, Comw, Ghss.
2. The part of a boot or shoe covering the front
of the foot; U.S.y that part between the sole and
the top in front of the ankle-seams.
1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes iv. iv. 192 Her Grace when she
had victuall'd that grand Camp, Gave me a piece of Cheese
tuffasavamp. 16W Holme /4r?«(7«rj'"'' 14/1 Of a Shooe:
. . the Vamp, is all the piece that covers the top of the foot.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vamp, the Upper Leather of a
Shoe. 1770 T. Hazard Son 0/ Robi. {18^3) 288 One pair
of vamps for shoes. 1785 Belknap in M, Cutler's Li/ey etc.
(i838) II. 234 This bathing vessel.. is in the form of a
slipper. He sits in the Heel, and his legs go under the
Vamp- ifloo Mar. Edgeworth Parent's Assist, (1854) 347
The last-maker made a last for her, and over this Mary
sewed the calico vamps tight. 1845 Whittier Shoetmikers
ii. Now shape the sole ! now deftly curl The glossy vamp
around it. 1885 Harper's Mag. Jan. 280/1 The upper is
found to consist, . . in the case of a button boot, of a ' vamp '
to cover the front part of the foot [etc].
Vamp (v3emp), j*.2 [f. Vamp v.^] Anything
vamped, patched up, or refurbished ; a patchwork;
a book of this nature.
1884 J. F. HoDGETTS Old^r Englandn. 61 This name was
no vamp or hybrid mixture of Xatin and English. 1897
Academy 6 Mar. 274/1 Such vamps as the one I have
analysed from Mr. Henley's notes can only be credited to
him as brilliant luck brilliantly used.
b. A vamped or improvised accompaniment.
i88a in Imp. Diet. IV. 539.
Vamp (vsemp), v^ Also 8 vaump. [f. Vamp
r 1. trans. To provide or furnish with a (new)
vamp ; to mend or repair with or as with patches ;
to furbish up, renovate, or restore. Also with up.
Some further developments in dial, use are illustrated in
the Eng. Dial. Diet.
(«) XS99 [see Vamping vhl. j3.'J. x6.. Middleton, etc.
Old Law II. i. What a time did we endure In twopenny
commons, and in boots twice vamped ! 1639 Shirley GentL
Venicexw. ii, Giovanni. In the mean time ouy thee a sword
and belt, And what is fit. (Gives him money). Georgia. No
more: I'll be a soldier, .. l"his will Suffice to vamp my body.
a X700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Creiv, To Vamp^ to new Dress,
LJcker, Refresh, or Rub up old Hatts, Boots, &c. 1844
Alb. Smith Adv. Mr, Ledbury xiv. (1886) 42 Varioiis new.
footed boots .. vamped and polished to the last pitch of
ingenuity, i860 Emerson Conduct of Life ix. Wks. (Bohn)
II. 446 Plod and plough, vamp your old coats and hats,
weave a shoestring. 1884 A. Griffiths C^r(j«. Newgate I. L
33 Blankets vamped in foreign parts with the hair of oxen.
(*) »7S5 Johnson Connoisseur No. 77 P i The woman
of the town, vamped up for shew with paint, patches,
plumpers, and every external ornament that art can ad<
minister. 1796 Mme. D'Arblav Camilla V. 189 The apparel
..would do well enough for herself, when vamped up, as
she knew how. 1837 Disraeli Venetia v. viii. Old furni-
ture . . re-burnishea and vamped up. 1864 C. Knight
Passages Work. Life I. v, aio Our old fabric . . was in danger
of falhng, ..although we had spent large sums in vamping
it up. 1875 Chambers* Jml, 30 Nov. 749 Old boots and
shoes are sold to men who vamp them up in such a style
that their former owners would not know them.
b. trans/, a.ii^ Jig, (Freq. with reference to literary
compositions.)
(a) 163a Song in Lyly Sappho 11, iii, 109 To th' Tap-house
then lets gang, and rore, Cal hard, tis rare to vamp a
score, 1640GATAKEB IVhiiaker'vci Fuller ^^^/i?^i/rw. (1867)
II. Z17 Let them strive to vamp Their wasted memories
by another lamp. 1682 N. O. Boileau's Lutrin i. i The
Argument? what needs a Proeme, To vamp a Three-half.
penny Poeme? 1706 Swift Baucis <V Phil. 128 He. .Knew
now to preach old sermons next, Vamp'd in the preface
and the text 1743 Lond. ^ Co. Brewer 111. (ed. 2) 238
Vamping Malt-Liquors.— Is of late much in Practice for
its excellent Service in recovering, preserving, and fining
strong October and March Beers. 1795 ^^•'^^^ Address^ sp.
by Miss FontenelU 4 A Prologue, Epilogue, or some such
matter, 'Twould vamp my bill, said I, if nothing better.
1800 Ceabbe Borough xvi. 185 When on each feature death
had fix'd his stamp, And not a doctor could the body vamp.
1867 Emerson Ma^-Day Wks. (Bohn) III. 417 Chemist 10
vamp old worlds with new. 1883 Daily Nezvs 8 Dec. 2/8,
I meant to suggest that the Central News were parties to
•vamping* the telegram... What do you mean by 'vamp-
ing'?—Inserting matter which is not in any original tele-
gram.
{b) 1741 T. Betterton Hist. Eng. Stage vi. 151 He at-
tempted to commence Dramatic Poet, by vamping up an
old Play or two of Massinger and Decker. X75a Bolinc-
DROKE Study 0/ Hist. v. 159 They maintained the dignity
of history, and thought it beneath them to vamp up old
traditions. 1825 J. Foster Life ^ Corr. (1846) II. 67 The
expedient of vamping up an old Sermon. 190a L. Stephen
Stud. Biogr. IV. i. 21, I could not suppose that they were
merely vamping up old material.
2. trans/. To make or produce by or as by patch-
ing ; to adapt, compile, compose, put together (a
book, composition, etc.) out of old materials ; to
serve up (something old) as new by addition or
alteration. Also with up (fre<j. = Trump v\ 5 c).
(a) 1644 Bulwer Chiron. 113 This absurd motion of the
armes, makes an Oratour seemc.as if he newly came from
vamping his Oration. 1748 Foote K'nights Pref., The three
principal characters.. are neither vamped from antiquated
plays, pilfered from French farces, nor the baseless beings
of the poet's brain. 1774 tr. Helvctius' Child of Nature II.
205 They consist, in general, of old characters, old incidents,
and old catastrophes, vamped out in the language and dress
of the day. 1827 Carlyle Misc. (1840) I. 5 Well are he and
Hennings of Gotha aware that this thing of shreds and
patches has been vamped together for sale only. 1880
Literary World 17 Dec. 416 Industry worthy of the veriest
drudge that vamps books together for his daily bread.
ahsol. 179a A. Murphy Grecian Daughter Prol., Historians
. . who only take Scissars and paste ; cut, vamp ; a book they
make.
ib) 169a Bentley Boyle Led. 100 Which opinion hath been
vamp'd up of late by Cardan and Cesalpinusand other news-
mongers. X760-2 GoLDSM. at. W. XKX, I set myself down,
and vamped up a fine flaunting poetical panegyric. 1765
Blackstone Comni. I. 197 The usurpers .. for the most part
endeavoured to vamp up some feeble shew of a title by
descent. 1814 Tretuman's Exeter Flying-Post 16 June i
The falshood was vamped up on the authority of a pretended
letter. 1850 Merivale Rom. Emp. (1865) VI. U»- 383
Forged letters were produced, a case of Majestas was
vamped up. 1894 Sala London up to date 11. i. 23, I have
vamped up my description of the function from accoiuits
which I have read.
t b. With personal object : To convert into, to
bring forward as, something. Ohs,
a 1658 Cleveland Charac, Dium. Maher Wks. (1677) 101
It is like over-reach of Language .. when a clumsie Cobler
usurps the Attribute of our English Peers and is vamp'd a
Translator. i66x K. W. Conf. Charac, (i860) 34 For ..
his preferment hath metamorphosed the antient titles of his
progeneters.-into master, and now he is vampt a gentle-
roan. 1773 Berridce Wks. (1864) 134 Some people only
vamp him up as a prophet : and trample on his blood.
3. Mus. To improvise or extemporize (an accom-
paniment, tune, etc.).
1789 Burnev Hist. Music III. 102 note^ I remember very
early in my musical life to have beard one of the town waits
at Shrewsbury vamp a base upon all occasions. i86«
Mavhew London Labour 111. 191/2 As soon as I could get
in to vamp the tunes on the banjo a little. 1897 Sir A.
Sullivan in Strand Dec. 654/1 Then the voice parts are
written out by the copyist, and the rehearsals begin ; the
composer, .vamping an accompaniment.
b. intr. To improvise an accompaniment.
1876 in Stainer & Barrett Diet. Mus. Terms 445/1-
1884 B'ham Daily Post 23 Feb. 3/5 Pianist and Vocalist ;
one who can vamp.
II. 4. intr.J^o make one's way on foot; to
tramp or trudge. Now dial.
1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes in. ii. 73 If my hard hearted
Queen should vamp to Charon. Ibid. iv. xxv. 285 That is
the Knight, that must be the example, That the prime horse,
that with Knight-Errants vamp will. 1681 H, Foule Hist,
Romish Treas. 133 When Humility vamps on foot, 1705
Wandering Spy No. 19. 73, I Vaumpt along Cheapside,
down the Poultry. 1747 T. Hazard^ Son ofRobt, (1893) 241
Our chief concern was about packing up our alls and vamp-
ing off". 1887 T. Hardy Woodlanders I. ii. 24. I shouldn t
have vamped all these miles for any less important employer.
1891 — Tess I. 12 Well, vamp on to Marlott, will ye, and
order that carriage, 1893 in Wiltshire Gloss.
b. trans. To tramp or walk (the streets), rare.
1898 T. Hardy Wessex Poems 55 We vamped the streets
in the stifling air.
Vamp, v.^ slang, trans. To pawn.
a JTOO B. E. Did. Cant. Crew s.v., Pll Vamp and tip you
the Cole, I'll Pawn my Cloths, but I'll raise the Money for
you. [Hence in later slang Diets.]
t Vampage. Obs.-^ [app, f. Vamp j*.i + -age ;
but perh. an error for varnpays Vampet.] Vamps
or feet (of hose).
1555 J. Proctor Wyat's Rebcll, 32 Thei were driuen to. .
runne awaye in the vampage of their hose.
Vamped (vsempt),///. a, [f. Vamp v^ Cf. the
earlier New-vamped a.]
1. With up. Mended or repaired with or as with
patches ; patched or furbished up ; made up or
composed of old materials and produced as new.
1720 J. Macky fourn, thro. Eng. I. iv. 74 Women in vampt-
up old Clooths. 1753 School of Man 18 Is this the business
of a Vamped-up Maid ? 17S9 Dilworth Life Pope 100 He
justly turns into ridicule several patched and vamped up
buildings. 1850 Kingslev Alton Locke v, They would not
send out lying puffs of their vamped-up goods.
b. trans/, andyf^.
1806 SuRR Winter in London II. 152 The hackneyed,
second-hand, vamped-up hearts one meets with in common.
VAMPING.
i8ia Mar. Edgeworth Manoeuvring i, A vamped-up senti-
mental conversation reason. 1884 Truth 13 Mar. 379/1 A
passionate burst of vocal tragedy wedged in between an
overture by S. Bennett and a violin concerto by Spohr
leaves an unpleasing and vamped-up impression. 1892 B.
Hinton Lord's Return 191 The vamped-up sentiment ; the
covert sneers.
0. Of a charge, story, etc. : Invented, fabricated,
trumped up.
x8o2-x3 Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid, (1827) IV. 170 A
lawyer, who, knowing nothing about the matter, stands
with a paper in his hand, containing a vamped-up story.
187X Smiles Cliarac. xii. (1876) 361 A vamped-up charge of
treason. 1874 H. R. Reynolds John Bapt. iv. § 5. 260 He
bade them to terrorize no one, and bring no vamped-up
worthless accusation.
2. Of an accompaniment : Extemporized.
1874 in Slang Did,
Vamper (vae*mp3j). [f. Vamp vy\
+ 1. A stocking. Obs.-^
Perhaps an error for vampeis or vampeys.
a 1700 B. E. Did. Cant. CreWy Vampers, Stockings.
[Hence in later slang diets.]
2. One who vamps or patches. Also with tip.
171a Odes of Horace viii. 7/1 Our Horace is a new vamper
of words and borrowed this from the Greek. 1765 Sterne
Tr. Shandy viii. xxxvii, That in selling my chaise, I had
sold my remarks.. to the chaise-vamper. 1826 J. Wilson
Nod. Ambr. Wks, 1855 I. 191, I shall use all vampers, like
the great American shrike. ., who sticks small singing-birds
on sharp-pointed thorns. 1837 Carlvle Fr. Rev. i. iv. iv.
Skilfullest vamper-up of old rotten leather, to make it look
like new.
3. slang. (See quot.)
1865 Slang Did. 265 Vampers, fellows who frequent
public-houses and pick quarrels with the wearers of rings
and watches, in hopes of getting up a fight, and so enabling
their * pals ' to steal the articles.
4. One who improvises music, esp. accompani-
ments on the pianoforte.
1884 Yorksk. Post 7 Nov., Lady pianist and vocalist,
reader at sight, vamper. 1895 Westm. Gaz. 24 Sept., His
education as a vamper is complete for all practical purposes.
t Vampetlli sb. and V. Obs. Also vaumped-,
vampet(t. [ad. early AF. *vamped, later *vamp^ :
see next.] = Vampe Y sb. and v.
c 1430 York Memor. Bk. (Surtees) I. 194 Pro la vaumped-
yng xij parium ocrearum. c 1475 Catk. A ngl. 399/2 A vam-
pethe [1483 vampett], pedanajmpedia. To vampethe [1483
vampet], Pedanare.
+ Vampey, vampy, sb. Obs. Also 5 vam-
pei, va(w)mpay, wampay. [ad. AF. *vamp^;
see Vampj^.i] « Vamp j^.i i.
c 1425 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 6oi Pedana, a vampey. Ibid.
664 Hec pedana, wampay. c 1460 J, Russell Bk. Nurture
894 [Give him] his vampeys and sokkes, J>an all da^ he may go
warme. 1485 Rutland Papers (Camden) 8 A pair of hosyn
ofcrymesyn sarcenet vampeis. 1530 Palsgr. 284/1 Vampey
of a hose, auant pied. 1592 Greene Upst. Courtier Wks.
(Grosart) XI. 263 Beside, you will ioin a neates leather
vampy to a calues leather heele: is not heere good stuffe
maister shoomaker? 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Wks. 11.
242/2 Of the old rotten leather they make vampies for high
shooes for honest country plowmen, or belts for soldiers.
Hence + Vampey, Vampy v. trans., to put a
vamp on, to patch. Also Vampeying vbl. sb, Obs,
1416 Maldon Court-Rolls (Bundle 10, No. 6), Propter
vampeyeng et solynge de vn payre de botys. c 1425 Voc, in
Wr.-Wulcker 601 Pedano, to vampeye. 1459 Paston Lett, I.
487 Item, j. payre of blake vampayed withe lether. 1464
Mann. ^ Househ. Exp. (Roxb.) 255 The same day mastyr
payd to hys cordwaner..for vawmpayinge of his botys,
viiid. ifiii Beaum. & Fl. Knt. Burning Pestle \; [Her]
Master wrought with Lingell and with All, And under-
ground he vampied many a Boot.
^g. 1650 B. Discollimin. ig One of my Men being well
vampied in his Crowne with Ale, ..rides into one of my
Marishes.
Vamping, sb. Mining. (See quot.)
j88r Raymond Mining Gloss., Vamping, the dibris of a
stope, wliich forms a hard mass under the feet of the miner.
Vamping (vse-mpii)), vbl. sb, [f. Vamp z/.i]
1. The action of the vb., in lit. and fig. senses.
1599 MiNSHEU Sp. Dict.y Cabeqado, ..the vamping or put-
ting to the instops to bootes. x68o Viiid. Conforming Clergy
(ed. a) 50 It had certainly been a far more honest . . Employ-
ment for him to have . . hired a Stall, and set himself bodily
to Vamping of Boots. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey) s.v. Vamps^
To graft a new Footing on old Stockings is still call'd
Vamping. 1773 Foote Bankrupt 111, Political papers should
bear vamping ; like sermons, change but the application
and text, and they will suit all persons and seasons. 1819
Jeffrey in Cockburn Life (1852) II. 187, I have just got
done with another Review... 1 have more vamping and
patching than writing. 1850 Carlyle Latter-d. Pamph. yii.
(1872) 233 The mere vamping-together of hostile veracities,
1860^// Year Round No. 72. 508 No vamping of him up into
a severe ancient Roman will do.
b. attrib, (in sense 3 of the vb.).
c 1890 [title). Reeves' Vamping Tutor. — The Art of Ex-
temporaneous Accompaniment or playing by ear on the
Piano. 1905 Church Times 30 June 842/4 Those strange,
long, keyless trumpets, called vamping-horns. 1908 F. Bond
Screens ^ Galleries 147 One of the strangest instruments of
the old choirs is the vamping trumpet.
2. Tramping, trudging, rare.
x66i K. \V. Cotif. Charac. (i860) 46 His quick motion and
speedy vamping from place to place.. makes him smell like
a traveller.
Va'mping, ///. a, [f. Vamp vy\ That vamps,
in senses of the vb.
a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Bonduca i. ii. Do you hope to triumph,
Or dare your vamping valour, goodman Cobler, Clap a new
VAMPIBABCHY.
33
VAN.
soul to ih' kingdom? 1737 M. Green Spleen 163 Whose
easy vamping talent lies, first wit to pilfer, then disguise.
1765 Sterne Tr. Skandy vn. xxix, A pert, vamping chaise-
undertaker, .demanded if Monsieur would have his chaise
refitted.
Vaxupirarchy. [f. next.] A set of ruling
persons comparable to vampires.
i8a3 New Monthly Mag. VII. 144 A sceptical critic has
pretended, with a decree of malice prepense against the
Vampyrarchy,..that his imperial Majesty's surgeons-major
and counsellors of war might perchance be deceived in some
respects.
Vampire (vae'mpaisj), sb. Also vampyre.
[a. F. vampirCy ad. Magyar vaptpir^ a word of
Slavonic origin occurring in the same form in
Russ., Pol., Czech, Serb., and Bulg., with such
variants as Bulg. vapir^ vepir, Ruthen. vepyr, vopyr^
opyr^ Russ. upir^ ^py^y Vo\, upior ; Miklosich
suggests north Turkish uber witch, as a possible
source. Cf. G. vampir, vatupyr^ Da., Sw. vam-
pyr^ Dn. vampir, It, Sp., Pg. vampiro, mod.L.
vampyrtis,']
1. A preternatural being of a malignant nature
(in the original and usual form of the belief, a re-
animated corpse), supposed to seek nourishment,
or do harm, by sucking the blood of sleeping
persons ; a man or woman abnormally endowed
with similar habits.
a. 1734 Trav. three English Gent, in Harl. Misc. (1745)
IV. 358 These Vampyres are supposed to be the Bodies of
deceased Persons, animated by evil Spirits, which come out
of the Graves, in the Night-time, suck the Blood of many of
the Living, and thereby destroy them. 1760-a Goldsm. Cit.
IV, Ixxx. P 8 From a meal he advances to a surfeit, and at
last sucks blood like a vampyre. z8i9[Polidori] The Vam-
/^J'rr p. XX, He had been tormented by a vampyre, but had
found a way to rid himself of the evil, by eating some of the
earth out of the vampyre's grave. 1847 Mrs. Kerr tr.
Ranke's Hist. Serbia iv. 7 1 Speedy death was the inevitable
consequence of such a visitation, and any one who so died
became himself a vampyre.
^. 1796 Pegck Anonym. (1809) 18a The accounts we have
of the Vampires of Hungary are most incredible. They are
Blood- suckers, that come out of their graves to torment the
living. x8i3 Eyron Giaour Note 38, The freshness of the
face, and the wetness of the lip with blood, are the never-
failing signs of a Vampire. 1846 T. Wright Ess. Mid. Ages
\. ix. 301 Walter Mapes. .gives some curious stories of Eng-
lish vampires in the twelfth century. 1886 Sat, Rev. 9 Jan.
55 We would welcome a spectre, a ghoul, or even a vampire
gladly, rather than meet [Stevenson's] Mr. Edward Hyde.
2. iransf. A person of a malignant and loath-
some character, esp. one who preys ruthlessly upon
others ; a vile and cruel exactor or extortioner,
»74X C. FoRMAN Obs. Revol. 11 These are the vampires
of the publick, and riders of the kingdom. 1814 Harriet
Shslley in Lett. Shelley (1909) 11. App. i. 992 In short, the
man 1 once loved is dead. This is a vampire. His charac-
ter is blasted for ever. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India 11.
1 74 There appeared to be no prospect of shaking oflF the
vampires that had fastened themselves on the princes of
Rajputanx 1899 F. T. Bullen Log 0/ Seawat/it^ The
vampires who supplied them with liquor had somehow
obtained a claim upon all their wages.
b, slang. An intolerable bore or tedious person.
i86s B. Taylor /^<3;«*<5- ^^(7(1^11 1. 11. 215 In the German
language there is no epithet which exactly translates our
word ' bore ', or its intensification, ' vampyre .
O. Applied to a mosquito.
1864GEIKIE ^v^/KWjjv. (1874)58 A sharp prick and the
little vampire is drinking your blood.
3. Zool. a. One or other of various bats, chiefly
South American, known or popularly believed to
be blood-suckers.
a. 1774 Goldsm. Nnt. Hist. (1834) II. 119 An animal not
so formidable, but still more mischievous than these, Is the
American Vamp>re. 1834 Handbk. Nat. Philos.^ Phys.
Ge0gr.$$fi (L.U.K.), The vampyres, or blood-sucking bats,
nine species of which have been mentioned. 1843 E. War.
BURTOS Crescent ^ Cross xv'i. (1859) '68 My companion slew
fifty*seven Vampyres in the few minutes.
^. 1783 Encycl. Brit. (cd. 2) X, 8711/3 The vampyrtis^
vampire, or Ternate bat, with large canine teeth. 1785
Smellie Buffon's Nat. Hist, (1791) V. 283 We shall call
it vampire, because it sucks the blood of men and other
animals when asleep, c i8ao Waterton Wand. S. Amer.
in. {1825) 154 The owls went away of their own accord.
. .The bats and vampires remained with me. 1839 Darwin
V<^. Nat. ii. (1845) 22 My servant.. suddenly put his hand
on the beast's withers, and secured the vampire. 1893
LvoEKKER Roy, Nat. Hist. I. 299 The vampires are remark>
able for the varied nature of their food.
b. The tarantula spider. rartr~^.
1843 Marryat M. Violet xliv, The deadly tarantula spider
or * vampire ' of the prairies.
O, The devil-fish, rare^^,
1867 Chronicle 5 Oct. 669 This giant of the Cephaloptera
is simply a monstrous Ray; and though Sea- Devil and
Vampire are assigned to it as trivial names, it.. is in no way
formidable save from its enormous strength and bulk.
4. A double-leaved trap-door, closing by means
of springs, used in theatres to effect a sudden dis-
appearance from the stage.
1881 W. S. GiLBF.RT Foggerty^s Fairy 1, Where's my vam-
pire ? 1886 Stage Gossip 69 A ' vampire ' is a trap used by
the sprites, nnd is cut tn the ' flats *, and often in the stage
— ^he sprite falling bodily through the trap.
6. attrib. and Comb.y zsvampire booksdkr^ corpse^
•fanned adj., legend, spell^ etc. ; vampire bat, =»
sense 3 a ; vampire trap, = sense 4.
1790 Shaw Spec. Linn, pi, 8, The "Vampyre Bat. Tail*
Vol. X.
less Bat with the nose plain, and the flying-membrane
divided between the thighs. 1807 Phil. Trans. XCVII,
176 The vampyre bat, which will be found to live on vege-
tables. 1839 Darwin Voy. Nat. ii. (1845) 22 The Vam-
pire bat is often the cause of much trouble, by biting the
horses on their withers. 1875 B. Taylor Faust 11. iii. iii.
Like vampire-bats, they're squeaking, twittering, humming.
1788 Burns Poet's Progress 29 *V am pyre-booksellers drain
him to the heart. iSoi Southey Thalaba viii. x. Through
the *vampire corpse He thrust his lance. 1819 [Polidori]
The Vampyre Introd. p. xxiii, The vampyre corse of the
Arabian maid Oneiza. 1847 Emerson Poems, Mithridates
Wks. (Bohn) I. 410 Swing me in the upas boughs, •Vam-
pire-fanned, when I carouse. 1855 Smedlev Occult Sci. 6g
Criticism applied to the * Vampire legends by an anonymous
writer. 1899 ^* J' Chapman Drama Two Lives^ Snake'
Witch 39 Tbat unrest That held him with its *vampire spell.
1871 Tylor Prim. Cult, II. 175 There is a whole literature
of hideous *vampire stories. 1813 Byron G/a;<?7*r Note 37,
The ''Vampire superstition is still general in the Levant.
i8a8 Lights <$■ Shades I. 42 A sort of yellowish-greenish,
brownish grey — an unearthly *vampire tinge. 1893 Westtn,
Gaz. 39 Sept. 4/2 All his disappearances are done oy means
of the ordinary pantomime ■* *vampire ' trap. 1837 A. Ten-
NENT Vis. Glencoe 49 Some [of the devils] seem'd equipp'd
with *vampire wing.
Hence Va*mpire v. trans,, to assail or prey upon
after the manner of a vampire. Vampi'ric a.,
Va'mpirlsh a,, of the nature of a vampire.
x83a Jekvll Corr. (1894) 306 Sotheby will not let poor Sir
Walter lie quietly in his grave, but *vampires him with
verses that would disgrace even the annuals. 1905 B. Ken-
nedy Green Sphinx xxj, The only wealth of the world is
the produce coming from the labour of Nature, . . And gold
insolently vampires this produce. 1883 H, Merivale
Faucit of Balliol ii. vi, I'm not sure that you are not a
ghost, .of some uncomfortable *vampiric order. 1891 A.
Lakg Angling Sheic/ies 57 The Highland fairies are very
•vampirish.
Vampirism (vscmpairiz'm). Also vampyr-
ism. jr. Vampire sb.} The collective facts or
ideas associated with the supposed existence and
habits of vampires.
i7$»4-6 E. Darwin Zoon. II. 63 The supposed existence . .
of witchcraft, vampyrism, animal magnetism and American
tractors. 18x9 [Polidori] The Vampyre Introd. p. xxii,
The same measures were adopted with the corses of those
persons who had previously died from vampyrism. 1855
Smeoley Occult Sci. 66 Instances of Vampirism, which
chiefly occurred in Hungary. 187a Le Fano In a Glass
III. 262 He devoted himself to the .. laborious investigation
of the marvellously authenticated tradition of Vampirism.
/ig. i8oi Southey Lett. (1856) I. 183 The Magazine
exists;.. the spirit having left it, I suspect vampirism in its
present life. 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. n. in. li, Treason,
delusion, vampyrism, scoundrelism, from Dan to Beersheba !
1858 O. W. HoLMits Atttocr. Break/.-t. ix. (1883) 175 Ah I
long illness is the real vampyrism.
va'mpirize, v. rare. Also vampyrise. [f,
asprec] a. intr. To act as a vampire, b. trans,
= Vampibb v.
1819 [Polidori] Ths VamPyre Introd. p. xxii, Tbat the
deceased is not only doomed to vampyrise, but compelled to
confine his infernal visitations solelyto those beings beloved
most while upon earth. 1888 M<^Carthy & Praeo Ladies^
Gallery III. vii. i2t She took to Action,. .and vampirized
Mrs. Lance when she found her own experience and imagi-
nation inadequate.
Vamplate (vae'mpl^t). "iiow Arc Ah'oL Forms:
a, 5 vaun- (faun-), 6 van-, vantplate. $, 6 Sc,
wamplat, 6- vamplate, 7, 9 vamplet, [f. AF.
va{u)n'y va{u)nt-y Vant- + plate Plate sb."] A
plate fixed on a spear or lance to serve as a guard
for the hand, esp. in tilting.
a. cxySfiLybeaus Desc. 1644 (K.), Loke}> ^our scheldes be
strong, ^our schaftes good and long, ^our saket and vaun.
plate. 1508 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. IV. 137 Tua vant
plates, tua spere hedis, tua suordis. a 154S Hall Chron.^
Hen. VlllfiZ The speres brake in the kynges hande to the
vantplate all to sheuers. 1598 Florio, Calces .a vanplate,
the iron about a tilting-stafle neere the hand.
&. 1534 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot.Wl. loo For ij marekyn
skynnis to lyne the twa wamplatis to the Kingts spens.
a 1586 S\OHK^ Arcadia 111. vii. (191 2) 387 Amph4alus..let his
Staffe fall to Agenors vamplaL 163a Guiilim's Heraldry
IV. xiii. 343 This vamplet.. is of Steele and is vsed for the
safegard of the Titters hand, and is taken off and put on to
the stafTe or speare at pleasure. x66o in Archaeologta XI.
99 Vamplets for lilting staves, 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey),
Vamplate^ a Gauntlet, or Iron-Glove, c i8a8 Berry Encycl.
Her. I. Gloss. 1869 BouTELLy4r»« tf Armour viii. 128 At
the handle the shaft passed through a small circular shield,
or hand-guard (called a vamplate), which was fixed to the
shaft of the lance. 1898 Viscr. Dillon in Archaeol. Jml.
V. 309 The Hatton and Prince Henry vampUtes are trun-
cated cones.
Vainplet. south-w. dial, [f. Vamp sb?- -1- -let.]
A gaiter. Usu. in pi.
184a Akerman Wilts. Gloss., Vamplets, rude gaiters to
defend the legs from wet. 1863 Wise New Forest 162 His
legs are still cased.. with gaiters, known as 'vamplets', or
'strogs '. z866 Blackmore C. No^vellyXxXy She wore a pair
of poor Clayton's vamplets. x^^ — Alice Lorraine II.
xvi. 208 Instead of white stockings, he displayed gold,
buttoned vamplets of orange velvet X883- in dial, glossaries
(Berks., Hants, Wilts.).
Vampoose, Vampose, erron. varr. Vamose v,
1857 Kincsley Two Years Ago i, Has he vampoosed with
the contents of a till, that he wbhes so for solitude ? 1857
G. H. KiNCSLEY Sp. ff Trav, (1900) ^S A 'cute Help, who
had vamposed into the swamp with the family plate.
Vamure, var. Vaumure Obs,
tVamward. Obs. rare. Also vaumward,
vawme-. [var. of vaun{t)ward Vantward. Cf.
Vawabd.] The vanguard of a host or army.
13.. Coer de L. 4025 These rydden in the vawmewarde,
1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 188 He gaf him J>e vamward.
ibid, 334 per vaumward was sone dight.
Van (vsen), ^.1 Also 5-7 vanne (7 wanne),
7-8 vann. [Southern var. of Fan ^^.1, perh. partly
^.OV.van orad. L. vanmts. Cf. WFlem.z/a«, Du.
•wan, G. wannty Sw. vannai\
1. A winnowing basket or shovel ; c= Fan j^.l i a.
Also, in mod. dial., — Fanner 2.
c 1450 [see Fan i<5.' la, ^]. ^1481 Caxton Dialogues i&
Ghyselin the mande maker Hath sold his vannes, .. ifis
temmesis to dense with. 1566 Adlincton Apitleius lai
Then althe people. .toke a great number ofVannes replen-
ished with odors and pleasaunt smelles. 1598 Barckley
Felic, Man iii. (1603) 246 At last he was put in a vanne,..
and tossed up and downe that he might not sleepe. idoz-
1791 [see Fan sb^ i a,^]. i8ox Ranken Hist. France 1. 430
The van was a broad shovel, with which they threw the grain
with force to a distance, while the light chaff fell behind.
1807 J. Robinson Archmol. Grxca v. xiv. 477 To put them
in vans or implements for winnowing corn. 1863 J. G.
Murphy Comm., Lev. vii. 30 It is used of the van in win-
nowing. z88o- in south<western dial, glossaries.
b. A shovel used for lifting charcoal or testing
ore.
X664 Evelyn Sylva 102 Your Coals sufficiently cool'd,
with a very long-toothed Rake, and a Vann, you may load
them into the Coal-wains. 1753 Chambers* Cycl. Suppl. s.v,
Vauningt This instrument called the Vann [printed Vaun],
is a long and moderately deep wooden shovel. 1875 Knight
Diet. Mech. 2689/2 Van^ a shovel used in sifting ore.
c. [Cf. Van zj.] A process of testing ore on a
shovel ; the amount of metal obtained by this test,
1778 Pryce Min. Comub, 316 If the Van will cover or
equal the weight of a crown piece, it is good Tin-stuff, and
is termed a Crown Van. x88o W. Cornw. Gloss,., Van^ a
rude process of trying tin ores by crushing and washing on
a shovel. cx888 Trans. Amer, Inst. Min. Eng. XII. 64
(Cent.), As be watched the process of making a van on a
shovel, and saw the copper roll up to the highest point.
1 2. = Fan sbX \ d. Obs.~^
X458 Maldon (Essex) Liber B. fol. it b, John Dale hath in
his kepynge ajustyng sadel, ii vannys, and asper.
3. Awing; = Fan j<5.l 4. Chiefly /iJ^/,
1667 [see Fan sh."^ 4 ^], 1671 Milton P, R. iv. 583 Strait
a fiery Globe Of Angels on full sail of wing flew nigh. Who
on their plumy Vans receiv'd him soft. 1700 Drvden Ovid's
Met. XII. 749 He wheel'd in Air, and stretch 'd his Vans in
vain ; His Vans no longer cou'd his Flight sustain. 1791-
(see Fan sb.^ 4]. 1815 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. vii. (1816) I.
215 Its ample vans are calculated to catch the wind as sails,
and so to carr^ it sometimes over the sea. 18^1 D. Jerrold
St. Giles xxxiiL 342 A carrion crow flapped its vans above
the heads of man and wife. 1879 £. Arnold Lt. Asia vi.
(i38i) 156 Bright butterflies Fluttered their vans, azure and
green and gold.
^g, 1898 G. Meredith Poet. Wks. (1912) 549 Beneath the
vans of doom did men pass in.
1 4. ? The vane of a ship. Obs.~^
1698 Fryer Ace. E. India 4- P. i^ The Vans of the next
Ships (though groveling with a neighbouring Wave) could
not be discerned.
5. A sail of a windmill ; = Fan sbX 6 c. (Cf,
Vane 3 a.)
1837 Landor Pentameron Wks. 1846 II. 352 A sigh sets
her windmill at work van over van, incessantlv. 1856 Mrs.
Browning Aur. Leigh iv. 520 As a windmill seen at dis-
tance radiating Its delicate white vans against the sky. x86o
O, W. Holmes Pro^. Break/.'t. xi. With his arms flying.,
like the vans of a windmill.
Van (vaen), sb.^ Also 7 vann. [Shortening of
Vanguard.]
1. The foremost division or detachment of a mili-
tary or naval force when advancing or set in order
for doing so.
1633 T. Stafford Pac. Hib. (1821) 420 The Van went oflf
witlifew slaine. 1665 Manley Grotius Low C. Wars 799
Spinola himself went in the Van, sending before him Scouts
and Pioneers to search the ways and level them. 1667
Milton P. L. 11. 535 Armies rush To Battel in the Clouds,
before each Van Pric forth the Aerie Knights. 1704 Lond.
Gaz. No. 4054/1 They were very strong in the Center,
and weaker in the Van and Rear. 01781 R. Watson
Philip III (1783) V. 382 The van was led by the mareschal
Lesdiguieres, the main body by the duke of Savoy, and
Shoniberg .. brought up the rear with the artillery. x8i6
Scott Old Mart, xxv, As Lord Evandale spoke, the van of
the insurgents began to make their appearance. 1844 H. H.
Wilson Brit. India II. 555 The van of the Mahratta army
..had advanced to within fifteen miles of Chanda. 1879
FRouDECar^/ir-xix. 308 Roman civilians had followed in the
van of the armies.
b. Without article.
1663 Butler Hud. i. ii. 104 The Foe he had survey 'd
Rang'd, as to him they did appear, With Van, main Battel,
Wings and Rear. 1667 Milton P. L. v. 589 Standards.and
Gonfalons twixt Van and Reare Streame in the Aire. 1809
WoRDSW. Ho/cr 10 They stagger at the shock From van to
rear. 1865 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xviii- iv. V. 86 Van, having
faced to right.. and so become Left Wing, will attack
Kreczor.
o. Const, o/iw&r, etc.), or with possessive.
1716 Pope Iliad xiii. 350 But those my ship contains,
whence distant far, I fight conspicuous in the Van of War,
1813 Byron Br. Abydost. vii, Another 1 and a braver man
Was never seen in battle's van.
t d. In one's van, in front of one. Obs,
17*4 De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1640) 250 The king's army
[wasj in his rear, and Sir Richard Grenvil in his van.
2. The foremost portion of, or the foremost posi-
tion in, a company or train of persons moving, or
prepared to move, forwards or onwards.
1610 Beaum. & Fl. Scorn/. Lady v. 1, Come who leads?
Sir Roger, you shall have the Van : lead the way. 1648 J.
VAN.
BsAtTMONT Psyeke xvi. Ixxii, The gallant Paeans of His
vocal Van To all the Orbs proclaim'd the Spectacle. 1674
yacks&iCs Rtceuttations ig in Hindley Book Collector's
Misc. ni, I..wascommonly in the van, upon any desperate
exploit, having the knowledge of my weapon [etc.]. 18*4
W. Irving T. Trai'. I. 48 My aunt led the van with a red.
hot poker ; and, in my opinion, she was the most formidable
of the party. 1850 Merivale Rom. Emp. v. (1865) 1. 220
ITie GauU.. formed the van of the great Celtic migration.
1874 BuRXASD My Time xxvi. 240 After the van of the
procession had marched into the dining-room.
b. fig*-, esp. in the phrases to Uad{\ beary f have)
the van, and in the van,
(a)«i66x Fuller Worthies (1840) III. 115 Ratclifle
Church esteemeth it a greater grace to lead the van of all
parochial, than to follow in the rear after many Cathedral
Churches in England. 1683 tr. Erasm, Morix Encom. 9
Why may not I justly bear the Van among the whole troop
of Gods? a X708 Beveridge Thes. TfuoL (1710) I. 234 The
Apostle gives us a chain of all Christian graces : wherein . .
faith leads the van. 177a Fletcher Lo^ca Genev. 198 As
Moses led the van of these testimonies.. and St. Paul the
main body, permit St. James to bring up the rear. 1838
Stephens Trm*. Greece I. vii. 125, I could not follow them
in their long and repeated kneelmgs and prostrations; but
my young Greek . . led the van.
(^) 1771 yunius Lett. IviL (1788) 306 The natural resources
of the crown are no longer confided in. Corruption glitters
in the van. i8»o Keats Hyperion i. 343 Be thou therefore
in the van Of circumstance. 1843 Carlyle Past if Pr, in.
viii. The chief of men is he who stands in the van of men.
1879 Lubbock Addr. Pol. <$• Educ. iv. 87 That nothing less
will suffice here if we are to maintain our position in the
van of industiial nations.
3. The fore or front part of a thing, rare.
17*7 Dyer Grongar Hill-^ Silent Nymph !.. Who.. He On
the mountain's lonely van. Beyond the noise of busy man.
176J Falconer Shi^r, 11. 508 While o'er the quivering
deck, from van to rear, Broad surges roll in terrible career.
4. attrib.^ as van-division^ -shipy -squadron.
165a French Occurr. Nov. zg-Dec.b ai6 Ruttier. .com-
manded the Van-squadron, and charged very resolutely up
to us. xTpS Nelson 13 Mar. in Nicolas Dis^. (1845) II, 14
The Admiral made the signal for the Van-ships to join him.
z^S — 19 June Ibid. (1846) VII. p. Ixxxii, The Admiral has
honoured me with the command of the Van-Division. 1806
A. Duncan Nelson 71 He received the. .fire from the van
ships. x86a Meredith Poet, Wks. (1912) 122 The day was
a van.bird of summer.
Van (vasn), sbJ^ [Shortened f. Caravan 4.]
L A covered vehicle chiefly employed for the
conveyance of goods, usually resembling a large
wooden box with arched roof and opening from
behindi but varying in size (and to some extent in
form) according to the use intended.
xSag Lvtton The Disowned I . iv. 50 Yes, Sir, we have
some luggage — came last night by the van. 1855 Leifchild
CornivaU "i The Cornish van is a conveyance both peculiar
and interesting. This particular one., resembled very nearly
an ordinary covered cart of some length. 187a C. King
Sierra Nevada x. 213 The great van rocked, settled a little—
and stuck fast.
b. Felons^ van^ prison van. Also ellipt.
1858 [see Prison sh. 3 a]. 1863 Kinglake Crimea I. 338
The hour when the Parliament of France had been driven
into the felons* van. 1805 Daily News 17 May 8/6 The
Gaoler — There is no van between 10.30 in the morning and
four in the afternoon.
2. A closed carriage or truck used on railways
for conveying passengers' luggage and the guard of
the train, or in goods trains for smaller articles
needing protection from the weather.
Freq. with defining terms, as brake-^guard^s, luggage van.
x868 BoVD Less. Middle Age 339 Emerging from the
carriage door, the pilgprim . . hastens to the van at the end of
the train. 1885 Law Times LXXIX. 47/1 The portmanteau
and hamper had been put into the van.
3. attrib. and Comb., as van boy, docky 'driver^
dweller, harnesSy load, -man, shunter.
x88i Instr. Census Clerks (1885) 34 *Van..Boy, Guard.
1883 Pall Mall G. 23 Oct. 7/2 A van boy, seventeen years
of age, 1878 F. S. Williams Midi. Railw. 639 On the left
of this platform is the ' *van dock ' in which the vans are
standing. 1895 Daily News 26 Sept. 6/3 A Midland Rail-
way *van driver, 1894 [bid. 25 Jan. 2/4 The fourth annual
meeting of the United Kingdom Showmen's and *Van
Dwellers* Protection Association. x86a Catal. Internat.
Exkib., Brit. II, No. 4727, *Van harness and cart harness.
1883 L'pool Daily Post 23 Apr. 5/2 Countless *vanloads of
happy urchins, bent on enjoymg their Sunday school treat.
i88x Instr. Census C/er^j (1885) 34 Trap Minder. *Van Man.
1891 Daily Neivs 21 Sept, 2/7 Vanman of the Glasgow City
Parochial Authorities. 1878 F. S. Williams Midi. Railw.
639 The vans, as they enter the shed, are at once placed
under the orders, .of ' *van shunters '.
Van (vaen), sb.^ [a. Welsh fan (van), mutated
form of ban height, occurring in place-names in
South Wales, esp. in Brecknock.] A height or
summit.
1871 Kingsley At Last ii, Flat 'vans' or hog-backed
hills, and broad sweeps of moorland,.. are as rare as are
steep walls of cliff. 1905 A. R. Wallace My Life I. 249
The range of the great forest of Brecon, with its series of
isolated summits or vans.
Van (vaen), v^ Also 4 uanni, 5 vane, 5-7
vanne. [Southern var. Fan v^
1. trans. To winnow with a fan. ? Obs.
1340 [see Fan v. i\. c\\(rj Noble Bk. Cookry (1882) 86
Tak clene whet and bet it in a mortoire and vane it clene.
X545 Elvot, EuannOy to van corne or other lyke thyng.
X552 HuLOET, Vanne or fanne corne, euanno. 1611 Cotgr.,
Berner, to vanne, or winnow corne. 1631 Anchoran Comen-
tus' Gate TonguesZ-j Hee vanneth, winnoweth and waggeth
oates with a wanne. 1648 Hexham 11, IVt-wannen, to
84
Winnowe, or to Vanne out. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey)
Vanned, fanned or winnowed.
/ig. 14.. Langland's P. PL C. xxin. 168 Elde-.wayueth
\v.r. vanned] away wanhope. a 1693 Urguhart's Rabelais
in. xl. 332 The Suit or Process, being well vanned and
winnowed,
t 2. a. = Fan v. 3. Obs.
X565 Cooper Thesaurus%.\, Kpw/w/wr, Vanne windesaftely
on hir in this maner.
f b. To fan ; to blow upon. Obs.
i6a8 Y^\.x^KU: Resolves 11. viii, 18 Nor does the wound but
rankle more, which is vanned by the publike ayre.
3. To separate and test (ore) by washing on a van
or shovel, (Earlier in Vanning vbl. sb.'^ 2.)
1839 De la Beche Rep. Geol. Cornzvall, etc. xv. 585 We
have seen a miner dexterously van pulverised iron pyrites.
1899 Baring-Gould^^. (yW'V^^ II. v. 61 In dressing the ore
the miners broke it with their hammers, and then 'vanned'
it on their broad oak shovels.
Van (v£en), J/.2 rare~^, [f. Van sbj^l trans.
To go in the van of, to lead.
185a A. Smith Life Drama ii, Do not the royal souls that
van the world Hunger for praises?
Van (vsen), v,^ [f. VANJi^.3]
1. trans. To send in a van.
X840 New Monthly Mag. LX. 167 Vanning his horses to
the different meetings. 1862 H. H. Dixon Scott ^ Sebright
iii. 203 When.. he [a racehorse] could hardly move in his
box, he was vanned down to Hermit Lodge.
2. To confine in a van.
1897 P. Warung Tales Old Regime 34 A convict— one of
the two servants who were not 'van'd' overnight.
Van, obs. Sc. pa. t. Win v.
Vanadate (vse-nad/t). Chem. [f. Vanad-ium
+ -ate 1. So F, vanadate."] A salt produced by
the combination of vanadic acid with a base.
1835 Partington's Brit. Cycl., Arts ^ Set. II. 858/2 The
precipitate is vanadate of barytes or lead. x8si Mantell
Petrifactions iii. §1. 145 Vanadic acid and vanadates. 1883
Science I. 490/1 Strontic vanadate was prepared by fusion
of the acid with sodic bromide and strontic bromide. Ibid,,
Vanadates of lead, cadmium, zinc, . . were formed in the same
way.
Vanadiate (van^-diA). Chem, [f.VANADl-UM
+ -ate1.]
1.1 =
prec.
X836 T. Thomson Min., Geol. , etc. 1 1. 539 Analysis of Van-
adiates. The only vanadiate known at present to exist in
the mineral kingdom, is the vanadiate of lead. 1849 D.
Campbell Inorg. Chem. 301 The vanadiate of potash in the
bisulphate of potash solution is boile ' with hydrochloric
acid, 1869 Phil. Trans. CLVIII. 18 Vanadiate of ammonia.
Vanadic (vanse'dik, van^'dik). Chem, [f.
Vanad-ium + -ic. Cf. F. vanadique,] Of or per-
taining to, derived from, vanadium ; spec, contain-
ing vanadium in its higher valency, as opposed to
Vanadious a. Chiefly in vanadic acid,
1835 Partington's Brit. Cycl., Arts ff Sci. II. 858/2 The
vanadic acid is reduced to the state of salifiable oxide. X849
D» Campbell Inorg. Chem. 303 Vanadic acid is a brownish
powder, but when melted . , it approaches a rusty-red. 1874
RoscoE Ess. (Owens Coll,) II. 55 The crystalline form of a
mineral contained vanadic oxide.
Vanadinite (vanse-dinait). Min, [f. Vanad-
ium + -in + -ITE.] A mineral consisting of vanadate
of lead and chloride of lead, occurring in brilliant
crystals of various colours,
1855 Orr's Circ. Sci., Geol., etc. 532 Vanadinite. . . Found in
Mexico, the Ural, and Dumfriesshire. x88o Clemenshaw
Wurtz'Atom. The. 139 The atomic weight of vanadium has
been altered so that vanadinite, which is isomorphous with
apotite, is represented by a similar formula.
Vanadions (van^i'diss), a, Chem. [f. Vanadi-
um + -ous c] Containing vanadium in its lower
valency, as opposed to Vanadic a.
1868 Watts Did. Chem, V. 088 Vanadious phosphate and
sulphate have been obtained in definite crystals. 1870
RoscoE in Lond. Philos. Mag. July 63 Vanadious salt.
Vanadite (vse'nadsit). Chem. rare. [f. as
prec. + -ITE. So F, vanadite.'] (See qnot,)
rS^S Partington's Brit. Cycl., Arts ^ Sci. II. 859/1 Oxide
of vanadium.. combines with bases, and forms salts, which
may be called vanadites. 1858 T. Graham Inorg. Chem,
(ed. 2) II. 174 The insoluble vanadites, when moistened or
covered with water, become green.
Vanadinm (van^'*di^m), Chem. [mod.L.,
irreg. f. ON. Vana-dls one of the names of the
Scandinavian goddess Freyja : see -lUM. Named
(1830) by the Swedish chemist Sefstrom, who
found it in iron from Taberg near Jonkoping.]
A rare chemical element (symbol V), occurring in
certain iron, lead, and uranium ores, some of the
compounds of which are used in the production of
aniline blacks and other dyeing materials.
The metal was detected by Del Rio in certain Mexican
lead ores in 1801, and named by him Erythronium.
1835 Partington's Brit. Cycl., Arts ^ Sci. II. 859/1 Vana-
dium dissolves readily in nitric acid and in aqua regia, 1839
Ure Diet. Arts 1263 Vanadium is white, and when its sur-
face is polished, it resembles silver or molybdenum more
than any other metal. 1880 Times 23 Oct. 6/1, I would
suggest a preparation of aniline with vanadium for the
tinted grounds.
attrib. 1849 D. Campbell Inorg. Chem. 30X The vana-
dium sulphide precipitates, and gathered, is.. roasted in an
open crucible till it becomes vanadic acid. 1869 RoscOE in
Phil. Trans. CLVIII. 11 Vanadium dioxide, or vanadyl,
Vs O2. 1908 IVestm, Gaz. 2 Apr. 4/2 The material used in
its construction (vanadium steel, made in the company's own
works).
VAKDAL.
f VanadouB, obs. variant of Vanadious a.
1858 T. Graham Inorg. Chem. (ed. 2) II. 173 Bioxide of
vanadium is also capable of acting as an acid... It is hence
called vanadous acid.
Va'nadyl. Chem. [f. Vanad-ium + -tl.] Va-
nadium dioxide.
1868 Watts Diet. Chem, V. 987 As it enters into many
vanadium-compounds.., it may be appropriately called
vanadyl. 1869 Roscoe in Phil. Trans. CLVIII. 3 Vanadyl
monochloride.
Vanbrace, -bras, varr. Vam-, Vantbrace.
a 1470 H. Parker Dives ^ Pauper (W. de W. 1496) x. vi.
379/2 We sholde take with us rerebras and vanbras & gloues
of plate. 1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. V, ccxviii,
Alanzon breakes the Blow, which the King first Made, . .
and locks his Hilt In Harrie's Vanbrace. 1816 Monthly
Mag. XLI. 330 Their arms and legs vanbras and cuisses
sheath.
Vance, variant of Vaunce v, Obs.
t Va'ncement. Obs.'~'^ In 4 vauna-. [Aphetic
f. Advancement.] Advancement, preferment.
1303 R. Bbunne Handl. Synne 5514 5yf bou ojjer gaue or
sent Of holy cherche to haue vaunsement.
Vance-roof. E- Angl. Also 8-9 vaunce-.
[f. Vaunce v.] A garret. Ahofig,
1655 GuRNALL Chr. in Arm. i. vii. § 2. 256 Canst thou
hide any one sin in the vance-roof of thy heart? 1657 in
Verney Mem. (1907) II. 119 You may ges how full our hous
is whan my lady and all hir faimily of women !y in thevanlcje
rouff over the dining chamber. 1682-3 ^^- L^tt. Norwich
Quakers, And for the vance roofes we giue xos a weeke for
those to worke in y* Lodge in the hole. 1787 in Marshall
Rnr. Econ. E. Nor/. 1823 in Moob Suffolk Gloss,
T Vanch.ase. Obs. rare. Also vaunchace. [f.
van- (see Vant-) + Chase j^.i Cf. Vaunt-chase.]
The van, front, or advanced part of the chase or
hunt. So t Vanohaser, a hound hunting in the
van. Obs.
C14X0 Master of Game (MS. Digby 182) Prol., He hath
ynogh at done.. to loke.. which houndes ben vanchasours
and perfiters. Ibid., He shal se, whiche houndes commeth
in the vanchace \BodL MS. vaunchace] and the myddell and
whiche ben perntours.
Van-courier (vse'nkuoirisj). Forms : a, 6-7
van-corrier, 7 -currier, -lour. i8. 7-9 van-
courier. [Var. of vant- Vaunt-coubiek.] A
vaunt-courier or forerunner, in lit. ^jidjig. senses.
a. 1581 Styward Mart, Discipl. \. 15 He is to appoint
what bands shal watch & what vancorriers. 1653 Ben-
LowE Theoph. vii. xliv, Windes are van-curriers and posti-
lions to Thy will. 1657 Reeve God's Plea 147 Where is
reformation to latch arrows, . .to meet the Vancurriours in
their march? 1687 tr. Sallust (1692) 287 The Vancurriers
that scouted before, returning brought word, that all were
friends.
p. 1670 Caveat to Conventiclers i The Van couriers
appeared in number about half a score, a 1694 Life M.
Robinson (ed. Mayor) 36 All the neighbouring gentlemen
knew of the master's approach by these his vancouriers.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Van-couriers^ light-armed
Soldiers sent before to beat the Road, upon the approach
of an Enemy. 1879 Todhunter Alcestis n What bodes
this pale vancourier of fate?
Vanctiist, obs. Sc. pa.t. and pple. of Vanquish v,
•*" Van-current, a. Obs, [f. van- + Current
a.y after van-courier.'] Forerunning, precursory.
1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. IVyMv, Soe van-Current
feavers but Yeild to a Pestilence,
Vand, obs. Sc. form of Wand sb.
Vanda (vse-nda). Bot. [mod.L., a. Skr. and
Hindi vandd.] A genus of epiphytal orchids, native
to tropical Asia, characterized by large showy
flowers borne in racemes ; a plant of this genus.
1801 Encycl. Brit. Suppl. II. 738/1. 1844 Florist's Jml.
(1846) V. 57 The Vandas, Saccolabiums, and Dendrobiums
of India. i88a Garden 21 Jan. 35/2, I herewith send you
a dried flower of the blue Vanda, which is now flowering.
Comb. 1837 Penny Cycl. IX. 480/1 Dendrobiums and
Vanda-like plants. 1844 Florists Jml. (1846) V. 55 The
flowers of this beautiful vanda-like plant.
Vandal (va^'ndal), sb. and a. Also 6-7 Vandale,
7 Vandall. [ad. L. Vandalus, pi. Vandali (also
-aliiy -Hi, -iliiy -ult), whence also F. Vatidale, It.,
Sp., Pg. Vandalo, Trevisa, in his translation of
Higden (1387), uses the form Wandales.
The different Latin forms indicate a variation of suffix in
the Germanic stem, viz. *lVandal; -H-, -ul-. The second
of these is represented by OE. IVendlas (pi.), ON. Vendill,
designating inhabitants of the north of Jutland.]
A. sb. 1. A member ofa Germanic tribe, which
in the fourth and fifth centuries invaded Western
Europe, and established settlements in various
parts of it, esp. in Gaul and Spain, finally in 428-9
migrating to Northern Africa. Chiefly in pi.
In the year 455 their king Genseric led a marauding ex-
pedition against Rome, which he took and completely
sacked. The Vandals were overthrown by Belisarius in
533 at the battle of Tricamarum.
iSSSEden Decades (Arb.) 283 Chaunges. .caused, .by the
commynge of the Gothes and Vandales, and other Barbarians
into Italy. 1596 Spenser St. Irel. Wks. (Globe) 627/2 The
coming downe of the Gothes, the Hunnes, and the Vandals.
1605 Verstegan Dec. Intell. ii. 44 The Gothes and the
Vandalles, beeing also a people of the septentrional partes
of Germanie. 1647-8 Cotterell tr, Davila's Hist. Fr.
(1678) 3 Famous incursions of the Vandals. 1694 Drvden
To Sir G. Kneller 47 Till Goths, and Vandals, a rude
Northern race, Did all the matchless Monuments deface,
a 1743 Savage 0/ Public SpiritWks. 1777 II. 141 Romeall
subdu'd, yet Vandals vanquish *d Rome, 1788 Gibbon Decl.
VANDALIAN.
Ajf. xli. IV. 146 The certain intelligence that the Vandal
[sc Gelimer] had fled to the inaccessible country of the
Moors. 184a Penny Cycl. XXIV. 366/1 The Slavonian
tribes were subject to the Teutonic Vandals, who are often
confounded with the Wends. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV.
58/a There does not seem to be in the story of the capture
Sf Rome by the Vandals any justification for the charge of
wilful and objectless destruction of public buildings.
2. trans/. One who acts like a Vandal or bar-
barian ; a wilful or ignorant destroyer of anything
beautiful, venerable, or worthy of preservation.
1663 Gerbier Counsel 50 For who would Rob them but
Goths and Vandalls. 1709 Pope Ess. Crit. 696 At length
Erasmus.. Stemm'd the wild torrent of a barb'rous age,
And drove those holy Vandals [i.e. monks] off the stage.
1780 CowpER On Burning Ld. Mausfitiii's Library i The
Vandals of our Jsle..Have burnt to dust a nobler pile Than
ever Roman saw! 1801 Helen M, Williams Matin. ^
Opin. Fr. Rep. II. xxxv. 177 The monuments.. which have
escaped the fury of our modern Vandals [i.e. Jacobinsl.
a 1839 PRAED Points (1864) II. 189 A horrid Vandal,— but
his money Will buy a glorious coat of arms. 1895 Suffling
Latui of Broads 85 Stained glass, which those narrow-
minded Vandals, the Puritans, took great pains to destroy.
B. adj, 1. Of or pertaining to the Vandals (or
a Vandal),
Vandal war^ the war waged by the Roman Empire against
the Vandals in Africa, 532-546.
1613 PURCHAS Pilgrimage (1614) 98 Procopius, in the
fourth booke of the Vandale Warre. 1781 Gibbon Decl. ^
F. xxxiii. ^1787) III. 346 The warlike tyrant is supposed to
have shed more Vandal blood by the hand of the executioner,
than in the field of battle. 1788 Ibid. xli. IV. 152 The
chariots of slate which had been used by the Vandal queen,
184a Penny CycL XXIV. 266/1 All the names of the Vandal
kings are Teutonic. 1879 Lumbv Introd. to ///;f(/^« (Rolls)
VII. p. XX, Gregory [VI] appealed to the emperor for help,
and when an excuse of the Vandal war was made by him,
the pope took the field himself against the robbers. i888
Encycl, Brit. XXIV. 58/2 The Vandal occupation of this
great city [i.e. Carthage], .lasted for ninety-four years.
2. Acting like a Vandal in the wilful or ignorant
destruction of things of beauty or historic interest;
recklessly or ruthlessly destructive; barbarous,
rude, uncultured,
1700 Drvden Prol. [FietcAer^s Pilgrim] 35 Our bold
Britton.. Invades the Psalms with Rhymes, and leaves no
room For any Vandal Hopkins yet to come. 1798 W. T.
Fitzgerald A/isc. Poems (1801) 99 Though Europe suffers,
to her foul disgrace, This second Inroad of the Vandal
Race. 1889 Science-Gossip XXV. 34 Vandal naturalists.
189a T. A. Cook Old Touraine (1894) II. 39 A certain
vandal senator .. irreparably destroyed a great part of the
old buildings.
3. Characterized by vandalism or lack of culture ;
vandalic, vandalistic.
175a H. Walpole Lett. (1846) 11. 443 Some good tombs
..,and a very Vandal one. 1857 Ld. Gkanville in Life
(1905) I. X. 260 They.. are against any Vandal destruction
of towns, palaces, eta 1865 Mary Howitt tr. /*. Bremer's
Greece ff Greeks II. xii, 24 Masses of marble fragments and
stones show what a work of Vandal desolation has been here;
Hence Vaiidalled pcu ppU.j over-run or devas-
tated by the Vandals.
1648 WiNVARD Midsummer. Mocn 4 The whole University
resembles Greece over-run by Turkes, or Italy Gotb'd and
Vandald.
Vanda'lian, a. rarg~\ [Cf. Vandal sd. i,
quot. 1842.] Wendish.
1730 /list. Litt. I. 435 We have now an entire Translation
of the Bible in the Vandalian Tongue.
Vandalic (vaend^'lik), a. Also 7 Vandal-
lique. [ad.L. Vandalic-us^i, Vandalus Vandal.
So F. vandaiique. In the 15th cent, translation of
Higden the form Wandalicai occurs.]
1. Characteristic of, resembling that of, the
Vandals ; barbarously or ignorantly destructive ;
vandalistic.
1666 Waterhousb Fir€ LotuioH 66 This late barrass of us
by a more than Gottish and Vandallique fire. 176J War*
BURTON Doct.Grace m. \\. Wks. 1788 IV. 704 Rash Divines
might be apt to charge this holy man.. with a brutal spite
to Reason,— and with more than Vandalic rage against
human Learning. x8oz Helen M. Williams Mann. 4-
Opin. Fr. Rep. I. xviiu 226 The vandalic fury that em*
ployed itself not only on the mutilation of statues, but
destroyed the paintings of the first masters. 1865 Ecclesio-
logist XXVI. 371 Deliberate, we might say Vandalic demo-
lition. 1887 F. R. Stockton Hundredth Matt xv, In his
vandalic operations Enoch had shown . . fiendish ingenuity.
b. Of persons : — Vandal a. 2.
184s Blackw. Mag. LI. 88 The cathedral itself is ordered
to be repaired, and unfortunately * beautified ', by the most
Vandalic architect Paris ever was afflicted with.
2. Ofor pertaining to, consisting of, the Vandals.
4 17*7 Newton Obs. Daniel (1733) I. v. 34 The Burgun-
dians, a Vandalic nation, were between the Vistula and the
southern fountain of the Boristhenes. i8oi .Sibbald Ckron,
S, P. IV. p. ix, The Saxons, of Vandalic origin. 1818 G. S.
Faber Inquiry 477 Passing thence into Germany, ne long
sojourned among the Vandalic States, and finally settled in
Bohemia, 1853 Kingslev Hypatia II. xv. 375 Barbarians
of the Vandalic race, . , made insolent by success.
t Vandaliro. Obs~^ [a. older Sp. vandoUra."]
« Bandoleer 2,
a 1660 Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. ArchaeoL Soc.) 11. 78 The
Major had noe amunition more then what the souldiers did
cane in their vandaliros about them,
Vandalish, a. rare. [f. Vandal + -ish.]
Vandalic, vandalistic.
^ 1834 Beckford Italy II. 356 Yes, I witnessed this vandal-
ish operation. 1839 Biackw, Mag. XLVI. 647 These pre-
85
tended barbarians— Gothic, Vandalish, Lombard,.. were in
reality the restorers and regenerators of the effete Roman
intellect.
Vandalism (vse-ndaliz'm). [a. F. vandalisme,
first used by Henri Gregoire, Bishop of Blois,
c i793>] 1'he conduct or spirit characteristic of,
or attributed to, the Vandals in respect of culture ;
ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beauti-
ful or venerable ; in weakened sense, barbarous,
ignorant, or inartistic treatment.
1798 Helen M. Williams Lett. France IV. 179 (lod.),
Those barbarous triumphs are passed and anarchy and van-
dalism can return no more. x8oo W, Taylor in Monthly
Mag.Vlll. 68^ The writers, who bring against certain philo-
sophic innovaiionists a clamorous charge of Vandalism. 1848
Gallenga Italy 497 After several hours of that unavailing
Vandalism, which set houses and palaces on fire, they were
compelled to beat a retreat, a 1878 Sir G. Scott Led.
Archit. (1879) I, 35 Monuments, through the lapse of time
and the barbarous hand of modern Vandalism, become in
many cases.. decayed and mutilated.
b. An instance of this ; a vandalistic act.
i8Sa Sergt. Ballantine ExPer. xxii. 218 The vandalisms
that have changed the fair scene.. into its present shape.
Vandalistic (vsendali'stik), a. [f. Vandal j^.
+ -ISTIC.] Characterized by, given to, vandalism.
1854 Eraser's Mag. L. 205 The authorities are Vandalistic
enough to prohibit the sport. 1897 Naturalist 45 The
most vandalistic plant-grubber. xj)oo Westm. Gaz. 8 May
jo/i The natives.. betray a vandalistic disposition towards
the tablets and inscriptions,
Vandalization. [Cf. next.] The action of
rendering barbarous.
1800 W. Taylor in Monthly Mag.^ VIU. 684 Events
thicken to accelerate the entire Vandalization of Europe.
Vandalize (vae-ndabiz), V, [f. Vandal sb, +
-IZE.] trans. To render Vandal in respect of cul-
ture ; to deal with or treat in a vandalistic manner.
1800 W. Taylor in Monthly Ma^, VIU. 684 To vandalize
Europe then can have no other signification than to intro-
duce eastern Slavonian barbarians to domination over the
actual feats of culture and improvement. x8«i New Monthly
Ma^, U. 353 They are not only vandalized in style, but in
sentiment. 1S45 Ford Handbk. Spain i. 90 The noblest
monuments of art and piety have been vandalized.
Hence Va'ndalizing///. a,
1804 Fessenden Democracy l/nveiled (1B06) I. 123 Direct
their vandalizing ravages To make men like themselves,
mere savages. 183a Blackw. Mag, XXXI. 581 No. .vigil-
ance., could disarm their rude followers of ferocious and
Vandalizing habits.
Vandalously, adv. rare-^, [f. Vandal s&.^
In a vandalistic manner.
1890 Tablet 6 Sept. 374 They were scandalously and
vandalously wrong when they reviled the Mother of God.
+ Vandelas. Obs. Forms: 6 vandelas, 7
-alas, -olose, -ulose. [See def.] A kind of strong
coarse canvas, used esp. for sails, manufactured in
the district of Brittany formerly called LeVendelais.
1571 in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz. (1908) 137 For vandelas
Ixvij ells di.— Ixvij" vj*. 1573 Ibid. 167 For xx"« peeces of
Vandelas to cover the Banketting howse. i6ia Ledger A.
Halyburton (1867) 319 Vandolose or Vitrie canves the eln,
xs. 1640 in EntickZ,tf«</<7ii(i766) II. 167 Linnens,.. narrow
vandales, or vittry canvas. 1657 Acts of Interregn. (1911)
II. 1213 Vandalosc or Vittry Canvas.
II Vandellia (vaendclia). [mod.L. (Linnaeus),
from the name of Domenico Vandelli (1732-), an
Italian botanist, in later life resident in Portugal.]
A genus of scrophulariaceous plants, some of which,
possess emetic or purgative properties; a plant
of this genus, esp. V, diffusa^ or a medicinal pre-
paration of this.
1797 Encycl. Brit, (ed. 3) XVIII. 618/1. iSao Loudon
Encycl. Plants. 530 Diffuse Vandellia. 1887 Moloney
Forestry W. Africa ^96 Employed in this manner the van-
dellia is as certain in its action as ipecacuanha.
Vanddmonian (vae^nd/'m^'ii'nian), a. and zb.
Also Van Diemonian, Biemenian. [f. Van
Diemeni^s Land^ the original name of Tasmania,
given by its discoverer Tasmaa in 1642 in honour
of Anthony Van Diemen (1593-1645), governor
of the Dutch East Indies.]
A. adj. Of, belonging to, or inhabiting Tas-
mania.
Freq. applied to the convicts domiciled there to the early
part of the t9th c.
1640 G. Arden Austr. Felix 9 A shrewd old Vandemonian
colonist. 1853 S. Sidney Three Colonies Austral, (ed. 2)
171 notey Acts levelled against Van Diemonian expirees.
1855 W. HowiTT Two Y. Victoria xx. I. 367 Some of the
Van Diemenian convicts.
B. sb. An inhabitant of Tasmania.
z8$a G. C MuNDY Our Antipodes III. viii. 251 The Van
Diemonians, as they unpleasingly call themselves. 1867
Casselfs Mag. II. 440/2, ' I never wanted to leave England,'
I have heard an old Vandemonian observe boastfully.
Hence Va^ndemonlanlsiu, rough orimmannerly
behaviour ; rowdyism.
1863 Victorian Hansard 22 Apr. IX. 701 (Morris), Mr.
Houston looked upon the conduct of hon. gentlemen opposite
as ranging from the extreme of vandemonian ism to the ex-
treme of n.-imby-pambyism.
fVanden, Obs."^ [Humorous application of
Du. van den, * of the*, in surnames.] Dutch.
1638 FoBD Lady's Trial 11. i, Gulls or Mogulls, Tag, rag,
or other, Hoger-Alogen vanden, Skip.Iacks, or Chouses.
Vandros: see Reredos 2 (quot. 1552).
VANDYKE.
Vandscott, obs. Sc. form of Wainscot.
Vandyke (vsendsi-k), sb. Also 8 Vandike, 8-9
Vandyck. [From the name of Sir Anthony
Vandyke (Anglicized spelling of Van DycH)^ the
great Flemish painter (1599-1641).]
1. A painting or portrait by Vandyke.
17S1 H. Walpolk Lett. (1846) II. 395 The whole-length
Vandykes went for a song 1 1888 Mrs. H. V^A9.v>R.Elsmere
542 The ball-room, lined with Vandycks and Lelys.
2. A broad lace or linen collar or neckerchief
with a deeply cut edge, in imitation of the style of
collar freq. depicted in portraits by Vandyke, form-
ing an article of fashionable dress in the i8th
century.
175s Gentl. Mag. XXV. 524 Circling round her Iv'ry neck
Frizzle out the smart Vandike. 1765 Granger Biogr. Hist,
^«^.,C^rtf./,1. 571 Laced handkerchiefs, resembling the large
falling band worn by the men, were in fashion among the
ladies: this article of dress has been lately revived, and called
a Vandyck. 1838 Hawthorne.(4;«<t. Note-bks.iiZtZ) I. 242
One of them, .attempts to exchange a worked Vandyke.
3. One of a number of deep-cut points on the
border or fringe of an article of apparel (see quot.
1882). Usu. inpl.
18*7 Souvenir 1. 151/3 (Stanford), Tulle pelisse, with three
Vandykes on the shoulders, forming epaulettes. 1831 G. R.
Porter Silk Manuf. 230 The paiticular form required
whether as Vandykes, or scallops, or any other figures. 1858
Ladies' Treasury Sept. 185 Tne body has a bertha cut in
Vandykes. x88a Caulfeild& Saward Diet. Needlezv. 510/1
Vandykes, this term is descriptive of a particular pointed
form cut as a decorative border to collars and other i^ortions
of wearing apparel, and to the trimmings of dress skirts and
bodices.
4. transf. A notched, deeply indented, or zigzag
border, edging, or formation.
1846 RuSKiN Let, Wks. 1909 XXXVI. 64 A bridge, .with
this pretty vandyke outside by way of variety. 1891 Daily
Nems 14 Oct. 2/8 The whole coast is a vandyke of bays and
clefts and promontories.
5. techn. (See quot.)
1846 HoLTZAPFFEL Turuing II. 736 (Buhl work), Brass
borders, technically known as Vandykes, are worked in
narrow slips.
6. Used attrib. or as adj. in designating things
associated in some way with Vandyke or his paint-
ings, as Vandyke beardy border^ broivn^ couching^
etc. (see quots. and cf. prec. senses).
1894 Westm, Gaz. 25 June 8/i Everyone is now wearing
a pointed V-shaped *Vandyck beard, while a few years ago
the Vandyck beard was unknown. 1880 Paper Sf Print,
Trades yml, xxx, 29 Each page having a deep *Vandyke
border, 1850 Weale Diet. Terms, * Vandyke Bro7vn,..a.
species of peat or bog-earth, of a fine deep semi-trans-
parent brown colour, i88a Caulfeild & Sawabd Diet,
Needlew. 92/a * Vandyke couching, a Raised Couching
formed with lines of whipcord laid on the linen founda-
tion in the shape of Vandykes [etc.]. 1825 Macaulay Ess.,
Milton fd-i His [i.e. Charles I] "Vandyke dress, his hand-
some face, and his peaked beard. 1757 Mrs. Delanv Life
fit Corr. (1861) HI. 467 Madam Godineau, in a round card
cap of black lace . . and a "vandyke handkerchief of the same.
i88a Caulfeild & Saward Diet, Needlew. 195/1 * Vandyke
stitch, a raised Couching. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. i. v,
^Vandyke tippets, ruffs, fardingales, are brought vividly
before us. i88a Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needlew. ig^/i
* Vandyke tracery.. is worked much in the same way as
Cross Tracery, and forms a zig-zag device on the open parts
of leaves and other spaces. 1829 Glover's Hist. Derby I.
242 In 1766. .Crane manufacturecl a rich brocade for waist-
coats,, .and about two ^ears afterwards he attempted "van-
dyke-work, by appending a warp-machine to a plain stock-
ing frame.
b. (See quot.)
1889 Maiden Useful PI IV. Ind. 99 Panictan faviduvi,, .
' Vandyke (Jrass ' (of Bailey).
Vandyke (vasndai'k), v. Also Vandyck. [f.
as prec.j
1, trans. To furnish or provide (some dress
material) with Vandykes or deep-cut points, after
the manner represented in Vandyke's paintings ; to
cut or shape with deep angular indentations.
Chiefly in pa. pple.
1800 [implied in Vandyked///. a.\ i8a8 Moir Mansie
Wauch vii. 65 Long muslin frockies, Vandyked across the
breast. 1869 Latest Ne%vs 5 Sept. 7 The muslin skirt is
trimmed with a gathered flounce, vandyked at each edge.
1894 Weyman ^lan in Black 55 His dress was in the ex-
treme of the fashion, his falling collar vandyked.
b. In general use,
1839 Thackeray Fatal Boots Feb., I made the leaves of
the [needle-] book, which I vandyked very nicely, out of a
piece of flannel. x868 Fortn. Rev. Nov. 485 A shelf of
limestone .. not presenting a straight face, but vandyked, as
it were, into a bewildering number of zigzags. 1887 Gkosart
in Lismore Papers Set. 11. I. 4 1'h>s document is indented
or vandyked along its upper edge.
c. Said of the thing forming, or helping to form,
the indentations.
1854 Chambers^ Jntl. II. 323 Tongues of sea-sand .. van-
dyking its borders. 1868 Lockver Guilleviin's Heavens
(ed. 3) 228 It is easy to see numerous irregularities and
transverse markings, vandyking and crossing the more
visible features in various directions. 1898 Weyman CastU
Inn 221 The peaks of three gables rose above them, van-
dyking the sky.
2. intr. To go or proceed in an irregular zigzag
manner ; to take a zigzag course. ? Obs.
i8s8 Moir Mansie IVaucA xiii. 195 It behoves me.. to beg
pardon. .for being forced whiles to zigzag and vandyke.
1831 Eraser's Mag, III, 27 He discussed two bottles of
6 - a
VANDYKED.
oW Bordeaux, and, staggering to a bye lane, vandyked to
Famingham. 1845 Alb. bMiTH Fort. Scatter^ood Fam, xv,
Foreign gentlemen . . vandyked with indecision about the
quay, a^ they tried to recollect the name of the hotel.
Vandyked (-vsendai'lct), ppl. a. [Cf. prec.]
Provided with Vandykes ; cut or shaped at the edge
into deep indentations ; zigzagged.
x8oo ffuii Advertiser 32 Nov. 3/3 A broad border, or
rather flounce, of vandyked velvet. 183a T. Brown £k.
Butitrfties ^ M. (1834) I. 169 The wings are of an intense
black, denticulated with a vandyked border of white, i860
Sala Lady Ckcsterjield v. 80 The vandyked morocco
valance. 189a E. Reeves Homezvard Bcmnd 139 The
roadway is bordered by a massive stone wall.. with a van-
dyked top, like a piece of lace.
vandyking, »<J/.Ji^. rare, [Cf. Vandyke z*.]
tl. notue-iise. ? The drawing or sketching of
portraits. Obsr^
1633 WiSDEBANK in Strafford^s Lett. ^ Disp. (1730) I- 161
You made many ill Faces with your Pen, (pardon I breech
your Lordship, the over free Censure of your Vandyking).
2. concr. Vandyked material ; work shaped in
Vandykes or deep zigzags.
1819 IF. AiAC Donoch] Hermit in, Land, 170 Tiers of van-
dyking and quilled lace.
vane (v^'n). Also 6 vayn, 6-7 veine, 8 vain.
[Southern var. of Fane sby\
L A plate of metal, usually of an ornamental
form, fixed at an elevation upon a vertical spindle,
so as to turn readily with the wind and show the
direction from which this is blowing ; a weather-
cock.
Vanes are a common addition to the tops of spires or other
pinnacles of buildings.
1^5 in Kennett Far. Antig. (1818) XL 254 Cum ii venti-
logiis, viz. vanj-s de Tyn emptis..ponendis super utrumque
finem priedicti dormitoriL X479-S1 Rec, St. Alary at Hill
(1905) 103 Item, for mendyng of the vaneof thesteple. 1483
Caxton G, de la Tour B j, Be ye not like ne semblable the
tortuse ne to the Crane which wynde their hede here and
there as a vane. 153a in E. Law Hampton Crt. Pal. (1885)
364 A vayn servyng for the stone typis at the gabuU ende
of the Tennys play. 1571-3 Sarum Churckw. Ace. (Swayne,
1896) 287 Taking downe of the vane and mending of him.
IS97 MiDDLBTos lyjsd. Solomon xiv. 17 Like as a vane is
turn'd with every blast, a 1700 Evelyn Diary^ 13 July
1654, These were adom'd with a variety of dials, little
statues, vanes, &c. 1785 Reid Intell. Powers n. xix. 325
When I see a spire at a very great distance there appears
no vane at the top. i8s6 Scott Woodst. ii, One or two.,
venerable turrets, bearing each its own vane of rare device
glittering in the autumn sun. 1849 Mrs. Somerville
Connex, Phys. Sci. (ed. 6) xv. 138 Thus two alternations
of north and south wind will cause the vane at any place to
go completely round the compass. 1880 L. Morris Ode of
Life 130 The old grey church, with the tall spire, Whose
vane the sunsets fire.
transf 1845 Darwik Voy. Nat. i. (1873) 3 The direction of
the branches was N.E. by N., and these natural vanes must
indicate the prevailing direction of the trade wind. 1859
Herschel in Man. Sci. Eng. 136 The direction of the wind,
as well as its force, should be registered at each observa-
tion ; and for this it is well to have a small compass with
a vane of card or thin and very moveable sheet brass.
\i.fig. An unstable or constantly changing person
or thing.
1588 Shaks. L. Lt L. IV. i. 97 What plume of feathers is
hee that indited this Letter? What veine? What Wether-
cocke? ?az6xz Beaum.& Fl. Four Plays Wks. 1912 X. 303
My desire's a vane, That the least breath from her turns
every way. 1850 D. G. Mitchell Reveries Bachelor 133
Who is going to shift this vane of my desires ?
o. Natd, A piece of bunting fixed to a wooden
frame, which turns on a spindle at the mast-head
to show the direction of the wind. (See also Dog-
vane.)
1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 3 Some com-
pare her [the ship] to a Commonwealth, and carry the
Allegory from th« Vane, down to the Keelson. 1769
Falconer Diet, Mar*, Vane, a thin slip of bunting hung
to the mast-head, or some other conspicuous place, . . to show
the direction of the wind. 1863 Rep. Sea Fisheries Comm.
(1865) IL 404/2 Do you [trawlers] carry any particular kind
of vane?— Yes, until it blows away; we generally carry a
red vane. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 709 A distinguish-
ing vane denotes the division of a fleet to which a ship of
the line belongs, according to the mast on which it is borne.
f 2. A metal plate having the form of a flag or
bamier bearing a coat of arms, esp. one supported
by the figure of an animal. Obs,
Sometimes app. serving the purpose of a weather-cock.
150a Marr. Pr. Arthur in Antig. Rep. {1808) IL 260 A
red lyon rampand, holdyng a vane enpeynted with the armys
of Englond. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIIl^ 07 Ouer the
gates wer arches with towers embattailed set with vanes and
scutchions of the armes of the Emperor and the Kyng. 1574
in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 351 For.,
coloringe the beasts and the vanes and the Quenes armes. .
with good colors and oyles.
3. a. A sail of a windmill.
1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 482 All thinges are
carryed about in a certaine vehement whyrling unstable-
nesse, as it were the fleyng vanes of a windemill. x6.. Anc.
Poems, Ball.j etc. (Percy Soc.) 47 They have a castle on a
hill, I took tt for an old wind-mill, The vanes blown off
by weather. 17»5 Fam. Diet, s.v. Windtnill, Made with
vertical Sails, like the ordinary Windmtls, ..placed on an
Axis of a proportionable length to the ler'^th of the Vanes.
1754 J. Shebbeare Matrimony (1766) \, 19 [She] took
Occasion to utter three or four sighs,.. each of which would
have turned the vanes of a windmill. 1804 Charlotte Smith
Conversations y etc. IL 40 The miller shewed me the
machinery ..and how it works the mill by the action of those
36
vanes or sails, 1864 Dasent Jest fr Earnest (1873) _L 182
The women with a curious cap with an erection on it like
two vanes of a windmill flapping in the air.
b. A blade, wing, or similar projection attached
to an axis, wheel, etc., so as to be acted upon by a
current of air or liquid or to produce a current by
rotation.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. ^ Art IL 17 Each axis has
four or more thin arms or vanes fixed into it ; the vanes are
similar in all respects, except in their position. 1824 R.
Stuart Hist. Steam Engine 150 On the circumference of a
wheel eight vanes or flaps are attached by joints. 2833
G. R. Porter Porcelain 4- Gl. 38 An upright shaft furnished
with arms or vanes for the purpose of agitation. 1867
W.W.Smyth Coal f^ CoaUtnining -iw Fans.— These instru-
ments, with straight radial vanes, were abundantly used in
the German mines.. about 1550.
C. A revolving fan or wheel.
18x0 Crabbe Borough x. 248 Ev'n the poor ventilating
vane, that flew Of late so fast, is now grown drowsy too.
1841 Francis Diet. Arts s.v., Vane is also synonymous with
fly or fly wheel. Ibid. s.v. Vane, Electrical, When.. the
vane is placed near to it, the strength of the current will be
sufficient to impel the vane forward, so that it will rotate on
its centre.
4. A sight of a levelling-staff, forestaff, quadrant,
or other surveying instrument.
1594 Blundevil Exerc. vn. xvi. 326 b, Turne both your
faces, and also the vane of the Transame towardes the
Sunne. 2669 Sturmy Mariner^s Mag. 11. xiv. 85 Set the
Vane G to a certain number of Degrees, . . looking through
the Vane F,..draw your Sight- Vane a little lower. i6;|4
Leybourne Compl, Surve^'or 45 Upon the longer Sight is
to be placed a Vane of brass, to be moved up and down at
pleasure. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I. s.v., Those Sights
which are made to move and slide upon Cross-staves, Fore-
staves, Davis Quadrants, &c. the Seamen call Vanes. 1748
Anson's Voy. iii. iii. 527 The guadrant was eagerly seized,
but on examination, it unluckily wanted vanes, and there-
fore in its present state was altogether useless. 1845 Encycl.
Metrop. XXV. 307/1 [In] Houghton's staffs.. the vane is
circular inlaid with a diamond-shaped lozenge. 1867 Smyth
Sailor's Word-bk. 710 The one opposite to the fore norizon-
glass is the foresight-vane, the other the backsight vane.
5. The web of a feather.
1713 Derham Phys.-Theol, vn. i, 374 The Mechanism of
the vanes or webs of Feathers. 1768 Phil. Trans, LVIIL
92 Their texture is equally extraordinary; the shafts broad
and very thin; the vanes unwebbed, 1834 Mudie Brit.
Birds (1841) I. 14 The larger ribs of the webs or vanes of
not a few are of considerable substance and strength. 1875
Blake Zool. 94 The vane consists of barbs which proceed
at right angles to the shaft.
6. aitrib. and Comb.y as vane-like adj., -piuy
•spindle, staff, -surmounted adj.
1796 Withering Brit. Plants L 91 Versatilis, vane-like,
1844 in Noad Electricity (ed.' 2) 95 The balls from which
arise the vane-spindles of the two churches. 1845 Encycl.
Metrop. XXV. 306/2 The vane staff is more calculated for
the purpose [than the levelling staffl. 1848 Dickens Dombey
ix, Then came rows of houses, with little vane.surmounted
masts uprearing themselves from among the scarlet beans.
1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Vane-spindle, the pivot
on which the masthead-vane turns. 1889 P. H. Emerson
English Idyls 22 She was black from stem to stern, from
keu to vane-pin.
Vane, southern ME. var. Fain a. ; obs. Sc. f.
Vain a.. Vein sb.^ Wane sb. and v., won pa. t. of
Win v. Vaneer, obs. f. Veneer sb. Vane-
hope, Sc. var. Wanhofb.
tVaiiel(l. Obs. rare. Also venelle. [Anglic-
ized f. Vanilla or Vanille.] a, A vanilla pod.
b. Vanilla.
1703 Land. Gaz. No. 3891/3 The Cargo.. consisting of..
Cocoa, Venelles,.. Silk Grass,.. Ebbone and Logwood, &c.
1769 E. Bancroft Ess. Nat. Hist, Guiana loi Vanilla, or
Vanells, are the fruit of a ligneous siliquose vine. 1790
Beatson Nav, ^ Mil. Mem. L 165 One case of vanel, sixty
cases of sugar.
Va'neless, a, [f. Vane.] Unprovided with
a vane.
1889 P. H. Emerson English Idyls 25 Down the river. .
came sailing the black vaneless old wherry.
II Vane'SSa. Ent. [mod.L. (Fabricius).] A
genus of butterflies (including the red admiral
and peacock) ; a butterfly belonging to this genus.
1863 Bates Nat. Amazon i. (1864) 10 The only Amazonian
species which is at all nearly related to our Vanessas, the
Admiral and Peacock Butterflies. 1903 Spectator \^ Jan.
84/2 Many butterflies, especially the vanessas, creep away
and sleep through the winter.
Vane'SSid, a, and sb, Ent. [ad. mod.L.
Vanessidm (pi.), f. Vanessa : see prec] A. adj»
Belonging to the family of butterflies of which Van-
essa is the type. B. sb. A butterfly of this family.
1911 Encycl. Brit. XVL 467/2 The brightly coloured
vanessid butterflies. Ibid. 469/2 The British Vanessids.
Van-f0SS(e. Mil. [ad. F. avant-fossi, after
vanguard, etc., and Fosse.] (See quots.)
1728 Chambers CycL, Van-Fosse,..^ Ditch dug without
the Counterscarp, and running all along the Glacis; usually
full of Water. 1852 Burn Naval iff Milit. Diet. 11. 304/1
Van-foss, avantfossi. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Van-
fosse, a wet ditch at the outer foot of the glacis.
Vang (vseq). Naut. [var. Fang sb, 7 a.] One
or other of the two ropes used for steadying the
gaff of a fore-and-aft sail.
1769 Falconer Diet. Mar. s.v. Brace, The mizen-yard is
furnished with fangs, or vangs, in the room of braces. Ibid.,
Vangs, a sort of braces to support the mizen gaff, and keep
it steady. 1834 M. Scorr Cruise Midge (1859) 486 The gaff
VANIL.
is violently shaken by the loosened sail ; for both vangs and
brails are gone. 1851 Voy. to Mauritius i. 35 The orderly
officer, seated on the bulwark, and holding on by a vang.
1881 Clark Russell Ocean Free-Lance IIL ii. 65 He stood
upon the rail . , with his arm round the vang.
Vang, southern dial, and ME. var. Fang sb., v?-
Vangee. Naut, (See quots.)
1846 A.Young Naut. Diet. 239 The pumps of a vessel are
. . often worked by means of a contrivance calJed the vangee.
[Description follows.] 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 710
Vangee, a contrivance for working the pumps of a vessel by
means of a barrel and crank.breaks.
t Vangel. Obs. Also Sc, 5-6 vangele, -ell ;
5 wangele, -yl(e, -yll, 5-6 -ell, 6 -el. [Aphetic
f. Evangel.] Gospel.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter cxviii. 72 Laghe of godis mouth
is l>e vangel. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxv'u. (Machor) 1401
par |>e buk of be wangele.. he gef hyme frely in l>at place.
c 1410 Wycliffite Bible (1850) IV. 297 Here endith vangelis,
and bigyneth a prologe on the Romayns. c 1425 Wvntoun
Cron, VI. X. 70 (Laing), He made a tysstyre in that qwhylle,
Quhare-in wes closyd the Wangylle. 1473 Rental Bk.
Cu6ar-AngHs (1879) L 199 Sworn apon the haly wangyl
be/or the Abbot and conuent. 1533 Gau Richt Vay 27 To
prech his halie vangel to al creatur. Ibid., The wangel of
lesus Christ, a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron, Scot,
(S.T.S.) L 239 Ather of vther was sworne in the haly
vangell.
attrib. £1450 Maitl. Club Misc. IIL 201 Item ane buke
for the vangell lettrin.
t Vangelie, aphetic form of Evangely. Obs.
a 1390 Wycliffite Bible, 1 Tim. i. ji Vp the euangelie \v.r.
uangelie] of the glorie of blessid God. a 1^50 Lovelich
Grail Hi. 969 Piers.. the holy vangelye gan him vndo.
t Vaugelist. Obs. Also 4 -wangelyst, 4-6
-ist(e. [Aphetic f. Evangelist.] An evangelist.
a 1330 Roland^ V. 153 lames l>e apostel hi crist, lones
broker, J>e wangelist. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxvii, (MacAor)
1295 pe wark of wangeliste \>\i do, 1533 Gau Richt Vay 39
And syne the wangelistis hes thairof writine. Ibid., The
prophetis, apostlis, and the vangelistis. 1567 Gude^ Godlie
B. (S.T.S.) 200 Wolues, quhome of my Vangelistis wryte.
Vangle, dial, variant of Fangle sb,^
II Vanglo. (See quots.)
1756 P. Browne Jamaica (1789) 270 The Vanglo or Oil-
plant. 1829 Loudon Encycl. Plants (1836) 515 Sesamum.. .
These plants were introduced into Jamaica by the Jews,
and are now cultivated in most parts of the island. They are
called vanglo or oil-p^ant. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade,
Vanglo, a West Indian name for the teel seeds of the East
{Sesamum orientate).
Vanguard (vse-ngajd). Also Sc. 5 vandgard,
6 vandgarde, -gaird; 6 wangard(e, -guard,
-gaird, vangart, -gard(e, -gaird. [ad. OF, avan-
garde, var. of avantgarde : see Vantgdabd. Cf. It.
and Sp. vanguardia, Pg. vnnguarda.']
1. Afil. The foremost division of an army ; the
forefront or van.
The Scottish examples are placed first.
(a) J487 Barbour's Bruce xi. 164 Till renownyt erilis twa
..He gaf the vandgard in ledyng. 1513 Douglas ^neid
XII. V. 210 Alsus..ruschis abak for feir..In the vangart
[ed. 1553 vandgarde] throw mony a poyntit glave. 1535
Stewart Cron. Scot. II . 224 This gude schir Loth the wan-
gard led that da. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot.
(S.T.S.) I. 270 The wandgaird was neir mearchant togither.
1596 Dalrymple Kr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 313 He. .obteynet
the name and honour of Capitane of the kingis Vangaird.
{b) 1503 Lett. Rich. Ill * Hen. VII (Rolls) I. 208 The
Souchy vars whiche [werejappoyncted tokepe my vanguarde
avaunced tha[ym forjwardes without my knowlege. 1598
Barret Theor. Warres 111. ii. 63 Let the Officer of the Van-
guarde draw out three rankes of the armed pikes. 1622 F.
Markham Bk. War iv. viii. 151 As soone as the head or
Vanguard beginneth, that in the same time the Reare bee
ready to follow. 1665 Manlev Grotius" Low C. Wars 389
Villars, the Commander of the Van-Guard . . , being circum-
vented, and taken by Fontains Army. 1693 Luttrell Brief
Ret, (1857) 111. 5 The landgraves vanguard pursued their
rear. 1788 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Every Army is compos'd
of three Parts, a Van-guard, Rear-guard, and Main Body.
1780 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2)V. 3423 Van Guard. See Advanced
Guard. 1838 Lytton Leila iv. i, Winding along the steeps
of the mountain were seen the gleaming spears and pen-
nants of the Moslem vanguard. 1851 Longf. Gold. Leg,
i. Castle of Vautsberg, As when the vanguard of the
Roman legions First saw it from the top of yonder hill I
187^ Clery Mvt. Tact. vi. (1877) 76 The advanced party,
which may be conveniently termed the Vanguard, is com-
posed of cavalry and infantry,
b. In fig. use.
183X Carlvle Sart. Res.\.m, At length .. Germany and
Weissnichtwo were where they should be, in the vanguard
of the world. 1856 Stanley Sinai Sf Pal. ii. 116 Palestine
. .was then the vanguard of the eastern, and therefore, of the
civilised world. 1878 Maclear Celts i. 12 They were to
form the vanguard in the Missionary history of Europe.
attrib. 188S Century XXXVI. 657 All day his vanguard
spirit, flaming bright. Bore up the brunt of unavailing fight.
2; ellipt. The name of a variety of peach.
1786 Abercbombie Arr. 14 in Gard, Assist.^ Peaches...
Vanguard. 1802 W. Forsyth Fruit Trees 28 To the fore-
going may be added, . . Smooth-leaved Royal George,
Steward's late Gallande, Vanguard, i860 Hogg Fruit
Man. 147 Vanguard. — This is a variety of the Noblesse...
The only apparent difference is in the habit of the trees,
which in Vanguard is much more robust and hardy than in
the Noblesse.
Vanhap, Sc. form of Wanhap.
f Vanil, error for Anil 2.
1599 WiLLES in Hakluyt V^oy. IL 11. 78 Many Tartars and
Mogores, that brought into China certaine blewes of great
value : all we^thought it to be Vanil of Cambaia wont to be
sold at Ormus.
VAWILLA.
37
VANISH.
Vanilla (vani-la). Also 7 vaynilla. &. 7
vinello-, 8 vanello, 8-9 vanelloe (8 -eloe) ; 8
vauilio, -illio, 8-9 vanillo-. [In earlier use a.
and ad. older Sp. vayniUa, now vainilla, dim. of
vaina (:— L. vagina Vagixa) sheath. Subsequently
a. mod. botanical L. Vanilla^ from the same
source. Cf. It. vainiglia^ Pg. bainilha^ baitnilhaj
F. vanille Vanille.]
1. A pod produced by one or other species of the
genus Vanilia (see sense 3), esp. F. planifolia.
Chiefly in pi.
a. i66x H. Stubbe Indian Nectar \\. 1 1 They added . . the
Vaynillas [to the chocolate] for the like ends, and to
strengthen the brain. Ibid. 17 Afterwards to mix the
Vaynillas, cut into pieces, and dryed. 1673 Ray Joum.
Lmv C. 485 Vanillas which they mingle with the Cacao to
make Chocolate.
/3. 1699 Dampier Voy. 38 There grow on this Coast
Vinelloes in great quantity, with which Chocolate is per-
fumed. 1731 Arbuthnot Alitnents vi. v. (1735) 150 When. ,
mix'd with VanilHos, or Spices, it [chocolate] acquires like-
wise the good and bad Qualities of aromatick Oils. 1757 A.
Cooper Distiller iii. H. (1760) 220 Angelica- Seed, Vanellos
and Mace, of each one Ounce and a half 1758 Elaboratory
laid open 318 Cut the vanilloes into small pieces. i8ia J.
Smyth Pract. of Customs (1821) 26;^ Vanelloes are long flat
pods, containing a reddish pulp, with small shining black
seeds,.. but seldom imported. 1854 Mavne Expos. Lex.
311/2 The vanelloe is a long flattish pod [etc.].
2. The climbing orchid Vanilla planifolia, or
other species related to this; the tropical (American)
genus to which these belong.
et. 1698 T. Froger Voy. 129 The Vanilla is a plant that
creeps up along other trees, in the same manner as Ivy does,
1756 P. Browne Jamaica (1789) n Nor does the vanilla. .
grow any where.. in greater perfection. 1783 Justamond
tr. RaynaTs Hist. Indies 111- 340 The vanilla is a plant
which, like the ivy, grows to the trees it meets with. ci8ao
Waterton IVand.S, Amer. (1825) 182 In some parts of these
forests I saw the Vanilla growing luxuriantly. 1843 Penny
Cycl. XXVI. 116/2 The reason of the vanilla not producing
fruit in Europe when it has flowered. 1879 Cassell's Techn.
Educ. I. 91/2 The vanilla is an epiphyte, or air-plant.
^. 1703 Propos. Effectual War in Amer. icj Cacao-Trees
and the Vanilio grow there [Granada in America] naturally.
1748 Phil, Trans. XLV. i6o The Vanelloe. With the Fruit
of this Plant the Spaniards perfume their Chocolate. 1760
J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 330 Vanilla, or Vaneloe, Epiden.
drum. 1772-84 Cook's Voy. (1790) IV. 1323 The known kind
of plants to be found here are . . a shrubbery speedwell, sow-
thistles, virgin's bower, vanelloe.
b. With pL One or other species of this genus.
1817 O. W. Roberts Voy. Centr. Anur. 87 Their country
abounded in vanilloes and sarsaparilla. 1839 Loudon
Encycl. Plants {i%-^6] 765 The Vanilla shoot out roots at
every joint like the Ivy. 1855 Kingsley IVest^v. Ho I xxiii,
One hanging garden of crimson and orange orchids or
vanillas. 1874 Athenxum 10 Oct. 488/1 La Liberti states
that a wild vanilla has been introduced into commerce.
o. With distinguishing terms.
i8j9 Loudon Encycl. Plants ( 1 836} 764 Vanilla aromatica^
aromatic Vanilla. \V.\ piani/olia^ fragrant Vanilla. 1843
Penny Cycl. XXVI. 116/1 V. claviculata. Tendril-bearing
Vanilla. . . V. graiidifloray Large-flowered Vanilla. x866
Treas. Bot. 1204/1 Cuba Vanilla, Critonia Dalea,
3. The aromatic substance composed of, or ob-
tained from, the slender pod-like capsule of Vanilla
planifolia or related species, much used as a fla-
vouring or perfume.
I7a8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Chocolate, To have the better
market for their Cacao Nuts, Achiott, Vanilla, and other
Drugs. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. SuppL s.v., The pods , . of the
simarona, which is also called bastard Vaiiilla, are the
smallest of all the kinds. The ley kind is the only goocj
Vanilla. 1830 Lindley iVit^ Syst. Bot. 26^ The aromatic
substance called Vanilla is the succulent fruit of a climbing
West Indian plant of the order [Orchidea].; xSsa Th. Ross
tr. Humboldt s Trav. II. xvi. 63 The English and the Anglo-
Americans often seek to make purchases of vanilla at the
port of La Gua>Ta. 1870 Yeats Nat, Hist. Comut. 152 As
an aromatic, vanilla is much used by confectioners for
flavouring ices and custards.
b. A kind or variety of this. (See also quot.
1866.)
x-j^Chambers' CyiZ-SuppI. s.v., The smell of the Vanillas
ought to be penetrating and agreeable. 1843 Penny Cycl.
XXVL 113/2 It does not appear that any of the Brazilian
vanillas form the substance Icnown in trade. 1866 Treas.
Bot. 1204/1 Chica Vanilla-, the Panama name for the fruit
of a species of Sobralia. 1884 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 67/3
None of the South American vanillas appear to be usea in
Great Britain for flavouring purposes.
4. aitrib, and Comb.y as vanilla bean, ice, orchid,
pod, sugar, worker', vanilla grass (see quot.);
vanilla plant (a) « sense 2 ; (^) an American
species of Liatris.
1886 American XII. 318 The aromatic principle of the
*vani1ta bean. t8^ igth Cent. April 644 Spices should be
added, such as. .cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and vanilla
bean. 1856 A. Gray Man, Bot. (i860) 574 Hietochloa
borealis. *Vanilla or Seneca Grass. 1846 Sover Cookery 553
Garnbh with a custard made as for *vanilla ice, 1883 R. B.
Whitb in Proc, R. Geog. Soc. (N.S.) V. 260 A forest. .in
which the trees are literally over-burdened with the *vanilla
orchid. 1753 Chambers* Cycl. Suppl. s.v., The leaves of the
•Vanilla plant are about a foot long, and three fingers
breadth wide. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts, etc. 1263 The vanilla
plant Is cultivatecf in Brazil,.. and some other tropical
countries. 1854 Maynk Expos. Lex. 311/2 Eptdendrum
Vanilla, the systematic name of the vanelloe plant. 1856
A Gray Man. Bot. {i860) 185 Liatris oaoratissim-3.
Vanilla-plant. . . Leaves exhaling the odor of Vanilla when
bruised. 1887 .Moloney Forestry W* Africa 421 Tho
source of the *vanilla pods of commerce. x888 Encycl.
Brit. XXIV. 66/2 The best varieties of vanilla pods are of
a dark chocolate brown or nearly black colour. 1846 Sover
Cookery 569 Serve with whipped cream flavoured with
*vanilla sugar under it. 1899 Allbtitt's Syst. Med. VIII.
923 'Van ilia- workers sometimes manifest lichen-erythema
of the face and hands.
Vanille (vanf-l). Also vanile. [a, F. vanille ^
ad. mod.L. Vanilla', see prec]
1. = Vanilla 3. Also^^.
a 184s Syd. Smith in Lady Holland Mem. {1855) I. 262
Ah, you flavour everything ; you are the vanille of society.
x86x Bentley Man. Bot. 667 Their fragrant odoriferous
fruit, .constitutes the Vanilla or Vanile of the shops. 1871
Kingsley At Last vii, And what is this delicious scent
about the air ? Vanille 7 Of course it is.
2. Vanille ice, ice cream flavoured with vanilla
essence. Also ellipt.
1846 Mrs. Gore Eng. Cliar. (1852) 38 She accepts the
offer of some vanille ice, which she receives over the head of
a squat lady. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh vii. 1184
Each lovely lady.. holds her dear fan while she feeds her
smile On meditative spoonfuls of vanille. 1863 Miss Braddon
Eleanor's Victory IIL 235 Vanille and strawberry ices were
in constant demand at Tortoni's.
Vani'llic, a. Ckem. [f. Vanill-a + -10 i b.]
Vanillic cuid, vanillin, or an oxidized form of this.
1868 [see next]. 1876 Harley Royle's Mat. Med. 3B5
Vanillin.. has, in fact, acid properties, and is therefore
appropriately called vanillic acid. 1885 Remsen Or^. CJtem.
(1888) 304 Vanillic acid., is formed by oxidation of vanillin,
which IS the corresponding aldehyde.
Vani'llin, Ckem, Also -ine. [f. as prec. +
■IN.] * The neutral odoriferous principle of vanilla *
(WatU).
x868 Watts Diet. Chem, V. 904 Vanillin . . was first recog-
nised as a peculiar substance by Bley .., further e,\amined
by Gobley,.. and afterwards by Stokkebye,..who designates
it as vanillic acid, x888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 66/2 The
peculiar fragraiice of vanilla is due to vanillin. Ibid., The
amount of vanillin varies according to the kind. 1897 All-
butt's Syst. Med. Ill, 289 A solution composed of phloro-
glucine, 2 parts ; vanilline, i part ; absolute alcohol, 30 parts.
Vanillism. Path. [f. as prec. + -ism.] a
diseased condition (of the skin and general system)
characteristic of workers in vanilla.
X884 St. James's Gaz, 29 April 5/x Dr. Layet has just
published the results of his inquiries into the nature of a
singular malady known as_ * vanillism *. x886 American
XII. 269 That class of diseases in which morphinism,
caffeism, and vanillism are found.
llVanillou. [F., f. vanille Vaitille.] (See
quots.)
[X83Q Ure Diet. Arts, etc. 1264 A third sort, which comes
from Brazil, is the Vanillon, or large vanilla of the French
marketj 1884 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 67/1 In Brazil, Peru,
and other parts of South America a broad and fleshy vanilla
is prepared, which has an inferior odour... This variety is
often distinguished as vanillon in commerce.
VaniToquence. rar€~^, [ad. L. vdnilo-
t/ttenlia."] (See quots.) Also VanMoquent a.;
Vani'loquy [ad. late L. vdni/oquium.']
i6a3 CocKERAM I, Vanilo^uence, much talke or babling.
Ibid. II, Much Bablifig, Dicacity. Vaniloquie. X656 Blount
Glossogr., Vaniloguence, vain talk, vain babling, (Hence in
Phillips and Bailey.] 1717 Bailey, Vaniloquent, talking
vainly.
Vanish (vacnij), sb. [f. the vb.]
1. Disappearance ; vanishment.
X650 T. Vaughan Anthrofosophia 58 This Vanish, or
ascent of the inward Ethereall Principles doth not presently
follow their separation.
2. spec, A gradual cessation of a sound; a slight
sound in which another ends ; a glide.
X833 Rush Human Voice (ed. 2) 319 The Drift of the
downward Vanish.
Vailisll(v3eniJ), V. Forms: a. 4-5 vanysche
(4 -yjache, 5 -yssche, -yche, 6 -ysch), 4-6 van-
ysshe (5 -yssh, wanyssh-) ; 4 vanyshe, 5-6
vanysh ; 4, 6 Sc, vanisch (6 .5V. wanische,
wenisch), 5-7 vanishe (6 -isshe), 6- vanish (6
vannish, Sc, wanish) ; 4-5 vanesche (5 -essche,
-eashe, -esce, -ecbe). j3. 4-5, 6 Sc.y vanys, -yss
(5 vaynyss-, 5-6 Sc. wanys-), 5 wanyse, 6 Sc,
vaxxyse; 4-5, 6 Sc,, vanis(8)-, 6 Sc, wam8(s)-;
5 Waynes-, Sc, wanes-, 6 Sc. waneis. 7. 4
vansch-, 5 vanshe, wansh-, wanse. [Aphetic
ad. OF. evaniss' : see Evanish ».]
1. intr. To disappear from sight, to become in-
visible, esp. in a rapid and mysterious manner :
a. With away ; occas. with addition of out of
Qx from sight, etc. Now rare,
a. 1303 R, Brunne Handl. Synne 8195 Wy^j )>c croys she
gan here blys, Jwin t?ey vanysshed aweyc as swy^. 1387
Trevisa Higden (Rolls) V. 435 Whanne )>\s was i-seide he
vanysshed awey. c 1400 Rom. Rose 2955 He vanyshide
awey alle sodeynly. And I alloone lefte alle soole. c 1450
Mirk's Festial 11 pen anon t>ys fend vanechet away wyih
an horrybull stenche. x47a-8s Malory Wr/A«r 11. viii. 85
Therwith merlyn vanysshed awey sodenly. 1545 Udall,
etc. Erasm. Par. Luke 182 b, .^fter these woordes spoken,
the Aungels vanished awaye from theyr sight. X706 Phil-
lips (ed. Kersey), To Disappear,, .to vanish away, to go out
of sight. x8og Shelley For my dagger^ 17 Where the
phantoms of Prejudice vanish away. 1890 Doyle IVhite
Company x\\v,^htin I seethe last sail, .vanishing away
against the western sky.
p. c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 2269 And when («; devel
herd hym J»us say, Alle skomfit he vanyst oway. ^ c 1375 Sc.
Leg, Saints x\\\. {Agatha) 280 Away son t'ai vanist but coy
hone, Of ^ar sicht wanest away, & neuire ware sene to J)is
day. c X440 Aipk. Tales 516 When he had done, sodanlie
he vanyssid away. X456 Sir G. Have Law A rms (S.T.S.) 42
Na man . . mycht se him, nor na bit of his body, bot vanyst fra
thair sicht away. X513 Douglas .f^««V/in. vi. 109 'ihe strait
soundis of the mont Pelory Wanysis away pece and pece.
y- 1375 in Horstmann Altengl. Leg. (1878) 128/1 Anon be
deuel vanschede awaye. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) V.
177 Mercurius.-stiked hym in ^e myddel of his body, and
vansched awey. 14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 581 Euaneo, to
vanshe a wey.
b. Without away,
a. 1377 Langl. p. Pl.\B.xn. 293 Ri^t with J>athevanesched.
c 1385 Chaucer L. G. IV. 1001 Dido, To Cartage she bad he
shuld hy [ft dyght And vanysshed anon out of hys syght. 14 . .
Tundale's Vis. 519 The angell vaneschyd and he stod stylle.
1530 Palsgr. 765/1 A spyrite wyll vanysshe and come agayne
in the twynkelyng of an eye. 158a Stanyhurst ^Eneis 11.
(Arb.) 68 Fare ye wel, 6 husband, oure yoong babye charely
tender. This sayd, shee vannisbt. 1609 Dekker Gulls
Hom-bk. 20 [This] notable Act being performed, you are to
vanish presently out of the Quire. 1638 Sir T. Herbert
Trav. (ed. 2) n She againe deluded us, after two houres
chase as a phantasma vanishing towards Goa. 1662 J. Davies
tr. Olearivs' Voy. Ambass. 261 We had hardly alighted, but
our Pistols were taken away, and what was not lock'd up
immediately vanish'd. 1757 Gray Bard 104 They melt,
they vanish from my eyes. 179;^ Mrs. Radcliffe Italian
xi. Whose dark figures, passing without sound, vanished like
shadows. 1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. I. 11 That land, now
vanishing from my view, which contained all that was most
dear to me in life. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. I. xviii. 225 Its
curved face .. vanished into unknown space.
^. CX375 Sc. Leg. Saints xix. ^Christopher) 267 With J?at
criste fra hyme wanyst, & hame he passit til his bewist.
a 1400-50 Alexander 1113 (Ashm.), J)an waynest him Hs
vayne god & voidis fra t>e chambre. c 1480 Henrvson
Fables, Lion ^ Mouse xliii, And with that word he vanist,
and I woke. 1490 Caxton Eneydos xvi. 64 Mercuryus, yet
spekynge, vaynyssed oute of eneas sight.
y. X37S in Horstmann Altengl. Leg. (1878) 132 pe addre..
vanschede out of here sijt. 1393 Langl. P. PL C. xvi. 24
Whanne he hadde seide so how sodeynlich he vanshede.
i"C. In perfect tense with be, ts^. was vanished
= had vanished. Obs,
X390 Gower Conf. II. 259 Thus it befell.. Sche was
vanyssht riht as hir liste, That no wyht bot hirself it wiste.
ax4oo Partonope (Univ. Coll. MS.) 826 (2568), With that
worde sodenly they be Vanesshid a-way, that trewly he
Woteneuer where they be become, c 1425 Lydg. Assembly
of Gods 1188 So sodenly As they were vanysshyd saw I
neuer thyng with ey. c 1480 Henrvson Orpheus ^ Eury-
dice 113 And quhen scho wanyst was and Invisible, Hir
madin wepit. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huoh xxiii. 68 By that
tyme they had gone a lytyll by y^ ryuer syde they loste y*
syght of y* castell, it was clene vanysshyd a way. a 1628 F.
Greville Cslica xli, And I poore Ixion to my luno vowed,
With thoughts to clip her, dipt my owne desire : For she
was vanisht, I held nothing fast. X648 Hexham 11, Het is
verstaven, ..it is Vanished away as dust.
d. In fig. use,
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane^s Comtu. 116 Those spirites by
lytle and lytle, vanyshed cleane out of syght [i.e. in pofjular
belief]. 1642 D. Rogers Naaman 7 He that reads it as .
a bare miracle will onely vanish in a wondering humor.
1737 Gentl. Mag. VII. 292 The Epick Poets not only. .im-
mediately shew the Effects of the Inspiration they pray for,
. .they actually vanish from our View. 1843 Carlyle Past
<|f- Pres. II. i, And in this manner vanishes King Lackland.
x866 G. Macdonald Ann, Q. Neighb. xxix. (1878) 497 Strain-
ing their eyes after their brothers and sisters that have
vanished in the dark.
2. To disappear by decaying, coming to an end,
or ceasing to exist : a. ^i'Ca away.
o. c X340 Hampole Prose Tr. 32 pe affeccyone of lufe es
tendirand lyghtly will vanysche awaye. a\^%^\.x. Arderne' s
Treat, Fistula, ^tc 88 When he sej^e-.^je bolnyng for to
vanysh away, and |>e akyng for to be cesed. 1490 Caxton
Eneydos vii. 32 Their auncyent customes . . vanysshed awaye
as thei neuer had be vsed. X530 Palsgr. 765/1 And a
woman be ones fourty, her heautye wyll vanisshe awaye.
XS35 Coverdale Isaiah Ji. 6 The heauens shal vanish awaye
like smoke, aitoo in Montgomerie's /'t7p/«(S.T.S. Suppl.
Vol.) 241 Bott quhat so ever waxis auld, it wcnischis away.
1648 Hexham 11, Verd-wijneu, to Vanish away as smoake.
1804-6 Syd. Smith Mor. Philos. (1850) 407 You will linger
on.. after the blood, and the taste, and the sweetness are
vanished away. X839 Fr. A. Kemble Resin, in Georgia
(1863) 32 If the mind and soul were awakened, instead of
mere physical good attempted, the physical good would
result, and the great curse vanish away. 1859 Fitzgerald
Omar Ixxii, Alas, that Spring should vanish with the Rose !
$, c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. in. pr. iv. (1868) 74 Her honours
vanissen awey and J>at on oon. 15x3 Douglas ^neid i. ix,
13 The elude about thame swith was brokin. And wanist
lyte away amang the air.
>. xs^Tbevisa Higden (Rolls) VIII. 157 But fal[s]nes
i-feyned vanschel? awey in schort tyme. c 1^30 Lydg, Min.
Poems (Percy Soc.) 226 His bestys dyeden in yche dycbej
His katelle wanshed alle away.
b. Without adverb,
a. C1350 Will. Palerne 639 Hit schal veraly J?urth vertue
do vanisch ^our soris I c X386 Chaucer Pardoner s T. 404
Lo how I vanysshe, flessh and blood and skyn. X560 Bible
(Geneva) 7^nxlix.7 Is wisdome no more inTeman?..istheir
wisdomo vanished ? 1576 Fleming PanopL Epist. 211 The
benefite of the same will utterly decay and vanish. 16x7
Moryson Itin. 11. 124 The fortifying of the Spaniards at
Sligo vanished with the rumour. X695 Wood Ltfe (O.H.S.)
13 April, The cold began to vanish and the north-east wind
change, 1740 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. IV. 439 The Bill for
Raismg of Money for the use of (he Crown is vanished.
X778 AIiss Burney Evelina xxvii, I own my objections have
almost .wholly vanished. 1820 W. Inv wo Sketch Bk. I. 42 A
little while, and the smile will vanish from that cheek. x8S2
H. Rogers Eel. Faith (1853) »66 Very much, indeed, that
I wished to remember has vanished. X874 Carpenter Mcnt.
Phys. I. vi. (1879) 285 Even those who had previcusly been
most successful.. found all their success vanish.
VANISHED.
j3. v. 1393 Langl. p. PL C XVI. 8 So mj'ghle happe, J?at . .
vim^ie (should] alle myne vertues and myne faire lockes.
C1440 Capgrave Li/e St. Kath. i. 487 It wyll wanyse &
wast, roten & be brent. 1533 Gau Richt Vay 31 Quhen he
gettis ony aduersite or persecutione, thane it[si. his faith]
wanis^is and \%-auers as ane dreyme. 1596 Dalryhple tr.
Lestie's Hist. Scot. II. 239 How sune vanisses that plesure,
quhilke mortal! man callis felicitie.
C Const, into (air, smoke, etc.).
1590 Marlowe and Pt. Tamhurl, v, iii, Weepe heauens,
and vanish into liquid teares. 1600 Dekker Gulfs Horti'
6k. 27 Plauditics, and the Breath of the great Beast, which
(like the threatnings of two Cowards) vanish all into aire.
i6«7 Morton ///«. 11. 44 The ill successe of the Queen^
affaires (whose great expences and Royall Army they had
scene vanish into smoke). 1697 Drydes TVr^. Georg. iv.
575 Surprize him first,.. Then all his Frauds will vanish into
Wind. 1807 Hogg Mountain Bard, Mess yoAn xxiv, U
the cock be heard to crow, The charm will vanish mlo air.
184a LoNCF. BiZ/ry of Bruges iv, Wreaths of snow-white
smoke ascending, vanished, ghost-like, into air.
d. Maik, Ofnumbers or quantities: To become
zero.
1715 tr. Gregory's Astron. (1726) 1. 190 Because the Orbits
of Mercury and Venus. .do almost vanish in respect of the
Orbit of Saturn. 1789 Phii. Trans. LXXIX. 175 This
series . .only differs from it by the last term S o not vanish-
ing, that is, being = 0. 18J3 H. J. Brooke introd. Crys-
iaiiogr. aoi The axis must vanish, before the planes P and P'
would reach 180°. 1840 Lardner Geom. 290 The distance
between them decreasing without limit, but never vanishing.
1885 AVatson & BuRBURY Mutk. EUctr. ff Magn. I. 42 AH
the terms will vanish except those in which the multiples of
^ are the same.
•f* 3. To become worthless or vain. Obs.
cx38oWvcLiF I^j&^. (1880)419 ^if salt vany^che awey it is
not wor)> aftir but to be castun out. 1382 — Luke xiv. 34 If
salt scbal van^-sche [L. €vanuerit\ in what thing schal it
be sauerid ? — Roin^ \. 21 Thei vanyscheden [L. evanue-
runt] in her thou^tis. 1387TRF.VISA Higden (Rolls) III. 347
Pe apostelsei]> t>at suche philosofres vansched away in here
)>ou)tes.
4. irafis. To cause to disappear ; to remove from
sight. Now rare,
c X440 AlpK Tales 45 And with {^at he vanysshid his en-
chawntement, & ^er was oght nott lefte of all Jjat hym
J>oght he saw. 1590 Marlowe znd Pt. Taniburl. v. iii, Thus
are the villaines..fled for feare. Like Summers vapours,
vanisht by the Sun. 1604 Meet. Gallants at Ordinarie 5
Say thou'st slaync Foure hundred Silkweauers, . .vanisht As
many Tapsters, Chamberlaines, and Ostlers. 1633 Bp. Hall
Hard TextSt N. T. 47 Whose bodies have been vanished
into all the Elements. 1679 Penn Addr. Prot. n. 93
And were Liturgies . . so framed, . . Schisms on Opinion were
utterly vanished. X709 Mrs. Manley Seer. Mem. (1736) III.
74 Whilst she was going to enquire who had sent it, the
Child was dextrousTy vanish'd from the place. x^6&-74
Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 656 You might as well think of
haranguing a man out of a fever, as go to vanish his scruples
arising from that cause by the remonstrances of reason. 1886
Pall Mall G. 23 Dec 4/1 Then he vanishes a birdcage and
its occupant. . . Finally, he vanishes his wife.
Hence Vanished (vse'nijt) ppl. a.
1593 Shaks. Lucr. 742 He runs, and chides his vanish'd,
loathed delight, f z6oo — ^'iJK/i. xxx. Then can L.mone
th' expence of many a vannisht sight.
x8xa Byron Ch. Har. 11. xl. Oft did he mark the scenes of
vanish'd war. 1867 Morris Jason 1. 394 Strange (questions
of the race of vanished men. Ibid. x. 554 And their hearts
too, with thoughts of vanished years Were pensive. xBoo
Science-Gossip XXVI. 108 Specimens of lifeless and shells
of defunct and vanished univalves and bivalves.
Va'nisher. [f. Vanish z*.] One who, or that
which, vanishes or disappears.
1864 Whittier The Vanishers iii. From the clefts of
mountain rocks. . Flash the eyes and flow the locks Of the
mystic Vanishers.
Vanisbing (vae'nijig), vbL sb. [f. the vb.]
1. The action or fact of disappearing,
c 1386 Chaucer Knt.^s T, 1502 And forth sche wente, and
made a vanysshynge. 1473 Wabkw. Chron. (Camden) 22
Afore the vanyschynge therof, it apperyd in the evynynge.
x6ix CoTGR., £sz'anouissementt..a. vanishing out of sight,
x6x4 Raleigh Hist. World iii. (1634) 7 As where it tels of
Nebuchadnezzar his owne vanishing away. X7XX Addison
Sped. No. 44 p I Thunder and Lightning, .at the Vanishing
of a DeviL x82^ BvRoN Juan xvi. xxiv. There was no
great cause To think bis vanishing unnatural. x886^MfM-
seum 9 Oct 463/3 Amongst the vanishings and disappear-
ances of the * unfit ',
2, Vanishing pointy in perspective, the point in
which receding parallel lines, if continued, appear
to meet. Similarly vanishing line^ plane.
1797 Encycl Brit, (ed. 3) XIV. 183/2 Produce CB..and
draw PV parallel to it...V is its vanishing point. 1815 J,
Smith Panorama Set. <V Art II. 711 Distance of a vanish-
ing point, is the distance from the vanishing point on the
picture to the eye of the spectator. 1840 Penny Cycl.
XVII. 493 A plane W, which will be termed the vanishing
plane of the original one. Ibid.^ The vanishing line and
rrallel of the vertex. iSjx Ruskin Arrows ofCkace (1880)
90 In Millais' ' Mariana '.. the top of the green curtain in
the distant window has too low a vanishing-point. X885
Leudesdorf Cremona^s Proj. Geom. 5 The point /', the
image of the point at infinity /, is called the vanishing point
ola. Ibid, 21 In every plane <t passing through O lies a
vanishing line i\ which is the image of the point at infinity
in the same plane. Ibid.^ This plane^', which maybe called
the vanishing plane.
Vanishing (vasnijlr)), ppl. a, [f. the vb.]
1. Disappearmg from sight or from existence.
x^34 Misyn Mending Life 108 So t>at |jou sulde . . despysc
abidynge t7ingis & to vaniscbvnge (lingis drawes. XS67
Trial Treat. (Percy Soc) i3 iTo seke such thinges as be
g^manent, And not such as are of a vanishing kinde. t$nx
OLDiKG Calvin on Ps. Ixi. 6 Kot a vanbhing prosperitie,
38
but a stedye and substantial! gladnesse. 1607 Topsell
Four-/. Beasts 124 If they remaine abroad in the aire,..
they grow as light as any vanishing or softer substance.
X658 Rowland tr. Mov/et's Theat. Ins. 951 The uncertainly
of this vanishing life. 1760-71 H. Brooke Fool 0/ Qual.
(iSoo) II. 75 Casting at me a vanishing glance, she was out
of sight in an instant. X833 Rush Human Voice (ed. 2)
263 Of the Vanishing Stress. Ibid, 285 Of the Vanishing
Emphasis. X879 Geo. Eliot Theo. Such vi. 1 29 To make the
discomfort.. a vanishing quality. X887 Athenxum 8 Oct.
461/1 Only a vanishing remnant lingers in the South Pacific.
2. Math. Becoming zero.
1823 T. Mitchell Diet. Math. <?- Phys. Set. s.v., We have
the following rule for finding the value of vanishing frac-
tions. X838 Penny Cycl. X. 403/1 Much discussion has
arisen as to whether vanishing fractions have values or noL
x89a J, Edwards Dijf. Calculus (ed. 2) i. 5 When the limit
of a quantity is zero . . , the quantity is said to be a vanishing
quantity for those values.
Hence Va'nisliingly adv.
X870 tr. Clausius in Lond. etc. Philos. Mag, Aug. 127
The divisor ^..must accordingly cause the term to become
vanishingly small with very great values of/. x88x Shairp
Asp. Poetry viii. 239 Some momentary gleam.. that has
fleeted vanishingly over earth and sea.
Va'nislinient. [f. Vanish v.'\ The act of
vanishing or disappearing ; the state of having
vanished.
X83X Wilson in Blackw. Mag. XXIX. 326 Mysteriously
brought back from vanishment by some one single silent
thought, 1851 G. S. Faber Many Mansions 105 His sudden
vanishment from the eyes of the beholders. [X895 Archaeol.
Aeliana XVII. 62 The usual chamfer being reduced almost
to vanishment.
Vauist (v^'nist), [See def. and -IST.] An
adherent of Sir Henry Vane (1613-62) in respect
of Antinomian principles.
x6s8 Baxter Life John Hoive Wks. 1846 Pref. p. xiii. In-
fidels and Papists who are very high and busy uncler several
garbs, especially of Seekers,Vanists,Behmenists. 1664 — Life
(1696) 63 The Vanists, the Independants, and other Sects..
was left by Cromwell to do his Business under the Name of
the Parliament of England. X825 Coleridge Aids Refl.
(ed. 2) 135 Favouring the errors of the.. Vanists. 1836 H.
Rogers y. Howe iii. 65 Here was a Vanist, pouring out his
unintelligible rhapsodies.
Vanitarianism. mnce-wd. [f. next.] The
pursuit of vanities.
X849 Ihackeray Lett. 81 After wasting a deal of oppor-
tunities and time and desires in vanitarianism.
Vanity (vse*niti). Forms : 3-4 uanite, 4-5
(6 Sc^ vanite (5 vsran-), 5-6 vanltee, 6-7 vani-
tie (6 Sc, vvran-), 6- vanity (6 -tye) ; 4-6 vanyte
(5 wan-, vp-aun-), 4-6 vanytee, 6 vanytye, -tie.
[a. or. vanite (F. vanit^j = It. vanithy Sp. vani-
dady Pg. vaidade)^ ad. L. vdnitdl-, vdnitds, f.
vdnus Vain «.]
1. That which is vain, futile, or worthless ; that
which is of no value or profit.
c izya Hali Meid. 27 Hare confort & hare delit, hwerin
is hit al meast, bute i flesches ful5e o9er in weorldes
uanite..? 13.. E. E. Allit. P. C, 331 pose vnwyse ledes
pat afFyen hym in vanyte & in vayne pynges. 1:^x340 Ham-
roLE Pr. Consc. i6ig pus es |je world, and |>e lyfe ^tare-in,
Ful of vanyte and of syn. X387 Tbkvisa Higden (Rolls) III.
431 ponkinge of enemyes is but vanite. c 1450 Lovelich
Grail xliii. 316 Whanne alle this haddist \jo\x seyn,,.vpe
thou ryse, and bethowhtest the Whethir it were soth o)?er
vanite. <:i48o Henrvson/4^^o' W^a/'^silBann.), Thy power
and thy warldis pelf Is nocht bot verry vanitie. 1500-20
Dunbar Poems xlvi. 98 This frustir luve all is bot vanite.
x6ii Bible Ps, xxxix, 5 Euery man at his best state is
altogether vanitie. 1691 Ray Creation i. (1704) 76 We see
nothing in the Heavens which argues Chance, Vanity or
Error. X834 Mathew Sernt. x\. 44 Yet you often, .are dis-
posed to own that all in this world is vanity.
b. Vain and unprofitable conduct or employment
of time.
X303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne-^s^^ Forso|>e hyt semej* weyl
to L'e Al here lyfe yn vanyte. c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc.
7228 pai. .swa mysturned here J>air lyfyng In-tylle vanyte
and riesschly lykyng._ CX374 Chaucer Troylus iv. 729 But
efter al this nyce vanite, '1 ney took hire leve, and horn they
wente alle. c 1430 Lvdg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 219 Lat
reson brydle thy sensualite,. .Ageyn al worldly disordinat
vanyte. X5X4 Barclay Cyt. ^ Upiondyshman (Percy Soc.)
5 Men labour sorer in fruyteles vanyte, Than in fayre warkes
of grete utylyte. 1567 Gude ^ Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 73, 1 pray
the, Lord, ..All vanitie and lieand word, Full far away tnow
put fra me. 1607 Melton Sixe-folde Politician (Arb.) 114
As the enterludes may be tearmed the Schoole-houses of
vanitie and wantonnes. i6ia Two Noble K. 11. ii. 109 All
those pleasures That wooe the wils of men to vanity. X7sx
Transl. ^ Paraph. Sc. Ch. xxvii. 102 In Vanity ye waste
your Days.
fo. In vanity ^ my ^m. Obs,—^
1509 Hawes Conv, Sivearers 23 Ye dare not take their
names in vanyte.
2. The quality of being vain or worthless ; the
futility or worthlessness of something.
c 13J5 Prose Psalter li. 7 He was michel wor(> in his vanite.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xi. i A haly man fcat sees J>e vanyte
of be warld multiplid. 1381 Wyclif Eph. iv. 17 That ^e
walkenot now, as and hetnen men walken, in the vanyte of
her witt. ^^1400 Destr. Troy 7121 Thus curstly J>at knight-
hode. . Voidet J>ere victory for vanite of speche. X451 Cap-
grave Life St. Aug, 9 In all ^is vanyte of his lif he happed
to fynde a_book bat TuUius Cicero mad. XS35 Covekuale
Ecclus. xvii. 31 He hath pleasure in the vanyte of wickednes.
x66a J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Ambass. 31 A fabulous
story, whereof the vanity is so much the more visible. X674
Essex Papers (Camden) I, 200 This [rumour] alarmed me
so much that I had little rest till Trear. spoke with King,
who assured him of the vanity of it. 171X Addison Sped,
VANITY,
No. 159 P2, I fell isto a profound Contemplation on the
Vanity of human Life. 1741 C. Middleton Cicero II. viiL
216 The vanity of expecting any lasting giory. 1823 Scott
Quentin D. xxxiv, The Bohemian had gone where the vanity
of his dreadful creed was to be put to the final issue. X834
Tatfs Mag. I. 699/1 The noble Lord might have anticipated
the vanity of his exertions. X864 Plsev Led. Daniel (1876)
274 The vanity of the resistance of the kings o( Judah.
+ b. The quality of being foolish or of holding
erroneous opinions. Obs,
c X386 Chaucer Miller" s T. 649 Of his vanytee He hadde
yboght hym knedyng tubbes ihre. — Clerk's T. 194 Wol
nat oure lord yet leue his vanytee? Wol he nat weddef
X578 TiMME Calvin on Gen. 26 Whereby their vanitie is
overthrowen which think that the world was a matter
alwayes without forme. X596 Dalrvmple tr. Leslie's Htst,
Scot. II. 46/10 That..Ithey] mycht now se thair awne
daftnes, and lach or greit at thair awne vanitie. i66c in
Ext}-. Si, P, ret. Friends Ser. 11.(1911) 123 Your petitioner
is in great dread and horrour of an oath (though bee detests
the vanity of Quakers and such like giddy people).
3. The quality of being personally vain ; high
opinion of oneself; self-conceit and desire ior
admiration.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xv. 4 Synn and vnclennes M )>ai
ere in bat folous b^ire flesch and be vanyte of baire blode.
i^'^CowER Conf. 111. 166 That whil he stod in that noblesse,
He scholde his vanite represse With suche wordes as he
herde, a X400-50 Alexander 1730 Be vanyte & vayne glori
bat in bi wayns kindlis. Ibid. 1784 All b' vanyte to voidc
& bi vayne pride, c 1430 Lydg. Minor Poems (Percy SocJ
6s Yowre biynde fantesies now in hertis weyve Of childisshe
vanyte, and lete hem over slyde. 1596 Spenser St. Ire-
land Wks. (Globe) 627/1 They . . through their owne vanitye
..doe therupon build. -historyes of theyr owne antiquitye.
X613 Shaks. Hen. VIII, i. i. 85 What did this vanity But
minister communication of A most poore issue? 1649 Milton
Eikon. B, The intention of this discourse was not fond am-
bition or the vanity to ^et a Name. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr.
I. 310 The vanity of wicked Men is scarcely more conspicn-
ous than in the fond Imaginations they flatter themselves
with. X783 W. Thomson Watson's Philip III (1839) 77 She
cannot be vindicated from the imputation of female vanity,
and the love of admiration on account of her exterior accom-
plishments. i829LvrTON Devereux 1. i. His vanity was so
mingled with good nature that it became graceful, x88x
Lady Herbert Edith 7 To the young wife's vanity and to
Mr. Gordon's pride in his choice,
b. With a and pi. : An instance of this ; an
occasion for being vain.
X71Z-4 Pope Rape Lock 1. 52 Think not, when Woman's
transient breath is fled. That all her vanities at once are
dead. ij6iii\JiAE.Hist. En^. II. xxxi. 2o3The nobiHtyand
f entry.. who placed a vanity in these institutions, i^jyo
boTE Lame Lover i. Wks. 1799 II. 57 To derive a vanity
from a misfortune, will not I'm afraid be admitted as a vast
instance of wisdom,
O. A thing of which one is vain; also slang, one's
favourite liquor.
1854 Patmore Angel tn Ho. i. 11. ix, She was my vanity,
and oh All other vanities how vain ! X89X C. James Ronu
Rigmarole 114 It is advisable to wash it down with a long
drink of the reader's particular vanity.
4. A vain, idle, or worthless thing; a thing or
action of no value.
a 1300 Cursor M. 53 pat foly luue, bat uanite, b^mi likes
now nan ober gle. c X340 Hampole Prose Tr. 5, I satt by
mine ane fleeande be vanytes of b« worlde. c X450 Mankind
896 (Brandl), Thynke & remembyr, be world ys but a wanite.
X47C-85 Malory Arthur xxi. ix. 855, I had forsaken the
vanytees of the world. 1535 Cover dale 2 Kings xvii. 15
They despysed his ordinaunces. .and walked in tneir awne
vanities. i54S_Brinklow Compl. (1874) 83 Ye shuld turne
from these vanitees vnto the liuinge God. 1633 in Verttey
Mem, (1907) I. 76 To run on in their sinful vanities. X658
Ibid. II, 71 All I find as shee desires it for, is but to spend
it uppon her vanities. X673 Cave Prim. Chr, 11. ii. 33 The
sights and sports of the Theatre and such like vanities. i8aa
Lamb Elia i. Praise Chininey'Sweepers, A convenient spot
. .at the north side of the fair, not so far distant as to be
impervious to the agreeable hubbub of that vanity. 1848
Thackeray Van. Fair xH, As long as we have a man's
body, we play our Vanities upon it, surrounding it with
humbug and ceremonies.
t b. An idle tale or matter ; an idea or state-
ment of a worthless or unfounded nature. Obs.
i3j|o Ayenb, 77 Holy wryt, bet hise clepeb leazinges. .and
metinges and uanites. c 1340 Hampole Pr, Consc. 184 Many
has lykyng trofels to here, And vanites wille blethly lere.
c 1440 Jacob's Well 166 Whanne bou iangelystin cberch,or
thynkest vanytees. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems ix. 108, 1 knaw
me. .culpable.. In wordis vyle, in vaneteis expreming. xs6o
Daus tr. Sleidane's Coviin. 205 The Frenche men were
thought to be authors and forgers of this vanitie. 1562 N.
LicHEFiELD tr. Castanhedd's Cong. E. Ind. 37 They be
great southsayers, they haue good dayes and bad dayes, ..
they doe easily beleeue whatsoeuer vanitie. 1652 Heylyn
Cosmogr. i. 211 Turpin hath .. interlaced his Storie with a
number of ridiculous vanities. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's
Trav. 391 His Poem the Auracana. .begins with this vanity,
truely poetical and Romantick Spaniard- like.
f &; Emptiness, lightness; the state of being void
or empty ; inanity. Obs. rare,
a 1400 Stockholm Med. MS. 127 A good oynement for be
vanyte of be heed. 0x400-50 Alexander 4774 It was hot
vacant & voide, as vanite it were. 1587 Levins Patkw.
Nealth{r6-i2) 6 For the Vanity of the head Take the iuice of
wall- wort,, .and therewith annoint the temples.
6, aitrib. and Comb,, as vanity -giving, -huckster,
sight \ vanity-bag, -box, -case, a small hand-bag,
etc., for ladies, fitted with a mirror and powder-pufif.
cx^ Alph. Tales 166 Sho is not transfigurd..bod vnto
ber sightis b^t may be begylid with vanyte syght. X669
Penn No Cross Wks. 1782 II. 205 Let such of those Vanity-
hucksters as have got sufficient be contented to retreat. 189s
Pall Mall G, 8 .\ug. 6/3 Remembering, .that enough of
VANITY-FAIRIAN.
our public men do eat of this vanity-giving food, e 1904-
Vanity-bag, etc.
7. Vanity Pair (afterquot. 1678 below), a place
or scene where all is frivolity and empty show ; the
world or a section of it as a scene of idle amusement
and unsubstantial display.
[1678 BuNVAN Pilgr, (1900) 82 The name of that Town is
Vanity ; and at the town there is a Fair kept, called Vanity-
Fair. It..beareth the name of Vanity-Fair, because the
Town where 'tis kept is lighter than Vanity.]
1816 J. Scott Vis. Paris fed. 5) 137 Such is the Palais
Royal ;— a vanity fair— a mart of sin and seduction I 1827
Scott Chron. Canongate iii, Carrying so many bonny lasses
to barter modesty for conceit and levity at the metropoUtan
Vanity Fair. 1857 Trollope Barchester T. III. no But
how preach.. at all in such a vanity*fair as this now going
on at Ullathorne? i86x Th\ck-e.raw Four Georges ji Never
was such a brilliant, jigging, smirking Vanity Fair as that
through which he leads us.
atirib. 1848 Thackeray Ka!«. /^ozV xxv, The last scene of
her dismal Vanity Fair comedy was fast approaching. Ibid.
xli, Assuming that any Vanity Fair feelings subsist in the
sphere whither we are bound.
Hence Vauity-fairian. nottce-wd,
1848 Thacjceray Van, Fair xvii, Even with the most
selfish disposition, the Vanity Fairian.. can't but feel some
sympathies and regret.
Va'UitylesSf «. rare. [f. the sb.] Devoid of
vanity.
1854 H. Strickland Travel Thoughts 47 t^l wonder if
there is any one sane person in the whole world, utterly
vanitiless.
Vanjarrah, variant of ^wn/iatrr^^ Bkinjabbt,
Van John. Univ, slang. = Vingt-un.
1853 ' C. Bede ' Verdant Green xi, 'Van John ' was the
favourite game. i86z Hughes Tom Brcnvn aiOxf. iii,_ We
were plapng Van John in Blake's rooms till three fast night.
1887 Darwin Life 9f Lett. 1. 1 57 A little of Gibbon's History
in the morning, and a good deal cf Van John in the evening.
t Vanlay, v, Obs. [Cf. Vauntlay sb.l intr.
To cast off a vauntlay {to a hart).
CX4IO Master of Game (MS. Digby 182) xxxiii, He.,
shulde take goode heede (>at he vanlay not, if ot>er relayes
be behynde, for dreede of bendynge oute fro )>e relayes.
Ibid.^ When he hath be so wele ronnc to and.. relayed and
vanleyed to,..)>enDe turneth he his heed and stondeth at
abay^
+ V anlin, variant of Venlin Obs.
1577 HoLiNSHEO Chron. II 1770/2 There were assembled
foureiene Ensignes of the French footemen, .xviii. vanlins
of Almains, [and) four or fiue .C. men at armes of France,
Vanxuost, «• rare — ^, [f. Van j^.-] Foremost,
1865 Carlvle Fredk, Gt. xvm. iv. V. 87 Ziethen, vanmost
of all, finds Nadasti and his Austrian squadrons drawn
across the Highway.
Vann(e, obs, variants of Van sb. and v.^
Vanner ^ (vae-nai). [f. Van sb."^ and v.^"]
1. One who winnows with a fan. rare,
155a HuiX)ET, Vanner, uannator. 16x1 Cotgr., Vanmur,
a vanner, or wmnower of come.
2. Mining. One who tests the quality of ore by
washing it on a shovel.
1671 Phii. Trans. VI. 2098 Whereby the kind, nature and
quantity of the Ore is guessed at, . .without any great decep-
tion, especially if the Vanner have any judgement at all.
187s J. H. Collins Met Mining 12 The speed and accuracy
with which a practised vanner determines the value of a
sample of tin ore, fills the beholder with wonder and delight.
b. An apparatus for separating minerals from
the gangue.
x88s C/. S. Rep. Prec. Met. 71 The concentrate from the
Tanners is high, but the tailings rich. 1890 Melbourne
Argus 16 June 6/a The company, .obtained between 13 and
13 tons of pyrites from the vanners.
Vanner 2 (vse'naj). [f. Van sb,^'\ A light
horse suitable for drawing a small van.
x888 Referee 8 April (Casscll's), Cabbers, and vanners.
1890 Pall Mall G. 8 Sept. 4/3 Tramway horses were keenly
competed for,and, with serviceable * vanners ', fetched as an
average ^40 each. 1897 Haves Points Horse (ed. 2) xv. 125
The light vanner belongs toaclass intermediate between the
light harness horse and the heavy draught horse,
Va*nning, vbl. sb.^ [f. Van r.i]
+ 1. The action of winnowing with a fan. Obs.
i5$a Huloet, Vannyng, uannatin. 1601 Holland Pliny
1, 607 The winnowing, vanning, and laying up either of come
or pulse. x6s6 Bacon Sylva % 671 The Come which in the
Vanning lieth lowest, is the best.
i* b. The action of tossing in a wiim owing- fan,
1606 Holland Sueion. Annot. 36 Sagatio,..that pastime
with us in some place called the canvasing, and else where,
the vanning of dogs.
2. The action or process of separating ore on a
shovel. Also attrib.^ as vanning-action, shovel.
1671 Phil. Trans, VI. 2098 Vanning.. Is performed by
pulverising the stone, or clay, or what else may be suspected
to contain any mineral body, and placing it on a Vanning
shovel. 1766 Ibid. LVI. 38, I employed a tinner dextrous
in vanning (a way of breaking and trying ores, by washing
them on a shovel gently with water) to try it in his usual
wa^. 1778 Pbyce Miu. Cornub. 223 This must be repeated,
til! it is cleansed from the rough gravelly parts, which nmy
be known by vanning of it on a shovel. 1839 Dk ui Bechr
Rep. Genl. Cormvall, etc. xv. 585 Great dexterity is exhibited
hy the tinners in the operation termed vanning. 1875 J. H.
Collins 3/^/. Mining it Thesame principle is at the bottom
of the beautiful art of ' vanning '. 1884 Knight Diet. Mech.
Suppl. 920/1 The object throughout is., to imitate the
vanning action of the miner's shovel.
Vanning, vbl. sb,'^ [f. Van 5^.3] a. The
action of conveying in a van. b. Travelling o»
touring in a van ; caravanning.
39
1891 Athenaeum 15 Oct. 509/2 In 1836 came the affair of
Elis, of whose ' vanning ' so much has been made, though
Eclipse had been conveyed in a van.. from Epsom.. about
fifty years before, xgio Times 21 July S/s.The ' Wanderer',
..the pioneer of 'vanning' as a pastime for health and
pleasure,.. is.. to be sold by auction.
Vanplate, obs. form of Vamplate.
Vanquash, z/. nonce-wd. [Jocularly f. Van j^.2
+ Quash z;.] trans. To smash.
c i6s6 Dick of Devon 11. iv. in BuUen O. PL II, Nay, if
you be no better in the Reare then in the Van I shall make
no doubt to vanquish, and vanquash you, too, before we
part.
tVanquer. Obs.—^ [ad. F. vainqueur, f.
vainqzi-j vaincre Vanquish v.'\ Conqueror,
1570 Satir. Poems Reform, xvii. 143 And so this Realme
. .Sail now.. As Aiax wes, be vanquer of the sell.
tVan^uerer. Obs.-'^ [Var. ofVAN-couRiEB,
prob. influenced by F. querir to seek.] A scout.
i579DiGGES.9^r/x//(7/. 118 He must give order to the Scoute
Mayster whyche way he shall send his Vanquerers to dis-
cover.
t Vanqueror. Obs.-^ [Cf, Vanqdbr and
CONQUEUOB.] Victor.
■L^'^ Exec, for Treason (1675) 6 Neither the vanqueror
nor the vanquished can haue iust cause of triumph.
Va'nquish, sb. Sc [f. the vb.] (See quots.)
179a Statist. Ace. Scot. IV. 267 The pernicious quality of
a species of grass to the health of the sheep . . infecting them
with a disease called the Vanquish. 1793 Ibid. VII. 518 In
one or two farms a disease also prevails termed the Vanquish.
1807 Essays Highl. Soc. III. 407 Change of pasture.. is the
best known cure for the vanquish.
Vanq^nislx (v£e*r)kwij), v. Forms : a. 4 ven-
cuse, 4-5 venkus (5 wen-), 5, 6 Sc.^ venous (5 Sc.
wen-), 5 -cows ; 4 venkis, 5 -ke8(s, wenkys ;
.SV. 5 vincuse, wyncus, 5-6 viuous(s, 6 uin-,
wincua, vincous (wincowa), vincuia (win-),
vancuis. j3. 4-5 renqals (5 -quyse, -quyss, Sc.
wenqnis) ; Sc. 6 venqueia, -ques, vinqueis,
wiuquea, 6-7 winquis, 6 vanques, -quis(e, wan-
queia, -quea, -quia. 7. 5 vencu(a)che, -cuashe,
-cu^sche, -quy8(c)he, -qwysahe, -qwissh,
-quissh, -queash, 5-6 venquysshe, -quiashe ;
6 vanquy(8)she, -quyche, -quishe, -quyah,
Sc. -quhish, 6- vanquish. 8. 5-6 vaynquysahe
(6 vayncq-, veynq-, i*<r.waynquysse), -queashe,
-quyah, 6 vainquiah, Sc. wainquia. [ad. OF.
vencus pa. pple. and venquis pa. t. of veintre
(:— L. vinc^re)j mod.F. vaincre to conquer, over-
come ; the ending was finally assimilated to that
of verbs from F. stems in -iss- : see -ISH 2. The
8-forms, however, are ad, late OF. vainquiss-y
vainquir^ a rare variant of vaincre. See also
Vencue z/.]
L trans. To overcome or defeat (an opponent or
enemy) in conflict or battle ; to reduce to subjection
or submission by superior force.
a. CJ330 R- Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7396 5e may me
vaille To vencuse l>em in pleyn bataille. 1375 Barbour Bruce
1.554 He wan throw bataill Fraunceall fre| Andluciusyber
wencusyt he. 01400-50 Alexander 312a If he be fallen
vndire tote.. And vencust of oure violence, quat vailis him
his hestis? ct^S Wvntoun Cron. 11. xx. 23 To vincus
folk he kennit sa fast That he wes vincust at )>e last. 1456
Sir G. Have La-w Arms (S.T.S.) 48 Thre kingis. .he ven-
cust, all halely, and put thame to the flicht. 1533 Bellen-
DEN Livy II. xvii. (S. f.S.) I. 105 How J>e equis and Wolchis
war diuidit amang ^ame sei^ and vincust be romanis.
c 1550 RoLLAND Crt. Venus 11. 232 Diners greit Kingis in
feild he did vincus. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot.
I. 301 Malcolme in batlell first vancuist, secundly obteynes
the victorie.
fi. € i«o R. Brunnk Chron. /*'<k'*(Ro11s) 5188 Heauaunted
hym..He venquised ^ enperour alone, c 1386 Chaucer
Monk's T.602 ror (»at Nicbamoure and Timothee Wi|> lewes
were venqwiste mihtile. c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 10500 For
au^t that he my^t do, ..Thei were put vnto fly5t, Wenkyst
foule, & discomn^t. c 1470 Henrv Wallace \\\. 241 Quhen
Wallace had weyle wcnquist.. The fals terand that had his
fadyr slayne. iSM Cornel. Scott. Prol. 12 Annibal,. .beand
venquest be nobif scipion, past for refuge tyl anthiocus.
15^ Dalrvmplk tr. Leslie s Hist. Scot, I. 339 He van-
quisses the King of Norway. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 17 Gif
he quha is challenged be overcome and winquised be battel.
y. 1383 Wyclif 2 Sam, x. 19 Seynge alle the kyngis . . hem
to be vencusshid of Yrael. riiSfi Chaucer Man of Law'' s
T. 194 Thurgh Hanibal, That Komayns hath venquysshed
tymes thre. c 1430 LvDG. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 97 David
that sloughe Golye, . . That sloughe the here, . . venqwysshed
the lyoune. 11533 Ld. Berners Huon Iv. 185 Yf he can
vanquysshe me, then he shal delyuer to thee thy nece. 1555
Ehen Decades To Rdr. (Arb.) 51 The Moores or Sarasens
and lewes which.. yet coulde neuer before bee cleane van-
quysshed vnlyll thedayes of this nobleand Catholyke prince.
'593 i^HAKs. 2 Hen. VI, iv. viii. 45 Wer't not a shame,..
The fearfull French, whom you late vanquished, Should
make a start ore-seas and vanquish ^ou ? 1635 Quarles
EmbL 1. ii, [To] baffle hell, And vie with those that stood,
and vanquish those that fell, a 17*7 Newton Chronol,
Amended i. (1728) 96 David vanquished the Ammonites.
179X CowpER Iliad III. 517 Me, Menelaus, by Minerva's aid,
Hath vanquished now, who may hereafter him. 1819-50
Alison Hist. Europe VII. xlii. §21. 105 She, vanquished
but not subdued, compelled to yield to necessity, followed
her timid consort 1856 Kane Arct. Expi, I. xxix. 394 They
gnawed her feet and nails so ferociously that we drew her
up yelping and vanquished.
5. 1474 Caxton Chesse 37 For by bataylte he shall not be
ouercome and vaynquysshid. c 1489 — Sonnes of Aymon
VANQUISHABLE.
xix. 428, 1 am vaynquyshed & overcome wythout ony stroke.
'5o3~4 ^'^t 19 Hen. VII^ c. 34 Preamble, They were ren-
countered, vaynquesshed, dispersed, overcome, and dyvers
put to deth. (11533 Ld. Berners Huon xciii. 303 Syr,
thanked be god we haue vaynquysshed the Emperoure. 1565
Cooper Thesaurus^ Debellare^ to vainquish or ouercome by
warre.
b. fig. To overconie by spiritual power.
c 1375 Sc, Leg. Saints xxviii. {Margaret) 34 Vertuysly
scho cane vincuse J)e flesch, |)e warld, >e fend alsa. t;x38o
\W\Qi.l¥ Contr. Tracts Sel. Wks. III. 439 pe fend haj? ben
many day abowte to vencushe Cristen men bi Antecristis
clerkis. c 1440 Lvdg. Hors, Shepe 9f G. 343 Bi his mek-
nesse he . .venquysshid hath Satan. 1483 Caxton Cato B ij b,
Saynt Johan sayth in the pocalyps who sbal vanquysshe
the world, c 1510 More Picus Wks. 22 He it is, by whose
mighty powre. The worlde was vainquished and his prince
cast out. 1560 Holland Sez'en Sages 44 Than speikis he
to God face to face, Quhen that the Deuill he hes vincust.
1581 BuBNE in Cath. Tract. (S.T.S.) ii8 [That] the craft.,
of the Deuil is vinqueist and cuercum. 1671 Milton P.R.
I. 175 The Son of God Now entring his great duel,.. to van-
quish by wisdom hellish wiles.
t c. To expel or hamsti from a place. Obs.
^53,6 Pilgrym's T, in Thynne's Animadv. (1875) 79Wher
this man walked, ther was no farey ner other spiritis, for
his blessynges. .did vanquyche them from euery buch and
tre. 160X Dolman La Primaud. Fr, Acad. (1618) 374 Con*
spiring the reentrie of Tarquinius race unto the Kingdome
of Rome, from whence they had been vanquished for
wickednes and whoredome.
2. To overcome (a person) by other than physical
means. Also const. of{— in respect of).
c 1366 Chaucer A. B.C. 8 Mercyable Queue, . . Hafe mercy
of my Perilous langoure, Venquist has me my cruelle aduer*
sair. £^1386 — Pars. T. 661 Therfore saith the wise man,
if thou wolt venquisch thin enemy lerne to suffre. 1477
Caxton Dictes lai He that demaundethe but reason is able
to vaynquysshe & ouercome hisennemye. a 1500 Bemardus
de cura rei fam. (E.E.T.S.) 122 For he is nocht ay wen*
custe with i>e sworde. But oft throw lufe. c 1530 Pol.^
Rel.y ff L. Poems (1903) 58 Ofte the enmy is easelyer ven-
quysied with seruice than with stroke of swerde. c 1550
Rolland Crt. Venus in. 45 Hippolyte and eik Pandora sle
That with hir slicht[i]s al men dois vincous. 1671 Milton
Samson 235, I my self, Who vanquisht with a peal of words
..Gave up my fort of silence to a Woman. 17*5 W.
Hamilton To C'tess Eglinton 22 The Fair One,. .Cur'd of
her scorn, and vanquish'd of her hate. 1770 Goldsm. Des.
Vill. 212 In arguing too, the parson own'd his skill, For e'en
though vanquish'd, he could argue still. 1848 W. H. Kelly
tr. L. Blanc's Hist. Ten K. II. 295 At last, M. Gerard has
got the upper hand ; he has vanquished his colleagues, be
has vanquished the king.
+ b. To convict ^some offence. Obs.~^
X50J Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) iv. xxi. Xiiy,
Whan it is so that he of that was lawfully vaynquysshed or
that he hath that confessed in lugement.
3. With impersonal object : To overcome, subdue,
suppress, or put an end to (a feeling, state . of
things, etc.),
C1380 Wyclif Wks. (18B0) 435 For treujje mut vencusche
al o|Jer bing. c 1386 Chaucer Frankl. T. 46 Pacience . . ven-
quysseth. .ihynges Jjat rigour sholde neuere atteyne. c:x4oo
Rom. Rose 3546 We se ofte that humilite, Bothe ire, and also
felonye Venquyssheth. tixa-so Lvdg. Chron. Troy i. 3284
Thenfeccioun of hir troubled eyr He hath venquesched.
1474 Caxton Chesse 60 And yf thou canst not vaynquysshe
thyn yre than muste thyn yre ouercome the. 1513 Dolglas
Ai.neid i. xi. 64 The flambe of torchisvincoust the dirk nycht.
1567 Gude * Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 122 O God, sa gude and
gracious, Lat thair. Jugeing vencust be. a 1601 ? Marston
Pasquil ^ Kath. (1878) 11. 154 Euen then m^ loue shall not
be vanquished. x6ax Burton /3«a^. Mel. i. ii. 1. i. (1651) 37
If the cause be removed, the eflTect is likewise vanquished.
1671 Milton P. R. iv. 607 By vanquishing Temptation,
[thou] hast regain'd lost Paradise. 1781 Cowper Expost.
411 To vanquish lust, and wear its yoke no more. x8xq
Shelley Cenci i. iii. 110 Till it thus vanquish shame and
fear. 1833 Ht. Martineau Fr. Wines «f PoL viii. 130
Charles repeatedly vanquished his resentment at the
Marquis" supercilious treatment of him.
+ 0. To excel or surpass. Obs."^
XS33 Bellenden Livy i. Prol. (S.T.S.) I. 7 New authouris
. . be J>are crafty eloquence traistis to vincus the rude
Langage of anciant authouris.
1 4. To win or gain (a battle or other contest).
1x1400 Sir Degrev. 1126 Sone that dou^ty undur sheld
Had y.venkessyd the feld. c X4S0 Merlin iii. 56 Vter ven-
quysshed the bataile, and ther ne ascaped noon of the sara-
zins, X483 Caxton Gold Leg. 11 1/3 Thus as he demanded
he vanquysshid the batayll. a 1548 Hall Chron., Edw. IV
(1550) 43 A gentlemanne . . did demaunde of an Englisheman,
how many baltailes kyng Edward had vanquished.
5. absol. To be victorious; to have the victory.
138a WvcLiF I Sam, xiv. 47 And whidir euer he turnede
hym silf, he venkusede. X483 Caxton Gold. Leg. (1892) 846
He threwe away his swerde, and judged himself better to
vaynquysshe in suffering of deth. X568 Grafton Chron, II.
756 He shall no lesse commend his wisdome where he voyded,
then his manhood where he vanquished. 1596 Dalrymple tr.
Leslie's Hist. Scot. I 349 He..sa stoutlie straik and yaii-
quist, that a noble Victorie he obteynet. 1651 Raleighs
Ghost 213 When he suffered his hands to fall down, Amalek
J vanquished.
' Vanquishable (vre-rjkwijabn), a. [f. prec. +
-ABLE.] Capable of being vanquished or overcome.
X555 Watreman Fardle Facions App. 309 Ye shal be of
all menne mosle strong and valiaunte in fight, and vanquishe-
able to noneenemie. x6oi Marston /!«/. 9f Mel. 11, Bamsht,
forlorne, despairing, ..vanquishable, 1654 Gayton Pleas,
Notes III. iv. 87 That great Gyant. .was only vanquishable
by the Knights of the Well. X736 Ainsworth i, Vanquish-
able, vincibiliSt superabilis. X831 Coleridge Table^ T. 25
July, I should not have wished (or a more vanquishable
opponent. x866 Carlyle Remin. (i8Bi) II. 221 In which
she again proved not to be vanquishable.
VANQUISHED.
Vanquished (vae-gkwijt), ///. a. Also 5-6
Sc. vencust, 6 Sc. vincust, vanquest, -queist ;
6 vanquisshed, 7 vanquisht. [f. as prec] De-
feated, overcome, subdued.
1456 Sir G. Have Z,flw^r?wfCS.T.S.)272 The vencust man
. . suld pay to the vencusour his costis. 1513 Douglas /Eueid
I. ii. 27 Cariand to ItalyThair vincust hammald goddis and
lUon. 1589 Alex. Hume Poetns (S.T.S.) 54 The portrators
c^ euerie vanquest lowne, Of Cittadells tetcj. 1671 Milton
Samson 281 The matchless Gideon in pursuit Of Madian
and her vanquisht Kings. 17x0 W. King Heathen Gods *
Heroes x. {X727) 41 Those [arms] which Marcus Marcellus
took from the vanquish'd Viridomarus. 1781 Gibbon Deci.
* F. xxviii. (1787) III. 103 But the victors themselves were
insensibly subdued by the arts of their vanquished rivals.
1849 Macaulay //ist. Eng. Ii. 44 This plea the King con-
sidered as the subterfuge oi a vanquished disputant. 1884
MarskaWs Tennis Cuts 266 Much more they steep The
vanquished soul in sweet forgetfulness.
b. odsol. The person or persons defeated, etc.
155s Eden Decades (Arb.) 50 Greater commoditie hath
therof ensewed to the vanquisshed then the victourers.
1583 Stockeb Civ. Warres Lowe C. i. 38 That the victors
would sacke the vanquisheds houses. 1651 Hobbes Leviath.
II. XX. 104 It is not, .the Victory, that giveth the right of
Dominion over the Vanquished [etc.]. 1728 Eliza Hevwood
tr. Mme. de Gomez's Belle A. (1732) II. 67 Perhaps, if Tre.
mouiUe had been the vanquish'd, he could not have_ behaved
with the same Temper, as, being Conqueror, he did. x8io
Jane Vq^-^ka Scottish Chiefs Ixxxv, He bade that generous
prince adieu, with the full belief of soon returning to find
him the vanquished of Edward. 1887 Bowen Mneid 11. 353
One hope only remains for the vanquished— hope to resign.
Vanquislier (voe*gkwiJaj). Forms : a. 5 Sc.
vencusour, 6 vanquysser, Sc, -quisser, ven-
quesair, vinquiesser. /3. 5 vaynquyssheur,
-our, 6 venquosshor, vanquysher, 6- van-
quisher, [f. as prec] A conqueror, subduer.
a. X456 [see prec.^ 'XSSS ^^' Berners Huon xv. 4p Vf
it fortimyd that the vanquysser sle his enymye. 1549 Comph
Scot. xvii. 149 The victorec is ioyful quhen the enemeis are
venqueist vitht out domage to the venquesair. x^88 A. King
tr. Canisius' Catech. 8 That he mycht declair him self
vinquiesser ouir death and sathan. 1596 Dalrymplb tr.
Leslie^ Hist. Scot. I. 302 A certane joung man,., the prin-
cipal vanquisser of Cam.
0. X474 Caxton Chesse iii. vH, In suffryng hym thou
shalt be his vaynquysshour. 1490 — Eneydos xi, 4a God
forbede that it may be sayd of Eneas, . . vaynquyssheur
of grete bataylles [etc.]. « 1513 Fabvan Chron. 11. (1811)
20 Dunwallo. .was venquesshor of y» other Dukes or rulers.
1577 tr. Bullingers Decades (1592) 441 The Saints. .are
victorcrs and vanquishers, howsoeuer they are oppressed.
X630 J. Taylor (Water P.) (^/. £a/tfrA>«/ n This inuincible
ale victoriously vanquished the vanquisher. 165a Kirkman
Clerio 4- Lozia 83 This superbe Vanquisher receiving the
Trophies and the Laurels. 1734 Richers Hist. Roy. Geneal.
Speiin 266 The Castle of Zamora soon after surrender'd to
the vanquisher. 1807 G. Chalmers Caledonia I. iii. vii.
400 note^ Combats, wherein they were sometimes the van-
quishers, and sometimes the vanquished. 1863 J. G. Mubphy
Comm,^ Gen. xxxil 27 The secret of his power with his
friendly vantjuisher.
VanquisMng, "vbL sb. [f. as prec] The
action of overcoming or subduing.
a 1315 MS. Rawl. B.J 20 fol. 56 pe coniunccion ne uaillejj
no^t, so ase )>e seisede mai repelen, ne J»e venquissinge ne
uaiie^ no^t bote jif hit were aioined t>oru rigt. c 1475 Rauf
Coiiyar 825 For dout of vincussing they went nocht away.
1480 Barbour's Bruce xviii. 206 (E.), Quhen thai of Scotland
had wittering Off Schir Eduuardis wencussing. 1611 Cotcb.,
Victoire, victorie, conquest, a subduing, or vanquishing.
1736 AiNSWORTH I, Debellation a vanquishing, or overthrow.
Vanctuishing, ///. a. [f. as prec] That
overcomes or conquers.
z6ix CoTCR., Vainqueresse, a vanquishing or victorious
woman. 1886 W. J. Tucker E. Europe 258 Such was the
dread of his vanquishing army amongst the nations of the
West.
VanquislimeiLt (vx'rjkwijmfint). [f. as prec]
The act of vanquishing or overcoming.
ip93 Nashe Christ's T. Wks, (Grosart) IV. 42 The van-
quishment of that vglie nest of Harpies, hath beene reserued
as a worke for mee, before all beginnings. 1613-8 Daniel
Coll. Hist. Eng. (1626) 5 He draue Valentinian lo seeke ayde
of Theodosius.. after the vanquishment and death of his
brother. 165a Gaule Mazastrom. 336 This he took to be
an omen or presage of the vanquishment and death of.
Perses. 1697 Potter Antiq. Greece 11. xv. (1715) 328
Appearing in time of War, it signified vanquishment, and
running away. i8$x I. Tavlor Wesley^ ^ Methodism 26
His conversion, taking place, .by successive vanquishments.
x888 B. W. Richardson Son 0/ Star 1. 226 The princess..
had gained a reputation . . for her prowess and skill in
vanquishment.
t Vanqiiissant, a. Obs.—^ [ad. obs. F. vain-
quissant, pres, pple. ofvainquir'. see Vanquish vJ]
Victorious.
163a J. Havwasd tr. Biondrs Eromena 105 Congratula-
tions she received not as a woman in chila-bed, but as a
Captaine vanquissant of a battel.
Vansire. Zool. [a. F. vansire^ formed by
BufTon (1765) from the Malagasy name, given by
him as vohang- or voangskira (otherwise recorded
as vontsira)^ The marsh-ichneumon {Herpestes
^lera) of South Africa.
X774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. III. ix, 362 To the ferret kind
we may add an animal which Mr. BufFon calls the Vansire,
the skin of which was sent him stuffed, from Madagascar.
X785 Smellie tr. Buffon"! Nat. Hist. (1791) VII. 222 The
vansire. . is a native of Madagascar and tlie interior parts of
Africa. X831 Proc. Zool. Soc. Apr. 57^ M. Goudot has
brought a small carnivorous animal, which he states to be
the true vansire.
40
Vanston(e, southern ME. varr. Fontstone.
Vant, southern var. Font shy ; obs. f. VaUNT
sb. and v. \ obs, Sc f. Want v.
Vant-f pr^fi-Xj representing AF. vant', aphetic
{.avanl-AYAtiT- : see Vant-brace, -guard, -ward.
In a number of compounds the I was elided, as
Vanbrace, -chase, -courier, -guard, etc. Before
labials the « by assimilation became tn, as in
Vambraoe, Vampey, Vamplate, Vamward ; and
a further reduction appears in vamure Vaumure
and Vaward. The AF. variant vaunt- is also
very fully represented in English forms : see
Vaunt-chase, -courier, etc.
Vantage (va'nted^), sb. Also 4-7 vauntage,
6 vauntadge ; 5-6 Sc. wantage, 7-8 Vantage,
[a, AF. vantage (1302), var, of OF. avaniage Ad-
vantage sb, Cf. It. vantaggio, Sp. ventaja^ Pg.
vantagem^
1. Advantage, benefit, profit, gain. Now arch,
a 1300 Cursor M. 8015 O ^am Jwu sal haue gret vantage,
Bath to |>e and to t>i barnage. c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880)
302 Not of leesyng of worldliche worship ne worldliche
vauntage, . . but of lesyng of vertues. c X440 Promp. Parv.
508/1 Vauntage, (A'., or avauntage), pro/ectus^ proventus.
c X470 Henry IVallace ix. 915 This wantage was, the Scottis
ihaim dantyt swa, Nayn Inglisman durst fra his feris ga.
1536 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W, 1531) 172 b, Repute it for your
singlar vauntage & wynnynge to be exercised & tossed in
dyuerse temptacyons. 1555 Hooper in Coverdale's Lett.
Mart. (1564) 141 Such fleshe as. .had great vauntage by hys
word, are become his very enemies. 1576 Fleming Panopl.
Epist.-jz, I receyued two seuerall letters from you,.. Out of
which.. I reaped double commoditie and vauntage. 1617
Collins Def. Bp. of Ely i. i. 72 What vantage haue you now
of all that is said of Peters ship to countenance Rome ? 1645
Arraignm. Persecution 23 Shalt we that have received
vantage by their rejection, thus recompence them- with
tyranny? [1846 Landor Exam. Shaks. Wks. II. 266 It
would give.. the neighbourhood much vantage, to see these
two fellows good men.]
t b. Pecuniary profit or gain. Obs.
c X430 Freemasonry (Halliw. 1840) 149 The mayster schal
not, for no vantage, Make no prentes that ys outrage, c 1440
Jacob'' s Well 43 ludas was wo, bat he had nogt J>at vauntage
of |>o XXX. pens J>at was ^e tythe of Jw iij. hundreth pens.
1526 TiNDALE Matt. XXV. 27 Then at my commynge shulde I
have receaved my money with vauntage. 1555 Eden Decades
(Arb.) 340 He became a master in makynge cardes for the
sea, whereby he had great vantage. 1373 Tusser Husb.
(1878) 90 If one penie vantage be therein to saue, of coast
man or fleming be sure to haue.
t c. A perquisite. Obs. (Cf. Vail sb?- 4.)
ax470 H. Parker Dives 9f Pauper {W. de W. 1496) vii.
XXL 308/2 That he sholde besydes his salarye take annuell
or trentalle, or ony suche other, that they calle vantages.
1481 MS. at St. Nick. Bristol in Clerk's Book of jS4Q
(Bradshaw Soc.) 70 Hit was of old vsage that the vantage
of weddyngges was longgynge to the Gierke. xss8 G.
Cavendish Poems (1825) II. 52 First in theprivye councell
was my foundacion, And cheife secretary with all vantages
and fees.
+ d. Printing, (See quots.) Obs.
1683 MoxoN Meek. Exerc.y Printing 393 When a White-
page or more happens in a Sheet, the Compositer calls that
Vantage: So does the Press-man, when a Form of one Pull
comes to the Press. [1888 Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 151
Vantage^ an old synonym for the modern one of * fat '.]
+ 2. a. A greater amount ^something. Obs.
X398 Trevisa Bartk, De P. R. xiv. Hi. (ToUem. MS.),
Therfore t?ese places of heremites hauen moche noye and
trauayll ; ne}?eles it hab a vauntage [L. plurimum\ of com-
modite and reste.
f b. An additional amount or sum. For or to
the vantage^ in addition. Vantage of bread (see
quot. 161 1). Obs.
X52g More Suppl. Souls Wks. 331 And yet haue we for
the vauntage .. the boke of y" kinges, the woordes of the
Prophete zacharie [etc.]. \^^ Croscombe Ch. Ward. Ace.
(Som. Rec. Soc.) 43 R. Phelyppes for the vantage of bredde,
xxWd. x6o4 Shaks. 0th, iv. in. 86 Yes, [there are] a dozen
[such women] ; and as many to th' vantage, as would store
the world they plaid for. x6xx Cotgr., Le trezain dupain^
vantage of bread ; the thirteenth loafe giuen by Bakers
vnto the dozen. X6X7 Collins Def. Bp. of^ Ely 11. ix. 346
Supererogation there is none, where first all is not done that
ought to be done, and then a vantage too, or surplus oner.
X639 Fuller Holy Wariv. xiii. {1647) 191 The Popes Legate
and Robert Earl of Artois. .would make no bargain except
Alexandria.. were also cast in for vantage to make the con-
ditions down-weight. X706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vantage,
that which is given over and above just Weight and
Measure ; Overplus.
t o. And (a or the) vant age ^ with the vantage ^
and above, and (a little) more. Obs.
"594 Wills ^ 2nv. N. C. (Surtees, i860) 244, xxj stirkes of
yeare old and vantage, 18*., x stirkes, of two yearesould and
vantage, 16'. x6oi Holland Pliny 1. 12 But Venus ascendeth
up to her station in fifteene dales and the vantage. x6ax
Fletcher Pilgrim i. i, She is fifteen, with the vantage, And
if she be not ready now for mannage — . a 1656 Ussher
Ann, (1658) 251 Of a huge stature, and a mind answerable
thereunto, for it is said, that he was five cubids high, and
vantage. 1708 Lond. Gaz. No. 4472/4 Stoln or Stray'd . . , a
brown bay Gelding,. .14 hands and the vantage high. 1711
— No. 4875/4 A large kindly black Mare,.. two Years old,
with the Vantage. 1754 J. Shebbeare Matrimony (1766) I.
4 In plain English, she had seen One and Thirty Birth-days,
and a 'Vantage, as they say in the West of England,
fd. eiiipt. = prec. Obs.~'^
x6oi Shuttlezvortks' Ace. (Chetham Soc.) 124 A litle
younge styre of towe yeres old vantage.
3. Advantage or superiority in a contest; position
VANTAGE.
or opportunity likely to give superiority ; vantage-
ground. + Upon the vantage, at an advantage.
15*3 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xviL 18 The archers.. haue
noo vauntage of hym nor of his company. 1579-80 North
Plutarch, Tlteseus (1595) 3 The cause why they were thus
shauen before, was, for that their enemies should not haue
the vauntage to take them by the hayres of the head while
they were fighting. Ibid. 4 They which by might could
haue vantage ouer others, had nothing to rfoe with.. quiet
qualities. 1596 Dalrvmple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 215 Oft
may meit [in battle] : oft thay parte with lytle vantage.
1600 Holland Livy 1. xxvii. 20 When bee thought bee had
gained vantage ynough, bee mounted up the hill with all
his companies. X627 E. F. Hist. Edw. 11 (1680) 117 Know-
ing the weakness, he esteem'd his vantage in suffering them
to land. 1634 Sib T. Herbert Trav. 27 A Castle, strong, and
of white chalky stone, its Ordnance planted high to play in
Mounts upon the vantage. X795 Southev Joan of Arc yii.
345 The exasperate knight.. up the steps advanced, Like
one who disregarded in his strength The enemy's vantage.
1850 Blackie ^schylus II. 160 Though close hedged in by
the foe, The vantage hath been ours. 1867 Trollope Chron.
Barset I. xviii. 156 The bishop found that he would thus
lose his expected vantage.
b. With defining term introduced by of.
X523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I.cxcix. 97/1 The englisshemen
had the vauntage of the hyll, and helde themselfe so cloosc
together that none coude entre into them. 1568 Grafton
Chron. II. 242 Assoone as the king and his Marshalles had
ordered hys battayle, he drewe vp the sayles and came with
a quarter winde to haue the vauntage of the sonne. 1626
Bacon Sylva § 599 It hath been anciently practised to burne
Heath, and Ling, and Sedge, with the vantage of the Wind,
upon the Ground. X805 Scott Last Minstrel v. xviii. To
each knight their care assigned Like vantage of the sun and
wind. i8j8 — F. M. Perth v, Thou wilt have better access
to drive them back, having the vantage of the house. 1855
Macaulay Hist. Eng. xvl HI. 621 James. .consented to
retreat till he should reach some spot where he might have
the vantage of ground.
O. In the phrases coign (see CoiGN sb. \)^place^
point (etc.) of vantage. So also \ dice of vantage.
c 1570 Misogonus 11. iv. 168 (Brandl), The preistes handes
ith mustardpolt; the knave, throwe at an inch. Has some
disc of vauntadge, myne oth I durst take. 1805-6 Gary
Dante, Inf. xvi. 24 Naked champions. .Are wont, intent, to
watch their place of hold And vantage, ere in closer strife
they meet. 1832-4 De Quincey Caesars Wks. i860 X. 55
This adoption would have been applied . . as a station of
vantage for introducing him to the public favour. x86o
Motley Netkerl.x\\i.H^6Z) II. 347 It was unfortunate that
the possession of Sluys had given Alexander such a point of
vantage.
1 4. With a and pi. : An advantage ; a position or
state of superiority. Freq. with at or for, Obs,
Perh. originally a wrong division of avantage.
CX450 Merlin xxxii. 654 Petrius..cowde well fle and
relurne at a vauntage, and well fight with his enmyes.
c 1489 Caxton Blatichardyn liii. 204 They chased Subyon
that was horsed at a vauntage better than they were, a X548
Hall Ckron., Hen. VIJI, 117 Then they issued out boldly
and shot coragiously as men that shot for a vauntage. a 1568
in A. Scott's Poems (E.E.T.S.) 44 Thair is nocht ane winche
^)at I se Sail win ane wantage of me. 1581 J. Bell Haddon's
AnsTv. Osor. 268b, Hereupon he doth conclude as it were
at a vauntage that the doctrine of these men is not onely
unprofitable, but also pestiferous. x6is W. Lawson Country
Housew. Gard, (1626) 32 Wee may well assure our selues,
(as in all other Ajrts, so in this) there is a vantage and
dexterity, by skill. x6<i2 D. Rogers Naaman 263 Naaman
seemed humble, when he stood at Elisba his doore, but it
was for a vantage.
t b. An opportunity ; a chance. Obs,
1592 Soliman Sf Pers. 1. ii, I, watch you vauntages? Thine
be it then. x6ix Shaks. Cymb. i. iii. 24 When shall we heare
from him. Pisamo. Be assur'd Madam, With his next
vantage. Ibid. \\. iii. 50 You are most bound to th' Kin^;,
Who let's go by no vantages, that may Preferre you to his
daughter.
6. In phrases with verbs : a. With personal
object, as to catch., have, hold^ take (one) at (f a or
•f- the) vantage,
C1510 Gesta Rom. (W. de W.) Aij, At the last she had
hym at a vauntage agayne, ande was afore hym. xs8i
Pettie tr. Gucuzzo's Civ. Conv. in. (1586) 156 b, Ypu haue
taken me at a vauntage. X590 Spenser F. Q. in, vii, 51 Me
seely wretch she so at vauntage caught. 1596 Harincton
Metam. Ajax (1814) 12 He will take a weak man at the
vantage. 1827 Southey Hist. Renins. War II. 123 In this
sort of warfare their loss was generally greater than that of
the natives, who on such occasions had them at vantage.
1857 Emerson Poems 153 Complement of human kind,
Holding us at vantage still.
t b. With vantage as object, esp. to take , . van-
tage {of), Obs. (Cf. Advantage sb. 5 b.)
(a) XS73 G. Harvey Leiter-bk. (Camden) 2 If the vantage
had bene presently takin. c 1585 [R. Browne] Answ. Cart'
ivHgkt ii'i If any will take vantage, that yet their censers
were holy,.. let vs consider what hoUnes this was. 1592
Marlowe Massacre Paris iii. i, [He] takes his vantage on
Religion, To plant the Pope and popelings in the Realme.
1622 Bacon Hen. VII, 50 Hee thought to make his Vantage
upon his Parliament.
ib) X59X Lylv Emiytn. ir. i. You will be sure I shall take
no vantage of your words. x6oo Holland Livy 1. ii. 9 The
armie of the Antemnates, taking the vantage of the time,. .
entred the confines of Rome. 1624 Quarles 'Job Militant
xvi. 40, I Will take no 'vantage of thy Miserie.
6. Lawn Tennis. — Advantage sb. 2.
X884 Peile Laivn Tennis 50 If he lose the next stroke (he
being vantage to love), the score is again called deuce. 1897
Outing XXX. 467/2 Then our opponents ran to deuce, and
another victory made the score vantage in our favor.
7. attn'b.j as (sense 2 b) i vantage-loaf ; (senses)
vantage-coig7t, -ditch y-place, -point \ (sense 6)van-
tage-gamcy -set. Also Vantage-ground.
VANTAGE.
x6ia in Plomer Abstracts fr IVilh of En^. Printers
(1903) 45 To twelve Poore people . .one penny loafe and Twoe
pence a peece and the vauntage loafe to the Gierke there.
1808 Scott Marm. vi. ii, Bulwark,, .bastion, tower, and
vantage-coign, a i86i Clough Relig. Poems ii. 85 Quick
seizure and fast unrelaxing hold of vantage-place. 1865
J. H. Ikgraham Pillar of Fire (1872) 322 Terrace.'!, house-
tops,—every vantage-point— were crowded thickly with
spectators. 1885 J. H. Dell Dawning Grey, Prefatory^
Some last vantage-ditch of wrong. 189a Pall Mall G.
7 July 6/1 The Londoners equalized and made another
'vantage' set necessary, /^i*/., The Irishmen gained the
' vantage ' game every time.
Vantage (va-nted^), V, Also 5 vauntagyn, 6
-age. [f. prec, or ad. OF. vantager (Palsgr,).]
1. trans. To profit or benefit (one). Now only
arch. Cf. Advantage v, 4.
cx^Promp. Part'. (Winch.), Forderyn,. .or vauntagyn.
1530 Palsgr. 765/1 What dothe it vauntage you to go so
often ovdr-see? 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. iv. 49 Needlesse feare
did neuer vantage none. 1596 Edtv. Ill, n. i, Vf nothing
but that losse may vantage you, I would accompt that losse
my vauntage to. a 1618 Sylvester Job Triumphant iv.
227 What will it vantage mee, What shall I gain, if 1 from
sin be free? 1813 Scott Betrothed xxi\. To keep him as a
captive might vantage them more in many degrees, than
could his death. 1891 C. E. Norton Dofite's Purgat. xiii,
66 What hath it vantaged thee to make of me a screen ?
refl. 1581 J.;Bell Haddon's Ansvj. Osor. i86 They vaun-
tage themselves nothyng by this distinction. 1598 Barret
Theor. Warres i. ii. 13 Thereby to aduance and vantage
bimselfe.
1 2. intr. To make gain or profit, Obs."^
1563 FoxK A.9f M. 11/1 The commen saying of. .naughty
wemen, which say, they vantage more in one holy day, then
in L. other dales besides.
Hence Va-ntag-ed///. a,, f increased, augmented.
1578 Banister Hist. Man Pref. 7 That. .with the testi-
monie of a cleare conscience, we may render our vauntaged
talentes vnto the high Auditour.
t Va'Zltaffeable, a* Obs, rare* Also 6
vantish-. Ti. prec] Advantageous, profitable.
1570 FoxE A. <5- M, 361 b/r These Caursinites..had their
debters to them bound in such sort, as wasmuch vantish-
able [1596 vantageable] to them, and muchiniurious vnto the
other. 1610 Marcellini Tri. yas, /, 83 And when all this
had bin done, where are then his so much vantageable
profits?
Vantage-ground. [Vantage s6, 7.] A
position which places one at an advantage for
defence or attack.
Freq. in rgth cent., chiefly in fig. use.
1611 Bacon Ess., Of Great Place (Arb.) 282 That cannot be
uithout power and place; as the v'antage and commanding
ground. 1635 — Of Truth (Arb.) 500 No pleasure is com-
parable, to the standing vpon the vantage ground of Truth.
1644 Waller in Cal, State Papers, Dom. Ser. (1888)
301, I moved not till I had full assurance.. that the enemy
was clearly gone, le<;t it might have been but a feint to draw
me from my vantage ground. X774 Burke Sp. Amer, Tax,
Wks. 1843 1. 170 But I quit the vantage ground on which I
stand, and where I 'might leave the burthen of the proof
upon him. 1817 Coleridge Biog. Lit. (Bohn) 164, I am
convinced that for the human soul to prosper in rustic life
a certain vantage-ground is pre-requisite. 1830 Herschel
Study Nat. Phil, \\. vi. 173 A means of fresh attack with
new vantage ground. 1878 Maclear Celts i. 10 Making the
Greek colony of Massilia. .her vantage-ground.
Va'ntagelesSi a, [f. Vantage sb.'\ Not
having any advantage or superiority.
1810 Scott Lady of L, v. xii. See here, all vantageless 1
stand, Arm'd like thyself with single brand.
tVantageons, <3c> Obsr^ [f. Vantage sb,'\
Brinjjing advantage or gain.
f 1566 T. Hacket Treas. Amadis Diij, It perteincth not
to suche a Lord as ye are to have and to hold any such brave
and vantageous purposes with me.
t Vantation. Obsr'^ [app. f- vant Vauht v.]
Ostentation, display.
1637 Bastwick Litany in. ao They have.. scarce a sermon
in the whole University • and if there be one it tends onely
to vantation, and to shew the strength of lines, which indeed
breatheth nothing but vanity.
Va'ntbrace. Now arch, or Hist, Forms :
a. 4-5 vauntbras, 6 -brasse ; 6-7 (9) vant-
bras, 7-8 -braas. Q. 5, 7, 9 vauntbraoe, 6-7, 9
vautbrace. [a. AF. vantbraSf aphetic f. avant-
braSj f. avant before + bras arm.] = Vaubbace.
a. 1374 Fifr. Ace. 49 Edw. Ill, B, In .x. bacinettis, ..lij.
paribus Vauntbras et rerebras. 1411 in Somerset Med.
H^ills (1901) 60 Unum basinetum cum ventale, vauntbras,
rerbras [etc]. 1416 in Rep. A/SS. Ld Middleton (1911) 104
Pauns, vauntbrases, . .et <^uysshews. 1504-6 Ace. Ld. High
Treas. Scot. III. 90 For lij pair vantbrases, 1590 in Ellis
Ori^. Lett. Ser. i. I. 167 The King..lokythe dayly..to
receive the vauntbrasse and gauntlett. 1614 Sylvester
Bethulia's Rescue vi. 254 One, for his own, his Fellow's
Helm puts on : One, his right Vantbras on left arm doth
don. i67« Milton Samson iizr Then put on all thy
gorgeous arms, ..thy broad Habergeon, Vant-brass and
Greves, and Gauntlet. 1790 Ann. Reg., Poetry 153 On his
strong vantbrass Hacon's sword descends. 180s James
Milit. Diet., Vant bras, armour for the arm.
p. <4i»-«o Lydg. Chron. Troy \n. 87 (MS. Digby 230),
pat J>e sleues eke solonge be I>at his vauntbrace maybe cured
ner. 1600 Fairfax Tasso xx. cxxxix. His shield was pierst,
his vantbrace cleft and split. i6u F. Markham Bk. War
\. X. 39 As touching the Vantbrace (which armeth from the
Elbow to the hand) they are not greatly material! in thi£
case, a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth. Hist, Jas. V, Wks. (1711)
105 After many, .blows to the disadvantage of their casks,
corslets, and vantbraces. i8ot Scott Eve St. John iii. Vet
his plate-jack was braced, and his helmet was laced. And his
vaunt-brace of proof he wore. x8s8 Hebek Jonrn. India II.
Vol. X.
41
XXV. 126 Many of the others [native horsemen of Baroda)
had helmets, vant-braces, gauntlets, &c.
Vant-courier, -currer (-ier, -or, -our), obs.
ff. Vaunt-coukier.
Vanterie, -ery, varr. Vauntery Obs.
tVaniffUard^J/^. Obs. Foims:a. 5-6 A-.wact-
gard, 6-7 vantgard (6 -garde), 6-8 vantguard
(6-7 -guarde). /S. 5-6 vauntgarde (7 vaunte-),
6-7 vauntgard, -guard. [Aphetic f. Avant-
guard. Cf. Vantward.]
1. Mil, = Vanguard i.
a. C1470 Henry ll^allace vi. 500 Wallace him selff the
wantgard he has tayne. a 1548 Hall Chron. (1809) 441
Bothe the vantgardes loyned together with suche a force
that it was maruell to beholde. 1587 Fleming Contn.
Holinshedlll. 1970/2 Being lodged in the vantgard that
was gouerned by monsieur de Brissac. 1598 Barret Theor.
Warres iii. ii 67 The one marcheth in the vantgard, and
the other in the reareward. t&|8 Gage IVest Ind. x. 40
And Tupitil and Teutecatl, very principall gentlemen, had
the Vant-gard with ten thousand men. 1670 Cotton
Espernon \. 111. 133 Shewing him at the same time the
Duke's Vant-Guard, which began to appear upon a little
eminence hard by. 1700CHAUNCY Hist, Antig. Herts.ixZid)
I. 39 Who., was Captain of the Vantguard of Ring Edward's
Army in Scotland, a 1754 Carte Hist. Eng, (1755) IV. 60
His vantguard was quartered at S. Lanfranc. *
/S. C1450 Merlin x. 151 Now fro bens-forth may we go
vpon youre enmye?;, and ther-fore devise now who shall
haue the vaunt garde. 1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. 232 In the
vaunte garde., were xx thousand crysten men. 1568 Graf-
ton Chron^ II. 124 In kepyng this course the vauntgarde
encountered with the Erie of Boleyn. 1583 Stocker Civ.
Warres Lmve C. iii. 98 b. They first appointed seuen
Ensignes for the vauntguard. 1643 R. Baker Chron. 94
Fauconbridge and Blunt continue the leading of the Vaunt-
guard. 16^ Blount Anc. Tenures log By condition of
service to lead the Vauntguard of the Earles Army.
b. fig. ~ Vanguard i b.
1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. vi. 39 Of all the Beasts..
The Elephant the Vant-guard doth command. \^%\ H.
Sydenham Serm, Sol. Dec, (1637) 90 Men who make a
shrewd flourish in the vant-guard of Religion. 16x9 N.
Carpenter Achitophel \. (1640) 22 Litle can true wisdome
..perswade in the Reare where wicked policie commands
the Vant-guard.
2. a. A breastplate, corslet. rarC^,
1561 Daus tr. Bultiuger ott Apoc, (1573) 120 They had also
Habergions . . which Ls a defence for the breste, called a breste
plate, or a vauntgarde.
b, (See quot.)
i6ti Florio, l^anguardia,..a vantguard of a helmet, of a
caske or head piece.
t Vant-guard, v. Obs,-^ [f. Guard v. after
prec] trans. To defend in front.
16. . T. C. C. J. Remedy of Love 85 (Nares), Carthage is
strong, with many a mightle tower, With broad deepe ditch,
vant guarding stately wall.
Vantishable, variant of Vantageable a, Obs,
Vaixtmure, var. Vauntmdre Obs,
Vanton, -toun, obs. Sc. ff. Wanton a.
Vantose, obs. var. Ventose sb,
Vantoiir, obs, form of Vaunter,
Vantparlar, -er, etc., varr. Vadntparleb.
Vantplate, obs. form of Vamplate.
Vantrauth, variant of Wantkoth Obs,
t Vantward. Obs. Also 3 vantwarde, 4-5
vauntward(e. [Aphetic form of Avantward ;
cf. Vantguard, See also next, and Vamward,
Vaward.] The vanguard of an army.
1*97 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 7478 Hor vantwarde was to broke,
l^at me mi^te wi)}inne horn wende. Ibid. 9006 pe vant*
wardes horn mette verst, as ri^t was to done. 1377 Langl.
P. PL B, XX. 04 Elde ^e hore he was in |>e vauntwarde.
And bare J>e oanere bifor deth, by ri^te he it claymed.
CX4S0 Contin. Brut 11. (1908) 320 Sere Bertram Cleykyn,
tiat was..chyueteyn of j>e vauntward of ^ bataill. 1480
Caxton Chron, Eng. vin. xiii. He sette..the due of York in
the vauntward. 1557 K. Arthur (Copland) i. xv, Lyonses
and Phariaunce had the vaunt warde. 1610 Holland
Caniden's Brit. 1. 794 They marched forth in the Vant-
ward : they returned home in the Rereward.
t Vanward, sb. Obs, In 5 van-, 6 vawne-
warde. [Reduced form of prec. : cf. Vanguard.
See also Vaward.] = prec.
In reprints of i6th cenL works f onward Is sometimes sub-
stituted for yauivard Vaward, and the latter is perh. the
correct reading of the MS. in quot. 1476.
1476 Paston Lett. III. 162 The Swechys. .hathe slaync
the most parte off hys vanwarde. a 1513 Fabvan Chron. vi.
(1516) 105 b/i He than sette forthe his waye; commaund-
ynge his vawnewarde to kepe their iourney tqwarde Paris.
Va nward, a, [f. Van sb.^'\ Situated, having
place cr position, in the van or front.
z8so Keats Hyperion i. 39 As if the vanward clou^ of
evil days Had spent their malice. 1813 De Quincky Lett,
Educ. IV, (i860) 77 Its vanward and its rearward man. 1877
Patmork Unknoitm Eros 41 Until the vanward billows feel
Theagitating shallows. 1896 Edin. Rev. July 151 The hori-
zon became darkened with the vanward clouds of evil days.
Va'nward, adv, [f. as prec] Towards or in
the front ; forward. Also with to.
18*7 HooD Mids. Fairies xlvi, Then next a merry Woods-
man, clad in green, Stept vanward from his mates. 1838 J. P.
Kennedy Rob of the Bo7vl ii, Vanward the same kind of
enclosures . . shut in a grassy court. 1888 Lowell Heartsease
4- Rue 56 Whose brave example still to vanward shines.
Vapid (vae'pid), a. Also 7 vappid. [ad. L.
vapid-US savourless, insipid. Cf. obs. F. vapidc
(Cotgr.).]
VAPIDITY.
1. Of liquors, beverages, etc. : Devoid of brisk-
ness ; failing to produce an agreeable effect on the
palate; flat, insipid.
1656 Blount Glosso^r., Vapid, that gives an ill smack,
that casts a vapour or dl savour, stinking. 1669 W. Simpson
Hydrol. Chym. 116 A sourish, saltish, and. .vapid liquor.
1676 Grew A uat. PI., Anat. Ft. (1682) 158 Now the Liquors,
ill which these are generated, do always.. lose their Tast
and Smell, and so become Vapid. 1707 Mortimer Husb.
XX. 585 Then away goes the brisk and pleasant Spirits and
leave a vapid or sour Drink. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters
II. 208 It somewhat resembled vapid French white wine.
1788 Mme. D'Arblav Diary 24 July, He.. made his own
cold tea, and drank it weak and vapid. 1823 J. Badcock
Dovi. Amusem. 47 Vapid, old and worn out trees, producing
vapid fruit. 1864 Sala in Daily Tel. 1 Nov., So are bottled
mineial waters the vapidest of beverages.
y%- '783 Ld. Bristol in A. Young Auiobiogr. {1898) vi.
118 When you are vapid, if ever those ^^tillant spirits of
yours are so, come and imbibe some, air at the Downhill.
1848 Dickens Dombey xiii, Such vapid and flat daylight as
filtered through the ground'glass windows.
b. Said of taste or flavour,
1677 Grew Anat. PI. (1682) 280 A soft Taste, is either
Vapid, as in Watery Bodies, Whites of Eggs, Starch, ..Or
Unctuous, as in Oyls, Fat, &c. 18x6 Art if B reaving {cd. 2)
72 It gives to the beer a vapid disagreeable flavour. 1837
M, Donovan Dom. Econ. II. 337 The exhilarating efiect is
produced at the sacrifice of fine flavour, and with the intro-
duction of vapid bitterness. 1859 W. S. Coleman Woodlands
(1866) 118 The tempting appearance of which, however, is
not borne out by their flavour, which is mawkish and vapid.
C. Med. Of blood : Devoid of strength or
vigour; weak, inert.
1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. xiv. 495 In such Diseases
the whole mass of Blood.. is otherwise grown vappid as it
were. 1744 Berkeley Siris § 52 Softening and enriching
the sharp and vapid blood. 1834 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4)
I. 563 note. Dr. Stevens thinks that the blood first loses its
solid parts, and becomes thin, that it then becomes deprived
of its saline principles, and turns black and vapid.
d. Of flowers : Scentless. rare~^.
C17S0 Shenstone Rural Elegance 235 To rear some
breathless vapid flow'rs.
^. Jig. Devoid of animation, zest, or interest;
dnll, flat, lifeless, insipid : a. Of talk, discourse,
writings, etc.
1758 Johnson Idler No. 34 f 8 Conversation would become
dull and vapid, a 1763 Shenstone Ess. Wks. 1765 II. 204
Vapid frivolous chit-chat serves to pass away the time. 1799
Monthly Rev. XXX. an The minute ceremonials and vapid
common-place ofthe German theatre. i8aa Hazlitt Table-
T, Ser. If. i. The news of the morning become stale and
vapid by the dinner-hour. 1865 H. Phillips Amer. Paper
Curr.li, 112 The newspapers contained as usual vapid and
lengthy essays. 1885 Manch. Exam. 11 Feb. 4/7 There is
..a great deal of vapid declamation on this subject, but it
will soon die out.
b. Of amusements, pleasures, etc.
1700 Burke Fr. Rev. 16 This town . . begins to grow satiated
with the uniform round of its vapid dissipations. 1799 Han.
More Fern. Educ, (ed. 4) I. 98 A sophisticated little creature,
nursed in these forced, and costly, and vapid _ pleasures.
1815-9 Mrs. Sherwood Lady of Manor IV. xxviit 399 One
continued round of vapid amusements, some of which are
too light and trifling even to amuse a child at a common
fete. 1877 Mrs. Forrester Mignon I. i, Mrs. Stratheden's
' At Homes ' are very different from the general run of those
vapid and dreary entertainments.
C. Of persons or places.
1784 CowpER Task I. 393 The languid eye, the . . wither'd
muscle, and the vapid soul, Reproach their owner. 18x4
W. Irving T. Trav. I. 197, I grew so dull, and vapid, and
genteel. 1839 (Mrs. Maitland] Leit.fr, Madras (1843)
272 Masulipatam was an ugly place ;. .nothing to be seen
but wide sandy roads,.. altogether, a most vapid sort of
place. 1873 C. M. Davies Unorth. Lond. (1876) 119 The
adoption ofthe most vapid young lady's perversion of her
mother-tongue,
d. In miscellaneous contexts.
1796 Mme. D'Arblay Camilla I. 2^6 A scheme of hitman
happiness, which no time, no repetition can make vapid to
a feeling heart. 1818 Hazlitt Table-T., On Vulg. <$■ Affect.,
It is a vapid assumption of superiority. _ 1847 Disraeli
Tancred \u vii, A smile is.. in general vapid. 1861 Whyte
Melville Market Harb. 10 The vapid demeanour and cool
assurance which triumph in a ball-room. ^ 1874 H. R,
Reynolds yohn Bapt, viii. 515 If these pernicious views..
be entertained. .the renewal of humanity [is] a vapid and
foolish dream.
fS. Of a damp or steamy character; dank;
vaporous. Obs,
x66o Boyle New Exp. Phys. Mech, xxii. 169 A vapid Air,
or Water rarified into vapor, may. .emulate the elastical
power of.. true Air. 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 18 Few (if any)
vappid and stinking Exhalations can ascend from tliem to
corrupt the Air. i^ Levbourn Curs. Math. 449, Rheita
aflTirms. that he observed Jupiter to be invested round with
a vapid Atmosphere.
Hence Va'pidism. rare-^.
1831 CARLVLE^cArV/W-in Eraser's Mag. lU. 130 All critical
guild-brethren now working diligently. . in the calmer sphere
of Vapidism or even Nullism,
Vapidity (vapi-diti). [f. prec + -ITT.]
1. The fact or quality of being vapid.
X7J1 Bailey, Vapidity^ deadness, flatness, a being palled.
1771 Burke Corr. (18^4} I. 256 After a violent ferment in
the nation, as remarkable a deadness and vapidity has sue-
ceeded. i8aj Examiner i^Tfi (It] threw such agloom and
vapidity over all that we never saw the beautiful opera with
so little pleasure. 1863 Cowden Clarke Shaks. Char, xx.
507 Master Froth strays from the right path from sheer
vapidity. 1879 Farrar St. Paul II. 536 note. Surely such
passages as these ought to be more than adet^uate to defend
the Pastoral Epistles from the charge of vapidity.
6
VAPIDLY.
2. A v»pid remark, idea, feature, etc.
1848 Biackw, Mae. LXIII. 266 Their pet historian.,
cannot make a single speech without dragging in.. some
vapidity about the Revolution Settlement. 1877 C. Grikib
Christ IV, (1879) 665 Teaching, .so searching and practical,
compared with the \'apidities of the Rabbis. xS8^ Pall
Mall G. \\ May 7 Those upon whom the crudities and
vapidities of the 'commission ' portraits. .jar.
Vapidly (vce'pidli), cutv* [f. as prec. + -ly 2,]
In a vapid manner.
1847 in Webster. 1880 * Olid a ' Moths xx. She seemed
to herself so useless, so stupidly, vapidly, frivqiously useless,
x888 Th'tes 24 Sept, 9/5 If they were become simply un-
inteliisible or \*apidly dull, the wonder would be less.
VajpidneSfl (\TE-pidn6s). [f. as prec. + -ness.]
•« Vapiditt.
i7t7 Bailey, Vapidiuss, deadness, flatness, palledness of
liquors. i8ao Keats in Rosseiti Life (1887) 142 When once
a person has smoked the vapidness of the routine of society.
i8as-9 Mas- Sherwood Lady of Manor IV. xxviii. 392 The
vapidness, . . the languor and vexation, which accompany the
life of an unconverted man. 1907 Daily Chron, 12 Nov. 3/5
Her work.. in one at two instances sinks into vapidness.
Vapo-ffraphy. [In-eg. f. Vapour sb. : cf.
Vaporograph.] (See quot)
1898 Po^. Set. Monthly LIU. 860 The phenomena of
normal physical emanations from certain substances which
have the property of influencing the sensitive plate. These
phenomena have been variously labeled scotography, vapo-
gnuphy, etc.
vapon, obs. So. form of Weapon.
Vapor, variant of Vapour.
Vaporability. Also vapour-, [f. next.]
Capacity of being vaporized.
a 1835 McCuLLOCH Attributes xlv. (1837) III. 184 The
fluidity which its own singular nature communicates and . .
the vapourability dependent on that.
Vaporable (v/-p6rab'I).a. AIS04 vapotir(e)-.
[ad. med.L. vaporabilU: see Vapoue sb. and -able.
Cf. OF. vaporabU,']
1, Capable of being converted into vapour.
S39B Thkvisa Barth. De P. R. xi. iv. (Bodl. MS.), Heete of
beuen. .drawi^ it silfe to fuUe sotellich vaporable parlies of
water and of er^e. 1555 Eden Decades {P^vh.) 357 Eyther it is
not of vaporable nature, or to be of smaule quantitie. 1676
PhiL Trans. XI. 614 The first Beings or Embrlons of
mineral salts are nothing but \'apours, or juices not con-
creted, totally vaporable. x68x Phil. Collect. XII. 8g By
reason of the fumes Lead usually emits, being a Quick
vaporable Metal. 1857 Gosse Omphalos xii. 355 There
would be no deposition from atmospnere if the water had
not first been carried upby evaporation ; and the vaporable
fluid is obtained from the moistened soil. 1893 Pall Mall
G. 12 Jan. 3/3 The vaporable parts ascending to the clear
ether of heaven.
t2. Capable of converting substances into
vapour. Obs.
i»8 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xix. xi. (Bodl. MS.), White
comeb of vapoureable aier & watry )>at is in J>e membres . .
for wnite comeb of bote aier & vaporable bestes be)> white
vnder be wombe. 1456 Sir G. Have Gov. Princes Wks.
(S.T.S.) II, ti8 The nature is mare vaporable and of better
digestioun to corrump and bray the metis.
tVaporary, sb. [ad. mod.L. vaporarium^ f.
L. vapor vapour. Cf. L. vaporarium a steam-pipe
in a bath.] A medical preparation used in a form
of vapour-bath.
1657 ToMLiNsoM Renou's Disp. 187 A vaporary consists
of the same things a semicupium is made of. i66x Lovell
Hist. Anim, <5- Min. 504 Of a Vaporarie : . . fiat decoctio..
cujus vaporem excipiat. 1678 Phillips (ed. 4), Vaporary, a
Decoction of Herbs, and other ingredients, the fume whereof
ascends through the hole of a Chair where the patient sits.
[Henc« in later edd. and other Diets. The additional
definition in Bailey C1721-) 'a stove, stew, hot-house or
bagnio* follows Kersey (1706) s.v. VaporartJ^m.}
t Vaporary, a. Obsr^ [f. as prec. : see
-ART.y (See quot.)
1653 R. G. tr. Bacon's Hist. IVinds 94 Let us see what may
be said concerning Vaporary windes (we mean such as are
engendred by vapours),
t Va'porate,///. a. Obs~^ [ad. L. vapdr&t'
uSj pa. pple. oivapordre : see next.] Vaporized.
1655 Stanley Hist. Philos. (1687) 552/2 Smelling judgeth
of Odors, good and ill,., putrid, humidi liquid, vaporate.
t Va'porate, v. Obs, Also 7 vapourate. [f.
L, vapordt'y ppl. stem of vapor&re to convert into,
to become, vapour.]
1. trans, a. To convert into vapour, to vaporize.
sin Florid, Vaporabile,.,^zX. may be vaporated.
b. To emit as vapour.
^1640 J. "^KLL Power Godlines Utii) 119 A boyling Sea,
ot Sepulchre of corruption, steeming and vaporating up con-
tinually a world of. . ilUdisposed imaginations. 1648 Hexham
II, Swademen^ to Exhale, or, to Vapourate.
2. intr. a. To rise in or as vapour.
xteo Vekker Via Recta viL in They represse and in-
frigidate the hot fumes that vaporate to the head. 1643 A.
Ross Mel Helic. 168 If Musk, Perfume, or rosed air, Or
Balm could vaporate from thee.
b. To give off vapour.
i6n CocKERAM I, Vaporate, to cast forth vapours.
tVaporation. Obs. Also 4-6 -acion, 6
-acyon, 5 vapouracioun. [ad. L. vaporatio^ n. of
action f. vapordre : see prec. Cf. Sp. vaporacion.
It -aziom.'} The action of vaporizing ; conversion
into, production of, vapour.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xm. xxl (Bodl. MS.), Also
of vaporacion of fumosite bat he [sc. the sea] caste^ vpward
md orede^ myste and cloudes, 1456 Sir O. Have Gov,
•J
bat
pe ;
42
Princes Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 118 Tendar metis of licht and
sone degestioun, and delicious thingis and of sutil vapoura>
cioun moystis. 15*8 Pavnell Saleme's Regim. d ij b, Blud
lettyng. .minisheih vaporation that gothe to the heed &
Iroublethe the wyttis, 1561 Hollvbush Horn. Apoth. 35
Make a vaporacion beneth with Rammes greace, or fat, waxe,
pitche and cumin. 1613 Cockeram i, Vaporation, a casting
forth of vapours. 1651 French Distill, i. 9 It may be done
..by Corosion, By Fumigation or Vaporation. 1710 S.
Parker Bibliotheca Biblica I. 438 By Conflagration, and
Congelation,, .by Vaporation, and Evaporation : by Subli*
mation, and Precipitation.
t Vaporative, a. Obs. Also 5 -atife, -atyf.
[ad. med.L. vapdrdtiv-u5\ see Vaporate z/.]
1. — Vaporable a.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvi, iii. (Bodl. MS.), pinge
•at IS vnctuous ha)y moisture in hit self, & so for bicause of
.>e partie ^at is vaporatife hit may renne and be ymade
hard bi heete. 1594 Plat ye-well-ho. i. 2^ The generative
water became congealed, and the vaporative water passed
away, i6iaWooDALLSwrif. il/a^^Wks. (1653) 2iJ^ The better
to receive with effect the dry or vaporative medicine.
2. Productive of vapour.
1568 Skeyne The Pest (t86o) 11 Quhair the ground is fat
and Vaporatiue.
t Vaporatory, a- Obs.^^ In 7 vapour-. [Cf.
prec. and -atory.] Consisting of vapour,
1683 Weekly Mem. 65 Amongst other things to sit in a
vapouratory bath for some weeks.
Vapore* sconce, rarc'^* [f. L. vapor^ vapour :
see -ESCEN'CE.] The fact of becoming vaporous.
Also Tapore'Bcezit a,^ vaporizing. (In quots.^.)
1843 RusKiN Mod, Paint. I.ii.i. § 21. 393 It is by this kind
of vaporescence, so to speak, by this flat misty unison of
parts, that nature [etc. J. 1871 — Munera P. 47 Their
vaporescent point, at which riches .,' make to themselves
w i ngs '.
vapori'ferous, a, rare~^. [f. L. vaporifer
emitting, full of vapour + -ous.] * That makes or
stirs up vapours* (Blount, 1656),
Vaporific (v^pori'fik), a, [ad. mod.L. va-
porific-us^ {. L. vapori- Vapour sb. : see -Fio.j
1. Associated or connected with, producing or
causing, vaporization.
1781 Phil. Tracts. LXXI. 482 The melting, the vaporific,
and shining points. 1794 G. Adams Nat, 4- £'jr/. Philos.
!• 'Jc* 375 Either in their condensed state of water, or in the
state of vaporific expansion. 1799 Phil, Mag. III. 419 A
great quantity of vaporific,.. or, as it '5 called, latent heat.
i86x Buckle Civiliz. II. vi, 496 «f/*, The statement by Dr.
Thomson refers to the completion, or last stage, of the dis-
covery, namely the vaporific combination of heat. 1886
Daily Tel. 8 April (Cassell's), It is the product of vaporific
sublimation.
2. Vaporous.
1797 Phil. Trans. LXXXVII. 171 There is exhaled from
it a subtile fluid in a vaporific state. 1800 tr. Lagrange's
Chem. I. 16^ During this dry slaking heat is excited, by the
moisture losing its vaporific form.
fg' '847 Cablvle Misc. III. 380 With the earliest spring
he has come in person, ..vaporific, driven by his fixed idea.
VapO'riform, a. [f. L. vapori-^ stem oi vapor
Vapour sb, : see -form.] Vaporous.
i860 l/re^s Diet. Arts,etc. (ed. 5) III. 750 Steam is water
in its vaporiform state. 1876 Pace Adv. Text-bk. Geol. i. 36
Rock-matter in a state of vaporiform incandescence.
Vaporimeter. [f. as prec. + -meter.] An
instrument for measuring the amount of vapour.
1878 Ure's Diet. Arts. etc. IV. 565 The alcohol t^l deter-
mined..by Geissler's vaporimeter. 1899 tr. jaksch'sClin,
Diagnosis (ed. 4) vii. 355 Parlato employs the vaporimeter
for the purpose.
Vaporish, variant of Vapourish a.
Vaporizable (v^'poraizabM), a. [f. Vaporizb
«».] Capable of being vaporized ; vaporable.
1823 J. Badcock Dont. Atnusem. 108 Lead not being va-
porizable, remains behind. 1848 Herschel Ess. (1857) 343
There is probably no vaporizable body of which the atmo-
sphere does not contain some trace. i88x Le Conte Sight
13 Unless a body is volatile or vaporizable it cannot be
smelled.
Vaporization (v^poraiz^'/an). Also vapour-.
[f. next + -ATiON. Cf. F. vaporisation,'] The
action or process of converting, or of being con-
verted, into vapour.
a. 1799 Monthly Rev. XXX. 560 The metal becomes oxyd-
ated during the vaporization of the sulphur. 1807 Daw
in Phil. Trans. XCVIII, la It combines with oxygene..
without flame at all temperatures that I have tried below
that of its vaporization. 1863 Tvndall Heat xii. 442 The
sun by the act of vaporisation lifts mechanically all the
moisture ol our air. 1878 Hamilton Nerv. Dis. 38 The
bichloride w« necessarily discontinued, and mercurial
vaporization substituted.
^. 1826 Encycl, Metrop. (1845) IV. 246/2 Evaporation and
true Vapourisation of fluids at their boiling point. X839
R. S, Robinson Nant, Steam Eng. 13 It is one of the most
curioui and important phenomena attending vapourization,
1854 Ronalds & Richardson Chem. TechnoU (ed. 2) I. 253
Application of Fuel to Vapourization.
Vaporize (vi^'por3iz),z/. Also 9 vapour-, [f.
L. vapor- Vapour j^. + -ize. Cf. F. vaporiser."]
1. trans. To convert into smoke, rare-^,
1634 SirT. Herbert Trav,ii^marg,notej Forty load of
Tobacco vaporized,
2. To convert into vapour.
a. 1803 Phil. Trans. XCIII. 26 The reguline zinc, vapor-
ized by the heat, rises from the crucible as a metallic gas.
1849 R. V. Dixon Heat I. 193 The vapour was projected..
with a loud, whistling noise, which subsided when the
liquid was all vaporised. 1878 Miss J. J. Young Ceramic \
VAPOROUS.
Art Bi The heat vaporizes the salt, and. -the chlorine
escapes.
^. 1836 Smart, Tovapourize. 1884 J. Burroughs Locusts
4- Wild H. no The hot air vapourising the drops.
b. In fig. use.
1831^ Cablvle Sart. Res. 11, vi, In figurative language,
we might say he becomes.. spiritualised, vaporised. 1866
Felton Anc. <$• Mod. Gr. I. x. 175 Thay have not only
vaporized her husband into a myth, but have consolidated
a myth into a lover. x888 Dowlinc Miracle Gold III.
xxvii. 15 The family estates and honours had been vapour,
ized before that last of the Poniatowskis fell under Napoleon.
3. intr. To become vaporous,
x8a8-3a Webster, Vaporize, . . to pass off in vapor.
X855 ScOFFERN in Orr's Circ. Sci.^ Elem. Chem. 458 Zinc
does not vapourize until the heat is raised to whiteness.
xZ-jx Athenaeum 20 Jan. 84/2 Faraday, .stated, .that mer-
cury ceased to vapourize below the freezing-point. 1881
Tvndall Ess. Floating Matter Air 196 The liquid within
the narrow tube vaporizes.
fig, 189a Black <5' White 2 Apr, 423/j Money seems some-
how to have vaporised awayi and none knows anything
about it.
4. tran%. To spray with fine particles of liquid.
X900 O. Onions Compl. Bachelor v. 51 My hostess.. va-
pourised me in passing with a tiny scent fountain.
Hence Va*porized ///, a. ; Va-porizing vbl.
sb, (also attrib.).
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 823 Chambers into which the •va-
porized substances are deposited. x88o Haughton Phys.
Geogr. iii. 124 We mujt reduce the vaporised water capable
of producing rain^ ^88 Daily News 15 May 6/2 Small
launches,. propelled by means of vapourised spirit. 1831-3
EncycLMetrop. (1845) VIIl. 189/1 The valve before described,
attached to the ^vaporizing apparatus. 1875 Knight Diet.
Meek, 3690/2 Vaporizing stove, one for furnishing steam to
dampen the air of apartments, conservatories, etc. x886
yrnl. Education i Aug. 325 Without this all theorising is
empty vapourising. 1896 Daily News 15 July 8/4 Thevapor-
ising and condensing of ammonia.
Vaporizer (v^'poraizai). [f. prec] A device
or apparatus by which conversion into vapour is
accomplished,
X846 in Worcester. i86a London Soc. I. 223 Mixed with
the odours of Rimmel's patent Vaporiser. 1887 PaU Mall
G. 2 Nov. 6/1 The apparatus acts . . as a vaporizer and steam
generator. X896 Cosmopolitan XX, 420/2 In order to start
the engine a lamp is used for a few minutes to heat the
vaporizer.
Va'porograph, [Irreg. f. L, vapor- Vapour
sb, + -GRAPH. Ci. Vapourgraph.J a picture pro-
duced by vapography. Hence Taporogira'phic a,
1903 Month Feb. 171 Some sort of * vaporographs ' may be
obtained by his methods or others that are analogous, /bid.
z66 The * vaporographic ' theory explaining the origin of
this impression.
t VaporO'Se, a. Obs. rare, \z.^.V,.vapdrds-uSt
f. vapor Vapour j^.] Vaporous; easily vaporizing.
c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 16 (Addit. MS.), Woundes mowe
nojt ben y-dry^ed in a moyste eyre & a vaporose. x66x
LovELL Hist. A nim, ^ Min. 338 The apoplexy, . . if vaporose,
{is cured] by abstinence, preparants, ..and friction. 1731
Arbuthnot Aliments vi. vii. (1735) 204 Therefore in fat
People the Use of vaporose or perspirable Food, and Exer-
cise., are proper.
VaporO'Sity. rare. [Cf. prec. and -ITY.]
Vaporous quality or qualities,
I5a8 Paynell Saleme*s Regim, V iiij b, Garlyke . . hurteth
the eies, through it sharpenes and vaporosite. 1837 New
Monthly Mag, XLIX. 2 As wet-paperish as St. Swithin
himself, with all his sirocco vaporosity about him. X837
Carlvle Misc. Ess., Diamond Neckl., He is here with his
fixed-idea and volcanic vaporosity.
Vaporo-sulphUTeous, a, rare~^. [Cf. Va-
porograph.] Of a vaporous and sulphurous nature.
X676 Phil. Trans. II. 619 There are found Earths im.
pregnated with this acid matter, being vaporO'SuIphureous.
Vaporous (v^''p6ras),(7. Also 6 vaporouse,
vaperoTos, 7 vaporous, 9 vaprous ; 7-9 vapour-
ous, [f, L. vapor-us or ad. L. vaporos-uSy f,
vapor Vapour sb, Cf. F. vaporeuxj It, Sp., Pg,
vaporoso.]
i*l. Of a bath: Consisting or composed of vapour.
Obs, (Cf. Vapour-bath.)
1527 Andrew Brunswyke's Distyll, Waters Piij, Also
Escume made of this herbe used in vaperous bathes dys-
troyeth age. X63X Jorden Nat, Bathes \, (1669) 2 These
kind of watry and vaporous Bathes have been in use from
all antiquity. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Balneum Vaporo.
sum, the Vat)ourous Bath, is when the Vessel that contains
the Matter, .is heated by the Vapours, or Steams that arise
from the hot or boiling Water,
2, Emitting or exhaling vapour ; t spec, of food
in the stomach.
IS44 Phaer Regim. Lyfe (1553) B ij b, The pacyente
oughte . . to forbeare all vaporous meates, as garlyke, onyons
[etc.]. X5S4 CoGAN Haven Health ccxli. (1636) 269 Such
things as bee most vaporous do most dispose us to sleepe.
x6oo SiJRFLET Countrie Farme vi. xxii. 799 The wine is a
claret, . .of athinne substance, not fuming or being vaporous.
i6so Venner Via Recta viiL 181, I aduise all such.. to sup
..on rosted meats, because they are lesse vaporous. 1655
MouFET & Bennet Health's Imp^ov. (1746) 392 To settle
their Meat to the Bottom of their Stomach, that it may
prove less vaporous to the Head. 17x0 T, Fuller Pharm,
Extemp.zo Scorbutic Ale . . restraineth the Ebullition.. o(
the Vapourous Blood. 1731 Arbuthnot Aliments v. iv.
(1735) 139 Aliment too vapourous or perspirable, will^ sub-
ject it to the Inconveniencies of too strong a Perspiration.
fb. Of the eyes: Moist with tears. Obs,^'^
1583 Melbancke Philotimus Oivb, He.. at last met by
chaunce with a sorcerer, to whom deploring with vaporotis
eyes his burdenous taske [printed burdurus taste] (etc).
VAPOROUSLY.
3. Filled with, thick or dim with, vapour; foggy,
misty.
XS93 Shaks. Lucr, 771 O hatefull, vaporous, and foggy
night,..Musterthy mists to meete the Easterne light. 1603
Holland Plutarch's Mor. 998 Considering that mists, fogs
and clouds are no congealations, but onely gatherings and
thickenings of a moist and vapourous aire. 1620 Venner
Wia Recta. Introd. 5 There the aire is..seldome infected
with vaporous blasts. 1665 PhiL Trans. I. 67 Through the
Gross and Vaporous Air near the Earth. 1709 T. Robinson
Nat. Hist. Westmoreld. ii. 16 The magnetick Attraction of
this i^iherial Spirit of Cold, which governs the humid and
vaporous Atmosphere. 1818 Shelley Euganean Hills 92
The waveless plain of Lombardy, Bounded by the vaporous
air, a 1B64 Hawthorne Mother Rigby's Pipe 1, The small
cottage became all vaporous. 1869 J. Phillips Vesuv. iv.
124 The outline of the cone was plain against the illuminated
vaporous atmosphere.
fig. 1600 \V. Watson Decacordon (1602) 334 [The Jesuits!
religious pietie in shew, is but arainebow cloude, of atheall
policie in action, drawne vp in vaporous dewes of cold con-
gealed deuotions. 41653 J. Smith Sel. Disc. ix. ii. (:82i)
414 To rise above that vaporous sphere of sensual and
earthly pleasures, which darken the mind.
b. Covered or obscured with vapour.
a 1687 Petty Pol Arith. \. (i6po) 12 Holland is a Level
Country, ..and by_ its being moist and vaporous, there is
always wind stirring over it. x8x8 Keats Endym. ir. 19
Wide sea, . . Many old rotten -timber 'd boats there be Upon
thy vaporous bosom ! x86o Tyndall Glac. i. xyi. 115 The
lower cloud field— itself an empire of vaporous hills. 1885-
94 R. Bridges Eros <5- Psyche April x, The tripod shook,
and o'er the vapoious well The chanting Pythoness gave
oracle.
4. Having the form, nature, or consistency of
vapour. (Common in 19th cent.)
1604 E. GtRtMSTONE] D*Acosta's Hist. Indies iir. xxv, 196
Places in th' earthy whose venue b to draw vaporous matter,
and to convert it into water. 1651 H. More Entkus* Tri.
(1656) 234 How can darknesse be called a Masse? etc. No
it cannot. Nor a thin vaporous matter neither. 1678 Cud-
worth Intell. Syst. i. v. § 36. 784 Its being in Hades (isj
nothing but its presiding over that Idol or enlivened vapor-
ous B«iy. 1794 Mathias Purs. Lit. (1798) 136 The virits
lunarCf the vaporous drops that hang in any region of in-
fection. [Cf. Shaks. Afaci, iii. v. 24.J x8i8 Accum Chem,
Tests 97 Formed from the vaporous muriatic_ acid. 1871
TvNDALL Fragm. Set. (1B79) I. iv. ng Caused in some way
by the vapourous fumes diffused in its atr. 1893 Sir R. Ball
Story of Sun 284 The photosphere must be composed di a
shelf of cloudy or vaporous material.
^g. xB68 Geo. Eliot Sp. Gipsy 50 The westering sun That
still on plains beyond streams vaporous gold.
t b. In older medical use applied to supposed
emanations from internal organs or from substances
within the body. Obs.
XS47 BooBDE Brev. Health I119 A vaporous humour or
fumosytie rising, .from thestomake. c X5S0 H. Lloyd Treas.
HealthQ^"} From the whych ryse vaporouse spirites and move
disordinatly about the brayne. 1620 Venner Via Recta
(1650) 49 It doth nothine lesse then offend the braine..with
vaporous fumes. 1669 \V. Simpson HydroL Chym, 71 These
vaporous steams arising from the blood.
C. Jig, Of ideas, feelings, eta : Fanciful, idle,
unsubstantial, vain.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, ii.viii. § 3 So whosoever shall
entertain high and vaporous imaginations, instead of a..
soberinquiry of truth, shall beget hopes and beliefs of strange
and impossible shapes. X63J Lithgow Trav. x. 456 O foolish
pride, O suppressing ambition ! and vaporous curiosity !
1796 Coleridge Sybil, Leaves, Ode Departing VeariXf The
vaporous passions that bedim God's Image, sister of the
Seraphim. x8ao Shelley Prometh, Unb iv. L 321 The
vaporous exultation not to be confined 1 1874 Motley
John 0/ Barneveid II. xiv, 119 But his arguments were
vaporous enough and made little impression. 1876 Geo.
Eliot Dan. Der. w. xvi, But such vaporous conjecture passed
away as quiclcly as it came.
a. Of fabrics or garments : Gauzy, filmy.
1863 Miss Braddon Eleanor^s Vict. III. xvi. 235 The
most fragile and vaporous bonnets were to be seen m the
Bois de Boulogne. x88i H, James Portrait 0/ Lady xlii,
She. .kept no less anxious an eye upon her vaporous skirts.
X896 Pall Mall G. II Mar. 4/a Full sleeves of vaporous
Indian muslin.
5. Of persons or minds : Inclined to be fanciful,
vague, or frothy, in ideas or discourse.
1605^ Bacon Adv. Learn, i, 9 Let him but read the fable
of Ixion, and it will hold him from being vaporous or
imaginatiue. 1840 R, H, Dana Be/. Mast xxviir, B— , the
mouth-piece of the debating clubs, noisy, vaporous, and
democratic. 1848 Kincsley SainVs Trag, v. 11, Shame on
my vaporous brain I
6. Of state or condition : Characteristic of vapour.
i66s Origen't Opinions in Phcenix (1721) I. 53 We then
find that they which steamM forth in a vaporous Rarity. .
do at last fall down again in a watery Consistence. i^8a
Phil. Trans. LXXIlf. 36 The dephlogislicated marine
acid, in a vapourous state, certainly acts upon it. 1815 }.
Smith Panorama Sci. if Art \. 7 The elevated temperature
it demands to be converted into the vaporous state. 1863
Tyndall Heat iii. S 60 (1870) 6k We have matter in the
vaporous or gaseous form.
Hence Va'poronsly adv. ; Va'poronsness.
x6oo Surplet Countrie Farme vi. xxiL 777 The most..
common annoiance that the vaporousnes of the wine doth
cause, is drunkcimes. Ibid. 781 By his vaporousnes it
filleth thebraine. X757T. Birch Hist. Royal Soc, III. 416
The warmth and vaporousncss of the air at the bottom of
the well. 1877 Academy 21 April 353 The whole thing is
toned down to a pale husky vaporousness of surface. X887
Lowell Democracy^ etc. 143 The thought of a god vaguely
and vaporously dispersed throughout the visible creation.
Vapory, variant of Vapoury a.
Vapour (v^'p^j), sb. Also 5-6 vapowre, 6
vapour© ; 5 wapour, 6 wapuro ; 6- vapor.
43
[a. AF, vapour {0¥,vapeur) or ad. L. vapdr-y vapor
steam. Cf. F. vapeur^ Sp. and Pg. vapor ^ It. vapore.'\
1. Without article: Matter in the form of a steamy
or imperceptible exhalation; esp, the form into
which liquids are naturally converted by the action
of a sufficient degree of heat.
c X374 Chaucer Troylus in. 11 As man, brid, best, fisshe,
herbe, and greene tree The feele in tymes with vapour eterne.
X38a Wyclif Joel ii. 30 Blood, and fijr, and vapour of smoke.
c X440 Prontp. Parv. 588/1 Vapowre, vapor. X480 Caxton
Myrr. II. xxv. {1913) 117 This is a moisture subtyl whiche
appereth but lytyl, and is named vapour. 1565 Cooper Thes-t
VaporOt to heate or make warme with vapour. 1604 R.
Cawdbey Table Alph.j Vapor, moisture, aire, hot breath,
orreaking. 16x0 Guillim Heraldry 11 r. v. (1611)97 Vapour
is a moist kinde of fume extracted chiefly out of tne water.
X63S Swan Spec, M.\.%^ {1643) 81 If it [exhalation] come
from the water or some watry place, it is Vapor. 1667
Milton P.L. xi. 737 The Hills.. Vapour, and Exhalation
dusk and moist, Sent up amain, iwj Watts Logic (1736)
X15 Snow is congealed Vapour. Hail is con^eaPd Rain.
1774 GoLDSM, Nat, Hist, 1. 199 The perpetuity of many
springs, which always yield the same quantity when the
least rain or vapour is afforded. x8oo tr. Lagrange's Chem.
I. 116 A white smoke, which is azote and water in a state
of vapour. X849 James Woodman vi, There were large
masses of heavy vapour rolling across the southern part of
the horizon. X878 Huxley Physiogr, 40 Only when the
vapour is partially condensed, and therefore ceases to be
true vapour.
fiS' "S97 Shaks. 2 Hen, /K, n. iv. 393 When Tempest of
Commotion, . . Borne with black Vapour, doth begin to melt.
X719 De Foe Crusoe 11. (Globe) 316 There is nothing but
Shadow and Vapour in the Thing.
2. An exhalation of the nature of steam, or an
emanation consisting of imperceptible particles,
usually due to the effect of heat upon moisture.
In later use frequently spec, in Chem, Sometimes, esp. in
poetry, loosely applied to smoky matter emitted from burn-
ing substances.
X38J WvcLiF Ezek. viii. 1 1 And the vapour, or smoke, of a
cloud roos togider of the ensence. c 1386 Chaucer Melibeus
P23 It may nat be. .l?at where as gret fyre hath longe tyme
endured ^at t?ere ne dwelleth som vapour of warmnesse. c 1425
tr. Ardemc^s Treat, Fistula^ etc. 93 Stoppe (je mout?e,
J»at Jw vapour go no?t out. And biry l»e vessel with t>e oile
in moist er^. 1535 Coverdale Ecclus, xxxviii. 28 The
vapoureof ihefyre brenneth his flesh. X551 Turner //ifr-^rt/
I. A v b. The brothc of wermwood with his vapor that riseth
vp from it. 156a — Baths B ijb, The bote vapores [of a
bath J. 1577 GoocE HeresbacfCs Husb. 46 Gras5e..(too
gieenc and moyst) yf it be carryed into the loft, rotteth, and
the vapour being ouerheated, falleth on fyre and burneth,
X635 Swan Spec. M. v. § 2 (164^) 8r A Vapour hath a certain
watry nature in it, and yet it is not water. 17x6 Pope Iliad
VIII, 680 Full hecatombs lay burning on the shore j The
winds to Heaven the curling vapours bore. 1789 W, Buchan
Dom. Med. (1790) 457 The smolce of tobaccoj . .the vapours
of onions and garlic, . . are carefully to be avoided. x8oo tr.
Lagrange's Chem. I. 16 At the end of a certain period the
bottle will be filled with red vapours. X830 M. Donovam
Dom. Econ. L 337 Vapours now arise, which are concen-
trated acetic acid. . . These vapours pass over . . into the cask
of water. 1857 Miller Elem. Chem.^ Org. i. 18 Vapours
of ammonia will be evolved if nitrogen be present. X891
Farrar Darkn. <V Dawn xlvi. Then theydragged her to the
bath, heated it to boiling beat, and suffocated her in the
burning vapour.
b. An exhalation rising by natural causes from
the ground or from some damp place ; freq.,amist
or fog.
<r 1386 Chaucer 5^r.'* T, 385 The vapour, which that fro tho
crthe glood. Made the Sonne to seme rody and brood, c 140a
Lydc Compl, Bl, Knt. 24 When that the mysty vapour was
agoon. And ctere and feyre was the morw[e]nyng. 1508
Dunbar CoLl, Targe 247 Sucte war the vapouns- soft the
morowing. X509 Hawes Past, Pleas, xvi. (Percy Soc.) 60
All abiode the fayre dropes dyd shewe, Encensynge out all
the vapours yll. 1535 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. cc 252/2
Disccndyng downe as in to a cellar, a ccrtayne hoote wapure
rose agaynst them. X555 Eden Decades {hxh,^ 133 If. .wee
shal consent that vapours are lyfted vp wherof the watery
cloudcs arc engendrcd. X604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's
H'.zt, Indies in. viii. 143 You shall vsually see great calmes
vpon the coastes, where the vapors come from the Hands, or
maine land. i66x J. Childrey Brit, Bacon, 60 The air is
not very clear because of vapors continually rising. 1698
Keill Exam, 7h, Earth (1734) 83 The vapours which are
raised by the Sun under the Torrid Zone. i^8x Cowper
Conversat. 50 But when the breath of age commits the fault,
Tis nauseous as the vapour of a vault. x8so Shelley
Sensie. PI. in. 71 And hour by hour, when the air was still.
The vapours arose which have strength to kill. 1874 Bl^ckie
Self-Cult. 49 In hot countries, where insalubrious vapours
in some places infest the night.
O. /ig. Used esp. (see a) to denote something
unsubstantial or worthless.
(a) 138a Wyclif yas, iv. 15 Forsothe what is ^oure lijf?
A vapour^ to a litel semynge. (Similarly in Tindale and
later versions.) 1579 Lyly Euphues (Arli.) 112 Our lyfe is
but a shadow.^ a vapor, a bubble, a blast. x6o8 Chap-
man Byron's Trag. Plays 1873 II. 311 He alters euery
minute : what a vapor The strongest mind is to a storme of
crosses, 1663 Davenant Siege oj Rhodes Wks. (1672) 25
Let it not last, But in a blast Spend this infectious vapour,
Life [ X73a Law Serious C. iv. 52 Those Scriptures which
represent .. the greatest things of life as bubbles, vapours,
dreams, and shadows. X78X H. Walpolb Lett.{\^\)N\\\.
34, I am at this present very sick of my little vapour of
fame. 28a9 Carlvle Misc. (1857) II. 78 A man to whom
the Earth and all its glories are in truth a vapour and a
Dream.
{b\ 15^ Shaks. Rich. Ill, 111. vii. 164 In my Greatnesse..
lo be hid, .^nd in the vapour of my Glory smothcr'd. X597
HooKEK Eccl. Pol, V. Ixxvi. § 8 Upon the Church there
never yet fell temiKstuous storm the vapors whereof were
not first noted to rise from coldnesse in affection. 1638 R.
VAPOUR.
Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. II) 49, I should do wrong.,
to dislustre so pure a matter with the impression of so blacke
a vapour. x8i8 Scott Rob Roy ix, The gleams of sense and
feeling which escaped from the Justice through the vapours
of sloth and self-indulgence.
3. //. In older medical use: Exhalations sup-
posed to be developed within the organs of the
body (esp. the stomach) and to have an injurious
effect upon the health,
1422 YoNGE tr. Secreta Secret. 239 That the wapours that
gonne vp into the hede in tyme of slepynge may haue issue.
1530 Rastell Bk. Purgat. 11. xviii, When the brayne is
hurte so that the humours and vapours styre and move
thcphantasye. X539 Elyot Cast. Heltke (1541) 53 Of
humours some are more grosse and colde, some are subtyl
and hot, and are called vapours. 1639 Fuller Holy War
IV. ii. (1840) 198 Oftentimes the head doth ache for the ill
vapours of the stomach, c 1680 Beveridge Scrm. (1729) L
332 Those malign vapours which by reason of over-much
eating are exhaled from the stomach into the head. 17x9
De Foe Crusoe 11. (Globe) 472 Vapours from an empty
Stomach. x868 J. F. Kirk Chas. the Bold III. v. iL ^73
His habit of drinking in the morning a bowl of warm barley
water under the notion of expelling noxious vapors.
b. A morbid condition supposed to be caused
by the presence of such exhalations; depression
of spirits, hypochondria, hysteria, or other nervous
disorder. NowarcA. (Common c 1665-1750.)
x66a H. Stubbe Indian Nectar iii. 13 By the eating of
those Nuts, she feels Hypochondriacal vapours.. to be in-
stantly allayed. x68o Hatton Corr. (Camden) 321 My wifes
disease, I think, is vapors, erzdoo Temple Ess.^ Health 4-
Long Life Wks. 1720!. 283 To all these succeeded Vapours,
which serve the same Turn, and furnish Occasion of Com-
plaint among Persons whose Bodies or Minds ail something,
but they know not what. X7a8 Young Love Fame 111. 136
Sometimes, thro' pride, the sexes change their airs; My
lord has vapours, and my lady swears. 1735-6 BAYNEin J.
Duncombe Lett, (1773) II. 87 The dispiriting symptoms of
a nervous illness commonly called vapours, or lowness of
spirits. 1783 WoLcoT (P. Pindar) Odes to R.A.'s v. Wks.
x8i3 I. 60 The World will be in fits and vapours. i6aa
Lamb Elia Ser. i. Praise Chimney-Sweepers^ The rake, who
wisheth to dissipate his o'er-night vapours in more grateful
coffee. x8aa Good Study Med. III. i46lnthe First Variety,
which is commonly distinguished by the name of Vapours,
or Low Spirits, the patient is tormented with a visionary or
exaggerated sense of pains. X879 Meredith Egoist xx, She
bad a headache, vapours. They are over.
O. So T/te vapours, (Common in i8th cent.)
X7XX Addison Sped. No. 115 P 4 It is to a Neglect in this
Particular that we must ascribe the Spleen, which is so fre-
quent in Men of. . sedentary Tempers, as well as the Vapours
to which those of the other Sex are so often subject. 17x9
Be Foe Crusoe i. (Globe) 161 These things fiU'd my Head
with new Imaginations, and gave me the Vapours again, to
the highest Degree. X778 Lady S. Lennox Lett. (1901) L
284, I should have the vapours all day if I played an hour
at cards. 1803 Jane Porter Thaddeus xxviii. (1831) 251, 1
must drink better health to you to save myself from the
vapours. 12x839 Praed Poems (1888) 12 Don't give your
Royal brain the vapours By opening Opposition papers,
t d. Path, The epileptic aura. Obs,
i8u Good Stud^ Med. 111. 544 Professor Loefiler, ..
Instead of cauterising the Hmb from which the epileptic
halitusseems to ascend, has ingeniously tied a tight ligature
above the part whence the vapour issues.
t 4. A fancy or fantastic idea ; a foolish brag or
boast. Obs.
1614 B. JoNSON Barth, Fair 11. iii, Let's drinke it out, good
Vrs, and no vapours 1 Ibid, v, Gentlemen, these are very
strange vapours I and very idle vapours ! I assure you. 16^7
W. MoRiCB Coena quasi Koiioj Def. xxvi. 264 After all their
vapours what do they lymbeck out of this Text? ax68o
Butler Rem, (1759) II. 118 For those, whose Modesty must
not endure to hear their own Praises spoken, may yet pub-
lish of themselves the most notorious Vapours imaginable.
X703 Steele Tender Husb. 11. i. These are mere vapours,
indeed— Nothing but vapours. X738 tr. Guazzo's Art
Convers, 165, I have Remedies to cure them of their Arro-
fance, and to keep those Vapours from fuming into the
lead.
6. attrib. and Comb, a. With sbs., as vapour-
belt, -bunuTj -cloudy -density ^ etc. ; (in sense 3 b)
vapour-Jit.
X87S R. F. Burton Ultima Thule I. 67 The *vapour-belt
which girdles the mountain flanks. X87S Knight Diet. Meek.
2690 * VapoT'bumer, a device for burning previously vapor,
ized liquid hydrocarbons, c 1843 Carlyle Hist. Sk. (1898)
253 Those far-spread smoke-clouds and * vapour-clouds rising
up there. X85X Mavne Reid Scalp Hunt, xix. 137 Vapour,
clouds from the Atlantic undergo a similar detention in
crossing the Alleghany range. x86a Miller Elem. Chem.,
Org. (ed. 2) Hi. 25 Tocalculatethe*vapour density of any
com^und. 1890 A. M. Clerke Syst. Stars 54 The vapour-
densities of several of these metals are significantly nigh.
x8« Ogilvie Suppl.f *Vapour-douche^ a topical vapour-
bath, which consists in the direction of a jet of aqueous
vapour on some part of the body. X83X-3 Encycl, Metrop,
(1845) VIII. 188/1 Howard's steam or *vapour engine,
X839 R. S. Robinson Naut, Steam Eng, 177 Another
variety of marine engine is Mr. Howard's vapour engine.
187s Knight Diet. Mech. 2690/1 In 1850.. M. Prospere
Vincent du Trembley brought into notice what is now
known as the 'binary vapor -engine ', or the 'combined
vapor-engine '. X707 Flover Physic. Pulse, Watch 67 Since
I find all 'Vapour Fits to have the Pulse of a diary Fever,
I place this Constitution next to the Fevers. 1875 Knight
Diet, Mech. 2690/1 * Vapor-in Aaler,.. ope for administering
vapor produced by drawing or forcing atmospheric air
through a liquid, or a sponge saturated with a liquid. X848
Ronalds & Richardson Chem. Tec/mol, 1. 154 "Vapour
lamps. X875 Knight Diet, Mech. 2690/2 Vapor lamp, see
Vapor.burner. i86a Scrope Volcanoes 22 The "vapour-
pillar rises still higher. 177X Smollett Humph. Ct, (1815)
76, I have made divers. .leaps at those upper regions ; but
6-3
r
VAPOTJB.
always fell backward into this *vapour-pit. i86a G. P.
ScftOPE I'oicafuxs 22 This pillar of white *vapour-puffs.
S864 Spencer BUi, I. 18 The range. .of diffusive mobility
..appears to be as wide as the a^e of "vapour-tensions.
i67a-3 Grew Anai, /'/., Anat. Roots 11. (1682) 67 There
is yet another kind of Sap-Vessels, which may be called
•Vapour- Vessels. x86a Miller EUm. C/um., Org. (ed. 2)
L 5 a, 46Thesimplicity thus introduced into our calculations
of •vapour \-oIume. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L. iv. iii. 70 Then
thou, faire Sun, which on my earth doest shine, Exhalest
this "vapor-vow.
b. With adjs. and pples., as vapour-belted^
-braided, -burdened, -filled, etc. Also vapour-like
adj. and adv.
x8m Shelley Witch AiL Ivii, Many a •vapour-lwlted
pyramid, iftss Tesntoon Letters 42 Sweetly gleam d the
stars. And sweet the "vapour-braided blue. 173<>*4S ^f^^',
SON Autumn 827 Th' exhaling sun, the «vapour.burden d
air. X894 Outing XXIII. 363 The dark, "vapor-filled night
closed in. iSai in Ld. Coleridge Story Devonsh, Ho, xvu.
(1005) aSo A pair of sleek steeds that are as delicate as a
*Vapour.headed Lady, a 1715 Wycherley Posth. IVks.
(1728) 147 If then so soon the Great and Powerful fail, And
"Vapour-like, almost e'er seen, exhale. 1840 Mrs. Somer-
viLLK Conntx. Phys. Set. (ed. 5) 424 A vapour-Uke smoke.
186a Spencer First Princ. 11. ix. § 76 (1875) 227 Each por.
tion of such vapour-like matter must begin to move towards
the common centre of ^vity. xtvj Bailey (vol. II), Va-
pori/erousness, an exhaling or * vapour- prod ucingj Quality.
1831 J. Bree St. Herberts Isle 68 At length the impatient
hours the twilight led With "vapour-sandaled feet and
rubied cheek. 1817 Faraday Chem. Manip. viL (1813) 220
The junction being made "vapour-tight.. by some glazier's
putty.
Vapour (v^'*p3j), V, Also 5-6 vapoure, 6-
vapor, 6-7 vaper (7 vapr-). [f. prec., or ad. L.
vapordre : cf. Vapobate v!\
1. intr. To rise or ascend, to be emitted or
diffused, in the form of vapour. Also with up
and Old,
i4i»-«o Lydc. Chrtm, Troy i. 3921 fe bawme vapoureth vp
a-lofte In-to* J>e eyre of J>e erbes softe. 1614 T, Adams in
Spurgeon Treas. David I. 190 Thick spumy mists, which
vapour up from the dark and foggy earth, a 1647 Habing-
TON Surv* Wcrcs. (Worcs. Hist. Soc.) III. 544 Annoyed
with the contagion vaporinge from the water. 1655 Cuu
pEfpER, etc Rwerius xv. iii. 410 Put it into a new glazed
t or pipkin, closed up . . that nothing may vapor out. x66a
, Mathew UnL Akh. 138 Lay this lute upon the edge of
thy Funnel, which will bind fast the plate and the Funnel
that nothing can vapor that way.
Jig. 1839 Bailey ^i!;/»f 154 Does not sin pour from my
sold, . . AJnd, vapouring up before the face of God, Congregate
there?
b. To pass away, to be dissipated, in the form
of vapour.
1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 357 To take such waters, . . and
, . cause them to boyle and vapoure away vnty U the dregs or
residence remayne m the bottome. "^f^ R- Ashlev tr. Lays
le Roy 3 When the water is thickne<^ it seemes to become a
stone. . ; when it vapourcs away, to be breath or aire. 1605
TiMME Qu^rsit. I. vii. 27 Whatsoeuer is aiery therein. .by
the force of the heat vapoureth away. 1658 A. Fox WUrtz^
Surg. IV. iit.318 Mingle all these well together, lute the glass
body, that nothing vapour away.
Jig. 1638 -Mavne Lucian (1664) 71 Their whole life hath
vapoured away in hopes. 1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav.
(ed. z) 237 The first day vapors away in Tobacco, feasts,
and other ordinary feasti vails. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N. 7".,
I Cor. iv. 19 For all that Men call Learning and Wisdom. .
vapoureth away as Idleness and Vanity. 1751 Johnson
Rambler No. 133 P 8, I expected that their exultation
would in time vapour away.
c. To pass or be dissolved into a state of vapour
or moisture, rare.
1567 Drant Horace, Ep. xvii. F iij, Though he shoulde
vaper into teares. 1640 Walton Lives, Donne (1670) 77 In
the last hour of hb last day, as his body melted away and
vapoured into spirit, ..he said [etc.]. c 1645 Howell Z-f^/.
(1650) II. To Rdr., Words vanish soon, and vapour into Ayr.
2. trans, a. To cause to rise up or asq^ nd in the
form of vapour. Alsoyf^.
^1407 Lydg. Reson ^ Sens. 454 Whan Phebus..on the
herbes tendre and softe The bawmy dropes siluer fair Va-
poured hath vp in the ayr. 15x9 Interl. Four Elem. (Percy
Soc.) 12 Therfore by bete it is vaporyd up lyghtly, and in
the ayre makjfth cloudys and mystes. 1530 Rastell Bk.
Purgat. II. xiii, Or ellys it wyll be vapoured up by the hete
of the Sonne. 1617 Donne $ Serm. 45 But every Man is
vapor'd up into ayre, and as the ayre can hee thinkes he can
fill any place. 1795 Blake Bk. Ahania Poet Wks. (1914)
345 Emuvia vapour'd above In noxious clouds.
b. To cause to pass away in the form of vapour.
1460-70 Bk. Quintessence (1866) g Putte it into a uessel
of glas in !« which Ije putt watir tofore,..and aftir do va-
poure awey |>e watir at [k fier. 1560 Whitehorne Ord.
Souldiours (1588) 26 b. It must be boyled so long, till all the
thinne watrinesse be vapored away, and the substaunce of
the salt peter thickned. a i6s6 Bacon Med. Rem., Baconi-
ana (1679) 160 Then upon a gentle heat vapour away all
the Spirit of Wine. i66» R. Mathew Unl. Alch. 174 In a
clean glass Vessel vapor all the Vinegar away.
Jig. a 1600 Donne The Expiration 2 So, so, breake off
this last lamenting kisse. Which sucks two soules, and
vapors Both away.
c. With out OX forth : To evaporate.
1530 Rastell Bk. Purgat. in. vii, The temperate eyer
wyll. .vapour out the tartnes & sowernes of that humour.
1626 Bacon Sylva \ 23 Opium leeseth some of his poisonous
Qualllty, if it be vapoured out, mingled with Spirit of Wine,
or the tike. 1638 Rawley tr. Bacon's Life «f Death (1650)
28 In Dissipating Medecines, some vapour forth the thinne
part of the Tumours. 1674 Govt. TongJte 134 If he. .call me
dull, because I vapor not out all my .spirits into froth.
d. To convert into vapour. Chiefly with to*
tS9> Spens£r Ruines Time 219 He now is dead, and all
44
his glorie gone, And all his greatnes vapoured to nought.
1603 J. Davies (Heref.) Microcosmos Wks. (Grosart) I. 87/1
Thy soul s but a Blast, That with thy Breath is vapored to
nought. 1665 Phil. Trans. I. 36 With more of the same
Dew.. vapoured to siccity. ai8i4 Forgery 11, iv. in Nexv
Brit. Theatre I. ^53 Ev'n the hot potent wine, Whose power
only but a short time since Flatter 'd my brain, is vapor'd all
in air. x888 Doughty Tran). Arabia Deserta I. 79 If there
runs in any water, within a while it will be vapoured to the
dregs.
f 3. To send forth, out, or «/, to emit or dis-
charge, to disperse, etc., in the form of vapour. Obs.
c 1^30 Pilgr. Lyf Mafikode i\. cxiv, (1869) 117, I haue a
special horn hi which j caste and vapoure out the wynd that
j haue in my bodl 1563 Hyll Art Garden. (iS93) 5 Con-
sider also the nature of the Mote . . , whether the same send-
eth or vapoureth forth, .noisome or stinking aire. ^1586
C'tess Pembroke Ps. cxlvi. ii, His strength is none, if any
in his breath ; Which vapor'd foorth to mother earth he goes.
i6a8 Wither Brit. Remeinb. 11. 49 Ev'n when the peoples
thronging, and their heat Did vapour up their breathings
and their sweat, For him to swallow. 1656 [? J. Sergeant]
tr. T. Whitens Peripat. Inst. 126 The clouds of ashes (va-
pour'd out in Vast abundance).
Jig. 159a Daniel Compi. Rosamond 803 With armes
a-crosse, and eyes to heauen bended, Vaporing out sighs
that to the skies ascended. 1634 Sir T. Hawkins Pol.
Observ. 7 He with all his might vapoured forth the smoke of
his greatnesse. 1657 R. Ligon Barbadoes 36 He vapours
out the grievousest sighs.
b. absol. To emit vapour.
x55a Huloet, Vapouren or cast out vapoures, halito. 1650
Ashmole Chym. Collect, iv. 51 Our Fire is Mineral!, and
vapours not, unlesse it be too much stirred up.
4. a. To expose to the moistening effect of
vapour. rare~^,
1545 Raynald Byrtk Mankynde 100 The matryce..must
be annoynted, perfumed, and vapored with suche thynges,
the whiche maye make it more ample and large.
b. To make dim or obscure with vapour.
1875 '^x.KQ.K^OKE. Alice Lor yaine\. 150 One of those sudden
changes, which (at less than a breath) vapour the glass of
the feminine mind.
6. intr. To use language as light or unsubstantial
as vapour; to talk fantastically, grandiloquently, or
boastingly ; to brag or bluster.
i6a8 Ford Lover's Mel, iv. ii, He vapours like a tinker,
and struts like a juggler. 1649 Milton Eikon. 145 Poets
indeed use to vapor much after this manner. 1687 A. Lovell
tr. Thevenot*s Trav. 11. 180 He would suffer no body to say
any thing to him, and to hear him vapour, there was no
Man greater than he. 1700 S. L. tr. Fryke's Voy. E, Ind.
160 He vapour'd and call'd me all the Cowards he could
think of. X760 Cautions ^ Adv. to Oncers Army 12, I
have heard so many young Officers, vaporing and wishing
to meet an Enemy. z8xa Combe Syntax, Picturesque ly,
Dear Mrs. Syntax, how she'd vapour, Were she to read this
curious paper ! 1859 W. Collins Q' 0/ Hearts (1875) 52
You may imagine what a passion I was m when I vapoured
and blustered in that way. 1884 Pail Mall G. 13 Mar. i/i
Lord Salisbury has vapoured a good deal and brandished
bis painted sword of lath.
b. Const, about, of or with,
{a) 1654 tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 37 To Strike a terrour
into those who have vapoured of their owne insolencie. 1677
W. Hubbard Narrative 50 Yet could the Messenger hardly
forbear threatning, vapouring of their numbers and strength.
a 1680 Butler Rem, (1759) H- 36 The Wealth of his Party,
of which he vapours so much, ..is no mean Motive to en-
flame his Zeal. 1789 J. Moore Zeluco (1797) IL l^vii.
178 Some of his friends were imprudent enough to vapour
a little about his determination of calling Carlostein to
account. i8ao Hazlitt Table-T. Ser. 11. xvii. (1869) 345
Strutting and vapouring about his own pretensions. 1864
Thackeray D. Duval y. (1869) 65, I was.. vapouring about
what we would do, were we attacked. 1897 Rhoscomyl
IVhite Rose Arno 185 Those dear Countesses of whom you
were forever vapouring.
(b) X675 Char. Town-Gallofit (Hindley, 1872) II. 4 He..
stayed at the University long enough to.. get by heart the
name of his College to vapour with. 1699 Bentlev Phal.
332 His Scylax, that he lately vapour'd with. 1876 J. Weiss
\vit. Hum. ^ Shaks. vi. 200 The words and style which
mariners and travellers brought home to vapor with to
eager listeners in the taverns.
c. trans. To declare or assert in a boasting or
grandiloquent manner. Also, in later use, with
forth or away.
1658 F. Osborne Trad, Mem. K. James Wks. (1673) 470
That.. vapoured he would. .bring him in by the Sword.
1665 Winstanley Loy. Martyrol. 11 An unanswerable
Work, of which they will never clear themselves, brag and
vapour what they please, c X665 Mrs. Hutchinson Mem,
Col. Hutchinson (i8o6) 236 Plumtre.. began to vapour that
he would have the castle puU d downe. 169a Bp. Patrick
Answ. Touchstone 258 Neither he, nor any one else (what-
soever he vapours) dare break in pieces, or tear a Crucifix,
or Picture, a 173a Swift Sandys' Ghost xix, To poor Ovid
shall befall.. A metamorphosis more strange Than all his
books can vapour. 1755 Warbukton Apol. Jor two Jirst
Lett. Wks. 1788 VII. 572 Pope gave easy credit to him,
when he vapoured that he would demonstrate all the common
Metaphysics to be wicked and abominable. 1848 Kingsley
Saint's Trag. iv. i, Where are the high-flown fancies Which
but last week . . You vapoured forth ? a 1873 Maurice
Friendsh. Bks. (1874) x. 279 Vapouring away patriotism is
undoubtedly a very bad thing.
d. To force (a person) into or out of something,
to put do^vn, by talking big.
1654 Whitelocke Stved. Ambassy {1772) I. 158 Who was
not to be vapoured or threatened into a conformity to their
desires. 1665 Glanvill Scepsis Set, Addr. p. v, That.l
might not therefore be vapour'd down by insignificant
Testimonies. 1829 T. L. Peacock Misjort. Elphin, ix, I
am not to be sung, or cajoled, or vapoured, or bullied out of
my prisoner.
VAPOURER.
6, To act in a fantastic or ostentatious manner ;
to show off; to swagger J to walk in with a
swaggering air.
165a C. B. Stapylton Herodian 127 With Pipe and Flute
full often here he vapors, And round about the Altar frbks
and .Capers. 0x730 Sewel Hist, Quakers {x-j()^) I. i. 56
Some men have the nature of an horse, to prance and vapour
in their strength. X7a4 Ramsay Tea,t. Misc. (1733) I. 89
Wow but ye will be vap'ring Whene'er ye gang to the town.
1818 Scott Br. Lamm, xxi. When you mean to vapour with
your hanger and your dram-cup in support of treasonable
toasts. x8^ Borrow Bible in SPain xl, They, .would gaze
with admiring eyes upon the robbers vapouring about in the
court below. 1898 J. Meade Falkner Moonjleet vi, In
vapours Maskew, and with an angry glance about him
makes straight for the desk.
7. trans, f a. To affect with fantastic ideas. Obs.
1698 Collier Immor, Stage iv. § 3 (1730) 139 He was
formal and fantastick, smitten with Dress and Equipage,
and it may be vapour'd by his Perfumes.
b. To give (one) the vapours ; to depressor bore.
1774 Berridge Lett. xv. (1864) 386 At times, when I am
very low, a letter that demands a speedy answer will vapour
me as much as a large bill requiring prompt payment would
a sinking tradesman. 1779 Sylph I. 24, I shall be vapoured
to death if I stay here much longer. 1796 Mme. D'Arblay
Camilla III. 85 She has lost all her sprightUness, and
vapours me but to look at her. 1804 Something Oda I. 216
His low spirits, which are indeed so very bad at times, as to
bore and vapour one to death.
o. intr. To get the vapours, rare~^,
1803 Marian Moore Lascelles I. 19 The evenings are so
long, that I declare 1 vapour every time they come for want
of something else to do.
Vapour-batll. Also vapour bath.
1. A bath consisting of vapour. (Cf. Vapoeods
a, I.) Also, an apartment in which a bath of this
kind is used.
17x9 QuiNcv Phys. Diet. C1722) 8 Estuary, a kind of
Vapour-Bath. 1766 Smollett Trav. xxxiL II. 135 They
likewise indulged in vapour-baths, in order to enjoy a pleas-
ing relaxation. 1802 Afed. JrnL VIII. 57 A machine for
conveying a vapour bath to diseased limbs. 1843 Sir C.
Scudamore Med. Visit Gr&Jenberg 12 Some persons argue
that the vapor bath is quite as useful as the blanket. 1899
Allbutt^s Syst. Med. VIII. 579 Vapour baths help not only
to remove the scales [etc.).
b, transf. A thing or place comparable to a
bath of this kind.
1800 Med. Jrnl. IV. 46 This kind of internal and hifihly
inflammable vapour-bath is ever ready to catch fire. 18^
Col. Hawker Diary UZg:^) 12. 148 The last Drawing Room
of the season ; so of course an awful crowd and a vapour
bath. 1864 Trevelvan Compel. Wallah 152 One day in
August, when all Chowringhee is a vast vapour-bath.
2. Chem. A vessel or receptacle in which hot
vapour is generated in order to heat or melt a
substance.
1728 Chambers CycL, Vaporosum Balneum, or Vapour-
bath^ in Chymistry, a Term applied to a Chymist's Bath, or
Heat, wherein the Body is placed so as to receive the Fumes
of boiling Water. 1844 Q. Bird Urin.'- Deposits (1857) 18
Evaporate an ounce.. over a spirit-lamp without the inter-
position of the vapour-bath. xZi^x Science-Gossip XXVII.
95, 1 have.. used gelatine. ..melting it like glue in a vapour
bath.
Hence Vapour-bathing*.
1766 J. Symons {title), Observations on Vapor- Bathing.
Vapoured (v^'-paid), ///. a. [f. Vapour sb.
or v.j
1. Filled with vapour or moisture, rare.
1536 Wvatt Poems (1913) I. 216 With vapourd lyes he
lokyth here and there. 1583 Melbancke Philotimus T iij b,
With driueling and with vapoured eies.
2. Formed of or from vapour. fare~K
1559 Mirr. Mag. (1563) Riv, While from mine eyes The
vapored teares downstilled here and there.
3. Affected with the vapours ; suffering from
nervous depression ; low-spirited.
Freq. in the i8th cent., esp. in predicative use.
1670 Covel in Early Voy. Levant (Hakluyt Soc.) 110
Instead of dull, mopish, vapour'd women., we found.. bright
and airy ladyes. 1733 Cheyne Eng. MeUttdy^ 11. iv. § 3
(1734) 145 They were never vapour'd or low-spirited to any
Degree. 1753 Ess. Celibacy 104 If a vapoured person b at
one time convinced of the truth of any proposition, ..at
another he will adopt the opposite opinion. 1796 Mme.
D'Arblay CawzV/a HI. 351 .Sir Sedley.. whispered: *I am
horribly vapoured 1' i8io Crabbe Borough ix. 137 Her
have I seen, pale, vapour'd through the day. With crowded
parties at the midnight pla>;. 1824 Blackw. Mag. XV. 39S
Write when you can do nothing else, when you are vapoured,
and then I shall be sure to hear the truth.
transf. 1755 Monitor No. 21. 1. 179 It may.. give you a
little respite in a vapoured day ; when. .your head akes-
Vapourer (vi^'paraj). Also 9 vaporer. [f.
Vapour v.'\
1. One who vapours ; a bragging, grandiloquent,
or fantastical talker.
x6S3 Gauden Hierasp. 223 This pusillanimous and frothy
generation of vapourers..are the greatest enemies to. .our
Religion. 1665 Pepys Diary 3 Dec., A fortunate, though a
passionate and but weak, man as to policy,.. and one that
IS the greatest vapourer in the world. 1771 Fletcher
Checks Wks. 1795 III. 238 That vapourer in favour of your
perseverance, fau*ly and consistently builds on . . the founda-
tion of the Calvinists. 1816 J. Gilchrist Philos. Etym.
214 We might show how applicable to certain rhetorical
metaphysical vaporers the descriptions are. 1843 Tail's
Mag. X. 344 Not one of your old serene metaphysical
vapourers.
2. Vapourer moth, a British moth of the genus
VAPOURGRAPH.
Orgyia, esp. 0. antiqua, the male of which flies
with a rapid quivering motion.
178a W. Curtis Br&wn-iait Moth. 6 The Phalaena
Antiqna^ or Vapourer Moth, which I have seen to thrive
on -the deadly Nightshade and poisonous Laurel. 183a T.
Brown Bk. ButterJUes ^ M. (183^) I. 49 The following
figure of the female Vapourer Moth. 1871 Kingsley At
Last viii, A crawling grub, like the female of our own
Vapourer moth. 1890 Ormerod Injur, [itsects (ed. 2) 322
The pretty and easily distinguishable caterpillar of the
Common Vapourer Moth.
ellipt, 1819 Samouelle EntomoL Compend. 418 Bomhyx
gonostigmata. The scarce Vapourer. 1861 Morris Brit.
Moths \. 77 Orgyia. antiqua, Vapourer.
Va'pourgraph. = Vaporogbaph.
1903 Sat. Rev. 11 Apr. 457/1 These * vapourgraphs ' show
the deepest stain . . where the object emitting the vapour is
in actual contact with the cloth.
Vapouring (vf'-pariij), vbi. sb. [f. Vapoub ».]
1. Emission of vapour ; evaporation, rare,
1548 Elvot, Respiratioy a breathynge, or vapourynge.
1651 French DistiiL \x\. 64 That Liquor. .may be rectified
by the vapouring away of the flegme.
2. The action of talking or acting in a high-flown
or pretentious manner.
C1630 Sanderson 5tfr;«. (i58i) IL 306 The tongue may
boast great things, and talk high. ..We call it vapouring;
and well may we so call it. 1656 Earl ^Io^■M. tr. Boccaiini's
Pol. Touchstone (1674) 269 Spanish Officers, ..with their
vapouring, distaste the good servants of so great a Queen.
1706 Vanbrugh Mistake iv. 293 Take thy satin pincushion
..thou madest such a vapouring about yesterday. 1773
Johnson Lett. 25 March (1788) \. 80 Harry will be happier
now he goes to school and reads Milton. Miss will want
him for all her vapouring. k8i6 Earl Dudley Lett. 22
June {1840) 146 It is really amazing, that after all their
vapouring.. they should not have ventured to assail him.
1840 Carlyle Heroes v. (1904) 176 Consider them, with their
tumid sentimental vapouring about virtue. 1879 McCarthy
O'jjn Times IL 197 The errors of which Lord Derby had
been guilty and the preposterous vapourings of some of his
less responsible followers.
3. jig, in pi. Vain imaginations.
1873 Dixon Ttuo Queens i. vi, I. 44 These stings of con-
•cienccwere not the vapourings of an idle fancy.
VapOnring (v^-parii)),///. a. [f. as prec]
1. Acting or talking in a pretentions or high-
flown manner.
1647 R. JossELiK Diary (1908) 45, 25 Troops came to
quarter with us, somewhat bold and vapouring, ctfyjo
0. Ht.vv.ooo ^Biaries (1881) II. 311 To make big of it,
as if it did constitute us righteous before god, as the
vapouring pharisee. 1691 The Bragadocio 33 'Tis that
Fierce, Vapouring, Coward, Bravado, I fancy. 1794 Man^
Hers France 29 Prussia's fame and Glory's fled, And you're
a vapouring fool. 1834 Gentl. Mag. CIV. i. 26 The bustling,
vapouring, chattering Dukeof Newcastle. 184s Thackeray
Contrib. to Punch Wks. igoo VI. 47 It is always a comfort
to read of those absurd vapouring vainglorious Frenchmen
obtaining a beating. 1864 C. Knight Passages l^ork. Lift
1. i. 57 The burly Englishman regarded the vapouring little
man with something like.. contempt.
2. Having a fantastical, pretentious, or foolishly
boastful character.
1649 tr. Boehme's Epistles To Rdr. (1886)2 The frame and
structure of our knowledge, which by our artificial reason
we should build unto ourselves upon that foundation, would
be but a vapouring notion. _ 1711 Stryi-e EccL Mem. xvii.
II. 380 They told Barnaby, in a vapouring sort, (which that
Nation was then much addicted to) how little Harm Eng-
land in their Wars was like to do them. 1795 Burke in
Ellis Orig. Lett. Scr. 11. IV. 543 We shall not. .employ a
person capable of writing such miserable, vapouring and
empty stuff. 1806 Slhr IVinter in Lond. Ill, 240 The
vapouring vanity of one struggling against opinion, and
fearing to sink m human estimation. 1859 Green Ox/.
Stud, (O.H.S.) 165 In this burst of vapouring Toryism open
persecution had at last reached its close. 1877 Owen
WellesUy*s Desp. p. xxxiii, Buonaparte's vapouring letter to
TJDpoo and gasconading demeanour in Egypt.
3. Full of vapour ; emitting or giving off a vapour.
1648 Hexham ii, Een domp-gat^ asmoakie or a vapouring
hole. s8oa Coleridcs PiccoTom. 11. i. Now the vapouring
wine Opens the heart and shuts the eyes.
4. Of the nature of vapour ; vaporous.
1811 Clark ViU. Minstr. IL 102 As vap'ring clouds by
summer's suns arc driven. 1854 S. Dobell Balder xxv. iBi
Like some great vapouring cloud Topping a cumuloua
heaven of m>-stcries.
Hence Va'ponrinffly adv,
1653 Lilbttrn Tryed ^ Cast 154 It would make a man
sinilcj to read what bee vapouringly talks. 1767 Sterne
Tr. Shaiidy ix. iii.The Corporal, .gave a slight flourish with
his stick— but not vapouringly. x89a.S'aA Rei\ 20 Aug. 209/2
[HeJ spoke rather vapouringly.. about the House of Lords.
Vapotiriah(v^*pariJ),o. [f. Vapour j^. +-i3h.]
1. Of the nature of vapour; dim through the I
presence of vapour ; vapoury.
1647 Hkxhah I, Vaporish, dompigh, roockacktigh. 1781 !
Havley Trimuphs 7W///^ri. 287 To drive gross atoms from I
the rays of noon Or chase the halo from the vapourish moon. \
1844 Blackw. Mag. LV. 166 The conception is generally j
vague, vapourish, and metaphysical. 1887 Hall Caine Son
o/Hagar 11. viii, When Greta set out, the atmosphere was
yellow and vapourish.
2. Apt to be troubled with the vapours ; inclined
to depression or low spirits,
i!7lt^ ^^"' -^^"^'^ y*^^- (1722) I- 97 For, aa most other
old Maids, she is exceedingly vapourish and fanciful. 1740
KiCHAKDSOS Pamela II. 315 Everyone sees, that the yawn-
ing Husband, and the vapourish Wife, are truly insupport-
able to one another. 178a Sir J. E. Smith Mem. (1833) 1.
48 It made me vapourish to see so many students going
away. 1803 Anna Seward Lett. (1811) VI. 60, I see him,
45
with all his inherent good properties, a vapourish egotist,
1844 Thackeray Barry Lymion xix, Lady Lyndon, always
vapourish and nervous, .. became more agitated than ever.
t). Of the nature of, connected with, arising
from, nervous depression.
1733 Chevne Eng. Malaiiy ii. iv. § 4 (1734) 148 Some
Headachs . . may properly enough be call'd Vapourish or
Nervous. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) III. 288, I am
in the depth of vapourish despondency. 1703 \V. Roberts
Looker-on No. 4r (1794) II. 107 Be tender of using it in this
torpid and vapourish condition. 1835 Mrs. Carlyle Lett.
I. 22 This 'very penetrating world^ — as a maid of my
mother's used to call it in vapourish moods. 1879 Miss
Eraddou Vixen 1 1 1. 85 His pretty, . . middle-aged wife, whose
languid airs and vapourish graces were likely to pall.. after
a year of married life.
3. Apt to produce vapours, rare-^.
1725 Fam. Diet. s.v. Flux^ He must forbear every thing
that IS hot and vapourish.
Hence Va-ponxlshness.
1748 Richardson Clarissa {181 1) IV. 41 You will not
wonder that the vapourishness which has laid hold of my
heart should rise to my pen. i8«o Cockburn Muir Ess.,
Pa^an or Christ. 116 There is a vapourishness about the
design of French Cathedrals and French work generally.
Va-pourized, ///. a. [f. Vapour sb. 3 b.]
= Vapoubed a. 3.
183s Macaulay in Trevelyan Life ^ Lett. (1883) I. 413 Our
masters^ run from station to station at our cost, as vapour-
ised ladies at home run about from spa to spa.
Vaponrless.o. Also vaporless. [f. Vapoub
si.] Destitute of, free from, vapour.
i8so B. Taylor Eldorado xxxiii. II. 99 The walls of white
rock.. stand out distinctly in the vaporless atmosphere.
i860 Maury Phys. Ceof. xi. § 645 And why should these
winds be almost vaporless? 1884 Q, Rev. April 339 The
deep purple of a vapourless sky.
Vapoury (v^-pari), a. Also 6 vaporie, 8-9
^ ^.5. vapory; 7-8vap'ry. [f. Vapour j4. + -Y.]
1. Of the nature or consistency of vapour ; com-
posed of, or caused by, vapour.
1598 Sylvester Dh Barlas IL i. Furies 262 The heat,
hidden in a vapoury Cloud, Striving for issue. 1598 Dray-
ton Heroical Ep., Ros. to Hen. II (1605) M 4, The waxen
taper. .With hisdull vapory dimnesse mocks my sight. 1608
TopsELL Serpents (1658) 748 A vapoury adherency.. which
flyeth from the strokes of hammers upon hot burning iron.
17*7-46 Thomson Summer 1724 They see the blazing
wonder rise anew. . : From his huge vapoury train perhaps to
shake Reviving moisture. 1770 Langhorne Plutarch (1851)
I I. 1030/1 The vapoury steam is diffused over the surface of
the body. 1805-6 Carv Dante, Inf. xxv. 84 One from the
wound, the other from the mouth Breathed a thick smoke,
whose vapoury columnsjoin'd. 1824 Miss Mitfobo Village
Ser. L (1863) 77 The clouds have gathered into one thick low
canopy, dark and vapoury as the smoke which overhangs
London, i860 Tyndall Glac, 1. xvi. 106 The Jungfrau..
had wrapped her vapoury veil around her. 1885 Manch.
Exam. <j Sept. 5/3 Inside the body. .it is suggested that
there resides a kind of vapoury form which animates it.
trans/. 1748 Thomson Cast. Indol. l. Ixxii, On the couch
. .they_ sighing lie rcclin'd. And court the vapoury god soft-
breathing in the wind.
Comi. 1796 TowNSHEiro Po€ms6s Whowak'st the vap'ry-
skirted vale To songful life.
b. Jig. Unsubstantial, indefinite, vague.
1818 Blackw. Ma^. 1 1. 396 My love-fever'd spirit evolves
A fair vapoury vision. 1848 AIill Pol. Econ. III. vii. § 3
(1S76) 297 The mass of vapoury and baseless speculation
with which this.. has in latter times become surrounded.
1874 T. Hardy Far/r. Mad. Cro^vd I. xxii. 254 His read-
ings of her seemed now to be vapoury and indistinct.
2. Rendered dim or obscure by the presence of
vapour.
1818 KiATS Entiym. iv. 483 Leaving old Sleep within his
vapoury lair. 184s Ford Handbk. Spain i. 474 The vapory
distant hills and the blue sea peep through vistas.. of the
pines. 1878 T. Hardy Ret. Native ill. vi. The yellow and
vapoury sunset . . had presaged change.
3. =< Vapourish a, 2. rare—^.
1771 J. Adams Diary 5 June Wks, 1850 II, 269 Thirty
people nave been here to-day, they say ;— the halt, the lame,
the vapor>', hypochondriac, scrofulous, &c. all resort here.
II Va'ppa. Nov? rare. [L,] Flat or sour wine.
Also yig.
[1601 Holland Pliny I. 424 Whereupon it getteth the
name of Vappa, and is cleane turned to bee dead or soure.]
1619 H. Burton ffaiet no Bethel ^ Rome or Trent hath
made a dead vappa of the word of God. 1631 Massinger
Believe as Vou List iv. i, Your viper wine [is].. But vappa
to the nectar of her lippc. 1666 Boyle Orig. Forms ff Quat.
202 Whether Must, Wine, spirit of Wine, Vinegar, Tartar,
and Vappa. be specifically distinct Bodies? 184a Ue
Quincev Wks. (1862) X. 217 But how that can be, when
you recollect the philosophic Vappa of XenophoD, seems
to pass the deciphering power of Cbdipus.
trans/. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl., Vappa,. .3. peculiar
state of the blood, when it is in a low, dispirited condition.
t Vappe. Obs. rare. [Anglicized f. prec,] a.
= prec, b, fig. A stupid person.
i6Js7 Reeve Cod's Plea 105 Wilt thou not at last be the
meer underwit, and the grand Vappe? 1660 Jer. Taylor
Ductor 11. iil rule 11 f 14 The Norvegians complain'd that
they could very seldom get any Wine into their Country,
and when it did come it was almost vinegar or vappe,
Vappin, obs. Sc. form of Wkapon.
tVa'ppouS, a. Obs.-^ [f. L. vappa: see
above.] Flat, insipid.
1673 Phil. Trans. VIII. 6021 If the boyled Must by too
violent an Effervescence cast out the Lee (by which it grows
vappous or dead).
■vapnlary, a. rare-^. [See next and -aby.]
^ Vapulatoby.
VABANGIAN.
1864 Sat. Rev. 7 May 567 Who but a hoary-headed Etonian
would recur with affectionate fondness to his vapulary
memories of Dr. Keate?
Vapulate (v«-pijJkit), v. rare. [ad. L. vd-
pulat-, ppl. stem of vapulare to be beaten. Cf.
obs. F. vapuler, Sp. and Pg. vapular^
1. trans. To beat or strike.
1603 Dekker & Chettle Crissill 1315, 1. .with my pon.
yard vapulating and checking his engine, downe it cut mee
a payre of very imperiall cloth of golde hose. 1613 Cockeram
I, Vapulate, to beat, to strike.
b. absol. To administer a flogging.
1818 J. Brown Psyche 198 If they vapulate in vain.
2. inir. To suffer vapulation or flogging.
1783 Parr Let. Wks. 1828 VII. 390 Blunders for which a
boy ought to vapulate,
Vapulation (vxpiwU'-Jan), rare. [ad. L,
*vapuldlio, n. of action f. vapulare: see prec. Cf.
Sp. vapiilacion.'\ A beating or flogging. Also
trans/.
1656 Blount G/(7jj^^n, Fa/»/a/<^H, a beating or scourging.
1706 E. Ward London Spy II. Wks. (ed. 3) I. 33 Like an
Offender at a_ Whipping-Post,, .the more importunate he
seems for their favourable usage, the severer Vapulation
they are to exercise upon him. 1^91 Hampson Mem. J.
Wesley III. 5 A strapping colone\ interposing, the vapula-
tion did not take place.
Vapulatory, a. rare-^. \i. L. vapuldt-
Vapolate v. -I- -CRY.] Of or relating to flogging.
i886 Lowell Wks. (1890) VI. 163, 1 am not. .arguing in
favour of a return to these vapulatory methods.
Vapyn, obs. Sc. form of Weapon.
II Vaqnero (vake»-ro). [Sp. (= Pg. vaqueiro),
f, tiflcacow, Cf. Prov, vaguier, F. vacher, and It.
vaccaro, med.L. vaccdrtus^
1. In Spanish America : A cowboy or cowherd ;
a herdsman or cattle-driver.
1837 Irving Adv. Capt, Bonneville III. 86 The vaqueros,
or Indian cattle-drivers. 1851 Mayne Rfid Scalp Hunters
xvii. 119, I found them in the ranche of a vaquero in the
woods. 1893 K. Sanborn .S. Cali/ornia xii. 152 The
American vaquero — usually a short, fat man with dumpy
legs, who dons a flapping sombrero.
attrib. 1880 Bret Harte Jeff Briggs ii. Having capari-
soned himself and charger in true vaquero style.
2. (See quot.)
1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, Vajuero,.. a jacket worn by
women and children,
Vaquil, variant of Vakeel.
1906 Contemp. Rev. May 580 The German Ambassador
there., has become the Vaquil or Agent of the Sultan,
Var, southern dial. var. Fab adv., etc. ; obs. Sc
f. War a., Ware o., were (see Be v.).
Var., freq. abbreviation of Variety.
II Vara (va-ra). Also 7 varra. [Sp. and Pg.
vara rod, yardstick :— L. vara forked pole, trestle,
f. L. varus bent.] A linear measure used in Spain,
Portugal, and Spanish America, of varying length
in different localities, but usu. about 33 inches
long ; a Spanish yard. Cf. Vare 1 I.
1674 Jeake Arith. Snrt: (1696) 115 The 100 Ells of
Antwerp make at Cadiz, .for Cloth 8r Varras. 1748 Earth-
anake o/Peru i, (ed. 2) 39 Quarters, of 150 V.-iras or Spanish
Yards, that b 64 Fathoms square. 1811 Pinkerton Mod.
Geogr. (ed. 3) 689 A mass of native iron.. about 3i varas in
length. .and. .half a vara in thickness.. 1850 B. Taylor
Eldorado xviii, (1862) 187 The minimum extent is two
hundred varas square (a vara is a little less than a yard) of
irricable land.
Vara, dial, variant of Very adv.
Varagian, a. [f. mod.L. Varagi (pi,), ad.
old Russian Variagi.'\ = Varangian a.
The form Varegian (after the mod.L, variant Varegi) has
also been employed.
1841 Penny Cycl. XX. 258 A Varagian (probably Danish)
freebooter of the Baltic, named Rurik.
Varan (vae-ran). Zool. [ad. mod.L. Varan-us
(Merrem, 1820), f. Ar. waran, var. of J,, waral,
monitor lizard. So F. Varan.'] A lizard belong-
ing to the genus Varanus or family Varanidai; a
monitor or varanian.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVL 131/1 The Heloderms have not
the scales.. with which they are covered surrounded by
small squamous grains like the Varans, 1887 Howorth
Mammoth <y Flood 370 Allied to the living varans and lace-
lizards of Australia.
Varand, obs. So. form of Warrant.
VarandeiBse, obs. Sc, form of Wabbandice.
Varangian (varae-ndgian), sb. and a. Hist.
[f. med. or mod.L. Varang-us, ad. med.Gr. Bti-
pafyos (pi. Bapa77oi), ad, (through Slavonic
languages) ON. Viringi (pi. Vxringjar), app. f.
vdr- (f. pi. vdrar) plighted faith.
In the old Russian chronicle of Nestor the name occurs
as Variagi and Variazi (pi.), and survives in mod.Russ.
uapiin, a pedlar, Ruthenian varjah a big strong man.]
A sb. 1, One of the Scandinavian rovers who
in the 9th and loth centuries overran parts of
Russia and reached Constantinople ; a Northman
(latterly also an Anglo-Saxon) forming one of the
bodyguard of the later Byzantine emperors (see B,),
1788 Gibbon Decl. <V F. Iv. V. 561 In their wars against
the more inland savages [of Russia], the Varangians con-
descended to serve as friends and auxiliaries. Ibid. 562
The new Varangians were a colony of English and Danes
VARANIAN.
who 6ed from the yoke of the Norman conqueror. 1831
Scott Ct. Rod. u, Ine passengers ob5er>-ed to each other,
that the stranger was a Varangian. 1S36 Partington's Brit.
CfcL^ Lit. etc III. 501/r The Varangians, a race of bold
pirates who infested the coasts of the Baltic. 1889 Baring-
Gould (7nr/^irxliii.379 The company called the Varangians,
who acted as a bodyguard to the Emperor.
2. The language spoken by these. rare~^.
1831 Scott Ct. Rob. iii. Mustering what few words of
Varangian he possessed, which he eked out with Greek.
B. adj. Of or pertaining to the Varangians;
cota posed of Varangians, etc.
1788 GisBON Decl. f( F. Iv. V. 563 The primitive subjects
of the Varangian chief. 1831 Scon Ct. Rob. xxx, They
were to mount on horseback at the sounding of the great
Varangian trumpet, ism Hecto« H. Munro Rist Ruts.
Ewtfirt ii. 17 A Varangian power.. had sprung up among
the tribes of the Slavic hinterland.
b. Varangian Guard, the bodyguard of the
Byzantine emperors, formed of Varangians.
1831 ScoTT Ct. Rob. ii, Thb account of the Varangian
Guard is strictly historical. 184S Encycl. Metrop. XI. 788/2
The valour of the Varangian, or Anglo-Saxon and Danish
guards, ever the firmest support of the Byzantine throne.
1889 Baring-Gol'LU Grtttir:^m. 380 The order came to the
Varangian quard that [etc.],
Varanian (var^'"nian), sb. and a. Zool. [f.
mod.L. Varan-US Varan -h -IAN.]
A. sb. A lizard belonging to the family Varan-
idm of scaled sanrians ; a monitor or varan.
i8fi Penny Cycl. XX. 460/2 The Varanians form a
family of scaled Saurians, including the Monitors of the
Old World. 1847 T. R. Jones in TodJ's Cycl. Anat. IV.
288/1 In the Geckos, Agamians, and Varanians, the base of
the tooth is imbedded in a shallow socket.
B. adj. Belonging to or characteristic of the
varans or monitors.
1840 Owr-N Odontogr. I. 263 The Varanian family of
squamate Saurians . . includes the Monitors of the old world.
1841 Penn^ Cycl. XX. 460/2 Allied in the form of the teeth
to the typical Varanian Monitors.
VaTanid. Zool. [ad. mod.L. Varanid-se, f.
Varaniu Vakan.] = Varanian sb.
1896 tr. Boas' Text Bk. Zool. 422 Allied [to the lizards]
are the Varanids {Varanus\ large, tropical, old.world forms
with long bifid tongue.
VarDle, obs. f. Warble sb. Vard, obs. So. f.
Ward sb. and v. Vardan(e, -en, obs. Sc. ff.
Warden. Vardanry, obs. Sc. f. Wardenry.
Varde, southern ME. var. Ferd sb^ Vardel,
-il, obs. Sc. ff. World. Varden, southern dial,
var. Farthing ; obs. Sc. f. Warden. Varder,
southern dial. var. Farther ; var. Verdor Obs.
tVardingale. Obs. Forms: a. 6 verdyng-
gale, 6-7 verdingale, -all, $. 6-8 vardingale
(6 Se. ward-). 7. 6 vardingard. [ad. obs. F.
verdugale, vertugale, vertugade (16th c), ad. Sp.
verdtigado, f. verdugo rod, stick. See also Ver-
DUCAL.] A framework of hoops formerly used by
Vfomen to extend their skirts ; = Farthingale.
a. 155a [see Farthingale). 1597 J. King Oh Jonas (1618)
478 Fashion brought-in the verdingale, and carried out the
verdingale, and hath againe reuiued the verdingale.., and
placed it behinde, like a rudder. 1609 Rowley Search/or
Monty (Percy Soc.) 23 Wee have verdingales to beare up
our tends, as they had to support their loose britches.
fi.}^Acc.Ld.U. Treas. Scot.Xl. 163 Foranewardingale
to hir. 1574 in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz. (1908) 240 A hamper
to pack the vard(ijngales in. 1603 Dekkek Wonderful
Yeare Wks. (Grosart) I. 157 The meanest that was there.,
was in.. her vardingale, her turkie grograin kirtle. 1614
Sylvester Bethulia's Rescue v. 219 From Vardingale to
Vardingale, hee fiyes His brave Lievtenant, lest Hee him
surprise. 1673, 1753 [see Farthingale].
y. 1578 Inv.R. Wardr. (1815) 230 Ane vardingard of blak
taffetie the foirskirt of satine pasmentit with gold.
trans/. i.ai/ig. 1590 R. W[ilson) Three Lords * Ladies
London (Roxb.) 295 Thou from Dissimulation art sent. And
bring'st a gown of glosing, . . A vardingale of vaine boast.
iS9a Greene Def. Conny Catching Wks. (Grosart) XI. 96
Blest be the French sleeues & breech verdingales, that
grants them liberty to conny-catch so mightily.
Vardite, -ditt, dial, or obs. forms of Verdict.
Vardle. dial. Also 6 verdoll. [Alteration
of OF. vervelU or vtrt{f)velU in the same sense :
cf. Vartiwell, Varvel.] (See later quots.)
JjaS in Archaeologia XXV. 47B For hengells, verdolls, &
hoks, hcspes & staples, for ye same heme, vi s. vij d. 1787
W. H. Marshall Rur. Econ. E. Anglia Gloss., Vardle, a
common eye or thimble of a gate, with a spike only, 1893
Cozens-Hardy Broad Norfolk 86 Vardle, bottom hinge of
agate.
vardlie, obs. Sc. form of Worldly a.
tVardo. Cant. Obs. (Seequot.) Aho allrib.
1811 J. H. Vaux Flash Diet., Vardo, a waggon. Hid.,
Vardo-gill, a waggoner.
Vardour, variant of verdour Verdor Obs.
Vardy. Now dial. Also 8 vardl, 9 vardie.
[CoUoq. or dial. var. of verdit, obs. f. Verdict.]
Opinion, judgement, verdict.
1731-8 Swift />o/,teC««z..i. i^LordSp. Well, I fear Lady
Answerall can t live long % she has so much wit. Nev. No,
she can t live.. .Z-arfy Am. Ol Miss, you must give your
Vardi too I 1796 Grose's Diet. Vulgar T. (ed. 3) s v To
give one's vardy J i.e. verdict or opinion. i8as- in dial,
glossaries (N. Cy., Line, Vorks). a uu.
Vardytt, obs. form of Verdict.
tVarel Obs, Also 7 varre. [ad. Sp. i'a;-a
Vara.]
46
1. =Vara.
1545 Rates of Customs d iiij b. The Vares of Spayne : . . ix.
Vares makithe .viii. yardes Englysshe. 1588 Parke tr.
Memioza's Hist. China 175 Certain peeces of blacke silke
of twelue vares long a peece. 1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. i. 273
The other measure is called a vare, . . which measure is of 5
Palmes or spans, and is one code and two third parts, 1604
E. G[rimstoneJ D'Acosta's Hist. Indies iv. xl. 240 It ex-
tendes above foure score Varres or yardes in length.
2. A rod, staff, or wand, esp. as a symbol of
judicial office or authority.
1578 T. N. tr. Cong. IV. India 357 He tooke the Vares of
Justice from the Judges and Sargeants, and incontinent
restored tbem againe. c 164s Howell Lett. i. in. xxxii, If
an Alguazil. .show him his vare, that is a little white stafTe
he carryeth as badge of his ofiice. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le
Blatu's Trav. 48 Imposing my hand upon a Crosse held
out to me upon the end of a Vare, or wand. x68z Drvden
Abs. <V Achit. 595 His Hand a Vare of Justice did uphold.
+ Vare 2. Variant of Fare rf.3 Obs.
1653 H. ApPLETON Fight Legorn.Road 2 At Naples 1
made Provision for my Squadron,, .passing thence through
the Vare [=Straitl of Messina.
Vare, dial. var. Fare sb.'^ ; southern ME. var.
Fare v. ; var. Vair li.l ; obs. Sc f. Ware sb.
II Varec. Also vareoh. [F. varech, varec
(OF. warec, werek, verec, vrec, etc.), ad. old Scand.
*wrek : see Wreck sb.']
1. Sea-weed.
1676 Phil. Trans. II. 594 The Sea-Fox, in whose
stomach they found a branch of the Sea-herb Varec. 1783
JusTAMOND tr. Raynal's Hist. Indies VI. 294 The most
ordinary of these manures is the Varec, a sea- weed which is
periodically throw 'n upon the coast by the sea.tide, X836
Sir G, Head Home Tour 289, I observed large quantities
of varech or sea-weed on the beach [at Robin Hood's Bay],
1889 Guernsey News 1 Feb., The gathering of varech in
Herm commences to-morrow,
attrib. 1873 Browning Red Cott. Nt..cap 36 Then, dry
and moist, toe varech limit-line.
2. An impure carbonate of soda obtained from
sea-weed.
1844 FowNES ChetH. 234 Carbonate of .Soda. ..The barilla
. . is thus produced in several places on the coast of Spain. . .
That made in Brittany is called varec. i860 Ure's Diet.
Arts (ed. 5) III. 940 Varec, the name of kelp made on the
coast of Normandy.
Varecoste, southern ME. variant of Fabcost.
Varegilt {obs. Sc.) : see Waregilt.
Vareit, Sc. variant of waried V/aby v.
llVarella. Obs. PI. -ellaes, -ely. [Pg. and
It. varella, -ela (i6th cent.), of doubtful origin.]
A pagoda.
1588 r. Hickock tr. Frederick's Voy. 33 b. They spend
many of these Sugar canes in making of houses and tents
which they call Varely for their Idoles. 1599 Hakluyt
Voy. \\. I, 260 They consume in these Varellaes great
quantity of golde ; for that they be all gilded aloft. 1638
Sir T. Herbert jTraz/.ted. 2) 318 The Varellaes (or Temples)
..are observable; each Varella farcinated with ugly (but
guilded) Idolls. x66a J. Davies tr, Mandelslo's Trav. 119
The King of Pegu.. had them placed amongst the other
Idols kept in a Varella or Mosquee.
f Varelle, Anglicized form of prec. Obs.
x$99 Hakluyt Voy.lI.l.z6i There is a Varelle or Pagode,
which is the pilgrimage of the Pegues.
Varen, southern ME. variant of Fare v.
Vare-nut, dial, variant of Fare-nut.
Vare- widgeon, dial. [f. Vairj^.I] (Seequot.)
1813 Montagu Ornith. Diet. Suppl. s.v. Smew, The
females and young birds are called in the southern part of
Devonshire, Vare. Wigeon, from a supiK>sed similitude about
the head to a Weesel, which is denominated Vare.
fVarewort. (?fo.-' In 3 uarewtirt. A plant
of doubtful identity.
c 126s Voc. Plants in Wr.-Wiilcker 557 Eptaphilos, salerne,
uarewurt.
Varge, obs. or dial, variant of Verge.
t Vargeous, a. Obs.—^ [f. F. verge :-L. virga
rod, wand.] Resembling a rod ; rod-like.
1779 Phil. Trans. LXVIII. 988 The same thing holds for
the measure of the vargeous palets [F. palettes de verges],
the balance wheel [etc.).
Varges, -is, etc., variant of Verjdice, etc.
Vargood, dial, variant of Fabgood.
II Vari. [The first part of the Malagasy name
varikandaiia or varianda. Cf. varikosy the broad-
nosed lemur.] The ruffed lemur, Lemur varius.
1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) IV. 241 The Vari is much
larger than either of the former [i. e. mococo and mongoz] . . ;
it has a kind of ruff round the neck, consisting of very long
hair. 1785 Smellie Buffon's Nat. Hist. (1791) VII. 228 The
vari is larger, stronger, and more ferocious than the
maucauco. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 420/1 The Vari, to
which the name of Lemur MaccKO has been applied by
modern authors, is given by Linnxus as Var[iety] d. of that
species.
II Vari, pi. of Varus.
Variability (ve>riabi-liti). [f. next -^ -ity, or
a. F. variabilis, = It. variabilis, Sp. variabilidad,
Pg. -idade.]
1. The fact or qtlality of being variable in some
respect ; tendency towards, capacity for, variation
or change.
1771 Mrs. Griffith Hist. Lady Barton I. 29 In her out-
ward appearance there is a variability, that renders it almost
impossible to draw an exact resemblance of her. 1796
Burke Regie. Peace Wks. 1842 II. 355 His protest against
binding him to bis opinions, and his reservation of a right
VARIABLE.
to whatever opinions he pleases, remain in their full force.
This variability is pleasant, and shews a fertility of fancy.
i835> Ladv Lytton Ckeyeley III. 146 It is this atmospheric
vartability..that occasions the thousand little dissensions
that spring from love itself. 1869 Phillips Vesuvius viii,
246 Reasonings on the variability of the relative level of
land and sea. 1885 Contemp. Rev, June 901 They made too
little account of the variability of human nature and cir-
cumstances.
2. spec. a. The fact of, or capacity for, varying
in amount, magnitude^ or value.
18x6 tr. Lacroix's Dm. ^ Int. Calculus 157 From this
may be deduced the dinerential coefficient of z, relative to
the variability of :r. 1870 Phipson tr. GnilUmitts Sun 282
The variability of a certain number of stars. 1873 H.
Spencer 5tf«W.vi. 124 The variability of the ratio.. being
duly conceived in terms of lines that lengthen and shorten.
b, Biol, Capability in plants or animals of
variation or deviation from a type.
183a Lyell Princ. Geol. (1835) II. 449 Variability of a
species compared to that of an individual. 1859 Darwin
Orig. Spec, 1. 40 A high degree of variability is obviously
favourable, as freely giving the materials for selection to
work on. 1B80 Wallace Island Life iv. 58 The belief in
the variability of all animals in all their parts and organs.
Variable (ve«Tiab'l), a, and sb. Forms : 4-
variable (5-6 varri-, 6 Sc. vareable), 5, Sc, 6,
-abill, Sc. 6 -abil (warieabill), 5-6 varyable, 6
-abul, 5 uaryabyl, veryabyll. [a. OF. vanable
(F., Sp., and Prov. variable^ Pg. variavel^ It. vari-
abile), ad, L. variabilis^ f. variare to Vary.]
A. cuij\ 1. Liable or apt to vary or change ;
(readily) susceptible or capable of variation ;
mutable, changeable, fluctuating, uncertain.
a. Of the course of events, the state of things, etc.
c 1397 Chaucer Lack Stedf. 8 What made this worlde to
be so variable But louste pat folke haue in discencion?
£'1400 Rom. Rose 5424 In a state that is not stable, But
chaungynge ay and variable. 144S-9 J. Metham Wks.
(E.E.T.S.) 54 Thy uaryabyl squel, ..O fortune* brent
myght be With Pluto in helle. 1483 Caxton Cato %\\\\y
For the goodes of thys worlde been varyable; now one is
ryche and now poure. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. 51 They
nothing thynke on fortune var[i]able. _(ZX548 Hall Ckron.,
Hen. VI (1550) ^4 The Englyshe affaires .. began to wauer,
and waxe variable. z6oq Holland Atitvi. Marcell. no
Some joining in skirmish with the enemies, fought with
variable event. x6xo — Camden's Brit. 696 They had con-
tinued a doubifuU and variable fight a great part of the day.
b. Of feeling, conduct, etc.
c X480 Henryson Orpheus ff Eur. 287 Quhat art thou,
lufe, .. To sum constant, till othir variabil. 1555 Eden
Decades (Arb.) 114 So variable and vnconstant is the nature
of man. 1593 Shaks. Rom. f( Jul. n. ii. in O sweare not
by the Moone, . . Least that thy Loue proue likewise vari-
able. 1596 — Merck. V. ii. viii. 13, I neuer heard a passion
so confusd, So strange, outragious, and so variable. 1667
Milton P. L. xi, 92 His heart 1 know, how variable and
vain Self-left. 1849 Ruskin Seven Lamps vii. § 7. 191 The
decorations . . might be made subjects of variable fancy. x86a
H. Spencer First Princ. i. v. §29 (1875) 102 There begins
to fade from the mind the conception of a special personaUty
to whose variable will they were before ascribed.
Comb. z6i8 Bolton Florus iv. iii. (1636) 293 While
Antonius, variable- witted, ..takes upon him to be a king.
c. In miscellaneous applications.
1509 Barclay Shypo/Folys (1874) 1, 126 By hir iyen dowdy
and varyable vysage. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 442
These beautiful! shapes,.. not varriable in time, not wither-
ing throughe the heate of the sunne. 1590 Spenser F, Q,
m, vi. 38 For formes are variable and decay, By course of
kind, and by occasion. 2609 Wibarne A'ifWw^^^ Old Names
To K.dr. A 4 b, If I haue omitted something in a matter so
variable, 1703 Maundrell Journ. Jems. (1732) 63 Our
Course variable between East and South. 171Z ADbisoN
Sped. No. 98 P I There is not so variable a thing in Nature
as a Lady's Head-dress, 183a Lewis Use <V Ab. Pol. Terms
Introd. 7 The variable meaning of a word. 1850 AKCosh
Div. Govt. II. i. (1874) 78 This production of change is not
variable or capricious, but follows certain fixed laws. 1884
tr. Lotze*s Logic 388 Events^ which.. depend at once on
constant and on variable conditions.
absol. 187a Bagehot Physics ^Pol. (1876) 32 We overlook
and forget the constant while we watch the variable.
2. Of persons : Apt to change from one opinion
or course of action to another ; inconstant, fickle,
unreliable.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 357 pe men bee|> variable
and vnstedefast, trecherous and gileful. 1393 Langl. P. PL
C. XIX. 69 Somme of ows [are] sothfast and some variable.
X4oa Hoccleve Min. Poems 78 Al-be-hyt that man fynde
o woman nyce, In-constant, recheles, or varriable. 1474
Caxton Chesseu. iii. (1883) 37 So that they be not founde..
for enuye variable, a xS4a Wyatt in Tottels Misc. (Arb.)
37 My word nor I shall not be variable, But alwaies,.firme
and stable, a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot.
(S.T.S.) I. 13s The popularie-.ar so warieabill and faccell.
1643 Baker CArtf«. (1653) 504 Lydinglon was..a man of the
greatest understanding, . , but very variable. 1708^9 Pennsylv.
Hist. Soc. Mem. X. 313, 1 am very sensible he is a variable
man, and not.. to be entirely depended on. 1711 Addison
Sped, No. 162 P^ One of the most variable Beings of the
most variable Kind. x8o8 Scott Mann. vi. xxx, Uncer-
tain, coy, and hard to please, And variable as the shade By
the light quivering aspen made.
trans/. 1484 Caxton Curtail ij b. Them whom fortune the
variable hath most hyely lyfte up and enhaunsed. ^ a 1548
Hall Chron.^ Hen. VI, no b, King Charles did politiquely
consider, what a variable lady Fortune was.
b. Const, in (words, actions, etc).
i^a9 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 145 In thy behestes be nat
variable, a 1513 Fabvan Chron. vii. (1811) 544 See you not
howe varyable the kynge is in his wordis? 1547 Boorde
Introd. Knowl. 214 In vsyng my rayment I am not vary-
able. X56a BuLLEiN Bulwarke, Bk. Vse Sickmen 55 Bee
VARIABLE.
not variable in Religion. 16J3 Jas. I in Ellis Lett. Ser. i.
HI. 139 He is in this busienesse .. as variable and unceriaine
as the Moone.
+ C. Liable to alter or iyxm from (or of) a pur-
pose, etc. Obs,
C1400 Beryn 752 No mervell i^, J^ou^e Rome be som what
variabill Fro honour & fro wele. X4xa-so Lydg. Chron.
Troy IV. 5120 pei wil holde stable, And finally nat be vari-
able From t)e ende, platly, t>at J?ei make, c 1450 Cffv. Myst.
(Shaks. Soc.) 216 If we fynde hym varyable Of bis prech-
ynge that he hath tawth. 1493 Petronylla 31 (Pynson),
From hir enient nat founde variable.
3. a. Of the weather, seasons, etc : Liable to
vary in temperature or character ; changeable,
c X480 Henrvsok Test, Cres. 150 The seuin Planetis. .hes
power,. To reulL.Wedder and wind, and coursis variabill.
1631 Gouge God*s Arrows v. § 15. 428 Peace is not like the
immoveable mountaines, but rather like to the variable skie.
172a De Foe Pia^e (Rtldg.) 14 The Weather was temper-
ate, variable and cool enough. 1797 Etuycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
XVIIi. 493/2 The great sunshine heats of Florence, which
are too variable and undetermined. x8o8 MetL Jml, XIX.
569 The weather.. was very variable, but upon the whole
mild. x8S4 Poultry CAron. I, 288 Exposed entirely to the
vicissitudes of our ever-variable climate.
b. Of wind or currents : Tending to change in
direction ; shifting.
1665 Boyle Occas. Refl, lii. i. (1848) 146 As variable as
the Wind. 1720 De Foe Capt. Singleton xiii. (1840) 229
We had the wind variable. X774 Goldsm. Nat. HisU
1, 340 He who has been Uught to consider that nothing in
the world is so variable as the winds. X832 De la Bkche
GeoL Man. 95 There is a tendency of the surface waters to
the S.E., being variable in winter. X840 R. H. Dana Be/.
Mast XXV. 84 The wind shifted and became variable. 1854
ToMLiHsos A rago*s A sira». 185 Much less regular in the
temperate regions, they are called variable winds.
O, Of a star : That varies periodically in respect
of brightness or magnitude.
1788 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) II. 471/2 mnrg.. Of the variable
stars. X854 Brewster More IVorlds \.y It appears and dis-
appears like a variable star, shewing m painful succession
its spots of light and of shade. 1880 Agnes Giberne Sun^
Moon ^ Stars 239 There are numbers of stars called Vari-
able Stars, the light of which is constantly changing, now
becoming more, now becoming less.
d. Bio/. Liable to deviate from a type ; admit-
ting of such deviation. (Cf. Variation 10.)
1859 Darwin Orig^. Species v. 149 Beings low in the
scale of nature are more variable than those which are
higher. 1877 Conder Basis 0/ Faith v. 231 Species, it ha<;
been well said, are ' variable, but not mutable '. x88o
Wallace Island Ltfe 59 It is now very easy to understand
how, from such a variable species, one or more new species
may arise.
1 4. Characterized by variation or diversity ;
differing, diverse, various. Obs,
X43a-^ tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 219 The peple wente furthe
to mete the victor with variable (U varia\ gladdenesse.
X509 Hawes Prnt. Pleas, xvl (Percy Soc.) 61 For musike
doth sette in all unyle The discorde thynges whichc are
variable. x^y^Act-^xHen. F///,c. 14 By occasion of variable
and sundrie opinions, .great discorde.. hathe arrisen. 1576
Fleming Panopl. Epist. p. iii, Flowers, .delightsome to the
e\'e, in consideration of their variable colours. x6ox Holland
Pliny II. 372 The variable transformations of Proteus. 1613
PuRCHAS Pilgrimage (1614)167 It were a worke .. tedious
to the Reader, to recite the variable opinioos of Chrono*
logers. .about these points.
t b. Different /ri>« something. C^f .""*
X509 Barclay ShypofFolysU^jo) 167 Thy visage chaung-
ing by lookes mamfolde :.. Sometime as lead, from death
scant variable.
to. Variegated. Obs.-"^
X553 Eden Treat. Nr.v Ind. (Arb.) 16 Of the coloure of
boxe. somwhat variable and as it wer cbekered.
1 5. Of varying ownership. Obs.
1549 in Leges Marchiarum (1705) 80 The Land variable,
common of Iwth the People, called the Debateablc Ground,
which lietb between the West Marches of England and
Scotland. Ibid. 81 The said Variable Ground.
6. Susceptible or admitting of increase or diminu-
tion, not remaining the same or imiform, in respect
of size, number, amount, or degree.
X607 TopSELL Four,/, Beasts 94 His belly U variable, now
great, now small like an Oxes. 1804 Med. Jml. XII. 496
Tbcy are sold at a more reduced price, about 9s. per dozen;
this, however variable, .. leaves the money saved proportion-
ably the same. x8xs J. Smith Panorama Sci. \ Art 11
114 The pressure of the atmosphere is variable. X858
Laroner Handbk. Nat. Phil. 281 When the quantity of
heat necessary to raise a body one degree is different in
different parts of the scale, the specific heat is said to be
variable. x88» Mischim Unipl. Kinemat, 27 If a point, Py
moves round a circle with a velocity either constant or vari-
able.
b. Of quantity, number, etc. : Liable to vary.
X7X0 J. Harris Lex. Techn. II, yariable Quantities, in
Fluxions, are such as are supposed to be continually in-
creasing or decreasing } and so do by the motion of their
said Increase or Decrease Generate Lines, Areas or
Solidities. X743 Emerson Fluxions 223 If any one of the
variable Distances . . be called x. X763 — Meth. Increments
41 Multiply the given increment oy the next preceeding
value of the variable quantity. x8ox Encycl. Brit, Suppl.
II. 740/1 The abscisses and ordinates of an ellipsis, or other
curve line, arc variable quantities. x8a8 Stark Elem,
Nat. Hist. II. 374 A sucker composed of a variable number
of scaly pieces. 1884 Bower & Scott De Bary^s Phaner,
354 Small bundles, the number of which is variable.
C. s/>ec. (See quot.)
i8a9 Hand-bk. Nat. Philos., Hydrost. viii. 21 (L.U.K.),
Some springs, called variable or «ci/rff£a^m^,.. discharge
a much smaller quantity of water for a certain time, and
then give out a greater quantity.
47
7. That may be varied, changed, or modified ; 1
alterable.
IS97 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. Ixli. § 14 What if the minister's
vocation be . . not a ceremony variable as times and occasions
require ? 1611 Bible Hab. iii. i marg.^ According to variable
songs or tunes. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 2690 Variable
Cut'Offy one actuated from the governor, so as to be brought
into action according to the load on the engine. 1887 Pali
Mall G. 5 Nov. 7/1 The permanent taxes.. will be variable
only by regular Act.
Comb. 1^5 Knight Diet. Mech. 2691 01msted*s Variable-
Speed Pulley. Ibid.y Variable-speed Wheels a contrivance
for obtaining alternately accelerated and retarded circular
motion.
b. Gram, Capable of inflexion.
1891 in Cent, Diet.
8. Nat, Hist. In specific names, as variable
cod, hare, izalus, Jacana, lemur, maple, mole,
rail, tanager, toad.
X862 Chambers's Encycl. III. 642/2 [TheJ Dorse.. of the
same genus with the cod..; its colour is more variable,
from which it has received the name of ^Variable Cod.
1896 tr. Boas' Text Bk. Zool. 529 The Polar or *Variable
Hare {Lepus timidus or variabilis) . . is white during winter
in the colder regions, c 1880 Cassell's Nat. Hist. IV. 366
The *Variable Ixalus of Ceylon is. .very variable in its
coloration. X785 Latham Gen. Syn, Birds III. i. 244
*Variable Jacana (Parra variabilis). 1896 H. O. Forbes
Handbk. Primates I. 68 The Ruffed or *Variable Lemur
derives its name from the remarkable variability of its
external markings. 1833 Penny Cycl. I. 78/1 Acer hetero-
phyllum, the "variable maple. . .This is the plant sold in the
English nurseries under the name of A . creticum. X776 P.
Brown Illustr. Zool. 1 10 'Variable Mole. X78X Pennant
Hist. Quad. 11. 485 Variable Mole;.. color of the hair on
the upper jjart of the body varied with glossy green and
copper-color. x8a4 Stephens in Shaw's Gen. Zool. XII. i.
198 *Variable Rail {Railus varians). Brown Rail spotted
and striated with black and white, with the body beneath
and eyebrows cinereous or griseous. 1783 Latham Gen.
Syn. Birds II. 1. 234 *Variable Tanager..: general colour
of the plumage green, very glossy and variable, c 1880
Casselrs Nat. Hist. IV. 360 The • Variable, or Green Toad,
found in France, has hind limbs and feet nearly as large as
i those of the Frog.
B. sb. 1. Math, and fhys, A quantity or force
which, throughout a mathematical calculation or
investigation, is assumed to vary or be capable of
varying in value. Cf. prec. 6 b and Constant sb,
x8x6 tF. Lacroix^s Di^. <V Int, Calculus 4 The lirnit of
the ratio.. will be obtamed by dividing the differential of
the function by that of the variable. 186a Draper Intell,
Devel. Europe (1865) 173 In some mathematical expression
containing constants and variables. x88s Minchin Unipl,
Kinemat. 238 In this case ^ will also be a potential (or flow)
function of the new variables (f , 9).
2. a. A variable or shifting wind ; J/rf. in//, (see
quots. 1857, 1867).
X846 A. Young Naut. Diet. 349 The meeting of the two
opposite currents [of wind) here produces the intermediate
space called the calms or variables. X857 Tomes Americ.
in Japan i. 31 The Variables, which are found South of the
border of the South-east Trades, 1867 Smyth Sailor's IVord.'
bk. 710 Variables, those parts of the sea where a steady wind
is not expected.
b, A variable star, (See A. 3 c.)
x868 LocKYER Elew, Astron. ai Among the acknowledged
variables 0 Pcrsei is perhaps the most interesting. 1880
Athenxum ix Sept. 311/1 The period of this interesting
variable is a little less than five days.
3. Something which is liable to vary or change ;
a changeable factor, feature, or element.
1846 Grote Greece n. xxi. (1862) IL 229 The beginning
and the end are here [in the Odyssey] the date in respect to
epical genesis, though the intermediate events admit of
being conceived as variables. x86s Martineau in Theol.
Rev, 670 A changing scene with the variables of which he is
in immediate contact. 1881 H. H. Gibbs Double Standard
13 Uniformity, and therefore the removal of those variables
which must be an encumbrance to commerce.
Variableness, [f. prec + -ness.] The
quality of being variable or changeable ; tendency
or liability to vary : a. Of things.
x43a-5o tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 201 Therefore mony differ-
ence be in a man, swiftencsse of sawle. variablenesse of
witte. 1569 GoLDiNG Heminge's Postill. Ded. 2 Whose
interpretation being alwayes one without variablenesse.
X59S Drake's Voy. (Hakl. Soc.) 19 The variableness of
I the winde and weather. x6ia T. Taylor Comm, _ Titus
iii. I The variablenes of times, places, & dispositions of
churches, xjria Steele Spectator No. 478 f a The Variable-
ness of Fashion turns the Stream of Business. 1794 Jones
in G. Adams Nat. ff Exper. Phil. II. xxii. 468 note, The
variableness in refractive power of different sorts of glass.
x8bo W. Scuresbv Acc. Arctic Reg. I. 403 This variableness
being the effect of the unequal temperature of ihcice and
water. X838 Arnold in Li/e <y Corr. (1844) !'■ viii. 126
With regard to the Examinations, 1 hear a general complaint
of the variableness of the standard. 1885 Manch. Exam.
14 Apr. 8/6 The proverbial variableness of the Irish climate.
b. Of persons, the mind, conduct, etc.
X49X Caxton Vitas P. (W. de W. 1495) 11. 237 By a brother
of his he hadde be Induced to soo gretc varyablenessc
and unstedfastnesse. X5a6 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531)
271 b, The varyablenessc or vnstedfastnesse of man or
woman. X576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 307 That the reading
of many authors. .drawe not after them the discommoditie
of fickle headinesse and variablenesse. i6ix Bible yas.'i.
17 The Father of lights, with whom is no variablenesse,
neither shadow of turning. 1677 Hales Prim. Orig. Man,
I. V. 113 It being the sovereign Prerogative of Almignty God
only, to be without variableness or shadow of chanee. 1748
Richardson Clarissa (1811) II. xxviii. 173 The charge of
variableness and inconsistency in judgment. 178a Knox
Ess, XXV. I. 120 This temporary variableness uf the mind.
VARIANCE.
1876 * OuiDA ' Winter City vi, His conduct had a variable,
ness about it. z88a Miss Braddon Mt. Royal xi. II. 263
Is not that kind of variableness common to our poor human
nature?
f c. Const. _/raw. Obs.—^
1614 Selden Titles Honor i The variablenesse of the
Europeans from the Asians in Asiatique names.
Variably (vea'riabli), adv. [f. Variable a.
+ -LY 2.] In a variable, inconstant, or uncertain
manner ; changeably ; with variation.
1590 H. Barrow Brief Discoverie 4 Amongst those 4 he
stil contended to set vp one chief, which variably fell out,
sometimes to one, sometimes to another. 1598 Florid, Wari.
ameniet cbangeablie, . . diuerslie, variablie. X648 Hexham ii,
^'eranderlicken, Changeably, or Variably. 1731 Bailey
(ed. 5), Frtna^/y, changeably, uncertainly. _ i77»C. Hutton
Bridges iv, The variably increased velocity. x8a4 ByRON
yuan XVI. cxxi. The blue eyes glared, And rather variably
for stony death. 1851 H. Rogers Eclipse Faith 372 That
Nature was, within certain limits, only variably uniform.
1890 Science-Gossip XXVI. 275/t The. .variably-colourtd
Helices.
t Variament. Ofo.-' [ad. L. type *varia-
mentum, f. variare to Vary.] A disagreement or
difference.
1491 Nevtminster Cartut. (Surtees) 251 By reason whereof
certane contraversiez, variamentez and debatez wer growen.
Variance (ve»'rians). Forms : 4- variance
(6 Sc. -ans, 6 vareanoe), 4-6 variaunoe (5
-auns) J 4-7 varyaunoe (5 -awnoe, -anse, 6
-anee) ; 5 wari-, warya(u)noe ; 5 veryaunoe
(fery-), weryauns, -ouns ; 6 vari-, Sc. wari-
enoe. [a. OF. variance, -aunce, -ence (= It.
varianzd), ad. L. variantia, i. variare to Vary.]
1. 1. The fact or state of undergoing change or
alteration ; tendency to vary or become different ;
variation.
c 134a Hamfole Pr. CoMtc. 1423 God ordayns here. .Sere
variaunce. .Of \>e tyms and wedirs and sesons. In taken of
J)e worldes condicions, pat swa unstable er and variande.
1398 Chaucer Fortune 45 Thou born art in my regne of
varyaunce. Abowte the wheel with oother most thow dryue.
c 1400 Bntt xxxiv, [It] was callede \>e citec of Ludstan j but
now jiat name is chaungede ^rou^ variance of lettres, and
now IS callede London. ^1470 Henry Wallace vi. 100 Bot
this fals warld, with mony doubiU cast, In it is nocht bot
werray wariance. 15x6 Skelton Magnxf. 2052 She [For-
tune] dawnsyth varyaunce with mutabylyte ; Nowe all in
welth, forthwith in pouerte. 1539 Mirr. Mag., Duke 0/
Glocester v. Any man to assure. In state uncareful! of For-
tunes varyaunce. 1646 Sir T. Browke Pseud. Ep. 305 It
being reasonable for every man to vary his opinion accord-
ing to the variance of his reason. 176* Falconer Shipavr.
I. 752 By this magnetic variance is explored. 1840 Jrnl.
R. Agric. Soc. I. 111. 282 The variance in the produce of the
wheats I attribute to the nature of the soil. 1859 Tennent
Ceylon II. VII. vii. 260 The temperature, .ranges from ^6° to
81° with a mean daily variance of ji°. 1888 Harper'sMag.
Apr. 752 Even as the blood loses and replaces its corpuscles,
without a variance in the volume and vigor of its current,
t b. Inconstancy in persons ; variableness,
changeableness. Obs.
1390 GoWKii Conf. I. 22 Ther is deceipte in his balance.
And al is that the variance Of ous, that scholde ous betre
avise. c 1400 Beryn 1135 The most parte of Room held it for
dotage, And had mucne mervell of his variaunce. c 1449
Pecock Repr. II. vii. 176 He spekith of a variaunce and of a
chaunging . .in mannis wil. c 1480 Henrvson Test. Cres. 223
In hir face semit greit variance, Quhyles perfyte treuth, and
quhyles Inconstance. ijoo-xo Dunbar Poems xlv. 6 Luve
. . Quhilk is begun with inconstance. And endis nocht but
variance.
+ o. In the phr. without (Sc. bu() variance. Cos,
The phrase occurs also in sense 3 b.
c 1430 LvDC. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) lo We say ofTte
hert, withowte variaunce, Sovereigne lord, welcome, welcome
ye be! 1:1470 Henry Wallace iv. 42 Wallace .. spak to
thaim with manly contenance. In fayr afTormej he said, but
wariance [etc.]. 1500-ao Dunbar Poems xxxi. 17 He that
with gud lyfe and trewth. But varians or vdersIewth,..Dois
I evir mair with ane maister dwell.
2. The fact or quality of varying or differing ;
difference, divergence, discrepancy.
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 762 For that that som men
blamen ever yit, Lo, other maner folk commenden it. And
as for me, for alle swich variaunce, Felicitie depe I my
sufEsaunce. c 1380 Wyclie Set. Wis. I. 28 For alle Cristene
men shulden Ije of 00 wille, and variaunce in siche sectis
maki}^ variaunce in wille. c 1400 Maundev, (Roxb.) xiii. 60
In many poyntes l>al vary fra vs and fra cure faith. All
j.aire variaunce ware to mykil to tell, c USD lUyrr. oiir
Ladye iti Ve haue not manychaunges (of service] after the
varyaunce of feastes, . .as the comon seruyce of the churche
vseth. 1S70-* Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 221 So is
there variance between written storie, and common speech,
touching the true place of that building. 1605 Camden Rem.
(1623) 36 Words, that in their original! are Laline, and yet
(saue some small variance in their terminations) fall out all
one with the French, Dutch, and English. 1839 Hallam
Hist. Lit. IV. ii. § 12 It is evident that variance of opinion
proves error somewhere. 1846 Landor Imag. Conv. Wks.
I. 243 The variance of knowledge and will, where no passion
is the stimulant. 189a Law Times XCII. 156/1 Whether
variance between the provisional and complete specification
of a patent.. is still a ground of invalidity,
t b. Variety. Obs.-^
01400-50 Alexander 4632 Mckill variaunce of vertus
enveronis cure saules.
3. a. Law. A difference or discrepancy between
two statements or documents.
1419 Rolls oj Parlt. IV. 346 For whiche diversite and
variaunce of the seide name. C1470 Henry Wallace ym.
1736 Thar may na band be maid so sufficians, Bot ay in it
VABIANCB.
Ukfti fynd a wmrians. a 15^ Greene yas, IF, v. iv, LoTvytr,
This mat^ cnues a variance, not a speech. 1596 Bacon
iimJt,4^ Use Cpm, Law xxv. (1636) 98 20 if I graunt you.,
a way ouer my land according to a plot . . whereof a table is
annexed to these presents, and there be some speciall vari-
ance betweene the table and the originall plot [etc.]. 1706
Pml-Lips (cd. Kersey), l'nriaHie,&x\ alteration of something
formerly laid in a Plea. 1817 Selwvn Law Nisi Prius
(ed. 4) II. 1107 Advantage cannot be taken of a variaiice
between the plaint and the declaration in the superior
court. 18*7 Bentham's Ration, yudic. Evid. V. 598 The
designation.. by the name of St. Ethelburgh, instead of
Saint Eifaelburgha, was held to be {as lawyers term it) a fatal
x'ariance. 1835 Tomlins Lam Diet. (ed. 4) s.v., If there is
a variance between the declaration and the writ, it is error;
and the writ fiiould formerly abate.
b. Iti general use : A difference or discrepancy ;
a discriminating or divergent featnre.
i497.Y«ti«/ Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 83 The particular vari-
ances betwene the Indentures and book of shipping. 1511
in. to/* Re^ Hist. AfSS. Comw. App. V. 325 There have
bene greate \-ariaunce now of late in taking of principales.
1534 More Dial. agst. Trib. i. Wks. 1153/1 That is a ryght
heauy th>'ng to see suche varyaunces in our belief ryse and
grow among our self. 1815 Nicholson Operat. Mechanic
656 Though in the preceding statements there is an apparent
variance, . . the \-ariations may have arisen [etc.]. i860 Ten-
NEKT Ceylon Introd. xxxix, I have to apologise for variances
in the spelUng'of propernanies. 1884 Law Times LXXVII,
37/1 The variances.. which have arisen between the real
property law of the United States and England.
fc. Divergence from the truth. Oh.
c 1450 LovELicH Merlin 706 How scholde I jeven the ony
penaunce whanne I knowe wel thou makest variawnce.
Ibid. 748, 958. , . , .
4. The fact of changmg.. altermg, or varymg
from a state, opinion, etc. ; an instance of this.
1415 HocCLEVE To Sir y. OldcastU 253 Holsum to thee
now were a variaunce Fro the feend to our lord god. c \^v>
Lvixs. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 45 After variaunce Fro lif
to dcthe. 15*9 More Dyaloge iv. Wks. 271/1 In this point
I assure you faythfully, there is no maner change or vary-
aunce from his oppinion. 179J Jefferson Writ. (1850) III.
460 The first and only instance of variance from the former
port of my resolution, I was duped into.
II. 6. The state or fact of disagreeing or falling
out ; discord, dissension, contention, debate. (Cfl
7 and 8.)
^14*5 LvDC, Assembly of Gods 409 In came Dyscord to
haue made varj'aunce. 1477 'Rolls of Parli. VI. 1B4/1 If
\ariance falle betwixt any fynder, afTermyng ayenst any
other persone. 1490 Caxton Eneydos xxiv. 89 [It] maketh
theim to enterteyne well togider wythoute varyaunce. 1535
Act 117 Hen. VII f^ c.26 § i Great discorde, variance, debate,
..& sedicion hath growen betwene his said subiectes, 1598
R. Bernard tr. Terence^ Hecyra iv. iv, When you seeke
forged matter to cause strife and varience. 1639 G, Daniel
Ecclus. xxvii. 43 Murder attends the variance of the Proud.
1684 BuNVAN Pilg. Prog. II. 192 She makes Variance betwixt
Rulers and .Subjects, l^twixt Parents and Children. 17x1
Bev£Riix:e Thes. Theol. III. 193 What is variance? A sin
opposed to amity. x76o-7« H. Brooke Fool ofQual. (1809)
IV: 65 If any attempted to.. defraud me of my property,
I yielded it without variance. 1838 Thirlwall Greece IV.
293 It would be necessary for a time to keep up a show of
variance between them. 1855 H. Reed Led. En^. Lit. v.
(1878) 159 The bloody variance of a feudal nobility, 1864
Miss Vonge Trial II. 152^1 never saw a child with such an
instinct for preventing variance, or so full of tact and pretty
ways.
Comb. 1551 HuLOET, Variaunce makers, litistonsores.
b. Opposition or antagonism /i? something, rare.
■84a Manning Serm. i. (1848) 1. 16 An energetic variance
of will to the mind of God. 1875 — Mission H. Ghost viii.
210 We have used our wills for all manner of conscious
variance to His holy will.
6. A disagreement, quarrel, or falling out; a
dispute.
c X4as LvDG, Assembly of Gods 244 Wyll ye agre that Phebe
your mastresse May haue the guydyng of your varyaunce ?
*453 EolU of Parlt. V. 265/1 To make variaunces and com-
motion betwene you.-andf youretrue people. 1473 Warkw.
Chron. (Camden) 6 As thei went togedere. .there felle in a
varyaunce for iher logynge. 1541 Barnes Wk^. (1573) 339/2
Certaine articles, for y« which there is a varience in the
world at this day. 1560 in W. Cotton Elizabethan Guild
(1873) 21 Vf any variance or controversie shall at any tyme
happen to ryse betwene any youre brethren. 1607 Merry
Detnl of Edmonton Induct. 84 Then thus betwixt vs two this
variance ends. 1673 Essex Papers (Camden) 1. 92 It were
too long a Story to tell, .y* originallsand beginnings of their
variances. 178J J. Brown Vie^v Nat. Sf Rev. Relig. iv, 11. 318
No variance hath ever taken place between God and holy
angels.
+ b. Spec. A difference or dispute leading to
legal action between parties. Obs.
1476 Searchers Verdicts in Surtees Misc. (1890) 21 Award
& jugement..ofa variaunceofa ground betwix John Gilyot
Alderman.. and Ambrose Preston of London. 1498 Cov.
Leet Bk. iil 595 Whereas diuerse discordes a^d wariaunces
were late moved & had bitwen the seid parties. 1529
Snppiic. to King (E.E.T.S.) 51 To here and iudge suche
causes and varyaunces. 15^ Reg. Privy Council Scot.
\. 203 In resf)cct of the variance and debait standand betuix
thame. x™ Pope Ep. Bathurst 271 Is there a variance?
enter but his door, B:ilk*d are the Courts, and contest is no
more.
m. 7. In variance. +a. Forming a subject
of debate, contention, or legal action. Obs,
1461-3 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 4 He is agred..to put
all thing t\i3X is in variance betwixt you & him in the said
Sir John & me, 1468 Searchers Verdicts in Surtees Misc.
(18^) 18 Agroande^t stode in variaunce betwix thabbot&
Convent. 1534 5^ar Chamber Cases (Selden Soc.) II. 317
Suche matteres as then were in varyaunce bytwene the seid
Mulsho and the seid Selby. 1559 ^p- Scot in Strype Ann.
48
Ref. I. App. X. 32 Consider, i besecbe you, the matters here
in Varyaunce. i^ Lambarde Eiren. iv. iv. 438 One that
mooueth pleas or sutes. .to the end to have part of the land*
or other thing in variance. 1713 M. Henry Cone. Meekness
Spirit (1822) 118 If meekness rule, matters in variance may
be fairly reasoned and adjusted.
•f b. At variance ; = 8 b. Ohs.
c 1465 En^l. Chron. (Camden) 64 It happid that with boistez
langage-.he fil in variaunce with thaym, and thay fil on
him. 1513 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cccxix. 493 The realme
of Englanae was as then in great variaunce among tbemselfe.
8. At variance, a. Of persons : In a state of
discord, dissension, or enmity.
X513 AIork in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. ;r57 The Lordes
whome he knew at varyaunce, himselfe in his deathbed ap-
peased. 1598 R. Bernard tr, Terence^ Andria in. ii, Simo
and Davus are at variance about the birth of the child. x6^
T. Bavlev Worcester's Apophth. 4 The Servants of his
house, .were never at variance, in point of Religion. 1683
in Verney Mem. (1907) II. 363 Whielst the Emperor and
Turke are at variance. 1710 Beveridge Thes. Theol, II.
337 God and man naturally are at variance, a 1781 R.
Watson Philip III (1793) I. I. 60 Neither of the courts at
variance seemed.. inclined to prolong the war. 1836 Tiiirl-
WALL Greece II. 77 The rest of the Peloponnesian allies,
seeing the two kings at variance, followed the example of
the Corinthians. 1870 Bryant Homer 1. 11. 34 The powers
who dwell In the celestial mansions are no more At variance.
transf. 1718 Free-thinker No. 73. 126, I heard a violent
Noise, as if the Elements were all at Variance.
b. Const, withf among{st or between, from.
(a) 1528 .S'/rtr Chamber Cases (Selden Soc.) II. 177 James
hath brokyn with. .his Neyburus..and is at gret waryance
with them. 1593 Bacchus Bonntie C 4, Hee falls at vari-
ance with mistris Merigodowne, 1650 Nicholas P. (Camden)
204 And they do their best to set this good Princess at
variance with her Mother in Law. 1671 Milton ^'««/w«
15B5 What cause Brought him so soon at variance with him-
self Among his foes? 1736 in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm.
App. I. 454 One.. with whom you were at Variance. 178a
Miss Burnev Cecilia viii. ii. It is with myself only I am at
variance. 1839 Thirlwall Greece VI. 39 On ali matters
as to which he was at variance with the Athenians. 1874
Green Short Hist, iii. § 5. 138 Every year found the Justi-
ciary at greater variance with Rome.
(/') 1577 HoLiNSiiED C//r(?n. 1.78/1 The Britaynes.,were
at variance amongst themselues. 1656 Milton Lett, of
State Wks. 1851 VIII. 373 We have beheld the Protestant
Princes.. more and more at weakning Variance among
themselves. 1867 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1877) I. 214 The
Breton princes were at variance between themselves.
(c) 1885 Times (weekly ed.) 6 Mar. 17/4 A Government
from which.. he is totally at variance on points even more
important.
c. In the phrases to set (or '^fall) at variance.
(«) ■ 1526 TiNDALE Matt. X. 35 For Y am come to sett a man
att varyaunce ageynst hys father. [So in later versions.]
XS3S Coverdale Prov. xvii. 9 He y* discloseth the faute,
setteth frendes at variaunce. 1643 R. Baker Chron. (1653)
^41 The Spaniards set York and Stanley at variance. 1655
m Verney Mem. (1907) I. 557 Pale-faced envye, mixt with
hatred and mallice, hath done there best indeavour to sett
us att variance. 17x3 Addison Cato i. iv. To disguise our
passions. To set our looks at variance with our thoughts.
1755 Young Centaur 1. Wks. 1757 IV. 10^ Prone to.. set
things at variance, which, by nature, are allies.
{b) 1522 More De Quat. Noviss. Wks. 89/1 Now shal ye
se men fall at varyance for kissyng of the pax. a 1578
LiNDESAY (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 45 The earle
of Lennox and the cardinall was fallin at warience. a 1635
Naunton Fragm, Reg. (Arb.) 35 Mars and Mercury fell at
variance whose servant he should be.
d. Of things: In a state of disagreement or
difference; conflicting, differing. Usu. const. wM.
(a) 1704 Pope Spring 60 She runs, but hopes she does not
run unseen ; While alcind glance at her pursuer flies, How
much at variance are her feet and eyes ! 1797 S. & Ht. Lee
Canterb. T, (1799) I. 72 His tongue and his countenance
were a little at variance. 1826 Art of Brewing {fid. 2)9 The
opinions and practices of most brewers are completely at
variance upon the subject of mashing. x868 E, Edwards
Ralegk I. ^05 Men's opinions of the worth of what Ralegh
actually did as an historian are much at variance. 19x0
Edin. Rev. J[an. 30 The brow and the mouth are at variance.
{b) 1780 Mirror No. 84, Nature and Fashion are two oppo-
site powers, that have long been at variance with one another,
1784 CowpER Task IV, 621 Arms, , . in whatever cause. Seem
most at variance with all moral good. x8i6 Singer Hist.
Placing Cards I. 58 An exquisite Chinese painting is at
variance with this assertion. xS^ty Macaulay Hist. En^.
j i. I. 246 His conduct was not a little at variance with his
I professions, a i88x A. Barratt/'/!^'^-. Metempiric {iZ^-^) 240
With a doctrine, like Kant's, that [etc].. ., my philosophy is
wholly at variance.
Va'riancy. rare, [ad. L. variantia : see Vary
V. and -ANCY.] Changeability; variance.
x888 Macm. Mag. Oct. 475/1 The surprises there are in
man, his complexity, his variancy.
Variand, obs. Sc. and north, f. Varying///, a.
Variant (ve»'riant),a.andjd. Also 5-6 vary ant
(5 -te), varyaunt (5 -te), 5 variaunt(e. [a. OF.
variant (F. variant, = Sp., Pg., and It. variante),
a. L, variant-j varianSj pres. pple. of varidre to
Vary.]
A. adj. \. Of persons : Changeful in disposi-
tion or purpose; inconstant, fickle. Also const,
^or in. Now rare.
f X386 Chaucer Can. Yeom. T, 622 On his falshede fayn
wold I me wreke, If I wist how, But he is heer and there,
He is so variant, he byt no where, c 1400 Beryn 1974 Now
J70W wolt, & now tow nolt ; . . Now sey oon, & sith anothir ;
so variant of mynde ! c 1450 Mankind 274 in Macro Plays
II Be stedefast in condycyon ! se 3e be not varyant ! 1509
Hhv/¥.sPast. Pleas. xxvii.(Percy Soc.) 130T0 bclnstable
love fixt and not variaunt. X550 Bale Image Both Ch. 11.
VABIANT.
G viij, They ftrcno wher stedfast & vmforme, but euery
wher variant & foolish, xdw Lithgow Trav. iv. 145 He was
also deceitfull, variant, and fraudulent. 1890 ' R. Boldre-
wooD ' Col. Reformer (1891) 360 Calm and resolute, if occa-
sionally variant of mood.
•|"b. Acting in a changeable or fickle manner.
1387 Trevisa Hidden (Rolls) VIII. 299 He was to large of
^iftes, . . redy to speke and variaunt of dedes.
+ 0. Dissentient, disagreeing. Obs.
14x3-30 hvDG.Chron. Troy 111. 3657 Sethen jealle assenten
and accorde, Fro ^oure sentence I wil nat discorde, In no
wyse to be variaunt
2. Of things : Exhibiting variation or change ;
tending to vary or alter ; not remaining uniform.
C1374 Chaucer Boeth. i. met. v. (1868) 22 pi myjt attem-
prej? po variauntz sesons of be 5ere. X387-8 T. Usk Test.
Love II. vi. (Skeat) I. 148 After the variaunt opinion in false
hertes of unstable people, c 1400 Pety yob 472 in 26 Pol.
Poems 136 My thoughtes wandre wyde whare, Fortheyben,
lorde,full variaunte. c 1430 Lvdg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.)
71 God of his grace .. preserve youre variaunt brutilnesse.
1533 Bellendkn Livy iv. xv. (S.T.S.) Ii. 103 pe cry of
romanis was variant, slaw, & but curage. 1671 R. MacWard
True Nonconf. 136 The Ordinances,. therefore were ap-
pointed . . in a variant and mutable forme, c 1674 Ace. Scot-
land's Griev. under Lauderdale"* s Min. 10 It was also both
inconstant in its being, and variant in its number and
method. 1751 Wesley Wks. (1872) XIV. 40 Nouns Variant
in their gender are dies undents,
fb. Of fortune, conditions, etc. : — Variable a.
I a, Obs. (In early use partly after sense i.)
c X413 HoccLEVE De Reg. Princ. 66 So flyttyng is sche
[sc. Fortune], and so wariant, Ther is no trust vpon hir
fair lawhyng. 1470-85 Malory Arthur xx. xvii. 827 But
fortune is soo varyaunt, and the whele soo meuable, there nys
none constaunte abydynge. x^oo-ao Dunbar Poems Iviii.
26 So variant is this warldis rent, That nane thairof can be
content. 15x3 Douglas ^««£/ xi. viii. 117 The variant
chance Of our onstabill lyfe. X561 Godly Q. Hester {iBjs)
58 Contente To thinke it no lyghtnes, nor wytteinconstante,
But the necessytie of tymes varyant.
C. Of wind : Changing, shifting. rare~^.
1847 LoNGF. Ev. I. i. 82 Above in the variant breezes Num-
berless noisy weathercocks rattled.
3. Exhibiting difference or variety ; diversified,
varied ; diverse, different.
c 1380WVCLIF ff^j.(i88o)3oiThesefrerishabitis,..|>atben
):)us large & variaunt as weren habitis of pharisees. c 1400
' Rom. Rose 1917 The arwis were so fulle of rage, So variaunt
of diversilee. a 1400-50 Alexander 5651 pai ware visid all
i in versis in variant lettirs. 1483 Monk of Evesham Ivii.
! (Arb.) I [o A variant medelyng of melody sownyd wyth alle.
I X536 R. Whvtford Martiloge (1803) 19 He was put to many
j varyaunt turmentes. 1585 Jas. I Ess. Poesie (Arb.) 33 So
i lob and Ieremie..Did right descry ue their ioyes, their woes
j and torts. In variant verse of hundreth thousand sorts.
j cx6xx Chapman Iliad 11. Comm., The decorum that some
: poor critics have stood upon.. is far from the variant order
i of nature. 1633 Lithgow Trav. vi. 291 They who would
trauerse earths variant face, a 1817 T. Dwight Trav. New
Eng., etc. (1821) II. 457 The plains are of moderate extent :
the surface being almost every where variant, and undulating.
1855 Bailey Mystic 105 The angels . . 'stablishing In variant
countries various roots of men. 1858 H. Bushnell Nat. ^
Supernal, ix. (1864) 260 He can produce variant results
through invariable causes.
f b. Of colours : Varied, variegated. Also of
cloth or an animal in respect of colour. Obs.
ai^oo-^ Alexander 4336 Nouthire..transmitte we na
vebbis lo vermylion ne violett ne variant littis. 1471
Ripley Comp, Alch. vi. viii. in Ashm. (1652) 163 By colors
varyante aye new and new. X473-4 Ace. Ld. High Treas.
Scot. 1. 20, vij elne of tartar of variant hewis to lyneagowne
of blac. X503 Ibid. II, 346 Ane variant hors giffin to the
King, x^j Ibid. III. 260 Taffeti, grene, rede, blew, and
variant. 1575 Bk. Univ. Kirk Scott. 6 Aug., We thmk..
unseemly, .all kindeor..lichtand variant hewis in cloathing,
as red, blew^ yellow, and sicklyke. x6oo Dr. Dodypoll 1. i,
Welcome,bright Morne, that with thy golden rayes Reveal'st
the variant colours of the world.
4. Differing or discrepant/rtJw something ; f also
const. /(J ( = from).
f 1400 Maundev. (1839) X. 122 And alle theise han manye
Articles of oure Feythe, and to othere thei ben varyaunt.
1473-S in CaL Proc. Chanc. Q. Eliz. (i83o).II. Pref. 60 The
matter comprised in the side replicacion is new mater vari-
aunt from her bill. 1534 Whitinton Tullyes Offices i. (1540)
31 It is no thynge varyaunt fro the dignyte of a wyse man.
1548 Gestk Pr, Masse 134 Thee prieste pryvee Masse. .is
not quadrant but variant to the sayd word fof God]. 1741
T. Robinson Gavelkind ii. 9 Most of the Customs of this
Kingdom variant from the c5ommon Law. xtjo Ann. Reg.^
Chron. 143/2 The publication in the papers was variant from
that which he sent home, i860 J. P. Kennedy Life W.
Wirtl.xxli. 355 His first impressions of him., are singularly
variant from those which [etc.]. x88o Mrs. Whitney Odd
or Even ? xH, Words that were absurdly variant from all her
present mood.
b. Without const. (Cf. Various a. 8 d.)
X586 Ferne Blaz. GentrieTo Gentl. Inner T., They shall
find the interpretation thereof many wayes variant and
diuers. 186^ Strangford Selection (1869) II. 187 With a
variant spelling of the body of the word. 1879 Fabrar St.
Paul I. 3^3 note, One of the numberless instances of variant
readings in the Hebrew. 1897 J. M. Whiton Reconsid. ^
Reinforcem. 23 These.. are definitions not too variant to
stand indifferently for synonyms of spirit.
c. BioL Varying or diverging from type.
x88i Athensum No. 2818. 560 'Angela' is Spielhagen's
variant child. 1896 Advance (Chicago) 23 April 592/1 In
nature a variant minority is liable to be diluted and to dis-
appear by intermixture.
B. sb, 1. A form or modiBcation differing in
some respect from other forms of the same thing.
1848 Layard Nineveh 11. L (1849) II. 171 note, Many of
these [cuneiform] characters are undoubtedly what are
VARIATE.
termed * variants ' ; that U, merely a different way of form-
ing the same letter. i86z Rawlinson Anc. Afon. Chaldsa
I. 143 II, of course, is but a variant of El. 1869 Ellis £.£".
Pronunc. i. iv.248 Other variants of course occur from care-
lessness, 1869 Rawlinson -4 WiT. Hist. 336 The names seem,
however, to be chiefly variants of the general ethnic title.
b. A various reading.
1861 Paley Aeschylus (ed. 2), Agam. 1116 note. The vari-
ants -orro and -ocres only show that a termination was added
to the original -oc. 1881 Westcott & Hort Grk. N. T.
Introd. § 3 The primary work of textual criticism is merely
to discriminate the erroneous variants from the true.
2. A variation of the original work, story, song, etc.
1871 Ralston Songs Russian Peopleynoo There are many
variants of the same song, but they do not differ materially.
1877 ftliss A. B. Edwards Up Nile Pref. p. xiii. Religious
books, variants of the Ritual, moral essays, maxims. 1885
Clodd Myths 9f Dr. r. iv. 70 They are the variants of stories
presumably related in the Arj'an fatherland.
3. Nat. Hist. A variant form or type.
1895 in Funk's Stand. Diet.
tVa'riate, 'i^- Obs. [ad.L. z;ar/(z/-«j, pa. pple,
of varidre to Vary.] a. Diversified, variegated.
b. Varied in nature.
c 1440 Pailcui. on Hush. xii. 52 01>*ue is puld of colour
variate. 1677 Galk Crt. Gentiles iv. 254 The divine efful-
gence and operation is one essence, both simple and im-
partible, and boniforme in things partible variate (as to
operation).
t Va riate, v. Obs. [a. L. variat-, ppl. stem of
varidre : see prec]
1. trans. To produce a modification, variation, or
change in (something) ; to alter, cause to change.
1566 Painter Pal. Pleas, i. C1569) 105 b, The perfection of
that which thus doth variat and alter bothe my thoughts and
passions. Ibid. 11. 128 The examples also of sutch diversity
do variate and make diverse the affections of men. 1653
GaI'den Hierasp. Pref. 2 Others, .study to variate and
shift the extern forms and models of Religion. X701 Bever-
ley Praise o/Glory o/Grace 45 Not Variating this Enquiry
into the Multiplicity of the Lesser and more Particular
Causes. 1770 Baretti Joum. Land, to Genoa I. xxi. i6a
Female dress is no where variated so much as.. in this
country.
2. intr. To vary or change.
1591 SYLVEST^iR Dii Bartas i. iL 435 That which we touch,
with times doth variate. Now hot, now cold.
Hence + Va'riated///. a. ; f Va*riating vbl. sb.
and ppl. a. Obs.
1608 J. Kino Serm. 5 Nov. 33 What was the cause of their
multiplied, variated complotments against hir? 1653 Gauden
Hierasp. 22 Their -shtftings and variatings from one living
to another. Ibid. 28 Who runs like a Badger, with variating
and unequal motions. i6<s6 Artif. Handsom. 43 This arti-
ficial charige is but a fixation of nattues inconstancy, .. hel(>
ing its variating infirmities.
Variation (ve»ri^-j3n). Forms : 5 varya-
cyoune, -oio(u)n, 6 -cyon ; 5 variaoioun, 5-6
-cion, 6 -cyon, -tioon, 6- variation, [a. OF.
variation^ -acion (F. variation^ = Sp. variaciorty
Pg. variofdOy It. variazione., a. L. variation-^
varidtio, n. of action f. varidre to Varv.]
I. 1 1. Difference, divergence, or discrepancy
between two or more things or persons. Obs.
c 1386 Chaucer A*«/.'f T'. 1730 In al the world.. So even
withoute variacioun Therneresuchecompanyes tweye. 14*6
I.VDO. De Guil. Pilgr. 20066, I sey also.. That ther be..
Many constellaciouns And many varyaciouns. 1460 Cap<
GRAVE Chrofi. (Rolls) 48 Here is for to noten that their is
grete varlacion amongst auctourcs, both of ^eres and of
Kyngis names. 1480 Caxton Myrr. ii. i. 65 This present
fygure is..dcmonstraunce certayne and trewe, without ony
variacion ne doubtaunce. 1553 Edem Treat. Neiu Ind. ( Arb.)
42 A clyme is a porcion ofthe worlde betwene South and
North, wherein is variacion in length ofthe daye, the space
of halfe an houre. i6a8 T. Spescer Logick 68 Health,.
dtssenteth from a man that is sicke, by reason of that dis-
tance, or variatijn, which ariseth from sickncs. a 1637 B.
JoMSON Discoveries Wks. 1640 1 1. 106 There is a great varia-
tion l>etweene him, that is rais'd to the soveraignity by the
favour of his Peeres, and him that comes to it by the suffrage
of the pet^plc.
t2. Discord, variance, dissension ; an instance of
thi?;. Obs. rare.
c 1485 Dighy Myst. (1882) MI. 923 Be-twyx yowand me be
never varj'acyouncs. '5*3 Lt)- Bebnehs Froiss. I. cccxivi.
548 Thus the Christen reaTmes were in vartacyon, and the
churches in great dyfference, bycause of the popes.
+ 3. a. Uncertainty, doubt. Ob5.~'^
1471 Caxton Recuyell (Sommcr) 38 In this sorow and in
this payne and varyacion. .Vesca, Abell and the damoysel
Were a longe tyme.
t b. Inconstancy ; variableness.
1509 Hawes Past, Pleas, xix. (Percy Soc.) 88 My heart
shall be without variacion Wyth you present, in perfite
sykerncs. f 1530 Crt. 0/ Love 1340, L.depely swere as
minepower to bene Faithful deuoide of variacion.
II. 4. The fact of varying in condition, charac-
ter, degree, or other quality; the fact of undergoing
modification or alteration, especially within certain
limits.-
I50J Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) v. vi, In shyn-
yngc vatyac^'on of dyuers coloures. 1513 Bradshaw St.
Werburge 1. 1340 This present lyfe.-rfow drcdefull it is,
full of varyac^'on. 1555 Eden Decades {^Kth.") 45 Parallcles,
are lines whereby the sonne passynge causeth variation of
tyme. 1579 Fenton Guicciard. i. (1599) 15 I^t vs looke
M)mewhat intrj the variation of times and things of the world.
1637 Nabbes Micrpcosmus fi, Two kisses more will cloy
me; nought can relish Bat variation. 1674 Bovle Excell.
Theol. II, V. 214 According to the varying gravity of the
atmosphere: which variation has,. a very considerable in-
VOL. X.
49
fluence on the weather-glass. 1750 tr. Leonardtts' Mirr.
Stones 53 As is held by many learned men wlio have written
of the variation of the air. 1785 G. A. Bellamy Apology
(ed. 3) i. 67 Lest you accuse me of a want of variation in the
conclusion of my letters, I shall end this in the good old-
fashion way. i8z3 Miss M. A. Kelty Osmond I. 36 In this
variation of feeling the morning.. wore away. 184S G. E.
Day tr. SimofCs Anim. Client. I. 246 From these data, it
appears, that, .the variation is the most striking with regard
to the fibrinand globulin. i88s,Watson & Burburv Math.
Tk. Electr. \ Magn. 1. 96 In order to effect this object the
charge upon the conductor must be capable of variation.
b. The action of making some change or
alteration.
a 1704 T. Bhown Satire Antients Wks. 1730 I. 14 They
used in other words the same variation of the letter u into i,
as maxumus, maximus. 1711 in Nairne Peerage Evidence
{1B74) 133 T,he said parties having in order therto agreed. .
in the terms of the two former contracts.. without change
or variation. 1885 Latv Rep. 29 Chanc. Div. 542 I'he powers
reserved to Wilson Lomer..to control the variation of in-
vestments. 1913 Act 3 Gee. K, c, 3 § I Where a resolution
is passed, .providing for the variation of any existing tax.
5. Variation of the compass^ {f iodestone.,) or
needle, the deviation or divergence of the magnetic
needle from the true north and south line ; the
amount or angular measure of this ; = Declina-
tion 8 b.
iSS6BuRR0UGHin Hakluyt (1S86) III. 126, Iwentonshoare
and obserued the variation ofthe Compasse, which was three
degrees. 1571 Digged Pantom. 1, xxix. I ij b, Drawing a
right line making an angle. .equall to the variation of the
compasse in your region. 1613 Plrchas Pilgrimage (1614)
49 Cabot first found out the variation of the Compasse. 1679
AIoxoN Math. Did. 160 Variation o/the Needle, the Turn-
ing or Deviation of the Needle in the Mariners Compass
[etcj. 1687 A. LovELL tr. Thevenoi's Trav. 11. 156 The
variation of the Loadstone. 1774 M. Mackenzie Maritime
Surv. 62 How to find the Sun's Azimuth, and from thence
to find the Variation of the Needle. 1834 Mrs. Somervillk
Connex, Phys. Set. (1840) xxix. 338 The variation of the
compass. 1851 Gv.^E.iiVi¥.ixCoal-tra^ 'Perms^ Nortkumb. ^
Durk. 16 The diurnal variation of the needle being far from
inconsiderable.
b. eliipt. in the same sense.
1594 Davis S e arn an* s Secret s{\6oi) 17 If your Compasse be
good and without variation. 15^ W. Barlowe Navigator's
Supply A 2, By the Variation is vnderstood the difference
in the Horizon betweene the true and the magneticall Meri.
dian. x6a7 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. li. 12 There is
also, .a Compasse for the variation. 1669STURMY Mariner's
Mag. IV. L 138 The Points of the Needle, .are subject to be
drawn aside by the Guns.., or any Iron neer it, and liable
to Variation, and doth not shew the true North. 1703
Dampier I'oy. III. I. 100, 1 found that the Variation did
not always increase or decrease in proportion to the Degress
of Longitude East or West. 1769 Falconer Diet. Marine
(1780) S.V., The highest variation.. appears to be i7°i W. and
the least i6°J W. 1846 A. Young Naut. Diet. 81 The varia-
tion is in practice ascertained by comparing the sun's true
and magnetic amplitude or azimuths. 1878 [see Declina-
tion 81.
O. Variation of the variation (see last quot.).
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Variation oftlu Variation^ is
so catl'd, because the Variation of the Needle is not always
the same in the same Place. 1839 Noad Electricity
201 The variation ofthe variation, that is, the fact that the
variation was not a constant quantity, but varied in different
latitudes, was first noticed by the discoverer of America. 1867
Smyth Sailor's IVord-Bk. 710 Variation 0/ the Variation^
is the change in the declination of the needle observed at
different times in the same place.
6. The fact, on the part of the mercury, of stand-
ing higher or lower in the tube of a barometer or
thermometer ; the extent or range of this.
1719 QuiNcv Phys. Diet. (1722) 11 The greatest Variation
ofthe Height ofthe Mercury being 3 Inches. 1748 Anson's
Voy. II. V. 183 The variation of the thermometer at Peters-
burgh is at least five times greater . . than . . at St. Catherine's.
1815 J. Smith Panormna Sci. ^ Art 1 1. 28 Had the tube
been straight, Q would have been the limit of the scale of
variation. 18^ Laroner Hand-bk. Nat. Phil, 168 A rise
or fall of the mercury in the tube, within the usual limits of
barometric variation.
7. Astr. a. The libration of the moon; =■ Lib-
BATION 2.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Variation is, according to
Tycho, the third Inequality in the Motion of the Moon.
1718 Pemberton Netvton's Philos. 199 This inequality of
the moon's motion about the earth is called by astronomers
its variation. 1813 Woodhouse Astron.i^i^i-^)!. 11. 682 The
Variation is occasioned by the other resolved part, that
which acts in the direction of the tangent to the Moon's
orbit. 1879 Newcomb & Holden Astron. 163 The disturb-
ing action of the sun [upon the moon] produces a great
number of other inequalities, of which the largest are the
evection and the variation.
b. (See quot.)
1867 Smyth Sailor's IVord-Bk. 43 Annua/ Variation, the
change produced in the ri^ht ascension or declination of a
star by the precession of tnc equinoxes and proper motion
of the star taken together.
8. A/at/l. fa- = PKRMUTATION 3 b. Obs.
1710 J. Harris Lex. Techn. II, Variation, or Permutation
of Quantities, is the changing any number of given Quanti-
ties, Math respect to their Places. 1718 Chambers Cycl. s.v.
Combination, Suppose the Quantities 3, and the Exponent
of Variation 3; the Number of Changes is found 27 — 3'.
b. Change in a function or functions of an equa-
tion due to an indefinitely small increase or decrease
in the value of the constants.
'743 ^' Emerson Fluxions 3 The Velocity, Variation, or
Quickness of Increase (or Decrease) of any Fluxion is called
the second Fluxion. iS^^ Penny Cycl. XXW I. 136/2 Varia-
tion. Under this head comes the explanation of a part of the
VARIATION.
language of proportion which is much used... We refer to
such plirases as the following:— A varies as B. — A varies
inversely as B. 1885 Watson & Hurbury Math. Th. Electr.
Sf Magn. I. 6 Then..« will, on arriving again at C, have
assumed by continuous variation the value ua+H.
c. Variation of curvalttre: (?ee quot. 1842).
a 1727 Newton Meth. Fluxions ^ In/. Ser. (1736) 76 The
Inequability or Variation of Curvature is required at any
Point of a Curve. 184a Francis Diet, Arts, Variation 0/
curvature, the change made on a curve, so as to occasion it
to be flatter or sharper in each succeeding part.
d. Algebra. The following of a + sign after a
— sign, or vice versa, in a row of signs.
1891 in Cent. Diet.
9. Mus. (See quot.)
1730 Treat, Harmony 34 There is another sort of Division
called Variation, which may also be upon a Division.
10. Bioi. Deviation or divergence in the struc-
ture, character, or function of an organism from
those typical of or usual in the species or group.
1859 Darwin Orig. Spec, i. 11 There are many laws
regulating variation, some few of which can be dimly seen.
1867--8 Lyell Princ. Geol. in. xliii. (ed. 10) II. 488 If some
modification of an organ, or instinct, be produced by what
is called ' Spontaneous Variation '. 1871 Tyndall Fragm.
Sci. (1879) !'• '^' 176 No naturalist could tell how far this
variation could be carried. 1883 Vines tr. Sachs' Bot. 925
The characters of many of these varieties are perfectly
hereditary, and all the organs show the greatest degree of
variation.
Ill, 11, An instance of varying or changing ;
an alteration or change in something, esp. within
certain limits.
Sometimes in specific senses : cf. 5-ro above.
1611 CoTGR., Muance, change, alteration ; and particularly,
a variation, or change of notes in singing. 1659 Pearson
Creed (1839) 525 The natural course of variations in the
creature. 1665 Phil, Trans. I. 31 A Baroscope, or an in-
strument to show all the Minute Variations in the Pressure
of the Air. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 11. (Globe) 486 Variations
of the Compass. 1758 Johnson /(//^r No. 11 p 11 The most
variable of all variations : the changes of the weather. 1786
Mrs. a. M. Beknett Jtwenile Indiscr. IV. 231 They.,
contrived to fill a long summer's day, or winter's evening,
by an agreeable variation of female amusements. 183a Hr.
Martineau Weal ^ Woe vii. 94 Seasons are sometimes
stormy and our commerce liable to variations. 1844 Proc.
Philol. Soc. I. 196 We may therefore be disposed to consider
all marked variations of dialect as evidences of difference of
date. 1874 tr. Lomniefs Light 181 The variations of light
and shade are alone visible.
b. A difference due to the introduction or intru-
sion of some change or alteration.
1699 Bentley Phal. 36 We have the firmer ground to go
upon for this little Variation. 1787 T. Innes Anc. Inhab..
Scot, (1879) 87 Variations which the negligence as well as the
ignorance of transcribers is ordinarily the cause of. i86t
Paley Mschylns {ed, 2) SuppHces 842 note. The other MSS,
f resent only slight variations. 1869 Tozer Highl. Turkey
I. 27a The.. stories have evidently come from the same
original, but present curious variations in the form under
which the youth is born. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 192 In
different specimens, .the lava exhibits great variations.
o. Biol, A slight departure or divergence from
a type. (Cf. 10.)
1835 LvELL Princ. Geol. \\\. ii. (ed. 4) II. 428 The pheno-
menon, that some individuals are made to deviate widely
from the ordinary type, ..How far.. may such variations
extend in the course of indefinite periods of time? 1859 Dar-
win Orig. Spec. Introd. 4 We shall see how great is the
power ofman in accumulating by bis Selection successive
slight variations. 1871 R. H. Hutton Ess. I. 65 An acci-
dental variation only means a variation of which you cannot
determine the direction. x88a Vines tr. Sachs' Bot. 777
Changes in these hereditary peculiarities, or variations, are
never brought about by direct external influences.
d. Adifferent form or species ; a variety, variant.
1863 Huxley Knmvl. Org.Nat. 99 If, by crossing a varia-
tion with the original stock, you multiply that vari.ition,and
then take care 10 keep that v.-iriation distinct from the ori-
ginal stock, and make them breed together. x868 Boy's Own
Bk. 593 The Matadore Game.. is a variation of All Fives.
1878 Browning Poets Croisic 5 Try a variation of the game I
12. A deviation or departure y>-tfff; something.
16^7 ClareN£>on Hist. keb. i. §178 Besides that any
Variation from it.. would make the Uniformity the less.
ax66j Hevlin Laud \. 223 It was best to to^ce the English
Liturgie, without any variation from it. 1782 J. Brown
Nat. ^ Rev. Relig. in. ii. 246 There often befalls it a de-
forming variation from the original happy constitution. 1818
Cruise Digest (ed. 2) I. 208 He did not tbink fit to make
any variation from what was then determined.
13. Math. a. (Cf. 8 a.)
1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Conibination^ Suppose two
Quantities, a and b\ their VariationswiU be 2; conse-
quently, as each of those may be combined, even with it
self, to these there must be added two Variations.
b. Calculus of variations^ a form of calculus
applicable to expressions or functions in which the
law relating the quantities is liable to variation.
1810 Woodhouse (title), A Treatise on Isoperimetrical
Problems, and the Calculus of Variations. 1855 Brewster
Neivton I. xiii, 349 The calculus of variations discovered by
Lagrange in 1760, was the greatest step in the improvement
of the infinitesimal calculus which was made in the lastcen*
tury. i86z Todhunter {title), A History ofthe Progress of
the Calculus of Variations during the Nineteenth Century.
14. Mus. A modification with regard to the tune,
time, and harmony of a theme, by which on repe-
tition it appears in a new but still recognizable
form ; esp. in pi,, embellishments in an air for
giving variety on repetition after playing it in its
simple form.
7
VARIATIONAL.
s8oi Bushy Diet. Afus. ( 1 8ii), Variations, or Krf, the name
given to certain ornamented repetitions, in which, while the
origiiud ixMes, harmony, and modulation, are. .so far pre-
served as to sustain the parent subject, the passages are
branched out in flourishes. i8m Scott Let. in Lockhart
(1837) IV. XL 371 She ran a set of variations on ' Kenmure's
on and awa* ', which I told her were enough to raise a whole
country-^de. S873 H. C. Banister Music 216 In some
Sonatas etc, one of the Movements is a Theme with
Variations.
15. attrib. in sense 5 b, as varicUion-chart ^ com-
fasSf instrument,
t66o Sturmv Mariner^s Mag, if. vi. 67 The Use of the
Quadrant and Variation-Compass. 1717 Bailey (vol. II),
ranaiioH Chart, a Chart designed by Dr. Halley. 1748
AmsoM's Voy. Introd., A new variation -chart lately pub-
lished. 1769 Phil. Trans. LIX. 483 The variation compass
. .was. .a very good one. 1837 Lloyd in Kr^. Brit. Assoc.
VI. App. 31 The variation instrument will be placed in the
magnetic meridian, with respect to the theodolite. 1867
S\nTM Sailer's IVord-Bk. y'o The admiralty variation
chart has been brought to great perfection. , - , ,
Varia-tionalf a. [f. prec. +-al.] Marked
or characterized by, dealing with or concerning,
variation, in various senses. ^
1879 Thomsom & Tait Nat, Phil. I. 1. § 337 Which . . is the
genera) variational equation of motion of a conservative
s>-stem. x888 EncycL Brit. XXIV. 77/1 This succession of
variational theories. 1907 .S"*!/. ^rr'. 5 Oct. 422/1 Man.. is
more %'ariational than woman.
Varia'tionist. [f. as prec. + -ist.] One who
composes musical variations.
1901 j. HuNF.KER .1/^2Ctf//»/j>»fi?(/. Music 2$ BrahmR..is
not only the greatest variationist of his times, but with Bach
and Beethoven the greatest of all times.
Variaiiioas, a. rare-^ [iTcg. f. Varution.]
K Variational a.
187s Jowett Piato (ed. 2) II. 175 The names of Astyanax
and Hector are really the same, for the one means a king,
and the other is a ' holder or possessor ' ; 'tis all one mean-
ing, .save the phrase is a little variatious.
va*riative, a. [f. Vaky v. + -ative.] Accom-
fianied by or showing variation ; variational.
1874 WisCHELL Doctr. Evolution B. § 4. 48 The hypothesis
that this variative improvement is capable of being continued
indefinitely.
Hence VaTlatively fff/iy. {Stand, Diet, 1895).
Variator (ve»'rU't3j). [In sense i, a. mod.L.
variator\ in sense 2, f. Vaeiatk v, + -oR.]
+ 1. In University use : (see Vary z^, 5 d). Obs.
1749 Pointer Oxon. Acad. 18 The Variator opposing
Aristotle, in three Latin Speeches.
2. A kind of joint, esp. used in electric subways,
to compensate for variations of length in the con-
nexions, due to changes of temperature.
1891 in Cent. Diet,
Va'ricated, a, Zool. [f. as next.] Of a shell :
Marked or furnished with varices.
i8oi in Cent. Diet.
Varication (vaerik/'*j3n). [f. L. varic'f stem
of varix Varix.]
f 1. Path, Varicose condition or formation. Obs.
1684 tr. Bonefs Merc. Con/pit. vin. 390 Cutting a Sinus in
two pLices, where the varication begins, and where it ends.
2. Zool. The formation of a varix or varices in a
shell ; the form or arrangement of these.
1891 in Cent. Diet.
t Va*rice. Obs. [a. F. varice or ad. L. varic-
em Varix,] A varix or varicose vein.
tS4Z R. Copland Galyen's Terap. s Fj, Bycause of the
rotten blode, or varyce (that is to say a tumyde vayne) that
causelh the fluxion. 1597 A. M. tr. Guiltemeau's Fr,
Ckirurg. 31/2 The Varice or bursten vayne is therunder
situated.
II Varicella (vaerice'la). Path. [mod.L. (Vogel,
1764), irreg. dimin. of variola Variola, Cf. F,
varicelle,'\ Chicken-pox.
1771 Encycl. Brit.Wl. 59 Exanthemata, or eruptive fevers;
comprehending 10 genera, f/z. 1. Erysipelas; a. Pestis; 3.
Vanola; 4. Varicella; 5. Rubeola [etc.]. x9o^ Med. Jml,
XII. 441 Though very much resembling variola, I remarked,
(that) it might yet be found to be varicella. x8a5 Good
Study Med. (ed. 2) III. 85 While, .varicella or water-pox in
all its varieties, was designated by the term variola. 1876
Bristowe Th. 4- Pract. Med. (1878) 181 Varicella has been
largely confounded with small-pox, of which it has been
regarded as a modified variety.
attrib. 1897 Trans, Amer. Pediatric Soc.\'%.\'i\ PixoMXid^
many of the varicella marks . . a rapid ulceration immediately
began. 1898 Hutchins(m*s Arch, Surg. IX. 369 It might
be the result of., a sequel of varicella, i.e. a varicella
prunga
Hence Varice'Uar a., varicellous. Varioe*lloid,
modified small-pox, varioloid.
187* F. T. Roberts The. ^ Pract. Med. 186 Small-pox
after Vaccination— Varioloid—Varicelloid. tSgt Cent. Did.,
Variceilar, 1899 AlUfult's Sysl. Med. VIII. 720 When the
disease is engrafted on the lesions of varicella .. it does not
•onfine itself to the variceilar lesions. •
Varice 'llous, a. Path, [f.VARicELL-A + -ous.]
Of or relating to, affected with, of the nature of,
varicella or chicken-pox.
i8aa EdiH, ^rt*. XXX VI 1 1. 333The boy sleeping with his
varicellous brother would become varicellou*;. 1825 Good
Study Med.itd.s) III. 81 Every variety to which the small-
pox can make any fair pretention, distinct, confluent,
crystallized or varicellous. /Irid. 92 This slightness of
irritability in the fluid of the varicellous vesicle. 1897 Brit.
Med. Jml. 28 Aug. 33 Varicellous Laryngitis
Varices, pi. of Vabix,
50
Vari'Ciform, a. rare'^. [ad. mod.L. varici'
formiSf f. L. varic- Varix.] Resembling a varix.
1849 in Craig. 1859 in Mavne Expos. Lex. [Recent
Diets, give varicoid in the same sense.)
fVa'ricle. Obs,~^ [f. L. varic- Vabix: see
-CLE.] A varicose tumour or swelling,
1684 tr. Bonefs Merc. Compil, xviii. 600/1 A Nun had a
very pninful Variclc, and.. when I had set fire to it, it was
discussed .It once.
Varicocele (vse-rik^jsi'l). Path. [mod.I.., f. L.
varic- Varix + Gr. «ijAt; tumour. So F. varico-
cele^ Varicose condition or dilatation of the
spermatic veins.
1736 A. Monro in Med. Ess. «5- Ois. {1742) V. i. 323 In
the Vessels of a Person labouring under the Varicocele.
1846 Brittan tr. Malgaigne's Man. Oper. Sttrg. ^6<:) Most
authors distinguish varicocele, a varicose dilatation of the
veins of the scrotum, from circocele, a varicose state of the
veins of the spermatic cord; but surgeons in the present
day generally understand, by varicocele, the varicose affec-
tion of the cord itself, which is much more common than that
of the scrotum. 1874 Van Buren Dis. Genit. Org. 468 Vari-
cocele is constituted by a varicose enlargement of the pam-
piniform plexus and veins of the cord. 1^3-4 Med. Annual
56/1 A very successful mode of treating varicocele.
attrib. 1895 Arnold ^ Sons* Surg. Instr. Catal. 576 Vari-
cocele Clamp, . . Spring Tractor, . . Needles, . . Ring.
Vari-colonred, varicoloured (ve^Ti-
k»:l3Jd), a. Also 7, 9 vary -col our' d, 9 varie-
coloured. [f. L. vari-us Various a. + Coloured
///. fl.] Of various or different colours ; variegated
in colour.
1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav, (167^) 115 They adorn it
according to fancy ; sometimes with ribbons, sometimes with
streamers of varicoloured Taff'ata. 1684 tr. Agrippa's Van.
Arts Ixii. 184 Vary-colour'd, many-coated, canvas.wearing
cloak-carriers. 1822 New Monthly Mag. IV. 486 The vari-
coloured clouds that hang.. upon its sides. 183c Tennyson
Arab. Nts. 57 A walk with vary-colour'd shells. 1841 Catlin
N. Amer. lnd.-^y\s .{\%^^ I. i98Aprofusion of vari-coloured
beads. 1899 F. T. Bullen Log Sea-waif Ti All arou«d the
edge of the darkness ran an incessant tangle of vari-coloured
lightnings.
b. fig. Different, diverse, diversified.
1855 Browning Clean 161 My works, in all these vari-
coloured kinds. 185. Lowell Leg. Brittany lu xxxii, Where
fifty voices in one strand did twist Their varicoloured tones.
Varicose (vserikJus), a. [ad. L. varicos-us
(hence It., Sp., and Pg. varicoso), f, varic- Varix :
see -OSE.]
1. Path, or Med. Affected with, characterized by,
of the nature of, a varix or varices.
17M Bailey, Varicose, that hath the Veins puffed up and
swoln more than ordinary with corrupt Blood. 1770 Med.
Observ. {tjyi) IV. 377 Two Letters on the Varicose Aneu-
rysm, from Mr. W. White, Surgeon at York, to W. Hunter.
1808 Barclay Muscular Motions 234 Cases of disease
where the distension of these veins had. .produced.. that
unseemly appearance which is termed varicose. i8a6 S.
Cooper First Lines Surg. {ed. 5) 180 The use of the knife,
and of ligatures for the cure of varicose ulcers. 1843 Penny
Cycl. XXVI. 185 Varicose affection of the veins of the
spermatic cord constitutes the disease named varicocele.
1880 Bastian Brain 32 They then not unfrequently assume
an irregular or varicose appearance.
b. Of veins: Unnaturally swollen or dilated.
' When a vein becomes varicose, it has a blue colour,
becomes dilated, knotty, and irregular, and winds in a
serpentine manner under the skin' (1835 Cyclop. Pract.
Med. IV. 445).
1797 M. '^K\UA'i. Morb, Anat. (1807)357 When the enlarge-
ment of the veins is very considerable, they also become
varicose. 1807 Med. yml. XVI I. 299, 1 have met with many
instances of varicose veins on this island. 1844 G. Bird
Uriii, Dep. (1857) 4^3 She had morning sickness, and the
veins of her lower extremities were varicose. 1884 M. Mac-
kenzie Dis. Throat .J- Nose II. 56 The patient had varicose
veins of the gullet.
^g. 1846 Landor Imag. Conv. Wks. I. 74 Milton has.,
not a ^inew sharp or rigid, not a vein varicose or inflated. 1864
Sala in Temple Bar Feb. 337 The responsibility of originat-
ing these varicose veins in the limbs of a fair city.
2. £nt, and Bot. Unusually enlarged or swollen;
resembling a varix.
i8a6 KiRBV & Sp. Entomol. IV. xl. 103 These [bile-vessels]
by Malpighi and the earlier physiologists.. were denomin-
ated varicose vessels. Ibid. xtvi. 340 Varicose,. .'w\\^n the
nervures are disproporiionably swelled in any part. X882
\iiiv.sir. Sachs' Bot.^6S The bordering cells project into tlie
canal like varicose hairs.
3. Of appliances: Designed or used for the
treatment of varicose veins.
1858 SiMMONDS Diet. Trade, Varicose-stockings, elastic or
bandaged stockings for giving pressure and support to
swelled veins in the legs.
Hence Varico'sed///. a,
1891 in Cfnt. Diet. 1900 Brit. Med. yrnl. No. 3040. 248,
I now saw a bright red varicosed papilla.
Varicosity (vserikfj-siti). [f. Varicose a. +
-IT v.]
1. A varicose swelling or distension.
c 184s Todds Cycl. Anat. III. 233 Irregular dilatations or
varicosities of the absorbent vessels. 1877 Huxlev ^4;^;/.
Inv. Anim, i. 64 These fibrils present numerous minute
varicosities, and, at intervals, larger swellings. 1897 All-
butt's Sysl. Med. II. 1078 On pricking one of these vari-
cosities a larger or smaller quantity of fluid escapes.
2. The state or condition of being varicose or
abnormally swollen ; an instance or case of this.
1876 Gross Dis. Bladder, etc. 157 The disease here con-
sists either in a simple varicosity or in the development of
vascular growths. 1897 Allbutt s Syst, Med. III. 380 Vari-
VARIEGATE.
cosity of the veins at the lower end of the cewphagus. 1898
P. NIanson Trap. Diseases xxxi. 462 One [type of disease]
characterised by varicositj^ of lymphatics.
trans/. 1891 Ravleigh in Proc. Boy. Inst. (1B93) XIII.
264 The cylindrical [liquid] jet may be said to become vari-
cose^ and the varicosity goes on increasing with time.
3. The state of having varicose veins.
1879 H. P. Dunn in BartJwl. Hos^. Rep. XV. 251 Vari-
cosity of the lower limbs is met with in seameo.
t Va'ricoilS, a* Obs. [ad. F. variqtteux (Pare)
or L. varicos-us Varicose a,"] Varicose.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemenu's Fr. Chirurg. 45/1 Create
Armes and great Legges, which are varicouse. i6ai Burton
Anat. Mel. 11. iv. i. li. Which saith that in melancholy and
mad men, the varicous tumor hasmorroides appearing doth
heale the same. 1634 T. Johnson Farcy's Ckirurg. xx. vii.
(1678) 461 The swetUng and blackness of the Tongue, and as
it were varicous veins lying under it. 1710 T. Fuller Pkarm.
Extevtp. 261 This Linament, ..contracting the varicous
Vessels, reduces them to their due Tenor and Size. iTfti
Med. Comm. I. 119 The cutaneous veins were slightly vari-
cous. X786 Ibid. II. 97 [The veins had] assumed a varicous
appearance.
varied (ve9*rid),///. a. [f. Vary v.'\
1. Differing from one another ; of different or
various sorts or kinds.
1588 Shaks. Tit. A. ni. i. 86 Where like a sweet mellodius
bird it sung Sweet varied notes inchanting euery eare. —
L. L. L. v. ii. 775 Varying in subiects as the eie doth roule,
To euerie varied obiect in his glance. 1718 Prior Solomon
I. 350 How shall We next o'er Earth and Seas pursue The
vary'd Forms of ev'ry thing we view. 1796 H. Hunter tr.
St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) II. 26B The very birds and
quadrupeds, which are more beautiful, and of species more
varied, in islands than any where else, 1851 Helps
Comp. Solit, X. 181 So varied, extensive and pervading are
human distresses. 1878 Stewart & Tait Unseen Univ.xx.
§ 76. 87 That astronomy is competent to explain the varied
motions of the heavenly bodies. x88o Grove's Diet. Music
I I. 567 The art of adapting musical ideas to the varied capa-
bilities of Stringed, Wind, Keyed, and other Instruments.
2. Marked by variation or variety ; presenting
different forms or qualities on this account.
173a Pope Ess. Mam. 27 Observe, .what other planets
circle other suns, What vary'd Being peoples ev'ry star.
174JB Gray Alliance 27 Howe'er opinion tinge the varied
Mind. 1784 CowpER Task i. 172 fhe sloping land.. Dis-
playing, on Its varied side, the grace Of hedge-row beauties
numberless. i8a8 Scott F. M. Perth xiv, When I behold
. . this rich and varied land, with its castles, churches, . . and
fertile fields. 1838 James Robber iv, The path she followed
was like a varied but a pleasant life. 1887 Ruskin Praeterita
II. 252 Sketching the boat and her sails in their varied
action.
b. poet. Of the Deity or persons.
a 1748 Thomson Hymn 2 These, as they change, Almighty
Father, these Are but the varied God. The rolling year Is
full of thee. 1763 Churchill Apology Poems I. 68 The
varied actor flies from part to part.
3. Vari-coloured, variegated ; esp, in the names
of birds or animals.
17x5 Pope Iliad iv. 225 StiflT with the rich embroider'd
work around, My varied belt repell'd the flying wound. 1781
Pennant Hist. Quad. I. 195 Varied Monkey. Ibid. II. 413
Varied Squirrel . . : upper part of the body varied with black,
white, and brown. 178a Latham Gen. Synop. Birds I. 11.
568 Varied Woodpecker. 1817 Stephens in Shaw's Gen.
Zool. X. II. 333 Senegal Flycatcher.. .Varied Flycatcher,
with white eye-brows, and the outer tail-feathers half white.
x86i Chavtbers's Encycl. II. 726/1 Varied Monkey i^Cerco-
pithecus Mona)—an African species. 1891 Cent. Diet. s.vv.
Pickerel, Shrike, Thrush.
4. Comb, in varied-coloured^ -winged adjs.
18x1 Shaw Gen. Zool. VIII. 11. 420 Varied-winged Parra-
keet., .Green Parrakeet, with blue crown, and wing-coverts
varied with black, blue, and yellow. x8i8 HERvfe How to
Enjoy Paris (ed. 2) 18 A little messenger of comfort, clad in
varied-coloured rags. 1845 J. Coulter Adv. in Paci_fiex\v.
brig
parrot.
215 The varied-coloured bright feathers of the ground.
Variedly (ves-ridli), adv. \i. prcc. + -LY ii.]
In a varied manner ; diversely.
i8a7 Carlyle Germ, Rom. I. 293 Whatever was beautiful
..these noble gentlemen had tastefully and variedly ex-
pended on the glory of that da>^. 1864 Pusev Led. Daniel
V. 238 Good and evil are so variedly mingled in nations or
individuals, that [etc.]. 1878 Cox Salv. Mundi vii. (ed. 3)
156 We see how that law works here — how variedly and
subtlely, and with what delicate complexity.
Variedness. rare, [-ness.] Diversity of
aspect or character.
1897 Expositor Oct. 281 It will flourish . .by impregnating
the life of the town with its own variedness.
Variegate (ve^'riieg^t), v. Also 8 variagate.
[f. L. variegdt-y ppl. stem of variegdre to make
varied or of divers colours, f. vari-us Vakious a.]
1. trans. To diversify ; to invest with variety ;
to enliven with differences or changes.
X653 More Antid. Ath. Ep. Ded. A 3 The glorious Wis-
dom and Goodness of God so fairly drawn out and skilfully
variegated in the sundry Objects ofexternall Nature. i8ia
W. TENNANT/i«j/fr F. Prcf, Ancient and modern manners
are mixed and Jumbled together, to heighten the humour or
to variegate the description. x8x3 Shelley Q. Mab iv. 150
All the germs Of pain or pleasure, sympathy or hate, That
variegate the eternal universe. 185a H. Rogers Eel. Faith
(1853) >2a The spectacle of the infinite diversities of religion,
which variegate, but alas ! do not beautify the world.
b. esp. To render varied in colour or appearance ;
to mark or cover with patches of different colours
or objects.
a 1718 Woodward Fossils i. 20 The Shells are filled with a
white Spar, which variegates and adds to the Beauty of the
Stone. 1796 Morse A fner. Geog. 1. 620 The blended verdure
VARIEGATED.
of woodlands and of cultivated declivities . . variegates the
prospect in a charming manner. 1855 Macaulay HUt.
F.ng. xviii. IV. 238 Where the British flag, variegated by
the crosses of Saint George and Saint Andrew, hung by the
side of the white flag of France. 1863 HAivxHORSEOKrO/a:
Home (iij<)) 107 Lichens.. variegate the monotonous gray
with hues of yellow and red.
2. To vary by change or alteration, rare.
1674 Jeake Arith. (1696) 371 Particulars are to be divided
by a Mixture of Division of Species and Compound Surds,
variegated as the Case requires. 1775 Adair .4<«.-r. Ind. 69
They were not in a savage state, when they first separated,
and variegated their dialects, with so much religious care,
and exact art.
Hence Va-riegatin? ppl. a.
I7»7 Pope, etc. A rt Sinking 93 Of tfopes and figures : and
first of the variegating, confounding, and reversing figures.
Variegated (ve»ri|eg^<ted), ppl. a. [f. prec.
or L. variegdt-us, pa. pple. of variegdre.'\
1. Marked with patches or spots of different
colours; varied in colour; of diverse or various
colours ; many-coloured, vari-coloured ; spec, in
Bot. (see Variegation i).
<ii66i FuLl-ER Worthies, Norwich (1662) 274 The slcil in
making Tulips, .variegated, with stripes of divers colours.
1688 Boyle Finai Causes iL 46 In sawing pieces of varie-
gated marbles. 1718 Pope Odyss. xv. 145 She said, and gave I
the veil;.. The prince the variegated present took. 1748
Ansotis Voy. 11. viii. 2r8 The glittering of the sun on their
variegated plumage. 1781 Gibbon Z'^'c^. 4- ./^. xviii. (1787) II.
78 A variegated flowing robe of silk. i%\% Examiner ■nS.rxf^
$^4/2 Some of his tradesmen . . illuminated their houses with
variegated lamps. i8sj Bed's Fhrist 212 This magnificent
new variegated plant is a native of Java. 1876 Bristowe
Th. >i Pract. Med. (1878) 565 They are sometimes smooth,
sometimes ribbed, upon the surface, and often variegated
in colour. ,...„„ - t
Comb. 1763 Mills Pract. ffusf.lU. 238 However, neither
the yellow, nor the variegated, flowered lucerne b ever so
strong as that with purple flowers. 1883 Harper's Mag:
April 727/1 Near it is the striking foliage of the variegated,
leaved althea.
b. In the specific names of animals, birds, etc.
A large number of similar uses occur in the works of
Latham and Shaw.
1783 LATHA>d Gen. Syn.Birds II. I. 09 Variegated chatterer.
Ibid. 181 Variegated Bunting (Emberiza frincipalis).
1791 Shaw Mus. Leverianum 38 The Variegated Baboon.
1801 — Gen. Zoot. II. 17 Variegated Cavy. Ibid. 123 Varie.
gated Marmot. t8<a Ibid. III. 1. 235 Variegated Lizard.
1804 Ibid. V. II. 439 Variegated Sun.fish. 1814 Leach
Zool. Misc. I. J17 Variegated Coucal. 1840 t<ee Sole
j«."2l. 1871 CasselVs Nat. Hist. I. 95 The Douc, or
Variegated .Monkey, . . is perhaps the most gaily clad of all
this group. 1881 Ibid. V. 73 The Variegated Sole (Solea
varit-gata) is rarely more than eight or nine inches long,
and closely resembles the Common Sole. 1888 Casselts
Encycl. Diet. s.v., Variegated spider-monkey, Atelcs varie-
gatHs, or bartlettii..
c. In the names of plants or shrubs.
t8sa G. W. Johnson Cott. Card. Diet. go^t2 Variegated
Ijturel, Aucuba. 185s Miss Pratt Flmier. PI. y. 260
Variegated Simethis. 1859— ^'■''' Grasses 298 Variegated
Rough Horse-tail. 1874 T. Hardy Farfr. Mad. Crowd II.
X. too Boughs of laurustinus, and variegated box,.. and
boy's love.
d. Afin. (See quots.)
183* T. Thcmson Mill., Ceo/., etc. I. 622 Variegated Copper
Ore. Buntkupfercrz — liver-coloured copper ore. s86a Dana
.Wn. 294 Erubescite.— Variegated Copper Pyrites. 1888
Casselfs Encycl. Diet. b.v., Variegated copper.ore, the
same as Bornitc. Ibid., Variegated-sandstone, a name
formerly given to the New Red Sandstone.
2. Marked or characterized by variety; of a
varied character, form, or nature ; diverse.
i66a Stillincpl. Orig. Sacrx 11. vii. 3 Therein was abun-
dantly seen Gods iroXuiro«iA« aa^ia, his variegated wisdom.
1687 N. N. Old Paperf 18 God Almighty, .accepts the
variegated Services of his different Creatures. 1761 Fal-
coner Shiprwr. Proem 20 Ve ever-tuneful Nine I whose
sacred lyres, . . in softer notes, express The variegated pang
of deep distress. 1775 Adair Amer.Ind. 110 The dancers
prance it away, with wild and quick sliding steps, and
variegated postures of body. 1798 Washinotom Lett. Writ.
1893 XIV. 57 The variegated and important duties of the
.\i<t of a Commander-in-Chief, .require experienced Officers.
1817 Chalmers Astron. Disc. iv. (1852) 105 The minute and
variegated details of the way in which this wondrous enco-
nomy is extended. 1897 Mary Kinosley W. Africa 387, I
go along the same variegated path I came by yesterday.
b. Composed of persons of various characters or
kinds ; heterogeneous ; motley, rare.
itaj WoRDSw. Whiti Doe 1. 163 A variegated band Of
middle aged, and old, and :^oung. 1863 Kinglake Crimea
(1877) I. xix. 381 The variegated group which composed
Lord Aberdeen's ministry.
3. Varied or diversified (in coloar, appearance,
etc.) with something.
1678 CuDwoRTH Intell. Syst. 379 I'he whole World, varie-
fated with Plants, Animals and Surs, being his [sc. God's)
emple. 17S1 Johnson Rambler No. 156 no No plays
have oftener filled the eye with tears .. than those which are
variegated with interludes of mirth. 1774 Goldsm. Nat.
Hist. (1776) VII. 265 The colour is generally an olive brown,
variegated with one that is more dusky. 1796 Morse ..fm^r.
Ceof. I. 1 80 The tract of country . . is happily variegated with
plains and mountains, hills and vallies. 1806 Gazetteer
Scot. (ed. 2) 433 The surface is variegated with hills and
eminences, streams of water, and fertile plains. 1845
Florist's jrnl. (1846) VI. 104 Their colour is a bright-
golden scarlet ; the limb variegated with red and yellow.
1870 Hooker Slnd. Flora 387 Corolla blue variegated with
white inside.
4. Characterized by variegation (of colour).
l6«4 Power £>/. Philos. 1. 7 Who does not admire the
51
variegated diversity of colours in her [the butterfly's] ex-
pansed wings? 183S Lyell Princ. Ceol. iil. xvi. (ed. 4) HI.
271 The surface.. was of a variegated colour. 1877 Black
Green Past, xlii, A rich wilderness of flowers, of the most
bountiful verdure and variegated colours.
5. Produced by variation ; variant.
187s Liddon Etetn, Relig. iv. 143 For all that disease is
disease, and not a variegated form of health.
Hence 'Va'rlegatedness.
1668 WiLKiNs Real Char. 215 Variegatedness, motly.pyed,
particoloured, divers colours.
Variegation (ve»ri|eg^''Jan). [f. Vakiegate
V. Cf. Sp. varUgacion, Pg. variegafdo.']
1. The condition or quality of being variegated
or varied in colour ; diversity of colour or the pro-
duction of this ; spec, in Bot., the presence of two
or more colours in the leaves, petals, or other parts
of plants ; also, defective or special development
leading to such colouring.
1646S1RT. Browhk Pseud. Ep. 36^ He .. that could content
himselfe . . that the variegation of Birds was from their living ,
in the Sunne. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Variegation, a '
garnishing with divers colours. X758 Johnson Idler No. 64
p 5, I happened to catch a moth of^peculiar variegation.
177s Adair Atner. Indiaits 3 The variegation, .of colours
among the human race. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 142/1
This variegation of the leaves sometimes disappears. 1861
Bentley Man. Bot. 745 Variegation in leaves must be
regarded as a diseased condition of the cells of which they
are composed. i88a G. Allen in Nature XXVI. 323 When
we come to consider the subject of variegation lof colours in
flowers] and of reversion.
b. With a and pi. Also, a variegated marking.
i6<4 Evelyn Kal. Hort. ti Plant them [tulips] in natural
earth somewhat impoverish'd with very fine sand ; else they
will soon lose their variegations. 171S Fcutt.^ Diet. s.v.
Florist's Year (Sept.), Remembering always 'lis Nourish-
ment is the Cause of Variegations in Plants. 1771 Phil.
Trans. LXI. 48 The beautiful variegations in them [speci-
mens of marble] may have probably been occasioned by the
mineral vapours. 1796 Kirwan Etem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 78 lis
colours., passing into variegations. i8j8 Stark £/tfw/. Nat.
Hist. I. 471 RcSy brown, smooth, with white variegations.
1884 Brownino Ferishtah (1885) 112 .\nd where's the gloom
now?— silver.smitten straight. One glow and variegation !
2. The action or process of diversifying or render-
ing varied in character ; an instance or occasion of
this.
1(68 H. More Div. Dial. lit. xxili. 451 There being Folly
and Wickedness all over the World, it is better there should
be this variegation of it, then that it should be everywhere
in the same dress, a z68a Glanvill Disc. Serm. fr Rem. x.
(1681) 376 His attributes are but the several modes and
variegations of Almighty Love. I7a7 Pope, etc. A rt Sinking
97 For variegation, nothing is more useful than the Parano-
masia, or Pun. 1775 Johnson IVest. /si. Wlcs. 1825 IX. 157
"The variegation of time by terms and vacations. 1777 —
Lett. (1788) 1. 363 Do not omit painful casualties, or un-
pleasing passages ; they make the variegation of existence.
1834 Ht. Martineau Moral 111. 85 The diversity of produc-
tion which takes place on the earth, occasioning . . a perpetual
variegation and augmentation of commodities.
to. Alternation tf/'(one thing with another). Ois.'
1779 Johnson L. P., Addison Wks. III. 47 His. .variega-
tion of prose and verse, however, gains upon the reader.
Variegator. rare. [f. as prec] One who or
that which variegates.
1891 in Cent. Diet. 1910 Driver in Expositor Feb. 121
The ' work of the variegator " is prescribed for the screens
of the Tent of Meeting.
Varier (ve»-ri3i). [f. Vabt ».]
t L Hist. = Pbevamcatob 4. Obs.
I<i4 (see Prevaricator 4]. 166s Buck in Peacock Stat.
Catnbr. (1841) App. B. p. Ixxxii, The Proctor calleth up the
Varier or Prxvaricator, who, having ended his speech, is
dismist by the Proctor.
2. One who varies or dissents /Vum something.
i860 Tennyson Sea Dreams 19 They gain'd a coast..At
close of day ; slept, woke, and went the next. The Sabbath,
pious varicrs from the church, To chapel.
Varietal (varai-etal), a. Biol, and Bot. [f
Vabiet-v + -al.] Of or pertaining to, connected
with, indicating, etc., a distinct variety of animal
or plant. Opposed to specific or generic.
1866 Darwin Orig. Spec. (ed. 4) ii. 59 He is at first much
perplexed in determining what differences to consider as
specific, and what as varietal. 1873 Dawson Earth >t Man
xiv. 319 The careful study of varietal forms. 1881 Lees
in 7rnl. Bot. X. 25 Quite sufficiently distinct to merit a
vanetal if not a specific name, looi jfrnl. R. Instit. Corn-
wall XV. 123 No one can deny that it merits varietal rank.
Hence 'Vari-etaUy adv., in respect of varietal
qualities ; as a distinct variety.
1873 Dawson Earth ff Man xii. 290 Not only did man
exist at this time, but man not even varietally distinct from
modern European races. 1879 Encycl. Brit. IX. 386/2
Foraminifera .. which can he identified— not only generically
and specifically, but even varietally.
Variety (varsi-eti). Forms ; 6 varyete, varie-
tee, -tye, 6-7 -tie, 7- variety, [a. K. variiti
( = It. variety, Sp. variedaJ, Pg. variedade), or
ad. L. varietdt; varietds difference, diversity, etc.,
f. vari-us Various a. : see -ty.]
1 1. a. Variation or change of fortune. Obs.
aiS33 L"- Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) Gviij,
The players and gesters suffered great varietee in the
empyie, according to the diuersitee of emperours. 1617
Moryson Itin. II. 114 Our loose wings sometimes beating
the rebels. . and sometimes being driven by themhack to our
Colours . . and this skirmish coatinuing with like varietie
some three howers.
VABIETY.
t b. Tendency to change ; fickleness ; change of
purpose or plans. Obs.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VII, 11 Thinkyng surely that
they, .would neuer consent & longe agree with the English-
men, accordyng to their olde vaffrous varietie. 1579 Fenton
Guicciard. (1618) 312 This varietie (if it be possible to find
out the truth in so great inconstancie) many attributed to
his credulitie and lightnesse of beliefe.
f e. Dissension, division. Obs,~^
1546 Bale Eng. Votaries i. 68 After the decease of King
Edgare,. .was a wonderfuU varyete and scisme through out
the whole realme.
2. Difference or discrepancy between things or in
the same thing at different times.
155a Huloet, Varietie in fourme, dissimilitudo. 1580
FuLKE Martiall Con/ut. viii. Wks. (Parker Soc.) II. 193
The variety in time that is in the witness of the invention
of the Cross. 1604 E. G[rimstone) D'Acosta's Hist. Indies
III. xix. 180 Many, according to the varietie of their opinions,
attribute this to diverse causes. 1629 H. Burton Truth's
Tri. 245 The vulgar Latine..hath noted in the margin.. in
the variety of reading. l6S4 tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 165
You cannot , . but conclude . . that my rea.sons are valid and
strong for the variety of my difl'erent Conduct in such great
Aflfairs. \it!i Anson' s Voy.u.x. 246 This. .occa.sionsa very
remarkable variety in the manner of equipping the ship for
these two different voyages. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776)
VI. 381 Upon examination, there will be less variety found
between them than between birds that live upon land, and
those that swim upon the water. i86l Palev y^schylus
(ed. 2) Prometh. scji note. There is the same variety in 601,
and the latter reading necessitates the questionable lengthen-
ing of a before irp in 612.
3. The fact, quality, or condition of being varied ;
diversity of nature or character ; absence of mono-
tony, sameness, or uniformity.
1548 Udall Erasm. Par. 1 Cor. xii. 34 The diners placjing
and vse is not to the member reprochful, but this varietie
rather apcrtayneth to the welth of the whole body. 1561
tr. Calvin's Four Godly Serm. iii. G j, Although amonges
men, there be soche a varietie & defference of myndes and
desyres. 1606 Shaks. Ant. * CI. 11. ii. 241 Age cannot
wither her, nor custome stale Her infinite^ variety. 1675 K.
Burthogge Causa Dei 63 By Representing the Variety of
Opinions about the thing whereon I now discourse. 1704
F. Fuller Med. Gymn. (1711) 3 They do not Consider the
wonderful Variety of the Disorders of Nature. 1843 Civil
Eng. H Arch. Jrnl. VX. icB/i The powerfulness, and variety
of tnis splendid instrument. 1856 Kinosley Lett. (1878) I.
497 The perpetual variety of work which I have been in.
i860 MoZLEY Utiiv. Serm. vii. 156 We find ourselves sur-
rounded by the greatest variety of character in the world.
b. Without article.
1567 Maplet Gr. F'orest 27 b, It is to be maruelled how
Dame Nature hath, .for varietie sake so manifoldly varied
and multiplied y kindes of colours either simply died,
and stained, or [etc.]. a 1633 J- Austin Medit. (1635) 270
Therefore in Pleasures both Body and Soule desire with
fulnesse of Pleasure to have fulnesse of variety, a 1680
Butler Rem. (1759) I. 15 And she [Nature] affects so much
to use Variety, in all she does, a 1711 Prior Ess. ^ Dial.
Dead, Opinion Wks. 1907 II. 196 We judge of things
according to the humour we are in and that very Humour
is subject to infinite Variety. 1784 Cowper Teui 11. 606
Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour.
i8a6 Disraeli V. Grey v. iv. Variety is the mother of enjoy-
ment. 1859 Habits of Cd. Society xi. 312 A sensible man
avoids variety in drinking. 187S Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V.
14 "There is a want of variety in the answers.
o. As a literary, musical, or artistic quality.
1597 MoKLEY Introd. Mus. iii. 180 So that you must in
your musicke be wauering like the wind, sometime wanton,
sometime drooping, . . and shew the verie vttermost of your
varietie, and the more varietie you shew the better shal you
please. 1601 R. Chester Lmi^s Martyr Tille.p., A Poeme
enterlaced with much varietie and raritie. 162a Peacham
Compl. Cent. x. (1906) 86 Varietie is various, and the rules
of it so difficult [etc.). Ibid., To proceed further, were to
translate Virgil himselfe; therefore hitherto of varietie.
17S3 Hogakih Anal. Beauty ii. 16 How great a share
variety has in producing beauty. 1846 Ruskin Mod. Paint.
I. II. iL § 8 Variety is never so conspicuous, as when it is
united with symmetry. 1870 Swinburne £51.4- .y^xrf. (1875)
6r Variety is a rare and high quality, but poets of the first
order have had little or none of it,
d. //. A series or succession of different forms,
conditions, etc. ; variations.
1604 E. G(kimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies 11. viii. 100
We see great varieties in the yeere, which proceeds from the
divers motions and aspects of Planets. 1668 Cowley Ess..
Agric, Virg, Ceorg. 40 What makes the Sea retreat, and
what advance: Varieties too regular for chance. _ 1748
Anson's Voy. 11. v. 180, I must. .make a short digression on
the heat and cold of diflferent climates, and on the varieties
which occur in the same place in diflferent parts of the year.
1794 G. Adams Nat. f, Exp. Philos. IV. xliv. 406 The great
I distance of. . Saturn . . [does] not permit us to distinguish the
I varieties of its surface. 1805 Foster Ess. \. i. s The varietiei
through which life has passed. 18*9 Macaulay//«/. £«r.
ii. I. 167 He had passed through all varieties of fortune, and
i had seen both sides of human nature.
1 4. The fact or quality of being varied in colour ;
variegation. Obs. rare.
'SSS Eden Decades (Arb.) 67 Hauyng theyr fethers enter-
mcngled with greene, yelowe, and purple, whiche varietie
deliteth the sense not a lille. 1609 Bible (Douayji.J^orf.
'• xxvi. 31 Twisted silke, wrought with imbrodered worke and
I goodlle varietie. — Ezek. xvii. 3 A great eagle with great
winges..ful of feathers, and of varietie, came to Libanus.
i 5. Used as a collective to denote a number of
I things, qualities, etc., different or distinct in char-
acter; a varied assemblage, number, or quantity
^"something.
I In some instances hardly distinguishable from sense 3.
I a. With Me.
VAKIETY.
1553 T. Wilson XAet. (15S0) 30, I might heape together
the varietie of pleasures, which come by travaile. 1633
Hemingb & CoNOELL in jst Folio Shaks. A 3 heading^ To
the great Variety of Readers. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav.
186 Bdiold Ihc varietie of temporary blessings. 1798 S. &
Ht. Lee Canttrb. T. II. 164 The variety of simple scenes
..made him delight to linger in Swiuerland. 1851 Carpen-
ter Man. Pkys. (ed. a) 579 The variety of movements of
which the hand of Man is capable.
b. Without article. ? Obs,
iSTS Fenton {titU\ Golden Egistles, contayning varietie
of discourse, ^ih raorall, philosophical 1, and divme,
gathered as well out of the remainder of Guevaraes
workes, and other authors. i6o« Warner AB. Eng. xi.
Ixv. 278 Varietie of Men to court a Woman is her pride.
1680 MoRUEN G<0g. Rect.y Engltutd (16S5) 21 Bravely fur.
nlshed with Variety of pleasant Orchards and Gardens,
C1701 Encyct. Brit. (ed. 3) VIII. 541/* Hindosun affords
^-arwty of beasu for carriage, as camels, dromedaries letc.].
C. With o, fhcU, etc.
1708 SswELir, S.V. VerschieU There is no variety of goods;
There's no choice to be had. lyaS Chambers CycL s.v.
K«M, In dig^ng.., they meet with a Variety of Veins.
1774 GoLDSM. Nat. Hist. (1776) VIII. 197 He thus per-
ceived a variety of kinds, almost equal to that variety of
productions, which these little animals are seen to form.
1780 Mirror No. 77, From this circumstance, .a variety of
remarks might be made. 1863 P. Barrv Dockyard Econ.
162 In consequence of the quality of the work executed,
Messrs. Maudslay..have performed a great variety of
smaller operations. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 240 Like
Proteus, he transforms himself into a variety of shapes.
1891 Farrar Darktu ^ Daivn xv, To Nero, .every man was
sluggish and plebeian who did not care to season his recrea-
tion with a variety of vices.
d. With a plural verb.
17x8 Lady M. W. Montagu Let to Ctess Bristol 10 April,
For twenty miles together, .the most beautiful variety of
prospecu present themselves. 1780 Bentham Prittc. Leghl.
xix. § 24 Now of the infinite variety of nations there are upon
earth, there are no two which agree exactly in their laws.
1849-50 Alison Hist. Europe X. Ixv. § 74. 69 A variety of
false attacks were immediately directed, .against the ram-
parts. XW7 Science X. 115 A variety of hooks were used
for different kinds offish and according to the time of day.
6. A difTerent form of some thing, quality, or
condition ; something which differs or varies from
others of the same class or kind ; a kind or sort.
Also without 0/'. see {b\
(a) 1617 J. Tavlor (Water P.) Observ. ^ Trav. Land, to
Hamburgh Wks. (1630) 81/2 They haue strange torments
and varieties of deaths, according to the various nature of
the offences that are committed. 1639 S. Du Verger tr.
Camus' Admir. Events To Rdr. a vij. Some good soules . .
will be glad to finde profitable admonitions.. with varieties
of pleasures fitting their humour. 178^ Cowper Tiroc. 475
The spirit of that competition burns With all varieties of ill
by turns. iBsa H. Rogers £(r/.^a/M (1853) 118 The distinc-
tion between the certain and the probable is felt to be too
important not to be marked by corresi>onding varieties of
speech. x86o Mozley l/niv. Senn. viL (1877) 156 Even
the varieties of good character are almost infinite. 1873
Hamerton [ntelL Life i. iv. 22 The two lads represent two
distinct varieties of human life.
{b) 1643 Denham Coopers H. 198 Nature, whether more
intent to please Us or her self, with strange varieties,..
Wisely she knew the harmony of things. 1671 Grew Anal.
PL Introd. 3 For beholding the Many and Elegant Varieties,
wherewith a Field or Garden is adorned. \tj^ Mirror
No. 8, Agood plain Mirror, intended to represent things just
as they are, but with properties and varieties not to be met
with in common glass. 18*5 Carlyle Schiller 11. 77 The
task of composing dramatic varieties, of training players,.,
could not wholly occupy such a mind as his.
b. Bot. and Biol. A plant or animal differing
from those of the species to which it belongs in
some minor but permanent or transmissible parti-
cular ; a group of such individuals constitating a
sub-species or other subdivision of a species ; also,
a plant or animal which varies in some trivial
respect from its immediate parent or type.
xCki9 Parkinson Parad. xxvi. 215 Many more sorts of
varieties of these kindes there are, but these onely..are
noursed vp in Florists Gardens for pleasure. 1711 Mortimer
Hnsb. (ed. 2) II. 217 To make Varieties of them, the Seeds
of the best single ones, .are to be sown in September, i^ax
Bradley Phiios. Ace. IVks. Nat. 145 The Lady Cow, which
has likewise its Varieties beautifully spotted with the gayest
Colours. 1780 EncycL Brit. (ed. 1) VI. 4651/2 Triixophya
leipyria is only a variety of the iritxopkya causus, 183a
Lander Exp, Niger II. viii. 10 Another variety of corn
grows here, which has eight ears on a single stem. 1845
Florist's yrni. (1846) Vi. 206 For 12 old varieties in the
nurserymen's class. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. i. 7 When
we look to the individuals of the same variety or sub-variety
of our older cultivated plants and animals. 1870 Yeats
Nat. Hist. Comm. 6 A worker in wood will tell, from the
texture and grain, not merely the species but the variety of
tree.
attrib. 1890 Science-Gossip XXVI. 42 And what shall we
say to some of our Latinised variety-names?
O. So in the classification of inorganic substances
or of diseases.
(a) 1753 Chambers" C^cL Suppl. s.v., The naturalists of
' foTmer ages have run into great errors, in mistaking the
accidental varieties of plants, animals, and minerals for
distinct species. 1757 Da Costa Fossils 13 j The sand-stone,
..exhibited by Wood ward,., is only a variety of this kind.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 619 Verona green is merely a variety
of the mineral called green earth. 1855 J. Phillips Man.
Geol. Z04 The coal is partly 'splint ',..part.y of the ' can>ier
or * parrot * variety,
(^) 1806 Med. Jmi. XV, 5 It is an inflammatory affection,
but destitute of redness;. .the name ofphlegmasia alba, or
white inflammation, will therefore sumciently characterize
this variety of it. 1876 Bhistowe Tk. ^ Pract. Med. (1878)
52
414 The various forms of intercurrent or secondary pneu-
monia, and . . the lobular variety of the disease.
f7. //• Articles of various kinds; odds and ends.
1614 in Foster Eng. Factories I tid, (1909) III. 28 What-
soever goods or varietyes be brought in by the English.
8. elllpt. Variety performances. (See 9 b.)
1908 Stage Year Bk. 26 Some provincial theatres have
gone over entirely to variety.
9. atlrib, a. Variety shop or store^ one in which
small goods of various kinds are sold ; a general j
store. U.S.
x8a4 A Singleton (H. C. Knight) Lett. fr. South ^ IK
84 One indication of a new country is that the shops are
variety-shops ; each one keeping piece-goods, groceries,
cutlery, porcelain, and stationary [sic] in different corners.
1839 in Thornton Amer. Gloss.^ [The collected trumperyl
gives the Mayor's office the appearance of a * variety store '.
1842 Mrs. Kirkland Forest Life I. 149 A ' variety store ',
offering for sale every possible article of merchandize, from
lace gloves to goose-yokes [etc.]. 1884 Harper's Mag. Nov.
888/1 One of them walked gauntly down to the post-office
in the corner of the variety store.
b. Used to designate music-hall or theatrical
entertainments of a mixed character (songs, dances,
impersonations, etc.). Also applied to things or
persons connected with such entertainments.
1886 Referee 25 March (Cassell's), The biggest variety
company ever seen at the East-end of London. 1891
Chambers's Jrnl. 14 March 165/1 Music halls, or, to
give them the more recent and appropriate term, variety
shows, are quite modern institutions. xSga Dail^ News 25
RIarch 2/2 The high salaries paid to variety artists. 1894
'M. O'Rell' y. Bull^ Co. 200 A succession of songs and
dances in costume, commonly called Variety Shows. 1908
Stage Year Bk. 26 They are now an integral part of
variety performances. Ibid.^ Theatres need the latter Llicence]
for the variety weeks and even extended variety seasons.
Variform (ve^'riffJim), a. Also 7 varie-form.
[f. L. vari-, stem of varius Vakious a. + -form.
Cf. It. variforme.'] Of various forms; varied or
different in form ; diversiform.
1662 J. Chandler Vati Helmonfs Oriat. Transl. Pre-
monit.. Because every thing in its Essence and Bein§ is
good, and that, because it is one, and true ; but that which
is double, varie-form, seeming, or false, that it sees to be
evil 1685 (Cotton tr. Montaigne III. 459, I. .find [it]
very hard properly to design them [our actions] every one
by themselves by a principal quality, so ambiguous and
variform they are by several lights. 1836 Eraser's Mag.
XIII. 419 'What men call love is a variform thing. 1845
Stocqueler Handbk. Brit. India (1854) iBg Among these
variform buildings, strangely interspersed, are here and there
huge masses of heavy foliage. x86o Muir Cockbubn Pagan
or Christian 39 It eventually becomes with its variform
sculpture.. a distinguishing peculiarity.
Hence Variformly adv,
189X Clark Russell Curatica 129 Pat was called vari-
formly Patrick, Paddy, Patsey, or Pat.
tVarifonned, a. Obs.-^ [f. as prec.+
FoRMED.] Variously formed or shaped ; variform.
1578 Banister Hist. Man i. 27 The inferiour part of this
shoulder bone. .is.. large, and variformed.
Variformity. rarer-^, [f. Varifobm a. +
-ITY.] Variety or diversity of form.
1702 C. Mather Magn. Chr. v. iv. (1852) 332 The Forms
. . were not in all points the same, nor did our churches at all
find that this variformity was an inconvenience.
+ Va*rify, "v. Obs. [f. L. vari- ^^i^moi varius
Various a. : see -fi:.] (rans. To make varied ;
to vary ; to variegate.
x6o6 Sylvester Dti Bartas 11. iv. Magnificence 661 May
..Suiting the Lawns in all her pomp and pride Of lively
Colours, lovely varifi'd. 1631 J. Burges /i«jiy. Rejoined
88 So as the same Law might ever remaine firmc, and vn«
broken, when occasions should varifie and change parti-
cularities. 1680-90 Temple Ess.y Gardening Wks. 1720 I.
183 AH the rest are either varified by Names, or not to be
named with these, nor worth troubling a Garden. 1741 E.
PosTON Pratler (1747) I. 113 Vou don't know what great
I Use a little Latin and Greek would now be of : You can't
imagin the Credit and Reputation that there is in a Line, or
even a Word or two, of it :. . Besides, it varifies it, and makes
it naturally the fitter for Entertainment.
Varily, obs. form of Verily adv.
VarinaS. [See def.] The name of a town
in Venezuela used to designate a kind of tobacco
(see quot. 1858). Also ellipt.
1747 W. Douglas Brit. Settlements N. Amer. {1760) 1. 116
Virginia tobacco,and Brazil, and Varinas tobacco, differupon
this account. 1839 J. Fu.me (W. A. Chatto) Paper on
Tobacco 117 Varinas is usually imported in rolls formed of
the leaves of the tobacco spun into a kind of thick twist.
1858 SiMMONDs Diet, Trade, Farina^s [sic] roll, a kind of
tobacco generally plaited round a thick stick, very much
like C'naster.
Varing(e, obs. Sc. ff. Wairing (spending).
II Variola (varsi-iyia). Pal/i. [med.L. varioia
pustule, pox, f. L. varius speckled, variegated.
Cf. F. variole and verole (OF. verole^ vairole)^ —
Prov. vairohy Cat. verola^ Sp. viruela, It. vajuole
fem. pi., and vajuolo.'] The small-pox.
1771-1804 (see Varicella]. 1825 Good Study Med. (ed. 2)
III. 85 The adjunct spurious or bastard variola. 1846 Day
tr, Simon^s Anim. Cheui. II. 282 M. Solon found the urine
coagulable in five out of eleven cases of variola. 1877 F. T.
Roberts Handbk, Med. (ed. 3) I. 149 Variola may be met
with at any age.
Comb. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 648 Numerous strains
of so called variola-vaccine lymph. 1898 Brit. Med. yrnl.
7 May 1 185 The measure of protection afforded these
children by his variola*descendea lymph.
VABIOLOID.
Vari'Olar, a. [ad. mod.L. variolar-is, i.
variola: see prec. So K. variolaire.l Of or
pertaining to, resembling (that of), variola.
1840 in Smart. 1843 Proc. Benv. Nat. Club II. xi. 52
The material is a hard variety of basalt, . .distinguished by
a pitted or variolar aspect. 1859 in Mayne Expos. Lex.
Va-riolaTioid, a. [f. mod.L. Variolaria (see
def.) + -oiu.] Of or pertaining to the Variolaria,
a spurious genus of lichens characterized by pustu-
late shields ; pustulate, pitted.
1856 W. L. LiNDsAV Pop. Hist. Brit. Lichens 42 This
variolarioid condition is not uncommon in many crustaceous
species.
Variolate (ve^ -riiikit), v. Med. [f. V AKIOLA. :
see -ATE.] trans. To infect with variola ; to in-
oculate with the virus of variola or small- pox.
c 179a [implied in Variolated Bpl- a-l '810 Edin. Rcit.
XV. 329 The total number of those vaccinated .. is perhaM
not less than those variolated. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV.
24/2 The proof being to variolate the cow on the udder.
1898 Brit. Med. Jml. 7 May 1185 He had altogether failed
in attempts to variolate the cow.
Hence Va,Tiolated ///. a.
c 1702 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) IX. 246/1 The Chinese coiivey
a pellet of variolated cotton . .into the nostrils of the patient.
1801 Jenner in Ring Treat. Cow-fox 24 From variolated
pustules one cannot be surprised to hear, that a disease has
been communicated by effluvia. 184s Encycl. Mctrop. VII.
754/2 If the patient be exposed to a variolated atmosphere
at the time he is vaccinated. 1897 AllbutVs Syst. Med.
II. 649 I'he final scab on the site of inoculation is not 50
elevated in the variolated as in the vaccinated animals.
Variolation (ve>:rii)1?-j3n). Med. [f. prec.]
Inoculation with the virus of small-pox.
180S Med. yrnl. XIV. 536 A remarkable coincidence of
failure., of variolation as well as vaccination. i8io Edin.
Kev. XV. 340 It [i. e. vaccination] has been adopted by
millions who never would have submitted to variolation.
1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. 1. 559 The practice of variolation,
which was revived and introduced into Great Britain by
Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.
Variole (vea'riff»l). rare. [ad. med.L. variola
Variola.] Something resembling a small-pox
marking or pustule in appearance or formation :
a. Ent. A foveole or small fovea.
1826 KiRBV & Sp. Entotml. IV. xlvi. 270 VarioU,..a.
shallow impression like a mark of the smail-pox.
b. Geol. A spherular concretion of a variolite.
1890 Q. Jrnt. Geol. Sac. XLVI. 312 The spherulites or
' varloles ' [of the variolite-diabase] are grouped or drawn
out in bands parallel to the surface.
Variolic (veariplik), s. rare~^. [f. Vamol-a
+ -ic. Cf. F. variolique.'\ Variolar, variolous.
1827 in Baron Life Jenner I. 335 Till I had inoculated my
children again with variolic matter.
Varioline (ve>*rii>lin). rare. [f. as prec. -K -INK.]
The hypothetical infectious principle of variola.
1864 Fark Rep. Reg. Gen. Suppl. 34 When any zymotic
matter such as varioline, scarlatinine or typhine finds its
way into a village.
Variolite (ve^Ti^ait). Geol. [f. med.L. vari-
ol-a Vakiola + -ITE 1 2. Cf. Y. variolite, G. vario-
lit.'i A kind of rock embedded with spherulites
which give it the appearance of being pock-marked
(see quots.); esp. the diabase (diorite) of Brongniart.
1796 KiRWAN Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 368 Variolites. Stones
that have rounded protuberances, of a ditferent nature from
the common mass of the stone. 1811 Pinkerton Petrol. 1.
133 When the crystals, .assume an oval, but particularly a
round shape, the rock may be aptly styled avariolite. Ibid.,
The stones called variolites of Durance, being pebbles rolled
down by that river in Dauphiny. 1879 Rutley Stud. Rocks
xiii. 248 Variolite is an aphanitic diabase of compact texture
and greenish-grey colour, in which there occur little concre-
tions of a paler colour, ranging up to the size of small nuts.
Va-rioli'tic, a. Geol. p. prec. + -ic] Of the
nature of, or containing, variolite ; spherulitic.
1862 G. P. ScROPE Volcoutoes 365 The clinkstone is usually
variolitic. 1878 Lawrence tr. Cotta's Rocks Classified 139
Diabase.. is sometimes.. variolitic or amygdaloidai.
Variolitiza'tion. Geol. [f. Variolitb -h
-IZATION.] The process of becoming variolitic;
change or conversion into variolite.
1890 Q. yrnl. Geol. Soc. XLVI. 330 As variolitization seems
to have resulted from the same causes that have built up
ordinary spherulites.
Variolization (ve^ri^iz^'-Jsn). Med. [f.
VAR10L-A + -IZATION.] Variolation.
1891 in Cent. Diet. 1910 Edin. Rev. Oct. 276 Variolisation
. . is said to have been known to the Chinese from the com-
mencement of the eleventh century.
Varioloid (veo-riJloid), a. and sb. Path. [ad.
inod.L. varioloids, -odes (Frank, C1790): see
Variola and -oiD. So F. varioloide, It.vajuoloide.]
A. aaj. Resembling variola or small-pox ; like
that of variola.
In early use ' applied to a supposed special^ disease spon-
taneously developed in our climate under certain atmospheric
conditions and capable of being propagated by infection or
inoculation ' (Mayne Expos. Lex.).
1821 W. Stoker (,title), Observations on the Varioloid
Disease. 1825 Good Study Med. (ed. 2) V. 737 Varioloid
eruptions, iii. 88. 1851 Leadam Homoeopathy 354 Vario-
loid Diseases. This term is applied to those diseases which
resemble small-po.\, and are more or less dependent upon
the same epidemical constitution of the atmosphere for their
production. 1899 Alllmtt's Syst. Med. VIII. 47^ Sometimes
It [a pathological process] is partial, and a varioloid lesion
results.
VARIOLOUS.
B. sd, A modified form of variola, esp. a mild
variety occurring after vaccination or in those who
have previously had small-pox.
1828-32 in Webster. 1843 R. J. Graves SysL Clin. Med.
xiv. 148 One of the former was attacked by varioloid just
after the crisis of long-continued spotted fever. i8;ro T. W.
HiGGiNSON.'^rwy Life 234 A case or two of varioloid in the
regiment. 1897 Allbittt's Syst. Med. II. 103 A papular
appearance which if the rash be scanty, may resemble the
early stage of varioloid.
fig. i860 Emersom Cond. Lrye,C7i/iure Wks. (Bohn) II.
364 Is egotism a metaphysical varioloid of this malady ? ^
VanOlonS (varai'iHas), a, [f. med.L. variola
Vabiola, or a. F. variohux'. see-ous.]
1. Of the nature of, resembling^ (that of), variola
or small-pox ; of or pertaining to, appearing in,
characteristic of, variola.
X676 PJiiL Trans. XI. 569 The third Epidemical Constitu-
tion., was that of the Small-pocks, and of a Variolous
Feaver, resembling., the Smal-pocks. 1749 Ibid, XLVI.
235 From the Dissections of those who have died of the
Small- Pox, we find that the Viscera are subject to the vari-
olous Abscesses. 1780 Ibid. LXX. 139 She was delivered
of a child, as full of variolous pustules as herself. i8os Med,
yrnl. VIII. 170 [TheyJ thought it [an eruption] had a vari-
olous appearance. 1845 Encycl. Mctrop. VII. 754/3 When
a person has been inoculated with a mixture of the variolous
and vaccine poisons. 1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med. VIH. 639
In these respects its evolution is not unlike that of a
variolous or vaccine vesicle.
Co'nb. \9<n Med. J^rw/. V. 453 Others were distinguishable
by a variolous-like aspect and circular inflammation.
b. Variolous matter {fluid ot virus) y the virus
of small-pox, esp. as used for purposes of inoculation.
1747 tr. Astruc's Fevers 278 From the first reception of
the variolous matter. 1798 Jenner Variola yaccins (tBoi)
23 Cow-pox virus.. renders the constitution unsusceptible
of the variolous. 1800 Med, Jmt. IV. 22, I immediately
inoculated the whole party with the most virulent variolous
matter I could procure. 1825 Good Study Med.^ (ed. 2)
V. 192' When vaccine or variolous fluid is properly inserted
under the cuticle. 1875 Richardson Dis. Mod. Life S3
He therefore inoculated patients with diluted solutioos of
variolous matter.
c. Variolous contagion, disease^ infection, etc,
variola, small-pox. ? Obs.
c 179a Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) I X. 245/2 The variolous matter
only produces the variolous disease. 1799 Med. Jrnt. I. 318
In every instance, the patient, .has completely lost the sus-
ceptibility for the variolous contagion. 1807 Ibid. XVII. 27
Six full days.. during which they had been exposed to the
variolous infection. 18*7 De Quincey Last Days Kant
Wks. 1854 III. 123 He thought, that, as a guarantee against
the variolous infection, it required a much longer probation.
2. Of persons : Affected with, suffering from,
small-pox.
1668 Sydenham Let. Bo^le B.'s Wks. 1744 V. 639/2 In
visiting, .many of my variolous patients. £^1793 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) ik. 245/2 Inoculation with the blood of vario-
lous patients hath been tried without effect. 1804 Med.
yrnl. Xn. 18^ Variolous patients. 1897 Altbutt's Syst.
Med. 11.207 It IS. .exceptional to find that the children born
of variolous mothers, .have had small-pox in uterus.
3. Eni. (See quot.)
1836 K1RBY& %v.EntomoL IV.xlvi. 370 Variolous (Vario-
losa), beset with many varioles.
II Variorum (ve»rio**r^m). [L., gen. pi. masc.
of varius Various a. , in the phrase editio cum notis
variorum (see def.).]
1. An edition, esp. of the complete works of a
classical author, containing the notes of various
commentators or editors. Also in the full phrase
Variorum edition,
i738CHAMBERsCyc''S.v., AsetofDutch Variorums. Ibid.,
The Variormns^ for the generality, are the best Editions.
t3M4 Scott Let. to Constab/e 6 Jan., In the shape of these in-
imitable Variorums, who knows what new ideas the Classics
may suggest? i8a6 Miss Mitforu Village w. {1863) 268,
I should like to see a variorum edition of our Pizarro. 1870
Lowell Amonj^ My Bks. Ser. i. 163 The serious notes of a
tMriorum edition of Shakespeare.
b. attrib.y 33 variorum classic^ comrften/tOtyfiih
the name of the author.
« X763 Byhom Misc. Poems (1773) II. 333 The variorum
Comments. 1803 Dibdin Edit. Classics u The second
edition [of ClaudianJ . . is esteemed one of the scarcest of the
Variorum Classics. 1822 Scott Nigel Introd. Epist., The
Prolegomena of the Variorum Shak$|>eare.
0. As cuij. in the sense * obtained or collected
from various books or sources ',
1883 American VII. 170 Outlines of the Chief Political
Changes in the History of the World,. Arranged by Centuries,
with Variorum Illustrations. 1887 Athenjeum 13 Aug. 210/3
In his variorum readings of the name from old records he
has obviously misread t for c in several instances.
2. y??". Variation; a varyinjj or changing scene.
177. Skin.vek Tullochgorum Wks. iSog III. 136 Dull
Italian lays, . .They're dowf and dowie at the best, Wi' a*
their variorum. 1785 Burns Jolly Beggars 8th Air, Life ts
all a variorum, We regard not how it goes.
Variotinted, a. [Irreg. f, L. varius varied.]
Of various tints or colours.
1903 Agnes NI. Clerkk Probt. Astrophysics 44 The
dazzling variotinted fireworks disclosed by the prism.
Various (ve»Ti3s), a. [f. L. vari-us changing,
different, diverse, variegated. Cf. It., Sp., Pg.
vario."]
1. +1. Of things: Undergoing, exhibiting, subject
to, variation or change; variable, changeful . Ods,
1553 HuLOET, Variousc, uacillans, . .uarius. 1570 Levins
Manip. 226 Variousc, varius^ instabilis. i6a3 J. Tavlob
53
(Water P.) Sir G. Nonsence Wks. {1630) 1/2 Most conscript
Vmpire in this various Orbe. 1647 Cotterell tr. Dnvila's
Hist. Fr. I. 13 As the condition of the Court is ever
various and unconstant. a 1676 Hale Prim. Grig, Man.
(1677) 191 The Instances of latter Discoveries which make
evident this various state of the Globe of Earth and Water.
1708 Lond. Gaz. No. 4463/3 The Winds were so various that
we could not make to the Bay of la Hogue 'till the nth.
a 1763 Shenstone Elegies v. n 111 can I bear the various
clime of Love ! 177J Sheridan Rivals Epil, The servile
suitors watch her various face, She smiles preferment, or she
frowns disgrace.
t b. Of fortune, life, etc. Obs,
1633 J. Taylor (Water P.) Discovery by Sea Wks. (1630)
24/1 Whilst we like various Fortunes Tennis ball, At euery
stroake, were in the Hazzard all. 1644 Quarles Jitdgtuent
(J- Mercy 12 Fear not the frowns of princes, or the imperious
hand of various fortune. 1703 N. Rowe Ulysses 1. i, Ev'ry
Change Of various Life. jj^z-zGrw Agrippina 54 Through
various life 1 have pursued your steps.
•f* c. Turning different ways ; going in different
directions. Obs.
i6ai Quarles Argalus ^,P. (1678) 13 There walked she:
and in her various minde, Projects and casts about which
way to finde The progress of the young Partheniaes heart,
1725 Pope Odyss. vi. 134 Forth from her snowy hand
Nausicaa threw The various bail.
t d. Of a war : Marked by varying success. Obs,
1754-8 Bp. Newton Obs. Propk. Daniel xii. 17^ Hence
arose a various war between Antiochus and Epiphanes,
each of them seizing Phoenicia and Coele-Syria by turns.
f 2. Of persons ; a. Changeable in character ;
inconstant, unstable ; fickle. Obs.
1636 E. Dacres tr. MachiaveVs Disc. Livy 1. 231 A Prince
loosen'd from the law, will bee unthankful!, various, and im-
prudent. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals 111. iv. 328 So Car-
dinal Alexandrine dealt with Cardinal di S. Sisto, a various
and unconstant man, 1670 Marvell Corr. Wks. (Grosart)
II. 330 Truly he seems to me so various and fickle in hand-
ling this businesse all along. 1719 Swift Hist. Eng. Wks.
1841 I. 5H4/2 Robert, who was various in his nature, and
always under the power of the present persuader. 1776
Gibbon Decl. <5- F. i. (1782) I. 9 The various character of
that emperor, capable, by turns, of the meanest and the most
generous sentiments. i8ao E. Thompson Cullen's Nosologia
(ed. 3) 327 The mind, involuntarily various and.unsteady.
•{■ b. Marked by change or vacillation in opinions
or views. Obs.
164s ViscT. Falkland Infallihility 13 Saint Austin, who
is very various I confesse in it. x6s3Gataker Vind. Annot.
yer, 1. 3 In this point he seems somewhat various. x66i J.
Davies Civil IVarres 373 The officers of the army them-
selves began to be various and uncertain what to do,
+ O. poet. Appearing in or assuming a variety of
forms. Obs,
1725 Pope Odyss, iv. 524 Watch with insidious care his
knoMrn abode ; There fast in chains constrain the various
god [sc Proteus].
II. 3. Of persons: fa. Versatile in knowledge
or acquirements ; exhibiting variety in work or
writings. Obs,
1621 Bp. MouNTAGu Z7/(i/r('<$« I His name was already up..
for a great scholar : a various Linguist. 1646 Sir T. Browne '
Pseud. Ep. 1. viii, (t6B6) 24 A delectable Author, very
various. 1657 S. Purchas Pol. Flying-Ins. i. i, What in this
respect is wiser, or better instructed than the Bee? What
Artificer is so various* what Painter.. can imitate her
works? 1681 Drvdem Abs. 4" Achit. i. 545 A man so
various, that he seem'd to be Not one, but all ftfankind's
Epitome.
b. Giving attention to many different subjects.
1878 R. Choate Addresses 235 It is a common belief that
Mr. Webster was a various reader; and i think it is true.
4. a. Varied in colour; vari-coloured, variegated.
(lh'\c\\y poet.
a 1618 [see Vasnish v, 1 b], 1697 Drvden ^neid ix. 3
The various Iris Juno sends with haste, To find bold Turnus.
1718 Prior The Garland ii. At Morn the Nymph vouch-
saft to place Upon her Brow the various Wreath. 1735
SoMERViLLS Ckasew. 106 The rising Sun. .As many Colours
from their glossy Skins Beaming reflects, as paint the
various Bow. 1757 W. Wilkie F.pigoniad 111. 54 A polish'd
casque her lovely temples bound, With flow'rs of gold and
various ptumaije crown'd. 1855 Ix)ngf. Hiazvatha xii. 186
He saw the nine fair sisters. .Changed to birds of various
plumage.
b. Exhibiting variety in appearance; presenting
different aspects at different times or'places.
1656 RiDGLEV Pract, Physick 288 Use these till the pain,
and various colour cease. 1667 Milton P. L. v. 89, I.,
underneath beheld The Earth outstretch! immense, a
prospect wide And various. 1694 Congbeve Double-Dealer
v. xvii. Ten thousand meanings lurk in every corner of that
various face. 1712 Addison Spectator No. 417 F 3 The
various Scenary of a Country Life. 1725 Portland Papers
(Hist. MSS. Comm.) VI. 98 If one gets safe to the top, he
may enjoy . .a very extensive and various prospect on both
f<ide5. X796 Charlotte Smith Marchtnont I. 118 Her road
lay.. through a country various and rich. 1832 Lander
F.x^ed. Niger I. i. 32 They were clad in all their fintry,
their apparel being as gaudy as it was various. 1863 W. W.
Story Koba di Roma xiii, Various as the Campagna is in
outline, it is quite as various in colour, reflecting every
aspect of the sky and answering every touch of the seasons.
187a Blackib Lays of Highlands Introd. 49 The various
outline of the Orcadian coast, .presents a fine background.
6. Characterized by variation or variety of
attributes or properties ; exhibiting or possessing
(several) different characters or qualities ; varied
in nature or character.
pred. 11633 J. Austin Medit. (1635) 270 Let the Plea-
sure be full to give Content; Let it be Various to avoid
Sahetie. 1762 Sir W. Jones Arcadia Poems (1777) 109
His tune so various and uncouth he made, That not a
VABIOUS.
dancer could in cadence move. J780 New Newgate Cal, V,
100 After conviction their behaviour was very various. On
some occasions they appeared hardened in a very high
degree, and at others [etc.]. 1853 Felton Fam. Lett. xliv.
(1865) 324 Since our return from our journey, the weather
has been very various. 1858 Lardner Hand-bk. Nat. Phil.
99 The velocity of rivers is very various, the slower class
moving at less than 3 feet, and the more rapid at so much
as 6 feet per second. 1876 Parker Paraclete i. vii. 107 The
ministration of the spirit is various: by It Moses was made
wise, Bezaleel was made skilful, and Samson was made
strong.
attrib. i66a Stillingfl. Orig. Sacrae in. i. § 14 The various
motion and configuration of the particles of matter. 1670
Makvell CVrr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 354 We shall have much
adoe to get businesse of so various nature into fashion. 1703
Rowe Pair Penitent i. i, The various fury of the Seasons.
a 1720 Phior Judgment 0/ Veinis i. When Kneller's Works
of various Grace, Were to fair Venus shown. 1796 Burke
Corr. (1844) IV. 413 We have had various health, but never
any that deserved to be called good. 1807 Crabbe Par,
Reg. in. 412 To show the various worth of Catherine Lloyd.
1844 Disraeli Coningsby iii. ii, Such a various prodigality
of writing materials. 1868 Heavysege Jezebel ni. 115 Then
followed many years of various fate.
t b. Calculated to cause difference or dissimil-
arity. Obs.~^
1667 Milton P. L. xu. 53 God.. in derision sets Upon
thir Tongues a various Spirit,., To sow a jangling noise of
words unknown.
6. a. Marked by variety of incident or action.
1634 Milton Comus 379 She.. lets grow her wings That
in the various bussle of resort Were all to ruffl'd. 1667 —
P. L. VI, 242 For wide was spred That Warr and various.
I 1727 Dyer Grongar Hill 97 Wave succeeding wave, they
1 go A various journey to the deep. 1829 I. Taylor Enthus-
I iasm (1867) 75 Pride.. forbids [the heretic's] return to the
truth he has .. denounced from all points of his various
I course.
b. poet. Acting in many different ways.
1671 Milton Samson 668 God of our Fathers, what is man !
That thou towards him with hand so various.. Temperst thy
providence,
7. a. Exhibiting variety of subject or topic; con-
cerned or occupied with many different themes.
1677-8 Marvell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 583 The other
things committed to them, being of various consideration,
they will probably digest into severall Bills. 1703 Pope
Thebais 795 Relate your fortunes, while the friendly night
And silent hours to various talk invite. 1794 Godwin Caleb
IVilliams 139 Yet under this rude exterior it was easy to
distinguish various knowledge, nice discrimination, and a
strong and active mind. i8i8 Tuckey's Narr. Exped. R.
Zaire Introd. p. Ivii, He had stored his mind with so much
various knowledge . . that he was considered the most eligible
for the undertaking. i8sa Thackeray Esmond in. v. One
whose conversation was so various, easy, and delightful.
b. Exhibiting variety in the different persons or
things forming a collective whole; displaying or
including a variety of objects.
1769 Sir W. Jones Palace Fortune Poems (1777; ^5
Through the four portals rush'd a various throng. i8ix
Scott Don Roderick 11. Ivii, A .various host they came,
whose ranks display Each mode in which the warrior meets
the fight. 1830 Tennyson Ode to Memory v, Great artist
Memory,.. Needs must thou dearly love thy first essay. And
foremost in thy various gallery Place it. 187a Bi.ackie
Lays Highl. 163 One single Law, as with a chain. Doth
bind the various vast infinity.
III. 8. With pi, sb. Different from one another ;
of different kinds or sorts : a. In attrib, use.
1634 Milton Comus 22 All the Sea-girt Isles That like to
rich and various gemms inlay Thcboosoni of the Deep.
1648 . Crashaw Delights Muscs^ Music's Duel 128 The
humourous strings expound his learned touch By various
Glosses. 1667 Milton P. L. i. 375 Then were they known
to men by various Names, And various Idols through the
Heathen World. 1724 Waits Logic (1726) 116 As infinitely
various as the Essences of Things are, their Definitions must
needs have very various Forms. 1743 Francis tr. Hor.^ Odes
II, xviii. ^9 For Earth impartial entertains Her various sons,
and in her breast Princes and beggars equal rest. 1805
Med. J ml. XIV. s64Dr. Jackson. , is very careful in marking
all those various effects produced from similar causes. 1857
ist Rep. Comm. Customs 13 To discharge the various and
onerous duties of 'Shipping Masters'. 1884 tr. Lotz^s
Metapk. 196 There arises, . . by help of abstraction from the
content of the various impressions, the picture of empty
extension.
ellipt, 1855 Poultry Chron, III. 415 The Various Class
presented the usual number of curio-silies. 1903 IVestm.
Gaz. 30 Dec. 3/1 A couple of 'cock, ground game, and such
' various ' as snipe, duck, a plover or so.
b. Predicative.
1651 HoBBES Leviath. iii. xllii. 323 The causes why men
bcleeve any Christian Doctrine, are various, a 1680 Butler
Kern. (1759) I. 32Q How various and innumerable Are those,
who live upon tne Rabble? i7ai Bradley Philos. Ace.
Wks. Nat. 147 The Beetle and Water-Scorpion are little
various in the outward Structure of their Bodies. 1784
CowPER Task I. 302 The woodland scene, Diversified with
trees of ev'ry growth. Alike, yet various. 1818 Scott Hrt.
MidL xxxiv, Its springs, various in character, yet alike
efficacious in virtue, are to he found in abundance. 1849
Macaulay Hist, Eng. \\. I. 180 Talents great and various
assisted to spread the contagion. 1851 HelfsOw//. Solit.
xi. 213 The advantages of travel are very various and very
numerous.
c. With a singular sb., and freq. preceded by
each or eve^y,
a ini Prior Colin's Mistakes xi, Ca'ndish-Holles-Harley
stood confest. As various Hour advis'd, in various Habit
drest. 1746 Francis tr. Horace, Epist. \. xvii, 32 Vet
Aristippus every Dress became : In every various Change
of Life the same. 1766 [C. Anstey) New Bath Guide ix. 42,
I alone his Thoughts employ Through each various Scene
of Joy. 1818 Scott Br. Lamm^ xxx, Sufficient caro was
VAHIOTTSLY.
taken that this report should find its way to Ravenswood
Castle through every various channel. 1819 BVRON Juan I.
iriii, Don Jdse, like a lineal son of Eve, Went plucking
various frait without her leave. 1863 LoscF. iVaysidi Inn
H. Prel. 63 The breakfast ended, each pursued The prompt,
ings of his various mood.
d. In the phrase various readmg\s). ^i-t.
Vabiast sb. 2 and Lectio.v i c.)
i«<a Br. Walton Considtrator Consid. 114 Various Read-
ings are the difference of Copies collected and offered to
the reader's judgment. 1701 Slanhy's Hist. /Atlas. In.
trod, d b. That he might omit nothing, he has annext tne
various Readings... Conjectures and Observations. tTfJif-
Attmblry Let. to Poft 27 Sept., Therefore m my Waller
there is a various reading of the first of these couplets.
^ITSO loHKSoN in Bom-ciliOA ed.) II. 618 note, Chaucer,
a new edition of him, from manuscripts and old editions,
with various readings, conjectures [etc.). 1814 J. Johnson
Tr*cgr II. 437 An exact list of all its various readings.
i^Paijsy ^schylus Pref. (1861) p. x. What really is a
neoessary and inevitable part of an editor s duty, viz. the
continual discussion of various readings. 1910 Expositor
Apr. 353 It may rest upon a various reading in the Hebrew.
9. In weakened sense, as an enumerative term :
Different, divers, several, many, more than one.
It is not alwa>'S possible to distinguish absolutely between
this sense and 8, as the meaning ireq. merges into ' many
different ': cf. Divers a. 3.
1696 Prior To the King at Arrived m Hot/and 62 In
various Tongues He hears the Captains dwell On their great
Leader's Praise. IMS N. Robinson TA. FAysick 239 By
this Means we shall be able to judge with the greater
Exactness, of all the various Phenomena's of Nature. 176a
I. Reevk in Foley Rec. Eng. Prov. S. J. VII. Introd. p. xlii,
From that period the College of St. Omer began to shine
among the various Seminaries of piety and learning. 1848
Thackeray Van, Fmr\\\, But he heard of the Major's fame
from various members of his society. 1879 Harlan tlyesight
ii. 30 The eyeball is moved in various directions by six
muscles. 1897 Ld. Roberts 41 Vrs. India vii. (1898) 4t
Various acts of incendiarism took place.
10. Comb. With adjs. or pa. pplcs., as various-
blossomed, -coloured, -formed, -measured, etc.
1730-46 Thomson Autumn 5 The *various.blossom'd
Spring, a 17U Ken Preparatives Poet. Wks. 1721 IV. 35
Bright 'various colour'd Rays his Wings adorn. 1752 J.
Hill///j/. Anim. 231 The various-coloured Gadus,..The
Cod-fish. 1824 Scott St, Ronan's xxxi. Such triple tiaras
of various-coloured gauze on her head. 1803 Kenny Society
54 In spite of danger *various-form'd, to wrest Nature's yet
hidden secrets. 182a Hortus Anglicus II. 155 L[epidiuiii\
Per/oliatuM. •Various-leaved Pepper WorU 1671 Milton
P, R, IV. 256 *Various-measur d verse, i'Eolian charms
and Dorian Lyric Odes. 1880 Beaconsfield Endymion
Ixv, The intended introduction of grain at *variou5-priced
duties per quarter. 1727-46 Thcmson Summer mo The
fiery spume Of fat Bitumen, steaming on the day, With
*various-tinctur'd trains of latent flame. X788 Coleridge
Sonnet to Autumn, J Moon I Mild Splendour of the
•various-vested Night !
Variously, «&. [f. prec. ■^ -lt ■!.]
L In a various manner ; in various or different
ways ; with variation or variety ; differently,
diversely.
1637 May Lucoh vii. 620" The war, that variously had
wantler'd ore The fields, there stucke, there Cesars fortune
suy'd. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Rei. 11. § 87 This stratagem
was never understood ; and was then variously spoken of.
1683 J.NoRRJS Hicroclesi But 'twas the Law of the Creation
which variously order 'd things according to the dignity of
their natures. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man 1. iii. §6. 390
These Circumstances are variously combined in the various
Kinds and Degrees of Madness. 1^79 T. Forrest Voy. New
Guinea 326 Variously do those islands groan under the
tyranny of their masters. 1807 G. Chalmers Caledonia I.
iiL vii. 406 About the lineage, and station, of this celebrated
personage.. writers have written variously. ^ i860 Tyndall
Glac. L xit. 87 The sound commenced again, changing its
note variously. 1880 Geikie Phys. Geog. iv. 199 A ball..
with an exterior crust which has been variously estimated
at from twenty to a thousand miles in thickness.
b. With adjs.
1794 G. Adams Nat.fi Exper, Phil, IV. xlix. 331 It emits
the rays of light in every direction, and those rays are vari-
ously refrangible and colorific 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng.
iii. I. 398 Our prose became less majestic, . .less variously
music^ than that of an earlier age. 1871 Carlyle in Mrs.
Carlyle Lett. I. 378 The consequences for the time were
variously sad. 1871 'Tennyson Last Tourn, :ii.ft So dame
and damsel glitter d at the feast Variously gay,
C. U.S. At different times, rare.
xZoM A. E. Lee Hist. Columbus (Ohio) I. 756 Samuel
Perkins .. kept a barber shop variously under the National
Hotel and the Clinton Bank.
2. Comb. With pa. pples., adjs., or pres. pples.,
as variously-coloured, -conditioned, -shaped, -work-
ing, -wrought, etc.
a 1700 Evelyn Diary 8 Feb. 1645, The mouthes of these
spiracles arc bestrew'd with variously-colour'd cinders.
1768-7^ Tucker Z^. Nat. (1834) II. 171 A long-complicated
succession of variously. working second causes. 1837 Gaun-
ter Lives Moghul Emp., Bnber ix. 238 The variously-
coloured page of human life. 1848 Buckley //m^ i93Brass,
gold, and variously-wrought iron. 1855 T. Jones Anim,
Kingd. (ed. 2) p. xvl. Variously-shaped eggs of Insects. 1868
Lockyer Elem. Astron, % 60 The stars shine out with
variously coloured lights.
Va'rioQsness. [f. Various a, + -nebs.]
fl, Changeableness, inconstancy, .ariability. Obs.
1607 Daniel Cleopatra Wks. (Grosart) III. 9 A Roman
hath but here a Roman quayld. And onely but by Fortune's
varioosnes. 1647 Cotterell tr. Davila's Hist. tr. I. 22 The
Piince had in the war proved the variousnesse of fortune.
t2. Difference, variance. Obs.
x6a8 T. SreMcex Logick 68 This space is the varietie, or
54
variousnes that is belweene seuerall, and distinct argu-
ments, a i6s3 Gouge Comm, Heb. xiii. 9 Here the plural
number is used, which implieth a variousness and disagree-
ment in false Doctrines.
3. Variety of character or nature ; varied condi-
tion or quality.
1651 BiGGS New Disp. ^98 The variousnesse .. of .. every
single and particular form of the Individuall. 1653 Blithe
Enet, Improver Impr, 55 And a good experienced Mill-
wright., is well able to regulate them.. to the incomming
of the Tide, or out-going of the Floods, as the variousness
of opportunities will require. 1834 Wilson in Blackiu. Mag.
XXXVI. 543 His waking thoughts had all the vividness of
visions, all the variousness of dreams. 184S Bailey Festus
(ed. 2) 39 Unimaginable space . . Faileth to match His bound,
less variousness. 1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. iv. (1875) 163
The religious life is at bottom everywhere alike ! but it is
curious to note the variousness of its setting.
Varisoune, Sc. variant of Wabison.
Varite, obs. Sc form of Verity.
llVarix (ve»Tiks). PI. varices (ve^-risfz).
[L. (stem vaHc-), Cf. Vabick.]
1. Path, An abnormal dilatation or enlargement
of a vein or artery, usually accompanied by a tor-
tuous development ; a varicose vein.
c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 178 pe blood-letyng of bis veyne
is good, .for varices & for vlcera ))at ben in |)e hipis ou|>er
in^eleggis. 1541 R. Copland Ga^£«'j T'^ro/i. 2 Ciij b. It
may sobe that varix, that is to say a swollen vayne that is
aboue it, may be the cause. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 279
Some writers hold, that this herb.., bound vnto the swelling
veines called Varices, doth allay the paine thereof. i668
Culpepper & Cole Barthol, A nat. 363 For that is easie to
see in a Varix of the Thigh and Foot. 1767 GoocH Treat.
Wounds I. 188 Varices, .sometimes become very large and
painful upon the legs, requiring opening. 17B3 Med, Comm,
1. 181 The dilatation of a vein (commonly called a varix)
takes an oblong shape. 1835-6 Todd:s Cycl. An<U. * Phys.
1 . 186/1 Pressure on the varix empties it of its contents.
1899 A llbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 190 In another case a similar
thrombosed varix had broken from its pedicle.
b. The diseased condition characterized by this,
as a specific malady.
1813 J. Thomson Led. Injlamvt. 128 'The dilatation of
capillary vessels which occurs in some species ofvari.x. 1876
Gross Dis, Bladder, etc. 156 The veins. .have a tortuous,
convoluted arrangement, similar to what occurs in varix of
the leg and thigh. 1878 T. Bryant Pract, Surg. I. 500
Varix is commonly an affection of the veins in the lower
extremities, and mainly, of the branches of the saphena
vein.
2. Conch, A longitudinal elevation or swelling on
the surface of a shell (see quot. 1851).
iBia J. Parkinson Outl, Oryctol. 201 With a marginal and
sometimes a dorsal varix. 1851 G. F. Richardson Gcol. viii.
241 The varices, .are ribs which cross the volutions in some
species oibuccinum, jnurex, and triton. They are formed
by the periodical growth of the shells. 1861 P. P. Cak-
venter in Rep.Smithsonian Instil. iSbo, igSThe Strut Aio-
larise have a simple varix instead of a wide lip.
Vark, obs. (chiefly Sc.) f. Work sb. and v.
Varld(ly, obs. Sc. forms of Wobld(ly.
Varlet (va'ilet). Forms : a. 5- varlet (6 Sc.
warllet, 7 varlett), 5-6 varlette ; 6-7 varlot (6
Sc.-WBX-). $, 6 verlet (-lett, -lette), 7 verlate ;
6verlot(6'(r.wer-),-lotte. [a.OV, varlet (i4tb.c.),
var. of vaslet, vadlet, vallet Valet. Hence also
med.L. varletus. In mod.F. varlet is restricted to
the historical sense i b.]
1. A man or lad acting as an attendant or ser-
vant ; a menial, a groom. Now arch,
a. 1456 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 240 The varlet of
the labourare, that is for to say his hyre man that dry vis the
pleuche. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. i54b/2, 1 haue rychesses
ynough, seruantes, varlettes, . . and kynnysmen whiche
serue me. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon Iv. 187 This varlet
semeth rather sone to a kyng. .then to be a varlet to a
mynstrell. 1647 R. Stapylton Juvenal 94 She calls out to
the varlets she doth keep, . . Braine the dog's master first,
and then the cur. 1661 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 2), Vadelet, . .
a Benchers Clerk or Servant. The Butlers of the bouse
corruptly call them Varlets. 1684 Burnet tr. More's
Utopia 109 If it should so happen, that. .all this Wealth
should pass from the Master to the meanest Varlet of his
whole Family. 1843 Carlyle Past f/ Pr. 11. viii. Lords and
variets, where are they? 1853 James Apies SorelWbo) 1.
124 Acquiring very rapidly from the different varlets and
pages a vast amount of information.
^. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas, xxvi. (Percy Soc.) 114 Than
on my jorney, . . Wyth my verlet called Attendaunce, Forthe
on I rode. 1513 Douglas j^neid xii. il. 13 The byssy
knaipis and verlettis of his stabill About thame \sc, the
horses] stud. X557 TussER 100 Points Husb, xli, Kepe
neuer such seruantes, as doth thee no good, For nestling of
verlettes. .make[s] many a rich man to shet vp his doores.
b. spec. An attendant on a knight or other person
of military importance. Now only Hist.
1470-85 Malory Arthur x. xiv. 434 Thenne this Knyght
called to hym a varlette, and badde hym ryde vntyl younder
fayr manoyre. 1485 Caxton Paris ^ F. (1868) 69 Whan
Parys coude wel speke mouryske, he and his varlet took the
wave toward ynde. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xvi. 16 The
archers who were to the nombre of iii. M. shotte faste theyr
arowes, nat sparyng maisters nor varlettis. a 1548 Hall
Chron., Hen. V, 50 Divers beyng wounded wer releued by
theyr varlettes and conveighed out of the felde. 1590
Spenser A. Q, 11. iv. 37 Far away they spyde A varlet run-
ning towards hastily.. .Behind his backe he bore a brasen
shield. 1606 Shaks. Tr. 4- Cr, I. i. i Call here my Varlet,
He vnarme againe. Why should I warre without the wals
of Troy? 1825 Scott Talism. iii. Some fifty more men,
archers and varlets included. 1864 Burton Scot. Abr. I. iii.
123 In one month the French lost upwards of a hundred
VARLETTO.
varlets. tSSg F. Cowper Capt. 0/ Wight 167 Their esquires
were waiting outside, and their varlets were leading their
horses, .up and down.
to. Varlet of the chamber, = Valet- DK-
OHAMBRE. Obs.
1567 Throgmorton in Robertson Hist. Scot. (1851) II. 435
[She requested] to have her apothecary.. and. .10 have a
varlet of the chamber. 1588 Excheq. Rolls Scot. XXI. 403
To William Murray, varlett of his majesteis chalmer, for his
pensioun. 1596 Nashe Saffron Walden Wks. (Grosart) III.
158 His voiage vnder Don Anthonio was nothingso great
credit to him, as a French Varlet of the chamber is. (X664
Butler Hud. 11. i. 406 lis this that Proudest Dames
enamors On Lacquies, and Varlets des-Chambres.]
f d. = Sergeant sb. 8. Obs.
1598 B. Jonson Ev. Man in Hum. iv. ix, Why, you were
best get oneo' the varlets o' the citie,a serieant. x6aoMELTON
Astrolog. 73 Those that stand before both the Compters,.,
who appeare in the shapes of Sergeants, alias Varlets. 1638
Shirley Mart. Soldier v, I was first a Varlet, then a Bum-
baily, now an under Jailor.
2. A person of a low, mean, or knavish disposi-
tion ; a knave, rogue, rascal.
In later use freq. without serious implication of bad
qualities.
o. 1555 in CovERDALE Lett. Martyrs (1564) 173 Then my
lord sayd, thou art a very varlet. 1584 R. Scot Discov.
IVitclur. xiv. iii. 297 A notable cousening varlot, who pro-
fessed Alcumystrie. 1624 Bp. Mountagu Immed. Addr.
213 Is not thisavarlet ingraine: afit Patron of Inuocation?
X643 D. Rogers Naaman 307 All shall_ see that you were
arrant varlots, such as Religion can receive no blemish from.
1726 Swift Gulliver 11. v, A little contemptible varlet, with-
out the least title to birth, person, wit. 1777 Sheridan Trip
Scarb. v. ii, Look, if the varlet has not the effrontery to call
his lordship plain Thomas. 1822 W. Irving Braceb. Hall
viii, A handsome boy, . .but a mischievous varlet. 1853 Kane
Grinncll E.xp. xl.(i856) 365 Weare an uncouth, snobby,and
withal, shabby-looking set of varlets. 1881 Besant & RitE
Chapl. of Fleet I. x, In the doorway were the two impudent
varlets, whom he called his clerks.
fi. a 1550 Image Hypocr. IL 51B in Skeltons Wks. (1843)
if 429/1 The helper of harlettes. And captayne of verlettes,
The cloke of all vnthriftes. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 144
Such Lords ill example doth giue, where verlets and drabs
so may line, a 1604 Hanmer Chron. Irel. (1633) 29 Now
see the villany of these verlates.
b. Employed as an abusive form of address.
1566 Adlington Apuleius 55 Thou presumest and think-
est, thou triflinge boye, thou verlette, ..that thou arte most
worthy and excellent. 1608 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iv.
Schism 116 Know you (varlets) whom you dally-with? 1676
D'Urfey Mme. Fickle iii. i, Out of my doors thou Varlet ;
away. 1706 Addison Rosamond i. iii, Faithless^ Varlet, art
thou there ? 1773 Goldsm. Stoops to Cong. v. ii. And is it
to you, you graceless varlet, I owe all this ? 1829 Lytton
Devereu.v 11. iv, *Now for thee, varlet,' cried Tarleton,
brandishing bis rapier. 1841 James Brigand iii. Run, sir
varlet, run.
to. In the phr. to play the . . varlet. Obs.
IS79TOUSOS Calvin's Serm. Tim. 871/1 To play the verie
varlets against all goodnesse:.. we see the wicked are giuen
to this. 1615-20 C. Moke Li/i Sir T. More (1828) 318 He
fell to scoffing,.. and played the very varlet with the king.
1651 D. Calderwood Hist. Kirk (1843) H- '72 So faine
would the comptroller have played a good varlett, and satis-
feid the queene, or elles have made up his owne profile,
fd. transf. (See quot.) Obs.
1606 Shaks. Tr, f, Cr. v. i. 18 Thou art thought to be
Achilles male Varlot. Patr. Male Varlot you Rogue:
What's that ? Ther. Why his masculine Whore.
1 3. The knave in cards. Obs. [So F. valet.l
1508 Y..v.vi-»Y.\i\v, Fly ting w. Dunbar 43 Walk walidrag, and
werlot \v.r. verlol] of the cairtis. 1579 Rice Invective agst.
Vices B iv, [They] are more at quiete with the Ace, Kyng,
Queene, or Varlet of Spades, then thei can be with a Spade
todigge..for their liuyng. Ibid., Varlette of the Hartes.
1625 B. Jonson Staple 0/ N. iv. i. Mad. We call'd him a
CoaLcard O' the last order. P. Iv. What's that ? a Knaue !
Mad. Some readings haue it so, my manuscript Doth speake
it, Varlet.
4. altrib. as varlet heretic, page, rebel.
1456 Sir G. Have Bk. Knighthood Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 15
Thai ordanyt him a squier, and a varlet page to be ever
contynualy at his bidding and service. 1553 T. Wilson
Rhit, 68 Did the maior of London thrust throughe Jacke
Straw beinge but a verlet rebell, and onely disquietinge ihe
Citye? 1563 FoXE A. <$■ M. 1581/2 He is the naughtiest
verlet heretique, that euer I knewe.
H 5. App. used for Warlock.
1703 Brand New Desc. Ork. ^ Zetland y'iii. 110 There is
a House called Kebister, where a Varlet or Wizard lived.
Hence Tarletess, a female varlet.
1748 Richardson Clarissa I. xxxi. i0 It was more Pride
than Love.. that put me upon making such a confounded
rout about losing this noble varletess. Ibid. VI. 96 Eight
o'clock at Mid.sUtamer, and these lazy varletesses (in full
health) not come down yet to breakfast !
Varletry (va-iletri). Also 7 varlotarie. [f.
Varlet •)- -BY.] Varlets collectively ; a number or
crowd of attendants or menials.
1606 Shaks. Ant. f, CI. v. ii. 56 Shall they hoyst me vp.
And shew me to the showting Variotarie Of censuring Rome?
1757 Dyer Fleece in. 461 Those Whose virtues taught the
varletry of towns 'To useful toil to turn the pilfering hand.
1789 J. White Earl Strongbow II. 20 The retainers .. now
hurried to the barbican. ..I wheeled round however, and
with Gridalbin made a hideous carnage of this varletry.
ZB40 Browning Sordello vi. 402 Gay swarms of varletry that
come and go. Pages to dice with. 1891 Farrar Darkn. ff
Dawn xiv, It was only the clientage and varletry of Octavia
who had dared to assume the people's name.
II Varletto. Obs,-^ [Italianized f. varlet. Cf.
It. Valletta servant, valet.J = Vaelet 1 or 2 b.
1598 Shaks. Merry W. iv. v. 66 Host. Where be my
horses? Speake well of them varletto.
VARMENT.
Varlo, obs. Sc. f. Warlock. Varly, obs. Sc.
f. Wabelt adv. Varm, southern dial. var. Farm
I'.i Varme, obs. Sc. f. Warm«.
Vannent, varmint (va-jmant), sty and a.i
dial, .ind I'.S. Also vajmant, -munt, verment,
warment, -mint, etc. [var. of varmin Vermin,
with excrescent -/. Rare before c 1825.]
1. a. collect. Vermin, b. An animal'of a noxious
or objectionable kind.
A large collection of American examples is given by
Thornton Attier. Gloss. (1912) s.v.
a. 1539 in Ellis Orig;. Lett. Ser. it. II. 14S Let me not be
utterly caste away here in prysson, remayening fwll of var.
ment which cawsythe me to hawe no lyste of meytte nor
dryncke. i6te Husnancb Monitor Ep. Ded.. For many who
smell like a Kirkish Verment, Can now, Sir, put on a Lamb-
like garment. 1833 E. Moor Suffolk IVds., Varmint,
vermin, not always confined to the verminous class of
animals, but extended to any annoying or troublesome ones
1828 J. Hall Lett. fr. West 297 He gave his foe [a bear-cub)
a mortal shot, or to use his own language, ' I burst the
varment". 183S W. Irvino Tour Prairies xxiii, 'These
beavers, said he, '.. are the knowingest varment as I know'
J854 Miss Baker Northam/it. Gloss., Varment, vermin
18. 18.9 sporting Mag. (N.S.) XXIIL 242 Some of the
followers of the gallant varmint. 1846 T. B. Thorpe Baek-
•moods i66 The idea of a 'man's keeping two varmints in a
grass, when he might shoot a dozen by going a little way
into the woods '. These ' varmints ' were two ^autiful deer
1883 PENNELL-ELMHiRsrCrmm Lcicesterslt. 154 Meanwhile
the varmmt had stolen on in his struggle for Tilton Wood
and life. 1889 Boston (Mass.) Jml. 25 Oct. 2/3 The granger
came out with his rifle and shot the varmint [a panther).
2. An objectionable or troublesome person or
persons ; a raischievons boy or child.
1773 GOLDSM. Stoops to Cong. V. 92 The poor beasts have
smoaked for It : Rabbet me, but I'd rather ride forty miles
^ir^l- ^f"'' '^?" '^" *'■'' '"'^'' "«"«"''■ i8«S Brockett
yv. C. (.loss., Varment, Verment, . .also a term of reproach
particularly to a child. 18^5 C. H. J. Anderson Swedish
Brothers 8 That little varmint Nettop has tickled his heels
for him. 1857 Hughes Tom Brmun 11. iv, ' I've got the
young varmint at last, have 1," pants the farmer/ i8sg '
Slang Diet. 114 'You young varment, you I ' you bad or
naughty boy.
yarment, varmint, sb.i and a.2 slang (now
dial.). [Oi obscure origin ; there is no obvious
connexion with prec]
A. sb. A sporting amateur with the knowledge
or skill of a professional.
lilt Snorting Mag. XXXIX. 9 Every professional amateur
..IS denominated a Varment. 1813 Evron 7ua>i xi. xvii
fooT Tom was once a kiddy upon town, A thorough varmint,
and a r<'a/ swell. Full flash, all fancy.
B. ajj. 1. (See quot. 1823.) Also Camd.
_ i8»3 Egan Grose's Diet. Vulg. T., Varment, natty, dash-
ing. He IS quite varment, he is quite the go. He sports a
varment hat, coat etc., he is dressed like a gentleman Jehu.
i8rf LVTT0N/WU« II. XIV. 135 Wesat down, .and li>ked
round inqumngly at the smug and varment citizens with
which the room was filled. 1859 WARBtmTOM Hunting
Songs (p A varment looking gemman on a woiry tit.
A. Knowing, clever, cunning.
1819 Brockett AT. C.GUss. 317 Varment.. H also a sort
of cant word for knowing; as a varment chap, a knowing
one. 1831 TRELAWNY^rfr/. Younger Son\.n^-He^m\t\^
there is a varnient and knowing look about her [a ship) which
I like. 1834 Medwin Angler in Wales II. 162 None but
a very rarmint dog.. will face one of these water.wea/els a
second time. 1890 ' R. Boldrewood • Col. Reformer (180, )
^♦°ui- v?".'"'" ""= '"x^ltya"! and caught the varmint
ambling black mare 1891 P. H. Emerson East Coast
\ "1'" I'' ?" "''' -'""■"y Lod«. Ibe varminlest horse-
dealer about these parts.
Hence Va-rmcntoy j Va-nnentish a.
ifi* ^rting Mag XXXIX. 9 This polite art is desig.
IJf,^';., n ?1"'T, ?'■''• "° '^y °"8in of Varmentcy, as of
?/ XT L- '" Sciences, is obscure. 1819 liidtH .S 1
V. 54 Nothing under four horses would look '^varraentish '.
Varmin, obs. or dial. var. Vermin. Vam(e
obs. ff. Warn v. Varnasyng. Sc. var. War-
NisHiNo. VamgreiB, obs. Sc. var. Vkrdigris
Vamis, obs. Sc. var. Warnish v.
Vami8h(va-jniJ),j<).l Fonns: o.4vomiB8he,
4, 6 vernysshe, 5 -nyshe, -nysohe, -nosche • 4
vemisoh, 5 vernysh (wernysoh), 6-8 vernish ]
4, 7 vernioh ; 6 vemize, Sc. verueis, vemes'
vemys, 7 vernig, -nice. e. 6 varnysoh, 6-
varnish (7 -nishe) ; 6 Sc. rapneyis, 7 varnes
l^d. OF. vemis (vamis), vcrttiz (i2thc.), = Prov.
vemis, -nitz, Pg. verniz, It. vemice, Cat. bamis
Sp. bamiz, of unknown origin. Cf. med.L. vemic-
tum&aivemix ibemix), me<l.Gr./9(pi'i'OT;,mod. Gr
fiffviKt. French is also the source of MHO. /?r«/'x
(i.firnis{s, Du. vemis, V>a..fimis, Hw./emissa ]'
L Resinous matter dissolved in some liquid and
used for spreading over a surface in order to give
this a hard, shining, transparent coat, by which it
IS made more durable or ornamental.
65
Colchestre a li. of yernyshe, pryse .vj.d. 1501 Ace. Ld.
Ihd. IV. 90 Caddes, verneis, rede lede. 1530 Pal.scr. 28^/2
Vernysshe, uernys ,585 T. Washington tr. NicholayS
Voy. HI. XV. 99 b. They vse by continuall artifice Terebinthe
and vernish, ,598 Barret Theor. Warrcs 135 Aqua vita,
I'^ll^Th '"-'l "";"'■'?• '*?3 Hart Diet 0/ Diseased i
xyu. 69 Iheoile of w.ilnuts is.. used, .by painters for ver-
nice. 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 285 Apelles. .did by an
inimitable invention anoint his finished workes with. .a
thinne kinde of inke or vernish. 1658 tr. Porta's Mat
v.r?fl,''''''.?*l>?°"''''J""'P*''-8""'> "^^'""^ Scriveners call
Vernish, and add it to the rest. 1706 Stevens Span. Diet.
I, Bamtz, Vernish.
3. 1346 iHV.Ch. Goods Surrey 106 Item for ij lb. of var-
nysch, ij s. vu, d iSao Skuttleivorths' Ace. (Chetham Soc.)
244 lliree pound of varnishe for the caroache, xxj''. i6eS
PHILLIPS, \arnisli, is that wherewith a picture is rubbld
over to make it shine and have a glosse; there is also a
ground or varnish which is laid upon a plate that is to be
V^rnf i, "^,'1? "^T- ^'"- ^■\ l*'""'"^^. Let him drop some
yarn sh with a Feather to the bottom. 1773 Cook's Voy.
1777) "• HI. XI. 146 As we had neither pitch, tar, nor rosin
left to pay the seams, thi's was done with varnish of pine.
iBis J. i^mTH Panorama Sci. <• Art II. 86 As wood, and
many other substances . . are porous and apt to imbibe water
^it IS proper to give them a coat of varnish. 184a Lever
-^'. 11" u "•■, ^' ■ ''" Ornish upon a picture, it brings
out all the colour into strong effect. 1894 BorroNE £lect.
Inst r 60 When the sectors are firmly stuck down to the glass
and the varnish quite dry.
trans/. 1784 Cowper Task t. 40 Now came the cane from
India, smooth and bright With Nature's varnish.
b. With a and pi. A special preparation of this
nature.
Many varieties are enumerated in special works from
Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. (1753) onwards.
°i"*ll''''m- ^'■''°^- -M- ■•'7 H"*' '" China and Japan, they
make the Black-vernish. Ibid. 487 This Author mentions
..their {sc Chinese) Vemice, of which he sets down some
Receipts both for the Red and Black. 1676 IHd XI. 714
An Oyl, of which the Persians make a Vernis.
3. J69a Luttrell Brie/ Rel.Wsi) IL 420 A pattent is past
tor the invention of a varnish to preserve guns, &c. from
[^"'.•i. ^■m.C'""''l"rs- Cycl. Suppl. s.v., The Varnishes used
by the Chinese are two. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776)
VIU.24 it IS only formed bya beautiful brown varnish, laid
u[X)n a white ground. 1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies
538 Uragons blood.. is used also to give a red colour to
varnishes. 189a Photogr. Ann. II. 235 In using the var-
nishes..care must be taken not to apply toogreataquantitv
ot thein to the surface of the calico.
o. A solution of this kind spread on a surface ;
the coating or surface so formed.
!*43 /'''"■'' English 13 Posts whose varnish is..wome off.
i66« tvELvN Chalcogr. 9 Not much unlike to our Etch-
ing with points and Needles on the Vernish. 1716 Leoni
AliertisArchit. I. 33/1 Lime. .for plaistering. .gives the
best vamish to the Work. -""- ^^— ----- .. .".- * .? '-"..
VABNISH.
this kfn^ '^' ""'^ '•«'"°'« ">»"«' ia' making a solution of
«:.lV,l-»ElySacr. Rolls IL 121 In vj libr. de albo ver.
li ^;f \r, '^''J''- •'^'" PiP'RollT.'2 Edw.ft/uCUJih,
In .uij. Mill de vernisHIe j .v. 16 de vermeillone. 136a LanclI
W.n.i,- '° Y'""" o'.vemisch or vinegre, I trouwe,
«r^tth '"V'?r^- M- ■ in R'lk. ^"t. 1. 163 F6rto make
™f^il f *^° "r?"'"." ."'Kood ale, and put thereto iii
Ti(Rji;T'"' of A,abyke (etc.). .4M M^n. * Househ'.
e-xf. (Koxb.) 349 My mastyr receyvid of Fynches man of
. .. „.,^. i86s Dickens Mut. Fr. i. ii. All
things were in a state of high varnish and polish. 1871
lYNDALL Fra^m. Sci. ix. 240 When it was found that all
chemical precipitates radiated alike, it was the radiation
from a varnish common to them all which showed the
observed constancy.
,i.''?'!l^- "''* ^°l^ ^*- '<''■'"«« 37 This the blue varnish,'
that the green endears, The sacred rust of twice ten hundred
years! 1S19 Scott tvanhoe iii. By encrusting them with
"pil^ \v^'']^^\ ??"• '5?* Emerson Addr., Literary
Ethics Wks.(Bohn) II. 207 The sense of spiritual indepenJ-
ence is like the lovely varnish of the dew.
/•g. 183s LvTTON Rienzi iv. iii. The varnish of power
brings forth at once the defects and the beauties of the
wr^'^o'^",''';'.'- '**° Emerson Cond. Li/e, Behaviour
\yks. (Bohn) II 380 They (manners] form at last a rich var-
nish, with which the routine of life is washed. 1884 Pall
9:i^ Feb. ./.There is a film of Levantine^mish
around the court at Constantinople.
d. A preparation of boiled oil (or other sub-
stances) used in the making of printers' ink
J?7 T. Thomson CArw. (ed. 3) II. ^45 The oil is., boiled
gently till it acquires the proper consistence. In this state it
% ? J !5*-r'?''"'^''- '"*■ T- C. Hansard Printing /^
'yt'-f- 106 The next.. article is nut or linseed oil boiled
and burnt into a varnish.
e. A medical preparation resembling a varnish,
for application to the skin.
Jl^'^''?",^'' ^'"'- '^"^ ^"'- S82 Both tar and pyro.
robS •^""»s Pa'"'s and varnUhes than the chrysa-
^. fig. A specious gloss or outward show; a
pretence.
wJ**?J'^J'f ^'^i^ ficrding^iip) 438 This of late yeeres
M H !<^ °°'l"u-°^',?1f'^*'''°'"'" meaning,.. whicft now
M. Harding and his Fe lowes are faine for shame, to colour
ouer wi h some finer Vernish. 1617 Hieron Wks. II. 363
bleare His eyes. i««7 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. xliv
(1739) 7] For the better varnish, the Duke would not be his
own Judge. I7«5 Prw. Lett. Ld. Malmesbury (,870) I. .63
It IS impossible to get the least certain intelligence from
larlluh ^ .",«, V* '';?""'' °2-' °^"!? '='°«' •"" "i'h a double j
^h7 1, 1, '^ ^- .'^'"?''.-S"- 'vii. (.8.9) II. , Qualities.
Tl^i V"i^'"-"'" '" ''"=.'.■■ "■"' "S""' »nd without the var^
him 1 .h'^ ' '• ?l' The affectatfon of legal forms afforded
L^LF /ir/ r w ""^ '"•nP''°?"'''"«^ 1844 Mrs. Car.
LVLE Lett. I, 29, Women will , . always give a vamish of duty
Conv!.;,' r't""- '«95C. GRAHA«V»/„^/«/«Mi.7
Convention has lent a thin varnLsh of hypocrisy to manners
D. Without article.
1743 Lond Mag. 346 The aothentick Gazette, which..
^u':?jT-rf^:'^°' ^""'i*"' >"« '"W '^= Truth.
k?3., . -^"'^ ^'V ""■ ""• ^'°"' "><= ';l"k of the
™nre,^J/!''"'."''i'"' butterv accounts without vamish or
concealment. .847 Emerson Refr-. Men, Plato Wks. (Bohn)
H;i?2h. i"-^ eldest Goethe, hating varnish and falsehood,
delighted in revealing the real at the base of the accidental
3. -A means of embellishment or adornment- a
beautifying or improving quality or feature.
1591 Sylvester ZJ« .Sa,-/aj ,. ii. 1,50 Though. Divinity
SrWk?fGrtsar',rv '"' 7"!'l '»» N^ash'e^SS
:^tujre VVks. (Grosart) V. 233, I might enamelL.this deuice
more artificially and masterly, and attire it in his true or"e"
vamish and tincture. ,605 Bacon Adv. Learn T^iVil
intent is without varnish or amplification, iustly to weigh
the dignitie of knowledge m the ballance with other thinis
.67. Panton spec. yuv. Ded., Though it have not tfe
Romantick varnish of stile, worthy your Majestie's view and
regard. 171a Steele Sped. No. 364 P i This last Qualifica-
^p^-fT'^?^ " ^"""'' i.? "" '*= '^^'- '7'7 S. SWITZER
Pract. Card. Ixxvin. 392 Neatness and polilure ought now
. . to serve for a varnish to the alleys and the dre-ss'd Srounds.
1863 Hawthorne OKr Old Home (1883) I. 246 A cloudy and
rainy day takes the varnish off the scenery.
b. Gloss, brilliancy.
tliJ^kliH^'.i'.^'"'?'""' P'-'"ting^ Type./ ,07 The turpen-
A '^'"''''■' '° S've greater varnish [to the ink).
4. An external appearance or display of some
quality without underlying reality. (Cf. Veneer sb.)
i66a Stillingfl. Orig. Sacrx 11. ii. § 8 He lived long enough
to have.. judgement to distinguish a meer outside and vJr-
nish from what was solid and substantial. 1776 Gibbon
„m;1" "■S''''^'^,''° ^^ay. I -laugh at her Paris vamish, and
Oblige her to become a simple reasonable Suissesse. 1778
nl'nf;„^ Arblav Zlmo- 23 Aug., Such a fine vamish of low
politeness !_such a struggle to appear a gentleman ! 184a
IHIRLWALL Greece Iv. Vll. ,,3 New forms .destitute of life
L ^ »A !^' ='" '™P'.y varnish. 1853 Merivale Rom. Rep.
IV (1867) 100 But this vamish of superior culture seems "To
have failed in softening a rough plebeian nature. 1868 M.
l^l^x^lc '^""\-°Z^- "■•.^5 1''"' y°"''' ■=°"'<^s up with a
varnish of accomplishment beyond his real powers.
5. aitrib. and Comb., as vamish brush, gum,
-house, -maker, pot, -secretor; vamish sumach,
the Japanese tree Jihus vemicifera from which
lacquer is obtained ; varnish-tree, one or other
of various trees yielding a resinous substance used
as a vamish.
i8sg F. S. Cooper Ironmongers' Catal. 38 "Varnish
soM w n v^. ""'f". ^"'" '3 Feb. 7/3 Cinlhona.bark
sold well, but *vamish gums generally eased off. 1839 Ure
Diet. Arts 1269 Crystal varnish maybe made., in the *var.
nish-house. 17S3 CAamber/ Cycl. Supp., .<;pike,. .!,r, essen-
tial oil, much used by the 'varnish-makers and the painters
in enanjel. ,839 Ure Diet. Arts 1267 The choice of linseed
oil^ of peculiar consequence to the varnish-maker. i8j«
J . Nicholson Operai. Mechanic 739 Put the copal, coarsel?
pulverized, into a -yarnish pot. 1836 Kiebv & Sp. Entomol.
\ll <. "6„ V^"'sh-.secretor {Colleterium)...\n the cab.
bage butterfly there is a pair of ovate ones [sc. oviduct
H,'^±'',k"'1"^ *"5 ? '""°'V fluid, which Reaumur and
Herold think is used for varnishing or gumming the e^^s
.8.a-7 Gootj Stud Med (1829) IV^eSj, I mTn^everafof
pf ■?''?• P<"'?"5. as..r/,Kr vemiAT, 'vamish sumach. 1758
ft. ,C ''."'";,■ ^" He says, speaking of this true •varnish-
ri'i o '^?""^"'s are painted with the juice of this shrub
/*.rf. 448 1 suppose he means, by this true varnish-tree,
vvSf f P?""\'"^ Toxicodendron. 1843 Penny Cycl.
AXVI. 147/2 I he theetsee, or varnish-tree oi^the Burmese,
f ^. .™ described and figured by Dr. Wallich, by the name
of Melanorrho:a usitata. He identified it with the Kheu or
varnish-tree of Munnipore. 1866 Treas. Sot. 445/1 The
natives speak of the tree producing this resin, E\lxagia\
<</i/«, as the Wax tree or Varnish tree. Ibid. 170^/2.
Vamish, sb.^ Also 7 vemish. [f. the vb.]
An act of varnishing ; an application of vamish.
ifci Holland /'/iMc 1 1. 515 If you be desirous to keepc
any yron-worke from rust, give it a vernish with cerusse,
piastre, and tar, incorporat all together. 1755 Diet. Arts *
Sci. S.V. Japanning, If it be not well done, polishing will be
necessary, for which reason you must give it five or six
varnishes more.
Vamish (va-inij), v. Forms : a. 4-6 ver-
nysshe, s vernysohe (-nysohyn), 6 wernysh-,
6-8 vernish, 6 .SV. vernes-. /3. 5 varneseh-,
o .SV. vameis, warnis, 6- varnish, [ad. OF.
vemiss{i)er, vemic(i)er (F. vemisser), or verniss-,
vemir, f. vemis Varnish sb. Cf. med.L. and It.
vemiciare, Pg. envemizar, Sp. bamizar.'\
1. trans. To paint over, to coat, with varnish ; to
overlay with a thin coating composed of varnish.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. xxiii. (Bodl. MS.),
Bokes f.at be|> yvarnesched with |;e gomme )>erof bel. noujt
iSete wi), wormes. c 1440 Prmit. Parv. 509/1 Vernyschyn,
vermcto. 1530 Palsgr. 765/2 I vernysshe a spurre, or any
yron with vernysshe,> vemis. Come hyther, spurryer be
my spurres well vernyssbed. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV,
12 Some had their .armyng sweardes freshly bumyshed and
-■some had them conningly vernished. 1589 Alex. Hume
/ oems (S.T.S.) 55 Corslets of pruif, and mony targe of steill
Sum varneist bright, sum dorred diuerslie. 1604 E. G(rim-
stone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies iv. xxix. 288 They bringe
likewise from this Province oyle of Aspicke, which . . Painters
vse much.. to vernish the pictures. 1697 J. Potter Antia
Greece in. xv. (1715) 127 Several other Colours were also
made use of, nor were they barely vamish'd over with them
but very often anneal'd by Wax melted in the Fire. 170a
W. J. tr. Bruyn's Voy. Levant xxxvii. 147 Plaistervarnish'd
with a green colour. 175s Did. Arts/j-Sci. s.v. japanning,
With a pencil varnish it over with the finest white varnish.
i8ji Craig Led. Drawing, etc. ii. 112 These pictures, I am
persuaded, were afterwards constantly varnished. 1861
T. A. Trollope La Beata I. vii. 152 The copy., was not to
be sent home till it had been varnished.
absol. isn Art Limming (i^iz) g If you will vernish on
silver, then take the Almon of Bengewyne.
b. trans/. To invest with a bright or glossy
appearance ; to smear or stain with some substance
similar to vamish.
c 1386 Chaucer Reeve's T. 229 Wei hath the myller ver-
VARNISHED.
56
VABVICITE.
Dys&hed his heed, Ful pale he was, for-dronken, and nat
reed. £'1430 Lvdg. Afin. Potms (Percy Soc.) 53 Ful pale
dninke, weel vcin>"ssht of visage. Ihid. 54 And whan thou
hast ueel \'em>-ssht thi pate, To take a sleepe in hast thou
woU the dresse. 1589 Gkeene Tulites Love Wks. (Grosarl)
VII. H7, 1 found him in his bed chamber, his wife slaine
And the blade yet varnished with bloud, graiiped in his fist.
a 16x8 SvLVFsrF.R SptctacUs xx.\iii. Wks. (Grosart) II. 300
The Leaves fresh \*amisht lively green, The Blossoms various
to be seen. 1664 Power Rxp. Fhilos. i. 11 Her eyes are..
of a pure golden colour, most admirable to behold, especially
when varnish 'd with a full light, a 1733 Ramsay Tartana
J7 Vou who. .Drain from the flow'rs the early dews of May,
To\'amisii on your cheek the crimson dye. 1841 Maunder
Scuff Lit. Trtas. 11848) s.v. Scarahxns, The colour (of the
Scan$itrus auraivs] is most brilliant, highly varnished, and
of a golden green. 1865 Dickens A/u/. Fr. i. x, Next
moriung, that horrible old I^dy Tippins begins to be dyed
and vamtsbed for the interesting Decision.
2. To embellish or adorn; to improve, trick ont,
furbish 1//.
X4. . Sir BfMts (MS. C.) 3777 Blak sendel and . .rede, Ver-
n)-sched wi|» ros>*s oflT sylu>T bry^t. 1580 Lylv Euphues
(Arb.) 450 The Elizabeth of Euphues being but shadowed
for others to vemish, but begun for others to ende. 1589
Nashe Martin Marprelate Wks. (Grosart) I. 189 All my
foolerie I bequeath to my good friend Lanam ;. .it. .may
serue (perhappes) for yong beginners, if it be ne we varnished.
1639 G. Daniel Vervic 720 My Name, which stood The
Boast of Fame, I N-arnish't with my Blood. 1699 Bentlf.y
PhaL 162 To dress up and to v.arnish the Story of Pausanias.
01715 Burnet dfM Time (1766) U. 154 Which were set off
with all the fulsome Rhetorick that the penners could varnish
them with. 1789 Mrs. Piozzi Jonrn. France II. 374 [Here
is] old Franck's Seven Acts of Mercy varnished up. 1887
Huxley in Z.iy&(i9oo) II. 154 It will go on and be varnished
into a simulacrum of success,
3. To cover or overlay with a specious or decep-
tive appearance ; to gloss over, disguise.
1571 GoLDiNG Cah'in on Ps. iv. 3 Though they be wylfully
blind & vernish their unryghtuou^nesse with counterfet
colours. 1597 Hooker EccL Pol. v. Ixv. § 15 The church of
Rome hath hitherto practised and doth profess the same
adoration to the sign of the cross,.. howsoeuer they varnish
and qualifie their sentence. 1641 Milton Reform, Wks.
1851 III. II But what doe wee suffer., Prelatisme, as we do,
thus to blanch and varnish her deformities with the faire
colours .. of Episcopacie ? 1649 Drumm. of Hawth. Skia-
nmchia Wks. {1711) 198 Wicked Counsels maybe varnished
with the shining Oil of sly Pretences." 1713 Addison Cato w.
ii, Cato's voice was ne'er employed To clear the guilty, and
to vernish crimes. 1783 Blair^4?Axxv. (1812) II, 160 The
art of \*arnishing weak arguments plausibly. 183^ Woman
II. 241 The female character of this day is varnished, not
polished. 1863 Cowden Clarke Shaks. Char, xx. 520 He
does not varnL'ih — he does not even polish vice, 1874 L.
Stephen Hours in Library {iZg2) I. iii. 134 A corrupt heart
thinly varnished by a coating of affectation.
4. With over (in senses 2 and 3).
164X Milton Ch. Givt. ii. Wks. 1851 III. 103 God. .never
intended to leave the Government, .to be patch 't afterwards,
and varnish't over with the devices.. of mans imagination.
1643 Denhajh Cooper's H. 125 And yet this Act, to varnish
o'r the shame Of Sacriledge, must bear Devotions Name.
. 1694 Addison England' s Greatest Poets Misc. Wks. 1726 I.
38 Or had the Poet ne'er profan'd his pen, To vernish o'er
the guilt of faithless men. 1719 Young Susiris in. i, O,
how can you abuse your sacred reason,., To varnish o'er, and
paint, so black acrime ! ? 1773 Macpherson OssiatCs Poems,
Dissert, Concern. /Era o/Ossian (1785) II. 227 When they
\sc. poets) found their themes inadequate to the warmth of
their imaginations, they varnished them over with fables.
1824 SvD. S.MITH Wks. (1867) II. 1^3 He may hide it by
increased zeal and violence, or varnish it over by simulated
gaiety. 1871 R, H. Hutton Theol. Ess. iii, (1888) 49 To
varnbb over these distinctions.
Hence Va-rnishln^ ///. a.
1796 Mod. Gulliver 203 The mischiefs flowing from my
fallacious v.irnishing pamphlet were not thought of,
Vamislied (va-jnijt), ppL a. [f. prec]
1. Coated with varnish ; f painted.
1553 Ace. Ld. H. Treas. Scot. X. 176 Ane pair of warnist
styrrcp irnis. 1596 Shaks. Merck. K. 11. v. 33 Nor thrust
your head.. To gaze on Christian fooles with varnisht
faces. X599 Minsheu S^an. Dial. 3/2 What rapier?..
None but that vamist rapier, least it should raine. 1671
BovLR Use/. Exp. Nat. Philos. 11. v. 29, I am credibly in-
form'd, that the Art of making the like Varnish'd Wares, is
now begun to be a Trade at Paris. 1755 Diet. Arts <S- Sci,
S.V. japanning, Laying this paper upon the table, or piece
of varnished- work. 1794 R, J. .Sulivan View Nat. 1. 247
The varnished superior surface imbibes the essential par-
ticles. i8isScorT(7;y i*/, xlix. Brown silk stockings, highly
varnished shoes, and gold buckles.
b. transf. Presenting a shining or glossy appear-
ance as if coated with varnish.
1642 H. Moke Song of Soul n. 111, L 25 Fresh varnish'd
groves, tall hills, and gilded clouds Arching an eyelid for
the glowing Morn. 1646 Quarles Eglogues ix, See, how
sweat imljalmes His varnisht Temples ! 1733 Pope Donne's
.Sat. IV. 208 Such painted puppets! such a varnish'd race
Of hollow gew-gaws, only dress and face! ci8ao Dublin
Hosp. Rep. III. 23 A florid, clear, varnished tongue. 1855
Miss Peatt Flower. PL V. 83 The variety, .termed the
Varnished Willow, is an upright tree.
2. fig. a. Embellished ; speciously tricked out.
i6<>7 Walkington Opt. Glass 129 A smug neate stile,..
vcrnishcd phrases. 166a Yio^vivtiS Funeral Serm.{xti%^ 103
Nor easily cousened by varnisht and plausible error.
b. Simulated, pretended.
1607 Shaks. Timon iv. it. 36 To hau^ his pompe..But
onety painted like his varnisht Friends. 1685 Drvden
Threnodia Aug. iv. 132 Whose noble pride Was still above
Dissembled hate or varnished love.
Vamisher (vaunijai). [f. as prec]
1. One who varnishes ; spec, one who makes a
business or trade of varnishing.
1598 Florio, Tnuemicafore, a vamisher. 1669 Pepys
Diary 26 Apr., To Lilly'.s, the Vamisher, who is lately
dead, and his wife and brother keep up the trade. 1706
.Stevens Span. Diet, i, Barnizador^ a Vernisher, 17J3
Lond. Gas, No. 6224/8 Willi.im Morgan, . . Vamisher.
1804 P. TiNGRV (title), Painter and Varnisher's Guide. xSag
]. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 745 These accidents can
be repaired only by new strata of varnish, which render
application to the vamisher necessary. 1864 Daily Tel. 7
April, Painters' and varnishers' shops.
fig. CX700 Poi'E Imit. Earl Rochester 21 With thee in
private modest Dulness lies, And in thy bosom lurks in
Thought's disguise; Thou varnisher of Fools, and cheat of
all the Wise ! ^
2. slang, (See quot.)
1865 Slang Diet. 265 I'arnisher, an utterer of false
sovereigns.
Varnishing (va-mijig), vhL sh. [f. as prec]
1. The action of applying varnish or of coating
anything with varnish.
1505 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. III. 148 For vernesing
of X pair sterap irnis. 1536-7 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees)
697 Cum emendacione lez bossez, et wemysshynge. 1609
Bible (Douay) Ecclus, xxxviii. 34 He wil geve his hart to
finish the vernishing thereof. 163a Sherwood s,v., A kind
of varnishing like to damasking. 1688 Stalker {title).
Treatise of Tapaning and Varnishing, Being a compleat
Discovery of those Arts. 1753 Chambers^ Cycl. Suppl. s.v.
Japanningj, For in this laying it on depends the principal
art of varnishing. 1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. vj. § i.
360 Linseed oil . . is also largely employed . . in the varnishing
of oiled silk. 1885 Athenxum 11 July 55/2 It proves to be
..untouched except for a little clumsy varnishing.
fig. 1697 Collier Ess. Mor. Subj. 11. (1709) 139 Whence
comes all Circumvention in Commerce, adulterating of
Wares, vouching and varnishing against all good Faith and
Honesty ?
2. A coating of varnish. In quot. ^^.
1754 P. H. Hiberniad iii. 22 These Advantages, however
shewy, are but the outward Varnishing of Man.
3. attrib.^sA varnishing brt4,sh\ varnishingday
(see quot. 1862).
c i8as Turner in Westm. Gas. (1896) i May 8/3 When we
have no more * varnishing ' days we shall not know one
another. 18*5 Sir T. Lawrence in D. E. Williams Life
(1831) II. 406 Will you likewise procure a large flat varnish-
ing brush? 186a W. Sandbv Hist. R. Acad. Arts I. 274
In the year 1809.. the 'varnishing days' were appointed,
whereby the members of the Academy were granted the
privilege of retouching and varnishing their pictures after
they were hung, and prior to the opening of the exhibition.
1896 Harper's Mag. Apr. 680/2 Varnishing-day came at
last. The portrait was received with enthusiasm and given
a place of honor.
t ya'rnislinient. Ohs, rare. [f. as prec]
The act of varnishing.
1593 Nashe Christ's T. Wks. (Grosart) IV. 210 Thou hast. .
wyth Arts-vanishing varnishment, made thy selfea change-
ling from the forme I first cast thee in. 1646 Jf.nkvn
Remora 19 Let not humane varnishments and pretexts draw
forth thy love to it.
Varnys(ing, Sc. varr. \VARNiaH(iNG.
Vamysoun, Sc. var. Warnison.
tVaron, a. Obs. Also 5 varond, 6 varrant,
[ad. F. vairon.'] Wall-eyed.
1451 Test, Ebor. (Surtees) III, 120 De j equo trottante,
vocato Varond. 1538 Ibid. VI. 75 To my sone .. a varon
meir, one blake meir with the folowers [etc.]. 1559 Will 0/
R. Whitehead^ York (MS,), My eldest stagg which was of
my varrant meare,
Varp, obs. Sc. f. Warp v, Varra, dial. var.
Very adv. ; Sc. f. Warray v. Obs, Varrand,
obs. Sc. f. Warrant, Varrander, obs. Sc. f.
Warrener. Varrant, variant of Varon a. Obs.
Varrar, obs. Sc. compar, of Ware a. Varray,
Sc var. Very a., Warray v.
Va'rriated, a. Her, rare—^. = Variated a,
c 1828 Berry Encyel. Her. I. Gloss., Varriated, or
Warriatedy cut in the form of vair.
Varronian (v0er(?a'nian), a, [ad. L. Varronidn-
tiSy f. Varron-y Varro : (see def.).] Of or pertain-
ing to the Roman author M. Terentius Varro
(116-27 B.C.) ; admitted as genuine by Varro.
1693 Drvdkn Disc. Satire Ess. (Ker) II. 64 That which
we call the Varronian Satire, /bid. 107 The Secchia
Rapita is an Italian poem, a satire of the Varronian kind.
X738 Chambers Cycl. (ed. 2) s.v. Menippean, In imitation
of him \se. Menippus], Varro also wrote satyrs..: Whence
this sort of composition is aUo denominated Varronian
satyr. 1888 Encyel. Brit. XXIV. 93/2 The 'Varronian
plays ' [of Plautus] were the twenty which have come down
to us, along with one which has been lost, xgix W. W.
Fowler Relig. E.xf. Rom. vii. 163 It can no longer be re.
arranged on the original Varronian plan.
Varry, dial. var. Fare sb,^ (pig) ; obs. var.
Vairy (z., Vary sb. and v,\ dial. var. Very adv.
Varsal (vausal), a. and adv. Also 7 'varsal.
[Illiterate abbreviation of Universal a, Cf. the
earlier form Versal a.]
A. adj. 1. Universal, whole. Only in the phr.
in the varsal world.
1696 Vanbrugh Relapse y. v, That which they call pin-
money is to buy their wives everything in the 'varsal
world. 1731-8 Swift Polite Conv. ii, 1 believe there is not
such another in the varsal world. 1751 Eliza Hevwood
Bets^ Thoughtless II. 203 ' She must certainly be somewhat
of km to the child.'—' None in the varsal world, sir.' iSaa
E. Moor Suffolk Wds. s.v., I'm .sewer I heent a farden P
the varsal wald. 1854 in Miss Baker Nortkampt, Gloss.
2. Single, individual, rare.
1765 BiCKERSTAFP Maid of Milt i. viii, There's nothing
comes amiss to her; she's cute at every varsal kind of
thing. 18x8 ScoTT Rob Roy xiv, When every varsal suul
in the family were gone to bed.
B. adv. Extremely, vastly, rare"^.
a 1814 Earn. Polities in. ii. in New Brit. Theatre II. 220
A has now retired with his profits, and married a varsal
rich woman.
Varaatile, obs. variant of Versatile a.
Varsity (vausiti). Also 'varsity. [Collo-
quial abbreviation of University, Cf. the late
17th cent, form Versity.] University. K\%o attrib.
1846 in Brasenose Ale 84 To victory we steered, And o'er
the vanquished Varsity Our flag triumphant reared. 1878
_H. KiNGSLF.v Hornby Mills, etc. II. 66, I have such faith
in the old University (never use that horrid word 'varsity,
my lad ; don't vulgarise the old place). 1888 Quilleb-
CoucH in Echoes Jr. the Oxford Mag. (1890) 105 We'll
dance at the 'Varsity Ball.
VarSO'vian, a. [f. med.L. Varsovia Warsaw,
or ad. F. Varsovi€n.'\ Belonging to Warsaw.
X902 Seton Mf.rri.man Vultures v, There is in some
Varsovian families a heritage of mourning to be worn until
Poland is reinstated.
Varsoviaua. [var. of next, after It. or L.
forms.] = next.
xZ6o Comh. Mag. II. 332 Dances, from the dexterous
hornpipe to the quiet Varsoviana. 1894 Black Highl.
Cousins 1. 38 Miss Jessie, do you know the VarsovianaV
II Varsovienne. [F-, fem. of Varsovien, f.
Varsovie W^irsaw.] A dance, app. of French
origin, resembling some of the Polish national
dances.
x8s9 Habits Gd. Society v. 214 The schottische, hop*waltz,
redowa, varsovienne,. .and so forth, have had their day.
Varstay, Sc. variant of Warestall Obs.
Varth, southern dial, variant of Farth.
Va'rtiwell, dial. Also 8 vartuale. [ad.
OF. vertcvelle: see Vardle and Vabvel.] (^See
later quots.)
1763 in Peacock N, W. Line. Gloss. (1889) 593 Crookes
and vartuales and bands, is. 8d. z866 Brogden Line.
Gioss.^ V'artiwetls, a part of a hinge to a gate. 1877 Pea-
cock N. W. Line. Gloss. 265 Vartiwell^ the eye of a gate
in which the crook works.
It Varus 1 (vea-r^s). Path. [L. varus knock-
kneed.] A physical deformity in which the foot is
turned inwards.
1800 Med. frnt. IV. 192 It may be granted too, that he
has -cured by this instrument, some deformity that he calls
varus, or valgus. 1836-9 Todd's Cycl. A nat. fy Phys. II.
349/1 The astragalus sometimes projects in front, and lower
than in the varus. 1854 in T. Bryant Pract. Surg. (1884)
II. 339 In inveterate varus the treatment might well be
commenced .. by ablation of the os cuboides.
II Varus 2 (veo'rzJs). Path. [L. varus pimple.]
a. Stone-pock. b. A papule (of small-pox).
1822-7 Good Study Med. (1829) II. 358 There is less inflam-
mation and soreness than in the simple varus. 1845 Encyel.
Metrop. VII. 755/1 The vaccine pustule runs a given coiurse
of varus and of vesicle, terminating by a concretion which
forms the crust.
Varvaoite, variant of Varvicite.
Varvel (va-JvCl). Forms: a. 6 vervall, voruel,
vervile, 7 (9) vervel, 7 -veil, vervail(e, verviL
&, 7 varueltl, varvill, 8- varvel. [a. OF. vervelle
(1350), vervieie^ varvele^ etc, (F, vervelle) in the
same sense (in OF. also a ring for a bolt or hinge :
see Vardle), app. a reduced form of verivelle^
verlevelle Vartiwell, repr. a pop.Lat. derivative
of L. vertibulum joint.] A melal ring (fre'q. of
silver with the owner's name engraved on it)
attached to the end of a hawk's jess and serving
to connect this with the leash.
a. \^yj St. Papers Hen. K///, VII.674 Prayingyou to tell
Mr. Porter his vervalles [printed veryalles] may be in good
ordre, as also his hawkes. 1539 Act 31 Hen. P'lII, c. la
Haukes hauinge vpon . . them the marke of the kinge.s armes
and veruels. 1575 Turberv. Faulconrie, Commettd. Hawk-
ing B ij b, With Belles, and Bewets, Veruels eke, to make
the Falcon fine. 1615 Armin Vol. Welshiu, (1663) I iij,
Proud Welshman, redeliver up that Bird... The Vervels that
she wears belongs to Rome. X67S Lond. Gets. No. 977/4 A
Soare Faulcon with the Vervailes of Sir William Godbold
of Gillingham. 1697 Evelyn Numismata v. 186 Branded
with the names.. (as do now our Falkners..on the Vervils
of their Hawks and Dog-Collars). [189a G. Lambert Gold
ff Silversmiths Art 49 I'he vervels (silver rings for the legs
of hawks) on which the name of the owner was engraved.]
/3. i6isLatham Falconry^ Wordsexpl. ?2, lesses, are those
short straps of leather,.. fastned to the Hawks legs, etc:
and so to the lease by varuels, anlets, or such like. 1638
Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 23^ Their Lures, Jesses,
Varvills, and Hoods, are rjchly set with stones of great price
and lustre. 1671 Lond. Gaz. Na 623/4 A Falcon lost.. with
the Kings Varvels upon her Gesses. 1833 Biackzv. Mag.
XXXI V. 943, I would give my merlin's best crimson jesses
and varvels of silver to dip but my fingers' ends in that
dimpling pool. 1894 Daily Ne^vs 8 June 8/5 Hawks'
varvels, lent by Lord Dillon.
Hence Va-rrelled a. (In later use Her^
1644 T. Wkstfield in Spurgeon Treas. David Ps. xxxvii.
36-7 The hawk flies high..vervelled with the gingling bells
of encouragement. cri828 Berrv Encyel. Her. I. Gloss.,
When the leather thongs.. are borne Hotant, with rings at
the ends,, .it is then termed jessed, .and varvelled.
Varvicite (vauvisait). Mzn, [f. med.L. Var-
vicia Warwickshire : see -ite. Named by Phillips
(1829).] * An impure pyrolusite or wad, resulting
from the alteration of manganjte ' (Chester).
VABY.
1819 R. Phillips in Phil. Mag. Ser. 11. VI. 282 What you
examined was principally mun^anite, while the mineral
wliich I analysed was the new oxide, and which, should you
agree with me as to its composition, 1 propose to call
Varvicite. 1839 Penny Cyci. XIV. 381/1 Varvicite occurs
massive and in pseudo-crystals. Composed of thin plates and
fibres. x868 Watts Diet. Chtrn., Varvicite, a manganese-
ore from Warwickshire.
Varvin, obs. form of Vervain.
VaTy,-f^- Also 7 varie, 8 varry. [f. Vaby v.']
A variation ; + a hesitation or vacillation.
1600 E. B. in Eng^L Helicon Bivb, When the sunshine
which dissolv'd the snow Cullour^d the bubble with a
pleasant vary. 1605 Shaks. Lear 11. ii. 85 (Q.'), And turne
their halcion beakes With euery gale and varie of their
maisters. 1739 Alex. Nicol Nat. ivithout Art 80 I'm at a
varry Whether to keep free, or marry.
tVa'ry,*^. Obs. In4, 6varye. [ad. L. Zfar/'-wj:
see Vauious o.] Particoloured, variegated.
138a Wyclif Gen.yix\\. 10 V..saw^ in sleep the malis. .
varye, and spotti, and of dyiicrs colours. Ibid. 12. 1570
Levins Mcutip. 107 Varye, z'arius.
Vary (ves-ri), V. Forms : 4-7 varie, ,5-6 vary©
(5 varyen, -yn), 5-vary {^-6 S£. wary) ; 6 varrie,
varry, varrey. [ad. OF. (also mod.F.) varier, or
I,, varidre, f. vari-us VabiouS a. Cf. Sp. and Pg.
vartar^ It. variare^
I. intr. 1. Of things : To undergo change or
alteration ; to pass from one condition, state, etc.,
to another, esp. with freqnent or ready change or
difference within certain limits.
c 1369 Chaucer Dttke Blauncke 802 For al my werkes
were flyttyng That tyme, and al my thought varyeng.
1412-10 LvDC Chron. Tr0y iv. 1725. I not what doth enclyne
5oure worHnes sodeinly to varie. c 1440 Pallad. on Husb.
III. 116 For they [sc. the vinesj from fruit to bareynesse wol
vary When they be sette. 1508 Dunbar Poems iv. 9
The stait of man dois change & vary, Now sound, now seik,
now biyth, now sary. 1608 Shaks. PericUs in. Prol. 47
Their vessel shakes On Neptune's billow;.. but fortune's
mood Varies again. 16x7 Morysom /tin. iv, v. i. (1903) 461
The first hower after the Sunne is sett, strikes one, the
Noonc or midday varyeth daily as the Sunne doth his set-
ting. i7»6 Shelvocke Voy. roiind World ^1,6 We met with
black dismal weather, with tempestuous winds, varying all
around the Compass. 1791 Mrs. RAtxruFFE Rom. Forest
vi, La Motte's complexion varied to every sentence of his
speech. i8a8 Duppa Traz'. Italy, etc 21 The view [along
this road] is constantly varying. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec.
i. 7 When the organisation has once begun to vary, it gener-
ally continues to vary for many generations. 1880 Geikie
Phys. Geog. ii. 46 The quantity of water-vapour in the air
varies from day to day, and, indeed, from hour to hour.
b. Const, from or between (specified limits).
i8a8 DuppA Trazf. Italy, etc. 128 During this week the
thermometer varied only from 60^^ to 62° of Fahrenheit.
1843 Sir C. Scuda-more Med. Visit Crdfenberg 31 The very
large number of patients on his list, varying from two to five
hundred. x8^ H. Rogers Eel. Faith (1853I 380 Men's
Gods have varied between the infinite Creator and a monkey.
o. To break offhy change.
x88i Tylor Antnropol. \. (1904) 10 No other explanation
is possible but that an ancient parent languajj^e ^ave rise to
them ail, they having only varied off from it in different
directions.
2. To differ, to exhibit or present divergence,
from something else.
c X400 Rom. Rose 6213 For varie her wordls fro her dccde
They thenke on giie without dreede. 1490 Caxtos Eneydos
Pro!. 2 And certaynly our langaye now vsed varyeth ferre
from that wliiche was vsed and spoken whan I was borne.
\^^\.x. Littleton's Tenures (1574) 56 b, An other particion
may be made betweene parceners, that varicth from the
particions afores.iyde. 1^98 Gkesrwev Tacitus, Ann, vi.
vii. (1622) 131 That that bird [the Phoenix].. differeth in the
bcake, and varicth of feathers from other birds. 1600 Fair-
fax Tasso XIX. Ixxxix, Those feigned armes he forst me to
deuize. So that from yours but small or nought they varrie
[r//«^ Carrie]. x8j3 H. J. Brooke Introd. Crystallogr. 189
Other oblique rhombic prisms, var>-ing from the primary.
1843 Gwii.T Archit. f 2104 Rebate planes vary from bench
planes in having no tote or handle [etc.]. X89X Law Times
aCII. 96/1 This edition varies very little from its pre-
decessor published in 1887.
b. Without const.
1530 Palsgr. 765/1, I dare promcssc you our bookes vary
nat. 1564 Dav tr. P. Martyr's Comm. Bk. Judges 175 Vet
was not god chaunged, l>ut the condicion of men varyed.
X597 HooKKRi^cc/. /'(?/. v.lxvil 181 Howsoeuer mens opinions
doc otherwise varie, neucrthclcsse touching Baptisme..
we may with consent of the whole Christian world con-
clude [etc.]. 1611 Bible i Esdr. v, 9 marg.^ Nehem. 7. 9,
where, .looke for the true numbers:, .here tney vary much.
1815 Stf.phens in Sliaiv's Gen, Zool. IX. i, 17 This bird is
Slid to vary very much, and Marcgravc mentions one which
had the wing-coverts plain brown. 1854 Ronalds &
Richardson C/um. Technol. (ed. 2) I. 8 The specific gravity
of wood has been observed to vary in the same variety ;. .it
is not even the same in different parts of the same tree. 1868
LocKYER Elem. Astron. S 22 The first thing wliich strikes
us when we look at the stars is, that they vary very much in
brightness.
C. ellipt. To deviate from the true North.
1669 Sturmv Mariner's Mag. it vi. 67 The upper Compass
doth represent the true Compass that never varieth, whereby
you have a most necessary Instrument to rcctifie the
Compass.
3. Of persons: To differ, diverge, or depart, in
respect of practice or observance {from some
standard"). Also const, ^of.
CX380 WvcLtF IVks. (1880) 301 pe sccte of macamethe
taki^ mcche of cristis tecte, but it varied* in som rewele &
in cloHs. — SeL IVks. III. 345 (^es newe ordris..varien in
Goddis office fro bat bat Crist baJd bis preestis do. c 1^84
Vol. X.
57
Chaucer //. Fame n. 299 And who so seyth of troutlie I
varye Bid hym proven the contrarye. C1400 Maundev.
(Roxb.) xiii. 60 in many poyntes J>^i vary fra vs and fra
oure faith, c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 131
Suche folke whiche-.Dare to theyr wyfes be nat contrarye,
Ne from theyr lusles dare not varye. 1533 J. Heywood
Pardoner Sf Friar A], Knyfe nor staffe may we none cary.
Except we shulde from the gospell vary, a 1548 Hall
Chron.,Hen. V/If,7i2-j He wasforced. .tolyue inastraunge
lande among people that.. varyed from his maneis. 2621
T. Williamson tr. GoularVs Wise Vieillard \^ b, I hope
I haue hit of his meaning, though I vary from his wordes,
as all Translators must doe, 1680 W. Allen Peace ^ Unity
01 In varying from these [appointments] was the sin of those
Men. 17x3 M. Henry Ord. Serm. Wks. 1857 II. 498/2 As
God never varies from himself, so he never wavers in him-
self. i7a3 Chambers tr. Le Clerc's Treat. Archit. I. g
Scamozzi is the only Author who varies from the rule. 1809
RoiAND Fencing 123 Many persons. .are very apt, when
parrying carte and tierce, to vary from the usual parades
made upon this occasion.
fb. To be deprived ^something. Obsr~'^
X387-8 T. UsK Test. Love i. ii. (Skeat) 1. 194, I shal him
cntourme of al the trouthe in thy love, with thy conscience ;
so that of his helpe tliou shalt not varye at thy nede.
f C. To depart from the truth. Obs.—^
rx430 Lydg. Miit, Poems (Percy Soc.) 131 But my foode
and my cherisshynge, To telle plainly and not to varye, Is
of suche folke.
d. Sc. To wander in mind ; to rave. ? Obs.
iSoo-to Dunbar /'(?tfwjlxxxi. 12 This isane felloun phary.
Or ellis my witt rycht woundrouslie dois varie. xfioi
Douglas Pal. Hon. Prol. loi My febiU wit I wary, Sly
desie heid quhome laik of brane gart vary. ? a 1550 Droichis
Part Play in Dunbar s Poems {iSg^) 314 Bot ait I trow that
I vary, I am bot anc Blynd Hary, That lang lies bene with
the fary. 18*5 Jamieson, To vary, vairie, applied to one
who exhibits the first symptoms of delirium, as the effect of
bodily disorder ; as, ' I observed him vairyin' the day,' £ttr.
For[est].
i* 4. To differ in respect of statement ; to give a
different or divergent account, Obs,
1387 Trevisa Higdin (Rolls) V. 425 Here take heed [)at
auctors varie):», for William sei^.., but Marianus and Beda
tellel> [etc.]. XAia-ao Lydg. Chron. Troy 11. 187 Nat pur-
posyng to moche for to varie. Nor for to be dyuerse nor
contrarie Vn-to Guydo. c 1450 Mirk's Festial 207 And
scho onswerd..and toide hym all J>yng, and varyet yn no
poynt. A 15x3 Fabvan Chron. v. (1533) 33 b, Of the firste
commyng of these Saxons into great Britayn, authours in
party varrey. X529 More Dyaloge 1. Wks. 175/1, I wil
beleue him muche better than hym . .if thei varyed in a tale
and were contrary. X607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 477 We
will . . adde thereunto (the account of] Oppianus : for he doth
vary in both of them.
D. Const, from (another or each other). In later
use, to depart yV^w an author by some change of
statement.
a 15x3 Fabvan Chron. 11. (i8ii) 29 The wryters of the
Story., wryten dyuersly, so that the one varyeth greatly
from the other. 1577 Holinsh ed CAr<?«. I. 116/2 William
Matmes. wryting of this Vortimer. .varyeth in a maner al*
togither from Geffrey of Monmouth. 1633 W. Ramesey
Astral. Restored 315, I have in. .other places varied some-
what from him. 1700 Drydem Pre/. Fables Poet. Wks.
(1910) 275, I durst not make thus bold with Ovjd ; lest some
future Milbourn should arise, and say, I varied from my
Author, because I understood him not. x8s6 Southey Vind.
Eccl, Angl. 256 Later writers, therefore, found it expedient
to vary from him in describing the catastrophe.
t 5. To differ in opinion, to disagree {abot*t^for^
in, or ^something) ; to dissentyV^OT another. Obs.
?i4s8 Rec. St. Mary at Hill Uqos^ 13 Yf the said parsons,
wardeyns & iiij parisshens of the said Chirch . . varye of their
saidchosyng of the same preest.,& can nat accorde. cx^y>
Lyog. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 28 Remembre wcle on olde
January, ..and how Justyne did vary Fro placebo. 15x6
Sei. Cases Star Chamb. (Seldcn) II. 108 The seid parties
hauff varied also in the namyng of Auditours for heryng and
takyng of accomptes. xs*? Gardiner Let. Wolsiy in Strype
Eccl. Mem. (1721) I. App. 71 At these words the Popes Ho.
casting his armes abrode, bad us put in the words we varyed
for. X579 W. Wilkinson Confui. Fant. Love A iiij, Where
about men presently so greatly strive and varie. 1608 Top-
sell Serpents 63 Which sound, whether it proceedeth from
the mouth, or from the motion of their winges : Aristotle
and Hesychius do much vary and contend. X657 S. Purchas
PoU Flying-Ins. 55 Give mee leave to vary from so learned
an Author, and diligent observer.
t b. To disagree seriously, to discord or quarrel ;
to fall at variance. Obs.
CX440 Alph. Tales 118 per was ij brethcr l^at dweltc samen
many yeris, & i^ai varid neuer nor neuer was wrothe, c X500
Communycacyon (W. dc W.) Cj, And yf thou be a lyteli
dyspleased Thou cursed & varyest bothe nyght & daye.
X5»S Ld. Berners Froiss. II. ccx. (ccvi.J 650 They never
varyed nor their people toguyder, therfore they reigned i.n
great puissaunce. X577 Hanmeb Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619)350
Men fell out among thcmselues. Wherefore, how, when, and
vpon what occasion they varied, I am now about to declare,
t C. To quarrel or be at strife ivilk^ to contend
against ^ another. Obs.
X496 Cov. Leet Bk. 581 That no maner persone. .vexe,
troble, assaute nor varie with eny his Neighbours. X52S
Ld. Berners Froiss. II. cxcv. [cxci.] 598 If eucr Flaunders
and Brabant shulde vary agaynst the crowne of Fraunce.
a 15*9 Skelton Dk. Albany 341 If our moost royall Harry
Lyst with you to varry, Full soone ye should miscary.
1559 Mirr. i^fag., Jas. f. Scot, vii, We wer driuen to the
^glish coast. Which realme with Skotland at that time did
vary.
fd. Spec. In University use: (see quot. 1749).
x68a Wood Z(>&(0.H.S.) II. 490 July 8, Th., Mr. [John]
Conant varied. A great entertainment in the gallery. 1685
Ibid. 23 July, Mr. Slatter varied, being put off till that time
because he had got a mischance. 1749 Pointer Oxon. Acad.
16 The Master-Fellows are oblig'd by their Statutes to take
VABYINa.
their turns, every Year about the Act Time, or at least before
the ist Day of .August, to vary,, .i.e. to perform some pub-
lick Exercise in the Common-Hall, the Variator opposing
Aristotle, in three Latin Speeches.
6. + a. To be uncertain ; to hesitate. Obs.—^
c^Ml Caxton Jason (1913) 53 Thus in varyieng in this
double she approched the loggyse.
b. To change or alter in respect of conduct,
f Also witli inf.
1481 Caxton Godfrey Ixxix. (chapter heading). How the
due that was at Rages varyed for to liolde this that he had
promysedtoBawdvvyn. 15*3 Ld. Bi-KNEnsA;vMi. I. ccxviii.
278 All they of his counsaile coude not make hym to vary fro
that pourpose. 4:1586 Ctess Pkmbroke Ps. lxxi. viii, As
for me, resolv'd to tary In my trust, and not to vary, I will
heape thy praise with praise. 1780 J. Moore View 60c. Fr.
L i, Our young friend seemed confirmed in his resolutions
and gave me fresh assurances, .that he never would vary.
c. To move in different ways or directions.
1667 Milton /'.£. ix. 516 As when a Ship. .Veres oft, as
oft so steers, and shifts her Saile ; So varied hee.
7. a. To be inconsistent in one's statements ; to
introduce a difference or discrepancy.
1557 Seager Sch. Virtue 526 in Babees Bk., See here he
\sc. Aristotle] doth vary. Refuse not his councell, Nor his
wordes dispise. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm, 139 They
had aUedged..that the byshop Clement varied in his
sentence, and liad declared to the Frenche king in priuate
talke, what he thought. 1637 Prvnne Documents (Camden)
79 For drawing wittnesses to varie from their former de-
positions. 1639 S. Du Verger tr. Camus Admir. Events
329 She is examined hereupon, and varies in her first answer,
being pressed further she atknowledgeth it in her second.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), To Vary,..\.o falter in one's
Answers ; to disagree with, or differ from one's self.
b. Laxv. To make a departure in pleading.
164s tr. Perkins' Prof. Bk. ii. § 121. 54 The plaintifTe shall
take nothing by bis writ, because he cannot vaiie from the
place dated in the obligation.
H. trans. 8. To cause to change or alter ; to
introduce changes or alterations into (something) ;
in later use freq., to adapt to certain circumstances
or requirements by appropriate modifications.
1340-70 Alex. <5- Dind. 200 We ban, ludus, of 5our lif
listned ful ofte, t>at michil ben^our manerus from o^ur men
varied. 1381 Wyclif Ecclus. xxxviii. 28 Whyche grauede
grauen bioochis, and the bysynesse of hym varieth the
peynture. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. iii. xxiv. (W. de W.
1495) 73 Hole ayre and colde and drye and temperate varye
and chaunge the puise. i486 Bk, St. Albans, Her. (Dalla-
way) p. Ixxxvii, The bordir of thys cros is variet as well
from the coloure of the cros as fro the coioure of the felde.
x^i Spenser M. Hubberd 118 Shall we varie our deuice at
will, Euen as new occasion appeares? 1G14 Selden Titles
Honor 252 The name of Vigniers..is the same with Vicarij,
both but varying the word Vicecomes. 1653 W. Ramesey
Astral. Restored 227 Your rules being varied according to
art and discretion. 1697 Drydkn Virg. Cecrg. iv. 595 But
thou, the more he vanes Forms, beware To strain his
Fetters with a stricter Care, 1725 De Foe Voy. round
IVorld (1840) 331 They had not varied their course in the
flark. 178a Priestley Corrupt. Chr. I. 1. 150 Words. .we
can twist and vary as we please. 1801 Pa lev Art/. T/uol.
I. i. 9 1 (1819) 4 Nor can I perceive that it varies at all the
inference. i86s Dickens Mut. Fr. 1. v, He had never
varied his ground an inch. 1891 Act 54 <S- 55 Vict. c. 66§ 16
The court, after such notice, . . may vary such order in such
manner.. as it may think fit.
t b. To change the form of (a word) gramma-
tically. Obs.
164S Gage IVest Ind. 214 So likewise are varied or declined
Abix, signifying a plantation, Acal cartli.
e. To dispose, obtain, occupy, in a manner
characterized by variety or variation,
1607 Dryden Virg. Georg. 1. 609 The setting Sun survey,
..If dusky Spots are vary'd on his Brow [etc.]. 1748
Ansonts Voy. 1. vi. 59 We varied our depths from fifty to
eighty fathom. 1758 Johnson Idler No. 7 ?9 To vary a
whole week with joy, anxiety, and conjecture.
1 9. To express in ditTerent words. Obs.
1580 G. Harvey in Spenser's Wks. (1912) 626, 1 gaue him
this Theame out of Quid, to translate, and varie after his
best fashion. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L. i. 1. 294 Cio. This was
no Damosell neyther sir, shee was a Virgin. Fer. It is so
varried to, for it was proclaimed Virgin. 1599 — ■ Hen. V,
III. vii. 35 The man hath no wit, that cannot., varie deserued
prayseon my Palfray. 1667 AIilton P. L. v. 184 Let your
ceasless change Varie to our great Maker still new praise.
i68a Fi.AVEL Fear 8 They are at their wits end,, .or as it is
varied in the margin all wisdom is swallowed up.
absol, 1583 LvLY in T. Watson Poems (Arb.) 30 In that so
aptly you haue varied vppon women, . .confesse I must [etc.].
1 10, To set at variance. Obs.-~^
1795 BuRKK Corr. Wks. 1842 II. 240 When his Grace..
brought out the vapid stuff, which had varied the clubs and
disgusted the courts.
Vary, obs. Sc. form of Waby v. (curse).
Varying (veariiig), vbl. sb. [f. Vauy v.'\ The
action of the verb, in varions senses.
c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Set. Wks. I. 141 Here te!li> Ciist to
his Chirche how ber wille shulde be temprid for variynge of
^^er heed after his resureccioun. c 1430 Syr Ceucr. (Roxb.)
9591 For that ye this othre day Supposed in me such vari-
yng Wlian it was told you of my wedding, c 1440 Cesta
Rom. xlviii. 218 (-^dd. MS.). I chaunge to the tymes, to do
away the variynges. 1530 Palscr. 284/1 Varyeng, chaung-
yng, muance. 1533 J. Heywood Johan B j b, I gyue you
good Icue To chastyce her for her shreudc varyeng. 161J
Brinsley Lud. Lit. 244 The Nowns haue so little varying
or turning in them. x6«8 T. Spencer Logicki,^ Sinne (sayth
the Apostle..) Isavar>-ing from the Law. a 1695 Marq. op
Halifax Wks. (1912) 211 Neither King nor People would
nowlikeju-^ttheoriginal Constitution, without any varyings.
1771 LUCK0.MBE Hist. Printing 237 The varying of proper
8
VABYINQ.
iMBies, may be owing lo ihc fancy of some Author, .[who] |
ordered them to be distinguished by difTerent characters
from the Te:tt. i»is Caklvlk SckilUruAiSts) 97 Those
careless felicities, those varyings from high to low. iBag
Scott Axnt o/G. xxiv, Had my plighted vows .ever per-
mitted me to entertain a thought of varying, or of deleclioii.
1901 Wresch H'i>uhester lyard-lk., I'aryiiig, a vulgus
done up to books, (obsj
Yaryinff (ve»Ti|ii)), ///. a. [f. as prec]
L That raries, in senses of the verb ; tendinj; to
vary or change, t Also const. /row.
c 1340 Hampols Pr. Co»sc. .4.3 ^ \i\f (.is «.rld es ful
unstaWe, And ful variand and chaungeable. 1398 1 Bsv.s*
R^lh. hi P. R. xvir. .xcviii. (Bodl. MS.), pe apple tre is
rounde diuers and varying fro oW^r trees of wodes. « Mo»-
So AUxanJ^^ 4637 Of alT (.e frutis on W fold we fange at
Sure will, Bath v^in-son & volatile & variand fisches. c 1480
HlKuvsON FatUs, Pnd.li^k f, Moust x. With mynd Incon-
stanl? fJs. aT-ilirUnd. Full of desait. .joj-.? Dunbar
Pttuis xlviii. I Quhen Mercl.e wes with variand windis past.
TJX A. SCOTT^/-*';" (S.T.S.) xxvii. 48 Glf scho steidfast
standi And be not wariand, I am at hir comm.-ind 16..
Shaks. l^iHt. r.l.ii. 170 He. .with his varying child-nesse,
rares in me Thoughts, that would thick my blood. « 1704
■r. Brown Sat. agil. Ii;„nan Wks. 1730 I- 57. I .'^'"ve in
vain the var>ing crimes to trace, Of this salacious and
destructive race. i7S« Gkav .WnV 37^In fortune s vary-
ing colours drest. 1798 S. & Ht. Lkr Cantcri. T. II. 11 4
With a varying complexion, and timid air, [he] enquired lor
her mother. iSiJ Shelley ^/<M/or96 That scene of ampler
majesty Than gems or gold, the varying roof of heaven. 1846
G E. Day it. Simons Aiiim. Chem. II. 168 The varying
amounts . . excreted during equal periods by different persons.
i»74 Grees Short Hist. viii. § 5. 509 The struggle, .went on
throughout his reign with varying success.
b. sptc. in Path.
1(99 .AUhutfs Sysl. Mtd. VII. 476 Varying squint and
ptosis .-ire very common during the irritative and pressure
stages. J ^,
1 2. Varied in colour ; variegated. Obs.
xMAcc. Ld. High Treas. Scot. I. 85 .\ couering of vari-
andpurpir tartar browdin with thrissiUis .ind a vnicorne.
Ihiit. 163 Thre elne and dimid. of varyande tartar.
3. Varying hare, a species of hare, inhabiting
northern or elevated regions, the fur of which turns
white in winter; the Alpine, blue, or mountain
hare.
The American varying hare If.epus Ametncanus^ is a
variety of the Polar hare (i. ^/acrVii'K).
I7«i Pennant //(i/. (?»"<''•">■"■ 370 Varying Hare. i8a3
Crabb Techiwt. Diet. s.v. Hare, The varying Hare, Lefiis
vari.ibitis, turns while in the Winter. 1849 St. Nat. Htst.,
Mammalia IV. 158 The Alpine or varying hare inhabits
certain districts of our island, namely, the northern parts of
Scotland. 1880 Encyd. Brit. XI. 476/2 In those p.irls
where the common hare does not occur, its place is taken
by the \-arying or mountain hare ^Lcpus variabilis).
Hence Va-ryinffly adv.
c tMi Gladstone Farew. Aiidr., Edinb. Univ. 19 In modM,
and in degrees, varyingly perceptible to us. l88a F. T.
Palcrave m Grosart Spenser's IVis. IV. p. xxxv, Spenser
sees life.. through more than one veil, always, though vary,
ingly, conventional in character.
Varyte, obs. form of Vebitv.
llVaB {vxi). PL vasa (v^-sa). [L. vas (pi.
vdsa\ vessel.]
1. a. Anal. A hollow organ serving for the con-
veyance of a liquid in the body.
Commonly in specific applications with Latin epithet, as
vas breve, deferens, vasa brevia, dc/erentia, etc., or us';d
cllipt. for one or other of these.
1651 Biggs Nem Disp. T 174 Exhausting the stock of
aliment from the vasa and viscera. 1900 K. Harrison in
Lancet 14 July 96/2, I divided both his va.sa in the usual
way. Ibid.^Tlz Vasectomy or torsion of the vas for hyper,
trophy.
b. Bot. (See quots.)
Commonly with Latin epithet, as xiasa fibrosa, etc.
1843 Penny Cyct. XXVI. 148/2 Vasa (vessels),.. a term
applied to several of the tissues of plants. _ 1866 Treas. Hot.
1205/1 Vasa, the tubes which occur in the interior of plants,
and serve for the conveyance of sap or air.
t2. A vase. Obs. rare. (Cf. ne.tt.)
1698 M. Lister Journ. Paris (1699) 43 Bra.ss Statues and
Vasa, and a too other things relating to .Antiquity. Ibid.
45 Urns and Funeral Vnsa of all Materials.
t Vasal. Obs. [Chiefly in the plural forms
vasa's, vasas, I. L. vasa pi. (see prec. 2) ; hence
irregularly vasa as sing.] A vase.
1651 Evelyn Char. Eng. (1659) 36 One of their Spurs
engaged in a Carpet.., drew all to the ground, break the
Glass & the Vasas in pieces. 1698 M. Lister Journ. Paris
188 Here also were great F^Mrt'Jof Trelliage upon Pedestals.
1699 Evelyn Acetaria Pref. b i/b, Busts, Obeh.sks, Columns.
Inscriptions. Dials, Vasa's, Perspectives, at-joo ~ Diary
14 Nov. 1643, A vasa of onyx. Ibid. 29 Nov. 1644, An
antiq vasa of marble neare6 foote high.
Vasa ^ (v^* sa, ¥/• -za). Also vaza. [Malagasy
vaza.] One or other of several Madagascar p.irrots
belonging to the genus Coracopsis. Usu. attrib.
1811 Shaw Gen. Zool, VIII. 538 Vasa Parrot. Ibid. 529
Smaller Vasa Parrot. Ibid., The .Smaller Vasa measures
about fourteen inches in length. 1904 Times 30 Jan. 10/2
The collection of foreign birds, . .among others of. , macaws,
a black v.-isa parrot, and a hoopoe.
VaBal (vi?''sal), a. [{.L. vHsWah."] Connected
with one or other of the vasa of the body.
1891 in Cent. Diet. 1899 AUbiilt's .Syst. Med. VIII 493
Auspitz concluded that the wheal is produced by a reflex
irritation from sensory to vasal nerves.
t Vaseay, V erron. variant of Vasquine.
i6o9MARKHAM/-'a«/o»i (f A«« (i8«8) M Perfumed gloues,
gowDes, kirtles, vascaies, muffcs.
58
Vascular (voc-skiKlaj), a. [ad. mod.L. vas-
cular-is, f. L. vascul-uiii, dim. of vas V.\s. So F.
vasculaire, It. vasculare, Sp. and Pg. vascular.]
1. Bot. Of fibres, tissue, etc. : Having the form
of tubular vessels ; consisting of continuous tubes
of simple membrane.
1671-3 Grew Anat. PI., Anat. Roots (1682) 69 The
Va.scular Rays are not equally extended in all Roots. 1756
C. Lucas Fss. Waters I. 156 The solids are all vascular,
and consist of elastic fibres. 1791 Hamilton ISertlwllct's
Dyeing I. 1. i. iii. 52 The vascular fibres of the bark. 1837
P. Keith Bot. Lex. 68 The membranous tissue of the plant,
whether cellular or vascular, is uniformly colourless. 1847
H. Miller Test. Rocks (1857) 31 Its mass of soft cellular
tissue is strengthened all round by internal buttresses of
dense vascular fibre. 187S Dawson Dawn Life ii. 32 Plants
existed at that time having true woody or vascular tissues.
b. Of Structure: Characterized by the prevalence
of tubular vessels.
1718 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Vegetable, The vascular Structure
of Vegetables, is render 'd very apparent, by an Experiment
of Mr. Willoughby. 1807 J. E. Smith PItys. Bot. 13 From
preceding writers we had learned the general tubular or
vascular structure of the vegetable body. 1842 Loudon
Suburban llort. 9 Endogens are flowering plants with a
vascular structure.
0. Vascular system, the aggregate of tubular
vessels in a plant.
1813 Sir H. Davy Agric. Chem. (1814) 60 The alburnum
is the great vascular system of the vegetable through which
the sap rises. 183a Lindlky Introd. Bot. 59^ In both cases
there is a cellular and vascular .system distinct from each
other. l856 Treiis. Bot. 1205/1 Vascular system, all that
part of the interior slructureof a plant into whose composi-
tion spiral vessels or their modifications enter.
d. Of plants: Having a vascular structure.
1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. Introd. p. xiv. All plants
that bear flowers have spiral vessels, and are tl .efore
Vascular. 1849 Murchison Siluria xii. 287 The great mass
of the plants belong to the vascular cryptogamic class. 1861
Hentley Man. Bot. 67 The lowest orders of V.nscular
Plants, like the true Mosses, are comparatively insignificant
in appearance.
2. Anat. or Phys. Having the character or pro-
perties of a conveying vessel or vessels.
1748 Chambers Cycl. s.v., All the Flesh in an animal
Body is found to be Vascular, none of it Parenchymous.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. U'aters I. 2 The several parts of its
body being, at some time of its existence, vascular. i8oz
Paley Nat. Theol. xi. (ed. 2) 203 It [the spleen] must be
vascular, and admit of a circulation through it. in order to
lie kept alive, or be part of a living body. 1835 TodtCs Cycl.
Anat. I. 126/1 The vascular is another tissue extensively
distributed among animals. l88o Tir.f.LF. Slight Ailments
85 If we could see the mucous membrane in .. cases of
indigestion we should no doubt find it unduly vascular.
fg. 1838 Emerson Address, Lit. Ethics Wks. (Bohn) II.
209 .\n able man is nothing else than a good, free, vascular
organization, whereinto the universal spirit freely flows. 1847
Ripr, Men, Montaigne Ibid. I. 344 Cut these words, and
they would bleed ; they are vascular and alive.
b. Vascular system: (see quot. 1876).
1733 Robinson Phys. ft Dis. 255 The Air.. obliges the
whole vascular System of the Solids to redouble their Con-
tractions- 1800 Med. frnl. IV. 215 To restore the energy
and lost tone of the vascular system. 1876 Bristowe Th.
f, Fract. Med. (1878) 485 The vascular system comprises
the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; the lymphatic
glands and vessels, together with certain ductless glands ;
.ind the blood with its tributary fluids.
c. Affecting the vascular system or tissue.
1869 Spencer Princ. Psychol. li._ v. (1872) I. 236 The
vascular excitement, caused by emotion. 1881 Med. Temp.
Jrnl. XLVIII. 206 The first stage of alcoholic action is
vascular excitement rapidly followed by exhaustion.
VasCulaTity. [f. Vascular a. -f -ity.] Vas-
cular form or condition.
1790 Phil. Trans. LXXXV. 209 The great vascularity of
a muscle is. .for the purpose of repairinj; the waste in the
muscular fibres, occasioned by their action. i8i8-»o E.
Thompson Cullens Nosolngia-yti Tlie great vascularity and
irritability of the skin at that period of life. i86i Hulmk tr.
Moauin-Tandon 11. Iii. iv. 146 The quantity of blood a
leech is capable of drawin'.: varies . . according to the vascu-
larity of the part. 1879 .S7. George's Hflsp. Rep. IX. 690
In the cords some evidences of increased va.scularity were
visible in the grey matter.
Vascnlariza-tion. [f. as next + -ation.]
! Conversion to a vascular condition.
I x8i8 Cooper & Travers Surg. Ess. l. (ed. 3) 79 Several
' lumps of lymph efi*used in the anterior chamber, are under.
going vascularization. 1847-9 Todds Cycl. Anat,^ IV. loi/i
.■\scertaining the fact of vascularization of scorbutic coa^ula.
■ 1896 Allbutt's .Syst. Med. I. 195 Likewise inflammation or
(lisea.se of cartilage may be followed by vascularisntion and
ossification.
Vascularize (v£eski«lar3iz),w. [f. Vascular
a. + -IZE. Cf. next.] trans. To render vascular.
1893 A. S. EccLES .Sciatica 47 To_ increase^ the surface-
temperature and thoroughly vascularize the skin and super-
ficial tissues. 1898 .Allbuit's Syst. Med. V. 3 The terminal
tubes being va.scularised by the pulmonary artery.
Vascularized, ///. a. [Cf. prec] Rendered
vascular ; converted into a vascular form.
1858 J. H. liKNKF.r Nutrition 1. 10 [The] mucous membrane
of the stomach .. becomes highly vascularized. 1874 Jonks
& SiEVEKiNG Path. Anat. 17 The occurrence of a vascular-
ized coagulum in a tuberculous cavity in the lungs. iBj^St.
George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 429 The growth consisted of small
cells, and was highly vasculariscd.
I Vascnlarly, adv. [f. Vasculah a] In a
j vascular manner.
1890 Nature 26 June 215/2 Multiple bud.s, one springing
VASE.
from another and being vascubrly connected therewith.
1894 IVestm. Gaz. 31 Aug 3/1 When it has become vascu-
larly attached to the tissues around the area.
Va'SCnlated, ///. a. [I. L. vnscnl-»m Vas-
CULUM.] Provided with small vessels.
1744 Phil Trans. XLIII. 187 The Wings arc finely
vasculated, and the Pod is lined with fine silky Down.
Vasoule, Anglicized form of VasCulum.
1859 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1323/2
Vasculi'ferons, a. [f. L. vdscuh-, combining
form ol vasculum, + -FEiiOUS.] (Sec quots.)
1704 J. Harris Le.r. Techn. I, Vnsculiferous Plants, are
according to the Botanists, such as have besides the common
Calyx or Flower Cup, a peculiar Vessel or Case to contain
their Seed. 1731 P. Miller Card. Diet, s.v., Vasculiferous
Plants are such whose Seeds are contain'd in Ve.ssels which
are sometimes divided into Cells.
VaSCnliforiU, a. [f. as prec. + -form.]
Having the shape of a small vase.
1887 W. Phii.lips Brit. Discomyceics 120 Cup vasculiform,
margin erect or incurved.
Va'SCulose, sb. [f. Vascui.-ar a. -h-cseS.J
The principal constituent of the vascular tissue in
jilants.
1883 Science 1. 80/1 Vasculose is not easily soluble in con-
centrated sulphuric acid. 1885 Goodah: Physiol. Bot (1892)
35 note, Vasculose increases in amount with the density of
the wood. The pith contains . . v.-isculose 25 per cent.
Vasculo-se, a. rare, [-osu 1,] = Vascular a.
1866 Treas. Bol. 1205 ^■<M<:K/««, containing spiral vessels
or their modifications.
Va'SCnloas, a. rare~\ [f. L, vasctcl-um : see
next.] = Vascular a. 2.
1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Vesicula, The first [membrane]
whereof is Vasculous : the second M uscular ; and the third
Glandulous.
II Vasculum (vae'skiiJliJm). [L., dim. of vas
vessel.]
1. Bot. = AsciuiUM 2.
183a Lindley Introd. Bot. 96 The singular form of leaf in
Sarracenia and Nepenthes, which has been called Ascidium
or Vasculum. 1859 Mayne Expos. Lex., Vasculum, ..ihc
cup which terminates the leaves of the Nepenthes ; a vascule.
2. A special kind of case used by botanists for
carrying newly-collected specimens.
Usually made of tin in the form of a flattened cylinder,
with a lid on one side opening lengthways.
S844 Proc. Berw. Nat. Club II. 82 The botanists having
stored each their vasculum with specimens of the Rubi, the
partyagainunited. 1877 Sir C.W.Thomson Voy. Challenger
1. 14 Various implements such as .. botanical vasculums.
1887 J. Ball Nat. in S. Amer. 1:8, 1 shouldered my tin
vasculum and went ashore.
Vase (vaz). Also 6 vasse, 7 vause, vaze. [a.
K. vase (=It., Sp., Pg. vaso), ad. L. vas vessel:
see Vas and Vasa 1.
The earlier pronunciations (vf 's) and {\e'z) are still current
in America ; the former of these is indicated by the rimes in
the following passages. Another variant (vjz) has still some
currency in England.
1731 Swift Strephon !, Chloe 191 \rime face]. 182a Byron
fuan VI. xcvii. [W;//<rs place, grace]. 1847 Emerson Poems
Wks. (Bohn) I. 425 Cut a bough from my parent stem. And
dip it in thy porcelain vase [rime grace]. 1857 Whittier
Skipper Ireson's Ride 26 Girls.. such as chase Bacchus
round some antique vase, c i860 Lowell Ww<^roi^ x. The
water unchanged, in every case. Shall put on the figure of
the vase]
1. Arch, t a. = Bell sb.^ 6 a. Obs.
IS63SHUTE Archit. Diiij, The .abacus, the which lieth on
the vasse or basket, that was founde on the maydens tombe
in Corinthe. i7a« Leoxi Albertts Archit. II. 33/2 T'he bell
or vase, the breadth of which at the bottom must be.. that
of the top of the Shaft . . , and the breadth of the top of the
1 vase must be equal to.. the bottom of the shaft. 17S3
I Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s v. Bell, In this sense, bell is the
same with what is otherwise called vase and tambour.
b. An ornament having the form of a vase (sec
sense 2).
I 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vase,..'m Architecture, an
: Ornament above the Cornice. 1731 Bailey (vol. II), Vases
..are ornaments placed on cornices, socles, or pedestals,
representing such vessels as the antients used in sacrifices,
as incense-pots, &c., often inriched with Basso Relievo's.
2. A vessel, usually of an ornamental characier,
I commonly of a circular section and made either of
earthenware or metal, but varying greatly in actual
form and use.
1619 in A. Michaelis Anc. Mart. Ct. Brit. (1882) 205, I
desire you woulde presently.. knowe what Sir Tho. Roe
hath brought of antiquities, Goddes, vases, inscriptions,
medalles, or such like. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals 11. 11.
288 The Chamberlain, .puts the names of all the Cardinals
..into a Vaze. 1703 Pope Thebais 207 No chargers then
were wrought in burnish'd gold. Nor silver vases took the
forming mold. 1781 Gibbon Decl. <(■ F. xxxi. (1787) III. 240
Many a vase, in the division of the spoil, was shivered into
fragments by the stroke of a battle-axe. 1831 W. Irving
,4thambra 1. 92 A tribute of fresh-culled flowers, which are
afterwards arranged in vases. 1854 Poultry Chron. II. 192
Seven Silver Vases, of the value of Six Guineas each, will
also be awarded, instead of money prizes. 1898 G. B. Shaw
Von never can tell Plays II. 274 The vases on pillar
pedestals of veined marble with bases of black polished
wood.
fig. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. iv, Break, thou deep vase of
chilling tears, That grief hath shaken into frost !
b. (See quot.) rare~^.
1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v.. Goldsmiths, Pewterers, &c. also
use Vase for the middle of a Church Candlestick ; which is
usually of a roundisli Figure, bordering somewhat on that
of a Vase. [Hence in Bailey.]
VASECTOMIZED.
59
VASSAL.
o. A calyx cr other growth resembling a vase.
1728 Chambers Cyc/., l^ase is alsosotnetiines used among
Florists, for what they otherwise call the Calyx. (Hence in
Bailey, etcj a 1811 Lkydkn Ou Spring Remains (1819)
258 The tulip's v.i>e with dew-pearl sheen And icy crystal
gleams afar. 1885 C. F. Holder Maneis Anim. Lt/c 15
Graceful stalked vases of the Campanularia appear.
3. attrib. and Comb, (in sense i),^^ vase-carriage,
-handle, -like adj., -maker, -painter, -painting,
-shaped adj., -work,
183a LiNDLEY Ititrod. Bat. 380 Vase-ska^fd^. Joxmtd like
a flower-pot. 1840 Civil En^. ^ Arch. Jml. III. 96/2 The
two winged boys who dtp into a vase-Hke fountain. 1843
Penny Cycl. XXVI. 149/2 The numerous names of vase
painters. /^V„Themosiantiei]t slyleorvasepainting. 1865
Li/BBOCK Preh, Times 48 Two curious vase-carriages, one
found in Sweden and the other in Mecklenburg. 1870 G. J.
Chester in RecmKjerus. (1871)47:? Six vase-handles found
..on a bed of rich earth. 1893 Westm. Gaz. 25 Feb. 5/3
The best vase-work in the period 570 to 470 b. c. 1894 S.
Smiles j. Wed^voodyXv. 157 Where, amongst our potters,
could I get a complete Vase-maker?
Hence Va-sefol, Ta'selet.
1856 R. F. Blbton Pilgr. Ei-Medinah III. 202 A present
to ttie Sakkas, or carriers, . .who distributed a large earthen
vaseful in my name to poor pilgrims. 1889 M. M. Macmillan
Lett. {1893) 250, I will present the vaselet to the British
Museum. 1894 IVestm. Gaz. 14 June 3/3 A vaseful of
Iceland poppies.
Vasextomized, ///. a- [Qf. next.] Tliat
has liad the vas deferens removed.
1900 R. Harrison in Lancet 14 July 96/1 There are good
reasons for believing that a vasectomised or castrated male
is not liable to undergo hypertrophy of the prostate.
V&se'ctoiuy. ^^w*,?* [f- L. vas- Vas i a.]
Excision of the vas deferens or a portion of this.
18^ R. Harrison in Lancet 5 Aug.331. Vasectomy and cas-
tration in relation to prostatic enlargement.
Vased, a. rare~^, [f. Vask.] Ornamented or
provided with vases.
1806 W. I'avlor in Robberds Mem. (1843) II. 144 The
stately yew-hedge walks, and vased and staiued terraces.
Vaseline (vcesel/n, -in), sb. [Irreg. f. G. was-
ser water + Gr. i\-atov oil + -INE.J A soft, greasy
substance used as an ointment or lubricant, obtaihe<l
by evaporalit.g petroleara and passing the residuum
through animal charcoal. (Cf. Petrolatum.)
1874 En^. Meek. 25_Sept. 36 A new petroleum product
has been introduced Into the trade under the name of
vaseline. 1876 Trans, Cii»icalSoc. IX. 171 Applied vase-
line to his head whenever the cap was off. 1884 Pa^. Set.
Afont/tty XXIV._778 Palm oil and vaseline was sold for
lubricating machinery.
Hence Ta'sellne v. trans,, to lubricate, rub, or
anoint with vaseline.
1891 Bicycling Ne^s A^xW 117 My machine is all vaseltned
and put away. 1898 ll'estut. Caz. 19 Dec. 2/1 A gentle hand
had washed and va-^elined and bandaged the.. little heels
and toes.
Vasifa'ctivet ^^ Biol. [f. L. vasi- Vas.]
Producing vessels.
i88a ymi. Microsc. Set, Jan. 44 The spindle-shaped cells
of vasifactive tissue, showed the same series of changes.
Vasi-ferouB, a. rare-*". (Seequot.)
1656 IJlol'st Gloisop'., Vasiferous, that carries a vesscL
Vasiform (v^*'zif^jm), a, [f. L. vdsi- Vas -h
-FORM. J
1, Having the form of a duct or similar convey-
ing vessel ; tubular.
a. Phyu 1835-6 TodiTi Cycl. Anat. I. 245/2 The blood tof
Cirrii>eds]..is propelled by a dorsal vasiform heart. 1839-
47 Ibid. Ill 365/2 The systemic heart first appears in the
sessile Tunicaries as a va^ifQrm undivided ventricle. i86«
HuLME tr. Moquin-lantion 11. v. iL 261 The secreting
glands are.. vasiform tortuous tubes. 18^ Rolleston
Anim. Lift 98 The more elongated and vasiform heart
b. Bot. 1839 LiNDLEY Iftlrod. But. {ed. 3) 21 Of Pitted
Ti^i-iue. or Bothrenchyma. . . Vasiform Tissue, Dotted Ducts.
1866 Treas. Bot. 1 205/1 Vasiform tissue^ ducts, that is
tubes having the appearance of spiral ve.ssels and bothren-
chyma. 1885 Ooodale Physiot. Bot. (1892) 87 Vasiform
elements.
2. Shai)ed like a vase.
1846 Dana Zooph. (1848) 433, 1. The mode of growth:,.
spreading each way from a centra! pedicel, and concave
alwve (vasiform, or vase shape). i88> Garden i Apr. 212/2
The flowers, .form a vasiform tuft,
Vaskene, variant of Vasquine Obs.
VasO- (v^'-si?), combining form, on Or. types,
of L. vas Vas, employed in terms of Phys, and
Path, relating to the vascular system or parts of
this, as vaso-cellular a., -constriction, -con-
strictive a., -constrictor, -dentinal a,^ -den-
tine, -dilatation, -dilator, -ganglion, -inhibi-
tory a., -motive a.
1847 TodtTs C^'ct. A»at. III. 1026/2 *Vaso-ccll'ilar struc-
ture (of the pcnisl. iS^gAitSuti'sSyst. Med. VII. 249 The
velocity of the blood flow is increased, whenever the arteri.il
pressure b raised by general 'vaso-constriction. 1890 W.
JAMES Princ, Psychol. I. 97 Slowing and quickening of the
eart..are independent of the *vaso-constrictive pheno-
menon, 18^5 Rolleston Dis. Liver 271 To obtain the local
vasoconstrictive effect on the bleeding vessels. 1877 M.
Foster Physiol. 259 Stimulathig a number of *vaso-con-
slrictor nerves.^ 1896 Atlinttt's Syst. Med. I. 112 When
the vaso-constrictors alone are acting, the process is re-
tarded. 1851 G. A. Mantell Petrifactions iii. $ 5. 254 The
softer *vaso-dentinal tract of the tooth opposed to it below.
1849-5* Todd's Cycl. A fiat. IV. n. 878 The tubes which con-
vcy the capillary vessels through the substance of the osteo-
and *vaso-dentine of the teeth of fishes 1880 GUnihkr
Pishes 365 Numerous fissures radiating from the central
mass of vasodentine. 1896 AllbutCs Syst. Med. I. 344 When
one lower Hmb was heated, *vaso-dilatation. .and sweating
were observed in the other lower limb. 1881 A'a^«r^ XXIII.
236 The nerves which act as "vaso-dilators on the mucous
membrane of the buccal ca\ity. 1880 GuNTHtB Pishes 155
At the bottom of this sac there is a small *vaso«gangHon, . . by
which the urine is secreted. iWz Nature XXV I. 411 Nerves
. . which, when stimulated, occasion . . the dilatation of arteries
— the so-called ' *vasoinhibitory ' or ' vaso-dilator ' nerves.
1865 Intell. Observ. No. 47. 390 Excitation of *vaso-motive
action.
Vaso-motor, a, and sb, Phys. [f. prec]
A. odj. 1. Acting upon the walls of the blood-
vessels, so as to produce constriction or dilatation
of these and thus regulate or affect the flowof blood.
Chiefly with nerve and centre.
(a) 1868 Spencer Piinc. Psycliol. i. vi. (1870) I. 115 The
feelings that go along with discharges into the vaso-inotor
and sympathetic nerves, are the predominant ones. 1871
Hammond Dis. Nervous Syst. 65 Certain medicines ate
causes of cerebral aiixmia, ..by their action on the vaso-
motor nerves. 1876 liuiSTOWE Th. ^ Pract, Med. (1878) 41
The muscular tissue of the vascular system, .is under the
dominance of. .the nerves of the vaso-motor system.
(b) 1865 Intell. Obserr. No. 47. 390 The vaso-motor centres,
1875 H. C. Wood Tkerap. (1879) 355 1" large doses lobel a
seems to paralyze the vaso-motor centres. 1897 Allbutfs
Syst. Med. IV. 641 It also excites the vaso-motor centre,
and thus leads to rise in the blood -pressure.
2. Affecting the vasomotor nerves or centres.
1879.9/. George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 677 'Ihe ophthalmoscope
. .yielded evidence of arterial relaxation, pointing to slight
vaso-motor paralysis. i88t Trans. Obstet. Soc. Land. XXII.
23 Were the phenomena due lo peripheral irritation reflected
from the cord in the form of motor and vaso-motor disturb*
ance? 1897 Trans. Amer. Pediatric Soc. IX. 195 Marked
vaso-motor symptoms, and optic-nerve atrophy.
B. sb, A vaso-motor nerve.
1887 A. M. Brown Anim. Alkaloids 47 Marked heat and
injection of the car helices from paralysis of vaso-motor,
1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII, 726 Hydrotherapeutic
methods,,. directed primarily to the cutaneous vaso-motors.
Hence Vaso-moto-rial a.^ Taso-moto-rially
adv,, Vaso-mo *tor7 a.
1877 M. Foster Physiol. 145 The vaso-motorial functions
of the cervical sympathetic. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med, IV.
282 The eff'ects of the latter experiment may be explained
as a result of vaso- motor ial influence. 1899 Ibid. VI. 28 A
considerable number of instances of the purest vasomotory
angina. 1901 Lancet 8 June 1627/1 The most efficacious
way of increasing the urinary flow vaso- mot or tally.
va'sotribe. Surg. [f. Vaso- 4- Gr. rpl^tiv to
crush.] An instrument used to arrest hemorrhage.
1903 Lancet 30 May 1520/2 Even Kocher's powerful
forceps, .d ..es iiut stop the circulation like a vasotribe.
tVasq^uine. Sc. Obs, Also vaskene, was-
kyne, wasqwene. [a. F. vasquine, obs. van bas-
quine, ad. Sp. basquiha, Cf. Basqcike.] A petti-
coat.
1553 ^^^- i-d. High Treas. .Scot. X, 202 Item, half ane elne
blakwclwotc to bordour ane wa-.kyne of quhite dalmes.
1561 Inv. R. li'ardr. (1815) i32 0f Doublettis, Vaskenis, and
Skirtis. Item, ane doublett of btak velvot and the vaskene
of the same. 1567 in Hay Fleming Mary Q. of Scots (1897)
511 Item to lyne ane vasquine of blak tanatis of ihe four
treid v elle, [i8ao Scott Abbot xxxi, I shall endure her
presence without any desire to damage either her curch or
vasquine.]
Vassal (vse'sdl),^^. and a. Forms: 4vassale,
6 wassale ; 5-7 vassall (6 phasalle, Sc, was-
sail), 5- vassal (8 vasal) ; 5 vayssal, vaysall ;
5 vasseyll-, 6-7 vassaile, 7 vassail(l ; 6-7
vassell, Sc. wassell-. [a. OF. vassal, vasal {V.
vassal, = It., Pg. vassallo, Sp. vasallo) :— med.L.
vassall-zts man-servant, domestic, retainer, a word
of Celtic origin : the simpler form vassus (used in
the same senses) corresponds to Old Gaulish
-vassus, vasso- (in personal names), OBreton uuas
(MBret.^aj, hxcX. goaz),'^.gtvaSy Ir.ybjj servant,
serf. Cf. Vavasouk,]
1. In the feudal system, one holding lands from
a superior on conditions of homage and allegiance ;
a feudatory ; a tenant in fee. Now Hist.
13.. Coer de L. 3365 They are doughty vassales, Kynges
sones and amyrales. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes o/Aymon iii. 69
The emperour Charlemayne called to hym his goode vas-
scylles. 15J3 (Covicsdale] Old God 9f Ncm (1534) I, John . ,
ye xij. pope of y' name, .dyd prescribe an othe vnto Otho,
in whiche Otho sbold acknowtege him self to be y* poi>es
phasalle (as we do nowcal it). ai578LiNDESAv (Pitscottie)
Chron. Scot. (S.T.S,) I. 32 It becummeth ane prince to leiwe
frielie..nocht subiecttt to ane vassellis correctioun or chas.
tisment. s6oi [Bp. W. Barlow] Serm. Paules Crosse 62
The Queene mured vp with her owne vas-alles, 1665 in
Extr, S. P. ret. PriendsS^x. ml (1912) 234 The foreman and
Chiefe thereof [jc, the jury) being all Tennants and vassalls
to the Major and Aldermen. 1683 Temple Mem. Wks. 1720
I. 453 The Emperor made an invincible Difficuliy,declaiing
he would never treat with a Vassal of his own, a 1781 R.
Watson Philip III, iv. (1783) 293 It was enacted, that
all their effects should belong to the lords whose vassals
they were. 1817 Byron Matured 11. i. 13 To lask by the
huge hearths of those old halls. Carousing with the vassals.
i860 AoLKR Prov. Poft 196 Princes having under them as
their vassals other chiefs as renowned and valiant as them-
selves, 1871 Freeman Norju. Cong. (1876) IV, xvii. 29 All
was trusted to the loyalty of William's new-made vassals.
b. Used in addressing persons of this class.
c 1489 Caxton Sonnes o/Aymon vti. 172 Tell me, vassall,
knowest thou nootidyngesof Reynawde,thesone of Aymon ?
— Btanchardyn xxviii. 104 Vasi^all ! vassal ! to whom I
haue taken in hande that ihynge most dere to me in this
world, a 1533 ^^' Bernkks tJuon ix. 23 Wassale, who art
tliou that hath slayn my brother? 1591 Shaks. i Hen. K/,
IV. i. 125 Presumptuous vassals, are you not asham'd..'lo
trouble and disturbe the King, and Vs? i8»alivKON Werner
n. ii. 329 March, vassals! I'm your leader, and will bring
The rear up.
c. In Scottish legal use.
\A,1^ Sc. Acts Parlt. (1814) II. 107/1 Anent ourlordis l»at
in defraude & skaith of jiair vassalis & tenentis deferris
till enter to |)air landis and superioriteis. 1581 Reg. Privy
Council Scot. 407 In respect tliat thay nor nane of thame ar
nather frehalders, va.sseilis, subvassellis, bot ar fewaris only.
1609 iiKE^E. Reg, Maj., Stat. King Robt. /,28Gif itsall hap-
pen that ouer Lords poynd and distrenzie their vasselles con-
trare the constitution forsaid. iti^'xu Acts Partt. Scot.{\^Ts\
XII, 74 The forfauiturs of vassells and crc[dito]rs,wlio sliall
be innocent of t>air superiors or debitors crynies. 1739 Mori-
son's Diet. Decis. (1806) XXXllI. 14^07 The vassal is not
bound to accept of a new charier, di.sconform to his former
rights. 1765-8 Erskine Inst. Law Scot.n. iii. §13 A vassal
. . may make over his property to a subvassal by a subaltern
right. Ibid., The vassal who thus subfeus (etc.). 1815 R.
Bell Convey. Land 2^8 The consent of both superior and
vassal must be adhibited by those forms whicli practice has
prescribed. 1853 H. Barclay Digest Law Scot, 964 Vassal
IS he who has the right of fee or property — dominium utile
— distinguished from the light of superiority, or dominium
directum. 1896 W. K. Morton Man. Law Scot. 11. iii. 84
The law held the feu to transmit to heir of vassal, but
superior could reject a stranger.
2. transf. One who holds, in relation to another,
a position similar or comparable to that of a feudal
vassal.
1563 GoLDiNG Caesar 23 b. To bynd theyr Citye by othe,
that they shoulde neyther requyre their hostages agayn, . ,
nor yet refuse to be their subiectes & vassales for euer. 1578
T. N. tr. Cong. /F. India (1596) 47 The Lorde of that town
and other foure Lords , , came vnto Coriez with a good ti ayne
of their vassals and seruitours. 173a Lediard Sethos II.
VII. 51 The king of Phcenicia, who^e vassal I declare my-
self to be. 1807 J. Robinson Archxol. Grxca \\. iit. 148
From the time of their [the Helots] lirst reduction these
va^sals, impatient of their servitude, often endeavoured to
break their yoke. i836Thirlwall Greece (1839) II. i73The
death of Cyrus is speedily avenged by one of his vassals,
Amorges king of the Sacians. 1909 J. Stuart Burtna
thro. Cent. iv. 42 The King of Bengal determined to restore
the exiled King, and did so, the restored King becoming
a vassal of Bengal.
b. esp, A humble servant or subordinate ; one
devoted to the service of another.
c 1500 Melusine xxiv. 163 Damoyselle, ..as to my part,
your vassall & seruaunt shal I euer be. 1591 Spenser
Daphnaida i8i For rare it seemes..That man.. Should to
a beast his noble hart embase. And be the vassall ol his
vassatesse. 1596 J. Melvill Diary (Wodrow Soc.) 370
Mr. Audio [MelvillJ. .calling the King bot * God's siilie vas-
sall'. £^1600 Shaks. Sonn. Iviii, Being your vassail bound
to stale your leisure. 1651 in Nicholas Papers (Camden)
254 Lord Digby is a vassal of the Louvre. 1667 Milton
P. L. II. 90 The Vassals of his anger, when the Scourge
Inexorably.. Calls us to Penance. 1757 Keene in loM
Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. I. 220 !>•* Carlos does not
care to make the Figure of a Sort of Vassal. 178* J. Brown
View Nat. <J- Rev. Relig, vi. i. 549 These donations ought
to be made conscientiously under a sense of our debt to
God as his vassals and tenants. 1823 Scott Peveril xxxix,
Alas, for the captive princess, whose nod was to command
a vassal so costly as your Gtace ! 1857 J. Hamilton Less,
Jr. Gt. Biogr. 140 The man who by sin makes himself Satan's
vassal may soon be his victim. 1858 Lytton What ivill He
dot VII. iv. Flora Vyvyan had still guarded. ,a seat beside
herself for Darrell, by lending it for the present to one of her
obedient vassals.
trans/. 1593 Shaks. Lucr. 666 Thy thoughts, low vassals
to thy state. 169a Prior Ode Imit. Horace x, Where.e*er
old Rhine his fruitful Water turns, Or fills his Vassals Tri-
butary Urns.
c. One who is completely subject to some influ-
ence. Const, ^or to.
c 1614 Sir W. Mure Dido ^ ACneas n. 780 5e happy maids,
. . Frie from love's plague and perillows infection, Nor wonne
by men, nor vassaills to afleclion. 1631 R. Bolton Com/.
Ajfft. CoHsc. (1635) 34 These vassals of seUe-love and slaves
of lust. 1676 Hale Contempt. 11. 86 Either the Soul becomes
servant and vassal to Sin, or at best it is led away Captive
by it. 173a Neal Hist. Purit. I. 253 In this Bull he calls
her Majesty 'an usurper and a Vassal of iniquity '. 1855
Tennyson Maud 11. i. ii, The feeble vassals of wine and
anger and lust. 1859 — Merlin <v V. 341 I'ame with men
..Should.. work as vassal to the larger love,
3. A base or abject person ; a slave,
1589 Greene Mvnaphon (.\rb.) 37 Vassaile auant or with
my wings you die, 1st fit an Eagle seate hiiu with a Flie?
1598 R. Bernard tr. Terente, Ileavtontim. Pro\.,That I may
not euer continually., play the part of a vagabond vassaile.
1605 Shaks. Lear 1, i. 163 Kent. Now by Apollo, King,
Thou swear'st thy Gods in vaine. Lear. O vassal ! Mis-
creant. 17<S6 Blackstone Comm. II. 53 We now use the
word vasal opprobriously, as synonymous to slave or
bondman. z8ao Scott Abbot xxvii, Thou that man ! — vassal,
thou liest .'
4. atlnb. or as adj, a. Having, tlie status or
character of a vassal ; subject, subordinate ; f ser-
vile. Chieflyy?^.
IS93 Shaks, Luct. 608 No outrageous ihing From vassal
actors can be wiped away. 1596 Ediv. Ill, 11. i, Vassell feare
lies trembling at his feete. c x6oo Shaks, Sonn, cxli. Thy
proud hearts slaue and vassall wretch to be. x6i6 R. C. Times
Whistle IV. (1871) 41 Other mettals all Are but his vassaile
starres. 1680 Otwav Orphan i, iv, Man. . Forlorn, and silent
as his Vassal. Beasts. 1718 Popk Iliad x\\ 117 Supreme he
sits: and sees. .Vourvassal godheads grudginglyobey. 1735
Somerville Chase 11. 352 When Ammon's Son With mighty
Porus in dread Battle join'd, The Vassal World the Pruc.
176J Falconkk Shipwr. Intiod. 4 Albion bids the avenging
8-2
VASSAL.
thanoer roll Along her vas-^al deep, 1817 Moobe Lalla
Rff^k Wks. (1910) 42a I As if ihe loveliest plants and trees
Had >-assaI breezes of ilieir own. a 1854 H. Reed Lett,
Eng. Lit. iii. (1S55) 93 Britain was a kind of vassal nation
of the Roman Empire. 1868 Freeman Xortu. Conij. (1876)
II. App. 636 A title most commonly given to vassal princes.
b. In predicative use. Also const, to or unto.
tssa Noh^y 4- Someb. (1878) 28+ lie be no longer vassaile
To such a tirannous rule. i6o» J. Rhodes Ahs7V. Romish
Rime E, And now the other Bishops three . .Were first made
\-assal vnto Rome. 1671 Miltos P. R. iv. 133 That people
victor once, now vile and base, Deservedly made vassal.
1848 W. H. Kelly tr. L. Blanc's HisU Ten Years \, 325
It would have been to make Belgium vassal to the hve
powers. 1864 Lowell Fireside Trav. 215 The eye that saw
the whole earth vassal
O. Of or pertaining to, characteristic of, a vassal.
scSS Smkks. L.L.L. IV. iii. 23* Who sees the heauenly
Rosaline, That . . Bowes not his vassall head. 1607 Middi^e.
TON Michlelmas Term 1. i. 57 With what a vassal-appetite
they gnaw On our reversions. 1898 Atlantic Aionthly
LXXXII. 562/1 The oath of vassal loyalty constraining
him to stand at his post
Vassal (vae-sal), v. Now rare. Also 7 vas-
8ail(e, -ayl, -all. [f. prec]
1. trans. To make subject or subordinate to some
thing or person.
1613 Drumm. of Hawth. Cypress Grave Wks. 1913 II. 98
Celestiall thinges fauour him, earthly ihinges are vassaled
vnio him. 1615 G. Sandvs Trav. 77 Whose posterity in
part remaineth to this day, though va^saled to the often
changes of forraine Govcniours. i6a8 Feltham Resolves u.
Ixxi. 205 It vassailes him to the world, to beasts, and men.
r</f. i6aa Wither Philarete (1633) H xii, Lovers. .Vassal-
ing themselves with shame To some proud imperious Dame.
x6si-6s Hevlin Cosmogr. (1682) iii. 209 The other nine,.
have vassalled themselves to the great Mongul.
2. To reduce to the position of a vassal ; to subdue
or subjugate. Alsoyff.
x6ts W. Parkes Curtaitte-Dr. (1876) 17 The rules of
reason, and the lawes of nature,. . vassayled, obliterate and
vnregarded by him. 1631 Bp. Mountagu Dintribx ^<^^ For
Croesus King of Lydia..was vanquished, .and vassalled by
Cyrus of Persia. 41653 G. Daniel lilyll Illustr. 5 And
fellow.Creatures vassaii'd, tumble downe To either Face or
Hand, the Axe, or Crowne.
Hence "Vassalled /;>/. a.
1606 Warner Alb. Eu_^. xiv. Ixxx. (1612) 3^8 And oft his
vassalde EngU^^h he gainst forraine Swords did bring. 1649
G. Daniel Trinarch., lien. K, cccii, The Vassaii'd Earth
was rent, vnder his Rule. 1815 J. C. Hobhouse Substance
Lett. (1816) I. 102 To restore the king*.. of that ancient,
oppressed, vassalled, decimated France.
Vassalage (vce'saled.::;), sb. Forms : a. 4-
vassalage (7 -adga, -edge, 8 vasalage), 5-7
vassallage, 5 vassol-, 6 vassailage; 4-5, 7
vasselage (4 vassh-, 5 vess-), 4, 7 vassellage
(6 vasell-), 5 vaisselage ; 6 .SV. vaslage, -legs.
0. 5 wasselaga ; Sc» 5 wassolage, waslage, 5-6
wassalage, 6 -edge, wassallagefWassilaige. [a.
OF. vassal{l)age, vas{s)eiagej vessaiaige, etc. (F.
vasselage)^ i. vassal Vassal sb. So Prov. vassal-^
vasselatge^ Sp, vasailage, Pg. vassallagem^ It.
vassallagiot med.L. vassailagium.']
1. Action befitting a good vassal or a man of
courage and spirit ; prowess in battle, warfare, or
other difficult enterprise. Obs. exc. arck.
0, 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 4610 Whan he wendy|>
to t»e tournament She..byt hym do for hys lemman Yii
vasshelage alle Jjat he kan, 1338 — Chron. (1810) 188
Gentille of norture, & noble of lynage, Was non )?at bare
armure, )>at did suilk vassalage. c\-^ Sir Ferumb. 1671
Ri^t as he wil let it be do, for pat is vassalage. ^ 1400 Laud
Troy Bk. 12873 Kyng Sarpedoun Was in his tyme a stal-
worth man, A noble kny^t of vasselage. 1456 Sir G. Have
Laxv A rms (S.T.S.) 54 To count all the vasselage that thare
was done on ayther syde, it war mervaile to here, c 1477
Caxtom 7(Zj£?»34b, Our defendour. .whiche bath only in
him self more of vaUselage than is in alle Esclauonye. 1508
Dunbar Poems vii. 10 Welcum. .incomparable knight, The
fame of armys, and fioure of vassalage. 1565 in Ellis Orig.
Lett. Ser. i. II. 204 And maynie made knightes that never
showde anye greate token of their vasellage. x^y Sntir,
Poems Reform, iv. 141 Deianira hir husband Hercules..
Brocht to mischeif, for all his vassalage, xSaj Scorr Betr.
xxi, Were I to choose some knight of name, . . he would be
setting about to do deeds of vassalage upon the Welsh.
ironical, c 1385 Chaucer L. G. IK 1667 (//jyPsi/yle), And
of lason this is the vassellage That in hise dayis nas ther non
i-founde So fals a louere goinge on the grounde.
fi, X37S Barbour Bruce 1. 290 He had a sone . . pat wes h^n
hot a litill page; Bot syne he wes off gret waslage. /bid.
X. 268 He knew his worthy wassalage. c 1500 Lancelot
2708 lliar schcw the lord sir ywan his curage, His maiihed,
& his noble wassolage. f 1550 Rolland Crt, Venus i. 171
He.. in the Net of wanhoip had bene tane, Quhilk causit
him want baith welth & wassallage. a 1578 Lindusay
(PitscottieJ Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 153 He was of tender
aige and could not wse no wassaledge nor feit of weiris,
fb. A brave or chivalrous act ; a noble or gallant
exploit. Obi.
f X330 R. Bru.vnb Chron. Wnce fRolIs) 12331 Me J>ynkel>
hit were no vasselage, f>re til on; hit were outrage! 1426
Lyoc. De Guil. Pilgr. 10606 Record off folkys that be sage,
Sclaundere ys no vasselage. £'1470 Henry Wallace i. 158
Thus be conteynde tn till hys tendyrage; In armys syne
did mony hie waslage. c 1475 Rau/Coil^ear 887 For that
war na wassalage, sum men wald say. a 1578 Lindesay
(Pitscottie) Chron, Scot. (S.T.S.) M. n8 Ane gret navie..
landit in orknay and thocht to haue done sum wassallage
thair. 41670 Spalding Troub. Chas. I C1840) I. 23 The
Erll of Morray. .rejoisit tnichtelHe at this vassalage done be
his men. Ibid. 182 The barronis..left the houss, thinkingit
no vassalage to stay whill thay war slayne.
60
transj. iST© Satir, Poems Reform, xiii. 132 His Fatheris
murther also 56 cleirly knew, Myschantly hangit, ane wlckit
vassalage.
to. Pre-eminence, supremacy. Obs.~^
c 1430 LvDG. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 176 Is noon so greet
encress Off world tresour, as for to live in pees, Which
among vertues hath the vasselage.
2. The state or condition of a vassal ; subordina-
tion, homage, or allegiance characteristic of, or
resembling that of, a vassal.
1594 Nashk Terrors of Night Wks. (Grosart) III. 266
Much more may I acknowledge all redundant prostrate
vassailage to the royal! descended FamiUe of the Careys.
1605 Camden Rem. 4 Acknowledging no superiours, in no
vassalage to Emperour or Pope. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. iv.
182 He was a worthy mail in his generation, had not his
vassalage to the Pope ingaged him in cruelty against the
poor professors of the truth. 1667 MiLTON P.L. 11. 252 Let
us not then pursue.. our state Of splendid vassalage. 1709
Steele Taller No. 46 P 2 The only Part of Great Britain
where the Tenure of Vassalage is still in being. X756
Nugent Gr. Tour, Germany II. 15 The peasants are all in
a state of vassalage to the nobility. 1774 Pennant Tour
Scot, in 1772, 294 Tyranny more often than protection was
the attendance on their vassalage. 1807 G. Chalmers
Caledonia 1. 111. iv. 347 They acknowledged their vassalage
. .by receiving rulers, from the Scandian peninsula. 1844
H. H. Wilson Brit. India II. 46* That they had no right
. . to reduce to vassalage the native Princes, who had always
been treated, .as independent. 1869 Freeman Norm. Conq.
(1876) III. xiii. 312 William's vassalage for England will be
still more nominal than his vassalage for Normandy.
attrib. 1791 Paine Rights of Man 82 Submission is wholly
a vassalage term, repugnant to the dignity of Freedom.
b. In semi-personitied use.
1606 Shaks. Tr. ^ Cr. in. ii. 40 Like vassalage at vnawares
encountring The eye of Maiestie. s6i6 J. Lane Contn.
Sqr.'s T. ix. 410 For trewe kinges this inscribe of sover*
aigntie, that vassalage backe startes at maiestie.
C. In the phrase to hold (glands) in vassalage.
X747 Carte Hist. Eng. I. 195 Who being tired with beat-
ing Cerdic consented at last that he sliould hold a great part
of the west of him in vassalage, 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. 1.
ix. 186 The prince.. offered, .to hold his kingdom in vassal-
age under the Crown of England. 1791 Newte Tour En^.
/f- Scot. 284 Several ^ood families held their estates m
vassalage of feudal Chiefs.
3. Subjection, subordinntion servitude ; service.
Freq, const, to. a. To a person or persons.
'S9S T. P. GoODWiNE Blanchardyn \\. Ded., [A] most
worthy Patrone; to whose vasselage,. bountifull rewardes
haue bound me during life, in all obseruancie. 1604 T.
Wright Passions v. § 4. 231 Man is bound both by nature,
grace, gratitude, vassaladge..to loue, honour, and blesse
thee. 162a Wither Philarete (1633) Kj b, Who, beforetime
held in scorne, To yeeld Vassalage, or Duty, Though unto
the Queen of Beauty. 1793 Burke Obs. Conduct Minority
Wks. 1S42 I. 626 This insolent claim of superiority on their
part, and of a sort of vassalage to them on that of other
members. 1849 Macaulav Iliit. Eng. i. I. i How our
country, from a state of ignominious vassalage, rapidly rose
to the place of umpire among European powers. 1878 N.
Amer. Rev. CXXVII. 100 The revelation it makes of the
condition of the solid South ; its continued vassalage to the
reckless and dangerous class.
b. To some influence, esp. of a detrimental kind.
x6ia T. Taylor Comm, Titus W, 14 It must worke in vs a
..watchfulnes against all sinn, which bringeth .such vassal-
edge vpon vs. 1665 Glanvii.l Def. Van. Dogm. 13 An
attempt to redeem the free-born spirits of Men, from an
unworthy vassailage to so stigmatiz'd an Authority, 174a
Blair Grave 598 Human Nature groans Beneath a Vassal-
age so vile and cruel. 1767 Dr. Dodd Poems 8 Princes . .
unfortunately great, Born to the pompous vassalage of state.
1833 LvTTON Godolphin 24 All round bore the seal of vassal-
age to Time. 1849 Coleridge Shaks. Notes (1875) 126 The
subservience and vassalage of strength and animal courage
to intellect and policy. 1871 Lowell Pope Pr. Wks. 1890
IV. II English literature.. showed the marks..of an artistic
vassalage to France.
4. t a. The authority of a superior in relation to
a vassal. Obs.
1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. ^ Commit}. 140 lK>ts, Sales,
Homages, rights of Vassalage, Forrests, Ponds, Rivers.
x^yo Devout Commun.{\tZZ) 81 How manyslaves under tiie
vassailage of an enemy fare better than thou ! 1681 H,
Nevile Plato Rediv. 37 This Vassailage over the People,
which the Peers of France had, being abolisht,
b. An estate or fief held by a vassal,
1855 MiLMAN Lat. Chr. ix. viii. IV, 190 The Countship of
Foix, with six territorial vassalages.
6. A body or assemblage of vassals,
1807 WoRDSw. White Doe 11. 30 But now the inly-working
North Was ripe to send its thousands forth, A potent vassal-
age, to fight In Percy's and in Neville's right, xQz6 Blackw,
Mag. XX. 416 The assembled vassalage were all still as
death. 1849 }. Grant Kirkaldy xx. 230 Kirkaldy, whose
garrison was probably recruited from his own vassalage.
Hence t Va'ssalagre v.j = Vassal v. Obs.
16^ Royalist's Defence ^8 Refusing to acknowledge it His
duty to bee governed by them His Subjects, and . . to vassal-
age unto those Rebels Himselfe, His Royall Posterity, and
all the rest of the people. i66a R. Mathkw C/nl. Alch. 59
What man Ial>ouring to fulfil liis desire, is not ten times
fuither off by being vassalag'd more thereunto?
t Va*ssalate, ». Obs.—^ [f. Vassal sbJ] =
Vassal v. So t Vassalation, vassalage, subjec-
tion. Obs."^
1648 W. MouNTAGUK Devout Ess. I. XV. § 2. 271 Thus God
suffereth things which have no true goodness, to work upon
our imagination ;. .and this vassaltation is a penalty set by
the true Judge of all things, upon our attempt to design of
our own heads, the forms of good and evil. 1659 Gauof.n
Tears Ch. 496 Conventions, where either X^y-men shall
over-number and over-awe the Clergy, or Clergy-men shall
vassalate their consciences to gratifie any potent party.
VAST.
Vassaldom. rare-K [f. Vassal sb. + -dom.]
= Vassalage 2.
1876 BuRNABv Ride to Khiva xxvii. 262 The khanate [of
Khiva] was reduced to a stale of complete vassaldom.
Va'SSaless. rare. [t. Vassal sb. t -ess.] A
female vassal.
>S9« [see Vassal sh. 2 b]. 1842 Agnes Stujcklasd Queens
Eng. II. 41 He could have forbidden his fair vassaless to
marry the subject of King Philip.
Vassalic (vaesaelik), a. [f. Vassal sb^ Of
or pertaining to vassals or vassalage.
1897 ^ • ^ ' Maitland Domesday Bk. i^ Beyond 75 The
very highest storeys of the feudal or vassalic edifice. 1898
— Townsh. 4- Borough 45 There are feudal or vassalic dis-
tinctions.
Va'Ssalism, [f. Vassal j^.] Tendency to
accept a position of vassalage.
1854 Eraser's Mag. L. 600 That obsequious compliance.,
whicli indicated the shameful vassalism (if we may coin a
word) of a German government.
Vassalize (vae-sabiz), v. [f. Vassal sb^
1. trans. = Vassal v. 1.
^599 ^' LiNCHE Ane. FictionC ijh. Since Asia was vassal-
ized and subiugated to the Romanes. 1648 Cromwell Z,f^/.
^ sp. 20 Nov., The former Quarrel was that Englishmen
might rule over one another, this to vassalise us to a foreign
nation. 1653 Chisenhale Cath. Hist. 36 Their, .close prac-
tises against all that will not. .vassalize themselves to their
impious Lord and Master. 1670 in E. B. Jupp Carpenters'
Co. (1887) 308 All other workemen depending on the same
must lye adle [sicj and bee vassalized to their rudenes and
exorbitances.
2. = Vassal v. 2.
1641 March Act. for Slaunder 7 He might seize all his
estate, .and vassalize his person at pleasure. 1654 Sfittle-
HOUSE Vind. Eifth-Mon. Men 5 Against all arbitiary or
absolute power, .vassalizing the Saints and People of God
in this Commonwealth. 184S Lowell Fable for Cfitics 1506
To vassalize old tyrant Winter.
Hence Va'ssalized///. «., Vassalizing vbi. sb.
1647 Maids" Petition 3 Till then, wee'le remaine your
*Vassalized Virgins. 1841 T. MacQueen in Poets Ayrsh.
216 It marked tlie deep bondage of vassalised man. 1607
Wai.kington opt. Glass 80 The "vassalizing of the rebellious
affections. x66j J. Chandler Van Helmont's Oriat, 215
Therefore the meat is not yet fully transchanged, unless
when its own Archeus being subdued, our vital one is intro-
duced with a full vassalliziiig of the former.
Va'SSalry. Also 5 vasselry, 6 vassalrie,
-rey. [f. Vassal sb. •¥ -ky, Cf. med.L. vassekria
(1238) fief, OF. vassellerie warlike exploit.]
1. « Vassalage 5.
01470 Harding Chron. xcix, Thei reigned vpon the
vasselry That were out castes of all Britany. x8o6 W. Taylor
in Ann. Rev. IV. 67 Something could be done., to facilitate
the acquisition of a peculium. .by the negro vassalry. 1831
TvTLER Hist. .Scot. (1864) II. 209 The Earls of Ross and
Huntly, whose dominions and vassalry embraced almost the
whole of the Highlands. 188a E. Arnold Pearls 0/ Faith
xxiii. (1883) 84 Queens were his slaves, and Kings his
vassalry.
2. = Vassalage 3.
"594 O. B. Quest. Profit. Concern, 13 b, The olde bondajge
and vassalrie men of your condition were wont to be in.
c 1600 in E. E. Wills (1882) 117 This beast .. disdainetb
vassairey and subjection.
Vassal's grass. (Seequots.) •
a 1818 M. G. Lewis Jrtil. W. Ind. {1834) 251 Many years
ago, a new species of grass was imported into Jamaica, by
Mr. Vassal.. .This nuisance, which is called' Vassal's grass ,
..has now completely overrun the parish of Westmoreland.
1885 Ladv Brassev The Trades 262 The greater part of it
was a coarse- looking but sweet herbage, called Vassal's
grass.
Vassalsliip. [f. Vassal sbi\ Vassalage.
1578 T. N. tr. Long. W. India 50 These generally gave
their vassalship to the King of Spaine into the handes of
Hernando Cortez. 1841 W. Spalding Italy <v //. /si. I. 53
Their political rights were not affected by their vassalship.
Vassand, obs. Sc. form of Weasakd.
Vassayl, obs. form of Wassail.
Vast (vast), sb. [f. the adj.]
1. Avast or immense space. Chiefly /(?^/., and
freq, with adjs.
1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies i. 5 That
great Chaos, and infinite Vast, which the ancient Philo-
sophers aflirmed to bee vnder the earth. 1608 Shaks. Per.
III. i. I Thou god of this great vast, rebuke these surges.
1709-H Ken Anodynes Poet. Wks. 1721 III. 442, I then
would higher soar, and cast My eyes o're the Ethereal Vast.
i7aS Pope Odyss, iv. 683 By Juno's guardian aid, thewat'ry
Vast Secure of storms, your Royal brother past. 1704 W.
Taylor in Robberds i^/i*;;/. (1843) 1. 15c Our souls the bands
of death shall tear, Through the whole starry vast to range.
1818 Keats Endym. iii. 859 Far as the mariner on highest
mast Can see all round upon the calmed vast. 1850 Tennyson
iHMem.Concl. xxxi, A soul shall draw from out the vast And
strike his being into bounds. 1898 T. Hardy Wessejc Poems
72 And up from the vast a murmuring passed As from a wood
of pines.
b. Const, ^(heaven, sea, etc.). A\so Jig.
t6io Shaks. Temp. 1. ii. 326 Vrchins Shall for that vast of
night that they may worke All exercise on thee, a 1649
Drumm. of Hawth. Poems Wks. (1711) 34/2 Such as do
Nations govern, and command Vasts of the Sea and Emperies
of Land. 1667 Milton P. L. vi. 203 Through the vast of
Heav n It sounded. 1795 W. Blake Song Los 42 And all
the vast of Nature shrunk Before their shrunken eyes. 1838
Eliza Cook Efigland iv, I'd tread the vast of mountain
range, orspotsereneand flowered. i87aGE0. ¥.uot Middlem.
xlv, Which need never stop short at the boundary of know-
ledge, hut can draw for ever on the vasts of ignorance.
2. dzat, A very great number or amount.
VAST.
1793 Piper 0/ Peebles 14 A vast o* fouk a' round about
Come to the feast, c i8ao Hogg Sheph. Wedding i, They
couldna get them \sc. leisters] sindry, else there kad been a
vast o bludeshed. a 1825- in dialect glossaries (E. Anglia,
Yks.,Leic.,etc.). 1853 K.S. SuRTEEs6"f7a/<yi'/. four (1893)
30 It takes a vast of clothes, even at Oxford prices, to come
to a thousand pounds. x888 Huxley in Lije 11900) II. xii.
i85, I took a vast of trouble (as the countryfolks say) about it.
Vast (vast), a. and adv, [ad, L. vastus void,
immense, extensive, etc., or F. vasie (161 1), It.,
Sp., Pg. vasto.'\
L Of very great or large dimensions or size; huge,
immense, enormous.
1575-85 Abp. Sandys Serm. 360 Jf ye compare.. one of
smale stature, with a vast giant,.. tlie combat could not
choose but seeme in al! pointes verie vnequall. 1603 Holland
Plutarch's Mar. 294 Unskiifull cutters, .are of opinion that
the enormous and huge statues, called Colosses, which they
cut, will seeme more vast and mightie if they frame them
stradling with their legs. 1666 Boyle Orig: Forms ^ Qual.
171 These Bodies, that are the vastest and the most impor-
tant of the Sublunary World. 1712-4 Vo^^ Rape Locks. 92
Three seal-rings, which after, melted down, Form'da vast
buckle for his widow's gown. X76»-7r H. Walpole Vertue's
Atiecd. Paint. (1786) I. 222 A vast ruff, a vaster fardingale
. .are the features by which every body knows at once the
pictures of queen Elizal>eth. i860 Tyndall Glac. it. xvii.
315 On the ice ca?;cades. .the river glacier has piled vast
blocks on vaster pedestals. 1867 Lady Herbert Cro///^/..
vi. 155 It is not a single building, but rather a vast collection
of chambers and galleries.
ahsol. 1784 CowpFR Task v. 811 A ray of heav'niy light,
gilding all forms Terrestrial in the vast and the minute.
180S V\:!iuLKiE.v. Agric. Surv. Peebles. 18 The mountains,,,
too much upon the vast for beauty, are yet too tame for the
sublime.
2. Of great or immense extent or area; extensive,
far-stretching.
159a Shaks. Mids. -V. V. i. 9 One sees more diuels then
yaste hell can hold. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa vii. 290
Betweene which two Kingdomes lieth a vast desert being
much destitute of water. 1615 \V, Lawson Country Houseiv.
Gard* (1626) 23 The top hath the vast aire to spread his
boughs in. 1663 Butler Hud. i. i. 327 Thorough Desarts
vast And Regions Desolate they past. 1697 Drydkn Virg.
Georg. III. 531 Such an extent of Plains, so vast a Space Of
Wilds unknown . . Allures their Eyes. fjz* Wollaston
Relig. l^at. v. (1724) 79 What a vast field for contemplation
is hereopened ! 1774 Coidsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) 1. 100 The
river, .overflowed the adjacent country, like a vast lake.
ifiifi J. WiLSo.** City 0/ Plague 11. iii. 29a Another month,
and I am left alone In the vast city. 1865 W. G. Palgrave
Arabia I. 391 The circle of vision here embraces vaster
plains and bolder mountains. 1871 Free.man Norm. Cong.
{ 1876) I V. xvii. 70 Ruling over vast territory which bad been
held by the Earls.
Comb. i86x Ld. Lyttom & Fase Tannhauser 85 The sun,
About him drawing the vast-skirted clouds. 1888 F. Hume
Mme. Midas r. Pro!,, From thence it spread inland into vast-
rolling pastures.
b. Qualifying nonns of dimension,
1677 MifeGE Fr. Diet., i. s.v. Vaste^ A Country of a vast
extent. 1688 Prior A n Ode i, The mysterious Gulph of vast
Immensity, a 1731 — To C tess Dowager 0/ Devonsh. i,
'i'hat Both, their Skill to this vast Height did raise, Be ours
the Wonder, and be yours the Praise. i7»5 De Foe P'oy.
round ly or I J {iZ\o) 345 A pit or hole of a vast depth. 1774
Ff-NNakt Tour. Scot, in iij2 6 The church stands at a vast
height above the town. 1809-14 Worosw. Excurs. iv, 1161
A temple framing of dimensions vast, And yet not too enor-
mous for the sound Of human anthems. 1865 Kimgsi-ey
Htrew. X, His vast breadth of shoulder.
c. In transf. or fig. uses.
1736 Butler Anal. 11, ii. Wks. 1874 I. 173 The scheme of
nature.. is evidently vast, even beyond all possible imagina-
tion. 1738 Wesley Ps. c. iv, Vast as Eternity thy Love.
X784 CowpF.x Task VI. aiS But how should matter.. satisfy
a law So vast in its demand.s, unless impell'd [etc.]. x8o6
R. Cumberland Mem. (1807) I. 160 lime whelms us in
the vast Inane. 185a H. Rogers Eel. Faith (1853) 142 It
must be accomplished in a cycle vast as those of the geolo-
gical eras. 1A69 Kingslev Lett. (187b) II. 292 Science Is
grown too vast for any one head. 1884 Congregational
Vear Bk. 56 Mightier wonders and vaster problems,
3. Of tile mind, etc. : Unusually large or com-
prehensive in grasp or aims.
1610 Holland Camden's Brit, 464 Cardinall Wolsey, ..
whose vast minde reached alwayes at things too high. 1650
R. irriMWios Stradas Loxv-C, Wars ii. 38 But tlie Prince
of Orange and Count Egmont. .were of vaster spirits then
the rest. 169a Urvden St. Euremont's Ess. 373 Her Spirit
is extensive without being Vast, never rambling so far in
general Thoughts, as not to be able to return easily to
singular Considerations. 1710 Stefle Tatter No. 209 Fi
The Account we have of his vast Mind. 1743 Fkancis tr.
Horace, Odes 1. xxxvii. 12 Vast in her Hopes, and giddy wiili
Success, 1815 Shelley Alastor 287 With voice far sweeter
than thy dying notes, Spirit more vast than thine,
4. Very great, immense, enormous, in respect of
amount, quantity, or number.
i6w Veruey Mem. (1907)" I. 114 Vet what is alt this but a
small part of those vast treasures left him by his father.
fzi66t Fuller Worthies (1840) II. 571 Sir Thomas Cooke,
late lord mayor of London, one of vast wealth. 1681 Flavel
Metk. Grace xix. 341 No wi-;e man expends vast sums to
bring home trifling commodities. 1730 A. Gor[x>n Maffei^s
Amphith. 64 The vast Rain which fell at that Time. 1760
R. Brows CtJw///. Farmer n. 62, I have known vast crops of
rye upon barren lands that have been old warrens, and well
cfunged with rabbits. 1796 H. Hunter tr. St -Pierre's Study
Nat. (1799) I. g^Themcmliersofthe vast family of Mankind.
1838 Thirlwall Greece IV. 369 Carrying away vast herds of
cattle. 185s Macaulay Hist. Eng. xii. III. 210 The same
tyranny.. had robbed his Church of vast wealth, 1871
Raymoso Statist. Mines ^ Mining 724 The Colorado River
. .sends a vast body of water to the Gulf of California.
b. With nouns of quality, action, etc.
61
1595 Shaks. yohn iv. iii. 152 Vast confusion waites. .The
iminent decay of wrested pompe. c 1600 Life ^ Death
Long Meg 0/ Westm. ii, On this Sir John de Castile, in a
bravado, would needs make an experiment of her vast
strength, x^t Hamilton /*a^trrj (Camden) 148 Soe unequal!
..where there is so vast a disproportion in the knowledge,
abilities, and interests of the persons. 1718 Rowe tr. Lucan
I. 89 Vast are the thanks thy grateful Rome shou'd pay To
wars, which usher in thy sacred sway. 1765 Museum Rust.
IV. 166 The same vast superiority will be found in every
article of employment to which these waggons can be put.
1796 BuuKE Regie. Peace Wks. VIII. 393 Most of them
engage, for a short time at a vast price, every actor or actress
of name in the metropolis. 1833 ^t. Martineau Fr. Wines
<5- Pol, i. 15 Vast labour wilFbe required to render these
lands productive once more. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858;
I. ii. 174 His reading was vast, especially in theology.
c. With nouns denoting number or amount.
(Passing into next,)
(a) 1677 MitiCE Fv. Diet, it, A vast quantity, nne graude
quantiti, 1716 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Ctess of
Bristol 35 Nov., Tlie vast number of English crowds the
town so much, x^^ Anson's Voy. i. vii. 105 These rocks
terminate in a vast number of ragged points. 1833 Edin.
Rez'. XXXIX. 49X0 put vast quantities of men into prison.
1857 Buckle Civiliz. 1. viL 325 Disputes.. now regarded
with indifference by the vast majority of educated men.
1884 Marshall s Tennis Cuts 154, 1 saw a vast number, and
examined them very carefully,
{b) 1718 H1CKES& Nelson y. Kettlewell m. c\\\. 478 He
took a vast deal of Pains, nicely to Examine every Thing,
i8oa Mar. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) 1. v. 27 Mackenzie,
with artificial admiration, said a vast deal more than he
thought. 1858 Dickens Lett. (1880) II. 75 We have done a
vast deal here. 187a Black Adt\ Phaeton xviii, 346 He
showed her a vast amount of studied respect.
5. In weakened sense as a mere intensive.
Com non in fashionable use in the iSth.cent. : cf. Vastly
eidv. ^.
1696 Phillips (ed. 5) s.v.. Figuratively we say, such a one
has a vast Fancy, a vast Wit, vast Parts, &c. 1700 S. L.
tr. Fryke's Voy. E. Ind. 120 Every new and full Moon, the
Sea drives 'em up in a vast way. a 1704 T. Brown Beauties
Wks. 1730 I. 45, I saw Armida, to my vast surprize, So
rich in charms. 1764 Reid Inquiry ii. § 1 That most other
bodies while exposed to the air are continually sending
forth effluvia of vast subtilty. 1801 Strutt Sports <5r Past,
n. i, 61 They shot with vast precision to that distance. 1840
Hawthorne Biogr. Sk.^ PepPerell (1879) 186 An object of
vast antipathy to many of the settled ministers. i86x F.
Metcalfb Oxonian in Iceland iii. (1867) 33 Their wise
heads go everlasting, .nidding, nodding, with vast solemnity.
b, A vast many^ a great many, ? Obs.
169s Woodward Nat^ Hist. Earth i. 49 By.. perpetual
Circulation a vast many things in the System of Nature are
transacted. 171* De Foe Plague (1754) 22 The Restoration
had brought a vast many tamilies to London. 1771 T.
Hull Sir W, Harrington (1797) HI. 207 Jacob was sent
out a vast many times. 1833 T. Hook Parson's Dan, 11. ii.
But there are a vast many persons in the neighbourhood
who would make suitable husbands for such a girl. 1853
Hawthorne yaif^/^tw*^/ T.J^omfgranate Seeds fltlXQyxhXcl
her with a vast many tender fears.
c. adv. ~ Vastly adv. Now dial,
1687 Mi£ge Gt. Fr, Diet. 11, A vast rich Town, une Vilie
fort riche. 1756 Amory Buncle (1770) 11. 264 Many vast
high ones \sc. mountains] we crossed, and travelled through
very wonderful gUns. 1757 H. Brookr Female Ojfficer 1.
viii. He is vast expert at his weapon, truly ! c 1790 ' M. P.'
[Dorothy Kilner] Anecd. Boarding School I. 47, I cannot
say that I am vast fond of ber. lOid. 98 Half a dozen of
them all at once calling out, O ! vast fine ! vast fine 1 1809-
in dialect glossaries, etc.
Vast, southern ME, var. Fast j^,, «., and adv, ;
obs. Sc, f. Waste.
t Vast, V, Oi>s~^ [ad, L. vast-dre.'] trans.
To lay waste, destroy.
1434 Misvn Mending Life 119 For t>e. . fleschly .sawle in-to
behaldyngof ^e godhede is not rauischyd bot if it be gostely,
ail fleschly lettyngis vastyd.
'Vast, Vast, apheticff. Avast,
1841 R. H. Dana Seaman's Man. ii-^A^'asl^ or 'I'ast^ an
order to stop. 1894 Outing XXIV. 72/2 ' Vast ! ' yells the
coxswain, as the pier of the railroad bridge flies by,
t Va'Stacy. Obs-"^ [f. Vast «,] Vastness.
1607 Tiberius Claudius Nero M 2, What Lidian desart,
Indian vastacie? What wildcrnesse in wilde Arabia, So
hateful! monster euer nourished?
t Va'Statei //''. «• Ods-"^ [ad. h. vastdl-uSf
pn. pple. oi vasldre,"] Laid waste; devastated,
1619 T. AuAMS Serm.^ Taming of Tongue Wks, 152 'Ihe
vast.itt: mines of ancient monuments.
Va'State, v* rare, [Cf, prec. and Vastatio.v
3.] trans. To render unsusceptible,
189s Harper's Mag. LXXXIV. 608/1 That long passion
of his early youth, which seemed to have vastated him
before he came there. He was rather proud of his vastation.
Vastation (vsest^'Jan). Also 6 vastacion.
[ad, L. vastdtion-f vastdtio, n, of action f. vastdre^
{.vastus waste. So It. vastazione^ Pg. vastafdo.']
1 1. The action of laying waste, devastating, or
destroying. Also freq., an instance of this. Obs.
(very common i6ro-i66o),
1545 Joye Exp. Dan. vii. 120 b, Howe greate vastacions
and destruccions in the chirche arc there prophecied I 1614
Raleigh Hist. World iv. i. $ i The Greekes..doc still, as in
former times, continue the inuasion and vastation of each
other. 01639 Si-OTTiSwooD Hist. Ch. Scot. in. (1677) 175
Thereupon insued a pitiful vastation of Churches and
Church-buildings. 1663 J. Spencer Prodigies (1665) 383
No war, no sedition, . no vastation,. .made so great a waste
upon the religion, .of that place.
t 2. The fact or condition of being devastated or
laid waste, Obs.
VASTLY,
1578 Banister Hist. Man v. 64 The whole masse of man
..must needes haue runne in perpetuall ruine, and vasta-
tion. X617 Collins D^f Bp. Ely 11. x. 458 We lament their
desolation and vastation. 1639 Fuller Holy War in. xxiv.
(1840) 162 The sad spectacle of their country's vastation
would distuib their nnnds. 1653 Galijen Hierasp. To Rdr.
24 It may be through the Lords mercy, this winters floud
shall be for their mendment or fertility, and not for their
utter vastation and mine.
3, The action of purifying by the destruction of
evil qualities or elements. Also transf,
1847 Emerson Repr. Men, Swedenborg Wks. (Bohn) I.
328 He was let down through a column that seemed of
brass, ..that he might descend safely among the unhappy,
and witness the vastation of souls. 1888 J. Ellis New
Christianity xii. 290 Spirits preparing for heaven, or under-
going vastation. 1892 [see Vastate v,\.
t Vastative, a. Obs.—^ [f. L. vast-dre : see
-ATlVE.] Devastating.
1667 Waterhouse Fire London 34 Circumstances, benign
to, and corresponding with a vastative event.
t Vastator. Obsr^ [a. L. vastdtor, agent-n. f.
vastdre.'\ Devastator.
1659 Gauden Tears Ch. 86 The cunning Adversaries and
Vasiators of the Church of England drive a lesser trade.
Vaate, southern ME. var. Kast a., adv., and v.-y
obs. Sc. f. Waste sb. and v. Vastell, obs. var.
Wastel. Vastering (obs. Sc.) : see W'astering.
tVastidity. Obs. [Irreg. var. Vastity,]
Vastness, vastitude.
1603 Shaks. Mcas, for M. in. i. 68 A restraint, 1 hoUgh
all the woilds vastiuiiie you had To a determin'd scope.
[i8ia W. Tennant Anster F. 11. xvii, Their heads with
curl'd vastidity of wig.]
Va'Stily, adv. [f. Vasty «.] In a vast manner.
1844 Mrs. Browning Drama of Exile 972 A few Dis-
tinguishable phantasms vague and grand Which sweep out
and around us vastily.
Vastitude (va-stiti«d), [ad, L. vastUudo^ f.
vastus Vast a.'\
fl. Devastation; laying waste, Ohs.~^
1545 JoYE Exp. Dan. \x. 162 And afiir the balaill their
shalbe an vtter perpetuall vastitude and destruccion of them.
2. The quality of being vast ; immensity.
i6»3 CocKERAM I,' yastitude, greatness, exceeding large-
nesse. 1790 H. Boyd Rttins Athens in Poet. Reg, (1806-7)
75 The woodland orator,. .Mute and benumb'd, a theatre
surveys Whose vastitude appalls him. 1825 T. HoOK Say-
ini>s Ser. ii. Passion <y Princ. i, The vastitude of the multi-
farious objects by which she. .is environed. 18^4 Mrs.
Bhowning Crowned ^ Buried vii, The toriid vastitude Of
India felt. .That name.
b. Of immaterial things,
1805 Fosti'R Ess. I. iv, You adopted a certain vastitude of
phrase, mistaking extravagance of expression for greatness
of thought. 1833 Ne7u Monthly Mag. XXXIX. i8i the
Abbey performances gave this country a character no other
has ever yet achieved for vastitude, precision, and excellence
in the grander demonstrations of music 1884 Congrega-
tional I'ear Bk. 55 They could not see.. the measure or
the issues of their mission— or, perhaps, its very vastitude
had paralysed their energies.
O. Unusual largeness,
1876 Browning Shop 12 He who owns the wealth Which
blocks the window's vastitude. 1886 Dowden Shelley II.
210 If the vastitude of Mr. Gisborne's nose was, as Shelley
says, Slawkenbergian.
3. A vast extent or space.
184s HoR, Smith Moneyed Man 1. vi. 163 Sending up.,
spires, domes, and cupolas from a superincumbent vastitude
of smoke. 1854 S. Neil Elem, Rlut. 71 Onward through
the immense vastitudes which tlie Almighty hand has
sprinkled with suns and world-systems. 1883 Liverpool
Courier 25 Sept. 4/5 The enormous astral vastitudes were
seen to be broken by the domain of another tenant.
Vastity (va'stiti). Now rare. Also 7vau8t-
ity. [ad, L. vastitds or F. vastiU ( = It, vastit^^
Sp. vastedad) : see Vast a, and -ity.]
tl. The fact or quality of being desolate, waste,
void, or empty. Obs.
"545 Jove Exp. Dan. ix. 162 b, Aftir the batails were
done there remayned a perpetuall vastite & desolacion.
1586 Ferne Blaz. Gentrie 49 Hauing warre and discorde
as the causes of destruction, vastity and penurye. 1591
Nashe p. Penilessc Wks. (Grosart) II. 25 Finding nothing
but emptines and vastitie. 1618 J. Taylor (Water P.j
Penniless Pilgr. Wks. (16-0) 130/2 Hee therefore did re-
plenish the vaustity of my empty purse. z6aa Peacham
Compi. Gent. 69 Earthquakes, .upon the face of the Earth,
raising of it in one place, leaving Gulfes and Vastitie in
another, 1651 Raleigh's Ghost 174 The army of the Gentiles
causing desolation, and vastity, shall. .destroy the City.]
2. The quality of being vast or immense ;
vasiness, vastitude.
1603 Florio Montaigne 11. xii. 345 In considering the
dowdy vastitie and gloomie canapies of our churches. 1635
Heywood Hierarchy i. 4 Th' unbounded Sea and Vastitie
of shore, All these expresse a Godhead to adore. 1657
ToMLiNSON Renou's Disp. 403* The Dead Sea because of
its vastity. .remains immovable.
transf 1654 Cokaine Dianea m. 255 This [Kingdom] of
Cyprus is sufficient to satiate the vastitie of these thoughts.
1859 Adolph Simplicity Creation p. xi. The fifth had read
a great part of my work, admired the vastity of physical
knowledge embodied therein.
3. A vast or immense space. rar£~^.
165J Needham ir. Selden's Mare CI. 17 Witness the manie
sandie parts of Africa and the immense vastities of the new
world.
Vastlatid, obs. Sc form of Westland.
Vastly (vu'stli), adv. [f. Vast a. + -ly^.]
1. In a waste or desolate manner. rar<r~^.
VASTNESS.
15*3 Shaks. Lucr. 1740 Who. like a latesackd island,
vastly iXood Bare and unpeopled in this fearful flood.
2. Immensely; to an exieut or degree not readily
graspetl or estimated.
1664 Power Ejc^. Pkiios. Pref. 17 Tbough these hopes b«
v.istly hyperbohad. 1676 E rw:RiiDGK Man 0/ Madt i. i,
Why, first she's an Heiress vastly rich. 1708 J. Chamber-
1_\VXK St. Gt. Bt-it. (1710) 7 It hath many safe and com-
modious Ports and Havens, as Falmouth vastly spacious.
X73» Berkeley Alcipkr. iiu IsThis vastly great, or minute
power and wisdom. 186a CornhiU Ma^. Jan. 73 Popular
power has increased vastly during the last half-century in
our own country. xWsManch. Exam. 4 April 4/6 A pohcy
which will add so vastly to its influence and power.
b. Freq. with words or phrases denoting com-
p.irison.
1665 Gi.ANViii Def. I'aJi. D^^tfi. 25 When the Actions
whereby ihey are produced are so vastly diverse. 1693
AjM, Clersy Scat, us In a sense vastly different from what
was intended by Mr. Rule. 1710 J. Clarke tT,A0Aau/ts
Xat. PJki/os. (1729) I. I. ii- S3 The Bullet will be carried
vastly further than the small SIioL 1778 Sheridan Cainp
IL iii. To be sure, a circus or a crescent would have been vastly
better. xSso Hazliit TabU-T. Ser. ii. xvi. {1869) 322 You
have got on vastly beyond the point at which you have set
out. 1846 Greener Scu Gunnery 229 It is of trifling cense-
quence . . that the explasion of sporting powder is vastly more
rapid and powerful. 1879 Tourgee Foots^ Err. xxii. 134 The
Union people liere are vastly in a minority.
3. In weakened sense as a mere intensive : Ex-
ceedingly, extremely, very. (Cf. Vast a. 5.)
Common in fashionable use in the 18th cent., chiefly with
adjs. \a\ but occasionally with vbs. ih) or advs. (c). The
abuse of vast and vastly is commented on by Lord Chester-
field, Lett. No, 195 and 196.
(a) 1664 Vermy Mem. (1907) II. 204 She putts on and
assumes much, very much of the vastly extravagant humor^.
i7» De Foe Piague {\jsi) 219 The City.. was vastly full of
People. 1733 T. Burnet MS. Let. 30 Jan,, Believe me most
affectionately, though vastly peevish, Yours T. B. 178a
Miss Burney Cecilia vi. xi, This is all v.istly true; but I
have no time to hear any more of it just now. x8a6 J.
Foster in Life ff Corr. (1S46) II. 78 A vastly acute and
doggedly intellectual fellow. 1850 Thackeray Pendennis
xxn, Mrs. Portman..was vastly bitter against Pen. .since
his impertinent behaviour to the Doctor. 187a Black Adv.
Phaeton vi. 68 That small person.. was becoming vastly
indignant
{b) 1750 H. Walpole Lett. (1846) II. 358, 1 laughed vastly.
X766 GoLDSM. I'icar xii, I prote.st I like my Lady Blarney
vastly. ci83o Arab. Nts. (Rtldg.) 234, I should vastly like
to examine this little hunchback a Utile more closely. 1879
Mrs. Macquoid Berksh. Lady 182 That will please me vastly.
(c) 1756 Mrs. Calderwood in Coltness Collect. (Maitland
Club) 127 He.. sung vastly fine. 1799 Sheridan Piznrro
Prol., An't yon come vastly late? 18x4 Jane Austen Lady
Susan XV, She talks vastly well. 1837 Lvtton E. Maltravers
5 .\s for bed, this chair will do vastly well.
Vastnesa (vastnes). [f. Vast a.]
1 1. Desolation ; waste. Obs. rare.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. \\. vii. §7 Because their excur-
sions into the limits of phy^cal causes hath hied a vastness
and solitude in that tract. 1643 Sir E. Bering Sp. on Relig.
87 This Bill doth seem to me an uncouth wilderne.sse, a l
dismall vastnesse, |
2. The quality of being vast ; immensity. '■
1607 Beaum. & Ku Woman Hater \\\. iii, Could the Sea
throw up his vastness, And offer free his best inhabitants.
1867 Milton P. L. vn. 472 Scarse from his mould Behemotli
biggest born of Earth upheav*d His vastness. 1698 Fryer
Ace. E. India ^ P. 12 The swelling Surges menace the
lowering Skies, leaving a Hollow where they borrowed their
Gigantine Vastness. 1794 Mrs. Uadclifke Myst, Udolpho
vi, Emily gazed with enthusiasm on the vastness of the sea.
1838 De Morgan' Eis. Probab, 24 When we speak of tlie
vastness, the regularity, and the permanency of the solar
system. i886 RuSKiN Proeterila I. vi. 199 The vastness of
scale in the Milanese palaces.. impressed nie..at once.
fig. 1601 B. JoNSON Poetaster v. iii. The open vastnesse of
a tyrannes eare. 1873 Helps Anint. ^ Mast. i. 8 You will
be able to appreciate the vastness of this area of cruelly.
b. Of immaterial things.
i6aa Fletcher Prophetess 11. i. You have bloA-n his swoln
pride to that vastness, As he believes the Earth is in his
fathom. 1638 Vertiey Mem. (1907) II. 77 The vastnesse of
my affection. 1850TESNVSON In Mem. xcvii. I look'd on
these and thought of thee In vastness and in mystery. 1889
KusKiN Prgeterita IIL 146 The vastness of Scott's true
historical knowledge.
3, A vast or immense space.
1674 N. Fairfax Bulk <5- Selv, 61 The excellent Dr. Hen.
More, whose soul may have roamed as far into these scopes
and vastnesses as most mens in the world. X855 Longf.
Hiaw. xii. 137 Then a voice was heard. .Coming from the
empty vastness. 1875 ~ Masque Pandora vi, Thunder and
tempest of wind Their trumpets blow in the vastness.
t Va-Bture. Obsr-'^ [f. Vast a."] = prec, 3.
1596 Edio. Ill, 11. i. 402 What can one drop of poyson
harme the Sea, Whose hugie vastures can digest the ill And
make it loose his operation?
Vasty (vQ'sti), a. [f. Vast a. +-y.] Vast,
immense. (In mod. use after Shakspere.)
15^ Shaks. i Hen. IV, in. i. 52, I can call Spirits from the
vastie Deepe. 1599 — Hen. V, 11. iv. 105 The poore Soules,
for whom this hungry Warre Opens his vastie lawes. 1605
Play 0/ StudeyV^\\\\i, Which makes me. .sorrow that thy
valour should be sutike In such a vasty vnknowne sea of
Armes. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. \ 330, I saw in a
white-sandy ground divers vastie, craggie stones of strange
formes.
i70» R. Cumberland Calvary 182 Noah can tell How
all the earth with violence was fill'd, Or e'er the fountains of
the vasty deep Were broken up. 1845 Ford Handbk. Sp.
I. 77 'l"hc feudal castle, the vasty Escorial, the rock-built
alcazar, 1867 E. F. Bull Ecce Caelum i. 10 Not a whisper,
not a rustle, through all the vasty dome.
62
fig. 1848 Bailey Festus (ed. 3) 63 Yon pretty little star
Shines on a vasty falsehood. 1885 Pater Martus II, 48
Thase vasty conceptions of the later Greek philosophy.
•f Va*sy, a, Obs, Also veasy. [app. i. K, vase
slime.] Slimy.
174a Land. <^ Country Brew. i. (ed. 4I 75 In the Marshes
of Kent and Essex, the Air.. is generally so infectious, by
Means of those low, veasy, boggy Grounds. 1743 Ibid. n.
(ed. 2) 14^ Who sees our vasy, muddy Sediments .. often
increased by the Foulnesses of new Supplies, and subsided
at the Bottom?
Vat iy^^), sk Forms : 3 ueat, 3-4 uet, 5- vat,
4, 6 vatte, 8 vatt ; 4-5 vaat, 4, 6-8 vate, 6 vaette.
[Southern variant of Fat sd.^ The long vowel in
the obs. forms vaat, vate^ is derived from the OE.
pL (/a/«, etc.) or from late forms of the jjen. and
dat. sing, {fates, fate)^
1. A cask, tun, or other vessel used for holding or
storing water, beer, or other liquid ; usually one of
some size in which a liquor, esp. beer or cider,
undergoes fermenlation or is prepared ; fa vessel.
a IMS Juliana 31 pe worldes wealdent J>at wiste sein
iuhan his ewanigeliste unhurt ibe neat of walHnde eoli.
1340 Ayeub. 231 Hi bere|> a wel precious tresor ine a wel
fyebble uet. c 1380 Sir Ferttmb. 5695 An Archebysschop. .
bad hym ordeyne an huge vaat, Ful of water_ clere. 1399
Acc.Exch.K. /^. 473/11 m. aProxxiiij circulis ligneisemptis
ad diuers[os] vattes et cowelys inde Hgandis pro aqua in
eisdem conseruanda. 14. . Voc. in Wr.-Wiikker 577 Cuva^
a cuve or a vaat. f 1440 Pallad. on Husb. i. 465 Canels or
pipis, wynes forth to lede Into the vat & tonnys, make also.
155a Huloet, Vat, or fat, a vessell for water, ale, here, or
any licour, labrum. 1605 Svlvestf.r Du Bartas 11. iii,
Captaines 745 liach grape to weep, and crimsin streams to
spin Into the Vate, set to receive them in. x66a Charleton
Myst. Vintners (1675) J94 A clean and strongly -seen ted
Cask or Vate. 1697 Prior Ep. Sir P\ Sheppard 41 My
Uncle.. Might have.. Taught me with Cyder to replenish
My Vats or ebbing Tide of Rhenish. 1708 J. Philips Cyder
I. 18 Would'st thou, thy Vats with gen'rous Juice should
froth? Respect tliy Orchats. 1781 Johnson in Boswcll
5 Apr., We are not here to sell a parcel of boilers and vats.
1830 M, Donovan Dom, Econ. i. 169 This fermenting tun is
an immense circular vat or tub bound with strong iron hoops,
and covered in at all parts. 187* Yeats Techn. Hist. Comm.
237 For the large circular vats in which the ale was formerly
fermented, slate tuns have been recently substituted.
Comb. x6ii CoTGR., Citvelier, a vat-maker, or tub-maker.
b. A vessel, cauldron, or cistern containing the
liquid used in dyeing or some other process.
1548 Elyot, Ahennm, a great vatle, wherein purple is
dyed. 1631 Shi;rwood s.v,, A dying V.-it, cuvicr. ^ 1738
Chambers Cycl. s.v. Dying ingredients. Dying materials.,
applied.. by only dipping the stuff in the vat of dye.
1788 Trans. Soc. Arts VI. 165 (Paperniaking), Having
prepared the stuff, chest and vatt, quite clean, 1 chopt the
clean bark or first preparation [eta]. 1791 W. Hamilton
Bertholiet's Dyeing I. Intiod. p. ii. The Stuffs,. were im-
mersed in vats, where they received various colours. _ xSaj
J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 366 The large vat or cistern
lof a paper-mill], A A, is of an oblong fij^ure on the outside.
183a Porcelain ^ G/ass 38 When the flints are thus suffi-
ciently ground, the semi-fluid is transferred to another vat.
1873 Hamerton Intell. Li/e xn. i. 432 Every locality is like
a dyer's vat, the residents take its colour.
t c. = Fat sb.^ 1 b. Obs. rare.
1507 Pilion Chntchtu. Acc, (Som. Rec. Soc.) 53 Item an
oyle vatte of silver.
f d. A cask or tub used as a receptacle for refuse
or filth. Obs.
^ 1534-5 ■^^•'>'- A'arc/. D. 77 fol. 67 b, The vaettes that con-
vayeth the Rubbysch frome the great Kechyn. 1536 Ibid.,
Skoryng and inakyng clean the Vattes of the Comen Jakes
..with other vattes with in the said castell.
2. In various special uses : a. = Cheese-vat.
1669 WoRLlDGE Syst.Agric. C1681) 334 \'allor,QX Vnllo^u,
or VatCf a concave Mould wherein a Cheese is pressed. x86o
All Year Round No. 51. 19 The next step taken was to gel
a proper * vat ' and ' follower ' made of solid mahogany.
b. Tanning. = Tan-vat.
1777 /'/lil. Trans. LXVIII. 115 Until they think proper to
lay it away in the Vatts. In these holes, which are the
largest in the tan-yard, the leather is spread out smooth.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech. III. 2490/1 The taii-yard contains
a number of wooden-lined vats, whose tops are level with the
..ground. 1885 Harper's Mag. Jan, 276/1 The hides are
placed.. in vats filled with a dissolved excrement.
C. Cornwall. (See quot.)
1778 Pryce MzH. Corfiub. 225 Upon the top of the arch or
back of the calciner, is made a square hollow place called a
Vate or Dry, sufficient to contain a serving or hand barrow
full of Tin.
d. Mining. (Seequols.)
x8o3 J. Mawe Min, Derby Gloss., Vat, a wooden tub
used to wash oie and mineral substances. 187a Raymond
Statist. Mines .^ Alining 253 Outside of the building the
pulp runs first into vats, where the heavier portion settles
and the rest goes into the creek. x888F. HuMEil//«^. Midas
I. v, The wash was carried along in the trucks from the top
of the shaft to the puddlers, which were large circular vats
into which water was constantly gushing.
e. Saltmaking. A salt-pit (see quots.).
i860 Maury /'Aj'^. Geog. (Low) ii. 22 There is a series of
vats or pools through which the water is passed as it conies
from the sea, and is reduced to the briny state. x86i J. H.
Bennet Shores Medit. (1875) i. v.143 The vats or poolsinto
which the sea-water is received for evaporation.
3. A cask, barrel, or other vessel for holding or
storing dry goods ; = Fat sb,^ 3.
1766 Entick London IV. 328 Their business being to
attend each ship, to top the vats, and to return an account
of the coals measured. 1825 Honk Every-day Bk. I. 7^1
The arrival of a vat of Hambro' yarn. Ibid., The inhabit-
ants met the waggon, . .decorated the vat with ribands, . .and
VATICAL.
drew the same through the village. 1859 F. A. Giuffiths
Artill. Man. (1862) 159 The horses are to be taken out; the
harness, .packed in vats.
•f b. 1* ormerly used as a measure of capacity for
coal (see quots. and Ykisb}- 4), Obs,
1708 Constit. Watermen's Co. xlii, It is agreed and
order'd, that all Lightermen selling Coals, sAall sell Pool-
measure,.. That is to say. One and Twenty Chaldron to the
Score, or otherwise to sell the same Measure each person
buys, (provided the Parcel be Five Chaldron and a Vatt at
the least). 1763 Ann. Reg. 64 Importation of coals into the
port of London in the year 1762, amounting to 570,774
chaldrons and one vat. 1821 Acc. Peculations Coal Ttade
5 The measure used in the pool is by vat; this contains nine
bushels heaped.'
t c. (See quot.) Obs.
1730 Bailey (fol.), Fat, Vat, (of Merchandise) an unceruin
quantity, as of yarn, from 210 to 21 1 bundles ; of wire, from
20 to 25 pound weight, &c.
4, Dyeing, The liquid solution in which the
material to be dyed is immersed ; the dyeing
liquor. Usually with defining term.
"755 I^ict. Arts 9f Sci. II. 998/2 Lime is much used in
working blue-vats. Ibid. 1000/2 The blue vats in deep
blues of the fifth stall, give no considerable weight. 1765
{indigo vat: see Inuico C. i]. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts 415
In this vat, the immediate principfes . . perform the dis-
oxidizing function of the copperas in the cold vat. Ibid.,
The pastel vats require most skill.. in consequence of their
complexity, 1868 Watts Diet. Chem. \\\. 251 Copperas
or common blue vat, ibid. 252 An excess of lime yields a
sharp vat ;..too little lime yields a soft vat. 1900 Jrnl.Soc.
Dyers XVI, 8 A vat prepared with caustic soda.
5. attrib.,^%vat-room\ vaX-mo,!!, reaper making,
a workman who lifts the pulp from the vat and
moulds the sheets of paper; a dipper or maker;
vat-net (see quot.) ; vat-press, Fapermaking, a
press in which the sheets are placed after they leave
the vat.
1839 Ukk Diet. Arts g^j Meanwhile the *vat-man puts
thedcckelupon the other mould. 1885 AV/ry^-/. AV//. XVill.
225/1 The vatman takes np enougli pulp on the mould to
fill the deckle. 1884 Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl. 921/1 *Vat
net, used as a strainer over a tub or tank. 1839 Uhe Diet.
Arts 931, I Man.. in keeping in order 7 vats, 'vat -presses,
&c. 1840 i^enny Cycl. XVII. 209/1 This post. .is placed
in the vat-press, and subjected to a strong pressure to force
out the superfluous water. 1843 Tizabd Bretuingxix. 464
Where the trade is extensive, and *vat.room is of consequent
importance.
Hence Va-tftil.
163a Sherwood, A vat-full, cnvce. x86a Sat. Rev. XIII.
411/1 By the sudden interposition of a vat-fuH of pale ale
details.
Vat (vaet), V, [f. prec] trans. To place or
store in a vat,
1784 TwAMLEV Dairying Exemplified a,^ Many people as
soon as the Whey is removed immediately break the Curd
small . . and then put it into the Cheese Vat. . . I would always
recommend that it rest one quarter of an Hour, before 'tis
broke or vatted. 186a Chambers's Encycl. VI. 727/1 Tlie
factitious compound being mixed or vatted with the wines
ii. bond. 1880 Act 43 9f 44 Vict. c. 24 § 64 (i) The proprietor
of spirits., may., vat, blend, or rack them in the warehouse,
b. To immerse in a dyeing solution or vat.
1883 R. Haluane Workshop Receipts Ser. 11. 210/2 The
goods are next limed, vatted to shade, taken out.
Vat, southern ME. and dial. var. Fat a. ; obs.
Sc, f. wot Wit v, Vatcli, southern dial. var.
Fktch v. ; obs. Sc. f. Watch. Vate, obs. Sc. f.
Wait v. Vater(e, obs, Sc. ff. Water.
II Vates (v^'-trz). [L. vates.l
1, A poet or bard, esp. one who is divinely in-
spired ; a prophet-poet.
i6as PuRCHAS Pilgrims II. ix. 1572 The people interject*
ing their applauses, clapping hands and running in to
gratifie their Vates (Poet or Prophet) witli a Present. 1687
Acc. Author's Life in Cleveland Wks. Ded. A 7, And here
atjain he was Vates in the whole Import of the Woid, boih
Poet and Prophet, 1855 Lewes Goethe I. 251 The hiijh and
priestly office which he gave the poet, as a real Vates. 1878
G. Smith Life John Wilson xvii. 547 Each was the Vates
of his countrymen.
2. //. One of the classes of the old Gaulish
druids. Cf. Ovate ^d,
I7a8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Druids, The Bardi were the
Poets; the Krt?^j..were the Sacrificers, and Naturalisis.
1775 L. Shaw Hist. Moray vi. § i. 227 Druid w.-is the
general name of the Sect or Order; and their Literati were
divided into Priests, Vates, and Bards, who were their
Divines. x88a-3 Schajff*s Encycl. Relig. Kno^vi. I. 668
According to function they were divided into classes— bards,
vates, and druids proper.
Vath, dial. var. Faith int.
Vath(e» Sc, varr, Wathe sb. (danger).
Vathym, southern ME. variant of Fathom sb.
Vatic (V3e-tik),fl. Also 7 vatick. [f. L. vdl-es
a prophet, poet + -ic] Of or pertaining to, charac-
teristic of, a prophet or seer ; prophetic, inspired,
1603 Up. Hall King's Prophecy xvii, My puis-ne Muse
presumed to recite The vatick lines of that Cumsean Dame.
1844 Mrs. Browning Vis. Poets clxxviii, If every vatic
word that sweeps To change the world must pale theii lips.
1868 Good Words i Jan. 53 To the sound of their vatic
exordiums did Roland Laporte and Jean Cavallier march
fiom their fastnesses. 1871 H. B. Forman Our Living Poets
291 The thought . . betrays enough of the vatic exaltation of
the seer.
tVa*tical, <7. Obs. rare. [f. as prec. + -al.]
Vatic, Hence Va'tlcally adv.
1594 Zepheria xvi, My brow . . Which whilome thou with
VATICAN.
63
VATINIAN.
lawrell vaticall Enobled hast, (high signall of renowne).
1634 Bp. Hall Coutempi., N. 'J', iv. xxv. 238 Neither couldst
thou have made up those vaticall predictions, without this
conveyance. 1641 Brii^k-'mans Predictions 3 Now as Mr.
Brightman vatically observeth, the Chuith of Tliyatira
[etc. J.
Vatican (vjc'tikan). Also 6-7 Vaticane. [a.
F. Vatican ( = It., Sp., Pg. U'aticano\ or ad. L.
Vditcdn-us (sc. coiits, mons) : see def.]
1. (With initial capital, and now always witli ike.)
The palace of the Pope built upon the Vatican
Hill in Rome.
Also, in recent use, the papal authorities or the system
which they represent ; the papal power ; the Papacy.
15SS Eden Decades (Arb.) 100 As wee are accustomed to
goo on Pylgramege to Rome or Vaticatie. 1607 H. Bakn^s
Diz'iU Charter 11. i. K i, Heere leaue we Charles with
pompous ceremonies, Fexsting within the Vaticane at
Rome. 1611 Bible Transi.Prc/.fx^ The Laiiiie edition.,
printed in the Printing-house of Vatican, a 1700 Evelyn
Diary 18 Jan. 1645. I wtnt to see the Pope's Palace, the
Vatican, where he for the most part keeps his Court. 1777
R. Watson Philip II, 11. (1839) 29 He expressed his dread
that ere long the Vatican itself would be in the hands of the
enemy. i;^9 J. Jay in Sparks Corr.Amcr, Kez: (1853) II.
284 There is as much intrigue in this State-House as in the
Vatican. 1866 Gladstonk in Lett. Ch. ff Rcli^. (1911) II.
395, I repaired to the Vatican in household uniform. 1909
j. M'Cabb Decay Ch. Rome vi. 128 England is regarded
as substantially won for the Vatican.
b. Used with reference to the artistic or literary
treasures preserved here ; the Vatican galleries or
library.
1600 Holland /./ly App. 1386 The statue of Laocoon..
now at this day.. is to be scene at the Vaticane. 1610
Bolton EUm. Armories 54 Such a hbrarie as. .they had
rather tosse then to bee Deipnosophists in Athenseus, or
glowe-wormes in the Medicaean, or Vatican, the most re-
nowned armaries of booke<> in all the world. 1694 J. Norris
Curs. Refl. Locke's Hum. Underst. 43, I.. would not part
with his Book for half a Vatican. 1756^7 tr. Keysier's Trari.
(1760) IV. 34 This picture resembles that which is to be seen
in the Vatican at Rome. 1796 H. Hunter tr. St..Pierres
Stud. Nat. (17^) I. 70 The man of the woods.. has, cer-
tainty, a very imperfect resemblance to the Apollo of the
Vatican. 1841 W. Spalding Italy ff It. Is/. I. 166 Of these
two copies (of a statue] one . . is in the Vatican.
>^. 1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. /r, cclxv, A Well-
bought Treasure from his Vatican ; Whose Volumes
Numberless Nature doth Summe In one Compendious
Abstract; Well-bound Man! 1854 Thoneau Waldt-n iii.
(1886) 102 When the vaticans shall be filled with Vedas and
Zendavestas and Bibles. 1868 M. Arnold in Life Ld.
Coleridge (i<)o\) II. vi. i6o Suppose you look in your stately
Vatican of a library and see if you have not half a dozen
copies.
2. cUtrib. or as adj. Of or pertaining to the
Vatican or its library.
Vatican Council^ the council of 1869-70 which proclaimed
the infallibility of the Pope.
1638 R. Baker tr. Balzac s Lett. (vol. Ill) 208 You found
not these excellent qualities In the Vatican Library, a 1700
Evelyn Diary i3 Jan. 1645, By these we descended into t!:e
Vatican Gardens. 1705 Addison Italy 102 The old Vatican
Terence has at the Head of every Scene the Figures of all
the Persons. 17^ Encycl. BritAtA. 1) XVII. 150/2 The
Vatican manuscript contained originally the whole Greek
Bible. 1815 in Ushaiu Mne. Dec. (1913) 265, I lately got
a beautiful edition of the LXX,. .printed from the Vatican
copy. 1845 Graves ^(7/«a«/,/iw in Encycl. Metrop. II. 768
The Vatican fragments were taken by Mai from a manu-
script of the Collationes of Cassianus in the Vatican Library.
1878 N. Amer. Rezf. CXXVII. 335 The Fathers of the
Vatican Council expound the dociHne of the church in
these words. i885 Encycl. Brit, XX. 815/2 The Vatican
palace also appears to have originated in a bouse which
existed in the time of Constantine.
Hence Tattoanal, Vatioa'nic, Taticaiiical
adjs,
1899 Westm. Gaz. 27 June 3/3 Several Catholic parishes
elected priests who reuised to accept the new •Vaticanat
dogma. 1898 E. P. Evans Evol. Ethics iv. 160 In the spirit
of the 'Vaticanic dictum. xoaA Coniemj^. Rev. Mar., Lit.
Suppl. 10 He has annouriccd with *Vaticanical authority
that [etc-l.
Vaticanism (vaetikaniz'm). [f. Vatican.]
1. The tenet of absolute papal infallibility or
supremacy in respect of ecclesiastical doctrine or
affairs as declared by the Vatican Council.
1875 Glaiktone Vaticanism 8 The proceedings of
Vaticanism threaten to be a source of some practical incon-
venience. 1875 ^ G/^a«, (187^) VI. 243 The antichristian
action of Vaticanism on the minds and lives of men with a
power and sagacity worthy of the best days of Italian
thought. 1890 spectator 33 Aug., But in 1870 Manning
and Newman seemed to be drifting in opposite directions,—
the one towards * Vaticanism \ the other towards restrictions
of the Papal initiative.
2. trans/, ( See quot.)
1884 Dublin Rev. Jan. 1B7* Vaticanism ', in the sense in
which we here use the term, is a word borrowed from Dr.
Scrivener to express the opinion of those who think the
Vatican Codex to be the truest and best text of the Greek
Testament.
Vaticanist (vse'tik&nist), j^. and a, [f. as prec
+ -IST.]
A. sb. An adherent or supporter of the Vatican
or of V^aticanism.
1846 Worcester, Vaticanist^ an adherent to the Vatican.
Ec. Rev. 1873 i'tuardian 20 Aug. 1086/1 We arc the true
Catholics, we arc the true members of the Church, and the
Vaticanists have made a new sect. 1^5 Gladstone Cr/^an.
(1879) VI. 219 The Court of Rome.. filled the office with a
thorough -paosd Vaticanist.
B. adj. Of or pertaining to Vaticanism or its
adherents.
189a Church Times ii Mar. 250/4 The adequate mainten-
ance of the Vaticanist claims. 1899 Westm. Gaz. 17 Aug.
3/3 The fundamental question between the Vaticanist Caesar
and the English Church.
Vaticanizatioil(v3e:tikan3iz^''j3n). [Cf. next
■¥ -ATiox.] The action or fact of bringing under
the authority of the Vatican or Papacy.
1873 Contcnip. Rev. XXIII. 94 The Italianization, or
rather the Vaticanization, of Latin Christendom.
Va'ticanize, v, [f. Vatican + -ize.] iratn.
To subject to the authority of the Vatican ; to
itnbue with Vaticanism. So Va"ticanized///. a.
1890 For. Ch. Chron. March 8 Impossible for him to adopt
the Vaticanised faith. 1896 Bright Roiu. Set in Early Ch.
212 This bold attempt to Vaticanise antiquity.
Vaticide ^ (vse-tisaid). [f. L. vdti-y stem of
vatt's prophet + -ciDE i.] One who kills a prophet.
Also^^.
17*8 Pope Dhhc, 11. 74 Then first {if Poets aught of truth
declare) The caitiff Vaticide conceiv'd a prayer. 1746
Smollett Reproof iji, I see with joy, the vaticide deplore
An hell-denouncing priest and sov'reign whore. 1749 —
Regicide Pref. p. vii, My Patience bein§ by this I'ime quite
exhausted, 1 desired a Gentleman who interested himself in
my Concerns, to go and expostulate with the Vaticide [sc.
the Manager of Drury-lane Theatre].
Va'ticide 2. rare. [f. as prec. -h -ciDE 2.] The
killing of a prophet.
1853 Landor IVlis. (1876) V, 119 Vaticide is no crime in
the Isiatute-book.
Vaticinal (vatisinal), a. [f. L. vdticin-us
prophetic + -AL.] Of the nature of, characterized
by, vaticination or prophecy ; prophetic, vatic.
1586 J. Hooker Hist. Irel. in Holinsked II. i Sylvester
Giraldus Cambrensis, his vaticinall historte of the Conquest
of Ireland. 1645 Ussher Body Div. 14 Which are the
Prosaicall books? Such as are for the most part wnten
in prose, and foretell things to come ; whence also more
especially they are termed Prophetical], or vaticinall. 165a
Gaule Magastrom.ys^ Dion.. disregarded the vaticinall
portent. 1775 Wakton Hist. Eng. Poetry {iZ^o) 1. 1 Thomas
Lcirmoiith, or Rymer, ..has left vaticinal rhymes, in whicii
he predicted the union of Scotland with England. 1807
G. Chalmers Caledonia I. 11. vi. 285 He was induced..,
contrary to the vaticinal warnings of Columba, to carry
a mixed body of various people, into. .Ireland. 1844 Q.
Rev. LXXIV. 230 In the true vaticinal spirit of poetry and
prophecy. 1897 Advance (Chicago) 30 Sept. 438/a His..
vaticinal conclusions have proved to be,. flabby.
t Vati'Ciuant, pres, pple, and ///. a, Obs.
rare. [ad. 1* vdticinant-^ vdticinans, pres. pple. of
vdiictndri: see Vaticinate v."] a. Prophesying,
predicting, b. (See quot. 1647.)
1490 Caxtom Eneydos *i. 29 There fonde they the prcste
of lubyter, wyth his wyf and alle his meyne, vaticynaunte
or prophccyeng ihynges moche merueyllous. 1647 H. More
Son^ of Soul Notes 165/1 The soul is said to be in a
vaticinant, or parturient condition, when she hath some
kind of sense, and hovering knowledge of a thing, but yet
cannot distinctly and fully.. represent it to herself.
tVaticinar. Sc. Obs.'~^ [WL^vdlicin- tSitm
of vdlicindri (see next) +-ak2.j A vaticinator or
prophet.
1549 Compl. Scotl. X. 82 The inglismen gifis ferme credit
to diuerse prophane propheseis of mcrlyne, and til vthir aid
corruppit vaticinaris.
Vaticinate (vati'sin^t), v. [f. L. vdticindt',
ppl. stem of vdlicindri to forebode, foretell, pro-
phesy, f. vales Vates.]
1. intr. To speak as a prophet or seer ; to utter
vaticinations or predictions ; to foretell events.
i6a3 CocKERAH I, Vaticinate, to prophesie. 1634 Sir T.
Herbert Trav. 220 And then goes on vaticinating,. .Whiles
Cambray's issue serue the Lord their Maker [etc.], 165a
Gaule Magastrom. 187 Is it not by diabolical instinct that
they here peremptorily vaticinate or ominate of long life,
short life, marriage [etc.]? 1678 Cud^orth Intell. S^st. i.
iii. § 39. 134 Aristotle (as it were Vaticinating concerning it)
somewhere calls [the Spirit of God], .a certain Better and
Diviner thing than Reason, 1744 Bkrkivlmy Siris % 253 AH
have not alike learned the connexion of natural things, or
understand what they signify, or know how to vaticinate by
them. i8s9 Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) I. 82 What if
Humphrey has vaticinated? What if he has beaten all
prognosticntors since Nostradamus? lA-^Chantbers^sfrnl.
Aug. 20J The plan followed by the late Mr. Coleridge in
vaticinating upon the eventrof the last war. i886Dowdkn
Shelley I. vi. 2;j9 From a hundred platforms . . gentlemen
declaimed, vaticinated, and returned thanks to one another,
trans/. 164a H. More i't^rt^f^^Vw/ 11. 11. iii. g Intellection
Or higher gets, or at least hath some sent Of God, vati-
cinates, or is parturient.
2. trans. To foretell, predict, prognosticate, or
prophesy (a future event).
165J Gai;le Magastrom. 259 Chalcas did vaticinate or
prognosticate the destruction of Troy. 1658 Cokaink
Obstinate Lady \\. i, He was an intricate Prog nostica tor of
firmamental Eclipses, and vaticinated future Occurents by
the mysterious influences of the sublime Stars. i8>o Bvron
Lett, to Murray 24 April, I vaticinate a row in Italy. 1831
T. L. Peacock Crotchet Castle (1887) 178, 1 vaticinate what
will be the upshot of all his schemes of reform. 1886
SvMONDS Renaiss. It.,Cath. React. VII. xiv. 412 To vati-
cinate a reign of socialistic terror fur the immediate future.
trans/. i678Cut>woRTH Intell. Syst. 378 My soul seemeih
to vaticinate and presage its approaching dismission and
freedom from this its prison, 1877 A. B. Alcott Tetl'le-t.
133 Instinct, intuition, volition, embosom and express what-
soever the Spirit vaticinates.
Hence Vati'cinating vbi. sb. and ///. a.
1634 Sir T. Hkhbkrt Trav. 207 These vaticinating boyes
who with tlieir long spread hair fall flat afore the Idoll.
Ibid. (1638) 356 Virgil., from some vaticinating Notion
seenies to point at it, in the 6 lib. .itlnead. n 1693 Urquhart's
Rabelais ni. xxv. 210 The Cock Vaticinating and Alectryo-
mantick, ate up the Pickles. 1791-1823 D'Iskaeli Cur, Lit.
(1858) III. 278 George Withers, the vaticinating poet of our
civil wars.
Vaticination (vatisin^^Jan). [ad. L. vdticin-
dlion-i vdticindtio^ 11. of action f. vdlicindri; see
prec, Cf. obs. F. vaticination (Cotjjr.).]
L A prediction of an oracular or inspired nature ;
a prognostication or prophecy, a prophetic utter-
ance or forecast.
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1198 Sibylla, and Aris-
tonice, or such as published their vaticinations and pro-
phesies in verse. 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles iir. 63 The Law
has appointed a sort of Prophets as Judges over these
divine Vaticinations. 1759 Sterne TV. Shandy r. xii, Yorick
scarce ever heard this sad vaticination of his destiny read
over to him, but.. that he [etc.]. 1815 Scott Guy M. xlvii,
The Dominie .. had just that moment parted from Meg
Merrilies, and was too deeply wrapt up in pondering upon
her vaticinations, to make any answer. 1850 Merivale
Rom. Emp. iii. (1865) I, 113 The frightful vaticinations of
fire and slaughter with which Cicero had kept the ears of
the people tingling. 1874 H. R. Reynolds John Bapt. iv.
§6. 266 The 'Sibylline Oracles', .contain many vaticina-
tions, inextricably mingled, from Jewish, heathen, and
Christian sources.
trans/. 1836 Emerson Naiure'^V^, (Bohn) II. 170 Every
surmise and vaticination of the mind is entitled to a certain
respect.
2. The action or fact of vaticinating ; the utter-
ance of predictions or prophecies ; also, the power
or gift of this.
1613 CocKKRAM I, Vaticination^ a prophesying. 1699
Bentlev /*//a/. iv. 147 Unless we dare ascribe to the Ty-
rant a Spirit of Vaticination, we cannot acquit the Author
of the Letters of so manifest a cheat. x8i8 Scott Br. Lamm.
xxiii, He despised most of the ordinary prejudices about
witchcraft, omens, and vaticination. 1874 H. R. Reynolds
John Bapt. iii. § 3. 206 The ambiguous vaticination of the
heathen oracles.
treats/ X744 Berkeley Siris § 252 He that foretels the
motions of planets, .. may be said to do it by natural
vaticination.
tb. Divine or inspired apprehension or know-
ledge ; intuition, insight. Obs.
1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. Pref., Whether this Assurance
be called a Vaticination or Divine Sagacity, (as it is by
Plato and Aristotle) or Faith, as in the Scripture. Ibid. 409
That Vaticination, which all men have in their minds con-
cerning the Gods.
Vatixinator. Now rare or Obs. [a. obs. F.
valtcinatt'ur (Cotgr.) or ad. L. vaticinator^ agent-
noun f. vdlicindri to Vaticinate.] One who
writes or utters vaticinations : a piognosticator or
prophet.
165a Gaule Magastrom. 335 Cicero derided the Boeotian
vaticinaiors for predicting victory to the Thebanes from the
crowing of cocks, a 1693 Urquhart's Rabelais 111. xiii, The
Owner of that Soul deserveth to be termed a Vaticinator or
Prophet. 1791-1823 D'Israeli Cur. Lit. (1859) !'• 4^3
Poetical vaiicinators are propliets only while we read their
verses. 1828 — Chas. /, \. iv. 59 What vaticinator would
have ventured to predict.. that his Queen was then before
him? 1841 — Amen. Lit. (1867) 500 That mystical vati-
cinator of past events, a conjectural historian.
Vaticinatory, a. rare-^, [f. Vaticinate v. :
see -CRY 2.] Vaticinal, proplietic.
1883 S. Wainwright Sci. Stphisms viii. 169 The vaticin.
atory character of these opinions is their least remarkable
feature.
t Vati'ciuatress. Obs,—^ [f. Vaticinator +
-E3S 1, after F. vaticinatrice. Cf. L, vdticindlrix^
A female vaticinator ; a prophetess.
a 1693 Urquhart's Rabelais ui. xvii. 137 The House of the
Vaticinatress.
t Vaticinatric, a. Obs.—^ [in-eg. formation
on Vaticinate z;.] I'ertaining to, connected witli,
vaticination. ■
X7»9 Evelyn's Sylva 111. iv. 228 As in the temple Dcspoenc
..where tliey were prohibited the burning of Olive-wood,
or the ^UTOi/ MofKcoc, the Vaticinatric Laurel, or the Thxk-
rind Oak [etc.].
t Vaticine, variant of Vaticin y. Obs,
1586 J. Hooker Hist, Irel. in Holinshed II. 43/2 Thus
(accorcfing to this vaticine) twise it was left, but the third
time it shall be kept. Ibid. 52/2 Then was fulfilled the
vaticine or prophesie of old Merlin.
t Vaticlnian, a. Obsr^ [f. L. vdticini-us pro-
phetic] Vaticinal. (Blount, 1656.)
tVaticiliy. Obs. rare, [ad. \^. vaticin in m^ f.
t/^//Vi««j prophetical : cf. Vaticine.] A vaticina-
tion or prophecy.
1615 R. Byfield Comm, Coloss, i. 6 The certain event of
the vaticiniesor prophecies. 1654 \ \\.\' ws Chrouog raphy 14
Seek not to wrest a connexion of sacred Chronology from
Daniels Vaticiny. 1656 in Blount Glossogr,
tVati'nian, a. Obs. [ad. L. Valinidn-rtSf
f, Vatinius 'a Roman, whom all men hated for
his odious behaviour* (Blount, 1674).] Of hatred:
Bitter, intense, violent.
After L. odium Vatinianum (Catullus xiv. 3).
1607 Walkington Opt. Glasse 2 The viperous and vatinian
deadly hate. 1631 R H- Arraigmu. Whole Creature xvi.
284 King Philip of France hating King Richard the first of
England ; with a vatinian deadly hatred. 1654 Whttlock
Zootomia 256 The Vatinian hatred of Books and Authors in
Religious and Politick Differences.
VATTED.
Vatir, obs. Sc. f. Water. ■Vatt(e, obs. ff. Vat
sh. Vatte, southern ME. \ar. FATa.ipa. t. Fet z'.
Va'tted, ///. a- [f- Vat r.] Placed or stored
in a vat ; said esp. of wine. Also /f^'., mellow.
1843 TllAKD Bn^inr 46J Old and vatt^d H«r. 1873 Sat.
Rtv, 19 Nov. 694 I Tnc forged wine of Hamburg, which is
variously known as Elbe siierry, vatted sherry, and Hamburg
sherry. 1897 Pall Mitll ^fag. Feb. ajj A considerable
company, . . most of us fine old vatted English Tories.
Vatton, obs. southern var. Fatten- v. Vatter,
-ir. -yr, obs. Sc ff. Water. VattiU, obs. f.
Wattle.
Va-tting, vbl. sb. [f. Vat p.] The action or
process of placing beer or other liquor in a vat or
vats. Also aitril.
l««3T«»RDSr»t.»jV 444 Vatting of Porter. igssOciLVlE
SnSl. S.V., Vatting charges at the docks, i860 Bagshot
A-«rr. StHdus, GladttOHt (.881) 93 Let a man question
the fees on vatting, or the change in the game-certificate.
<;t886 Kipling Of ium Factory g^ After vatting,. .the big
\-at< .are probed with test rods.
Vatyr, obs. Sc. form of Water.
Vau (v9). Also 9 vaw. [a. late L. vau (Vul-
gate), ad. Heb. vav Vav.] The sixth letter of the
Hebrew alphabet ; the Hebrew particle va-, ve-,
ii- ' and ', denoted by this letter. (Cf. Vav.)
1381 WvCLiF Ps. cxix. 41 \Htading'[ Vau. (Also in Cover.
d.tle and later versions.] 1639 Sir \V. Mube Ps. cxix. Wks.
(S.r.S.) II. 185 He... Vau. 1643 J. Caryl Expos. Job I.
1 586 The particle Kan. .usuallytakenasaConjunction. Ibid.
1587 Thus in the Text the particle {Vau) is taken by some
as a note of likeness. 1736 Aissworth Lat. Diet. 11. s.v. F,
Its place and analogous use favour its descent from the
Hebrew vau. 1798 Brit. Critic XI. 116 There is no simil-
arity whatever between the Syriacjod. .andvau. x83a S. Lee
Heir. Gram. (ed. 2) 21 The Vaw..K frequently left out.
Ibid. 30 The Vaw commencing this last syllable. 1844 W.
Upton Physioglythics 156 The Hebrew having no express
character for <?, the full sound of it b indicated by a iiau
with a dot above.
Vaude-se, variant of Vaddois sb. and a.
1781 Encvcl. Brit. (ed. 2) VIII. 6179/1 The valleys between
France and Italy are inhabited by the Vaudese, who are
Protestants. 1881-3 SchajSTs Encycl. Relig. Ktunvl. III.
2274 In Nov., 1845, the Vaudese clergy left the Established
Church. Ibid.^ The Vaudese revolution.
II Vaudeville (vJdvil, -\i\). [F. vaudeville,
earlier vau (pi. vaux) de ville, vau de virc, and in
full chanson du Vaude F;>«asong of the valley of
Vire (in Calvados, Normandy). The name is said
to have been first given to songs composed by
Olivier Basselin, a fuller of Vire in the 15th c]
1. A light popular song, commonly of a satirical
or topical nature ; spec, a song of this nature sung
on the stage.
The entry in Blount Glossogr. (1656) is copied directly
from Coterave (161 1).
1739 H. Walpole Let. to R. West 18 June, I will send you
one of the vaudevilles or ballads which they sing at the
comedy after their petites piices. 1818 Lady AIorgan
/4«/i>^V. (1859)85 Whenever Carbonel sings his delicious
vaudevilles we think of you. 1824 Watts Bibt. Brit. II.
617 Simon de la Loubere . . also wrote Songs, Vaudevilles,
Madrigals, Sonnets, Odes, &c.
2. A play or stage performance of a light and
amusing character interspersed with songs. Also
without article, this species of play or comedy.
1833 LvTTON Godol^hin ix, Fanny. . was inimitable in vaude-
ville, in farce, and m the lighter comedy. 1842 Dickens
Amer. Notes (1850) 65/2 The third, the Olympic, is a tiny
show.box for vaudevilles and burlesques. l86» Miss
Dradix>n Laiiy Audley xxxix. Country people always go to
see tragedies. None of your flimsy vaudevilles for them I
1976 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. xx, Is this world and all the
life upon it only like a farce or vaudeville, where you find
no great meanings?
attrib. 1891 Times 28 Oct. 13/4 A vaudeville entertain-
ment, which was continued for about three months. 1899
Morrow Bokeni. Paris 15 Paris, the great city, the vaude-
ville playhouse of the world.
Vandevillist (vJ-dvilist). [ad, ¥. vaude-
vitliste (1735), f. vaudeville : see prec] A writer
of vaudevilles.
1879 Genii. Mng. Oct. 478 Whilst the writer of comedy
has grown too witty, the vandevillist too stupid. 1893
Harper's Mag. Sept. 502/1 The untiring inventiveness of
innumerable vaudcvillists.
VaU'dism. rare-^. [Irreg. f. next.] The
tenets of the Vandois.
1855 Mli.MAM Lai. Chr. V. 17 All persons whatsoever,
living or dead,, .under the suspicion of heresy or Vaudism.
II Vandois (vodwa), sb. and a. Also 6 Taldois.
[F., repr. med.L. Valdensis : see Waldenses.]
a. sb. pi. Waldensians. b. adj. Waldensian.
X560 Daus \x, Sleidane' s Contfit. 219 Tlier be in the French
prouince a people called Valdois. They of an aunciente
custome, doc not acknowledg the bishop of Rome. 169a
P. BOYER {.tille\ The History of the Vaudois. 1728
Chambers Cyci. s.v.. The Vaudois had their name from this
Valdo, whose Retainers they were. They were also call'd
Lyonists. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XIV. 737/1 In the
valleys of Lucerne, Peyrouse, and St. Martin. .live the
celebrated Waldenses or Vaudois, 1830 Whittier {title). The
Vaudois teacher. Ibid. 27 She hath gone to the Vaudois
vales. 1841 W. Spalding Italy * It. Isl. III. 234 The
church of Rome and its Italian princes had deeply disgraced
themselves by their conduct to the unhappy Vaudois. 1896
R. Palmer Faitt. ^ Pers. Mem. I. xvii. 256 He reported of
the Vaudois pastors, that they were desirous of cultivating
the Anglican connection.
64
Van'doaism. [f* next.] = Voodooism.
1884 spectator 13 Dec. 1651/2 Vaudouism, which now
rages in Hayti, is, in fact, an old African creed, and its
priests hold cannibalism necessary to their rites. 1890
U.P. Mag. June 245 Great numbers of all ranks secretly
practise vaudouism.
I VandoTix (v^d«), [F.] = Voodoo sb. Also
attrib.
1864 R. F. BuRtoN Mission to Gelele {1893) I. 63 The
Vaudoux or .small green snake of the Haytian negroes, so
well-known by the abominable orgies enacted before the
* Vaudoux King and Queen '. 1884 in Sir S. St. John Hayti
V. 208 The fetish sect of Vaudoux, imported into Hayti by
the slaves coming from the tribes on the western coast of
Africa. Ibid. vii. 247 A freshly built temple dedicated to
the Vaudoux worship.
Vaudy (v§'di), a, Sc. Also vady, vaudie.
[Of obscuie origin.] a. Elated, delighted, b.
Stout, stalwart, o. Gay or fine in appearance.
c i7»o W. Meston ' How tang shali our land' in Jacotfite
Songs (1871) 41 Then must we De sad, while the traitors are
vaudie, Till we get a sight o' our ain bonnie laddie. 1793
Piper of Peebles 7 Cummers fled and huiPd as weel On ice,
as ony vady chiet. 1805 Andr. Scott Poems (1808) 222 In
blue worset boots that my auld mither span, I've aft been
fu' vaudy [x8»i vanty] sin' I was a man. a 1869 Charles
Spence Poems{\%(^%) 72 Now I Rot new trews and coat, And
stalked about in trappings vaudie.
Vauer, obs. Sc. form of Waver v.
Vauessour, obs. form of Vavasour.
f Vaughouse. Obsr''^ [ad. Du. wachthuis or
LG. wachth^s,^ A guard-house.
16x6 J. Lane Contn. Sqr.'s T. (Chaucer Soc.) 131 But they
this leader to the vaughouse bore, whearc.how cowardice,
..how crueltie abusd his rancke, let silence put it bye.
Vaught, obs. f. Vault sb^y v^, and v.'^
Vault (v^lt), sb^ Forms : a. 4-6 voute (5
woute), 4-6 (9 Sc.) vout (5 wout) ; 5-6 vowte
(5 wowta), 5 (9 Sc) vowt ; 5 voghte (wo5te), 6
vowght, vought. ^. 5 (6 .5V.) woult, 6 voulte,
voult; 5-7 volt (5 Sc. volut), 5-6 wolte,
Sc, wolt. 7. 4 vavte, 4-7 vawte, 5-6 vaute ;
4-7 vaut (5 vavtt), vawt, 6 vaught, vawght.
8. 6 valte, vaulte, valt, 6- vault, [a. OF. z/tf«/^,
voulte^ volte, vauite, vaute (mod.F. vo&te), = Prov.
volta^ vouta, vota, It. and Pg. votta :— pop.L. *voita,
ppl. sb, f. L. volv&e to turn. Cf. Volt sb.
It is not clear at what date the /finally established itself in
the standard pronunciation of this word and sb?^ together
with the related verbs, etc. As in the case oi/ault^ there is
some tendency towards the use of a short vowel (vylt) in all
the forms.]
1. A structure of stones or bricks so combined as
to support each other over a space and serve as a
roof or covering to this; an arched surface cover-
ing some space or area in the interior of a building,
and usually supported by walls or pillars ; an
arched roof or ceiling.
The two chief varieties are the barrel or cyHndric{al)
vault and the groined vault.
a. 1387 Charters of Edinb. (1871) 35 The voute abovyn
Sant Stevinys auter. 1424 E. E. Wills (1882) 58 pe voute
of Okeham stepil. c z^o Alpk. Tales 454 In a were tyme
J>ai war sett aboue a vowte in ^e kurk. 1491 Ace. Ld. High
Treas. Scot. I. 181 To the massonis of the Palis, in drink-
siluer for the pendin of three voutis, iij vnicornis. 1535
CovERDALE 2 Esdras xvi. 59 He spredeth out the heaueu
like a vowte. 1539-40 in Devon N. <$■ Q. (1903) Oct. 238
Hewyng of tymber for the lytcll chamber vought att
Powderham. 1595 Duncan App. Etym. (E.D.S.). Camera^
a vowte. 1828 MoiR Mansie Wauch x. 89 Feint a hair
cared he about auld kirks, or kirkyards, or vouts, or through-
stanes. 1901 Trotter Galloway Gossip 239 He.. cam on a
vowt biggit wi' stane an lime.
p. £1400 Sc. Trojan War 11. 2434 It had vnder erd but
weir Standand woltis & cavis seir. 1513 Douglas Aineid
IX. viii. 114 Sa sairly knyt that maner embuchement Semyt
to be a clos volt quhar thai went. 1538 Leland Itin. (1769)
I. 18 The riche Cardinal of Winchester gildid all the Floures
and Knottes in the Voulte of the Chirch. 1563 Reg, Priz>y
Council Scot. I. 247The wallis..arreviii, and the volt tliair-
throw partit, neir hand the aiie side from the uiher.
V. 13. . K. Alts. 7197 (Laud MS.), pe toures maken, & J^e
torels, Vavtes, Alures, & he kirnels. 1387 Trevisa Higden
(Rolls) II. 81 Vawtes of stoonwerk wonderliche i-wrou^t.
c 1489 Caxton Sonnes ofAymon xxviii. 581 See you yonder
vawte by the grete hous ? xs«3 Skelton Garl. Laurel 476
Enu.iwtyd with rubies the vawte was of this place. 1585
T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. 11. xvi. 50 b, There are
conduit pypes.., supported some by vautes, and othersom
by. .pillars. 1609 Bible (Douay) i Kings vii. 3 He decked
the whole vaut with hordes ©feeder. ^ 1640 J. Smyth Lives
Berkeleys {\%%-ii II. 66 The walls, vautes,. .and windows
they razed and teare a down.
6. 1545 Elvot, .^ riTK j, . . the vault of a roufe. 1560 Daus
Xx.Sleidane's Comm.\\^\i^'Y)x^y set a young man. .above
over the vaulte of the churche. 1585 T. Washington tr.
Nicholay's Voy. 11. xxiv. 65 The arcenal . . hath neare an
hundreth arches or vaultes to builde and hale the gallies
vnder couer and drye. 1604 E. G[rimstone1 D'Acostas
Hist. Indies 11. xiii. H2 With a slender covering of m:its or
straw, they are better preserved from the heate, than in
Spaine vnder a roofe of wood, or a vault of stone. 1703
AIoxoN Mech. Exerc. 271, I did intend here to have added
something about the Arching of Vaults, but.. shall.. omit
speaking of Vaults in this Exercise. 1750 Gray Elegy 39
The long-drawn isle and fretted vault. 1790 Burke Er.
Rev. Wics. V. 42 I'he vault of the king's own chapel at
St. James. 1818 Scott Br, Lamm, xx, The shadow of the
ribbed and darksome vault, with which veneration .. had
canopied its source. 1840 Parker Gloss. Archil, (ed. 5) I.
506 In groined vaults the arches which cross each other do
not always correspond in width.
VAULT.
b. trans/. An arching roof or covering resem-
bling a structure of this kind.
<z 1470 TiPTOFT Caviar xii. (1530) 14, vii Legions made in
a mar.er a vaut to hyde them. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 405
A man shall see the drops of water become stone, as they
bang to the very vaults of the rocke. 1706 Addison Rosa-
tnond II. iv, At length the bowery vaults appear ! 1773
Cook's Voy, I. xvi. (Hawksworlh) II. 172 They frequently
passed under vaults, formed by fragments of the rock. 1842
Loudon Suburban Hort. 557 The net is tightened.., and
forms a grand vault over the whole cherry garden. 187a
RusKiN Eagle's N. § 137 The coloured segments of globe
out of which foam is constituted, are portions of spherical
vaults constructed of fluent particles. 1877 Bbvast Little
People of Snow 151 And now the white walls widened, and
the vault Swelled upward, like some vast cathedral dome.
C. The apparent concave surface formed by the
sky. Chiefly poet, and usually with defining terms.
a 1586 Sidney/' J. xix. vii, His [the sun's] race is ev'n, from
endes of heav'n, About that vault he goeth. 1591 Spenser
M, Hubberd 1229 From whence he vewes,. Whatso the
heauen in his wide vawte containes. 1605 Shaks Lear v.
iii. 259 Had I your tongues and eyes, IPd vse them so. That
Heauens vault should crack. 1656 Cowley Pindar. Odes,
Nemean Ode ii, Through earth, and ayr, and Seas, and up
to th' heavenly Vault. 1737 Pope Ilor. Epist. i. vi. 5 This
Vault of Air, this congregated Ball, Self-center'd Sun, and
Stars that rise and fall. 1781 Cowper Hopejg Wiien even-
ing turns the blue vault grey. 1840 Lardner Geom. 215
The intersection of the plane of the water with the hemi-
spherical celestial vault. 1869 J. Martineau Ess. II. 229
1 he vault of the nocturnal sky. 1874 Sayce Compar. Philol.
viii. 331 The bright vault of heaven.
d. Anat, One or other of certain concave struc-
tures or surfaces normally facing downwards.
1594 T. IJ. La Printaud, Fr. Acad. II. 150 Vessels and
instruments, which serue the brayne,. .amongest the which
there is.. another called a vault, both in respect of the
fashion and of the vse. 1831 R. Ktio-x. Clog uet's Anat. 95
This vault is formed by the nasal bones and the nasal pro-
cesses of the maxillary bones. Ibid. 423 The posterior lobes
and the vault of the hemispheres of the cerebrum. 18^9 H.
Miller Eooiir. Great, iv. (1874) 45 The upper and middle
portions of tne cranial vault. 1875 Encycl, Brit. I. 812/2
He. .distinguishes the posterbr pillars of the vault from tlie
pedes hippocampi
2. An enclosed space covered with an arched
roof; esp. a lower or underground apartment or
portion of a building constructed in this form.
°y P- ^396-7 Durham Ace. Rolis (Surtees) 600 Pio'.caria-
dione] vj'« lad. petr[arum]. .pro le vout. 14.. Dorothe 101
in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878) 192 Sche scholde not scape
so sone, he thow5t ; He put here in prison in a voghte. c 1440
Capgbave Life St. Kath. iv. 1195 AUe the preson, whiche
had vowtes seuene, Was light that tyme right of his presens.
151J Bradshaw .V/. Werburge 11. 404 Thebuyldynge of olde
antiquite In cellers and lowe voultes, and halles of realte.
X554-5 Ace. Id. High Treas. Scot. X. 268 To ressave voujtis
fra the monkes to put in lyme. 1558 Ibid. 432 For carying
of the foirsaid furnesing. .to ane wolt. 1616 Extr. Aberd.
Rec. (1898) II. 339 To mack ane hewin doir in the mid wall,
betuixt the northmest voult and the southerniest voult.
y. X4aa Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 153 He commaundid to
kepe his chyldc.and that hit were Enclosid in a vaut of
stone. 1470-85 Malory Arthur Pref. 2 The giete stones &
meruaylous werkys of yron lyeng vnder the grounde & ryal
vautes. 1503 Hawi:s Examp. I'irt. xiij. 276 Than went we
doune to an other vaute. 1534 in Archxol. Cant. Vlfc 286
In the Vawt where the Moixks do dyne, j olde table [etc.].
1584 Star Chamber Decrees Print. Sf Stat. (1863I 11 That
no presse be used in vaut or secret place, but such as may
easily and openly be found in search. 1602 Campion Bk,
Airs Wks. (Bullen) 21 That man needs neither towers. .Nor
secret vauts to fly From thunder's violence.
fig- '545 Bale Image Both Ch. 1. xvii. R viij b, So throw-
ing them selucs into a moste confuse Chaos or vawte of
double dotage.
6. X603 G. Owen Pembrokeshire (1892) 77 These vaultes
are alltogether neclected. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's
Trav. II. 84 They make their little Vaults very quickly, and
in building of them use Timber as with us. X698 Keill
Exam. Th. Earth (1734^ 117 In Vaults and Caves there is
no sensible alteration of heat in Summer and Winter. 1794
Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho xxvi, From the steps they
proceeded through a passage adjoining the vaults. 1836
Emerson Nature Wks. (Bohn) II. 151 A paper currency is
employed, when there is no bullion in the vaults. 1856
Kane Arct. Expl. II. xi. 113 The thermometer inside was
at +90", and the vault [=hut] measured fifteen feet by six.
b. A place of this kind used as a cellar or store-
room for provisions or liquors.
1500 in J. L.atimer Mcrch. Vent. Bristol U^i) 34 In his
mansion or shop or in celers or vawts y' he holdeth . . in fee.
"577 K. GoOGE Heresbadis Husb.{isB6)42 In our dayes we
vse tokeepe both Wine and Grayne in suche vaultes. x6oo
Nashe Suvuners Last Will 11 88 Bacchus, for thou abusest
so earths fruits, Impris'ned Hue in cellars and in vawtes.
x66a J. Davies tr. Mandeislo's Trav. 45 Most of them three
Storjes high, with very noble Lodgings, Store-Houses, Vaults
and'Siables belonging to them. 1699 Pomfret Poems, The
Choice, I'd have a little Vault, but always stor'd With
the best Wines each Vintage could afford. 1730 Swu-t
Panegyrick on Dean Wks. 1751 IV. 1. 136 When to the vault
you walk in state, In quality of butler's mate. 1756-7 tr.
Keyslers Trav. (1760) I. 120 Among other cellars, there is
one which perhaps has not its equal. ..This vault communi-
cates with another. 1880 Miss Bkaddon Just as lamxxxvi,
The wine cellar at the Homestead was not a stately vault.
fg. 1605 Shaks. Macb. 11. iii. 101 The Wine of Life is
drawne, and the meere Lees Is left this Vault, to brag of.
3. t a. An arched space under the floor of a
church, used for ecclesiastical purposes; a crypt.
c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xiv. 61 Vnder l>e kirk also es a
vowte, whare Cristen men dwellez. a 1490 Botoner Itm.
(1778) 176 The second way goth rygh est by the woult of
Seynt Johnys chyrch. 1503-4 Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905)
252 Payd for a stay bar of yerryn to stay the Nev pevys
VAULT.
t=pewsl in lo )>e vavtt. 1511 Cuyl/orile'i Pilgr. (Camden)
31 A very fayre churche,. .wherein we descendyd into a
wonder fayre vaught.
b. A burial chamber (originally with arched
roof), usually altogether or partly under ground.
a 15^8 Hall Chrou,, Edw. /K, 223 After he was remoued
to Winsore and there in a new vawte newly intumilate.
1599 Shaks. Rojii.^ ^ Jul. V. iii. 86 Here lies luliet, and her
beautie makes This Vault a feasting presence full of light.
iMi BiHNEE Kirk'BuriallXy For some there was that to the
imitation of .Abraham, made vp little caucs or voltes, for
buriall vse. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. I. 379 Hee pur-
posed . . that his bones should bee bestowed in an arched
vault made under the chancell of Saint Peters Church in
Oxford. _ 17M Lond. Caz. No. 6084/7 The Body was de-
posited in the Vault. 1749 in Nairne I'eerage Evidence
(1874) 81 .Mrs. Jeau .Mercer. .lyes, .opposite to the Duke of
Roxburghs vault. 1790 Burke Fr. Rci>. Wks. V. 172 In as
few years their successors will go to the family vault of ' all
the Capulets '. 1831 W. Irving Alhambra I. 187 'Now,'
said the priest, ' you must help me to bring forth the bodies
that are to be buried in this vault '. li^^PennyC^cl. XXV.
37/1 A vault cannot properly be made either in the church
or churchyard, without the consent of the ordinary. Ibid.^
A vault may be attached by prescription to a mansion. 1870
F. R. Wilson Ck. Lindisf. 6t The vaults beneath the
Chancel, sometimes called the dead-house,
+ 4. a. A covered conduit for carrying away
water or filth ; a drain or sewer. Ol>s.
c\^fiB Drstr. Troy 1607 The water .. Gosshet through
Godardys & other grete vautes. And clensit by course all \^
dene Cite. 1553 MS. Rami. D. 776 If. 131 b, Makyng of new
vawtis of bryk to Conevaye the water Commyng frome the
leades of the said Cistell vndcr the said new wharff. 1567 in
Vkary's Anal. (1888) App. In. ii- 154 The gouernors.. shall
viewe the cumen sewer or vawt at the seid house. 1596
Harixgton nfelam. Ajax (1814) 53 A goodly Jakes within
the town with a vault to conevey all filth into the Tiber.
<JI700 EvELVH Diiry 8 Feb. 1645, The streetes.. having
many vaults and conveyances under them for the sullage.
t b. A cistern. Obs.~^
tss» HuioET, Vault or place to receaue rayne water,
implujiium,
f C. A necessary-house ; a privy. Obs.
1617 J. Taylor (Water P.) Trav. Loud, to Hamburgh
Wks. (1630} 80/2 The Hangman, .hath itie emptying of all
the vaults or draughts in the city. 1665 Orders Ld. Mayor
Lond. in De Foe Plague (Rtldg.) 64 That no Nightman. .
be suffered to empty a Vault into any Garden, a 1700 B. E.
Diet, Cant. Cre70, l^aiilt, an . . House of Office.
5. A natural cavern, cave, or overarched space ;
t a deep hole or pit.
.«53S CovERDALE Isaiak vii. 19 These shall come, and shal
light all in the valeyes, in y« vowtes of stone, i^ Flem- [
ISC Contn, Holinshed HI. 1413/2 The hole or vaut being
sometimes filled with water, and olherwhiles neither
bottome, trees, or water maie be perceiued. 1593 Norden
Spec. Brit., Comw. (1728) 40 A holl or deepe vaute in the
grounde wherinlo the sea floweth at high water verie farr
under the earth. 1617 MoRvsoN llin.i. 11 This City is of
a round forme, compassed of all sides with Mountaines,
having many Vauts or Caves under it. 1691 Ray Creation
1. (1692) 127 Some should digg Vaults and Holes in the
Earth, as Rabbets, to secure themselves and iheir Young.
1796 H. Hunter ir. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) III. 274
In the burning entrails of which, .the fire-consumed ylitnean
vaults incessantly thunder. 1854 Brewster More IVorlds
iii. 61 It is from the deep vaults to which prima;val life has
been consigned that the history of the dawn of life is to be
composed, i860 Tyndall Clac. I. v. 38 The vault at the end
of the glacier.
trans/. 1578 Banister Hist. Man I. 29 Moreouer in the
interiour part of the wrest, we findc a broad, and deepe
cauitie,. .through the which are concurrent, not a small
number of tendons of Muscles, to be in.serted to the ioyntes
of the fingers. And in this vawte, or hollow, they seeme as
it were included, or locked up.
t b. To go to the vault : (see quot.\ 06s.
1576 Turberv. yenerie 165, I haue scene (hares] that
wouldetake the ground like a Coney (whiche b called goyng
to the vault) when they haue beene hunted.
6. Uchn. The inner portion of a steel furnace.
"."•? J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 341 Inside the conical
building is a smaller furnace, called the vault, built of fire-
brick or stone. .. D D, in the section, is the dome of the
vault. 18S4 W. H. Greenwood Steel ^ Iron 409 The
temperature in each furnace is regulated by closing or open,
ine the small flues in the arch of the vault.
7. atlrib. and Comb., as vault beam, -cover, door,
fashion, height, -like ^A]., pier, etc.
1611 Bible i Kings vi. 9 inarg., (He covered] the *vault
beams and the sielings with Cedar. 18175 Knight Diet.
Meek. 2694/1 A 'vault-cover with glass bulrs-eyes or prisms.
■S53-4 Extr. Burgh Rec. Edinh. (1871) II. 345 Ane greit
loke to the *wolt dure of Sanct Thomas ile. 1551 Huloet,
Vaultyng or makyng a worke . . "vault fascion, concnmeratio.
I«i6 Extr. Aberd. Rec. (1848) II. 3j8 The said Thomas.,
sail big the same of the breidth of the haill tolbuith quhill
11 be 'voult hight. 1847 DicKESs Haunted M. i, His
dwelling was so solitary and *vaultlike. 1858 Hawthorne
Fr. »f it. S'ote'bks. (1872) I. 50 Whenever we emerged into
the vault-like streets. 1903 F. Bond Gothic Architecture
58 Nowhere is the result plainer than in the construction
of the Gothic 'vault pier, c \6y> Donne Serm. cli. Wks.
1839 VI. 73 These particular Spirits in their "Vault-prayeis
and Cellar.service shake the pillars of State and Church.
1887 Browning Parleyings Wits. 1007 XVI. 113 'Vault-
roof reverberates, groans the ground ! 1843 Tizard Bre^v-
•ng 469 The brewer, who possesses storage, cellarage, or
•vaultroom. 1890C. H. MooreCoMjV Archit.n. 52 Arches
which, sustain the 'vault shells. 148a Caxton Trevisas
Higden I. xlviii. (1527) 47 A tlire chambred hous made of
vawte stones. 1718 Chambers Cycl. s.v.. The several
Vousioirs, or Vault.stones whereof it (an arch] consists.
«9oo H. Sutcliefe Shameless IVayne ii. The . . vault-stone
slared blue and cold at the cold moon, a 1610 G. Basing.
ION IVis. (1622J II. 35 That late thrice-damnable Powder.
Vol. X.
65
Trea-son, or 'Vault-Treason : what name might it haue
answerable to the iniquitie of it? 1585 T. Washington tr.
Nicholay's Voy. 11. xxi. 58 (A] building round & strongly set
vp 'vawtwise in form of the Hemisplierike. 1611 Cotgb,,
Ketovibe,..^ flat vault, or a roome thats made vault.wise.
i6«a J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Amiass. 67 Their Cabans,
or Huts, which are covered vault.wise, are built half under-
ground. 1844 Blactw. Mag. LVI. 208 Every brilliant pair
finished, .was briskly strung up on cobwebs, with which the
cart, vaultwise, wiis interwoven. 1614 Purchas Pilgrimage
VI. V. 584 This Temple was borne vp with 'Vault-worke.
1716LEONI Albertis Archit. I. 35/2 Pit-sand, .they use. .in
Vault-work, but not in plaistering.
Vault (vjlt), rf.2 Also 6 vaute. [f. Vault z/. 2,
or, in sense 2, ad. F. voile.']
[ 1. An act of vaulting ; a leap or spring; -^ spec.
of harts (see quot. I,'i76).
'57* Turberv. I'enerie 45 It is a pleasure, to beholde them
when they goe to Rutte and make their vaute. i6ia G.
Fletcher Christ's Tri. i. xl, So on a wilher'd tree he fairly
set him. And helpt him fit the rope, . . So thear he stands,
readie to hell to make his vault. 1630 J. TAYL0R(Water P.)
Navy Land Ships Wks. i. 93/1 What Necromanticke spells
are Rut, Vault, Slot, Pores, and Entryes, Abatures, and
Foyles. 1718 Chambers Cycl, Vault is also used for the
Manages practis'd on the wooden Horse, 10 learn to mount
and unmount with Ease and E.xpedition. 1868 W. R. Smith
in Li/e (1912) iii. 94 A popular exercise is the spring vault.
1893 Outing XXII. 153/2 The world's record in the fence
vault, and. .the pole vault 1901 IVestm. Caz. 28 May 2/1
.M. Brocas fell to the ground, after his vault.
1 2. = Volte (in the manege). Obs.
1718 Chambers Cycl. s.v.. There are some Vaults wherein
the Horse makes two parallel Circles.
Vault (vglt), r.l Forms : a. 4 -SV., 5 voute (4
Sc. wout-) ; 4, 6 vowte (5 vowytn), 6 vought,
7 Sc. wowt; 6 volt, 6, 7 Sc, voult. /3. 5-6
vawte (5 vawth-), 5-7 vaut(e, 6 vaught. 7. 6
vaulten, vaulte, valte, 6- vault, [ad. 0¥.-vonter,
voulter, volter, vaulter (moil.F. voi'iter), f. voute,
etc., Vai'LT j*.1]
L trans. To construct with, to cover in with, a
vault or arched roof. Also with over.
a. ijfijCharters Ediub. (1871) 35 The forsaidys. .sal mak
and voute v. chapellis on the south syde of the paryce kyrc
of Edynburgh. 1535 Coverdale Ps. ciii. 3 T'hou voltest it
aboue with waters. \6\6 Extr, Aberd. Rec. f^i%^%) II. 338
The said Thomas, .sail voult ouer the nethern>est voultis the
hight of the tolbuilh fluir. a 1656 R. Gordon Contin. Hist.
Earls Sutherl.{.ii\-^yi^'Y\x Earl .. finished the great tour
the same yeir, wowling it to the top.
S. isii-« in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) 1. 478 They
can.. vawte the chirch. .after the fourme of a platie ther-
for devised. 1577 B- GoocB Heresbach's Husb, 1. (1586)
42 b. They doo vaute the floore with Bryckes. 1577
Holinshed Chron, II. 1714/1 Sir William Chester. .and
John Calthrop-.couered and vauted the towne ditch from
Aldcrsgate to Newgate.
y. i6as K. Long tr. Barclay's Argenis 1. v. 12 The first
builders of this house vaulted under the ground a secret
■way unknowne to any but my selfe. 165a Earl Monm. Ir. -
Senault's Man bee. Guilty 303 The Concavity of Trees hung
in the aire, hath taught our Architects to vault buildings.
I7»6 Leoni AlberlCs Archil, I. 73/2 Whateversort of Arch
you vault your Bridge with. i8m Bowles Da^s Departed
8 Ask of the Geologist How Nature, vaulting the rude
chamber, scoop'd Its vast recesses. 1848 G. S. Hillard in !
Z.yiZ.o>i£/: (1891) II. Ill But to combine them all, to vault
them with such a sky,., this is not easy. 1894 Baring-Gould
Deserts S, France U, 104 The various attempts made to
vault the naves. ~\
b. In pa. pple. used predicatively. (Cf. Vaulted ;
///.«•) I
o. 1387 Charters F.dinb. (1671)351116 fyfte chapel woutyl
with a durre. c l^ Maunuev. (1839) iii. 17 And undie
theisc Sugcs ben Stables wel y.vowted for the Emperours
Hors. l4la-io Lvdg. Chron. Troy 11. 689 Fresche alures
with lusty hije pynacles,..Vowted aboue like reclinatories.
iSil Guyl/orde's Pilgr. (Camden) 26 There is a fayre large
Chapelt, well voughted and lyghted by many lampes bren-
nyngc. 1538 Leland llin. (1769) II. 53 A right fair and
costely peace of Worke.. made al of Stone and curiusly
voultid.
?• •414 Iniienlure Fotheringhey in Dugdale Monast.
(18^6) VI. 1414/2 Three strong and mighty arches vawlhid 1
with stoon. 1448 H»N. VI in Willis & Clark Cambridge
(1886) 1.356, .ij.chambres aboue, vauted. 15*5 Ld. Berneks
Froiss. II. Ixxxix. 99/1 The bouses within were well vawted
with stone, so that the engynes nor spryngalles dyd the men
but small domage. 1584 B. R. tr. Herodotus 11. 105 b, He
caused an oxe to be made of wood, inwardly vauted and
hollow within. i6ia Selden Illustr. Drayton's Poly,olb.
Note to iii.^ 338 Chedder Cleeues, rocky and vauted, by
continual distilling, is the fountain of a forcible stream.
y. 1591 Sylvester Du Barlas 1. iii, Narrow Vales vaulted
about with Hils. iSij tr. De Mimt/arfs Surv. E. Indies
10 The said place is all vaulted about with Porches. 1686
WodD Li/e 10 July, Buried. .in a grave brickt and vaulted \
over with bricks. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) IV. 165
Theinside is vaulted, and is large enough for the reception
of eight or ten beavers. 1815 Elphinstone Acc. Caubul
(1842) I. 19 It was rainwater, preserved in small reservoirs,
vaulted over with brick and mortar. 1831 Scorr Cast, Dang.
viii. The study. .was vaulted with stone. 1873 Tristram
Moab V. 77 Long ranges of buildings, .most solidly vaulted.
C. Of things: To form a vault over (some-
thing) ; to cover like a vault ; to overarch.
i6«7 Milton P. L. vi. 214 The dismal hiss Of fiery Darts
in flaming volies flew. And flying vaulted eilher Host with
fire. i«8a Wmei er yourn, Greece l. 70 The wall beginning
to bend forward. Arch-wise, as if it were to vault a Portico. !
1719 VouNG Busiris IV. i. Have I not seen whole armies
vaulted o'er With flying javlins? 1734 Wesley 7rnl. 23
Jan. (1829) I. 21, 1 was vaulted over with water in a moment.
1777 G. Forster Voy, round IVorld II. 187 The tufted ;
VAULTED.
arbours which vaulted over the paths, are hung with beauti.
ful flowers of all kinds. 1807 J. Harlow Columb. vii. 231
lilaze-trailmg fuses vault the night's dim round. And shells
and langrage lacerate the ground.
2. absol. To construct a vault or vaults, rare-".
c 1440 Promp, Pan. 512/1 Vowtyn, or make a vowte,
arcuo,testudmo. 1552 HuLOET, Vaulten or make vaultes
or arches, /ormco. 1570 Levins Manip. 16/40 To valte
arcum ducere.
3. To bend, arch, or raise (something) after the
m.mner of a vault.
iSS» HuLOET, Vaulten or makebente lyke a ho\ve,arcuor.
CI58S C'tess Pembroke Ps. cxxxvi. iii, Whose skillfull
art did vault the skies. 1616 Bacon i>/z/a §376 You must
Vault the Earth, whereby it may hang over them, and not
touch them. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Snnpl. s.v., To vault a
horse-shoe, is to forge it hollow, . .that the shoe, thus hollow
or vaulted, may not bear upon the sole that is higher than
the hoof. 1833 Tennyson Lotos Eaters 85 Hateful is the
dark-blue sky, Vaultedo'er the dark-blue sea. 1877 J. Bryce
Transcauc. », Ararat 35 Looking, .across the vast expanse,
with the wide blue sky vaulted over it.
1 4. To make vaults or cavities under (something).
•599 Hakluyt Voy. II. 1. 77 Wee shall vault and vnder-
mine your foundations in such maner that they shatbe torhc
vpside downe,
5. inlr. To curve in the form of a vault.
•80s Eugenia de Acton Nims 0/ Desert II. 166 The
spangled arch, which vaulted to the footstool of the Throne
of Mercy. 1807 J. Barlow Columb. v. 30 A dusky deep,
serene as breathless even, Seem'd vaulting downward like
another he.iven. 1844 Emerson Misc., Tantalus Wks.
(Bohn) III. 323 Her mighty orbit vaults like the fresh rain-
bow into the deep.
Va'Olt (vglt), r.2 Forms: a. 6 vaute, 6-7
vaut ; 6 vaught. P, 6- vault, [app. ad. OF.
valler (voulter, etc) logambol, leap, assimilated in
form to prec]
1. trans, a. To mount (a horse) by leaping.
rare—^.
'53* Elyot, DesuUor, he that can vaute \pr. vaunte;
•545 vaulte] a horse, and leape frome one horsbacke vnto
an other. [Cf. Vaulting vbl. sb.^ 1, quot. 1531. J
tb./^. (Cf. Leap I/. 9.) Obs.
1611 Shaks. Cymb. i. vi. 134 Should he make me Line like
Diana's Priest, betwixt cold sheets. Whiles he is vaulting
variable Rampes In your despight.
O. To get over, surmount, by vaulting.
1884 Kendal Mercury t, Times 3 Oct. 5/1 The gate.. has
been locked, .. so that foot passengers have to vault the gate.
1901 .Munscy's Mag. XXIV. 550/1 Rodgers vaulted the
boxwood and seated himself on her veranda.
2. intr. To spring or leap ; spec, to leap with the
assistance of the hand resting on the thing to be
surmounted, or with the aid of a pole.
o. a 1568 AscHAM Scholem. i. (Arb.) 64 To vaut lustely, to
runne, to leape, to wrestle. 1591 Lodge Hist. Dk. Nor-
mandy GV), He was actiue of bodie, & vaughted exceed
ingly well. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V, v. ii. 142 If I could winne
a Lady at Leape-frogge, or by vawting into my Saddle, with
my Armour on my backe. 1618 Bolton Florus (1636) 170
King Theutobocchus . . was wont to vaut over foure or five
horses set together. i6ai G. Sandys OviiCs Met. 11. (1626)
25 The generous and gallant Phaeton, All courage, vaut's
into the blazing Throne.
3. 1609 B. JoNSON Sil. IVom. 11. i, Such a delicate steeple,
i' the towne, as Bow, to vault from. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt.
Exemp. II. Disc. xi. 155 When we addresse ourselves to prayer
. .let us., when we have done, not rise from the ground as if
we vaulted, or were glad we had done. 1699 Bentley Phal.
268 In his Dances he leap'd up, and vaulted, like Phrynichus,
who was celebrated for those Performances. 1734 tr.
Rollins Anc. Hist. (1827) I. 84 Vaulting from one to the
other. 1791 CowpER Iliad vii. 285 In standing fight adjust-
ing all my steps To martial measures sweet, or vaulting light
Into my chariot, thence (I] can urge the foe. 1814 Scott Ld.
0/ Isles VI. xxii, Vaulting from the ground. His saddle every
horseman found. 1830 Tennyson Mermaid y^,\ would..
lightly vault from the throne and play With the mermen in
and out of the rocks. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 220 Can
he vault among swords, and turn upon a wheel.
fig. 1809-10 Coleridge Friend (1665I 63 Ignorance seldom
vaults into knowledge, but passes into it through an inter-
mediate state of obscurity. 1836 Emerson Nature viii.
Prosiecls'^y.s. ('&o\n) II. 171 As if a banished king should
buy his territories inch by inch, instead of vaulting at once
into his throne. i88a J. H. Blunt Re/. Ch. Eng. II. 212
note. He was ordained priest a day or two only Lcfore he
vaulted into the Archbishopric of Canterbury.
+ b. = Leap v. 9. Obs.
Cf. fig. uses of Vaulter ' and Vaulting vbl. sb.*
•S76 Turberv. Vencrie 44 Harts do commonly beginne to
Vault about the middest of September. 17J5 New Cant,
Did,, To Vault, to commit Acts of Debauchery.
Vaultage (vg-ltid;!). [f. Vault sb.^ A
vaulted place o{ area ; a series of vaults.
•599 Shaks. lien, V, 11. iv. 124 Hee'le call you to so hot
an Answer of it, That Caues and Wonibie Vaultages of
France Shall chide your Trespas. 1605 Heywood //you
know not me Wks. 1874 I. 290 D, Naiu, What is this vault-
age for..? Gresh, Stowage for merchants ware, and
strangers goods, a 1839 Galt Demon Destiny 11. 12 Hell
rebellowing through her vaultages. 1863 K. H. DiGBY
Chapel 0/ St, "yokti (ed. 2) 38 It might be well for you to
cast one look back towards this sepulchral vaultage. 1863
East London Observer 27 June, To be let, the vaultage of
a large chapel in the Commercial Road.
Vaulted (vjlted),///. a. [I. Vault rf.l or z;.i]
1. Having the form of a vault; arched or rounded.
ta. Of the chin. Obs.-^
a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon cxlvi. 549 Her skynne was as
whyte as y* floure in the niede, . .her tnrote smoth and clere,
her chyne vauted {printed vaunted ; Fr. voltis\,
b. Of a roof or ceiling, etc,
9
VAULTEDLY.
ijji HoLOET, Vaulted rowffe, itstudinaium ttcium.
1579-80 North Plutarch^ Lycurgus (1895) I. 126 The fayer
embowed or vawted roofes. or . . fretised seelings. 1635 Swan
S^c. -V. iv. § r ^1643) 54 The world being mans house, the
Firmament is as the vaulted roof of it. 1^7 Dryden Vhg.
Gtorg, IV. 536 Now to the Court arriv'd, th' admiring Son
Beholds the vaulted Roofs of Pory Stone. 1703 Rows
Ulysses tit. i. Raging Mirth With peals of Clamour shakes
the \-auIted Roof. 1789 Smyth u. AidncKs Archit, (1818)
lis Terms applied without distinction to all raulted ceilings
whate\-cr. 1844 ■^* ^* '^^ Lisle in E. Purcell Life {1900J I.
vii, 12a It contains fine stained glass, and a ^•aulled ceiling
fainted with scmi-Gothick patterns. 1879 Dixon Windsor
11. xii. 100 A vaulted arch supported an upper chamber.
0, Of the sky. (Cf. Vault sby i c.)
CIS90 MoNTGOMERiK SoHUits Ivi, Vnderncth the hcumly
vauted round. «S9S Spenser Cot. Clout 611 The fume..
mounts fro thence In rolling globes vp to the vauted skies.
1611 Shaks. Cymb. I. vi. 33 Hath Nature giucn them eyes
To see this vaulted Arch, and the rich Crop Of Sea and
Land? 1700 Drvden /^a/. Sf Arc.wx. 524 The vauhed Fii ma-
ment With loud Acclaims, and vast Applause is rent, a 1763
Shesstone Elegies vi. 26 Pale Cynthia mounts the vaulted
sky. 1804 J. Grahame Sabbath 97 K temple, one not made
with hands. The vaulted firmament. 1871 B. Taylor Famt
(1875) !• "• 4* Lost in the vaulted azure The lark sends down
his flickering lay.
d. In miscellaneous uses.
xtfSi Grew Musatum i. vi. i. 140 The Vaulted- Limpet.
PaJella coticamerata. 1793 M artvn Lang. Bot, s.v., Vaulted,
/oriiicatus; arched. 179(5 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3)
III. 514 Blosstom] upper lip vaulted. i8a8 Stark Eten/,
Nat. Hist. IL 47 Umbilicus large, armed with smalt vaulted
scales. 184a Prichard Xat. Hist. Man 47 Wild horses have
larger heads than domestic horses, with more vaulted fore-
beads. 1858 Birch Anc. Pottery IL 75 A vase, .havin? a
vaulted cover. 1870 Rolleston /i«iw. Li/e p. Ivi, The skull
[in reptiles] is less vaulted and less capacious than in Aves.
2. Constructed or furnished with an arched roof ;
covered in or roofed by a vault.
1601 Holland Pliny IL 243 The artificiall baines and
vaulted stouves and hot houses, which then were newly come
vp. 1633 P. Fletcher Purple 1st. v. H, This vaulted Tower's
half built of massie stone. 1687 A. Lovei.l tr. T/ievenot's
Tr/tT'. H. 26 In this Court there are Lodging- rooms under a
vaulted Gallery that runs all round it. 1717 Berkeley jfr/il.
'Pour Italy Wks. 1871 IV. 520 Below stairs we saw several
vaulted chambers. 1794 Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udoipho
xxxi, I have only to go.. along the vaulted passage and
across the great hall. 1830 Whewell Archit. Notes 5 In a
vaulted church, we have in general one vault which runs
longitudinally along the church. 1865 W. G. Palgrave
Arabia IL 320 The heavy winter rains supply the vaulted
cisterns. rti878 Sir G. Scott Led, Archit. (1879) '•247
Viollet le Due says, the design for a vaulted building has
to be commenced at the top and worked downw.irds.
trans/. 1730-46 Thomson Autumn 78 To dig the mineral
from the vaulted earth, 1810 Shelley Prometh. Unb. \\. v,
104 A paradiseof vaulted bowers. 1878 B. Taylor Dcuknlion
I. i. 15 At the bases of the mountain's lofty vaulted entrances
of caverns.
3. Immured as in a vault,
1863 R. S. Hawker in Li/e xx. (1905) 450 Very few could
stand this vaulted life of mine.
Hence Vau'ltedly iJ<fv,
x8aa J. Parkinson Out/. Oryctol. 127 The shell round it
being vaultedly convex.
Vau-lteri. rarr^. [f. Vault z;.1] A builder
of vaults.
1648 Hexham n, Een IVelver^ an Archer, or a Vaulter.
Vaulter^ (v^'ltai). Also 6-7 vauter, vawter,
7 vautor. [f. Vault z'.2] One who vaults or
leaps. Alsoyf^'-. (quot. 1579).
a. 1565 Cooper Thesaums, /4;«//r////, . .vauters from one
horse to an other, 1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 36 Euery
Vawter in one blinde fauerne or other is Tenant at will, to
which shee tolleth resorte, 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor.
1278 Demetrius., was well content to heare himselfe called
Jupiter KaToi^^T))?, that is to say, the vawter. 1607 Topseli,
Four/. Beasts (1658) 226 The Numidians,..in manner of
vauters, . .could leap from the weary horse to a fresh. 1647
Hexham i. (Of Weights), .\ weight of Lead that Leapers,
Vauters or Dauncers on ropes hold in their hands.
3. 155a HuLOET, Vaulter on a horse, d'sultor. 1565
Cooper Thesaurus^ Desultor, a vaulter that leapeth vp and
downe from a horse. 1617 Morvson /tin. in. 230 He had
two Tumblers or Vaulters.one an Englishman, the other an
Italian. 1694 Martens' l^oy. Spitzbergen in Ace. Sez'. Late
Voy, IL 116 They put them upwards together, as the
Vaulters do when they jump over Swords. 1711 Steele
sped. No. 258 p 3 Why should not Rope-dancers, Vaulter-,
lumblers,..and Posture- makers appear a^^ain on our Stage?
1791 CowpRR Odyss. xviH. 317 Since fame reports the
Trojans, .nimble vaulters to the backs of steeds. 1848
Thackeray Van. /^a/>lxiv, The band of renowned Bohemian
vaulters and tumblers. 1884 Harper's /1/a^. Jan. 301/1 If
you want . . fame as . . a vaulter, or a heaver of heavy weights,
the Manhattan is your club. •
trans/. i8i§ Kirby & Sp. Entomol. iv. fi8i6) I. 102 The
encomium which he bestows upon these vigilant little vaulters.
<ti8ss L. Hunt To Grasshopper ^ Cricket \ Green little
vaulter in the sunny grass.
Vaulting (v§"ltir)), vbl. sb^ and sb. [f. Vault
vy and sb^\
1. a. The construction of a vault or vaults; the
operation of covering or roofing with a vauU.
i5i» in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1S86) I. 608 Herry
Semerk shall haue duryng the tyme of the said vawtyng the
vse of certeyn stuffos and necessaryes. 15*2 Huloet, Vault-
yng or makyng a worke wyth vaultes or vault fascion, cott-
cameratio. 1596 Harington Metam. Aj'ax (1814) 76 Then
thus it is he alloweth the vaulting or arching over of the
Jakes, 1647 Hexham i. s.v., A vaulting or making of aji
arch roofe. 1663 Gerbier Counsel ici The fourth for the
Vaulting of Sellars or any other Offices. 1850 Pahker Gloss.
Archit. 506 Domical, .vaulting over a circular area was
66
likewise practised by the Romans. 1875 Encycl. Brit. 1 1.
465.2 Their introduction.. caused an entire change in the
system of vaulting.
b. The development of a vaulted space.
1897 A llbutt's Syst. Med. IV. 1 50 When the abscess comes
into relation with the costal walls, more or less vaulting,
with widening and elTacement of the intercostal spaces, will
be manifest.
2. The work or structure forming a vault.
1513 in Willis & Claik Cambridge {1886) L 613 The seid
John Wastell shAll make and sett vpp..the vawtyng of ij
porches. 1760-71 H. Brooke Fool 0/ Qual. (1809) IV. 94
A silver sconce that hung from the vaulting. 1790 Pennant
London (1793) 65 The vaulting of this was not finished till
1296. i8xx ftliLNER Eccles. Archit. Eng. Pref. p. xvi. The
gorgeous vaulting of King's College. 18^ Freeman /Irc/aV.
401 This produces in the vaulting of St. James an effect
something like a wooden roof. 1898 Watts-Dunton Ayhvin
IX. iv, The vaulting (supported partly on low colunms. .and
partly on the basement wall of the church) is therefore of
unusual extent.
trans/, and /tg. 1827 Pollok Course T. x, Beyond the
azure vaulting of the sky. 1851 Mrs. Browning Casa Guidi
Wind. I. ioa6 His truth had barred The vaulting of his life.
b. With a and pL : A species, example, or piece
of such work,
1750 Wren Parentalia 290 The Romans used hemispheri-
cal Vaultings. 1797 S. LvsoNS Rom. Antiq. Woodchester
17 It is probable that part of the roof was formed by
diagonal vaultings, resting on the four columns. 18x3
BucKLAND Rcliq. Diiuv. 5 The natural vaultings that com-
pose this subterraneous wonder. 1875 Knight Did. Mcch.
2694/1 Vaultings, or arched roofs, are supported by ribs or
groins, often intersecting each other.
trans/ 1836 BucKLAND Geol. cV Min. xv. § 4 (1837) I. 356
The shell, .is fortified by a series of ribs and vaultings dis-
posed in the form of arches and domes.
3. aiirib.,Q.%vaultwgJield, pier, pillar, rib^ -span,
shaft, -surface.
1830 Wheweix Archit. Notes 21 The vaulting pillars are
half columns from the floor. Ibid, 44 The principal, or
vaulting piers in the Romanesque style were often engaged
columns. Ibid. 45 In sexpartite vaulting they supply vault-
ing shafts smaller and less important than the principal
piers. 1851 RusKiN Stones Ven, (1874) I. viii. 99 The entire
development of this cross system m connection with the
vaulting ribs, a 1878 Sir G. Scott Led. Archit, (1879) II,
176 In either case.. the error has to be thrown into the
vaulting-surfaces. 1880 Archaeol. Cant. XI IL 20 The
Repton crypt, with its narrow vaulting-spans. 1886 B.
Brown Schola to Cathedral i\. 159 Eight triangular vault*
ing fields corresponding to the eight sides of the drum from
which it rises.
Vaulting (v^ltig), vbl. sb,"^ [f. Vault z'.2;
but in fig. uses (see 3 and 4) perh, partly suggested
by the etymological sense oi h. fomicdtio.'\
1. The action of leaping with a vault, esp. as a
gymnastic exercise.
1531 Elyot Gov, I. xvii, There is also a ryght good exer-
cise, .whiche is named the vautynge [/r/«/^</' vauntyngel of
a horse : that is to lepe on him at euery side without stiroppe
or other helpe, specially whiles the horse is goynge. 1545 —
Did.^ Dcsultura^ lyghtynge vp and down, vauUyng of an
horse. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. (1580) 13, I maie commende
hym for playing at weapons,, .for vautyng, for plalyng vpon
Instrumentes. 1617 Hakewill Apol. (1630) 36s These
forraine exercises of vauting and dancing the flioriske.
1663 Butler Hud, i. iii. 644 Ralpho was mounted now, and
gotten O'erthwart his Beast with active vau'tin^. 1700
Wallis in Coiled. (O.H.S.) L 318 Vaulting, leaping, and
the like, are now much disused, as too violent for this softer
age, 1856 ' Stonehenge ' Brit. Rur. Sports 443/2 By vault-
ing a man can easily clear his own height, and often con-
siderably more.
/^S'- '59** Marston Sco. Vtllanie i. iii. 182 Tullus goe
scotfree, though thou often bragst, That for a false French-
Crowne thou vaulting hadst^
2. VaztUiug horse-, f a. A horse mounted by
vaulting, esp, one used for the exercise of leaping
into the saddle without the help of a stirrup. Obs*
1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Desultorijegui, vaultyng horses
that light souldiours vsed in warre. 1599 B. Jonson Ev.
Man out 0/ Hum. iii. ix, I'ld spend twentie pound my
vauting-horse stood here now. 1623 Hexham Tongue^
combat Ep. Ded. 3 His Puppet, .ouer whom hee insults, as
vpon a vaulting-horse lowe enough for his leape. 1630 B.
Jonson New Inn \, i. Instead of backing the brave steed o'
mornings. To mount the chambermaid ; and for a leap Of
the vaulting-horse, to ply the vaulting-house.
b. Gymnastics. A wooden figure of a horse em-
ployed for exercise in vaulting,
1875 Knight Did. Mech. 2694/1 Vaulting horse ^2^-91006,^^
horse in a gymnasium, for practice in vaulting. 1884 Health
Exhib. Catal. \itI\ All kinds of Gymnastic Apparatus, , .in-
cluding, .Vaulting Horses, Vaulting Bucks, Vaulting Tables.
1898 Daily Neivs 23 March 6/2 The squad representing the
School of Arms gave a very neat exhibition of vaulting-horse
work,
+ 3. VauUing-hotise, a brothel. Also vaulling-
door, the door of such a place. Obs,
(a) 1596 Lodge Wits Miserie I itij, Let him but looke into
a vawting house, he shall play his tricks without charges.
1606 Dekkeu Sev. Sins !V. (Arb.) 32 Letchery is patron of
al your Suburb Colledges, and sets vp Vaulting-houses, and
Daunsing-Schooles. 1639 Massinger Unnatural Combat
I. i. Let me but receive Aly pay that is behind, to set me up
A tavern or a vaulting-house. While men love Or drunken-
ness or lechery, they'll ne'er fail me.
{b) 1625 Massinger Pari. Lave iv. iii, No more talking,
Dear keeper of the vaulting door ; lead on.
t4. Vaiilting-school '. a. = piec. b. (See quot,
a 1 700), Obs,
1606 H. Parrot Mousetrap 93 Vnto a Garden-house, or
Vaulting-schoole, 1637 Nabbes Microcosm. 11, Ayre was
my father, and my mother a light-heel'd madamc that kept
VAUNCE.
a vaulting-schoole at the signe of Virgo. 167a Wycherley
Love in Wood iv. v. Must my lodging be your vaulting-
school still ? Thou hast appointed a wench to come hither,
I find, a 1700 B. E. Did. Cant, Crew, Vaulting.School, a
Bawdy-house ; also an Academy where Vaulting, and other
Manly Exercises are Taught. (Hence in later slang Diets.]
5. aitrib. in various uses, r.s vaulting bar, buck,
'master, motion.
1641 W. Stokes {title\ The Vaulting Master; or the Art
of Vaulting reduced to a Method. 1700 Wallis in Colled.
(O.H.S.) 1. 317 Mr. Bosely (then a dancing-master and
vaulting-master here). 1771 M. Lort in J. Granger Lett.
(1805) 194 He \sc. William Stokes] was a noted vaulting-
master and rope-dancer. 1839 ' Craven ' Walker s Manly
Exerc, (ed. 6) 48 This exercise is conveniently practised on
the vaulting bar, which rests upon two or three posts. 1849
Chambers's In/orm. People 1 1. 643/2 Exercises [m vaulting]
are performed with vaulting bars. 1870 Hardy & Ware
Mod, HoyUt Chess 40 The Knight is the only piece that
possesses what is styled the * vaulting motion *. 1884 [see 2 bX
Vaulting (vg-ltig), ///. a. [f. Vault v.^
That vaults or leaps.
1605 Shaks. Macb. \. vii. 27 Vaulting Ambition, which
ore-leapes it selfe, And falles on th'other. 1637 B. Jonson
Sad Shepherd 11. i, Allbe he know her. As doth the vauting
Hart his venting Hind. 1847 H. Miller First Impr. Eng.
xiii. (1857J 217 Such always is the vaulting liberty of a false
theology. 1868 Isabelle Saxon Five Years Golden Gate
52 So wild are the speculations, and so vaulling is the am-
bition of the majority of business men. 1887 Stevenson
Misadv. y, Nicholson t 3 It could not come, without vault-
ing hyperbole, under the rubric of a gilded saloon.
b. VaulHng monkey : (see quots.).
1800 Shaw Gen. Zool. I, i. 51 Vaulting Monkey, Siniia
Petaurista. 187X CasselCs Nat, Hist. I. 109 The White-
nosed Monkey (CVrt^/S/Mft"wj/t'/(i«77j/(z). ..Some call it the
Vaulting Monkey.
Hence Tan'lting'ly adv.
x8^ Temple Bar Jan. 147 The Niobe was vaultingly
ambitious.
VaU'lture. [f. Vault sby Cf. obs. V. vouture
{vouHure, vo/lure).'] Vaulting.
z69a Ray Three Physico-Theol. Disc. (1713) iii- 20 The
reason is the Strength and Firmness of their Vaultuie and
Pillars, sufficient to support the superincumbent Weight.
Vaulty (vQ'lti), a. Also 6 vautie, 6-7 vaultie.
[L Vault sb!^"] Resembling a vault ; having the
arching form of a vault.
15^5 Raynald Byrth Mankynde H hh ij, L is y* back or
bossmg side of the liuer. RI the holowe, caue, or vauiie
part of yB liuer. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia in. xxv. (1622) 441
Well (nv2 thinkes) becomes this vaultie skie A stately tombe
to couer him deceased, c 159S J. Dickenson Sheph. Compl.
(1878) 8 Heau'ns light, whose vauiie roofe bright orbs em-
bosse. 1651 Howell Venice 76 Sound.. which resounds in
vaulty and hollow places. 1726 A. Monro Anat, Bones
(1741) 94 This vaulty Labyrinth. 1890 Illustr. Lond. News
22 Nov. (i^o/z The great vaulty interior of the house.
Vaumbras, obs. form of Vambbace.
Vaumpe, obs. form of Vamp sb,^
tVaumure, sb, Obs, Forms: a, 5-7 (9)
vawmure (6 vawmeure, vavrmer), 6-7 vaumure.
)3. 6-7 vamure (6 vamer). 7. 6vaimure. [Re-
duced form of AF. *vauntmur: see Vauntmure
and Avantmube] An advanced wall or earthwork
thrown out in front of the main fortifications ; the
outer wall or series of walls of a fortification or
fortress,
a. c 147S Contin. Brut. 11. 577 The Flemmynges laid J»eire
gonnes to t?e walles, & beete doun ^ vawmures and \te
walles. 156a Phakr JEnetd Dd j, Afront the vaumureslong
. .thelegion waytingstood. 1587 pLEMMic Contn. Holinshed
III. 1427 Gods prouidence. .ouerthrewapeeceofihe wall and
vawmure of six and twentie poles. 1609 Holland A mm.
Marcetl, 179 The safe recourse they had to the wall and
vaumure strengthened with turfe defended these wait-layers
from all danger, a 1656 Ussher Ann. U658) 246 [He] took
the vawmure, which was of no great strength. Ibid. 254
The Macedons therefore not having quite battered the inner
wall, but onely undermined a vaumure made of brick. [1843
Lvtton Last Bar. i. i, Next, the Palace, with its bulwark
and vaumure.]
3. (1x548 Hall Chron.^ Hen. VIII, 133 b, On the
Weste side was a greaie rampire or banke, very stepe
without and within, and like to a vamure of a fortresse, by
the vamure thediches were.xxiili. foledepe. 1577B.G00GE
Heresbach's Husb. n. (1586) 50 W'herin the vamure must be
so steep, that it may not easily be climed. 1600 Fairfax
Tasso XI, Ixiv, A mount thereof to make, Or else some
vamure fit to saue the towne. 164a Prince Rupert's Sp. to
King 4 Their graffcs or ditches being dry and their vamures
unpallisado'd.
■y. 1599 Hakluvt Voy, IL 124 To make up againe their
vaimures, the which were throwen downe with the fury of
the artillery. Ibid., He threw downe more then halfe
thereof [a wall], breaking also one part of the vaimure.
Hence fVaTuunre v. trans., to provide with a
vaumure or advanced earthwork, t Vamunring',
the material forming a vaumure ; vaumures collect-
ively. Obs. j-are.
15*3 Surrey in Morton Mon. Ann. Teviotdalc (1832) 27 The
said fortres was vawmeured with erthe of the beste sorte.. ,
and had a barbican, c 1600 Sttrv. Carlisle Castle in Scott
Border Antiq. (1814) L 35 The \awmering of Calder-tower
is in decay.
t Vaxince, v. Obs. Also 4-6 vaunse, 6 vance.
[Aphetic f. of Advance f.] Toadvance, in various
senses, (Common in the i6lh cent.)
a. trans. 1303 R. Brunse Handl, Synne 5516 pou art nat
wurby vaunsed to be. a 1400 Langl. P. PI, B. m. 33 (MS.
Rawl. Poet. 38), Sha! ro lewednesse lettc t>e clerkes hat I
louye, That he [ne] worth furst vaunsed. a 1450 Mvrc
VAUNCIUa.
Par. Pr. 1636 5ef hyt (/>. contrition] be gret, 5eue luyle
penautice. ^^f hyt be luyte, i>ow moste hyt vaunce [t'.r.
haunce]. 1489 Caxton Faytes o/A. l. xviii. 54 The wyse
captayne ought not to putte nor vaunce forth hym and hys
men lyghtly to a bataylle, xs8a Stanvhl'rst .^iteis{Arh.)
85 Al thogh.. winds vaunce fully thy sayls with prosperus
huffing. 1594 R. Carew Tassa (1881) 21 This hardie speech
..Gaue ech one care, and vaunst his courage hie. i6t6
J. Lane Contn. Sqr^s T, ix. 379 Which embleams hee bid
\aunce, for foes to reede of mercie, iustice, death, how hee
decreed.
b. rejl. c 1489 Caxton' St}Hnes 0/ Aynion xiv. 350 He
vaunced hym selfe forthe, and caught the kynge wylh bothe
hysarmes. ^ Blanchardyn xxiii. 77 As blanchardyn. .per-
ceyued t^" noble pucelie, he dyde vaunce him self toward
her. a 1548 Hall Chron. (1805) 616 A uicture of an armed
Knight on a courser barded Vauncyng himself upon that hill.
1573 Tl'sser Hush. (1878J 207 But marke the chance, my
self to vance, By friendships lot, to Paules I got. 1587
TuRBKRV. Tri^f. Tales (1837) 41 They vaunst themselves,
and stood mee bolt upright.
C. intr. 1544 BErHA.M Precepts War i, cxcvii. I vj b, The
hoste vauncyng towarde battayl, the capltayne ought to
speake these wordes. 1595 Spesser F. Q. iv. iv. 17 Sir
Satyrane..vauncing forth from all the other band Of knights.
Hence t Vau'noing vbl. sb. 06s.
c\^/M Apol. Loll. 56 A how bitter luf and vauncing [L.
promi}ti<)\,.\t^t he reys his luf at a moment a.boue a veyn
t>ing. 1416 AUDELAV Poems (Percy Soc.) 33 Clerkys that
hatl cunnyng, Schuld have monys soule in kepyng, Bot that
mai get no vaunsyng Without symony.
Vauaoe-roof, variant of Vavce-roof.
VaUQchaoe, variant of Vanchase Obs.
t Vanneant. Obs.-^ [a. older F. vau-, vaiit-
neant, f. vatit 3rd pers. sing. pres. of valoir to be
worth + neant nothing.] A good-for-nothing person.
i6ji T. WiLLiAMsox tr. Goulart's Wise Vieillard 109 We
can doe no other then blame these vau-neantes, vaine &
vitious persons.
Vaunplate, obs. form of Vamplate.
Vaunt (vg:it, U.S. vaiit), sb.\ Now rhet. or
arch. Also 5-6 vaunte, 6-7 vant. [Aphetic f.
AvADNT shy Cf. Vaunt f.]
1. Boasting, bragging ; boastful or vainglorious
language or utterance; arrogant assertion or
bearing.
a 1400-50 AlexaniieriBSo Bot (>of (xju )x victor a vaile na
vaunte sail arise. 14 . Sir Beues (S.) 3963 + 87 Kyng Vuor !
swoor with grete vaunt Be hys god Tirmegaunt. 1500-10 i
DusBAR Poems xiv. 41 Sic vant of wostouris with hairtis in
smfull slaturis 1577 B. GooGE Heresbach's Husb. 1. (rj86) i
4 For my part (without vaunt be it spoken,) I haue seruice ■
euery day at certaine appointed houres. I59i5 Spinser F. Q. '
VI. iv. 29 A great Gyant .Whom he did ouerthrow. ..\nd in
three baitailes did so deadly daunt, That he dare not returne
for all his daily vaunt. 1838 Prescott J^o-rf. * /j. 11. i. (1846) '
1 1. 256 With all the vaunt and insolent port of a conqueror.
tersonified. a 1510 IJouglas A'. Hart u. 523 To Vant and
Voky 3e beir this rowm slef. I
trans/. 155. T. Wilsos R)ut. (158J) 14 (Certain orators] 1
would so muche saie as their witte would giue, not weighyng
the state of the cause, but mindyng the vaunt of their braine. ;
2. To make {one's or a) vaunt, to boast or brag. !
Also const, o/' something. Now rare. \
(1) 1S30 Palsgr. 619/2 He made his vaunte that hewolde '
beate me. 1555 Eden Decades ( Arb.) 147 The christians . .
whom thou haste .. threated to drawe by the heare of their
heades to the nexte ryuer, .. as thou haste often tymes made
thy vaunte emonge thy naked slaues. 1573 G. Harvey
Letter-bk (Camden) 5, [I] am an inch beneath him, as he \
ons made his vaunt. I
(*) a 1533 Ld. Berners HuonXn. 177 Make no vaunt of
ony th>-nge without thou canst do it in dede, for in euery
thynee I wyll proue thee. 1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Luke
5t Many make vauntes and crakes of hauing visions of
Aungels, whiche they yet neuer sawe. 1687 MitcE Gt. Fr.
Diet. II. S.V., I'o make a vaunt of a Thing, to boast of it.
(c) 1586 G. Whitnev Embl. 228 Then, let him not make
vaunt of his desert. i8<a Motlrv Netherl. iv. (i868) 1. 114
He stoutly denied the facts of which the leaguers made
vaunt.
3. A boasting assertion, speech, or statement ; a '
boast or brag,
IS97 Df.losev Gentle Craft Wks (1012) 186 Tom Drums
vants, and his rare intertainmenl at .\Iistris Farmers house.
i6»5 Bacon Ess., VainGtory (Arb) 463 They that are
Glorious, must needs be Factious. . .They must needs be
Violent, to make good their owne Vaunts. iS^ Milton
P. L. IV. 84 The spirits beneath, whom I seduc'd With
other promises and other vaunts Then to submit, boasting
1 could subdue Th' Omnipotent. 1694 Drydbn Lmre Tn. '
I. i. The haughty Captive, who had made his Vaunts To lay
their Dwellings level. 1716 Pope /Had v. 580 Now, now thy
country calls her wonted friends. And the proud vaunt in
just derision ends, a 1735 G. Granville Unnat. Flights
Poetry 51 Such vaunts as his who can with patience read!
1798 CoLERiDCK Fears in Solitude 198 May the vaunts
And menace of the vengeful enemy Pass like the gust z8i8
HKLLk-t Mid. Ages ix. n. (1819)111. 375 A writer of the thir-
'""!M [century] asserts that all the world was clothed from
English wool wrought in FUnders. This indeed is an exag-
gerated vaunt 1855 Prescott Philip r/, I. i, Spain then
llrsl realized the magnificent vaunt,.. that the sun never set
within the torders of her dominions. i88< Farrar Early
t \\' f !'• '' ' " ""?" '° '"'"' °^ wisdom when his heart is
full of bitter emulation and parly spirit is a lying vaunt.
b. Const, of.
1565 Jewel Reply Harding (1611) jj But that the same
humanitie of Chnst is in the Sacrament, in such grosse sort,
as is supposed by our Aduersaries, notwithstanding many
bold vants thereof made, yet was it hitherto neuer prooued.
J589 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 73 Telling her how he was a
King, . . what power he had to aduance her, with many other
proude vaunts of his wealth. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. K/, in. i.
50 [He] by reputing of his high discent..And such high
67
vaunts of his Nobilitie, Did (etc.]. 1654 Gataker Disc.
Apol. 80 Of which his vain pretension, and his I'rtqent
vaunts thereof being by letters minded and admonished, be
returns this Answer. 1778 Bp. Lowth Transl. Isaiah Notes
(ed. 12) 217 Ihey introduce him as uttering the most extra-
vagant vaunts of his power and ambitious designs. i8a6
bcoTT Rex'. Kemble's Life, Biogr. (1849) 200 Assassins [were]
approaching him . . in the very midst of his triumphant vaunt
of his repeated victories.
t O. (See quot. and cf. Bbag ji5.i 6.) Obs.-«
1598 Florio, C^;V.f/rt,..a vaunt or vye in gaining.
4. A cause or subject of boasting, rare.
1791 Cowper Hia,i 11. 188 Is it thus at last That the
Achaians. .Shall seek again their country, leaving here To
be the vaunt of Ilium and her King, Helen of Argos ?
t Vaunt, i*.^ Obs. Also 7 vant. [independent
use of the prefix Vant-, Vaunt-. Cf. \. avant
fore part.]
1. A front ])art or]5ortion. rare.
In the first quot. with reference to the face
1589 ?LvLV Pappe m. Hatchet Ciiijb, Take awaie this
beard, and giue mee a pikede vaunt, Martin sweares by his
ten bones. i6o« Shaks. Tr. \ Cr. Prol. 27 Our Play Leapes
ore the vaunt and firstlings of those broyles, Beginning in
the middle.
2. The van of an army.
1606 Shaks. Aitt. ff CI. iv. vi. g Go charge Agiippa, Plant
those that haue reuolted in the Vant. 1623 Bingham Xeno-
phon 59 Cherisophus led the Vaunt,.. Xenophon and the
Reare.Commanders brought vp the Reare. 16x4 Donne
Devot. (ed. 2) 380 When an Army marches, the vaunt may
lodge to night, where the Reare comes not till to morrow
Obs.
rare. [Of obscure origin.]
t Vaunt, sb:i
A kind of fruit pie.
1508-13 W. DE WoRDE Bk. Keruyitge in Babees Bk. (1868)
270 Fruyter vaunte, with a subtylte, two potages, blaunche
manger, and gelly. 1594 Gd. Husitii/es Handmaid Kitchin
38 b, To make a Vaunt, Take marrow of Beefe [etc.]. Ibid.
39 Cut it in faire slices,. .as long as your Vaunt is.
Vaunt (V9nt, U.S. vant), v. Now rhet. or anh.
Also 5-7 vant, 6 vaunte, 6 Sc. wantt-, wanet-,
6-7 vante. [a. OF. (also mod.F.) vanter, = It. and
med.L. vantare:—'po'p.h.*vanitare: cf. AvAUNTf.!]
1. intr. To boast or brag ; to use boastful, brag-
ging, or vainglorious language.
Fairly common c 1600 ; now rare or Obs.
14.. Langl. p. pi. Cvii. 35 Me wilnynge |>at men wende
ich were..Riche,..Bostynge and Braggynge wyth meny
bolde ot>es, Auauntyng vp-on [llchester MS. Vtuntyng vp]
my veine glorie for eny vndernymynge. ^1440 Promp.
Parv. 508/1 Vaunton, or a.vaunton or booston, jacto,
osteitto. 1515 Barclay Egloges iv. (i 570) C vj/i They laude
their verses, they boast, they vaunt, they iel. 1570 Levins
Manip. 25 To vaunt, glorinri. 1579 Lvlv Euphues (Arb.)
198 But I will not vaunt, before the victorie. 1603 J. Davies
(Heref.) Microcosmos Wks. (Grosart) I. 31/1 For South-
ward, men are cruell, moody, madd. Hot blacke, leane,
leapers, lustfuU, vsd to vant. 1630 R. fohnson's Kingd. H
Comnnv. 476 All this (as the drunkard will vaunt,) for the
honour of. .the Prince. 1699 Temple Hist. Eng. 583 He
talk'd little, never vaunted, ooserv'd much, was very secret.
1700 Drvden Oviifs Met. xv. ^42 In lime be vaunts among
his youthful Peers, Strongbon d, and strung with Nerves, in
Eride of Years. 1791 Cowper Iliad x\. 462 Transported from
is ambush forth he leap'd With a loud laugh, and, vaunt-
ing, thus exclaim'd: Oh shaft well shot ! it galls thee. 1803
Eugenia de \csoh Nuns of Desert 1. 145 Sometimes vowing
nevcr.ceasing affection, then vaunting in bis power, threaten,
ing revenge for her disdainful repulsion of ofh;rs. i8s6 .-Vndh.
ScoTT Poems 97 He could vaunting tell, 'I'hat he wad face
the ghaist.
b. Const, ^(or \ on).
«54*-77 VicARY Anat. (1888) i. 17 A cunning and skilful
Chirurgion neede neuer vaunt of his dooings. 1584-7
Greene Moraitdo Wks. (Grosart) III. 67 'They thinke no
man so able to atchiue any enterprises as he, vanting of his
victories. 1605 Camden Rem., Efigr. 12 The vaniiie of them
which vaunt of their auncient nobility. 1634 W. Tirwhvt
tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. I) 394 He. .blusheth not at Christian
venues, nor vanteth of moral ones. 1663 Gerbier Counsel ^^
The Hollanders.. Vant of iheir scarcity of iheeves. 1718 Pope
Hind XIII. 82 Here Hector. .Vaunts of his gods, and calls
high Jove his sire. 179J Boswell Johnson an. 1775, He
did not vaunt of his new dignity, but I understood he was
highly pleased with it. 180a Mrs. E. Parsons Myst. Visit
IV._53 who, like the proud Pharisee, .. proudly vaunt on
their own virtue.s. x8i8 Byron Juan 1. i. Of such as these I
should not care to vaunt. i8ai Joanna Baillie Metr. Leg.,
Wallace v, The meanest drudge will sometimes vaunt Of
independent sires.
O. With other preps.
1549 CoVERDALE, etc. Erasm. Par. 2 Peter II. 19 They are
rather filthe and spottes, who in their filthie glotonous
bankettings vaunt against you, as though you were madde
mcnne. 1591 Spenser Virg. Gnat 559 And all that vaunts
in worldly vanitie Shall fall thtough fortunes mutabilitie.
c 1600 Shaks. Sonn. xv. When I perceiue that men as plants
increase, Cheared and checkt euen by the selfe.same skie :
Vaunt in their youthfull sap, at height decrease. 1605
ij/ Part leroiiimo III. ii. (Stage direction), Andrea slain,
and Prince Balthezer vanting on him. i6a8 Prynne Lcrve-
lockes 40 Who vaunts, and Iriumphes, in the length and
largenes.se of his IxKke. 1795 Southev Joan o/A re vil. 86
So erst from earth Antxus vaunting in his giant bulk. When
trraspt by force Herculean, down he fell Vanquish'd. 1805
El'genia de Acton Nuns of Desert II. 254 She vaunted
over the ' humble and meek .
td. With it. k\%o spec, (see quot. 1611). Obs.
1611 Florio, Chiestare,..lo vant it or vie it in gaming.
1614 W. Browne Sheph. Pipe 1. i, Hearke, how yonder
Thrustle chants it. And her mate as proudly vants it.
2. With clause as object, usu. introduced hy that.
■5*3 I'D- Berners Froiss. I. ccccxxxviii. 311/2 He had
before sayd and vaunted, howe & the kynge came to rejse
the siege before Ipre, he wolde abyde & fight with hym. \
VAUNT-COUKIEB.
156a WINJET Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 37 Apollinaris in a manere
crakLS and waintis that he consentis in deid to the vnilie of
J„„ ";"l ^- »¥'3 S«*KS. 2 Hen. VI, ,. iii. 87 She vaunted
mongst her Minions t'other day. The very trayne of her
worst wearing Gowne, Was better worili then all mv
bathers Lands. i6ot Holland Pliny I. 171 All others
may vaunt verily, that they have vanquished men: but
Sergius may boast, that he bath conquered. .Fortune her
selfe. 1653 H. CoGAN tr. Pinto's Trav. viii. 25 Prester.
■'o '.., u*"?^^ ^^^ '*'' Abissins vaunt they are descended.
1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania zjfinote. The emperor
..vaunting that, with his good sword,, .he could cut a man
111 twain. 1853 J. H. Newman Hist. Si. (1873) II. 1. i. 33
Attila vaunted that the grass never grew again after his
horse s hoof.
+ 3. re^. To boast, extol, glorify, or praise (one-
self). Usu. const. /tfr, «/; or j«. Obs.
a I4°<>^S° Alexander 2713 For vertu ne no victori ne vant
l.oght (ji.selfe. a 1500 in Ratis Raving, etc. 81 Thai rus
thaim nocht of done foly,. .Na wantiis thaim nocht of thar
gud deid. 1614 WoTTON Arch. 55 Apelles (did excel] in
Invention and Grace, whereof he doth himself most vaunt.
i8as ScOTT Talism. iii. Thou shouldst know, ere thou
v.nuntest thyself, that one steel glove can crush a whole hand-
ful of hornets. 1876 Swinburne Errchtkeus 1180 Who may
vaunt him as we may in death though he die for the land »
''■'"'y^ 1576 Gascoigne Kenilworlh Castle Wks. 1910 II.
119 The Countrey craves consent, your venues vaunt them,
selfe. c 1590 Greene Fr. Bacon 111. i. Fore the morning
sun Shall vaunt him thrice ouer the loftie east.
t b. With infinitive or object clause. Also with
pr ( =as), and double accusative. Obs.
1513 Douglas /Eneid i. ix. 85 Full oft him .self extoll and
vant he wald Of Troiane bluide to be descend of aid isSa
W1N3F.T Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 27 Donatistis..quha craikis and
wanetis thame be the auctorilie of that counsel to baptize
agane. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. iv. xxviii.
146 b. Shooting.., whereoflbey do vaunt themseluestohaue
been the first inuentors. l6as Bacon Ess., Friendship (Arb.)
169 Pompey vaunted H imselfe for Sylla's Ouermatch. 1816
Scott Bl. Dmar/x\\, Thou vauntest thyself a philosopher?
t c. To bear (oneself ) proudly or vaingloriously.
1570-6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 236 The Church
that yet vaunteth it selfe with two steeples. 1577 Test, of
12 Patr. (1604) 52 Ve shall be swoln with wickedness in
the priesthood,, .not only vaunting and boasting your selves
against men, but also being puffed and swoln up with pride
against the commandments of God. 1611 Bible i Cor. xiii.
4 Charitie enuieth not : charitie vaunteth not it .selfe, is not
puffed vp. i6«3 S. Patrick Parai. Pilgr. xi. (1687) 67
Hath he not crowned himself with greater glory in not-
vaunting himself in those Trophies?
+ 4. /ra/w. To proclaim or display proudly. Obs.
1590 Spenser F. Q. 111. ii. 16 Tell me.. What shape, wh.-it
shield,. .And what so else his person most may vaunt?
159a Kyd Sp. Trag. i. 11. 27 There met our armies in their
proud aray : Both furnisht well, both full of hope and feare,
. . Both vaunting sundry colours of deuice.
6. To boast of (something) ; to commend or
praise in a vainglorious manner.
11591 Greene Alphonsus n. i, And then I meane 10
vaunt our victorie. C1696 Prior Partial Fame 7 He
vaunts His Conquest, She conceals Her Shame. 1718 Free-
. thinker No. 65. 68 A Keeper of Bears may as well vaunt
his Policy, as a Ruler of Slaves. 1761-71 H. Walpole
Vertiie'sAnecd. Paint. ( 1 786) I. Pref. 1 1 This country, which
does not always err in vaunting its own productions. i8ai
^cxtTt Kenitw. xxxvii, He really felt the ascendency which
he vaunted. 1850 Merivai.e Rom. Rcf. viii. (1865) I. 226
The Roman matron was taught indeed to vaunt her ignor-
ance as a virtue. 1878 Emerson IMisc. Papers, Sov. Ethics
Wks. (Bohn) III. 372 In ignorant ages it was common to
vaunt the human superiority by underrating the instinct
of other animals.
t b. To Utter boastingly. Obs.-'^
'633 P- Fletcher Poet. Misc. 87 'Ihey cut my heart, they
vant that bitter word, Where is thy trust? where is thy
hope?
t Vaunt, int. Obs. rare. [Aphetic form of
AvAUNT int., etc.] Avaunt, away, be off !
1598 Mucedorus Induct. 13 Vaunt, churlish curre, . . Blush,
monster, blush, and post away with shame. 1608 H. Clap-
ham Errour Right Hand 50 Then, vaunt Dogge I damn'd
of thine owne conscience.
Vaunt-, /)r/ir, an AF. variant of Vant-. (For
examples see Vaunt-chase, -coukier, etc.)
Vauntage. rare-^. [f. Vaunt ji^.l] Boasting,
vaunting.
1818M1LMAN Samor in. 374 Frisian and Scandinavian,
Cimbrian rich In ancient vauntage of his sires, who clomb
The Alpine snows, and shook free Rome with dread,
Vauntbrace, -bras(8e, varr. and obs. forms of
Vantbrace.
t Vaunt-chase. Obs. rare. [prob. ad. AF.
*vauntchcue : see Vaunt-.] = Vanchase. (.See
also quot. 1688.)
1576 TuRBERV. Ventrie 113' There he goeth, thats he, . . 10
him, to him,' naming the hound that goth away with the
vautchace(xit:]and hallowing the rest vnto him. 1688 Holme
Armoury in. 189/1 Vaunt.chase is the Hound that leadetb
the rest in the Chase.
Vaunt-COUrier(vg-nt-, vantikOsiriaj). Forms;
a. 6 vantcorrour, -currour, -ouror, 6-8 -ourror,
7 -curreur, -otirrer ; 6 vauntcurrour, 7 -curror,
6-7 vauntcurrer. /3. 6 vaunte-, 6-7 vaunt-
ourrier, 7 -currier, 6-7 vantourrier, 7 -ourier.
7. 7 vantcourier, vauntoourrier, 7, 9 vaunt-
courier. 8. 7 vauntoourer, vantoourrer. t.
erron. 7 vaunt carrier, [ad. F. avant-coureur
AvANT-coURiER,with assimilation to formsin Vant-,
Vaunt-, and to Coueieb. Cf. Van-coukier.]
+ 1. One of the advance-guard of an .iriny or body
9-a
VAUNT-CUKBYING.
of troops ; a soUlier or horseman sent out in advance
of the main body. Usually in pi. Obs,
A. 1560 Daus ir. SUidame^s Comm. 433 b, He by his
vaunioiiTers levied as muche power as he possible migbte.
1569 Stocker Ir. Du^d. Sic. II. X. 55 The vauntcurrers of
eche side gaue intelligence of the approch of one an other.
15^ R. HiCHCOCK QmiMifss. U it 68 b, In the spyes, in the
guides, in the vantcorrours, in the principal! officers. x6oi
R. Johnson Kingd, 4- Comhiw. 184 Vpon the head of the
batiell ranged aoo thousande horsemen in small troupes,
like our vantcunrcrs. 1614 Raleigh Hist. H'arU in. x. II.
1 14 On the sodajne one of their Vaunt-currors brought newes
of the King's apprxxA. 1650 R, Stapvlton Strata's Low
C. lyars IX. 50 Some Vantcuners advancing a little before
the Army.
18. 1579-80 North Plutarch, Puhticolx (1895) I. 275 Lu-
cretins. .was appointed to make head against the vaunt-
ctirriers of the Sabynes, 1600 Dymmok Irelaiid (1843) 31
The rebel . .deliveringe some few shott out of the woods and
ditches upon our vaunt-curriers, a 1644 Kvnastom Leoline
4- Sydanis 1265 How as the swift vant-curriers rode about
As sentinel! perdue, a 1670 Hacket -4^. Williams i. (1692)
190 Unless ihe leader look about him in his march and
search ever>- hedge by vant-curriers.
Y. 1609 Dekker Gulfs Hom'.k. Wks. (Grosart) II. 219
Thou dost not only send out the lively spirits, like vaunt-
couriers, to fortify and make good the uttermost borders of
thy body.
fi. 1604 R. Cawdrev Table. Alpk.^ Vauntcourers^ fore-
runners. 1614 Raixich Hist. World v. iii. II. 449 The
Carthaginian Horse, and light Armature, fell vpon the
Roman Vant-courrers.
€. 1677 W. Hubbard Narrative 7^ A party of Indians. .
fired upon the front and mortally wounded two of the vaunt
Carriers.
2. transf. One who goes or is sent out in ad-
vance in order to prepare the way or to announce
the approach of another ; a forerunner.
a. 1361 Baus tr. Bullingcr on Apoc. (1573) 177 And this
latter so impugned the supremacie of the Patriarch of Con-
stantinople, that he sticked not to call hym the vaunt-
currour of Antichrist. 1567 Y>vlk^t Horace ^ Ep. iii. cv, And
those that wil vauntcurrers be Not I wil draw theim backe.
1607 Dekker Northward Hoe w.^iV?^ 1873IH.29 He send
my vant-currer presently. 1709 Strvpe Ann. Re/. 1. 11. xliv.
479 All such as had been vantcurrors in private colleges to
enter into this apostasy.
p, >. 1603 Harsnet Pop. Impost. 12 The harbinger, the
host, the Steward, the Vauntcourrier. 1606 Dekker AVa'j
from Hell Wks. (Grosart) II. 137 To all which questions the
vant curier answers briefly. x886R. F. Bwaoii Arab. Nts.
(abr. ed.) I. 4 He despatched vaunt-couriers and messengers
of glad tidings.
b. Of things.
1598 Barkclev Felic. Man v. (1603) 472 The crying and
lamenting of a childe when bee first entereth into this world,
doth seeme to presage his painefuU life, as a vauntcurrer of
his miseries to come. 1605 Shaks. Lear 111. iL 5 You Sut-
ph'rous and Thought-executing Fires, Vaunt-curriors to
Oake-cleauing Thunder-bolLs. 1639 Chapman & Shirley
Chabot in. ii, I will relate toyour honours his most cruel ex-
actions upon the subject — the old vantcouriers of rebellions.
x8ji Milman Fall yerusalem 39 And gloom of deepest mid-
night the vaunt-courier Of your dread presence. 1849 Longf.
Karana^h xix, These were the vaunt-couriers and attend-
ants of the hot August.
+ Vaunt-currying, a, Oh.~^ [? f. vauni-
currier Vaunt-coubibk. Cf. Cobby v.'^I (Mean-
ing not clear.)
x6o6 Sir G. Goosecappe 1. iii. in Bullen Old Plays (1884)
III, Wili. How will they digest it thinkest thou, when they
shall finde our Ladies not there? la. I haue a vaunt-
Curriing deuise shall make them digest it most healthfully.
Vau"nted,///. fl. Also 7 vanted. [f. Vaunt
z?.] Boasted or bragged of; highly extolled.
1635 A. Stafford Fern. Glory (1869) 123 Whose meanest
Perfection so farre excels all your so long vanted masculine
merits. 1667 Milton P. L. iii. 251 My Vanquisher, spoild
of his vanted spoile. 1789 Mrs, Piozzi Joum. France II.
42, I have seen the vaunted present of porcelain. 1815
Scott Taltsm. xiii, Our cousin Edith must first learn how
this vaunted wight hath conducted himself. 1838 Prkscott
Ferd.ff Is. (1846) II. I. xvii. 124 Their vaunted purity of
blood. 1893 Pember EarilCs Earliest Ages 67 How.. all
our vaunted wisdom in this life is said to be at best but a
knowledge in part.
Vauntegarde, variant of Vantguabd Obs.
Vaunter (v§nt3j). Now arch. Forms : 5-6
vantour, 6 vauntour ; 6 -SV. vantar ; 6-7 vanter,
7- vaunter. [ad. OF. vantere^ vanteor^KP. vanle-
our)^ vanteur (F. vantenr\ f. vanter Vaunt v.
Cf. Prov. vaniaire, -ador. It. vantatore^ A boaster
or braggart.
1456 Sir G. Havf, Law Arms (S.T.S.) 30 Thai ar..grete
vantouris of litill foredede. 1484 Caxton Chivalry 65 By
surete ben mesprysed many cowardes, vauntours, and many
vaync semblaunces. >5as Ld. Berners Froiss. II. xxxiv.
104 These frenchmen ar great vantours and hyghe mynded.
'SMTvne in CaM. Tract. (S.T.S.) 29 Tratours,..vantars,
luflars of thame selues mair than of God. 1588SHAKS. Tit.
A. V. iii. 113 Alas you know, I am no Vaunter I. a 1610
Healey Theophrastus (1636) 79 A vanter or forth-putter is
he, that boastes upon the Exchange, that he hath store of
bankemony. 1640 Gent A'worrmSr. n. i. Eb, I fit prove not
correspondent' to my word, thinke me an idle vanter. 17x6
Pope fliadv. 347 Mistaken vaunter ! (Diomed replied ;) Thy
dart has err'd, and now my spear be tried. 1718 Hearne
Collect, (O.H.S.) VI. 125 A very pert, conceited Person, full of
himself, and a mere Vaunter. i83i'1rri.awnv^(/z;. Younger
Son HI. 222 De Ruyter's curled lip indicated his contempt of
the vaunter. 1848 Lyttom Harold vii, iii, Now thou shall
see if the Norman is the vaunter thou deemest him. 1888
Doughty Arabia Deseria II. 146 Such is the unmasking of
vaunters, who utter their wishes, as if they were already
performances.
68
b. A boastful assertor, extoUer, commcnder or
praiser, ^something.
1553 T. Wilson Rhet.^s b, By vocation of life a souldiour
is counted a great bragger.and a vaunter of hyniselfe. 1623
CocKERAM II, A Vaunter of his owne vertues, aretalogon,
1700 Drvden Horner^ Iliad i. 336 Tongue-valiant Hero,
Vaunter of thy Might. 1789 Mrs. Piozzi "jfourn. France I.
222 They are really no puffers, no vaunters of that which
they possess. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aurora Leigh vii. 1079
The large-mouthed frogs (Those noisy vaunte;s of their
shallow streams). 1866 Fortn, Rev. V, 540 The proud
vaunter of universal knowledge had been transformed into
the humble student of the Bible.
Vau'ntery. Now Obs^ or arch. Also 5, 7
vaunterye, o -erie, 7 vanterie, 7-8 -ery. [a.
OF. (also mod.F.) vanterie, f. vanter to vaunt (cf
Avauntby), or in later use f. Vaunt v. -^--eby,]
1. Vaunting, boasting ; boastful or vainglorious
bearing or show.
1491 Caxton Vitas Pair. (W. de W. 1495) 11. 272 b/i She
was not so indyscrete for tenhaunce her self by ouer moche
vaunterye. 1592 Cou spiracle /or Pretended Reform. 5 [He]
held it vp triumphantly, and shewed it with great vaunterie
and glone. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 303 This van-
terie and glorious boasting of a mans selfe. 1636 in 4M Rep.
Hist. MSS. Commiss. 391/1 In Wentworth's Declaration
..there was much smoke of the vanterie of his own service.
1755 T. H. Croker Orl. Fur.xxxm. Ixxi, They gave them-
selves too lofty vantery. That France no knight or Paladin
could shew To stand before the weakest of them three.
1814 SoUTHEY Roderick xxii. 23 She had led The infatuate
Moor, in dangerous vauntery, To these aspiring forms, l^'d.
XXV. 308 The same [horse] on whom The apostate Orpas in
his vauntery Wont to parade the streets of Cordoba.
1 2. A boast, a vaunt. Obs,
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 476 They stood much upon
promises of future prowesse or vanteries of present valour.
1605 Daniel Queen's Arcadia i. iii, That Touch Of deep
Dislike of both their Vaunteries. x6a6 T. H[awkins] tr.
Caussin's Holy Court 432 She shewed to take not much
pleasure in these his vaunteryes.
Vau'ntful, «. and adv. Now ajxh. [f. Vaunt
sb.^ + -FUL.] Boastful.
i5j>o Spenser Muiopot. 54 Vong Clarion with vauntfull
lustie bed After his guize did cast abroad to fare, x6o8
Sylvester Du Bartas \\. iv. Decay 552 Rabsakeh..Thus
braves the Hebrews and upbraids their Prince (Weening,
them all with vaunt-full threats to snib). 1838 Tait's Mag.
V. 707 The English King forthwith entrusted to the vaunt-
ful captain his two sons. 1850 Blacxie ^schylus II. 180
H is lightnings and his thunders Recking no more— so speaks
the vauntful tongue — Than vulgar noonday heat. 2890
Blackzv. Mag. CXLVIII. 513 Invincible men call her [/.*'.
the Armada] :. .Well won that vauntful title by the dread,
That all around is by her coming spread.
b. As ctdv. Boastfully, rare"^.
a 1814 A. Becket Genii i. in New Brit. Theatre I. 490
Albeit the agent only Of him who bears it [a name] vaunifuf,
man's prime enemy.
Vauntgard(e, -guard, varr. Vantguabd Obs.
VaU'ntineSS. rare. [f. Vaunty a.] Boast-
fulness.
1820 in JoDRELL (citing Bailey, app. in error: see Vaunt-
ingness). 1851 Spurgeon Ti-eas. David \\. 2 Peaceful and
joyful notwithstanding the proud and boastful vauiitiness of
his enemies.
VaU'ntinff, vbh sb. Now arch, [f. Vaunt v^
The action ofthe vb. ; boasting, bragging.
c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 1145 Honours nuryshes, als men
may se, Vayn glory, vauntyng and vanite. 1586 Day Eti^.
Secretary n. (1625) 51, I could alwaies find an Asse by his
braying, and scorne a rascall though he were neuer so full
of vaunting. x6oi Shaks. Jul. C. iv. iii. 52 You say, you
are a better Souldier : Let it appeare so; make your vaunt-
ing true. i6xi Bible IVisdom xvii. 7 As for the illusions of
arte Magicke, they were put downe, and their vaunting in
wisedome was reprooued with disgrace. i8>6 Scott IVoodst.
vii, Be moderate in speech, and forbear oaths or vaunting,
1849 Macaulav Hist. Eftg. iii. I. 349 To our generation the
honest vaunting of our ancestors must appear almost ludi-
crous. 1864 Burton Scot Abroad I. iii. 112 The Earl of
Flanders.. having, in his vain vaunting, defeated so impor-
tant a project.
attrtb. £^1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps, lxiv. v. The hartes
uprightly playn Shall have their vaunting scope.
b. An instance of this ; a boast.
X793 Ld, Auckland Corr. (1862) 111. 27 His vauntings
increase with his disgraces, a z8oo Cowper I Had {fid. 2) xxi.
550 Let me never in my father's courts Such vauntings hear
of thine again. 1838 Dickens Lett. (1880) I. 8 We had many
delightful vauntings of the same kind. 1877 Smithes
Diet. Chr. Biog, I. 133/2 The hypocritical vauntings of
Clytemnestra.
Vau'nting, ppl a. [f. as prec. + -ING 2.]
1. That vaunts or boasts ; given or addicted to
boasting.
1589 Nashe Aiiat. Absurdiiie Wks. (Grosart) I. 51 No
matter though such vanting vpstarts., become the scofTe of
a Scholler. 1596 Shaks. i Hetu /K, v. iii. 43 Many a Noble-
man lies starice and stiffe Vnder the hooues of vaunting
enemies. z6oz Holland Pliuy II. 231, I my selfe have
seen these vaunting Mountebanks calling themselves Psylli.
1633 Sherwood, A vaunting woman, ostentatrice. X714
Gay Sheph. Week i. 39 Begin thy carols, then, thou vaunt,
itig slouch. 1730 Bailey (fob), Braggard, a bragging,
vaunting, vain glorious fellow. X8.X9 Scott Ivanhoe xxxix,
AVouId to God, Richard, or any of his vaunting minions of
England, would appear in these lists ! 1853 Lynch Self-
huprov. ii. 45 An empty, vaunting person who has brass
enough to face the world and to say there is no God in it.
1884 Marshall's Tennis Cuts 195 In the evenings he was
vaunting, boastful, and declared he could play even Renshaw
at evens.
trans/ X599 Shaks. Hen. V, 11. iii. 4 Nim, rowse thy
vaunting Veines : Boy, brissle thy Courage vp.
VAUNTSQUARE.
2. Of a boastful nature or character; indicative
of, proceeding from, boasting or vainglory.
1647 Hexham i. s.v., Vaunting and bragging wordes.
1748 Anson^s Voy. 11. xi. 252 The vaunting accounts given
by the Spaniards of lier size, her guns, and her strength.
1770 Langhorne Plutarch's Lives (1879) 1. 134/1 The
vaunting siiouts and songs of the barbarians. 1802 Med.
Jrnl. VIII. 66 Does not Pyrrho likewise speak in a ' vaunt-
ing manner' on several occasions? 1855 Macaulay ///j/.
Eng. xxi, IV. 583 Over one gate had been placed a vaunt-
ing inscription which defied the allies to wrench the piize
from the grasp of France. 1897 Sarah Tytler Lady Jean's
Son 205 Rejoicing over him in a vaunting and insolent
manner,
VaU'ntiugly, odv, [f. prec] In a vaunting
manner ; boastfully, ostentatiously, vaingloriously.
X593 Nashe Christ's T. (1613) 16 Let me speake truely and
not vauntingly. 15^3 Shaks. Rich. II, iv. i. 36, I heard
thee say (and vauntingly thou spak'st it) Tiiat thou wer't
cause of Noble Glousters death. 1611 Cotcr.. Piaffeuse-
ment^ braggingly,. .siroutingly, vauntingly. 1636 Prynne
Unbish. /"/?«. Ded. (1661) i Whether seriously or vauntingly
only, let the event determine. 1689 1". Plunkkt Char.
Good Commander, etc. 6 Who threatned vauntingly That
be.. would England Invade. 1798 Ellis in And- Jacobin
1 Jan. (1852)28 And dare you vauntingly decide, 'I'he fortune
we shall meet. 1804 Eugenia de Acton 7'ale without Title
II. 100 Should the scrutiny proclaim your innocence, receive
not vauntingly the clearing verdict. 1836 W. Ihxikg Astoria
1. 91 Upon which Mr. M'Dougal would vauntingly lay down
M r, Asior's letter, . . a document not to be disputed.
t Vau'ntingness. Obs.'~^ [f. Vaunting vbL
sb.'\ Boastfuliiess.
17J7 Bailey (voL II), Ostentatiouiuess^ vauntingness,
bragging, shewiness.
+ Vauntise. Obs."^ [ad. OF.2'i:«//j^vaimting,
vanity, pritle : see -ISE 2.] A vaunt or boast.
c 1477 Caxton JasonA\^\-^ 22 Moche was lason desplays-
aunt whan he had vnderstande the vauntises of bis mortall
ennemy.
Vauntlay. Now a^r^. Alsog (9)vauiitelay.
[f. Vaunt- + -lay as in Relay sb. The compound
may have existed in AF. Cf. Vanlay f.] The
releasing or setting on of a relay of hounds before
the other pursuing hounds have passed ; the relay
of hounds so released,
X486 Bk. St. A Ibans E viij b, Even at his comyng yf thow
lett thy howndys goo While the oder that be behynde fer
am hym froo That is a vauntelay. 16x6 Bullokar Eng.
Expos.^ Vauntlay, a terme of hunting, when they sette
hounds in readynes, where they thinke a chace will passe,
and cast them off before the rest of the kennell come in.
[Hence in Blount (1656), Phillips, Holme, etc.] 01700
_B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Vauntlay, Hounds or Beagles set
in readiness [etc.], 184a Sir H. Tavlok Ed2tnn the Fair 1.
vi, She holds them all together ; Relay or vauntlay 'tis the
same to her.
t Vauntmure. Obs. Also 6 vauntemure,
vauntmire, vautmure. [Aphetic form of Av ant-
mure : see Vant-, Vaunt-.] = Vaumure.
'S^Sa J. Shute tr. CambinVs Turk. Wars 16 b, Throughe
their lonp..neglygence of the Greekes for want of repara-
tion, their vauntemures were utterlye decaied in many
places. 1583 Stocker Civ. Warres Lowe C. in, 135 b,
There fell downe a pane of the wall, and vauntmire of the
Towne..sixe and twentie Poles longe. 1596 Danett tr.
Comines (1614) 231 Wherewith the wals, towers, and vant*
mures of the castell and towne were throughly battered.
1605 Camden Rem. (1 623) 206 He with another engine named
the Warwolfe pierced with one stone, and cut as even as a
thread, two Vauntmures.
+ Vauntparler. Cbs. Also vaunt(e)perler,
vauntperlor, -parler, vantperlor, -parlar. [ad.
AF. vaunt-parlour, obs, F, avantparleur * fore-
speaker '.]
1. ' One that is too forward to speak ' (Cotgr.),
a 15x9 Skf.lton Sp. Parrot 427 He tryhumfythe, he
trumpythe, he lurnythe all vp and downe. With, skyre-
galyard, prowde palyard, vaunteperler, ye prate ! a 1548
Hall Chron., Hen. VI II, 36 Then sodainly was ther in y«
counsaill, a vauntparler, a botcher which heryng this, called
a great number of his athnitie and went out ofthe counsayll.
1577 Holinshed Chron. I. 408/1 This Prince .. followed
vpon a wilful I pretence., the councell and aduice of vaunt.
perlors, and suche as (being aduanced from base degree
vnto hygh authorities studyed more to keepe tbem-selues in
fauoure than [etc.}.
2. One who speaks for or on behalf of others; a
spokesman.
1534 .St. Papers, Hen. Vlll (1830) \, 424 It shuld be best
bestowed.. upon Frire Whiiford, and upon Lache, whiche
bee the vauntperlers, and heddes of ihair faction. 1579
Fulke Heskins's Pari. 66 He doeth honestly confesse, that
. .Damascen [was] the first and chiefest of the lower house,
he may make him Vantparlar if he will. 1586 J. Hooker
Hist. Irel. in Holinshed II. 120/1 Their vantparler was sir
Christopher Barnwell knight, who being somewhat learned,
his credit was so much the more, and by them thought most
..worthie to haue beene the speaker for that house.
fVauntpe. Obs.-** [ad, older F. vantpii^ =
Vamp ji^.i i.
1530 Palsgr. 284/1 Vauntpeof a hose, uantpie.
tVauntplate. Obs.'~^ [f. Vaunt- + Plate j^.]
«= Vamplate.
1631 J. Havward tr. BiondVs Eromena 145 He bore him
a thrust under the vauntplate.
t Vauntsquare, v. Obs.'^ [f. Vaunt- +
Square z^.] intr. To face or front squarely.
1563 Phaek ^neid ix. Aaij, Messapus voward helde, the
rerward kept yong princes twayne Of Tirrhus, but himself
king Turnus midst in battaile mayne, Vauntsquaring spreds
his armes.
VAUNTY.
Vauntward(e, variants of Vantward Obs,
Vau'llty, <i^ diai. (chiefly Sc), Also 9 Sc,
Tanty. [7. Vaunt z*.] Boastful, proud, vain.
X7a4 Ramsay Tea-t. Afi'sc. U733) !• 21 AUho' my father
was nae laird, 'Tis daffin to be vaunty, He keepit ay a good
kail-yard. 1789 Burns To D*\ Blackloik i, Wow, but your
letter made inevauntie ! 1821 [see Vaudv a. J. 1843 Louisa
S. COSTELLO Pilgr. Auver^ne H. 120 Certainly he had
reason to be ' vaunty ', for his grand new house was worthy
of a more populous town than Thiers. 1875 Pqrson Quaint
Words S. Worcs. 19 A vaunty daipe, . .proud woman.
Vaupyn, obs. Sc. form of Weapon.
t VaaCLneline. Obs. [a. F, vauqueline^ f. the
name of the French chemist i, N. Vauquelin
(1768-1829).]
1. Chem, Strychnine,
1819 J. G. Children Chem. Antd. 290 Vauquelinc.was
discovered by M. M. Pelletier and Caventou, in the bean of
St. Ignatius, and the nux vomica.
2. Min. Vauquelinite.
1813 in W. PmLLrps Min. (ed. 3) 350.
VauC[uelillite (vJu-klinait). Min, [f, as prec.
+ -ITE. Named by Berzelius (181S).] Chromate of
lead and copper, found in amorphous masses or
crystalline crusts of a green colour (Chester).
i8a3 W.Phillips Min. (ed. 3) 350 Vauquelinite. Chromate
of Lead and Copper. 1836-41 Brande Chem. (ed. 5) 914
The mineral called Vauquelinite is a double chromate of
lead and copper.
liVanrieXL (v^ry^h). Also vaut-rien, vaut
rien. \Jt .vaurien^ {. vaut 3rd pers. sing. pres. of
valoir to be worth + rien nothing.] A worthless,
good-for-nothing fellow ; a scamp.
a. x8as-9 Mrs. Sherwood Lady of Manor V. xxx. 152
Then to be called an idle fellow— a zf-iw^ rien — a Miss Molly
— it is what I cannot bear. 1880 Ruskin Fors Clav. Ixxxix.
142 Vou will have every blackguard and vaut-rien in the
world claiming His share.
^. 1868 M. Collins .S'7w^/ Anne Pa^e II. ti8 Leaving her
to be slowly murdered by the vaunen who possesses her.
1874 Lisle Carr J.Gwynne II. vii. 189 When that vaurien
Sl Clair's health broke down. \^^ Diary Actress 133 They
are only vauriens who loaf about town . . , not men of honour.
t Vau-sing, vbL sb. Obs."*" (See quots.)
1688 Holme Armoury 111. 112/2 Vausing, is to make the
Jaumes or sides of Stone Windows and Doors, . . to over sail
the other part of the Wall they are set in. /&id. 473/2 Tiie
Vausingjts to make the Jaumes to over sale the Mullions,
and that is wrought into scverall kind of Mouldings.
Vaustity, obs, form of Vastitv,
Vaut, southern dial, van /aw/ Fault sb,
1568 FuLWEL Like will to Like A iiij b, It is a common
Iiadc.A small vaut as the world is now brought to passe.
Vaut(e, obs. forms of Vault sb. and v.
tVaU'terer- Obs, rare. [ad. med.L. 7;<i«/ra/--
ius, f, OF. vauire hunting-dog.] = Fewteber.
1679 BLOUST_W«r. Tenures 35 To be the Kings Vauterer
or Dog-leader in Gascoigny.
Vauxhall (vf/ksh^l). [The name of a locality
in London on the south bank of the Thames, where
Vauxhall Gardens (see def.) were situated.] Used
ellipt. for Vauxhall Gardens, a popular pleasure
resort from the 17th to the middle of the 19th
century ; a place of resort or amusement resemb-
ling or imitating this.
Evelyn records in his memoirs under the date 2 July
1661, * I went to see the New Spring Garden at Lambeth,
a pretty contriv'd planution '. The gardens were finally
closed on 25 July 1859,
1769 Ann, Reg , Chron. in Sicur Torre opened his new
Vauxhall, near St. Martin's gale [in Pai is), under the denom-
ination of the Feasts of rem[>e. 1815 //•/(/., Chron. 50 Sir,
Sadler appeared in Mr. Harper's gardens, or the Vauxhall
of this place [sc. Norwich], in the evening.
attrib. i8aa Lond. Lit. Gaz. 61/1 But the portions (of
food) are of the Vauxhall order. 189a Dobson tSth Cent,
i-'tj^iieties 253 The p' >pular legend that an expert Vauxhall
waiter could cover the entire garden (about eleven acres)
with slices from one ham. ,
Hence Taaxha-llian rz., Vanxlia'lllfy v. trans.
iStj SoUTHRY Lett. (1856) II. 429 There is an illumination
to-night in the Allee Vert, or Green Walk, which is to be
Vauxhallified in honour of the Emperor. 1837 Westm. Rer.
VI U. 353 Here follows a description of a very gay festival,
much more VauxhalUan than Attic,
Vav (vsev), variant of Vau. Vav conversive :
see Conversive a.i 2 b.
i8j8 Gibbs Cesenius* Hebr. Lex. (1833) 54/1 A prefix..
usually called Vav conversive of the future. 1869 Liddell
& Scott Cr. Lex. s.v. iiyoMfia, But the Lat. F. holds the
same place in the alph[abet] with the Hebr. vav. 1870
J. F. Smith Ewal(CsIntrod. Hebr. Gram. 229 Iheii the calm
regular narration may come In with the Vav of sequence.
Vavasory. Also 7 valuasserie, 9 vavassory.
[ad. OF. vavas' s^orie^ va'^uvasserie, or med.L.
vavasoria^i. vavasor \ see next.] An estate held
by a vav.Tsour.
161 X CoTGR., V'avassoriey a Valuasserie; th'estate, land, or
lerritorie of a Vavassor, Mesne Lord. 1656 Harrington
Oceana (1700) 65 The Middle.Thane. .was also call'd a
Vavasor, and his Lands a Vavasory. Ibid. 67 It cannot be
imagin'd, that the Vavasorys or Freeholds in the People
amounted to any considerable proportion, i7»8 Chambers
Cycl. S.V., I'herc are base Vavasories, .and frank, or noble
Vavasories.according as it hath pleas'd the Lord to make his
Vavasour. 1839 Stonf.house Isle o/Axholme 124 He was
enfeoffed with the vavasories of Camvilte and Wyville. a 1861
SirF. VkiXi9^K\^ Norm.9f Eng. lU. 405lt is not practicable
to ascertain the others who received their rewards by Va-
va->sortes or Sul>tenancits,
69
Vavasour (v3e-vasQ»i), Now arch, and Hist.
Forms : a. 4 vauasour(e, 4, 7- vavasour (4
-cure), 5 favasour, Sc. wawasour, vauesowre,
7 vavesour; 5 vavyssoure, vauyssour, 7 va-
uessour, vauassour, 9 vavassour. &, 5 vauaser,
7, 9 vavasor, vavasaor. 7. 6-7 valuasor, 6-8
-vasor, 7-8 valvasour, 9 valvassor. [a. OK.
vavas{s)ourj vavas{s)orj vavasseur (so mod.F.), or
med.L. vavassor^ valvassor, also vasvassor^ app. f,
vassi vassorum * vassals of vassals *. Cf. OProv.
vaiJjVdsory It. varvassore, -oro, barbassore^ •oro.'] A
feudal tenant ranking immediately below a baron.
a. 13.. A'. Alis. 3300 (Laud MS.), Noot ich no tale of his
squyers, Ne of vavasours, ne of Bachilers. c 1330 R. Brunnk
Chron. l^'ace (Rolls) 10996 He gaf gifies of honurs, & landes
& rentes, to vauasours. 61380 S/r Ftrumb. 430 Litel
§rowesse for me it were wit> a vauasour for to meile. 1456
iR G. Have Bk. Knthood. iii. (S.T.S.) 21 All kingis suld
have under thame dukkis and princis, ErlHs and vicountes,
and vauvassouris and barouns. a 1500 Lancelot ijQg Syne
to thi tennandis & to thi wawasouris, If [ = give] essy hak-
nays, palfrais, and cursouris. 1614 Seldkn Titles Honour
II. v. § 4 Now for the nature of a vavasour;, .it is plain that
he was ever beneath a baron. 1647 N. Bacon Disc, Govt,
Eng. I. xxxi. (1^39) 47 Others served on horseback, and were
called Rad- Knights, . . and these I take to be the Vavasour^
noted in the Conqueror's Laws. 1660 Sheringham King's
Supremacy Asserted {\(i%i) v. 32 There are other great men
under the King which are called Barons, and other which
arecalled Vavasours, men of great dignity. 1756 Connoisseur
No. 102 Pi Upon my accession, .to my elder brother's
estate and title of a Baronet I received a visit from Rouge
Dragon . . to congratulate me upon my new rank of a Vava-
sour. iTfieBLACKSTONECff/ww/. IL65 William the conqueror
. .directing., that a certain quantity., should be paid by the
earls, barons, and vavasours respectively. 1831 Scott Cast.
Dang, vii, One or two Scottish retainers or vavasours, .sat
at the bottom of the table. 1848 Lvttom Harold 111. ii, The
..ignominious flight of the counts and vavasours of great
William the Duke. 187S Stubbs Const. Hist. II. xv. 207
It was ordered that the sheriff should be a vavasour of the
County,
^. c 1386 Chauckh Prologue 360 A schirreue hadde he
ben and a counter, Was nowher such a worthi vauaser.
1605 Camden Rem., Surnames (1623) no Baron, Knight,..
Vavasor, Squire, Castellan. 164a Bird Mag, Honour 8
There be others which are called Vavasors,.. men of great
dignity. 1656 Harrington Oceana 35 The Middle-Thane
was feudall, but not honorary ; be was also call'd a Vavasor.
18x8 Hallam Mid. Ages (1872) I. 194 The vassals of this
high nobility, who., were usually termed Vavassors. 1875
K. E. DiGBV Real Prop. (1876) 41 note. Similar provisions
follow as to the relief to be paid by barons, vavassors, and
villeins.
y, 1577 Habrison England w. v. (1877) i. 113 As for the
valvasors, it was a denomination applied unto all degrees of
honor under the first three. x6io Holland Camden's Brit.
696 The Kings Valvasors in times past they were. 1614
Selden Titles Hon. 289 For a Coroilarie to this Discourse
of Barons, we add.. the ancient title of Vauassours or
Valuasors. 1708 J. Chamberlavne St. Gt. Brit. 1. 111. iv.
(1710) i8d Baronets, .arc constituted in the Room of the
Ancient Valvasours, between the Barons of England, and the
Orders of Knights. 1765 BlacksTdne Comm. I. 403 The first
name of dignity, next beneath a peer, was antiently that of
vidames, vice domini^ or valvasors. 1840 Browning Sordello
1. 768 Lord, liegeman, valvassor and suzerain, Ere he could
choose, surrounded him. 1854 Milman Lat. Chr. III. 57
Heribert refused to admit the valvassors of the Church of
Milan to this privilege.
Vavengeour (obs. Sc.) : see Wavkngeb.
t Vaver, obs. southern variant of Favour j^.
1536 Co/. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) 499 That he mythe the
rather bye youre grases mene obtaync the kyng his vaverys.
Vavte, obs. form of Vault sby
Vaward. Obs. exc. arch. Forms : a, 4-
vaward (6 va-ward), 5-6 vawarde. 0. Sc, 5
waward(e, waywarde, 5-6 wawart. 7. 5 vau-
warde, fauward, 6-7 vauward ; 5-6 vawe-, 6
vawwarde, 6, 8 vawward. fi. 5 wowarde, 5-6
vowarde, 6-7 voward. [Reduced form oivattui'
ward Vamwabu. See VANT-/r^j:.]
1. Mil. «■ Vanguaed I.
a. 137^ Bakbour Bruce viii. 48 Thai saw in battale cum
arayit Ihe vaward with baner displayit. a 1400-50 Alex-
ander 3617 pe men out of Medy he mas. .To enverom alle
J>e vaward of all )>e vile yndes. c 1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.)
3554 Abel, Jiis son bold and hard, Bare the baner in the
vaward. c\^^x Arriv. A'. Ediv. It'' (Camden) 29 His
vawarde so sore oppressyd them, with shott of arrows, that
they gave them rignt-a-sharpe shwre. a 1548 Hall Chron.,
Hen. V, 48 Beside this, he appoincted a vawarde, of the
which he made capitayne Edward duke of Yorke. 1579
piGGES Stratiot. 132 To give their attendance at the lodg-
ing of their Chiefes of the .Armie, whether it be of the
Battaile, or Vawarde. 1610 Holland Camden^s Brit. 11.
178 The English were the first that entered with great
vigour upon the front and vaward. 1640 Habington
Edw. /y, 81 The Vaward commanded by the Duke of
Glocester, the Rere by the Lord Hastings. (1706 Phillips
(ed. Kersey), V award, an obsolete Word for Van-Guard.)
iBaS Tytler Hist. Scot. (1864) I. 116 He intrusted the
command of the vaward, or centre, to the Earl of Moray.
1846 ToRRENS Rem. Milit. Hist. 148 The disposition of
troops seems. .to have been a vaward, or advance, a centre,
and rear.
&• 1375 Barbour Bruce xii. 340 And thai haf tald thair
reboyttng, Thai of the waward, c 14*5 Wyntoun Cron. vi.
xix. 2261 He askyt at )k kynge Til haf {'e wawarde \.v.r.
wawart] of his batale. I5oo-ao[see bj.
y. <:i4oo Stge Jerus. 430 t>e fauward Titus toke, ..With
six housand soudiours. C1440 Bone Florence 604 The va\\e-
warde and the myddyll soone, And the rerc-warde owte of
Rome Ihe grete oost removyd and yode. 1529 Rastkll
VEAL.
Pastyme (1811) 222 Havinge the rule of the Fienche kynges
vawewarde. 1570 Foxe A. <5- M. (ed. 2) I. 127 Sebastian..
was Lieue tenant general of the Vawward of Diocletian the
emperour. 1603 Knolles///j/. y«r>&f (162 1) 39 The Vauward
of his armie was conducted by lohn and Andronicus. 1791
CowpER Hiad VIM. 119 Then, Diomede, unaided as he was,
Rush'd ardent to the vaw-ward.
5. 1430-40 Lydg. Bocltas ix. xxviii, In his passage to
gouerne the wowarde. 1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. 241
In the vowarde of whom were foote men with bawes. 1526
Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 179 Whiche is more fered of
the feendes than ony vowarde of a batayle. 15435/. Papers
Hen. Vlll (1849J IX. 393 Ihe other galees of thEmperour
appoynted for the vowarde. 1577 Holinshed Chron. II.
1593/1 Forthwith the Lord Lieutenant sent to the vowarde,
commaunding that they shoulde marche towarde the towne,
1631 Chapman Caesar 4- Pompey Plays 1873 III. 162 The
voward of the foe Is ranged already.
b. In fig. context.
X401 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 57 It ar 50 that stonden blfore,
in Anticristis vauwarde. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xlii, 58
Than to battell thai war arreyit all, And ay the wawart kepit
Thocht. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. 1. (1634) 10 Aiid
therefore he doubteth not to set their mouthes in the vaward,
as being strongly armed to subdue their madnesse. a 1586
Sidney Wrco/^/rt 1. viii. (1622)30 Her haire being laide at the
full length downe her backe, bare shew as if the voward
fayled, yet that would conquer.
c. Jig. The forefront ; the early part.
In later use only as an echo of Shakspere.
1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. /K, i. ii. 200 We that are in the
vaward of our youth. 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe 22
The vaward or subburbes of my narration. 1827 Scott
Jrnl. I. 378 She is not in the vaward of youth. — Chron.
Canongate vi, Those who write tliemselves in the vaward
of youth. 1^4 A. Birrell Obiter Dicta Ser. 1. 208 He..
states that he and his accomplices, .are in the vaward of thetr
youth.
2. atlrib. (Cf. Vanward a.)
1808 ScoiT Marm. vi. xxiv. Myself will rule this central
host, ..My sons command the vaward post. Ibid, xxxiii,
Where's now their victor vaward wing? 1814 — Lord 0/
Isles VI. xii. To centre of the vaward'line Fitz-Louis guided
Amadine.
Vawe, ME, var. Fain a. and adv.^ Few a.
tVawegard, obs. variant of Vanguard (after
Vawarp).
a 1548 Hall Chron.^ Hen. VI, 176 b, The vawegard was
conducted by the erle of Warwytke.
Vawght, obs. form of Vault sb.^
Vawmer, -meiire, -mure, varr. Vaumuke Obs,
Vawrae warde, variant of Vamwaud Obs.
t Vaws-cornice. Obs.~^ (See quot.)
i688 YiohtAE. Armoury \\\. 102/1 Vaws-Cornice, is any small
Cornish lying under a great swelling out peece, as under a
Planchier, or swelling Friese.
Vawt(e, obs. ff. Vault sb.^ and v.^ Vawthe,
obs. f. Vault z/.i Vax, obs. Sc. f. Wax sb. and
V. Vax-cayme, obs. Sc. f. Wax-comb.
t Vay(e, obs. southern variants of Fay sb.^
1586 Ferne Blaz. Gentrie 27 By my vaye, shee looketh
lyke a foule Kite that haunteto our yarde at home. i6oa
Contention bettv. Liberality ^ Prodigality iv. ill, Come on,
suriah, chill make you vast, bum vay.
Vay, southern dial, var. Fay z/.l; obs. Sc. f.
Way. Vayage, obs. Sc, var. Voyage, Vayd,
obs. Sc. f. Wade v, Vaye, obs. Sc. f. Way sb.
Vayk, obs. Sc. f. Weak a. Vayle, obs. f. Veil
sb. Vaylliaunee, obs, f. Valiance. Vayn,
southern Mil, var. Fain a. ; obs. Sc. f. Wain ; Sc.
var. Wane sb. Obs. Vaynd, var. Waind v. Sc.
Vayndis, Sc. var. Wandish v. Vayne, obs. f.
Vein sb. Vayowre, var. Veyour Obs. Vayr,
southern ME, var. Fair a. Vayrd, obs. Sc, f.
Ward v. Vayre, southern ME. var. Fair a. \
obs. f, Vaih. Va5, southern ME. var. Faw a.
Obs, Va^t, southern ME. y^^x. fought Fight z'.
Voh(e, ME. varr. Each a. Vddir, Vder, obs.
Sc, ff. Other a. Ve, obs. Sc, f. \Szpron.j Wee a,
"fVee^t int. Naut. Obs. (See quots.)
i6s6 Capt. Smith Accid. Yttg. Seamen 30 To row a spell,
hold-water, trim the boate, vea, vca, vea, vea, vea. 16*7 —
Seaman's Gram. vi. 27 One and all, Vea, vea, vea, vea, vea,
that is they pull all strongly together.
Veadge, Veage, obs, varr. Voyage sb,
Veak, obs. Sc. form of Vake v.
Veal(v/"l),j^.i Forms: 4vel(5 veil), 5-7Tele;
5 veel (feel), 6 veele ; 5 veylle, 6 veyle {Sc,
veil, Weill) ; 6-7 veale (6 ueale, feale), 6- veal
(.SV. 7 weall, 8 veaU). [a. AF. vel, OF. vcei {vieij
vealy vaelj etc. ; mod.t. veau), vedeij = Prov.
v€del\Ji^ Cat. vcdel. It. and Pg. vitello -.—L. viteil-
uSf dim. of vitulus calf.]
1. The flesh of a calf as an article of diet.
c 1386 Chaucer Merch. T. 176 ' Bet is,' quod he, * a pyk
than a pikerell. And bet than olde boef is the tendre vel'.
( 1400 Maundev. (1830) vi. 72 Thei eten but lytille or non of
Flessche of Veel or of'^Beef. c i4ao Liber Cocorum (1862) 28
A sawce hit is For vele and venyson, iwys. C1440 I'romp.
Parv. 508/2 Veel, flesche, vitulina. 1515 Barclay Egloges
n. (1570) B iii/2 Fat porke or vele, & namely such as is
bought For easier price when they be leane & nought.
1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 177 They also coompare the
fleshe of these tortoyses to be equall with veale in taste, 1610
Venner Via Recta iii. 51 Veale is a more odoriferous flesh
then any other. 1653H. Cogan tr./'/«(!<7'j Trav.xxxxw. 137
These people feed on all, as Veal, Mutton, Pork,, .and finally
of all other beasts whatsoever. 1706-7 Far^uhar Beaux'
Stiat. I. i, Aim. Have you any Veal? Bon. Veal ! Sir, we
VEAL.
had a delicate Loin of Veal on Wednesday last. 1780 Beck*
FOKD m^g^. AUfft. 1 25 The most perfect fillet of veal thai ever
made the mouth of man to water. 1&46 J. Baxter Lifir.
PracL Agric. (ed.4) II. 127 In the rearing of calves for veal
in HollaiKltit is U5;ual to confine them in. .pens. 1890 Spec-
hUor 4 Oct., What insipid and tasteless cheer does veal
afford !
2. A calf, esp. as killwl for food or intended for
this purpose. Now rare.
I4aa YosGE tr. Secreta Secrtt. 244 Flesh of Velis, Vynegre,
hemroU, and Potage of oot-mell. f 1450 Mhour Saiua-
cioHH (Roxb.) 71 The ydolatiers of the golden veel. 1466
Pastan Lftt. II. 269 For purveying of all the vely.s, lambes,
certain piggs and polaly. 1513 Douglas JEneid xii.
185 T>-dy ky low>-s, veilys by
ProLi
'544 in
_ >-dy ky low>-s, veilys by tliame rynnis.
Star Chamber Cases (Selden) II. 305 The prices of Flesh, a.s
of Beefes, Muttons, Veales, &: Porkes. 1583 Noitingham Rec.
IV. 199, vj. fatte welhres, at viij s. viij d. a pece, and ij. veyles,
at vj s. viij d. a pece. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. ff Comnnv, 25
The flesh, .of their swine, oxen, and veales haue the best
relish. 1648 Herrick Hes^er.^ Paneg. Sir L. Petnberton
63 When guests make their abode To eate thy Bullocks
thighs, thy Veales, thy fat Weathers. 1688 Holme -4 rw/ijwrv
III. 315/1 Upon these [drag hooks] are hung two Veals or
Muttons at a time. 1737 Ocktertyre House Bk. (S.H.S.) 13
Killd a Veall. i8ot Farmer^s Mag. Aug. 31Q In selling
veals to butchers, their haggling was extremely disagree-
able. 183s Thackrhav Newcomes I. 265 My mother, .would
receive her prodigal and kill the fatted veal for me. 1898
Wkstcott Daind Harttm x^\\^ Yvai brought three or four
veals into town one spring to sell.
coiiect. 17x0 Addison Tatler No, 148 P i The Flesh of
Lamb, Veal, Chicken, and other Animals under Age.
3, iutrib.f chiefly in names of dishes, etc., made
from veal, as veal broth ^ cutlet ^ g''<^'vy, A^» etc.
ai6«s Fletcher Hum. Lieut, in. vii, Ye Porridg gutted
Slaves, ye Veal broth-Boobies! 1630 J. Tavlor (Water P.)
Gt. Eater Kent 14 Three sixe-penny veale pyes..were pre-
sented to the scalado. 1675 E. W[ilson] Spadacrene Dunel-
mensi's 39 This [water], .helpeth all internal corrosions, if
taken in Veal Broath fasting. I7a5 Fam. Diet, s.v., Put your
Veal Stakes into the Pan again, and finish the dressing with
Veal Sweet- Breads, /bid.. Some Veal Gravy must be pour'd
upon it. 1747 tr. Astruc's Fevers 340 Let the patient also
drink plentifully of veal broth. 1769 Mrs. Raffald Eng.
Housek. (177S) 19 About a pound of beef or veal suet. 18*7
ScoTT Surg. Dau, ii, Lamb and spinage, and a veal Floren-
tine. 1833 L. Ritchie ITaud. by Loire 182 A large baby in
one arm, and a basket of. .cold veal-pie in the other. 1848
Dickens Dombey xviii, He treats Mrs. Perch to a veal
cutlet and Scotch ale. 1858 Simmonds Did. Trade, Veal-
tta, a thick gelatinous soup or broth made of the fleshy part
of the fillet or knuckle of veal. 1885 Jerome On the Stage
48 Property Man, behind, making a veal and ham pie, out
of an old piece of canvas and a handful of shavings.
b. Special Combs. : veal-bled a., bled to ex-
haustion, like a calf intended for veal ; veal-bones,
fig. youth, nonage ; veal calf, (a) = sense 3 ; {b)a.
variety of leather; veal-farmer, one who rears
calves for the batcher; veal-like tz., resembling
(that of) veal; f veal money (see quot.); veal-
akin, (a) the skin of a calf; {b) a skin-disease
characterized by wliite shining spots.
1899 IVestm, Gas. 8 Sept. 3/1 The exhausted, and almost
*veal-bled and forlorn bull. 1785 R Cumberland Observer
No. 92, Our process seldom fails in either case, when we
apply it timely, and esi)ecially to young poets in their *veal
bones, as thesaying is. 1888 Addy SJuffield Gloss. 272
There is a saying ' married in the veal bones always a calf'.
¥1556 Wills ^ Ihv. N. C. (Surtees, 1835) 153 To Thomas
morison. .for ij *vealecalves. 1805 Boston Heraldzi March
5/6 Colored leather is firmer and selling more freely : Grain,
i2@i4c; veal calf, 16 @ I Sic 1844 H. Stephens Z^-&.^arw
H. 469 The *veal-fariners keep from 6 to 12 cows each.
i8aa-7 'Veal-like [see veaUskin below]. 1897 \V. Anderson
Surg. Treat. Lupus t k.w unwholesome, veal-Iike whiteness,
diversified by tiny blood-vessels. 1684 Manley CowelVs
Interpreter s.v., *Veale money or Veale noble money. The
Tenants of one of theTythings within the Manner of Brad-
ford in Wiltshire, pay a yearly Rent by this name.. in lieu
of veale paid formerly in kind. 1591 Exck. Rolls Scotl.
XXIL 171 [loj, of certain] barkit "weillskynnis. 1823-7
Good .S"/«^;l/tf</.(i 829) V. 6^4 Epickrosis Leucasmus, Veal-
Skin.. .This is the vitiligo or ve.-il-skin of Willan, so called
from the veal-like appearance which these spots produce on
the general colour of the surface. 1858 .Simmonds Diet.
Trade, Veal-skinS, an Irish trade-name for hides of the calf,
which are dearer than other leather
Hence Veal v. trans. ^ to rear (calves) for use as
veal ; Vea'ler, a calf intended or fit for veal. U.S.
190J - in American Diets.
Veal,f(5.- Sc. Mining. (See quots.)
1883 Gresley Gloss. Coal-M. 269 Veal, a tank or water-
barrel placed upon a cage for emptying the sump. 1886 J,
Barrowman Sc. Mining Terms 69 Veal, or voun^ a water
box or chest, usually on wheels, for removing water.
Veale, var. Vele Obs.; obs. Sc. f. \\E.hhaiiv.
Vea-lillg,7'M.r*.i [f. Vealji^.i] b,. A-vealing,
procuring veal. b. Conversion into veal.
_ 1664 CoTFON Scarron. i. 47 And up he starts, to go a steal-
ing, Either a Mutt'ning, or a Vealing. 1847 Jrnl. R. Agric.
Soc, SXW.w. 394 It is equally suitable, wnether the calf Is
intended for vealing or to l>e reared.
fVea-ling, 7^/'/. .f^.2 obs. (See quot.)
x688 HoLMR Armoury \\\. 86/2 Working, is to lay them on
the Beam and with the Fleshing Knife and Vealing Knife, to
scrape off the Lime and cleanse them from their Fleshyness.
Vea-ling, vbl. j^.3 Sc. Mining, [f. Veal j/^^]
1886 J. Barrowman Sc. Mining Terms 69 Vealing, or
vouning, chesting; getting out water by means of veals.
Vealinous, obs form of Villainous a.
Vealy (vfli), a. [f. Veal sb.^]
1. Resembling veal.
1769 Mrs. Raffald Eng. Housekpr. {1778) 17 Then put
70
in a few boiled forcemeat balls, which must be mace of the
veally part of your turtle. 1864 Lowell Fireside Trav. 259
When we were fairly at anchor, .they crawled out again,. .
their vealy faces mezzotinted with soot.
^.fig. Imperfectly developed ; immature ; charac-
terized by youthful immaturity.
1890 Columbus (Oliio) Dispatch 17 July, A vealy medical-
school graduate, whose employment is an insult to intelligent
people. 1907 Outlook 19 Jan. 80/1 The sylvan thief shared
our vealy homage with moonlighters, smugglers [etc.].
Hence Vea'liness, want of maturity.
1895 in Funk's Stand. Diet.
Veand, obs. Sc. variant of Tveig/iing Weigh v.
Veany, variant of Veny2 Obs. Vear, obs. f.
Veer v. ; obs, Sc. f. War sb. ; south-w. dial. f.
Fear v. Veare, southern ME. variant of Fare v.
Vearie, obs. Sc. form of Very at/v.
VeaS6. Now only south-7u. dial. Forms :
4 (9) vese (9 veze) ; 6-7 (9) vease, 7 veaze; 7
veeze (9 veese) ; 9 vaise, vaze, etc. [Southern
var. of Feeze sb.l A rush, impetus ; a run before
a leap. (Cf. Feeze sb. i and i b.)
^1386 Chaucer Knight's T. 1127 And iher out cam a
rage, and such a vese, That it made al the gate for to rese.
1573 Tw^-HK Aineid v.n. Nn4b, This vp in hand he caught,
and trtmblyng at his foe did flyng, Arysing up therwith,and
forth his vease he fet withall. 1614 Gorges Lucan i. 41 In
this flitting whirle-winde vease, I passe the Mountaines
Pyrinees. Ibid. viii. 346 O Marriners stay not my veaze,
Headlong to plunge into the seas, a x6i8 J. Davies (Heref.)
Wit's Pilgrimage Wks. (Grosart) II. 31/2 From whence
Loues lightest Kluses take their veeze To leape into those
Seas, which cares destroy. 1646 in Dircks Life Marq.
Worcester x. {1865) 171, I only would retire myself from
further present charge, as a ram doth to take a greater vease.
1678 Ray_ Prov. 78 Every pease hath its ve.ize, and a bean
fifteen, .signifies Pease are flatulent, but Beans ten times
more. iSjJ Jennings Dial. W. En^l. 80 Faa^, ..the dis-
tance employed to increase the intensity of motion or action
from a given point. 1875 Poi*soN Quaint Words S. Wores.
26 What a vese they [sc. the hounds] did go, surely.
Vease, dial, var. Feeze v.^ Veasy, var. Vasya,
Obs. Veaw^e, southern ME. var. Few a. ; obs,
var. View v. Veaze, var. Vease. Veb, obs.
form of Web sb. Vecche, Veohche, southern
M F. varr. Fetch v.
llVecohio. Obs. [It.] An old man.
C1570 Bugbears i. ii. 61 Yet it dothe not content our
pinchefiste, the old vecchio. /bid. 7g 'Jhe three thousand
Crownes that our vecchio dothe require.
Vech(e, obs. ff. Vetch. Vecht, Vechtie, obs.
So. ff. Weight sb., Weighty a.
t Vecke. Obs. Also 5 vekke, wekke. [app.
ad At. veer A ta, fem. olvecckio old.] An old woman.
As direct adoption from Italian would be remarkable in
the 14th cent., it is possible that the word existed in OF.
colloquial use.
X300 GowER Con/. I. g8 This olde wyht him hath awaited
. .: F lorent his wofuU heved uplefte And syh this vecke wher
sche sat. c 1400 Rom. Rose 4495 A rympled vekke, ferre
ronne in age, Frownyng and yelowe in hir visage. x4ix-ao
LvDG. Citron. Troy i. 2795 Sche cleped anoon vn-to hir
presence An aged vekke, fer in ^eris ronne. 14*6 — /)e Guii.
Pilgr, 12752 An olde wekke a-noon I mette. 143&-40 —
Boehas i. xx. (1554) 36 b, Whan these veckes, ferre yronne
in age, Within them selfe hath vaine glory and delite For to
farce and poppe their visaije.
t Vecked,///. a. Obs. = Tkvecked///. a.
i56> Lrgh Armory 11, 56b, Hee beareth Azure, a crosse
formye vecked Argent.
Veoord. rare"^. — next.
1788 tr. Sivedenborg's Wisdom 0/ Angels v. §378. 364
Hence too the Terms Concord, Discord, Vecord (malicious
Madnes>) and other similar Expressions.
Vecordy. rare~^, [ad. L. vecordia, f. vecors
senseless, foolish.] (See quot.)
1656 IJlount Glossogr. [copying Cooper], Vecordy, mad-
ness, trouble of minde, folly, doting.
Vecount, obs. Sc. form of Viscount.
Vecta-rious, fz, rarer-^. {i.h.vectdri-us {eqttus)^
f. vectare to convey.] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr., Vectarious, belonging to a coach,
waggon or any carriage. [Hence in Phillips (1658) ; in later
edd. (1671-96) Vectorious.]
Veotayllys, obs, variant of Victuals.
Ve*otible, a. rare-^. [f. L. vect-, ppL stem of
vehire to carry.] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr., Vectible, that is or may be carried.
Vectiffal (vektai-gal), sb.'^ Now only Rom.
Hist. Also 6 vecti-, Sc. victigall. [a. L. vectjgat
a payment to the State, etc.] A payment of the
nature of tribute, tax, or rent, made to a superior
or to the State.
1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 243 Grit tribute and victigall
alsua, Ilk ^eir by 5eir to king Arthure till pa. 1538 Leland
//i«. {1769) IV. Ill Thereupon they give a Fee Farm e or
Vectigall of an 100. 1. yearely. The Vectigall is as it was.
1656 Hlount Glossogr., Vectigal, . .used substantively for
toll, impost-money or tribute it self. 1774 T. West Aniiq.
Furness (1805) 104 His lands and tenants were exempted
from all regal exactions of talliage, toll, passage, pontage,
and vectigal. 1838 Arnold Hist, Rome (1846) I. xvii, 366
J he tribunes demanded . . that the occupiers of the remainder
should pay their vectigal regularly.
t Vectigal, sb.^ and a. Obs. rare. Also 6
Sc. viotogall, [ad. L. vectigal-is^ f. vectigal: see
prec] a. sb. A collector of tribute, b. adj.
(See quot. 1656.)
VECrURE.
"535 Stewart Cron. Scot. \. 18S Mark TerebelL.Hes
constat him hisvictogall that tyde, For to collect his tribute
and his rent. 1656 IJlount Glossogr., Vectigal, that pays
or pertains to paying tribute, subsidy, pension or rent.
tVection, Obs. rare. [ad. L. vection-, vectio^
n, of action f. ve/iire to carry.] The action of
carrying ; vectitation.
(ri6io Sir C. Hkvdon Astrol. Disc. (1650) 42 For whatso-
ever moveth another, it doth it either by impulsion, attrac-
tion, volutation, or vection. 1635 Swan Spec. M. (1670) 198
Albertus calls this motion a vection or a carrying. 165^ Z,
Coke Logick 40 Local motion... Traction or drawing.
Vection or carrying.
II Vectis (ve'ktis). [L. vectis lever, crow-bar.]
1 1. A lever. Obs.
1648 W1LKIN.S Math. Magic i. v. 33 Rather suppose BC,
to be a Vectis or Leaver, towards the middle of which is the
place of the fulciment. 1674 Pettv I^isc. Dupl. Proportion
119 In the Fuze of a Watch, the greatest strength of the
.Spring is made to work upon the shortest Vectis.
2. Sitrg. a. An obstetrical instrument employed
as a lever to free the liead of the child.
1790 Med. Comm. II. 3^7 It is now near forty years since
an account of the vecti-; or lever of Roonliuysen was
published. _ 1822-7 Good Stud^ Med. (1829) V. 190 If, at
the same time, the head be lying clear on the perinseum,
the vectis or forceps should be had recourse to. 1841
Ramsbotham Obstet. Med. <5- Surg. 314 Another instrument
that has been much employed with the view of extracting
the child living, is the vectis or lever. i88z Trans. Obstet,
Soc. Lond. XXIL 78, I passed in a vectis, and by its aid as
a lever. . I brought down the second larger head and left arm.
b. An instrument employed in 0]>erations on the
eye.
i8fib Illustr. to Maw's Price-current 77 lEye instruments.]
Vectis, Taylor's. 1891 /bid. 42 Ophthalmoscope lamp,
operation scissors,, .and vectis. 1895 Arnold <$• Sons*
Catal. Surg. /nstr. 158 Vectis (Taylor's), for Extraction of
Soft Lens.
Vectita'tion, rare, [i.h.vectitdre {vtixt),Uc(\.
of vectare to carry, convey.] The action of carry-
ing or conveying (frequently) ; the fact of being
carried or conveyed.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Vectitation, an often carriage.
1727 Pope, etc. Martinns Scriblerus vi, Whilst their ener-
vated Lords are lolling in their chariots (a species of Vecti-
tation seldom used amongst the Ancients, except by old
men). 1823 New Monthly Mag. VIU. 253 A method of
aerial vectitation.
Ve-Ctitory, (7. rare-K [Cf.prec] Of the nature
of carrying or conveying.
182s Examiner 8/1 Heaven forbid that.. the bodies of
Turks should be applied to vectilory purposes.
Vector (ve-kt3J), [a. L. vector, agent-noun f.
vehere to carry. So (in sense i) Sp. and Pg. vector,
Y. vectetir.'\
1 1. Astr. (See quot. 1 704.) Also vector radius,
- radius vector Radius 3 e. Obs.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Tcchn. I. s.v., A Line supposed to be
drawn from any Planet moving round a Center, or the Focus
of an Ellipsis, to that Center or Focus, is by some Writers
of the New Astronomy, called the Vector; because 'lis that
Line by which the Planet seems to be carried round its
Center. 1796 Mouse Amer. Geog. I. 28 If a right line,
called by some the vector radius, be drawn from the sun
through any planet, and supposed to revolve round the sun
with the planet [etc.].
2. Math. A quantity having direction as well as
magnitude, denoted by a line drawn from its
original to its final position.
01865 Sir W. R. Hamilton Eleni. Quaternions i. L i
A right line AB, considered as having not only length, but
also direction, is said to be a Vector. 1881 J. C. Maxwell
Electr, Sf Alagn. 1 1. 28 'I'he vector, whose components are
F. G.H., is called the vector- potential of magnetic induction.
1882 MiscHis Unipl. Kinemat. 109 The resultant of a
.system of vectors whose type is ut./Pdm, if each were
directed from / to P, would be a vector utAf./G directed
from / to G.
attrib. 1878 W. K. Clifford Dynamic 95 We are led to
two different kinds of product of two vectors,, .a vector pro-
duct..and a scalar product. 1880 Nature XXL 256 Some
vector property (such as rotation about an axis), 1897 Cubrv
Theory Electr. i<f Magnetism 361 If we replace the vector-
equation by its three component-equations and the vector-
inttgrals of the latter by the above values.
Vectorial (vektOa-rial), a. [f. L. vectori-us or
directly f. prec]
•j- 1. Callable of carrying or conveying. Obs.
1715 Derham Astro'Theol. (1726) 66 From a Vectorial
Power, or Emanations from the Sun. /btd.tZ If.. we should
imagine the Moon to be wheeled about our Earth, by the
Motion and Vectorial Power of the Earth.
2. Math. Of or pertaining to, connected with, a
vector or radius vector.
1882 MiNCHiN Unipl. Kinemat. 84 The vectorial area of
the complex path thus traced out. .is the area of the rou-
lette. 1882 C. Smith Conic Sect. (1885) loThe radius vector
is considered positive if measured from O along the line
bounding the vectorial angle.
Vecto-rian, a. rare-'^. [Ci. prec] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr., Vectorian, apt to carry, serving
for carriage.
t Vectorsllip, Obs. [f. L. vector Vector.]
Conveying agency or activity.
1649 Bclwer Pathomyot. l iv, 19 This Animall Faculty..
by the vectorship of the spirit flowes from the Braines into
every particle,
tVeXture. Obs. [ad. L. vectHra, f. vect-,
vehere to carry.] Carriage, conveyance.
1625 Bacon Ess., Scd. Sf Troubles (Aib.) 405 There be but
VEDA.
71
VEEE.
w
three Things, which one Nation selleth vnto another; The
Commodilie. .; The Manufacture; and the Vecture or
Carriage, a 1643 [see Sectube].
Ved, obs. So. form of Wed v., Weed s/>.
II Veda (v^-c?a). Also 8 Beda ; Vidam, "Vie-
dam, Vedara. [a. Skr. vec/a knowledge, sacred
knowledge, sacred book, from the root vti/- to
know : see Wit zf. The a-forms are from the Skr.
nom. and ace. vei/am, perh. partly through Tamil.
The Urdu form ^^// (Hindi ved) is also represented
in older use by BeaU (1698), BeiJ (1776), and
Bec/e (1789).] One or other of the four ancient
sacred books of the Hindus(called the A"?^-, Yajur-^
Sdnia-y and Atharvaveda) ; the body of sacred
literature contained in these books.
«. 1734 PiCART tr. Roger^s Relig. f Manners Bramins in
Cerem, Sf Relig. Customs Var. Nations 1 1 1. 353 The Vedani
is the Book of the Law among these People, and contains
alt they are to believe or practise. 1763 Schafton Indostan
{1770) 4 The Bramins say, that Brumma, their law-giver,
left them a book, called the Vidam, whcih contains all his
doctrines and institutions. 1766 J. Z. ^\o\.fi^\JL Interesting
Hist. Events (ed. 2) I. 12 The great absurdities and im-
ui ilies of the Viedam. 1778 Orme Hist. MHit. Trans, vt.
I. 5 The Shasier . . they assert to be the genuine scripture of
Bramah, in preference to the Vidam. 1794 R. J. Sulivan
View Nat. IV. 295 The Vedams, or texts of scripture, were
published by Brahma, together with the Shasters, or com-
mentaries, about six hundred years afterwards.
/3. 1776 JusTAMosD tr. RayimCs Hist. Ind. I. 33 The
Bramin.. promised to pardon him on condition that he
should swear never to translate the Beda-!, or sacred volumes,
1788 Asiatic Researches I. 340 The first four [parts of know-
ledge] are the immortal i'iJas evidently revealed by God.
1808 CoLEBROOKE Ibtd. VIII. 387 It may be here proper to
remark, that each Veda consists of two parts, denommated
the Mantras and the Brahmanas ; or prayers and precepts.
1841 Elphinstone Hist. Ind, I. 71 The religion taught in
the Institutes is derived from the V^das, to which scriptures
they refer in every page. 1871 Mateer Travancore 35
Accordingly, as a matter of fact, tlie Sudras never do read
the Sanscrit Vedas.
attrib. 1841 Penny Cyd. XX. 40^/1 In like manner, the
Veda-hymns . . led to the consideration of the laws of metre.
1843 Ibid. XXVI. 171 These various schools of the Veda
theology.
Hence Teda'ic a., = Vedic a. ; Ve'daism, =
Vedism.
1865 Baring-Gould IVerewoIves x. 176 In ancient Indian
Vedaic mythology the upsaras were heavenly damsels who
dwelt in the iether, between Earth and Sun. 1887 L. Parks
Star in Ectst viii. 202 Their religion sprung from the same
root as Ved a ism.
II Veda'Iita. Also Vedanta, Ved&nta. [Skr.
veddniay f. veJa Veda ^ anta end.] One of the
leading systems of Hindu philosophy. Also attrib.
The Hindi form Vedant has also been occas. used.
18J3 CoLKBHOOKE PkHos. Hindus in Trans. Roy. Asiatic
Soc. (1827) I. ig The latter (Uttara) commonly called Ved-
inta, and attributed to Vy.isa, deduces from the text of the
Indian scriptures, a reBned psychology, which goes to a
denial of a material world, 184^ C. S. Hesry tr. £>/'.
Hist. Pkilos. 28 The Vedanta philosophy is an exhibition
of pantheism in its greatest metaphysical strictness. Ibid.
29 The Vedanta system shows us .. how pantheism must
logically result in scepticism. 1895 It-'estm. Cm. 23 Oct. 1/3
The philosophy of Vedanta is the abstract science which
embraces ail these methods.
Hence Vedantic a., Vedantlsm, Veda'ntist.
The Skr. I'edantin and Hindi Vcdanti have also been
used instead of ' Vedani ist ',
1881 Max Muller India vii. 270 The Brabma.Samag..
was 'Vedantic in spirit. 1881 Atfunaeum 8 July 41/1 He
commences his enumeration with that system which is
furthest removed from Veduntic speculation,, .omitting, bow-
ever, the VedanU itself. 1849 C S. Henry tr. Epit. Hist.
Philos. 29 "Vedantism embraces in its wide comprchcn:»ion,
a multitude of other conceptions, which are common to it
and to the other pbiIoso{}hies of India. 1S80 Birdwood Ind
Arts I. 4 But Vedantism is really nothing eUe than Nihilism.
18^ C. S. Henbv tr. Epit. Hist. Philos. 26 Brahma alone
exists; everything else is an illusion. The *Vedaniistft
prove this capital axiom by [etc J. Ibid, 29 In order (o
avoid misconception of the Vedantist reasoning. 1864
Tkevelvam Compet. lyaiiak (1866) 215 His sect went by
the name of ' Vedanti^ts;* in fact, the 'Evangelicals' of
the East.
Ve'dda. Also 7 Vaddah, 9 Veddah, Wedda.
[Sinhalese veddd archer, hunter.] A member of
a primitive race inhabiting the forest districts of
Ceylon.
x68t R. Ksox /////. Ceylon 6i In this Land arc many of
these wild men, they call them Vaddahs. 1851 Carpenter
i\fan. Pkys. (ed. 2) 289 The Veddahs or wild hunters of
Ceylon. 1875 Jevoss Money iv. 28 Somewhat similar pieces
circulated m Abyssinia, the Soulou .\rchipelago, ., and
among the Veddaiis. i88« Tylor Anthropology vi. (1904)
164 In the forests of Ceylon arc found.. the Vcddas or
'hunters', shy wild men who build bough huts, and live on
game and wild honey.
Vedde, obs. Sc. f. Withv. Vedder, -ir, obs.
Sc. f. AVeather, Wether. Vede, obs. Sc. f.
Weed sb. Vede(n, southern MK. varr. Fekd v,
Veder, southern MK. var. Father, Featheu.
Jl Vedette (v/de-t). Alsogvedet; 7-vidette.
[K., ad. It. vedetta^ prob. f. vedere to see. The
incorrect spelling vidette^ now rare, was common in
the first half of the 19th cent.]
1. Mil. A mounted sentry placed in advance of
the outposts of an army to observe the movements
of the enemy.
[ a. 1690 Da VIES Diary (Camden) 129 And then lay down to
sleep . . without posting any scouts or videttes abroad. 1778
Gouv. MoRKis in Sparks Corr. Amer. Rev. U853) II. 228 A
few good cavalry may be requisite for the videttes. i8iz
Examiner 7 Sept. 561/2 He fell in with the enemy's
videttes. 1843 Prescott Mexico in. iii. (1864J 152 One
of the videttes perceived.. a large body of Indians moving
towards the Christian lines. x868 Regul. ^ Orders Army
§ 892 Instructions for the guidance of Outposts,, .videttes,
and sentries, i^x R. W. Chambers Maids 0/ Paradise
xxii. 376 The rigid system of patrol which brought death, .to
our sleet-soaked videttes.
p. 170a Milit. Diet., Vedette, a Sentinel of the Horse.,
detached from the main Body of the Army [etc.]- 1746 R^P'
Comi. Sir J. Cope 78 To post the Out-Guard, and see the Ve-
dettes placed properly. 1786 Gillies Hist. Greece iii. I. ico
The order of their guards and watches was highly judicious ;
they employed, for their security, out-sentries and vedettes.
1809 Wellington in Gurw. Desp. (1836) V, 355 note^ The
vedettes of the outposts were within shot of each other.
\^^Queen"s Re^. \ Ord. Army 394 Whether they have
been m the habit of placing piquets, posting vedets, con-
ducting patrols, &c. 1879 Blachw, Mag. July 23 A vedette
was killed to-day. Half-a-dozen Zulus rushed out on him
soon after he had been posted for the day.
trans/. 1807 Pike Sources Mississ. (1810) 248, I made a
pretext to halt — established my boy as a vedet, and sat
down peacably under a bush and made my noies. tSia
CoL. Hawker Diary (1893) I. 53 An old cock, who was the
vidette. 1878 L. W. M. Lockhart Mine is Thine xxii.
II. 98 The blackcock vedette rolled his burnished plumage
leisurely against the sun.
Jig. 1801 Jkfeebson Writ. (1859) VII. 483 Philosophical
vedette at the distance of one thousand miles, .is precious
to us here. \9io Spectator j-^ Nov. 1439 They cannot bear to
see the landlords, whom they regard as their own vedettes,
terrorized.
2. Vedette boaty a small vessel used for scouting
purposes in naval warfare.
1884 Pall Mall G. 6 Oct. 6/1 Building armour-clads, f;ist
cruisers, vedette and torpedo boats. 189a Times (weekly
ed.) 7 Oct. 7/2 They are vedette boats and not torpedo
boats in the proper sense.
Vedic (v^''dik), a. and sb. [f. Ved-a + -ic]
a. adj. Of or pertaining to, contained or mentioned
in, contemporary with, the Vedas. b. sb. The
language of the Vedas, an early form of Sanskrit.
1859 Max MiJLLER Anc. Sanskrit Lit. 10 The sacred
literature of the Vedic age. Ibid. 11 The.. publication of
all Vedic texts and commentaries. 1864 Pisi v Ltd, Daniel
ix. 558 The old Vedic worship was a libation to the god of
fire. 1873 Whitney Oriental * Ling. Stud, i A general
view of tne whole body of Vedic literature. 1884 American
VIII. 90 There arc still orthodox Brahmans, who. .maintain
old V«iic sacrifices. 189a Schrumpf First Aryan Reader
p. xi. Specimen B ought to have preceded specimen A, as
Vedic is older than Sanskrit.
Vedir, obs. Sc. f. Weather.
Ve'dism, [f. Ved-a-(--ism. Cf. Vedaism.]
The system of religious beliefs and practices con-
tained in the Vedas,
188a Athenxuvt 29 Apr. 543/3 In this paper he showed
the relationship between the Vaishnava religion and three
other forms of the Hindu religious system, viz., Ved ism, -
Brahmanism, and Saivism. 1895 J. KiDD Morality^ Relig.
v. 191 Vedibm, then, generally speaking, was a religion of
nature.
Ve'dist. [f. as prec. + -I8T.] A student of, or
authority on, the Vedas.
1896 Seeley Introd. Pol. Sd. (1903) 364 Not dealing with
ihe new matter introduced by Kgyptologbts or As>yrioIo-
gists or Vedists.
Vedlaky obs. form of Wedlock.
Vedo(^u, obs. Sc. ff. Widow.
llVedrO. AlsoSwedro. [Russ. Be^po pail.]
A Russian liquid measure equal to 2.7 imperial
gallons.
1753 Hanway Trav, vi. Ixxxi. {1762) I. 371, 8 Krushquos, i
wedro— 13 english quarts. 1799 W. Tookk View Russian
F.mp. II. 523 The greater part was then already podraded
(contracted) for at 148 kopecks for every vedro. 1802-3 "''
Pallas s Trav. (1812) I. 234 Boiled in large kettles contain*
ing from forty to forty.thrce Russian vedros, or eimers, of
water. 1833 R. Pinkerton Russia 77 The. .di^tilleries. .
issue about twenty-five millions of vedros. 1907 Edin. Rev.
Jan. 224 The peasants of that province.. drank this year
62,924 vedros of vodka more than last.
Vee. Mining. (See quot.)
1883 Gkesley Gloss. Coal-M, »5g Vee. the junction of two
underground roadways meeting in the form of a V.
II Veedor, Obs, Also 6 veadore, viador. [a,
Sp. and Pg. vteddry Pg. vedor^ veador^ viador, f.
ver to see.] An official invested with inspecting
or controlling power.
"■ [1555 Eden Z>r<:(K/cj(Arb.) 158 OncGonzalus Fernandus
Ouiedus beinge one of the maiestrates appointed in that
office which the Spanyardescaule VecdQr.\ i59sT.ScARLtTT
Est. Engl. Fugitives G, Sammariba, the Veedors chiefe
officer. i6ia Shelton Qidx. ni. viil. 192 The office of a
Bawde., should not he practised but by people well borne ;
and ought besides to haue a Veedor, andexaminatorof them.
fi. 1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. 11. 129 We spake with his Vea-
dore, or chiefeman, that haih the dealing with the Christian<i.
16x5 PuRCHAS Pilgrims II.vii. 949 (Guinea), They haue one
attending on them, whom they call Viador (which word they
haue learned of the Portugals) ; hee is the Kings Treasui er,
and keepeth his Gold and other Riches.
Veel, southern dial. var. Keel v., Field sb.
Veer (vi»i), sb. [f. Veer ».^] An act or
instance of veering ; a ch.ange of direction.
16x1 CoTCR., Virevoulte, a veere, whirle, ..friske, or turne.
1633 T. Jamks Voy. 70 Wee. .expected a lower veere of the
water. 1871 Tfnnvsos Last Tonrn. 231 Till the warm hour
returns With veer of wind. 1890 Daily News 21 Aug. 5/7
This project of the Emperor William would explain the
sudden veer round ashort time ago against Prince Ferdinand.
Veer, southern ME. var. Fib; var. Vere
(Spring) Obs,
Veer (vI»j), v.^ NatU. Forms : 5-7 vere (6
Sc. vire) ; 6 vyere, 7 vier- ; 6-7 veare, 7 vear ;
7 veere, 7- veer. [a. MDu. vieren to let out,
slacken, = 0\iO.Jieren, fiaran to give direction
to. Hence also G. vieren^ fieren^ Da. fire^ Sw.
fira in nautical use.]
1. trans. To allow (a sheet or other sail-line) to
run out to some extent; lo let out by releasing.
Also with out. ? Obs.
So Du. and Flem. {dc^ schoot vieren.^ freq. used fig.
c: 1460 Pilgrim''s Sca-Voy. 25 Hale the b-welyne ! now,
vere the shete ! 153a Lett, rt- Papers Hen. VIII, III. 11. 975
[The galley was next them, but if she] may vyere the shit,
she will go from us all. 1530 Hichscorncr 302 A-le the
helme ! a-le ! vere ! shot of ! vere sayle ! 1549 Covtpl. Scot.
vi. 41 Vire the trossis, nou heise. Ibid,, Vire jour liftaris
and 3our top sail trossis. i59oi3PENSER /''. Q. i. xii. i Behold
I see the hauen nigh at hand,. .Vere the maine shcte, and
beare vp with the land. 1626 Capt. Smith Accid. Yng. Sea-
men 28 Loure the maine lop saile, veare a fadome of your
sheat. 1617— Seaman's Gram. ix. 39 Veere more sheat, or
a flowne sheat, that is, when they are not haled home to the
blocke. 1669 Sturmv Mariner's Mag. i. ii. 17 Veie out
some of your Fore and Main-sheets. Ibid. 18 Vere out the
main Sheet, and fore Sheet. 1694 [see Main-sheet 1].
atspl. 1530 [see above], a 1658 Cleveland Inund, of
Trent T^ Now Bedfellows do one another greet I' th'Saylors
Phrase, Vere, vere, more Sheet.
b. To let out (any line or rope) ; to allow to run
ottt gradually to a desired length.
1574 W. Bourne Regiment for Sea xiv. {1577) 42 They
haue a pece of wood, and a line to vere out ouer borde.
1618-9 DiGBV P'oy. Medit. (Camden) 75, I bore vp to her,
and by a barrel! viered her out a long hawser. 165(0 Ley-
bourn Curs. Math. 608 As you veer out the Log-Line, set
the Drift of the Log with your Compass. lyai Phil, Trans.
XXXI. 178 [He] marches on the bottom of the Sea, vearing
out the Coiles of his Pipe. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. § 68
They rowed it towards the rock, veering out a rope, which
they had fastened to the large boat. 1839 Civil Eng. 9f
Arch. frni. II. 178/2 They had the appearance of a single
rope capable of being coiled and veered out conveniently.
1893 W. R. Mackintosh A routui Orkney Peat Fires ( 1905)
II. 136 [He] veered out the boat's tether till he came along-
side the vessel.
+ 0. Similarly without adv. Obs. rare,
1624 Cait. Smith Virginia vi. 219 As fast as you can hale
and vere a line. 1787 Best A ngling (ed. 2) 169 I 'ecr your
line, let it off the reel after striking.
2. To allow (a boat, buoy, etc.) to drift further
off by letting out a line attached to it. Usually
with a7vay or out.
1539 in R. G. Marsden Sel. Rec. Crt. Adm. (Selden) T. 67
The marinars of the sayd Venys shippe did vere owt thtrc
grete bote. 1824 Mechanic's Mag, No. 41. 215 They tried
the means of veering away a buoy. 1831 Tkelawny Adi'.
Vounger Son Ixxiv, We veered an empty cask astern, with
a rope attached to it. 183^ Marrvat P. Simple (i£63) 207
They veered out a buoy with a line, which we got hold of.
1846 A. Young Naut. Diet. 357 To veer a buoy in a ship's
waice, means to slack out a rope to which the buoy has been
attached, in order to let it go astern.
3. To Itt out or pay out (a cable).
1604 Adm. Ct. Exam. 21 May, The cables were not viered.
i6aa R. Hawkins Voy. 5". ^SVa (1847) 203 On both sides was
crying out to veere cable. /i^/V/., Those [cables were] very
short, and vered to the better end. 1637 Capt. Smith Sea-
man's Gram, vii. 30 Veere more Cable, is when you ride at
Anchor. 1745 P. Thomas Jml. Anson's Voy. 156 Tho' they
immediately let go the Sheet-Anchor, and veer'd almost two
Cables on it, yet they drove out to Sea. 1789 Trans, Soc.
ArtsW\.-2ii Cables veered astern, with tackles leading from
them to the sliip's quarters. 1854 G. B. Richardson Univ.
Code v. (ed. 12) 1280, I cannot veer more cable. 1870
SIeade Ne7v Zealand 2Cfo After veering cable we went to
quarters. 1899 F. T. Bullen Way Navy 41 Every anchor
fell and cable was veered to five shackles.
fig. 1616 B. JoNSON Devil an Ass v. v. 46 Traines shall
sceke out Ingine, ..euery cable Is to be veer'd.
absol, 1769 Falconer Diet. Marine (1780) Aaa4b, Ne
file plus amarre I keep fast the cable ! stopper the cable !
veer no more ! 1775 Phil. Tram. LXVIU. 404 At 4 a.m.
found ship drove, veered to a whole table.
b. With away or out.
(a) 1697 Dampier Voy. I. 437 This obliged us to let go our
Sheet Anchor, veering out a good scope of Cable. 1769
Falconer Diet. Marine (1780) Aaa 4 b, Filer le cable bout
par bout,.. to veer cut the cable end-for-end. x8s|9 F. T.
Bullen Log Sea-7vai/ 74 The warships, wliich, with top-
masts housed and cables veered out lo the clinch, were all
steaming full speed ahead.
(6) 1748 Anson's Voy. 11. iii. 138 To veer away the cable
briskly. Ibid. iii. IL 319 After we had veered away one
whole cable. 1765 Commodore Bvron Voy. (1773) I. 79 A
thick fog coming on with hard rain, we veered away the
stream cable. 1846 A. Young N'aut. Diet. 357 ' Veer away
the cable,' that is, slack it and let it run out.
/i>. 1769 -M, Cumberland Brothers in Brit. T/ieat. (1808)
XVIII. 17 I'll veer away no more good advice after you.
c. To put on (cables) end to end. nire-^.
1806 A. Duncan Nelson 86 The latter continued.. to drop
to leeward, and the Theseus was obliged to veer on two
cables to keep within reach of them.
4. To veer and haul : (seequots.).
1769 Falconer Diet. Marine, To Veer and haul, to pull a
rope tight, by drawing it in and slackening it alternately,..
so that the rope is straitened to a greater tension. 1841
R. H. Dana Seaman's Man. 133 To veer ami haul, is to
liaul and slack alternately on a rope, as in warping, until
VEER.
72
VEGETABIIiITY.
the vessel or boat gets headway. 1867 Smyth Saiior's
W^rd'ik,, To v€tr attd kaut^ to gently tauten and then
slacken a rope three times before giving a heavy pull, the
object being to concentrate the force of several men. 1875
Bedford Sailors Fockft Bk. viii. 282 By hauling and
veering on it,.. a sufficiently uniform strain on it would be
obtained, „ ,
Jig. 1891 C Roberts Adrifi A/tter. 251 The agents ha\-e
a certain margin to veer and haul on in their commission.
1901 Speaker 27 April 10Q/2 Here is a sum on which the
British Go\*ernment may fairly veer and haul.
f 6. »«/r. Of a ship; To sail with the sheet let
out. Ods.
a x6k NowenciaUr Navalis (MS. Harl. 2301) s.v., When
a Shipp sailes, and the Sbeate is veered-oul, wee saie she
goes veering. 1691 Cait, Smith's Seaman's Gram. i. xvl
76 The Ship goes Lasking, Quartering, Veermg, or Large;
are terms of the same signification, viz. that she neither goes
bya Wind nor before the wind, but betwixt both.
veer (v!*i), v,^ Forms : 6 varre (?), 7 vere,
vear e, veore, 7- veer. [ad. F. virer ( = Sp.
virar^ birar^ Pg. virar^ It. virare), to lurn, to veer;
of obscure origin. See also ViRE t^.]
1. intr, a. Of the wind : To change gradually ;
to pass by degrees from one jwint to another, spec,
in the direction of the sun's course. Grig. Nant.
xjSa N. LiCHKFiELD tr. CastanhedtCs Canq. E. Ind. 73
And after that the winde verred [w] to the Southwest they
bare with the same. 16*7 Capt. Smith SeamatCs Gram, ix.
39 Now the wind veeres, that is, it doth shift from point to
point. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Troj'. (1677) 6 The wind in
one hours space veering about every point of the Compass.
1^6 Goad Ceiesi. Bodies 11. vii. 231 Their Influence may be
separated so far as to suffer a cooler Wind to blow, which
upon their Rising shall vere to a warmer point. 1744 J.
CuiRiDGE Shfph. Banbury's Rules 15 The wind commonly
veers to the South West. 1777 Phil. Trans. LXVIII.a^o
The wind was Easterly. At the instant of the shock it is
said to have veered to the West. 1836 Marryat Midsh.
Easy xxxi, The wind had veered round, and the Aurora was
now able to lay up clear of the island of Maritimo. 1849
Mrs. SoMERVitXE Conmx. Phys. Sci. (ed. 8) xv. 138 When
north and south winds blow alternately, the wind at any
place will veer in one uniform direction through every point
of the compass. 1899 F. T. But-len Log Sea-ivai/ ^i-j The
next night the wind veered to the eastward.
fb. To turn round, revolve. Obs.
1598 Sylvester Du Bartas u. ii. Columnes 459 O ! thou
fair Chariot,, . thou do'stalwaies veer About the North-Pole.
Ibid. 484 .As long as Heav'n's swift Orb shall veer. 161 1
CoTGR., Virer^ to veere, turne round, wheele or whirle about.
2. Naut, Of a ship: To change course; spec, to
turn round with the head away from the wind in
order to sail on another tack.
£x6ao Z. DoYD ZiotCs Floxvers (1855) 131 The other veres
as slowe, Lar-board and Star-board. 1697 Dryden JEneid
T, io85 .\-head of all the Master Pilot steers. And, as he
leads, the following navy veers, 1761 British Mag. II. 497
The Packet in haste to Beaumaurice was veering, When,
lo ! a large ship towards our vessel was steering. 1798
CotERiE>GE Anc. Mar. m. iii, It plunged and tacked and
veered. 1848 Lytton Harold in. ii. The Earl's fleet after a
brief halt veered majestically round. 1878 Susan Phillips
On Seaboard iig The coble lossed, and veered, and tacked,
As she strove to make the shore.
3. Of things: To turn round or aliout ; to change
from one direction or course to another.
Also in fig. context (quot. 1690); cf. sense 4.
1633 T. James Voy. 12 The water veer'd to a lower ebbe.
1690 Dryden Amphitryon v. 48 Thou Weather-cock of
Government; that when the Wind, .changes for the Sover-
aign, veers to Pierogative.
1810 ScoTT Lady o/L. \. xiii, A narrow inlet, . . Lost for a
space, through thickets veering, But broader when again
appearing. i8a3 Byron Island \. iii, No mora at thy
command The obedient helm shall veer, the sail expand.
1865 Swinburne Poems .(■ Ball.y Rondel 5 Grief a fixeci star,
and joy a vane that veers. 1878 Geo. Eliot Coll. Break/,
P, 8x1 The shadows slowly farther crept and veered Like
changing memories.
b. Of persons or animals.
x76o-7» H. Brooke Foot o/Qual. (1809) HI. 17 Susanna
slipped, .from the side of her mamma, and veering toward
Harry, she went on one side. 1805 Worusw. Preludeiw. 20 '
'Twas but a short hour's walk, ere veering round I saw the
snow'white church. 1815 Cobbett Rur. Rides 322 After ,
passing Bullington, Sutton, and Wonston we veered away
from State-Charity. 1879 Tourgee FooCs Err. xxxvi. 256
The amazed horse veered quickly to one side, and stopped
as if stricken to stone.
4. fig. To change or alter ; to pass from one
state, position, tendency, etc., to another; to be
variable or changeable : a. Of persons.
1670 Dbyoeh Conq. Granaia iii. i, Two Factions turn him
with each Blast of Wind. But now he shall not veer. x68a
S. Pordage Medal Rev. 2 When the Tide turn'd, then
strait about he veers, And for the stronger side he still
appears. 1714 Swift Jacks put to their TrumpsV^ks. 1841
II. 852 Those few at last veer'd quite about. And join'd in
my disgrace, 1734 tr. Rollin's Ane, Hist. vin. §4 (1841)
I. 312/1 Alcibiades was of a pliant and flexiijle disposition,
that would take any impression which the difference of
times and circumstances might require, still veering either
to good or evil with the same facility and ardor. 1821
Pbaed Gog Poems 1865 I. 95 Linda, like many a modern
Miss, Began to veer around at tliis. 1858 H. Bushnell
Nat, ^ Superuat, x. (1864) 308 The infirmity, .shown by
human teachers, when they veer a little from their point. .
to catch the assent of multitudes. 1884 F. M. Crawford
Rotn, Singer 1. 56 He is a man to veer about like a weather.
cock.
b. Of feelings, thoughts, conditions, etc.
1669 Dryden Tyrannic Love iv. i, Like a wind it [love] in
no quarter stays ; But points and veers each hour a thousand
ways. X7U Shaftesb. Charac, (1737) I. 296 For as these
passions veer, my interest veers, my steerage varys. 1756
H. Walpole Lett. (1846) III. 198 Madame J*onipadour,
perceiving how much the King's disposition veered to devo-
tion, artfully look the turn of humouring it. 1813 Scoit
Hokehy I. xxii, While his own troubled passions veer
Through hatred, joy, regret, and fear. 1833 Hr. Martineau
Fr. lilies <V Pol. iii. 47 Her thoughts were ready to veer
any way jn hope of escape, 1878 Bosw. Smith Carthage 52
Seldom has the fortune of war veered round so rapidly.
c. To diverge or differyVi?//; something, rare—^,
1796 Campaigns, 1793-4 L '• iv. 25 Your opinion, dear
Richard, veer'd widely from mine.
6. absol. To alter the course of a ship, spec, by
causing it to swing round with the stern to wind-
ward so as to sail on another tack. Also of a
ship : To adroit of veering.
i6as in Foster Eng. Factories Ind. (1909) III. 54 IThe
Portuguese] payde away, vearinge to delay time for our
cominge upp with them. 1627 Capt. Smith Seaman^ s Gram.
ix. 40 Foundering is when she will neither veere nor steare,
the Sea will..ouer_ rake her. 1686 tr. Chardin's Trav.
Persia 66 If the Wind be contrary, they never strive against
it, but vere about. 169a Capt. Smithes Seaman's Gram.
I. xvi. 76 In keeping the Ship near the Wind, these terms
are used, ..Veer no more, keep her to, touch the Wind.
1769 Falconer Diet. Marine s.v. l^eering. If ..it is ab-
solutely necessary to veer, in order to save the ship from
destruction. 1810 J. H. ftlooRE Pract. Navigator 290 To
veer^ to change a ship's course from one tack to the other,
by turning her stern to windward. 1884 Pae Eustace 124
Aly lads, He to, then veer and sail against the wind.
b. trans, (with ship as object).
1769 Falconer Diet. Marine s.v. Veerings When it
becomes necessary to veer the ship, the sails towards the
stern are either furled, or brailed up.
6. trans. To turn (something) from one course or
direction to another. ^X%o fig. (cf. 4).
(i?) 1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler (1843) 30, I veer'd my
tongue lo this Kind of Language de industria. 1S09
Kendall Trav, III, 18 The tone of the British Cabinet is
veered by every incidental change of war. 1883 Mkrkdith
Poet. Wks. (1912) 212 Cities and martial States, Whither
soon the youth veered his theme.
f^) 1804J. GviKH\tAK Birds 0/ Scot. 85 Her bleeding wing
she veers..; on him she springs. 1855 Singleton Virgil I,
81 A lofty beech To veer [L. tor^neat] the bottom of the
carriage [vc. the plough]. 1876 Trans. Clinical Soe. IX. 167
At each successive scarification he veers the direction of the
parallel incisions.
1 7. To turn about or screw in order to adjust ;
to cause to revolve or whirl. Obs.
a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth. Hist. Jos. V, Wks. (1711) 107
In musical Instruments, if a String jar and be out of Tune,
we do not frettingiy break it, but leisurely veer it about to
a Concord, a 1693 Urquhart''s Rabelais in. xvii. 140 A pair
of Yarn Windles, which she. .unintermittedly veered, and
frisked about.
Veer, south-western dial, variant of Feer v,
Veerable, «. [f- Veer v.'^ i ,] f Of the wind :
Tending to veer ; changeable.
1670-1 Narborough Jrnl. in Ace. Se?: Late Voy. \. (1694)
56 The wind veerable round the compass. 1698 Corant in
Dampier Voy. (1699) II. 111. 55 When we find the Winds.,
veerable to S.W. and back to South, we stand off to the
Westward. 171a W. Rogers Voy. (1718) 13 Yesterday the
wind was very little and veerable. 174a Woodhoofe in
Hanway Trav. (1762) I. 11. xxiii. 98 The winds being light
and veerable favored us very much.
Vee-reri, rare-°. [f. Veer 7/.2] (See quot.)
161 1 CoTCR., Vireur, a veerer, or whirler, a round turner,
or turner of things often about.
"VoaTep^. Mining. (See quot.)
1883 Greslev Gloss. Coal-M. 269 Veerer {Som[erset]), an
old word for Banksman.
Vee*riligi vbl. sbA [f. Veer v.^ 3.] The action
of causing or allowing to run out ; attrib. in veer-
ing cable, chain.
1867 Smyth Sailor-' s JVord-Bk. 711 The veering cable^ that
cable which is veered out in unmooring, and not unspliced
or unshackled in clearing hawse. 1894 Times 20 Mar. 3/5
From the top of the swivel a single veering chain passed
into the lightship through the hawse pipe.
Vee'ring, vbl. sb:^ [f. Veer v.^ The action
or fact of changing course or direction.
a. Of the wind (or a vane), or in general use.
1611 Cotgr., Virement, a veering, whirling, wheeling.
1696 Whiston Th. Earth iv. (1722) 367 It will not now
depend on the Season of the Year alone, but on the Veering
of the Wind. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias xi. 1. (Rtldg.) 393
Scipio. .asked whether the veering of the wind in the politi-
cal horizon might not blow me some good. 1853 Hkrschel
Pop. Leet. Sci. iv. §31 (1873) i68 Nothing apparently can
be more capricious than the shifting and veering of a
weaiher-cock on a gusty day. x86o Vaughan in Merc.
Mar. Mag. VII. 323 The direction and veering of the wind
. . gave him . . warning.
b. Of a ship. Also in fig. context.
x68> Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. 2 Expect rough seas,
flaws, and contrary blasts, and 'tis well if by many cross
tacks and veerings you arrive at the port. 1769 Falconer
Diet. Marine (1780) s.v., It is evident, that veeringas well as
tacking is a necessary consequence of the same, .principle.
1843 I'enny Cyel. XXVI. 177/2 The disadvantage of veer-
ing is that.. the ship is sometimes carried far to leeward.
1865 W._G. Palgbave Arabia II. 301 After some tacking
and veering, we worked up to the entrance.
C. In figurative uses.
1716 Addison Freeholder No. 25 f 7 A soveraign . . that is
prone to fall in with all the Turns and Veerings of the
People. 1780 J. Brown Lett. Toleration (1803) II. 216
After much sinful veering towards the abjured abominations
of Popery, they, .lamented their perfidy to God. i86x
Tuli.och Eng. Purit. i. 147 The strange and apparently
inconsistent veerings in Cromwell's own mind.
Vee'ring, vbl. sb.'^ s, dial. = Kkkring vbl. sb.
1733 Full Horse-Hoeing Hitsb, xi. 116 The Word Veering
..is the Plowman's Term for turning two Furrows toward
each other, as they must do to begin a Ridge ; and there-
fore they call the Top of a Ridge, a Veering. Ibid.^ Our
Intervals wholly consist either of Veerings or Hentings.
1839 [G. C. Lewis] Hereford Gloss. 115 Ploughed land is
said to be laid out into broad veerings, when many furrows
are turned up on each side against the same ridge. 1882-90
in Glouc. and Wore, glossaries.
Vee'ring,///. a. [f. Veeb z/.2]
1. Changing course or direction ; f taming round,
revolving.
1598 Sylvester Dh Bartas 11. ii. Columnes 635 On th'
other side [of the astrolabe], under a veering sight, it Table
veers. 1736 Yalden Poet. Wks. (1833) 66 Nor tax me with
inconstancy; we find The driving bark requires a veering
wind. 1798 Loves of Triangles in Anti-Jacobin (1852) 124
The veering helm the dexterous steersman stops. 1817
Kehle Chr. K., 3rd Sund. after Easier, Like a bright
veering cloud Grey blossoms twinkle there. 1873 R. W.
Church Influence Christ. National Character i. 17 Fickle
as the veering wind. 1896 Strand Mag. XII. 250 A ringing
shout of encouragement rent the veering smoke- wreaths.
2. fig. Vacillating, variable, changeful.
1684 Roscommon Ess. Verse -z^x But if a wild Uncertainty
prevail, And turn your vearing Heart with ev'ryGale. 1747
1.J0LLINS Odes, Passions, Of difl'ring themes the veerine
song was mix'd. c 1838 Mrs. Bkowsing Island xix, Man s
veering heart and careless eyes. i853W.JtRDAN Autobiog.
III. xvii. 262 It was thought a veering speech the Duke
had just made in the House of Peers. 1875 Poste Gaius i.
116 After much veering legislation . . , Justinian enacted that
a man or a woman who divorced without a cause should
retire to a cloister.
Hence VeeTinffly adv., ' changingly, shiftingly*
(Webster, 1847).
Veery (vi»-ri). U.S. [? Imitative.] A North
American thrush {^Turdus fiiscescens\ 2\?>o called
tawny and IVilson^s thrush.
184s S. JuDD Margaret 11. i, The place flows with birds,.,
deep in the forest [are] olive-backs, veeries, oven-biids. x86o
Whittier My Playmate xv. There in spring the veeries sing
The song of long ago. 1883 Cent. Mag. Sept. 685/1 Our
thrushes are all frank, open-mannered birds; but the veery
and the hermit build upon the ground.
f Veesl, Sc. variant of Vives.
a 1585 Montgomerie Fly ting ^i8Th^ weam-eill, the wild-
fire, the vomit and the vees [v.rr. veis, weis]. 1608 Melrose
Recs. (S.H.S.) I. 60 [The mare] thairefter tuik ane seikness
callit the veis.
Vees 2, Mining. (See quot.)
1883 Greslev Gloss. Coal-M. 269 Vees, Veez, and Viese, a
kind of soft earth in a fissure or upon the sides of a dyke.
Veeze, south, dial, variant of Feeze v.^
II Vega ^ {ye^'g^)' [Sp. and Catal. vega, Pg.
veiga^ of obscure origin.] In Spain and Spanish
America, an extensive, fertile, and grass-covered
plain or tract of land.
C1645 Howeli. Lett, I. i. 24, I am now in Valentia,one of
the noblest Cities in all Spain, situate in a large Vega or
Valley, about sixty miles compass. 1827 Longf. Life (1891)
I. ix. 131 We crossed the beautiful Vega — those delicious and
luxuriant meadows which stretch away to the south and
west of Granada. 1838 Pbescott Ferd. ^ Is. i. viii. (1S46)
I. 363 Their spacious vegas afforded an ample field for the
display of their matchless horsemanship. 1850 B. Taylor
Eldorado vii. (1862) 67 The grass on the vega before the
house was still thick and green. 1887 F. Francis Saddle ^
Mocassin 85 The horses were driven in from the vega.
b. In the West Indies, a piece of fertile meadow-
land used for the cultivation of sugar or tobacco ;
a tobacco-field.
1871 Kingslky At Last ix, The vega is usually a highly
cultivated cane-piece. 1871 Hazard Cuba 329 The best
i properties known as vegas, or tobacco farms, are comprised
m a narrow area in the south-west part of the island.
I Vegfa 2 (vrga). [a. Sp. or med.L. Vega, ad.
Arab. mI. wdqis falling, in {al nasr) at waqis
! ' the falling (vulture)', the constellation Lyra. So
! F. Wiga^ The brightest star in the constellation
I Lyra ; a Lyrse.
! 1638 Chilmead tr. Hues Treat. Globes (1889} 53 The bright
! Starre in this Constellation, being the first in number, Alfon-
[ sus calleth Vega. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 225/2 Its bright-
■ est Star, a Lyra;, also called Vega, is a conspicuous object.
1889 C. R. Markham tr. Hues'" Treat. Globes 221 Vega
I contains hydrogen, iron, sodium, and magnesium.
Veget, obs. var. Vegete a.
Vegetability (ve:d,:5/iabi*liti). [ad. med.L.
*vegetabilitas, f. L. vegetdbilis V^gi^.ta^i.y. a.: see
-ITY, Cf. OF. vegetablete (Godef.), F. vigHabiliti,
It. vegctabilith^ Sp. vegelabilidad.']
\\. A vegetable organism. Obs.~^
^1400 tr. Secrcta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 90 It shewys
opynly. .jiat euerylk kende of vegetabilitez haues a propre
ordre, (lat ys, complexioun.
2. Vegetable character, quality, or nature.
1646 Sir T. Brownk Pseud. Ep. u. v. 91 [The] lapidifical!
juyce of the Sea, which eniring the parts of that pjant {sc.
coral], overcomes its vegetability, and converts it into a
lapideons substance. 1670 Phil, Trans. V. 2035 A descrip-
tion of sundry new Metals, or Semi-metals, as be calls them ;
together with a discourse of their Vegetability. 1686 Plot
Staffordsh. 189 These.. have their vegetability the same
way, with the porous species of Coral. 1854 Fraser^s Mag,
L. 192 If any additional proofs of the vegetability of coral-
lines were needed. 1858 T. R. Jones Aquarian Nat. 136
The mineralocisis. .questioned the vegetability of such of
these productions as were of a hard and stony iiatiue.
VEGETABLE.
73
VEGETABLE.
Vegetable (ve'd^rtab'I), sb. Also 6 vegitable.
[f. the adj.]
1. A living organism belonging to the vegetable
kingdom or the lower of the two series of organic
beings; a growth devoid of animal life ; a plant in
the widest or scientific sense ( = Plant sd.^ a).
158* J. Hester Compendium Ration. Seer, (title-p.), The
Hidden Vertues of sondrie Vegitables, Animalles, and
Mineralls. 1598 R. Haydocke tr. Lomazzo 11. 125 Some oj
them are taken from minerals.., some from the vegetables,
and wme from the animals. 1653 W. Ramesev Astrol.
Restored 12, 1 suppose there is none will .. deny .. the
Heavens and Planets to have influence over Herbs, Corn,
Plants, and all Vegetable?. 1690 Locke Www. Und. iv. vi.
(1695) 337 In Vegetables, which are nourished, grow, and
produce Leaves, Flowers, and Seeds, in a constant Succes-
sion. 1737 Gray Lett. Poems (1775) 24 Both vale and hill
are covered with most venerable beeches, and other very
reverend vegetables. 178a V. Ksox Ess, cUi. (1819) \\\. 169
They [/. e. speeches] are like vegetables of a night, or insects
of a day. 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. \. 387 After
the rushes or other coarse vegetables have been cut down
and carried away. 1822-7 G(30D Study Med. (1829) L 265
The expressed oils of mild vegetables, as the pistachio, olive,
and almond. 1858 O. W. Holmes Aut. Breakf..t. (1883) 205
Both [trees] are pleasant vegetables. 1884 De CandoUe's
Orig. Cultivated PL 4 The Tetragonia^ an insignificant
green vegetable. *
fig, a 1635 Nauntos Fragm. Reg. (Arb.) 44 He was a meer
vegeUble of the Court, that sprung up at night, and sunk
a^ain at his noon. 1709 Steklk Tatler No. 86 p 3, I met
him with all the respect due toso reverend a vegetable ; for
you are to know, that is my sense of a person who remains
idle in the same place for half a century.
t b. //. in collective sense : Vegetation. Obs,
r 164S Howell Leiti (1650) IL 43, I have bin al wales
naturally affected to woods and groves, and those kind of
vegetables. 169S Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth vi. (1723)
3Q5 June, July, and August, .exhibit a sltU different Shew
of Vegetables, and Face of Things. 1780 A. Young Tour
frei. I. 18 Their only way is to let it cover itself with such
vegetables as may come. 182X Scorr Pirate xxv, Scrubby
and stunted heath, intermixed with the long bent, or coarse
grass, . . were the only vegetables that could be seen.
tc. Applied to the earth or to a mineral
regarded as capable of growth. Obs. rare,
A 1676 Halr Prim. Orig, Man, i. lii. (1677) 96 Though
the Earth be not animated with a Sensible Soul, yet it is
possible that it may be a great Immortal Vegetable. 1716
Chevke Pkilos. Princ, Nat. Relig. i. 278 A hill is nothing
but the Nest of some Mettle or Mineral, either of Stone.
Iron, Tin, Copper or such like lower Vegetables.
2. A plant cultivated for food; esp. an edible
herb or root used for human consumption and
commonly eaten, either cooked or raw, with meat
or other article of food.
1767 A. Vousc Farmer's Lett, to PeopU (1771) I. 461 The
cultivation of the new -discovered vegetables, and all the
modes of raising the old ones. 1796 Mrs. Inchbald Nature
ftf Art xlvi. (1820) 158 At a stinted repast of milk and vege-
tables. 1840 Loudon Cottagers Man, 4 in Hiisb. III.
(L.U.K.), To supply the cottager's family, .with vegetables,
potatoes, and faggots. 1846 Sover Cookery 450 Where a
dish of vegetables are required for second course. 1873
JowETT Plato (ed. 2) III. 243 Cabbages or any other vege-
tables which are fit for boiling.
3. attrib. and Comb. a. Simple attrib. in sense 2,
^%7je^elabU-bastn, dishy food, garden^ -market^ etc.
i7»8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Vegetation, The common Opin-
ion., is, that Water is the great vegetable Food. i8a5 T.
Hook Sayings Ser. 11. III. 15 Two vegetable dishes. 1853
HicKiE Aristoph. (Bohn) 11. 416 In the pottery-market and
the vegetable- market alike, a x86o Alb. SmiYh Med. Stu-
dent (1S61) 17 Threading their way through the crowd of
the vegetable-waggons arriving for to-morrow's market.
1898 F. G. Ler Negl. BaSt. 11 A vegetable- basin or a soap-
dish was used instead of the font. 1898 Cent. Mag. Jan.
337/1 May I tell him.. about your vegeuble garden?
b. Objective or obj. genitive, as vegetabU-eaier^
-feeder^ -seller ; vegetable-eatings -feeding adjs.
Also with the names of instruments, as vegeted^U-cfwpper^
■cutter, -grater^ -slicer^ctc. (Knight Diet. Meek.)
(a) 179a \. VoUNG Trent, France 28 There are both sorts
[of bears], carnivorous and vegetable-eaters. 1851-6 S. P.
Woodward Mollusca {1858) 12 All the land-snails are vege-
table-feeders. 1867 M. Arnold Celtic Lit. 4 Bathing people,
vci^e table-sellers, and donkey boys, 1875 C. C. Blake Zool,
54 The cheiroptera are, however, vegetable- feeders,
{b) 1838 Penny Cycl. XII. 493/5 I" a vegetable-feeding
insect the stomach is very voluminous. 1874 J. W. Long
Amer. Wild-foivl xxv. 262 They are exceedingly expert
divers, and can swim under water to much longer distances
than any others of the vegetable-eating ducks, ittyj Ailhutt's
Syst. Med. III. 966 These stony masses are found in the
inte-^tines of many vegetable -feeding animals.
Vegetable (ve-d.^ftab'!), a. Also 6 vegi-
tabile, 7 -able. [&. 0¥. vegetable {mod,V,v^g^-
lable, ^It, vegelabile, Sp. vegetable , Pg. vegetavel),
or ad. L. vegetdbilis animating^ vivifying, f.
vegetdre : see Vkgetate v.
In some instances the adj. cannot be clearly distinguished
from the attributive uses of the sb.]
fl. Having the vegetating property of plants;
living and growing as a plant or organism endowed
with the lowest form of life. (Cf. Vegetal a. i.)
c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret.^ Got*. Lordsh. 90 W^hat ^inge
vegetable ^rat-.tnakys fruyt, to J»e sonne ys apropird.
i4iz-ao LvDC. Ckron. Troy 11. 674 Zephirus, |>at is .so
comfortable For to norysche ^inges vegetable. x4Sx-so tr.
Higden (Rolls) I. 73 Hit may be concludede Panidise not to
be there, sythc noo thynge vegetable may haue lyfe l»er,
CIS3S Du Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. 1053 All thynges
created of God under the moone . , ben elemented vegetables
Vol. X.
and sensytyves.. 1604 R. Cawdrey Table Alph.^ Vegetable^
springing, or growing as hearbes. 1629 H. Burton TnttfCs
Tri. 197 How far themselues differ from senslesse stockes, or
come short of the vegetable trees, a 1676 Hale Prim. Orig.
Man, III. iv. (1677) 266 Things vegetable, that have simply
Life, with those operations incident to Life.
Jig, 1641 W. Cartwright Lady.Errant I. ii. The other
counts her apricots, .. lays 'em naked And open to the sun,
that it may freely Smile on her vegetable embraces, a 1678
3Iarvell Poems, To coy Mistress 11 My vegetable love
should grow Vaster than empires and more slow,
+ b. Of the soul. Obs,
1412-20 LvDc. Chron._ Troy iii. 5686 Comparysownyd, as
it were semblable, To a sowie l>at were vegetable, I>e whiche,
with-oute sensibilile, Mynystreth lyf in herbe, flour, and
tre. c 1532 Du Wes Introd, Fr. in Palsgr. 1053 in the
whiche [body] our Lorde hath planted the soule vegetable
by the whiche it groweth. 1610 Healey St. Aug. Ciiie of
God XXII. iv. (1620) 821 The earth is full of vegetable soules,
strangely combined with earthly bodies. 1610 Guillim
Heraldry iir, vi. (1611) 101 A vegetable Soul is a facultie or
power that giueth life vnto bodies.
t c. Vegetable power ^A^i^^^TXxm.'^^ of simple life
and growth, Obs,
1601 Dolman La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1618) in. 672 The
vegetable power common to men and plants. 1625 Hart
Anat. Ur. i. ii. 20 The state of the nourishing or vegetable
power ouer the whole bodie.
f d. Vegetable stone^ one of the three varieties of
the philosophers^ stone, supposed to possess health-
preserving properties. Obs.
After med.L. lapis vegetabilis'. cf. Cower Conf. II. 86.
165* AsHMOLE Theatr. Ghent. Brit. Proleg. 7 By the
Vegitable [Stone] may be perfectly known the Nature of
Man.
2. Of or pertaining to, composed or consisting of,
derived or obtained from, plants or their parts ; of
the nature of or resembling a vegetable. Freq, as
contrasted with animal or mineral products.
a. Of material substances.
158a Hester Seer. Phiorazu \, xxxiii. 39 You shall giue
them 5j of our Vegitabile Sirrup, 1594 Plat Je^veU-ho. \, 3
All sorts of soyle.-do draw their generatiue & fructifying
vertue from that vegetable salt. 1695 Woodward Nat,
Hist. Earth II. (1723) 101 By Retrenching a considerable
Quantity of the vegetable Matter. 1721 Mortimer
Husbandry II. 207 Statues are a lasting Ornament when
vegetable Ornaments are out of Season. 1715 Pope Odyss.
IV. 320 The direful bane Of vegetable venom. 1755 Diet.
Arts ^ Sci. IV. 2679/1 Almost all concretes that abound
either with mineral or vegetable sulphur. 1800 Hull
Advertiser 31 May 2/2 The superiority of coal to vegetable
tar. 1857 Miller Elem. Clum.^ Org, ii. § 3. 84 The insoluble
pectose contained in the vegetable tissue. 1875 Scrivener
Leet. Greek Test. 18 The ancient ink was purely vegetable,
without any metallic base.
poet. 1667 Milton P. L. iv. 220 And all amid them stood
the Tree of Life, High eminent, blooming Ambrosial Fruit
Of vegetable Gold. tSso Shelley Prometk. Unh, iii, iv.
I to My coursers sought their birthplace in the sun,.. Pastur-
ing flowers of vegetable fire. 1857 Emerson Poems giThe
zephyr in his garden rolled From plum-trees vegetable gold.
b. Of conditions, actions, qualities, etc.
1690 Locke Hum. Und, 11. xxvii. $ 4 The wood, bark, and
lea\'es. &c. of an oak, in which consists the vegetable life.
1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 178 My Song to flow'ry
Gardens might extend. To teach the Vegetable Arts. 1712
Pope Vertnmnus ^ Pomona 4 None taught the trees a
nobler race to bear, Or more improv'd the vegetable care.
«733 .'Vrbuthnot Ess. Effects Air i. 9 The Heat arising
rom vegetable P^-rspiration is very sensible in a hot Day
near a Field of Corn. 1788 Gibbon Decl. f^ F. C V.^ 172 The
lonesome traveller derives a sort of comfort and society from
the presence of vegetable life. x8o6 Med. Jmi, XV. 571
The learned President begins this paper by a theory of
animal and vegetable processes, deriving them,. from fer-
mentation. 18^2 Loudon Suburban Hort. 25 This short
passage comprehends the essence of all that can be said on
the subject of vegetable development 1874 Spurceon Treas.
David Ps. xcii. 10 The brutish men grow with a sort of
vegetable vigour of their own.
c. Of earth, mould, etc. : (see later quots.).
x;r74 Golusm. Nat. Hist. i. vi. (1776) I. 55 In regions
which are uninhabited, . .where the forests arc not cut
down, . . the bed of vegetable earth is constantly encreasing.
x8ta New Botanic Gard. !. 53 Beds of light vegetable
earth, ibid, Good light vegetable mould. 1830 M.
Donovan Dam. Econ. I. 137 What remains, when the
decomposition has totally broken down the structure of the
vegetable, is a black pulverulent substance. ..This con-
stitutes what is called vegetable mould, and is also the chief
ingredient in vegetable manure. 18^55 Orr's Circ. Sci.,
Inorg. Nat. 185 Whatever rocks may be composed of, they
are sure to be covered, after a time, with debris,.. until at
last there is a covering of vegetable soil.
3. Vegetable creation^ kingdom^ worlds etc., that
division of organic nature to which plants belong.
1668 Cowley Ess. Prose 9f Verse, Garden (1906) 427 Who
would not joy to see his conquering hand Ore all the Vege-
table World command ? 169a- [see Kingdom 5]. 1718 Prior
Solomon x. 49 The Vegetable World, each Plant, and Tree,
. . ! am allow'd, as Fame reports, to know. 1823 J. Badcock
Dofit. Amusem. 206 This extends in more or fess degree to
every part of vegetable creation. 1843 Penn^ Cycl, XXVI.
180/2 The distinction given between the animal and vege-
table kingdoms is the possession of sensation by the former.
1878 Huxley Pkysiogr, 84 To supply the vegetable world
with its carbon.
4. Of, composed or consisting of, made from,
esculent vegetables.
1746 Francis tr. Horace, Sat. ii. v. 32 What your Garden
yields, . . To him be sacrific'd, and let him taste, Before your
Gods, the vegetable Feast. 1789 W. Buchan Dom. Med.
C1790) 449 A milk and vegetable diet.. will often perform a
cure, 184a Combe Digestion 305 Vegetable food and fruit
might, with propriety, be used by the middle and richer
classes in this country to a greater extent than it U. 1838
SiMMONDS Diet. Trade, Vegetable-soups, soups made with
green pease, turnips, and carrots cut small, cabbages, &c.
5. Resembling that of a vegetable ; esp. unevent-
ful, featureless, monotonous, dull.
1854 J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1S55) II. ii. 46 The
pauper peasantry, weary of a merely vegetable life, were
glad of any pretext for excitement. 1874 Savce Compar.
Philol. vii. 298 They had no occasion to mark the lapse of
time in their monotonous and vegetable existence.
6. ellipt. Living on vegetables ; vegetarian.
1812 Shelley in Hogg Life (1858) II. 197, I continue
vegetable; Harriet means to be slightly animal, until the
arrival of spring.
7. Special collocations.
Vegetable acid^ an organic add derived from a plant.
Vegetable alkali (see quots. and Alkali 3). Vegetable
brimstone (see quot. and Lycopodium 2). Vegetable
butter (see quot. and Butter sb.^ 3). Vegetable camel (see
quot). Vegetable casein^ = Lecumin. Vegetable cater-
pillar^ eggy ethiopSy fre-craeker^ Jlannely t./y' (see quots.).
Vegetable gelatin : see Gelatin i b. Vegetable gold, t(^)
saffron (May ne, 1859); (^) an acid derived from the roots of
the plant Trixis Pipizahuac [Treas. Bot. 1866). Vegetable
hair, the long-beard, Tillandsia usneiodes (Ibid). Vege-
table horse-hair, the fibre of the leaves of the European
palm Ckannerops humilis (Ibid. Suppl. 1874), Vegetable
ivory (see Ivory 2) ; also attrib. Vegetable jelly, = Pectin.
t Vegetable lamb : see Lamb sb. 5 c. Vegetable leather, the
plant Euphorbia punicea (Treas. Bot. 1866). Vegetable
inarro7.v\ see Marrow sb} 3. Vegetable tnummy. see
Mummy jiJ.i 2 c. Vegetable oyster \ (a) i/.5"., salsify ; ((5)
scorzonera. Vegetable parchment \ see Parchment j^. i b.
Vegetable pear, the chocho (see Pear sb. 3). Vegetable sheep,
silk (see quots.J. Vegetable sulphur, vegetable brimstone.
Vegetable tallow, vellum (see quots.). Vegetable "wax, a
wax or wax-like substance obtained from plants or vege-
table growths. Vegetable zvool (see quot.).
1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Alkaly, Since ^Vegetable Acids
are originally no other than Mineral ones. 18x5 J. Smith
Panorama Set. <5- Art II. 389 The acetous, and most
other vegetable acids, have some action upon tin. 1892
Photogr. Ann. II. 684 Acids, including vegetable acids,
1778 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2) III. 1809/1 The fixed kind are
subdivided into . . the *vegetable, and mineral or fossile
alkali, 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 5 Of the fixed
[alkalis] there are two species, the one generally afforded
by the incineration of inland vegetables, and thence called
the Vegetable Alkali. 1807 T. Thomson Ckem. (cd. 3) II.
588 Carbonate of Potash.. was characterized by a great
variety of names, according to the manner of preparing it;
.such as fixed nitre, salt of tartar, vegetable alkali. 1846
Lindley Veget, Kingd. 70 The powder contained in the spore-
cases of Lycopodium clavatum and Selago..is employed
under the name of Lycopode, or *vegetable brimstone...
in the manufacture of fireworks, and. .to roll up pills. 1836
Penny Cycl. VI. 68/2 * Vegetable butters, the name given to
the concrete oil of certain vegetables, from its resemblance
to the butter obtained from the milk of animals, and from ■
being employed for similar purposes. The term is also occa-
sionally, but improperly, applied to some vegetable products
which are entirely of a waxy nature, such as the wax of the
Myrica cerifera, 1845-50 Mrs. Lincoln Lect. Bot. vi. 40
Some of them [plants] flourish in the most dry and sandy
places, exposed to a burning sun ; as the Stapelia, some-
times called the "vegetable camel. 1841 ^Vegetable caseine
(see Casein]. 1889 E. Wakefield Nerv Zealand after $0
Vrs. Bi The aweto, or *vegeiable-caterpilliir, called by the
naturalists Hipialis virescens. ,, For some inexplicable
reason, the spore of a vegetable fungus Sphseria Robertsii,
fixes itself on its neck.., takes root and grows vigorously.
1866 Treas. Bot. 1018/2 S[apota] man/mosa . .yields the
Marmalade fruit sometimes called the "Vegetable Egg.
1823 J. Badcock Dom. Amusem. 26 Of ivory shavings,
sponge, and the "vegetable sethiops, bladerwrack, is char-
coal also made, i860 Ure Diet. Arts (ed. 5) III. 949 Vege-
table ethiops, a charcoal prepared by the incineration in a
covered crucible of K\\.e fucus vesiculosus, or common sea
wrack. 1874 Treas. Bot, Suppl. 1350/2 "Vegetable fire-
crac\itT, Brodi^a coccinea. 1875 Knight Z>/c^. ^/^^rA. 2695/1
* Vegetable-^annel, a fabric made of a fine fiber obtained
from the leaves of the Pinus sylvesiris. Pine-wool. 1763
Phil. Trans. LIII. 271 The "vegetable fly is found in the
island Dominica, and (excepting that it has no wings) re-
sembles the drone both in size and colour more than any
other English insect. In the month of May it buries itself
in the earth, and begins to vegetate. 1842- "Vegetable
ivory (see Ivory 2]. x88o C. R. Markham Peruv. Bark 219
A hut was made among vegetable- ivory palms. 1885 Lady
Brassev The Trades 109 The vegetable-ivory plant (Pkyte-
Uphas «mcr^«a»7><i). .attracted a large share of attention.
1826 Henry Elem. Chem. II. 194 "Vegetable jelly, unless
when tinged by the fruit from which it has been obtained,
is nearly colourless. 1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org, ii. § 3.
83 Vegetable Jelly (formerly csWtd pectin). 1845-50 Mrs.
Lincoln Leet. Bot, 185 Such (compound flowers] as have
ligutate florets; as the dandelion, lettuce, and *vegetable-
oyster. 1859 Bartlett Diet. Amer. (ed. 2) 307 Oyster-
plant, salsify . . , so called from its resemblance in taste, when
cooked, to the oyster. It is also called the Vegetable
Oyster. 1882 The Garden 11 Nov. 425/3 Salsafy and Scor-
zonera. Those fond of using pet names often call one or
other of these the..' vegetable oyster'. 1866 Treas. Bot.
959/1 The name of "Vegetable Sheep (!) is given by the
settlers in New Zealand to R[aoulia] eximia, because, from
its growing in large white tufts on elevated sheep-runs, it
may be readily mistaken for the sheep. 1895 in Morris
Austral Engl. (1898) 246/2 There is in the Alpine regions
of the South Island a plant popularly called the ' vegetable
sheep ', botanically named Raonlia. 1853 T. C. Archer
Pop, Econ. Bot. 181 "Vegetable silk. x866 Treas. Bot.y
Vegetable Silk, a cotton-like material obtained from the
.seed-pods of CItorisia speciosa. 1855 Ocilvie Suppl. 402/2
* Vegetable sulphur, & povfdcr obtained from the theca of
..common club moss [etc.]. 1846 Foreign Q. Rev. April
88 Among the exports of Borneo . . [are] "vegetable tallow, . .
coffee [etc.]. 1866 Treas. Bot, 1206 Vegetable tallow, a
fatty substance obtained from Stillingia sebifera, Valeria
indica, and other plants. 1888 Jacobi Printers' Vocab.
J51 *Vegetable vellum, Japanese vellum-paper specially
VEGETABLIZE.
74
VEGETATE.
prepared to imitate \-elIuin. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Set. *
Art 11.495 In China and in Nortn America, wax isobtained
directly from plants, and is then called •vegetable- wax.
tS43 Ptnnf Cyc/.XXVI. 180 i Myrica qutiyi/olia^a. native
oftne Cape of Good Hope, is another species which yields
a vegetable wax. 1853 T. C Archer Pofi. Econ. Bot. 281
Vegetable Wax (South American). Ibid. 282 Vegetable
Wax, or Myrtle Wax (of North America). 1884 Chambers's
yml. 8 March 146/2 The prepared fibre of this plant [Neil-
gherry nettle] is sometimes called ^Vegetable wool.
b. In the names of pigments, as vegetable black,
^/w^, etc. _,. _ ,.
1807 T. Thomsom CArw.Ced. 3) H- ^74 This acid reddens
vegetable blues, and gradually destroys the greater number
of them. 1875 Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bf x. (ed. 2) 365
Vtgetable Black.~T\C\s, is the cheapest and best black for
alt ordinarv work.
Ve-getablize, z'. rare. [f. Vegetable j^. or «.
+ -IZK.] trans, and refl. To render vegetable ; to
convert into, or cause to resemble, a vegetable
substance.
A 1843 Encycl. Meirop. VII. 113 Having been vegetablized
..in the leaves, it (the sap] passes into vessels, .in the bark.
z86q in Cosmopolitan 19 Aug. 314 The mineral vegetabliscs
itself, the vegetable animalises itself, a 1891 O'Neill
hyeing <J- Calico Print. 36 (Cent. Dtct), Silk is to be vege-
tablized..by an immersion in a bath of cellulose dissolved
in ammoniaca! copper oxide.
Ve'getably, cidv. rare, [f. as prec. + -lt 2,]
1. In the manner of a vegetable or plant ; with
vegetative properties.
1651 Biggs New Disp. 39 These things happen in plants
vegetably animate.
a. In respect of, by means of, vegetables ; towards
vegetables. Only in combs.
i8«7 Examiner 1^1 \ There is a bold enrichment in the
vegetably-marked foreground. 1867 F. Francis Angling \.
(1880) 31 A bait for roach when they are vegetably-minded.
Veg^etal (vcd^/tal), a. and sb. Forms : 5
vegytalle, vygital, 6-7 vegitall, 7 vegital,
vegetall, 7- vegetal, [ad. med.L. *vegetdlis, f.
L. vegetare: see Vegetate v. Cf. F. vigital
(i6th c), Sp. and Pg. vegetal, It. vegetale.'\
A. adj* 1. Characterized by, exhibiting or pro-
ducing, the phenomena of physical life and growth.
(Cf. Vegetable a. i.) Now usually in expressed
or implied contrast with animaL
The modem use is due to Herbert Spencer (see Lewes
Physiol. Common Life (i860) II. 430 note), and has largely
influenced the retention or revival of the form in other
senses.
f 1400 in Ashm. Tkeatr. CJiejn. Brit. (1652) 211 Wyth
vygital moyster and of the red Grap. 1400 Caxton Eneydos
iv. 19 Whan., the naturel bete of bloocf humayn comforte
my membris, & made theym vegytalle wyth sencyble
moeuynges. i6ix Cotgr., Vegetal, vegetal], hauing or glu-
ing a (plant-like) life, increase,.. or growing. i6ai Burton
Anat. Mel. 1. L 11. v. Necessary concomitants or affections
of this Vcgelall facultie is life, and his privation death. 2666
Bp. S. Parker Free 8f Impart. Censure (1667) 180 They can
exert no acts but of Imagination, whence spring forth the
powers of the Vegetal life.
185a Spemcer Ess.^ Architect. Types (1891) II. 377 That
there is some relation between Gothic architecture and
vegetal forms is generally admitted. x86x — Education 21
Phenomena of animal and vegetal life. 1879 G. Allen
Colour-Sense iv, Not a trace of any vegetal organism has
yet been discovered in the primary rocks to which [etc.].
1893 J. Fiske Man's Destiny 27 The mjTiad fantastic hues
of animal and vegetal life. .
b. In expressed or implied contrast with sensible
(or sensitive) and rational, Obs, exc. Hist,
x6it BoRTON Anat. Mel. Democritus to Rdr. 16 All
creatures, vegetal, sensible and rational. Ibid. i. i. 11. v,
Vegetal Plants, Sensible Beasts, Rational Men. 1664 H.
More Myst. Intg. 384 The functions and delights of the
mere Vegetal and Animal nature. 1744 Berkeley Siris
5 275 The inferior classes of life : fir<it the rational, then the
sensitive, after that the vegetal. 1871 Tylor Prim. Cult. I.
393 The famous classic and medieeval theories of the vegetal,
sensitive, and rational souls.
2. Of or pertaining to, derived or obtained from,
plants or vegetables.
1596 J. Hester Experiments ^ Cures, etc (title-p.), Cer-
taine Secrets of Isacke Hollandus concerning the Vegetal]
and Animall worke. 1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym.
343 Scorbutick pills are so prepared with noble vegetal
extractions. 1735 Fam. Diet. 5.v. Lye, Take this Lye, put
into it an Ounce or two of vegetal Salt 1758 J. S, Le
Dran's Observ. Snrg. {1771) 142 Manna, Cassia, and vege-
tal Salt. 1850 Eraser's Mng. XLI. 300 Most of their
vegetal riches might be matched in Covent Garden. 1859
GuLLicK & TiMBs Paint. 143 Vegetal lakes, and the most
tender colours. x866 Watts Diet. Chem. IV. 363 All vege.
tat tissues which contain pectose. 1879 G. Allen Colour-
Sense iii, The bright hues of vegetal products like fruits and
flowers.
3. = Vegetable a. 3.
1664 Power Exp. Philos. r. 61 The main.. Agent in all
Natures three Kingdoms Mineral, Vegetal, and Animal.
1804 Charlotte ^-mith Conversations, eic. I. 71 The rose,
^Pnde of the vegetal creation. 1859 ^tl Year Round
No. 34. 175 This advice is equally just in regard to many
other members of the vegetal world. 1876 Contemp. Rev.
Tan. 243 Many of the lowest forms of life cannot positively
be assigned either to the vegetal or to the animal kingdom.
B. sb. An organic substance which is neither
animal nor mineral ; a plant ; = Vegetable sb. i.
Very common in the first half of the 17th c. In recent use
going with the modern application of the adj. in sense i.
1599 Thvnn'f. Animadv. ^1875) 15 All other armes whiche
are not Anymalls and vegitallK,. .as Cheuerons, pales, Bendes
(etc]. Z599 Alex. Hume Poems (S.T.S.) 21 He knawes
. . The vertue of all kinde of fruites, and euerie vegetal. 1610
B. Jonson Alch. I. i. Your mineralls, vegetalls and animalls
. . Could not relieue your corps, c X640 Waller For Drink-
ing 0/ Healths I Let brutes and vegetals, that cannot think.
So far as drought and nature urges, drink. 1678 Butler
Hud. III. ii. 1622 All ih'other Members shall.. Spring out
of this, as from a Seed, All sorts of Vegetals proceed.
X864 H. Spencer Princ. Biol, I. 112 The largest species
of both animaU and vegetals belong to the highest classes,
tb. y?^. (Seequot.) Obs,~^
x6a6 T. HfAWKiNs] Canssin's Holy Cri. 244 A great num-
ber of men are now a dayes vegetalls, that is to say, who so
Hue, as if they had no other soule but the vegetatiue, a:^
plantes, and lead the very life of the mushrome.
Vegeta'lcule. rare-^^, [f. prec. + -CULE, after
animalcule.'] A minute vegetable organism.
1856 Grindon Li/e xxv. (1875) 322 Between the first animal-
cules and the first vegetalcules there is a seeming identity.
Vegeta'lity. rare. [f. as prec. + -ITY. Cf. F.
vegitaliti.] = Vegetability 2.
i860 Lewes Physiol. Common Li/e 11. 430 note. We may
thus say vegetal, and vegetality, as well as animal, and am-
niality. X879 — Study Psychol. 54 In its evolution it passes
from Vegetality to Animality, and through Animality to
Humanity.
Vegetant (ved^rtant), a. and sb. [a. F. vigil-
ant^ or ad. L. vegetant-, vegetans, pres. pple. of
vegetdre : see Vegetate z'.]
A. adj, f 1. Animating, vivifying, invigorating.
Vegetant stone : see Vegetable a. i d. Obs. rare.
1576 G. Baker tr. Gesner's Jewell of Health 112 The
making of the vegetant stone.. is borowed out of the prac-
tises of the above sayde Aucthour. 1615 Chapman Odyss.
v. 629 The sea's chill breath, And vegetant dews, I fear will
be my death.
2. Vegetating; vegetable, vegetal. Now nr?*^.
x6io W. Folkingham Art of Survey i. iii. 6 The Grouth
& Repletion of productions, both Vegetant and Animall,
X654 Z. Coke Logick 28 Life vegetant as Trees, fruitful and
unfruitful. 1675 Evelyn Terra (1729) 313 Vegetant and
indissoluble salts. X903 R. BRtocES IVintry Delights 70
Rejoicing In vegetant or brute existence.
3. nonce-use. Vegetarian.
1858 Hogg Shelley 1 1 , 420 Tookc proposed shrimps and
treacle to one of the fathers of the church vegetant here on
earth.
t B. sb. = Vegetable sb, i. Vegetal sb. Obs.
x6os TiMME Quersit. i. xvi. 85 Simple vegetants, with
metallick substances, doe draw those mercurialls . . of a
purging nature. 1610 W. Folkingham Art 0/ Survey i. vi.
13 It intimates howe and wherewith the Plot is. .replenished
both with Vegetants, and Animals,
Vegetarian (ved.^Ae^Tian), sb. and a. [Irreg.
f. Veget-able after sbs. and adjs, in -arian. Hence
F. vigitariettj G. vegetarianer.
The general use of the word appears to have been largely
due to the formation of the Vegetarian Society at Ramsgate
in 1847.]
A. sb. 1. One who lives wholly or principally
upon vegetable foods ; a person who on principle
abstains from any form of animal food, or at least
such as is obtained by the direct destruction of life.
x84a Healthian Apr. 34 To tell a healthy vegetarian that
his diet is very uncongenial with the wants of his nature.
1854 H. Miller Sch. ^ Schm, {1858) 332 A man can scarce
become a vegetarian even without also becoming in some
measure intolerant of the still large., class that eat beef
with their greens, and herrings with their potatoes. 1885
Salmon Intrpd. N. 7^. xi. 241 Even those who used animal
food themselves came to think of the vegetarian as one who
lived a higher life.
b. transf. Of animals, etc.
X854 Poultry Chron. I, 307 For though ours are not vege-
tarians, every chicken we have is a stanch teetotaler ! 1861
P. P. Carpenter in R ep. Smithsonian Insiit. 1S60, 194 It is
almost certain that some tribes (of GasteropodsJ which have
a permanently elongated muzzle are net vegetarians.
2. A member of a fanatical Chinese sect. Also
attrib.
1895 Tablet 10 Aug. 20S Some 80 men belonging to a sect
known as Vegetarians stormed the station.. at night. 1896
Mission. Herald (Jioston) July 279 A large portion of the
vegetarians were unwilling to even plunder the mission-
aries. Ibid,, The vegetarian leaders imagined that the
missionaries were at the bottom of this activity against
themselves.
B. adj. 1, Ofor pertaining to vegetarians or vege-
tarianism ; practising or advocating vegetarianism.
In this group possibly attrib. uses of the sb.
X849 Vegetarian Messenger Introd. i Condensed accounts
of meetings and the transactions of the Vegetarian Society.
j86o [John Smith] {title), The Principles and Practice of
Vegetarian Cookery. 1890 J. Knight Vegetarianism in
Practice 11 The moral aspects of the Vegetarian practice.
Ibid. 12 The Vegetarian system affords such articles as will
give all requisite nourishment.
2. Of animals: Living on vegetables.
18^6 T. R. Jones Aquarian Nat. 342 Mr. Darwin gives
an interesting account of a crab.. which lives on cocoa-
nuts... This vegetarian crab [etc.]. 1869 R. Trimen in
Noble The Cape ^ its People 100 An order, .composed
almost wholly of vegetarian insects.
3. Consisting of vegetables or plants.
1868 'R.Ovir.HAnat. F>^/^^«/«III. 293 The diprotodont
[type of dentition] obtains in the majority of the Australasian
marsupials, and is associated usually with vegetarian or
promiscuous diet. 1911 Swanton Ind. Tribes Lo7ver
Mississ. (Bureau Amer. Ethnol.) 317 The diet of the Tunica
was more vegetarian than that of American tribes generally.
Veffetarianisni (ved^Aea-riani/Zm). [f. prec]
The doctrine or practice of vegetarians : abstention
from eating meat, fish, or other animal products.
x8s3inDuNCLisoN Lex, i86ip. /?^. Oct.324 All this was
partly owing, no doubt, to mere physical illness ; not im-
probably to vegetarianism. X879 Tvndall Fragm. Sci.
(ed. 6) 1. xi. 339 Is it contrary to the rules of Vegetarianism
to eat eggs? X885 Salmon Introd. N. T. 241 Among our*
selves . . vegetarianism is regarded as a harmless eccentricity.
t Ve'getary, a, Obs,~^ [f. L. vegetdre Yzgzt-
ATE V. + -ARY i, j Vegetable, vegetative.
a 159S Southwell Hundred Medit. {1873) 178 As Thou are
one in essence, so is my soul, containing all the powers, with
a vegetary, sensible and reasonable life.
t Ve'getate, a. Obs. rare. Also 7 vegit-.
[ad. L. vegetdt-us, pa. pple. of vegetdre : see next.]
iindowed with vegetable life ; growing as plants.
"574 J* Tones tr. Galen, De Elementis Ep. Ded. p. ii.
Whether they be Inanimata..2LS the Minerals ; or Animata,
with life. Vegetal, Sensit, & Rational, Growing thinges, as
Hearbes. a 1691 Boyle Hist. Air {1692) 79 This may be
evidenced, by undeniable experiments, from things inan-
imate and vegitate.
Vegetate (ve'd^iteh), v. [f. L. vegetal', ppl.
stem of vegetdre to animate, enliven, f. vegetus
active, lively, vigorous : see Vegete a.]
1. intr. Of plants, seeds, etc. : To exercise or
exhibit vegetative faculties or functions ; to grow
or develop, or begin to do so.
x6o5 TiMME Quersit. i. x. 38 You might see. .the manifest
forme of a rose, vegetating and growing. X707 Curios, in
Ilusb. 9f Card. 27 A Plant.. vegetates ; that is to say,. it
nourishes itself, shoots, increases in size, and produces
Leaves, Flowers, and Seeds. X765 A. Dickson Treat
Agric. (ed. 2) 97 Seeds will not vegetate without air. 1791
\V. Gilpin Forest Scenery II. 107 A young oak, just
vegetating from the acorn. 18x5 J- Smith Panorama Sci.
ff Art W. 627 The plants being well earthed up, vegetate
with increased luxuriance. X838 T. Thomson Chem. Org.
Bodies 859 The leaves [of the tea-plant] are not fit to be
pulled till the shrub has vegetated for three year.s. x85s
Robertson Serm. Ser. in. (1857) xviii. 263 The sun in
autumn may be bright and clear, but the seed which has
not been sown until then will not vegetate.
transf. and^^, X706-7 Farquhar Beaux' Strai. Prol., A
weed that has to twenty summers ran, Shoots up in stalk, and
vegetates to man. 1733 Pope Ess. Man 111. 16 See dying
vegetables life sustain. See life dissolving, vegetate again.
X79« Burke Corr. (r844) III. 408 That corruption has cast
deep roots in that party, and they vegetate in it . . every day
with greater and greater force. X836 I. Taylor Phys. The.
Another Life yAVi. 173 Such dispositions. .are living powers;
they vegetate, and cover the entire surface of the soul.
b. transf. To increase as if by, to present the
appearance of, vegetable growth.
1744 Berkeley Siris § 177 All parts of the world vegetate
by a fine subtle aither. ^'jZzPhil. Trans. LXXIII. 79 They
vegetate, if solutions of both metals ti. e. silver and mercury]
in the same acid be mixed together. 1796 Morse Amer.
Geog. I. 501 Naturalists have observed that ore in swamps
and pondy ground vegetates and increases. 1823 Ube Diet.
Chem. s.v. Vegetation {Saline), When salts are suffered to
vegetate in this manner [etc.]. 1895 Funk's Stand. Diet.,
Vegetate, ..zs a wart or pimple; [to] produce excrescences.
c. To produce vegetation.
1799 Kirwan GeoL Ess. 105 It is well known that beds of
volcanic ashes and pumice vegetate sooner than any other.
2. fig. Of persons : To live a merely physical
life ; to lead a dull, monotonous existence, devoid
of intellectual activity or social intercourse ; to live
in dull retirement or seclusion.
1740 Gibber Apol. (1756) I. 18 The man who chuses never
to laugh.. seems to me only in the quiet state of a green
tree; he vegetates, tis true, but shall we say he lives? 1777
G. FoRSTER Voy, round World I. 542 In short, we rather
vegetated than lived. x8oo Mrs. Hervey Mourtray.Fam.
I. 25 He repaired with his family . . to vegetate (as they called
it) at Wilmington Park. x86o Adlek Pj-oi'. Poet xvii. 380
Weary, .of the obscurity in which he vegetated he resolved
to apply himself to the culture of poetry. 1886 W. J. Tucker
E. Europe 252 The family was vegetating in dingy privacy
in an Austrian provincial town on the shattered remnants
of what had once been a princely fortune.
b. Of a country, nation, etc.
1796 Morse Amer. Geog. II. 294 The Polish nation might,
after having vegetated so long in obscurity [etc.). X809 W.
Irving Knickerb. vii. vi. (1849) 407 The vast empire of
China, .has vegetated through a succession of drowsy ages.
x83a tr. Sistnond^s Ital. Rep. xv. 341 The republics of
Genoa, Sienna, and Lucca had permission to vegetate under
the imperial protection. X85X Kossuth in Daily News 22
March {1894) 5/6 The House of Hapsburg, as a dynasty,
exists no more. It merely vegetates at the whim of the
mighty Czar.
1 3. trans. To cause to grow ; to stimulate growth
or development in ; to animate, quicken. Obs.
1620 T. Granger Div. Logike A 4 b, The Roote, whose
sappe doth vegetate the rest. 1646 J. Hall Horx Vac. 79
The continuing and placing of Ideas,. doth greatly quicken
and vegetate the Invention. X678 Cudworth Intell. Sysi.
347 This Sensible World, is the Receptacle of all Forms,
Qualities, and Bodies, all which cannot be vegetated and
quickned without God.
absol. x67X H. M. tr. Erasm. Colloa. 300 Therefore in some
parts it [the soul] animates only, and vegetates.
1 4. To make strong or vigorous. Obs."^
X623 in Cockeram.
5. To provide or supply with vegetables (see
quot."). rare~^,
1838 Parker Exploring Tour beyond Rocky Mts. (1846)
386 Our stay at Tahiti was employed by the ship's crew.,
in vegetating the ship, as they phrase it ; that is, in collect-
ing oranges, bananas, sweet potatoes,, .yams and squashes.
6. In pa. pple. Provided with vegetation or plant-
life. Usually with qualifying adv.
1876 Nature g Nov. 31/1 The head of the bay, which
VEGETATED.
appeared from the distance to be well vegetated. 189a Pall
MallG. 25 Nov. 6/1 New Amsterdam . . is densely vegetated,
and consequently more valuable.
Hence Ve'getated ///. a. ; Ve-getating vbl. sb.
1775 Ash, Vegetating, the state or act of growing like
plants. 1804-ao Blake Jems. To Deists, Your Greek Philo-
sophy, which is a remnant of Druidism, teaches that Man is
righteous in his Vegetated Spectre. 1884 E. P. Roe Nat,
Ser. Story ii. Frequent removal from one part of the country
to another prevents anything like vegetating.
Ve-GTetating, ppl. a, [f. prec. + -ing 2.]
1. Characterized by, associated with, or causing
vegetation.
1704 Ray Creation (ed. 4) i. 95 It's not unlikely, that the
Rain-water may be endued with some vegetating or prolifick
Vertue. 1768 Phil. Trans. LVIIl. 78 Seeds in a vegetating ]
state. X794 R. J. Sullivan View Nat. II. 48 The vegeut-
ing power which is operating during the whole year in ever-
greens. 1800 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 265/1 Root fleshy,.. soon
after taken out of the earth becomes highly scented, which
it retains as long as in a vegetating state.
2. Exhibiting vegetation or growth.
1783 Justamond tr. Raynals Hist. Indies VI. 313 Six
vems of vegetating earth, which were in process of time
discovered, received sugar canes. X796 Withering Brit.
Plants(,ed. 3) II. 152 Mr. Gough informs me that vegetatirig
germs of the viviparous variety,, .planted in his garden in
the year 1790, still continue viviparous. 1801 FarTner's
Mag. April 128 Sheep may occasionally be allowed to take
a walk over the fallow, to pick up any vegetating weeds or
grass roots that may come in their way. 188a Vines tr.
Sachs's Bot. 630 The Lemnaceae consist of small branched
leafless floating vegetating bodies.
Vegetation (ved.:5rt/''Jan). Also 6 vegita-
cion, 7-8 -tion. [ad. (late and) med.L. vegetatio^
f. vegetdre Vegetate v. So F. vigitatiotit It.
vcgetazione^ Sp. vegetacion^ Pg. vegetofao.
The definitions 'a comforting, making strong', etc., in
Cockeram {1623) and Blount (1656) are merely copied from
Cooper's explanation oivegetatio in Apuleius.]
L Abstract senses,
1. The action of vegetating or growing ; the
faculty, process, or phenomena of growth and
development as possessed by certain organic sub-
stances ; vegetal activity or property.
a. In general use.
1564 J. Dav ir. Martyr s Comm. Judges xiii. 312 To cate,
is not onely to chawe the meate, . .but moreouer to conuert
it into the substawnce of hys bodye, by concoction thoroughc
the power of vegitacion. 1594 Plat Je^vell-hc. w. 11 Salt. .
causeth the vegetation, perfection, maturitie, and the whole
good that ts contained in euery thing that nourisheth. 1605
TtMHE Quersit. I. xiii. 5;^ A most pure and perfect body,
replenished with vital spirits, and full of vegetation. _ 1768
Pennant Brit. Zool. I. Pref. 10 Through every species of
animal life, ..to that point where sense is almost extinct, and
vegetation commences. 1813 Sir H. Davy Agric. Cheni.
(1814) 7 The phenomena of vegetation must be considered
as an important branch of the science of organized Nature.
Jig. «7S5 Young Centaur vL Wks. 1757 IV. aSi The light
of God's countenance is the sun of the human soul, whence
all its vegetation of real felicity.
fb. Of the soul. Obi. (Cf. Vegetative a. i a.)
1613 PuacHAS Pilgrimage (1614) 16 One soul hath those
three essentiall faculties of Vnderstanding, Will, and
Memorie. or (as others) of Vegetation, Sense, and Reason.
i6ao T. Granger Div. Logike 55 Sence, and vegetation is
an effect by emanation of the soule.
c. Of plants or seeds, f Also, vegetative power
(quot, iws).
1661 Sia K. DiGBY (title), A Discourse concerning the
Vegetation of Plants. 1665 Sir T. Hkrbert Trav. {1677)
333 The root where the sap lies constantly conveying vege-
tation to the tree in those warm Regions. 1707 Curios, in
Hush. 4- Card. 28 The Operations of each Plant, which are
Nutrition, Augmentation and Propagation,, .we. .express by
the single Word Vegetation, which in Effect includes them
all. i^ J. Lee Introd. Bot. i. vii. (176s) 14 The Seed, .is
a deciduous Part of the Vegetable, the Rudiment of a new
one. quickened for Vegetation by the Sprinkling of the
Pollen. 1789 Mks. Piozzi Journ. France II. 15J1 In these
countries vegetation is so rapid, that every thing makes
haste to come and more to go. 1813 Bakewell Introd. Geol.
(1815) 250 The vegetation of perennial grasses in the spring
is at least a fortnight sooner on lime*stone and sandy soils
..than on clayey. i8s3RoBrKrsoN 5^r/«. Ser. iii. (1872) iii.
31 Seeds and germs . . incapable of vegetation in the unkindly
climate of their birth. 1884 Bower & Scott De Bary's
Phofter. 561 The intercellular air.spaces of the cortical
parenchyma are in open communication with the external
air at the time of active vegetation.
t d. Of inorganic substances. Obs,
1676 Phil. Trans. XI. 759 They are prepossest with an
opinion against the vegetation of all Stones. 1748 Earth-
quake Peru Pref. 11 As a Proof of the quick Ve^itation of
Silver. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1824) I. 33 This is not a
place for an inquiry into tbc seeming vegetation of those
stony substances.
t 2. An act or instance of vegetating ; a stage in
plant growth or development. Obs.
1671 Grew /l«tf/. Pl.^ Idea {16^-2) i The Method of Nature
her self, in her continued Scries of Vegetations ; proceeding
from the Seed sown, to the formation of the Root.
+ 3. transf. The production of a plant-like for-
mation. Obs. (Cf. 5 b.)
1707 Curios, in Husb. 4- Card. 305 The Artificial Vegeta-
tion of Silver, commonly called Diana's Tree. 18*3 Ure
Did. Chem. s.v.. The Influence of the Air and Light upon
the Vegetation of Salts. 184a Francis Did. Arts, Vegeta-
tion of Salts, a curious phenomena \sic\, which takes place
when strong solutions of metallic salts are left in glass,
earthenware, or other vessels.
4. fig. Existence similar or comparable to that of
75
a vegetable ; dull, empty, or stagnant life spent in
retirement or seclusion.
1797 Godwin Enquirer 1. xiii. 114 His state is rather a
state of vegetation. 1833 T. Hook Parson's Dau. i. xi. In
this state of vegetation he remained until about ten o'clock,
1854 J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) I. xvi. 390 Hedouville
..went to spend a life of mere vegetation in Spain. i88a Miss
Braddon Mt.'RoyalW. iv. 53 You can't expect to find much
difference in me after three years' vegetation in CornwalL
n. Concrete senses.
5. fa. A vegetable form or growth ; a plant.
1683 Tryon IVay to Health 518 At which times all Vegita-
tions are in their flourishing state. 1691 — IVisd. Dictates
no The pleasant Ferment, .of the Stomach can with much
more facility, .disgest Vegitations, than Flesh or Fish. 1707
CuHos. in Husb, <$■ Card. 29 Some Vegetations, . . as . . Mush-
rooms and Mosses: the maritime Vegetations, .. are not
properly Plants.
b. A plant-like growth or formation due to
chemical action. (Cf. 3.)
1790 Phil. Trans. LXXX. 378 Bergman relates, that he
has sometimes observed beautiful crystallizations or vegeta-
tions of metallic silver formed on pieces of iron immersed
long in a solution of silver. 1796 Kirwan Elem, Min. (ed. 2)
II. 446 The Nickel forming greenish vegetations. 1800 tr.
Lagrange^s Chem. II. 133 At the end of some hours there
will be formed, at the surface of the smalt mass of amalgam,
a vegetation in the form of a bush. 1823 J. Badcock Dom.
Amuseni. 124 A beautiful white vegetation will be jiercept-
ible round the wire. 1849 J. R. Jackson Min. 287 A pretty
metallic vegetation in glass jars :. .called the Tree of Diana.
c. Path. A morbid fungoid growth or excrescence
occurring on some part of the body.
183s O'r/. Prod. Med. IV. 419/2 Warty vegetations of the
valves. — These excrescences bear a close resemblance to
venereal warty vegetations. 1861 Bumstead Ven. Z>w. {1879)
242 Vegetations are papillary growths springing from the
skin or mucous membrane, chiefly in the neighborhood of
the genital organs. 1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 327
The posterior flap at its right corner bore a large vegetation,
assuming the shape of a mushroom, of about li inch in
diameter.
6. Plants collectively ; plants or vegetal growths
as a product of the soil, freq. considered in respect
of a certain area.
1717-46 Thomson Summer 440 Deep to the root Of vegeta-
tion parch'd, the cleaving fields, .an arid hue disclose. 1794
Mbs. Raixliffe Myst. Udolpho xliii, The paths were rude,
and frequently overgrown with vegetation. 1813 Shelley
Q. Mob vui. 170 Blue mists. .Scattered the seeds of pesti-
lence, and fed Unnatural vegetation. 1859 Dahwin Orig.
spec. iii. (i860) 74 When an American forest is cut down, a
very different vegetation springs up. i88x Nature No. 619.
448 An admirable summary of the vegetation of the different
regions of the globe,
trans/. 1847 Leitch tr. C. O. Mailer's Anc. Art §275.
265 The Corinthian places in the room of the simple bulge
of the Doric order a slender body, .gradually enlarging and
richly clothed with vegetation.
attrib, 1878 \V. R. S. Ralston in Contemp. Rev. Feb.
536 A reference to vegetation-spirits and their foes.
b. (See quot.)
1870 Kng. Mecli. 21 Jan. 448/2 In old object glasses there
is occasionally an appearance which has been called ' vegeta-
tion ', and which consists of a number of very thin lines dis-
posed in an arborescent form.
Hence Vegeta'tionless a.
1855 Lewes Goethe I. 233 On the vegctationless surface the
radiation is direct.
Vegetative (ve-djA^'tiv), a. and sb. Also 5
vegetatiff, -tyf(f, 6 -ife, 6-7 -iue; 6 vegitatiue,
8-ive. [ad, med.L, vegetdt-ivus^ f. the ppl, stem of
L. vegeldre Vegetate v. : see -ive. So F. v4gitatif
(13th c), Sp., Pg., It. vegctativo:\
A. adj. 1, Having the function of vegetation ;
endowed with the power or faculty of growth,
a. Of the soul. (Cf. Sensitive a. i.)
i^ Trevisa Barth. De P. R. (W. de W. 1495) iii. xiii,
pe Isoule] vcgetatyf dcsyryih to be, . . & the resonable soule
desyreth to Ibe] best. 1433 Lydc. St. Edmund App. 334
Quyk lyk a soule moore than vegetatyff. 1531 Elvot Gov.
111. xxiv, The one [part of the soul], wherin is the powar or
efficacie of growinge, which is also in herbes and trees.., &
that parte is callen vegetatife. 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr.
Acad. \u 338 That order, which Liod hath set betweene the
vcrtues of the Vegetatiue soule for the nourishing of the
bodie. 1609 Bible (Douay) Gen. vi. comm.. The powre or
force to engender belongeth to the vegetative soul. 1659
Centl. Calling {ibg^) 9 .^s we distinguish mens souls into
the vegetative, the animal, and the rational. 169a Ray
Creation i. (ed. 2) 40 For my part, I should make no scruple
to attribute the Formation of Plants, their growth and
nutrition to the vegetative Soul in them. 1735 [see Soul
sb. 5 (a)]. 1808 Barclay Muscular Motions 262 'Ihe ancient
AuMt^«K, the ministers of Physis, were classed by Plato
under three souls, the rationalj animal, and vegetative.
1879 Tvndall Fragm. Sci. II. xi. 343 How. .is this vegeta-
tive soul to be presented to the mind? where did it flourish
before the tree grew?
b. Of material things ; in later use esp. of plants
or parts of these.
1477 Norton Ord. Alck. \. in Ashm. (1652) 20 Also nothing
multiplyed shall ye finde, But it be of Vegetative or of
Sensitive kinde. 1483 Caxton Cold. Leg. 357 b/i Allc
thyneys obey^ to this holy man as well thynges not
sensible as vegetatyf and not resonable. 1509 Hawks Past,
Pleas. XXII. (1555) N iv b, Herbes and fruytes. . In erthe he
planted for to haue their life By diners vertues and sundry
growing. So to continue and be vegitatiue. 1601 Holland
Pliny XVII. xxi, This marrow, this vegetative and vitall
substance. 1613 tr. Alexia's Treas. Aunc. ^ Mod. Times 32
The vegetative Bodies; as Plants, Trees, and such like.
1670 Moral State Eng. 5 None but sensitive and vegetative
Creatures pursue the primitive end of their institutions.
VEGETATIVE.
1711 Steele Sped, No. 100 P 2 The indolent Man descends
from the Dignity of his Nature, and makes that Being
which was Rational merely Vegetative. 1796 Bp. Watson
Apol. Bible 318 Somewhat after the way of your vegetative
speck in the kernel of a peach. x8ia Miss L. M. Hawkins
C'tess «$■ Gertr. I. 262 The vegetative adhesions [to books]
of the undisturbed damp. 1853 G. Johnston Nat, Hist.E.
Bord. I. 220 A very common weed, and so vegetative and
retentive of life that it requires much labour.. to clear the
lands infested with it. 1880 C. & F. Darwin Movent. PI,
523 When a new root-cap and vegetative point had been
formed, they bent themselves perpendicularly downwards.
Jig. 178a Paine Let. Abbe Raynel (1791) 40 The mind is
presented with a wide extended prospect of vegetative good,
and sees a thousand blessings budding into existence.
t C. Vegelative slonef=^'VEGETABLE a.i d. Obs.-'^
c 1450 Lydg. & Burgh Secrees 531 Of stoonys, Specially of
three — Oon mynerai, Anothir vegetatyff, Partydon foure to
lengthe a mannys lyff.
d. spec.xw Phys. and Bot. Concerned with growth
and development, as opposed to reproductive.
(a) 1857 Bullock tr. Cazeaux's Midwifery \Ti One has
been called the external, or serous layer, and the other is
denominated the internal, mucous, or the vegetative one.
1891 W. A. Jamieson Dis. Skin i. (ed. 3) 5 The deepest
layer of all is the vegetative or mucous proper. 1909 J. W,
Jenkinson Exper. Embryol. 245 A blastopore is in very
numerous cases formed at the vegetative pole.
{b) 1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs's Bot. 117 A conical
elongation, .distinguished as the Vegetative Cone. ^ i88a
Vines tr. Sachs's Bot. 246 The multiplication of individuals
being effected by the separation of the ordinary vegetative
cells. 1884 Bower & Scott De Bary's Phaner. Introd. 2
Under the term vegetative organs we include all those
organs of the plant which are not organs of reproduction.
Ibid, 282 In the main vegetative axes of Uycopodium] cla-
vatum and L. annotinum.
2. Of or pertaining to, concerned or connected
with, characterized by, vegetation or growth.
a. Of faculty, power, principle, etc.
c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret.^ Gov. Lordsh. 96 pe wirkynge of
J)is last [virtuel, (bat f»e Auctour clepys vegetatyf, & 1 here
strenght sustantyO. c 1430 Lvdg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.)
196 To tempre the spiritis by vertu vegetatiff,
1606 Bryskett Civ. Li/e ^^ This power of the soule. .is
called vegetatiue (you must giue me leaue to vse new words
of Art . . ) because it giueth life and increase to growing things.
1636 Featly Clavis Myst. xi. 143 The sensitive faculty
includeth the vegetative. 1653 W. Ramesey Astrologie
j Restored%\s All things decay and diminish in their vegeta-
! tive vigour, 171a Hughes Sped. No. 554 P 12 The Soul has
in this Respect a certain vegetative Power, which cannot lie
wholly idle. 1791 Cowper Yardley Oak 3-t Thou fcll'st
mature, and in the loamy clod Swelling with vegetative
force instinct Didst burst thine egg. xBoa Gouvr. Morris in
Sparks Life ^ Writ, (1832) III. j6i There is a vigorous
vegetative principle at the root which will make our tree
flourish, a 1871 Grote Eth. Fragm. v. (1876) 178 Of the
irrational soul, one branch is, the nutritive and vegetative
faculty. 1874 Blackie Self Cult, 41 This growth is a con-
stant and habitual exercise of vital or vegetative force.
b. Of life.
1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 25 b. For in them is the life
vegetatiue or that life which nourisheth, 1598 Barcklev
Felic. Man (1631) 288 In naturallthings_ there are three
kindes of life; vegetative or increasing which is in plants;
sensitive which is in beasts ; rationall or reasonable which
is in men. 1600 Surflet Countrie Farme 1. ix. 47 The Sunne
. .giueth vnto earthly bodies their forme and vegetatiue life.
1678 NoRKis Miscell. (1609) 251 In Rationals [there is]
Vegetative Life, Sense and Reason. 1726 Leoni Alberti's
Archit. I. 5/2 Plants, Seeds, and every thing else that has
the vegetative Life. 17*9 Savage Wanderer iv, 124 Hail,
glorious sun ! to whose attractive fires, The waken'd, vege-
tative life aspires! 1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 126/2
The nerves of organic or vegetative life. 1867 J, Hogg
Microsc. 11. i. 259 The whole vegetative life is run through
in the same cell 1870 Rollkston Anim. Life i Common
Rat, .. dissected so as to show .. portions of most of the
organs of vegetative life.
o. In general use.
1594 Plat fewell-ho. u. i6Toproue tuatsaltisno enemie,
either to the vegetatiue, or sensatiue natures, 1647 H. More
Poems Interpret. Gen, 433 That immense diffusion of atoms
is to be referred to Psyche, as an internall vegetative act.
1683 Tryon Way to Health 130 [InJ Winter, .the Vegitative
Quality stands as it were still. 1762 J. H, Sievenson Craay
Tales 7 The work of vegetative laws, 1781-3 W. F. Martvn
Geog. Mag. II. 147 Olives and mulberries arrive at full
vegetative perfection. 1836 J. Gilbert Chr. Atonem. iv,
(1852) 93 A survey of the minute action of vegetative ener-
gies. ]88o Haughton Ph^s. Geogr, vi. 301 The Europasian
Forest region is characterized by a pretty uniform tempera-
ture during the vegelative season.
3. Causing or promoting vegetation; inducing
vegetable growth ; productive, fertile.
1594 Plat Jewell-ho. 11. 3 A Philosophicall discourse.,
vpon the vegetatiue and fructifying Salt of Nature. x6i»
Pkacha-m Gentl. Exerc. 11. iii. (1634) 114 The vegetative
humour or moisture that quickeneth and giveth lifeto trees,
plants, herbs and flowers, whereby they grow and increase.
1675 Evelyn Terra [1729) 317 Composts, .are by no means
fit for the Earth,. -unless, .so order'd as.. to. .communicate
heat, and vegetative Spirits to what you shall apply them.
1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) 1. 98 Fullers-earth is.. very
full of that vegetative Salt that helps the growth of Plants.
178* Cbevecceur Lett. 50 In Europe they were as so many
useless plants, wanting vegitative mould, and refreshing
showers. 1834 Brit. Husb. I. 360 The vegetative mould
which covers the earth in all situations undisturbed by the
plough. 1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. xviii. (1856) 138 Ahe
question whether unmixed snow can act as a vegetative
matrix. .
+ 4. Obtained or derived from, consisting o!,
vegetables or plants. Obs. rare.
1668 R. Mathew Unl. Alch. 2 This pill is a Corrector of
.ill Vegetative poysons. 1691 Tryon Wisd. Dictates no
10-2
VEGETATIVELY.
All Vegetative Foods are not only wliolsom, but easily
concocted.
6. = Vegetable a, 3.
1677 Plot (>.r/I>n/jA. 175 Having done with the Vegetative,
I proceed to the Animal Kingdom. 1695 Ld. Prkston
B^tk. III. 144, '' casting an E>-e upon the Vegetative
World, consider Herbs and Trees. 17M Wollaston Reitg.
Nmi. ix. ao9, I think 1 may be sure that neither lifeless
muter, nor the vegetative tribe,., have any reflex thoughts.
i77ir-<4 C#o*'j Vey, (1790) 1. 39 In regard to the vegetative
mod brate creation. 1^ I. Taylor Logic TfuoL 44 Ihe
livinj; world, vegetatis'e and animal.
6. Jig. Vegetating ; inactive.
x8oa Mrs. E. Parsons ^fyst. I'isit IV. 74 In this veget-
ative state of happiness you found me. _ _
b. Path. Characterized by the exercise or activity
of the physical functions only.
1893 Daily AVwj 25 Apr. 5/4 He is in what his doctor
calls a vegetative state, and incapable of connecting two
ideas together. x999Ailf»*tt's Syst. Med. VIII. 196 Idiots
cfv^etative grade. Ii>id. 237 This girl led a vegetative
Ufc, but learnt to recognize those around her.
B. sif. fl. Vegetative faculty or power, rare.
t6o5 TiMME QMcrsit. i. xiv. 63 In vegetables there were
only those vegetatiues ; which, in beastes, beside the vege-
taticxi which they retain, .. become also sensatiue.
f 2. An organic body capable of growth and
development but devoid of sensation and thought ;
ft vegetable or plant. Obs*
1634 W. Wood New Eng. Prosp. i. vi, Having related
unto you the., nature of the Soile, with his vegetatives, and
other commodities, a 1668 Feltham Resolves i. xxviii.
(1677) 152 Even Plants, which are but Vegetatives, will not
grow in Caues, where the. .Air is barred from them. 1668
Clarendon Ess. Tracts (1727) 93 We live rather the Life of
Vegetatives or Sensitives . . than the lives of reasonable men.
171a E. CooKE Voy. S. Sea 210 Having run over the living
Creatures and Vegetatives. 1764 in loM ^c/. //isf. MSS.
Comm. App. 1. 372 We are vegetatives formed byeducation.
Hence Ve-ffetatively adv.^ Vegetativeness.
x886 EncycL Brit. XX. 431/2 In some instances the one
generation may spring *vegetatively from the other without
the intervention of a spore. 1905 Brit. Med. JmL 25 Feb.
442 They develop into one of the three following forms all
of which can reproduce themselves vegetatively. 1717
Bailev (vol 1 1),* yege/ativeness, a vegetative Quality. 1889
Geddes & Thomson EvoI, Sex 48 Superior constitutional
vegelativeness in the females [of Lychnis),
Vegete (v/d^rt), a. Now rare. Also 7 veget,
vegit. [ad. L. vegetus^ f. vegere to be active or
lively. Cf. It. and Pg. vegcto, obs. F. vejete
(Cotgr.).]
L Healthy and active ; flourishing in respect of
health and vigour : a. Of persons, the body, etc.
1639 W. Cartwright Roy. Slave m. i, The veget Artist
and the vigorous Poet, whose braines are full and forging
still. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemi. i. 22 Even her body
was made aery and vegete. 1670 Maynwarince Vita Sana
viL 85 Active stirring people are,. more vegete and lively
in spirit, a 1734 North Lives (1826) III. 350 His face was
always tinted with a fresh colour, and his looks vegete and
sanguine. 1774 J. Bryant Mythol. II. 361 That animal..
was supposed to renew its life, and to become, .vegete and
fresh. 1870 Lowell Study Wind. 380 If I forgot that
ample and vegete countenance of Mr. R— .
D. Of age, condition, etc.
X651 Jer. Taylor Holy Dying iv. § i He had lived an
healthful and vegete .\ge till liis last sickness. 1665 Need-
ham Med. Afedicinx 401 That florid Vegete vigorous con-
dition which ought to be in the less Vegete, or the Vale-
tudinary state of Bodies. 1684. tr. Bottet's Merc. Compit.
VI. 230 He that is of a firm habit of body, and has a vegete
heat.
o. Of the faculties, mind, etc.
x66o South Serm. (1727) IV. i. 21 A well radicated habit,
in a lively, vegete Faculty, is like an Apple of Gold in a
Picture of Silver. i66« Ibid. (1697) 1 . 55 The understanding
. . was vegete, quick, and lively, iw Earbery tr. Burnefs
St. Dead 84 Before the organical Construction of the Body
is impair'd, and the Spirits are vegete and vigorous. 1769
Granger Siogr. Hist. Eng. {t&o^) II. 155 His body was firm
and erect, and his faculties lively and vegete. 1846 J.
Hamilton Mount Olives v, 126 If you would possess such
a mind you must keep it fresh and vegete and lifesome by
secret prayer.
2. Of plants or their parts : Healthy, vigorous ;
growing strongly or promoting active growth.
1651 R. Child in HartUb's Legacy (1655) 106 This be
a very necessary management in taller Plants, and serves to
make them much more vegete and lusty. 1670 PkH. Trans.
V, 2069 Whether the Juyce of Trees, whil'st alive and vegete,
can properly be said, .to descend. 1756 Amorv B uncle {.iZ-z^
\\. 120 Active in sending the vegete juices through the
vessels of all plants. 1794-6 E. Darwin Zoon, (1801) \. 137
There are many trees,whose wholeinternal wood is perished,
and yet the branches are vegete and healthy. z8oo — Phytol.
167 Because the lower leaf dies, and the sweet juice is
absorbed, as the upper leaf becomes vegete.
transf. t6si Ashwell Eides Apost. i8g The Nicene Creed,
. . by this meanes become vegete and growen, was afterwards
used in the Greeke Church.
1 3. Lively, bright. 06s.-^
01643 Cartwright Ordinary iv. iii. In troth a stone of
lustre, I assure you It darts a pretty light, a veget spark.
Hence Vecfe'teness.
1727 Bailev (vol. II), Vegetetiess, Liveliness, Quickness,
Soundness, the Quality of having a growing Life,
fVe'ffetist. nonce-word, [Irreg. f. Veoet-able
+ -I8T.J One who is concerned with the growth or
cultivation of vegetable products.
1778 {W. H. Marshall] Minutes Agric. 7 Sept. 1775, The
Vegetbt, perhaps, more than any other man, is subject to the
power, .of the elements. Ibid.,Digeit 25 The Vegetist ought
never to lose sight of this maxim.
76
tVegetity. Obs.-^ in 7 vegititie. [Irreg. f.
Veget- ATE v* + -ity.] Vegetative power or quality.
But perhaps a misprint for vegitivitie.
i6a8 T. Sfencek Logick 43 The soule of Peter hath the
same rationalitie with all other mens soules: no singular
tree differs from other trees in vegititie.
Vegetive (ved^/tiv), a. and sb. Also 6 vegeet-
yve, 7 vegitiue. [Reduced form of Vegetative
a.t after L. vegel-are or veget-us^
A. adj. 1. Of or pertaining to, characteristic of,
vegetables or plants ; = Vegetative a, 2.
1516 St. Papers Hen. Vlll, VI. 534 The oolde tre for lakk
of vegeetyve sprytis maye nott opteeyne perfect rote fast-
nesse. 1573 Tusser Husb, (1878) 123 Not rent off, but cut
off, ripe beane with a knife, for hindering stalke of hir veget-
iue life. 1605 Sylvester Du Bartas n. iii. Vocation 1354
The pleasant Soyl . . is all dry'd and dead ; Voyd of all force,
vital!, or vegetive. 1631 W. Saltonstall Pict, Loquent. F ii,
His knowledge consists in the vegetive nature of Plants.
1675 J. Smith Chr. Relig, App. u. 15 Man had not Power so
much as over the green Herb, to deprive it of its Vegetive
Life;.. but by God's Donation.
1830 CoLEKiDGE Church <5- State (1839) 192 I'hus, without
the first power, that of growth, or what Bichat and others
name the vegetive life or productivity, the second power. .
could not exist. 185* Bailey Festus (ed. 5) 333 What if
it were that life . . through all The countless grades, vegetive,
animal, Of nature should progress at last to man.
2. Endowed with the faculty of vegetation or
growth ; = Vegetative a. i b.
161S G. Sandys Trav. 140 The Castle of Catie, about
whicih there is nothing vegetiue, but a few solitary Palmes.
1642 H. More Song Soul 11. 1. ii. xlvii, That full grasp of
vast Eternitie 'Longs not to beings simply vegetive. 1657
ToMLiNSON Renou's Disp. 41 Such as are alwayes vegetive
and juicy. 1700 Dryden Pal. i^ Arc. in. 1076 So man, at
first a Drop, dilates with Heat,.. First vegetive, then' feels,
and reasons last. 1700 — Ovids Met. i. 751 The Tree still
panted in the unfinish'd part, Not wholly vegetive, and
heav'd her Heart.
tb. Of the soul : ^ Vegetative a, i a. Obs.
a 1613 Pemble yustijication (1629) 196 The Vegetiue soule
whereby Plants Hue.
c. Covered with or productive of vegetation.
1855 Bailey Mystic 68 Ocean and continent, sea, desert,
plain Mineral and vegetive.
d. Leading a merely physical existence. Cf.
Vegetative a. 6.
i88j Symonds a nimi Figura 1 1 1 Shall these arise winged
by immortal mind. Who toiled on earth obscure and
vegetive ?
B. sb. — Vegetative sb. 2, Vegetable sb, 2.
Common in the 17th c.
x6oa Warner Alb. Eng. xiii. Ixxvi. {1612) 316 Nor lesse
the only Vegitiues, as trees, fruits, herbes, and such, a 1640
Massinger Old Law i. 1, Make us better then those veget-
ives Whose soules die within em. 1678 T. P[okter] Fr.
Conjurer \. 8 Have you not already eat about three parts
of a Pilchard, besides a dish of Vegetives ? 1689 Plunket
Char. Good Commander, etc. 55 The Sun to Plants more
welcome is. . . Thus they of Vegetives might learn some good.
18x9 H. Busk Banquet 111. 479 In snug retreat this vegetive
[i.e. a mushroom] demure, From human reach long deem'd
itself secure.
Veffeti'VOrOUSy «. [Irreg. f. the stem veget-
after Ac/'^2V(7;w«, etc.] Feeding on vegetables or
plants.
1859 Todds Cycl. Anat. V. 304/1 The true vegetivorous
gener.i {of marsupials] have a caecum which is tlnice as
long as the body. 1881 Nature XXIli. 406/1 Vegetivorous
snails {Lyntnaeus) eating young newts.
Vegetizing, ///. a. [f, as prec] Vegetarian.
1857 'Litit's Mag. XXIV. 6 Those vegetising friends, whose
finer feelings are said to be distressed horribly at the smell
of hot joints.
Vegeto- (ve*d5i't(7), irregular combining form of
the L. stem veget-, used in the sense of * vegetable
and . . ' or ' having a vegetable origin '. a. With
adjs,, as vegeto-alkaline^ -animal^ -bituminous^
-carbonaceous J -mineral^ -sulphuric^ etc.
Cf. F. v^gito-aninial, -tniniral, -sul/urique.
1833 Penny Cycl. I. 80/1 The *vegeto-alkaline acetates. .
are decomposed. 1799 Anderson Recreations I. 267 Hairs,
spines, feathers, &c., are all *vegeto-animal productions.
1842 Loudon Suburban Hort. 65 Composts of vegetable or
vegeto-animal matter and earth are of various kinds. 1876
tr. Schutzenberger s Fermentation 34 The matter which
decomposes sugar is a vegeto-animal substance. 1796
KiRWAN Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 40 By Inflammable sub-
stances I understand all those of Mineral Origin whose
principal character is Inflammability. ..Of these the sim-
plest kinds may be reduced to six Genera, namely the Aeri-
form, the Bituminous, Carbonaceous,*Vegeto-Carbonaceous,
*Vegelo- Bituminous, and the Sulphureous. 1776 Percival
Ess. III. 247 Each ounce, therefore, of the *vegeto-mineral
water contains only four tenths of a grain of this metal.
1785 Med. Comtn. II. 31 A poultice with Goulard's vegeto
mineral extract had been, .prescribed. 1857 Bullock tr.
Cazeaux's Midwifery 25 Some ofthevegeto-mineral lotions
are usually sufficient to cause their [i.e. caruncles] disappear-
ance. 1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 654 Some
*vegeto-sulphuric acid is formed at the same time.
D. Withsbs., z.%vegeto-alkali^ -alkaloid, -mineral,
•principle, -veratrine, etc.
1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bat. 205 Dr. Sectiirner has ob-
tained some other *vegeto-alkalies from Cinchona. 1844
Fownes Chem. 478 The vegeto-alkalis, or alkaloids, consti-
tute a remarkable, and at present isolated, group of bodies.
c 1865 J. WvLDE in Circ. Sci. I. 416/r An account of the
vegeto-alkalies, 1887 A. M. Brown Anim. Alkaloids 60
The means of distinguishing the *vegeto-alkaioid. 1839
Ure Diet. Arts 40 The most interesting fact relative to this
*vegeto-mineral is its geological position. xZjp Avier. Jml.
Sci. XVII. 385 M. Dulong has obtained a particular *vegeto-
VEHEMENCY.
principle from the roots of Plumbago Europsea. 1887
A. M. Bkown Anitn. Alkaloids 59 The *vegeto-veratrine
does not reduce the ferricyanide.
t Vegetous, a. Obs. [f. L. vegel-us Vegete :
see -0U8.] — Vegete a.
1609 B. JONSON Sil. IVom. 11. ii, If sheebe faire, yong, and
vegetous. ^1670 Hacket Cent. Serm. (1675) 422 A veget-
ous faith is able to say unto a mountain. Be removed into
the sea. 1696 W^histon The. Earth iv. (1722) 351 The Seeds
of those Vegetables which God originally Created were fresh
and vegetous.
Vegit, obs. f. Vegete a.
VelieiueilCe (vri'mens, vi"*h/mens% Also 6
-ens. [a. late OF. vehemence (F. v^k^mence), or
ad. L. vehementia : see next.
In this and the related words the only pron. recognized by
dictionaries, with the exception of the most recent, is that
with (vi'h-); this is now unusual in Britain, but appears to
be still the standard pron. in the United States.)
1. Intensity or strength ^ smell or colour, rare.
1535 CovERDALE 2 Mocc. ix. lo Him might no man now
abyde ner beare, for the vehemence of styncke. 1844 Hood ,
Haunted Ho. 111. xvii. The Bloody Hand shone strangely
out With vehemence of colour !
2. Impetuosity, great force or violence, of physi-
cal action or agents.
1542 Boorde Dyetary xxxv. (1870) 297 The dust also that
rysetli in the strete thorow the vehemens of the wynde. 1667
Milton P. L. 11. 954 A universal hubbub wilde Of stun-
ning sounds and voices all confus'd. .as.-aults his eare With
loudest vehemence. 1756 Burke Subl. f^- B. iv. iii, His
eyes are dragged inwards, and rolled with great vehemence.
1794 R. J. SuLiVAN Vieiu Nat. I. 148 The action, by which
a body is deprived of phlogiston by means of pure air, with
such vehemence as to generate not only heat but flame.
1857 Miller Eleju. Chem., Org. 49 Owing to the feebler
affinities of these elements, the reactions take place with less
vehemence.
3. Great or excessive ardour, eagerness, or fervour
of personal feeling or action ; passionate force,
violence, or excitement,
1529 More Dyaloge Wks. 265/2 By waye of excesse &
yperbole, to declare the vehemence of his mynde in the
matter of fayth. 1600 Shaks. A. Y, L. in. ii. 200 Nay, I
pre'ibee now, with most petitionary vehemence, tell me who
it is. X651 HoBBES Leviatk. i. viii. 35 Sometimes the hurt., is
caused by the vehemence, or long continuance of the Passion.
1699 BuKNET J9 ^?-^. i. 27 Passion produces a Vehemence of
Action. 1748 Anson s Voy. in. x. 544 Hypocrisy and fraud
are often not less mischievous, .than impetuosity and vehe-
mence of temper. 1769 Junius Lett. xxxv. (1778) 187 Vou
measure their affections by the vehemence of their ex-
pressions. 1839 Dickens Nickleby xii, With all the vehe-
mence that bis indignant and excited feelings could bring to
bear upon it. 1839 Fr. A. Kemble Resid. in Georgia (1863)
29 With an almost savage vehemence of gesticulation. 1874
GREEN^Vii??-/ Hist. vii. § 1. 347 Cromwell . . was quick to profit
by the vehemence of the Catholic reaction.
b. An instance of this. rare.
1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) 1. 33 Is it possible that
my brother and sister could make their very failings, their
vehemences, of such importance to all the family?
Vehemeucy (vrzmensi, vrh-). Now rare.
Also 6 -entie, 6-7 -encie. [ad. L. vehementia, f.
vehement- Vehement a. : see -ency. Cf. prec,
and Sp. and Pg. vehemencia. It. veemenza.'\
1. = Vehemence 3 and 3 b.
1538 ToNSTALL Sertn. Palm Sund. (1823) 51 The greatness
and vehemency..of his fayth. 1579 Fulke Re/ut. Rastel
735 Hc.excusetb them, by vehemency of desire. 1598
Shaks. Merry W. 11. ii. 247 Would it apply well to the
vehemency of your affection that I should win what you
i would enioy ? i6iaT. Tavlor Coinm. Titus iii. 8 H6 could
not satisfie himselfe in his vehemencie against such a doc-
trine as this was. 1665 Glanvill Def. Van. Dogm. 74 That
which excites men to endless brawlings, and altercations ;
Schisms, Heresies, and Rebellions, by the vehemencies of
Dispute. 1671 WooDHEAD St. Teresa 11. ii. 92 The vehe-
mency of the Spirit, if Nature be feeble, draws it inward,
and masters it. 1753-4 Richardson Grmidison xxii. (1781)
III. 211 Well do I know the vehemency with which you are
wont to pursue a new adventure.
b. esp. Of utterance or expression.
1542-5 Brinklow Lameui. (1874)91 God shall rayse other
that shall speake..with no lesse loue & vehemency. 1568
Grafton Chron. II. 97 PoUdorcwryteth very vehemently
against him in his History, which vehemency or fonde malice
I thought meete.. to suppresse. 1613 Shaks. Hen. VI I L
V. i. 148 The best perswasions to the contrary Faile not lo
vse, and with what vehemencie Th'occasion shall instruct
you. 1675 Prance Narr. Popish Plot 28 Which he pro-
nounced with a great deal of vehemency and earnestness.
1760-7* H. Brooke Fool 0/ Qual. (1809) III. 148 [He] ex-
claimed with some vehemency, Never, never did I behold
such beauty. 1830 J. Milne IVidoiv^ Her Son iv. (1851)
232 You'll learn henceforth to chide with far less vehemency.
1845 Ld. Campbell Chancellors xWW. (1857) II. 314 .Ml these
sp'eeches were spoken with great vehemency.
2. Intensity or severity : a. Of pain, illness, etc.
1543 Traheron Vigo's ChirJtrg. ii. i. 13 That the payne,
and the accidens encrease not, nor diminische, but contynue
in great vehementie. 1558 Bp. Watson Sev. Sacram. xxx.
193 Doo not differre thistyl the vehemencie of your sickenes
decaye your spe.iche and memorie. i6iz Woodall ^'k'^'.
Mate Wks. (1653) 359 According to the strength of the sick,
and vehemency of the disease. 1643 R. Carpenter Ex-
perience Ii. vii. 173 No man ever endured such rage, and
vehemencie of pain. 1656 J. Smith Pract. 0/ Physick 146
A Pestilent Feaver differs from the Plague by the vehe-
mency of the mischief and contagion.
b. Of cold, heat, or other influences.
1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 11. 109 Humour
refreshetb heate, and slaketh the vehemencie thereof. 1596
Dalrvmple tr. Leslie s Hist. Scot. I. 259 The Podagra or
Gout, quhiik of the Vehemencie of calde he contracted.
VEHEMENT.
n
VEHICLE.
1604 E. GCrimstone] D'Acostas Hist. Indies 11. vii. 96 The
vehemencie of the fire forceth and driveth vp an aboundance
of vapours. 1651 Wittie tr. Primroses Pop. Err. 309
Which if it were Hippocrates his opinion notwithstanding
the vehemency of his remedies [etc.]- i7»5 Fam. Diet. s.v.
Flower, On these they hang a Piece of Cloth.which . .defends
*em from the Vehemency of its \sc. the sun's] Rays.^ 1815
Scott Guy M. iv, Those farther rules by which diviners
pretend to ascertain the vehemency of this evil direction.
3. = Vehemence 2.
1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 120 The vehemencie of the
wynde is not of poure to caste downe those houses. 1569
Stockkr tr. Diod. Sic. iii. ix. 118 Many Barques, .with the
vehemencie of the wether were runne on lande. 1609 Bible
(Douay) Dent, xxviii. 49 In likenes ctf an eagle that flieth
with vehemencie. 1668 Culpepper & Cov^ Barthol. Anat.
II. vi. 105 It is continually forced along with Celerity and
Vehemency.
b. Dsed of sounds.
I5S5 Eden Decades (Arb.l 84 The earth trembeled throwgh
the vehemencie of theyr owtcry. 163a Lithgow Trciv.x.
439 Least the vehemency of chirking frogs vexe the wish'd-
for Repose of his. .body.
4. = Vehemence i. rare—^.
1565 Cooper T/tesattrus, Veheiitencia odorts^ the vehemen-
cie of, &c.
Velxemeut (vr/ment, vrh/ment), a. and adv.
Also 6 Sc. viement. [a. OF. vekentent (F. v4h^'
ment, ~ Sp. and Pg. vehemente. It. veemente), or
ad. L. vehenunt-, vehemens violent, impetuous, etc.,
usually regarded as i.vehe- (= ve- in vecors) lack-
ing, wanting + ff;^/M mind.]
I. 1. Intense, severe ; rising to a high degree or
pitch : a. Of pain, illness, etc.
1485 .y/. /f'^wif/^yf&CCaxton) 12 Thelanguourand maladye
was vehement and encreaced dayly. 1553 Eden Decades
(Arb.) 148 Vaschus..fell into a vehement feuer by reason of
excesss of labour. 1563 T. Gale Antidot. 11. 39 It doeth
also cease vehement dolour and payne. 1653 W. Ramesev
AstroL Restored ii^\_k\ Comet, .signifietb. .vehement sick-
nesses. 1715 N. Robinson Th. Physick z68, I order'd the
following Mixture to be externally apply'd to his Side, .while
his Pain was very vehement. 1804 ABERNEXHy Surg. Obs.
96 Vehement er)'SLpelatous or irritative inflammation took
place.
b. Of heat or cold, etc.
1554 W. Prat Discript. Apkrique C viii b. The earthe,.
is made hote in a lytle space by the vehemente heate of
the ayre. 1576 Newton Lenmie's Complex. (1633) 62 The
fire is vehemcnter, and the he.irth is of heat sometime
extreme, sometime more soft and milde. 1609 C. Butler
Fern. Man. (1623) R 3, The Snow, .causeih them presently
to fall, and with his vehement cold to rise no more. 1666
BovLE Orig. Forms ^ Qual, yio Salt of Tartar requires a
vehement fire to flux it. 1796 H. Hunter tr, St.-Pierre's
Stud. Nat. (1799) I. 564 The action of the Sun would there
have been too vehement.
2. Of natural forces : Operating with great
strength or violence ; esp. of wind, blowing very
strongly or violently.
1531 Elyot Gov. i. ii, The bees may Issue out of theyr
stalles without peryll of rayne or vehement wynde. 1563
YvLKW. ^feteors {16^0) 30 When the lightning is not vehement.
1579 Reg. Prixy Council Scot. HI. 242 Aganis sa sudclane
and viement ane storm. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614)
832 The Land., would be violently hot, if a fresh easterly
breeze did not coole it with vehement breath in the heat of
the day. i6»5 in ElUs Orig. Lett. Ser. i. IT 1. 196 The barge,
windows, notwithstanding the vehement shower, were open.
a ijot Maundrkll Journ, Jerus. (1732) 9 The Rain was so
vehement. 17»8 Morgan Algiers II. v. 299 The succeeding
vehement Deluges of Rain rendered their Incampment
superlatively comfortless. 1837 Bariiam Ingol. Leg. Ser. 1.
Look at Clocky Like a Weather^iock whirled by a vehement
puff, David turned himself round.
b. In general use : Strong and rapid.
173* Abbuthnot Rules 0/ Diet in Aliments, etc. 317 Vio-
lent Sweats proceed from a Laxity of the Vessels and too
vehement a Circulation of the Blood.
C. Of sound : Excessively loud,
tTsa H. Walpole Lett. (1846) II. 415 The two Gunnings,
who have made so vehement a noise.
3. Of actions : Characterized by great physical
exertion ; performed with unusual force or violence.
1531 Elvot Gov. i. xvi, By exercise, whichc is a vehement
motion, ..the helthe of man is preserued, and his strength
increased. 1574 Newton Health Mag. 6 Those persons. .
may use vehementer exercise and stronger ambulations, c 1650
Don Bellianis 34 With such vehement vigour he assaulted his
foes, that his men regained their lost advantage. 18x4 W.
Irving T. Trav. I. 191 At the close of each stanza a hearty
roar, and a vehement thrumming on the table. 183^ H r.
Martineau Manck. Strike 92 l"he clapping, .was twice as
long and twice as vehement as usual. 1873 Sf. Arnold Lit.
ff Dogma 309 Who that observes this delighted adoption of
vehement rites.. can doubt, that [etc.].
trans/. 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 12 They must
secondly, consider what a vehement efficacy there is in
man's wit. 1758 Johnson Idler No. i F 1 1 These vehement
exertions of intellect cannot be frequent. 1865 Trollopk
Belton Est. v. 53 The woman was making a vehement effort
to speak in her natural voice.
1 4. Of remedies, etc. : Having a powerful effect
upon the system, Obs,
1541 R. Copland (To/yrVj Terap. 2Eiij, Allthebodymuste
be emptyed..or that any partye Ije take subiecte to the
stronge and vehement remedyes. 156* Bullein Bulwarke,
Bk. Simples {i$jZ)) 5 b, The longc Onion i.^ more vehementer
then the rounde, and the Redde more then the white. 1607
TopSELL Four./. Beasts 691 The gall of swine is not very
vehement. _ «6ii Woodall .y«r^. ;l/a/^ Wks. (1653) *5t9 In
the beginning over vehement warmings are to be avoided.
1&56J. SMiTH/'rar/. /'A>'«tr>t96Tlie juyceof wild Cucumber
is not so vehement as they commonly report.
+ b. Of taste : Strong, pungent, Obs.
x6oo J. PoRV tr. Leo's A/rica Introd. 42 Being In shape
somewhat like to the Millet of Italy, but of a most vehement
and firy tast.
fc. Vivid; intensely bright. Obs.
1635 Swan Spec. M. v. § 2 (1643) 131 These colours in some
rain-bows are more vehement or apparent. 1692 Rav
Creation (ed. 2) 11. 25 Preserving the Kye from being in-
jured by too vehement and lucid an Object.
II. 5. a. Of suspicion or likelihood : Very
strong. Now arch.
1S16 Acts Pari. Scot. (1875) XII. 36/2 All Lawis excludis
)pe said governour fra admin istracion and governance for
suspicioun vehement and violent. 1565 in Ellis Orig. Lett.
Ser. I. II. 208 The Quenes howsbaiide beinge entred into a
vehement suspicion of David. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary
\\. (1625) 20 Notwithstanding alt those vehement likelihoods,
yet I will not condemne you till I see how you confute me.
x6io Donne Pseudo-martyr 342 From your Syluester wee
learne, That the Popes precepts binde not, where there is
vehement Ukelyhood of trouble or scandall. 1811 Southey
in Li/e A. Bell {1^^^) II. 644 Mrs. Trimmer's book. .1 much
wish to see, having a vehement suspicion that some parts of
it have been misrepresented.
•j-b. Of proof, etc.: Strong, forcible, cogent;
capable of producing conviction. Obs,
1530T1NDALE lyics. (Parker Soc. 1848) 428 There is not a
better, vehementer, or mightier thing to make a man under-
stand, .than an allegory. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. i.
33 And these vehement demonstrations twice repeted suffer
It to be drawen no other where but to Christ. 1576 Fleming
Panopl. Epist. 61 The valliantnesse, constancie, and sober-
nesse of your person, then which nothing can be more
vehement and patheticall. 1731 Chandler tr. LimborchP s
Hist. Inquis. II, 215 When these Proofs are vehement or
sufficient for the Torture, it is left for the Judge to
determine.
t c. Very close or intimate. Obs,-^
1596 Bacon Max. ^ Use Com. Law xiv. (1630) 59 The
law is more strong in that case, because of the vehement
relation which the enrolment hath to the time of the bar-
gaine and sale.
6. Of thoughts, feelings, etc. : Extremely strong
or deep ; ardent, eager, passionate.
iSj6 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 233 Meditacyon is a
vehement or a huge goostly appHcacion of the mynde. 1560
Daus tr. Sleidane's Comtn. 328 The Phisitions. .judged by
and by the disase to come of a vehement thought. 1574 tr.
Marlorat's Apocalips 8 It is a salutation or greeting full of
vehement and hartie good wil. 1604 T. Wright Poisionsy.
% 3. 177 The vehementer passion vcnteth forth the liuelier
action. 1651 HoBBEs Leviath. x. vi. 27 Weeping, .is caused
by such accidents, as suddenly take away some vehement
hope. 1711 Addison SPect. No. 73 F 5 The Passion for
Praise, which is so very vehement in the Fair Sex. 1775 De
LoLME Eng. Const. Adv. (1784) p. xix, Influenced by
vehement prepossessions. i8ia Cary Dante, Farad, v. 107
Vehement desire Possess'd me. 1846 H. Rogers Ess. (1874)
I. iv. 162 Leibnitz.. began to tell his beads with vehement
devotion. 1907 Verney Mem. I. 62 The Queen's vehement
partisanship.
b. Of anger or similar feelings : Violent ; intense.
^1548 Hall Chron., Edw. /f^'dsso) 50b, Ye olde rancor'
betwene them beyng newly reuiued (The which betwene no
creatures can be more vehement then betwene bretherne).
JSSa HuLOET, Vehement anger, excandescentia. 1659
Hammond On Ps. ciL 503 By those is meant a vehement
displeasure and anger.
7. Of language : Very forcibly or passionately
uttered or expressed; resulting frona, and indicative
of, strong feeling or excitement.
1533 Chron. Calais (Camden) 114 The French kynges
mother with very ardente and vehemente wordes sayd [etc.].
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 176 b, Aboute this time
came forth . .a boke of Martin Luthers very vehement 1596
Ediv. Ill, I. ii, Sharpely to solicit With vehement sute the
king in my behalfe. 16*8 DoSNE6.SVr///. 56 In that remark-
able and vehement place where he expostulates with them.
a 1700 Evelyn Diary 13 Feb. 168;, A vehement speech he
made about the compositions. 1734 tr. Rollins Attc, Hist,
VIII. viL IV. 40 That lively and vehement eloquence which
like a torrent bears down all things on its way. 1836
Thirlwall Cr^^ctfxi. 1 1. 80 The Corinthian deputy Sosicles,
in vehement language, remonstrated with the Spartans on
their inconsistency. 1848 W; H. Kelly tr. L. Blanc's Hist.
Ten KII.92 He., replies with the most vehement protesta-
tions of gratitude and fidelity.
8. Of persons, their character, etc. : Acting, or
tending to act, in a manner displaying passion or
excitement.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 29 b, I confess to have
been more vehement then became me. 1575-85 Abp. Sandys
Serm. (1841) 194 Vehement therefore and zealous must we
be for the house of God. 1608 Marston Ant. ^ Alel. i.
Wks, 1856 I. 15 Vouchsafe me, then, your hush't observ-
ances, Vehement in pursuite of strange novelties. 1609
Bible (Douay) Ezekiel xxxviW. 15 Thou and manie peoples
with thee, . .a great companie, and a vehement armie. 1791
Cowpf.r Odyss, xv. 254 Summon thy crew on board. Ere my
arrival notice give of thine To the old King; for vehement
I know His temper. 1847 James y. Marston Hallxx, My
nature was too quick and vehement to take pleasure in vice
without passion. 1848 Clough Amoursde Voy. it. 293 For
the woman .. Ever prcft!rs the audacious, the wilfuf, the
vehement hero. 1876 Mozley Univ. Serm. xiii. 237 The
Pharisees were scrupulou*;, exact, vehement, and eager,
about everything connected with religion.
9. Of debate, strife, etc. : Characterized by great
heat or bitterness.
t6ao Bedell Lett. 26, I would to Christ that of all other
Controuersies this were the vehemente-Jt betweene vs. 1665
Manley Grotius' Lmo C. IVars 93 Nor by this was the-
Warre lessened, onely it was delayed, and not vehement
enough for the time. 184^ Thirlwall Greece VIII. 135
This .. was a sufficiently difficult undertaking,., in which
he had to expect powerful and vehement opposition. 1847
Harris Li/e Ld. Hardwicke III. xii. 44 A very vehement
debate took place in the House of Lords. 1903 W. Bright
Age 0/ Fathers I. v. 70 The dissension caused by Arianism
became daily more vehement.
III. 1 10. Sc. As adv. = Vehemently adv. Obs,
X549 Compl. Scot. vi. 52 The tua vintirs that thai hef ar
nocht verray vehement cald. a 1578 Lindesav (Pitscottie)
Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 407 He became so vehement seik
that no man had hope of his lyffe. 1596 Dalrvmple tr,
Leslie''s Hist. Scot. II. 10 Althoch the king prudentlie dis-
semblet, thayknew him to be vehement angrie.
Vehemently (vr^mentli, yrh-)^adv, [f. prec]
1. To a very great extent ; in a very high degree.
Now rare,
rt 1513 Fabvan Chron. vir. (1811) 460 In Fraunce this
yere the people dyed.. so vehemently that in the cytie of
Parysdyed..ouev I.M. people. 1563T. Gale Ww^/Vi'o/. 11. 18
This [unguent].. taketh awaye superfluous fleshe, and doth
vehemently excicate and drie. 1586 A. Day Efig, Secretary
I. fi625)46Twoonely that were the conveyers of him, sickned
vehemently, and one of them died. 1658 A. Fox Wfirtz'
Surg.M.'w, ej^ Vomiting is not very dangerous, .unless it
hold the Patient vehemently. 1695 Ld, Pheston Boeth. iv.
172 Whom Wickedness, the most extreme Evil, doth not
only affect, but even vehemently infect. 1753 Chambers'
Cycl. Suppl. s.v. ft^omb, This tumour returned again, and..
in tliree days it became vehemently enraged. 1858 Carlyle
Fredk. Gt. ir. ii. (1872) I. 54 Preussen was a vehemently
Heathen country.
b. Used with reference to suspicion ; cf. prec. 5 a.
1533 More Dcbell. Salem Wks. g8t/i Such thinges..as
maketh him not slightly but very vehemently suspected.
1588 J. Udall Demonstr. Discipline (Arb.) 76 One, .that is
vehemently suspected, to haue haynously offended. i6xx
Bp, Mountagu Diatribae 285 It will be very vehemently
suspected that he is Antichrist indeed. 1684 Lond, Gaz.
No. 1938/4 He is vehemently suspected to be concerned in
these Robberies and Burglaries following. x8ai Southey
Lett. (1856) III. 233 Mr. Wilson's letter. -having led me
vehemently to suspect that the document which impeached
his character was an invention of his wife's,
2. a. With strong or violent language ; in a
manner showing strong feeling or excitement.
1545 Brinklow Compi. xx. 42 Marke what, and how
vehemently the Holy Cost speakyth here in the prophete,
1568 Grafton Chron. II. 97 Polidore had no good opinion
of king John, and therfore wryteth very vehemently against
him in his History. i6ia in \oth Ftp. Hiit. MSS. Comm.
App. I. 610 The Deputies of the Religion have very
vehemently protested against these proceedings. 1665
Glanvill Scepsis Sci. Addr. p. xi, Reckoning it a great
instance of Piety and devout Zeal, vehemently to declaim
against Reason and Philosophy, a 1711 Prior Cromwell <5-
Porter 116 Wks. 1007 II. 265, I did actually fight in the
field, Preached loudly in the Church, and talked vehemently
in the Parliament. 1756 Burke Vind. Nat. Soc, Wks. 1808
I. 60, I could shew how vehemently they have contended
for names. 1839 Fb. A. Kemble Resid. in Georgia {\Zt-^) 14
The slave-owners. .insist vehemently upon the mental and
physical inferiority of the blacks.
D. With strong or intense feeling ; ardently,
eagerly.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 329 Wherewith being
wehemently moued,.. he began more and more to be con-
firmed. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 54 It was alwayes of
me maruellous vehemently and earnestly desiered. 164s R.
Carpenter Experience 11, iii. 141 Doe you think his heart
is not vehemently prompted to Deifie his saint? 1688
Burnet Rights Princes ii. 36 That they did vehemently,
and out of all measure aspire to that Chair. Ibid. iv. 112
Against this, the Zeal of some Bishops appeared vehemently.
"753-4 Richardson Grandison IV. vii. 54.f"or » week to-
gether she was vehemently intent upon visiting England.
1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II, iv. viii. 277 It requires a
high degree of improbability to prevent the greater part of
mankind from believing what they vehemently wish,
3. With violence or impetuosity.
1538 Elyot, Per/lo, to tlowe vehemently or strongly.
(21578 Lindesav (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 312
Ane blast of eistrene winde. .raissit the flame of fyre sa
wehementlie that it blew wpoun the freir that accussit him.
161X Bible Luke vi. 48 When the flood arose, the streame
beat vehemently vpon that house. 1666 in Verney Mem.
(1907) II. 257 The fire broke out vehemently again last
night, a 1796 Waterhouse in Morse Amer. Geog. I. 500
We see the mineral water boiling vehemently like a pot
over the fire. i8st W. Irving Sketch Bk, I. 57 He was
observed to smoke his pipe vehemently.
Vehementness. [f. as prec] = Vehemence,
1561 T. Norton Calvin's lust. n\. 280 The same ought
to be asked with no lesse feruentnes and vehementnesse
of desire. 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. iv, 2 Both the
vehementnesse of his grefe, & the earnestnesse of his pray-
ing. 1600 SuRFLET Countrie Farnie iii. Ixxxiv. 625 Tainted
with some ill smell, .gotten through the vehementnes of the
fire. 1674 R. Godfrey Inj. .y Ab. Physic ^ The blame is
impos'd on the too vehementness of the Disease, when the
Doctor is often more in fault.
Vehicle (vrikM, vrhik'l), sb. Also 7 vehiokle.
[ad. F. vihictile ( = Sp. and Pg. vehicuh, It. veicitlo,
veicold) or L. vehicuhwi, f. veh^re to carry.
On the pronunciation see the note to Vehemence.]
I. 1. A substance, esp. a liquid, serving as a
means for the readier application or use of another
substance mixed with it or dissolved in it: a. Med,
A medium of a suitable kind in which strong or
unpalatable drugs or medicines are administered.
1612 Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. (1653) 303 Let all your
Vehicles for your Medicines, .be soft and pleasing to your
Patients. 1658 A. Fox ll^urtz' Surg. iii. xix. 281 Let him
have of the same pill in a convenient vehicle, of four grains.
1689 G. Harvev Curing Dis. by Expect, v. 34, I seldom
give less than half a spoonful,, .diluted with a sufficient
measure of a temperate Vehicle. 1733CHEYNE Eng. Malady
II. iv. §4 {1734) J48 Mineral Chalybeat Waters.. are the
VEHICLE.
78
VEHICULUM.
roost agreeable and beneficial Vehicle for such Medicines.
177J pERCiVAL Ess. (1777) I. 72 A sufficient dose of the
medicine cannot be given on account of the heating nature
of its vehicle. 1816 A. C Hutchison Pract. Obs. Surg.
(i8a6) 169 The Doctor., exhibited tohtnx an ounce of castor-
oil, uncovered by any vehicle. 1875 H. C. Wood Thtrap.
(1870)31 The dried petals.. are almost destitute of thera-
peuue virtues, but their preparations arc used as elegant
vehicles.
fig. i66< BovLE Occas. Refl, (1S48) 19 Both these pleasing
Vehicles, if I may so call them, and Correctives of Reproofs
(etcj. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 87 p 3 With what
vehicles to disguise the caiharticks of the soul. 1755 H.
Walpole Z^//. (1846) III. i8i The invasion.. I really believe
was dressed up for a vehicle (as the apothecaries call it) to
make us swallow the treaties. 1844 Wardlaw yr^Tr'. (1869)
II. 102 If we have a bitter, .medicine to administer, we are
desirous, .to convey it in a pleasant vehicle.
b. In general use.
1609 Evelyn Acetarja (1729) 149 There ought to be one
of the Dishes, in which to beat and mingle the liquid
Vehicles, and a second to receive the crude Herbs in. 17*5
Fnm. Did. S.V. Malt-Lifuor, The Substance of high dry'd
Malts, which retain many fiery Particles in their Contexture,
and are therefore best lost in a smooth Vehicle. 1831 J.
Davies Mat. Med. 376 It is.. soluble.. in more than 2000 of
cold water, and 9000 of this vehicle when boiling. 1901
Brit. Med. yml. No. 2097. 39 When the crusts [of eczema]
form, acid, salicyl., in a vetiicle of olive oil, is useful.
C. Painting. A fluid (as water, oil, etc.) with
which pigments are mixed for use.
1787 Trans. S&c. Arts V. 10^ The well known disadvan-
tages that Paintings in Oil he under, have rendered the
discovery of some other Vehicle an object of attentive
enquiry. 1807 J. Opie in Led. Art iv. {1848) 320 Colours. .
little muddled by vehicles. _>8^ Gullick & Times Paint.
202 The term ' vehicle ', which is borrowed from pharmacy,
is applied in art to the fluid employed to bring pigments
into a proper working state. 1883 R. Haldane Workshop
Receipts Ser. il 427/1 A perfect vehicle mixes readily with
the pigment.
2. That which serves as a means of transmission,
or as a material embodiment or manifestation, of
something : a. With reference to matter or physical
conditions.
1650 BuLWER Anihropomet. 117 Drink may not be only
esteemed the Vehicle of aliment. 1683 Trvon Way to
Health 265 To_ cleanse and purifie those grosser Excre-
ments, the Vehickles (or Lodgings) of malignant Spirits.
1749 Fielding Tom Jones x. ii, As fa, la, la, ra, da, &c. are
in music, only as the vehicles of sound, and without any
fixed ideas. 2779 J. Moore Vietv Soc. Fr. (17S9) I. xxvii,
221 If the water be in reality the vehicle of this disease.
i8«3 Sir H. Daw Agric. Chem. (1814I 239 Water, as it is
the vehicle of the nourishment of the plant, is the substance
principally given off by the leaves. 1841 Myers Cath. Th.
in. % 14. 52 There is a considerable portion of all natural
food .. serving rather for the vehicle than for the substance
of our support. 1874 Carpenter Ment. Phys. i. i. (1879) 3
That more advanced Philosophy of the present day, which
regards Matter merely as the vehicle of rorce,
b. In Other contexts.
1786 Mme. D'Arblav Diaiy 8 Aug., To receive a favour
through the vehicle of insolent ostentation—no ! no ! 1796
Morse Amer. Geog. I. 297 They viewed the tea as a vehicle
of an unconstitutional tax. 1870 Dale Week-day Serm. xx.
51 Making the very form of Christian forgiveness the vehicle
of revenge. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der, IV. llx. 183 It is. .
possible to feel gratitude even where we discern a mistake
that may have been injurious, the vehicle of the mistake
being an affectionate intention prosecuted through a lifetime
of kindly offices.
c A substance employed as a material in or on
which some work is executed.
1837 Hallam Hist. Lit. i. i. § 58 The more extended use
of p.iper as the vehicle of writing instead of parchment.
i8«io Mrs. Jameson Leg. Monast. Ord. 441 'I'he whole
[picture] has been significantly described as a ' parody of
Divine love". The vehicle, white marble, — its place in a
Christian church,^-enhance all its vileness.
3. A means or medium by which ideas or im-
pressions are communicated or made known ; a
medium of expression or utterance.
a 165a J. Smith Sel. Disc. iv. 123 A spiritual kind of
vehicle, whereby corporeal impressions are transferred to
the mind. 13^09 T. Robinson Vindic. Mosaick Syst. Intiod.
7 Philosophical Mythology, .a more agreeable Vehicle,
found out for the conveying to us the Truth and Reason of
Things. 176a in \oth Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. I. 347
It might not be improper to contradict it by some vehicle
of the publick papers. 1836 Thirlwall Greece xii. II. 138
But a metrical vehicle did not so well suit Zeno's dialectic
Itenius. 1887 Saintsburv Hist. Elizah. Lit. x. (1890) 378
Quarles was a kind of journalist to whom the vehicle of
verse came more easily than the vehicle of prose.
b. Const, of.
1687 Dryden Hind ^ P. in. 106 And alms are but the
vehicles of pray'r. 1688 J, H. Stevenson Mr. Bays
Pref. A 2, Rhyme (which he very Judiciously somewhere
calls the Vehicle of Nonsense). 1751 Johnson Rambler
No. 121 p i^ Allegory is perhaps one of the most pleasing
vehicles of mstruction. 1781 Cowper Charity 625 Did
charity prevail, the press would prove A vehicle of virtue,
truth, and love. i8» Hazlitt Table-T. Ser, 11. xv. (1869)
305 Music is not made the vehicle of poetry, but poetry of
music. 1856 Merivale Ros/r. Rmp. xxii. (1865) III. 40 In
the common intercourse of life Greek became a fashionable
vehicle of expression. 1885 Clodd Myths 9f Dr. i. iv. 77
The myths . . yielded themselves with ease as vehicles of new
ideas.
o. Const, to or for.
17*1 Wollaston Relig. Nature v. 123 Words seem to be
as it were bodies or vehicles to the sense or meaning.
?7S3-4 Richardson Grandison I. xii. 67 You consider skill
in Languages then as a Vehicle to Knowledge — Not I pre.
same as Science itself, 1836 Thirlwall Greece xii. (1839)
II. 141 It is extremely doubtful how far they were ever used
I as a vehicle for the exposition of theological doctrines differ-
ing from the popular creed, c 1850 Kingsley Misc. (i860) I.
385 Which makes it. .afar better vehicle, .for many forms of
thought. 1877 DowDEN Shaks. Primer xv, 45 In the same
play, rhyme is often employed as a vehicle for generalising
reflections.
4. The form, the material or other shape, in which
something spiritual is embodied or manifested.
Fretj. <r 1650-1700, esp. of the body in relation to the soul
or spirit.
a i6sa J. Smith Sel. Disc. v. 176 The spiritual vehicle of
the soul,.. a kind of umbra or aerial mantle in which the
soul wraps herself. 1670 Moral State England 121 When
our souls are divested of their grosser vehicles. 1699 Burnet
J9 Art. \. 18 God being considered as the Supreme Light,
this might lead men to worship the Sun as his chief Vehicle.
1756 T. .'Vmorv y. Buncle iv. (1770) 288 My friend is now
present with his Saviour, beholding his glory, in a vehicle
resembling the body of the Lord. 1773 Cook's I'oy. (1784)
II. III. ix. 164 Th^y speak of spirits being.. not totally
divested of those passions which actuated them when com-
bined with material vehicles. 1836 1. Taylor Phys. The.
Another Life i. (1847) 19 There is a spiritual body and
another vehicle of human nature as well as a natural body.
II. 5. A material means, channel, or instrument,
by which a substance or some property of matter
(as sound or heat) is conveyed or transmitted from
one point to another.
1615 H. Crooke Body o/Man 80 The vmbilicall veine . . is
the first of alt the veines, ..because it is the vehicle or con-
ueigher of blood. 1660 BoYLEAVa/^^/./'^^j.^/iPc/^xvii. 120
If I thought your Lordship could . .imagine that Light could
be convey'd without . . having (if I may so speak) a Body for
its Vehicle. 1707 Cur. in Husb. 4- Card. 39 He had ob-
serv'd .. Pores or little Channels in..theVVood of different
Trees. ..Some of these little Vehicles of Communication go
from the bottom upwards. Ibid. 49 Fibres and little Vehicles
that are in the Bodies of Plants. 1776 Burnev Hist, Music
(1789) 1. 433 Pythagoras supposed the air to be the vehicle
of sound. 1803 Imison's Sci, ^ Art (1822) I, 227 Air is the
usual vehicle of Sound, but it is not absolutely essential.
1861 Buckle CrV/Z/z. IL 499 The vapour, .becomes another
storehouse of heat, and a vehicle by which it is removed
from the earth.
trans/. 1783 Burke Rep. Affairs 0/ India Wks. 1842 IL
18 Finding a great parliamentary corporation turned into a
vehicle for remitting to England the private fortunes of
those [etc.].
6. A means of conveyance provided with wheels
or runners and used for the carriage of persons or
goods ; a carriage, cart, wagon, sledge, or similar
contrivance.
1656 Blount Giossogr., Vehicle, a Cart, Wain, Wagon, or
Chariot. 1700 Collier 2nd Def. Short Vieiv 56 You may
take it in a Cart, or a Waggon, but . . I think a Wheelbarrow
may do ; for the word Vehicle, .will carry that sense. 1709
Taller No. 32 p 2 She calls her Chariot, Vehicle. 1749
BvROM Rem. (1857) 11. 486, I went with Mr. Freke, who had
his vehicle there, to the King's Chapel. 1784 Johnson in
Boswell 17 Nov., I staid at Oxford till Tuesday, and then
came in the common vehicle easily to London, 1829 Lytton
/^wi5:fM^^28 Therumbling and jolting vehicle stopped at the
door ofa tavern in Holborn. 1856 Kane Arctic Explor. I.
X. 113 The shortest, directly fastened to the sledge runner,
as a means of guiding or suddenly arresting and turning the
vehicle. 1871 Yeats Techn. Hist. Cotnm. 327 The direct
effects of superior means of communication have been to
create a better class of vehicles.
Comb. 1768 Tucker Lt, Nat. (1834) I. 493 Such a pecu-
liar species of insanity as vehicle-madness must have been
pointed at by everybody. 1843 Zoologist I. 36 Several
vehicle-drivers tried to cut it down. 1890 Daily News 10
Dec. 3/6 The National Coach and Van Trade Union, which
comprised the whole of the workers in the vehicle-building
trades.
7. Any means of carriage, conveyance, or trans-
port ; a receptacle in which anything is placed in
order to be moved.
1678 Butler Hud. in. i. 1572 The Spirit hors'd him like a
Sack, Upon the Vehicle, his Back. 1692 Bentley Boyle
Led. 220 Unless the Ecthereal matter be supposed to be
carried about the sun like a vortex or whirlpool, as a vehicle
to convey it and the rest of the planets. 1728 Morgan Hist.
Algiers I. ii. 21 The Sunbeams are so fierce and scorching,
that all the Water would, infallibly, be exhal'd thro' the
Pores of those leathern Vehicles. 1774 Bryant Mythol. II.
407 It was a cup ..in which Hercules passed the seas ; and
the same history is given of Helius, who was said to have
traversed the ocean in the same vehicle. 1813 Ann. Reg.^
Chron. 120 The balloon descended.. .On a sudden, his crazy
vehicle struck upon the roof of a house. 181^ Ibid. 4 His
three sons fatally committed themselves to this treacherous
vehicle^Uc a boat J, in order to shoot wild-fowl. 1841 Peter
Parleys Ann. W. 2^0 The show-woman now procured a
lamp; and, fixing it in a proper vehicle, gradually lowered
it to the bottom of the well.
Vehicle (vrik'I,vrh-),z?. [f.prec] trans. To
place or convey in a vehicle. Chiefly in pa, pple.
a 17X1 Ken Hymns Evang. Poet. Wks. 1721 I. 28 There
the Babe's Soul is vehicled, said he; God must with per-
fect_ Man united be. 1717 Fenton Poems (1790) 38 When
vehicled in flame, thou slow didst pass Prone through the
gates of night. 173a M. Green Grotto Wks. (1790) 251 O..
guard us through polemic life; From poison vehicled in
praise. 1905 Salmond Reli^. Quest, France iii. 33 Helping
to vehicle to heaven the praises of ransomed souls.
Ve-hicled, a. [f, as prec] Covered with,
occupied by, vehicles.
18^ Cornh. Mag. July 67 Joe's attempt to cross a thickly
vehicled road was immethodical.
Vehicula, pi. of Vehiculum.
Vehicular (v?hi-ki;?laj\ a. Also 7 -are. f^tl.
late L. vehiadar-is, f. vekicul-nm Vehicle sb.']
1. Of or pertaining to, associated or connected
with, a (wheeled) vehicle.
1616 Chapman Homer s Hymn Venus, Charriots and all
the frames vehiculare. 1656 Blount C/(3jjf^n, Vehicular,
?ertaining to any instrument or engine of carriage. 1754
lELDiNG Voy. Lisbon Wks. 1882 VII. 12 By making use of
a vehicular story, to wheel in among them worse manners
tlian their own. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, i, The Insides and
Outsides, to use the appropriate vehicular phrases. 1847 L.
Hunt Men, Women, ^ B. I. ii. 12 Coachmen and cabmen,
and conductors, and horses, and all the exterior phenomena
of things vehicular, i860 G. Meredith Evan Harrington
X, I heard your welcome vehicular music.
fig. 1885 Cent. Mag. XXIX, 510 The poet's walk, talk,
bearing, and intellect, are illustrated by a series of images,
and in a style so vehicular as to deserve unusual praise,
b. Made, performed, or carried on, by means of
a vehicle or vehicles.
174a Fielding y. Andrews in. xii, In his heart he pre-
ferred the pedestrian even to the vehicular expedition. x8i6
Scott Anti^. xxxvi. It is the vehicular, not the equestrian
exercise, which he envies. 1854 Lowell yrnl. Italy Prose
Wks. 1890 I. 130, 1 am quite sure that he believes, .the Pre-
Adamites were., incapable of any but vehicular progression.
18751 ^^i^> News 26 Dec. 5/2 Vehicular traffic was almost
entirely suspended.
e. Of the nature of, serving as, a vehicle.
1807 Byron Lei, to Miss Pigot Aug., Places inaccessible
to vehicular conveyances. 1844 Emerson Ess., Poet, All
language is vehicular and transitive, and is good, .for coo.
veyance, not as farms and houses are, for homestead. 1871
Lvtton Coming Race xiv. They prefer their wings, for
travel,, .to vehicular conveyances.
1 2. Invested with a vehicle or special form ;
embodied. Obs.
1656 S. Holland Zara (1719) 29 That every Grove, Grot
and Stream has its tutelar and vehicular Deity, a 1774
Tucker Lt, Nat, 11. xxi. 47 We may gather that the
rational soul is compleatly formed, .before entrance into the
human body, and that the fashion and lineaments it after-
wards takes.. are not necessary for iis subsistence in the
vehicular state. Ibid. xxvi. 140 To behold the wonders of
the vehicular state, and boundless glories of the mundane
soul.
Hence Tehi'ctQarly adv.
i88a Sala Amer. Revis. x. 130/1 Pullman the beneficent
did not fail., to be vehicularly manifest on the train which
conveyed us from Washington to Philadelphia.
Vehi'OUlary, fl. rare-^, [7id.\^itL.veki€t{idri-
«j.] «= Vehicular a. i c.
183s J. Knowles Diet., Litter^ a kind of vehiculary bed.
Vehi'cnlate, v, rare. [f. L. vehicul-um VE-
HICLE sb, : see -ATE 3.] a. trans. To carry or
convey in, or as in, a vehicle. In quots. fig. b,
intv. To travel, to ride or drive, in a vehicle.
1660 Waterhouse Arms ff Arm. 27 Giving.. a document
to mortal menageries, which are then only vehiculated to
their central point. Ibid. 195 For this courage which
vehiculates his attempts, and occasions his glory, is God's
royal donative. 1843 Carlvle Past ^ Pres. ii. i, The
vehicle for truth, or fact of some sort,— which surely a man
should first try various other ways of vehlculating, and
conveying safe.
Vehiculated, ///. a. rai-e-'^. [Cf. prec]
Invested with form; embodied.
a 1727 J. Revnolds View o/Death (1735) 89 There may
be vehiculated Spirits, of very different orders.
Vehicula *tion. [f. as Vehiculate v. : see
-ATION, and cf. med.L. vehicnlatio.'\ Conveyance
by means ofa vehicle or vehicles ; vehicular activity
or traffic.
1834 Gen. p. Thompson Exerc. (1842} III. 148 By a sort of
parallel to the Game Laws, certain modes of vehiculation
were to be peculiar to the magnificos. 1851 Carlvle in Ne%v
Review Dec. (1891) 482 Boulevards very stirring, airy, loco-
motive to a fair degree, but the vehiculation very light. x866
— .£■. Irving in Remin, (1881) 11. 212 The New Road with
its lively traffic and vehiculation. 1895 Daily Chron. 12
Nov. 4/4 We know of nothing more handsome or inviting in
the literature of vehiculation.
Vehi'CUlatory, a, [f. as prec. : see -dry K'l
Of the nature of, pertaining or relating to, vehicles.
1851 Carlyle Sterling i. viii, He would accumulate.,
logical swim-bladders, . . and other precautionary and vehicu-
latory gear, for setting out. 1865 — Fredk.Gt. xix. v. (1872)
VIII. \-]j To cart from Bohemia such a cipher of human ra-
tions daily . . will surpass all the vehiculatory power of Daun.
t Vehicule. Obs.-'^ [a. F. vihicule or ad. L.
vehiculum : see next.] = Vehicle sb. i.
1541 Copland Galyeu^s Terap. 2 H ij b. Of theyr sodayne
passynge as a vehicule, with y' there is hunny it noyeth nat
the viceie.
II Vehiculum. Now rare or Obs. PI. vehi-
cxUa ; also 7 -aes. [L. : see Vehicle sb^
1. ^ Vehicle sb. i. Also^^. and trans/.
1614 Bedell Lett. x. 143 Here is.. some truth mingled
among, to giue the better grace, and to be as it were the
Vehiculum of a lie. 1655 Culpepper, etc. Riverius 1. vii. 33
The Dose is one dram in any proper Liquor or Vehiculum
to swallow it down with. 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. L
§ 8. 12 We doubt not but to make a Sovereign Antidote
against Atheism, out of that very Philosophy, which so many
have used as a Vehiculum to convey this Poyson of Atheism
by. 1787 Maty tr. Riesbeck*s Trav. Germ, III. 76 Burgundy
is the standing vehiculum of green pease.
2. = Vehicle sb. 6. In quots. fig*
1633 Prvnne I.J/ Pt. Hisirio-m. 65 Unchast, Obscene.and
Amorous wordes, are but so many vehiculaes, to carrie men
on to Adulterous and Sinfull deedes. 1642 Howell Instr.
Forr. Trav. (Arb,) 59 Speech is the. .Ambassador of the
mind, and the Tongue the Vehiculum, the Chariot, which
conveyeth. .the notions of the Mind to Reasons Palace.
3. = Vehicle sb. 2.
165a AsHMOLE Theat, Chem. Annot. 451 She is the Planet
neerest the Earth, and appointed as it were the Vehxcuiuni
VEHME.
of all Other heavenly Influences unto what is Sublunary.
1668 Howe Blfss. Righteous 325 Are not the exceeding
great and precious promises, the Vehicula, the convcigh-
ances of the Divine Nature ?
4. = Vehicle sb. 4.
1656 Stanley Hisi. Philos. (1687) 189/1 Having imposed
each one his proper Star as a vehiculum. Ibid. 191/1 'Ihe
rest of the body they appointed as a vehiculum to serve this.
1794 R. J. SuLiVAN Vidv Nat, IV. 15 Plato, .supposes, that
into the vehiculum of the soul.. is infused.. a particular
formative virtue, distinct, according to that star.
5, = Vehicle sh. 5.
i668 CuLPF-ppER & Cole BarthoL Anat, i, xvii. 44 The
wheyish. .exceeds the two excrementitious Cholers, by
reason of the Blood, whose vehiculum U was to be.
II Velmie (v^ms, || frma). Hist. Also Fehm.
[a. older G. Vehme (now Fekme, Feme), MHG.
veme, vHme judgement, punishment.] = next.
z8» ScoTT Antte o/G.xx^ Go hence,.. and let the fear of
the Holy Vehme never pass from before thine eyes. 1836
Shark's Biogr.y Eaton IX. 350 Individual opinions are
restrained by a tyranny as inexorable as that of the Holy
Vehme, the secret tribunal of the Middle Ages. 1879
Encycl. Brit. IX. 63/2 It was necessary that a candidate
for initiation into the Fehm. .should not be a party to any
procc'is before a f'ehmic court.
(I Vehmgericlit (v^-m-, |i ie-m^^nx^i). Hist,
Also Vehme-, Fehm-. [a, older G. Vekm-y now
Fehm-^ Femgericht (pi. -gerichte), f. prec. -k-gtricht
court, tribunal.] A form of secret tribunal which
exercised great power in Westphalia from the end
of the I2th to the middle of the l6th century.
18x9 Scott Anne 0/ G. xx, Men initiated and intrusted
with high authority by the Vehme- gericht, or tribunal of
the bounds. 1839 Loncp. Hyperion i. vi, Two Black
Knights, who pretended to be ambassadors from the Vehm-
Gericht. 1879 Encycl. Brit. IX. 63/2 It was only with the
restoration of public order., that the influence of the Fehm-
gerichte gradually waned.
trans/. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair xliv, ' Was Rebecca
guilty or not ? ' The Vehmgericht of the servants' hall had
Eronounced against her. 1880 Edin. Rev. Jan. 143 The
errors of the Karmathtan, the detestable Vehmgericht of
the ' Assassins ',. .all owe their origin to the schism of the
House of 'Ali.
Velxmic (v^*mik, f,?*mik), a. Also Vehm-
ique,Pehniic. [f. Vehm-e + -ic.] Pertaining to,
connected with, the Vehmgericht.
18*9 Scott Anne 0/ G. xx, Machinations for the destruc-
tion of the Vehmique institutions, fbid.. In the Vehmique
court alt must be Vehmique. 1831 llnd. Introd., The Vchmic
tribunals of Westphalia, a name so awful in men's ears dur-
ing many centuries, a 1849 ^' Coleridgk Ess. {1851) I. 276
Invisible as a familiar or agent of the Vehmic association.
1879 [sec VeiimeJ. i88a-3 Schaff Encycl. Relig. Kmrwl.
III. 245t/t When the State became able to maintain its
laws, the Vehmic Court became superfluous.
Veh'mist. [f. as prec. + -ist.] A member of
the Vehmgericht.
1841 Blackw. Mag. XLIX. 234 [They] thus, like the
Vehmists of Germany, pursued a faithless or refractory
member, even on the throne, with the steel and the cord.
■Veht(en, southern ME. varr. Fight sb. and v.
Veiage, obs. var. Voyage sb. Veicht, obs. Sc.
f. Weight sb, Veid, obs. Sc. f. Weed sb. Veie,
southern ME. var. Fay a. Veien, southern ME.
var. Fat v.l Veighor.var. Veyour (viewer) Obs.
Vei'gle, "v. Now dial. [Aphetic f. Invkiolb
p.] trans. To inveigle. Also absoL
1745 Gentl. Mag. 161 Venus may veigle to the grove, To
taste the trifling sweets of love. 1778 Foote Trip Calais
ir. Wlcs. 1799 11. 345, I asked, if they had veigled one Miss
Minnikin into their clutches. 1887 T. Gibson Leg. ^ Notes
IVestm. Gloss. 307 Veigte, to entice.
Veik, obs. Sc. form of Weak a.
Veil (v^l), sb.^ Forms : a. 3 ueile, 4-5 (7)
veile, 5 veylle, 5-7 veyle; 4-5, 7 veyl, 6 veyll,
veill (veil), 3-5, 7- veil. $. 4 uayle, 4-5 vayl,
5-7 vayle, 5-8 vaile, vail (5 Sc. waile, wail), 6
vayel(l)e, 8 vaill, 7. 5 Sc. wale, val, 4, 6-7
vale. [a. AF. and ONF. vei/e {veiile) or veil
(veyl), = OF. voile (voille) and voil :— L. vela (neut.
pi., taken as fem. sing.) and velum sail, curtain,
veil. Cf. F. voile m. (veil) and f, (sail), = Prov.
vely It. and Sp. velo^ Pg. veo. See also Vele.]
I. 1. A piece of linen or other material forming
part of the distinctive head-dress of a nun, and
worn so as to fall over the head and shoulders and
down each side of the face.
a isa5 Ancr, R. 430 ?if 5e muwen beon wimpel-Ieas, beo3
bi warme keppen and t»eruppon blake ueilcs. c 1375 Sc.
Leg. Saints x. {Matthew) ^22 Pc apostil I?ane . . t>ai madynnis
all blyssit, & gefe ^lam waile & pal!, xjfi-j Thevisa Higden
(Rolls) V. 33 He ordeynede ^t a nonne, .schulde nou^t
handle t>c towayles of be awter,, .but sche schal here a veile
on hire heed. ^14x5 Wvntols Cron. v. viii. 1563 He gaf
biddynge to )>aim ay pat ^r wall war na tyme lewide, f^n
^i sulde wcr it on t>ar hcwide. c 1430 Lvdc. Min. Poems
(Percy Soc.) aoo Rympled liche a nunnys veylle. ^1515
Cocke Lorelts B. 14 And many whyte nonnes with whyte
vayles. 1:1530 Crt. 0/ Love 1102 The nonnes, with vaile
and wimple plight 1596 Dalrvmple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot.
I. 228 Eftir her consccrationc, haueng put on the Vale of her
Virginitie.-eftirthe consuetude of the kirkc, 16x0 Holland
Camden's Brit. 699 Heina.. that put on the Vaile and reli-
gious habite of a Nunne. 1631 Townshend Albion's Tri-
vntph 17 Religion, a woman in a short Surplusse of lawne
full gathered about the neck, and vnder it a garment of
watchet, with a short vale of siluer. X7»8 Chambers Cycl.
S.V., The Prelate before whom the Vows arc made, blesses
79
the Veil, and gives it to the Religious. 1753 Diary Blue
Nuns in Caih. Rec. Soc. Publ. VIII. 126 June the 19*^
P«ggy Johnson received the vail of postulante from Mother
Abbess Agnes Howard. 1825 Scott Talisman iv, Six [of
the females], who, from their black scapularies, and black
veils over their white garments, appeared to be professed
nuns of the order of Mount Carmel.
b. To take the veil^ to become a nun ; to enter a
convent or nunnery. (See- also quots. a 1700-56.)
Originally in sense 34 of the verb Take, but in later use
passing into sense 16 c.
c X3a5 Metr. Horn. 78 Thir maydens ware sent thalre
uayies to take Of that bisschope, ot whaim I spake... Thir
maydens come bifore the autere, And toke thaire uayies.
'^'STS ^c- Leg. Saints xxi. (Clement) 661 Throw hyme ^^e
wale has tan a cusing of domycyane. ci^zs Wyntoun
Cron. VI!. iii. 264 Hir systyr J?an dame Cristyane Off religion
t>e wail had tane. xsa6 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 262 b,
She had forsaken the workle and taken the holy veyle and
habyte of religion. x6io Holland Camdens Brit. 395
Taking herself the Vale for opinion of holinesse. a 1700
Diary Blue Nuns in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. VIII. 15
Margarite Pigin came from-England to be a lay sister and
took the litle vaile for religion. 1756 Mrs. Calderwoou in
CoUness Collect. (Maitland Club) 259 It was the white vaill
she wa^ to take, that is, she was to enter her noviscet, for
there is here no publick ceremony in takeing the black
vaill, and last vows, for that is done within the convent,
after a year's wearing the white. 1791 Mrs. Radcliffi:
Rom. Forest iii, My father intended 1 should take the veil.
1818 Scott Hrt. Midi. Iii, She never took the veil, but
lived and died in severe seclusion, and in the practice of the
Roman Catholic religion. 1867 Lady Herbert Cradle L.
iii. 103 Then it.. became a large and flourishing Convent,
the wife of Baldwin I having taken the veil there.
c. The veil, the life of a nun.
18x1 Gary Dnnte, Parad. iv. 95 And thou mightst after
of Piccarda learn That Constance held affection to the veil.
i8»7 Hood Blanco's Dream 202 By twenty she had quite
renounced the veil. 1831 Scott Cast. Dang, xiv, One who,
..according to the laws of the Church, had a right to make
a choice between the world and the veil.
2. An article of attire consisting of a piece of thin
cloth, silk, or otl^er light fabric, worn, especially by
women, over the head or face either as a part of the
ordinary head-dress, or in order to conceal or pro-
tect the face ; now usually a piece of net or thin
gauzy material tied to the hat and completely
covering the face in order to protect it from the sun
or wind. Also in 6g. context (quot. 1648).
0,3. cxaso Gen. ff Ex. 3616 Dat folc on him [Moses] ne
mi^te sen But a veil wore hem bi-twen. 13.. Gazv. ^ Gr.
Knt. 958 fat ot»er wyth a gorger was gered ouer (le swyre,
Chymbled ouer hir blake chyn with mylk-quyte vayles.
14.. Siege Jerus. (E.E.'i'.S.) 15 5it is ^ visage in J>e vail,
as Vcronyk hym bro^t. 15x3 Douglas yEneid ml viii. 77
Our hedis befoir the altar we aray With valis brown, eftir
the Troiane gise. 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 255 His
heare long downe to his shulders,..with a vaile of silke
rowled alMwte his head. 1564 Brie/ Exam. ****iiij b, A
B>*shop that suffered a wydowe to syt without a vayle in
the Church among other wydowes. X638 Junius Paint.
Ancients 250 This same wise Tragaedian bringeth in
Agamemnon with a vaile before his eyes. 1648 Crashaw
Delights Muses Poems (1904) 146 How at the sight did'st
Thou draw back thine Eyes, Into thy modest veyle? x688
Holme Annoury in. 240/1 Gipsies.. in the Countrey for a
Vaile use some Durty Clout, having holes only for their
Eyes. X7X8 Free-thinker No. 73. 125 She wore a white,
unspotted Vail. x76o-a Goldsm. Cit. /^. cxviii, They were
covered from head to foot with long black veils. X774
Pennant Tour Scott, in /yjz, 124 Over her face a veil, so
transparent as not to conceal, 18*3 F. Clissold Ascent Mt.
Blanc 17 We all put on our veils, as a protection from the
heat and light. X838 Murray's Handbk. N, Gemt. 139 The
women of the lower orders here [Antwerp] wear a veil,
resembling the Spanish mantilla. 1859 W. Collins Q. 0/
Hearts (1875) 20 A bright laughing face, prettily framed
round by a black veil, passed over the head, and tied under
the chin. X900 J. G. Frazer Golden Bough (ed. 2) I. 313
Amongst the Touaregs..the veil is never put off, not even
in eating or sleeping.
trans/. 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. iv. 200 A Peacock . .
spreads round the rich pride of his pompous vail.
y. 1580-3 Grkenf, Mamillia Wks. (Grosart) II. 112 Where
cythcr the person or place should haue neede of a vale for
Sunne burning. x6ax Quarles Hadassa Wks. (Grosart) II.
60/1 Haman went home and mourn'd, (His visage muffled
in a moumfull vale).
fb. A loin-cloth. Obs.-"^
16^ Sir T. Herbert Trav. 187 A small vaile ouer their
priuities.
o. Eccl, = Humeral veil^ Hdmeral ct, a. (Cf.
also Offertory 5.)
i^Bi [see 4]. 1905 Ck. Times 3 Feb. 136 The Offertory
veil is worn on the shoulders like a broad scarf, the pendant
ends being gathered up in the hands for holding and cover-
ing the sacred vessels.
3. A piece of cloth or other material serving as a
curtain or hanging: &. Jewish Antiq. The piece
of precious cloth separating the sanctuary from the
body of the Temple or the Tabernacle.
dX3oo Cursor M. 16762+85 Dede men risen out of J>er
graue, J>e temple vayl clef in twoo. 13. . Gos^. Nicod. 660
pe son wex dim ful sone, pe vail rafe in he kirk. X384
WvcLiF Exod. xxvi. 33 The veyle forsothe be it sett yn bi
ccrcles, with ynnc the whiche thou shall put thearkc of testy-
monye. i4xa-so Lydg. Chron. Troyx, 1747 In ►>€ temple ^e
veil was kut on two. X5a8 More Dyalogue 111. Wks. 246/r
¥• veyle of the temple is broken asunder y* diulded among
y» Jcwes. x53sCovERDALE 2 Chron. iii, 14 He madea vayle
also of yalow sylke, scarlet, purple and lynenworke, and
madeCherubinstheron. x6xi Bible i Mace. \. 22 Antiochus
..entred proudly into the sanctuarie, and tookc away, .the
vaile. 1737 Whiston tr. yosepkus, Antiq. in. vii. § 7 The
vails, too, which were composed of four things, they declared
VEIL.
the four elements. 178* J. BROw^J Nat. ff Revealed Relig,
IV. lii. 363 While he expired, an earthquake rent the rocks,
and the vail of the temple. 1842 Penny Cycl. XXIV, 186/2
The inner sanctuary was separated from the holy place by
a rich curtain or veil.
/g. 1382 WvcLiF Heb. X. 20 Bi a veyl, or keuering, that
istoseye.hisfleisch. iS26Tindale Heb. x. 20 Through the
vayle, that is to saye by his flesshe. 1642 Rogers Naaman
Ep. Ded. a2, We are come. .even to the Holy of Holies,
through his flesh that hath broken downe the vaile of
seperation.
b. Eccl. The curtain hung between the altar and
the choir, esp. during Lent. Now Hist.
X427-8 Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905) 68 For makyng of iiij
polesis of bras & iron werk and lede ^^at serued for )>k
vayl. a 1450 Mirk's Festial 126 Pe vayle >at ha^e be
drawen all Jje Lenton bytwene (le auter and jje qwere. X50S
Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. 11. 294 For xxvij eine Bertane
claith, to be the vail in the chapel of Halyrudhous agane
Lenterane. 1530 Palsgr. 284/2 Veyle for the church in
lent, custode. iss* Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 67 That
day the vayelle was hongyd [up] benethc the steppes. Ibid,
69 The xxviij. day after was Ester evyne, and then was the
tabulle remevyd, and sette benethe at the vayele northe and
sowthe. 1877 J. D. Chambers Div. Worship 94 A large
Curtain or Veil should be suspended in the Presbytery
between the Choir and Altar.
c. Used fig. or allusively in various prepositional
phrases, as behind^ beyond^ or within the veil,
chiefly after Heb. vi. 19 in Tindale's (1526) and
later versions of the Bible ; now commonly with
reference to the next world.
iS28_TiNDALE Obed. Chr. Man 91 b, Christe hath brought
vs all in into the inner temple within the vayle or forehang-
inge, and vnto the mercy stole of God. 172a Wollastom
Relig, Nat, \x. 180 To participate of the mysteries of love
with modesty, as within a veil or sacred inclosure, not with
a canine impudence. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. Ivi, What
hope of answer, or redress ? Behind the veil, behind the veil.
1859 E. FitzGerald Omar xlvii. When You and I behind
the Veil are past. 1877 A. J. Ross Mem. Alex. Kwing
XXX. 521 In March, 1870, Thomas Erskine passed on within
the veil.
t d. A curtain or awning (cf. quots.). Obs.
1781 Gibbon Decl, ^ F. xxi. (1787) II. 277 The master of the
offices stood before the veil or curtain of the sacred apart-
ment. X790 Bystander 33 To prevent inconvenience from
the heat of the sun, they extended veils., by means of cords
attached to the extremity of the building.
4. A piece of silk or other material used as a
covering, spec, (Eccl.) to drape a crucifix, image,
picture, etc., esp. during Lent, or to cover the
chalice.
(rt) 1399 Mem. Ripon (Surtees) III. 129 In salario Johannis
Payntour pictantis j magnum vale ad cooperiendum crucem
stantem infra corpus ecclesise in Quadragesima. 1501 Ace,
Ld. High Treas. Scot. II. 64 For xliiij elne lynnyn claith,
that wes antependis and vales in the Kirk of Strivelin. 1570
B. GooGE Pop. Kingd, 1. 11 One vp a lofte the patten
holdes, enclosde in silken vayle. X728 Chambers Cycl. s.v.,
In the Romish Churches, in time of Lent, they have Veils,
or large Curtains over the Altar, Crucifix, Images of the
Saints, &c. X78» in J. H. Harting Hist, Sardinian Chapel
(1905) 25 Burseand veil for the chalice, veils for Benediction
and the desk. ^ 1877 J. D. Chambers Div. Worship 427
There was a similar veil used also for covering over the
Sepulchre on Good Friday.
(/') 178X Gibbon Decl.^F. xix. (1787) 11. 151 He.. respect-
fully unfolded the silken veil which covered the haughty
epistle of his sovereign.
h.Jig. Something which conceals, covers, or hides;
a disguising or obscuring medium or influence ; a
cloak or mask. (Common in the 19th c.)
a. Of immaterial things, f Under veil^ sur-
reptitiously.
1382 Wyclif 2 Cor. iii. 15 But til in to this day, whanne
Moyses is radd, the veyl is putt vpon her hertis.
14x2-20 Lydg. Chron. Troy iv, 4542 Daunz Anthenor, and
Pollydamas, pat ban contreued amonge hem outterly, And
vnder veil concelyd secrely, Jiffe [etc.]. 1597 Hooker Eccl.
Pol,y, Iv. §8 Till that hunnlitie which had bene before as
a vaile to hide and conceale maiestie were layd aside. 161 z
Bible Transl. Pre/ r 17 Hee remoueth the scales from our
eyes, the vaile from our hearts. 1619 Sir H. Wotton in
EHg. ^ Germ. (Camden) 51, I have likewise a zeale to the
cause, which I hope wilbe some vaile to myne other infirmi-
ties. x66o Jer. Tavlor Worthy Communicant i. iv. 90 For
Christ in the Sacrament is Christ under a vail, a 1735
Lansdowne Progr. Beauty 242 Hide with a vail those
griefs that none can paint. 1783 W, Thomson Watson's
Philip III, VI. {1839) 337 His indulgence to the reformed
religion covered the violence of his usurpations with a
specious veil, 1820 Shelley Naples 93 From Nature's
inmost shrine, Strip every impious gawd, rend Error veil
by veil. 1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 1006 The
thickest veil covers the whole of these processes ; and so far
have philosophers hitherto been from removing this veil,
that they have not even been able to approach it. 1898
•Merbiman' Rodents Comer xvii. 182 Tearing aside the
veils behind which human hearts have slept through many
years.
b. Const, ^(with defining term).
1382 Wyclif Wisd. xvii. 3 Bi the derc veil of for3eting
thei ben scatered,. .and with..myche w[o]ndring disturbid.
a 1475 in Contin. Brut 601 Thou, shewyng there a face
ful benygne, Vndyr a veyle of fals decepcioun. 1543-4 Act
35 Hen. yilly c. 1 The vaile of darcknes of the vsurped
power.. of the see and bishoppes of Rome. 1598 Shaks.
Merry W. ill. ii. 42, I will.,piucke the borrowed vaile of
modestie from the so-seeming Mist. Page, a 1639 W.
Whatklev Prototypes i. xi. (1640) 90 To use the mantle or
veile of love to cover a multitude of sinnes. 1681 Wvndham
King's Concealment 86 Striving to cover her trouble with
the vail of chearfulness. 1719 Young Busiris 11. i. That
chastity of look, which seems to hang A vail of purest light
o'er all her beauties. 1769 Robertson C/ias. K, vm. III. 77
VEIL.
Under whattever veil of artifice or secrecy the Emperor still
affected to conceal his designs. 1893 Scott Quentin D.
viii, Qualities which were vl-iible even through the veil of
extreme dejection, with which his natural character was . .
obscured. 184^ H. H. Wilson BriU India \\. 150 (He)
dropped the veil of Mahratta diplomacy, and gave utterance
to his opinions. i88a J. Hatton JoumaUsiic London ix.
16a If the veil of anonymity were completely raised, other
. .names would appear m the list.
C. Of material substances, the clouds, etc. With
cfpx other defining addition.
,^q8 Florio, Veloy . . the mort^lvaile, mans carkas or body.
16*9 Milton Hym* b^atw. ii, She woo's the.. Air To hide
her guilty front with innocent Snow, And on her naked
shame . . The Saintly Vail of Maiden white to throw.
1648 J Beaumont Psyciu x. cccxx, He who in his Bodie's
rail till now The Ra>'S of his Divinity hath hid. 1663 Bp,
Patrick Parah. P'igr- "vii. Between us and the invisible
World there is a gross cloud and vail of flesh which inter-
poses, tf 17^ Bevebidge Priv. Th, i. (1730) i, I am sure,
within this Veil of Flesh there dwells a Soul. x8i6 J.
Wilson City of Plague 11. iii. 45 When the veil Of mist was
drawn aside, there hung the sun. ^1853 Kincslev Misc.
(i860) I. 44 Fifty years of ruin would suffice to wrap them
in a leafy veil. 1871 Br.ACK Adv. Phaeton ix. 121 A great
veil of rain stretches from the sky to the earth.
d. Similarly without specific qualification.
t6o4 E. G[RtMSTONE] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies iii. xxi. 188
They do vsually see as it were two heavens, one cleere and
bright abov'e, and the other obscure, and as it were a graie
vaile spread vndemeath. a 1651 Brome Queenes Exch. n. i,
Imagine now you see break through a Vail Amidst those
Stars... The bright Cynthia in her full of Lustre. 1784
CowfER Ta%k IV. 332 The green And lender blade.. Escapes
unhurt beneath so warm a veil. 1813 Scott Triervt, ni.
xxxvii. Such soften'd shade the hill receives, Her purple
veil when twilight leaves Upon its western swell. 1897
Mary Kingsley \V. Africa 129 The climbing plants.. form
great veils and curtains between and over the trees,
e. To draw or throw (also cast) a veil over^ to
hide or conceal, to refrain from discussing or dealing
with, to hush up or keep from public knowledge.
Also without const.
(o) 1701 De Foe True-born Eng. i. 90 Satyr, be kind ! and
draw a silent Veil ! l*hy native England's vices to conceal.
1744 in lo^A Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. I. 211, I
wished from my Soul that I could draw a Veil over Vice*
Admiral Lcstock's Conduct in the late Skirmish. 1808 Med.
frni. XIX. 55 As far as regards their private characters, it
may . . be the duty of those who are ' liable to other imperfec-
tions ', to draw a veil over them. 1858 Greener (7w««fry 351
There was evidence of proceedings having been enacted over
which I would rather draw a veil.
(*) 1711 KxiXi\%o-nSf'ect, No. i6g P 12 The ill-natured Man
..exposes those Failings, .which the other would casta Veil
over. x8o6 Surr Winter in Lond. II. 101 His faithful
attachment to the family caused him to throw a veil over
suspicions that the rest of the world will for ever indulge.
t8a3 Lamb Elia \\. Barbara S — , I must throw a veil over
some mortifying circumstances. 1864 Pusey Led. Daniel
(i8;6) 545 It throws a veil over the grossness of its error.
1875 JowETT Plato (ed. 2) III. 109 He throws a veil of
mystery over the origin of the decline.
6- a. A slight tinge or colouring, rarer-^
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 11. i, 40 As for colour,
although Crystall in his pellucid body seems to have none
at all, yet in its reduction into powder, it hath a vaile and
shadow of blew.
b. Mhs. a slight obscuration or want of clear-
ness in the voice. (Cf. Veiled///, a. 3 b.)
1884 Grave's Diet. Music IV. 235 \kt no student of sing-
ing endeavour to cultivate a veil because some great singers
have had it naturally. A superinduced veil means a ruined
voice.
o. Photogr, An obscure or veiled appearance.
i8g^ Hodges Elem. Photogr, 132 The clear portions of the
negatives should remain unclouded and free from veil or
fog until the last.
7. In various specific uses : A veil-like membrane,
membranous appendage or part, serving as a cover
or screen; a velum: (see quots.).
a. Bot. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. \. ii. (1765)4 Calyptra, a
Veil, in Mosses. 1796 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) III.
811 Polytr\ichunt\ striatum. . .'X\it. veils appear in winter,
and the capsules in Feb. 1822-7 Good Stud. Med. (1829) I.
248 For the most part the smell of these [fnushrooms] is
virulent, and they are covered with a calyptre or veil. 183a
LiNDLEV Introd. Bot. 208 The 7ielum, or veil [in fungi], is a
horizontal membrane, connecting the margin of thepileus
with the stipes. 1887 W, Phillips 5W/. Discomycetes Gloss.,
Veil^ a partial covering of the cup ; a membranaceous,
fibrous or granulose coating stretching over the mouth of
the cup, soon breaking up into fragments.
b. Anat. 1829 Cooper Goo<fs Stud. Med. I. 599 Certain
phenomena, which occasionally show themselves in the
glottis, larynx, and even in the pendulous veil of the palate.
1854 BusHNAH in Ort's Circ. .Sci., Org. Nat. I. 140 This
expulsion of water is produced by means of a peculiar
arrangement of the veil of the palate. 1859 Mayne Expos,
Lex. s.v. Velum.
C. Zool. i8to Encycl. Brit. fed. 4) VIII. 190/2 When young
It [the larva] is covered with a veil of black silk. 1834
MeMuRTBiE Cuvief^s Anim. Kingd. 258 A membranous
veil on the mouth supplies the want of tentacula. x86i J. R.
Greesb Man. Anim. Kingd.X(^Unt. 36 Around the margin
of the nectosac, the wall of the nectocalyx is produced in-
wards, forming a shelf.like membrane, or * veil '.
8. dial. « Caul sb.'^ 5.
1870- in dial, glossaries, etc. (N. Cy., Yks., Chesh., Shrops.,
and U.S.).
9- attrib. and Comh.^ as (in senses 3 b and 4)
veil-cloth , - n/^, ( i n sen so 2 ) veil (head ) -dress ^
-mnker^ net ; also veil-hid adj.
1424 Mem. RiPon (Surtees) III. 151 Pro..ij tenterapes, et
j veylrape cum j corda. 1552-3 Inv. Church Goods in Ann.
Lichfield (1863) IV. 24 Item, .. iij clothes to hang afore
80
thalters, ix towelles, a veil clothe. i6ix Florio, Velaro^
a vaile or sipres maker. 1813 Brewer Beauties Eng. ^
Wales XII. II. ii. 146 A woman in a veil head-dress. 1826
W. Elliott The Nun 41 A veil-hid sister beckons at the
door. 1876 Edersheim fewish Life Days Christ xiii. 217
The veil-dress was a kind of mantilla, thrown gracefully
about the whole person, and covering the head. 1888 Daily
Neivs 3 Uec. 2/7 Veil nets continue in steady request. 1899
Westm. Caz. 26 Jan. 3/2 The milliner must watch the
coiffeur, the veil-maker the milliner.
II. tiO. A sail. Obs-'^
cx^y>Pilgr. Lyf Manhode iv. xxviii. (i86g) 191 Aboue
was ^ mast of t>e ship dressed wher vpon heeng t?e seyl
ystreight, whiche oo)?er weys is cleped veyl.
+ Veil, sb.^ Obs, Also 4 veille, 5 veyle. [a.
OF. veille'.— h. vigilia waking, watching.] A
watcher or watchman.
1362 Langl. P, pi. a. v. 223 Sleujje for serwe fel doun
i-swowene Til vigilate J>e veil fette water at his ei^en
\Harl.MS. Til.. vigilate J>e wakere warned him \>o]. 1480
Caxton Myrr. in. viii. (1913) 147 Thus is he [i.e. the sun] the
right veyle and patrone of all the other sterres.
Veil (v^l), V, Forms : a. 4, 7- veil, 4 veyle,
veill-, 5 veyll-, weyll-, 7 veile. j8. 6 Sc. vale,
vaill, 6-7 vayle, vaile, 6-8 vail. [f. Veil j^^.i, in
early use after OF. veler^ voiller (mod.F. voiler) or
L. veldre. Cf. Sp. and Pg. velar, It. velare.^
1. trans. To cover (the person, etc.) with, or as
with, a veil; to conceal or hide (the face, etc) by
means of a veil or other material ; to enveil.
Freq. in the pa. pple., which in some contexts may be
taken as the passive of sense 3.
138a WycLiF Luke xxii, 64 And the! veyliden him, or
hidden, and smyten his face. 1513 Douglas yEneid xii.
xiii. 218 Thus mekill said scho ; and tharwyth bad adew,
Hir bed valit with a haw clayth or blew. 1601 Shaks.
Tivel. N. I. i. 28 The Element it selfe... Shall not behold her
face at ample view : But like a Cloystresse she will vailed
walke. a J700 Evelyn Diary 23 May 1645, A Venus of
marble, veiled from the middle to thefeete. 1725 De Foe Voy.
round IVor/d (1S40) 246 She was veiled till she came into
the room. 1791 Cowper Odyss. viii. 10*3 Then his robe.,
with both handso'er his head Ulysses drew, behind itsample
folds Veiling his face, through fear to be observed. 1816 J.
Wilson City 0/ Plague n. ii. 309 We veil our eyes before thy
light. 1867 Lady Herbert Cradle L. v. 119 The same
women closely veiled,. were toiling down the rugged and
slippery street. 1885-94 ^' Bridges Eros ^ Psyche April
xxii, 'Midst them there Went Psyche, all in lily-whiteness
veil'd.
rejl. 1891 'Annie Thomas' That Affair I. x 171 Miss
Pofthuan hats and veils herself.
trans/, a^nii fig. 161^ Sylvester Bethulia's Rescue in. 315,
I ,, Will with my Silence vail their Countenance. 1667
Milton P. L, ix. 425 Eve separate he spies, Veil'd in a Cloud
of Fragrance, a 1699 J. Beaumont Psyche \\\. Ixxix, She
Vail'd in the scarlat of her modest cheek, Reply'd. 1728-46
Thomson Spring 3 Come, gentle Spring, And. .veil'd in a
shower Of shadowmg roses, on our plains descend.
b. transf. with a thing as object. Also, to
enclose or hang with a veil or curtain (quot. 1656).
Occas. passing into sense 4, but with material object.
1582 N. LicHEFiELD tr. Castanheda'sCong. E. Ind. i. xvi.
42 rhis church., was made all of free stone, and couered or
vayled ouer with bricke. 1607 'I'ourneur Rez'. Trag. in, v.
In some fit place vaylde from the eyes a' th' Court. 1656
^. Smith Pract. Physick 208 The sides of the_ Cradle must
e vailed, that the child may look only straight forward.
a 1700 Ken Ediuund Poet. Wks, 1721 J I. 279 Three Leagues
in Compass they the Ocean vail'd, And press'd the Billows
prostrate as they sail'd. 1750 Gray Long Story 39 With,,
aprons long they hid their armour, And veil'd their weapons
bright and keen, 1837 Disraeli Venetia i. ii, A group of
elms, too scanty at present to veil their desolation. 1847
Tennyson Princ. in. 272 She bow'd as if to veil a noble
tear. 1869 J. Martineau Ess. II. 367 She veils the solar
radiance and brings on the night.
ftg. 1589 Comtnendaiory Verses Spenser's F. Q. S.'s Wks.
(1912) 409 That faire Hands right : Which thou doest vaile
in Type of Faery land, Elyzas blessed field, that Albion
hight.
o. refl. To hide, cover, or wreathe (oneself) in
something. Usuailyy?^.
1799 S. & Ht. Lee Canterb. T. I, 129 [His] grieved and
rankling heart. .veiled itself in smiles. 1840 Dickens Old
C. Shop lix, * Done, I say,* added Sampson, rubbing his
hands and veiling himself again in his usual oily manner.
1850 M^Cosh Div. Govt. in. i. (1874) 286 High truths, like
high mountains, are apt to veil themselves in clouds.
d. absol. To put on or wear a veil.
17x3 Mrs. Centlivre Wonder n, You must veil and follow
him. 183s BuRNES Trav. Bokhara (ed. 2) lU. 24 Their
head-dress is, perhaps, a little large, but., as they never
veil, it becomes them. '
2. To bestow the veil of a nun upon (a woman) ;
to admit into monastic life as a nun.
X387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) V. 305 Seint Bryde J?at
Patrik veilledcoverlevede him by sixty ^ere. 1390 Gower
Conf. III. 317 Thei-.make a worthi pourveance Ayein the
day whan thei be veiled, c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 623 And
other maydones mony mo also, Weron veylled ho in ^lat
abbay. a 1604 Hanmer Chron. Ireland (1633) 43 The
Nunne Cccubris whom Patricke first vailed of all the
women in Ireland. ai66i Fuller Worthies, Essex {itt"!)
33:j, 1.. conceive she [Matilda Fitz- Walter] had surely t>een
Sainted if vailed. 1886 Canon Monahan Rec. Ardagh Sf
Clonmacnoise 3 Some hold . . that St. Bridget of Kildare was
veiled by .St. Macchilla.
b. reJl. To make (oneself a mm') by taking the
veil. rare~^.
1631 Weever Ave. Fmural Mon. 760 A daughter of his,
vailed herselfe a Nunne.
3. To cover, enshroud, or screen as or in the man-
ner of a veil ; to serve as a veil to (something).
VEILED.
a. Of a garment, cloth, etc
15x3 Douglas j^neid vin. i. 73 A Iin5e wattry garmond
dyd hym vaill. 1596 Shaks. Merch, V. m. ii. 99 Thus
ornament is but.. The beautious scarfe Vailing an Indijin
beautie. 1703 Pope Thcbais i. 432 His ample hat his
beamy locks o'erspread, And veil'd the starry glories of his
head ! 1797 Mrs. Radcliffe Italian xii, Ineir beauty,
softened by the lawn that thinly veiled it 1867 Morris
Jason XIV. 732 Scarlet cloth, and fine silk, fit to veil The
perfect limbs of dreaded Goddesses.
transf. X84S J. Wilson Chr. North (1857) II, 9 Shame
never veiled the light of those bold eyes.
b. Of clouds, vapour, etc.
16x4 Gorges Lucan x. 436 Thus they the time securely
spent. Till mid-night vail'd the Element. X667 Milton
A L, IX. 452 And now from end to end Nights Hemisphere
had veild the Horizon round, /bid. xi. 229 Yonder
blazing Cloud that veils the Hill. 1779 Cowper Olney
Hymns, Submission 23 The next cloud that vails my
skies. 179^ Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho xxxv, The
clouds,. veiling the sun and stretching their shadows along
the distant scene. 1820 Lamb E/ia i. My First Play, The
green curtain tliat veiled a heaven to my imagination. 1836
Macgiluvrav T7-av. Humboldt xiv. 178 The heat became
suffocating.. and a reddish vapour veiled the horizon. X87X
T. R. Jones A nim. Kingd. (ed. 4) 134 A cloud veiling thesun
will cause their tentacles to fold, as though apprehensive of
danger from the passing shadows.
4. fig. To conceal (some immaterial thing, con-
dition, quality, etc.) from apprehension, knowledge,
or perception ; to deal with, treat, etc., so as to
disguise or obscure ; to hide the real natnre or
meaning of (something). Freq. with implication
of bad motives.
1538 Latimer Remains (Parker Soc.) 399 And in what
case are they in, that hath veiled treason so long ! i6oz
Marston Ant. ^ Mel. i. Wks. 1856 I. 15 Weele not vaile
our names. i6ao-6 Quarles Feast for Wormes Ded.,
1 dedicate.. these few leaues to your truly.Noble Selfe,
hoping your L.ordsbip wil vaile my boldnes in your good
acceptance. 1653 Holcroft Procopius^ Persian Wars i. 30
Tribonianus. .being a faire spoken man, ..able to vail his
Covetousness with abundance of Learning. 17x8 Free-
thinker No. 106. 6 Popery does not appear Bare-faced in
England : the Terrours of it are veiled, a 1770 Jortin
Serm. (1771) I. i. 4 note, Pythagoras learned to veil his
precepts. 1841 D'Israeh Amen, Lit. (1867) 311 The
literary delusion.. long veiled the personal history of the
Earl of Surrey. X863 Kinglake Crimea I. 209 That which
had so long veiled his cleverness from the knowledge of
mankind. 1869 Freeman Nonn. Cong. (1875) HI. xii. 145
The real names are veiled under the obsolete titles delighted
in by the Latin writers.
6. To render less distinct or apparent ; to reduce,
soften, tone down.
X843 R. J. Graves Sysi. Clin. Med. xxv. 306 The mucilage
veils the astringent and irritating qualities of the metallic
salt. 1878 Abnev Photogr, xW. 102 The chance of veiling
the image through the reduction of the bromide unacted
upon by light is increased.
6. inir, Photogr. To become dark or obscure ; to
darken.
x89o[see Veiling vbl. sb. 4]. X907 Hodges Eletn. Photogr.
(ed. 6) 127 The high lights.. should be just commencing to
veil.
Veil, obs. f. VAiL.r/i.1; var. Vail 2'.2; obs. Sc.
form of Weal sb., Well adv,
Veild, obs. Sc. form of Wield v.
Veildar, obs. Sc. form of Wj elder.
Veile, obs. form of Vail ; obs. Sc. f. Well adv.
Veiled (\e^id),pf>l. a. [f. Veil v. or sb.^]
1. Covered with or wearing a veil ; shrouded in
a veil.
X593 Marlowe tr. Lucan i. 5517 The Nunnes And their
vaild Matron, who alone might view Mineruas statue. 1607
Shaks. Cor. 11. i. 231 Our veyl'd Dames Commit the Warre
of White and Damaske In their nicely gawded Cheekes.
X614 J. Davies (Heref.) Eclogue 33 Wks. (Grosart) II. 19/2
Than vp (sad swaine) pull fro thy vailed cheeke Hur prop,
thy palme. X815 Shelley Alastor 151 He dreamed a veiled
maid Sate near him. 1820 — Prometh. Unb. \\, iv. i What
veiled form sits on that ebon throne? 1851 Ruskin in
Collingwood Life (1900) 129 Those veiled vestals and pranc-
ing Amazons. . will all be forgotten. X89X Farrar Darkn. ^
Darvn iii. No one recognised the veiled figure.
b. f>oet. Of the eyes.
18x7 Shelley /*?-. Athan. 1. 99 'Tis the shadow of a dream
Which the veiled eye of Memory never saw. 1821 —
Adonais ii, With veiled eyes, 'Mid listening Echoes, in her
Paradise She sate.
c. Bot. Having a velum ; velate.
1793 Martvn Lang. Bot. s.v. Calyptra, In this sense
Euonymus is said to be caljrptred, calyptrate or veiled.
x866 ill Treas. Bot.
2. Concealed, covered, hidden, as if by a veil ;
ob5cnre, unrevealed.
i6ia T. Taylor Comm, Titus \. i The vailed knowledge of
the Jaw. 1674 BovLE Excell. Theot. i. i. 49 A close and
critical account of the more vailed and pregnant parts of
Scripture. 182X Shelley Epipsych. 26 Seraph of Heaven!
. .Veiled Glory of this lampless Universe ! X858 Hawthorne
Fr. 9f It. Note-bks. II. 119 Returning the inquirer's thoughts
and veiled recollections to himself, as answers to his queries.
1878 J. P. Hopps Rel. <V Moral Led, xiii. 42 On the one
hand, all the masks will drop off; and, on the other hand,
all the veiled goodness will appear.
b. Jig. Covert, disguised ; not openly declared,
expressed, or stated.
187s E. White Life in Christ 11. x. (1S78) 105 There Is
a wide difference between a veiled promise and a veiled
threatening. 1891 Farrar Darkn. Sf Dawn v, The scarcely
veiled sneer which marked his tone of voice. 1899 Alden-
HAM Colloq. Currency (1900) 316 The Imperfect or Veiled
VEILEDLY.
Bimetallism such as that practised under the Bank Act of
1844-
3. t a. Of sight : Dim, indistinct. Obs.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple hi. vi. Ixv, Why do we. .With
curious labour, dimme and vailed sight, Prie in the nature
of this King and Queen t
b. Of sound, the voice, etc. : Indistinct, muffled,
obscure.
1834 J. Forbes Laennec's Dis. Chest (ed. 4) 35 It some-
times also presents a further modification, which 1 call the
veiled puff {si'uffle voile'). In this case, it seems to us as if
every vibration of the voice, .agitates a sort of moveable
veil interposed between the excavation and the ear. 1884
Grme's Diet. Music IV. 235 Veiled Voice... \ voice is said
to be veiled when it is not clear, but sounding as if it passed
•through some interposed medium. 1897 Daily JVe-<vs 10
Dec. 7/4 Jenny Lind's Veiled Voice. 1898 Alliutl's Syst.
Med. V. 871 The heart-sounds become veiled and impure.
0. Photogr. Of a negative: Lacking clearness or
distinctness; dim.
i8ga Photogr. Ann. II. 477 Isochromatic and other very
sensitive pl.ites requiring the greatest possible protection
during development, to avoid veiled negatives.
Hence Velledljr adv., Velledness.
1879 C. & Marv Cowden Clarke Shaks. Key 690 In the
'Sormets', there is the same spirit of modesty.. with the
utmost veiledness of diction. 1881 E. Arnold Indian Poetry
73 Blue lotus-blooms, seen veilediy Under the wave.
Veilfair, -fare, obs. Sc. forms of Welfare.
Veiling (v^'-liq), vbl. sb. [f. Veil v. or jA.I]
1. 1. Something serving as a veil, cover, or
screen ; a veil or curtain. W'iO fig.
In quot. 1748 prob. confused with Valancej^.
iw8 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. 11. viii. (1495' 3* '^ Sera-
phm louith to see god wythout ony wayllynge of fygure
eyther of creature sette by twene. Ibid. xvuL 43 He seeth god
face to face wythout veyllynge put bytwene. i6ix Florio,
K^/d/M/, . . vailings, shadowings or curteins. 1748 Phil.
Trans. XLV. 386 The Breach on the East Side, near a
Window,, .was opposite to the Vailings of the Bed, which
were singed. 1842 Is. Willia.ms Baptistery I. xiv. (1874) 17s
Then when strongest heart is failing Death it calls in to its
aid, Strips aside the fleshly veiling Round ourselves that we
have made. 1900 Daily News 14 Feb. 7/4 Vivid flashes of
lightning illuminated the whole room, piercing the veiling
of the windows.
2. Material of which veils are made. Also pi.
Nuns veiling: see Nun sb} 6c. i
i88a Caulfeild & Saward Did. Needlework 5J0/1 The |
widths of gauze for Veiling measure from half a yard to
three-quarters in width. 1894 Times 16 April 4/2 The sale
of veilings is fairly well sustained.
etttrib. 189X Tinus 15 Oct. 9/5 A considerable business is
being done in silk veiling nets.
II. 3. The action of putting on or covering with
a veil. Also altrib. in veiling plaet,
a 1586 Sidney Ps. xix. vi, [The sun comes forth] like a
bridegroome From out his vailing places. 1611 Florio,
Velatto, a vailing. i8a6 Miss -Mitford Village Ser. IL
(1863) 277 Oh the lacing,. .the bonneting, the veiling, the
gloving [etcj.
4. I'he action or fact of becoming blurred, dim, or
indistinct ; dimness or indistinctness of appearance,
esp. in a photographic film or negative.
1890 Antiony's Phatogr. Bulletin III. 57 Films which
have a tendency to veiling and thinness. 1893 Hodges
Elem. Photogr. 122 It is of the utmost importance that the
high lights of a lantern slide should be transparent and free
from the slightest veiling or discoloration. 1899 ^Mu't's
Syst. Med. VI. 843 A fittle veiling or uncertainty of the
outlines of the discs.
Veiling (v^'lii)), ffl. a. [f. Veil ».] That
veils, covers, or conceals.
a 1671 SrtRRY Freed. IVillUeyi) 128 God is seen by the
Soul, but shadowed by this shadowy and vailing Image
within which he resides. i8jo Keats Isabella xlvii, Then
'gan she work again ; nor stay'd her care. But to throw back
at times her veiling hair. 1855 Rossetti Poems (1904)
183/1 Not till this veiling world shall cease And harvest
yield its whole increa-se. 1867 Jean Incelow Story 0/
Doom I. 273 Then she pushed Her veiling hair l)ack from
her round, soft eyes.
Vein, obs. Sc. form of Weal sb., Well adv.
Veillane, obs. Sc. form of Villain.
Veilleas (v^'Mes), a. [f. Veil rf.i -^ -less.]
1. Having no veil ; unprovided with or unpro-
tected by a veil.
l8aJ MiLMAN Martyr Antioch 55 That head, whose veil-
less blaze Fill'd angels wiih amaze. 1859 Tennyson G<rai'«<
4 Enid 536 Half whistling and half singing a coarse song.
He drove the dust against her veilless eyes. x88a F. Myers
Renewal Youth 86 They scarce could bear Veilless the
tingling incidence of air,
2. trans/. Unshaded, unclouded.
1870 Miss Broughton Red as Rose I. 117 The corn has
been whitening under the sun's hard veilless stare. 1888
H. Drummond Tropical A/rica v. 109 The glittering ball,
whose daily march across the burnished and veilless zenith
brings him untold agony.
II Veilleuse (vo'»z)- [F-] A small and usually
highly decorated night-lamp.
i8>6 H. D. Bestf. Four Vrs. France 379 The reflection of
a veilletise, or small night lamp.
Veillfair, obs. Sc form of Welfare.
Veil-like, a. [f. Veil jA.I] Like or resem-
bling a veil, or th.it of a veil ; having the appear-
ance or character of a veil.
X835 LvTTON Rienzi x. viii. He saw the pale and veil-like
mists that succeed the sunset. 1873 Leland Egypt. Sketch-
hk. 115 She had a long flowing white veil-like robe. 1887
HissEY Holiday on Road 15^ The air has a perceptible
quality.. .\'ou feel its veil-like influence pervading all.
VouX.
81
Veilme, obs. form of Film sb.
Veily Cv<i-li), a. [f. Veil j*.i -^ -Y.] Veil-like ;
diaphanous.
1839 T. Miller Rural Sk. g, I had watched.. until the
veily twilight was let down from heaven. 1843 Ruskin
Mod. Paint. I. II. iv. §6. 244 The .. rain-cloud, with its
ragged and -spray-like edge, its veily transparency [etc.].
Vein (vi?n}, sb. Forms: o. 3-7 veyne (4-5
weyne, 6 ueyne), 4, 7 veyn ; 4-7 veine (4
vene), 7- vein. /3. 4-7 vayne (5 wayne), 5
vayn (wayn), 6-7 vain(e. 7. 5, 6-7 Sc,
vane (5, 6 Sc, wane), [a. OF. veine, vaine (F.
veine):— L. vena (cf. Ve.ne), whence also Prov.,
Sp., It. vena, Pg. veia {\veya, ved).']
1. 1. One or other of the tubular vessels in which
the blood is conveyed through the animal body ;
in later use spec one of those by which the blood
is carried back to the heart from the extremities
(opposed to artery).
Many veins are distinguished by special epithets, as alar,
auricular, axillary, basilic, cardiac, etc- : see these words.
a. 13.. K. Alls. 1175 (Laud MS.), pe kynges veynes
wexen chelde. /bid. 3414 per was. .many veyn leten blood.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 59 For betynge of veynes is
bettre i-knowe in ]>e vtlre parties of bodies han ynward and
in ^>e myddel wi^ynne. i4as Vonge tr. Secreta Secret. 229
Tho men whych haue the neke abowte and the temples,
grete ruddy weynes, bene wrothy and hugely angry, c l4«|o
.Mirk's Festicd-2<^i pe prest blessuth a ring.. and duth hit
on bur fyngur |?at haj>e a veyne to hure bene. 1516 Pilgr.
Per/. (W.de W. 1531) 254 For ye whiche his senewes and
veynes brast. 1559 Morwyng Evonym. 359 This oyll
anoynted upon the pulsing veynes, where they appeare
moste, as of the temples,.. delivereth.. from all poysons,
159* Shaks. Rom. ■5- Jul. iv. iil 15, I haue a faint cold
feare thrills through my veines. 1631 R. Bolton Con,/.
AJ^. Consc, C1635) 109 When a veine is broken and bleeds
inwardly,.. the Ph>sition is wont to open a veine in the
arme so to divert the current of the blood, c 1673 Traherne
Poet. IVks. {1906) 180 Veins wherein blood floweth. Refresh-
ing all my flesh. Like rivers. 17J7 De Fok Eng. Tradesm.
vL {1841) I. 44 Being drawn off, like the blood let out of the
veins. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) VI. 388 With us
and quadrupedes the blood goes from the veins to the heart.
ifto4 .-Vbernethy Surg. Obs. 21 The superficial veins appear
remarkably large. 1840 Thirlwall Greece Ivi. VII. 197
Demosthenes now felt the poison in his veins._ 1871 T. K.
Jones Anim. Kingd. (ed. 4) 227 All these veins terminate
m two large venous canals.
S. C1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 1908 [If] ilka vayne of (>e
mans body Had a rote festend fast |>arby. c 1400 Destr.
Troy 5829 The gret vayne of his gorge. X42S Vonge tr.
Secreta Secret. 240 The blode rynnyth into the waynys
throgh al the body. 1480 Caxton Myrr. 11. xix. (1913) 109
AUe in lyke wyse as the blood of a man gooth and renneth
by the vaynes of the body. 1513 Fitzherb. Husb. § 50
Some men vsc to let them bloudde vnder the eye in a vaine.
isSa Hester Seer. Phiorav. i. xxiv. 28 When the bloud is
alterated of that putrefaction, it goeth to the vaines. 1603
J. DAViEsCHeref.j.WcrocojOTOx Wks. (Grosart) I. 67/1 Seas
of Blood.. Might still haue kept the Chanells of the Vaynes.
1*47 Hexham i, A Vaine, een /(rf<r... Great Vaines or
Arteres, Groot Aderett.
y. ciM in Vicarys Anat. (1888) App. ix. 229 Thy ryght
hande has I. wane, in fay. Thy litill fynger hath yt aj-e.
1487 Barbour's Bruce vii. 173 Quhen the vanys fiUit ar, T he
body vorthis hevy euirmar. 1500-ao Dunbar Poems Ixxii.
35 Blude birst out at every vane, c 1560 A. Scott Poems
(S. T.S.) ix. 34 Ane hairt of jouris bayth vane and nervis.
1596 Dalrvmple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. II. 95 A vane.,
cuttit in his body, al the blude of his body is lattne outbleid
at the sarayn. i6« in Verney Mem. (1907) I. 557, I had
only a vomitt . . andbreathed a vane.
\ b. Lacteal, lacteous, or milky veins, = Lacteal
sb. I. Obs.
t6s6 J. Smith Pract. Pkysick 4 Obstruction of the Vessels,
especially of the Pancreas, and fault of the milky veins.
1664 Power Exp. Philos. \. 66 The stomach and guts, and
their appendeiit Vessels, the lacteal Veins. 1704 Ray
Creation (ed. 4) I. 29 I'he Food.. is further subtiliz'd and
render *d so fluid and penetrant, that the thinner and finer
part of it e.-isily finds its way in at the streight Orifices of
the lacteous Veins.
o. Flttid vein, a separate flow of blood in a
larger vein. (Cf. 6 c.)
I l^ Allbutl's Syst. Med. IV. 650 The formation of in-
! numerable small fluid veins- 1898 Ibid. V. 502 This change
I in the continents sets up fluid veins in the contained blood.
2. In piirases and figurative uses :
ta. Tolaste,oifeel,onesvein{s,io(et\\^itfxi\x.
To die in a vein, to die through loss of blood. Obs.
13.. Seuyn Sages (W.) 1048 The yonge man segh the
1 childes peyne, And tasted his senewe, and his veyne. 1390
' Gower Con/. III. 31s This noble clerk with alle haste
Began the veines forlo taste. £1440 AlpA. Tales 74 pis
Joseph was passand connyng in grapyng of J>er vaynys at
war seke, and he come vnto hym & felid his vaynys. 1547-
64 Baldwin Mot. /'Ai'/m. (Palfr.)3sSeneca.. supposing that
to dye in'a veyne was the easiest kinde of death, desired
to be let bloud in the veynes of his arme.
b. In various fig. uses.
138a Wyclif yob iv. 13 To me is seid a woord hid, and as
theefli myn ere toe the veynes [L. Zfenas] of his gruching.
C1530 TiNDAi.E Prophtte Jonas Prol. Aij, The fleshly
minded ypocrites stoppe upp the Vaynes of life which are
in y" scripture. 1583 .Stubbfs Anat. Abus. 11. (1882) 24
Now the cloth being thus .stretched forth in euery vaine,
how is it possible either to endure or hold out ? x6o6 J.
King Serm. Sept. 47 By all princely meanes to put bloud
into the veines of the Church againe. 1651 in M. Sellers
Eastland Co. (Camden) Introd. 75 In equity and rea.son the
benefitt of trade should be equally disposed into all the
vaines of the Commonwealth. 1719 W. Wood Surv. Trade
73 It is a true Sign, tliat Olir foreign Tralfick has since con-
VEIN.
vey'd*Spirits and Nourishment into each Vein of the Body
Politick. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. 11. iii, Here, too, as in
the Euphrates and the Ganges, is a vein or veinlet of the
grand World-circulation of Waters. 1864 Lowell Fireside
Trav, 303 Great poets, .crowding the happy veins of
language again with all the life, .that had been dribbling
away. 1866 B. Taylor Poet's Jrnl. 58 As ardent veins of
summer heat Throb thro* the innocence of spring.
O. In miscellaneous fig. phrases.
(a) c X400 Rom. Rose 3450 If he were toucbid on somme
good veyne, He shuld yit rewen on thi peyne. 1589
PasquiCs Ret. C iij b, Veius Comxdia beganne to pricl^e
him.. in the ri^ht vaine. 1677 Gilpin Demonol. (1867) 59
Satan, .makes it his next care, .to strike in the right vein :
for he loves to have his work easy and feasible.
{b) 1587 Stanyhurst Descr. Ireland -n/a in Holinshed,
Let him with all the veines of his heart beseech God. 1589
Cooper Admon. 215 There were many of them that would
haue bene glad with all the veines in tiieir heartes. 1589
R. Harvey PL Perc. (1590) 10, I see the vaine is vp in
the forhead, and Martin shall haue as good as he brings.
i66z Stillingfl. Orig. Sacree in. iv. § 6 A kinde of a breaking
of vein in which the salt water was conveyed up and down
the body of the earth.
3. t a. A sap-vessel in plants. Obs.
4- 1386 Chaucer /"ri;/. 3 Whan that Aprille..halh. .bathud
every veyne in swichlicour. Of which vertueengendred is the
flour. 1398 Trevisa Sarth. De P. R. xvii. i. (Bodl. MS.),
t'ei [trees] haue weyes and veynes in t>e whiche kinde mois-
ture is ikepte and pa.sse]» Jierbi fro )>e erjje into alle )>e parties
abowte. 13x3 Douglas j'Eueid xii. Prol. 255 Welcum
support of euery rule and vane, Welcum confort of alkynd
fruyt and grane.
b. Bot. A slender bundle of fibrovascular tissue
forming an extension of the petiole in the par-
enchyma of a leaf.
In early use less specific in sense. Some botanists have
restricted vein to branches of the midrib, in contrast to
nerves proceeding from the base of the leaf.
15x3 Douglas /Eneid xii. vii. 76 The herb sweit. Of levis
rank, ..With sproutis, sprangis, and vanis our allquhair.
•553 Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 18 These [leaves] are
somewhat grosser and fatter, with small vaynes running
betwene on the contrarye side. 1731 P. Miller Gard. Diet.
s.v. Z«ar«,'They.. consist of a very glutinous Matter, being
furnished every where with Veins and Nerves. _ X793
Martyn Lang. Bot. s.v. Venosum, When it has no veins,.,
it is called Folium Avenium, a veinless leaf. x8l2 New
Botanic Card. I. 42 The leaves, .. with a network of veins
underneath. xSu Lindley In/rod. Bot. 88 Till within a
few years the distribution of veins in the leaf had not
re'ceived much attention. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1206/2 (Jostal
or primary veins are such as spring from the midrib ;
external veins are those next the edge. x88o Bessey Bat.
145 The disposition of the veins in a leaf depends largely
upon its mode of growth. Usually several veins form early.
c. Ent. A nervure of an insect's wing.
X817 KiRBY & Sr.Entomol.xxin. II. 347 French naturalists
use this term (nemure) for the veins of wings. 1834
M^Murteie Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 326 The wings, are
traversed in various directions by more or less numerous
nervures,..now forming a net-work, and then simple veins.
1855 Orr's Circle Sci., Org. Nat.ll. 336 Each wing is found
to con.sist of a double membrane, between which a variable
number of veins, or nervures, ramify in different directions.
1 4. Sc A slender stripe of a different colour or
material on a garment. (Cf. Vein v. 1 a.) Obs.
1539 Inv. R. IVardr. (1815) 34 Ane coit of fresit claith of
silvir vanit with ane small inset vane of gold. X541 Ace.
Id. High Treas. Scot. VIII. 74 To jeit the cote witht thre
vanis aboute the taill.
5. A marking or an appearance suggestive of a
vein ; esp. an irregular stripe or streak of a different
colour in marble or other stcne.
x64a Fuller Holy 1^ Pro/. St. 111. xiv. 189 The red veins
in the marble may seem to blush at the falshoods written
on it. 1688 Holme Armoury n. 40/1 The Absistos is.,
marvellous weighty and black of colour, bestroked with red
Veins. t7ia Addison Sped. No. 414 r 3 Those accidental
Landskips of Trees, Clouds and Cilies, that are sometimes
found in the Veins of Marble. 1799 G. Smith Laboratory
I. 178 When [the paint is) dry, you may with the point of
a needle open fine veins or other' embellishments, i860
Tyndall Clac. I. vii. 54 The blue veins of the glacier are
beautifully shown. 1861 B. Silliman Physics 378 The
beautiful play of colors seen upon mother of pearl is caused
by the delicate veins with which the surface is covered.
b. A streak or seam of a different material or
texture from the main subst.TUce.
1663 Gerbier Counsel 38 The Mason must work no Stone
with Sandy veines. 18x5 J. Smith Panorama Sci. fr Art
1. 7 Wrought iron may be hardened .. by ignition and plung-
ing in water, but the effect is confined to the surface ; except
. .the iron contain veins of steel. X831 Brewster Optics x.
85 'The spectrum formed by a fine prism of flint glass, free
of veins. i8«9 Sir E. Reed Ship-build, xviii. 384 Angle-
irons have to be free from veins and cracked holes, and
rivet-iron has to be free from cracks and veins when laid up
and finished.
o. A fibre (in metal), rare—^.
171S Leoni Palladia's Archit. (1742) I. 4 It will be a sign
of Its Goodness, if being made into Bars, its veins are con-
tinu'd strait..; because the streightness of hs veins shews
the Iron to be without knots.
IL 6. A small natural channel or perforation
within the earth through which water trickles or
flows; a flow of water through such a channel.
Also transf. (quot. 1598).
C1190 X Eng. Leg. I. 318/639 Wellene comiez of grete
wateres and muche del of be se ^oru? veynes al vnder eortie :
. . For bare beoz .Tse it veynene weren onder eor^e mam on.
1197 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 662 In (>e veines of )>e water, as >>e
water deb vp walle He let closy fur in metal. 1390 Gower
Con/. III. 93 For riht as veines ben of blod In man, riht so
the water flod Therthe of his cours makth ful of veines.
VEIN.
S483 Caxton Gcid^ Ltg. 382 /a Lete us al prayc unto our
lorcTthat he openc to us. ."here the vaynes of a fontayn or of
a welle, 15^ Kvd Cornelia ii. 370 Perceiue we not a petty
vaine. Cut fiom a spring by chaunce or arte, Engendreth
fauntaines. 155^ Sylvester Du Bartas ii. i. Handycrafu
492 A burning Mountain from his fiery vain An yron River
rowls along the Plain. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd, ^ Comnvw.
(1603) 12 These mountaines are full of bathes and veines of
warme water. 1667 Milton P. L. iv. 227 The rapid current,
..through veins Of porous Earth with kindly thirst up
drawn. 1789 Brand NenKostU I. 442 1 here is an order of
common-council for cutting oflF a vein of water which had
latdy been discoN-ered and brought into the town. «8s8
Ijvrdner Hand-hk. Nat. Phil. 90 A feeding reservoir placed
abo\-e that from which the invariable vein flows. 1864
Bryant Sflla 487 She taught The skill to pierce the soil
and meet the veins Of clear cold water winding underneath.
fir 138a Wyclif Jer. xvii. 13 For thei forsokcn the
vej-ne of lyu>Tig watris [i^ the Lord, a veyne of quyk
watirs]. c 1430 Lydc, Mitu Poems (Percy Soc.) 62 O welle of
swctnes replete in every veyne, That al mankynd preserved
has fro dcthe. i6o« Marston Antonio's Rev. Prol., Wks.
1856 I. 71 The rawish danke of cUimzie winter ramps The
fluent summers vaine. 1609 Bible (Douay) Jer. xviL 13
They ha^-e forsaken the vaine of living waters. 1640
Gaudes The Lm>e 0/ Trtttk, etc. 7 Then doth the ray or
▼eyn of truth flow aright from God to us.
+ b. A streamlet or rivulet ; a current. Obs.
1600 PoRY tr. Leo's A/n'ca iii. 158 Through the midst of
these gardens, they deriue some small vaine of the riuer.
16x3 PuRCHAS Pilgrimage (1614) 705^ When bee entred into
the Streits, he encounired a great veine of redde water, ex-
tending it selfe from Aden as farre as they could see from
the Ships tops.
c. Physics, A slender body of water or other
liquid. (Cf. I c.)
1843 Civil £ng-. ^ Arch. JmL VI. 30/2 The impulse of a
* vein ' of fluid falling perpendicularly, is equal to the weight
of a colunm whose base is the area of the vein.
7. Min, A deposit of metallic or earthy material
having an extended or ramifying course under
ground ; a seam or lode ; spec, a continuous crack
or fissure filled with matter (esp. metallic ore)
different from the containing rock.
1387 Trevisa //"i/rf^w (Rolls) H. 15 pe water hat rennej?
ana passej? by veynes of certayn metal takih in his cours
grele hete. c:x46o J. Metham Wks. (E.E.T.S.) 149 The
(ourthe day ys gode. .to seke spryngys for wellys off" water,
to ?eke also veynys off" metel. 1530 Palsgr. 698/2 Al this
j-ertb, so farre as this vayne goth, savoureth of brimstone.
155s Eden DecttdesiXxh,) 211 Although goldebe founde in
maner euery where in these regions of golden Castile.. the
rajme or veyne whiche owghte to be folowed, ought to bee
in a place whiche may stande to saue muche of the charges
of the labourers. 1596 Dalrvmple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot.
II. 247 In Clidisdate war funde in Craufurd mure vndir
the erd sum vanes ful of golde. 1617 Moryson litn. in.
136 'ITie inward parts abound with a rich vaine of Mettals,
where wonderful! quantitie of most pure Tinne is digged up.
1670 Pettus Fodinge Reg. 2 When the Miners by these
Shafts or Adits do strike or threed a Vein of any Metal.,
then the Metal which is digged from those Veins is called
Oar. 1700 T. Robinson Nat. Hist. Westmoreld. 24 These
Fissures, by the Miners, are called Dykes, Rakes, Riders,
or Veins, according to the Nature of those Classes of
Matter they pervade. 1747 HoosoN Miner's Did. O2,
Ore is the very Vein itself, all other Signs of Ore or Vein
are not comparable to it; yet this is allowed, that two Sides
and Soil between them, formes a dead Vein. 1793 [Earl
Dundonald] Descr. Estate Cidross 15 At that time the
vein of Roch Salt in Cheshire had not been discovered.
1813 Bakewell Introd. Geol. (1815) 274 Veins of quartz,
and also of slate and granite, and various earthy minerals . .
frequently intersect granitic and schistose rocks. 1836-41
Brandf. Cfum. (ed. 5) 586 Metals are chiefly found in the
earth in veins which traverse the granitic, schistose, and
limestone rocks. 1875 Dawson Dawn Life it. 13 Strata
often diversified with veins.. of crystalline minerals.
fig. a\6^ CowLF.Y Death Mr. Jordan Poems (1905) 22
Like those that work in Mines for others gain. He.. had
much more to do, To search the Vein, dig, purge, and mint
it too. 1875 Whitney Life Lang. ix. 171 These are telling
indications of an original relationship among all the groups
of languages mentioned : outcroppings, as it were, of a vein
which invites further exploration.
8. i"a. A strip or limited stretch of ground or
soil, esp. one having a particular character or
quality. Obs.
1555WATREMAN /Vrrrf/tf^fwr/Vwf ii.ii. iioThewholecontrie
(exceptealitle vaineof sandiegrauelle)is(ertile. 1580TUSSER
Huso. (1878) 48 Each soile hath no liking of euerie graine,
nor barlie and wheat is for euerie vaine. 1611 Coryat
Crudities 49, I saw in divers places very fat and fruitfull
veines of ground as goodly meadowes, very spatious cham-
paigne fieldes [etc]. 1624 Capt. Smith Virginia 144, The
most plantations were placed strasUngly and scatteringly,
as a choice veine of rich ground inuited them. 1693 Evelyn
De la Quint. Comf>l. Card. I. 19 Some Earths are much
better than others in every Climate, nay even sometimes in
a small Compass of Ground, vulgarly term'd Veins of Earth.
b. A channel or lane of water.
1606 S. Gardiner Bk. Angling i He prouideth himselfe a
ship, keele, or cocke-boat, out of which he may lay out and
take in his nets and be in the vaine and way where the best
doing is. zOy-^H. Stvbbk Fttr titer Vif id. Dutch JVar App.
131 The King of Sweden.. hath also several disfncts,
channels, or veins Royal in his Seas, which are appropriated
to his particular use. 1820 Scorrrby Acc. Arctic keg. I.
229 A lane, or vein, is a narrow channel of water in packs,
or other large collections of Ice. /Idd. 260 Whenever a vein
of water appears in the required direction, it is if possible
attained. 1835 [see Lane **. 2I. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-
bk.. Vein, the clear water between the openings of floes of ice.
The same as ice-lane.
c. A current of wind ; the track in which this
82
1791 Bklknap Hist. New Hampsh. III. 24 The next day
a whirlwind began.. and directed its course toward the
east, in a vein of near half a mile wide, i860 Maury Ph^s.
Geog. XV. §677 Lieutenant Jansen has called my attention
to a vein of wind which forms a current in the air as remark-
able as that of the Gulf Stream is in the sea. 1867 Smvth
Sailor's Word-bk.y Fein, . .a very limited current of wind—
a cat's-paw.
d. IVhaiiftg, (See quot.)
X851 H.Melville IVhate II. ii. 5 When making a passage
from one feeding-ground to another, the sperm whales,
guided by some infallible instinct, . . mostly swim in veins, as
they are called, continuing their way along a given ocean-
line with..undeviating exactitude.
III. Jig, 9. A strain or intermixture of some
quality traceable in personal character or conduct,
in a discourse or writing, etc.
1565 Stapleton tr. Staphylus" Apol. r53 With the like
vaine of euangelicall sincerite. 1587 Holinshed Chron.
III. 1266 I Bicause it is a veine of godlie deuise, and tend-
ing to a verie honorable purpose. 1680 W. Allen Peace fif
Unity 16 ' Let all your things be done with Charity ' : a line
and vein of this should run through all. 1690 C. Nesse
Hist. Myst. O. ^ N. T. I. 117 This is a fear oi faith, which
hath always a vein of love running along with it, 1701 W.
WoTTON Hist, Rome 389 A vein of Superstition ran through
all his Actions. 1773 Burke Corr. (1844} I. 446 I'here is a
vein of natural good sense in him, from which a good deal
might be expected. x8ao Examiner No. 612. 11/2 A fine
vein of sentiment runs through it. 1849 Macaulay Hist.
Eng.vi. II. 20 An English Dominican.. with some learning
and a rich vein of natural humour. 1867 Freeman Norm.
Cong. (1877) I. 331 There is a vein of bitter sarcasm in the
way in which the tale is told.
b. A line or course ^thought, etc. ; a source of
information.
1704 Swift T. Tub ii, I have collected out of ancient
authors this short summary of a body of philosophy and
divinity, which seems to have been composed by a vein and
race of thinking very different from any other systems.
17S1 Johnson Rambler No. 169 P 12 Delay opens new
veins of thought. x8a4 W. Irving T. Trav. I. 217 In the
midst of a vein of thought or a moment of inspiration. 1875
JowETT Plato (ed. 2) II. 6 He professes to open a new veui
of discourse. 1887 Moloney Forestry W. Africa 32 The
many gentlemen who make the Science of Botany a lifelong
study, and who have so many veins of information.
1 10. a. The tenor or general character ^some-
thing. Ohs.-'^
1555 R. Taylor in Coverdale Lett, Martyrs C1564) 171, I
doe belieue that the Religion set forth in King Edwardes
dayes was accordyng to the vayne of the holy Scripture,
t b. A kind or species. Obs, rare.
1368 Bp. CHENvin Strype /}««. i?r/C (1709) I. Hi. 525 These
young men, which are of a lower vein, . . be not men perfect,
as they seem. 1652-6* Heylin Cosmogr. (1673) m. 29/1
Other Commodities of this Island are.. Honey as good as
any the world affordeth ; and a vein of most delicious vines.
11. A natural tendency towards, a special apti-
tude or capacity for, the production of literary or
artistic work ; a particular strain of talent or
genius: a. With possessives. (The common use.)
1577 Grange Golden Aphrod. Nijb, If I had Virgilles
vayne to indite, or Homers quill. 1581 Sidney Apol. Poetrie
(Arb.) 21 They beeing Poets, dyd exerci.se their delightful
vaine in those points of highest knowledge. 1634 Wotton
Arch. Reliq. (1672) 57 Artizans have not only their Growths
and Perfections but likewise their Vains and Times, 1697
Evelyn Nnmismata viii. 286 Vittoria Colonna, ..whose
extraordinary Vein in Poetry was equal with Petrarchs.
1729 T, Cooke Tales, etc. 63 Indulge, my Friend, thy
modest Vein ; . . Prospects, gay smiling, aid the Strain. 176a
Kamrs Elem. Crit, (1833) 336 The fertility of Shakspeare's
vein betrays him frequently [etc.]. 1837 Lockhart Scott I.
iv. 122 His boyish addiction to verse, and the rebuke which
his vein received from the Apothecary's.. wife.
b. With a, that, etc.
1580 G. Harvey Three Lett. Spenser's Wks. (1912) 628
They sauour of that singular extraordinarie veine and
inuention, whiche I euer fancied moste. xg^ B. Jonson
Cynthia's Rev. in. i. You must prove the aptitude of your
genius; if you find none, j-ou must hearken out a vein, and
buy. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 72 All the fabulous veine, and
learning of Greece, proceedoi out of this quarter. 1656
Bramhall Repiic. ii. 78, I doe not take my self to have so
happy a vein, that all that I utter should be a definition.
X7.. Philips Epistle in Steele's Poet. Misc. (171^) 37 Why
then, in making Verses should I strain For Wit, and of
Apollo beg a Vein? 173J Berkeley Alciphr. iii. § 15 For
the coffee-houses and populace, we have declaimers of a
copious; vein. 1820 Hazlitt Lect. Dram. Lit. 2 To these
might be added others not less learned, nor with a scarce
less happy vein.
12. A special or characteristic style of language
or expression in writing or speech : a. With
possessives.
1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Pref. C j b, Though euerie trans-
latonr folowe his owne veine of turnyng the Latin into
Englishe. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Oct. 23 To restraine
The lust of lawlesse youth with good aduice: Or pricke
them forth with pleasaunce of thy vaine. 1507 Return fr.
Parnass. iv. i. 1166 Lett mee heare Chaucer s vaine firste.
I love antiquitie, if it be not harshe. 1605 Bacon Adv.
Learn, i. iv. § 2 Then grew the flowing and watery vein of
Osorius, the Portugal bishop, to be in price. 1641 Brome
yoviall Crew i, What say, Sir, to our Poet Scribble here ?
spy. I like his vain exceeding well. 1816 Scorr Provinc.
Antiq. Scotl.(j826) 119 After adorning it with an inscription,
somewhat in the vein of Ancient Pistol. 1902 G. Sampson
Ne7vman's Sel. Ess. Introd. p. xxxvi, They [sc. these words)
are not in Blougram's vein,
b. With a, this, etc.
1576 N.R. in Gascoigne^s Steele Glas Wks. 1910 II. 138
Thus divers men with divers vaines did write. But Gas-
coigne doth in every vaine indite. 1598 Barret Theor.
VEIN.
Warres ii. i. 29 To haue a sweet vaine in speech. 1620-6
QuARLES Div. Poems, Hadassa Pref., A Sober vaine best
suits Theologie. a 1704 Locke Cond. Underst. Posth. Wks.
(1706) 18 Many a good poetick Vein is burled under a
I'rade. 1746 Francis tr. Horace^ Sat. i. iv. 133 Such Rancour
this, of such a poisonous Vein, As never, never, shall my
Paper stain. 1850 Kingsley A. Locke ix, Is it not note-
worthy also, that it is in this vein that the London poets
have always been greatest? 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I.
276 The answer, Meno, was in the orthodox solemn vein.
C. With ^zV, etc., and qualifying term.
1865 Kingsley Herezv. xii, To which hereward answered,
in his boasting vein, that he would bring home that mare.
1873 Dixon 'J 2vo Queens xx, i. IV. 61 Writing a letter in his
smoothest vein to Wolsey. 1877 ' H. A. Page ' De Quincey
I. xi. 213 The following shows bim in his best vein.
1 13. A particular course of action or conduct ;
a habit or practice. Obs.
1597 MoRLEY Introd. Mus. 124 The composers of that age
..followed only that vaine of wresting in much matter in
small boundes. 1615 Lieut, of Tower s Sp. in Harl. Misc.
(Malh.) ill. 319, I was much addicted to that idle Vein of
Gambling. x6i6 R. C. Times' Whistle (1871) 62 Thus he
runs on his course, til 's drunken vaine Ruines his substance.
c 1725 Swift 6>/v«. x. Wks. 1841 II. 164/1 Hence it is become
an impertinent vein among people of all sorts to hunt after
what they call a good sermon.
fb. An inclination or desire, a tendency, to-
wards something specified. Obs.
1587 Harrison England 11. iii. (1877) 88, I perceiue the
abbeie lands haue fleshed you and set your teeth on edge,
to aske also those colleges. . . As you loue your welfares ther-
fore, follow no more this veine, but content your selues with
that you haue alreadie. 1625 Bacon Ess,, Of Envy (Arb.)
513 Adrian the Emperour, that mortally Enuied Poets, and
Painters, and Artificers, in Works, wherein he had a veine
to excell. 1673 Temple Ess. Ireland Wks. 1720 1. 109, I
suppose the Vein I have had of running into Speculations
of this kind., have cost me this present Service.
14. Personal character or disposition ; also, a
particular element or trait in this.
1565 Cooper ThesauT^is s.v. Vena, To knov the naturall
disposition and veyne of euery man. x575GAscoiGNEG/(ZJJf
Gozit. Wks. 1910 II. 6 No Terence phrase:.. The verse
that pleasde a Romaine rashe intent, Myght well offend the
godly Preachers vayne. 1590 Shaks. Com. Err. iv. iv. 83
It is no shame, the fellow tinds his vaine, And yeelding to
him, humors well his frensie. 1639 N. N. tr. Du Bosq's
Compl. Woman 1. 17 They have need of somewhat more
than a pleasant veyne, and.. at least they have as much
discretion as vertue. a 1660 Contemp. Hist. Irel. (ix.
Archseol. Soc.) IL 145 The veine of those petty Bourkes..
may seeme strange to any that is both well affected and
fully acquainted with them. 1774 Goldsm. Retal. 59 So
provoking a devil was Dick, That we wished him full ten
times a day at Old Nick ; But, missing his mirth and agree-
able vein, As often we wished to have Dick back again.
1819 Shelley Cenci i. ii. 28 Vou have a sly, equivocating
vein. 18*0 Lamb Elia 1. Oxford in Vacation, When the
peacock vein rises, I strut a Gentleman Commoner. 1854
Kingsley Lett. (1878) I. 433. I am afraid I have a little of the
wolf-vein in me, in spite of fifteen centuries of civilization.
b. A temporary state of mind or feeling ; a
humour or mood.
1577-82 Breton Toys Idle Head Wks. (Grosart) I. 28/2
For who continues in this vaine Of setting still,,, in the ende
he shall be faine To leaue it. 1588 Marprel. Epist. (Arb.)
34, I am hardly drawn to a merie vaine from such waightie
matters. 1602 -znd Pt. Return f?-. Parnass. 11. iv. 699 lie
take the Gentleman now, he is in a good vayne, for he
smiles. 1640 Brome Sparagus Gard. iv. vii, Could I get
her In a marriage vaine, but she'll not look Upon a man
not she. 1723 Pope Lett. Wks. 1737 VI. 146 The merry
Vein you knew me in, is sunk into a '1 urn of Reflection.
J760-72 H. Brooke FoolofQual. (1809) IV. 113 Harry was
in no manner of vein., for entertaining. 1825 Scott Talism.
vi, He knew not how to pursue the pleasing theme, so as to
Foothe and prolong the vein which he had excited. _ 1863
Geo. Eliot Romola i. iv, If thou art in a classical vein, put
myrtle about his curls and make him a young Bacchus.
c. In the vein, in a fit or suitable mood for
something.
1593 Shaks. Rich. Ill, iv. iii. 122 Thou troublest me, I am
not in the vaine.
1865 M, Arnold Ess. Crit. iii. (1875) 119 To produce con-
stantly, to produce whether in the vein or out of the vein.
1879 Meredith Egoist xxxiv, I like to hear them when I
am in the vein. i<>os R. Bagot Passport xtx. 176 Nobody
can be more amusing when she is in the vein.
+ d. A fit ^laughter. Obsr-^
1734 tr. Rollins Anc. Hist. (1827) VII, 29 He burst into
a loud vein of laughter.
IV. 16. atirib. and Comb. a. In sense i, as
vein-blood (also = blood-letting), -healing adj.,
■pipe, -streaked adj., -work.
C1386 Chai'cer Knt.'s T. 1B89 That nother veyne blod,
ne ventusyng, Ne drynk of herbes may ben his helpj-ng.
£1425 St. Christina ix. in AngUa VIII. 123/16 She lete
hep blode ful often of mykel veyne blode. 1528 Paynell
Saleme's Regim. biiij, Hit is nat clere nor flowynge, but
more lyke to veyne bludde. 1545 J^av^ald Byrth Man-
kynde 17 b, Vayne blood and artire blood. 1590 Spenser
Muiopot. 197 Veyne-healing Veruen, and bed-purging Dili.
1504 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. II. To Rdr., The coole
refreshing it hath from the lungs, or the veine-pipes pro-
ceeding from the liuer. 1890 Le Gallienne G. Meredith
32 The human form disappears beneath nets of veinwork
and muscle. 1894 Mrs. Dyan Man's Keeping {1899) 118
Urquhart..saw the vein-streaked hand gripping the pipe-
stem tremble.
t b. In sense 6 b, as vein-river et . Obs.~^
1656 Heylin Stirv. France 34 A veine riveret of the
Seine.
c. In sense 7, as veinfissure^ -fornix -formation^
-gallery^ -granite^ viarble, etc.
VEIN.
185s J. R. Leifchild CornivalL 105 The general course
of ihe mineral •vein fissures in these localities. 1883 Science
9 Feb. 18/1 A *vcin-form similar to the terrestrial veins
commonly known as /ilons en cocardes. 1877 Raymond
Statist. Mines <V Mining 115 The creeks and gulches.,
cutting channels through this *vein-formation. 1897 P.
Warung Tales Old Rigime 96 The chamber, .into which the
*vein-galleries. .opened. 1833 Lyell Princ. GeoL III. 355
The 'vein-granite of Cornwall very generally assumes a finer
grain, and frequently undergoes a change. x86a Catal.
Jnternat. Exhib., Brit, II. No. 2430, Its great strength, ten
times that of *vein marble and statuary, renders it s^e from
breakage. X871 Raymond Statist, Mines <V Mining 19
Quartz or quartzite predominating as *vein*matrix, and
compact limestone as foot-wall. 1874 Ibid. 52^ The *vein-
matter in the westerly portion . . is of quite a different nature.
'875 J- H. Collins Metal Mining- 47 In *vein mining trial
borings are not often made. 1877 Raymond Statist. Mines
^ Mining 1-^1 The active vein-mining counties of California,
Ibid. 213 The *vein-syslem consists in most part of a series
of nearly parallel veins. 1778 Prvce Min. Cornub. 42 Pyritse
are to be met with..*vein-wise.
Vein (v^'n), 2'. Forms: 6 veyne, 6-7 veyn,
7 veine, 7- vein ; 6 Sc. vaue, 6-7 vaine {Sc.
uaine, wayne), 7 vain, [f, prec. Cf, Y.veiner
in sense i b.]
L trans, f a. Sc. To ornament (a garment, etc.)
with narrow stripes of some suitable material. Obs.
. 150a Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. II. 200 For ij elne wellus
to veyne the samyn cote, iiij li. 1505 Ibid, 332 For ane
elne wellus to veyn the said cote. 1549 Ibid, IX. 351 Ane
elne tannye welwote to vane the said ^oun. 1654 Burgh
Rec. Glasgow (1881) II. 297 Ane covermg of grein cloathe
uained [printed riAm^d] with gallowne lace.
b. To ornament with coloured, incised, or im-
pressed lines or streaks suggestive of veins. Also
with in.
z686 [see VKistNG vbl. sb. 1]. 1687 Miege Gt. Fr. Diet. 11.
S.V., To vein a Mantle.piece, to paint it Marble-like with
Veins. 1707 Mohtimbr Husb. (1721) II. 25 They often vein
It by Art, especially for Gim stocks and such uses, by steep-
ing of filings of Iron in Aqua Fortis. 1755 Johnson, To
il/ari/c.v.a., to variegate, or vein like marble. iI^Simmonds
Diet. Trade, Vein, to stripe or mottle, to marble, etc. 1895
RowECA/>*.Crtrw/i^4oIn veining in the marginal lines of a
box or blotter, a ruler is often of great assistance. 1896
Daily News 9 June 9/6 The tinted petals are passed up to
another room, where they are ' veined ' by being squeezed
into a sort of mould.
2. refl. To diffuse like a vein. rare~^.
1681 r. Flatman Heraclitus Rtdens No. 19 (1713) I. 129
This is Vox Popnli, this is Plato Redivivns, this is Hunt-
scrap Mr. Petyt,..and indeed veins it self through all the
late Pamphlet-; and Libels.
3. trans. Of things : To extend over or through
(something) after the manner of veins.
1807 J. Barlow Columb. x. 226 Proud Mississippi.. Flings
forth . . Ten thousand watery glades ; that, round him curl'd,
Vein the broad bosom of the western world. 1844 Mrs.
Browning /l>r/iOTa ^^j-Z/f 399 Von spectacle of cloud Which
seals the gate up to the finafdoom, Is God's seal manifest. . .
The unmolten lightnings vein it motionless. 1847 Tennyson
Princ. IV. 522 All the gold That veins the world. 1889
Ridek Haggard Cleopatra 11. x. Half Hercules and half a
fool, with a dash of genius veining his folly through.
1 4. intr. To put oneself into a particular * vein *
or mood. Also with it. Obs.
1389 Warner Alb. Eng. vi. xxxi. (1612) 154 But her, not
coy 1 found so chast, as saue a kisse or twaine, I nothing
got, although in all I vained to her vaine. 1593 Ibid. ix.
xlvl 217 Hence Citizens with Courtiours so do vaine it for
the time, That with their paper Ladders they euen stately
Castels clyme.
+ 5. rejl. To injure (oneself) in a vein. Obs.
Cf. self-veined m Warner Albion's Engl. (1602) x. lix. 263.
1631 G. Markham Country Contentm. (ed. 4) i. xix. 117
If your Cocke hauc in his fight veined himselfe eyther by
narrow striking, or other cros&e blow, you shall find out the
wound.
Vein, obi. Sc. form of Wekn v,
Veinage. rare. [f. VEiy sb^ The course of
a vein or veins ; a collection or system of veins.
1875 Blackmore Alice Lorraine xlviii. Therefore one
might see the rich fruit . . with russet veinage mellowing.
1881 — Ckristowell II. iL 24 His botLsekeeper, following
quickly the veinage of his thoughts, -.called back from the
lop of the back stairs. 190^ Academy 23 Apr. 454/2 There
is a veinage of supematuralism through the book.
Veinal, a, rare—°. [f. Vein sb.J =s Venous a
1846 in Worcester (citing Boyle; but perh. a mere error
for Vf.nai. a.).
Veined (v^'nd), ///. a, [f. Vein sb.]
1. Furnishetl or marked with veins (in various
senses) : a. In predicative use ; also with adverbial
qualification, zs finely veined.
ai5i9 Skklton P.Sparoive 1121 Handes soft as sylke,
Whyter than the mylke. That are so quyckely vayned.
1611 COTGE., Veini, veined, or full of veines. 1707
MoBTrjiER Husb. (1721) II. 15 The knot of an old Oak. .is
often finely veined like Walnut. \j^ J. Lek Introd. Sot.
Explan. Terms 385 Venntum, veined, with Veins many
Ways. 1796 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) 11. 313 Leafits
..veined, of the appearance of those of Skirrets. X834
JPMuRTRiE Cuviers Anim. Kin^d. 424 Males and females
■•["m»*hcd with long wings, less veined than those of the
other Hymenoptera of this section. 1883 Jeffesies Story
My Heart \, 13 The million leaves, veined and edge-cut, on
bush and tree. 1891 Farrar Darkn. ^ Dawn Ivii, On
abaci of carved ivory stood myrrhinc vases.. red, veined,
lustrous.
b. Used attributively.
1793 Martvn lang. Bot., Venosum folium, a Veined leaf.
180a Pi.AYFAiH lliustr. Huttonian The. 12 Where that stone
is stratified and either coincides with veined granite or with
83
gneiss, i860 Tvndall Glac. i. 1. 7 The means of observing
together the veined structure of the ice. 1895 Rowe Chip-
Caruing 39 A series of arcs described from point 2, where
the two veined circles meet.
2. Intersected or marked with something (esp.
a colour) suggestive of veins.
I6n Drayton Poly.olb. To Rdr., Conveying . . through
delicate embrodered meadowes, often veined with gentle
gliding brooks. 1718 Chambeks Cycl. s.v. Marble, Marble
of Braban9on, in Hainauli, is Black, vein'd with White.
1766 Entick London IV. 59 Four Gothic demipiUars,
painted white, and veined with blue. 1769 Sir W. Jones
Falace Fortune Poems (1777) 13 The round earth with
foaming oceans vein'd. 1806 Med. jfriil. XV. 266 Flowers
large, white, beautifully veined with purple. 1857 Dickens
Dorril n. xxv. The white marble at the bottom of the bath
was veined with a dreadful red. 1881 Flover Unexpl.
Baluchistan 198 Beautiful blue and purple marble veined-
with white.
3. fig. 1 Fixed in the blood ; ingrained.
1633 Ford Lorje's Sacr. v. i, Come, black Angel, Fair devil,
in thy prayers reckon up The sum in gross, of all thy vained
follies.
4. Lodged or distribiited in veins.
•8*7-35 Willis Wife's Affeal 87 To course the veined
metals of the earth.
Veiner (v^'-nsa). [f. Vein sb. or v.'\
1. a. (Seequot. 1 883, and cf. Veining z'W.j*. i b.)
1864 [F. \i. Robinson) Mem. Jane Cameron I. 119 There
were., menders and darners, veiners and winders,, .needle-
women [etc.). 1883 S1M.VIOSDS Diet. Trade, Veiner, a sewer
of muslin in the neighbourhood of Belfast.
b. One who makes veins in artificial flowers.
1881 Instr. Census Clerks (1885) 55 (Artificial) Flower
Making; Stiffener. Cutter-out. Veiner. /«</., Leaf Making:
. . Cutter-out. Veiner. Sbader.
2. In wood-carving, a small V-shaped tool used
for making veins in leaves.
i8« Rowi Chif-Carviiig 31 If the student has not a V
tool he can use the veiner.
Veinery. rarer-^. [f. Vein sb:\ = Veinage.
i8j« Blacli-.o. Mag. XtX. 392 That arm, through whose
blue veinery flowed.. blood as pure as the celestial ichor.
Velng, obs. Sc. form of weighing Weigh v.
Vei'nify, v. rarr-^. [f. Vein rf.] intr. To
produce or form veins.
161S Crooke Body 0/ Man 57 True it is, that in the Bones
there is, that I may so say, a power to bonify or make bones,
in the veins to veinefy, so there be an apt disposition of the
matter.
Vei-niness. [f. Veini a.] The condition of
being veiny.
1730 Bailey (fol), Veininess, Fulness of Veins. 18S4
Trowbridge I-'arnetts Folly II. L 233 Incipient veininess
of cheek and pendency of jowl were also observable.
Veining (v^-niij), vbl. sb. [f. Vein sb. or ».]
1. The action or process of ornamenting with
vein-like markings.
16S6 Lond. Gaz. No. 2197/4 A New Art or Invention of
Making, Marbling, Veining, and Finishing of Mantle-pieces
for Chimneys. 1879 CasseWs Techn. Educ. IV. 350/1
(Jewellery), This operation of 'matting', and another'
which is called * veining ', and which consists in indenting
fine lines on and between the work, are to the raised
design what shading is to a drawing.
attrib. 1873 Spon IVorkshop Rec. Ser. \. ^^tli Removing
some portions of the graining colour with a small veining
fitch. 1881 Young Ev. Man his own Mechanic § 648. 297
The veining.tool.. being narrow and used to engrave the
veins of leaves and similar work.
b. The operation of producing vem-like patterns
with the needle ; the result of this work.
1849 ,CRArG, Veining, a kind of needle-work, in which
the veins of a piece of mtislin are wrought to a pattern.
1888 Catholic Househ. i Sept. 14/1 The fine needlework
on muslin which includes * veining *, * spoking ', ' pointing ',
and ' hice stitching '. 1900 Westm. Gaz, 26 July 3/2 Only
very coarse twist veinings, revealing an underlay of white
or any contrasting tone. 1903 Ibid. 5 Feb. 4/2 The veining
itself is simply the common and universally known herring,
bone stitch.
2. The arrangement of veins or vein-like mark-
ings on or in something ; a veined appearance or
structure; venation.
s8a6 KiRBY & Sp. Enlomot. III. xxxv. 610 The circum-
stance that most .strikingly distinguishes tegmina from
elytra is their neuration or veining. 183s Ube Philos.
Manuf. 86 All the beautiful veining of the riband surface in
these circumstances disappears. 1861 S. Thomson IVilii El.
I. (ed. 4) 38 Throughout plants generally, the ribbing or
veining is arranged according to two. .plans. 189a Nation
8 Dec. 435/1 He may also, occasionally, have deserted a
statue because of veinings in the marble.
/ig. i860 O. W. Holmes Pro/. Break/..t. x. All the vein,
lugs of her nature were impressed on these pages.
3. In weaving, a stripe in the cloth formed by a
vacancy in the warp. (1849 ■" Craig.1
Veinless (v^'-nles), a. [f. VElNji] Having
no veins ; destitute of veins. Chiefly Bot., of leaves.
1793 Martyh Lang. Bot. s.v. Venosum, When it fa leaf)
has no veins,, .it is called Folium Aveninm, a veinless leaf.
183a LiNDLEv Introd. Bot. 91 Veinless.., when no veins at
all are formed, except a slight approach to a costa. 1844
Florist*s yrnl. (1846) V. 43 Leaves in pairs, oblong, and
veinless. 1863 Cornh. Mag. VII. 397 Health gives the
bright veinless splendour to the cornea, and lustre to the
pupil.
Veinlet (v^-nlet). [f. Veinj/5. Cf. Veinulet.]
A small or minor vein (in various senses).
1831 Caklyle .Sart. Res. 11. iii. Here, too,, is a vein or
veinlet of the grand World-circulation of Waters. iSsj
Emerson Misc. viii. 63 He no longer fills the veins and
VEINY.
veinlets. 1871 Huxley Physiol, v. 120 The blood of the
capi lanes of the lobule is poured into that vein by a minute
veinlct.
b. spec, in Bot. A branch or subdivision of a
vein or venule.
1831 LiNDLEY Introd. Bot. 91 The area of parenchyma,
lying between two or more veins or veinlets. 1849 Balfour
Man. Bot.% 141 There are also other veins of less extent.,
given off by the midrib, and these give origin to small
vemlets. 1857 T. MooKE Handbk. Brit. Ferns (ed. 3) 8
'1 he branches of the veins are venules, and the branches of
the venules are veinlets. 1877 Heath Fern World 215
Along on each side of the mid veins of the lobes are alter-
nate veinlets.
Veinling, rare-'^. [f. Vein rf.] = prec.
ni6i8 Sylvester Job 'Iriuiiifhant 111. 273 Sure, there
are mines and veinlings (under ground) Whence Silver's
fetcht, and wherein Gold is found.
Veinons (v^-nss), a. [f. Vein sb. Cf. Vem-
ous a. and F. veiiieux (i6th c.).]
1. Phys. a. Full of, traversed by, veins.
1634 T. Johnson Parey's Chirurg. xi. Wks. (1678) 277 The
liver and all the veinous parts being polluted. 1719 Boyer
Dtct. Royal 1, Veineux, . . veinous, full of Veins. 1878 F. J.
hELLGegenbaur's Comp. Anat. 68 We find representatives
of this in the parasitic Dicyemidae, which live in the so-
called veinous appendages of the Cephalopoda.
b. Occupying the veins.
i8oi Med. Jml. V. 564 The black or veinous blood not
sufficiently stimulating the left ventricle.
c. Consisting of veins.
1831 T. Hope Ess. Orig. Man II. 85 In organized matter
and bodies only pressures and counterpiessures. .produce
all the divisions and differences of a later and more minute
description, first in systems vital, aqueous and aerial,., next
, .in later systems sanguineous, veinous and arterial.
2. Having large or prominent veins (also trans/.) ;
formed by outstanding veins.
1848 Dickens Dombey xxvii. The witch . . crouched on the
veinous root of an old tree, pulled out a short black pipe.
1859 — T. Two Cities II. viii, She clasped her veinous and
knotted hands together. 1885 Rider Haggard Witch's
Head II. iv. 68 Plowden's thick lips turned quite pale, the
veinous cross upon his forehead throbbed.
Vei'n-stone. Also veinstone, [f. Vein sb.']
1. Stone or earthy matter composing a vein and
containing metallic ore ; gangue, matrix.
1709 T. Robinson Nat. Hist. Westnioretd. 37 The appear-
ance of several Veins of Spar, Soil, and Vein-Stone break-
ing out upon the Surface. 1789 J. Williams Min. Kin^d, ■
1. 273 Several feet wide of ore, mixed with spar and vein-
stone. Ibid. 284 What I call veinstone, is a compound
mineral concretion, of various colours, apjiearances, and
degrees of hardness. 1830 Lyell Princ. Gtol. I. 423 Before
sufficient time is allowed for the accretion of a large quantity
of veinstone. 1869 Eng. Mech, 31 Dec. 380/1 Quartzose
veinstone often contains iron pyrites. x88s U.S. Rep. Prce.
Met. 599 A simple and cheap mode of extracting the gold
fiom low.grade vein-stone,
b. With pi. : A portion or variety of this.
a 1718 Woodward fossils i. 163 Vein-stones, or Bodies
consisting of Spar, earthy Stones, or other Matter, .found
lodg'd in the Veins.. of the Strata along with the Ores of
Metals and Minerals. 1799 Kirwan Geol. Ess. 410 Of these,
the most soluble were first carried off,, .and being deposited
on the surfaces of the rift, formed, what are called, the vein-
stones. 1833-4 J. Phillips Geol. in Encycl. Metrop. (1845)
VI. 777/1 The veinstones are chiefly quartz. 1883 Science
I. 130/1 All serpentines not veinstones.. appear to belong
to peridotite.
2. = PhLEBOLITE, -LITH.
183s Cycl. Pract. Med. IV. 443/1 Of phlebolites, vein-
stones, or calculi in the veins, 1849-52 Todds Cycl. Anat.
IV. II. 1400/2 The curious bodies called phlebolites, phlebo-
lithes, or vein-stones,.. are true vascular calculi.
Vei°n-stnff. [f. Vein sb.] = Vein-stone i.
1833-4 J. Phillips Geol. in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VI.
769/1 Metallic matter and certain nonmetallic substances
usually connected therewith, and commonly called vein-
stuff. 187s Smyth Mining Statistics 49 The vein.stuff got
from the deepest levels is not so rich per ton as the stone
obtained in the upper half of the mine. 1881 Nature XXV.
50^ Malleable native copper . . intimately mixed with siliceous
vein-stuff.
Veimnlet. rare. [f. Vein sb. Cf. Venule.]
A small vein or veinlet.
Recent Diets, also give veinule 'a minute vein, a venule ',
as a term of Bot. and Geol. (perh. after F. veinjite).
1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. 11. vi. 105 There
is plenty of blood . . running back from the remotest Veinu-
lets or smallest branches of the Veins. 1846-50 A. Wood
Class-bk. Bot. 85 The secondary branches, or those sent off
from the veinlets, are the veinulets.
Veiny (v^'-ni), a. [f. Vein sb^
1. t a- Veiny artery, one or other tiunk of the
pulmonary vein. Obs.
1594 T. B. La Priittaud. Fr. Acad. II. 227 For this cause
it in called the veiny artery, because it holdeth of the nature
both of an artery and of a veine. 1603 J. Davies (Heref )
Microcosmos Wks. (Grosart) I. 29/1 The Lunges through
veiriy-artire, aire doth shoue Vnio the hart, it to refresh
againe. 1633 P. Fletcher Purple 1st, iv. xxiii. note. The
third is called the Veiny arterie, rising from the left side,
which hath two folds three.forked.
b. Full of blood- veins ; having prominent veins ;
of or pertaining to veins. W^ofig. (quot. 1612).
l6n Cotgr., Veineux, veinie, full of veines. 1611 Drayton
Poly-olb. v. 327 So Gresholme far doth stand;.. and Gat-
holme, nearer land (Which with their veiny breasts intice
the Gods of sea). 1681 Grew Musxum 11. i. iv. 198 Within
this Veiny.Coat, lie's a soft, white, thick and Oval Body.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Veiny, belonging to, or full of
Veins. 1789 M. Madan tr. Persius (1795) 163 If you say
these things among veiny centurions. 1813 Shelley Q. Mai
11-3
VEIBE.
IX. 3_-;4 A gentle start convulsed lanthc's frame : Her veiny
^p«lids quietly unclosed. 1813 Examiner ^^i Feb. 124/t
The hands. .are divested of their too veiny inflation. x8iB8
' L. Scott' (Mrs. Baxter) Tuscan Stutf. 11. iv. 323 There is
a general darkness and veiny roughness about the hands of
the performers,
2. a. Traversed by veins of a diffei^nt (mineral)
sabstance or stmcture.
1708 OiELL BoiUaut Lutrin 46 The reiny Flint and
bardy Steel ingage. 1778 Prvck Min. Coniui. 96 A kind
of Stone., not at M of a veiny quality. 1783 Justamokd tr.
Kti^nsTs Hist. Indies IV. 476 Veiny diamonds, in which
these extremities are not uniform, and in the same direction.
1797 Mbs. Radcuffe Italian \\, She could see the veiny
precipices and tangled thickets that closely impended over
the road.
b. Full of, having the n.->ture of, veins or con-
tinuous passages.
1817 Hood Mids. Fairies Ix, We bear the gold and silver
kej-s Of bubbling springs and fountains, that below Course
thro' the veiny earth. 1854 H. E. J. Howard Rape Pro-
serfine II Is it the wind, that works its stealthy way Where
veiny clefts the secret pass betray?
3. Marked by veins of colour.
c 1711 Petiver Gazophyl. Dec. viii. Tab. 71 A hard reddish
veiny Wood from the Philippine Isles. i7a7-46 Thomson
Summer 1-^^ Effulgent, hence the veiny marble shines. 1800
Hull Aiiz'ertiser 11 Oct. 2/3 Six blocks of very superior
veiny marble. 1816 J. Scorr Vis. Paris (ed.^ 5) 162 The
finest specimens, .have been cleansed and repaired till they
look like lapis lazuli jats, stained and veiny.
4. Bot. Of leaves : Having many veins.
c X711 Petiver Gazpphyl. Dec. vi. Tab. 59 7"hetruc Ipecacu-
anha..a low Plant with. .soft veiny Leaves. 1760 J. Lee
Inirod. Bot, ill. v. (1765) 184 Venose^ veiny. 1807 J. E.
Smith Pkys. Bot. 166 Venosum^ veiny, when the vessels by
which the leaf is nourished are branched, subdivided, and
more or less prominent. x8a8 — Eng. Flora II. 89 Leaflets
..ovate, veiny, deeply serrated and cut. jS^o Florist 232
It will give an idea of coarseness, as in a veiny Pelargonium,
Veip, obs. Sc. f. Weep v. Voir, southern ME.
var, Faib a. ; obs. var. Vair s6. ; var. Veke (spring)
Ods. ; obs. Sc. f. weir W ah sh., Weabz-. Veird,
obs. Sc. form of Weird sb. Veirdit, obs. form of
Verdict.
tVeire, <2<A'. and Ji5. Obs. Alsoveyre; veir,
vair. [a, ONF. veire, veir, = OF. voire, voir,
adv. and sb., f. voir :— L. ver-um true.] {In) veir{e,
truly, in truth. (Cf. Vaibes.)
13.. K. Alls. 1000 (I^ud MS.), [They] sworen, & seiden
veire, Alisaundre was fals ayre. /^/rf. 5660. /did. 5663
And 5if of fele hiwe is t>e eyre. So shuUen (>e stones ben in
veyre. CX330 Artk. <V Meri. 7640 He had made him in al
air To (je lond, hat of hem com veir. Ibid. 8613, etc.
Veire, southern M E. var. Fair a. and adv. ; obs.
f. Vair. Veiring, obs. Sc. f. Wearing vbl. sb.
Veirs, obs. Sc. f. Versr sh. Veis, var. VeesI.
Veise. Mining. Also veize, etc. [Of ob-
scure origin.] (See quots.)
1883 Gresley Gloss. Coal-M. 269 Veises, joints in the
coal stnita. 1886 J. Barrowman Sc. Mining Terms 69
Veize, vees.vise, the line of fracture of a fault or hitch.
Veit, obs. .Sc, f. Wet a., With v. Veiunge,
southern ME. var. Fating vbl. sb. Veive, Sc.
var. Vive a. Veije, southern ME. var. Fey a,
Veize, obs. dial. var. Feeze v,^ Vejour, var.
Vevor Oiij. Vekke, var. Vecke Obs. Vekyt,
obs. Sc. f. Wicked a. Vel, southern ME. var.
Fell sb. and pa. t. of Fall v. ; obs. Sc, f. Well
adv. Vela, pi. of Velum. Velaghe, southern
ME var. Fellow sb. Velain(e, obs. ff. Vellum.
llVelamen (v/l^-men). I'l. -amina. [L.
velaiiien, f. velar e to cover.]
1. Bot. The outer envelope or covering of the
aerial roots of some arums and orchids,
x88> Vines tr. Sachses Bot. 690 Rain or dew which
moistens the root.envelope (velamcn) or wounded surfaces.
1884 Bower & Scott De Bary's Phaiter. 227 A continuous
layer of air-containing tracheides covers, as a shtitth or
velainen, the aerial roots of epiphytic orchids.
2. Anat. A membranous covering or integument.
In recent Diets., which also give vetamentuin in the same
sense.
Velame ntOUS, «• [f mod.L. velamenlum :
cf. prec. and L. velSmenlafi.^ Of the nature of a
membrane or membranous covering
1891 Cent. Diet, s v., The velamentous arms of the
nautilus. 1903 Brit. Med. Jml, 29 March 773 Velamentous
insertion of the cord.
Velane, -ly, varr. Villains a, Villainsly adv.,
Ol's. Velany, obs, f. Villainy.
Velar (vflaO.a. {anisb.) AUoi)erron. vellar,
[ad. It. velare, F, vilaire, or L. vlldr-is, I. L. vel-
um sail, curtain, etc : cf, Velom.]
1. Arch. (See quots,)
X716 Leoni Alberti's Archit. I. 55/1 A Vault.. which for
its resemblance to a swelling Sail, we. .call a Velar Cupola,
x8»3 P. Nicholson Pract. Build. 595 Vellar cupola, a
cupola or dome, terminated by four or more walls. x84a
G\\\\-l Archit. 1050.
2, rhon Of sounds : Produced by means of the
soft palate.
Applied Sf>ecirically to one of the two sets of guttural
sounds existing in the original Indo-European language.
1876 /Ita^«'«/j'4 Nov. 457/1 The author begins with the now
well.known distinction of the it sounds into two sets, which
be calls velar and palatal. X883 1, Taylor Alpktiiet 1. 160
84
The Semitic alphabets, .have no symbols for certain classes
of sounds, such as the velar gutturals. 1888 King & Cook-
son Sounds <5- Inji. vi. 117 According to place of articula-
tion they can be divided into labial, dental, palatal, and
velar sounds.
b. As sb. A velar guttural.
1886 T. Le M. Douse fntrod. Gothic 37 The guttural
element of a velar may vanish. Ibid., The velars themselves
may be palatalized. x888 King & Cookson Sounds Sr Infl.
vi. 118 The distinction between palatals and velars is com-
paratively recent and of great importance in the history of
modern philology.
3. Zool. Of or pertaining to a velun).
1878 F. J. Bell Gegenbaurs Comp. AnaL 328 The cilia
in the velar circlet are those that are most markedly
developed. 1880 Nature XXII. 147/2 Velar centrifugal
canals.. are peculiar to this ^enus. 1883 Encycl. Brit,
XVI. 663/1 The post-oral hemisphere of the Trochosphere
grows more rapidly than tlie anterior or velar area.
II Velarinm (v/lea'riiym). PI. velaria. [L.
veldri-um awning, f. velum sail, etc., Velum.]
1. Rom. Aniiq, A large awning used to cover a
theatre or amphitheatre as a protection against
sun or rain.
1834 LvTTON Pompeii v. ii, The obstinate refusal of one
part of the velaria to ally itself with the rest. 1836 C.
Wordsworth Athens xiii. (1855) 76 As if for the insertion
of horizontal beams, on which, in the more effeminate times
of Athens, a velarium, or awning, was perhaps extended.
1880 L. Wallace Ben^Htir 267 When he sat under the
purple velaria of the Circus Maximus.
trans/, 189* Contemp. Rev. Nov. 681 The great velarium
of the pulpit, intended as a sounding board for the preacher's
voice, was spread over the nave like a vast bird.
2. Zool. A thin marginal rim on the bell of cer-
tain hydrozoans.
1888 RoLLESTON & Jackson Antm. Life 782 The bell
itself is somewhat flattened. ..Its margin never becomes in-
flected inwards : when it is thin and velum-like . . it is termed
by Haeckel 'velarium*.
ve-lary, a, [f. L. vel-um sail : see -ary.] Per-
taining to the sails of a ship.
i8yi in Cent. Diet,
Velat, obs. form of Velvet.
Velate (vrl/t), a. [f. L. vH-um Velum, or ad,
L. veldt-US, pa. pple. <A velare to cover.] a. Bot.
(See quots. 1857-66.) b. Zool, Having a velum.
1857 A. Gray First Less. Bot, (1866) 236 Velate^ furnished
with a veil. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1206/a K^/d/^, partially con-
ctaied from view; veiled. 1880 Nature XXII. 147/1 It is
remarkable among all Hydromedusae (velate medusse, that
is, exclusive of Charybdaea).
t .Velated, ///. a^ Obs. [f. L. veldt-US : see
prec] Covered over; veiled, hidden.
154a Becon Potat, Lent iv. H vj. But what doth it mene.
That the Crosse is caried forth beynge couered with a
clothe . .? Phil. The Crosse so velated & couered signifieth
Christ. 1653 R. Sanders Physiogn, A 4 By a sedulous
search into their velated nature, and abscond disposition.
Ve'lated,^/. «.^ Zool. [f. L. ?'?/-«/« Velum.]
Furnished with a velum or sail-like membrane.
1835--6 Todd^s Cycl. Anat, I. 527/2 The physiologist, in
contemplating the structure of the velated arms [of the
octopus], is compelled to disallow them the power of being
..exp.inded to meet the breeze, 1895 A. H. Cooke in
Molluscs 4* Brachiopods 384 The principal agents in the
deposition of the shell [of young Argonauta\ are the two
velated or web-like arms.
Vela*tion. rare—°. [ad. late L. veldtiOj f. veldre
to veil.] a. The action of veiling or the fact of
being veiled, b. The formation of a velum.
1891 in Cent. Diet.
Velau-, Velaarede, southern ME. var. Fel-
lowred Obs. Velawe, southern ME. var. Fellow
sb. and v. Velcom, -cum, obs. Sc, ff. Welcome.
Velde, soutliern ME. var. Field, pa. t. Feel v..
Fell v., Fold v.\ obs. Sc f. Wield v,
t Velderude. Obs.-^ [app. f. velde Field sb, +
rude RuD j^.-] =^ Herb John i.
c 1165 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 557 Ypis^ i, hcrbe Johan, i,
uelderude.
Veldevare, -ver, dial. varr. Fieldfare,
I! Veldt, veld (velt). Also velt. [a. older Du.
veldt J now z'^/(/(velt) : see Field sb^
1. In South Africa, the unenclosed country or open
pasture-land.
Freq. with defining terms denoting character or locality,
as ^«j//-, grass-, high, low^ sour, soviet veldt. Hence occas.
in pi. fquot. 1876).
a. 185a C. Barter Dorp ^ J^eid 42 My preference for a
less confined sleeping.place on the open ' veld '. 1863 W. C.
Baldwin A/r. Hunting ix. 404 The velt is now f^ull of a
poisonous herb, which is certain death in a few hours to
oxen. X876 Encycl. Brit. V. 42/1 The pastoral lands or
velds . . are distinguished according to the nature of the grass
or sedge which they produce as 'sweet' or 'sour'. 189a
Tablet 13 Aug. 260 The priest lived under a tent on the veld.
0. x86a CoLENso Pentateuch I. 114 Joseph ..wandering
alone upon the veldt in search of his brethren. 1879 Daily
News 28 June 5/6 In the veldt.. with a saddle for one's
pillow. 1S88 Times (weekly ed.) 25 May 7/3 Streets and
squares and public buildings, where a year and a half ago
was nothing but the boundless veldt.
2. attrib.j as veldt fire, knowledge, lily, side, stool.
Similar uses are common from 1900 onwards.
1861 Andersson Okavan^o River 49 The tremendous
'veldt' fires, which, ravaging the country far and wide,
make it like a huge fiery furnace. 1863 W. C. Baldwin A/r.
Huntingx. 25 A deal table and a lot of velt stools and wagon
chests the only furniture. 1895 J. G. Millais Breath /r.
VELIFEBOUS.
Veldt (1899) 78 A faithful native, who instructed him in
veldt knowledge and all the arts of spooring. 1899 Daily
Nctvs 24 Oct. 5/4 Here the veldt lilies and creeping con-
volvulus are beginning to bloom.
b. Special Comb, (chiefly with the spelling
veld), as veld-cornet, = field-cornet Field sb. 21 ;
veld fever (see quot.) ; veld-koat [Du. kost food]
(seequot.) ; veldman, veldtsznan, one skilled in
living or hunting on the veldt ; veldt pig, the
Ethiopian wart-hog ^Phacochcerus ethiopicus) ;
veld rat, the striped rat of S. Afiica ; veld sick-
ness (see quot.) ; veld sores, a form of skin
eruption due to living on the open veldt.
185a J. C. Brown Arbou%seCs Narrative xxiii. 350 He
went to the drinking place of a *veldcornet, a kind of country
magistrate. 1899 Rider Haggard Swallow ix, I, as Veld-
Cornet of the district, have tried the case according to the
law. 1899 Mrs. Phillips S. A/r. Recoil. 9 '*Veld fever' is
a malady, a longing indescribable, which comes over many
South Africans, wno have lived much on the veld. 1834
Pringle A/r. Sk. 82 The *veld-kost we will gather. Ibid. 523
Veld-kost, literally country/oody is the term used for the
wild roots and bulbs eaten by the Bushmen. 1899 Contemp.
Rev. Oct. 475 Stout wardens of the marches who are known
to be as good *veldmen and riflemen as any Boers in
Africa. 1^5 J. G. Millais Breath /r. Veldt (1899) 286
Tace. .liked to parade himself as an old Veldtsman. 1863
W. C. Baldwin A/r. Hunting \\. 155 Just after sunset.. a
flac fare (*veldt pig) came out of a hole near ine. 1905 Rtp.
Brit. Assoc. 551 Ihe disease has been observed m *veld
rats (Arvicanthus pumiiio), cats, and in one dog. 1896 R.
Wallace Farming Ind. Cape Colony 82 Animals brought
from sweet veld suffer from what is termed *veld sickness,
which results from insufficient nutrition and the hard and
iiritating nature of the food consumed. 1898 ^K&JSIalnboch
Campaign 61 Owing to the insufficient supply of vegetables,
there were several cases of *veld sores. 1901 Brit. Med.
yrnl. No. 2095. ^86 Veld sores formed the most frequent
entry in the morning company sick reports.
Veldt-marshal, variant of Vblt-mabshal.
Veldt-slioe. S. African. Also velschoen
(M) ; veld-, velt-, veldt-schoen, veldtschoon.
[a, or ad. Cape Du. veldschoen, earlier velschoen, f.
Du. vel skin, Fell j^.l + schoen Shoe sb. ; the first
element has been assimilated to veld Veldt.] A
light shoe made of untanned hide.
o. 182a Burchell Trav. I. 214 The Hottentots, .soon took
of!" the bide, which they cut in small pieces, for the purpose
of making velschoen (hide-shoes). 1883 Olive Schreiner
A/r. Farm i. ii, On their feet they wore home-made
' vel-schoen',
^. 1834 Pringle A/r. Sk. iv. 17S A sort of sandals, .are in
common use, called veld-schoenen (counir>- shoes). 1850
R. G. CuMMiNG Hunter's Li/e S. A/r. (1902) 139/1 Here I
divested myself of my leather trousers, shooting belt, and
veltschoens. 1885 Rider Haggard K. Solomon's Mines
(1887) 201, 1 discarded my trousers, ..retaining only my veldt-
schoons. 1894 Pall Mall Mag. Sept. 38 A Boer veldt-
schoen upon the right foot.
v. 1863 W. C. Baldwin A/r. Hunting vi. 212 No heels to
my veldt shoes, which were inatie of blesbuck skin.
t Vele. Obs, Also veale. [var. of Veil sb.^,
after It. and Sp. velo,!^. velum.'] A veil or covering.
o. 1580 Spenser Three Proper Lett. i. Wks. (1912) 611
Wote ye why his Moother with a Veale hath coouered his
Face ? 1591 — Ruines Rome i, Thrice hauing scene vnder
the heauens veale Your toombs denoted compasse ouer all.
1593 Harvey Pierce's Superer. Wks. (Grosart) II. 161 To
examine matters barely, without their veales, or habiliments.
0. 158a N, T. (Rhem.) Heb, ix. 3 After the second vele, the
tabernacle. Ibid. x. 20 By the vele, that is, his flesh.
1590 Spenser F, Q. \. viii. 19 In his fall his shield, that
couered was, Did loose his vele by chaunce, and opep flew.
Ibid, \\. xii. 77 [Acrasia] was arayd..All in a vele of silke
and siluer thin. 1591 Savile Tacitus, Hist, i. Ixvi. 37 They
..with sacred veles and infules afore them.. mollified the
soldiers minds,
Vele, southern ME. var. Feel v.^ Fele a. ; obs.
f. Veal ; obs. Sc. f. Weel sb,. Well adv.
t Veled,///. a. Obs.-^ [Cf. Vele.] Veiled.
1565 Stapleion Fortr. Faith 116 They were veled, at-
tended to singing Gods seruice, came to a common refectory.
{| Velella. Zool, [mod.L. (Gmelin and La-
marck), f, L. velum sail.] A genus of siphono-
phorous oceanic hydrozoans; a member of this
genus.
1834 M^Mubtrie Cuvit-r^s Afiim. Kingd. 482 The Porpita
and Velella.. which were formerly joined with the Medusa;.
1Q60 Wraxall Li/e in Sea x, 243 The Velellse have a
very extended geographical range. 1861 P. P. Carpenter
in ReP. Smithsonian Itistit. jSSo, 240 The animals are be-
lieved to sleep by day and prey upon the Jelly Fish and
Velellas by night. t88a Casselts Nat. Hist. VI. 284 The
little Velella.. has been compared to a Uttle raft with an
obliquely placed upright sail.
Hence Vele'llidous a., related to Velella.
1845 Encycl, Metrop. VII. 268/1 The Velellidous Acalephs
have within their soft substance a cartilaginous or calcareous
plate or disc.
Velem, obs. f. Vellum. Velen, Velenie,
obs. flf. ViLLAiK ff., Villainy. Velewit, obs.
f. Velvet. VelfuU. o])s. Sc. f. W ealful a,
Velicotte, obs. variant of Wyliecoat.
Veliferons (v/li-feras), a. [f. L. velifer, f.
velum Velum : see -febous.]
fl. Carrying sails, Obs.
J656 Blount Glossogr., Veli/erous, that bears saile, or is
under sail, as a ship. 1674 Evelvn Navig. Sf Commerce 53
Nay, so addicted were they to Sailing, that they invented
Veliferous Chariots, and to Sail upon the Land. 1697 —
VELIFIC.
Ifumtsmaia viii. 280 Stevinus who framed the Veliferous
Chariot..
2. Zoot. Bearint; a velum ; membranous.
1871 'r. R. Jones Aniiit. Kin^d. (ed. 4) 614 With its veli-
ferous arms thus firmly embracing its abode, the Argonaut
has two modes of piogression.
t Veli-fio(al, a. Obs.-o [UUvHiJicus.'] (See
quots.) Also tVeli-fieate v. [f. L. vilificare,
-«?-<], VeUfioation [ad. L. velificStio\. Obs.-o
1613 CocKERAM I, Velificatt, to saile. Ibid., Velification,
a saifing. 1656 Blount Glossogr,, Velifical, that is done
with sails displayed or full spread. Ibid., Velification, a
sailing forwards, or hoysting sail ; a course or voyaKe. I7»7
Bailev (vol. II), yelijick, done or performed with Sails.
Ve-liform, a. rare-", [f. I, veli- Velum.]
Having the form of a velum.
1891 In Ceut, Diet,
Veliger (v»-lid.^3j). Zool [f. as \iKC. + -ger
bearing. Cf. L, veliger sail-bearing.] A moUuscan
larva furnished with a velum or ciliated swimming-
membrane. Also at/rib.
1877 Huxley A'tai. Inv. Anim. viii. 497 In the great
majority of the Odontophora, the young leaves the egg as a
Vfiigtr very similar to that of the LatntUibranchiala. 1878
F. J. Bell Gegeniaurs Comf. Anal. 319 The Veliger stage
is not always developed. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 654/2 In
development they pass througn the typical trochosphere and
veliijer stages provided with boat-like shell.
VeligeroUS (v»li"d,5eras), a. Zool. [Cf. prec.
and -GEKOU8.] Of certain larval forms : Bearing,
or furnished with, a velum.
1877 HuxLEV Anat. Inv. Anim. viii. 485 It is obvious that
the two have, in common with . .th^Anneiida, the ciliated or
veligerous larval form. 1880 F. M. Balfour Comp.Embryol.
I. 192 In prosobranchiate Gasteropods . . the free-swiraming
veligerous larva may have a long existence.
VelimCe, obs. ff. Vellum. Velinche(r : see
Vali.\ch;eb. Velipend, obs. Sc. f. Vilipe.vd v.
tVelitand.w. Ohs.-^ In 7 vilitande. [Irreg.
f. L. velit-dri: cf. next.] intr. To skirmish.
1641 Sir E. Derino 4 Sp. cone. Laud, etc. iii. 9 [As] the
Roman Velites, who did use to begin the Battaile, so shall
I but vilitande, and skirmish, whilst the maine Battaile is
setting forwards.
t ve'litary, a. Obs. [ad. L. velitdris, f. veltl-,
veles : see Velites.] Of or pertaining to, charac-
teristic of, light-armed troops.
1600 Holland Liiy 995 The Consull .. had made pro-
vision aforeliand of great store of darts, light velitarie jave-
lines, arrowes, . .and small stones. i6»3 Bischam Lipsiut's
Comparison Xenopfutn 5 Surely the most of our men are
vnarmed, and what else, but to be compared to velitarie
bandsl 163a Holland Cyrupsidia 159 Ihey, who at that
time defailed the veiitary fight and skirmish of Archers and
Javeletiers. 1649 J. Robinson Misc. Propositions Pref. p. iv.
My intention is. .by excursions, in a veiitary way, to skir-
mish with some, whom. .1 dissent from.
Velita'tion. Now rare. Also 7 vellet-.
[ad. L. vililatio, n. of action f. vilitari, f. vilit-,
veles: see next.]
1. A slight or preliminary engagement with an
enemy ; a skirmish.
1616 BuLLOKAR Eng. Expos., Velitations, skirmishes,
fightings. i6ji Burton .4«a<. .»/«/. in. iv. 1. iv, Lechimread
those Pharsalian fields fought of late in France for religion,
their massacres. . . arid he shall find ours to be but velitations
to theirs. 169a O. Walker Grk. >, Rom. Hist. »6o If any
one killed an Enemy in any Velitation or nickering when
they fought man to man, he was rewarded with a Spear
without a head, calld Hasta pura. i83J J. P. Kennedy
Smallma B. xxix. (i860) 265 In which latter species of em-
ployment it was his luck to hold frequent velitations with
the enemy.
2. Jig. A wordy skirmish or encounter ; a con-
troversy, debate, or dispute not carried to extremes.
(Very common in 17th cent.)
1607 B. Barnes Divils Charier 11. i. D 4 b, Forbeare your
idle velletations. 1657 W. MoRicE Coena quasi Koirij xxiv.
249 In all these velitations ag.ainst their dear brethren.. the
Apologists .. have not drawn much blood. 1670 Jenison
Narr. Popish Plot Pref. 9 This Censure is but a light Veli.
tation, if compir'd with that black charge of guilt. 170a C
Mather Magn. Ckr. vii. ii. (1852) 303 All the velitations
were peaceably furled up in this result, ijtz Wollaston
Relig. Nat. iii. i 4 That question in Plato may have place
among the velitations of philosophers ; but a man can scarce
propose it seriously to himself". l8a^ Scott .St. Ronan^s
viii, While the ladies . were engaged in the light snappish
velitation, or skirmish, which we have described. 1831 De
QuiNCEV in Btackw. Mag. XXIX. 90s The very best of his
performances being mere velitations, skirmishes, or aca-
demic exercises.
II Velites (vrlitrz'j, sb. pi. [L. velites, pi. of
velit-, vlUs. So F. velites ] Light -armed soldiers
employed as skirmishers in the Roman armies.
1600 Holland Livy 532 The light armed darters (called
Velites). .so assailed the defendants, that they fete). _ 1641
[see Velitand v.\ x^^A Chambers Cycl., Velites, in the
Roman Army, a kind of antient Soldiery, who were arm'd
with a Javelin, a Cask, Cuirasse, and Shield. 184S Encycl.
Mttrop. XVI. 191 Of the velites, or youngest and fourth
order of troops, . . Polybius makes no mention in his details
of Roman castrametation. 1869 Boutkll Arms 1^ Armour
iv. 59 The velites, or light infantry, whosecntire equipment
was in exact conformity with their distinctive denomination.
1891 L. ViLLARl Li/e t, Times Mackiavelli II. viii. 326
iTransl. M.'s Art of War) In order that the battalion may be
protected on all sides, .it is strengthened by 1500 extra foot
soldit-rs, of whom 1000 are armed with pikes, . . andsoo velites.
t Velivolant, a. Obs.-~° [ad. I. velivolans.]
(See qnot.)
85.
1656 Blovxt Clossogr., VelivolanI, tunning aDdi&s it were)
flying with full sail.
Veil, sb. dial. Also 8-9 velve. [Of obscure
origin ; veil is no doubt a reduction of velve, and
the initial v may stand for original y.] (See quots.)
1724 Act II Geo. I. c. 7 Addit. Bk. Rates, Calves Velves to
make Rennet, c 1789 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) IV. 369/2^ Let
the veil, inaw, rennet-bag (or by whatever name it is
called), be perfectly sweet. z8ia J. Smyth Pract. 0/
Customs (1821) 58 Calves Velves, or Veils, are the Maws
or Stomachs of Calves, which have fed entirely upon Milk.
After being salted or kept some time, the Veils are infused
in a preparation of salt and water for the making of Rennet.
c 1830 Glouc. Farm Rep. 32 (L.U.K.) III, Rennet or runnet
is made from the stomachs of calves, called here ' veils '.
Irish veils are the best. 1861 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. XXII. i.
59 The rennet does not keep well when made in any quantity
of pickled veils. X886-93 in dial, glossaries (Glouc, Wilts.,
Som.). ,
Veil, V. s.w. dial. Also 9 fell. [f. veil, south-
western dialect var. Fell ji.l] trans. To strip
(land) of turf by meaiis of a skimming-plough.
Also Veiled ///. a., Ve-lling vbl. sb.
1674 Ray .9. ^. E. C. IVords 78 Veiling, Plowing up the
turf or upper surface of the ground, to lay on heaps to ourn.
West-countrey. [Hence in Phillips (1706), etc.] 1796
W. H. Marshall ^«r. Econ. IV. Devon. I. 143 For veiling,
the share is made wide, with the angle or outer point of the
wing or fin turned upward, to separate the turf entirely from
the soil. Ibid., IV. England II. 8 A considerable portion of
the country is now set with roof heaps of Lime, and with
veiled Beat, now burning. Ibid. 47 Grass Inclosures veiled
for Wheat. 1837 J. F. Palmer Devonsh. Dial. Gloss. 38 The
balk or narrow slip which is left in veiling the land. 1871
J. Couch Hist. Polperro 118 If an old grass field with a
thick face is to be taken into culture, the skimming plough
is used, and the process is called 'felling'.
Veil, obs. var. Veal. Vellam, obs. f. Vellum.
Vellat, obs. f. Velvet. Velle, southern ME.
var. Fell sb. and v., Fill v. ; pa. t. Fall v.
Velleity (velflti). Also 7 velleitie. [ad.
med.L. velteitat-, velleitds, f. L. velle to will, wish :
see -ITV. Cf. F. vell/itif {i6th c). It. velleiti, Sp.
veleidoii, Pg. velleidade.']
L The fact or quality of merely willing, wishing,
or desiring, without any effort or advance towards
action or realization.
1618 Bp. Hall Contempt.^ N. T. (1634) loi Thy word
alone, thy beck alone, thy wish alone, yea, the least act of
velleity from thee might have wrought this cure. x66»
Baxter Saints' R. iv. To Rdr. 831 We must distinguish..
Between the simple Velleity of the Will, and the choice that
followeth the Comparate act of the intellect. 1690 Norris
Beatitudes (169^) 105 By impotent willing meaning that
natural Inclination or Velleity we have to every Good as
such. I7«8 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) I. 20 Velleity can
scarce be called a power, for a power which never operates
is no power at all. 1808 Bentham Sc. Reform 77 In your
Lordship will is volition, clothed and armed with power—in
me, it is bare inert velleity. 1838 Uew Monthly Mag. LII.
no This singular exuberance of velleity for education must
presuppose a corresponding qualification for the task. 1866
Lowell Stndy tVind. (1870) 191 Chateaubriand, .had the
same harmleiis velleity of self-destruction. 1867 — Rousseau
Prose Wks. i8;o II. 250 He and all like him mistake emotion
for conviction, velleity for resolve.
2. With a and pi. A mere wish, desire, or in-
clination without accompanying action or effort.
Very common in the 17th c ; now somewhat rare.
i6a4 F. White Repl. Fisher 78 The antecedent will of God
is only a velleitie or wishing that a thing might he. 1640
Bp. Reynolds Passions xvii. 180 They are onely Velleities
and not Volitions : halfe and broken wishes, not whole
desires. 169a J. NoRRis Curs. Rrjlect. 37 The same might
also be illustrated from the Actions of the Will, some of
which are perfect and compleat Determinations, others only
Velleities or Endeavours. 1710— CAr. Prud.<\. 229Theone
loves it only in some respect or degree, with an incomplete
Love or Velleity as 'tis call'd. 1740 Cheyne Regimen 315
We may have vehement Willings, Longings, Volitions, and
Velleities. 1808 Bentham Sc. Reform 2 Preceding adminis-
trations reckoned this .in the number of their velleities:
what they had been thinking of doing, your Lordship has
done. 1841 Carlyle in Froude Life in Lond. (1884) I. ai8
He had no fixed intentions, only rebellious impulses, blind
longings and velleities. 1873 Browning Red Colt. Nt.-cap
IV. 415 No matter what his least velleity, I was determined
he should want no wish.
b. Const, with various preps., as after, against,
for, of. towards (something). Also with to and inf.
1633 Ames Freih Suit agst. Ceremonies IL 20 No imperfect
■ velleities of good are so interpreted. 165a N. Culverwel
I /,/. Nature (1857) 268 Nature that has but some weak
glimpses of Him. has but faint and languishing velleities
after Him. i«8o H. Dodwell Two Lett. (1691) 7 The
designing the more noble end for the less noble, .implies no
volition, but only a velleity, for that which is more noble.
1 Ibid. 48 Terrifying men from their sins,_ so as not only to
! make them entertain some strugling velleities against them
i [etc.]. 1795 Hussey in Burke Corr, (1844) IV. 280 Some of
her prelates have . .showed a velleity to make a stand in the
upper house. 1853 Grote Greece 11. Ixxxiv. XI. 102 The
effect was not the less produced, of disgustinir Dionysius with
■ his velleities towards political good. liSiVilu. Repr.Covt.
330 The executive, with their real but faint velleities of
something better. 1887 Dublin Rev. July 194 There is no
reason to suspect the slightest velleity to bring any pressure
to bear on the matter.
Vellem, obs. f. Veli.um. Vellenage, obs. f.
I Villainage. Vellet;t, obs. forms of Velvet.
Velletation, obs. f. Velitation.
I Vellicate, v. Now rare or Obs. Also 7
I vellioat. [f. L. vellicat-, ppl. stem of vellicate,
VELLICLE,
frequentative of velllre to pull, pluck, twitch, etc.'
Cf. Sp. velicar, Pg. vellicar.'\
1. trans. Of things : To act upon or affect so as
to irritate ; es/i. to pluck, nip, pinch, or tear (a part
of the body) by means of small or sharp points.
Chiefly in old medical use with reference to the action of
medicaments, sharp or acrid substances, etc., on the tissues
of the body. Freq. in the 17th and i8th centuries.
1604 F. Hering Modest Defence 16 They [i.e. strong
medicines] doe forcibly vellicat, offend and violat her
[Nature]. 1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym. 27 Those cor-
rosive fretting, pontick, and acid juyces, which vellicate
and prick the nerves. 1685 Boyle Enq. Notion Nat. 223
■) he Fibres . . of the Stomach, Bowels, and other Parts, being . .
Vellicaled by the Plenty or Acrimony of the Peccant Matter.
1708 Brit. Apollo No. 113. 2/2 Some sharp Humor on that
part . . may vellicate and twitch it. 1783 Bryant Flora
Disetetica 168 A hairy, bristly substance, which.. will, by
pricking and vellicating the coats of stomach and bowels,
many times occasion sickness. 1821-7 Good Study Med.
(1829) I. 82 The same effect is produced whenever the teeth
are vellicated by smooth substances, asa piece of silk or velvet.
absol. 1744 Berkeley Siris § 61 The a;thereal oils being
deprived of the acid spirit in distillation, which, vellicating
and contracting as a stimulus, might have proved a counter,
poise to the excessive lubricating . .qualities of the oil.
b. Of persons : To tickle or titillate.
17SS rhil. Trans. XLIX. 242, 1 vellicated the pericranium
with the end of a knife, a 1778 C. Darwin Experiments
(1780) 94 Thus, if you vellicate the throat with a feather,
nausea is produced. 1794-6 E. Darwin Zoon, (1801) I. 281
So when children expect to be tickled in play. .by gently
vellicating the soles of their feet, laughter is most vehemently
excited,
f 2. fig. To carp at ; to criticize adversely. Obs.
1633 T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter ii. i These are they that
vellicate authority. x66a Owen Animcui. Fiat Lux vi. If
any one. .have a mind. .to vellicate commonly received
maxims. 1686 H. More in J. Norris Lett.{\tm 208 Reading
the confirmation of your Hypothesis, which I took the bold-
ness a little to vellicate.
3. intr. To twitch; to contract or move con-
vulsively, rare.
1670 Maynwaring Vita Sana xiii. 120 Fast not, but
satisfie the Stomach when it vellicates and calls for meat.
1864 Webster, Vellicate, to move spasmodically; to
twitch ; as, a nerve vellicates.
Hence Vellicating fpl. a.
1669 Address to Gentry Eng. 81 Many a pregnant spirit
is suffocated in the streight enclosures of a confining vellicat-
ing fortune. 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. III. 67 It washes
the vellicating Humours from the original of the Nerves.
1743 tr. Heister's Sur^. 365 T'he increased Flux of Tears,
excited by the vellicating Body. 1751 Smollett Per. Pic.
(1779) I. xiii. 112 Lubricating injections to defend the coats
of the stomach .. from the vellicating particles. 1768
Elaboraiory 218 A vellicating and pungent action. 1853
Maynf, Expos. Lex. 48 Amycticus,. .hxasAxng; vellicating.
Vellica'tiOIli Now rare or Obs. [ad. L. vtlli-
catio, noun of action f. vellicSre to Vellicate.
Cf. older F. vellication (Colgr.), It. vellicazione,
Sp. velicacion, Pg. vellicafao.']
1. The action or process of pulling or twitching ;
irritation or stimulation by means of small or sharp
points; titillation or tickling.
1613 CocKERAM I, Vellication, plucking. i6a6 Bacon
.Sylva I 37 Therfore we see that almost all Purgers have a
kind of Twiching and vellication. 1655 Culpepper, etc.
kiverius vi. i. 130 The Nerve and Membiane in the hole
of the Tooth. .which doth. .suffer distension and vellica-
tion. a 1693 Urquhart's Rabelais ill. xlv. (1694) 371 Is it
not daily seen how School-masters. ..shake the Heads of
their Disciples. . that, by this Erection, Vellication, stretch-
ing and pulling their Ears, .they may stir them up? 1718
(julNCY Comfl. Disp. 177 The Vellication or Irritation of
the Fibres and Membranes. 1794-6 E. Darwin Zoon.
(1801) I. 281 Here the pleasurable idea of playfulness
coincides with the vellication. i8a»-7 Good Siud^ Med.
(1829) I. 547 The vellication of a hair-brush contrived for
the purpose. Ibid. IV. 690 1'he best artificial means of
obtaining so salutary an action is by a free and laborious
process of friction, vellication or shampooing.
2. An instance or occasion of this ; also, a twitch-
ing or convulsive movement, esp. of a muscle or
other part of the body.
i66s Collection Plague Pieces (1721) 21 There happens a
Vellication of the nervous Parts. 1686 Plot Stajfordsh. 302
Severe vellications in the Intestines by sharp humors. 17x3
Stukeley in Mem. (1882) I. 69 After some vellications and
preludes the Gout seiz'd upon my right foot. 1756 C. Lucas
Ess. IVaters II. 67 Sharp unetisy vellications of the skin.
1783 Johnson Lett. (1788) II. 339 These vellications of my
breast shorten my breath.
transf. 1781 Johnson Pra:yers * Medit. (1817) 193 At
night, I had some mental vellications, or revulsions.
Ve'lKcative, a. rare-^. [f. as Vellicate z».-f
-IVE.] Having the quality of vellicating; causing
irritation or twitching.
18M-7 Good Study Med. (1829) I. 82 They [i. e. teeth] are
colloquially said to be set on edge ; and that in two way.»,
as follows:— ..From jarring noises. .. From vellicative or
acrid .substances.
t Ve'llicle. Obs. rare. [ad. L. type *veUicti-
lum, f. vell^-e to pluck, pull.] Something which
pinches or nips so as to hold fast (see quot.).
1676 H. More Rem. 1^5 The Power.. of the Laws of
Nature, in colligating strictly Parts of the most distantial
Textures and Consistencies, without the Help of Vellicles,
Hooks, or Grappers. Ibid. 147.
Veiling, vbl. sb. : see Vell v.
Vellom, obs. form of Vellum.
VELLON-
llVellon (vely^n). Also 7 vellion. [Sp.
veUon : see Billox.] Copper, as used in Spanish
coinage. Used esp. in the denomination of certain
coins, as real {of) vellon : see Real sb.^
1676 Lady Fanshawe Mem. (1830) 202 We let our dispense
for 72,000 rcais vellon, a year. 1681 Rycaut tr. Gracians
Critick To Rdr., We were dispatched thence with.. some-
thing under the name of a Largess, to bear our Expences,
paid in Vellion, or the Base Copper Money of Spain. \^A
Chambers CycL s.v. Motuy^ Spanish Money of Account, is
the Peso, Ducat of Silver and Vellon, Rial of Vellon, and
Cornados and Maravedis of Silver and Vellon. 1798
Malthus Pa^uL (1817) II. 489 The price of the load of four
fanegas of wheat was.. 100 reals vellon. 1839 Penny Cycl.
XV. 323/1 It passes in Spain for 20 reals vellon.
aitrW, 1676 Lady Fanshawk Metn. (1830) 196 October
the 14th, the King proclaimed the lowering the vellon money
to the half.
Vellon, dial, form of Felon sb.-
Velloped, error io: Jelhped }o\.hOPY.^ a.
1780 Edmondson Heraldry II. Gloss., Velloped-.^ a cock
is said to be armed, crested, and velloped, when his spurs,
comb, and gills, are of a different tincture from the body.
"Vellot e, obs. forms of Velvet.
t Vellous, sb. and a, Sc. Obs. Forms; a. 5
veil-, wellowis, vellous, -us, 5-6 wellus. ^. 5
veluous, -vous, -uus, welwous, 6 -uous, -uos,
velvois,etc. [a. OF. vehus, velos, velwis, velvis^
later F. velours Velours.] = Velvet sb. and a.
a. c\^^Q Maitl.Cluh Misc. III. 196,3 reid cap of vellowis.
Ibid. 197 A blew claith wellowis. 1474 Ace. Ld. High
Treas. Scot. I. 16, 2i elne of Vellous for a fute mantil.
J6id. 69, vj elne of vellus for a kirtil. 1503 Ibid. II. 297
For ane wellus bonet to the Erie of Murrajr.
0. 1473 Ace. Ld, High Treas. Scot. I. 73, iiiji elne of rede
crammacy veluous. 1491 Acta Dom. Cone. 199/1, xviij
elne of Welwous. 1530 Burgh Rec Edinb. (1871) II. 27
Ane schitt of grene weluos. 1561 Inv. H. Wardr. (1815) 124
Ane bed of blak velvois. a 1586 Sir R. Maitland Poems
(Pinkerton, 1786) 326 Thair gouns. . Barrit with velvous.
Vellum (ve-li'm). Forms: a. 5 velym, 5-6
velyme, 5, 7 velim, 6 velime, velem, 7 vellem.
3. 5, 7 velum, 5-7 volume (7 velumne), 7-
vellum. 7. 7 velom, 7-8 vellom. 5. 7 velame,
7-8 velam, vellam. [ad. OF. velin {vellin,
veelin, etc.; mod. F. z////«), f. W Veal .r^., with
change of n to /// as in pilgrim^ venom.']
1. A- fine kind of parchment prepared from the
skins of calves (lambs or kids) and used especially
for writing, painting, or binding; also, any superior
quality of parchment or an imitation of this.
yegetabie vellum : see Vegktablf. a, 7.
a. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 508/2 Velyme, memhrana, e 1449
Pecock Repr. i. xv. 81 That Holi Writt mai ba take for the
outward lettris writu.i and schapun vnder dyuerse figuris
in parchemyn or in velim. 1519 Horman Vulg. 80 b, That
stouflfe that we wrytte vpon, and is made of beestis skynnes,
is somtyme called parchement, somtyme velem. 1598 R.
Havdocke tr. Lomazzo 11. 127 The Painters vse general
groundes..; saue vpon paper, parchment or velime. 1644
Direct. Publ. Worship Ord. 3 A fair register book of velim.
fig. i6ii J. Daviks (Heref.) To Worthy Persons VVks.
(Grosart) II. 62/1 Vpon th* unspotted vellem of thy face
Nature hath printed characters of grace.
p. 1474 Caxto.m Chesse in. iii. (1883) 93 The Notayres,
skynners, coryours, and cardewaners werke by skynnes and
hyde^. As parchemyn, velume, peltrye and cordewan. IM9
Croscombe Church-w. Ace. (Som. Rec. Soc.) 24 A mass bofce
of velum lymmyde. a 1586 Sidney Astr. ^ Stella Scan, xi,
A childc.With gilded leaues or colourd velume playes.
x6i6 Drumm. of Hawth. Flowers ofSion^ Bk. Wor/d, But
sillie wee (like foolish Children) rest Well pleas'd with
colour'd Velumne. 1699 Bentlev Phal. xv'u 506 And with-
out doubt it was immortal Vellum, and stoln from the
Parchmentes of Jove. 1700 Congreve Way 0/ World v. iii,
I have an old fox by my thigh that shall hack your instru-
ment of ram vellum to shreds, sir ! 1710 J. Clarke tr.
Rokaulfs Nat. Philos. (1729) I. 243 The Retina [of an
artificial eye] was made of a very white thin Piece of Vellum,
a 1781 R. Watsom Philip III, ill. (1835) 159 The deed, .was
wntten on paper, and not on vellum, as was usi:al in all trans*
actions of importance. 1819 Keats Fall Hyperion 1. 5 Pity
these have not TracM upon vellum or wild Indian leaf The
shadows of melodious utterance. 1855 Mrs. Gaskell North
ff S. iii. The Paradise of Dante in the proper old Italian
binding; of white vellum and gold. 1875 Scri venek Led. Gk.
Test. 16 ITie durable fine vellum of our oldest extant codices.
/ig. 1784 CowPER Task I. 569 The sportive wind blows
wide Their fluttVing rags, and shows a tawny skin, The
vellum of the pedigree they claim.
y. x6oi Hakf.will Van. Eye xxii. (1615) no [To] beholde
the heavens, and in them (as in large characters drawn in
faire velom) the glory of their maker. 1683 MoxoN Meek.
Exerc., Printing x. One of the first Books Printed on
Paper; (that of Tully being on Vellom). 1718 Chambers
Cycl. S.V. Parchment, What we call Vellom is only Parch-
ment made of the Skins of abortive Calves, or at least of
sucking Calve ^.
fi. 1600 Fairfax Tasso xiv. Ixxvi, The house is builded
like a maze within,.. The shape whereof plotted in velam
thin I will you giue. 1617 Barbier Jan. Ling. 114 He
cancelled a line in the margent of the velame. x63a Quarles
Div. Fancies n. xiii, Hee.. Whose milk-white vellam did
incurre No least suspition of a Blurre. 1706 Hearni-:
Collect. (O.H.S.) I. 258 A MS', in velam. 1715 Ibid. V. 130
King Henry the VIin'>'» Primer upon Vellam.
fi$' 1^3' Massincer Emperor East iv. iv, Can you think
This master peece of heauen, this pretiou^ vellam. Of such a
puritie and virgin whitenesse, Could be designM to haue
periurie, and wboredome, ..writ vpon 't?
2. A piece or sheet of this material ; a manu-
script or testimonial written on vellum.
c 1430 LvDC. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 204 A froward velym
86
upon to wryt. 1687 Death's Vision (1713) a note. Like
a Velum upon the Head of a Drum. 1878 G. Vigkusson
Sturlunga Saga I. p. clx, A quarto of 200 leaves when
entire (about the largest size ever reached by an Icelandic
vellum). 1900 Westm. Gaz. 15 Oct. 6/3 He and his brother
..received the vellum of the Royal Humane Society for
their plucky conduct.
3. altrib. and Comb, a. Attrib. in the senses
* made of, resembling, of the nature of, bound in,
vellum *,
1565 GoLDiNG t)vid's Met. iv. 507 With shere and velume
wings. 1570 Dee Math. Pre/, aj, All these, liuely designe-
mentes..be in velame parchement described. 1586 Hookek
Hist. Iret. in Holinshed II. 94/1 He ought rather to make
sute for some good vellam parchment for the ingrossing
thereof. 1636 Davenant Platonick Lovers iv. i, Not all
thy Leathern, nor thy Vellum friends, those dead companions
on thy Shelves shall be more faithful [etc.]. 1651 Cleveland
Poems 46 Who place Religion in their Velam-ears ^ As in
their Phylacters the Jews did theirs. 1707 HEAHNECoZ/ec/.
(O.H.S.) I. 330 Avery Ancient Vellam MS'. 1740 Richard-
son Pamela (1824) I. 216 Mr Longman has already fur-
nished me with a vellum-book of white paper. i8ao Lamb
Elia 1. South'Sea House, The costly vellum covers of some
of them \sc. books]. i88z Miss Braddon Mt. Royal III. v.
88 A large vellum envelope.
b. Comb. With pa. pples., as vellum-boundj
'Covered.
1837 Dickens Pickw. iv. With vellum-covered books under
their arms. 1856 Lever Martins o^fCro" M. 605 A square
vellum-bound book, with massive silver clasps. 1866 Geo.
Eliot F. Holt (1868) 11 Her writing-table, with vellum-
covered account-books on it.
c. Special Combs. : vellum- binder (see quot.
1858) ; vellum -binding, the process or trade of
binding account-books ; also attrib, ; vellum
cloth, tracing-cloth; ■!• vellum mode (see Mode
sb. II, quot. 1795) ; vellum paper, a paper made
to imitate vellum ; hence vellum-papered adj. ;
vellum post (see quot.); vellum thunder ^i^A,
the noise made by the parchment of a drum.
1858 SiMMONDS Diet. Trade, * Vellum-binder, a book-
binder who covers books with vellum, and makes account-
books. 1891 Pali Mall G. 20 Nov. 3/1 Three of them are
concerned with the bookbinders — that is, the binders of
printed books— and the fourth with the vellum-binders, the
technical name for account-book binders. 1835 J. Hannett
Bibliopegia iii. (Heading) 139 Of Stationery, or *Venum
Binding. 1891 Pall Mall G. 20 Nov. 3/1 As soon as it
was known that the bookbinders were going to concede
the eight hours, several of the best vellum-binding firms
conceded it also. 1888 Jacobi Printers^ Vocak 151 *Velluf>i
laid paper^ a laid writing paper with a vellum surface. Ibid.,
Vellum wove paper, a wove writing paper with a vellum
surface. 1858 O. W. Holmes Aut. Break/.-t. (1883) 73 Look
at. .the. .*vellum-papered 32 mo. x&47 Webster, *Vellum'
post, a peculiar sort of superior writing-paper. 1716 Gay
Trivia 11. 18 Here Rows of Drummers stand in martial File,
And with their *Vellom-Thunder shake the Pile.
Hence Ve'llumy a., relating to or resembling
vellum (Worcester, 1846, citing Ec. Kev.).
Vellure, obs. form of Velure.
t Vellute. Obs. rare, [ad. It. velluto, or var.
of vellet Velvet sb. after this.] Velvet.
1561 T. HoBV tr. Castiglione's Courtyer \. (1577) Fij,
Wyth hir shooes of vellute, and hir hose fitting cleane to hir
legge. 163a B. JONSON Magn. Lady v. iii, [It] will save
charges Of coaches, vellute gowns, and cut-work smocks.
Velly, dial. ya^x. felly Felloe.
t VelO'Ciman. Obs. rare, [ad. F. vHocimane,
I. v^locU (after Velocipede) -f- L. man-us hand.]
A contrivance of the nature of a velocipede, but
propelled by hand.
A velocimanipede was advertised in the Morning Chron.
of 13 May 1819 : see Hobby sb.^ 4.
[1869 A^. <y (>. 4th Ser. IV. 240 The Swiss inventor styles
his Carriage a velocimane.] 1883 C. L. Dodgson in Col-
lingwood Li_/e v. {i8gg) 219 Went out with Charsley, and did
four miles on one of his velocimans, very pleasantly. 1883
SiMMONDS Z)/V/. Trade, Veloeiman,..a. species of tricycle.
Velocimeter (vel^si'mAaj). [f. L. veloci-,
velox swift + -METER.] An instrument or apparatus
(variously constructed) for measuring the speed or
velocity of engines, vessels, projectiles, etc.
184a H. Si'ENCER in Civil Eng. ^ Arch. Jrnl. V. 231/2
The instrument represented in the annexed plate, which I
have named a ' Velocimeter ', is intended to supersede the
' long calculations, frequently necessary, in obtaining veloci-
! ties in engine trials. 1853 in Abridgm. Specif. Patents,
I opt. etc. Instrum. (1875) 183 An instrument for measuring
' tlie steerage- way of vessels. . .[The apparatus is called a]
! Velocimeter. 1876 Catai. Set. Apfiar. S. Kens. 55 Patent
' electric Velocimeter, . . arranged for water cunents and
ascertaining the speed of vessels.
VelO'CiouSf a. rare, [f. L. veloci-, velox swift
+ -ous.] Rapid. Also Velooiously adv.
In quot. 1872 humorously for 'fast'.
1680 C. Nesse Ch. Hist. 357 Satan was seen to fall like
lightning from heaven, to wit, viewably, violently, and
velociously or swiftly. 1775 Romans Florida App. 62 Pro*
viding so facile a navigation for the regions of the west, by
means of a velocious current. 1872 Dasent Three to One
III. 233 They are not at all like some of the young ladies of
the present day, ' velocious,' as we have heard a Yankee say.
Veloci'pedal, a. rare. [f. next + -al,] Of or
relating to, depicting, a velocipede.
1868 Pall Mall C. No. 1022. 1908/2 The velocipedal skill
of M. de Vtsin. 1869 N. ^ Q. 4th Ser. IV. 240 Nor have I
any recollection of a velocipedal plate [= picture].
Velocipede (v/'l^-sipz'd). [ad. F. vHociphie, i.
L. veloci-^ velox swlil + ped- , pes foot.]
VELOCITY.
1. = Dandv-horse, Hobby sb.^ 4, Hobby-hobse
5. Obs. exc. //t'st.
1819 Monthly Mag. March 156 A machine called the
Velocipede, or Swift Walker. Invented by baron Drais and
patented in England by Denis Johnson, coachmaker, of
Lon^ Acre, in 1818. 1819 Keats Lett. (1895) 300 The
nothing of the day is a machine called the velocipede. It
is a wheel carriage to ride cock-horse upon, sitting astride
and pushing it along with the toes, a rudder- wheel in hand.
1823 J. Badcock Dom. Ainusem. 209 He never proceeded
with bis machine at a greater rate than five miles an hour,
and yet named it Velocipede. 1839 Civil Eng. Sf Arch.
Jml. II. 242/1 The horse will take longer steps, and longer
springs or leaps, i .in the same way as a man upon a veloci*
pede. 1850 in Ouilvie.
+ b. A kind of roller-skate. Obs.
1835 Meek, Mag. V. 79 A Velocipede intended to be fixed
on one foot ; . . the velocipedestrian pushes himself away with
the other.
2. A travelling-machine having wheels turned by
the pressure of the feet upon pedals ; esp, an early
form of the bicycle or tricycle, a ' bone-shaker '.
Now rare. (Quot. 1853 may belong to sense i.)
1849-50 Weale Diet. Terms s.v. 1851 Catai. Grt. Exhib.
V. No. 991, Velocipede, consisting of three wheels. 1853
R. S. SuRTEEs Soapey Sp. Tour (1893) 369 He is riding a
miserable rat of a badly-clipped mouse. coloured pony, that
looks like a velocipede under him. 1868 G. Duff Pol. Surv.
126 The unprecedented reaction is moving on with the
swiftness of a velocipede. 1886 Cyclist Touring Club Gaz.
IV. 146 Bicycles, tricycles, and other velocipedes. Ibid. 149
Every cyclist using a velocipede.
3. trans/, a. Applied to persons.
x8a8 New Monthly Mag. VI. 344 In the Ballet we have
nothing new to report, M. Paul, a true velocipede, con-
tinues to electrify the astonished spectators. 1891 Mebedith
One 0/ our Cong, xvi, He's a worthy little velocipede, as
Fenellan calls him.
b. A swift-moving vehicle.
1838 Blackw. Mag. XLIII. 340 Stage-coaches, .were not
the velocipedes that they now are. 1843 R. Fobd in Smiles
Publisher^ Friends {iBgi) II. 491, 1 read Borrow with great
deliglu all the way down per rail, and it shortened the rapid
flight of that velocipede.
4. attrib. nnd Comb,., as velocipede carriage ^
-crank., traffic^ velocity., -wise adv.
1819 Gentl. Mag. LXXXIX. i. 423 With our heavy popu.
lation, Velocipede carriages may hereafter be substituted.,
worked by two or more men. 1839 Blaekw. Mag. XLVI.
39 1 he rush of waiters hurrying with velocipede velocity in
opposite directions. 2869 H. Bushnell Wom. S. viii. 178
He sings velocipede-wise, turning the crank himself. 1870
Belgravia Feb. 444 A paddle-wheel., furnished with veloci-
pede-cranks.
Hence Velocipe'dean, Telo'cipeder, =j Veloci-
PEDiST. Velocipede'striau a., := VELOCiPEDica.;
sb, one who uses a velocipede (see sense i b above) ;
also Velocipede •strianisxn, the practice of using
the velocipede. Velocipedian, = Velocipedist
Velocipe'dic a., of or pertaining to velocipedes,
Telo'cipeding vbl. sb., the action or practice of
using a velocipede. Velo'cipedist [ad. F. veloci-
p4diste\ one who rides a velocipede.
184a HowiTT Vis. Remark. Places Ser. 11. 431 He was a
very adroit *Velocipedean. 1869 Daily Nevjs 9 March, As
the bicycles gained the open country the velocipedeans
began to work in earnest. 1819 Sporting Mag. IV. 39
A "Velocipeder presented himself at a turnpike, and de-
manded, 'What's to pay ?' 1869 .5'cz. -^w/^r. 13 Feb. loi The
votaries of *Velocipedestrian Science. Ibid. 9 Jan. 25
*Velocipedestrianism, a word coined for the times, is easier
to learn than .skating. 1869 Echo 3 Dec, Ihe invention of
the crank-axled machine gave a great impulse to veloci-
pedestrian ism. 1869 Velocipede (N.Y.) April 20 A *veloci-
pedian, after a fair amount of experience, finds himself, -at
home astride his two-wheeler. Z&9S Times 21 April 5/5 Dr.
Mussy, spokesman of the *Velocipedic Union, dwelt on the
advantages of cycling to school-boys, tourists, and soldiers.
2869 Velocipe.de (N.V.) April 21 *Velocipeding is a hopefcl
sign of progress. 1886 W. J. Tucker E. Europe 109 Just
like tbatvelocipeding and Danube-boating at Pesth ! i8ao
Williams Hist. Ace. Invent. II. 486 The rest afforded to the
*velocipedist between his steps which set the machine in
motion, enables him to proceed much quicker. 1868 Land.
Soc. Nov. 408 The velocipedists have stolen a march on the
coming flying man. 1885 Pall Mall G. 28 April 10/2 The
* St. Petersburg Society of Amateur Velocipedists '.
Velocity (v/lf7'siti). Also 6 Sc. velocite, 6-7
velocitie. [ad. F. velocite (14th cent. ; = It. velo-
citcij Sp. velocidad, Pg. -idade) or L. velocitat-^
velocilds, f. veloci- , velox swift, rapid : see -ity]
1. Rapidity or celerity of motion ; swiftness, speed,
CZ550 RoLLAND Crt. Venus 11. 672Thaybad him pas with
all velocite To the Gracis. 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 220
This byrde..is of such velocitie and swyftnes in flying that
[etc.]. 1607 ToF'SELL Four.f. Beasts 115 The Lybian Roes. .
(saith hee) are of an admirable velocity or swiiines. 1646
Sir T. Hrowne Pseud. Ep. 235 Dolphins.. Being the Hyero-
glyphick of celerity, . . men best expressed their velocity by
incurvity, and under some figure of a bowe. 1665 Glanvill
Scepsis Sci. xi. 61 The supposed motion will be near a thou-
sand miles an hour under the Equinoctional line ; yet it will
seem to have no Velocity to the .sense. 1704 Fuller Med.
Gymn. (1711) 14 His Blood flows with its due Velocity. 1789
Mrs. Piozzi Journ. France II. 370 Black heaths, and wild
uncultivated plains, over which the unresisted wind sweeps
with a velocity I never yet was witness to. x8oa Binglev
A mm. BiQg. (1805) III. 74 Some of the species, .are enabled
to spring with great force and velocity on their prey. 1849
Macaulav Hist. Eng. iii. I, 379 The flying coaches are ex-
tolled as far superior to any similar vehicles ever known in
the world. Their velocity Is the subject of special com-
mendation.
VELODROME.
b. spec. Relative rapidity ; rate of motion.
i6s6 tr. Hohbes' EUm. Philos. (1839) 113 Motion, in as
much as a certain length may in a certain time be trans-
mitted by it, is called Velocity or swiftness: &c. 1715 tr.
Gregorys Astran. (1726) I. 91 The Velocity in A is to the
Velocity in P, as SN to SH. But as the Velocities in A
and A so are the Spaces run in the same time, by the
Bodies. 1743 W. Emerson Fluxions v, It is the general
Practice in Mechanics, to measure the Velocity of a Body
by the Space uniformly described in a given Time, c \Tga
Imisos Sch. Arts I. I Mechanics is a science which treats
of the forces, motions, velocities, and in general, of the
actions of bodies upon one another. 1813 Bakewell Introd.
Ceol. Pref. (1815) 16 In mechanics, the important question
of the ratio between the velocity and n^omentum is still un.
decided. 1857 Ltviscstone Trav. xvi. 284 note, A declivity
of three inches per mile gives a velocity in a smooth straight
channel of three miles an hour. i8«o Hauchton Phys.
Gto^. iii. 137 It has.. a velocity of upwards of three knots
per hour.
2. Rapidity (absolute or relative) of operation or
action ; quickness.
a 1674 Clarendon Sun'. Leriath. (1676) 18 Mr. Hobbes
was with the velocity of a thought . . able to decipher that
impertinent Question. 1743 W. Emerson Flu.xiotis 2 He
will find some to increase faster, others slower ; and con-
sequently that there are comparative Velocities (or Fluxions)
of Increase during their Generation. 1794 Hutton Philos.
Light, etc. 198 Neither the quantity of the fire, nor the
velocity of its propagation. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India. II.
V. v. 479 Colonel Brathwaite was instructed to anticipate
resisunce by velocity of completion. 1858 Froude Hist.
Eng IV. 481 The velocity with which the English world
was swept into the New Era. 1871 B. Stewart Heat
(ed. 2) § 228 The rate at which it loses temperature or the
velocity of cooling,
3. altrtli. and Comb., as velocity-measurer, po-
tential, ratio.
1849-sa Weale Diet. Terms s.v. Velocimeter, Such a
velocity-measurer was constructed by Breguet, of Paris.
1878 W. K. Clifford Dynamic m. 203 The circulation
along any path from o to />.. is called the velocity-potential
at/. l88a Minchin £/«//>/. A'/iKrwa^ 160 If.. the velocity
potential has at each point of the curve an assigned value.
1887 D. A. I^w Machint Draw. (1892) 36 Velocity Ratio in
Belt Gearing.
Velodrome, [a. F. velodrome, f. v^lo coUoq.
abbrev. of zelocipide Vei-ocipede -f -drome as in
Hippodrome.] A special place or building in
which exhibitions of cycle-riding, cycle or motor
races, etc., are held.
1901 Times 26 Nov. 5/6 The Alexandra Palace Velodrome.
Ibid., The sides slope gently from the floor to the 'hog-
backs ', which are placed at either end of the velodrome.
Velom, obs. variant of Vellttm.
Velonea, Velonia, variants of Vai-onia.
Velonye, southern ME. variant of Felont.
+ Velope, aphetic form of Envelope v. Obs.—^
I7»i \V. Hamilton Wallace 93 With Darkness velop'd,
soon they reach 'd the Gate.
Velouet, obs. form of Velvet.
II Veloora (v»l»r). Also velour, veluse. [F.
velours (OF. velour, velous) velvet. Cf. Velube.]
1. fSee quots. and cf Lube sb.^)
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), l^etnurs, a Velvet-Rubber for
a Hat. 1831-3 Encyct. Metrop. (1845) VI 1 1. 762 (2 A uniform
direction is given to the nap by means of. .a plush brush
called a velours. 1851-4 Tomlinson's Cycl.^ Use/. Arts
(1866) I. 837/2 The general surf;ice of the hat is. .improved
by means of. .a plush cushion called a velours, or veluse.
187s Knicjht Did. Meek. 2609/1 Velour, a hatter's luster-
ing and smoothing pad of sillc or plush.
2. a. (See quot.)
1858 SiMMONDS Did. Treule, Velours, a kind of velvet or
plush foi furniture, carpets, etc. manufactured in Prussia,
partly of linen and partly of double cotton warps with
mohair yarn weft.
b. A woollen dress-stuff with a velvet pile.
1884 Knicht Did.Meci.Suppl 923/1 K^iwrrj. ., a French
goods, all wool. 1913 Play Pictorial No. 134. p. ii/3 A
medium shade of striped grey velours.
II Veloutine (vjl«tih). [F., f. veloutf velvety
-h-ine] (See quot. 1884.)
1884 Knight Diet. Meek. Suppl. 923/t Veloutine (printed
Velonline]. ., a corded French fabric, with fancy wool warp
and merino wool weft. 1890 Daily News 29 May 3/1 The
chemisette is generally made of finely pleated silk, whether
it be in the richest veloutine, bengaline, or ordinary surah.
Velt, southern dial, vari.ant of Felt sb.'-^
1879 Jefferies IVild Li/e 301 The ploughboys call the
fieldfares ' velts *.
Velt, var. Veldt ; obs. Sc. form of Welt v.
t Velter. Obs.—^ [ad. OF. veltre or med.L.
veltris : see Fewteker.] A small hnntiog-dog.
1598 .Manwood Lawes Forest Carta de Foresta of Canutus
I 32 margin. These little Dogges called Velteres, and such
as are called Ramhundt (al which Dogges are to sit in ones
lap) may be kept in the Forest.
Velteror. rare-^. [Cf. prec] = Fewtereb.
1911 J. H. Round King's Serjeants 272 The number of
greyhounds . . accompanying them varied, but each velterer,
normally, had charge of from four to six.
t Veltfare, obs. dial, variant of Fieldpahe.
Cf. the mod. dial, form veltiver.
a 17M Swift Country Parsons Blessings (Hoppe), Or else
a vrltfare or a snipe.
Valthft, obs. .Sc. forms of Wevlth.
Velthy, obs. form of Wealthy a.
t Velt-marshal, Obs. Also veldt-marshal,
velt-mareschal. [ad. G.feld-marschall, with the
87
spelling of the first element influenced by LG. or
Du.] = Field-marshal.
1709 Land, Gaz. No. 4560/2 The King of Denmark and
King Augustus stood as Godfathers to a Son of the Velt-
Mar-shal. 1737 Gentl. Mag, VII. 641/2 To resign the
Command of the Army provisionally to Velt-Marshal
Philippi. 1774 H. Walpole Corr. (1846) V. 368 You may
be a veldt-marshal by this time. 1819 Scott Leg. Montrose
xi, Anent whilk I have heard the great Velt-Mareschal
Bannier hold a learned argument with General Tiefenbach.
11 Velum (vrl^pm). PI. vela (vria). [L.
vUiim a sail, awning, curtain, covering, veil.]
I. f a. A screen or protection, Obs.
1781 Priestley in Young Autobiogr. (1898) v. 99 _A glass
velum, interposed between the retort and the recipient for
the air, remains quite cool and dry.
b. A velarium,
1843 Penny CycL XXVI. 197/2 Such ceiling or vault
therefore assumes somewhat the appearance of an awning
or velum stretched immediately upon arches.
^. Anat, a. The soft. palate; the membranous
septum extending backwards from the hard palate.
Also more fully vehim fcUati and velwn pendulum.
(.1) 177X Encycl. Brit. I. 303/1 The septum, which may
likewise be termed veluvi, or valvula palati^ terminates
below by a loose floating edge. 1782 Heberden Cotnmeut.
vii. (1806) 27 The velum pendulum was putrid. 1805 Med.
JmL XIV, 179 One was removed .. from behind the velum
pendulum by the forceps. 1847 Todd's CycL Ana/. III.
951 The velum palati is a soft moveable curtain stretching
backwards and downwards into the cavity_ of the pharynx
[etcj. Ibid,,, Muscles of the velum palati. 1859 Semple
Diphtheria 55 The posterior column of the velum palati.
{h) 1753 Diet. Arts ^ Sc:. III. 2313/2 The great uses
of this membrane are.. for preventing by its claustrum or
velum, the things to be swallowed from getting up into the
nostril--;. i8s6 S. Cooper First Lines Surgery 241 The
velum and uvula are occasionally destroyed. 1846 Brittan
tr. Malgaigne^s Man. Oper. Surg. 365 You see then the
importance of passing the needles through a welldet*:rmined
point of the velum. 1879 St. George's Hasp. Rep. IX. 725
A child.. was attacked by sore-throat with false membrane,
which spread from the tonsils over the velum.
attrib. 18795/. Georges Hosp. Rep. IX. 570 Voice husky;
glands of velum palate enlarged.
b. One or other of two membranes extending
from the vermiform process of the brain.
1840 G. V. Ellis Anat. 52 The two medullary vela are
inclined obliquely towards each other. Ibid.,, The anterior
medullary velum or valve of Vieussens. 1873 Mivart Elem.
Anat. 377 The velum consists only of the ependyma, the pia
mater, and the arachnoid.
O. A triangular fold of the pia mater lying
between the third ventricle and the fornix of the
brain. (In fnll velum inlerpositum.)
c 1845 TodiCsCycl, A nat. 1 1 1. 635 The velum interpositum Is
best exposed . .by removing carefully in succession the corpus
callosum and the fornix. In raising the velum itself [etc.).
d. A small triangular space in the inferior region
of the bladder.
1835-6 Todd's CycL Anat. I. 385/1 This membrane pre-
sents some peculiarities throughout the extent of a small
region named the ' trigone ' or the ' velum ' of the bladder.
3. Zool. A membrane or membranous integument,
csp. one occurring in molluscs, medusae, or lower
forms of animal life.
i8a6 KiRBV & Sp. Entomol. HI. 370 Velum (the Velum),
a membrane attached to the inner side of the cubital spur
in Apis. 1840 Penny CycL XVI. iio/i Though the term
velum is used, which would hardly be applicable to the
palmated arms or vela cf the other kind [of Nautilus]. 1877
HuXLEV Anat. Inv. .Anim. iii. 129 The inner margin of the
bell in these mcdusoids is always produced into a velum.
1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 420/1 In the majority of sponges
both excurrent and incurrent canals are constricted at in-
tervals by transverse diaphragms or vela^ which contain
myocytes concentrically and sometimes radiately arranged.
4. Bot, A membranous structure or covering in
certain fungi.
183a LiNDLEV Introd. Bot. 208 The velum, or veil, is a
horizontal membrane, connecting the margin of the pileus
with the stipes. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1207/1 Velum, the
annulus of certain fungals. i88a Vines tr. Sachs's Bot. 337
This formation of a velum is connected with the entire
growth of the whole fructification.
Velum 'e, Velumne, obs. ff. Vellum.
Velunge, southern ME. variant of Feeling sh,
Veluot, obs. Sc. form of Velvet.
Velnre (v/l'ua'j). Also 6 vellure. [ad. OF.
velottr : see Veloubs.j
tl. Velvet. K\^o attrib, Obs.
J587 Harrison Descr. Eng. in. i. in Holinshed I, 22t/i
But now., the same [wool] hath beene imploicd vnto sundrie
other vses, as mockados, baies, vcllures, gro^raines, &c.
X596SHAK& Tam.Shr. in. it. 62 One girth sixe times peec'd,
and a womans Crupper of velure. 160a Marston Ant. ^
Mel, V. Wks. 1856 I. 57 A yellow taffata dubblet, cut upon
carnation velure. /z 16x5 Fletcher Noble Gent. v. i, Did
you not walk the Town, In a long Cloak half compass? an
old Hat, Lin'd with Vellure? 1640 in "EinticV London (1766)
II. 179 Velnrcs: English, the single piece. 1748 Whitehall
Evening-Post No. 405, [He] had on when he was last seen,
a light Dove-coloured Coat, black Velure Waistcoat, grey
Breeche.s and a light Grizzle Wig.
Comb. 1607 Df-kker Northiuard Hoe \x. i, The bragging
velure-caniond hobbi-horscs praunce vp and downe as if
some a the Tiltcrs had ridden them.
2, = Velocrs I. Hence Veln*re v. trans., to
dress (a hat) by means of a velvet pad.
1880 Encycl. Brit. XI. 520/1 Dressing and polishing.,
come next, after which the hat is ' velured ' in a revolving
machine by the application of haircloth and velvet velures.
VELVET.
Velu'tinOUS, a. f-nt. and BoL [f. mod.L.
veluHn-nSy f. med.L. velutum velvet.] (bee quots.)
1826 KiRBy & Sp. Entomol, IV. xlvi. 276 Velutinous^..
covered with very thick-.set upright short hairs or pile, re-
sembling velvet. 1857 A. Gray Eirst Less. Bot. (1866) 236
Velutinoiis., velvety 10 the touch. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1207/1
Velutinous, velvety ; having a hairy surface, which in
texture resembles velvet, as in Rochea coccinea.
Velvatter, obs. Sc. form of Well-water.
Ve'lveret, Also -ett. Now rare. [Irreg. f.
Velvet sb. Hence F. veiverelle.'\ A variety of
fustian with a velvet surface.
1769 De Foe's Tour Gt. Brit. (ed. 7) III. 268 The Cotton
Trade.. has been greatly improvedof latc.by the Invention
of Velverets. 1776 [see Velveteen i]. 1787 G. Canning
Microcosm No. 22 (1788) 258, I shall presently see land-
scapes beautifully diversified with . . plains of Plush, . . vallies
of Velveret, and meadows of Manchester. 1803 Ann. Reg.
828 Cotton velvets, velveteens, velverets, thicksets, cords,
and other cotton piece goods. 1839 Ure Did. Arts 537
The cotton stuffs called corduroy, velverett, velveteen,
thicksett, used for men's wearing apparel, belong to the
same fabric. Ibid. 538 Plain Velveret . .Cord and Velveret.
188a Caulfeild & bAWARD Dict. Needleiv. 510/2 Velveret^
an inferior sort of Velvet, employed for trimmings, the web
of which is of cotton, and the pile of silk.
attrib. 1795 SouTHEY Lett./r. Spain (1799) 12 A soldier
was the other character, in old black velveret breeches.
Velvet (velvet), sb. Forms : a. 4-7 veluet, 4,
6 -ett (5 feluett), 6 -ette ; 4- velvet (5 felvet,
velveut, -ved, velavet), 5-7 velvett (6 -vytt)t
7 villvet, 8 velvit. y3, 5-6 velwet (5 felwet, 6
-weth) ; 5 vele-, vellewet (fellevtret, felewote) ;
veloaet, -owet. 7. 5 weluette, 5-6 -wet(t, 6
wellweut, welvet, Sc, wellvet, welwete. 5. Sc.
5 veluate, 6 -uote, -uot(t ; 6 weluot, -wot(e,
wellwott, wolv/at. €. 6 vellett, -at (velat), Sc.
-ot(e, 6-7 vellet, [ad. med.L. velveUtm {-etlum)y
also vel(l)uetum {^ettunt)^ app. representing a
Romanic type *viliutettum, dim. of '^villutum,
whence med.L. v€l{V)uUim {vcloiuni)^ It. velluto,
OF. velut^ -ute, Sp. and Pg. velhido, ultimately f.
L. vill-Hs shaggy hair. Cf. Vellute, Velours,
and Veluke.]
I. 1. A textile fabric of silk having a short,
dense, and smooth piled surface ; a kind or variety
of this,
I Also with defining terms as cotton^ Geuoa^ raised, stamped
I velvet : see these words.
I a. i3ao IVardr. Ace. Edtv. 11^ 2a/i4i i couerchief de
i veluett. 13.. Gaiv. <V Gr. Knt. 2027 His cote, wyth J?e
I conysaunce of ^e clere werkez, Ennurned vpon veluet
I vertuuus stoncz. 1351 Cal. Pat. Rolls 25 Ediv. Ill, 137,
i j fanoun de murre velvet, a 1400 T. Chestre Launfal 950
Her sadell was semyly sett, The sanibus wer grene felvet.
1 C1441 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II, 208 Farewelle, damask and
i clothes of gold; Farewelle, velvet, and clothes in grayn.
j 1483 in Somerset Med, Wills (1901) 245 To Allhalow Chirch
j of Aisheton my gown of blew feluett. 1538 Starkey
i England i. iv. (1871) 130 Yf the nobyllys..bt not appay-
raylyd in sylkys and veluettys, they thynke they lake much
! of theyr honowre. 1555 Watkf.man Fardie hacions i. iv.
46 Tentes and pauilions placed in good ordre, of veluet and
I saten. i6oi Holland Pliny I. 124 That our ladies and
wiues when they go abroad in the street may. .^hine again
I in their silks and veluets. 1694 Marten's P'oy. Spitzbergen
I in Ace, Sev. Late Voy. II. 166 He is not as black as Velvet,
as the Whale is, but like a Tench. 1735 Johnson Lobo's
Abyssinia, Descr. iii. 55 They wear all sorts of Silks, and
particularly the fine Velvets of Turkey. 1756-7 xx.Keyslefs
Trav. (1760) II, 376 A suite of seven rooms furnished with
red damask and velvet. 1807-8 W. Irving Salmag. (1824)
262 The lady in blue velvet, who so attentively peruses her
book. 1815 Elphinstone Ace. Caubul {iS^i) 1. 385 Em-
broidered satin, velvet, and Persian brocade are, of course,
confined to the great. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. IV.
261/2 Mohair, .is largely made into fabrics for ladies' wear,
linings, tabinets, plushes, and velvets.
p. a 1400 T. Chfstre Launf. 235 Har manteles wer of
grene felwet, Ybordured with gold. 14*3 Rolls of Parlt.
IV. 255/1 Upon velowet, and Cloth of Gold. C1430 Lydg.
Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 3 The noble Mayer clad in reed
velewet. Ibid. 6 The tour arrayed withe velwettes soft*.
1531 Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905) 45, iij olde doblettes and
Shredys of velwet. 1558 in Noake Worcester Mon. (i8e6)
172 A coope of blewe felweih with oystars felhers. ^
y. \^\~% Durham Ace. Rolls {%yxxif^t<) ^Ti,\ vestimentum
..de welwett. 01450 Le Morte Arih. 2615 Hyr parayllc
All ofonchcwCjOfl'a grene weluette. \tfiT PiltonChurchw.
Ace. (Som. Rec. Soc.) 52 A westement of grene wellwett.
Ibid.. A mantell of purpull wellweut. a 1548 Hall Chron.^
Edtv. IV, 234 On hys honet of blacke welvet a floure
delyce of golde. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot.
(S.T.S.) I. 174 Ane ryding pie of blak wejlvet. Ibid. 368
Claith of gould, welwete, sataine and dameis.
I &. 1436 Registr. Aberdon. (Maitland CI.) II. 142 Vnus
mantelTus pro nostra domina borderatus cum ly veluate.
i 1500-ao Dunbar Poems Ixxvii. 12 Four men of renoun, In
I gounes of veluot. 157a Satir. Poems Reform, xxxiii. 254
His wyfe weiris weluot on hir Gowne and CoUer. 1581
\ Burnk in Cath. Tract. (S.T.S.) 136 That the altaris vas
vont to be ornit vith veluot.
*. 1546-7 in Feuillerat Rer'cls Edtv. VI (1914) 6 Foi"
making of one doble turff Cappe of vellett white & Grene
chekyd. 1547 Harl, MS. 1419 B. fol. 555 h, One placards
of Murrey vellat ; another of crimson vellat. c 1550 Lvnde-
SAV Tragedie 21 [A man] In Rayment reid-.Off vellot and
of Saityng Crammosie. 1605 London Prodigal 1. i. 161 My
ryding breeches, Vnckle, those that you thought had bene
vellet. 1668 Bp. Hacket in Surtees Misc. {1861) Introd. p.
xiv, The most curious piece that I have seen of purple vellet.
b. A piece of this material, rare.
c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 636 By hir beddes heed sche
VELVET.
made a mewe. And cowred it with veluettes [v.r. vclowttj-s]
bkwe. i*4« Tmackiray Ka<i. fair x\i. Ropes, palls,
velvets, ostrich feathers, and other mortuary properties.
a In various fig. or allusive uses.
a tj)< Grkfne & Lodge LMiiiig Gl. G.'s Wks. (Grosart)
XlvTso If he were a king of veluet, 1 will talke to him.
i«M Mtrry Devil EdiiioHlim iv. i. 37 Thou speakst as true
as veluet. i«7« T. Jordan Lcmi. Triumili. 4 My father,
store of velvet worej My grandsire, beggars' velvet.
aiTOO B. E. Diet CtuU. Crmr, I 'tlvel, a Tongue. Ttf the
Vehti, to Tongue a Woman. [Hence in later slang D'c's)
l«u (see Gentleman 5 cl. i8«3 Eca.n Grose s Diet. Vulg.
r. S.V. l-ilvet. To the little gentleman in velvet, 1. a the
mole that threw up the hill that caused Crop (King William s
hoise) to stumble. lM» PiDGEON Engineer s HMaj'iiSS})
l6j Whose hand of iron was never ungloved with velvet.
189B ireilm. Caz. 5 Jan. 3/3 Paul Mercer is born, not indeed
in the purple, but in the \-elvet of vast wealth.
d. On velvet, in a position of ease or advantage ;
in an advantageous or prosperous condition.
Now chiefly in sporting slang (see Uter quots.), but formerly
in more general use. .
lj«o Burke Ots. Pres. St. iV.it. Wks. 11. n^ Not like
our author, who is always on velvet, he is aware of some
difficulties. i;«S Grose Diet. Vulgar T., To be upon
velvet, to have the best of a bet or match. 1789 .^nbuhv
Trea. II. 382 Therefore, only tell General Phillips ' that on
that day 1 fought upon velvet '. 1818 Scott 7ml. 23 Feb.,
We stand on velvet as to finance. 184s Disraeli Sybil
(1863) 4« Before that we were on velvet ; but the instant he
appeared everything was changed. 1874 Slang Diet. 334
l5en who have succeeded in their speculations, especially
on the turf, are said to stand on velvet. 1897 Daily ^ Nms
I June 3/5 Is that what you call being ' On velvet when
j-ou are sure to win something?— Yes.
e. A wearer of velvet.
1783 Mrs. H. Cowlev Which is the Man lli. iii, We had
all the law ladies fro:n Lincoln's Inn, a dozen good velvets
from Bishopsgate, with the wives and daughters of half the
M.D.'s and LL.D.'s in town.
2. transf. The soft downy skin which covers a
deer's liom while in the growing stage.
CJ410 Master 0/ Game (MS. Digby 182) ii, Hir homes
benn keuered with a softe heer, t>at hunters call veluetz.
1S7« Turberv. Venerie 47 Then they discouer theraselues,
going vnto the trees to fray their heads, and to rub of the
veluet. Ibid. 244 His heade when it commeth first out, hath
a rtisset pyll upon it, the whiche is called Veluet. 1697
Phil. Trans. XIX. 492 The Surface of the Horn, and the
smooth Hairy Skin that covers them whilst they are grow-
ing (which is commonly call'd the Velvet). 1859 Todd's
Cycl. Anat. V. 518/1 In the early condition the horn is soft
and yielding, and is protected only by a . . delicate integu-
ment... From this circumstance the skin is here termed the
' velvet '. 183a Pike Barren Ground N. Canada 43 It was
a full-grown bull in prime condition, the velvet not yet
shed, but the horns quite hard underneath.
b. In the phr. in velvet, said of the deer.
1880 W. Gill River Golden Sandl. viii. 370 The deer are
only hunted when in velvet, and from the horns in this state
a medicine is made. 1884 Jefferies Red Decriv. 72 While
this bark or skin remains on the horn the stag is said to be
in velvet and is not hunted.
3. A surface, substance, etc., comparable to velvet
in respect of softness or general appearance.
1597 A. M. tr. Guil/eiiieau's Fr. Chirurg. 41/2 The
Potentiall Cauteryes nowe-adayes are indeede of velvet,
and vcrye excellent. Ibid. 41 b/i That is one of the best,
which Mr. PariS calleth the Cauterye of Velvet. 1747
Gray Death P'nv. Cat 9 The velvet of her paws. 1781
CowpER Ef. Prot. Lady 15 Where Nature has her mossy
velvet spread. 1897 'O. Rhoscomyl' White Rose .4mo
267 Here is something to put velvet in the ale. 1904 R. J.
Farrer Garden Asia 240 Every peak is clad in the velvet
of wood and copse.
b. ellipl. A velvet cork.
1830 Edinb. Cycl. VII. I. 217/1 The finished corks are
finally sorted by a boy into four kinds, superfine or velvets,
fine, common, and coarse.
II. attrib. and Comb. 4. Attrib., in the sense
'made of velvet', as velvet bag, band, cap,ginon,
etc., or 'covered with velvet', as velvet cushion,
furniture.
c 1350 Lybtaus Disc 838 A velvwet mantyll gay..Sche
caste abowte her swyre. 1480 Wardr. Ace. Edw. IV (1830)
149 A longe gowne of grene velvet upon velvet tisshue cloth
of gold. 1500-10 Dunbar Poems Ixxxviii. 36 Many a semely
knyght. .in velvet gownes and cheynes of gold. 154a Test.
Ebor. (Surtees) VI. 159 One other jackett . . with velvett
bandes. i6ti Pasquits Night.cap (1877) 37, I thinke them
in their hattes as good. As Gentle-women in their veluet.
hood. x6»i Sir R. Boyle in Lismore Papers (1886) II. 17
My wives Tawney vellet gown. CX645 in Verney Mem.
(1907) I. 5 The red velvet furniture. 1780 Burke (Econ,
ktform Wks. III. 321 Have their velvet bags, and their
red boxes, been so full, that nothing more could possibly be
crammed into them? 1796 Wolcot(P. Pindar) .^a^iVtf Wks.
r8t2 III. 408 Who with a velvet lash would flog a bear. l8a8
LvTTON Pelham III. v. Beneath this was a faded velvet
waistcoat. 1848 Lady Lyttelton Corr. (1912) 388, I am
sending some narrow velvet ribbon to trim it along the
tucks.
b. Attrib., in the sense ' smooth or soft like
velvet, velvety ', as velvet down, hand, leaf, etc.
1588 SHAK.S. L. L. L. IV. iii. 105 Through the Veluet leaues
the winde, All vnseene, can passage finde, 1598 Chapman
Hero ^ Leander v. 439 Come Night and lay thy veluet hand
On glorious Daves outfacing face. i6r6 J. Lane Contn.
Sgr7s T. VI. 23 Which fertil zephirs velvet spirit bloweth.
1634 Milton Comus 898 Thus I set my printless feet O're
the Cowslips Velvet head. 1754 Gray Progr. Poesy 27 O'er
Idalia's velvet-green The rosy-crowned Loves are seen On
Cytherea's day. 1775 Sheridan Duenna 11. i. Then the
rtises on those cheeks are shaded with a sort of velvet down.
a 1805 H. K. White Remains (1825) 365 Stretch 'd supinely
on the velvet turf. 186a Mrs. Norton Lady 0/ La Garaye
88
•
Prol. 108 The soft white ow! with velvet wings. t88o Mrs.
Forrester Roy <5- K. I. 2 A tuft of dark velvet pansies on
one side. . ,„. , ,
fig. 1592 Arden o/Feversham 1. 1. 324 Why, what art thou
now but a Veluet drudge, A cheating steward, and base
minded pesant? 1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeaus Fr, Chtrurg.
41 b/i Receipte of the Velvet Cauterye. 1609 Ev. Woman
in Hum. i. i. in Bullen O. Pi. IV, I cannot soothe the
World With velvet words and oyly flatteries. 1639 Fullkr
Holy War Ep. Ded., History is a velvet study and recrea-
tion work. 1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler (1843) 86, I have
..taken a few finish stitches, which may. .please a few
Velvet cares. 1818 Keats Endym. iv. 297 With as sweet
a softness as might be Remember'd from its velvet summer
song. 1878 Browning Poets Croisic xciii, He . . to such pur-
pose intervenes That you get velvet-compliment, three-pile.
o. With names of colours, esp. velvet black.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseuti. Ep. 335 Of the suffitus of a
torch, doe Painters make a velvet blacke. i66a Merrett
tr. NerCs Art of Glass cii. This is a most fair Velvet Black.
1798 CoLERiixjE Anc. Mar. IV. xiii, Blue, glossy green, and
velvet black, They coiled and swam. 1809 Shaw Gen. Zool.
VII. 11. 496 Velvet-black Paradise Bird. i8xi Ibid. Vlll. i.
292 Velvet-crimson Humming-Bird.
5. Parasynlhetic and instrumental, as velvet-
beardedj -caped, -draped, -eared, -eyed, etc.
x6ii L. Barry Ram Alley in. i, These *Veluet bearded
boyes will still be doing, say what we old men can. 1593
Marlowe Ediv. II, 11. i. 754 A *Veluet cap'de cloake, fac st
before with Serge. 1888 Miss Braddon Fatal Three i. i,
'Ihe gentleman was standing with his back to the *velvet-
draped mantel-piece. 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric.
I, 540 The hoary ivhite [wheat], by some called \\\t.*velzict'
eared, is by far the most valuable. 170a Petiver Gazophyl.
I. § 10 Ihe *Velvet.eyed Virginia Snap-Beetle. 1848
Thackeray Van. Fair Ixi, The *velvet-footed butler brought
them their wine. 1691 [?J. Bancroft] Edw. Ill with
P'all Mortimer 11. 11, These Peuking *velvethearted Wary
Knaves that jiretend to Scruples. 1876 ' Ouida ' IVinter City
vl, She let him sit by her in little sheltered "velvet-hung
nooks. 1855 Thackeray Newcomes xxxv, The broad-hatted,
.."velvet-jacketed, jovial colony of the artists. 1859 Geo.
Eliot A. Bede xxxvii, There were the locket and earrings
in the little "velvet-lined boxes, 1796 Burke Lett, to Noble
LordW\is. (1907) VI. 71 The demure, in>idious,..*velvet-
pawed, green-eyed philosophers. 1854 Greenwood //a/j ^
Mishaps 17 The "velvet-sheathed dagger of Queen Eliza-
beth, 1891 C. James Rom. Rigmarole 103 The two miles
home were like walking in *velvet-soled shoes. 1870
Pouchet's Universe 109 Certain * velvet- winged Phalenae.
6. Objective, with agent-nouns, as velvet-dresser^
-maker, -weaver, etc. ; also velvet merchant.
1530 pALSGR. 284/2 Velvetmaker, ucloustier. 1653 Urqu-
iiART Rabelais 1. Ivi. 247 Velvet-weavers, Tapestrie-makers
and Upholsterers. 1677 Miege Fr. Diet, i, Veloutier,..SL
Velvet-maker. 1848 Mill Pol. Econ. i. v. § 9 {1876) 51 This
change.. only transfers Employment from velvet-makers to
bricklayers. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, Velvet- dresser, a
cleaner and dyer of velvet. Ibid., Velvet-manufizcturer, a
weaver of velvet, i860 Ruskin Unto this Last iv. § 76 note.
He pays, probably, an intermediate ship-owner, velvet
merchant, and shopman.
7. Special Combs. : velvet-brush (see quot,) ;
f velvet-cap, one who wears a cap of velvet ; a
physician or student; velvet-cloth (see quots.) ;
t velvet-coat, ? a young fop ; velvet copper-
ore, cyanotrichite ; velvet-cork (see quot. and
of. 3b); t velvet-guard, a trimming of velvet; a
wearer of such trimmings; f velvet-jacket, an
attendant or retainer wearing a jacket of velvet;
velvet-loom, a loom for weaving velvet ; velvet-
painting (see quot. 1849-50) ; velvet-paper (see
quot.) ; velvet-pile attrib,, having a pile like that
of velvet ; also absol.y a carpet or cloth of this
kind ; velvet-plain poet.y a card-table ; velvet
tip (see sense 2 ; in quot, used allusively) ; velvet
tree, wire drawer, work (see quots.).
1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, * Velvet-brush, a brush used
by ladies to remove dust, &c. from garments made of
velvet. i6oa ind Pi. Return /r. Parnass. \\. i. 554 It is
requisite that the French Phisitions be learned and careful!,
your English "veluet cap is malignant and enuious. 1630
Randolph /^rzi/:>/Mj 12 Euery Prenctice can ieere at their
braue Cassockes, and laugh the Veluet Caps out of counten-
ance. 188a Caulfkild & Saward Diet. Needle^v. 511/1
* Velvet cloth, a plain cloth with a gloss, employed in
Ecclesiastical Embroidery. Ibid., Vel7'et clotlts,..he<i\\ti-^
fully soft and warm descriptions of cloth, suitable for ladies'
jackets. 1549 Latimer 2nd Serm. be/. Edw. VI, Ej, Heare
nienes suetes your selfe I require you in goddes behalfe &
put it not to the hearing of these "veluette cotes, these vp
skippes. 18^ Ansted Eletn. Geol., Min., etc. §504 'Velvet
copper ore is probably also a silicate [of copper]. 1855
Ort^s Circ. Sci., Geol., etc. 542 (Sulphates) Lettsomite,
Velvet Copper Ore. 1883 Simmonds Diet. Trade, * Velvet
cork, the t^st kind of cork bark, which is of a reddish
colour. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, in. i. 26i_ Sweare me,
Kate, . . A good mouth-filling Oath : and leaue in sooth, And
such protest of Pepper Ginger-bread, To "Veluet-Guards,
and Sunday -Citizens. 1610 Histriomasiix ill. i. Ej, Out
on these veluet gards, and black lac'd sleeues, These sini-
pring fashions simply followed. 1600 Heywood 1 Edw, IV,
Wks. 1874 I. 17 Spoken like a man, and true "veluet-iacket,
And we will enter, or strike by the way. _ 1875 Knight
Did. Mech. 2690/1 * Velvet-loom, a pile-fabric loom. 1813
Examiner 10 May 298/1 A little skill in "velvet painting.
1849-50 Weale Diet. Terms, Velvet fainting is the art of
colouring on velvet with transparent hquid and other ready
diluted colours. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 2tq()/i* Velvet'
taper, wall-paper printed with glue and dusted with shear-
ings of cloth or flock. 1851 CataL Gt. Exhib. 11. 564/1
"Velvet -pile carpeting. Ibid., Patent velvet-pile and
Brussels carpets. 186a Catal. Internal. Exhib., Brit.
II. No. 4006, Pilots, Cheviots, velvet piles. 1780 Cowper
Progr. Error 169 Oh the dear pleasures of the *velvet plain,
VELVETED.
The painted tablets, dealt and dealt again. 1638 Fobd
Fancies in. iii, What, what, what, what! nothing but
"velvet tips j you are of the first head yet. x87§ Knight
Diet. Mech, 2699/1 * Velvet-tree (Puddling), the point where
the draft from the neck of the furnace is turned upward
into the stack. 1883 Simmonds Diet. Trade, * Velvet wire
drawer, a manufacturer of the metal wire used in velvet
making. i88z Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Neediest}. 511/1
•Velvet work. .is.. largely used in Church Embroideries as
a background for altar cloths and hangings.
b. In names of animals (birds, insects, etc.),
as velvet ant, a spider-ant {Cent. Diet. 1891);
velvet crab, a species of swimming crab {Portunus
puber)\ velvet-duck, a species of scoter {^CEdemia
fused) \ velvet fairy (see quot.) ; velvet fiddler
crab, = velvet crab ; velvet fish (see quot.) ;
t velvet runner, the water-rail ; velvet scoter,
= velvet duck ; velvet sponge (see quots.).
1681 Grew Musxum i. v. iv. 120 The Claw of the Punger,
or the "Velvet-Crab, called Pagurus. 1850 Miss Pratt
Comm. Things Sea-side v. 288 Some of the most beautiful
of our British crabs are those termed Velvet-crabs, on
account of the velvety down with which the shell is covered.
186a Ansted Channel Islands 11. ix. 232 The spider crab,
and swimming or velvet crab, are also eaten. 1678 Ray
Willughby's Ornith. 363 The feathers of the whole body
are so soft and delicate as nothing more, so that it might be
not undeservedly called the "Velvet-Duck. 1768 Pennant
Brit. Zool, II. 493 Velvet Duck ;. .the plumage is of a fine
black, and of the soft and delicate appearance of velvet.
1840 Col. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 175, I made a capital
shot at 6 black velvet ducks. 1870 Gillmore tr. Figuier's
Reptiles <V Birds 235 The Velvet Duck {,Anasfusca).. is the
largest of the Scoters. x88i Lyell Fancy Pigeons 86 The
black Nurnberg swallow has most of these grease quills,
and from its beautiful green lustre is called the '"velvet
fairy*. i88a CasselCs Nat. Hist. VI. 199 The "Velvet
Fiddler Crab {Portunus puber) has. .its entire carapace
densely covered with hairs. 1898 Morris Austral Eng.
480/1 * Velvet-fish, [the] name given in Tasmania to the
fisn Holoxeuus cutaneus. 1678 Ray Wilhighby's Ornith.
315 The "Velvet Runner. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey),
Velvet- R Winer, a Water- Fowl, whose Feathers are black
and smooth as Velvet. 1843 Varrell Brit. Birds III. 215
Oidemia fusca, "Velvet Scoter. i88a Cassell's Nat. Hist.
VI. 318 The 'wool' Sponge, which appears to be one or
perhaps two species of the Hippospongia, H . gossypina,z.x\A
H. vteandriformis, the '"velvet' Sponge. 1883 W. S.
Kent in Fisheries Bahamas 47 The so-called Velvet,
Abacco- velvet, or Boat -sponge (S. equina, var. meandrini-
fiormis), differing from the Sheep's-wool in the absence of
the fleece-like tufts upon its outer surface.
C. In names of plants, as velvet-bean, an annual
climbing-plant {Macuna utilis) bearing velvety
pods ; velvet-bur, a tropical plant of the vervain
family ; velvet-dock, common mullein ; velvet-
ear(ed) wheat, = velvet wheats f velvet- flower
(see quots.) ; velvet flower-de-luce, -grass,
-moss (see quots.) ; velvet rose, a variety of rose
with velvety petals ; velvet-seed, a small ever-
green West Indian tree ; velvet wheat, a variety
of white wheat with downy ears,
1898 Gardener's Mag. 3 Sept, 569/2 The accounts ..
respecting the agricultural value of the B'lorida *velvet bean
must be received with caution. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1207/2
"Velvet-bur, Priva echinata. 1863 Prior Plaut-n.,
*Velvel-Dock, from its soft leaves, Verbascunt Thapsus.
1837 Brit. Husb. (L.U.K.) II. 138 We have.. the 'golden-
ear ', the ' "velvet-ear', the ' egg-shell ', and ' hedge-wheat '.
x86a Morton Farmer'sCal. 547 Among white wheats.. the
"Velvet-eared, a short-strawed sort, is of remarkable quality
and productiveness. 1548 Turner Names Herbes (E.D.S.)
II The other kynde [of Atnaranthus] is called here in
Englande of some purple "veluet floure, of other flouramore.
Ibid. 80 Viola flammea,. .in englishe veluet floure or french
Marigoulde, 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 96 Veluet flowers,
or french Marigolds. 1578 Lyte Dodoens \. xviii. 168 These
fleasant . . floures are called - . in English floure Gentill,
loramor, and Purple veluet floure. [Hence in Gerarde
and Cotgr.] 1863 Prior Plant-n., Velvet-fio7t'er, from its
crimson velvety tassels, Amaranthus eaudatus, 1597
Gerarde Herbal 94 Iris Tuberosa. "Veluet flower de-luce.
i8)«6 A. Gray Man. Bot. (i860) 573 Holcus lanatus, ^Velvet-
Grass. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, * Velvet-moss, a name
for the Gyrophora murina, a lichen used in dyeing, obtained
in the Dovrefeldt mountains of Norway. 1597 Gerarde
Herbal 1085 Rosa Holosericea, the "veluet Rose. ..The
flowers,.of a deepe and blacke red colour, resembling red
crimson veluet, whereupon some haue called it the Veluet
Rose. 1786 Abercrombie Gard. Assist., Arr. 33/1 Velvet
rose (single). 1893 G, D. Leslie Lett. Marco i. 5 A rose
that is almost obsolete,, .called the velvet rose, 1866 Treas.
Bot. 1207/2 "Velvet-seed, Guettarda elUptiea. 1771 A,
Young Farmer's Tour East Eng. II. 485 Mr. Arbulhnot
gathered six ears of this wheat,, .and carrying it to market,
the farmers remarked that they knew it, but had lost the
sort, and called it "velvit wheat. 1856 Morton Cyd. Agaric.
II. 1131/1 Some Scotch wheats have become greatly mixed
with velvet wheat.
Velvet, V. rare. [f. prec]
1. inir. To imitate velvet in painting.
x6is Peacham Gentl. Exerc. 83 Take your veiditure,..it
is the faintest and palest greene that is, but it is good to
veluet vpon blacke in any manner of drapery.
2. trans. 'To make like velvet ; to cover with
velvet.* (1864 Webster.)
Velveted, a. [f. Velvet sh.'\ Covered with
velvet or a velvety down ; dressed in velvet; having
velvet trappings.
1611 CoTGR., Veloute, Velueted, of Veluet, clad, or couered
with Veluet. 1686 W. Harris tr. Lemery's Course Chem.
(ed. 3) 544 Its Leaves are long, divided, and hairy, or
velveted. 1737 Bracken Farriery Impr. (1757) I. 223 They
VELVETEEN.
..are.-velveted on the Back like a Bat. 1850 Hawthosme
Scarlet L. xx. This yeliow-starched and velveted old hag.
i8ti8 Morning atar 7 Jan., The miniature sleighs, each
containing a fair passenger velveted and furred. i886 Paii
Malt G. 10 Aug. 8/2 An open hearse, heavily plumed and
drawn by half a dozen horses, also velveted and plumed.
Velveteen (velvetrn). Also 8 velvatean. [f.
Velvet sb. Hence F. velve/ine.']
1. A fabric having the appearance or surface of
velvet, but made from cotton in place of silk.
1776 Specif, iVoohtenholmes Patent No. 1123, For his
new kind of goods called velvateans, being an improve-
ment on velveretts. 1795 J. Aikin Manchester 290 Velvets,
velveteens, thicksets. 1843 Ln. Melbourne in Benson &
Esher Lett, (2. Victoria (1908) I. 467 George Byng came the
other morning in a waistcoat of Peel's velveteen, i860
All Year Round No. 53, 63 The barragons and fustians...
dimities and velveteens, for which Bolton was famous. j88z
Caulfeild & Saward Diet, Needlew, 511/1 I'elveteen, a
description of fustian, made of twilled cotton, and having a
raised pile, and of finer cotton, and better finish than the
latter.
b. at/rib. Made of this material.
i8s4 Miss MiTFORD Village Ser. I. (1863) 200 He. .gener-
ally sticks to his velveteen jacket. 1841 Lytton Nt, <$■
Mom, I. i, A man . . plainly clad in a velveteen shooting-
jacket. i860 Alt year Round No. 57. 156 He wore a fur
cap, and shorts, and was of the velveteen race, velveteeny.
1887 DovLE Study in Scarlet (1892) 26 A railway porter in
his velveteen uniform.
2. //. a. Trousers or knickerbockers made of
this material.
1863 KiscSLEY IVater-Bah, i. He.. thought of the fine
timescoming, when he would be a man,., and wearvelveteens
and ankle-jacks. 1865 DiCKBNS Mut. Fr, I. ii, 'The man,'
Mortimer goes on,.. 'was only son of a tremendous old
rascal who made his money by Dust '. ' Red velveteens
and a bell ? ' the gloomy Eugene inquires.
b. trans/, A gamekeeper (as commonly wearing
velveteen clothes).
1857 Hughes Tom Brecon i. !x. What business is that of
yours, old Velveteens? 1880 Carnegie Pract, Trap, 23 Be
it known that Velveteens placed those 'brammels' there in
order that we might move them.
Hence Velveteened a., dressed in velveteen.
Also (in nonce-use) I'etveteeny adj. : see prec i b.
1896 Daily News 10 Nov. 2/1 In the procession thereaner
were the velveteened foresters.
+ Velvet head. Obs, Also 6 vellet head, 7
velvet-head, [f Velvet sb. 2.]
1. The head of a deer while the horns are still
covered with velvet. Also trans/, of a kid (quot
'579)-
"S7* TuRBEBV. Veiierie 244 His heade is called then a
veluet heade. 1579 Spenser Skefh, Col. May 185 His
Vellet head began to shoote out. And his wrethed homes
gan newly sprout. 1607 T0PSEI.L Hist. Frmr-f. Beasts 124
Homes.. couered with a rough skinne. which the hunters
for honours sake call a Veluet head. i6i6 Breton Fantas.
ticks Wks. (Grosart) H. 12/1 The veluet heads of the
Forrests fall at ihe loose of the Crossebow. 1674 N. Cox
Gentl, Recreat, (1677) 65 If you geld him when he hath a
Veivet-head, it will ever be so, without fraying or burnishing.
2. Applied contemptuously to a person.
1630 B. JoNsoN New Inn 11. ii. What says old velvet. head?
Hence + Velvet-headed a. In quots.yjy. Obs,
1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt, Eiig, vL 23 Roman Prelacy in
these younger times was but Velvet-headed. 1650 B. Dis-
coltiminium 41 Vou will expose your Flocks to all the new.
fangled Errours..that bud so fast, out of the Brow.antlers
of our velvet-headed Brockets. 1678 Marvell Crtnoth
Popery 6 He lays the .same claim still,, .and though Velvet,
headed hath the more itch to be pushing.
Ve'lvetineSB. [f. Velvety a.] The quality
of reseniblinf; velvet in smoothness, etc.
1881 Good Literature 6 May 142 In America, where,,
black women have that happy Ethiopian velvetines.s of
cuticle. 1889 Mary E. Carter Mrs, Severn I. 1. Prol. 10
The dense velveliness of the furze.
Velveting, [f. Velvet sb.']
+ 1. The nap or pile of velvet. Ohs.
.iTrt Chambers Cycl, s.v., The Nap or Shag, call'd also
Velveting, of ibis Stuff. . is form'd of part of the Threads of
the Warp. IHd,, The Threads that make the Velveting.
2. Velvet as a commercial fabric ; velvet in the
piece ; esp. //. velvet goods.
1891 in Cent, Diet,
Velvet-leaf. [f. Velvet sb. 4 b.]
1. The tropical shrub Cissampelos Pareira, the
root and bark of which are employed medicinally.
1707 S1.0ANE Jamaica I. 200 Velvet-I.eaf. This has a
round, whitish, wooddy stalk.. having several leaves,.. very
thick set with a whitish down, or soft hair, feeling to the
touch a.s velvet, whence its name. 1756 P. Brow ne Jamaica
(1789) 397 The Velvet-Leaf is looked upon as an excellent
diuretic. 1866 Treas, Bol, 288/2 The most important plant
of Ihe genus is the Velvet Leaf, C, Pareira, a native of the
West Indies, Central America, and India. 1871 Garrod
.Mat, Med. (ed. 3) 168 Pareira Root. The dried root of
(i tssampehs Pareira. or Velvet leaf.
2. 1 he tree-mallow, Lavalera arborea, or a leaf
of this.
1718 E. Smith Compt, Ilousnv, (1750) 312 Take velvel-
leave,s, wipe them clean, chop them small, ..and boil them
gently, till they are crisp. 1796 Withering Brit. Plants
(ed. 3) III. 614 Tree Mallow, or Velvet-leaf. 1863 Prioe
Pteuit.n. 232. »
3. (.See quots.)
(n) 1856 A. G»AV Man. Bol. fi8fo) 68 Abvlilon Avicemix,
VelvetLcif. 1866 Treat, Bol, 1207/2 Velvet-leaf, .Sida
Almttton. il,) 1891 Cent. Did. s.v. Tourne/ortia. T.
Vol. X.
89
Argenlea is sometimes cultivated under the name of East
Indian velvet-leaf.
Velvet-like, a. [f. Velvet sb.] Resembling
(that of) velvet.
1677 MifcE Fr. Did. I, Vetoule, . . made velvet-like. 1770
Pennant Brit. Zool, IV. 4 Velvet Crab with the thorax
quinquedentated : body covered with short brown velvet-
like pile. 1796 Withering Brit. PI. (ed. 3) II. 134 The
whole plant (is) of a velvet-like softness. 1819 Stephens
in Shaw's Gen, Zoot, XI. i. 173 The greater portion of the
head covered by short and serrated, velvet-like feathers.
1819 Loudon Encyct. Plants (1836) 615 The species are
border flowers, in much esteem for their velvet-like leaves.
184s G. DoDD Brit. Manuf, Ser. iv. 109 The rib or raised
part . . is cut . . so as to form a velvet-like pile.
Velvetory. (See quot.)
i8»9 Glover's Hist, Deriy I. 99 Arch-bricks, proper for the
tops of reverberatory furnaces,.. vulgarly called velvetory
bricks.
Velvetry. rare -'. [f. Velvet sb.] Velvet,
or material resembling this, in a collective sense.
1887 Bl.ACKMORE Springhaven (ed. 4) III. v. 61 They had
sleeved their bent arms with green velvetry of moss.
Velvety (ve-lveti), a, [f. Velvet sb,]
1. Having the smooth and soft appearance or feel
of velvet.
i7Sa J. Hill Hisl.Anim. tj The oriental velvety Papilio,
with short antenna;. J796 Withering Brit, PI, (ed. 3) III.
569 Leaves very soft, and almost velvety. 1807 Vancouver
Agric. Devon (1813) 337 Skin loose, free, and velvety to the
touch. 1830 LiNDLEY Nat, Syst, Bot, 185 Their stigmas
generally long and velvety externally. i88a Garden 10
June 399/3 Its dark velvety and rich yellow flowers are
very fine indeed.
Coml>. 1846-50 A. Wood Class-hk. Bol. 209 Leaves..
velvety-tomentose. 1878 Mrs. F. D. Bridges Jrnl. Lady's
Trav. round World i. Aug. (1883) 2 Our ship moving almost
noiselessly across the velvety-looking sea.
b. Applied to colours. (Cf. Velvet sb. 4 c.)
1819 Stephens in Shaw's Gen. Zoot. XI. i. 135 The under
part of the wings are of a fine velvety black. 1876 Black
Madcap Violet vii, She was calling attention.. 10 the light
velvety green. 1883 'Ouida' li'nuda I. 40 A deep brown
hue, like the velvety brown of a stag's throat.
2. Characteristic of velvet ; similar to that of
velvet.
1846 G. E. Day tr. Simons Anim. Chem. II. 397 Present-
ing a beautiful white velvety appearance. 1847-9 Todd's
Cycl, Aiiat. IV. 1. 143/2 Of velvety look and feel. 1880
Daily Tel. 16 Feb., Ihe well-remembered tones had lost
something of their old velvety quality. 1884 Law Times
Rep. L. 421/1 It is the grouping and velvety eflect they pro-
duce which is original
3. /ig. Unusually or attractively smooth, soft, or
gentle.
i86i Clnnincham U-'ieat ^ Tares 82 The other's velvety
manner made him chafe and fret, tigi Strand Mag. XII.
329/1 The tiny bells of the lime-blos.soms. .mingled their soft,
velvety murmur with the other peaceful sounds of Nature.
b. Smooth and soft to the taste.
1888 Harpers Mag, July 216/2 The rum is velvety, sugary,
with a pleasant, soothing efl'ect. 1908 R. Bagot A. CuHtbert
xi. 1 25 Accompanied by the softest and most velvety of sauces.
Velvout, -vytt, -wet, obs. ff. Velvet.
Vely, southern ME. variant oi/elly Felloe.
tVelyard. Ofa.-i \?A.Y.ineiUarcl,\vullarci:]
An old man.
<: iSao S KELTON Magnyf, 1904 Vyle velyarde, thou must not
nowe my dynt withstande.
Velym(e, obs. ff. Vellum. Vem, obs. Sa f.
Wem sb. Vemen, southern ME. y&x./cme Foam
V. ; obs. Sc. pi. Woman. Vemon, Vemynous,
obs. erron. varr. Ve.vqm, Venomous. Ven, south-
ern ME. and dial. var. Fen sb. ; obs. Sc. f. Ween v.
II Vena (vrna). PI. vena9 (vrn»). [L. vena.]
A vein.
Used only in conjunction with Latin adjs. or genitives 1
many of the specific names thus formed are recorded in
special Dictionaries from the 17th cent, onwards.
f 1400 Lan/ranc's Cirurg, 177 Summe of t>ese vcynes
comeb fro a veyne of >>e lyuer, |)at is clepid vena ramosa.
21415 tr. Ardeme's Treat. Fistula, etc. 54 Agayne t>e
mormale be t>er lesnyng of vena basilica, i. lyuer vayne.
1548 VlcAtY Anal. (i888) vii. 54 OtvenaSepliattca springeth
rena occularisi and of vena Bazitica springeth vena Sat.
uatetta, icgS Florio, Asseltare vena, a large vaine being
a branch of Vena caua. i6a6 B. Jonson Staple o/N, iv. iv.
The Doctor.. tells you, Of Vena caua, and of vena porta,
1676 Wiseman Surg, Treat, 343 The Bloud being prest out
into the Vena cava, 1755 Did, Arts 4- Sci, IV. 3148/1
Between^the aorta and the vena azygos. 1793 Holcroft tr.
Lavater's Physiog, vii. 47 A blue vena frontalis . . in an open,
smooth, well-arched forehead. 18U-7 Good Study Med.
(1829) II. 8 The abdominal branches of the vena portse.
1840 E. Wilson Anal. Vade M, (1842) 352 The Vena
Thebesii are numerous minute venules(etcj. 1899 Altbutt's
Syst. Med. VII, 245 The aortic and vena cava pressures are
obtained by passing canulx down the carotid artery and
jugular vein respectively.
tVenable, «. Obs.-^ [f. L. vht-um (see
Venal a.l) + -able.] = Vendible a.
1507 in Man Reading {iSi6) 257 Everie burgess, .may. .
also bye and sell all manner of merchandies and thyngs
venable in feyres and markets.
Venabule. rare-°. [ad. L. vendbulmn, f. ven-
a-/ to hunt.] (See quot.)
16J3 Cockeram i, Venabute, a hunting staffe.
VensBsection, variant of Venesection.
Venaker, obs. Sc. variant of Vinegar.
Venal (vrnal), <j.l Also 6 venall. [ad. L.
venal-is, f. venum that which is sold or for sale.
VENALITIOUS.
So OF. vtnal, F. vinal, Sp. and Pg. venal. It.
venale^
1. Of things : a. Exposed or offered for sale, that
may be bought, as an ordinary article of mer-
chandise. Also, associated or connected with
ordinary sale or purchase. Now arch.
1661 Evelyn Chalcogr. 147 Not as a Venal addition to the
price of the Book . . but . . as a Specimen of what we have
alledged. 1663 Boyle Usef. Exp. Nat, Pkilos, II. 358
Premising.. that by Sal Armoniack I here mean the Facti-
tious and Venal. 1746 Francis tr. Horace, Epist, it. ii. 14
He sinks in Credit, who attempts to raise His venal Wares
with overrating Praise, To put them off his Hands. 1849
Claridce Cold IVaterCure-^Z Men. .avoid water— perhaps
because it costs nothing (for, in our artificial life, we are led
to esteem things according to their venal price). 1883
Athenxum 3 Nov. 564/3 The book, though open for many
years to the frequenters of great libraries, has not been
venal on the shelves of the ordinary bookseller. 1888 Sat.
Rev. 7 Jan. 12 The figs.. might be venal at the nearest stall
without our troubling the stall-keeper.
b. Of offices, privileges, etc. : Capable of being
acquired by purchase, instead of being conferred
on grounds of merit or regarded as above bargain-
ing for.
167s Brooks Gold, Key Wks. 1867 V. 9 When these places
of honour and trust were made venal,.. and sold for ready
money to such as gave most for them, 177a in Lett. Lit.
Men (Camden) 403 In the last Parliament, the places being
quite venal, the young men, who had purchased, were the
majority. 1796 H. Hunter tr. St,-Pierre's Stud, Nat.
(1799) III. 169 The face of affairs in France is at present
greatly altered ; every thing there is now become venal. 1839
J. Mendham ititte). The Venal Indulgences and pardons of
the Church of Rome, exemplified [etc.]. 1845 Ford Handbk,
Spain I. s They see that wealth is safety and power where
everything is venal i860 Motley AVM^r/. ii. (1868) I. 41
All posts and charges were venal.
e. Of support, favour, etc. : That may be bought
or obtained for a price ; ready to be given in
return for some reward without regard for higher
principles.
l6saGAULE Magasirovt. 196 Prophecy is not venal, or to
be bought and hired with mony and preferments. 17*5 Pope
Odyss.u,i\7 From him some bribe thy venal tongue requires.
1738 Johnson London 198 The Laureate Tribe in venal
Verse relate. How Virtue wars with persecuting Fate. 1769
Junius Lett, xi. (1788) 73 You may command a venal vote.
1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleotnania 26 note. Deigning to
subsidize a venal pen in order to throw a gloss over the
flagrant dereliction. 18S8 Brvce Amer, Commw, xliv. II.
165 As the Senate is smaller., the vote of each member is of
more consequence, and fetches, when venal, a higher price.
2. Of persons : Capable of being bought over or
bribed ; ready to lend support or exert influence
for purely mercenary considerations ; of an un-
principled and hireling character.
1670 Marvell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 326 We are all
venal cowards, except some few. 1748 Anson's Voy. iil. x.
'414 Their Magistrates are corrupt. .and their tribunals
crafty and venal. 1781 Cowper Tabte-t. 352 And every
venal stickler for the yoke Felt himself crush 'd at the first
word he spoke. 184a W. C. Taylor Anc, Hist, x. § 6 (ed. 3)
284 Venal orators conducted the prosecution. i88t Froude
Short SlutL (1883) IV. II. vi. 252 Rome was as venal under
the popes as Jugurtha found her under the Republic.
3. Connected or associated with sordid and un-
principled bargaining ; subject to mercenary or
corrupt influences.
1718 RowE tr. Lucan 1. 338 Hence slaughter in the venal
field returns. And Rome her yearly competitions mourns.
1730-46 Thomson Autumn 1067 Thy pathetic eloquence 1
that.. Of honest Zeal th' indignant lightning throws. And
shakes Corruption on her venal throne. 1796 Burke Regie.
Peace'WVs. VIII. 194 To squander us away. .for a venal
enlargement of their own territories. 1838 Prescott Ferd.
ti Is. (1846) III. xxiv. 371 No one has accused him of
attempting to enrich his exchequer by the venal sale of
office. 1885 Fargus Stings ^ A rrou's 62 The compartment
of the train which was, by a venal arrangement of the
guard's, reserved to ourselves.
Venal (vfnal), 0.2 Now rare or Obs. [i. L.
vena Vein sb. + -al. Cf. Venial 0.2]
1. Of blood : Contained in the veins.
1615 Crookk Body 0/ Man 30 So the Heart., containeth in
his right ventricle venal, in his left arterial blood. 1665
Needham Med. Medic, ^ij Bleeding drainsonely the Venal
Bloud. 1745 Franklin Lett, Wks. 1887 II. 10, 1 cannot con-
ceive how they are dilated. It Is said, by the force of the venal
blood rushing into them. 1781 P. Beckford Hunting{iSo2)
123 He made a strong ligature on his neck, that the venal
blood might be emitted with the greater impetus. 1807
Med. Jrnl. XVII. 302 The blood that was dischargad was
evidently venal.
2. Of or pertaining to, connected with, forming,
of the nature of, a vein or veins.
1661 LovELL Hist. Anim. ^ Min, 319 The right [auricle]
before the vena cava, and the left [before] the venal arterie.
1669 W. Simpson Hydrol,Chym. 70 Making it (the blood]
to restagnate in some of the arterial or venal chanels. 1744
Phil, Trans, XLIII. 60 The Blood is stopp'd, as mentioned
before, in the little venal parallel Canals. 1748 Hartley
Observ, Man i. i. § i. 45 The venal Sinuses which surround
the Brain and spinal Marrow. 1797 M. Baillie Morb,
Anal, (1807) 107 There was no obstruction at the entrance
of the thoracic duct into the venal system. l8ax-7 Good
Study Med, (1829) III. 479 'lo make the skin do the office
of a valve to the venal opening.
Venal(e, obs. forms of Vennel.
Venali'tious, a. rare-^. [ad. L. vendlUius
{-tcius), f. vendlis Venal a.l] (.See quot.)
12
VENALITY.
1656 BlOL'kt Glfissfigy., J'ertalitious, belonging to the sale
of men or children, or of <.laves ; that is to be bought or sold.
Veuality (vfnas-llti). [ad. y. vinalitiy or late
L. 7\'naliids^ f. vettalis Vbnal a.l So It. venalitdj
Sp. vtnalidady Pg, -idade^
L The quality or fact of being for sale, rare.
161X CoTCR., VeHoIitie, venalitie, vendtblenesse ; a being
fatable; a letting or setting vnto sale. [Hence in Blount
(i656).J x8»o Ranken Hist. France Vll. i. n. 158 They
proposed, .toabolish altogetherthe venality of offices, which
would have cut off one of the principal sources of finance in
Ihe state. 1874 Tyrwhitt Sketch. Clvb 168 The intense
vulgarity of so much English work comes direct from its
\Tnality.
2. 1 he quality of being venal ; readiness to give
support or favour in return for profit or reward ;
prostitution of talents or principles for mercenary
considerations.
rt 1683 Sidney Disc. Govt. 11. x.xv. (1704) 183 Such as will
rise, must render themselves conformable in all corruption
and venality. 1734 tr. Rollins Rom. Hist. (iZij) III. 288
A soul superior to venality and views of interest. 1749
BoLiNGBROKE Lett. Patriotism^ etc 128 Want is the conse-
quence of profusion, venality of want, and dependance of
venality. 1836 Thirlwall Greece xxiii. III. 309 It only
proves the opinion generally entertained of Spartan venal-
ity. 1874 Grefs Short Hist. ix. §3. 622 His pride and
venality had made him unpopular with the nation at large.
Ve^naliza'tion. rare~'^. [See Venal a.^ and
-IZATION.] The action or process of making venal.
1906 Athenaeum 3 Nov. 549/2 We fear the venalization of
Literature and a monopoly of its distribution.
Ve 1x0117, ^^. rare-^, [f. Venal a. i] In a
venal or mercenary manner.
1756 Demi-Rep 35 Their souls all free, not venally profuse,
ve-nalness. rare—*'. -= Venality.
17»7 Bailey (vol. II), Venalness, Saleableness.
Venarie, -ary, obs. varr. VenebyI.
Venatic (vi'nse'tik), a. [ad. L. venalic-uSf f.
vhtdri to hunt. So obs. F. venatiqite.'] Of or
])ertaining to, employed in, devoted to, hunting.
1656 Blount Glossogy., I'eftaiick^ belonging to hunting or
chasing. 1731 Medley Kolben's Cape G. Hope I. 244 The
Hassagaye the Hottentots look upon as the most notable
martial and venatick weapon they have. 1849 Frasers Mag.
XL. 3 [Stories of hunting] written with ten times the.,
vigour, and picturesqueness, either venatic or literary. 1865
Daily Tel. 4 Alarch, Why are not other nations which have
passed through the same venatic period as deeply imbued
with the spirit of sport? 1889 Haden-Powf.ll Pigsticking
19, 1 adore, with a sort of venatic worship, both a fox and a
hound.
So Venatlcal a. Hence Vena'tlcally adv,
a. x666 Howell Lett. (1678) IV. 4 Ther be three [places]
for Vcner>' or Venatical plesure in England, viz. a Forrest,
a Chase and a Park. 1887 Field 26 Feb. 267/1, I do not
know whether that vernal saint, Valentine, was venatically-
minded. \%^\lbid. 11 March 345/1 Venatically workmanlike,
Vena'tion l. Now rare or Obs, Also 4
venacyon. [ad. L. vhtdtio, f, vendrl to hunt.
So F. venation {\venacion)^ It. venazione.'] The
action or occupation of hunting wild animals,
1386 Almanak 17 In December .. l^e son es in Capricorn,
forTEsau by venacyon lost hys fader benyson. 1610 (^uillim
Heraldry iv. xi. (1611) 217'l'he last of the foresaid Arts wee
reckoned to bee Venation, which Plato divideth into three
species,Hunting, Hawkingand Fishing, 1646 SirT. Browne
Pseud. F'p-^' viii.32 There are extant of his in Greeke, foure
bookes of Cynegeticks or venation. Ibid. vi. vi, At one
venation the King of Siam took four thousand Elephants.
2694 MoTTEUX Rabelais v. 249 Some in ferine Venation take
deUghl. x83a Frasers Mag. VI. 160 What sumphs all the
ancients were in venation, notwithstanding their boasted
prowess !
Venation ^ (vrn^^'Jan), [f. L. vena Vein j^.]
■f- 1. The arrangement or structure of sap-vessels
in plants. Obsr^
X&46 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iir. i. 106 As for the
manner of their venation, ..we shall find it to be otherwise
then as is commonly presumed, by sawing away of trees.
2, a. Bot. The arrangement of the veins in the
leaves of plants.
1830 LiNDi.EV Nat, Syst, Bot. Introd. p. xxii, Many other
orders are distinguished without exception by modifications
of venation. 1851 G. F. Richardson Geol. viu 170 In leaves
we can rarely recognise, in a fossil state, more than their
mode of venation, division, arrangement, and outline. 1890
Science Gossip XXVI. 181, I took a specimen.. with six
welWeveloped leaves, the venation being very distinct.
b. Ent. The arrangement of the veins in the
wings of insects.
x86i-s Le Conte Classi/.Coleaptera N. Amer. i. Introd.
p, xviii. The venation is subject to variation in different
genera. 1891 .Science Gossip XXVII, 53 The venation in
many genera [of the Nematocera] varies in the relative
lengths of some of the veins and their respective positions.
Hence Vena'tional a., of or relating to venation.
1891 in Cent. Diet.
Vena'tions, a. 'rare-^. [f. L. vendi; ppl.
stem of vendrl to hunt.] Inclined to hunting.
1660 R.CoKE Justice Vintl.fArts «V Sci. 22 Take a Hare,
Dear, or Fox, &c. and let them be kept among Hounds in
their kennel, or so that the venaiious appetite of them is
not excited, and they will not meddle with them.
Vena*tOr. rare. [a. L. vendto", agent-noun f,
Vendri to hunt.] A hunter or huntsman.
1656 Blount Glossogr.y Venator^ a hunter or huntsman.
X831 J. Tavlor in Edwards Freedom o/iVHl I ntrod. p. Ixviii,
It oy no means appears that the little unlicensed venator
SDvariably directs bis flight towards the nearest or the best-
fed gnaC
90
Venatorial (venatosTial), a. [f. L. vendtori"
us (see Venatoby a.) + -al.]
1. Connected with hunting.
1830 Preiser's Mag. II. 200 What are your sylvan or vena-
torial exploits compared to the high games enacted in the
broad prairies? 1848 Jilackiv. Alag. LXIV. 85 The most
northerly tribe, .surpass their southern neighbours in vena-
torial skill. x87a CoUKs Birds N.-W. 365 The contrast
between the physiq_ue of Rough-legged Hawks and their
venatorial exploits, is striking.
2. Given to hunting ; addicted to the chase.
a 1881 Blackie LaySerm. i. 52 The migrations of a tropi-
cal bird, or the nosings of a venatorial hound. 1885 Mere-
dith Diana i. Her main personal experience was in the
social class which is primitively venatorial still, canine
under its polish.
So t Tenato'rioas a. Obs. rarr~°.
1656 Bloukt Glossogr.f Venatorious^ belonging to hunting
and chasing, serving for that game,
Venatory (ve'natsri), a. [ad. L. vendtori-us,
f. venal-, ppl. stem of vendrT to hunt : see -OBY.]
= Venatorial a.
1837 Carlyle Misc. Ess., Mirabeau, Man being a venat-
ory creature. 1837 — Fr. Rev. iii. vii. v, The venatory
Attorney-spirit wmch keeps its eye on the bond only. X846
Blachiv. Mag. LX. 393 Regarding deer-stalking— a branch
of the art venatory which few have the opportunity to study.
Vench, obe. Sc. form of Wench sb.
t Vencue, v. Obs. rare. In 4 vonku, 5 vencu.
[a. OK. veneUi pa. pple. olveintre: see Vanquish
z/.] trans. To vanquish, subdue.
13.. Seuyn Sages (W.) 2024 He ne mighte.-in batail
spede, That he ne was euer more biwraid, Ouercomen,
venkud, and bitraid. c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 13240 With-
oute his help & his vertu We schal these other sone vencu.
■Vencus(e,-cuaho, etc., obs. varr. Vanquish «/.
Vend, sb. [f. Vend v. Cf. Vent sb.^ ^
1. Sale ; opportunity of selling.
1618 in Foster Eng. Factories Ind. (1906) I. 42 This place
never yet. .gave vend to any quantety of our commodity.
x68i R. Knox Hist. Ceylon 32 Neither have they any en-
couragement for their industry, having no Vend by Traffic
and Commerce for what they have got. 1695 Kesnett Par.
Antiq, ix. 510 This Market is of great resort, and a good
vend for all Country Commodities. 1727 A. Hamilton Nciv
Ace. E. Ind. II. xlvi. 152 Pepper is planted for Export, but
not above 300 I'uns in a Year, because they want Vend for
more. 1748 Richardsom Clarissa (1811) IV. 165 There is a
person. .who is a great dealer in Indian silks,. .and has a
great vend for them. 18x8 Colebbouke Import Colonial
Corn 60 Corn is stored . . and kept for years . . m expectation
of a future vend and a less glutted market.
2. Spec. Sale of coals from a colliery; the total
athount sold during a certain period.
1708 J. C. Compl. Collier (1845) 17 This I think is shame-
ful for Owners, who striving to get all the Trade to them-
selves, or Xo have a Major Part of Vend, will fall out among
themselves. 1703 [Earl Dundonald] Descr. Estate Culross
59 Sir Archibald had better have contented himself with a
more limited vend at a greater price. 1834 M^Culloch
Diet. Commerce (ed. 2) 289 The annual vend of coals carried
coastwise from Durham and Northumberland is 3,300,000
tons. 1858 SiMMONDs Diet. Trade, Vend, . . the whole
quantity of coal sent from a colliery in the year. 1893
Neasham North-country Sk. 28 By agreement, .they were
limited to an annual vend, of 12,000 chaldrons.
Vend (vend), V. [ad. F. vettdre ( — It. vendere,
Sp. and Pg. vender) or L. vend^re to sell ; but in
senses 3 and 4 app. substituted for Vent 2^.2 4 and
5, through association of this with Vent z;.-^]
1, intr. To be disposed of by sale; to tind a
market or purchaser.
x6s3 in Foster Eng. Fe^tories India (1008) 11. 46 Course
and fine pursleene . . which vend both slowfye and at cheape
rates. 1640 in Rushw. Hist. Coll. iii. {1692) I, 96 Whereby
Wool, the great Staple of the Kingdom, is become of small
value, and vends not. 1689 Hickeringill Modest Inquiries
V. 32 No Books vend so nimbly, as those that are sold (by
.Stealth as it were) and want Imprimaturs. 1768 Franklin
Ess. Wks. 1840 II. 371 If our manufactures are too dear
they will not vend abroad,
2. trans. To sell ; to dispose of by sale ; to trade
in as a seller.
1651 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. ir. vii. 70 No Nation
can be rich that receives more dead Commodities from
abroad, then it can spend at home, or vend into Forrain
parts. ^ 1673 Ray Journ. Lmv C. ^-^g Formerly all the Silk
made in Sicily was vended at Messina. 1727 A. Hamilton
Neiv Ace. E. Ind. II. xxiii. 124 The Company vends a
great Deal of Cloth and Ophium there, and brings Gold-
dust in Return. 1769 Robertson Chas. V, vi. Wks. 1851
IV. 153 They opened warehouses in different parts of
Europe, in which they vended their commodities. 1807
Vancouver Agric, Devon (1813) 224 The produce of these
small dairies is generally vended at Plymouth. 1840
Thackeray Shabhygenteel Story vii, Fishmongers who
never sold a fish, mercers who vended not a yard of riband.
1879 Echo No. 3374. 2/5 A license or patent to sell no
matter what, includes the right to vend books and news-
papers.
d. Jig. To give utterance to, to put forward,
advance (an opinion, etc.).
J657 North's Plutarch Add. Lives (1676) 7 Doubtless
muny have heard some Coridons, or Mechanick fellows..
vending their judgements on him whose Effigies or Portrai-
ture is here represented. 1673 Cave Prim. Chr. m. v. 364
This uncomfortable Doctrine was if not first coined yet
mainly vended by the Novatian Party, 1715 Brntlev Serm.
X. 369 He that zealously vends his Novelties, what is he
but a Trader for the fame of Singularity? X718 Freethinker
No. 26, To incite the Men of Scholarship and Capacity to
traffick together in Truths ; and never to vend Falshoods
of any kind to the Vulgar. 1799 Mrs. West Taleo/Times
VENDEE.
III. 387 The most fashionable, and perhaps most successful,
way of vending pernicious sentiments has been through the
medium of books of entertainment. 1846 G. S. Faber Lett.
Tractar. Secess. 126 Those requisite proofs of a fact, which
convict him and Mr. Ward of having.. vended a double
falsehood. 1907 P. T. Forsyth Positive Preaching iii. loi
He is not free to vend in his pulpit the extravagances of an
eccentric individualism.
t4. To j^ive vent to, to direct. Ohs.
1681 HiCKERiNCiLL Block Non.Conf. v. Wks. 1716 II. 49
If they will be angry, they should vend their spleen against
the said wickedness of their Under -Officers.
Vend, southern ME. var. Fiend ; var. Wend sb. ;
obs. f. Wend v. ; obs. Sc. f. Wind sb. and weened
Ween v.
Ve'Xidabley a. Now rare. [a. OF. vendable,
f. vendre to sell, or (in later use) directly f. Vend
V. + -ABLE.] = Vendible a.
c 1400 Rom. Rose 5804 But chaunged is this world un-
stable ; For love is over alle vendable. 1474 Caxton Chesse
iti. iv. (1883) 112 Salustcsaith that alle thynges be vend-
able. c 1580 W. Spelman Dialoge {1896) 4 He to returne to
me such goodes, as I thought to be vendable in Inglond.
i66s J. Bargrave Pope Alex, VII (1867) 90 He courted a
long time the Barberini . . to be made clerk of the aposiolick
chamlwr, he being very rich (and that a vendable honour).
1688 Holme Annoury 111. ■2^2/-z The Axe and Cleever are
used to cut the quarter of Beasts into smaller and more
vendable pieces. 1893 Advance (Chicago) 21 Sept., The
vendable commodities of the United States have fallen in
price in 20 years more than 45 per cent.
Vendace (ve-ndes). Also 8 vangis, 9 vendis,
vendise. [app. ad. OF. vendese, vendoise (mod.F.
vandoise) dace.] a. A species of small freshwater
fish {Coregonus vandesius) belonging to the same
genus as the poUan and powan or gwyniad, found
in the lake of Lochmaben in Scotland, b. A
closely-allied species {Coregonus gracilior) found
in Derwentwater, formerly identified with the
preceding,
[1684 SiBBALD Scotia Illustrata II. n. 26 PiscJs in Lacu
Mabano, Vandesius. In eodem Lacu Gevandesiu>.] 1769
Pennant Brit. Zool. III. 268 It [the gwiniad] is the same
with the Ferra of the lake of Geneva, the Schelley of Hulse-
water, the Pollen of Lough Neagh, and the Vangis and
Juvangis of Loch Mabon, 1777 — in Lightfoot Flora Scot.
(1789) I. 61 Guiniad. Found in Loch-Mabon ; called in those
parts the Vendace, and Juvangis; and in Loch-Lomond,
where it is called the Poan. 1805 J'orsvth Beauties Scotl.
II. 272 There is one [fish] that, from every information that
can be obtained, is peculiar to that loch (Castle Loch]. ..It
is called the Vendise or Vendace. x8zo Scott Abbot xxiv,
Herlings, which frequent the Nith, and vendisses, which
are only found in the Castle-Loch of Lochmaben. 1856
' Stonehrnge ' Brit, Rur. Sports ^2^/1 The Vendace {Core-
gonus Albula), found also in the Scotch lakes. 1884 Braith-
waite Salmonidx Westmld, \\, 5 'I'he vendace or vendis
and the smelt, or sparling.
attrib. 1867 Chambers's Eucycl, IX. 744/1 Vendace-fishing
at Lochmaben takes place only on thfe ist of August each
year. 1883 Fisheries Exhib. Catal, 366 Vendace Nets,
from I^ke Wetter. Ibid. 372 Gwyniad Roc,. .Vendace Roe.
t Vendagfe. Obs. Also vind-, vyndage. [ad.
OK. vendange (also mod.F,), veftdenge •.'-l^, vin-
demia.'\ Vintage.
a. 1377 Langl. p. pi. B. xvni. 367 May no dr>'nke me
moiste ne my thruste slake, Tyl J>e vendage falle in l>e
vale of iosepnath. 1388 Wvclif 2 Esdras x. 37 The firste
fruytes. .of vendage, and of oile. 14.. Ftv. in Wr.-Wiilcker
6ig Vindemix [sic], vendage.
p. 138a WvcLiF Lev. XXV. 5 Grapes of thi first fruytis and
vyndage thou shalt not gedere. c 1440 Palladius on Husb.
I. 134 Kitte hem streit aftir thi good vyndage. Ibid. x. 114
This mone in placis warme & nygh the see, Vyndage is
hugely to solempnyse.
vende, southern ME. variant of Fiend sb.
Vendean (vendz'an), sb. and a. Also Ven-
d^an. [f K. Vendue, the nnme of a maritime
department in western France.]
A. sb. An inhabitant of La Vendue, esp. one
who took part in the insurrection of 1 793 against
the Republic.
1796 CiTw//. Mag. May 407 The Vendeans are extraordinary
men. 1837 Alison /^/j/, £"«rfj^^(i847)IlI.326TheVendeans
were in that stage of society when ascendancy is acquired
by personal daring. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 201/1 The
unhappy Vendeans..were defeated with fearful loss. 1903
W. Bright Age 0/ Fathers I. xii. 244 The experience of a
fugitive Jacobite or Vendean.
B. adj. Of or pertaining to La Vendee, esp. in
connexion with the insurrection of 1793.
X796 Gentl. Mag, May 408/ 1 The Vendean generals. Ibid,
412/1 The History of the Vendean War. 1839 tr. Lantnr-
tine's Trav. 149/1 The west.. would have been organised
once more into Vendean guerillas. 1848 W. H. Kellv tr.
L. Blanc's Hist. Ten Y. II. 86 The Vendean insurrection
had been combated by means neither suggested nor directed
by the executive. 1911 Edin. Ret>. Oct, 319 The Breton
and Vendean royalists were still formidable.
Ve'nded, ppL a. [f. Vend v^ Sold.
x8is Crabbe Tales Tils. 116 Suppose .. your vended num-
bers rise Ihe same with those which gain each real prize.
Vendee (vendr). [f. Vend v. + --e.z.'\ The
person to whom a thing is sold ; the purchaser.
Most frequently in immediate contrast to z'endor,
1547 Act r Edw. VI, c. 3 § 8 Such Lessee, donee, \-endee,
or assignee. 1504 West 2nd Pt. Symbol. § 59 If the writ
of covenant be brought against all the vendors by all the
vendees. X631 Star Chamber Cases (Camden) 117 The
Vendee cannott get leave to cutt these trees by any meanes,
but the partie must sell the trees to him. 1670 R. Coke
Discourse Trade 19 Vexatious Suits between Vendor and
VENDER.
91
VENDUE.
Vendee, Morgager and Morgagee. 1766 Bi.ackstonk Ci>mf/i.
II, 447 If the vendor says, the price of a beast is four
pounds, and the vendee says he will give four pounds, the
bargain is struck. 1817 W. Selwvn Law Nisi Prius (ed.4)
11. 769 A few days after the sale, the vendee gave the factor,
in part payment, two promissory notes. 1881 Nicholson
From S-Mord to Share xiii. Unpaid accounts of three months
standing are charged against the vendee at the rate of 12
per cent.
Vender (ve-ndai). [f. Vend z/. + -er1. Cf.
Ykxdor.]
L One who sells ; a seller ; sometimes in restricted
sense, a street-seller.
1546 Bacon Mo-x. 9t Use Com. Law 11. (1635) 62 A deed
of gift of goods is. .good against the executors, administra-
tors, or vender of the party himselfe. xkSi Sc, Acts Par It.
(1820) Vill. 243/2 Venders & dispersers of forbidden books.
X71X Addison Sped, No. 251 P5 Take care in particular,
that those may not make the most Noise who have the
least to sell, which is very observable in the Venders of
Card-matches. 1751 Johnson Rambler "^o. i8i f ii, I
inquired diligently at what office any prize had been sold,
that I might purchase of a more propitious vender. 1800
CoLQUHOt'N Contm. Thames iv. 193 Small Grocers, and
venders of Smuggled Goods. X837 Hallam Hist. Lit. i. iv.
§ 57 The Swiss reformer was engaged in combating the
venders of indulgences. x866 Engel Nat. A/us. viii. 301
The melodious cries of venders in the noisy streets of large
and populous towns.
Af- *834 SouTHEY Doctor vi. (1862) 17 He gathered the
fruit of Knowledge for himself instead of receiving it from
the dirty fingers of a retail vender.
2. One who advances or advocates an opinion, etc.
x8i8 DwicHT Tkeot. (1830) I. 92 Epicurus, the principal
vender of this system.
Hence Ve'nderess, vendress, a female seller.
1800 Hlrdis Fav. Village 98 Vendress of ballads and the
bundled match. i86s Miss M. B.Edwards Jokn ^ /, I. v.
96 A stout girl, venderess of coarse green earthenware from
the town.
II Vendetta (vendena). [It., :— L. vindicla
vengeance. Cf. Vindictive a.]
1. A family blood-feud, usually of a hereditary
cliaracter, as customary among the inhabitants of
Corsica and parts of Italy.
x8ss Edinb. Rev. CI. 456 PaoU. .succeeded in making the
vendetta disgraceful. x8<5o All Year Round No. 63. 29^/2
The deadly 'vendetta '..which has sacrificed whole families,
and once depopulated an entire village for one girl. X870
O. W. Holmes Old Vol. 0/ Life (1891) 391, I came away
thinking I had discovered a new national custom, as peculiar
. .as the Corsican vendetta,
2. A similar blood- feud, or prosecution of private
revenge, in other communities.
i86x Peakson Early ff Mid. Ages viL 66 But there are no
traces [among the early Anglo-Saxons] of that vendetta^
which was the sombre glory of the Welsh. 1891 Spectator
7 Mar., The Papuan .. would eat everybody, but that he
fears arousing endless vendettas.
attrib. 1897 Humanitarian X. 209 The vetidetta spirit ts
hereditary.
Mence V«ude*ttist, one who takes part in, or
carries on, a vendetta.
1904 Times 2 June 10/3 We.. perceive that they are blood-
thirsty vendem&ts.
Vendibi lity. [See next and -itt.] The
quality of being vendible or saleable.
1660 Jeb. Taylor Ductor iv.L rule 2 §31 In Merchandise,
. . in the price of market, and the vendibiUty of commodities.
1875 Lower Eng. Sumaines (ed. 4J II. App. 162 In former
times, a bush or a besom affixed to any article denoted its
vendibility. 189a ymt. Education i Feb. 98/1 A course
calculated to give their degrees all the prestige attaching to
vendibility.
Vendible (ve*ndib*l), a. and sb, [ad. L. vend-
ibilis, f. vend^rt to sell. So Sp, vendible^ It.
vendiOiie. Cf. Venuable aj]
A. adj. 1. Capable of being vended or sold ; that
may be disposed of by sale ; saleable, marketable.
Freq. with more, most, etc., denoting the readiness with
which a thing can be sold.
xjSa WvcLiF 2 Mace. xi. 3 In to wynnynge of money, . .by
eche 3eeris prestehode vendible, or able to be soold. 1530
in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) qi Wyne..
alowed by hym to be good and vendyble. xgSx W, Stafford
Exam. Compl. li. (1876) 37 They come not alwayes for our
commodities, but sometimes to sell theirs heere, knowing it
heereiobc best vendible. 1633 Prvnne \st Pi. Histriom.
Ep. Ded, Play.books. .being now more vendible than the
choycest Sermons. Ibid. 905 They cannot therefore bee
vendible because they are not valuable. 1670 in Gutch Coll.
Cur. I. 27s The University of Oxford, by tneis printing of
Bibles, and other saleable books, wii! be enabled to go
forward with those other less vendible. 1747 Hooson
Miner's Diet. Kivb, This to make it vendible, is first
knocked out with a Hammer, and the dead Stufif picked out
as clean as may be. 1788 V. Knox Winter Even. ix. iii.
111.232 They get rid of some commodity.not very vendible.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 980 In this way all the vendible coal
becomes available. X879 CasselVs Techn. Educ. IV. 90/2 A
thing made which is useful for its own sake, and vendible as
such.
trans/. xs8i Bl'rghlev in D. Digges Compl. Ambass.
<*655) 394 He is altogether French and will seek to draw
this King into France, where his life I fear will be vendible.
1596 Shaks, Merck. V. \. \. 112 Silence is onely commend-
able In a neats tongue dri'd, and a maid not vendible.
b. = Venal a.i i b and i c.
1579 Fenton Cuicciard. x. (1599) 427 Fauors and voyces
being made vendible and corrupted, discords .. haue bin
kindled amongst themselues. X586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr.
Acad. (1594) 1. 377 So long as the places of judgement shall
be vendible, and bestow&d upon him that o^ereth most,
i6a4 Capt. Smith Virginia 111. 76 It is not our cuatome, to
sell our curtesies as a vendible commodity. x66s Manlev
Grotius' LowC, Wars 7S8 In England and Germany Forces
were levied and raised for both parties with a vendible faith.
X79X Burke Wks. (1837) I, 566 It attached, under the royal
government, to an innumerable muliiiude of places, real and
nominal, that were vendible.
fc. Of persons: = Venal (7.1 2. Obs.
X609 Holland Amm. Marcell. 293 Environed he was with
a multitude thronged together of vendible or sale souldiors.
X637-S0 Row Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.) 424 Those were
sellable, vendible men,.. to be sold for money, a x668
Lassels Voy. Italy (1698J Pref. p. xxiii, I would not have
him learn the custom of those vendible souls there, who..
serve any prince for money.
+ 2. Offered for sale ; that may be bought or
purchased. Obs.
xs5a HuLOET, Vendible, or whych maye be bought, mer-
calisy vendibilis. 1605 Willet Hexapia Gen. 281 Lentils..
was the vsuall food, .commonly vendible in their tabernes.
X634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 150 Houses, like our Tauernes.
Where is vendible Wine. 1665 G. Havers P. della Voile's
Trav. E. India 144 He, not finding any [book] vendible
therein, caus'd a small one to be purposely transcrib'd for
me. 1756 Earl Chesterf. hi Connoisseur No. 107, 1 am so
great an admirer of the fair sex, that 1 never let a tittle of
their vendible writings escape me.
f 3. fig. Current, accepted, acceptable, Obs.
164a Howell For. Trav. (Arb.) 20 Certaine vulgar
Phrases, Proverbs, and Complements, which are peculiar
to the English, and not vendible or used in French. X645
Milton Tetrach. Wks. 1851 IV. 234 Let the foppish canonist
with his fardel of matrimonial cases goe and be vendible
where men bee so unhappy as to cheap'n him. X678 Cud-
worth Intell. Syst. i. iv. § i6. 281 Some may still suspect all
this to have been nothing else but a refinement and interpola-
tion of Paganism, . . or a kind of Mangonization of it, to
render it more vendible and plausible.
B. sb, Athingadmittingof being sold or offered
for sale.
i68x WoodZ/^CO.H.S.) II. 520 The prizes ofall vendibles
for the belly of man and horse were stuck up in public
places. X69X — Ath. Oxon. (1721) II. 384 It appears that
the said Revolutions were occasion'd by the excessive
Gabells laid upon common Vendibles. 1697 J. Potter
Antit]. Greece \. xv. (1715) 83 In the Market, where they had
the care ofall Vendibles. x8sx Galt Ann, Parishxxix, The
farmers .. taking their vendibles to the neighbouring towns
on the Tuesdays. X90S Holman Hvsr Pre-RapAaelism 1.
368 The gorgeous group of vendibles in the market.
Hence Ve'iidibleness ; Ve'ndibly adv.
X563 HvLL Art Garden. (1593) 20 The greater they do
then abide, the vendibtier, or readier they will be to be
solde. x6ix CoTGR., Venalite, venalitie, vendiblenesse; a
being salable. Ibid., Venaiement^ vendibly, salably. X717
Baii.kv (vol. II), Vendibleftess, Saleableness.
t Ve'Xldicate, v. Obs. [ad. I* vendicdt-, ppl.
stem of vendicdre, variant of vindicdre Vindicate v.
Cf, obs, F. vendiqtter^
1. trans. To claim for oneself,
X53X Elvot Gov. \m. iii. His body so pertayneth unto him,
that none other without his consent may vendicate therein
any propreite. i543~4 Act 35 lien. VIII^ c. i, They.,haue
vsurped. and vendicated a fayned and an vnlawfull power
and iurisdiction within this realme. 1560 I'wblk (Geneva)
To Rdr. iiij, Not that we vendicat any thing to our selues
aboue the least of our brethren. x6xx Cotgk., Vendiauer,
to vendicate; to clalme, or challenge, [Hence in Blount
(1656).!
2. With inf.: To assert a claim, to claim ability,
to do something.
X557 N. T. (Geneva) x Cor. ii. a, I dyd not vendicat to my
selfe to knowe any thyng among you, saue lesus Chrii>te.
x6i6 J. Lane Contn. Sqr.'s T. xii. 230 Wee have twoe
Ladies, which, with your trimpaire, dare vendicate to singe.
Vendicatife, -yue, obs. varr. Vindicative a,
+ Vendication. Obs.-^ [f. Vendicate z'., after
the entry in Blount Glossogr^ (See quot.)
1658 Phillips, VeHdication^ a challenging to onesself, a
claiming.
Vendicion, obs, form of Vendition.
Vending, vbL sb. [f. Vend z*,] The action
of selling or retailing.
x666 Act 17 Chas. II,c. si^ Any publick Vending of the
said Books. 1745 De Foe's Eng. Tradesman (1841) I. xxvi.
354 For the raising and vending of provisions. 1761 Hcmk
Hist. Eng. I. xiii. 338 The famous mercantile society, called
the Merchant Adventurers, . . was instituted . .for the vending
of the cloth abroad. x8u Lamb EUa \. Praise Chimney'
SiveeperSy IHeJ kept open a shop, .for the vending of this
* wholesome and pleasant beverage'. X875 Helps Soc.
Press, iii. 38 Now it will astonish most of my hearers that
1 have included the vending of oysters amongst noxious
trades.
Vendis(e, variants of Vendace.
Vendieh, variant of Wendish a.
t Venditate, v, Obs. [f. L. venditdt-, ppl.
stem of vefiditdre, frequentative of vendire to sell.]
refl. and trans. To set out as if for sale ; to put
forward or display in a favourable light or in a
specious manner ; to exhibit ostentatiously. (Com-
mon c 1600-50.)
refl. x6oo Holland Livy 111. xxxv. no Using them as
instruments to venditate himselfe forth to the common
people. x6ai Burton Anat. Mel, x. il. 1. ii. Although hce..
venditate himselfe for a God, by curing of seuerall diseases.
X639 H. Burton Truth's Tri. 361 Their doctrine., wanting
fit opportunity to venditate it self publJckly vpon the stage.
a 165a J. Smith Sel, Disc. \. 10 Those philosophers, .which
made their knowledge only matter of ostentation, to vendi-
tate and set off themselves.
trans. i6ox Holland FUny l\. 345 Euer as any of these
new commers can venditat and vaunt his owne cunning with
braue words, straitwaies we put our selues into his hands.
x6a4 F. White Repl. Fisher 457 The miracles which
Komists venditate . . are eyther Fryars fables, or reports
misapplyed. 1678 Makvkll Def. J. Hoive Wks. (Grosart)
IV. 239 Let it, in the meantime, venditate all its street
adages, its odd ends of Latin.
Venditation. [ad. L. venditdtio, noun of
action from venditdre : see prec]
fl. The action of putting forward or displaying
in a favourable or ostentatious manner. Obs.
X609 Sir E.Hobv Lett. Mr. T. H. 74 Caluins censure
of Purgatorie is held by you as a specious venditation. x6^
Bp. Hall Occas. Medit. (ed. 3} xxx. 76 The venditation of
our owns worth, or parts, or merits, argues a miserable
indigence in them all. a X637 B. Jonson Discoveries Wks.
(Rtldg.) 747/2 Some [wits], by a. .false venditation of their
own naturals, think to divert the sagacity of their readers
from themselves.
2. The action of offering for sale, rarer-^.
X854 Eraser's Mag. L. 163 The orangewomen stride over
the benches with clamorous 'venditation*.
Vendition (vendi-Jan). Also 6 vendicion,
Sc. -itioune, wend-, 7 Sc. venditioun. [ad. L.
vendilioj noun of action from vendire to sell. So
OF. vendicion, obs. F. vendit ion y^^. vendicion, It.
vendizzone.'] The action of selling ; disposal or
transfer by sale.
154a Udall Erasm. Apoph, 109b, It might more truely
bee called a spuyng, then a vendicion or sale. 1559 Abst.
Protocols To7vn Clerks Glasgow (1896) II. 73 Ihe uendl*
tioune and alienatioune maid tliairof to the said Androw.
i6oa FuLBECKE 2nd Pt. Parallel 29 It is of a vendition by
the tenant in taile. x6sj) Abkowsmith Chain Princ. 490
His directing and ordering great sins to great good, as
Josephs vendition to the Churches preservation. X754
Fielding Voy. Lisbon Wks. 1882 VII. 60 Several taverns
are set apart solely for the vendition of this liquor. 1828
Sewell in Ox/. Prize Ess. 26 The still more prevailing
practice of vendition to slavery and prostitution. X863
Temple Bar IX. 65 The March^ St. Honore is the most
usual place for their vendition.
tVe'nditive, a. Obs.'-^ Ii. L. vendit-, ppl.
stem of vendire to sell.] (See quot.)
1633 T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter ii. 10 There is a service o!
Inferioritie ; which is either: i. Voluntary, ..Or.. 5. Native,
such as are borne servants, .. Or 6. Venditive, that have
sold themselves.
tVe"nditor. Obs. rare. Also 8 Sc. vanditor.
[a, L. venditor^ agent-noun from vendire to sell, or
ad. It. vendilore.'l A seller, vendor.
■ 1698 Money masters all things 89 The Venditors o( Oat-
meal round and small. Do diligently wait on Money's Call,
1733 L*"^ 'Rkm.liw. H ouseh. Bk . (S.H.S.)340 To the venditor
in full for Moneths 5, £\ o o.
t Vendonging*. Obs.~'^ [f. OF. vendenger,
•anger (F. vendanger)^ i, vendenge, -ange : see
Vendage.] The vintage.
X340 Aye/ib. 36 pe ojre beggej»..ine herueste J)et corn, ine
uendoiiginge J>et wyn.
Vendor (ve'nd^j). [a. late AF. vendor, earlier.
vendoiir (F. vendeur)^ agent-noun from vendre
Vend v. Cf. Vender.] One who disposes of a
thing by sale ; a seller.
Orig. Law, and still the regular spelling in legal use.
'594 West ind Pt. Symbol. § 59 If the writ of covenant be
brought against all the vendors by all the vendees. 1660 R.
Coke Po^ver ff SubJ. 131 It is true indeed. .that then such
vendor does equally to all sellers, and in exchanging observes
arithmetical proportion. 1670 [see Vendee], a x69a Pol-
LEXFEN Disc. Trade (1697) A 6 From the first Buyer to the
last Vendor. X766 Blackstonk Comm, II. 447 Where the
vendor hath in himself. . the property of the thing sold. x8x8
Ckuise Digest (ed. 3) VI. 30 The vendor would immediately
have become a trustee for the purchaser. 1862 Burton Bk.
Hunter (1863) 4 The vendors of quack medicines and cos-
metics are aware of the power of Greek nomenclature. X89X
M. Williams Later Leaves v, 63 A well-known.. vendor of
ladies' hats and bonnets.
trans/. X887 Pall Mall G. 30 March 2/2 The automatic
vendor has become an institution in our midst.
attrib. 1896 Westm. Gas. 9 May 6/2 The vendor company
is now selling the business to a public company.
fVendosy. Obs,"^ [a.i\.F.vendoise; see Ven-
dace.] The dace.
1518 Pavnell Saleme's Regim. O iij, The perche and pike
are the best, so they be fatte: and nexte are the vendosies,
and than lopslers.
Vendress, var. Venderess.
Vendroase : see Reredos 2 (quot. 1552).
Vendne (vendiw). l/.S. and ^. Indies. Also
7 vendu, 9 vendoo, vandew. [a. Du. venduy
\vendt4ey a. older ¥. (now dial.) vendue sale, f.
vendre to sell.]
L A public sale ; an auction. Freq. in phr, at
(a) vendue, by vendue: see first group of quots.
(a) x686 A//n. Albany (1850) II 53 Which said lotts of
grounde ye common councill will dispose of at a publike
vendu or out cry. X748 Smollett A'. Random xxxvi. I.
324, I went ashore (at Port Royal], and having purchased
a laced waistcoat. .at a vendue [1760 a sale], made a
swaggering figure. X757 Woolman Jrnl. iv. (1840) 45 When
estates are sold by executors at vendue. 1776 Pennsylv.
Even. Post 25 May 263/2 To be sold by public vendue,.. a
large quantity of Ship Timber. X804 Enrop. Ma^. XLV.
20/2, I was.. knocked down at vendue to old 'Squire Keg.
worth. 1898 Parmentbk Hist. Pelham, Mass. 167 Bidding
off the poor to support at the inverted vendue, or lowest
bidder.
Kb) 1759 /. AuAMS Diary Wks. 1850 II. 73, 1 am to attend
a vendue this afternoon at Lambert's. X781 Mas. Abigail
Adams in Fam. Lett. (1876) 402 The retailing vendues,
which are tolerated here, ruin the shop-keepers. x8o6
12-3
VENE.
PiNCKARD Tour IV. ThHus II. 325 A Dutch ' vendue ' of
slaves, 1836 Haliburton Clockm. Ser. i. ^xvu, Is it a van-
dew, or a weddin,..or what is il? 1897 W. D. Howells
LwuUard at Lions Head 6 [To] have a vendue, and sell
out evwything before the snow flew.
2. aitrib. and Comk, as vendu^-crier, master ^
room, store,
17x0 S.Carolitta Stat, (1837) II. 348 The person herein
after appointed publtck vendue master, or his deputy. 1761
Descr.S. Carolina 33 There is also.. a Receiver-general of
the Quit-rents, a Vendue Master, and Naval OtTicer. 1798
Bays Ref. (1809) I. 103 The goods were in a vendue store,
a common market, a public place known and established in
law. 1799 The Aurora (Philad.) 10 Apr. (Thornton), By
profession he is a vendue crier. He said he would cry the
\-«ndue in spite of the Standing Army. i8a8 Life Planter
Jat$taica 180 Marly entered the vendue room. x8s8-3a
Webster, yendue-master^..»J\ auctioneer.
t Vene- Obs. rare. [ad. L. vena:\ A vein.
x6o6 J. Carpenter Solomons Solace xxxiv. 139 The Sea,,
powreth foorth in venes to fill the springs and receiueth it
againe from the Riuers. i6<4 Vilvain Epit. Ess, v. Ixxv,
in ech Mans Body so many Venes appeer. 1716 M. Davies
Athen, Brit. III. Diss. Physick 5 Likewise Virsungus might
treat more fully of the Pancrlejatick Juice, as Aselliusof the
Lacteal Venes.
Vene, obs. Sc. form of Ween sb, and v,
t Venecreke, variant oi fenegreke Fenugreek.
1486 Bk. St. Alhojis ciiijb, Take venecreke and then
anoynt itt with this Oyntement afforsayde.
VenedO'tian, a. [f. med.L. Venedotia North
Wales.] Of or pertaining to North Wales.
\%\iAnc. La"Ms ^ Inst. Wales Vv^t. p.vii,TheVenedotian
Code, said to be the compilation of Jorwerth, son of Madog,
Ibid. p. X, The Venedotian or North Wales Code. 1887
Edin. Rev. Jan. 77 The last important head of law in the
Venedotian code.
Venee, variant of Veny 2 Obs,
Veueer (v/hisu), sb. Also 8 fanneer, vaneer,
venear, 9 vineer. [ad. G./umi{e)r,foumi{e)r^
•\fomier in the same sense : see next and Veneee-
INO vbi. sb. The loss of r in the unstressed first
syllable also appears in \i2.,finer^ Swf,/an4ry Russ.
4>aHupi>.]
1. One of the thin slices or slips of fine or fancy
wood, or other suitable material, used in veneering.
X7M Land. Gaz, No. 3806/8 A Large Parcel of French
Walnutt-Tree Venears will be exposed to Sale.. on Thurs-
day. x8o6 Ann. Reg. (1808) 960/2 A new mode of cutting
veneers, or thin boards. 1813 Macclesfield Courier in
O. W. Roberts Voy. Centr. Anter. (1827) 302 The largest
and finest log of mahogany ever imported into this country
..sawn into vineers, 1875 Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk,
% X. 372 Put in as many veneers as the liquor will cover.
2. Material prepared for use in veneering, or
applied to a surface by this or some similar process.
1750 W. Ellis Mod. Husb. VII. ii. 43 This [ash] wood and
walnut*tree.. makes the best of fanneer. 1778 W. Pain C^r-
peniers Repository PI. 56 A circular Plan . . representing
the Vaneer and Backing for the Stiles. i8as J. Nicholson
O/erat. Mechanic 586 By gluing several thicknesses of
veneer upon each other. 1845 G. Dodd Brit. Manuf. Ser. iv.
212 The cabinet-maker buys the veneer in this rough state.
Ibid^ He cuts a piece of veneer. x886 W. J. Tucker E.
Europe 319 One of the legs [of the chair was] broken and
the grand veneer knocked off the back.
b. In veneer J in thin jilates or slips.
1855 Singleton Virgil I. 333 Presents, ponderous with
gold And ivory in veneer, commands he to be borne Unto
the ships.
3. jig, A merely outward show or appearance of
some good quality. (Cf. Varnish j^.* 4.)
x868 HoLUE Lee B. Godfrey xxxii^ A veneer of useful
knowledge. 1874 Farrar Christ I, iv. 44 A savage bar-
barian with a thin veneer of corrupt and superficial civilisa-
tion. x88a W. Ballantine Exper. xv. 148 [The] heartfelt
courtesy.. was replaced by a superficial veneer of forced
politeness.
b. Without article.
1871 Daily News 7 Dec, A gentleman with some polish — I
was almost tempted to say with some veneer. 1883 Harper's
Mag. July 165/2 These days of veneer and affectation in
buildings and nomenclature.
4. One or other of many species of moths of the
genus Crambus or family Crambidse ; a grass-moth.
1819SAMOUELLE Entomol.Compend. -^^dCravtbus saugni.
nea. The buff-edged rosy Veneer. Ibid. 408 C. arboruni.
The yellow satin Veneer. 183a Rennie Consp. Motlts 215-9.
6. attrib. and Comb., as veneer-ctitter^ -makings
fnerchantf -mill, 'room, saw, wood.
Also veneer.press, and veneer-bending^, •cutting, -planiufCf
•polishing, -straighteningmachineiiZjs Knight Diet. Mech.
2699-2702).
1&45 G. Dodd Brit, Manuf. IV. 148 The 'veneer-rooms'
ac such [pianoforte] factories are places of importance.
185s Jerdan Autobiog, II. xiv. 181 He .. purchased all the
veneer wood which he could obtain. 1854 Tomlinson's
Cycl. Usef Arts {1Z67) II. 798/1 In all veneer saws the edge
must run very true. Ibid., In saw-mills where veneers are
cut, the arrangement of the segment saw is called a veneer-
mtll. 1858 SiMMONDS Diet, TradCf Veneer-cutter, one who
saws furniture wood into thin lengths, by steam-power
machinery. i888£ncycl. Brit.KXlV, 138/2 These methods
of veneer-making. 189^ Daily News 8 June 8/4 Witnesses
..who deposed to knowing prisoner in the characters of a
veneer merchant, a tankard maker, and an inventor.
Veileer (v/hiau), v. Also 8 v.neer, veneir,
(Later form (cf. next) of Fineeb v., ad. G. fur-
ni(e)ren, fourn{{e)ren, ad. Y,foumir Furnish v,
Cf. jysi.^fimre, Sw, /an/ra.']
1. trans. To apply or fix as veneering.
17*8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Marguitryj All the Pieces thus
92
formed with the Saw, ..they vaneer or fasten each in its
Place on the common Ground. 1873 Knight Diet, Mech.
2700/2 To veneer marble on zinc.
2. To cover or face with veneer.
Also occas. transf, to cover with a layer or facing of some
different or superior material.
x74a Baskerville's Pat. in Sixth Rep. Dep. Kpr. App. 11.
156 To veneir the Frames of Printings and Pictures, . .the
fronts of Cabinets, Buroes, &c., now usually veneired with
Ebony, Whalebone, &c. 1766 Entick London IV, 171
The pulpit is veneered, and carved with, .figures. 1845
G. Dodd Brit. Manuf. IV. 206 We suppose our table.,
made either of solid mahogany or veneered upon deal.
185^ Tomlinson's Cycl. Usef. Arts (1867) II. 797/2 Pape, of
Pans, some years ago, veneered a piano-forte entirely with
ivory. 1874 Contemp. Rev. Oct. 758 Mr. Burges' proposal
to veneer the lower part., with marble is objectionable.
transf. 1857 Dufferin Lett. High Lat. (ed. 3) 316 The
salt-water bay. .was veneered over with a pellicle of ice one-
eighth of an inch in thickness.
b, ^g. To invest with a merely external or
specious appearance of some commendable or
attractive quality, Usu. const, with.
1847 Tennyson Princ. Prol. 117 And one the Master, as a
rogue in grain Veneer'd with sanctimonious theory. x868
Holme Lee B. Godfrey Ixvi, Another lady of neglected
education, whom.. Elizabeth was veneering with thin plates
of knowledge. 187a Jeaffbeson Brides <V Bridals I. viii.
126 Paganism thinly veneered with Christianity.
absol. 1858 O. W. Holmes Aut. Breakf.-t. (1883) 123 He ?
Veneers in first-rate style. The mahogany scales off now
and then,
c. To serve as a veneer to (something).
1875 M. Collins Sweet ^ 'Twenty H. 11. i, 175 He returned
with a vast amount of polish, which, however, veneered a
good deal of conceit.
Hence Veneo'red///. a.
1766 Entick London IV, 18 A carved pulpit, a veneered
sounding-board. 1846 G. Dodd Brit. Manuf. IV. 214
They are placed so that the veneered surface shall be
grasped between the two clamps. 1875 Carpentry ^ Join,
140 The veneered furniture has ousted the more solid, trust-
worthy articles.
fig^. 1884 Harper* s Mag. Oct. 798/1 The thinly veneered
Berserkir in the English race.
transf. 1889 Textile News 5 Apr. 26/2 The Hat Trade. . .
Large quantities of coloured veneered goods are in demand
from abroad.
Venee'ring, vbl. sb, [Later form oi faneer-
ingj fineering (cf. Fineer z;.), ad. 0.furni{e)rung^
foumi{e)riing \ see prec and cf. Tiz.. finer ing, Sw,
fanering.
The form^««WMjf occurs in 1670 in Evelyn Sylva xxiv.
121, and in 1685 in Cotton Montaigne's Ess. (1711J III. 247.
^/««W«^ is common in the 1 8th cent.]
1." The process of applying thin flat plates or slips
of fine wood (or other suitable material, as ivory)
to cabinet-work or similar articles in order to pro-
duce a more elegant or polished surface than that
of the underlying material ,* also, the result obtained
by this process.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Veneering; a sort of in-laid
Work among Joyners, Cabinet-makers &c. 17*8 Chambers
Cycl, s.v. Marquetry, The whole is..polish'd with the Skin
of the Sea-dog, Wax, and Shave-Grass, as in simple Vaneer-
iiig. 176a Derrick Lett. (1767) II. 66 Their polish is high ;
the inlaying and veneering very beautiful. 1829 Loudon
Encycl, Plants (1836) 611 The old wood furnishes the
cabinet-maker with a beautiful material for veneering. 1854
Totnlinson's Cycl. Usef. Arts (1867) II. 798/2 The opera-
tions of veneering consist in glueing the veneer to the pre-
pared surface, and cleaning and polishing it when so fixed,
1873 Spon Workshop Rec. Ser. i. 411/1 In veneering with
thenanimer, cut the veneer a little larger than the surface to
be covered.
i7-ansf 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 2700 A process termed
veneering has been adopted with some kinds of pottery
where a strong but coarse and unsightly ware is dipped.,
into a paste of superior color and quality.
b. fig. (Cf. Veneer v. 2 b.)
z8o8 Scott Let. in Lockhart (1837) ^I* vi. 208 By this sort
of veneering, he converts, .articles which, in their original
state, might hang in the market [etc.], 1846 Ford Gather-
ingsfr, .S'/a/«(i9o6) a^SThereislittleoriginality in Spanish
medicine. It is chiefly a veneering of other men's ideas.
1867 O. W. HoLMES(;7«<rr(^/dy*y4«^tf/ iv, Hehadbeenagood
scholar In college, not so much by hard study as by skilful
veneering. 1884 G. Moobe Mummer s Wife (1887) 126 'I'he
. .veneering of the mind with new impressions.
2. Wood or other material in the form of veneer ;
a facing of this.
1789 Burns Sketch, Veneering oft outshines the solid wood.
1849 RusKiN Sev. Lamps li. § 18. 46 A veneering of
marble has been fastened on the rough brick wall. x86a
Catal, Intemat. Exhib,^ Brit. II. No. 3411, The veneering
bein^ laid in cement instead of glue, will bear an immense
amount of heat, .before it will strip from the underwood.
transf. 1866 Carlvle Remin. (1881) II. 275 Book press of
rough deal, but covered with newspaper veneering where
necessary.
b. fig. (Cf. Veneer v. 2 b.)
1865 -ff^a^tfr 4 Mar. 253/3 Though the great mass.. have
but a veneering of education and accomplishment. 1874
L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I, x. 372 A very thin
veneering of mediaevalism. .covered his modern creed. 1891
C. jRoBEkTS Adrift Amer, 235 The thin veneering of civili-
sation gets worn off.
3. attrib.^ as veneering-ka?nfner, -plane, -press.
A faneering-saw is mentioned in 1688 by R. Holme
Armoury 365/1.
1846 G. Dodd Brit. Manuf IV. 212 This veneering-plane
is of small size, and the iron, .is jagged with a number of
notches. Ibid. 213 A piece of wood about three inches
^uare and an inch thick has a straight strip of iron-plate
fixed to one edge, and is called a veneering-hammer. 1888
VEWENATE.
Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 138/2 The surfaces .. are .. tightly
pressed together in a veneering press.
tVene*fic, a, and sb. Obs, In 7-8 veneflck.
[ad. L. vcncfic-us, f. venenum poison : see -fic. So
older K, venefique^ It., Sp., Pg. venefico."]
A. adj. Practising, or dealing in, poisoning;
acting by poison ; having poisonous effects.
1646 Gaule Cases Consc. 27 So may it bee the Serpentine,
the Venefick or Poysonous Witch. i6s» tr. P'ather Paul
Sarpi's Life (1676) 92 But it appears that science hath a
venefick vertue of swelling many men. 170J C. Mather
Magn. Chr. II. App. (1852) 212 They gave it under their
hands that if we believe no venefick witchcraft, we must
renounce the Scripture.
B. sb. One who practises poisoning as a secret
art ; a sorcerer or sorceress ; a wizard or witch.
So L, veneficus masc. and venefica fem.
165a Gaule Magastrom. 173 Is it a matter of much
artifice for vencficks, or witches, to forespeak their own
purposed and laboured malefice?
t vene'fical, a. Obs. [See prec. and -al.] a.
! = Venefic «. Also^^. b. Practising,associated
j with, malignant sorcery or witchcraft.
1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. vi. iv. (1886)95 w/arjf., Of a
butcher a right veneficall witch. 1609 B. Jonson Masque 0/
Queens Wks. (Rtldg.) 566 These witches . . came forth . , with
spindles, timbrels, rattles, or other venefical instruments.
165* Gaule Magastrom. 39 This they urge as a proof of
the possibility of veneficall and metamorphosing or trans-
forming magick. 1715 M. Davjes Athen. Brit. i. Pref. 57
The loose sheets of Northern Sorceries, translated from the
original Code of the venefical Text. 1716 Ibid, il To Rdr. 9
The same Contagious and Venefical Distemper of Brains
and Body.
Hence *}" Vene'flcally adv. Obs,
1651 Gaule Magastrom. 280 A magician, .wrought it
venefically, so that thepoore man fell suddenly into a strange
disease.
tVe'nefice. Obs. [ad. L. venejkium, f. vene-
^(Twj Venefic a. So OF. venefice, F. vinefice^ It.,
Sp., Pg. veneficio^ The practice of employing
poison or magical potions ; the exercise of sorcery
by such means.
CX380 WvcLiF .SW. Wks. II. 349 pe sixte werk of leccherie
is venefice, Jjat is J>anne done whan men usen experimentis
to geten Y\& werk of leccherie. 1588 J. Harvey Disc. Probl.
72 By knots, .. incantations, or other impoisonings, and
venehces, to harme, endamage, or hurt any other. i6a6 Sir
J. Elliott Def in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1659) I* 3^2 Nor did
he apply the Veneries and Venefices of Sejanus to the Duke.
165* Gaule Magastrom. To Rdr., I . .fear them not at all ;
not their. .incantations, venefices, malefices, &c.
tVenefi'cial, fl- Obs. [f. prec] = Venefical ff.
111646 J. Gregory Posthuma (1650) 200 Simaetha the
Witch.. doth manifestly declare it, where speaking of her
veneticial Philtra [etc.]. 16^ Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep.
II. vi. 99 As for the Magicall vertues in this plant, and con-
ceived efficacie unto veneficiall intentions, it seemeth unto
me a Pagan relique derived from the ancient Druides. 1658
— Card. Cyrus 199 Why the Goddesses sit commonly
crosse-legged in ancient draughts, Since Juno is described
in the same as a veneficiai posture to hinder the birth of
Hercules?
Venefi'Cious, a. Now rare. [f. as prec]
= Venefical a.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. E^. 266 That it was an old
veneficious practice, and Juno is made in this posture to
hinder the delivery of Alcm^na. 1650 Charleton tr. Van
Helmont's Paradoxes 53 In this place we have nothing
to doe with Veneficious Witches, properly called Sorcerers.
170J Sherburne Seneca's Trag. 207 note. The Bonds and
fetters of veneficious Incantations. 1904 Le Queux Closed
Book xxxvi, The actual poison-ring of that veneficious
bacchante, Lucrezia Borgia.
Hence Venefi'ciously adv. Now rare or Obs.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep, 265 Lest witches should
draw or pricke their names therein, and veneficiously mis-
chiefe tlieir persons.
Vexie'fiC0US|i3. rare. {i.h.venefi€-us^- -om^,"]
= Venefical a.
1657 ToMLiNSON Renou's Disp. 593 Mercury, wherewith a
veneficous Circulator at Lutetia promised the cure of all
diseases. 1831 in Madden Wilt. Werwolf (Roxh. CI.) 10 A
cup of beer, prepared by one who is skilled in such vene-
ficous arts.
f "Venefy. Obs.—^ = Venefick.
1616 J. Lane Contn. SqrJ's T. viii. i^onote, Leyfurcke..
vsd all violence and art, which lay in vite Videreaes venefies,
to crosse and disappoint the destanies.
Venegre, obs. var. Vinegar. Veneison, obs.
f. Venison. Venel, obs. f. Vennel. Venem(e,
obs. ff. Venom sb. and v. Veneiiious(e, obs. ff.
Venomous a, Venemyn, obs. f. Venom v,
t Vcnenate, a. Obs. [ad. I., venendt-us, pa.
pple. of venendre : see next.] Poisoned ; infected
orimbued with poison or poisonous properties.
1633 T. Johnson Gerardes Herbal App. 1605 They
affirme that this fruit hath a wonderfull efficacie against
venenate qualities and putrefaction. 1634 — Parey'^s
Chirurg. ix. xi. 331 The wound must be dilated.. that so
the venenate matter may flow forth more freely. 1672 Phil.
Trans. VII, 4039 The fermentation of the venenat humors
being quelled, and the poies closed, a 1728 Woodward
P'ossils (1729) II. 1. 22 They give this in Fevers after Calcina-
tion, by which means the venenate Parts are carried off.
+ Ve'lieuatCy v. Obs. [f. L. venenat-, ppl. stem
of venendre, f. venen-um poison.] trans. To
poison ; to render poisonous.
1613 CocKERAM II, To Poyson, Venenate. 1665 G. Harvey
Adi'. agst. Plague 5 The air.. must be first venenated or
rendred poysonous. Ibid. 7 The said Miasms entring the
VENENATED.
Body are not so Energick as to venenate the intire mass of
blood in an instant.
So t Veneuated ///. a. Obs.
1597 MiDDLETON Wisd. Solomon xvi. n When poyson'd
iawes and venenated stings. Were both as opposite against
content.
t Venena'tion, Obs. [Seeprec. and -ation.]
The action of, or a means of, poisoning,
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 111. vii. iig That this
venenation shooteth from the eye, and that this way a
Basilisk may empoysoii,. .it is not a thing impossible. Ibid.
VII. xix. 385 For, sureiy there are subtiler venenations, such
as will invisibly destroy.
Vene'Iiev «• Nowrar^ or Obs. [Irreg. ad. L.
venen-um poison.] Poisonous, yenomous.
1665 G. Harvey Adv. ctgst. Plctgue 2 A great ebullition
or fermentation ensuing between the Venene Corpuscles
and the Vital Spirits. Ibid. 7 The more sulphurous parts, .
assume a venene nature, which expiring infect and venenate
the air. 1694 Salmon Bates Dispens, (1713) 503/1 Which
drives away by sweat the malignity of Venene, Pestilential,
and Venereal Diseases. 1839 J. Rogers Antipapopr. vi.
§ 2. 225 It would leave behind no poisonous or venene
particle of matter.
VeneniferouB, a. rarg-^. [f. L. venhiifer
(Ovid): see -FERGUS.] (See quot.) Also Veneni*-
fluous a., flowing with or discharging venom.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Veneni/erous, that bears poyson,
venemous. 1891 Cent, Did. s.v., The venenifluous fang of
a rattlesnake.
Veiie*nO-, employed as combining form of L.
venennm poison, as veneno-sa'livary adj.
1899 Alibutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 944 They finally find
their way into the large grape-like cells and ducts of the
three-lobed vene no-salivary gland,
Veneuose, a. Now rare, [ad. late L. venen-
os-us, f. venen-um poison : see -OSE. So It., Sp.,
Pg. venenoso^ Poisonous, venomous.
1673 Rav Journ. Low C. 275 The venenose vapour..
ascends not a foot from the ground. 1691 — Creation 11.
(1692) 77 All ..Warts, Tumors and Excrescencies, where
any Insects are found, are excited or raised up. .by some
Venenose Liquor. 1698 — in Phil. Trans. XX. 8$ The
venenose Quality of this Plant. 1837 Millingen Cur.Med.
Exp. (1839) 376 Many absurd ideas regarding venenose
substances prevailed in ancient days as well as in modern
limes. 1845 T. Cooper Purgatory 0/ Suicides 11. xxix, The
younger Hellene ceased; and,. The elder.. now, ebriate
with rage, Dashes to earth the foul venenose draught.
tVenenO'Sity, Obs. [ad. med.L. z'«j/«w/Vaj:
see prec and -osiTr. So It. vtnenosita^ Sp. venen-
osidadf older F. venemsiti (Par^).] Poisonous
quality or property.
1539 Elvot Cast. //eltAe (154%) 56 b. Men have nede to
beware, what medycines they receyve, that in them be no
venenositie, malyce, or corru;>tion. 1574 Newton Health
Mag. 24 Notwithstanding this their venenositie attributed
to them by Avicen,..! woulde not wiUinglie refuse them
for sustentation. 1638 .\. Read Chirurg. xv. 109 Poysonabte
spirits.. may be mingled with metals, so that they may
participate of their venenositie. 1665 G. Harvey Adv.
agst. Plague 14 We should continually fortifie our spirits
with internal Antidotes, to expell those Venenosities, as fast
as they croud in. ait^x BoVLE lyks. (1772) IV. 318 The
venenosity they suspect in that corrosive menstruum.
Veue'nous, a. Now rare. Also 5 Sc, wenen-
0W8, 7 venenouse. [ad. late L. venenos-us^ or f. L.
venen-um + -ovs. Ci.F.ven^tieus.'] « Venenose a.
c 14*5 WvNTOUN Cron. vi. iv. 319 A serpent al vgly,. . Fel
apperande and wenenows. Ibid. vii. vii. 1353 His mynysier,
bat made hym t>an serwi.'t, Prewaly put in his chalice
Wenenows poysson. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Ve'ienoiis,
full of poyson or venom. x66x Lovell Hist. Anim. <5- Min.
32S If it exceed it's turned into the plague, which is a
venenousedisea.se of the heart i68a Land. Gas. No. 1714/5
That Traiterous, Venenous^ Insinuating and Trapaning
Association, lately found in the Closet of the tarl of
Shaftsbury.
Venerabi'lity. [s^d.mcd.L.verterdbi/i/ds: see
next and -ixy. So It. venerabt/iid, Pg, -iiidade.l
1. The quality of being venerable.
1664 H. More Antid. Idolatry viii. 93 The Images have
according to the excellency and venerability of their Proto-
types, some Latria [etc). 1805 R. P. Knight Princ. Taste
(cd. 2) II. ii. 161 This air of venerability (whicli belongs to
the sublime, and not to the beautiful). z8x6 Blackiu. Mag.
XIX. 383 [They] have lost the loveliness of youth, without
having gained the venerability of age. a 1849 Poe Wks.
(1664)111.^05 Far be it from us. .to dwell irreverently on
matters which have venerability. 1904 Athetutum 24 Dec.
886/1 Its conventionsare..asmuchapart of its venerability
as the trappings of the Lord Mayor's Show.
2. Employed as a form of address to an ecclesi-
astic, rarer-^.
184a BoRHOW Bible in Spain v, I lived in the family of
the Countess **, at Cintra, when your venerability was her
spiritual guide.
Venerable (ve-nerab'l), a. and sb. Also 5-6
St:, venerabill (5 -ille). [a. OF. venerable (mod.F.
vMrabie^^^^, venerable, Pg. ven€ravel. It. vetur-
abi/e) or ad. L.venerdbi/iSy f. venerdri to venerate.]
A. adj. 1. Of persons : Worthy of being vener-
ated, revered, or highly respected and esteemed,
on account of character or position : a. As an
epithet of ecclesiastics (or ecclesiastical bodies),
now spec, of archdeacons or, in the Roman Catholic
Church, of those who have attained the first degree
of canonization. (Freq. abbreviated as Ven,)
M^a-So tr. Higden (Rolls) V. 187 Venerable faders of
religion were in Kgipte in ibis lyme. 1437 Dun/ermline
93
Reg. (Bann. Ct.) 285 A venerabill fadir in crIst Androw..
Abbot of Dunfermlyn. 1455 Keg. Aberdon. (Maitland CI.)
I, 275 Be it kende . . me Valter of Deskfurde . . to be oblysit
..til ane venerabille man master Johnne of Clat. 1500
Reg, Privy Seal Scotl. 1. 69/1 Ane Letter, .to ane venerable
fader Henry, abbot of Cambuskynneth. « 1700 in Cath.
Rec. Soc. Publ, (1911) IX. 336 Much Relishingvenble Father
Bakers., Bookes, wc** she write out and faithfully practised.
1730 Boston Mem. xii. 418 Having the Dissent by me in
writ, from which I read it before this Venerable Assembly
[the synodj. 1756-7 tr. Keyslers Trav. (1760) III. 103 Here
..lie together the sacred bodies of the venerable fathers
Sosius and Severinus. 1834 K. H. Digby Mores Cath. v.
iv. no In the same age, Peter the Venerable, of Cluny, was
defending the use of them [organs] against the Petrobrusians.
x87a The Month Aug. 25 The Ven. Bartholomew Holz-
hauser.,died in Germany in 1658. 1894 Daily Neivs 29
Jan. 5 Joan of Arc has been, .declared ' venerable ' by the
Congregation of Rites. That is. .the first step to saintship.
b. In general use. rare.
J641 ]• Jackson True Evang. T. ir. 131 Hee was. ,a man
so venerable amongst both the Christians, and Heathen,
that his ordinary style was, The Doctor of whole Asia.
1681 in Ingleby Shaks. Cent. Praise (Shaks. Soc.) 386, I
can't.. omit the first Famous Masters in't of our Nation,
Venerable Shakespear and the great Ben Johnson. 1748
Richardson C/rtWjja (181 1) III. 195 We have often regretted
the particular fault, which, though in venerable characters,
we must have been blind not to see. 1755 W. Duncan
Cicero's Sel. Oral. ix. u8i6) 297 It is with justice, .that
Ennius bestows upon poets the epithet oi venerable.
o. Coxi%X.. for (something) or to (persons), rare.
1653 Vaux tr. Godeau's Si. Paul 53 A man even to his
enemies venerable for his piety. 1713 Berkeley Ess.
Guardian i. Wks. III. 144 Persons who have devoted them-
selves to the service of God are venerable to all who fear
Him. 1849-50 Alison Hist. Europe II. viii. § 29. 256 The
Archbishop of Aries, venerable for nis years and his virtues.
2. Commanding veneration or respect by reason
of age combined with high personal character and
dignity of appearance ; having an impressive ap-
pearance in virtue of years and personal qualities.
c 1480 Henrvson Fables, Lion ^ Mouse 64, 1 said, Esope,
my Maister Uenerabill, I ^ow beseik [etc.]. 1515 Barclay
Ecloges ii. (1570) Bj b/2 Suche men with princes be sene
more acceptable Then men of wisedome & clarkes vener-
able. 1545 Jove Exp. Dan. vi. 86 b, Daniel was now a
right venerable sage olde father more then Ixxx. yeares
olde. x6og Dekker GuWs Horn-bk. Proem. 4 O thou
venerable father of antient (and therefore hoarj') customes,
Syluanus, I inuoke thy assistance. 1650 Bulwer Anthrop,
13a Man shews more venerable, especially if by age his
hairs be every where fairly superaboundantly circumfused.
1687 T. Brown Saints in Uproar Wks. 1730 I. 7^ A vener-
able old gentleman, who, they say, had been high pontiff
of Rome in the days of yore, a 1701 Maundrell joum.
Jerus. (1732) 87 Said to be the House of Simeon, that
venerable old Prophet. 1787 Burns Let. J, Skinner 25
Oct., Reverend and Venerable Sir, Accept . . my most
sincere thanks [ctc.1. 1847 Mrs. A. Kerr tr. Kanke'sHist.
Servia 303 Amongst those executed before Belgrade were
venerable Senators, .and aged and renowned Woiwodes.
x86a Miss Braddon Lady Audley i, A white beard which
made him look venerable against his wilt. 1873 Hamerton
Intell. Life iv. ii. 143 A venerable country gentleman who .
had seen a great deal of the world.
trans/. 1878 Stevenson Inland Voy. 4 Cattle and gray
venerable horses came and hung their mild heads over the
embankment.
b. Applied to personal features or attributes of
these,
i7«6 Pope Odyss. xxiv. 325 The father, with a father's
fears: (His venerable eyes bedimm'd with tears). 1738
Glover Leonidas 11. 192 His slender hairs, which time had
silver'd o'er, Flow'd venerable down, 1808 W, Wilson
Hist. Dissent. Ch. II. 50 Mr. Barker was in person well
madef..and of a venerable appearance. 1816 Scott Old
Mort. XXX, He wore a breast-plate, over which descended
a grey beard of venerable length. 186s Paley ylischylus
(ed. 2) Suppiices 314 note^ The king might naturally call the
old man irai'iro^of from his prudence and venerable aspect.
3. Of things; a. Worthy of, to be regarded with,
religious reverence.
1504 Lady Margaret tr. De Imilatione iv. i. 261 Where-
fore than shulde nat I be more inflamed in thy venerable
presence? 1509 Barclay Sh^p of Folys (1570) 173 Our
Lordes holy woundes fine, His handes, his feete, and his
crosse venerable. 1596 Bell Surv. Popery iii. x. 405 How
wilt thou touch thy mouth with his venerable blood ? 1615
Crooke Body 0/ Man 339 Among the vncquall numbers the
seauenth hath the first place, whose maiesty and diuinitie
is so great, that the antientstearmed it sacred and vener-
able. 164a Jer. Taylor Episc. (1647) 169 A Bishop hath
no new power in the consecration of the Venerable Eucharist,
more then a Presbyter hath, c 1680 Beveridce Serm. { 1 729)
I. 539 The day of Expiation was. .much more sacred and
venerable than the common sabbath. 1837 J. H. Newman
Par. Serm. I. 322 What a venerable and fearful place is a
Church. 1855 Bain Senses ^ Int. iii. iii. § 12 A strong
natural feeling of reverence accumulates a store of ideas of
things venerable. 1879 G G. Rossetti Seek Jf Find 308
.Awful then and by us venerable is the dignity of each
Christian pdest.
b. Worthy of veneration or deep respect ; de-
serving to be revered on account of noble qualities
or associations.
1601 Holland Pli/iy I. 81 los from Naxus 24 miles,
venerable for the sepulchre of Homer. 2646 Sir T. Brownk
Pseud. Ep. I. viii, 33 Holy Writers, and such whose names
are venerable unto all posterity, 1665 Glanvill De/. Van.
Dogm, 77 To oppose what custom and great names have
render'd venerable. _ 1700 Rowe Ambit. Step- Mother \. i,
The thoughts of Princes dwell in sacred Privacy Unknown
and venerable to the Vulgar. 1769 Robertson Chas. K, x.
Wks. 1813 III. 207 The ancient and venerable fabric of the
German Constitution. 1830 Mackintosh Eth. Philos. Wks.
1846 I. 93 Those qualities which are naturally amiable or
VENERAL.
venerable. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. i. I. 74 Throughout
the whole course of his reign, all the venerable associations
by which the throne had long been fenced were gradually
losing their strength.
c. Fitted to excite feelings of veneration ; im-
pressive, august.
1615 Crooke Body o/Man 70 For it i.s a venerable sight to
see a man when he is come to the yeares fit for it, to haue
his face compassed about with thicke and comely haire.
1718 Ladv M. W. Montagu Let.toConti 31 July, We saw.,
yet standing the vast pillars of a temple of Minerva, This
venerable sight made me think.. on a beautiful temple of
Theseus. 1737 Whiston Josephus, Antig. xi. viii. § 5 The
procession was venerable, and the manner of it different from
that of other nations. 1764 Goldsm. Trav. 110 While oft
some temple's mould'ring tops between With venerable
grandeur mark the scene.
4. Worthy of veneration or respect on account of
age or antiquity ; rendered impressive by the ap-
pearance of age.
1610 Holland Camden's Brit. 73B An affectionate lover
of venerable Antiquity. 1653 Vaux tr. Godeau^s St. Paul
151 Against an ancient tradition, which to many seems
so venerable. 1671 Philipps Reg. Necess. Ep. Ded., Those
evidences and venerable Monuments of Time. 1770G0LDSM.
Des. Vill. 178 His looks adorn'd the venerable place. 1796
H. Hunter tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) 11. 421 Thus
it is that you are clothed with majesty, venerable ruins of
Greece and Rome ! 1817 Moore Laila Rookh (1824) 171
That venerable tower, he told them, was the remains of an
ancient Fire-temple. 1870 Dickens E. Drood iii, In the
midst of Cloisterham stands the nuns' house, a venerable
brick edifice. 1904 J. 1". Fowler Durham Univ. 63 The
oldest of the venerable lime-trees date from time im-
memorial.
absol. 1693 Dryden Juvenal {1697) p. Ixxxv, Ancient
Words, which, with all their Rusticity, had somewhat of
Venerable in them.
b. Ancient, antique, old.
179a S. Rogers Pleas. Mem. i. 65 Those muskets cased
with venerable rust. 184a H. Rogers Introd. Burke's IVks.
I. I Thus a single generation often witnesses the complete
demolition of certain venerable errors, propagated and be-
lieved through a long succession of ages. 1847 C. Bronte
Jane Eyre xi, Chests in oak or walnut, . ■ rows of venerable
chairs, high-backed and narrow, 1857 Grindon Li/e iv. 35
The periodical (atomic) renewal of the body is one of the
most venerable ideas in physiology.
1 5. Giving evidence of veneration ; reverent,
reverential. Obs, (So L. venerabilis.)
1613 PuRCHAS Pilgrimage (1614) 145 They speake in order,
and obserue euen without the house a venerable silence.
1624 Fisher in F. White Repl. Fisher 22^ Kissing tlieir
feet, and their sores, out of venerable affection vnto Christ.
167s G. R. tr. Le Grand's Man wiilwut Passion 77 Although
I have a venerable value for the favourers of this opinion.
aijox Maundrell Journ, Jerus. (1732) 7 The Venerable
presents of some Itinerant Fryars. 17x0 Shaftesb. Charact.
(1737) II. II. 269 To talk magisterially and in venerable
Terms of. .an Infinite Being.
6. Comb.^ as venerable-like ^ -looking adjs,
163a LiTHGOW Trav. \\. 264 Wee found iwelue Venerable
like Turkes. 1766 Goldsm. Vicar xiv, Was he not a
venerable-looking man, with grey hair ? 1854 tr. Hettner^s
Athens ff Peloponnese 31 Tall, venerable-looking men, with
noble features.
B. sb» A venerable person ; an ecclesiastic hav-
ing the title of * Venerable*.
1748 Richardson Clarissa VI. 122 Lord M. has engaged
the two venerables to stay here, to attend the issue. i8a6
SouTHEY Vind. Eccl. Angl. 444 But can heiesy have come
from the Venerables and Saints of the Romish Church?
1891 Meredith One 0/ our Cong, xxxv. He described his
country's male venerables as being distinguishable from
annuitant spinsters only in presenting themselves forked,
b. A venerable thing ; an antique, nonce-use.
1803 Southev Lett. (1856) I. 222 My old and u§ly stall-
gleanings are all now turning to account... In turning over
these venerables, you would be surprised to see how much
I find that tears upon biography.
Ve'nerableness. [f. prec. + -m:ss.] ~ Ven-
erability I.
1681 Whole Duty Nations 59 Things that have only the
thin pretexts of Antiquity to give them some venerableiiess.
1710 Palmer Proverbs 232 As there is a native venerable-
iiess in grey hairs, so 'tis impious to make 'em the subject o£
a jest. 1753 Richardson Grandison VI. xxiv. 133 Years
written by venerableness, rather than by wrinkles, in her
face. 18*3 Lamb Elia 11. Tombs in Abbey, You owe it to
the venerableness of your ecclesiastical establishment. 187a
Shipley Gloss, Eccl. Terms 3^6 'ihe oflSce..is one of ex-
treme venerableness and antiquity.
Ve'Uerably, adv, [f. as prec] In a venerable
inanoer ; so as to be venerable ; f with veneration.
^1610 Women Saints (1886) 180 Whose happie passage
the Greeke and Latine Churche do venerablierecorde. .[on}
the fift of August. 16^3 Dryden JuzenaCs Satires vi. 31
So ver.erably Ancient is the Sin. 1699 Garth Dispens. 8
Each Faculty in Blandishments they lull, Aspiring to be
venerably dull. 1753 Hanwav Trav. 111. xxx. (1762J I. 130
The years that had rendered his beard so venerably hoary.
Z79S Hudoesforu Salmaguntli 135 Might 1 but.. See thee
in scarlet robe encase thy fur, .And at St. Mary's venerably
purr I 1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv. xxxi, His mansion and his
sepulchre ; both plain And venerably simple. 1838 Eraser's
Mag. XVII. 58 it [the beard] had become venerably red.
tVe'Ueral, a,^ Obs. fad. med.L. Veneral-is,
f. Vener-, Ftf««j Venus ^J
1. — Venereal a. i.
1591 Sparry tr. Cattan's Geomancie 105 I'his figure is ill,
except it be for wane or actes venerall. 16x4 Heywood
Gufiaik. IX. 4J3 By their unanimous consent they vowed
perpetual abstinence from all venerall actions.
2. = Venebeous a. 1 and 3.
i6»3CocKF.KAM I, Venerall, giuen to fleshly wantonnessc.
VEWEHAL.
94
VENEREOUS.
rfgi J. F[reake1 Agri/^'s Occ. Phiios. 97 I'hey that wUl
gather a Vcnerall, Mercurial!, or Luuary Hearb must look
toward the West.
3. ^ Ven£beal a. 2.
1651 French DistilL tii. 75 lliis Oil so purifies the bloud,
..that it cures all distempers that arise from the impurity
thereof, as the vcnerall disease. 1608G. Thomas /"tfWiiVfrtwm
10 Sarsaparilla, so much us'd in Diet-Drinks for the Cure
of the Veneral Disease. 1803 Med. JrnL IX. 556 A more
receut case of a true elephantiasis, that followed a veneral
infection, is added.
+ Veneral, a.- Obs.—^ [Ct med,L. ve»frahyas
venerability.] — Venerable a, 2 b.
1631 Mabbe CeUstina 1. 29 What a venerall and reverend
countenance did hee carry !
Venerance. rare~^. [Cf. OF. vmerance. It.
veneranzaj med.L. vefierantiaS\ Venerability.
1884 J. Payne Tales fr. Arabic I. 256 There was once in
a province of Persia, a King of the Kings,.. endowed with
majesty and venerance.
t Ve'nerand, f?- Obs. rare. l&d. "L. vemrand-
us, gerundive of veturdrf to venerate. So It., Sp.,
Pg. veucrando.'] Entitled to veneration.
X549 Chaloner Erastn. on Folly K iij. These friers.. up-
bolde them in their sermons to the people callyng them
worshipful! and venerande maisters, 1677 Gale Crt.
Gentiles iv. 11. iv. § 3. 286 Seing we conceive of Eternitie as
most venerand, there is nothing more venerand than the
intelligible Divine Essence.
Ve'nerant, <t* rare~^. [ad. L. venerant-^ ven-
erans, pres. pple. of venerdri to venerate. So F.
ven/rantj Sp. veneranteJ] Engaged in veneration.
1846 RuSKiN Mod, Paint. 11. 111. i. § 9 note 2, When we
pronounce the name of Giotto, our venerant thoughts are
at Assisi and Padua.
+ Ve*lierate, «. Ods,~-^ [ad,L,.venera/-uSj^a..
pple. of venerdri : see next.] = prec.
159a R. D. Hypnerotomachia 53 b, They stood all wait-
ing with such a venerate attention, that.. they all at one
instant time alike made their reverent courtesies.
Venerate (vcner^'t), v, [ad. L. venerdi; ppl.
stem oi venerdri (also z'tf/j^nlrf) to reverence, wor-
ship, adore ; whence also It. venerare, Sp. and Pg,
venerar, F. venerer.']
1. trans. To regard with feelings of respect and
reverence; to look upon as something exalted,
hallowed, or sacred ; to reverence or revere.
i6«3 Cockeram 1, Venerate, to worship. 1656 Blount
Glossogr.^ Venerate, to reverence, worship or honour. 174a
YoUKG Nt. Th. II. ^55 Who venerate themselves, the world
despise. 1794 R. }. Sulivan Vieiu Nat. I. 481 But there
was a class of Alchymists, whose genius, probity, and con-
duct, we have reason to venerate. 1851 D. Wilson Preh.
Ann. IV. iv. (186'^) II. 293 The ruined chapels are still
venerated. 1870 J. Bruce Life Gideon iv. 70 [We] have
learned to venerate the Word of God.
2. To pay honour to (something) by a distinct act
of reverence.
1844 LiNGARD Anglo'Sax. Ch. (1858) I. v. 189 Thrice he
venerated the .sacred remains.
Hence Ve*nerated, "Venerating///, adjs.
1790 Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. V. 84 You would have had. .a
reformed and *venerated clergy. 1818 Cobbett Pol. Reg.
XXXIII. 169 In the Reports, the Resolutions, and in the
venerated Acts, of your Honourable House. 1847 Prescott
Peru (1850) II. 143 It would be easier to govern under the
venerated authority to which the homage of the Indians
had been so long paid._ 1873 Browning RedCott. Nt.-cap
272 Smiling and sighing had the same effect Upon the
venerated image. 1663 Boyle Use/. Exp* Nat. Phiios. I.
iii. 55 The Queen of Sneba..then brake forth into pathetic
and *venerating exclamations. 1828 Miss Higginson in
Drummond & Upton Life Martineau (T902) 1. iii, 50 [Her
reply declines to accept from him a] venerating love. 1853
Geo. Eliot Romola iii. xxxiv, He. .saw the faces of men
and women lifted towards him in venerating love. 18S8
RvsKiu Prx/erita III. 8 Without, .trouble to their venerat-
ing visitors in coming so far up hill.
Veneration (vener^'-Jan). Also 5-6 venera-
cion (6 -acyon). [ad. L. veneration-^ venerdtio^
noun of action f. venerdri to venerate. So OF.
veneration (F. viniration')^ It. venerazione, Sp.
veneracion, Pg. vetterafdo.^
1. A feeling of deep respect and reverence
directed towards some i>erson or thing : a. In the
phrases to have^ or hold, in veneration,
i4ja-5o tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 389 In that londe the memory
of Seynte Andrewe thapostole is haloede gretely, and hade
in veneracion. Ibid. III. 193 That clerke Pictagoras was
hade so in veneracion of his disciples, that [etc.]. 1548
Udall Eraim. Par.. Matt. v. 20 h. So men shall haue you
in veneration. 1396 Spkhser Slate /rel. Wks. (Globe) 634/1
AU those Northern nations, .are wonte therfore to have the
fire and the sunn in great veneration, 1629 J. Maxwell tr.
Herodian (1635) 391 In the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus
(which the Romans have in chief veneration), a 1704 T.
Brown Praise Drunkenness Wks. 1730 I. 38 A custom
framed and cemented by nature .. ought to be ,, had in
veneration by all succeeding ages. 1759 Dilworth Pope
62 Mr. Pope held the duke's judgement in such high
veneration [etcj. 1833 Cruse Eusebius' Eccl. Hist. vii.
XIX. (1847) 300 This See,. has ever been held in veneration
by the brethren, that have followed in the succession there.
b. In general use.
t647 Clarkndon Hist. Reh. i. § 12 They w^uld. .have been
of no less Esteem with the Crown, than of Veneration with
the People. 1683 Robinson in Ray's Corr, (1848} 133 He
speaks with great veneration of you. 1774 J. Bryant
Mythol. 11. 372 The persons.. who were stiled Baalim, had
b great regard paid to their memory, which at last degener-
ated into a most idolatrous veneration. 1791 Burke App,
Wkigs Wks. VI. 143 1'hat memory will be kept alive with par-
ticular veneration by all rational and honourable whigs. i8as
in Ushaw Mag. Dec. (1913) 267 When I am in its company,
1 feel a certain awe and veneration. 1B44 Dickens Mart.
Chttz. ix, A gentleman., whom two accomplished, .females
regard with veneration. 1891 Nisbet Insanity of Genius
298 Simple piety or veneration seems to resolve itself into
an absence of the identifying faculty.
C. Const, of or for (a person or thing).
(a) i66« Stillingfl. Orig, Sacra; in. ii. § 1 All that is
left, is only a kind of Veneration of a Being more excellent
than our own. 1671 F. Philipps Keg. Necess, 409 So tender
werelhe Judges., of the Supreme Authority they sate under,
..and had such an awe and veneration of Majesty [etc.].
x8o6 SuRR lyinter in Lond. I. 243 The old domestic, had
almost into.\icated him with a silly, yet enthusiastic, venera-
tion of old times.
(*) i68i in Soniers Tracts 1, 131 The greatest motive that
begot in me a Veneration for the Duke. 1691 Nqrris
Pract. Disc. (1698) IV. 13 He has a secret esteem and
Veneration for him there [in his heart], 1718 Lady M. W.
Montagu Let, to Ctess Bristol 10 April, They show
here the tomb of the Emperor Constantine, for which they
have a great veneration. 1759 Robertson Hist. Scot. v.
Wks. 1851 II. 35 She expressed a great veneration for the
liturgy of the Church of Kngland. 1841 D'Israeli Ainen.
Lit. (1867) 106 It is unquestionable that the Reformation
began to diminish the veneration for the Latin language.
1863 KiNGLAKE Cr/?«fa (1877) I. 79 At this time extravagant
veneration was avowed for mechanical contrivances.
2. The action or fact of showing respect and
reverence ; the action or practice of venerating,
1526 Pilgr. Perf (W. de W. 1531) 192 b, The lower
veneracyon or worshyp exhibyte & done to the sayntes of
god, called in the greke duUa. a 1540 Barnes Wks. (1573)
357/2 What faith, what learning, what reason will that
Images shoulde bee iudged worthy veneration ? 1609 Bible
(Douay) Exod. xxxix. 29 They made also the plate of sacred
veneration of most pure gold. 1663 Bp. Patrick Parab.
Pilgr. xxiii, He blushed exceedingly, and fell down in a
humble veneration of her. 1741 Warburton Div. Legal, v.
Note B. Wks. 1788 111. 200 Tosephus,,saw well the con-
sistency between the veneration paid to Abraham's God,
and the idolatry of the venerators. 18*7 Hallam Const. \
Hist. ii. (1876) I. 86 No part of exterior religion was more
prominent . . than the worship, or at least veneration of
images. 185a Mrs. Jameson Leg. Madonna Introd. (1857) 18
The veneration paid to Mary in the early Church. 1882-3
ScHAFF Encycl. Kelig. Knowl. III. 2562/1 The veneration
of martyrs was accompanied by the feeling that their inter-
cession made prayer effective.
3. The fact or condition of being venerated,
i6as Bacon Ess.^ Of Empire (Arb.) 309 Princes are like to
Heauenly Bodies, . .which haue much Veneration, but no
Rest. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 116 Claudiau
observes there was scarce any Tree that had not its venera-
tion. 1712 Sped, No. 467 § 2 The various Arts , . whicli now
give a Dignity and Veneration to the Ease he does enjoy.
1730 Johnson Rambler "i^o. 71 f i They think veneration
gained by such appearances of wisdom, 1774 Reid
Aristotle's Logic i. § i. 3 That the air of mystery might
procure great veneration.
f b. In the phrase to be in ( . . ) veneration. Obs,
x6a8 Le Grvs tr. Barclay's Argenis 352 At that time it
was in highest veneration among the Moores. 1678 Hobbes
Decant, x. 5 The first Astronomers were also in such venera-
tion with the People, that they were thought to have dis-
course with their Gods. 1736 Butler Anal, 11. vii. 335
The leaders of them are in veneration with the multitude.
Hence Veuera'tioual «.
1854 Orr^s Circ. Sci., Org. Nat. I. 310 There is little
vitality in any of their venerational feelings.
Venerative, «■ rare, [f. Venerate v, +
-IVE.] Of the nature of, inclined or disposed to,
veneration. Also Ve'zierativeuess.
1829 T, Hook Bank to Barnes 104 They found the Organ
of Venerativeness strongly developed, i860 Cockburn Muir
Pagan or Chr, ^. yj A venerative love for the teachings of
the Christian Faith. x86z All the Year Round 27 Sept.
61/1, I for one, when a venerative youth, have felt a thrill
of joy at being kindly nodded to over a bumper by some
distinguished personage.
Ve'nerator. [a. L. venerator, agent-noun f.
venerdri to venerate. Cf. It. veneratore, Sp. and
Pg. venerador, F. v^n^rateur (rare).] One who
venerates ; a reverencer ^something.
1656 Artif Handsom. 123 The report seems fitted to the
pulse and bent of those times, which were high venerators
of vowed virginity, a 1676 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. 74
Those great Priests and Venerators of Nature and its
appearances. 1789 Burnev Hist. Mus. (ed. 2) II. i. 29 This
prelate, who was a great venerator of ancient rites. 1818
Bentham Part. R^onn 75 So many indifferent and in-
curious observers, if not prostrate venerators. 1847 Tenny-
son Princ. IV. 403 Not a scorner of your sex But venerator.
Venereal (v/hl^'r/al), a. and sb. Also 5 veu-
erealle, 6-7 -all. [f. L. venere-us, {. Vener-,
Venus Venus t, Cf. Venerial a.]
1. Of or pertaining to, associated or connected
with, sexual desire or intercourse.
i43a-So tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 199 The sawle of man in
the vse venerealle [L, usn venereo] transmittethe interi-
ally formes other similitudes conceyvede exterially. 1509
Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) Pfiv, Here are vile women,
whom loue immoderate, And lust Venereall, bringeth to
hurt and shame. 16x0 Healey St. Aug. Citie ofGodxiw.
XV. (1620) 490 Such is hunger and thirst, and the venereall
affect, vsually called lust. 1688 Nqrris Love 11. § ii. 95
Concerning sensual pleasure, especially that eminent species
of it which we call venereal, there is more difficulty. 1727
Swift Circumcision of E, CurlFWks. 1755 III. i. 163 Those
appetites are now become venal, which should be venereal.
1753 Smollett Ct. Fathom (1784) 159/1 We have formerly
descanted upon that venereal appetite which glowed in the
constitution of our adventurer. 1831 J. Bavies Mat. Med,
55 In the cure of..aiiaphrodisiaor want of venereal passion.
+ b. (See quot.) Ods.~^
1658 Rowland tr. Moufet's Theat. Ins. 999 Divers Authors
do speak of four other sorts of Moths, viz. the Venereal,
bred in the genitals of men ; the Bee Moth, the Cloth
Moth, and the Library or Book Moth.
2. Resulting from, or communicated by, sexual
intercourse with an infected person ; symptomatic
of, or associated with, a disease so caused.
1658 PiiiLLifs, Venereal disease. .is vulg:i.rly called the
French Pox. 1660 Milton Free Comm-w. Wks. 1851 V.
445 These new Fanatics of. .the sweating-tub, inspir'd with
nothing holier than the Venereal Pox. 1667 Phil. Trans.
II. 564 A lusty robust Souldier dangerously infected with
the Venereal Disease. 1710 Addison Tatter No. 226 f 5
[He] was particularly famous for the Cure of Venereal
Distempers. 1758 J. S. Le Dran^s Observ. Surg. (1771) 16
He looked upon the Distemper to proceed from a Venereal
Cause, therefore exhibited Antivenereals. 1805 Med, Jrnl.
XIV, 127 Unless we suppose the pain he has in his joints to
arise from latent venereal virus, i860 Tanner Pregnancy
V. 228 Another way in which it is highly probable that a
woman may receive the venereal taint, 1878 T. Bryant
Pract. Surg. I. 174 Venereal warts are very abundant.
b. Of persons : Infected with, suffering from,
venereal disease.
1683 Snape Anat. Horse in. v. (1686) 112 Till it have
mortified and consum'd them (as happens sometimes to
venereal Persons). 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med.
xxiv. 296 A return of the venereal patients treated in the
38th Regimental Hospital.
c. ellipt, as sb. Venereal disease.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xxv. 317 [He] does
not consider it [!• e. mercury] a specific for the venereal
Jbid. xxix. 371 His skin became covered with an extensive
papular, .eruption, which was looked upon by many as
true venereal.
f 3. a. Of persons: Under the influence of Venus;
inclined to be lascivious ; addicted to venery or
lust. Obs,
1652 Gaule Magastrom. 188 Pronouncing the man . , to be
saturnine, jovial, martial, solar, venereal, mercurial, lunar?
1665 Brathwait Comment. Two Tales (1901) 62 In Sense,
she was Venereal ; in Heart, Martial ; Venus gave her the
Gift to be lascivious; Mars to be couragious. 17*8 Cham-
bers Cycl. s.v., A Venereal Person.
f b. Of animals : (see quot.). Obs,"^
x66z LovELL Hist. Anim. dr Min. Isagoge c 3, The
Venereall [animals], are the delitious,. .mild, Kinde, plea-
sant, and tame ; as the Calfe, cony, dog, goat, and scinck.
^• c. (Cf. vitriol of Venus s.v. Venus i.) Obs.
1684-5 BovLE Min. IVaters 55 Common English Vitriol,
as also that of Danzick which is Venereal,
f 4. Physically beautiful or attractive. Obs.~^
1598 R. Haydocke tr. I^omazzo i. 117 Raph. Vrbine was
famous for making of delicate and Venereall bodies.
fVene'rean, a, (and sb^, Obs, Also 6 Sc.
venereane. [f. as prec. + -an.]
1. Connected or associated with, relating or per-
taining to, Venus or her service,
CIS50 Holland Crt. Venus i. 223 For hir sake sum sang
venereane 1 wald thow sang. Ibid, in. 758 Thay thre was
of the Court venereane. 1597 Bp. Hall Sat. 1. ix. His
statue trimd with the venerean tree. 1653 Gataker Vind.
Annot. Jer. 64 Oh but when, trow we, may some loose
people say, will these Halcj'on, or Venerean dayes rather
appeer ? 1685 Cotton tr. Montaigyte (1711) I. xx. 117 My
i igures proved more Venerean than Solar.
2. Of or pertaining to sexual desire or intercourse.
CX5SO Rolland Crt. Venus iii. 720 Thamar and Raab..
And Barsabe..War all of sport Ladeis venereane. 1634
Wither Ejnbl, 71 The scarres they get in their Venerean
fights, £'1645 Howell Lett, (1650) II. 17 With the assur-
ance of Venerean delights in a far higher degree to succeed
after death, c 1700 yane Shore in Evans Old Ball. {1784)
]. 325 Those with Scythian lad engag'd in several fights.
And in the brave Venerean wars did foil advent'rous
knights.
b. - Venereal a. 2.
x6is Chapman lVido2ves T. i. B iv, The Venerean disease,
to which they say, he has beene long wedded.
3. Addicted to venereal pleasures. Also as sb,,
a person of this character.
x6i2 Chapman Widowes T. v. I ij b. It will be such a
cooler To my Venerean Genilemans hot liuer. 1631 Mabbe
Celestina xiv. 156 lust about this time rise., your Venereans
and love-sicke soules, such as our master.
Venereo'logy. Med. f. as next + -ology.]
The science or study of venereal diseases.
1900 in Gould's Med. Diet. (ed. 5).
t Vene'reous, «. Obs. Also 6 venereus.
[f. L. venere-us (whence It., Sp., Pg. venereo)-\'
-ous. Cf. OF. venereeux and Venekioi'S rt.]
1. Of persons (or animals) : Addicted to, desirous
of, sexual enjoyment ; libidinous, lustful.
1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (157°) i^S Venereous people
haue all their whole pleasaunce .Their vice to nourishe by
this -unthrifty daunce. X56a \.eg^ Armory 95 The gote,
saieth Isidore, is very venereus, but fighteth not therefore.
1607 TopSELL Fourf. Beasts 300 There is no kind (man
only excepted) that is so venereous and nimble in genera-
tion as .is a Horsseor Mare. 166a J. Davif.s tr. Olearius'
Voy. Ambass. 94 The Muscovites are extremely venereous.
1713 Deuhkm Phys.-T/ieol. (1727) 391 The Males are less
than the Females [and] are very venereous.
2. = Venereal a, 1.
154a Udall Erasm. Apoph. 204 The acte of venereous
copulation. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 182 The Conserve of the
floures thereof, .putteth away all venereous dreames. 1615
G. Sandys Trav, iv. 307 In that heate and moisture are the
parents of venereous desires. 1650HUBBERT Pill Forrnality
138 His sinful and venereous thoughts must carry him on.
x68i H. More in Glanvill Sadducismus 36 Their having
any lustful or venereous transactions with them. 1795
VENEREOUSLY.
Macknight Epht. (1820) III. 297 This signifies the grati-
fication of vcnereous desires.
b. = VEXEUEAri a. 2.
1661 LovELL Hist. Anim, ft Min. ii The greene caustick
oil of brasse, cureth venereous pushes.
3. Exciting or stimulating sexual desire.
1611 CoRYAT Crudities 268 As for thine, eyes, shut them
and turne them aside from those venereous Venetian objects.
i6a6 Bacon Sylva § 546 Upon the same reason Mushrooms
are a Venereous meat. 1694 Motteux Rabeiaisw xxix. 146
Salads, wholly made up of venereous Herbs and Fruits.
4. Dedicated to Venns. rare~^.
159s R. D. Hypnerotom. 79 Such hayre as Berenice did
never vow to in the Venereous Temple for her Tholemreus.
Hence fVenereonsly adv, ; tyene-reousness.
1659 H. >[oRE Itnmcrt, Soul III. viii. 408 Theocritus
merrily sets out the Venereousness of the Goatheard he
describes. 1665 M. N. Med. Medicinm 65 Let a man that
hath the Gout be venereously infected.
Venerer. anh. [f. Vener-y 2.] A huntsman.
1845 Browning Flight of Duchess x, Our Venerers,
Prickers, and Verderers. 1908 H. Newbolt Ne%v June
xxxii, [He] drove the point into the hart's neck, with the
action of a venerer killing the real animal.
Veneres, pi. of Venus i,
t Venerial, a.^ Obs. Also 6-7 -all. [f. L.
veturi-usy f. Vener-^ Vtnus, Cf. Venekeal a.]
1. = VEyEREAL a. I.
1531 Elvot Gov. hi. xviii, Thinking, .to remoue him from
the fajihe, rather by veneriali motions, thanne by sharpe-
nesi^e of tourmentes. 1551 Huloet, Veneriali pastime, aphro-
disia. 1589 Nashe Anat. Absurdity Wks. (Grosari) I. 26
Craftie Cupid.. meditates new shifts, which each amorous
Courtier by his veneriali experience may coniecturailie
conceiue. 1615 Cfooke Body of Man 553 Those that do
loo much follow venerial combats haue their eyes smal and
extenuated. 1636 D.WESAifT Platemick Lovers iii, I found
him-.Lesse apt for our veneriali Love than Muscovites
Benighted when they travell on the Ice.
2. « Venereal a. 3 a.
1577 Grange Golden Aphrod. Ep. Ded. A iij b, I (who as
yet neuer receyued one po>-nt of discourtesie of any venerial!
Dame). Ibid, \\v\ Veneriali dames, and ruffling N>'mphes,
1610 J. Taylor (Water P.) A Batvd Wks. ii. 93/2 Besides,
I found a cursed Catalogue of these veneriali Caterpillers
who were supprest with the Monasteries in England.
3. a. Beautiful or attractive like Venus.
x66« MoRGAM Sph. Gentry ni. iv. 38 They described him
like a martial man, when they would expresse his heat,.,
when a venerial woman, described him with a Mirtle
garland on his head.
b. Associated with the planet Venus.
1683 Trvos Way to Health vi. {1697) ro6 The cooler the
Water is when you put in the Matt, the Paler or more
Venerial will the Colour of your Wort be. Ibid. 109 The
predominant Quality - . in Ale is Solar and Venerial, viz.
Sweet and BalsamlcK.
4. Employed in curing venereal disease.
17.. M, Barrktt in Morse Amcr. Geog. (1796) I. 682 The
next is the venerial root, which, under a vegetable regimen,
will cure a confirmed lues.
Hence f Vene'rialist, a specialist in venereal
diseases. Obs.~^
1763 A. SuTHKRLANn Attempts Ahc. Med. Doctr. X. Introd.
21 Every disease, every member of the body, has its
particular professor. The city swarms with Oculists,
Aurarists, Dentists, Venerialists, Nostrumites, &c.
tVene*rial,a.ii Obs.—^ [f. VenertJ.] Belong-
ing to the chase. In quot. ^fsol.
x6ia Drayton Poly-olb. xin. 93 Of all the Beasts which
we for our veneriali name. The Hart amongst the rest, the
Hunters noblest game [etc.].
t Vene'rian, a. (and sb.\ Obs, Also 5 uen-
eryan. \i,L..ventri'USyi, Ventr'^ Kf«/« Venus*.
Cf. Vesebean and Veneriex.]
1. Influenced by, subject to, Venus; inclined to
wantonness,
14. . (see Venerien aX c 1590 J. Stewart Poems (S.T.S.)
II. 78/192 Heirfoir to vichts venerian I quyt To form in
verse virgilian perfyt Thair facund fassons. 1596 Nashk
Saffron IValden Wks. (Grosart) III. 120 Pigmey Dicke
aforesaid . . is such another Venerian stealc placard as lohn
was. 1608 Tablton CobUr Canterb. (1844) 133 In every
house where the venerian virgins are resident, nospitalitie
is quite exiled.
D. As sb, A person of this character.
1601 Dolman LaPrimaud. Fr.Acad. III. 130 They name
one man a Saturnrst, another a Martialist,..or else a |
Mercurialist, or a Venerian.
2. =» Venereal ff. i. '
1448 Metham Wks. (E.E.T.S.) 57 Nwe radyffyid with the ;
flame off ueneryan dysyre. 1513 Douglas y^neid iv. Prol. |
92 Be nevir ours-:t, myne author teichis so, With lust of
wyne, nor werlcis venenane. 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas
IL ii. Ark 4tQ A vast multitude Of since-born mongrels, that
derive their birth From monstrous medly of Venerian mirth. I
x6oa Dolman La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1618) iii. 734 Euen \
as the aire and winde coupteth and conioineth things
seuered, so doth the .Venerian power.
3. = Venereal a, 2.
1617 MoRvsoN ItiH. III. 59 Because the beds ar« suspected
for filthinesse of the Venerian disease, passengers use to
weare linnen breeches of their owne. 1650 Bulwer Anthro-
pomet. 87 The Nose that is sunk into this figure by the
Venerian rot.
4. Venerian pear^ the Venus-pear.
160X Holland Pliny I. 439 The Barbarian or Venerian
pears, which also be called Coloured.
t Vene'riate, v. Obs, [f. L. Venen- stem of
Venus Venus 1.] trans. ? = Vitriolate v.
1665 D. Dudley Mettallum Martis (1854) 31 Sulphurious
vencriated redsharc Iron.. .The Sulphurious Arceniall and
Veneriating qualities, which are oftentimes in Iron stone.
95
Venerld (ve-nerld). Zool. [f, mod.L. Vener-
id-myK. Vener-j ^>««j Venus 1.] A bivalve mollusc
of the family Veneiidse^ of which Vetms is the
typical genus.
1861 P. P. Carpenter in Rep. Smithsonian Instil. jS6o,
259 The characters of the Venerids, the Cyprinids, and the
Cockles.
t Veue'rien, a. and sb. Also 6 -yen. [a. OF.
veturien (K venerien).'\ = Venerian a, and sb.
C1386 Chaucer Wife's Prol. 609 For certes I am al
Venerien [CorpTts MS. Venerian] In feelyng and myn
herte is Marcian. 1390 Gower L'onf. III. m Ther mai
no maner man withdrawe, The which venerien is bore Be
weie of kinde. Ibid. 130 Canis maior, .The fifte sterre is of
Magique, The whos kinde is venerien. 1530 Palsgr. 327/2
Veneryen, belongyng to Venus, U'enerien. 1567 Gude ^
Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 211 O wickit vaine Veneriens, 5e ar not
Sanctis (thocht 50 seem hally).
Venerilla. rarr-^, [Dim. f. L. Vener-, Venus.']
A little Venus.
1631 Burton Anat. Mel. in. ii. ni. He admires her on the
other side, she is his idol, lady, mistress, venerilla, queen,
the quintessence of beauty.
t Vene'rious, a. Obs, Also 6 -yous, [f. L.
vtneri-us : cf. OF. vetterieux and Venereous a.]
1. =: Venereal a, i,
1542 Boorde Dyetary xviii. (1870) 246 Beware of Venery-
ous actes before the fyrste slepe, 1594 Plat yewcil-ho. 8
Salt. .is very stirring in our bodies, and provokeih them to
venerious actes. 1607 Walkington Oft. Glass vii. 44 b, Hee
that presumes with his all-daring quill to put foorth lewde
pamphlets,.. to set vp a venerious schoole. 1634 Sir T.
Herbert Trarr. 195 Titulation in venerious exercises. 1650
Bulwer A ntkropomet. 242 Immoderate Venery or venerious
cogitations.
b. = Venereal a, 2.
1615 Crooke Body of Man 247 Their inflamation or
exulceration breeds the venerious gonorrhaea or running of
the reines.
2. = Venereous a. i.
1547 Boorde Brev. Health Ivt. 25 [A] man that is full of
heare is euer venerious. 156a Legh Annory 138 b, This
prety Ruddokc,..of nature, though he be not Venerious,
yet (etc]. 1617 Morvson Itin. iii. 41 Aristotle saith, that
they who ride most, are most venerious. 1634 Sir T.
Herbert Trav. 146 [The Persians arej mirthfuU and
venerious.
3. = Venereous a, 3.
i6ao Venner I'ia Recta vii. 136 They are both somewhat
wtndie and also venerious, especially the Parsnep.
Hence t Venerlousness. Obs.~^
1547 Boorde Brev. Health cccxxvii. 106 This infirmttie
doth come. .of to much veneriousnes, specially used after a
full stomake. 17x7 in Bailey (vol. II).
t Ve'nerist. Obs. rare. [f. L. Vener-y Venus :
see -1ST.] One addicted to venery or lust.
1596 Fitz-Geffrev Sir F. Drake (1881) 27 Cease to eter.
nize in your marble verse The fals of fortune-tossed
Vencrists. i6»3 Cockebam i, Venerist^ a whoremonger.
Venerolog^, var. Venereology.
t Ve'nerOTlS, a. Obs, Also 6 venerus. [f, L.
Vener-y Venus : see -ous and cf. obs. F. venereux.]
L = Venereal a, i.
1561 BuLLEVN Bk. Simples (1579) 10 Dandelion .. with
Roses and Vineger..rebateth venerous and fleshly heat.
"594 Carew HuarteU Exam. Wits xv. (1596) 265 Men
who desire to satisfie their venerous lusts, do yet greatly
shame to confesse it. 1603 Holland I'lutarch's Mor. (>ss
Hee was not so forward in venerous matters, nor given
much to women. i6ai Burton Anat. Mel. iii. ii. 11. iii, For
a remedy of venerous passions. 1651 H. More Enthus.
Tri. (1712) 37 A measurable Abstinence.. from all venerous
pleasures and tactual delights of the Body.
2. « Venereous a. 2.
"597 J^<(f*'' Armory 54b, The Goatc, sayeth Isidore, is
vene venerous. 1607 Walkington Opt. Glass 60 She is a
venerous bird. 1651 H. More Enthus. Tri. (1712) 25 For
it is very hard to find an healthy body very comely and
beautiful, but the same proves more than ordinarily venerous
and lustful.
3. = Venereous a. 3.
1587 Harrison Descr. Brit. 11. vi. in Holinshed I. 167/1
The potato and such venerous roots as are brought out of
Spaine, Portingale, and the Indies to furnish vp our bankets.
i6>o Vennek Via Recta \'\\. 1^7 They. .are. .of a venerous
windy faculty. i6sx H. More Enthus. Tri. (1712) 28 For
what means this bold purpose, .but that his judgment was
overclouded by some venerous fumes and vapours ?
Venery^ (ve*neri). Now arch. Forms: 4-5
veneri, -erye, 5-7, 9 veneriei 5 wenery, 5-
venery ; 4 venoryo, 5 -ur(i)e, 7 -arie, 7-8 -ary.
[a. OF. vetterie (F. vMerie), f. vener :— L. vendri
to hunt : see -ery.]
L The practice or sport of hunting beasts of
game ; the chase. Also attrib,
CX3P0 Sir Tristr. 206 On hunting oft be ^ede, To swlche
a lawe he drewe... More he coupe of veneri pan cou(>e
mancrious. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Waee {Roilsl 856 To
venerye he gaf"nis tent ; An herde of hertes sone J>ey met.
i4sa YoNCE tr. Secret a Secret. 247 Delite in honcste Play,
and hit beholde, as..besti5 to chase in venurie. 1486 Bk.
St. Albans evb. That is th» first worde, my sonne, of
venery. 1577 Harrison Descr. Brit. 11. xv, They.. daily
ouerthrew townes, villages, and an infinite sort of families
for the maintenance of their Venery. 160a 2nd Pt. Return
fr. Parnass. ii. v. 893 These are your speciall beasts for
cha.se, or as wee Huntsmen call it, for venery. a 1666 [see
Venatical a.\ 1719 Bover Diet. Royal 11, A venery Book,
or Book of Venery.
1837 W. Irving Capt. Bonneville III. 122 These veterans
of the wilderness are exceedingly pragmatical on points of
venery and woodcraft. 1883 Standard 4 May 2/2 Other
VENESECTION,
worthy professors of venery were glad to 'coach' him.
1891 J. G. Austin lieity Aldcn no 'Tis bad venerie when
you have trapped a wolf to let him go free on the chance
some other man will finish your work.
b. In the phrases beasts, game^ hounds of venery,
C1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxiii. 105 All maner of wylde
bestez of wenery, as hertez and hyndez. 1432-50 tr. Higden
(Rolls) VI. 379 That place, .havynge in hit diverse kyndes
of bestes of venery. c 1450 Pol., Kel., ^- L. Pocvts (1903) 60
Howndes of venery coste more then they aveyle. 1M9 Act
31 Hen. f^///, c. 5 Achace,.fornorisshinge,generacion,and
feeding of beastes of venery and of fowles of Warren. 1563
Q. Eliz. Let. in Abp. Parker Corr. (Parker Soc.) 175 Keeper
of park-houses, warrens, or other game of venerie. 1587
Harrison Descr. Brit. w. xix. in Holinshed -206/1 The beasts
of the chase were commonlie thebucke, the roe, the fox, and
the marterne. But those of venerie in old time were the
hart, the hare, the bore and the woolfe. 1603 G. Owen
Pembrokeshire (1892) 266 These beastes of chace are not in
estimacion soe royall as the former beastes of Venerye,
1760-71 tr. yuan 4- Ulhas Voy. (ed. 3) I. 436 Many beasts
of venery, which feed on the straw or rush peculiar to those
parts. 1765 Blackstone Contm. I. 289 Forests are waste
grounds belonging to the king, replenished with all manner
of beasts of chase or venary.
t 2. Wild animals hunted as game. Also^^.
C13SO Will. Paleme 1685 Hyndes ^ hertes,.. bukkes and
beris and ojjer bestes wilde, of alle fair venorye J»at falles to
metes, c 1440 Ipotnydon 415 This lady to hyr mete gan
gone, And of venery had hyr fille, For they had take game
at wiUe. 1470-85 Malory Arthur x. Ixxxvii. 568 In the
meane whyle syr Tristram chaced and hunted at alle maner
of venery. 1539 Elvot Cast, Helthe 29 The hunting of
them [sc. deer] beinge not so pleasant, as the huntynge of
other venery or vermyne. 1550 J. Coke Eng. ^ Fr,
Heralds §3 Parkes-.full of venery, as hartes, hyndes,
falow-dere, wylde bores, and wolves for noble men to course.
1590 Spf.nser F. Q. i. vi. 22 To the wood she goes, to.,
seeke her spouse, that from her still does fly. And followes
other game and venery. 1630 R. Johnson's Kiugd. ,5-
Commw. 115 Woods wonderfully abounding with venerie.
transf. 1550 Latimer Serm. (1562) 114 b, They must haue
swyne for thcyr foode to make theyr veneryes or bacon of;
theyr bacon is theyr venison.
t3. A place where hunting-dogs are kept. Obs,~^
1653 Urquhart Rabelais i. Iv. 242 The Venerie, where
the lieagles and Hounds were kept, was a little farther oft
drawing towards the Park.
Venery 2 (ve-iieri). Also 5-6 venerie. [f. L.
Vener-, Venus Venus l + -Y.]
1. The practice or pursuit of sexual pleasure ;
indulgence of sexual desire.
1407 Extr. Aberd. Reg. (1844) I. 425 It was statiit,.that
all Picht weman be chargit and ordanit to decist fra thar
vicis and syne of venerie. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot, II.
430^ As brutell beistis takand appetyte, In venerie putting
thair haill delyte. 1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 34 Birdes
tongue, is .in Herbe whose chief working is to prouoke
Uenerie.^ 1607 Dekker Northward Hoe m, Venery is like
vser>',. .it may be allowed tho it be not lawfull. 1643 Sir T,
Browne Re/ig. Med. i. § 30 A body, wherein there may be
action enough to content decrepit lust, or passion to satisfie
more active venenes. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India ^ P. 378
Nor docs it seldom fall out, from their aptness to Venery,..
that they are afflicted with terrible Mariscx. 1715 N.
Robinson T/i. Physick 152 The Passions of the Mind have
a great Influence, as also excessive Venery. 1774 Goldsm.
AaA Hist. {1776) III. 197 If the tusks, .be broke away, the
animal abates of its fierceness and venery. 1803 Med. Jml.
IX. 139 He. .gave himself up to his former intemperance in
.spirits and in venery. 1876 Gross Dis. Bladder., etc. i. i.
18 Occasionally it (i.e. acute cystitis] is traceable to the
effects of excessive venerj-.
+ 2. Jig, A source of great enjoyment. Obs,
160s Middleton The Phcenix iii. i. F4, 'T was. e'en
Venerie to me, y'faith, the pleasantst course of life, a 16*5
Fletcher Noble Gent. iv. iv, To me The fooling of this
fool is venery.
Venes, obs. variant of Venice.
Venesect, v. [Hack-formation from next.]
intr. To prnctise venesection. Hence Ve'riesect-
ing///. a.
1633 Eraser s Mag. VIII. 690 He was once a great
enthusiast for the venesecting art.
Venesection (ven/se-kjan). Med. Also ^. 7-9
venrosection. [ad. med. or mod.L. venx seclio
cutting of a vein : see Vena and Section.]
1. The operation of cutting or opening a vein ;
phlebotomy ; the practice of this as a medical
remedy.
o. 1661 LovEi.L Hist. Anim. 9f Mtn. 327 The small-pocks
..are cured by. .venesection in the adult. 1669 \V. Simpson
Hydrol. Chym. 78 Too much blood spent in venesection.
X767 GoocH Treat. Wounds I. 370 We must first endeavour
to stop the flux of blood, .. repeating venesection occasion-
ally. 1791 J. TowNSFND Joum. Spain (1792) II. 39 Not-
withstanding this repeated venesection, his pufse was
remarkably full and strong. 1834 J. Forbes Laennec's
Dis. Chest (ed. 4) 67 Leeching has the advantages and dis-
advantages of venesection, only in a less degree. 1877 F, T,
Roberts Handbk. Med. (ed, 3) I. ap To diminish the quan-
tity of the blood, either by venesection, or by local methods.
/3. 1676 Wiseman Surg, Treat, i. iii. 16 The Fever which
attends Pain is removed by Venaesection, or by the resolu-
tion or suppuration of the Tumour. 1718 Chambers Cycl.
S.V. Angina, In the external Angina, before any Suppura-
tion appears, recourse is had to repeated Veneesection in the
Jugulars. 1754-64 Smellie Midwifery I. 153 In a woman
of a full habit of body venaesection is necessary. 160$ Med.
Jml. XIV. 307 The wishes of the medical attendant who
advises ven;esection, 1884 Pvh Sutg, Handicraft 70 This
expedient, with the practice of venaesection in general, has
been out of fashion for many years now.
2. An instance of this.
1834 J. Forbes Laennec's Dis. Chest (ed. 4) 233 The same
VENESECTOR.
96
VENGB.
Scene is renewed.. after as many successive venesections.
1845 G. E. Day Simon's Anim. Chan, I. 248 The three
following tables show the mean results of the first, second,
and third venesections. 1876 tr. Wagner's Gen,\PatM. 2
Change in the fibrin after frequent venesections.
Venesector. ranr~'^, [Cf. Vexesect v.'] One
who practises venesection ; a blood-letter,
1890 Cc>snwfciiia>t June 139 Our barber also acts as vene-
sector.
Venesion, obs. form of Venetian,
Vene80(u)n, -sun, obs. forms of Venison.
tVenet, <J. Obs. rare. [ixA. Xu. venei-us.'] Venei
colour f a greyish-bine colowr.
f 1^5 MS. Digby 233 fol. 224/2 Loke ^at..J>e mennes
clothing by coloured with %'enet colour t>at is water coloure.
«ii66i HoLYDAY Jnveual 226 Vegetius..says that ships,
which are sent out as spies, should have their sails of the
vcnet colour, that they may not be discerned by the enemies.
Venet, obs. form of Vignette.
fVene'tia. Obs.~-^ -= Venetian j^. 2.
1579 G. Harvey Letter'Bk. (Camden) 72 Eloquence, if a
man had it, were more worth then.. a payer of tatterid
venetias in his presse.
Venetian (v/hrjan), sh. and a. Forms : a. 5
Venycyen,Venecien, 6Veuesien, ^. 5-6Vene-
cian, 6 -ycian, -esyan, -etyan, 7- Venetian ;
5 Venicyan, 7, 9 Venitian. 7. 6 Venytyon,
Venyscyon, Venecyon, Venesion, 8 Venition.
[ad. med.L, Veneiian-us^ f. Venetia Venice: cf.
It. and Pg. VenezianCf Sp. Veneciano. In early
tise also a. OF. Vem'cun, -esien, etc, (mod.F.
VinUien)^
A. sh. 1. A native or inhabitant of mediosval
or modern Venice; a member of the mediaeval
republic of Venice ; more rarely, one of the ancient
Veneti inhabiting the district of Venetia.
143a Lydg. Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 4 Other alyens :, .
Florentyns, and Venycyens. c 1436 Libel Eng, Policy in
Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 172 The commodites..of Venicyans
and Florentynes. Ibid. 175 These seyde Veneciance. 15*8
in Ellis Orig. Lett. (1824) I. 294 His Highnes also Hketh
wel the Frenche Kings Lettres to the Venecians for Ravenna
and Servia. 1547 Boorde Introd. Knowl. xxiiii. (1870) 181,
I am a Venesien both sober and sage. Ibid. 185 The Venys-
cions hath great prouision of warre. x6si in Foster Eng.
Factories Ind. (1906) 1, 257 Two gentlemen, Venetians, who
are not unknowne to you. 1695 Luttkell Brief Rel. (1S57)
III. 447 The Venetians, we hear, have taken several French
ships, a 1715 Burnet Own Timev. (1734) II, 129 The Vene-
tians and the Great Duke had not thought fit to own the King
till then. 1756-7 tr. Keysler^s Trav. (1760) IV. 57 German
bravery under the auspices of the Venetians. 1841 W.
Spalding Italy Sf It. IsL II. 164 There were other slaves
besides Mohammedans in the sei^ice of the rich Venetians.
1876 Bancroft Hist. U.S. I. v. 129 The Venetians.. pur-
chased alike infidels and Christians. x88o Encycl, Brit.
XIII. 446/1 The Gauls, the Ligurians, and the Veneti or
Venetians.
+ 2. //. Hose or breeches of a particular fashion
originally introduced from Venice. Obs.
158* in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz. (1908) 350, vi paire of
Venetians of Russet gold tyncell. 1586 Fermor Ace. in
Arckaeol. Jml. (1851) VIII. 183 It. for an ell half of brod
taffaty to make him a dublet and venytyons. 1598 Florid,
Brache^ all maner of breeches, slops, hosen, breekes, gas-
coines, Venetians. 1611 Cotgr., Chausses h la gigotte, a
fashion of very close Venitians ; old fashioned Venitians.
ai6ia Harington i>/;fr. (1618) lxx, A Captaine.. brought
three yards of Veluet, & three quarters To make Venetians
downe below the garters.
t b. In sing, with the, Obs.—^
xS9a Greene De/. Conny-catching Wks. (Grosart) XI. 95
The Venetian and the gallogascaine is stale, and trnnke
slop out of vse.
1 3, A sequin of Venice, as current in India and
adjacent countries. Obs.
1698 Fryer Acc. E. India ^ P. 406 The Money which
passes is a Golden Venetian, equivalent to our Angel. 1752
m J. Long6W. UnpubURecs.yz (Yule &B.), At this juncture |
a gold mohur is found to be worth 14 Arcot Rupees, and a '
Venetian 4J Arcot Rupees. 1835 Burnes Trnv. Bokhara
(ed. 2) I. 90 Vou are then to present a handsome bow, and ;
each of you eleven gold Venetians. i
4. A closely-woven cloth having a fine twilled I
surface, used as a suiting or dress material. i
1710 Lond. Gaz. No. 4706/4 For Sale.,, Venitions,.. i
Tabbies, .. and other_ Stuffs. 1883 Simmonds Diet. Trade^
Venetian^ a fine twilled fabric of carded wool for gentle-
men's suits. 1899 Daily Neivs 30 Oct. 2/6 The newest
designs in coloured tweeds, serges, coverts, meltons,..
Venetians, beavers, and cashmeres.
6. ellipt. t a. A Venetian window. Obs.
1766 Entick London IV. 376 The body of the church is
enlightened by two ranges of windows, with a Venetian in
the center. 1779 Mirror No. 61, His dusky Gothic windows
have been contrasted to great advantage, with their Bows
and Venetians.
b. A Venetian blind.
z8i6 ' Qmz* Grand Master viu 167 They're soon disturb 'd
—a sudden rap 'Gainst the Venetians spoil'd their nap. i88i
Emma J. Worboise Sissie xvi, It was observed that no one,
all through the day, proposed raising that side- Venetian,
C, //. (See quot.)
x883 Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needle^v. 514/1 Vene*
tians, a heavy kind of tape or braid, resembling double
I^ndons. They are employed more especi-.Uy for Venetian
blinds, whence the name.
0. = Domino i.
1891 Century Mag. June 283, 1 then put off my sword, and
put on my Venetian or domino, and entered the bal masque.
B. adj, 1, Of or pertaining to Venice.
1554 in Feuillerat Re7-eh Q. Mnry (1914) 166 A maske of
viij patrons of galleis like Venetian Senatours. 1593 G.
Harvev Netv Lett. Wks. (Grosart) I. 264 Who honoureth
not. .the security of the Venetian state. 1642 Howell For,
Tratf. (Arb.) 53 There is in Italy the Toscan, the Roman,
the Venetian, the Neapolitan [languages], . . and all these have
severall Dialects and Idiomes of Speech. 1648 Hkxham ii,
De Venetiaensche Zee^ the Venetian Sea, or, the Gulfe of
Venice, 175^-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) III. 378 It is now
some centuries since Padua has been brought under the
Venetian yoke. X841 W, Spai,ding Italy ^ It. IsL HI. 37
The republic at' first embraced, .the Venetian provinces of
Bergamo, Brescia, and La Polesina. 1893 W. G. Collinc-
wooD Life Rnskin I. 11. iv, 147 The treatment.. of Venetian
matters had to be indefinitely postponed.
b. Venetian Schoolj id) a school of painting,
distinguished by its mastery of colouring, which
originated in the 15th century and reached its
climax in the i6th; {b) a school of Italian archi-
tecture originating in the early part of the i6th
century.
(a) 1748 Melmoth Fitzosborne Lett. Ixi. (1749) II. J16
On the contrary, the Venetian school is said to have neg-
lected design a little too much. 1859 Ruskin Two Paths i.
§ 20 The Venetian school proposed to itself the representa-
tion of the effect of colour and shade on all things.
{b) 1842 GwiLT Archil. § 349 The Venetian School is char-
acterised by its lightness and elegance; by the convenient
distribution it displays; and by the abundant, perhaps
exuberant, use of columns, pilasters, and arcades.
2. In special collocations, denoting things char-
acteristic of Venice, esp. articles actually produced
there, or others made in imitation of these. (Cf.
similar uses of Venice.)
Venetian ball (see quots.). Venetian bar, in needlework,
a bar formed by means of button-hole work on a thread
or threads. Venetia?t blind, a window-blind composed of
narrow horizontal slats so fixed on strong tapes as to admit of
ready adjustment for the exclusion or admission of light and
air. + Venetiafibrf'echeSf=V'EVi-ETiAiisb.2, Venetian brown,
a variety of brown used for colouring §lass. Venetian carpet,
a common make of carpet, usually striped, in which the warp
alone is shown. Venetian chalk (see quots.). Venetian
cloth, - Venetian sb. 4. Venetian dentil (see quot.).
Venetian door {see quot 1842). ^ Venetian earth, ? Vene-
tian chalk. Venetian embroidery (see quot.). Venetian
enantely a hard enamel used for the dials of clocks and
watches. Venetian filigree, a variety of coloured glass.
Venetian frame, a form of window-frame (see quot. 1833).
Venetian glass, Venice glass. Venetian^Gothic adj. (see
quot.). ^Venetian /i(jj^,= Venetian sb. 2. Venetian mast,
a tall pole ornamented with spiral bands of colour, used
in the decoration of streets or open spaces on special
occasions. Venetian pearl, a solid artificial pearl. Vene-
tian pointy a variety of point-lace. Venetian red, satin
(see -quots.). Venetian shutter, a shutter constructed on
the same principle as a Venetian blind; hence Venetian^
shuttered adj. Venetian sole, stitch (see quots.). + Vene-
tian sublimate (?). Venetian sufnach, the southern European
.shrub Rhus Cotinus. Venetian swell, an organ-swell hav.
ing the front constructed like a Venetian shutter. Venetian
talc, a hydrous silicate of magnesia. + Venetiati thyme (see
quot.). Venetian turpentine, Venice turpentine. Venetian
varnish (see quot.). Venetian vetch : see Vetch. Venetian
w/(rV^ (see quot.). Venetian window {see quot. 1842). Vene-
tian 7uindow-bliud,=Y enetian blind. Also Venetian bead,
t dollar, lace.
1851-^ Tomlinson*s Cycl. Usef Arts (1866) I. ^83/2 The
* Venetian ball consists of a number of pieces of filigree glass
packed into a pocket of transparent colourless glass. 1875
Knight Diet. Mech. 2702/2 Venetian ball, an ornamental
form of glass for paper-weights, etc. 1882 Caulfeild &
Saward Diet. Needlew. 511/2 *Venetian bar.. is used in
modern Point Lace. 1660 F. Bbooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav.
19s Some bracelets made of *Venetian Beads of several
colours. 1791 in Harper's Mag. March (1885) 535/2 Sur-
charge for ^Venetian blinds. 1794 W. Felton Carriages
I. 148 The Venetian blind., [is] frequently used as a sub-
stitute for the common shutter and spring curtain. 1840
Dickens Old C. Shop xiv. It was easy to hear through
the Venetian blinds all that passed inside. 188a Caulfeild
& Saward Diet. Needlew. 514/1 Another kind of braid or
tape is made for Venetian blinds. 1587 Fleming Contn.
Holinshed III. 1354 Walton.. rent his *venecian breeches
of crimsin taffata, and distributed the same peecemeale.
CI79I Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) VII. 774/2 *Venetian brown,
with gold spangles, commonly called the philosopher's
stone. 1845 G. Dodd Brit. Manuf IV. 95 '*Venetian'
carpets were never, it has been asserted, made at Venice at
all. 1868 Ref. U. S. Commissioner A gric. (1869) 51 Carpets,
treble ingrain, three-ply, and worsted chain Venetian. 1839
Ure Diet. Arts 1271 "Venetian chalk is Steatite. 1883
Simmonds Diet. Trade, Venetian chalk, a white compact
talc or steatite, used for marking on cloth. frz790 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) VI. 404/2 A new suit of French and *Venetian
cloths. T^fM Daily Neius 6 Jan. ^/6 Venetian cloth is, next
to panne, still the favourite material for dresses. 1881
Archit.Dict.y *Venetian dentil, a molding consisting of a
fillet with its sides cut alternately into notches, which
reach the middle of the face, and produce the effect of a
double row of dentils. 1626 in Foster Eng. Factories India
(1909) III. 156 The *Venetian doUer will yeald 5 mahmudis
if full weight. 1731 Pope Ep. Burlington 36 Iniitating-
Fools Who.. [are] Proud to catch cold at a *Venetian door.
ax'j^— Hor. Sat. n. vi. igi Palladian walls, Venetian
doors, Grotesco roofs, and Stucco floors. 1842 Gwilt
Archit. 1050 P'enetian door, a door having side lights on
each side for lighting an entrance hall. 1660 J. H[arding]
Basil. Valent. Chariot Antimony 123 Mix'one part of this
Salt with three parts of *Venetian Earth. 1882 Caulfeild
& Saward Diet. Needleiv. 512/1 "Venetian embroidery.. is
work resembling Roman Work and Strasbourg Embroidery,
but is lighter than either in effect. 1837 Hebert Efigin, <5-
Mech. Encycl. I. 468 [In] hard enamelling.. the ^Venetian
enamels are chiefly employed. 1851-4 Tomlinson's Cycl.
Usef. Arts (1866) I. 783/2 The ^Venetian filigree con-
sists of plain and coloured enamel. 1833 Loudon Encycl.
Archil. § J585 Fix a large solid "Venetian frame (a frame in
three division^, the two side divisions being narrower than
the centre one). 1842 Gwilt Archit. 639 Venetian deal
cased frames. 1845 Encycl. Metrop. Index 139/2 "Venetian
Glass. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 2703/1 The Venetian-glass
ball [see Venetian ball, cjuot. 1851-4]. 1867 Chambers's
Encycl. IX. 748/1 '"Venetian-Gothic '[style of architecture]
indicates the peculiar phase of that style so common in
Venice and the north of Italy. 1583 Siubbes Anat.
Abns. E 3, The "Venetian-hosen, they reach beneath the
knee to the gartering place of the Leg. 1882 Calxfeild
& Saward Diet, Needlew. 513/1 In 1654 Colbert prohibited
the exportation of the "Venetian Laces into France. 1883
Harpers Mag. Jan. 311/2 The Strand being one blaze
of colour with "Venetian masts, and streamers overhead.
1886 Besant Childr. Gibeon 11. xxxiii, There should have
been joy-bells and.. Venetian masts with streamers and
flags. 1864 Chambers's Encycl. VI. 5/1 "Venetian-point,..
Maltese-point : in all these the pattern is flatter than in the
Rose-point. 1877 W, S. Gilbert Foggerty's Fairy \, Look
at the lace ! It's Venetian point. 1883 Mag. of Art Dec.
66/2 Richard III wore Venetian point at his coronation,
X753 Chambers* Cycl. Suppl., Veneta bolus, a fine red earth
used in painting, and called in the colour-shops "Venetian
red. 1823 P. Nicholson Pract. Build, 413 Venetian-Red is
a native ochre, rather inclining to scarlet. 1849-50 Weale
Diet. Terms, Venetian-red-... 'Cue colours sold under this
name are prepared artificially from sulphate of iron, or its
residuum in the manufacturing of acids. 1867 Bloxam Chem.
322 Red oxide of iron has been already, .referred to as oc-
curringin commerce under the names of colcothar, jeweller's
rouge, and Venetian red. 1786 Sixth Rep. Dep. Kpr. Public
Rec. App. n. 175 A method.. of manufacturing Silk and
Mohair,, .with materials which have never before been
combined or manufactured together [as wood, reed, cane,
straw, etc.], and which is called (by the Specifier) '"Venetian
Sattin*. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Fa-mi I. 142 "Venetian
shutters, which may be opened more or less at pleasure.
1892 Photogr. A nn. IL p. cxxxiii. The Plate, after expKJSure,
goes into back chamber, a Venetian shutter being opened
and closed. 1897 Mary Kingslev iV. Africa 86 An infinity
of flies going into the Venetian shuttered window. 1803
Shaw Gen. Zool. IV. 11. 304 *Venetian Sole, Pleuronectes
Linguatula, 188a Caulfeild & Saward Did. Needlew.
514/1 *Venetian stitch, a term sometimes applied to close
rows of Buttonholes as Fillings in Needlepoint Laces. 1725
Fam. Diet. s.v. Ulcer, A Solution of "Venetian Sublimate.
1755 Diet, Arts ^Sci. IV, s.v. 6"w;«rtc//, "Venetian Sumach,
cotinus, in botany. 1846 Lindley Veg. Kingd. 467 R\hus\
Cotinus, . . Venetian Sumach of the English, has wood called
Young Fustick. 1882 Garden 19 Aug. 163/3 There are few
more striking objects than a large bush of the Venetian Su-
mach. 1852 Seidel Organ 27 The "Venetian Swell, .is the
only sort used in England. 1881 C. A. Edwards Organs 121
It is to Green that we owe the Venetian swell, which took its
name from the resemblance it bears to the Venetian shutter,
a 1728 Woodward Fossils i. 62 This very much resembles
what is sold in the Shops for "Venetian Talc. 1836 T.
Thomson Min., GeoL, etc. 1. 186 This mineral . . was formerly
i carried to Venice as an article of commerce, being employed
j in medicine. Hence the name Venetian talc. 1548 Turner
i Names Herbcs (E.D.S.) 78 The greate kynde of thyme,
j wherof Dioscorides maketh mention of in Epithymo, is
r called nowe "Venetian thyme. 1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's
Fr. Chirurg. ^2 h/z "Venetiane 'lerebentine. 1857 Miller
I Elem. Chem., Org. 505,48 parts of shell-lac, 12 of Venetian
I turpentine. 1755 Diet. Arts <5- Sci. s.v. Varnish, White
I varnish, called also "Venetian varnish, made of oil of
\ turpentine, fine turpentine, and mastic. 1867 Ure's Diet.
Arts (ed. 6) III. 084 ^Venetian white, a carefully pre-
pared carbonate of lead. 1779 Shaw Hist. Moray (1882)
1, 347 It is lighted, besides several windows in the side-walls,
by a "Venetian window.. in the western gavel. 1837 Lock-
HART Scott IV. v. 148 A square small room... It had but a
single Venetian window. 1842 Francis Diet. Arts, Venetian
1 window, a window in three separate apertures, the two side
ones being narrow, and separated from the centre by timber
i only. 1769 Public Advertiser 25 May 3/2 "Venetian
I Window Blinds made by Edward Bevan.
! Venetianed (v/hrjand), a. [f. Venetian sb,
\ 5 b.] Furnished with Venetian blinds or shutters.
I 1839 Eraser's Mag. XIX. 366 Through the open Vene-
I tianed window I caught a passing glimpse. 1854 Stocqueler
' Handbk Brit. India 125 The airy little bauleahs, with their
light venetian'd rooms. x88i Mrs. C. Praed Policy ^ P.
j III. 37 Along the white road, past the row of neat vene-
i tianed houses.
Veuetic (v/he*tik), a. [f. L. Venet-i or
Venet-ia -f--ic.] Of or pertaining to the ancient
Veneti or their country, or to the modern province
of Venice.
1880 Encp/cl. Brit. XIII. 434/1 The population of the
Venetian cities is ' Venetian ' in language, but the country
districts are in various ways Venetic. 1902 Nature 2 Jan.
I 212/2 Inscriptions on the outside of their rims, said to be in
j Venetic or old North Etruscan alphabet.^ 1903 Ibid. 29 Oct.
I 635 A large admixture of Albanian,Venetic, or Slav intruders.
I Venett, obs, form of Vignette.
"Venev, 'Venew(e, obs. forms of Venue.
"Veney, variant of Vent 2 Obs.
Veneymen, obs. form of Venom v.
Veii6ZXiela>Il (venz^zw/'lan), a. and sb. [See
def:] a. adj. Of or pertaining to the republic of
Venezuela in the north of South America, b. sb,
A native or inhabitant of Venezuela,
1836 Penny Cycl V. 81/2 The congress of the Venezuelan
Republic at Angostura. Ibid. 82/1 The Venezuelan con-
gress. 1881 W.H, Brktt Mission lVorkGuiana\\. 109 From
the Spaniards and Venezuelans they have suffered greatly.
i88a Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needlew. 514/1 Venezuelan
drawn work .. resembles the Oriental Drawn Thread Work
and the Italian and Swedish Drawn Works.
Veng(e, southern ME. variant pa. t. Fang v.
t Venge, sb. Obs. [f Venge v. Cf. Avenge sb.l
Vengeance.
1587 T. Hughes Misf Arthurx. ii, Whyshunst thou feare-
full wrath 2 Adde coales afreshe— preserve me to this venge.
VENGE.
97
VENGEANCE.
163a Chapman & Shirlfy Bh^/ ir. D 2 b, You must Lay_ in
betimes to prevent niutinie Among the small guts, which
with winde ofvenge else Will breakeyourguarde of buttons.
Veng^e (vend,:5), V, Now arr/i. Forms : 4-5
vengyn (5 vengy), 4- venge (4 venie, uenge) ;
^_5 wenge, 4, 5 .5V., weng. [ad. OF. ven^er^
venger (niod.F. V€ng£r^—\\., vcngiare, Sp. vengar^
Pg. vulgar) :— L. vindkdre Vindicate v, Cf.
Avenge v,'\
1. a. rejl. = Avenge v. \ b.
a 1300 Cursor M. 5345 For \>a\. J^ai na wight dtightiii dred,
He wenged him o (7am ful sare. a 1340 Hampole Psalter
ii. 5 When he venges him, his vengaunce is cald woednes.
C1386 Chaucer Melib. P45 But lete u» now putte, that ye
han leve to venge 5'ow; I say ye ben nought of might ne
power as now to venge you. c 1430 Lvdg. Min. Poems
(Percy Soc.) 31 Be nat to hasty to venge the on thi foo.
£-1450 Mirour Saluacioun (Roxb.) 72 He vengid hym on
his enemys horribly. 1509 Fisher y Penit. Ps. vi. Wks.
(1876) 18 Crete laude and prayse is in wylde beestes lack-
ynge reason, that they wyll forgyue and not venge themselfe
vpon other weyker beestes. 1581 A. Hall Iliad w.. 29 Til
that ech one here of vs al, at wil and ease be plast With
Troyan Dames . . to venge vs of Paris. 159^) Shaks. Hen. K,
1. ii. 292 Tel you the Dolphin, I am commmg on, To venge
me as 1 may. 1817 Scott Harold n. xv, Thou shalt know.
If I can venge me on a foe, 1914 Contemp. Rev. April 5^8
To venge themselves they pursued a policy of obstruction in
the Diet.
b. trans, = Avenge z/. i.
ciyas i^lt'tr. Horn. 137 Ef thou prai Godd that he Apon
thi fai> venge the. c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 5533 Haly
Loverd,.,How lange sal be ar l»ow venge our blude Of our
enemys ^at in erihe duelles. c 1440 Gcsta Rom, x. 20
(Harl. MS.), Do vs to knowe, if l»er be ony [jat t>retenith
J>e ; For we ben redy to venge ^e. c 1450 Lovelich Grail
ivi. 435 Thus owre lord venged kyng I^wncelot certayn.
1581 A. Hall Iliad i. 16, I greatly dread, hir sonne to
venge, obtainde some suit she hath. 1590 Greene Orlando
Furioso 1093 Now let vs seeke to venge the Lampe of
France That lately was eclipsed in Angelica. 1613 Hev-
wooD Braz. Age 11. ii, I sweare. .to. -venge the Gods that
goueme Sea and Sunne. 1S14 Scott Lord o/^ Isles ill. xxix.
With this he cross'd the murderer's path, And venged young
Allan well ! 1887 Bowen JEneid iv. 656, 1 have. .Venged
a beloved one, meted a brother measure for guilt.
O. pass. = AVENGK V. I C.
£-1380 WvcLir IV/is. (1880) 24 For to plede, for to finite
and.. to be vengid on men ^at don a^enst here willc, wor-
schipe, or profit. 1390 Gower Con/. I. 202 Bot I wol make
this beheste, I 5chal be venged er I go. c 1400 Ptlgr. Sowie
(Caxlon) II. Ivii. (1859) 55. I myght haue ben fully venged
vpon the. 14S0 Cot>. Lett Bk. \\. 441 Be.cause Jjc seid
Laurens .. feyned maters to )»entenC to haue be venged for
J>e due punysshement ycven to hym be J»e seid Maire. 1489
Caxtos Faytes 0/ A. i. i. 7 They that gretly be vengid on
their enemycs. x6ii B. Jonson Catiline 11. i, I should be
ri^ht sorry To have the means so to be venged on you.
+ d. mtr, = Avenge v. id. Ods.
13 .. E. E. Allit. P. B. 20I [He] Nc venged for no vilte of
vice nc synne,..Ne neuer so sodenly so;t vnsoundely to
weng. loid. 559 Felly he ucnged Quen fourferde alle («
flesch J>ar he formed hade, c Z400 Destr. Troy 7333 Achilles
..Of ^ kynges, bat were kild,- -Wold haue vengit of be
velany, & pe vile harme. 14.. in Arnolde Chron. (1811) 208
A priest ought to be swete and softe more rather to foryeue
than to vcnsy. a 1500 Rati: Raving 3^40 Traist nocht
thine honorc in a fulle, Na weng nocht quhil thi blud be cule.
2. trans. = Avenge v. 2.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 3806 pys yche chylde toke
hym 10 rede For to venge hys fadrys ded. c 1374 Chaucer
Troylus 1.62 (Harl. MS.), In dy verse wise. .TlieravysNhyng
to vengyn of Heleyn, By Parts done, they wroughten all hir
peine, a 1450 MirWs Festtal 44 The thre o|>er also dcydcn
on spytues de^es, so b^t, wythyn brc ^ere aftyr, Thomas
deth was thus venget. c 1489 ilkXTOii Sondes o/Aymon ix.
344, I praye god that I maye venge your deth vpon theym
or ever I dcce.isse. 1538 Starkev England 141 That hys
ennemv may not pluke liym out at hys lyberty, nor yet in
such place to venge hys iniury. 1587 Turberv. Trag. Tales
{1837) 160 To venge which deede, and cursed cruell acte, He
slue them all. 1620 Pvper tr. Hist. Astrea 1. ii. 13 Venge
not my death vpon this faire I^dy. 1638 Sanderson Serm.
(1681) II. Ill We find our selves ready to fret at any cross
occurrent, to venge every injury, to rage at every light pro-
vocation. i8oa Levden in Li/eff Poems {iSj 5) 39 Thine the
mighty boast., lo venge each ancient violated bust. 1851
C L. Smith tr. Tasso xviii. xlviii, And much he hoped with
such a fiery brood To venge the felling of the precious
wood.
tb. To punish (wronjjdoing). Obs.
a 1340 Hamiole Psalter xxix. 5 Wreth, bat is vengaunce,
bat he vengid in 50W be first syn with ded. c 1375 Sc. Leg.
Saints xxv. {Julian) 116 .Syk wykyt wordisof dy&pyt In b^t
dekine ware wengyt tyt. 1401 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. iii
Thou seist..that chariie is chactd, to vengyn oure defautis,
and mende us of oure inysse.
t 3, = Avenge v. 3. Ods.~^
<zs47o Harding Chron. lxv. iii, The Scottes and Peighles
he venged & ouercam.
t4. To execute (vengeance); to wreak (anger)
by vengeance. Ohs. rare.
138a WvcLiF Jer. Ii. 36 Lo ! Y >hal deine thi cause, and
venge thi vengyng. d 1470 H. Parker Dives ^ Pauper
(W. de W. 1496) iv. XV. 179/2 He is goddcs mynystre, to
venge the wrath of god in hym that dooth amys.
Vengeable, a. and ativ. Oh. or dial. Forms :
4-5 veniable, 5-7 vengable, vengeable (6
uen-) ; 5 vengeabyl, -ylUe, -abil. [a. AF. veng-
abU (Gower), f. venger Venge v. Cf. Vengible a.]
1. Inclined or ready to take vengeance or inflict
retaliative injury. (Cf. Vengeful a. i.)
a. Of persons (or animals).
Very common c 1400-1550; in mod. dial, use = destructive.
Vol. X.
ci38oWyclif.S"c/. Wks. II. 189 For ^if he were veniable
here no man my^te suffre his veniaunce. 1390 Gower Conf.
II. iig Such a Sor is incurable, And ek the goddes ben
vengable. c 1400 Lvdg. in Pol., Rel. <5- L. Poems (1903) 48
Where god list spare, a tygre is not vengeable. 1421 Hoc-
CLEVE Min. Poems 153 AUtho^h i>at shee were in this cas
vengeable,.. Shee was in bat in partie excusable. c 1450
Mirk's Ftstial 140 Forto schew you how vengabull God ys
apon horn i>at ben lef forto sched Cristys bfod. 1529 S.
Fish Supplic. Beggers 3 Whate tiraunt euer oppressed the
people like this cruell and vengeable generacion? 1547
^ooRViZlntrod. Kno7vl. xvii. (1870) 167 There is a beast called
a Bouy, lyke a Bugle, whyche is a vengeable beast. 1573
G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 138 To be notoriously
revenged on this vengeable feende. c 1610 Sir J. Melvil
Mem. (1735)206 The Appetites of envious, vengeable and
greedy Counsellors. 1640 Bastwick Lord Bishops iii. C 3,
Who should prove the most vengaijle instruments of per-
secuting and oppressing Gods true children. i866 Grecor
Banffsk. Gloss. 232 Rottans are vengeable craiturs on young
deuks.
b. Of the mind, will, etc,
1411-IS HoccLEVE De Reg. Princ. 2330 He rathir chees
be disobedient To his vengetible wil,.. Than be forsworn of
Jjathe swoor so depe. 1513 Bradshaw^/. Werburge i. 1041
His vengeable mynde washymselfetomagnyfy..Ordestroye
hymselfe. 1539 Cromwell in MerrimanZ-z/^^ Lett. {1902)
II. 169 His Inique covetous and vengeable disposicion.
1540 Hyrde tr. Vivcs' Imtr. Chr. IVom. (1592) H iiij, To
keepe her vengeable mind unto.. occasion of revengeiuent.
C. Of weapons,
c 1400 HoccLEVE Compl. Virgin 179 Wei feele I J?at deeth
his vengeable bowe Hath bent, & me purposith doun to
throwe. 1430-40 IVycliffite Bible, Rom. xiii. 4 (Cardwell
MS.), For not withoute cause he berith the vengeable swerd.
2. Characterized by, arising from, vengeance or
revenge; cruel, dreadful.
f 1430 HoccLEVE Min. Poems 71/128 pat the feend..Ne
sese hem nat in the vengeable day ! c 1440 Capgrave Li/e
St. Katlt. IV. 14 14 5e shulde not suffren }p\s cristen foolk
here Repreue oure goddis with swiche veniable manere.
1509 Barclay Shypof Folys (1570) 201 For none. .This hurt
outchaseih which is so vengeable. 1582 STANVHURST.<^«r/j
I. (.-Vrb.) 29 Such folckas the tyrant pursndewith vengeabil
hatred. i6a7 H. Burton Baiting Pope's Bull 18 lezabell,
for all her vengeable malice and impotent fury, yet could not
wreck it vpon Elias.
3. As an intensive: Very great, severe, strong,
intense, etc.
1531 More Con/ut. Tindale\I\i%. 655/2 As the churche of
Chnste is but one, so be there of those [heretics] a venge-
able maynye. 1542 Udall Erasm, Apopk. 40 b, He gave
a vengeable check to those persones. 1383 Stocker Civ.
W'arres Lotve C1V.61 A mischeuous mistakyng of a matter
..bredde a vengeable suspition in the heddes of many.
1601 Deacon & Walker -S^/r/Vj-.^ Divels ToRdr. i3[rheyj
will couertly flutter their wings, and keepe a vengeable
coyle ih Conuenticles and corners.
b. As adv. = Vexgeably adv. a.
154a Udall Erasm. Apopk. 7 Socrates asked wherfore he
was so vengeable eagre. 1566 Pasqnine in Traunce 48 A
vengeable long leape, or a vengeable lowde lye. x866
Gregor Banffsh. Gloss. 932 He's vengeable greedy ; he can
hardly be honest
4. Punishable. rare~^,
1650 S. Ci-ARKE Eccl. Hist. 1. (1654) 488 IHeJ delivered
him over to the secular power; Declaring that.. it was a
vengeable matter to eat or drink with him.
Vengeably, adv. Now arch, or Obs. Also
5 vengably, 6 vengeablie, -eiably, veangeably.
[f. prec]
1. In a revengeful manner; vindictively; cruelly,
pitilessly.
1411-20 Lvdg. Chron. Troy iv. 2775 (>is Achille of cruelte
. . pe dede cors toke oute of pe taas, .^nd vengably bond it.
a 1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 105 Right so it plesed vnto
God that he shulde deye vengeably. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes
0/ Aymon xx. 453 He. .smote a knyghte soo vengably that
he cast hym doun deed to the erthe. 1549 Latimer ^t/t
Sertit. be/. Ediv, VI (Arb.) 103 So that they do it chariti-
ablye louyngelyc, not of malyce, not vengeably, not couet-
ouslye. isfe J. Hooker Hist. Irel, in Holinshed II. 78/1
The Irish enimie. .vengeablie haue brent a great towne of
mine inheritance in Meth, called Ramore.
1848 Anne Bronte Agnes Grey xiv, Miss Matilda, having
..vengeably thumped the piano for an hour, in a terrible
humour both with me and it.
2. Exceedingly, greatly, very.
c 1550 Bale Apol. 113 But ye are lykc to come vengeably
short. 1575 Laneham Let. (1871) 12 It woold haue made
mee, for my part, az hardy az I am, very veangeably afeard.
1607 R. Qarew] tr. Estietine's World 0/ Wond. 291 Some
[priests and monks], .haue bin so vengeably learned.
Ven^eflllCe (ve'nd.^ans), j^., adv., and a.
Forms: a, 4 veniance, -iaunce, -y(e)aunce,
4-5 venieaunce, 5 veniauns, -lawnce, wen-
iaunoe ; 4 veniounse, 5 venions. j3. 4 ven-
gaunse, 4-6 -aunce, 4-5 -ance, -ans ; 4 ven-
giaunce, 5 -anse, 6 -ans ; 4 vengeans, 4-6
-aunce, 4- vengeance (7 veng'ance), 6 ven-
gence; 4 wengan8,-anz, -aunce, -eans^ -eance,
4, 6 Sc.f wenganoe, 6 Sc. wengence. [a. AF.
veniauncty ance, veng\e)aunce , -ance, — OF. and
F. vengeance (It. vengianza, Sp. venganza, Pg.
vtnganza)j f. venger Venge v."]
1. The act of avenging oneself or another ; retri-
butive infliction of injury or punishment ; hurt or
harm done from vindictive motives.
a 1300 Cursor M, 827 Son bigan wenganz to ki|w. Ibid.
13184 But ^is ded was said ful dere,..Wit a greithful soth
vengeance. CX31S Shoreham hi. 248 He ^at spillej> mannes
lyf, Veniounse hyt schel acwyte. c 1380 Wyclif Serm.
Sel. \yks. I. 149 J>is is noo good praier, but more axinge of
Goddis venjaunce. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 37 She
tolde..that it was the uengeaunce of God that fell on her,
the whiche she had welle deserued. 1474 Caxton Chesse \\.
iv. (1883) 53 For hit is the most hyest and fayr vengeance
that a man may doo. 1535 Coverdalk Ps. xciii. i Thou God
to whom vengeaunce belongeth, shewe thy self. 1592 Kvd
Mnrther I. Brewen Wks, uyoi) 287 The blood of the lust
Abel cried. .for vengeance and reuenge on the murderer.
1613 V\^v.<:Mks Pitgriiiiagc (1614) 156 Diuine mercie.-rc-
moued the Christians to Pella out of the danger, that with,
out any impediment the floud-gates of vengeance might bee
set wide open for Desolations black-guard to enter. 1667
Milton P. L. i. 170 But see the angry Victor hath recall'd
His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit Back to the Gates
of Heav'n. 1757 Gray Bard 96 Stamp we our vengeance
deep, and ratify his doom. 1769 Jionus Lett. xv. (1788)92
The injuries you have done. .demand not only redress, but
vengeance. 1837 W. Irving Capt. Bonneville III. 67 Alarm
signals, to arouse the country and collect the scattered bands
for vengeance. 1891 Farrar Darkn. <5- Dawn xxv, That
in some way she regarded Britannicus. .as the ultimate
resource of her vengeance and despair.
b. In the phrase to take (also f nint) vengeance.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 6859 pe king. .si;or he nolde abide,
J>at he nolde uerst nyme vengaunce in is side, a 1300 Cursor
M. 6094 pair goddes i me on wil wrake, O \ am mi wengeance
sal i take, c 1386 Chaucer Milib. p 49 Savinge your grace,
I can nat seen that it mighte greetly harme me though I
toke vengeaunce. c 1400 Rom. Rose 5780 God can wel ven-
geaunce therof take, c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xii. 51 In
taken of |>e vengeaunce bat Godd tiike on J'a fyue citeez.
1460 Capgrave Chron. iRolls) 106 He receyved him with
grete worchip, took veniauns on his enimes. c 1489 Caxton
Sonnes 0/ Aytuon ii. 59 Vei;gance we sholde take therof.
xSa6 TiNUALE Rom. xiii. 4 To take vengeaunce on them that
do evyll. 1611 Shaks. Cymb. v. i. 8 Gods, if you Should
liaue 'tane vengeance on my faults, I neuer Had Hu'd to
put on this. 1717 Bailey (vol. II), Avenger, one who takes
Vengeance on an Offender. 1808 Scott Marvtion 11. xxxi,
Full soon such vengeance will he take, That [etc]. 1847
Sarah Austin Ranke's Hist. Ri/. III. 17 The strong city
of Pavia, on which cruel vengeance was taken for the resist-
ance it had made.
o. Personified or otherwise regarded as an
entity.
x6os Shaks. Ham. n. ii. 510 Arowsed Vengeance sets him
new a-worke. 1642 D. Ro&ers Katiman 39 Left to conflict
nakedly with hell and vengeance, till it carry them away
quicke. 1721 Young Revenge 11. i. Vengeance is still alive ;
from her dark covert.. She stalks in view. 1790 Campbell
Pleas. Hope i. 395 Where was thine arm, O Vengeance !
a 1839 PRAED Red Fisherman, Look how the fearful felon
gazes On the scaffold his country's vengeance raises. 1891
Marie A. Brown tr. Runeber^s Nadeschda 67 Tnen saw I
vengeance beckon, it lit my path In years of woe.
2. With (Zand pi. An act or instance of retribu-
tive or vindictive punishment. (Also as in I c.)
a 1300 Cursor M. 1592 For-(>i in forme of lugement He
thoght a neu wengaunce to sent, c t^oo So^vtione Bab. 14
For the offences to God i-doon Many vengeaunces haue be-
falle. c 1440 Jacob's Well 41 Foure vengaunces comyn to
man here in erthe for fals tythyng. c 1480 Henryson
Fables, Wol/^ Lamb xxl, It cryis ane vengeance vnto the
heuinnis hie. 1659 Hammond On Ps. cix. 6-10 Sad execu-
tions, judgments, and vengeances, a X704 T. Brown Sat.
agst. Woman Wks. 1730 I. 56 He falls a willing pris'ner to
her arms, There meets a veng'ance of ne'er-ending harms.
X718 Pope Iliad xiii. 832 \\ ith his full strength he bent his
angry bow, And wing'd the featber'd vengeance at the foe.
1728 P. Walker Li/e Pedeu (1901) I. 155 Hasty marriages
are sudden vengeances, 1791 Burke App. Whigs Wks. VI.
220 Taking. .a cruel vengeance on these deluded wretches.
1838 Thirlwall C«^C£ xxxi. IV. 201 Thiasybulus. .anim-
ated his men by.. the prospect of a just vengeance. 1873
Miss Broughton Nancy I. <J5, I am planning five distinct
and lengthy vengeances against Bobby.
b. In imprecations, usually with i7W. Also rarely
without article. Obs. or tiirk.
la 1500 Chester PI. xm. 164 Must we afore the pharisies
appeare? A vengeance on them, far and ncere 1 1562 J.
Hevwood Prfl7'. <V Epigr. (1867) 178 A vengeance on that
lame iade. 1591 Shaks. Two Gentl. ii. iii. 21 A veng'ance
on't, there 'tis. 1604 [? Chettle] Wit 0/ Woman G 4 b, A
vengeance pepper such braines, as cannot beare one draught
of Ipocras. 1814 Scott Wav. xxx, D'y^ think the lads..
will care for..yer stool o' repentance? Vengeance on the
black face o't !
c. A person of a violent temper.
i7n-» Swift Jrnl. to Stella 21 Mar., The D— he is !
married to that vengeance '..Who would have her?
3. Used to strengthen interrogations. ? Obs,
1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence (1607) 167 Thr. Where are
the other? San. What other in a vengeance. 1607 Shaks.
Cor. III. 1. 262, I would they were in Tyber. What the ven-
geance, could he not .speake *em faire? \txo Frier Rush
28 His wife., said vnto him: what a vengance needest thou
to take a seruant? 1663 Butler Hud. \. iii. 213 But what
a-vengeance makes thee fly From me too, as thine Enemy?
a 1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 40 What the venge-
ance uncle, stidna fouks die when they're auld? 1828 Scott
F. M. Perth vi, .^rt thou beside thyself, boy? or what a
vengeance takes tliee from the city, like the wing of the
whirlwind?
4. With a vengeance : t a. With a curse or
malediction. Obs.
1525 V/. Smith Merry tests Widow F.dyth (1573) D j b, In
she gotb,...^nd came out agayne, saying w' a vengeaunce:
They must go by water. 1581 Hanmek yesuites Banner
E 2 b, Let such then goe with a vengeaunce, and leaue
those toyes for Poets to prate of and let them preach better
stuffe vnto the people, 1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence^
Andria \u i, Abi hinc in malam crucem. Away with a
vengeance: get thee hence with a mischiefe: goe hence
with sorrow enough. 1635 R. N. tr. Camden's Hist. Eliz.
IV. 493 The Queene. .waxing impatient gave him [Essex] a
cuffe on the eate and bade him be gone with a vengeance,
13
VENGEANCELY.
VENIAL.
1673 Vinegar Ar ^fustar^i^H\x\6.\cy) III. 8 You are land-sick
now, and not sea-sick, with a vengeance to you for me. x8^
Carlvle in Kroude Li/e in London 1. 70 Why not quit
literature— with a vengeance to it— and turn, were it even
to sheep herding ?
b. As an inteusive : With great force or vio-
lence; in an extreme degree ; loan unusual extent.
1568 V. Skin'nrr Ir. Monianus* Inquisition 24 b, He shall
GOme downe with a %-engeaunce. 1594 Greene & Loik;k
Looking Gl. I. ii. 336 A pbister..that mends him with a
▼erie vengeance. 1611 Middleton & Dkkker Roaring
C»Vi> Mj, Are you too well, too happy? Aie.v. Wiihaven-
geance. 1654 H. L'Estrance Ckas. /(1655) 88 The furious
multitude.. struck him down, and mailed him with a ven-
geance. 1673 [R. LkichI I'roftsp. Rfk. 63 Accordingly he
lays it on wiih a vengeance. 1711 * J. Distaff' Char. Don
5iK-ArtVTr//«» 6 This, .is proving the.. Existence ol Gyants
..with a Vengeance. 1761 Foote /,mr ti. Wks. 1799 I. 293
His friends.. gloss over his foible, by calling him an agree-
able novelist : and so he is, with a vengeance. 1834 L.
Ritchie Wand, hy Seine (i^%om^ readers will think that we
are drawing our traveller's bow with a vengeance. 1867M.
Arnold Celtic Lit, 29 Here, at any rate, are materials
enough with a vengeance.
t O. So With the vengeatue. Ohs~^
1693 Humours Town 29 This is following the Dictates of
Reason with the vengeance.
t6. A%adv. a. Extremely, intensely. Obs,
i548rL. Shepherd] yohn Bon ^ Af as t /erson {iZoS) 5 Is not
here a mischeuous thynge? The Messe is vengaunce holye
for all iher sayeinge. 1566 Pasgnine in Traunce 41, I
remember that disputation. It is vengeaunce subtile. Ibid,
44 They were also vengeance angry against the Pope. 1607
>HAKS. Cor. It. ii. 6 That's a braue fellow: but bee's ven-
ceance prowd. n i6s6 Beaum. & Fl. Little Fr. Lawyer 11.
i. How it grumbles ! Thb Sword is vengeance an^ry.
1710-it Swift 7r«/. /o.S"/t//rt 21 Jan., It has snowed terribly
all night, and is vengeance cold,
t b. Not at all, never. Qbs,
1556 J. Heywood spider ^ Fly xxx'ix. 7 Vengeance the
whit I am for their woordes the nere,
t 6. As adj. Very great or large. O^s,"^
i6oa FuLBF.cKE 2nd Pt. Parall. Introd. 4, I bought the
booke.. because it was in English: yet there is a vengeance
deale of Latin in it.
7. attrih. and Comb., as veugeance-cryer^ -^'^'"^i
-oatky -scathed^ -sivordy -taking.
c 1386 Chaucer Melib. f 65 For al-be-it so that alle tary-
ing be anoyful, algates it is nat to repreve in yevinge of
lugement, ne in vengeance-taking, whan it is suffisant and
resonable. f 15x5 Cocke LorelPs Ii. 11 Ciirsers, chyders,
and grete vengeaunce cryers. x6o8 Sylvester Du Bartns
II. iv. Schistne 1061 Lord, sheath again thy vengeance-sword
a space. 1617 A. Newman Pleas. Vis. 15 Haples wretches,
with the memory Toriur'd of woe, and vengeance-crying
Sins. 1838 S. Bellamy Betrayal 43 When o'erthrown
In first rebellion, vengeance-scathed he fled. 1844 Mrs.
Browning Duchess May xxviii, Thou and I have parted
troth, — yet I keepiry vengeance-oath.
Hence f Ve'nffeancely adv. ; f Ve'ncreancer.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 508/2 Veniawncere, . . vendicator,
ultor^ vindex. i6aa Fletcher Prophetess \. iii, Yet I could
poyson him in a Pot of Perry, He loves that veng'ancely.
t Veilgeant, T. Obs.—^ in 4 vengaunt. [a.
AF. vengant (F. vengeant)^ pres. pple. of venger
Vexge ^'.] Avenfjing ; executing vengeance.
a 1340 Hampolf. Psalter xcviii. 9 Lord oure god )>o\x
herd ^aim : god \><y\x was til )>aim merciabil, and vengaunt
in all l>aire fyndyngis.
Vengear, obs. form of Venger.
Vengefal (ve-ndj^ful), a. [f. Venge z;., after
rfvengeftii. Cf. Avengeful a.] j
1. Harbouring revenge ; seeking vengeance ;
prone or inclined to avenge oneself; vindictive.
"t '599 Spensf.r F. Q. vti. vi. 48 [She] thinkes what punish-
ment were best assign'd And thousand dcathes deuiseth
in her vengeful! mind. 1701 F. Manning Poems 77 A worse
Event.. The vengeful Cupid sent. 1713 Swift On Himself
Wks. 1755 IV. 1. 12 The queen incens'd, his services forgot.
Leaves liim a victim to the vengeful Scot, a 1763 Shen-
STONK Inscription vi. 24 Fair and flowVy is the brake. Vet
it hides the vengeful snake. i8ia Combe Syntax^ Pic- \
turesque xxv. 452 Again the vengeful foes appear 'd. Again
their angry standards rear'd. 1856 Kane Arct. Expi. \. j
XXX. 414 One of them, the male, is excited— the other, the !
female, collected and vengeful. 1873 Symonds Grk. Poets ;
i. 9 Ulysses is.. pitiless in his hostility; subtle, vengeful, i
cunning. j
trausf. f t6oo Shaks. Sonn. xcix, But for his theft.. A \
vengfull canker eate him vp to death. 1848 Faber Spir.
Confer. (1870) 124 Wasted time is a vengeful thing. 1879 I
Geo. Eliot Theo. Such iv. 159 An abandoned beliefmay be j
more effectively vengeful than Dido. I
b. Inflicting vengeance; serving as an instm- |
ment of vengeance. Said of a weapon, the hand j
or arm, etc. !
(a) a 1586 SinNEY Ps. XXT. xii, Thou shah.. ready make '
thy vengcfull bow Against their guilty faces. 1593 Shaks.
2 Hen. VI, 111. ii. 198 Here's a vengefuU Sword, rusted with ,
eaw. a 1623 Fletcher i::fl7/^'iC«^t'v. iii, I pray His venge- I
ful sword may fall upon thy head Successfully. 1735 Pope i
Odyss.\. 154 The proud oppressors fly the vengeful sword, i
18*7 G. Chalmers Caledonia L 11. iii. 253 The victorious 1
career of Ida was stopt..by the vengeful sword of the I
valorous Owen. 1869 Goulbourm Purs. Holiness i. i So '
could he bid the vengeful fire fall from heaven.
(3) 1696 Tate & Brady Ps. cvi. 17 Her vengeful Jaws ex-
lendmg wide. 17*9 T. Cooke Tales, c.c. 140 Of all who
fought beneath this Chiefs Command Not one escap'd the
Critic's vengeful Hand. 1748 Johnson Van. Hum. Wishes \
168 Rebellion's vengeful talons. « 1800 Cowpf.r ///W(ed. 2J !
XXI. 343 Allow no respite to thy vengeful arm Till ev'ry j
Trojan,. within Ilium's lofty walls Be fast enclosed. |
2. Of actions or feelings : Characterized or I
I prompted by revengeful motives; arising from a
desire for vengeance.
1635—56 Cowley Dax'ideis iii. Poems (1905) 328 Full thrice
six years they felt fierce Eglons yoke. Till Ehuds sword
Gods vengeful Message spoke. 1649 Milton Eikon. viiL
Wks. 1851 III. 392 That choleric, and vengefuU act of pro-
claiming him Traitor. 1709 Prior Car/it. Sec. xvii. With
wise Silence pond'ring vengeful Wars. 1774 Goldsm. IVat.
Hist. VII. 193 To us who seldom feel tlie vengeful wound,
it is merely a subject of curiosity. x8i8 Scoit Hrt. Midi.
xxix, The fury darted her knife at him with tne vengeful
dexterity of a wild Indian. 1845 Ld. Campbell Chancellors
liv. (1857) III. 77 In no composition that I have met with is
there a greater display of vengeful malignity. 1874 Grekn
Short Hist. viii. § 7. 534 The Massacre had left them the
objects of a vengeful hate.
Hence Ve'n^eftilly adv,^ Ve'ngefttlness.
1830-1 RusKiN Iteriad 11. 300 His dark lightning-eye
made him seem.. like his own Thalaba, *vengefully tired.
1844 KiNGLAKE Eothen iv, On he goes vengefully thirsting
for the best blood of Troy. 1897 Advance (Chicago) 31 July
143/1 He looked at his mother vengefully. 1717 Bailey
(vol. II), *Vengefulntss, vindictive or revengeful Temper or
Nature. 1861 Meredith /'w^. /K,ifef. (1912) 134 He fainted on
his vengefulness, and strove To ape the magnanimity of love.
t Ve'llgement. Obs, [a. OF. vengementy f.
venger Venge v, Cf. Avengement.] Vengeance.
1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 197, I wille of ^-at feloun
tak vengement, pat so fordos my coroun. 1390 Gowbr Conf.
111. 282 His oghne brother iherupon. .Tok of that Senne
vengement. 1484 Caxton Curiall 2, I telle to the that thy
vengement shal engendre to the more greuous aduersytes.
1555 Watreman Fardle Facions App. 351 That thei should
take vengemente vpon them, bothe by officer, and without.
1596 Spenser F. Q. vi. iii. 18 Witnesse thereof he shew'd his
head there left. And wretched life forlorne for vengement of
his theft.
Vengeno9, -ency, varr. Vfngeance, -ancy.
t Ve'XIgeously, adv. Obs. rare. [Irreg. f.
Venge v, Cf, Vengeancely adv."] Violently,
viciously.
1599 Breton Miseries ManHlia Wks. (Grosart) II. 43/1
If I did but even touch her, the monkie would set out the
throate, and crie so vengeouslie, that to it must the mother
come. 1824 in Spirit Pub. Jmls. {1825) 312 He came up
to me so vengeously in the street, and 1 said to him, * Can t
it be done without fighting ? '
Venger (vend^si). Forms : 4-5 veniour,
-iere, vengere, 5- venger (5 wen-), 6 vengear
(van-), [a, AF. or OF. *vengeotir {vangeor^ ven-
cheuTy F. vetigenr) and vengiere, agent-n, f, venger
Venge z',] An avenger. Now poel. or rhel,
A 1340 Hampole Psalter viii. 3 pat pou distroy the enmy
&■(«; vengere, c 1380 Wvclif Sel. IVks. III. 297 He is
Goddis mynystre, vengere into wrabhe to hym J>at doj?
evyl. 138* — Hosea v. 13 And Effraym wenteto Assur, and
sente to the kyng veniour. 1447 Bokknham Seyntys (Roxb.)
54 And this I wyl thou know for sekyrnesse That god is
wenger of wyckydnesse. 1483 Cath. Angl. 400/1 A venger,
vindex^ vindicator. 1516 Tindale i'rol. Ep. Romans
A iij. Thou woldest thatt their were no. .God, the auctor
and vangear of the lawe, 1590 Spenser F. Q. i. iii. 20 His
bleeding hart is in the vengers hand. x6oi Yarington Tivo
Lauieut. 'frag. iv. viii. in Bullen O. PI. IV, I, he is well, in
such a vengers handes, As will not winck at your iniquitie.
1865 Reader 16 Sept. 399/2 Other champion of our cause
shall come,, .venger of his sire. i88i H. Phillips tr.
Chatnisso's Faust 10 The Venger's Vengeance smites the
guilty head.
tVe'ngeress. Obs. rare. [n. OF. vengeresse :
cf. prec, and -ess.] A female avenger.
In quot. c 1450 as the name of a spear.
C1374 Chaucer Boeth. \\\. met. xii. 11868) 107 J»e J?re god-
dess s, furijs, and vengerisse of felonies, c 1450 Merlin xiv.
229 This kynge alain was seke of the woundes of the spere
vengeresse [F. la lance vengeresse]. 1490 Caxton Eneydos
xxvii. 99 O cruelle vltryces, wycked vengeresses, Furyes in-
fernalle & lusticers of helle. 1647 Hexham i, A vengeresse,
een wrecckster.
t VengesOTir. Obs. rare. [f. OF. vengeis-on
vengeance.] An avenger,
138a Wyclif ler. xxvi. 25 And I shal brynge vpon 30W
a swerd, vengesoure [1388 vengere] of my boond of pees.
— Numb. XXXV. 25 The hoond of the vengesour.
t Ve*Hgible, «. and Of/r;. Obs. [var. of Venge-
ABLE a^
1. Vengeful, vindictive.
1548 Cooper Elyot's Dict.^ /?/r«j,. .vengible, cruell, ter-
rible. JS95 Locrine 1. ii. 16 The desperate god Cuprit, with
one of his vengible birdbolts, hath shot me vnto the heele.
1607 ToPSELL Fourf. Beasts 461 These also are the Epe-
thites of the Lionesse :. .bold, stony-harted, vengible. 1609
Holland /!;«;//. Marcell, 321 A vengible wayt-layer,..by
bloudie grudges and displeasures doing much mischief.
b. Grievous, severe.
i6oi Holland Pliny I. 4 Impose they doe upon them hard
and vengible charges to execute.
2. Remarkable, extraordinary. Also as adv.
1594 LvLV Mother Bombie mi. ii, He spake nothing but
sentences, but they were vengible long ones. 160a Conten-
tion beiw. Liberality <f Prodigality iv. ii, Thornes, thistles,
and nettles most horrible stingers, Kauens, grypes, and
gryphons, oh vengible wringers. 1610 Holland Camden's
Brit. I. 78 Hee was a vengible fellow in linking matters
together, whereupon he came to be surnamed Catena, that
is, a chain.
Hence t Ve*ngribly adv. Obs,
1580 G, Harvev Three Lett. Wks. fGrosartl 1. 40 Some as
vengibly and frowardly bent, as for Example, Woormes,
and Monies, and Cunnyes.
Venning, vbi. sh. : see Venge v. 4 (quot. 1382),
Ve'nging, ppl. a. [f. Vbngb v.] Avenging;
executing vengeance.
I c i^yoGol. ^ Gaiv. 759 Thay fechtin sa fast, With vengeand
I wapnis of were throu wedis thai wet. 1598 Sylvester Du
Bartas ii. i. Imposture 495 So that th' old yeers' renewed
generations Cannot asswagehis venging indignations. 1605
Ibid.y Sonn. Late Peace xxvi, The furie of Heav'ns venging
Sword.
Vengit, obs. Sc. form of Winged a.
II Vengolina. Obs. [mod.L., = F, vengoline
(Buffonj, from the native name in Angola, given
as benguelinba by Edwards.] The Angola finch
{Serinus angolensis).
1773 ^^'^- Trans. LXIII. 254, I therefore educated a
yuung Imnet under a vengolina, which imitated its African
master so exactly, ..that it was impossible to distinguish
the one from the other.
Veniable, obs. form of Vengeaele a.
t Ve'mable, 1. Obs. rare. [ad. late L. veni-
abilisy f. venia : see Venial a.'] Venial, excusable,
pardonable.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iii. xxiii. 168 It is an in-
sufferable delusion, and with more veniable deceit it might
have beene practised in Harts home. Ibid.vti. xix. 385 In
things of this nature silence condemneth history, *tis the
veniable part of things lost.
So t Ve-niaWy adv. Obs.~'^
1646 .Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. v. xxi. 268 The Pictures
of the ^Egyptians were more tolerable, and in their sacred
letters more veniably expressed the apprehension of Divinity.
Venial (vrnial), a,^ and sh. Forms : a. 4
uenial, veniale, 4-7 veniall, 4- venial ; 4-5
venyal (5 -ale), 4-6 venyall. fi. 4 veniele, 4-5
veniel. [a. OF. venial, veniel (mod.F. vhtiely —
Sp. and Pg. venial^ It. veniale), or ad. L. venidiis
(rare), f. venia forgiveness, indulgence, pardon.]
A. adj. 1. Worthy or admitting of pardon,
forgiveness, or remission ; not grave or heinous ;
pardonable, light : a. Of sin ; spec, in TheoL as
opposed to deadly or mortal.
a 1300 Cursor M, 27541 Bot ^>ar-of es o|?er sines smale,
pat clerkes clepes veniale. Ibid. 27545 Man cals ^am venial
and light, f 1340 Hakpole Pr. Consc. 2638 |'e saul \>b.\. es
clensed wele Of al dedely syn and of veniele. c 1386 Chaixer
Pars. T. 287 In \>\% wise skippith venial in to dedly synne.
c 1400 26 Pol. Poems ix. 85 In venyale synne longe to byde,
Make^ dedly synnes to growe grete. 1483 Caxton Gold.
Leg. 60/2 'Ibswere lyghtly without hurte or blame is venyal
syrme. 1526 Pilgr. I'erf. (W. de W. 1531) 180 Whome no
synne sholde defoule, neylher originall nor actuall, mortall
ne venyall. 1558 Bp. Watson Sev, Sacram. \. 5 If he hath
lightly offended in any venyall synne, he pardonelh him.
1615 Brathwait Strappado (1878) 83 If I but tutch, to
tutch 's a veniall sin. The pretty circle of thy dimpled
chin, 168a Burnet Rights Princes Pref. 33 Ihat it is only
a Venial Sin in any, to lessen the great authority of another.
a X700 in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. IX. 360 She had rather have
suffered a thousand deaths, ihen wittingly commite y* least
veniall sinne. 1737 Challoner Cath. Chr. Instr. (1753)116
By what Rule shall a Person be able to make a Judgment
whether his Sins be mortal or venial ? 1830 Scott Demonol.
ii. 56 The crime of the person who, .consulted the oracle of
Apollo; — a capital offence in a Jew, but surely a venial sin
in an ignorant and deluded pagan. 1875 Jowett Plato
(ed. 2) I. 408 Those who have only committed venial sins are
first purified of them.
b. Of Climes, offences, etc.
1604 Shaks. 0th. iv. i. 9 If they do nothing, *lis a Veniall
slip. i6aa J. Taylor (Water V.) Sir Gregory NonsenceV^Va.
(1630) 4/1 The man that seeketh straying minds to weane
all. From veniall vices, or offences penall. 1665 Boyle
Occas. Refl- Pref. p. x, I hope it will lie thought a venial
Crime, if in some of these Meditations I have not aim'd to
express Eloquence, but only to cherish Piety. 1746 Frakcis
tr. Hor.^ Sat. 1. iv. 174 Thus, pure from more pernicioi-s
crimes I live: Some venial frailties you may well forgive.
1796 W. H. Marshall Rur. Eicon. II. 115 The practice of
pruning off the side boughs of Hedgerow Elms is a venial
crime. 187a Yeats Growth Comm. 56 Our own laws not
long ago punished forgery and even more venial crimes with
death. 1876 Fakrar Mnrlb. Senii. xiv. 134 Laughter may
be the right cure for venial follies.
+ c. Of an offender : Committing a venial sin or
offence. Obs.'^'^
1796 Mme. D'Arblav Camilla I. 225 The venial offender
had been released with a gentle reprimand.
2. Of an error or fault : That may be excused or
overlooked ; of a light, unimpoitant, or trivial
nature ; excusable.
J581 Pettik Guazzo's Civ. Conv. 11. (1586) 66 b, Whereby
we may gather, ih.it if the fault in wordes be veniall, the
fault in sentence and matter be mortall. 1639 Fuller Holy
it'ar v. ix. 243 In the prosecuting and m;inaging thereof,
many not only veniall errours but unexcusable faults were
committed. 1699 Bentlev Pkal. 326 He thinks it a more
venial fault to make a mistake at Second hand after others.
'735 Bolincbroke On Parties xix. 235 He, who would have
been ashamed to participate in Fraud, or to yield to Cor-
niption, may begin to think the Faults venial, when he sees
Men, who were far below Him, rise above Him by Fraud
and by Corruption. 1784 Cowper Task vi. 41B Witness at
his foot. The spaniel dying, for some venial fault. 1815
Scott Betrothed (Iloncl., This is a venial error compared to
that of our ancestors. 1876 Fakrar Marlb. Serm. xxxvi.
362 If a boy has committed some, .quite venial fault.
b. In general use,
1806 in Mrs. Hutchinson's Mem. of Col. H. 304 note^ The
account here given of Col. Hutchinson's moiives..lays his
conduct fairly open to the discussion . .of the reader, who. .
will determine it for himself to be commendable, censurable,
or venial. 1809-10 Coleridge Friend (1865) 138 This was
indeed a gross delusion, but, assuredly for young men at
least, a very venial one too. 1850 W. Irving Mahomet xvi.
(1853) 06 An act of plunder and revenge -a venial act in the
eyes of the Arabs. x88o R. G. White Every-Day Eng. 79
VENIAL.
VENISON.
Mere provincialism in pronunciation.. is venial in compari-
son with slovenly speecn.
f3. Allowable, permissible ; blameless, rare*
*597 Hooker Ecci. Pol. v. lxxi.§ 8 The lewes. .not doubt-
ing that bodily labourfi are made by necessitie veiuall,
though otheiwise, especially on that day [i.e. the Sabl'ath],
rest be more conuenient. 1667 Milton P. L. ix. 5 Where
God. -With Man. .familiar us'd To sit indulgent., .permit-
ting him the while Venial discour^e unblam'd. 1715 Pope
Odyss. I. 219 With venial freedom let me now demand Thy
name, thy lineage, and paternal land.
+ B. sb. A venial sin or offence ; a light fault or
eiror. Obs.
c X380 Wyclif Sei. IVks. III. 452 pou3 J>is be synne, ^t >t
is venyal, and not dedly, and venyals lien wa^chcn awey
wit> preieris of a Patcr-nosier. a 1395 Hylton Scaia Per^.
1 xxxiii. (W. de W. 1494), Neuertheles yet shalt thou for this
defawte & all other venyals whyche may not he eschewed in
this wretchyd lyf lyft up thyn hert to god. c 1435 St. Mary
0fOigni€S I. vi. in Angiia VIII. 138 47 pof siie so eshewed
(to smal (sins] and veniels. c 1540 Schoie House lyomen
(1572) D iij b, And were not two small venialles, The femin-
ine might be glorifide. 1596 Bell Sum. Popery in. ix. 364
Howsoeuer our late papists flatter themselues in their
Vi:nial3. 1609 Bp. Hall Dtsswas. Poperie Wks, (1627) 642
It. .gently blanches ouer the breaches of Gods law with the
name of venialls, and fauourable titles of diminution. 1671
WooDHEAU St. Teresa L iv. 15, 1 was careful not to commit
any Mortal sin ;..but of Venials I made no great account,
t Ve nial, a-- Obs. rare. [Irreg. var. of Venal
tf.-] Venous.
IS74 J. Jones Nat. Beginn. Growing ^ Living Things 8
When the heart is opened, it receueth Aire by the veniall
arlerie. 1578 Banister Hist. Man v. 70 Galen seemeth
rather willyng to call this veyne a certaine veniall passage
or way.
II Venialia, ■f^-/''. Obs.-^^ [L. venidlia^ neut.
pi. of venidlis: see Ve.nial aX\ Venial sins or
offences,
1654 Gavton PLas. Notes iv. ii. 183 The peccadillo's and
veiiialia, which never come into the black book.
Veniality. ? Obs. [f. Venial o.i + -ity ; cf.
Sp. venialiJad, Vg. venzalidade.l a. The property
or quality of being venial, b, A matter of favour
or grace.
1628 Bp. Hall Serm. Westni. 54 They palliate wicked-
ne&se with the faire pretence of Venlalitie. 1654 H.
L'KsTBANGE Chas. I (1655) 138 The Flemish Busses, .were
soon reduced .. to intreat the favour of fisKing by his
Majesties commission : a veniality the king was most ready
to indulge them.
Venially (vrniali), adv. [f, Ve.nial a.i +
-LT -.] In a venial manner, esp, in the way of
venial sin ; pardonably, excusably.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xvii. 26 Na man is in erthe ^at
synnes noght venyally. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. r aS8 (>ylk
worldly thynges t>at he loueth, ^urgh which he synneth
venially. £1440 Jacob's W^«//8operfore, takyih heed bemy
woordys, whanne ^e synnen in pride venyally, & whanne
dedly. J534 More Com/, agst. Trib. 11. Wks. 1183/1 Wher
as els ill dede he had offended but venyally. 1588 A. King
tr. Caiiisins Caiech. 227 Thay ar aduerAaiies to the doctrine
of trew religion quha sayis that ane iust man sinne-t at leist
veniallie in cuery guid wark. 1608 Willkt Hexapla Exod.
659 A iust man in his good workes doth not sinnc so much
as venially. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. Ded., The
Antients venially delighted in flourishing Garden.s. 1740
Gibber ApoL (1756) I- ia8 All the faults follies, and affec.
tation of that agreeable tyrant were venially melted down
into so many charms and attractions. 1847 Eraser's Mag.
XXXVI. 53 So it fareswithgeniuswhich, when only venially
erroneous, is not to l)e forgiven. 1878 tr. Villari's Machia-
vein II. I. viii. 249 If he sinned aga.n however venially, he
would certainly be hung.
Venialness. rar€~^. [(". as preo. + -NESS,]
= Veniality.
1717 Bailk.v (vol. II), Venialness^ Pardonableness. 1755
Johnson, Pardonableness, venialness; susceptibility of
pardon.
Venianoe, etc., obs. fi". Vengeance.
Venice ^venis). Also 6 Venysae, Venise,
Ven(i)ys, Vennya, Venes, 7 Vennis, Venia.
Also Venus-, [a. F. Venise .—l^, Vettetia (It.
yenezia, Sp. Venecia^ Pg. Veneza) : see def.]
1. The name of the city (the capital of the pro-
vince of the same natne) in the north-east of Italy,
used attrib. to designate various articles made theie
or having some connexion with the locality, as
Venice looking- glass-paper, point (lace), tinsel^ vial^
work, etc. (Cf. Venetian a. 2,)
t Venice beam : see Roman a." 15. Venice blue (see quot.).
Venice craivn. Her. (see quot.>. Venice gold, sih>er (cf.
GoLDji. 4, Silver sb. 4). Venice lac (see Lac' 2, quot.
1763). Vettice soap (see quois.). t * 'enice sumach^ Venetian
sumach. Venice talc, while (see quois.).
i6xz CloTGR-, yVa/«a« 4//(7/«W<r,..a Roman,or*Vcnice
beanie, for the weighing of things. 1598 Florio, Veneto,
a li^ht or *Venicc blew, a Turkie colour, c i8a8 Bekry
Encycl. Her. I. Gloss., * Venice Crown, the crown, or cap of
state, worn by the Doge, is made of cloth of gold, .. covered
with precious stones, and having two long ears, or lappets,
pointed at the ends, hanging down at the sides. 1506 Paston
Lett. III. 404 Tiie [borse-J harncs of *Venys %o\^. igao-i
Rec. St. Marpi at Hill (1905) 310 Item, paid for a vnce of
venes golde lijs viijd. 1535 Wardr. Kath. Arragon 36 in
Camdtn Misc. Ill, Fringid withe grene silke and Venysse
golde. 1558 in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz, (1908J 40, viii
Aperns of while gowlde sarsnet edged with veniys gowlde
frengc. i8ai Scott Keniliv. ii, Her hat.. being of tawny
taffeta, embroidered with scorpions of Venice gold, c 1645
HuwEi.L Lett. {1655) IV. 13 A new •Venice Looking Glavse,
wlierio you may beliold that admired Maiden-Citiy in bcr
true complexion. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair Ixiv, The
great Venice looking-glasses, framed in silver, a x66i
Fuller Worthies, Cambridge 1. (1662) i4g To such who
object that we can never equall the perfection of •Venice-
paper. 188a Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needltrw. 513/1
Ihe fine Needlepoints made at Brussels, .were worn. .in
preference to the heavier '^Venice Points. 1883 Mag. 0/ Art
Dec. 66/2 Louis XlV.had a passion for Venice point. 1574
in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz. (1908) 234 Ritchly wroughie
with '*venys sylver. 1842 Penny Cycl. XXII. 171/1 White
soda soap., ill a less pure state,, is called Alicant, * Venice,
or Spanish soap. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, Venice-
soai, a mottled soap made with olive-oil and soda, with a
little sulphate of iron in solution, or sulphate of zinc. 1597
Gerakde Herbal 1293 The first is called Coggygria and
Coccygria-. in English * Venice Sumach, or Silken Sumach.
1718 Bradley Diet. Hot. s.v. Rhus, The Venice Sumach, or
Coggygria. sive Colinus Coriaria^ 1867 Chambers's Encycl.
IX, 109/1 Steatite, or .Soap-sione, . .is sold, .under the names
of Briancon Chalk, French Chalk, and *Venice Talc. 1547
in Feuillerat Rez>els Ediv. VI (1914) 23 Tilseni (= tinsel]
whyte and *venice. 1697 T. Bkown Dispensary \i. Wks.
1709 III. III. 77 My cordials are all put into *Venice Vials.
1839 Ube Diet. Arts ^ Manuf. 1298 When white lead is
mixed in equal quantities with ground sulphate of barytes,
it is known in France and Germany by the name of *Venice
white, i860 Chambers's Encycl. VI. 722/1 Venice White
contains i part of Baryta, and i part of White Lead. 1555
Eden Decades (Arb.) 257 They esteeme nothyng more
precious then drynkyng glasses of *Venice woorke.
2. a. Venice glass, {a) a very fine and delicate
kind of glass, originally manufactured at Murano,
near Venice ; {b) an article made of this, esp. a
drinking vessel or vial ; (c) a Venetian mirror.
The extreme brittleness of vessels made of this glass isfreq.
alluded to in the 17th century.
{a) 1517 Andrew Bruns%tyke^s Distyll. Waters Aijb,
They must be made of venys gla^se bycause they sholde
the better withslande the hete of the fyre. a 1583 m Halli-
well Rara Mathem. (1841) 41 Then they must prepare very
cleareand whiteGlasse.. ; as fyne and white VennysGlasse.
1626 Bacon Sylva ^770 The Crystalline Venice Glass is
reported to be a mixture, in equal portions, of Stones
brought from Pavia, by the River Ticinum, and the Ashes
of a Weed called by the Arabs, Kail. 1673 A. Walker
Lees Lachrymans 13 Their Venice-glass. .cracks with as
sligiit a blow as pots of courser clay.
(^0 «s87 Harrison F.nglandw. vi. in HoUnshed 1. 166/2 .\s
for drinke it is v.-.uallie tilled in . . hols of siluer in noble mens
houses, also in fine Venice glasses of all formes. 1591
SvLVESTBR Du Bartos i.ii. 72 In a Venice Glass before our
eyne. We see the Water intermix with Wine. i6ao Gatakek
Marriage Duties 41 The more britle a Venice gtasse is, the
more gingerly we handle it. 1669 Bovle Certain Physiol.
Ess. (ed. 21 Absol. Rest Bodies 22 Having enquired of a
famous. -Maker of Telescopes, .whether he did not observe
that the Venice- Glasses he employed would sometimes
crack of themselves whilst they were yet in Plates. i688^^n
Death in Jane liarker Poet. Recreations 11. 44 Life is a
Bubble ;. . lis far more brittle than a Venice-Glass.
(t) 1850 Mrs. Browning Sonn.fr. Portug. ix, I will not
, .breathe my poi->on on thy Venice-glass. 185a Thackekay
Esmond I. ix. On which poor Lady Castlewood gave a rueful
smile, and 4 look into a little Venice glass she had.
b. Venice treacle, in old pharmacy, an electu-
ary composed of many ingredients and supposed to
possess universal alexipharmic and preservative
properties. Cf. Treacle sb. i c. Now arch.
Also occas. called treacle 0/ Venice.
1613 WooDALL Snrg. Mate Wks. (1633) 95 A little Venice
Triacle or other Tiiacle. i6« J. Taylor (Water P.) Life
Thomas /'arr C3, And Garlick hee esteem 'd above the rate
Of Vcnice-Triacle, or best Mithridate. 1691 T. H[\le] Acc.
New Invent, p. xxv. And as well may we be afraid to take
the Venice Treacle, because of its being long kept in boxes
of Lead, c i7»o W. Gibson Farrier's Dispens. in. (1721) 146
Venice Treacle. This is aUo called the y^«nVif«,or'lreacle
ofAndromachus. 17S3J. BA»TLKTC^«//./arr«r)'xlii.(i754)
323 Internally, for bites from v.pers, may be given cordial
medicines, such as Venice treacle and salt of hartshorn.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3; XVI. 573/2 1 he Muscovites at all
times reject as impure, .rabbit, ass's milk, mare's milk, and
Venice-treacle. s8sx Scott AV«/V7<'. xiii.J^/«(>.V,Orvictan,
or Venice treacle, as it wassomeiimes called, was understood
to be a sovereign remedy against poison.
O. Venice turpentine (seequots. c 1789, 1800,
and Turpentine sb. i b).
1577 Frampton Joyful Ne7ifs 45 Addc tberto three ounces
of Venise Turpentine. 1736 Bailey Honseh. Diet. s.v.
Agne, Mix the powder of white Hellebore roots with right
Venice Turpentine. C1789 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) IV. 567/1
The kind now called Venice turpentine, is no other than a
mixture of eight parts of common yellowor black rosin with
five parts of oil of turpentine. What was originally Venice
turpentine is now unknown. x8oo E. Dahwin Phyiol. vi. 84
Thus what is called Venice turpentine is obtained from the
larch by wounding the bark about two feet from the ground,
and catching it as it exsudes. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract.
Agric. (ed. 4) II. 278 The ointment is made as follows: —
Quicksilver, i lb. ; Venice lurpeniine, Jib. 1857 Miller
Elem.Chvm., Org. 503 The common varnish used for oil
pa'ntings and mai>s consists of 24 parts of mastic, 3 of Venice
turpentine, and i of camphor.
Venie, var. Veny Obs. Venieaunce, obs. f.
Vkngeance. Veniiice, var. Venekice Obs,
Veui'genous, a. Geol. [f. L. type ^vhtigena^
Of ruck-masses : Bearing or containing veins of
metal or quartz.
1817 Blackw, Mag. I. 421 A series of specimens of the
diamond imbedded in a venigenous mass. 1833-4 J. Phillips
Geol. in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VI. 762/2 The intricate
character of the venigenous masses of Mousebole.
Venim(ouB, obs. ff. Venom(ou3.
tVenin, sb.^ Obs. In 4-5 venyn, [a. OF.
■venin :— L. venen-umj] Venom, poison.
€ 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 9005 Venyn for
salue wy^ hym he nam, Als a monk to court he cam. c 1380
Wyclif Three Treat. (1851) p. xxxvi, As Crist techij? in nis
gospel, liou (lai men shulden,.forsakehercumpenye as venyn
\v.r. venyinj. c 1400 ApoL Loll. 57 Triacle is turnid in to
venyn, and J>is )?at was foundun to remedie, is foundun
to de^j.
Hence f Venin v. trans. ^ to poison. Obs,~^
a 1500 Prompt. Parv. 508/2 (MS. H.), Venynyn or ven-
yiiiyn, vetteno.
Venin, Ji^.2 Chem. Also -ine, -ene. [f. Ven-
om f -IN *.] A toxic substance forming the distinct-
ive element in snake-venom. (In recent Diets.)
Veniour, obs. var. Venger.
Ii Venire (v/h3is*r/). Law. [EUipt. for next.]
1. = next I.
1665 Ever Tryals per Pais iii. 31 Therefore where the
Sheriff ought not to retorn the Venire, he cannot retorn the
Tales. 1676 Ojfice Clerk Assize 82 In the mean time doth
tiie Clerk of the Peace file the Venire, and the pannel with
the Indictment. 1721 Bkvekley Hist. Virginia iv. vi 223
A Writ of Venire issues in such Cases, to summon six of the
nearest Neighbours to the Criminal. 1771 E. Long in Hone
Every-day Bk. (1826) II. 200 You must have a venire for a
jury. 1821 Archbold Digest Law Pleading <5 Evidence
415 Stating the names, &c. of the knights and recognitors,
as in the venire. 18*5 Act 6 Geo. IV, c. 50 § 16 inarg.. If
Plaintiff sue forth a Venire, etc. in order to Trial, and pro-
ceed not, he may afterwards sue forth another Venire, etc.
and try at any subsequent Assizes.
b. Venire de novo, = next \ b.
1797 ToMLiNs Jacob's Law Diet. s.v. Venire Facias de
not'o. The following seem to be the cases in which a Venirede
Novo is grantable. 1885 Laiv Rep. 10 App. Cas. 414 With-
out some such power [of ascertaining what the circumstances
were] no judgment, except a venire de novo, could be given.
O. I 'enire man, one summoned to serve on a jury
under a writ of Venire facias, a juryman. U.S.
1780 Vifginia Statutes at Large X. 489 An act for re-
gulating tobacco fees, and fixing the allowance to sheriffs,
witnesses, and venire-men. 1895 Weekly Examiner (San
Francisco) 5 Sept. 2/1 Sheriff Whclan's deputies had ap-
parently summoned most all of the veniremen from the
foreign sections of the city.
t 2. = next 3. Obs,
1763 Ld. Hakuwicke in Hairis Z,y^ (1847) III. 344, I
believe he came in upon the venire or capias, & put in bail.
1769 [see Venire facias 2J.
•f* 3. The place from which the jurors were to be
summoned or in which the cause was to be tried ;
= Venue 5. Obs,
i68aLuTTRELL Brief Rel. (1857) 1. 185 Mr. Graliamhavelng
moved once or twice the court of kings bench that the
veniie might be laid in another county. 1682 Lond. Gaz.
No. 1720/7 This day the great Case between the Earl of
Shaftsbuiy and Mr. Cradock came on in the Kings-Bench .
about changing the Venire out of London.
II Venire facias (v^naiyr/ ft^-jices). Law. [L.,
lit. * that you cause to come '. Ct. prec]
1. A former judicial writ directed to a sheriff
- requiring him to summon a jury to try a cause or
causes at issue between parties. Obs. or Ilisl.
1444 Rolls of Pari/. V. 1 12/1 Thissuejoyned and entred of
record, and a venire fac' of ye Jure retorned. 1531 Star
Chamber Cases (Selden) II. 189 They have pursued seuerall
venire facias retornable tlie First day of the terme of .seynt
Hillary next comyng. 1543 Ludiow Churchw. Acc. (Cam-
den) 14 Payde for a veniie facias, xvj d. 1607 Miudlktoj*
Phcenix B 4 b, Voul get a Venire fades to warne your lurie,
a Decern tales to fill vp the number. 1665 Ever Tryals
per Pais iii. 24 Of a Venire facias: To whom it shall be
directed [t;tc.]. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. 352 \Vhen
therefore an issue is joined, ..the court awards a writ of
venirefacias. 1J90 Amer. State Papers Misc. (1834) I- 32
(Stanf.), Juries shall be summoned by writs of venire facias.
x83i Archbold Digest Law 414 The jury process is the
.same as in ordinary cases, namely, a venirefacias and a
hidteas corpora jnratorufn. 1825 Act 6 Geo. IV, c. 50 § 16.
125 No former Writ of Venire Facias had been prosecuted
in that Cause,
b. Venire facias de novo (lit. 'that you cause to
come anew'), an order for a new trial of a cause,
upon the same record, owing to some defect or
irregularity in the first trial.
1797 ToMLiNS Jacob's Law Diet. s.v., New Trials are
generally granted where a General Verdict is found ; a
Venire Facias de Novo, upon a Special Verdict.
•[•2. A writ issued against a person indicted of a
misdemeanour, summoning him to appear befoie
the court. Obs.
1463 4 Plnmpton Corr. (Camden) 10, I shall send you
another [capias] with the Copie of your new suites and a
venire facias against the ministre. 1769 BLACKSTONECtf«/»w.
IV. 313 The proi^er process on an indictment for any petty
misdemesnor, or on a penal statute, is a writ of venirefacias,
which is in the nature of a summons to cause the party to
appear. And if by the return to such venire letc.].
Venisi^e, obs, forms of Venice.
Venison (ve*nz'n, ve'niz'n). Forms: a, 3-5
venesun, 3-6 veneson, 4 venoison, ueneysun,
4-5 venesoun, 5 ^V. wenuesone, 6 vennesoun,
7 venneson ; 4 venisun, 4-5 venisoun, 5 veni-
eyn, 6 venicen, veunUone, 7 venizon, 4- veni-
son; 4-5 venysoun, 4-6 veny8on,5 venysone,
-soune, -sowne, venuysoun, Sc, wenysoune,
-son. ^. 6 vensoun, 6-8 venson, 7-8 ven'son,
7 (9) venzou. [a, AK. veneso{u)n, veneysun,
venysoun, venison ^ OF. veneson^ veneistdn, veni-
son, venoison (mod.F. venaison, =■ Pr. vemiizo^
13-3
VENISON.
venasOj obs. Sp. vfnoi'iony Pg. veafao^ It. vena-
giotte) ;— L. vmatidn-em hunting, f. vendri to hunt.
The pron. (ve'nz'n), gi\-en as colioq. by Smart in 1836, is
now usual in England. The fuHer (ve'niz'n) or (ve'ni73n)is
current in the United States, and (\'e*nis'ii) is common in
Scotland.]
1. The flesh of an animal killed in the chase or by
hunting and used as food ; formerly applied to the
flesh of the deer, boar, hare, rabbit, or other game
animal, now almost entirely restricted to the flesh
of various species of deer. Cf. b.
«. a 130a Havelok 1726 Kranes swannes, ueneysun, Lax,
lampre)-s,andgodsturgun. 13.. A'. .4 /w. 5233 (Laud MS.),
To mete was greibed beef & motoun, Bredes, briddes, &
>-eni-soun. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) L 89 t>ei..ete'^
no flesche but venj^soun. ci4ao Liber Cocorum (1862) z8
A sawce hit is For vele and venj'son, iwys. c 1425 Koc. ia
Wr.-Wulcker 662 Hec /erina, wenyson. c 1489 Caxton
Sommes 0/ AymoK xxi. 463 Soo toke he a dysshe that was
before hym, that was full of venyson, and seiite it to hym by
a squyre of his. a 1500 Remedie o/Loue in Thynne Chaucer
(1532) 367 b/2 Venyson stohie is aye the swetter. 1578 T. N.
tr. Cong. iK India -ioct They sel in this market venison by
quarters or whole, as Does, Hares, Conies, .and many other
beastes, which they bring up for the purpose, and take in
hunting. 1598 Manwood /,a-:wi.F(;/-«/ v. (1615)49 Amongst
the common sort of people, nothing is accompted Venison,
but the flesh of Red and Fallow Deere. 1617 Mokyson
IttH. 111. 149 Hares are thought to nourish melancoly, yet
they are ealen as Venison, both rosled and boyled. 1672
JossELYS Neiv Eng, Rarities 48 Bears are very fat in the
fall of the leaf, at which time they are excellent venison.
1736 SiiERiDAM in Swift Lett. (1768) IV. 167 Our venison is
plenty: our weather too hot for its carriage. 1769 Gray
Lett., etc. (1775) 363 Fell mutton is. .in season. . ; it grows
fat on the mountains, and nearly resembles venison. x8i8
ScoTV Br. Lamm, ix, The huntsman's knife, presented to
her for the purpose of making the first incision in the stag's
breast, and thereby discovering the quality of the venison.
1837 \V. Irving Capt. Bjnneville III. 63 The party.. hunted
for a few days, until they had laid in a supply of dried buffalo
meat and venison. 1885 J. G. Bertram Brit. Aim. Contp.
70 The best venison for the table is supplied by the fallow
deer raised in the home parks of England.
p. 0460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 689 in Babees Bk.^
Capoun, pigge, vensoun bake, leche loinbard. 1502-3 Rec.
St. Mary at HUl (1905I 248 Payd . . ffor a reward for bryng-
yngofvenson, 1598 Manw^ood Lawes Forest v. (1615) 50
Our eldest English writers doe call the same Venson, and
not Venison : But by what reason I see not. 1697 Drydf.n
^tteid 1, 274 The jars of gen'rous wine.. He set abroach,
and for the feast prepar'd, In equal portions with the ven'son
shar'd. 1717 Prior Alma 1.378 If Vou Dine with my Lord
May'r, Roast-beef, and Ven'son is your Fare. i78oCowp]:r
Progr, Err. 220 Turtle and ven'son all his thoughts employ.
1784 — Task IV. 612 Whoso seeks an audit here Propitious,
pays his tribute, game or fish, Wild-fowl or ven'son.
b. With ^(an animal) or defining term.
c 1290 .V. Eng. Leg. I. 472 Huy nomen with heom into
heore schip bred i-novs and wyn, Venesun of heort and
hynd, and of wilde swyn. a 1400 Sgr. loive Degre 324
Storkes and snytes ther were also, And venyson freshe of
bucke and do. c 1410 Master o/Game (MS. Digby 182) iii,
J>e venysoun of hem [i.e. bucks] is reght goode, and ykept
and salted, as \>a.t of t>e hert. 1545 Elvot, Aprugna, the
ven>'Son of a wylde boore. 1609 Bible (Douay) i Kings iv.
23 The venison of hartes, roes, and baffles. 1648 Hexham
II, Het wildt'braedt van een Beer, the Venison of a wilde
Boare. 1650 Fuller Pisgah i, v. 12 Venison both red and
fallow. 1814 ScoTT Wav. xii. note. The learned in cookery
..hold roe-venison dry and indifTerent food, unless [etc.],
1852 MuNDY Antipodes (1857) 6 A haunch of kangaroo
venison. 1885 J. G. BEinMAM Brit. Aim. Contp. 70 A
haunch of red deer venison is not much appreciated, as it
is expensive and troublesome to cook.
o. Used allusively (see quot.).
1579 NoRTHBROOKE Didng (1843) 22, I pray God the olde
prouerbe be not found true, that gentlemen and riche men
are venison in Heauen (that is), very rare and daintie to
haue them there.
2. Any beast of chase or other wild animal killed
by hunting, esp. one of the deer kind. Now arch.
13.. K. Alis. 1863 (Laud MS.\ Hij charged many a sel-
cou|>e beeste-.Wi^ Armure & ek vitayles ; Longe Cartes
wij> pauylounes, Hors & oxen f/\\> venisounes. 1338 R.
Bkun.se C/tron. (1810) 64 Whan Harald or \>g kyng wild
com Jrider eftsons In J>e lyme of g[r]ese, to tak \>Axn veny-
sons. c 1400 Sowdone Bab. 51 To chase the Bore or the
Veneson, The Wolfe, the Here and the Hawson. 1456 Sir
G. Have La7u Arms (.S.T.S.) 234 He sittand in a busk..
bydand the venysoun come stalkand by him stillely. 1535
CovERDALE Isaiah li. 20 Thy sonnes lie comfortles at y«
heade of euery strete like a taken venyson. 1588 Parkic tr.
Mendoza*s Hist. China g One whole venison is bought for
two rials. 1611 Shaks. Cymb. in. iii. 75 He that strikes The
Venison first, shall be tlie Lord o' ih' Feast. 1651 Cleve.
LAND Poems 12 The Ven'sons now in view, our hounds
spend deeper. 1727 [Dorrington] Philip Quarllis Ten to
one but I may give you a Venison. 1854 Thoreau IValden
(1884)302 One [hare] sat by my door. ..I took a step, and..
away it scud with an elastic spring, . .the wild free venison,
asserting its vigor. 1876 Forest ^ Stream 13 July 368/2
When you see a ' venzon ', shoot him, shoot him, When
you shoot a venson, send me some to cook.
b. collect. (See quot. 1603.) "iiow arch.
a. X33SR. Brunne Chron. (1810) 112 pe kyng..Forsters
. did somoun, enquered vp & doun, Whilk men of toun had
taken his venysoun. C1386 Chaucer Doctors T, 83 A
theof of venisoun..Can kepe a forest best of every man.
c 1400 Brut 105 pe Kyng Elle was gon to |>e wode hiin forto
de^orte : and of venysoun somdele he hade tak. 1464 Rolls
ofParlt.V. 533 The surveyng aswell of theVerte as of the
Venyson of oure forest, a 1513 Fabyan Chron. i. clxxii. (1516)
«»/2 Vet therin is Venyson and other wylde beestes, and
Fowle, and Fysshe great plente. 1550 J. Coke Eng. 4- Fr.
Heralds § 6 Vousay you have fa>Te forestes,c bases and parkes
fuU of venyson marvelous. 1603 G. Owen Pembrokeshire
100
(1892) 26S Thefyvesoitesof beastes of theForestcas alsoe
the fy ve .sortes of the beastes of Chace, all which ten sortes
are comprehended vnder the name of Venison. 1680 Mordf.n
Geog. Red. (1685) 347 Tiieir Venison is the Wild Boar, the
Hart, the Stag, the Fallow Deer and Hare, which are most
excellent. 1700 Tyrrell Hist. Eng, II. 819 The Vcrderers
and Foresters shall meet to view the Attachments of the
Forest, as well of Vert, as Venison. 1791 W. Gilimn
Forest Scenery II. 17 Under him are two distinct appoint-
ments of officers; the one to preserve the venison of the
forest ; and the other to preserve its vert. 1854 Thoreau
IValden xiii, I was interested in the preservation of the
venison and the vert more than the hunters.
^. 1597 Constable Poems (1B59) 75 Course the fearefulle
Hare, Venson do not spare, a 1618 Sylvester Little Bartas
484 Wks. (Grosart) 11. 8g For Him, the Mountains, downs,
& Forrests breed Buffs, Beefs, Sheep, Venzon.
1 3. The action or practice of hunting ; veneiy.
Obs. rare.
J390 GowER Con/. II. 68Therscholde he with his Dart on
honde Upon the Tigre and the Leon Pourchace and take
his veneison. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De /*, R. xv. xxxiv.
(Tollem. MS.), 'Ihese men . . gon aboute in large wildirnesse
as wylde men,., and lyuen by prayesand by venison, c 1520
Adam Belly Clim 0/ Clougky etc. iv. They were outlawed
for venyson, These thre yemen euereclione.
4. attrib, and Cojnb.^ as venison dish, plate, pro-
vider, salesfnatij thief, tic, 'y venison-like ^6^).
1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 74 b, His flesh is Venesonlike :
for the which he is so often hunted. 1734 Arbuthnot in
Pope Lett. (1735) L 340 My Venison Stomach is gone.
a 1743 R. Savage Progr. Divine Wks. 1777 II. 120 Some
plunder fishponds ; others (ven'son thieves) The forest
ravage. 1753 Chambers^ Cycl. Suppl. s.v.. Thus, in some
places, the wolf and the fox are reckoned among the Veni-
son beasts. 1854 Poultry Chron. II. 167 Thomas Fricker,
Game, Poultry, Pork, Venison, and Egg Salesman. 1858
SiMMONDS Diet. Trade, Venison-dish, a metal dish to keep
venison hot at table. Ibid., Venison-plate, a hot plate for
eating venison on. 1897 Outing XXIX. 437/2 A hound-
master, gamekeeper, and venison provider.
b. In the sense of * made of or with, consisting
of, venison', as venison dinner, pasty, pie.
1598 Shaks. Mei-ry W. \. i. 202 We haue a hot Venison
pasty to dinner, 1665 in Maitland Club Miscell. (184a) 11.
527 For Venusone py, 005 08 00. x68i T. Flatman Herac-
litus Ridens No. 28 (1713) I. 184 The Whigs shall not
always Rule the Roast, nor the Custards and Venison-
Pasties neither. 1721 Amherst Terrse Fil. No. 1. 4 To see
the virtuous munificence of founders.. tost up in fricasees
and venison pasties. i8i8 Scott Rob Roy vi, ThornclifTs
person, stuffed as it is with beef, venison-pasty, and pudding.
1841 Thackeray Gt. Hoggnrty Diatnond iv. Since my
venison dinner and drive with Lady Doldrum. 1864 C.
Geikie Life in Woods vi. (1874) 117 Venison pie,., for days
after, furnished quite a treat in the house.
Hence Vo'nisonlaed ppl. c, cooked so as to
resemble venison. Venisoni'vorous a»^ given to
eating venison, nonce-words.
C1831 G. C. Lewis Lett. (1870) 10 People are very
venison Ivor ous. 1881 Mrs. A. R. Ellis Sylvestra II. 29
The venisonized loin of mutton.
Veni'tary, rarf~^. [ad. med.L. venitariu/n^
f. venite: see next.] (See quot.)
1853 Rock Ch. of Fathers III. 11. xii. 213 Tlie Veuitary
was a small book, in which the ' Venite, exultemus Domino,'
. .with the appropriate invitatorium, . .was written out, and
the notation for the chant put beneath the words.
11 Venite (v/hsi-tz). [L. : 2nd pers. pi. imp.
of venire to come.] The ninety-fifth psalm (the
ninety-fourth in the Vulgate, beginning Venite,
exultemus Domino) used as a canticle at matins or
morning prayer ; the invitatory psalm ; also, a
I musical setting of this,
a 1325 Ancr. R. i8 J>us do3 et euerich Gloria Patri, & et
te biginnunge of Jjc Venite. C1450 in Aungier Syon (1840)
■ 364 The two sustres that be tabled to synge the versicles
schal synge the Venite and the first verse at matens. 1657
' Sparrow Bk. Com. Prayer 32 The Venite. O come let us
! sing unto the Lord. Tliis is an Invitatory Psalm. 1713
j Gibson Codex Juris Eccl. Angl. 299 Invitatories, Some
1 Text of Scripture, adapted and chosen for the Occasion of
the Day, and used before the Venite. 1853 Rock Ch. of
Fathers HI. 11. xii. 213 On high feast days, the *Venite'
used to be sung with great solemnity, by the lulers of the
choir. 1877 J. D. Chambers Div. Worship 134 The mode
of singing the 'Venite', with an Invitatory superadded.
1899 A. C. Benson Life Abp. Benson I. xv. 580 He had
himself ushered to his place by the verger before the Venite.
fb. Venite book, a book containing a musical
setting of the ' Venite ' ; a venitary. Obs.
1434 Invent. St. Mary's, Scarborough in Archaeolo^ia LI.
66 Et unum librum vocatum Venite boke. 1537 in Glassock
Rec. St. Michaels 127 Item iij pryntid masbooke and a
venyte booke. 1559 Dwtmo^v Churchiv. MS. 43 b, A booke
of parchment conteyninge in yt a Venite booke, an ymnall,
and a boke for diriges and berialls.
Venitian. obs. f. Venetian. Venizon, obs. f.
Venison. Venk, southern ME. pa. t. Fang z^.l
Venkes(s, -is, -us, obs. varr. Vanquish v.
tVenlin. Obs. [a. obs. LG. venlin (obs. G.
fenlin, -kin ; now fdhnlein), dim. of vane (G.
j fahne) banner. Cf. Banner sb.^ 3.] A company
I (of soldiers). (See also Vanlin.)
I 1541 St. Papers Hen. VIII (1849) VIII. 550 [They had
; set up four] venlins [or banners, each of which ought to]
i conteyne [500]. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 1994/1
\ They prouided the best they could to repell them, appointing
' foure venlins or ensignes of lance knights to keepe a stand-
ins watch that night in the trenches.
Ven'movrae, obs. form of Venomous a.
I Venn(e, southern ME. variant of Fen sb.^
VENOM.
Veunel (ve*nel). Sc. {Ir.) and north. Forms ;
5- vennel, 5 venal(e, 6 wennall, -el, 6-9 ven-
nell, 7 venel, 7-9 vennal, 8 vennile ; 7 viuell,
9 vinnel. \ji..O¥,v£nele, veiiel/e, vanelU (mod.F.
venclle) :~\<om. type ^venella (med.L. venellct),
dim. of L. vena vein.]
1. A narrow lane, passage, or thoroughfare in a
town or city ; an alley or wynd. Chiefly Sc.
1435 in Laing Charters (1899) 30 A land in the west gate
lyand neste the coinoune vennel. 1439 Charters, etc. of
Edinb, (1871) 64 The cumon venale callit Sanct Leonardis
wynde. 1477 Extr, Aberd. Rec. (1844) I. 36 That the
alderman.. pass through the toune to see the venalis that
areclosit. 1531 Abst. Protocols Town Clerks of Glasgow \W .
(1897) 43 The common wennel of the Gray Freris. is6a in
Archseot. Atliana (1856) I. 41 Two burgages or tenements
lying together in Spycer Lane, abutting on a vennel called
the Sionye Hyll. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 155 Gif ther be
any venels stopped, or bigged vp. 1706 in M'Naught
Kilmaurs xix. 251 To send one man out of every house. .
to repair the high wayes and venniles. 17*7 Rec. Elgin
(New Spald. CI.) I. 425 The vennell or wynd called Lossie
or Carman's wynd. a 1774 D. Graham Writ. (1883) I. 101
Some through Preston vennal fled. 1859 W. Anderson
Disc. Ser. 11. (i860) ic6 When he is away to hold the prayer-
meeting down the Vennel. 1879 N. ff Q. 5th Ser. XI. 137/1
In the town of Strabane, Ireland, there are a number of
narrow passages, called * vennels ', from the main street to
the river shore.
2. north. An open drain or gutter ; a s^wer.
1641 in Heslop Northund'ld. Wds. s.v.. Paid Strother for
making cleane the common vennell before Widdow Wilson's
doore, \s. a z8oo Pecce Suppl. Grose, Vennel, a gutter,
called the ^^««^/.. elsewhere, Northumb. 1825 Brockett
N. C. Gloss., Vntnel, a sewer. i88i Sargisson Joe Scoap
93 (E.D.D.), Carry't t' watter off beaaih ways inteh t'
vennels.
Venneson, -soun, obs. ff. Venison. Venney,
Vennie, varr. Veny^ Obs. VenniB, obs. f.
Venice. Vennisone, -ysoun, obs. flF. Venison.
Venny, var. Veny ^ Obs. ; dial, f. Fenny a^^
Venom (ve'nsm), sb. and a. Forms : a. 3-6
venym, 4 uenym, fenym (femyn), 4-5 wenym,
venyme; 3 uenim, 3-7 venim, 4 wenim, 4-7
venime, 6 veninune ; 4-5 wenem, 5-7 ven-
em(e. 3. 4-6 venum (6 .SV. winam) ; 4-7 ven-
ome, 7 venombe, 4- venom (4,9 dial., vemoD,
9 dial, wenom) ; Sc. 5 wennome, 6 vennoin(e.
[a. AF. and OF. venim {venym), variant oivenin
(see Venin i) I'-L.. venen-ufu (whence also It., Sp.,
Pg. venend) poison, potion, drug, dye, etc.
The change of the final n to vt may have been due to dis-
similation (a diflTerent effect of which appears in the OF.
variant zwlin and It. veleno), but ci. pilgrim, vellum.\
A. sb. 1, The poisonous Huid normally secreted
by certain snakes and other animals and used by
them in attacking other living creatures.
The venom of snakes is secreted in a poison gland com-
municating with the fangs, through which it ts ejected in
the act of striking.
a. iri220 Bestiary 139 in O. E. Misc. 5 Oc he [sc. a
serpent] speweft or al fle uenim 3at in his brest is bred.
A 1300 Cursor M, 14871 Strangli was ]>\s folk felun,..Was
nedder nan o mar wenim. C1325 Prose Psalter xiii. 5
Venim of aspides, .i. nedders. £71386 Chaucer Pars. T.
P 195 The galle of the dragon shal been hire drynke, and the
venym of the dragon hire morsels. £^1450 St. Cuthbert
(Surtees) 6313 A serpent him our qweld. .; liot his venym it
did na sare. 1484 Caxton Fables of Msop v. viii, 'Ihe
serpent came oute and slewe the child through his venym.
^555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 67 marg., Serpentes without
venime. 1652 j. Wright tr. Camus' Nat. Paradox 111. 49
Like Spiders which make venim of Roses.
^. a 1300 Cursor M. 20959 ^e nedder o venum sa Strang.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xiii. 5 Venome of snakis [is]
vndire l>e lippes of J>a. a 1400-50 Alexander 4797 As gotis
out of guttars in golanand wedres. So voidis doun ^jc vemon
be vermyns schaftis. 1614 Disc. Strange <5- Monstrous
Serpent 13 4, [The dragon] will cast his venome about foure
rodde from him. 121645 Milton Arcades 53 What the.,
hurtfull Worm with canker'd venom bites. 1727-46 Thom-
son Summer 909 He [sc. a serpent]... Whose high-con-
cocted venom thro' the veins A rapid lightning darts.
1774 Goi.DS\i. Nat. Hist. VII. ix. 195 Ihe venom con-
lamed in this bladder is a yellowish thick tasteless liquor.
18x3 BvRON Corsair i. xi. 28 Man spurns the worm, but
pauses ere he wake The slumbering venom of the folded
snake. 1821-1 Shelley Chas. I, i. 127 As adders cast their
skins And keep their venom, so kings often change. 1873
MiVART Elent. Anat. 438 Poisonous serpents however are
provided with an extra glandular structure placed beneath
and behind the orbit. This gland it is which secretes the
venom.
f b. Of venom, ^ Venomous a. 3. Obs.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 311 pey5 ^>ere be no grete
bestes of venym, 5it Jjere beej> venemous attercoppes.
2. Poison, esp. as administered to or drunk by a
person ; any poisonous or noxious substance, pre-
paration, or property ; a morbid secretion or virus-
Now rare,
^ a. cxxg/o S. Eng. Leg. 408/207 Venim ich habbe, strong
i-nov^h, J?at ho-so barof nimeth ou5t..to dejse he worlh^
i-brou3t. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) loio Ech gias Jjat t>erinne
wexjj, a^en venim is. a 1300 C7trsor M. 21055 Venim he
drank wit-outen wath. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. x\in. 152
For venym for-doth venym. 1380 Lay Folks Caiech. (Lamb.
MS.) 1133 Whi schuld venym or stynk leiie vsto visite men
in presun? £-1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xvii, 80 If venym or
puyson be bro5t in place whare |)e dyamaund es, alsone it
waxez moyst. 1422 Vonge tr. Secreta Secret. 195 Many
kingys . . that myght not be ouercome with armys by wenym
loste ihar ly wis. t^j AnDViZVi Brztnswyke's Distyli. Waters
VENOM.
101
VENOMED.
Cj, Water of ihe same, .is gooU to be dronke for venym and
impoysoiiynge. 1553 K den Z^^cWt'j (Arb.) 108 Fogeda,..
tbrowgh the maliciousiies of the veneme [of a poisoned
arrowj, consumed and was dryed vp by lyttle and lyttle.
1503 Q. Eliz. Boeth. i. pr. iii. 6 Thou haste not knowen
Anaxagoras flight, nor Socrates Venini, nor Zenos torment.
z6i6 SoRFL. & Markh. Countfu tarme yt<^ Garlicke eaten
fasting, is the Countrey mans Treacle in the time of the
Plague,, .as also against all manner of Venime and Poyson.
0. a 1340 Hampole Fsalter xxx. 5 As venome is hid vndire
a swet morsell. ^1375 -Vc. Leg. Saints v. [.yo/m) 329, I wil
Jjat bu drinke )p^ venome I sal be gyfe. c 1430 Lydg. Min.
Poems (Percy SocJ 1S6 Ther is no venome so parlious in
sharpnes, Os when it bathe uf treacle a lyknes. c 1480
Henryson Orpheus ^ Eurydice (Asloan) 106 This cruel!
wennoine was so penilryf. As natur is of all mortall poisoun.
1584 CoGAN Haven Health ccxliii. 205 The bouses and
the houshoulde stuffe, vnlesse they bee puri6ed with fire
..and such like, keepe their venom for the space of a ycare
or more. 1594 Shaks. Rick. Ill, iv. i. 62 Anoynted let
me be with deadly Venome. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. 11.
xxix. 173 Till (if Nature be strong enough) it break at last
the contumacy of the parts obstructed, and dissipateth the
venome into sweat. 1665 Temple Ess.y Gardens Wks. 1720
I. 178 A great Preservative against the Plague, which is a
sort of Venom. 1797 Coleriix;e Kev. G. Coleridge 29 Some
[trees] . . Have tempted me to slumber in their shade . . ; then
breathing subtlest damps, Mixed their own venom with the
rain from Heaven, That I woke poisoned ! 1896 Allbittfs
Syst.Med. I. 731 Infection of the deeper tissues and of the
whole body is cliiefly due to absorption of soluble venom
from the place where the growth of microbes is proceeding.
Z910 Contemp. Rev. Mar. 337 Fields of nightshade that are
sufficient to themselves in their own foul venom.
3. fig. Something comparable to or having the
effect of poison ; any baneful, malign, or noxious
influence or quality ; bitter or virulent feeling,
language, etc
a. (Z 1300 Cursor M. 15389 Of all venim and of envi ful
kindeld vp he ras. c 13*5 E. E. Allit. F. B. 574 pe venym
& J>e vylanye & ^e vycios fyll^e, [-at by-sulpez niannez saule
in vnsounile hert, C1380 Wvci.ik Wks. (1880) 417 ^if manye
wolden holde togedere in Y\% bileue a^enus jie fend, it were
a triaclc arenas venym hat emperour prelatis sowen in Jw
folc. £^1400 Filgr. Soivle 11. xlv. (1859) 51 They have ben
wretciied and irons, ful of venym, of rancour, and of hale.
c 1450 Myrr, our Ladye 205 God gaue mankynde fowde of
lyfe wherin the enmy spued venym by a worde of lesyng.
1509 Fisher 7 Penit. Ps. xxxviti. Wks. (1876) 79 They laye
before a man venym pryuely hyd vnder the colour of apper-
ynge vcrtue. a 156^ Kingesmvli. Man's Est. vL (1580) 33
That venime hath infected the whole race. 1607 Hieron
lyks. I. 361 Hauing in him the arrowes of the Almightie,
the venime thereof drinking vphis spirit. <xi674Clakendon
Sun/. Leviatlu (1676) 168 The veneme of this Book wrought
upon the hearts of men.
0. 1508 Dunbar Tua Maritt Wemen 166 I'o speik..I sail
nought spar. ..I sail the venome devoid with a vent targe.
1567 Satir. Poems Reform, iv. 152 Lat men be war,
and keip thame suire r ra wemenis vennome. 1596 Dal-
RVMPLEtr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. iS.T.S.) 11. 215 Quha venum
verie poysooahle and deidlye in Germanie had souked out
of Luther, and otheris Archberitikis. 1599 h. Jonson
Cynthia's Rev. 111. ti, Well, I am resolv'd what He doe. —
What, my good spirituous sparke ?— Mary, speake all the
venome I can of him. i6os Shaks. Ham. 11. ii. 533 Who
this had seene, with tongue in Venome steep'd, 'Gainst
Fortunes State would Treason haue pronounc'd. 1675
Marvelx Corr. Wks. iGrosart) II. 467 He was gone into
the country, swoln with bis new honour, and with venom
against the fanatics. 1715-6 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) V.
170 Dr. Charlett continued his venom ag(ains]t non-jurors.
1759 Franklin Ess. Wks. 1840 III. 416 A dose of venom
apparently prepared, and administered to poison the pro-
vince. 1818 Scott Br. Lamtn. xxxiii, The venom of your
present language is sufficient to remind her, that she speaks
with the mortal enemy of her father, i860 Emerson Coml.
Life. Fate Wks. (IJohn) IL 321 Whilst art draws out the
venom, it commonly extorts some benefit from the van-
quished enemy.
b. With ^(^in, envy, etc.).
o. c 1315 Shoreham IV. 93 porwe J>e fenyui of senne^at al
mankende slakt>. C1386 Chaucer Pars. T. f 530 Ccrtes
than is tove the medicine that casteth out tlie venime of
envie fro mannes herte. 1497 Bp, Alcock Mons Perfect.
Biij, V* deuyl. .sessed neuer with his venym of dyscorde.
1557 TotteVs .Misc. (Arb.) 245 Beware also the venym swete
Uf crafty wordes and flattery.
/3. 143s MisvN Eire ofLox'e 64 If any odyr greltcr, fayrar
or stren^ar be catd in ^ pepyll, onon he is lieuy touchyd
with venum of envy. C1440 .ilph. Tales 122 He told so
mekutt horrible venom of syn at l^aim irkid to here hym.
1562 WiN^Er Wks. (S.T.S.) I. 40 The sweit venum of
deuyllish eloquence of wordis. 1S97 Shaks. 2 Hen. /K, iv.
iv. 45 Mingled with Venom of Suggestion. 1643 ^* I^**''*'-'*
Chron.,Rich.f,qi Ifitmaynot have the name, yet certaincty
it had the venome of a bitter Taxation. 1654 Whitlock
Zootomia 445 It were to be wished all the Venome of
Detraction were spent against it selfe. 1697 ^kior A Satire
51 The Venom of a spiteful Satire.
t o. Used in addressing persons. Obs. rare.
159a Breton Pilgrim, Paradise Wks. (Grosart) I. 12/2
The pilgrime gan replie. Die ougty venum in thy villany.
1601 Shaks. Twel. N. in. ii. 2 And. No faith, He not stay
a iot longer: To. Thy reason deere venom, giue thy
reason.
4. With a and pi, A poison ; a particular kind of
poison or vims.
o. 1377 Langl. p. pi. B. xvni. 153 Ofallevenymes, foulest
is ^e scorptoun. 140s Hocci.eve Lett. Cupid 2$^ \Vith 00
venym another was distroyed. 1460-70 Bk. Quiutessence
16 panne it schal be no nede to vse in this perilous cure |
venemys,as some lechisdoon. a 1553 Ld. Bersers Gold. Bk.
M. Aurel. (1546) U iij b, Suche nerbes and venims that
might poy^ion them in theyr meates. 1556 Chron. Gr". Friars
(Camden) 102 One Richard Roose..dyd caste a certyne 1
venym or poyson into a vessell replenyssbed with yeste or i
barme. i^^Wksj 2nd Ft, SymM.tChanceriei ^9 Vi&ccta- \
ing and tempering by just proportions good venims from
evil. 1604 J as. I Cotmterbi. to Tobacco (Arb.) 100 The
stinking Sufiuniigation wheieof they yet vse against that
disease, making so one canker or venime to eate out another.
i66x LovELL Hist. Anim. .S- Min. 255 [Saiamandeis'l biting
is deadly, having as many venims as colours.
/3. 1513 Douglas /Eneid\\\.'v/.Z% King Picus.'., Quham,
revist for his lufe, throu vennomys seyr, Circes his spous
smatewyth anegoldin wand. 1580 Kkampton tr. Monarde's
T1V0 Med. agst. Venome 115 These venoms partly doe kill
us; partly we use them for our profite, and bodily health.
1613 Pubchas Pilgrimage (1614) 480 A man, whose nature
infected with a stronger venome, poysoned other venemous
creatures, if any did bite him. 1859 Tennyson Vivien 459
Were all as tame, .as their Queen was fair ? Not one to flirt
a venom at her eyes, Or pinch a murderous dust into her
drink? 1904 Brit. Med. JmL 10 Sept. 571 The anti-eflect
of different specific antivenoms upon their venoms. Ibid.
574 The toxicity of the most powerful venoms.
^3. fig. (Ci. I.)
15J3 Ld. Berners hrotss. I. ccclxxxiv. 647 These people
..retourned into their owne conntreis; but the great venym
remayned -styll behynde, for Watte Tyler, Jacke Strawe,
and John ball..woMe nat departe so, rt 1578 Lindesav
(Pitscotiie) Chron, Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 82 Ane winam aganis
the poure man, 1583 Babington Connnandm. (1590) 346
'I'here is no speciall calling amongst men, whereuiito by
name this vice is not forbidden as a venome of all vertue.
1757 Burke Abridgm. Eng, Hist. Wks. X. 411 Taunts and
mockeries .. which infused a mortal venom into the war.
1910 A. R. Macewen Antoinette Bourignon ii. 54 All the
poisons and venoms v\ith which sin has polluted God's
handiwork.
fS, A colouring matter; a dye. Obs. rare.
c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. ii. met. 5 (1B68) 50 pei coul;e nat
medle the bri^te flies of )?e contre of sirieiis wi|> J>e venym
of tirie. 155* HuLOET, V'enytn,..'\i, generallye [to denote]
anye thynge whych attereth coloure, or nature of that wher-
with it IS myxt.
6. attrib. and Covib. a. Comh.jRS venom-breed-
ing, -haling, 'SpttlUring\ venom-fauged , -noyeii,
'Spoiled adjs. ; venom-maker ; venom-cold adj.
Venom mouthed: see Venomed///, a. 4.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter Ivli. 5 Crist . .lules not charmers
and venym makers. 1382 Wvclif/'j. Ivii. 6 The vois of the
enchaunteres ; and of the venym makere. <: 1400 Lattd
TroyBk.cj-zt Medee.-By-tau^t lason a riche ryng, That
alle venym for-dede & strued,— That he schul not be venym-
noyed. 1598 Marston Sco. Villanie 111. xi. 229 Avaunt
lewd curre, presume not to speake, Or with thy vcnome-
sputtering chaps to barke 'Gainst wel!-pend poems. i6xa
Drayton Foly-olb. i. 52 Jernsey,. .whose venom-hating
ground The hard'nedemeril hath. 1760FAWKES Anacrcon,
Odes xlii. 12 By rankling Malice never stung, I shun the
venom-venting Tongue. 1828 Blackw. Mag. XXIV. 481
'Jhe venom-spotted coils and serpent eyes, a 1847 Ei.iza
Cook There's a Hero iv. 2 A venom-breeding Ocean. 1864
J. C. Atkinson Stanton Grange 220 A venom-fanged viper,
1889 R. B. Anderson tr, Rydberg's Teui. MythoU 92 The
venoni'Cold Eli\'ogs, 1904 Brit. Med. JrnL 10 Sept. 581
The treatment of venom poisoning.
b. Sinaple attrib,, as venom-albitmen^ -flooii^
'ghbuiin, -peptone, -stiake, etc.
1845 Zoologist HI. loji, I found also five pairs of rudi-
mental fangs,.. apparently unattached to the venom-sac
1847-9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. 291/1 In the most deadly
venom-snakes.. the poison fangs acquire their largest size.
1855 Bailey Mystic 54 Fire, ice and scalding venom-floods
of bell. 1883 Science II. 24/1 Three distinct proteids may
be isolated from the venom of the moccason and the rattle-
snake. These they propose to call respectively, venom-
peptone, venom-globulin, and venom-aibumen. 1897
Allbntt's Syst. Med. II. 811 One observer classing a
venom proteid with the albumins or globulins.
B. adj. Venomous; virulent, malignant, spite-
ful. Obs. exc, dial.
a 1350 St. Laurence 158 in Horstm. AltengU Leg. (i88i)
109 And seyn bete his body bare With scorpions J)at uenym
ware. 1398 Trevisa Barth. DeF. R. xvni. xi. (Bodl. MS.),
The venem spi^r hatle Aranea. a 1445 Cursor M. 20939
(Trin.i, pe venym nedder ^^at was strong. C1511 \st Eng.
Bk. Amer. (Arb.) Introd. p. xxxiv/i Forestis lull of snakes
and other venym beestes. 1538 Bale Gods Promises iii.
in Dod^ley OU Plays (1780) I. 18 In my syght, he is more
venym than the spyder. 1590 Shaks. Com. Err. v. 6g The
venome clamors of a iealous woman. 1594 Nashk Unfort.
Trav. Wks. (Grosart) V. 116 Things like sheep-lice, which
aliue haue the venomest sting that may be. x6oo Breton
Melanch. Hum. Wks. (Grosart) I. 13/1 Tis a sul>till kinde
of spirit, Of a venome kinde of nature. 189s E. Anglian
Daily Times (E,D.D.), A man remarked to two boy* fight,
ing, ' Vou-a-munshy {you amongst you) fare as wenoin as
harnets '.
Vd'noxn, v. Now Obs, or arch. Forms : a. 4-5
veuem(e, 4-6 venym(e, (4 venymp-, femyne),
4, 6-7 venim(e, 6 veneymen. ^. 5-7 venome
(5 vemon), 6- venom, 7 vennum. fad. OK. ven-
inter to envenom, or f. Venom sb. Cf. Anvenom
V. and Ekvenom v^
1. trans. To injure by means of venom; to
poison (a person, etc.) ; = Envenom v. i.
cx3ao SirTristr. isaCpeton^ [of l?e dragon] y bar oway;
t>us venimed he me J>an, 1375 in Horstmann Aliengl. Leg.
(1878) 136/1 Who so were. -venympd wil> eny wikked
beste, a 1400-50 Alexander 4842 A Basilisk, .vemons in ^e
vaward valiant kni^tis. c 1440 Gesta Rom. xviii. 332 (Harl.
MS.), It befelle in shorte tyme, that dragons and venemous
bestes venemed men, 1483 Cath. Angl. \qoI\ To venome,
venenare^ jntoxicare. 1552 Hulokt, Veneymen, infcio,
CIS, intoxico, as, ueneno, nas. 1570 Langham Gard. Health
202 He that rubbeth his hands with the root [of Dragons]
in May, take adders, and they shall not venim him. 1610
Markham Masterp. 11. cviii. 390 Out of the same will runne
a. .humor, which will venome the whole foote. 1665 Bunvan
Holy Citie 230 The Dragon is a venemous beast, and
poisoneth alt where he lletli ; he beats the Earth bare, and
venoms it, that it will bear no grass. 1694 Phil. Trans.
XVIII. 280 These with many other different Herbs spiead-
ing and running upon the Trees choak and venom ihem.
/'^- tS79'}'o}^soN Calvin's Serm. 'Jim. 116/2 We shall see
these vermine that seeke nothing else but to rotle or venime
the Church of God. 1607 Touknhur Rev. Trag. iii. E4 b,
Since I must, Through Brothers periurie, dye, O let me
venome Their soules with curses.
transf. 1679 Dkvdkn & Lee CEdipus iii. i. Oh his
niurd'rous Bieath Venoms my airy Substar.ce !
b. absol.
1563 HvLi, Arte Garden. (1593) iii Linnen cloathes..Iaid
to any place, where either Spider or waspe hath venomed,
doolh quickly take away the paiiie thereof. 1575 Tcrbkrv.
Venerie 187 She venometh with hir hyting when she is
sault, as the Wolfe doth. 1607 I'opsell Eourf. Beasts 515
A shrew, which biting horses and labouring cattell, it dotli
venome vntill it come vnto the hart, and then tliey die. 1610
Markham Masterp. u. cxxv. 427 Looke that you toucli no
part of the horse therewith, saue the sorrance onely; for it
will venome.
2. To put venom in or on (something) ; to render
venomous ; = Envenom v. 2. •
c;i35o Libeaus Desc. S050 For J>oru5 J>at swordes dint.,
te venim will me spille : I venimed [v.r. femynede] hem
Do|?e,. .Our fomen for to fille. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls)
V. 443 A swerdman, wi|> a swerd i-venymed, a 1470
Harding Chron. lxxii. xiii, 'Iheie was a well whiche his
enemyes ci'pied,.. Whiche they venomyd with poyson on a
daye. 1569 J. Sanford tr. Agripfa's Van. Aries 105 b,
'I'hey have poysoned the water, infected the corne, and
venomed the victuals, a 1604 Hanmer Chron. Ireland
(1633) 52 He also was sore wounded with a Speare, whose
head was venomed. 161s J. Davif.s (Heref.) Muse^s Sacr.
Wks. (Grosart) II. 18/1 'Ihe Med'cine, so, thou gau'st to
cure my Wounds, I venomed to make my hurt the more.
1725 Pope Oa'yss. x. 272 Venom'd was the bread, and mix'd
the bowl. With drugs of force to darken all the soul, 1834
Beckford Italy II. 78 The heat seems. .to have new
venomed the stings of the fleas and the musquitoes.
y?f. 1794 SouTHEY Elinor 52 All her rankling shafts
Barb'd with disgrace, and venom'd with disease. 1800
Coleridge Ficcolom. v. v, Wherefore barb And venom the
refusal with contempt?
b. To embitter ; = Envenom v. 2 b.
1621 Ladv M. Wroth Urania 154 Loue like a serpent
poysoning my loyes, and biting my best daies, veiiomd all
my blisse. i8ip Keats Vis. Hyperion 1. 175 Only the dreamer
venoms all his days, Bearing more woe than all his sins
deserve.
3. fig. To infect with moral evil ; to corrupt,
deprave, vitiate ; — Envenom v. 3.
13.. A'. ^/«. 2860 [They] saide wel, er that tyme, AlGrece
was of heom venyme \v.r. venymed], c 1380 Wyci if Wks.
(1880) 286 pes religious & seculere preslis,. .bi brekynge of
Y\% lawe, ben cursid of god & venemyn ciistendoine. c 1407
LvnG. Reson Sf Sens. 3391 And of venym. .Venus pleynly
took her name. For she venemyth many wy.se Al that doon
to hit servise. 1536 Bei-lendkn Cron. Scot. {1821) I. 51
Sen our time is now sa venomit with uncouth and superflew
metisand drinkis. 1591 R. Turnbull^"/. James 161 b, Lyes,
blasphemie, . . filthie talke, . . whereby the soules of men are
often poysoned and venomed to death. 1616 Breton
Invective agst. Treason Wks. \Grosart) I. 4/2 Pride doth
blinde y* Lie, Infects y" Miiide, vennums y' harte, and
gives the Sowle a sting. i68i Peace ff Truth 10 This was
the felicity of innocent Man before his Heart was venomed
with Lust and Vanity. 1906 Westm. Gaz. 24 Dec. 2/1 To
the pyre Wiih this fiend that venoms all our sinful veins!
Ve'uomed, ///. a. [f. Venom sb. or v. Cf.
Envenomed///, a.]
1. Of reptiles, insects, etc. : Endowed with venom;
= Venomous a. 3.
138a WvcLiF Wisdom xvi. 10 Thi sonus forsothe, nouthcr
the teth of dragounes, ne cf venymed thingus ouercamen.
X445 in Anglia XXVUI. 269 She [Lechery] misshapilh
som bodies Slore cruelly than circes herbis, which venemyd
be with poysoun. 1552 Huloet, Venemed, infectus, in-
toxicatus. 1587 Mascall Govt. Cattle, Oxen {1627) 15
Against the venomed tongue of a beast, and also his body.
159a Breton Pilgrim. Paradise Wks, (Grosart) I. 8/2 A
wood.. Where Snakes, and Adders, and such venumcd
things. Had slaine a number, with their cruell stinges.
1607 '1'0PSF.LL Four.f, Beasts 26 1 he liver of an asse burnt,
driueth away venomed things. 1697 Dkvden Virg. Geor^.
III. 629 To drive the Vipers Brood, and al! the venomd
Race. X794 Mathias Purs. Lit. (ijgS) 157 And venom'd
insects cluster round the tomb, a 1806 Hokslev Sertn.
{1816J IV. 35 The natural advantages of man over the
\enom'd reptile.
2. Covered, charged, imbued, impregnated, or
smeared with venom ; full of venom ; poisoned,
poisonous; = Venomous a. 5.
?i4oa QuixLEV Ball.ui. in y'orks. Arch. Jrnl.(igo&) XX.
44 Hercules Of a venymed scheit was foul deseyue And
brent hym self. 1540 Hyrpe tr. Vizes' lustr. Chr. Worn.
\\. iv. 69 Her husband in warre against the Syrians had
catcbed a great wounde in his arine with a venomed sworde.
1555 liDEN Decades (Arb.) 116 Theyr weapons aie iiolher
bowes nor venemed arrowes. a 1604 Hanmer Chron.
Ireland (1B09) 103 A Speare, whose head was venomed.
1631 P. Fletcher Piscatory Eclog. iv. xvii, The fish their
life and death together drink, And dead pollute the seas
with venom'd stink. 1634 Milton Comus 916 This marble
venom'd seat Smear 'd with gumms of glutenous heat. 1700
Drvden Ovid's Met. xv. 360 With venom'd Grinders you
corrupt your Meat. 1746 Francis tr. Horace, Sat. \.s\\\.
33 They, who turn poor people's brains With venom'd d^^p
and magic lay. 1757 W. Wilkie Epigoniad vii. 210 The
venom'd garment hiss'd; its touch the fires Avoiding. 1884.
in Spirit Pub. frnls. (1825) 308 Though he often sting me
with a dart, Venomed and barbed, a 1839 Prakd Poems
(1864) II. 20 Beneath their venomed breath Life wears the
pallid hue of death. 188a Miss Bhaddon Mt. RoyalW. ix.
168 He had aimed many a venomed arrow at her breast.
b. Of a wound.
VENOMBR.
14*5 tr. ArtUmi's Trrat. Fistula, etc. 79 Also vitriol
combuste be itself or with salt cumbuste yputte vpjn a
veoemyd wonde drawei> t>e \'enyni fro bynep vnto aboue.
1597 A.M. tr. GntiUmtari''s Fr. Ckirurg. a, 2 Some woundcs
are of a worser nature, as beinge venoumede, rebellious and
entermingled with some badde accideiites. 1805 Scott
Last Minstrel vi. ix. The venom'd wound . . Long after rued
that bodkin's point. 1870 Bryant Iliad \\. I. ^\ A venonied
wound Made by a serpentV fangs.
c. Of a bite, sting, etc. Alsoyf^.
i6u Marston Aut. ff MeL iv. Wks. 1S56 I. 53 We have
breasts of proofe Gainst all the venom'd sting-, of misery.
1697 Dryden Virg. Gtorg. 11. 522 The greedy Flocks;
Their venom'd Bite, and Scars inde iied on the Stocks.
1765 GoLosM. New Simile 48 Ihe serpents round about it
twin'd, Denote the rage with which he writes, His frothy
sla\-er, venom'd bites. i8ia S. Rogers Ep. to Friend 4
When, thy curious mind Has class'd the insect-tribes of
human-kind. Each with its busy hum,.. Its subtle web-work,
or its venom'd sting. i8aa Jodrkll Persian Heroine 11.
ii. 738 How sharp thy venom d sting is, O Remorse ! 1903
Briix^es H^in/ry Delights 377 All the venom'd stings And
dread stiarpnesses of fury.
3. Jig. Iinbueii with some virulent or malevolent
quality; harmful or injurioui in some way; noxious;
= Envexomed ///. a. 2,
r 137S Sc. Leg. Saints 1. {Katkerinf) 222 Gyf J>ou had
mycnt, me think J)u wald with venemyt slycht, lak ws in
gyrne dissatfully. 138a Wvclif yosk. Prol., To reproue
wiih venymyd tonge. 1435 Misyn Fire of L<yve 90 So bat non
erthly ^inge nor odir of venemyd sweines in qwhilk pa suld
haae luste J^a take. i6oa Marston Ant. 9f MeL i. Wks.
1856 I. II Till their soules burst with venom'd arrogance.
1656 Earl Monm. tr. Bjccalinis Advls.fr. Parnass. \. xxx.
{1674^ 34 [They] appease the minds of incenst Princes, and
the hearts of venomed people. 17x8 Prior Solomon 111. 206
The Venom'd Tongue injurious to his Fame. 1716 Pope
Odyss. XIX. 115 Him, my guest, thy venom'd rage hath
stung. >8ji Shklley Epjpsych. 256 One, whose voice was
venomed melody. 18S9 Tennyson Merlin <S- V. 170 She
play'd about with slight and sprightly talk. And vivid
smiles, and faintly- venom'd points Of slander. 1865 Spectator
14 Oct. 1133/2 The kind of scribe who speaks of Mr. Delane
ab having left behind him 'a venomed trail '.
4. Comb, in venomed- mouthed 2i^].
1613 Shaks. Ht-n. VII !y i. L 120 This Butchers Curre is
venom'd-mouth'd [.ff(77fc'(i709) venomemouth'd; mod. edd,
venom-mouth'd], and I Haue not the power to muzzle him.
Hence f Ve'iiomedness. Obs.~-^
1611 CoTGR., I'enenosite, venom ednesse, venomousnesse.
Ve'noiUOra rare. [f. Vexom v,'\ One who ad-
ministers venom ; a poisoner.
1647 Hexham i. s.v., A venomer, or poysoner. x88o
HowELLS Venetian Life xii. 181 As sovereign against the
arts of venomers as an exclusive diet of boiled eggs.
t Ve'iiomfol, a, Obs. [f. Vexom sb,"] Venom-
ous, poi:^onous.
X544 Ejchort. in Priv. Prayers ( 1851) 569 We must beware
. .of that venomful poison of all good prayer, that is to say,
when our mouth prayeth, and our hearts pray not. x6ia
R. Fenton Usury 54 Verily they discerned some malignant
and venomfuU qualitie in vsurie.
Ve 'Homing, 2"5A.r^. [f. Venom z^.] The action
of the verb ; poisoning ; t poison.
138a WvcLiF 2 Kings ix. 22 |it the fomycaciouns of Jcza-
bel. .and hyr many venymyngis thrijue.i. a 1470 Hakdino
Chron. ccx. v, Some in his sherte put ofte tyme veneniyiig.
xSio Markham Masterp. 11. cxxi. 421 All bruislngs and
swellings come vnto a horse., by accident, as by some blow,
rush, pinch, or outward venoming. 1657 W. Coli:s Adam
in Eden xxxvi,The wreathed form of the Root is a. sign that
it is good for the venoming of Toads, Spiders, Adders,
Venomizatiou (ve:n3m3iz^''J'3n). [f. Vekom
sb. + -iZATiox.] The action or process of treating
with snake venom.
1905 yml. Exper. Med. VII. 201 The effect of washing
the Corpuscles afier Venomlzation,
t Venoxnly, fl'^'z'. Obs.rare. In 4venymliche,
6 venumly. [l. Vknomj^. -h -ly ^.] Venomously ;
with venom.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VIII. 147 Also among l>e
peple he blamede venymliclie \Harl. Mi!, venymouslich ;
Caxton ve:iymaus!y] ..J>e outrage of riche men. X556 J,
Hevwood Spider^ Fiy xliii. 40 This formo<;t spider and flie
. . Frowning ech on other, this prosesse thei perst, And
vengeable venumly, ei:h other verst.
Ve'UOmness. Now rare. [l". Venom sb. +
-NE.S8 ] Venomousness.
1543 Trahebon Vigo's Chirurg. 11. iv. 21 Than stanipe
tliem togyther excep'e tlie Psiliium bycause of his venom-
nissewhych he haih in him. 1648 Hexham w, Fetiij'niglwyt,
venomnesse, or poison. 1654 Cokaine Dianea 11. 162 Per.
ceiving the Infanta l>egan to sliew signes of the venomnesse
of the poyson. 1886 B. Roosevelt Cc//tr Queen I. ii. 30 A
glittering serpent coiled in .trrogant and tortuous venomness.
Ve'uomo-sa livary, a. Zool. [Irreg. f.
Venom j^. + Salivaky a. Cf. Veneno-.] Oi" or
pertaining to, secreting or conveying, venomous
saliva.
1888 Amer. Naturalist XXII. 886 The venomcsalivary
duct {of the mosquito]. Ibid. 888 The two efferent ducts, .
carry forward.. the veno;iio-.salivary products. 1900 Lancet
18 Aug. 528/2 The secretion of the venimo[m].salivary
glands.
Venomous (ve'nsm^s), a. Forms : a. 4-5
venymus, -ouse, 4-6 -ous, 5 -ows, venymm-
(o)u3 (vemynousae) ; 4 uenimous, venimouse,
4. 6 -us, 5-7 -ous ; 4-6 venemouse, 4-8 -ous, 5
Sc. -us, 5-6 Sc, vennemous; 5 vonamous, Sc,
-us, -use, 7 Sc. ven'mowse. &. 5- venomous,
5 Sc. wenomose, 6 Sc. wennomus,veuuomous,
102
6 venumous, venoumous. [a. AF. venimus,ve'
nimous^ « OF. (also mod.F.) venimeux, f. venim
Venom j^., after L, venenosus : see Venenous a.^
f 1, fig. Morally or spiritually hurtful or injuri-
ous ; pernicious, Obs.
c 1*90 S. Eng. Leg. I, 120/484 pat word me l^inchez ven.
imous to |>e pays of |>e londe. a 1340 Hami-olf. Psalter
cxiix. 2 To forsake be venymous deliiis of ^is warld. c 1380
Wyclif SeL Wks. III. 20 Venemou^e lusiis and likingis of
deedty synnes. c 1480 Hknrvson Fablfs, Cock cj- Fox 606
(Harl. MS.), Thir iwa sinnis, flatterie and vane gloir, Ar
vennomous. C1490 Ca.xtos Eule St. Benet (E. E, T. S.)
129 Vf ony be founde gylty in this venemouse offence
of properte. 1526 Filgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 55 The
religyous seruauiit of god.-destroyeih by holy medita-
cyon y* fiyes & spyders of venymous thoughtes. 1580 Lvlv
Enphues (Arb.) 414, I will at large proue that there is nothing
in loue more venemous then meetmg. 1610 Holland Cant-
den s Brit. 707 Saint German, who happily confuted that
venemous Pelagian Heresic.
2. Containing, consisting or full of, infected with,
venom ; possessing poisonous properties or quali-
ties ; de--.tructive of, harmful or injurious to, life on
this account.
Common from c 1470 to c 1650 ; now rare.
c 1330 R. Bhunnk Chron. Wace (Rolls) 16594 By passagers
wel nerde he seye pe venimouse eyr was al a-weye. c 1340
Hampolf. Pr. Consc. 6751 Another manere of drynk l>at es
ille, pat sal be bitter and venemus. c 1366 Chauckr A. B. C.
149 With thornes venymous, O heuene queen, . , I am wounded.
1474 Caxton Chesse m.v. (1883) 126 Ihat they put in theyr
medicynes no thynge venemous. X4SK> — Eneydos xxiv. 88
Heibes . . wherof the luse is p.issyng venymouse. 155^ Edf.n
Decades (Arb.) 45 Of the venemous apples wherwith the
Canibales inueneme theyr arrowes. 1584 Cocan Haven
Health ccxliii. (1636) 2^7 Not that the ayre is venomous of
it selfe, but through corruption hath now gotten such a
quality. C1614 Sii< W. Mure Dido ^ ^neas in. 108 Col-
lecting als..The milkie poyson of each ven'mowse weed.
1651 Hobbes Leviath, 11. xxix. 173 The fleshy parts being
..by venomous matter obstructed. 167a Makvell liek,
Transp. \. 132 The cultivating of a Garden of veuimous
Plants. 1817 Sheli.ev Rev. Islam x. xxxviii, On the heap
Pour venomous gums, a 1839 P^aed Red Fisherman
Pojms 1864 I. 197 The trees and herbs that round it grew
Were venomous and foul.
f b. Of a wound, etc. : M.irkeJ or characterized
by the presence of poisonous matter; foul v^ith
venom ; envenomed. Obs.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xix. Ivii, A^ens |>e venemos
posteme ^at hatte antrax & a^ens ol>er venemous postemes.
1541 R. Copland Guydons Fonn. XJ j, It shulde be an oynt-
ment profitable to all sores tliat be venymous, <ri55o H.
Lloyd Treasury Health T v, Leuen of whete breketh the
veilemouse humors and apostumes. 1656 J. S.mith Pract.
Physic 363 A wound made by bullets is not venemous, nor
alwaies bruised. 170a Echard Eccl. Hist. 1. i. 36 His Dis-
temper daily encreas'd,.. and he himself labour'd under.,
venomous Swellings in his Feet, .. accompany'd with
ijitolerable Smells. 1707 Watts Hymns \\. cliii. Poet. Wks.
IV. 148 Sin like a venomous disease Infects our vital blood.
1774 CoLDSM. Nat. Hist. VII. ix. 196 When the serpent is
irritated to give a venomous wound.
fig. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. Hi. (1611) 292 A soueraigne
preseruatiue. .from the venemous infection of heresie.
e. Of a bite or sting,
1567 Gude .$- Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.) 81 He ouertlirew The
Seipcnt, and his vennemous stang. 1653 Walton Angler
146 The biting of a Pike is venemou.s and hard to be cured.
1753 J. Rahtlet Gentl. Farriery 322 Of Venomous Bites
from Vipers and Mad Dogs. 1787 BEST^«^//«^(ed. 2) 48
Be careful how you take a pike out of the water, for his bite
is venomous.
•f" d. Harmful or injurious to something. Obs.
1607 Shaks. Cor. iv. i. 23 Thy teares are Salter th(;n a
yoiiger mans. And venomous to thine eyes. 1691 T. H[ale]
Ace. New Invent. 17 A Cancarous and Corroding substance,
and venomous to Iron.
3. Of animals, ^j/. snakes, or their parts : Secret-
ing venom ; having the power or property of com-
municating venom by means of bites or stings ;
inflicting or capable of inflicting poisonous wounds
in this way.
Formerly in general literary use, now chiefly restricted to
certain species of poisonous snakes.
a. C 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxi. {Eugenia) 396 Na serpent
has a hed sa fel, sa venamuse, na sa cruel, as j^e bed of ^e
colubre is. 1387 1'revisa Higden (Rolls) I. 51 Yuel doers,
CoiTupte ayre, wylde bestes and venemous woneJ> ^>erynne.
<: 1400 Maundev. (1839) 199 Thanne have thei no drede of
no Cocodrilles, ne of non other venymous Vermyn. c 1450
Mktiiam IVks. (E.E.T.S.) 46 For off sumnie off thise ser-
pentys, the eyn so vcnymmus be That with her loke thei
slee yche erthly creature. 1480 Caxton Myrr. 11. xiv. 97
1 1 land is agrett Uondein whiche is no serpent ne venemous
b-icste. 153s MoKK De ^iiat. Noviss. Wks. 85/1 Like as
the venemous spider brmgeth forth her cobweb. 1596
.Spenser F. Q. vi. vi g That beastes teeth, which.. Are so
exceeding venemous and keene. 1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. 11. i.
13 Aduersitie Which like the toad, ougly and venemous,
Weares yet a precious lewell in his head. 1653 W. Ramesev
Astral. Restored 22g'i'ho'ie places subject thereunto sliall
be afflicted with ^ water, and venemous Creatures. 1748
Anson's Voy. in. ii. 314 We found, .scorpiotis, which we sup-
posed were venemous. 1791-3 in Spirit Public yrnls.iijgg)
I. 225 To sleep in a dungeon with venemous reptiles.
p. c 1515 Henryson's Orpheus J<f Emydice (Asloan MS.) 105
As scho ran, all bairfut, in ane bus Scho trampit on a serpent
wennomus. 1595 Locrine \. i. 76 Triple Cerberus with his
venomous throte. 1651 Wittie tr. Primrose's Pop. Err. iv.
xxxviii. 271 If poysun, or some venomous creature he neare
unto it, it sweats. 1671 Salmon Syn. Med. 111. xxiL 442 It
..cures the bitin^s of venomous beasts. X713 Derham
Ph^s.-Theol. II. VI. 56 Many. .of our European venomous
animals carry their Cure . . in their own Bodies. 1774
VENOMOUSLY.
GoLDSM. Nat. Hist. VII. ix. 194 If it [sc. the serpent] has
the fang teeth, it is to be placed among the venomous class.
1834 McMuRTRiE Cuvier's Anim. Kingii. 182 Serpents are
divided into venomous and non-venomous; and the former
are sub-divided into such as aie venomous with several
maxillary teeih. and tliose which are venomous with in-
sulated fangs. 1876 Miss Brauuon J. Haggards Dau, III.
23 The serpent had lifted his venomous crest from among
the flowers, c 1880 CasselCs Nat. Hist. IV 301 The poison-
ous Snakes are divided into two groups — the Viperiform
Snakes and the Venomous Culubrines.
\i, fig., chiefly with allusion to the Devil.
1340 Ayenb. 171 pe uenimouse eddre of helle. f 1450
Mankind 40 in At aero Plays 2 Yt hath dys->oluyde
mankynde from J>e bitiur bondc Of ^e mortall enmye, l?at
vemynousseserpente. 01548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV, ^^The
Earle of Northumberland, .bare still a venemous scorpion
in his cankered heart. Ibid., Hen. P'l, 16^ Tiiat venemous
worme, that dreadfull dragon, called disdain of superioritie.
01578 LiNDESAV (Pitscotiiei Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) 11. 239
The Devill,. .that wicked and venimus serpent qubo gois
about to sie quhome he may catch.
4. fig. Having the virulence of venom ; rancorous,
spiteful, malignant, virulent; embittered, en-
vetiomed.
a 1340 Hampolf Psalter x. 2 pai haf redy in liaire hertis
venymouse wordis and sharpe. Ihid. xxviii. 8 paim..J)at
. .puttis away venomus tongjs. 1340 Ayenb. 27 pe venimouse
herte of l>eeiiuiouse2ene3e>generalliche. c 1400 Rom. Rose
5528 With tonge woundyng, as feloun, 'I'huriih venemous
dctraccioun. a 1450 Kfit. de la Tour {i868j 56 It is not good
to . . take sodeyne acqueintaunce that hathe the herte of faire
speche, for sum tyme her speche is deseyuable and venom-
ous. C1489 Caxion Blanchardyn Ii, 196 The venymouse
malyce of the false tiaytoure Subyon. 1555 Eden Decades
(Arb.) 52 I'o speake venemous WQordes. .ageynst the an-
noynted of god. 1588 Shaks. Titus Andron. v. iii. 13 Ihe
Venemous Mallice of my swelling heart. 1648 Hexham
II, Feenijnighlickt venommously, spightfully, or [withl a
venomous envy, a 17*1 Prior Session of Poets 36 That
with very much Wit he no anger exprest Nor sharpen'd his
Verse with a Venemous Jest. 1737 Gentl. Mag. VII. 623/2
One R. C.sent me venemous Libels against the Great
Man. 1857 Palcrave Hist, Nonnandy <y Eng. II. 18 A
venomous opposition was festering against him. X879
Froude Cxsar xii. 153 The most innocent intimacies would
not have escaped misrepiesentation from the venomous
tongues of Roman society. 1885 Manch. Exam. 20 May
4/7 A venomous and scurrilous attack.
b. Of persons, their character, etc.
?/i i\oo Atortc Arth. 299 Of this grett velany I salle be ven-
gede ones On ^one venemus mene, wyih valiant knyghtes t
1567 Satir, Poems Ref-rm. iv. 109 O wiukit weinen,
vennomus of nature ! 1579 Tomson Calvin's Serm. Tim.
901/2 What shall men say, when a mortall man dareth thus
to become venemous against God. 1585 T. Washington
tr. Nicholays Voy. in. li. 71 (Of these] chiisiian children
Mahometised, the venemous nature is so great, mi^chieuous
and pernitious. 1607 Hieron Wks. \. 225 [Satan is] a
veuimous aduersary to empoyson our soule. 1643 Sir T,
Browne Relig. Med. 11. f 10 There are in the most depraved
and venemous dispositions, certaine pieces that reniaine uii-
toucht. x88a J. H. Blunt Ref. Ch. Eng. II. 244 His most
bilter enemy, the venomous and unscrupulous Foxe. 1911
Blackw. Mag. Aug. 221 The doctor seemed to me a venomous
little creature.
t5. Treated with venom or poison ; envenomed,
poisoned. Obs.
? a 1400 Morte Arth. 2570 With the venymous swcrde a
vayne has he towchede. CX400 Filgr. Sozvle i. i. (1859) 1
'I'henne comme cruel dethe and smote me with his venemous
darte. a 1470 Harding Chron. w. cxxxix, Kyng Rychard. .
Was hurt right tlier, with dartes venemous. 1555 Eden
Decades (Arb.) 107 These people also, vse bovves and venem-
ous arrowes. 1578 Lvte Dodoens 305 It is good against . .
veuimous shot of dartes and arrowes. 1631 Gouge God's
Arroyos Ded. p. ix. How fane the venime thereof (for It is
a veuimous arrow; may infect, who knowes?
6. Of or pertaining to, of the nature of, venom.
c 1415 WvNTOUN Cron. viii. civiii. 3135 pai thoucht to gere
Him with sum venamus poisoun Be distroyit. 1604 Jas. 1
Connterbl. to Tobacco (Arb.) 103 Tobacco, .hath a certaine
venemous facultie ioyned with the heate thereof. 1650
BvLWER A nthropomet. 159 There being a venemous quality
in the paint. 167$ J. Owen Indwelling Sin vi, (1732) 50
It is in the Heart like Poison, that hath nothing to allay its
venemous Qualities, «nd so infects whatever it touches.
1774 GoLDSM. Nat. Hist, VII. ix. 195 The glands that
I serve to fabricate this venomous fluid. i8«6 Miss Mitfobd
Village Ser. 11. (1863) 417 It has a fine venomous smell,.,
and will certainly when stilled be good for something or
other. 1887 A. M. Brown Anim, Alkaloids 2 Gaspard
and Stick . . had detected a venomous principle in cadaverous
extracts.
fg- '57» PekRv in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) III. 363 The
God of Truth defend you.. from the venomous Poyson of
Ljars. 1596 Dalkvmple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. II. 41 Lyk
a tray tour he steiUs in, that., he may saw his venumous
poyson. 1866 C. J. Vauchan Plain Words i. 10 The per-
sonal sins of each one of us.. eating like a venomous
poison into his soul.
7. Co?)ib. in venomous hearted, -looking ?i^p,
1740 Richardson Pamela (1824) I. xv. 256 Several
innocent creatures, might have been entangled, .in the
ensnaring web of this venomous -hear ted spider. 1899 F. T.
BuLLES Way Navy 65 We sighted the enemy in the shape
of one of those venomous.looking four-funnelled destroyers.
+ Venomoushead, Obs,~^ [t. prec +-head.]
Venomousness.
14.. Langlands P, PI. C. xxl 161 penne hit de^troiel*
The ferst veneinoste [v.r. venymous-heede] thorgh vertu of
hymselue. [Cf. Venomoustv.]
Ve'nomouslyf adv, [f. Venomous a. +-ly 2.]
In a venomous manner ; with venom or virulence ;
fiercely, malignantly, virulently. Chief.yyf;''-
c i40o[see VKNOMLVOii'i'.l. c 1450 .\Ietham Wks. (E.E.T.S.)
VENOMOUSNESS.
103
VENT.
47 The serpent namyd jaciilus, . . Qwat that he vppon fallyth,
so venymiisly he doth yt smyght, That forthwith yl deyth,
1591 pKHCivALL Sp. Oict.i Chincht", a worme that in hot
countries lieth about beds, and biteth venemously. Cimex.
1605SHAKS. /.rariv.iii. 48 iQ.), 'Ihese things sting hi-imind,
So venomously that burning shame detaines him from Cor-
delia. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 360 He . . put his hand into
the hole, and had it most venomously bitten by a poysonous
serpent. 1687 Dbyden Hind ^^- m. 117a His praise of
Foes is venomously Nice. 1868 Farrar Seekers i. ii. (1875)
34 'J'hese facts are surely .--ufificient to refute, .those gross
charges against the private character of Seneca, venomously
retailed by a jealous Greekling. i88o Mrs. Forrester Roy
(5" K. III. 134 'Oh, yes,' he cried venomously, 'you look
very innocent'. 1898 J. Arch Story Life xvi. 385 The
Union.. was venomously assailed by m»n who up till then
had declared they were its best friends.
Ve'iiomousness. [f. <is prec. + -ness.] The
condition or quality of being venomous; f venom-
ous matter.
f 1530 yudic, l/rifu-s II. xiv. 45 b, Through excess© and
vyolence of hete and of venymousnes and malycc of the
sekenesse. 1571 GoLrHSG Calvin on Ps. Iv. 21 They
wounded him with their privie venemousncs. z^y A. M.
tr. GuilUmeau^s Fr. Chlrurg. 38/2 The parte is onlye
soacked throughe with some certayne venoumousenes. 1599
— tr. Gabeihouer's Bk. Physicke ixzli When the people
doc suddaynly dye of this disease, it is then to be feared
ther was any \-enoumousnes annexed thervnto. i6ix
CoTCR., Virulence,.. "^oxs-on^ venoinousnesse. \'J^^ Bai[.ey
(vol. IIj, Venomousness^ poisonous Nature or Quality. 17*8
Chambers Cycl.^ Viper,, ,a kind of Serpent, famed, .for the
exceeding Venomousness of its Bite. 1775 in Ash ; and in
later Diets.
tVe'llomOTlsty, Obsr"^ In4venymo(u)ste,
venemoste. [f. Venomous rt. + -ty. Cf. OF.
vepumosetiy vctunuHsete^ etc.] Venomousness.
1377 Langi- /*. PI. B. xvHi. 156 Forofallevenymes foulest
is pe scorpi-^un. May no medcync helpe f-e place t>erc he
styngeth, Tyl he be ded & do ^er-to ^>e yuel he destroycth,
pe fyrst venymouste [C text venemoste, venymoste, cicl
j>orw venym of hym-self.
Vcnomsome, «. Now liial. Alsogvemon-.
[f. Venom sb. + -some l.] Venomous, spiteful.
1660 Treasons^ etc. IV. Lilley 2 Many hundreds such
venomsome passages as these. 1876 Whitby^ Gloss. 2og
Vemonsome, spiteful. 1895 J. Prior Rente vii. 71 Like a
raivenous roaring lion or a venomsome sarpent
tVe'nomy, sh, Obs~^ [f. Venom jj^. + -y.]
Venomousness.
15^ Crasmkr Catcch. 88 Y» venomic of such persons,
which secreily by poysened wordcs or other meanes causeth
his neyghboure to be suspected.
Ve'liomy, a. rare. Also 5 venemi, -y, [f.
Venom sb.'\ Venomous, spiteful, malignant.
C1400 Lanfranc s Cirurg. 80 If )>e vlcus be virulent, J»at is
t3 seic venemi \v.r, venemy), loke if ^>at J»e venym l>at goiJ>
out be redisth or ^elowisch. 1594 Carew Tasso (1881) 74
Ruddy his eyes and plaguefull venomy. a 1849 Mancan
Poems (1850) 394 Except the haie that persecutes him
Nothing hath cruder venomy might,
tVeno'sal, a> Obsr~^ [f.L.2;f/«Jj-Kj: see next.]
Venose, venous.
i6ai BuRTt^M Anat. Mel. i. i. 11. iv, His. .office is to coole
the Heart, by sending aire vnto it, by the Venosall Artery.
Venose (v/nJo-si, a. [ad. L. venoS'US (whence
also it.,Sp., Pg. venoso), i.vetiaymv sb."] Venous;
spec, in Bot. and Ent, (seequots.)-
x66x LovELL Hist. Anim. ^ Min. 321 The short vessels
arterio<e and venose. Ibitl., By this branch of the artery it
passeth to the spleen . . ; by the venose branches to the trunk
of the vas breve. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Sufip. s.v. Leaf,
Venose Leaf, that on the surface of which there are a vast
number of branched vessels, which frequently unite in an
odd manner one with another. 1760 J. Lee Inirod. Bnt.
III. V. (1765) 184 Vetiose, veiny; when the Vessels are
branched all over the Leaves, and their Anastomose[s] or
Joinings arc plain to the naked Eye. i8a6 Kirbv & Sp.
Entomol. IV. xlvi. 290 fV*wj^,.. painted with lines that
branch like veins. x8*8 Ibid. (ed. 2) xxxix. 91 The arterial
and venose currents [in insects}. 1866 Treas. Boi. 1208/1
Indirectly venose is when lateral veins are combined within
the margm, and emit other little ve ns.
Hence Teno'sely adv.
1846 Dasa Zooph. (1848) 271 The disks and ridges..
venosely furcate, or reticulate.
Vonosity (v/nfj^Ui), Palh. [ad. mod.L. r^rt-
oiitds : see Venose (Z. and -ITY.] 'Ihe state of being
venous; j/?c. ofthe blood (see Venou-sa. 2 b).
1855 DuNGLisON Med. [.ex. (ed. 12), Venos/ty, a condition
in which, it has been supposed, the blood is moved slowly •
is more venous; and the venous blood itself in greater
quantity. 1874 Jonks & Sievrking I'athol, Anat. 42 The
venosity of the bfood is marked. 1896 Allhutt's Syst. Med.
I. 333 .Abdominal venosity is a prominent feature of many
chronic ailments.
Venoso -reticulated, a. Bot. (See quot.)
tSoa R. Hall Elem, Bot, 194 Venoso-reticulaied, . .having
the veins disposed so as to form a net work.
Venous vrnas), a. [ad. L. vends-us (cf. Ven-
ose a.), or f. L. ven-a + -ous.]
1. Filled with, full of, or having veins ; veined ;
veiny. FI^/wwj /^a/'(see quot. 1832).
i6s6 Bacon Sylva r 839 The Consistences of Bodies are
very diuers; Dense, Rare;. . Venous, and Fibrous tetc). 1796
Withering Brit. /Wants {cd. 3) II. 250 [Root- leaves] above
somewhat glossy, with scattered hairs; underneath venous
and woolly. 183a hi s niKV /ntrod. Bot. 88 Ifthe veins diverge
from the midrib towards the margin, ramifying as they
firocecd, such a leaf has been called a venous or reticulated
eaf. 1833 Lykll Princ. Geol. III. 373 If the more remote
beds . . are not I hus affected, . . they never could have existed,
or would have been all granitic and venous gneiss.
2. AnaL and Phys. Of or pertaining to, of the
nature of, a blood-vein or vtins; having the form
or function of a vein,
t Venous artery * veiny artery Veiny a. i. Venous hum
(see quot. 1891).
i68x in Willis's Rem. Med. Wks. Vocab. 1694 \V. Wotton
Anc. ^ Mod. Learn. (1697) p. xxx, Ihe subtil Blood. .is
. . transfused out of the Arterious Vein into the Venous
Artery. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Circulation, Both
Venous Sinus's are fitl'd, and grow turgid at the same time.
X744 k^y^ST^otio Art Presefu. Health {\y^Q) 8 The drunken
venous tubes, that yawn In countless pores o'er all the
pervious skin. X746 R. James MoufeCs Hea'tk Improv. 10
The Blood conveyed by the Arteries, is carried to corres-
ponding venous Canals. 1838 Penny Cycl. XII. 85/2 A
fluctuating motion in the jugular vein, called 'venous
pulse*. 1876 Bristowe Th. ^ Pract. Med. (1878) 562 The
symptoms of venous inflammation. X876 F. T. Roberts
Handbk. Med. (ed. 2) 433 Venous hum... This is the only
venous murmur.. Hkely to be met with. 1891 F. Taylor
Pract. Med, (ed. 2) 677 If the stethoscope be placed over
the lofrer end of the jugular vein., a continuous humming
or rushing noise will be heard, which has been called the
venous hum, or bruit de diable.
b. Of blood : Contained in the veins ; character-
ized by a dusky or blackish red colour due to loss
of oxygen. (Opposed to arterial^
1718 Chambers Cycl.s.v. Circulation, The venous Blood. .
continually moves out of the Sinus., thro' the right Auricle,
and right Ventricle, into the Pulmonary Artery. X793 T.
Brddoes Oh Calculus, tic. 225 This experiment proves..
that the deep colour of the venous blood is not owing to the
combination of hydrogene air. i8oa Med. Jrnl. VIII. 501
In the act of re^^piration then, the venous blood loses some
combustible principles. X834 McMurtrie Cuvier's Anim,
Kingd, 29 In all the Vertebrata, the blood which furnishes
the liver with the materials of the bile is venous blood.
X896 Newton Diet. Birds 1009 The venous blood is collected
and conveyed to the right atrium of the heart by 3 great
trunks.
0. Consisting or composed of veins. Venous
system y the aggregate of veins by which the blood
is conveyed from the various parts of the body to
the heart.
x8s6 K1R8Y & Sp. Entomol. IV. 8t In the Arachnida and
Branchiopod Crustacea the long dorsal vessel . . is connected
with an arterial and venous system, which receives, dis-
tributes, and returns the blood. iSga E. Hamilton Flora
Homoeopatkica 1 . 94 Berberis . . seems to act upon the venous
system and mucous membranes. X875 C. G. Blake Zool. i
The venous portal system is entirely formed of veins derived
from the spleen and other vi-^cera.
3. Of or pertaining to, characteristic of, vein-
blood,
184s G. E. Day tr. Simon''s Anim. Chem. I. 102 These
experiments are sufficient to prove that. .the dark venous
tint (of the blood] docs not arise from carbonic acid or
carbon. 1846 Carpenter Afan. Phys. vi. 334 After passing
through these, it is transmitted to the general system;
and on returning thence, in a completely venous state, it
is mingled with the blood which has been arterialized in
the lungs.
4. Comb, in venous-crterial adj. In quot.yf^,
1831 Cari.vlb Sart, Res. 111. vii. Venous-arterial circula.
tion of Letters.
Hence Ve'nonsly adv.^ Ve'nonsnesa.
17»7 Bailey (vol. II), Venousness, fulness of or having
Veins. 1890 Lancet 5 April 751/2 The membranes of the
brain were venously congested,
tVenque, v. Ohs.—^ [f. OF. venq-^ stem of
«'««/rtf Vanquish z/, Cf. Vencle i-.] trans. To
vanquish, subdue.
?i4oa QurxLEV Ball. xvi. in Yorks. Arch. Jrnl. (1908)
XX. 48 who )>at his flessh venqueth most haue t>e prys.
Venqueresse : see Vainqueress. Obs,
Venques, -quia, etc, obs. ff. Vanquish v.
Venson.Ven'son, Vensoun,obs.ff. Venison.
Vent (vent), sb.^ Also 5 ventte, 5-6 vent6.
[Variant of Fent sb^
1, An opening or slit in a garment, « Fent sb. 1 ;
now spec, the slit in the back of a coat.
c X430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode iv. Iviii. (i86g) 203 She hadde
. .drawen out hire oon brest bi |>c vente of hire cote. 1459,
11x500 [sec Fent i^. i). 1535 in Archeteologia IX. 244 .\
dublette ; . .the ventes lyned with sarcenette. a 1548 H all
Chron., Hen, Vlll, 207b, Twoo gounes;..the capes and
ventes were of freltes of whipped gold of damaslcc very
riche. 1587 Holinshed Ckron. (ed. 2) III. 820/1 The
trappers of the coursers were mantell harnesse couipened,
and in euerie vent a long bell of fine gold in bullion. 1828
Carr Craven Gloss., Vent, the opening of the breast of a
shirt, or of the sleeve, etc. 185X Mavne Kkxo Sca/p-H unters
vii. 55 Dark-velvet embroidery around the vent and along
the borders. 1906 Daily Chron. 4 Oct. 3/4 The vent is
necessary . .owing to the length of the coat.
t2. = Crenel t. Obs.
X4a9 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) H. 445 Item
venttes crest xij fott et di., v». Ibid,, Item pro xij pedibus de
ventes pro enbatylment'.v*. ij*. xjs* in Bayley ^«/. Tarver
(1821) p. xvii, -Also fynnysshed and made the vents of brycks
of the White Tower. 1370-6 Lambarde /Vrawd. AV«/(i596)
434 Kerne!Iare..signi6eth that indented forme of the top
of a Wall which hathc Vent, and Creast, commonly called
Embatteling. 1603 B. Josson A'. Jas.'s Entertainm, Wks.
(i6i6i 84^ The Scene presented it selfe in a square and flat
vpright, like to the side of a Citie: the top thereof, aboue
the Vent, and Crest, adorn'd with houses, towrcs, and
steeples.
Vent (vent), sb.'i' [Partly a, F. vent ( =* It., Pg.
vento, Sp. viento') :— L. venttts wind ; partly ad. F.
^ent (OF. esveni), vbl. sb. from henter Event x'.Z]
1, 1, The action of emitting or discharging;
emission or discharge i?/* something; utterance^
words. 7'are.
X508 Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 166, I sail ihe venome
devoid with a vent large, And me assuage of the swalme,
that suellit wes gret. 159a Shaks. Ven. 9f Ad. 334 Free
vent of words love's fire doth assu.-ige. i6a6 Daniel Hist,
Ene. Wks. (Grosart) IV. 95 By this immoderate vent, both
of tne Garrisons, and the ablest people of the Land hee dis-
furnisht and left it in that impotencie.
t b. To make vent of, to speak or talk of. Obsr^'^
160X Shaks. AlCs IVeil n. iii. 213 Thou didst make
tollerable vent of thy trauell.
2. The action, usually on the part of something
confined or pent up in a comparatively small space,
of escaping, or passing out ; means, power, or
opportitnity to do this; issue, outlet. Chiefly in
phrases with verbs, as to find, ^i^etj have, 7nake, take^
or want vent. (Cf. senses 4 and 5.)
X558 Warde tr. Alexis' Seer. (1568) 12b, Slop well the
said violle, that nothing maie take vent. 1594 Nashe
Unfort. Trav. Wks. (Grosart) V. 121 Ye tail of the siluer
pipe sttetcht itselfe into the mouth of a great paire of
bclowse, where it was clo^e soldered, and bailde about with
yron, [that] it coulde not stirre or hane anie vent betwixt.
1605 Sylvestkr Dh Bartas u. iii. Fathers 293 New Wine
..wanting vent. Blows -up the Bung, or doth the vessell
rent. 165a French Yorkshire Spa 11. 18 By reason of the
Suns opening the earth, and makmg vent. 1684 Contempl.
St. Man ii. vi. (1699) 196 That Fire of Sulphur, being pent
in without vent or respiration, shall send forth a poysonous
scent. 1703 Art <fr Mystery pf Vintners Sf Wine-Coopers^
Beat them and put them into your Wines, so let it rest with
Vent, and it will be pursued. i8os Med. Jrnl. VIII. 263
They [waters] got vent chiefly in the night, when in an hori-
zontal position. x86o Tvndall Glac. \. iii. 24 The smoke
found ample vent through the holes. 1875 Knight Diet.
Meek, 1463/1 Blmv, the forcing of displaced air through the
molten metal from insufficient vent.
trans/. 1798 Malthus Popul. (1817) I. 161 The enterpris-
ing spirit and overflowing numbers of the Scandinavian
nations soon found vent by sea. X854 J. S. C. Abbott
Napoleon (1855) I. xxxii. 496 The inhabitants of Lombardy
felt the foreign yoke only in the quickened circulation of
wealth, the increased vent for industry.
b. The windage of a firearm or gun.
X644-7 N. NvE Art of Gunnery 46 Divide the Bore of the
Piece into Twenty equal parts, and one of these parts is
sufficient vent for any Piece ; the rest of the nineteen parts
must be the height of the shot. X704 J. Harris Le'x.
'J'echn, I, Vent, in Gunnery, . .the Difference between the
Diameter of a BuIIetj and the Diameter of the Bore of the
Piece. [Hence in Phillips (1706), etc.] X798 Hutton Course
Math. 11807) II. 353 The loss of the elastic fluid by the vent
and windage of the gun.
3. To give vent (with ^or indirect object) : a. To
afford or provide with an outlet or means of escape ;
to cause or allow to issue or flow out.
After F. donner vent, used in the same senses.
1594 Plat Jewell-ho. 68 Be carefuU in the beginning to
give some little vent to the hogshead while it worketh. x66x
HiCKERiNGiLL Jamaica 32 A milky liquor running out, so
soon as you give it vent. i66a Charleton Myst. Vintners
(1675) 181 To cure Rhenish of its Fretting, .they seldom use
any other art, but giving it vent, and covering the open
Bung with a Tile or Slate. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey) s.v.,
To give Vent to a Cask of Wine. i7a5 Fam. Diet. s.v.
Tart, You must, .make a small Hole in the form of a Cross
in the middle to give the Farce in the Crust some vent.
X830 LvELL Princ. Geol. I. 318 The principal region in the
old World, which, from time immemorial, has been agitated
by earthquakes, and has given vent at ceitain points to
subterranean fires. 1842 Loudon Suburban Hort. 289 In
order to give vent to the rising sap. 1875 [see vent-wire in
sense 17 a).
trans/, 17x9 Bover Diet. Royal i, Eventer une Mine (la
rendre inutile), to give vent to a Mine, to counter-work or
countermine it.
h. fig. To give ootlet, expression, or utterance
(to an emotion, faculty, etc.) ; to relieve in this way.
i6»5 Massincer Parlt. Love in. ii, Had I not found out
a friend to whom I might imj-art them [i. e. emotions], and
so give them vent. In their abundance they would force a
passage. X677 Gilpin Demonol, in. ii. 10 The vent which
the afflicted parties give by their bemoaning of their Estate.
1^19 De Foe Crusoe 11. (Globe) 597, I found he wanted to
five Vent to his Mind. 1781 Johnson Lett. (178B) II. 198,
have nobody whom I expect to share my uneasiness,..!
five it little vent. 1823 Chalmfrs ^^r///. I. 423 Oh! how
rejoice when compassion may give full vent to its tender-
ness. 1851 LoNGF. Emperor's Bird's-nest iii. Thus as to
and fro they went, ..Giving their impatience vent. 1904
spectator 20 Feb. 285/2 The voices which gave vent to any
great wave of feeling.
C. To Utter, burst out with (an exclamation).
1870 J. Bruce Life o/Gideon xi. 193 He gives vent to the
exclamation 'Oh my Lord, wherewith shall /save Israsl?"
+ 4. To take vent, in various fig. ortransf. senses.
Obs. a. Of news, etc. : To become known, to Le
divulged or let out.
16x1 Sir D. Carleton in lo/A ReP. Hist, MSS, Comm.
App. I. 542 Though all care haihe been taken to carrie y*
matter secretly, .. yet hath it taken vente [etc.]. 1668 D.
Smith in Misc. Cur. (1708) III. 57 This presently took vent,
and the Turks thought that they had got a Man among
them, that could Cure all Diseases Infallibly. 1723 Pres. St.
Russia If. 123 If AfTonassief is no longer at Peiersbourg,
this Affair cannot lake vent ; for besides us two and bim, no
body knows of it. X7J8 Morgan Algiers II. iii. 353 A con-
spiracy was formed against him : But it took Vent ; and he
made cruel Examples of many of the Contrivers.
b. Of coin: To pass into circulation. rare~^
1641 Sc. Acts, Chas. I (1870) V. 341/2 Concerneing. .the
copper money allreddycoyned, how the same shall take vent
and passe in payment in tyme comeing.
VENT.
104
VENT*
C. Of a mine, or powder : To explode imper-
fectly ; to lose explosive jwwer.
1684 J. Peter Suffe VieuMa 41 At which time they sprung
two Mines.. without any considerable Effect, one of them
taking Vent. 1693 Evelyn De la Quint. Compi. Card, I.
27 Gun-Powder, which being bad, or having taken Vent,
cannot lake Fire.
6.y?^. a. Means of outlet afforded to or obtained
by a feeling, faculty, activity, etc. ; expression or
utterance, or the relief afforded by these. Now
chiefly in the phr. to find i>eni {in something).
1603 J. Daviks (Heref.) Aficrocosmos Wks. (Grosart) I.
76/3 Griefes doe breake the heart if vent they misse. i68a
Drvdks .yUiiaiz^s The swelling Poison of the sevVal Sects,
Which, wanting vent, the Nations Health infects. 1724 A.
Collins Gr. Chr. Ke/i^. Pref. p. xxviii, Enthusiasm . . would
spend itself by free vent and amicable collision. 1803
JCdwtH I. 206 At his words I found my angry passions heave
for vent. 1838 Fr. A. Kemhle Kesui. in iUor^iaUZS^,) 13
A malevolent feeling, which might find vent in some violent
demonstration against this family. 1880 W.H. 'Dwqk Royal
H'tHtlsor III. xii. 113 Passion found vent in words.
t b. To ^et or have vent^ = sense 4 a. Oh,
1667DRVDEN& Dk. Newcastle ^/ril/. Mar-all ui. ii, This
frightened him into a study how to cloak your disgrace, lest
it should have vent to his lady. 167a Mabvkll Jielt. Trattsp.
t. 46 Should they unhappily get vent abroad, . . what scandal
must it raise ! a 1715 Burnet Own Time {i-j66) 11. 197 But
the thing had got some vent. i7aa De For: Plague 2 As it
had gotten some Vent in the Discourse of the neighbour-
hood, the Secretaries of State gat Knowledge of it.
6. With a : An opportunity or occasion of escap-
ing or issuing from a receptacle ; a discharge or
evacuation. (Cf. 12,)
1644 Z. BovD Gard. Zion in ZiotCs Fltnuers (1855) App.
lo/i Which by some chink, if it get not a vent, Blowes up
the bung, or doth the Hodg-head rent. 1672 R. Wild
Poft. Licent. 30 The other day into a place I went, Where
Mortals use to go, that want a vent. 1719 De Foe Crusoe
I. (Globe) 290, I verily believe, if it had not been eas'd by a
Vent given in that Manner, to tlie Spirits, I should have
dy'd. 17*5 N, RoBrNSo>j Tk. Physick 255 Wliereupon the
Fluids.. run to the Bowels for a Vent.
b. fig. (Cf. senses 3 and 5.) Now chiefly to find
a vent.
\a) a 1614 D. DvKE Mysi. Self-Deceiving {1620) 341 Tappes
to giue a vent to corruption. 1669 Gale Crt. Gentiles
I. I. ix. 49 The Egyptians, .gave a great vent to Jewish
Learning and Institutes. 1777 Pitt in Almon Anecd.
(i8io) II. xliv. 319, I could not have slept.. without giving
this vent to my eternal abhorrence of such preposterous and
enormous principles.
[b) 1697 Collier Ess. Mor. Subj. ii. (1703) 64 Those who
live within the communication of friendship have a vent for
their misfortunes. 1814 Wordsw. Excurs. ix. 752 For,
though in whispers speaking, the full heart Will find a vent.
1838 pREscoTT Ferd. ^ Is. Introd. (1846) I. 60 The tumul-
tuous spirits of the aristocracy, ..instead of finding a vent..
in these foreign expeditions, were turned witliin. 1873
Black Princess Thule (1874) 46 His distress at his own
rudeness now found an easy vent.
7. Something which serves as an outlet for an
emotion, energy, etc.
1667 MiLTON P. L. xiL 374 With such joy Surcharg'd, as
had like grief bin dew'd in tears, Without the vent of words.
1713 Guardian No. 29, Laughter is a vent of any sudden
ioy. i8a8 Southev Minor Poems Poet. Wks. 1837 II. 255
This love,, .and the woe Which makes tliy lip now quiver
with distress. Are but a vent.. From the deep springs of
female tenderness. 1838 Lvtton Eugene A. i. x, Words at
best are but a poor vent for a wronged and burning heart,
1883 tgth Cent. May 887 The French have, .to find and to
use such vents for their energy in undeveloped and promi.s-
ing regions.
II. t8. Sc. A flaw in a mould. Obs.-'^
Fr. event is used in similar senses.
1541 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. VIIL 125 At the quhilk
melting becaus of ane vent in the cuppeling of the mulde
witht the tayll, the pece fel^eit.
9. t a. An opening by wliich blood issues from
the body. Obs.
1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 7 b, Einatites..is called of some
stench bloud, for that it stoppeth liis vent or course of flow-
ing. x6o6 Shaks. Ant. ^ CI. v. ii. 35;} Heere on her brest
There is a vent of Bloud, and something blowne.
b. The anus, anal, or excretory opening of
(tpersons or) animals, esp, of certain non-mam-
malians, as birds, fishes, and reptiles ; f the vulva
of a female animal.
1587 Fleming Contu. Holinshcd III. 1270/2 For those
that bled till they died, stroue so much with their sicke-
nesse, that the bloud issued out at their vents. 1655 Moufet
& Bennet Health's Ivtprov. (1746) 241 As for their [i. e.
crabs'] manner of Preparation, their Vents are first to be
stopped with a Stick's end. 1675 Hannah WooLLEvG^M/Z^y.
Conip. 132 Geese Boiled. . . Fasten the neck and vent. Ibid.
T46 Take a Pig, and draw out his Entrails, Liver, and
Lights, draw him very clean at vent. 1697 Drvden Virg.
Georg. HI. 421 For when her pouting Vent declares her
Pain, She [i.e. a mare] tears the Harness, and she rends the
Rein. 1769 .Mrs. Raffald Eng. Honsekpr. (1778) 21 Take
a lobster, if it be alive, stick a skewer in the vent of the tail.
i77J,GoLDSM. A^a/. Hist. 11776) IV. 347 Like birds, they [i.e.
sloths] have but one common vent for the purposes of propa-
gation, excrement, and urine. 1790 Bewick Hist. Quadrup.
(1807) 488 As soon as the Otter has caught a fish, it..
devours a part, as far as the vent. '1833 Jahdine Humming-
B.\ii The vent and under laibcoverts are dirty white. 1874
Carpenter Meut. I'kys. i. ii. (1879) 68 If the vent of a Frog
be irritated with a probe, the hind-legs will endeavour to
push it away.
10. An aperture or opening occnrring or made
in something and serving as an outlet for air,
liqxiid, or other matter ; a passage or hole by
which matter is carried off or discharged from the
interior of something ; a vent-hole.
1570 Levins Manip. 66 A Vent, meatus, poms. 1580
Hahvev Three Lett. Wks. (Grosart) I. 44 The poores, and
ventes, and crannies of the Earth being so stopped. 1605 B.
JoNsoN Voiponew. iv. Now, he flings about his burning heat,
.As in a furnace, some ambitious fire, Whose vent is stopt.
1648 WiLKiNS Math. Magic \\. xii. 250 Others are of opinion
that this may be effected in a hollow vessell, exactly luted
or stopped up in all the vents of it. 1677 in Misc. Curiosa
(1708) HI. 249 T'hey leave a small vent about two Inches
from the bottom, by which it empties it self into a little Pit.
..The vent being stopped, they fill the Cistern they have
made with Water. 1712-4 Pope Rape Lock iv. 92 The
swelling bag he rent, And all the Furies issu'd at the vent.
i7a8 E. Smith Compl. Houseiv. (1750) 3 If the knife be
greatly daubed, has a rank smell, and a hoogoo issue from
the vent, it is tainted. 1796 Morse Amer. Geogr, I. 609
The Shenandoah having ranged along the foot of the moun-
tain an hundred miles to seek a vent. 1831 T. Holland
Manuf. dieted II. 165 It was generally thought sufficient
for the purpose, .that the smoke should ascend the proper
vent. 1877 in J. A. Allen Amer. Bison App. 459 There are
old spring vents,. that no longer give forth saline waters.
b. Spec, An aperture or outlet by which volcanic
matter or exhalations are emitted ; the funnel or
pipe of a volcano.
1604 Y..Kj\K\vi?,-XQt^^\D^ Acosta* s H ist. Indies in. xxiv. 193
Although we finde vents of fire in other places, as mount
^tna and Wesuvio. 1684-5 Boyle Min. Waters 19 Any
subterraneal fire, that hath manifest chimneys or vents.
17*5 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 242 A volcano, or
burning vent among the hills, had flamed out. 1772-84
Cook's Voy. (1790) IV. 1219 Another volcano, which had
opened by at least thirty different vents within the compass
of half a mile. 1830 Lyell Princ. GeoL I. 135 These igne-
ous vents were extremely numerous. 1869 J. Phillips
Vesuxi. iii. 60 A new vent was formed below the lip of the
old mountain. 1882 Geikie Text-bk. Geol. 201 A 'solfa-
tara ', or vent emitting only gaseous discharges.
c. In various special uses (see quots.).
1611 CoTGR., Esz'cnt, the vent of a wine vessell. 1730
Bailkv (fob), Vents (in Archit.), Pipes of Lead or Potters-
Ware, one End of which opens into a Cell of a Necessary-
House, the other reaching to the Roof of it for tlie Convey-
ance of the fetid Air; also Apertures made in those Walls
that sustain Terrasses to furnish Air, and to give a Passage
for the Waters. 1756 Diet. Arts <V Sci. s.v. Foundery of
Statues, The vents are passages at top to let the air freely
out, whilst the metal runs. 1823 E. Moor Suffolk Wds.,
Vent, the hole of a cask for thereception of a vent-peg. 1875
Knight Diet. Mech. 2703/1 Vent^ the term employed to com-
prehend the channels and passages by which the air, or
gases, escape from the mold.
d. Sc. The flue or funnel of a chimney; a
chimney.
1756 Mrs. Calderwood in Coltness Collect. (Maitl. Club)
25^ Neither are they [the stoves] put in the place for the
chimney, but in another part of the room, and have a com-
munication with the vent. 1798 in Gordon Shako's Hist.
Moray (iBS'2) I. 322 Each vent springs lightly from the blue
roof of its own separate airy column. 1815 Ann. Register,
Chron.^-^ A hole broke through into a neighbouring vent to
carry off the smoke. 1842 J. Aiton Domest. lUon. (1857) 77
Sometimes all the purjJoses of a stove have been served by
liaving a flue introduced into the kitchen vent. 1889 Barrie
Windotu in Thrums 11 Ye micht gang up to the attic,
Leeby,an'seeif the spare bedroom vent at the manse is gaen.
e. Mining. (See quot.)
x886 J . Barrowman Sc. Mining Terms 69 Vent, . . a return
airway.
II. An opening, aperture, Or hole ; occas.j one by
which air, etc., enters or is admitted.
1593 Shaks. Lucrece 310 Through little vents and crannies
of the place The wind wars with his torch to make him stay.
1597 — 2 Hen. /P% Induct. 2 Open your Eeres ; For which
of you will stop The vent of Hearing, when loud Rumor
speakes ? 1659 Leak Waterwks. 23 Pour Water into the
Vessels by the hole or vent M. 1697 Dryijkn P'irg. Georg.
IV. 56 Th' industrious Kind.. contrive To stop the Vents
and Crannies of their Hive. 1728 Pope Dune. n. 80 A place
there is.. Where, from Ambrosia, Jove retires for ease. There
in his seat two spacious vents appear. 1730 Bailey (fob).
Vents (with Essayers, Glass-makers, &c.) is a Term applied
to the Covers of Wind-Furnaces, by which tlie Air enters.
1768 White Selborne xiv. Deer [when drinking], .can open
two vents, one at the inner corner of each eye, having a
communication with the nose. x8io Encycl. Brit. (ed. 4)
VI. 410/2 An oblong gaping vent on the anterior slope [of
the shell]. 1827 GentL Mag. XCVII. n. 69/2 One of the
numerous cracks or fissures (locally called vents) that inter-
sect the strata at this place [near Maidstone].
+ b. A creek or inlet. Obs~^
160^ E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies lit. xi. 155
Having discovered this vent [Sp. abra\ they found it ranne
more and more into the land.
C. An opening or aperture in a building, etc.,
communicating with the outside air.
1617 MoRYSON Itin. I. 223 This Church.. is very darke,
having no light but by one window or vent, made through 1
the earth. 163a Lithgow Trav. vii. 306 The streets are.,
couered to saue them from the parching heate with open
vents for light. 1675 Worlioge Syst. Agric, (ed. 2) 286 1
You may this Month stop up your Bees close, so that you ;
leave breathing vents. 1821 Scott Kenilw. x, By some I
concealed vent the smithy communicated with the upper air. |
d. The hole or channel in the breech of a cannon !
or firearm through wj^iich fire is communicated to
the charge ; the touch-hole ; the adjustable part
of a gun containing this, a vent-piece. .
1667 Milton P. L. vi. 583 For sudden all at once thir Reeds ,
Put forth, and to a narrow vent appli'd With nicest touch. 1
}797 Phil. Trans. LXXXVII. 238 The velocity of the bullet
i-^ considerably greater when the cannon is fired off with a
vent tube, ..than when the vent is filled with loose powder.
i8o2 James Miltt. Diet. s.v., The most common mcihod is
to place the vent about a quarter of an inch from the bottom
of the chamber or bore. 1828 Spearman Brit. Gunner (cd.2)
412 Spare vents should be sent to replace such as might be
damaged. 1859 WRAXALLtr. R. Houdin xxi. 310 The pistols
were handed to me ; I called attention to the ^ct that the
vents were clear. 1876 Voyi.e & Stevenson Milit. Diet,
S.V., A vent is formed by drilling a channel, ^.inch in dia-
meter, through a copper ^ush. Ibid., There are two kinds
of copper bushes used, viz. the through vent, and the cone
vent.
e. Mining. (Sec Vent-hole i b, quot. 1883.)
12. trans/. Any outlet or place of issue; a passage,
exit, or way out. ChieflyyT^.
In some contexts not clearly separable from sense 6.
1602 Marston Antonio's Rci>. it. iii, Heie is a vent to
passe my sighes. 1629 Ford Loi'er's Melatichoh v. M j.
My teares like ruffling winds lockt vp in Caues, uo bustle
for a vent. 1642 F'uller Holy ff Prof. St. 1. x. 25 Such
widows grief is quickly emptyed, which streameth out at
so large a vent. 1711 Pope Temple Panic 481 When thus
ripe lies are to perfection sprung,. .Thro' thousand vents,
impatient, forth they flow, 1794 Cowper Needless Alarm
86 Winds for age?; pent In earth's dark womb have found
at last a vent, i860 Emerson Cond. Life^ Behaviour Wks.
(liohn) II. 389 There is some reason to believe that, when
a man does not write his poetry, it escapes by other vents
through him. 1868 Bain Ment. -S- Mor. Sci. iv. iii. §2. 339
There is at the outset a struggle, but the refusal of the
muscular vent seems to be the extinction of the other effects.
III. f 13. a. The scent given off by a hunted
animal ; = Scent sb. 2. Obs. rare.
1576 TuRBERV. Venerie 61 When my Hounde doth streyne
vpon good vent, i^i Harington Orl.Fur. xvii. xxiv, He
hunteth like a spaniell by the vent, His .sent is such as none
can hope to shun him. 1719 Boyer Diet. Royal i. s.v.,The
Stag leaves a stronger wind, vent, or scent than the Hare,
t b. Perception by scent or smell. Obsr~'^
1576TURBERV. Venerie 73 These be olde hartcs.., whiche
cliaunge their laire, as the wynd chaungeth, to haue perfect
vent.. what faulte may perhappes be in their feede.
1 14. A wind. Obs.-^
1580 Hudson Du Bartas Judith\. (1613)64 Let him that
serues the time,. . With faith vnconstant saile at euerie vent.
+ 15. A hint or whisper ^something. Obs.~^
1613 in ^wcc/fwcA j'l/^"^'. (Hist. MSS.Comm.)!. 149 There
i^ great reason you should, .recommend this cause to my
secresy; for if there come forth but the least vent of it, I
know actum est de me.
16. The action on the part of an otter of coming
to the surface of the water in order to breathe;
an instance or occasion of this.
1653 Walton Angler ii. 43 The Otter, which you may now
see above water at vent. 1741 Compl. Fam.-l'iece \i. i. 306
Observe his Vents, that you may strike him with your Otter
Spear. 1856 ' Stonkhenge ' Brit. Rur. Sports 144/2 Unless
the hunters are in sufficient numbers to watcli the stream
for miles, for his 'vent', he will probably never be seen
again, a 1862 Foster in Whistle-Binkie (1878) II. 262 The
vents grow more frequent, the music more deep, And scarce
from the surface the otter can keep.
IV. 17. attrib. a. In the sense * used for, serving
as, providing, or connected with a vent *, as vent-
pit ^ -shafts -way ; in the names of things or devices,
as vent-cock J -faucet ^ 'P^p^i -p^^'gj -^ire (see quots.).
See also Vent-peg.
187s Knight Diet. Meek., *Vent-cock, a device for ad-
mitting air to a vessel from which liquid is to be drawn, or
permit the escape of gas. Ibid., *V cut faucet, an instru-
ment which may act as a vent-hole borer or a faucet to draw
a portion of liquor from the vessel. 1843 Tizard Bretving
451 Tliis plan is greatly superior to the iron *vent nail.
1858 SiMMONDs Diet. Trade, * Vent-pipe, an air-pipe; an
escape pipe for steam. 1725 J. Reynolds Vievj Deatlp (ed. 2)
22 This pit is, with us, call'd the *venl-pit or the air-shaft.
1843 TizARD Breijuing s,^\ The nature 01^ the materials em-
ployed., demands an adequate number of *vent plugs. 1875
Knight Diet. Mech., *Vait-U'ire (Founding), a long steel
wire, . . used . . for giving vent to green and dry f^and-molds.
b. In sense iid, as vent-astragalj -bi/y field,
-piecCy -ping, -server, tube, tic. (see quots.).
Also vent-cover, -punch, -stopper {iZ-j$ in Knight).
1769 Falconer Diet. Marine (1780) s.v. Cannon, The first
reinforce therefore includes, .the vent-field j the *vent-
astragal, and first rein force-ring. 1802 James Milit. Diet.,
Vent-asirngal, that part of a gun or howitzer which de*
termines the vent-field. 1846 A. Young Naut. Diet. 358
* Vent-bit, a species of gimblet used for clearing the vent of
a gun when choked. 1769 *Vent.field [see vent-astragal
above], 1802 James Milit. Diet., Vent-field, is the part of
a gun or howiiz between the breech mouldings and the
astragal. 1846 A. Young Nnut. Diet. 358 Vent-field, a
rectangular piece of the metal raised a little upon a gun;
through it the vent is bored. 1859 F. A. Griffiths Artill.
Man. (1B62) 205 *Vent Piece, a plug of steel or wrought
iron, containing the vent. 1868 Rep. Munitions War 146
A 7-inch breech-loading polygrooved rifled gun on the
.\rmsirong ventpiece system. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech.,
Vent-piece, . . the block which closes the rear of the bore in
a breech-loader. 1846 A. Young Naut. Diet. 358 *Vent-
plug, a tight plug made of leather, plaited rope-yarn, or
oakum, which one of the men thrusts mtothe vent of a gun.
1867 Smvth Sailor's Word-bk., Vent-plug, a fid or stopple
made of leather or oakum fitting in the vent of a piece to
stop it against weather, etc. 1876 Vovle & Stevenson
Milit. Diet. 452/1 * Vent-ser-c'er, an article used for serving
the vents of AI.L.R. guns, 64-prs. and upwards, in lieu of
serving the vent with the thumb. 1797 Phil. Trans.
LXXXVII. 238 The velocity of the bullet is considerably
greater when the cannon is fired off wiih a *vent tube.
c. In sense 9 b, as vent-feather .^ one of the
feathers covering or surrounding a bird's vent.
1776 Pennant Brit. Zool. II. 571 The whiteness of the
coverts of the tail and vent-feathers. 1797 Encycl. Brit,
(«d. 3) XIII. 505/2 The Vent, or vent-feathers {crissum\
VENT.
105
VENT.
which lies between the tliighs and the tail. 1815 Stei'HENs
in Shaw's Gen. Zool. IX. i. 98 Abdomen and vent-feathers
whitish. 1834 MuDiE Featliered Tribes 1. 11 The vent
feathers, and under tail coverts, which cover the hinder part
of the bird.
Vent, J*^. 2 Obs,GyiC.arch. Also 6-7 vente. [In
senses 1-3 a. F. vente ( = Sp, venta, Prov. and Pg.
venda^ It. vendita) :-pop.L. ^vendita sb., from L.
vendituSj pa, pple. of vendHrc to sell. Cf. Vend sb.
In sense 4 directly ad. Sp. venta.
In senses i and 2 the word is very common froni c 1550 to
c 1750, freq. with adj*. denoting the readiness or profitable-
ness of trade.]
1. The fact, on the part of commodities, of beinj^
disposed of by sale or of finding purchasers ; freq.
in the phrases to find or havi (. .) vent, a. With
a (or «^).
1545 Brinki.ow Conifil. ii. (1874) 11 This being reformed,
aboue all other actes shal bryn^ the cloth of England to a
contynuall vent, a 1548 Hall Chrou,, Edw. /K, 236 b. The
wolies at Caleis, because of the warre, could haue no vent,
nor be vttred. 1655 ir. SoreCs Com. Hist, Francion iii. 70
Divers Authors of this our Age have more ridiculously clad
their names in a Roman disguise.. that their books might
have a better vent. 1714 French. Bk. Kates 242 The Mer-
chandizes carried there from trance.. lie on Hand, and
cannot find a Vent or Market. 1730 Col. Rec. Penttsylv.
III. 391 Encouragement, .given to raise such Commodi-
ties that migtit have a constant and ready vent in Britain,
178a Pegge Ciirialia Misc. 141 One often sees them ad-
vertised for sale ; and, if bought at all, they find a vent, no
doubt, at Wapping.
b. Without article.
1564 in Hudson & Tingey Rec. Norwich (1910) II. 332
The seyde clothes which nowe were owte of estimation and
vente. 1573-80 Tusser Husb. (1878) 45 A remedie sent,
where pease lack vent. 1581 W. Stafford Exam. ConipL
iii. (1876) 84 Whatsoeuer thing is rered vpon grasing, hath
free vente both ouer this side and also beyond the sea, to be
sold at the highest penny. 1617 Bacon in Fortescue Facers
(Camden) 34 For the yearely makeinge of see many tonnes
of allome as.. can possiblely receave vent eyther at home
or abroade, 164X Best Farm. Bks, (SurteesJ 112 Att these
three fayres-.the most timely sorte of lambes have very
foode vente. 1694 J. Locke in Ixi. King Li/e{i%ifi) I. 383
'or our books are so dear, and ill printed, that they have
very little vent among foreigners. 1768 H. Walpole Lett.
(1S91J V. 116 Like fish that could not find vent in London.
a 1797 — Geo. II (1847) II- vii. 228 The original caricature,
which had amazing vent, was of Newcastle and Eox.
2. The fact, on the part of persons, of disposing
of goods by sale ; opportunity for selling ; market
or outlet for commodities.
a 1548 Hall Ckron., Hen. V/It, 174 We trust you will
not moue vs to bye the thyng, wbiche wee cannot vtter, for
in all places our vent is stopped and forbidden. 1575 Brieff
Disc. Tronb. Franck/ord (1846) 84 Saying that he woulde
stoppe all mennes vents (as he termed it) and receiptes.
1600 Holland Livy 1002 To the end, that. .they might..
be served of a mart-towne for vent, and a place of receit for
all forreine merchandise, c 1630 T. Mun England's Treas.
(1664) 17 So far forth as the high price cause not a less vent
in the quantity. 1671 Charente's Customs Tajjleita 69 As
for the Trade and Traffick of those parts, it is much the
same, ..unless it be that the vent is better in some places
than others. 1709 in Heariie Collect. (O.H.S.) II. 191 The
Amsterdam publisher. .carrying a considerable part of his
impression into France, and hoping for a quick vent there.
i76o-7» tr. ymiH ^ Ulloa's Voy. (ed; 3) II, 398 The traders
. .consign- .their European goods.. to their correspondents
in other parts for vent. 1778 (W. H. Marshall] Minutes
Aerie. 19 May 1776, What, then, must be the fate of those
who do not keep a minute account, neither of the yield nor
of the vent ?
b. In phrases with verbs, as to find or have vent.
1557-71 .\. Jenkisson Voy. /f Trax'. (Hakl. Soc.) I. 116
W'e be vncertaine what vent or sale you shall finde iti Persia.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 367 They vsed in old lime to gather
the Incense but once a yerc ; as hauing Utticvent, and small
retume, and 1es:»e occasion to sell than now adaies. 1674
Marvell Reh. Transp. 11. 54 Or by only naming it hoped to
procure vent or better their Uvelybood. 1707 Mortimer
Husb. (1721) II. 62 Such Uses as you design to sell your
Wood for, which you must be regulated in by the vent you
have.
C. Const, of,
a 1548 Hall Chron., Edw. /K, 241 Thether was one of
their common trafficques and ventes of all their Merchaun-
dice, 1577 HoLiNSHEO Chron. II. 951/2 By this grant it
was thoughie, y* the king might dispend a M. markes ster-
ling a (lay, such vent of wooUes had the English merchants.
1600 Hakluvt Voy. (1810) III. 504 Where he had peaceable
traffique, and made vent of the whole number of his Negros.
1690 Child Disc Trade (1698) 59 Much foreign tr.-»de will
cncrease the vent of our native manufactures, and much
vent will make many workmen. ijoo\.\yj Council 0/ Trade
(1751) 141 This demand.. at home will in all probability
make way for the exportation and foreign vent of at least so
much more. 1778 Eng. Caz, (cd. 2) s.v. Malton, Malton. .
was heretofore famous for its vent of corn , fish, and country
utensils. i8ta G. Chalmers Historical Vieiv 46 The alien
duties, which had always obstructed the vent of native
manufactures.
d. Const. _^r.
1583 SrubBES Anat. Abus. 11. (18S2) 39 To filch and steale
whatsoeuer they can lay their hands vpon, scing they may
haue such good vent for y* same. 1591 Greene Conny
Catch, n. 3 Any Faire, Mart, or other place where any good
vent for horses is. a x66x Fuller Worthies, Essex \. (1662)
•?i8, I know not whether it be better to wish them good
Wares to Vent, or good Vent for their Wares. 1689 Apol.
Fail. Walker s Ace. 23 The tenth being more than he hopes
to have vent for in England. 1717 Pope, etc. Art 0/ Sink-
ing 72, I doubt not, but we shall. .procure a farther vent
for our own product. 1761 Hume Hist, Engl. II. xxvi. 118
If husbandmen understand agriculture, and have a ready
Vol. X.
vent for their commodities. 17B8 Priestley Led. Hist. v.
Iviii. 460 If. .they find a vent for these goods abroad, they
will have wherewith to purchase the produce of other
countries. 1828 Southev in Q. Rev. XXXVII. 546 Yet,
even then, more goods were produced than there was vent
for. _ 1868 E. Edwards Ralegh I. vi. 97 The ordinary vent
for timber of any sort, in Ireland, was very limited.
1 3. A place where goods are or may be sold j a
market, mart. Obs,—^
1580 R. Hitchcock Politic Flat f ij, At Rone in Fraunce
which is the chefest vent, be solde our EngUshe wares, as
Welche and Manchester Cottons.
1 4. [After Sp. venta."] An inn or tavern ; a bait-
ing or posting house. Obs. (Cf. Venta.)
1577 Hellowes Gucuards Chron. 14 The seate of Yslo-
briga was, where nowe the ventes of Caparra, being bayting
places, stand. z6za Shelton Don Qnix. i. ii. (1620) 10 He
perceiued an Inne, neere vnto the high way ;. .forthwith as
soone as he espied the Vent, he fained to himselfe that it
was a Castle, a 1625 Fletcher Love's FUgr. 1. i. Our
house Is but a zient of need, that now and then Receives a
guest, between the greater Towns As they come late.
fVeut, app. a variant spelling of Went sb,
1513 Douglas ^neid iii.iv. 40 Fro that place syne ontill
ane cave we went, Vndir a hingand hewch, in a derne vent
[v.r. went].
tVent, v.^ Obs, rare. [f. Vent jd.l]
1. trans. To trim the openings or slits of (a gar-
ment). Cf. Kent v.
1547 in Feuillerat Revels Edw. F/ (1914) 16 Longe gownes
or Cassockes for women of red Sarcenet, .puff'yd with whyte
sarcenet & ventyd with the same. 1606 in Lismore Papers
Ser. n. (1887J !• m Fustain to ventt it \sc. a gown] doune
before.
2. To crenellate (a wall).
1531 in Bailey Hist. Toxvcr (1821) p. xi, The walls.,
rounde aboute to be copyde, ventyde, lowpyde, and crestyde.
Ibid.y The walls of the same with one turret to be ventyde.
Vent (vent), 2^.- Also 7 vente, ventt, [f.
Vent sb.'^^ or ad. F. eventer Event v^- Cf. also
AvENT v. The senses of OF. and F. venter are
barely represented here.]
I. trans, f 1. To provide (a liquor cask, etc.)
with a vent or outlet for gas or vapour. Obs,
X398[sce Venting vbl.sb.\. 1495 Trevisds Barth, DeP. R.
XVII. clxxxvi. 727 The strengthe of feruent must..brekyth
ful strouge ve^selles that it is put in, but thei be vented.
1570 Levins Manip. 66 To vent, aperire, euacuare. 1580-3
Greene Mamillia Wks. (Grosart) II. 57 The wine vessel
beyng ful, lets pa^se no wine, though neuer so wel vented.
1607 Walkington opt. Glasses The vessel beein[g] vented
and broch't, tels the taste what liquor issueth from it. 1703
Art Sf Myst. Vintners <y Wine^Coopers 11 They draw them
forth for sale as fast as they can vent them.
J^S' '5^ Nashe nat. Absurdity Wks. (Grosart) I. 35
These Bussards thinke knowledge a burthen, tapping it
befoie they haue half tunde it, venting it before they haue
filled it.
b. fig. To relieve or unburden (one*s heart or
soul) in respect of feelings or emotions. Alsor^.
c i6a6 W. BoswoRTH Arcadius <$■ SePha \. 843 With these,
and such like words,he vents his soul Of those. .Conjectures,
1631 Hevwood Engl. Elizabeth {1641) 55 The King having
something vented himself with laughing, replied. 1709
Steele Tatter No. 22 p 2 Without any Purpose in his Talk,
but to vent an Heart overflowing with Sense of Success.
1799 Winter Let. in Jay Wks. (1843) V. 92, I vented my
soul in a line to Mr. Peronet.
t 2. To discharge, eject, cast or pour out (liquid,
smoke, etc.) ; to carry off or away ; to drain in
this way. Also with advs., as away, do2vn,/orthj
out. Obs.
Said usually of the containing thin^, but sometimes of the
force or means by which outlet is given. Examples with
advs. are placed under («).
{a) 1587 HoLiNSHED Chron. (ed. 2) III. 55S/1 The infec-
tious smother of this venemous vapor., had beeiie readie to
choke all chrbtendome, had not by the wisedome. .of the
princes there, the same the sooner beene vented away. x6oi
2tid Ft, Return/r. Parnass. 1 v. iii. 1S88 Those leaden spouts,
That nought downe \v,r. doej vent but what thcydoreceiue.
X644 G. Plattes in Hartlib's Legacy (1655) iy8 I'he pits.,
will vent away the superfluous water continually, and keep
the se liar alwaies dry. 165a French Vorkshiie Span. 19
They being vented forth, the heat would, .be extinguished.
{b) 1633 G. Hkkbert Temple, Providence xviii, Springs
vent their streams, and by expense get store. 1646 P.
BuLKELEY Gospel Covt. I. 114 Be not like dry vessels that
will vent nothing. jj\n W. Rogers Voyage (1718) 383 Wc
found it [the leak] did not encrease more than one pump
could vent. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. $ 297 The copper
funnels for venting the smoke from the kitchen fires.
fig. i6aa Bacon Hen. VII, 98 If there should bee any bad
Bloud left in the Kingdome, an Honourable Forraine Warre
will Vent it. a 1637 Sir J. ^ej^mwosx Bosivorth F. 552 My
Strength ib spent, .\nd some perhaps of Villain Blood will
vent Sly weary Soul.
f b. Of persons, animals, or their organs : To
cast out, expel, or discharge^ esp. by natural
evacuation ; to evacuate (urine, etc.). Obs,
1607 TopsELL Four-/. Beasts 249 With a medicine made of
an Affrican Sparrow mixed with this, he procured one to
make water, and to void a great stone which had not vented
his vrine in many daies. i6ti Shaks. Cymb, i. ii. 5 Where
ayre conies out, ayre comes in : There's none abroad so
wholesome as that you vent, 1641 Milton Reform. \\,
Wks. 1851 III. 70 The very maw of Hell ransack't, and made
to give up her conceal'd destruction, ere shee could vent it
in that horrible and damned blast. 1656 J. Smith Pract.
Pkysick 94 The Chylus . . cannot all be changed into
water, and if it were changed, yet the Reins can vent it
forth. 1738 tr. Guazzo's Art Convers. 74 Such as vent such
pestiferous Blasts, ought to have their Wind stopt with a
Halter. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4) 11. 99
Sheep that are infected with this disorder cannot vent the
seed, the ova, from their liver, on the ground.
trans/, c 1611 Chapman Iliad xix. 97 When Alcmena was
to vent the force of Hercules.
fig. i6o8 T. Morton Preamb. Encounter iii Whatsoeuer
bittcrnesse the gall of this man could vent out.
t C. To shed (tears). Also with out. Obs. rare.
1633 J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 123 Having first
suffered me to Tent out my teares, for the disbuidning of my
heart [etc.]. 1760-72 H. Brooke Fool 0/ Qital. (1809) III.
16 He. .vented the tears of. .pleasure, love, and gratitude.
3. a. To give, heave, or utter (a groan, sigh,
etc.). Now rare ox poet.
1602 Marston Antonio'' s Rev. iv. iv, I.. vent a heaving
sigh. 1615 T. Adams White Devil 42 The poore confident
plainiife goes home undone; his moanes, his groanes are
vented up to heaven. 1718 Pope Iliad xv. 123 Behold
.\scalaphus ! behold him die, But dare not murmur, dare
nut vent a sigh, a 1763 Shekstone Elegies xiv. 45 Beneath
her palm Idume vents her moan. 1858 H. Bushnell Serin,
Ne'jj Li/e lo They even complain, veniing heavy sighs.
187a Blackie Lays Highl, 122 Not wise is he who vents an
angry breath.
t b. poet. To pour out (one's soul) in death. Obs.
1718 Poi-E Iliati xvL 387 He sinks,.. And vents his soul,
effused with gushing gore.
^' fiS' To g*^e vent to (an emotion, feeling,
passion, etc.) ; to give free course or expression to;
lo express ; to make manifest or known.
1596 Shaks. Tain. Shr. i. ii, 179 Gieniio, 'tis now no time
to vent our loue. 1603 Mahston Antonio's Rev, \\. iv, I
must vent my griefes, or heart will burst, 1641 Tatham
Distr. State 11. i. Did you e'er Hear spleen better vented.
1676 HoBBEs Iliad IV, 174 Would Agamemnon thus would
alwaies vent His Choler. 172a De Foe Plague (1840) 74
Others, unable to contain themselves, vented their pain by
incessant roarings, u 1781 R. Watson Hist. Philip III
V. (1783) 349 The resentment of Spain was farther vented in
a manifesto. 1820 ScoiT iMonast. xiv, Martin.. suppressed
not his indignation a moment after he could vent it with
safety. 1841 Dickens Barn. Rudge xxxii, He vented the
lightness of his spirit in smiles and sparkling looks. 1873
SvMONDS Grk, Poets v. 139 Habituated to associate together
in large bodies, the Dorians felt no need of venting private
feeling.
trans/, a 1716 South Serm. (1744) XI. 222 Things con-
trary will vent their contrariety in mutual strife.
b. To let loose, pour out, wreak (one's anger,
spleen, etc.) on or upon a person or thing. (Cf. 5 b. )
1697 Dryden yEneid in. ^03 The Winds and Waves com.
plain, And vent their malice on the Cliffs in vain. 1710
Tatler No. 260 p 3 That fatal distemper, which has always
taken a particular pleasure in venting its spight upon the
Nose. 1735 Johnson Lobo's Abyssinia, Descr. ix. 93 The
Viceroy disappointed in this Sclienie, vented all his rage
upon Father James, 1750 — Rambler No. 87 7 9 The un-
successful vent their discontent upon those that excel them.
1816 T. L. Peacock Headlong Hall xiii, To vent their
spleen on the first idle coxcomb they can find. 1878 Bosw.
Smith Carthage 55 The Carthaginians unable to vent th«ir
anger even on the lifeless corpse of the unfortunate Hamil-
car,.. vented it on his innocent soh.
6. fig. To give out or forth, publish or spread
abroad, by or as by utterance ; to give utterance or
publicity to (a doctrine, opinion, etc.) ; to utter (a
word, expression, etc.). f Also con'iX. forth 01 out.
Very common from c 1600 to c 1750 ; now somewhat rare
.or arch.
1602 2ttd Ft. Return/r. Parnass. 11. vi. 954 What lack,
faith I cannot but vent vnto thee a most witty ie!,t of mine.
1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts, N. T. 277 After that God had
once vented and declared that his good purpose to mankind.
1648 Gage West Ind. 102 And they will be sure to vent out
some non-truth. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 278 p i Learning
by Heart Scraps of Greek, which she vents upon all
Occasions. 1764 H. Walpqle Lett. (1891) IV. 279, I hate
to send you every improbable tale that is vented. 1817
Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. iv. 431 The Presidency vent
the most bitter complaints. 1850 Merivale Rom. Emp. iii.
(1865) I. 107 The nois^ declamations he vented about the
imaginary dangers of his new Carthage. 1871 Blackie
Phases of Morals i. 48 He who in an impulse of fearless
fervour vents a little too much truth [etc.].
b. With on or upon. (Cf. 4 b.)
1832 Ht. Martineau ///■// 4- Valley y\. 85 Many acurse did
the least wise.. vent upon the French. 1843 Gladstone
Glean. (1879) V. 65 The nameless author who has recently
vented his chaff. . upon the public. 1844 Levek T. Burke
v, The curse vented on me by one whose ruin, .lay at my
own father's door,
tc. To disclose, divulge, or let out (a secret,
etc.). Obs.
1678 Makvell Growth Popery Wks. (Grosart) IV. 176
This affair was carried on with all the secreiie of so great
statesmen, that they might not by venting it unseasonably,
spoil [etc.]. 1679 EvERARD Popish Plot 7 When these
matters were vented out of [s^^by] Sir Robert.
6. refl. Of a thing : To discharge (itself) ; to
find issue or exit.
1650 Fuller Pisgak iv. v. 81 Nilus venteth itself into
the Mediterranean Sea with seven mouths. 1665 Sir T.
Herbert Trav. (1677) 120 That very year the earth swelled
with such a tympany, that in venting it self all Larr was
forced to quake. 1684 J. Peter Siege Vienna 45 It hapned
that they were all left standing, the Mine venting U selt
upqn the Edge of the Ditch. 1726 Nat Hist. Ireland 193
A lake. .called Loughchorib.. vents it self into the sea at
Galway.
b. esp. Of an emotion, faculty, quality, etc. : 1 o
find vent: to express or show (itself) ///something.
(<i) 1650 Fuller Fisgah iv. vii. 138 It is to be feared that
this sin finding itsusuall way obstructed, will watch its own
advantage, to vent itself by some other conveyances. 1702
RowE Amb. Step-Moth. i. i. 375 The Malice of the Faction
1 which I hate Would vent it self even on thy Innocence.
VENT.
x8o8 in Km^x <V ytbhs' Corr, I. 456 The fears of men.,
having b«cn taught.. to vent themselves, if I may so speak,
through the channel of sacrifice. 1849 Macaulay^/j^ A'w^.
iii. 1. 367 The cotfee houses were the chief orgatis through
which the public opinion of the metropolis vented itself.
«i86« Buckle Civiiiz. (1869) III. iv. 193 This ill-feeling
increased until, in 1580, it vented itself by the abolition of
episcopacy.
(*) It 1661 FuiXKR Worikies (1840) III. 468 Able and active
bodies are not to vent themselves in such vain, though gain-
ful, ostentation. 1669 Gale Cri. G^ntiUs i. iii. i. 8 Affections
..delight to vent themselves in Poesie. 1763 J. Brown
p0ttry fr Music loa When the first Fire of Enthusiasm had
vented itself in the Rapture of Hymns and Odes. 1819
Scott loanhce xxvii, The. .decrepit hag . . whose wrath must
vent itself in impotent curses, a 1854 H. Reed Led. Brit.
Poets xiiL (1S57) II. 159 This cheerfulness has vented itself
in his playful poetry.
t7. a. To eject or expel (people) out of a.
country. Obs.^^
1609 in Gardiner Hist Eng. I. 438 [A wish that as many
natives as possible might be] vented out of tlie land.
tb. To rid (a kingdom) ^people, Obs.—^
1613 Sib T. Stafford in Lismore Papers Ser. \\. (1887) I.
199 It will be a good meanes to vent that Kingdome. .of a
number of Idle men that haue nothinge to doe.
f c. fig. To spend, get rid of (a fortune). Obs.~^
i6>o B. JoNSON Aich. ni. iv, How doe they Hue by their
wits, there, that haue vented Sixe times your fortunes?
•f* 8 a. To dispense, distribute, Obsr~^
1616 Chapmak O^jj. xvn. 545 The Pallace royall..he
enter'd..and his Trencher's fraight The Keruers gaue him,
tk the flesh there vented,
t b. To put (coins, etc.) in circulation or cur-
rency ; to give in payment; to pay ont. Obs.
i6a9 Reg. Privy Counc. Scoil. Ser. n. III. 20 That nane
of thame presoome. .to vent and putt amongs his Majesteis
subjects anie of the saids Embden dollours. 1655 tr.
Sorets Com. Hist, Francion xn. 31 Valerius having filled
his Purse with pieces more current than those which he
ordinarily vented. 1683 Col. Rec, Pennsylv. I. 84 A
Question put whether there be not some persons to vent such
money here.
+ 9. To explode or fire (a mine), Obs. rare.
1687 J, Richards Siege Buda 14 With directions that if
the Miners should meet with the Turks Mine, to Vent it.
10. To supply (a gun) with a vent or vent-piece.
x8a8 Spearman Brit. Gunner (ed. 2) 412 It was recom-
mended that iron ordnance, .might be vented previously to
their being issued. Ibid.^ A gun of the same description
vented with pure copper. 1879 Man. Artill. Exerc. 201
The 80-pr. is vented in the same manner as the 64 -pr. 58-
cwt. gun.
II. intr. 11. Of an exhalation, liquid, smoke,
etc, : To find or make an outlet or way of escape
from a confined space ; to come, flow, pass, or pour
out or away by a vent or opening. Now rare.
(a) 1S40-X Elyot Image Gov. (.is$6) 64 Corrupt exhala-
cions, ventynge out of mens bodyes. 1560 Whitehornk
Oni, Souidiours {i^ZZ) 45 It will bee surer to let nothing vent
out but the glasse it selfe. 1615 Day Festivals'w. joo They
were full of new Wine, and the new Wine venting out, the
Tongues of all Nations were immediatly set a float. 1704
Diet. Rust. (1726) s.v. Blood-Spavin^ When the Blood and
Water have vented away as much as they will do.
{b) 1604 T. Wright Passions iv. i. no New wine.. by
venting bursteth^the bottle. 1645 Rutherford Tryal <^ Tri*
Faith (1845) 69 Smoke venteth at the window, when the
chimney refuseth passage. 1694 Congreve Double-Dealer
IV. ii, A cold deadly dew already vents through all my
pores. 1886 J. Barrowman Sc. Mining Terms 69 To
k'enty to have room to pass away.
fig' ifi'S Brathwait Strappado^ etc. (1878) 265 For loue
enclos'd like raging elements of fire and water, though
imprisoned, vents, a i635_Naunton Fra^m. Reg. (1641) 4
It staved off all Emulations, .apt to rise and vent in
obloquious acrimonie. .where there is one onely admitted
into high administrations.
fb. To become known, be divulged. Obs.~^
j6m Bacom Hen. y// (1876) 26 The earl presently com-
municated the matter with some of the nobles, , . at the first
secretly; but finding them of like affection to himself, he
suffered it of purpose to vent and pass abroad.
1 12. Of a bottle, confined space, etc. : To have
or obtain an outlet by which the contained matter
can escape. Freq.yf^. or in fig. context. Obs.
1599 Braughton's Let. ii. 9 Like an old bottle with new
wine, vnlesse you should vent, you would burst. 16x4 J.
Cooke Greene's Tu Quoque in Dodsley O. PL (1744) HI. 56
My heart is swol'n so big, that it must vent, Or it will burst,
j6a6 B. JossON Staple o/N. 1. ii, (1905) 13 Quiet his mouth,
that Ouen will be venting else. 1655 Nicholas Papers
(Camden) II. 324, I cannot forbeare filling vpp my paper
with it, for such as we are must vent or we burst.
b. Sc. To let out or discharge smoke ; to carry
off smoke (well or ill).
1756 Mrs. Calderwood in Coltness Collect. (Maitl.Club)
225 And neither great nor small [houses] will vent, which
obliges them to use stoves : nay, these stoves will not vent
at the chimney, but are often let out in a hole in the outer
wall. Ibid. 236 As you know we cannot have in any kitchin
above two stoves, becau<;e they must vent up the chimney.
1816 Scott Antiq. xi, The Green Room disna vent weel in
a high wind. i8ss Jamikson Suppi, .s.v.. That lum vents
very ill.
O. U.S. Of a brook : To flow into a river.
X784 J. Belknap Tour to White Mts. (1876) 7 A large
brook, which vents into Pine River.
tl3. Spec. (Seequot.) Ohs.-^
1721 Bailey, To Vent^ (among Glass Plate Workers,) is to
crack in Working.
m. tl4. intr. Of an animal: To snuff up
the air, esp. in order to pick np the scent of some-
thing. Obs,
106
1538 Elyot, Nicto, tere, to vent as the hound doth, whlche
foloweth the dere or hare, or other game. 1552 Huloet
S.V., Vent or snucke as a hound or spaniell doth, nicto.
1579 Spbnsf.r Sheph. Cal. Feb, 75 Seest, howe brag yond
liullocke beares, So smirke, so smoothe, his pricked eares?. .
See howe he venteth into the wynd. i6ia Drayton Poly-
olb. xiv. 20 At the full-bagg*d cow, Or at the curl-fac'd bull,
when venting he doth low, , . He never seems to smile. 1660
R. Coke Justice Vind. 9 It is observed of the Fox, that
whensoever hunted to ground, he never comes out, but at
the mouth of the Burrow, he lies and vents a while.
+ b. trans/. To search or seek y"(7r, Obs.~^
1574 Hfllowes Guenara's Fam. Ep. (1577) 344, I cannot
denie, but that after the manner of a drunkarde, that venteth
for the best wine : so doe mine eyes stare and wander to
finde out some olde Sepulture.
f 15. trans. Of animals, hounds, etc. : To become
aware of, to detect or perceive, by means of the
sense of smell ; = Scent v. i. Obs,
1576 TuRBERv. Venerie "j^ If they chaunce once to vent
the huntesman or his hounde, they will straight way dis-
lodge from thence. Ibid. 187 He which maketh the trayne,
must rubbe the soales of his shoes with Cowes dung, least
the Foxe vent his footing. i6ix Noble Art Venerie 96 My
liege, I went this morning on my quest. My hound did
siicke, and seem'd to vent some beast. 1660 R. Coke
Justice Vind. 9 The Fox, ..if he vents any thing which
causes fear, returns to ground again. Ibid.y So Deer do
naturally desire to eat Apples, but if approaching, they vent
ihem to have been handled by man, they forsake them.
1735 Somerville C/tace in. 544 Then as o'er the Turf he [a
stag] strains, He vents the cooling Stream, and up the
Breeze Urges his Course with eager Violence.
f b. trans/. To discover or discern. Obs."^
1611 Cotgr., Onjlaire <rf/<z,..men begin to discouer it,
vent it, find it out.
16. To smell or snufF at (something), rare.
1634 Massinger Very Woman iii. v, Antonio {pours ont
some wine). She stirs, and vents it : Oh ! how she holds her
nose up 1 x88o Shorthouse J, Ingiesant I. ii. 43 The
hounds came trailing and chanting along by the riverside,
venting every tree root.
17. intr. Of an otter, or beaver : To rise to the
surface in order to breathe. Also trans/, of a person
(quot. 1600).
1590 CocKAiNE Treat. Hunting D ij b, He [the otter] will
vent so oft, and put vp ouer water. ..At which time some
must runne vp the water, some downe, to see where he vents,
1600 Fairfax Tasso xv. Ix, As when the morning starre
escapt and fled. From greedie wanes with dewie beames vp
flies,. .So vented she. 1647 Hexham i. s.v.,To Vent or take
breath as an Otter. 1733 Phil. Trans. XXXVIII. r8o
When she [sc. a beaver] swam under Water, which she would
do for two or three Minutes, and tlien come up to vent,
sometimes raising her Nostrils only above Water. 1735
Somerville Chace iv. 433 Th' ascending Bubbles mark his
[i.e. an otter's] gloomy Way. Quick fix the Nets, and cut off
his Retreat Into the sheltVing Deeps. Ah I there he vents I
1818 Scott Rob Roy xxxiii. One of the otter-hunts, .where
the animal is detected by the hounds from his being neces-
sitated to put his nose above the stream to vent or breathe.
1856 'Stonehenge' Brit. Rur. Sports 144/2 The otter.. is
obliged to come up and 'vent' for want of air. 1885
Standard 2 April 5/3 Their prey is rising to ' vent '.
+ b. trans. To cause or force (an otter) to come
to the surface. Obsr^
1688 Holme Armoury n. 134/2 An Otter : We watch, and
Vent him, when we disturb him. a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant.
Cre7u, Vent the Otter^ Dislodge him,
1 18, trans. To blow (a horn). Obs.'"^
1601 F. Tate Househ. Ord, Edw. Ily § 57 (1876) 44, j to
vent the home shal have x^^. a day wages.
+ 19. To supply with fresh air ; to ventilate. Obs,
160X Holland Pliny I. 440 That all the Apples. .be so
couched as that they touch not one another, but haue spaces
between to receiue equall aire for to bee vented.
t20. To lift up so as to admit air. Obs.—'^
1590 Spenser F. Q. hi. i. 42 The braue Mayd would not
disarmed bee, But onely vented vp her vmbriere, And .so did
let her goodly visage to appere.
Vent, v.^ Now dial. Also 6 .Si;, went, 7
vente. [f. F. vente Vent sh.'^'\
1. trans. To sell or vend (commodities or goods);
to dispose of by sale.
Very common from c 1600 to c 1670.
1478-9 Burgh Rec. Edin. (1869) I. 36 It is thocht expedient
that all persouns half licence and leif to cum to the towne
with victualls to., vent the samyn on Mononday, Wedins-
day, and Fryday. x54S'-3 Act 34 Sf 35 Hen, VIII^ c. 6
Pynnes which be dailie vented, uttered, and put to Sale
within this Realme. 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. ii.
Colonies 66$ The I ii«land Lands might truck and barter. And
vent their Wares about to every Quarter. 1605 B. Jonson
Volpone ir. ii, They are quack-salners, Fellowes,that line by
venting oyles, and drugs? 1661 in J. Simon Ess. Irish
Coins (1749) 127 Several persons .. took a liberty, .to make a
kind of brass or copper tokens,.. and vented them to the
people for a penny each piece. 1672 Collins in Rigaud
Corr. Sci. Men (1841) I. 200 England doth not vent above
twenty or thirty of any new mathematical book he brings
over.^ 1719 W. Wood Survey Trade 217 While Spain
remains an independant Nation,. .we may always hope to
maintain . .our Trade to that Kingdom, and vent our Manu-
factures in the Indies. 1764 Burn Poor Laws 153 Hemp
and flax,, .which now people neglect to sow, because they
have no way to vent or employ it 1790 Shirrefs Poems 316
Tak ye tent, How, and to whom your bills ye vent. 1864
in O'DoNOGHUE St. Knighton (Cornwall) Gloss. 301.
trans/. 165* Gaule Magastrom. xxvi, Hereupon the
astrologers doe mart or vent the effects of the heavens and
the stars.
fb. With various advs., as a7/;(Z/,/(?r///,^. Obs.
c 1550 Disc. Common Weal Eng. (1B93) 62 As much as he
sliQiild haue for the more well vented ouer, so much should
he haue for the lesse woll at a greater custome vented ouer.
VENTAIL.
i6oa Cabew Cornivall -^ The nearenesse helpeth them., to
vent forth and make return of those comodiiies, which their
owne, or cither of those countries doe afford, c 1630 T.
MuN England's Treas. 79 We trade to divers places where
we vent off our naitive commodities. 1631 Hevwood Fair
I Maid of West in, To vent away our bad commodities.
I t O. To let out (land). Obs.-'^
j 1603 G. Owen Pembrokeshire viii. (1891) 63 Some land-
! lordes. .founde it more comodiouse to k«ape it in their
j owne handes then to vente it out at xii* an acre which is the
I vsuallerent thireof.
I t2. intr. Of goods: To have or find sale; to
! sell, go off (well or ill). Obs,
1 ]6» in M. Sellers Eastland Co. (Camden) Introd. 54
I Either over cheap i>ennyworths must cause our said cloths
I to vent there, or else they will not vent at all. 16*8-9
; DtGBY Voy. Medit. (Camden) 29 Other thinges that I had
j which would vent better in that place then in England.
1670 J. Smith Eng. hnprov. Reviv'd 202 Cherries will
vent at most Markets. 1670 Narborough Jrnl. mAcc.Sev.
Late Voy. i. (1694) no Commodities would bear a much
greater price than what I mention, and there would vent
greater quantities.
II Venta (ve'nta). Also 7 vento. [Sp. venta
(~Pg. venda^x—V.. vendita: see Vent sb.'^"] A
Spanish hostelry or wayside inn.
1610 in Birch Crt. ^ Times Jos. I (1848) 1. 107 Our ventas
and hostelries without victuals or lodging. 1618 R. Cocks
Diary (1883) II. 89 As we retorned, we went into a vento
or tavarne. x66a J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Ambass. 205
Those places.. are as the Ventas in Spain, and serve for
Inns upon the High-way. 1775 Twiss Trav. Portug. ^ Sp.
39 note, A venta is a lone house, established by public
authority, for the convenience of travellers. 179» Towns-
end jfourn. Spain iii. 104 The waggoners and drovers.,
being seated on the grass before the doors of a venta. 1817
Keatinge Trav, I. 69 A venta is seated at the foot of this
road of ascent. 1846 Ihackebay Comhill to Cairo Wks.
igoo V. 609 Through the flaring lattices of the Spanish
ventas comes the clatter of castanets. 1897 ' H. S. Merri-
MAN ' In Kedar's Tents v. Beguiling the journey with
cigarette and song, calling at every venta on the road.
t Ventage 1. Obs,—^ In 6 -adge. [f. Vent
v,'^ + -AGE.] The action of selling or vending ; sale.
1577 in -loth Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 426 The
great losse they sustayned in this ventadge by meanes of
those with whom tbey have sente . . their goodes in to Spayne.
Ventage ^ (ve'nted5). Also 7-9 ventige. [f.
Vent .f/i.^-i- -AGE.]
1. One of the series of apertures or holes in the
length of a wind instrument for controlling the
notes ; a finger-hole.
In mod. use perh. originally from Shakspere.
x6oa Shaks. Ham. iii. ii- 373 (Q.^), Gouerne these ventages
[fol. veiitiges] with your fingers, ..& it wil discourse most
eloquent musique. 1776 Bl'rnev Hist. Music I. 264 It was
found practicable to produce the same variety of tones with a
single pipe, by means of ventiges or holei. 1794 Burns Let.
to G. TJiomson 20 Nov., The stock has six or seven ventiges
on the upper side, and one back-ventige, like the common
flute. 1834 M. Scott Cruise Midge xxiii, An instrument
made of some bright yellow hard wood, . . the ventiges [184a
ventages] inlaid with gold. 1876 J. Weiss Wit, Hum. ^
Shahs. V. 171 It is enough for him to finger the ventages of
a recorder and invite Guiidenstem to play upon it.
transf. i6ta Webster White Devil 11. i. 299 He will shoot
pils into a mans guts, shall make them have more ventages
than a comet or a lamprey.
2. A comparatively small opening for the passage
of air, etc. ; an air-hole or vent-hole,
1623 Webster Duchess Malfi n. v, I would have their
bodies Burnt in a coal-pit with the ventage stopp'd. 17*6
Leoni AlbertisArchit. \\.x\'2l-2 In subterraneous Conduits
you shou'd open Ventiges like Wells. . . 1 have seen such
Ventiges in the Country of the Marsi.
b. = Vent sb^^ 11 d.
1875 Knight Diet, Mech, sjo-^/i The ventages of ordnance
are bushed with copper.
3. Means for the escape of air.
1615 J. Stephens Satyr. Ess. (1857) 226 She rises with a
purpose to be extreamely sober : this begets silence, which
gives her a repletion of aire without ventage ; and that takes
away her appetite.
Ventage, obs. form of Vintage.
Ventail. Now J/ist, Forms: a, ^~6 (9)
ventayle, 5 -tayll(e, -tayl; 4-6 (9) ventaile,
5-6 -tale, 5 -taill (9 -taille), 4, 9 ventail (5 Sc.
wen-), fi. 5 ventalle, 5-6 -tall, 6 -tal, [a, OF.
ventailkf -taile^ ventalle (mod.F. ventail masc, =
OProv. ventalha^ It. ventaglta), i. vent wind, air.
Hence also MHG, vin-,finieilef vintale, A purely
English variant is Avektail.
As the sense of ' breathing-place* appears to be inapplic-
able to the earliest use of the word (see sense i) in French
and P-Inglish, the name may originally have been given to
the piece of armour from a real or fancied resemblance to
some other article so designated. Other senses of the OF.
word (and of the related forms ventele, ventail, and vental)
are fan, vane (of a windmill), sluice, shutter, leaf (of a fold-
ing door or picture). In OF. romances the ventaille is freq.
mentioned as covering the heart or breast : cf. Chaucer
Clerk's Tale IZ43.]
1 1. A piece ot armour protecting the neck, upon
which the helmet fitted ; a neck-piece. 06s.
a, a 1330 Roland ff V. 863 His ventail he gan vn-lace &
smot of his heued in l>e place. 13. . Guy Warjv. (A.) 92 His
hehne was of somichel mi^t, Wasneuer man ouer-comen in
fi^t pat hadde it on his ventayle. a 1400 Sir Perc. XTZ'i He
hitt hym evene one the nekk-bane, Thurgh ventale and pe-
sane. c 1400 Laud Troy Bk, 14375 Her helmes were on her
ventayles sperde. c 1450 Lovf.lich Grail xiv. 33 Helmes,
hawherkes, & ventaylles also, AUe to the Grownde he dyde
hem go.
VENTAILET.
107
VENTIDUCT.
p. a 1400 Sgr. lowe Degre 222 Your basenette shall be
burnysshed brjght, Your ventall shalbe well dyght, With
starres of gold it shall be set.
2. The lower movable part of the front of a
helmet, as distinct from the vizor ; latterly, the
whole movable part including the vizor.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 70,^0 The duke with a dynt derit hym
agayn, t>at the viser & the veiitaile voidet hym fro, c 1400
Anturs o/Arth. xxxii, Then lie auaylet vppe his viserne
fro his veiitalle. c 1470 Got. 4- Gaiu. 867 He braidit vp his
ventaill, That closit wes clene. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon
cxxiv. 448 Vnder the ventayle of his helme the tery;s of
water fell downe fro his eyen. 1590 Spenser F. Q. ni. ii. 24
Through whose bright ventayle.. His manly fecclookt
foorth. 1600 Fairfax Tasso vi. xxvi, l^er ventall vp so hie,
that he descride Her goodly visage, and her beauties pride.
180a James Milit. Diet., V^entnil, that part of a helmet
which is made to lift up. 1865 Kingston James Tasso xx.
xii, Thro' the barred ventayle his flushed features shone.
[1869 BouTELL Arms 4- Armour \'\\\. \-2'j This piece, called
themesaii, ot vtursat/j . .hut more generally known in Eng-
land as the ventaiU, or visor, was pierced for both sight
and breathing ) 1906 S. Heath Ejffigies in Dorset 10 Some-
times with a movable ' veiitaille ' or visor.
fb. One of the vents or air-holes of this. Obs.^"^
1470-85 Malory A rthur x. be. 516 The blood brast oute at
the veniayis of his helme.
-|-3. Something acting as a sail or fan. Obs.
a 1539 Skeltos CoL Cloute 400 [The nuns] Must cast vp
theyr blacke vayles, And set vp theyr fucke sayles, To catch
wynde with their ventales.
t Ventailet, Obs.—^ In 5 ventaylett. [Dim.
of (or error for) prec] = prec. 2.
1459 PastoH Lett. I. 487 Item, v. ventayletts for bassenells.
Vental (ve*ntal), a. rare, [f. L. veni-us Vent
sb.'^ + -AL.l Of or pertaining to the wind.
1887 Field 14, Nov. (Cassell's), The strange, vental eccen-
tricities that had been occurring on our coasts.
il Ventana. Also 7 ventanna. [Sp., f. L.
vent'US wind.] A window,
1670 Drvden Conq. Granada I. iil, What after pass'd —
Was fir from the Ventoitna where I sate. 1851 Mavne
Reid Scalp Hunt, ix. I. 121, 1, .dress myself, and sit in my
' ventana'. 1873 Dixon Ttvo Queens v. lii. I. 249 She could
. . breathe her evening hymn from the ventana of Zoraya.
Vented (ve-nted), ///. a. [f. Vent v.'^] f a.
Exploded, blown up; Obs, b. Allowed to escape ;
discharged.
1639 S. D\} Verger tr. Camus' Admir. Events 30 AH the
»ubtilties . . were as so many vented mines, without any
effect, xgii Contemp. Rev. Oct. 522 Ihe moral forces dis-
engaged by the death of David Livingstone are a singular
instance of this vented energy.
Venteduct, obs. form of Ventiduct,
+ Ventel, v. Obs.~^ [ad. OF. ventel-er (raod.F.
ventiler)'. see Ventilatk 7/.] intr. To set sail.
\a 1400 Morte Arth. lyj Qwene alle was schyppede that
scbolde, they schounte no lengere, Bot ventelde theme tyte,
as be tyde rynnez.
Venter^ (ve-ntai). Also 6 ventre, [a. AF.
ventre, venter^ or L. venter (whence It., Fr., Prov.,
and I'g. ventre i Sp. vientre)j paunch, womb, etc.
In anatomical use the L. pi. ventris is occas.
employed.]
I. L One or other of two or more wives who
are (successively or otherwise) sources of offspring
to the same persoiu Usually in phrases with by.
Orig. (and in later use chiefly) Law {akeT AV . ^er
un, per autre y venter).
1544 tr, Littleton's Tenures 3 b, Vf man haue Issue .ii.
sonnes by .ii. ventres, /bid. 157 b, Yf a tenaunt in tayle
haue issue .ii. daughters by dyucrs ventres. 1628 Coke On
Litt. I. L § 7 If a man hath issue a sonne and a daughter by
one venter, and a son by another venter. 1650 Weluon Crt.
Jos. /, 89 M' George Villers a younger sonne by a second
Venter. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 60 To his Sons
by another Venter, .he gave Money-portion*. 1677 Sasd-
FORD Geneal. Hist. Kings Eng. loi Sons of his said Father
by the first Venter. X7a6 Avliffe Farergon 35 A man
dying left Issue by two several Venters. 1760 Sterne Tr.
Shandy iv. xxix, His sister by tlie father's side (for she was
born of the former venter). 1766 Blackstone Co/«wr. II.
227lf the father has two sons., by different venters or wives.
1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) VI. 463 .\. having two sons, B.
and C, by several venters.
fig. 1651 Cleveland Poems 3 Her Speech, .is a Kiss oth'
second Venter, c 1651 — London Lady 24 The small Dnnlc
Country Squires of the first venter. 1687 R. L'Estrascb
Ans. to Dissenter 47 The Author Writes nimself a Church-
of-England-Man, but it must be by a Second Venter then;
for he gives bis Orthodox Mother most Bloudy hard Words.
t b. Irregularly used of a woman's first or second
marriage. Obs,
1707 CiBBER Double Gallant iv. An unlick*d thinet she
call'd Son— I suppose by her first Venter. 1765 Footk
Commissary i. (1782) 16 Mrs. Lov, Because.. the more
children I have by the second venter, the greater [etc.].
2. The womb as the source of one*s birth or
origin ; hence transf.^ a mother in relation to her
children : a. In the phrase of one (or the same')
venter. (After AF. de mesme le venter^ ? Obs.
i57{>-8o North Plutarch (1656) 113 Mnesiptolcma. .was
married unto her half brother ArcbeptoUs, for they were
not both of one venter, a 1641 Br. Mountagu Acts <V Mon.
(1642) 19 Of Isaac by Rebekah, twins were born,.. Of one
venter, though not.. of one minde or disposition. 1655
Stanley Hist. Fhilos. 1.47 He allowed brothers and sisters
by the same father to marry, and prohibited only brothers
and sisters of the same venter. ( 1865 F. M. N ichols Britton
1 1. 319 The sister of the same venter as the purchasor shall
be the nearest heir.]
Jig. 1669 Truth Triumphant (title-p.). That Quaking Is
the Off-Spring of Popery ; at the least, the Papist and
Quaker are botli of one Venter.
b. In phrases with by (passing into sense i).
1591 Harington Orl. Fur. xxxi. xxvi, I am your fathers
sonne, not by one venter. i6ai G. Sandys Ovid's Met. xiii.
(1626) 258 Laertes was my Sire... By the venter I From
Hermes spring, c 1630 Risdon Sur^f, Devon § 266(1810) 275
My Sister, by one Venter. 1756 Nugent Moniesguiett's
Spirit Laws I. v. 63 It was not permitted to marry a sister
by the same venter.
t c, iransf. (See quot.) Obs~^
1661 Lovei.l Hist. Anim. ^ Min, 138 Those egges are
most wholesome that are most temperate, they being like
their venters.
3. a. The womb ^a woman, rare.
a i6s6Usshkr Atin. (1658)342 Another son of Lysimachus,
but by the Venter of ()dryssias, another wife of his. 1767
tr. Voltaire's Ignorant Phiios. 169 The brother Cordeliers
averred that Mary had not sinned in her mother's venter.
t b. A single occasion of child-bearing. Obs.~'^
1657 Fenit. Conf. vii. 127 As to bring forth at one venter
twins. 1728 Chambers Cyci. s.v., Venter is also used for the
Children whereof a Woman is deliver'd at one pregnancy.
//'/(/., Thus, two Twins are said to be of the same Venter.
II. 4. In man, quadrupeds, etc. : One or other
of the three chief cavities containing viscera, con-
sisting of the abdomen, thorax, and head. Usu. in
pi. or with qualifying term. ? Obs,
16x5 Crooke Body of Man vii. i. (1631) 432 It is now time
wee should ascend into the third venter, the seate and very
residence of the Soule. x66z Lovell Hist. Anim. ^ Min.
299 The venters are the inferiour, or abdomen 1 the midle, or
thorax ; or the supreame, which is the head. 1683 Gibson
Auat. 2 The three venters are the cavities of the abdomen
or Belly, the Chest, and Head. 1720 Phil. Trans. XXXI.
84 The Liver, Spleen and other parts of the lower Venter.
1758 J. S. Le Dran's Observ. Surg. (1771) 218 Deep Ab-
scesses, in the Neighbourhood of one of the three Venters,
177X Encycl. Brit. I, 277/1 The middle venter, or cavity of
the breast.
+ b. Spec. The chest or thorax. Obs,''^
x668 Culpepper & Cole Bartliol.Anat. 11. Introd. 85 The
middle Venter or Belly termed Thorax the Chest, and by
some absolutely Venter.
5. t a. One of the four stomachs in ruminants.
1607 TopSELL Four-/. Beasts 83 In the second venter of a
cow there is a round black Tophus found. 1661 Lovell
Hist. Anim. /f- Atin. 45 They [elephant.s] have short joynts,
4 venters ; a liver four times as btgge as an oxes. 1676
Grew Musxunty An<tt. Stomach ^ Guts iv. 17 The Sto-
machs or Venters in a Sheep are Four. 1706 Phillips (ed.
Kersey), Venter, ..one of the four Stomachs of Beasts that
chew the Cud.
trans/. x66i Lovell Hist. Anim. ^ Min. Isagoge b 8,
Neere to the mouth is a venter, like the craw of birds.
b. Anat. The abdomen, the belly.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), / 'enter, the Belly or Paunch.
1738 Chambers CycL s.v., Jonah is said. .to have been
three days 111 the whale's venter, or belly. 1847-^ Todd's
Cycl. Anat. IV. i. 639/2 Those very structures which in the
saurian venter opposite its lumbar spine . . appear as the ven<
tral ribs. Ibid. 654 The reptilian venter and loins. 1859 in
Mavnb Expos. Lex. s.v.
o. That part in lower forms of animal life more
or less corresponding in function or position to
the belly of man or mammals. (Sometimes distin-
guished from abdomen : see quots.)
c 1790 EncycL Brit. (ed. 3) VI. 678/1 Venter, the Belly, is
the inferior part {of the insect]. 1843 Bkande Diet. Sd.,
etc. 1288 Venter, in Entomology, signifies the lower part of
the abdomen, 1848 Froc. Berw. Nat. Club II. 306 Venter
. . of a paler tint than the back. 1851 Dana Crust, i. 629 The
animal frequently throws its abdomen forward along its
venter towards its head. 187a Coles N. Amer. Birds 17
Abdomen . .has been unnecess-^rily divided into epigastrium,
or * pit of the stomach*, and venter, or ' lower belly ' ; but
these terms are rarely used.
6. Anat. ta. (See quot. 1728.) Obs.
1615 Crooke Body of Man 759 [This muscle] was called
Digastricus because it hath two Venters or Bellies. i7»3
Chambers Cycl. s.v. Muscle^ The Venter or Belly is the
body of the Muscle, being a thick, fleshy part, into which
are inserted .\rteries and Nerves. Ibid. s.v.. Venter, or
Belly of a Muscle Ictc.]. [Hence in later Diets.}
b. The belly or hollowed surface of a bone.
1851 Ramsbotham Obstetric Med. ^ Surgery 2 The chief
extent of the inner surface [of the hip bone] is concave and
smooth, and is called the venter. 1x1883 C. H. Fag^je
Princ. ^ Fract. Med. (1886) 1. 89 A large bossy prominence
projecting from lx>th the dorsum and the venter. 1887
Cassell's Encycl, Diet., Subscapular muscle, . .a muscle aris-
ing partly by muscular . . fibres from the venter of the scapula.
1 7. transf. The space included within the out-
line of the square Hebrew characters. Obs.~^.
1771 LucKOMBE Hist. Printing 467 The Powers of the
Hebrew Alphabet are distinguished by Points that letters
have either in their venter, or over their body.
Venter 2 (ve-nt3j). [f. Vent z'.a + -eb.]
1, One who utters or gives vent to a statement,
doctrine, etc., esp. of an erroneous, malicious, or
objectionable nature.
1611 G. H. Anti-Coton 76 This erroneous doctrine ought
to be refuted, and the venters thereof punished. 1683 Hooker
Fordage's Myst. Div. Pref. Ep, 15 But what of. , Blasphemies
stupendous; to pass by., their Utterers, the villancus
Venters? 1707 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) I. 318 A Venter
of Lies and false Stories. 1739 W. Wilson Def Ref. Ch.
Scot. ii. 79 The Venters of the said Errors, 1885 Beveridgs
Culross fy Tulliallan I. ix. 243 Venters of strange oaths. .
are called to account and forced to do penance, 1906 Oman
Study Hist. 4 Some earlier venter of such harangues,
t 2. One who smelts or scents out. Obs.~^
i6tt CortiK., Flaireur,. .z, senter, smeller, venter.
+ 3. .SV. One who utters forbidden coin. Obs."^
X629 Reg. Privy Couficil Scot. Ser. 11. III. 20 Panes.,
upoun persouns venters, outputters, and homebringers of
forbiddin and discharged coyne.
t Venter^, Obs. rare, [f. Vent 7;.3 + -eb.]
One who sells or offers for sale ; a vendor.
i6»o Shelton Qitix. (1746) III. i88 Now let the Venter
and the grand Sancho be Arbitrators and Price-Setters
between your Worship and me. ..The Venter and Sancho
both agreed. _ 1681 Sc. Act in Land. Gaz. No. 1649/3
Venters and Disperseis of forbidden Books.
Venter, etc., obs. or dial. varr. Venture, etc.
tVe*nter-point, Obs.-'^ (Some game.)
1600 Rowlands Lett, Humours Blood Sat, iv. D 8 b, At
shoue-groate, venter poynt, or crosse and pile.
Vent-giver. [Vent sb^^] = Venter 2 i.
1611 CoTGK., Esventeiir, ..a venter, or vent-giuer.
Vent-hole. Also venthole, vent hole. [f.
Vent sb.'^ + Hole sb."]
1. A hole or opening for the admission or passage
of air, light, etc.
1577 B. GoOGE Heresbach's Husb. ii. (1586) 70 Afterward
stop the vent holes that the Mole hath in euery place. 1733
Tui.L Horse-Hoeing Husb. xiv. 1B6 A large Basket drawn
up the middle of each [rick of sainfoin], to leave a Vent-Hole
there. 1756-7 tr. Keysler^s Trav, {\'}tQ) III. no Two large
vent-holes for light and air are made through the roof of
this grotto. 1763 Mills Fract. Husb. III. 123 It was
covered with good oak planks, ..leaving only some vent-
holes, with trap doors, or covers, fitted very exactly to them.
1856 Kane Arct. Expl. II. 113 Two huts and four families,
but for these vent-holes entirely buried in the snow.
2. A hole or opening in a furnace, etc., for escape
of smoke and gases or the admission of fresh air.
i6ia Sturtevant Metallica (1854) 118 The lower vent-
holes let out the smoak. 1664 Evelyn Sylva 101 You must
make Vent-holes., through the stuff which covers your heap
to the very wood. 1678 R. R[ussell1 tr. Geber 11. 1. iv, vi.
96 A Furnace with large Ventholes gives both a clear and
strong Fire. 1715 Desagulieks /VVfj-ZwySr. 16 The Passage
X of the Bellows or Vent-Hole. Ibid., The A\x will be made
so thin over the Vent-Hole, as to press less than that which
b coming from without. i86> M. Hopkins Hazuaii 25 The
suffocating gases which escaped from the red hot ventholes
of these furnaces.
b. Any hole by which an enclosed space com-
municates with, or discharges into, the outside air.
1750 Warburton Julian 11. vi, A hare and hollow rock ;
which would here and there afford vent-holes for such fumes
as generated within to transpire. 1799 G. Smith Labora-
tory I. 43 Water-halls have a hollow-globe, turned some-
what oblong, with a vent-hole. 1800 Phil. Trans. XC. 234
The case.. was charged through its vent-hole, and intro-
duced into a twelve-pounder carronade. iSoz Encycl. Brit.
Suppl. II. 748/1 Vent-holes may be bored in convenient
Earts of the deck.. from whence the state of the corn may
k: known by the effluvia which ascend.
O. In fig. uses.
1711 E. Ward Vulgus Brit. 11. 124 The Ventholes of their
Passion. 1908 Parish Councils 22 The council serves as a
vent-hole for complaints and suspicions.
3. Spec. a. An air-hole in a cask ; a vent.
1669 WoRLiDGK Syst. Agric. 120 Turn it up into the
Vessel, .to ferment, allowing but a small Vent-hole, lest the
spirits waste. 1707 Mortimer Husb. 573 Have near the
Bung-hole a little Vent-hole stopp'd with a Spile. 1725
Fam. Diet. s.v. Bre^ving, Opening and stopping the Vent-
hole on every Change of Weather.
Comb. 1875 Knight Diet. Meek. 2703 Vent/aucet, an
instrument which may act as a vent-hole borer.
b. (See quots.)
X7a8 Chambers Cyc/., Vent, Vent-Hole, or Spiracle, alitils
Aperture, left in tlie Tubes or Pipes of Fountains, to facili-
tate the Wind's escape. 1883 Gresley Gloss. Coal-M. 269
Vent or Vent Hole, a small passage made with a needle
through the tamping, which is used for admitting^asquib,to
enable the charge to be ignited.
Ventiduct (ve'nlid»kt). Also 7 venteduct.
[f. L. venti; venius wind -h duct-us a conducting.]
1. A pipe or passage serving to bring cool or
fresh air into an apartment or place, esp. in Italy
and other warm climates,
1615 G. Sandys Trav, ■iti Cold winds.. such as by vente-
ducts from the vast caues aboue Padua they let into their
roomes at their pleasure. x66o Bovle Nev) Exp. Fhys.-
Alech. 173, I have been informed of divers Ventiducts (as
they call them) by very knowing Traveller.s that have ob-
serv'd them. -1685 Coiton tr. Montaigne III. 320, 1 would
fain know what pain it was to the Persians.. to make such
ventiducts, .as Xenophon reports they did. 170a Flover
Cold Bat/is I. iv, {1709) 108 The^ stop their Sweats, un-
seasonably by Cold Air, by Fanning, Ventiducts, or Cold
Baths. 1715 Leo.m Falladio's Archil. (1742) I. 33 From
these Caves arise extreme cold Winds, .through certain
subterranean Vaults, named, .Ventiducts: and. .through all
the Chambers.. these Wind-Pipes, or Ventiducts, are dis-
charg'd. [1818 Southev in Q. Rev. XIX. 18 (copying
Evelyn Acetaria ir. xi) His scheme of a Royal Garden com-
prehended, .precipices and ventiducts.] 1884 Health Exhib,
Catal. 106/1 Ventiduct, to bring in fresh air without dust or
fog.
fig. 165a Benlowes Theoph. xii. cxvii, Th' herb [sc. to-
bacco) that cramp and tooth-ache drives away,, .whose
pipe's both ventiduct and stove, a 1658 Cleveland News
from Newcastle 53 What need we baths ? What need we
bower, or grove? A Coal-pit's both a Ventiduct and Stove,
b. A conduit for the passage of wind, air, orsteam.
1685 Phil. Trans. XV. 922, I ..discover'd in severall dry
places of the ground thereabouts, many little Ventiducts,
passages, or clefts, where the Steam issued forth. 1725 J-
Reynolds Vie^u of Death (173s) 23 This channel is called
by., the English miners ihe drift ; by Mr. Boyle, the venti-
duct. 1843 m C. Morfit Tanning ^ Currying (1853) 177 A
ventiduct, made of plank, . . should extend from the centre.
14-a
VENTIL.
trmxs/. i8j6 Mrs. Whitney Sights !, tns. II. xvi. 458
From Ihese cold, dark \-entiducts (i. e. thoroughfares] you
may come out suddenly upon a bright w.trm corner of an
open square.
2. altrih. Of a hat : = Ventilatory a.
i86a CataL InUmat. Exkib., Brit. II. No. 4808, Patent
comiG;ated ventiduct hat.
tVentili. Ohs.-^ [ad. med.L. w»/«/<r: seenext.
So OF. ventellt, -at7/e.] A sluice.
■XSJO Dei iftH. Prtf. d ij, All occasions of waters possible
les^mg. To speake of the allowance of the Fall . . or of the
Ventilb (if the waters labour be farre, and great) I neede not.
Ventil* (ve-ntil). Mus. [a. G. ventil, ad.
med.L. venlilt slnice, shutter, f. 'L.vent-us wind.]
1. One or other of the valves or shutters which
control the vrindsupply of the various groups of
stops in an oi«in.
xM HitES Ctttcck. Organ vii. (1878) 50 A Ventil, or Wind-
trunk val« is a \-alie in the wind.lrunk for. .stopping the
wind from certain stops in the manuals or pedals, and thus
making them silent. 1884 Etuycl. Brit. XVI I. 83s Practical
opinion appears decidedly to condemn the use of ventils.
nitrib. 1876 Katun XIV. 275'! The French ventil system
of shutting off or bringing on the wind to a complete, .group
of stops by the depression of a pedal.
2. (See qnot.)
1876 Staiser & Barkett Diet. Mus. Terms 446/1 Ventil,
a valve, by means of which brass tubes may be made to
sound the semitones and tones between the natural open
harmonics.
Ve-ntilable, «. V.S. [f. Ventil-ate v.-\-
-ABLE.] Capable of being ventilated.
i88a Pop. Sci. Monthly XX. 713 Ventilable and perfectly
dry floors and areas are made. 1886 Philadelphia Times
28 Feb. (Cent.), The sleeping room is rarely ventilable, and
still more rarely ventilated.
"Ventilabral, a. rare-'^. [i. 'L. ventilalir-tim
winnowing-fan + -al,] Concerning or pertaining
to a fan or fans.
iSSi n'orld 14 June 9 One hundred and sixty fans.. .Mr.
Walker's collection may, . .from a venlilabral point of view,
[be] quite enchanting.
+ V entilary, 3. Ol>s.—^ l{.L.ve»ti/-are\ES-
TILATE V. + -ABY '.] Due to or caused by the wind.
1683 Pettus /'leta Min. II. 15 The neighbouring Motions
of the Sea (which are regular, lunary, or ventilary).
t Ventilate, /a. ///«• Ofa. rare. [nA.L.veii-
iilat-us, pa. pple. of vcntilare : see next.] Dis-
cussed or debated ; thoroughly sifted or ventilated.
X43S-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 141 A cause was ventilate
and movede thro the commaundemente of the pope. Ibid.
299 This Foroneus ordeynede . . causes to be ventilate afore
a iugge. isaS in Burnet Hist. Re/., Rcc. (Pocock) I. 126
All the matter declared and ventilate. 1532-3 Act 24 Hen.
VII I, c. 12, Courtes.. where the said mattiernowe beyngin
contencion.. shall happen to be ventilate, commensed, or
begunne.
Ventilate (ventik't), v. Also 5 ventllatte,
6 -tylate, 7 -tulate, -tillate. [(.Y,. ventildl-, ppl.
stem of ventildre to brandish, fan, winnow, agitate
(whence It. venlilare, Prov., Sp., Pg. ventilar, F.
ventiler), i.vent-usvi'mi. Cf. Kventilate v."]
I. + 1. trans. Of wind : To blow away (some-
thing) ; to scatter. Obs.~^
a 1440 Found. St. Bartholomeiu's (E.E.T.S.) 8 Of .iiii.
wj-ndys, remembrith Zacharie .seiynge,..' these ben the
homnys that .shall blowe and ventilatte [L. ventilaverunt]
lude, Israel, and lerusalem '.
2. To fan or winnow (corn, etc.). Also in fig.
context.
1609 [Bp. W. Barlow] Ahstv. Nameless Cath. 323 Vet is
it not the peeuish . . tongue of Father Parsons, that must
Ventilate the Corne of this Floore, to trie whether I bee
chaffe or wheate. 1623 in Cockkram I. 1791 Cowper Iliad
v. 594 As flies the chaff . . O'er all the consecrated floor, what
time Ripe Ceres with brisk airs her golden grain Ventilates.
1846 Landor Imng. Conv. Wks. 1. 226 It is required.,
not merely that we place the grain in a gamer, but that
we ventilate and sift it; that we separate the full from the
empty.
1 3. To increase (a fire or flame) by blowing or
fanning. Chiellyy?^. or in fig. context. Obs.
1613 Jacksos Creed 1. 144 They blow the fire which it had
kindled, ventilating and inlarging the deuouring flame.
1648 Sparke Pre/. Skute^s Sarali Sf Hagar. bj b. Pouring
out the water of his tears upon our common Flames, which
others ventilated. 1691 NoRRls Pract. /?/jc. (1707) IV. 21
So will Devotion [languish] if it have not vent by good Dis-
course, which fans and ventilates its Holy Fire. 174a Young
Nt. Tk. II. 478 Speech ventilates our intellectual fire.
•t"4. To put or set (air) in motion; to move or
agitate ; to renew or freshen in this way. Obs.
. *63S Valentine Foure Sea.Semt. 41 If a man have a fan
in his hand he may ventilate and agitate the still ayre into
a winde. 1664 Power Exp. Philos. in. 180 To keep con-
stant fires nnder.ground to purifie and ventilate the Ayr.
1710 J. B. Let. Sachenerell 4 You .seem to fight Blindfold,
..and by thus ventilating and beating the Air... expose
your own Persons. 1775 Sir E. Barry Obseni. Wines 403
Putrid exhalations in low marshy ground., where the air is
not ventilated.
5. a. To expose (blood) to the chemical action
of the air ; to aerate, oxygenate.
i6«8 Culpepper & Cole Barlhol. Anat. yjj The blood is
yet more ventilated if it be speedily moved. 1706 Phillips
(ed. Kersey) s.v., When the Bloud is ventilated and purged
from oppressing Vapours. 1891 Cent. Diet. s.v.. Lungs
ventilate the blood.
b. To expose (substances, etc.) to fresh air so as
to keep in, or restore to, good condition.
108
17SS Hales in Phil. Trans. XLIX. 344, I ventilated three
gallons of stinking Jessops-well purging water. 1763 Mills
Pract. Husb. III. 123 This corn. .was not ventilated more
than six days in a year. 1771 A. Young Farmer's Tour
East Eng. i. 345 The cows gave vast quantities of milk, . .
but k was very strong, though ventilated. 1846 Landor
Jmag. Conv. Wks. 11. 86/1 Thy carcase did not even
receive a fly-blow. . . Thy guardian angel . . could not ventilate
thee better. 1855 Poultry Chron. 111. 449 The wheat should
be kept coo!, well ventilated, and frequently moved.
6. Of air : To blow upon, to pass over or circu-
late through, so as to purify or freshen.
1695 Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth iv. (1723) 229 The Air,
which ventilates and cools the Mines. 1784 Cowper Task
iiL 426 That air and sun. Admitted freely, may. .ventilate
and warm the swelling buds. 1810 Sir A. Hoswell Edin-
burgh in Chambers Sc. Poems (1862) 166 Sweeping breezes
ventilate each street. 1835 Mrs. Somerville Connex. Phys.
Sci. (ed. 2) XXV. 267 Neither can the warmth of mines be
attributed to the condensation of the currents of air which
ventilate them. 1869 J. Phillips Vesttv. ii. 37 Strabo
describes it as ventilated by the south-west wind.
/ig. 1760 GoLDSM. Ess, No. 15, Opposition, when restrained
within due bounds, is the salubrious gale that ventilates the
opinions of the people. 1795 Burke LbI. W. Smith Wks.
1812 IX. 403 The divisions, which formerly prevailed in the
Church,, .only purified and ventilated our common faith.
b. Of a fan : To cool by producing a current of
air.
1805-6 Gary Dante, Inf. xv. 39 Whoever.. One instant
stops, lies then a hundred years, No fan to ventilate him,
when the fire Smites sorest.
7. To supply (a room, building, mine, etc.) with
fresh air in place of that which is vitiated, ex-
hausted, or stagnant; to produce a free current of
air in (some enclosed space) so as to maintain a
fresh supply. Cf. Ventilator i,
1758 S. Hales Descr. Ventilato7'S 11. 39 When the Wards
of the lower Floors are to be ventilated. 1797 Encycl. Brit.
(ed. 3) XVIII. 639/1 The order for ventilating the fleet
issued by the lords of the admiralty in 1756. 1842 Loudon
Stiburban Hort. 217 The great object in ventilating houses
which are kept at a high temperature is to avoid thorough,
draughts. 1854 Ronalds & Richardson Chem. Technol,
(ed. 2) I. 251 The House of CoiVimons..has been warmed
and ventilated under the superintendence.. of Dr. Reid.
1888 Miss Braddon Fatal Three i. v, How to ventilate and
purify his cottages.
absol. 184s Encycl. Metrop. XXV. 1054 About the year
1741, Dr. Hales introduced a method of ventilating by
bellows. 1854 Ronalds & Richardson Chem. Techuol.
(ed. 2) I. 244 A very admirable system of heating and venti-
lating by hot water.
8. fa. = Breathe 7J. i6. Obsr^
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey) s.v., To ventilate a vein, i. e.
to breath or open it.
b. To provide (a mould, etc.) with a vent or
vents to allow the escajie of air or gas.
1895 in Funk's Stand. Diet.
1 9. I'ntr. To get rid of exhalations. Ohs.~^
1698 Frvkr Acc. E. India Sf P. 39 The Lamps always
burning, are by open Funnels above suffered to ventilate.
II. 10. trans. To examine or investigate (a
question, topic, etc.) freely or thoroughly by dis-
cussion or debate ; to sift or discuss in free
argument, controversy, or examination ; to bring
to public notice or consideration in this way,
Freq. c 1620-c 168a, and from c 1850.
1527 in Fiddes IVolsey (1726) II. 172 This cawse of matry-
monie myght no wheie be ventylated or dysciissed. 1597 J.
King On Jonas (1618) 225 There was no Father in the
Church who had greater reason to ventilate this argument
vntothe bottome. 162a Donne Serm. Wks. 1839 VI. 213
Some Articles concernieg the falling away from justifying
grace.. had been ventilated in Conventicles. 1657 Hevlin
Ecclesia Vind. 95 The point had been somewhat ventulated
betwixt the honourable Remonstrant on the one part, and
the Smectymnians on the other. 1674 GREwZ-rtA in Anat.
PI. (1682} 222 The experience of so many years, wherein it
hath been ventilated by the disputes of men, proveth as
much, 1736 AvLiFFE Parergon 151 Nor is the Right of the
Party. .so far perempted, but that the same may be. .venti-
lated de Novo. 1759 Hurd Mor. ^ Pol. Dial. (1760) 97
Questions of natural science will doubtless be efFectually . .
ventilated in the new society. 1784 in Boswell Johnson 27
June, He is,. not enough known; his character has been
only ventilated in party pamphlets. 1846 W. H. Mill Five
Serm. (1848) 52 We have discussed and ventilated all points.
1857 Eraser s Mag. LVI. 351 Politicians do not 'discuss'
subjects in the year of grace 1857 : they 'ventilate ' them.
1868 M. Pattison Academ. Organ. 2 The subject has not
been sufficiently ventilated. 1870 Beaconsfield Sel. Sp.
(1882) II. 325 Those friends who were, to use a barbarous
expression, ' ventilating ' the question.
11. To publish abroad \ to make public, rare,
1530 Pai.sgr. 765/2 He is nat worthy to be a counsaylour
that ventylateth the maters abrode. a 1734 North Lives
(T826) II. 65 Such a step., would have been loudly ventilated
abroad as a plain declaration that popery was to govern.
1837 Landor Pentameron v. Wks. i853_ II. 346/1 Deeming
it better, when irregular thoughts assailed me, to ventilate
them abroad.
12. To utter; to give utterance or expression to
(an opinion, view, etc.) : to make known to others.
J637 Gillespie ^M^. Pop.Cerem. 11. ix. 44 Why then doeth
he ventilate words for reason ? 1855 F. Stephen in Cainbr.
Ess. 183 The habit. .of using novels to ventilate opinions.
1861 Hughes Tom Brorvn at Ox/, iv, There were already
several things in his head which he was anxious to ventilate.
1872 E. W. Robertson Hist. Ess. 2ig An angry Kentish
landholder.. might have ventilated his grievances upon
Pennenden Heath. 1883 Jrnl. Education XVII. 264 To
rush into print and * ventilate his views '.
tranf. 1856 Sat. Rev, 2 Feb. 241/2 Although it is
necessary for Lord Derby, -to ventilate his oratory, Parha-
VENTILATION.
ment and the country are ready for peace. 1870 W, R.
Grkg Polit. Problems 198 It reflects and ventilates the
national conception-s.
b. To give vent to, provide outlet or escape for
(passion, etc.).
18*3 Lamb Lett. xiii. 128 He is welcome to them.. if they
can divert a spleen or ventilate a fit of sullcnness.
1 13. To carry on, take part in (a controversy).
1607 R. C[arew] tr. Estienne's IVorld IVoud. 275 There was
neuer yet controuersie in Christian religion so.. virulently
canuased and ventilated. 1678 Gale Crt. Gentiles IV. Pref.,
Strangius-.has ventilated this controversy with. .force of
argument beyond his sectators.
f 14. To estimate the value of ; to appraise. Obs.
Directly from F. ventiler : cf. Evaluate v. b.
i68z Warburton Hist. Guernsey (1822) 82 [To] see his
goods., ventilated, i.e. appraised and sold for discharge of
the debt.
Hence Ve'ntilating ///. a.
J817 KiRBV & Sp. Entomol. II. 196 Approach your hand
to a ventilating bee, and you will find that she causes a very
perceptible motion in the air. c 1853-4 Tomlinson's Cycl.
Arts, etc. (1866) II. B36/1 Throttle-valves. .by which the
rate of the ventilating current can be increased or diminished.
Ve'ntilated, ppl. a. [f. prec] Purified by
or as if by ventilation ; provided with means of
ventilation.
1743 S. Hales Descr. Ventilators I. in As ventilated
Corn may lie thick without leaving any spare Room to turn
it. 1758 Ibid. II. no That wet State will be more unwhol-
some ni a close unventilated, than in a ventilated Ship.
1840 Civil Eng. t, Arch. JrtU. III. 363/1 The pieces of
wood. .so combined, .[become] what the inventor terms a
'Ventilated Faggot.' 1868 Chambers's Encycl. X. 67/2
Close ill-ventilated apartments. 1892 Photogr. Ann. II.
p. ccxxi, It is a Three-cornered Lamp; the back has a
sliding ventilated door.
fig' '736 Thomson Liberty iv. 790 The wholesomewinds
Of Opposition hence began to blow. . . A pestilential ministry
they purge, And ventilated states renew their bloom.
Ve-ntilating, vbl. sl>. [f. as prec.] The
action of the verb in various senses ; ventilation.
1661 J. Childrev Brit. Bacon. 86 This is a yery strange
thing indeed, and very well worth the Ventilating. 1^43 S.
Hales Descr. Ventilators I. 50 The thus ventilating of
Ships. 180Z Encycl. Brit. Suppl. II. 748/1 It is the centre
of the cargo which most requires ventilating. 1845 Encycl.
Metrop. XXV. 1053 The ventilating of rooms by openings
at any height above the level of the floor.
b. allrib., as ventilattng-engineer, -fan, tube, etc.
A few technical combs, are recorded in Knight Diet. Meek.
and Suppl., as ventilating-brick, heater, saiv, .stack, zuater-
lohecl. Also ventilating grate, jaek, millstone in recent
Amer. Diets.
I7S3 Phil. Trans. XLVIII. 44 This ward .. had been
supplied by a ventilating tube. 1845 Eneyel. Metrop. XXV.
1054/2 The ventilating fan of Dr. Desaguliers. Ibid. 1055/2
A ventilating pump 3 feet square and 5 feet high. i8«8
Chambers's Encycl. X. 68/1 Dr. Arnott's ventilating-valve.
Ibid., Special ventilating-flues in the walls. 1889 Welch
Text Bk. Naval Archit.i-,-! Fresh air. .led into the bunkers
from the ventilating shafts, e 1890 W. H. Casmev Ventila-
tion r My experience as a ventilating engineer.
Ventilation (venlil,?'-j3n). Also 5 Sc. ven-
tulaciouu, 6 ventilaeyon. [a. L. ventilalion-,
venlildtio (Pliny), an exposing to the air, f. ven-
tildre Ventilate v. ; hence also It. ■uentilazione,
F. ventilation, Sp. -acion, Pg. -af(?o.]
I. t !• A stir or motion of the air ; a current
of air ; a breeze. Obs.
1456 Sir G. Hay Got. Princes Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 15.8 The
ayr passis sa throu the warlde, throu blastis of wyntiis, and
othir maner of ventulaciounis. 1644 Howell Twelve Treat.
{1661) 9 Sometimes we have a clear azur'd skie with soft
gentle ventilations. iMj Phil. Trans. I. 52 Tis affirmed
that almost any Ventilation and stirring of the Air doth
refrigerate. 1716 Addison Freeholder No. 40 F 4 The Soil
..must lie fallow. .till it has. .again enriched itself by the
Ventilations of the Air. 1743 S. Hales Descr. Ventilators
I. 24 A like Ventilation of warm dry Air from the adjoining
Stove.
fig. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med.^ I. § 32 Whosoever
feels not the warme gale and gentle ventilation of this Spirit
(of God] (though I feele his pulse) I dare not say he lives.
X7S» Johnson Rambler No. 205 r 5 The mind that is to be
moved by the gentle ventilations of gayety.
2. Movement or free course of the air.
160S TiMME Qnersit. II. vii. 13S That renuing is to be
attributed to the fire,, .the outward ventilation or winding
comming between as the instrument, a l68j Sir T.Browne
Tracts (1683) 44 Upon such consideration of winds and
ventilation the ^Egyptian granaries were made open. 1690
T. Burnet Tluoty Earth II. 55 This present earth. .is in
most places capable of ventilation, pervious and passable to
the winds. 1804 C. B. Brown tr. Volney's View Soil U.S.
271 The mercury ranges between 84 and 88 degrees in the
sliade, where there is ample ventilation. 18:3 J. Thomson
Leet. Injlam. 487 The first of these means that is usually
mentioned, is a free ventilation of air. 1883 Greslev Gloss.
Coal-M. 270 Ventilation, the atmospheric air circulating m
a mine. . l\. ,. c
3. Oxygenation of the blood, spec. \\\ the act ot
respiration ; = Aeration 3.
161S Crooke Body 0/ Man 121 By ventilation to cherish,
refresh and increase his natur.all heate with their heat and
vital] spirit. 1660 Hovi.E Ne-Jj Exp. Phys. Meeh. po
Another Opinion there is touching Respiration, which makes
the genuine use of it to be Ventilation . . of the Blood. 166S
G. Harvey Disc. Plague xiv. in Morb. Angl. (1673) 144 ro
procure the Blood and Spirits.. a free Course, ventilation,
and transpiration, by suitable Purges. i8»i-7GooD i/Krfy
Med. (1829) I. 504 The lungs,.. in which the air undergoes
the important process of ventilation. lbid.\\\. poglhenew
and unripe blood is hurried forward to the lungs.. to be
completed by the process of ventilation.
VENTILATIVE,
109
4. The admission of a proper supply of fresh air,
esp. to a room, building, mine, or other place
where the air readily becomes stagnant and viti-
ated ; the means or method by which this is accom-
plished.
1664 Power Exp. Philos. I. 65 We see in wet Hay, how the
^3pl^lts.. (if they be not cooled and prevented by Ventilation)
..break out into a flame also. 1743 S. Hales Descr. Venti.
lalors I. 34 This Ventilation will also be of service to pre-
serve., the Timber and Planks of the Hold itself. 1753
Scots Ma^. Feb. 99 2 Before ventilation, the foul air. 7
became infectious. 1789 W. Buchan Dom. Mei/. (1790) m
When cleanliness and ventilation are neglected. 1836-41
Brande Chem. (ed. 5) 145 The rooms are close and oppres-
sive, because due ventilation is not associated with the
admission of the hot air. 1854 Poultry Chroii. I. 32 Suffi.
cient ventilation to prevent the house becoming too hot or
■^'^ 'n/""""'^"'- •'""5' also receive attention. 1889 Wflch
Jext Bk. Naval Archit. 131 Pipes. . leading from above the
upper deck to the compartments requiring ventilation.
fie- '7S" Johnson JianMer No. lot r 14 The mind
stagnates without external ventilation.
b. Const. o/"(the place ventilated).
l8»7 Gentl. Mag. XCVII. 509 Attention to the construe-
'A°"j "^""t "°"' ^""^ cleanliness of prisons. 1875 Knight
Vict. Mech. io-]/i 1 he steam-jet for the ventilation of mines
was used long ago. and then abandoned. 1893 Hodges
/•.tern. Photogr. 36 To ensure the efficient ventilation of the
dark-room.
C. altrib., as ventilation-fan, -pipe, shaft, etc.
l«J3 in Hebert ;?«fM. f, MecA. Encycl. (1837) II. 846 The
end of the ventilation-pipe. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts 853 The
ventilation shaft. i88g Welch Text Bk. Naval Arcliit. 13,
» ''^.■,P'?, ^' ^"^ P'^fceJ for ventilation purpose"
ri890 W. H. Casmey Vtnlitation 7 We must brinelhe
ventllation.fan to our aid.
11. 5. The action of fanning or blowing ; + the
winnowing of corn in this way.
ISIJ HoRMAN Ja/^. 42 It is no good phisike, that whan a
man is sore chafed with heate. for to cole hym with venti-
lacyon of clothes. 1658 Phillips, Vmlilation,3. fanning,
or gathering of windej also a winnowing of Corn. i6«8
Wli^^^^ Real Char. 243 Operations belonging to Agd!
v""^?!"',- "^"""'S ■•'>'<= g'-ane-- [as] WiSnowing, fin.
Ventilation. 1743 .S. Hales Descr. Ventilators I. 07 If it
[K. corn) were afterwards dried by the Ventilation of these
fl A- •n'*' - !•" '''"'■ ^'"'"- XLIX. 3.6 In several
2 knt Jt °"? °f » I"*" at a time, I found the quantity
distilled by ventilation to be more than the double of that
in the usual way. 1817 Kirbv & Sp. As/ww/. xx. II. 104
^vfcTJ. w'k"'' ^H" ^ "P"' ^ '° '•'"''" "" "'"S^ almost
invisible^ When they are engaged in ventilation, the bees
letc.1. //./rf 199 .Wngst the bees .. ventilation goes on
even in the depth of winter.
Q.fig. Free or open discussion of or debate upon 1
a doctrine, question, or subject of public interest •
the action or fact of bringing to public notice in
this way.
Freq. c 1645-1660, and from c i8«o.
T)'lv'itl*A°,h'"'^ Bca»a^ar« (1644) 97 The other reasons of
Divine Authors, .shall have their ventilation in this Distinc
^^i, 1 *r '^""^/'f^ Bapi. 19 If the kindled humor had
not had a free ventiLition m Pulpit and in Press. ,677 Gale
trt. Gentiles iv. 302, I shal not now enter on the solemn
ventilation and debate of this Antithesis. 1850 J. H NkT
"il S'^- '^"f'.''^'"" '77 Careful ventilation of questions,
of ^hf n°a';!'o^ ""^- 'TX- <'¥' ■'• "i- ^^ That the gri^a^ces
suhl'ec, ?!^ ^A"/'?f. Ann. II. 237 What newLpect of the
An^ajf ventilation and publicity in pGtcgrafh,
tb. The utterance or expression of one's
thoughts, etc. Ods. y c»
^iw^-.S.'"?'^^ ""^y '/ 'i'^ 300 So by the ventilation or
L„IZ '^""w'^ opinions the truth comes best to be
knowne. a .639 WorroN Bucki„sham in Relig. (165.) 106
?:ntlrno?hrtS:u"iJ-s -^ "-"" -«' ■"-'- "---"
tc.//. Windy speculations ;vapourings. Obs.-^^
1648 Liohtfoot Hor^ Heir. (1684) II. 6,1 ft would be
very tedious to quote their Ventilations about it
Ventilative (ve-ntiU'tiv), a. [f. Ventilate
V. + -IVE.] Of or pertaining to, producing or pro-
moting, ventilation.
■ 79- Bentham Panofl I. Postscr. ,99 Over these impure
methods of obtaining heal, the ventilative is capable of
possessing a great adv.intage. ,864 Webster s.^^ Ven
Illative apparatus, ,89a A. F,. Lee Hist. Colu»iLsl\
e^dient's"' °' fireplaces and other ventilative
Ventiiator (ve-ntil«'t3r). [f. Ventilate v. +
-OR, or a. L. ventilator a winnower. Cf F ventil-
aleur, It. ventilatore, Sp. and Pg. -ador:\
1. A mechanical contrivance or apparatus (such
as a revolving fan or wheel fixed in a special open-
ing) by which the vitiated or heated air is drawn
or removed from a building, ship, mine, etc., and
a fresh supply introduced; also freq. a simple
opening, or open shaft, so placed or contrived as
to lacihtate renewal of the air.
1 '?^^ ^- A'*"-^": '.''■""• A Description of Ventilators ■ where
\lt'^.^'"^''^T°\}''^'> Air may with E«e li cinveye J
.«, wf V t- ""^P''^^. Work-Houses and Ships
1753 Scots Mag. Feb. 99, I Ventilators, worked bv a wind
miir, having b«n f^^ir i^cZ;teuF^:^erTi7H
Two of the ventilators are constantly drawing in tWaV
■;:S^ M C,'t,%"".- ■.='">''.1?"-« « <-"' -' their pfo^r val^s.'
iBoa .\1 Cltler in U/e, etc. (i883) 11. 79 fiivmg ooDOr.
lunity to workmen to fix some ventilaiors which^re
I'ictJd tifh^ I" «""'a'?" -ayerminate in tubes con-
iiected with a chimney. ,874 Micklethwaiie Ma,l. Par.
Churches 216 The ventilators should always be above the
heads of the congregation. 1889 Welch Text Bk. Naval
■^'■c/iit xu. 132 It IS down these ventilators that air is
drawn by the steam fans V to supply the boilers.
'•"ri^. i8j4 Tredgold Prtnc. Ventilating Buildings (ed.
'id'-' ^' '""' """■= 'he ventilator tube T should be placed.
ffi, sh.i'f!"' '■ ^'"''' ^"''''''- '"'■'"^ '^'«"'''^'°'- deflector,
b. The former Ltidies' Gallery in the House of
Commons.
183a Macaulav in Trevelyan Life (1876) I. 269 A dis-
cussion by which Nancy, if she h.ad been in the ventilator,
might have been greatly edified. 1850 Carlyle Lalter.,i.
tampli. VI. 20 A modern honourable member, wilh his
.strangers gallery, his female ventilator. 1880 Disraei i
t.ndym. xxix. Lady Roehampton and Lady Montfort were
both in the ventilator, and he knew it.
o. Naut. A wind-sail (see quots.).
1 1846 A Young Naut. Diet. 368 Wind-sail, or Ventilator
a sort of long canvass bag. .letdown a vessel's hatchway for
circulating air below. \^l Y^xm^a Sailmaldng tai ],) ^a
I the. .ventilator is made ofcanvas No. 5. It is employed
to convey a stream of fresh air downwards into the lower
, apartments of a ship.
\ d. Applied to devices for admitting air into a
head-dress, boot, etc.
1870 C. C. Black tr. Demviin's Weapons of War 2?i
Large tilting heaume of the fifteenth century... It has a
hinged flap or ventilator. 187s V.K\Qm Diet. Mech. 2706
fie ventilator for hats consists of a hole in the crown, and
a head-band supported at a certain distance from the sweat-
lining. Ihd., The ventilator for boots consists of a double
upper with holes.
2. One charged with ventilating a building, etc.
Also transf.
17. . in Tomlinson's Cycl. Arts, etc. (1866) II. 833/1 [This
wheel was] able to suck out the foul air, or throw in fresh
according as the Speaker is pleased to command it, whose
°,''S^^ ventilator waits to receive every day of the session
1817 KlRBY & Sp. Eutomol. II. 193 A certain number of
workers, vibrating their wings before the entrance of their
hive... The station of these ventilators is upon the floor of
the hive, i860 tr. Harlm^'s Sea », Wond. v. 55 The sun is
not only the great fountain of warmth, he is also the uni-
versal ventilator.
3. One who ventilates a subject.
i8yi in Cent, Diet.
ventilatory, a. rare-^. [f. Ventilate v. +
-ORY.J Of a hat: Provided with ventilation.
1850 111 * Bat ' Cricket Man. 112 Light summer hats, made
on a principle entirely new, and being quite permeable to
air, are . . perfectly ventilatorj-.
t VentUe. Obs.-^ [f. L. venlil-are Ventilate
v., or ad. OF. ventail (F. JveiUail), ventaille fan.
C f also Ventil 2 and next.] .A fan.
"SSS Watreman Fardle Facions IL vii. 156 Making winde
as It ware with a ventile, or trenchour.
tVe-ntil0US,a. Ohs.-^ In 5 ventlUous. [ad.
OF. ventilleus, -lileitx.'] Fluttering, unsteady.
1483 Caxton- G. de la Tcur Bj b, [The eldest dauehterl
had her sight ventillous lyke a vane.
t Veatilow. Obs. rare. [app. ad. It. ventola?i
A tan.
1653 H. CocAN tr. Pinto's Trav. iii. 6 Whereupon we. .
kissed the Venlilow that she held in her hand. /iid. viii
23 [He] made one of his followers to fan me with a Ventilow
to refresh me.
Ve-nting, vbl.sb.^ [f. Vent z;.2+ -ing i.]
I. 1. The free emission or passing of air, etc.,
from some confined space.
1^ WvcLlF 7«i} xxxii. 19 My wombe as must withoute
c"!!;5^'„ o "."■'"b "ewe litle win vesselys. 1398 Trevisa
Barth DeP. R. xi. 1. (Tollem. MS.l, And so eyeVis element
of bodies and spirites, for ventynge of eyer comynge to
spirites 15 cau.se of.. clensynge and of purgacion. Ibid.
XVII. clxxxvu. (BodLMS.), Bi ventinge fome & ober vn:
clennes of wine is broujth vp to |>e mou)>e of be vessel. i6ao
bURFLET C<«<»/r« Farme vi. xiv. 754 The vessels to auoid
the venting which commonly hapneth vnto wine, must haue
the bunghole %;ery well stopt. i«ii Cotgr., Ualenic, a
breathing, venting, winding, exhaling.
b. Venting-hole, a vent-hole. rarr-^.
1601 Holland Pliny 1 1. 409 If pits be subject to the rising
of such vapours, cunning and expert workemen make
tunnels, or ventnig-holes.
2. Tlie action or fact of giving utterance, expres-
sion, or publicity to an opmion, etc.
i«!i4 D. Dickson Expos. Ps. Ixix. 26 The very talking and
venting of ill speeches.. is a high provocation of Bod's
wrath, ,66s Boyle Oceas. Rcjl. ,v. xi. (1848) 174 He. .was
wont, .as much to .-.im at the exciting others thoughts, as
the venting of his own. iSij Coleridge Aids Refl. xxii.
12 The venting of that knowledge in speech. „ 1854 H.
t^r;^l^r„f f C"- ■^"C" ^'^P '■°$ They seem to be Sther
therehef of a heavy heart than the ventings of a light one.
f.f-_^°- ^°« action of snuffing or smelling.
i6ii CoTCR, Flairement, a senting, smelling, sauoring.
venting, winding. " a»uuiun,
4. The rising of an otter to the surface of water
in order to breathe.
N^' '^"'>'- f "'"•■/'>>«. 11.. i. ^05 When he lifts up his
Nose above Water for Air, it ii termed Venting. ,856
the n»^r r''^ '{''"■ ^'"'- ^■f'^" M</' The remafnder lof
• vintings ■ ' ""'^' *^' '^'^ '"'ervening yard for his
t Ve-nting, fW. sb.-^ Obs. [f.VENTZ-.S + -inO 1 1
The action ofselling; -Vendino vbl. sb.
Frequent from C1600 101:1645.
iS3»-3 Act 24 Hen. VI! I, c. 4, Straunge counlreis. .by the
VENTOSITOUS.
ih^?r»f?£ %i^'^u'="""S Of ^n-ne be the space of ane yeir
II. 6/2 the Vinter, the Grocer,. .and the Butcher, doe by
.6!. If,'^^ °f their wares, the lietter maintaine their traded
1641 Milton Church Go-^t. 11. Wks. 1851 III. ,39 How they
may suppresse the venting of such' raritie.s 'and Tuch a
cheapnes as would undoe them. 1656 Earl Monm tn
I'ocxahm's Advts.fr. Paruass. .. x. (i6?4) .2 A very spnice
Poimtian who looked to the venting of Wares. ^
tve-ntmg, ///. a. obs.-^ u. vent z»2 +
-INO -'.] That snuffs or smells.
.637 B. JoNSON .S-^rf Shepherd II. !, As doth the vauting
Hart his venting Hind.
Ve-ntless, a. rare-'^. [f. Vent rf.2 + -LESS 1
Having no vent or outlet.
1603 J. Davies (Heref.) Microcosmos Wks. (Grosart) I
6i/t A restlesse ventlesse Flame of file, That faine would
hnde the way streight to aspire.
Ventle-trap, obs variant of Wentletrap.
Ventner, obs. form of Vintnek.
tVento-rions, a. Obs. [Irreg. f. Vint-ure». :
see -ORiocs.] Characterized by venturesomeness.
1640 R. Baillie Canterb. Self-Conviction 48 Their ven-
torious boldnesse seemes not mere marveillous then their
ingenuitie coromend.able. 1707 Sir W. Hope Nc^i, Method
1 cncing\,i-jxt,-) 105 i his ventorious, uncertain, and dangerous
play upon time. *
II Vento-sa. Surg. Obs. [med.L. : see Ven-
TOSE rf.] = Vento.se sb.
1 •'^" ^"'c'-^"' Bulwarke, Sick Men 68 There are twoo
kmdes of the ventosas, or Boxiiiges
tVento-sal, ff. Ofo.-' [f. L. w«/«-„j Ven-
tose a. + -al.] Performed or done by the wind.
178a W. Hooper Rational Recr. (ed. 2) II. 209 A ventosal
symphony. At the top of a summer-house, or other S-
ing, freely exposed to the wind, let there be fixed [etc 1
tVentose, i*. Surg. Obs. Also 7 .9^. van-
tose. [a. OF. ve}Uose, ventouse (F. ventouse, =
Prov., Sp., Pg., It. ventosa), ad. L. ventSsa (sc
ciicurbtia), fem. of venlffsns, f. venliis wind 1 A
species of cupping-glass. Also attrih.
1500 Ortus Vocab., Guna, a ventose boxe. 1541 R. Copland
Cuydons Quest. Chirurg.^M, Ventose is an instrument
made in maner of a boxe with a streyt necke and a wyde
bely. IS99 A- ,M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physicke 346/1
i-xhauste the bloode and froth therout with venloses, a
kinde of boxinge. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1,7
Cupping glasses, boxes, and ventoses, draw the woorst
matter, out of the flesh. ,656 J. Smith Pract. Physick 44
Heurnius useth first Cupping-glasses and ventoses to ihe
leet and l.ivf.r *n«j T u.n..... r . .. ...... . .-
feet and Liver. 1704 J. ^_
Cupping.glass._. .The ingenious' Mr7'Haw'k'sbe'e haihTiw
flARRis Lex. Techn. I, Ventose, a
— J ..., « - ....,1,. 4, oiraungecountreis..
. . inakyng and ventvng therof are greately enriched. 1548
burgh Ree. Edmt, (,87.) II. .44 Vnder the payne ofT
--ri-— »«, — ........= iiiBcMiuus mr. nawKsDee hath now
lound a way of applying Cupping-glasses without Fire, by
means of a small Air-Pump. '
Ventose (vent^u-s), a. rare. [ad. L. vcntos-us
(It., Sp., and Pg. ventosa, Prov. ventos, obs. F.
ventous, mod.F. venteux) windy, conceited, etc.,
t. vent-US wind.] Windy, flatulent.
. 1711 Bailey, ^•«,/«^, windy, also empty, braeging, vaunt.
ing. 1867 J. BiCELow Bench * Bar v. 294 (Stand ), The
ventose orator was confounded, and put himself and the
glass down together. 1885 Huxley in Life (1900) II. vL 04
It is better to wind up that way than to go growling out
one s existence as a ventose hypochondriac.
t Ventose, v. Surg. Obs. Also 5 ventosen,
-touse, -tuse. [ad. OF. ventouser (13th c), ven-
toser (F. ventouser, = Prov. ventozar, It. veniosare),
ad. med.L. ventosare, f. L. ventSsa Ventose sb^
trans. To bleed (a patient) by means of a cupping-
glass ; to apply the cup to (a wound, etc.).
o. <: X400 Lanfrauc's Cirurg. 12 Ventose him on be two
buttokkis, if ^at he be feble. c i4io Master of Game (MS.
uigby 182) XII, Let l>e wcunde be ventosed and garsede.
1S4' K. Copland Guydon's Quest. Chirurg. N ivb, Howe
ought they to [be] gouerned that must be ventosed?
1 . ''^f°°.^'"'/ranc's Cirurg. 13 pe ot«re..schaI not be
leten blood ne venlusid. C1440 Astron. Cat. (MS. Ashro.
391 It Which places been perlous to ventuse or to kutte in b<
tyme. <:i44o MS Line. A. 1. ly fol. 301 b. Or elles be
ventoused on the thee with a boyste.
b. absol. To practise cupping.
C1400 Laiifranc's Cirurg. 5, pou schalt not lete blood,
but t'ou mai.st ventosen, if ),at it be nessessarie.
Ventoseness. ? Obs. [f. L. ventos-us Ven-
tose a. -^ -NESS.]- Windiness, flatulence, ventosity.
a Mas tr. Ardemes Treat. Fistula, etc. 78 No medicvne
sosone helpeJ>...Andit avoide(> soueranly ventosenez. 1717
Baii.ev (vol. II), Ventoseness, windiness.
t Ventoser, Obs.-^ In 4 ventuser. [ad.
AF. venlcuser (F. venlouseur, = Prov. venlozaire), f.
vento{u)ser Ventose w.] = Cupper 2.
c 1340 Nominate (Skeat) 378 The ventuser of rawe flesch.
tVentosing, zjW. ji5. Surg. Obs. [f. Ventose
v.\ The operation of drawing blood by means of
a cupping-glass ; cupping. Also attrib.
c 1386 Chaucer Kut.'s T. 1889 That neither veyne blood,
ne venlusynge. may ben his helpynge. 1386 Almanak 52
Mynucyons to be made by blode-lattyng or ventosyng es
ful profytabul. a 1415 tr. Ardeme's Treat. Fistula, etc. 62
And Kr be no blode-later redy, be ber made ventosyng with
garsyng atuix ))e buttokez. c 1440 MS. Line. A. 1.17 fol. 299
Of bolnyng or whelynge of garsynge or ventousynge. 1483
Lath. Angl. 400/2 .\ ventosynge boxe {A. a ventisynge box),
euma. 1541 K. Copland Guydon's Quest. Chirurg. N iii.
What IS ventosyng?.. It is the puttynge of boxes vpon any
membre for to expuls the mater betwene the skynne and the
flesshe. '
t Vento'SitonS, a. Obs. rare. [f. next : cf.
Ve.ntose a. and -iTOUs.] Full of wind ; windy.
VENTOSITY.
1601 R JoNSON }\>etns:€r v. iii. 515 Mora. Barmy froth,
puffyi inflate, tureidousand ventosiious arc come vp. Tibv.
O, terrible, windie wordes ! Ibid. 513.
Ventosity (vent^siti). ? Obs. Forms : 5 ven-
tosytee, 6 -ytie, -yte ; 4-6 -it©, 6 -itee, -itye,
7 -itie, 6-veatosity. [a. OK. ;^and W) ventositi
( = It. ventositi f Prov. vintositat^ Sp, -idad^ Pg.
^idade\ ad. L. ventdsiias windiness, flatulency,
coaceit, f. v^Hids-as Ventose a."]
L Faik, The state of having the stomach or
other part of the alimentary canal charged with
wind ; flatulency.
Freq. from 1540 to 1600.
1398 Trkvis.\ Bank, De P. R. v. xxxvil (Bodl. MS.), pat
coiiiejj of. .Hkke humours ober of grete ventosite. a 1400 m
Rti. Antig. I. 51 For wynd and ventosite, that men calhs
c^ika ^assiif. a 14*5 tr. Ardcrtu's Treat. Fii/uja, etc. 58
If be flowyng be olde, Anathemasis is made for aboundance
of blode or for ventosite descendyng doune. c 1530 ^uJic.
i/rtius iiuiii. 4^ It sheweth but lytell crudyteand ventosyte
of the humours, i^ Hester Seer. Pkiorav. 111. Ixv. 89 It
will defende hym from all interiour passions that are caused
of ventositie. x6ij Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. (1639) 197
The CoIlick,..This infirmitie is engendred of ventositie, or
uinde in the gut Colon, 1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horsem.
115 Peccant humeurs. .being hindred by oppilations in the
Suts, through coitivenisse and ventosity. 1684 tr. Bonei's
ftn. Commit, i. 31 The Gout arises from., a flatulent
Ventoaty. 1748 tr. Vegetius Renatus Distempers Horses
75 The Disease which arises from Ventosity or Constipation.
b. //. Gases generated in the Stomach or bowels;
attacks of flatulence.
Common from c 1600 to c 1630.
i4aa VoNGG tr, Secreta Secret. 241 Goynge afor mette
dryuth away the ventositeis. 1456 Sir G. Have Gov. Princes
Wks. (3.T.S.) II. 140 Quheii it [sc. wine] is our suete it.,
engenderis ventositeis. c 1330 yudic. Urines 11. x. 38 And
therfor are caused many fumosytes and ventosites in the
body. 1545 Raynald Byrtk Mankynde 77 The which do
vaynqueshe and expelle venlositees and windenesse. i6oa
Dolman La Primaud Fr. Acail. (1618) 111. 790 It driueth
away ventosities, and flourisheth first amongst all trees.
i6a8 Venner Bathi 0/ Bathi (1650) 355 To take cold
betwixt the bathings.. induceth ventosities. _ 1659 Macallo
Can. Physick 72 Belching Ventosities, or Winds,.. are prog-
nosticks that a future Crise will be by vomit.
o. The quality in things that produces flatulence.
1833-7 Good Stu.iy Med. (1829) I. 171 Many of the vege-
table materials introduced into the stomach possess far more
ventosity than apples.
2. A blast or puff of wind, esp. one coming from
the stomach.
1513 D0UC1.AS ^neid VII. Prol. 123 Quhais cryis bene
pronosticatioun Off wyndy blastis and ventositeis. 1568
Bk. Culture, Belke nere no mans face;.. it is a slinking
ventosity. 1614 Purchas Pilgrimage ix. v. 842 'I'his
commeth of a ventositie which it voideth. .or castelh..out
being in danger to be taken. 17*5 Fam. Diet., Belching, a
Ventosity coining out of the inouth with a disagreeable
nobe.
3. The state of being windy ; windiness,
CIS70 Pride 4- Lowl, (1841) 30 His breeches great, full of
ventositie. xs3a Stanvhurst /Eneis 1, (Arb.) 35 Wee cay-
tiefe Troians, with storms ventositye mangled. ^599 B.
JossoN Ev, Man out of Hum. iii. iv. The. .ventositie of
the Tropicks. a x66t Fuller Worthies, Fssex i. (1662) 319
The ventosity thereof \sc. powder] causing the violent ex-
plosion of the bullet.
4. fig. The state of being inflated or puffed up ;
pompous conceit, vanity, or bombast.
c 1550 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture in Babees Bk. (1868) 77
But turne from such occasyon, friend, hate such ventositye.
1589 Nashk Martin Marprelate Wks. (Grosart) I. 120 They
are so full of ventositie, that I cannot come at their matter
for winde and words. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, i. iv. § 3
Some effects of that venome which is ventositie or swelling.
1631 R. H. Arraignm. Whole Creature iv. 24 Vaine glory
..IS windy and full of ventosity, consisting of popular
applause. 1710 Shaftesburv Charac. (1711) I. i. 159
Apprehensive of the Effects of this Frothiness or Ventosity
in Speech. 1807 W. Irving Salmag. (1811) 139 He is a man
of superlative ventosity, and comparable to nothing but a
huge bladder of wind. Ibid, (18.^9) 304 This general, with
all his outward valour and ventosity.
b. An instance of this; an idle conceit,
X605 Bacon Adv, Learn, ii. 13 Many men.. do esteeme
desire of name and memory but as a vaniiie and ventositie.
1657 G. Starkey Helmont's V'ind. 240 Whose rash ventos-
ities and aery promises we reject. 1681 Rvcaut tr. Gra-
clan's Critick 164 The Swelling Ventosities of Vanity.
1 6. Surg. = Ventosing vbl. sb. Obs. rare~^.
? 1485 tr. Bfi, Knutsson's Litil Bk. Pestilence 9 And if a
swellyng appere in the sholdres lesse it with ventosite.
t VentOSO. Obs.-^ [Cf. Sp. vmtosa vent, air-
hole.] (See quot.)
X69S Fryer Acc. E. India ^ P. 222 The Structures are all
plain atop, only Ventoso*s, or Funnels, for to let in the Air.
t VentO'SOUS, a, Obs. rare. [ad. L. ventosus :
see Ventose a."] Windy, flatulent.
1639 T. DE Gr.ky Expert Farrier 86 Paines and griplngs
,.do proceed ofttimes from. .the working of the spleene,
which is most vcntosous. x66s J. Davies tr. Olearzus' Voy.
Ambass. 320 Unless the ventosous humour of it (hemp] be
also expulsive.
Ventoor, obs. Sc, variant of Venture z/.
Ventousing, var, Vektosing vol. sb. Obs.
tVentoy. Obs, rare, [?ad. obs. Wventail^.
/venlai/.] A fan.
s6oa MioDLETON Blurt, Master-Constable il ii, One of
you open the casement-i, t'other take a ventoy and gently
cool my face. t6i6 \n BvLLOKJiR Eng. Expos. 1631 Dekker
Match Met 11, Lacke you no lich .. Venetian ventovcs.
Madam?
110
Vent-peg. [Vent sb.-] A small peg for in-
serting in the vent-hole of a cask ; a spile.
1707 Mortimer Husb. 573 Leaving your Vent-peg always
open palls it [sc. March-beer]. Ibid. 574 If once you pull
out the Vent-peg, to draw a Quantity at once. 1747-96 Mrs.
Glasse Cookery xxii. 349 Mind you have a vent-peg at the
top of the vessel. 1830 M. Donovan Dotn. Econ. I. 209 If
on drawing out the vent-peg of the cask the liquor spurts
up with force. , 1844 Dickens Chimes iii, PuUing out the
vent-peg of the table-beer. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech.
2703/2 The vent-peg [of the vent-cock) consists of a tubular,
threaded stem, which may be screwed into a cask.
Ventrad (ve'ntrseci), adv. Anal, and Zool. [f.
L. ventr-j stem of t^irw/^r abdomen, + -AD.] Toward
the ventral surface of the body.
1847-9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. i. 639 There appears ven-
trad of the saurian cervix.. that series of osseous pieces
marked c, d. iE8a Wilder & Gage Anat. Technol. 44
C may be said to lie either ventrad or laterad of U. 1895
MivART in Proc. Zool. Soc. 369 The greater extension ven-
trad of the apex of the prosopium.
Ventral (ve-ntral), a, and sb, [a. F. ventral
( = Sp. and Pg. ventral^ It. venirale), or ad, L.
ventrai-is, f. venter abdomen.]
A. adj. 1. Occurring or taking place in the
region of the abdomen ; abdominal.
a. Path. Of ruptures.
'739 P'iil' Trans. XLI. 644 In some ventral Ruptures (as
they are called) this also may be necessary. 1797 Encycl,
Brit. (ed. 3) XVIII. 155/2 Ventral rupture is a protrusion
of some of the bowels through the interstices of the abdom-
inal muscles. Ibid, margin, Ventral hernia. 1838 Penny
Cycl. XII. 160/1 Umbihcai and ventral hernia. 1891
Moui.lin Surg. 1047 Ventral Hernia, hernia through the
linea alba (except at the umbilicus), . .or some other part of
the abdominal wall that is not usually weak.
b. Of laughter or breathing, or in general use.
18S9GE0. Eliot A. Bede xii, He continued at intervals to
..siiake luxuriously with a silent, ventral laughter. x86o
O. \V. Holmes Elsie V. (i8gi) 65 A trained rector, who
read the service with such ventral depth of utterance. 1893
Stevenson I'ailima Lett. (1895) 197 His breathing seemed
wholly ventral: the bust still, the belly moving strongly.
2. Aual. and Zool. Of, pertaining to, situated in
or on, the abdomen ; abdominal.
a. In ventral fin. (Cf. B. 1.)
"75» J,- Hill Hist. Anim. 242 The ventral fnis are con-
nected in a remarkable manner toget'^er. 1769 Pennant
Brit. Zool. \\\. *34 'I'he ventral fins placed behind the pec-
toral fins as in the minow. i8oa Palev Nat. Tlieol. xii. §8
The peclora!, and more particularly the ventral fins, serve
to raise and depress the fish. 1862 Huxlkv Led. Working
/!/*■» 23 [In] the Codfish, .you have the hinder limbs restored
in the shape of these ventral fins.
b. In general use.
2817 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xxii. II. 290 By the assistance
of their mandibles,, .and also of several dorsal and ventral
tubercles. 1828 Stark Ele7n. Nat, Jlist. \, £6 Mammae
six, two pectoral and four ventral. 1852 Dana Crust. \. 26
What is the proper relation of the ventral pieces of the
Carapax ? 1872 Huxley Physiol, i, 6 Nearer the dorsal (or
back) than the ventral (or front) aspect of the body.
C. Ventral cord', (see quots.).
x874 Cakpkntek Metti. Physiology \. ii. 52 The longltu.
dinal gangliated chain of Articulated animals is often dis-
linguished as the ventral cord. 1880 Uastian Brain 91
The double ventral cord has a fibrous structure along its
upper surface, whilst below there is an irregular stratum of
ganglion cells.
3. Bat, Of or belonging to the anterior or lower
surface,
1832 LiNDLEY Introd. Bot, 144 These edges often appear
in tne cirpcUuni like two sutures, of which., that which
corresponds to the united margins is named the ventral
suture. 1870 Hooker Stud. Flora 114 Pragaria :.. styles
ventral. 187a Oliver Elem. Bot. 1. vii. 89 The inner angle
of each carpel, .answers to the line of union of its infolded
edges. This line is called tlie ventral suture. 1875 Darwin
Insectiv. PI. xvii, 398 The lower side where the foot stalk
arises is nearly straight and I have called it the ventral
surface.
4. Ventral segment, in Acoustics : (see quots.),
1830 Herschel in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) ^V. 782 Such
points of rest are called nodes or nodal points, the inter-
mediate portions [of a cord] which vibrate are termed
bellies or ventral segments. 1873 W. Lkes Acoustics \. iii.
24 The direct and reflective pulses, .divide the string into a
series of vibrating parts, called ventral segments.
5. c^wds\-adv. = Vextually adv. i.
1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 807 Structures which re-
spectively lie ventral and lateral.
B. sb. 1, A ventral fin; one of the fins corre-
sj)onding to the hind legs of quadrupeds.
1834 M^Murtrie Cuvier's Anim. Kingd, 2ij The anal
..seems to be continued forwards by the ventrals. 1854
Owen in Orr's Circ. Set., Org. Nat. 1. 186 The ventrals are
situated near the vent. 1875 C. C. Blake Zool. 202 The
pectoral fins are distant from the head, and not produced to
the ventrals.
2. Knt. One or other of the segments of the
abdomen, esp. in Coleoptera. (1891 in Cent. Dict^
Ventrally (ve-ntrali), adv. [f, prec. + -ly 2.]
1. In a ventral direction; on or toward the
venter ; with respect to the venter or abdomen.
1870 Hooker Stud. Flora 368 Actinocarfius Damason-
iunt :.. carpels dehiscing ventrally. 1872 }i.\jiAviiK\ Myology
2 Ventrally, it is attached to the margin of the lower jaw.
1883 Martin & Moale Vertebr. Dissect. 137 The anterior
abdominal vein., runs ventrally and forward.
Comb. 1870 RoLLESTON Anim. Life 83 The various ven-
trally-placed appendages of the articulate Neuropods. 1904
Brit. Med. Jrnl. 17 Dec. 1631 The ventrally bending limb
..having no jnesoblastic somites dorsal to it.
VENTRICLE.
2. In or from the venter or abdomen.
1889 H. J. Barker Grig. Eug. i, 15, I laughed myself
(venirally, of course,) when the youngsters so innocently
committed themselves.
VeutralwardCs, adv. [f. Vkntkal a. ■^■
-WAKD(8.] To or towards the belly or ventral
surface of the body.
1883 Sedgwick & Heape Embryol. 165 I'his branch,
starting from near the dorsal beginning of the fold, runs
ventralwards and forwards. 1893 Tuckev Amphioxus 156
Here the mesoblast does not grow forward so far ventral-
wards.
Ventre, obs. f. Venter i, Vbntdhe, Vintrv.
Veiltri- (ve'ntri), comb, form of L. ventri-^
venter Venter 1, occurring in various terms, as
ventricoTnu Ajiat., the ventral extension of gray
matter in the substance of the spinal cord ; hence
ventrico'rnual a. ; ventricu'mbento., lying on
the belly ; prone, prostrate; ve'ntriductT/.jto bring
to or turn towards the belly; t ventrifluous a.
[ad. L. ventrifiuus\ ' laxative, jmrging the belly *
(1727 in Bailey) ; ventrime-son Anat.^ the
median line on the ventral surface of the body;
hence ventrimesal adj. (1S91 in Cent, Viet.) ;
ventri'petal a. [after Centripetal a.], directed
towards the belly or stomach ; ventripyramid
-4;/(7A,=sPvBAMli) sb. 7 a.
1890 Buck's Nandbk. Med. Set. VIII. 528 The *ventri-
cornu(ventralor 'anterior' extension of the myeliccinerea).
Ibid., The myelic cornua are strictly dorsal and ventral,. .
permitting the adjectives dorsicornual and *ventricornual.
1883 Wilder & Oagk Anat. y^c^wi?/. 36Thebody is *ventri.
cunibent, so as to expose the dorsal aspect. Ibid. 537 'I'o
pith [a frog] *ventriduct the head with the index, and pass
the tip of the right index [etc.]. Ibid. 33 For convenience,
the dorsal and ventral borders of this plane may be called
the dorsimeson and the *venlrimeson respectively, 1819 L.
Hunt Indicator No. 12 (1822) I. 90 Every thought of
mind, and every feeling of his affection,., tends to one point,
with a *ventripetal force. 1882 Wiluek & Gage Anat.
Technol. 485 *Ventri pyramid.
Ventric (ve-ntrik), a. rare"^. [f. L, ventr-,
stem of venter Venter ^ + -ic] Connected with,
l>ertaining to, the stomach.
1869 M. Collins in F. Collins Lett, ^ Friendships (1877)
1. 63 Magister artis. .venter, says Persius— the art of
accurate time-keeping is ventric.
Ventrical, prob. a misspelling and misuse of
Ventricle.
1824 Galt Rothelan II. iv. iv. 125 He reached a small
postern entrance, which.. many years after.. became cele-
brated as the ventrical into Moorfields.
Ventricle (ve-ntrik'l). Anat. and Zool. Also
6 ventrikle, ventrycle, 7 ventrickle. [ad. L.
ventriciilns Ventriculus or K, ventricule : see
Ventricule.]
1. One or other of the two cavities in the heart
by means of which the blood is circulated through
the body ; also, the cavity of the heart in certain
animals and molluscs which fulfils this function.
c 1400 Lan/ranc s Cirttrg. 162 pe lierte haj) two ventriclis
.i. two holowe placis wi)7inne, & J>at oon ventricle sitti)> in
he rijtside of t?e herte, & >at o>er in Jje liftside. 1607
ToPSELL Four-/, Beasts 195 There is a double ventrickle
and bone in the heart of an Elephant. x66o Boyle Neiv
Exp. P/tys. Mech. Digress. 347 'I'he Blood that passes out
of the right Ventricle of the Heart into the Lungs. 169s
Kay Creation (ed. 2) 1. 33 An Ebullition and sudden Expan-
sion of the Blood in the Ventricles. 1730 Chamberuvvne
Relig. Philos. I. vi. § 2 The Heart has two Cavities or
Ventricles, separated from each other by a thick fleshy Wall,
or Septum. 1760 H. Walpole Lett, to Mann (1846) IV. 105
The great ventricle of the heart had burst. 1828 Stabk
Elem. Nat. Hist. I. 365 The animals of this order [sc.
liatrachia] have a heart with a single auricle and ventricle.
i876BkisTOWE Th, ^ Pract. Med,{i&78) 173 In the ventricles
of the lieart fibrinous clots may be discovered.
transj^. iBsi S. P. Woodward Mollusca i. 63 Branchiae
two, furnished with muscular ventricles.
attrib. x8^ Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 780 Cases of right
ventricle failure. Ibid. 794 The hypertrophy was probably
..due to left ventricle trouble.
2. One or other of a series of cavities in the brain
(normally numbering four in the adult human
being) formed by enlargements of the neural canal.
Pineal ventricle : see Pineal a. b.
C1400 Lan/ranc''s Cirurg. 113 Suinmen seien hat J«r ben
-iiij. ventriclis of he brayn. Ibid., pis ventricle is seit
bitwene two addiamentis of he brayn. 1548 Vicakv Anat,
iv. (1888) 31 From the foremost Ventrikle of the brayne
springeth seuen payre of sensatiue or feeling senews. 1594
T.'B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. II. Ep. Rdr., Heere may
you see.. the seuerall ventricles cf the braine, as so many
sundrie chambers for the intertainment of the animal spirits.
1620 Venner Via Recta ii. 35 Beere that is too bitter.,
causeth the head-ach, by filling the ventricles of the braine
with troublesome vapors. 1655-87 H. More App. Antid.
(1712) 206 Suppose Memory were thus seal'd upon the Brain^
and transmitted its Image through the Animal Spirits in
the ventricles. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man i. i. § i. 8
Blood, Matter, or Serum, lying upon the Brain, or in its
Ventricles. 1800 Med. Jrnl. IV. 553 The vapour or water
in the ventricles of the brain. 1840 G. V. Ellis Anat. 23
The calamus scripiorius in the floor of the fourth ventricle.
1872 Huxley Physiol. viL 158 Cilia are found. .in the
ventricles of the brain.
3. The stomach in man or animals. ? Obs.
Freq. in J7th cent. use.
1574 Newton Health Mag. 9 It is good for the Ventricle
or Stomacke also. 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. II,
VENTBICOSE.
■ii-t Wee will beginnc nl the ventricle, commonly called the
stomacke. 1620 Venner ( ia Recta viii. 182 That no part
of the meat may sticke. .aljoiit the mouth of the stomacke,
but may be carried into the ventricle, which is the bottome
of the stomack. a 1676 Y^KwPrim. Orig. Man. I. 11. (1677)
59 Whether I will or will not,, .my Heart beat.s,..my Ven-
tricle digests what is in it. 1710 T. Fuller I'lmrm. Exiimf.
i8PureinKAle..takesofftheslipperinessoftheVentncleand
Intestines. 1805-6 Gary Dnnti; Inf. xxviti. ib .^angling
his entrails hung, the midriff. . and wretched ventricle, That
turns the enelutted aliment to dross.
b. The digestive sac or organs in buds, fishes,
insects, and certain reptiles.
•S7S TuRBEHV. Faukonrie 249, I h*ve thruste my fore
finger into hir gorge, .and by that meanes have caused hir
to fill in the ventricle sooner than otherwiseshe woulde have
done. 1607 Tol^ELL Four-/. Beasts 182 The powder of a
Storks craw or Ventrickle. 1658 Rowland tr. Moufet's
T/uat. Ins. 907 It may. .be termed the Chylus of the Bees,
. . having its perfection and consummation from their
ventricles. 1681 Chetfiam Anglers Vaiie-m. xli. § i (1689)
307 His ventricle is large and capacious. 1704 Ray Creation
(ed. 4) I. 30 The Meat (isL.transferr'd into the Gizzard. .,
where by the working of the Muscles compounding the
sides of that Ventricle,, .it is.. ground small. 1816 Kirby
& Sp. Entomol. xlviii. IV. 424 That the Orthoptera have a
ventricle or gizzard. 1868 Dl'SXAn Ins. World Introd. lo
Two kinds of appendages belong to the chylific ventricle.
1877 Hlxlev Anal. Inv. Anim. 412 That part of the
alimentary canal which lies in front of the chylific ventricle
(in cockroaches].
t c. The l)elly. In o^oi. fig. Obs.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. IV. 11. 70 Ideas, apprehensions, . .are
begot in the ventricle of memorie, nourisbt in the wombc of
primater.
d. atlrih. in + vtatrich unguent.
1599 A. M. tr. Giibelhouer's Bk. I'kyskke ■i^%li [S. recipe
for) -An excellent Ventricle vnguente, which is verye commo-
dious for the Childebedde Woemen.
4. Any small hollow or cavity in an animal body,
serving as a place of organic function ; in later
use, the recess or space between the true and false
vocal cords on each side of the larynx ; a laryngeal
pouch or sac.
1641 Milton ChurchGovt. 11. Wits. 1851 III. 44 AH the
faculties of the Soule are confin'd of old to their severall
vessels, and ventricles. 169a Be.ntley Boyle Led. 109 The
various ducts and ventricles of the body. 1730 Bailey (fol.),
(V<</r/<:/«, any round Concavities in a Body. 1808 Barclay
Muscular Motions 500 The lateral depressions that have
been denominated the ventricles of the larynx, or the
ventricles of Morgajni. 1877 M. Foster Physiol. 111. vii.
(1878) 532 The ventricles of Alorgagni are apparently of u.se
in giving the vocal cords sufficient room for their vibrations.
1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 273/2 The ventricles no doubt
permit a free vibration of the true vocal cords.
t5. In gen. use : A cavity or hollow. Obs. rare.
i6»7 Donne Serm. IV. 5 In what comer, in what ventricle
of the sea lies all the jelly of a body drowned in the general
flood? C1630 Rlsdon Suru. Devon 8223 (1810) 237 The 1
caverns and ventricles of the earth.
VentriCOSe (ventrikcu-s), a. [ad. mod.L. ven-
tricosus, I. L. venlr-, venter belly VMfTEB I : see
-10 and -08E.]
1. Swelling out in the middle, or on one side,
after the manner of an animal's belly ; bellied,
protuberant, strongly convex.
a. Bot. (esp. of the corolla or calyx).
1756 J. Hill Hist. Plants 153 (Jod.), There is no peri-
carpium ; but the calix becomes more ventricose, and con.
Uins a single seed. 1785 Martvm Lett. Bot. xvi. (1794) 179
In Comfrey and Cerinthe the corolla is ventricose. l8ai
W. P. C. Barton Flora A'. Amrr. I. 13 Capsule setigerous
.., included in the ventricose calix. 1841 Florist's Jml.
(1846) II. 243 The flowers are white and ventricose. 1871
Oliver Elem. Bot. App. 310 Outer Glumes (of wheat]
nearly equal,, .ventricose.
b. Conch. (Usually of the body of the shell.)
1770 Pennant Brit. Zool. IV. 123 Mlurex] carinalut
with five or six spires, the body ventricose. i8a8 Stark
Elem. Nat. Hist. 1 1. 79 Shell rounded, ventricose, golden
red. 1851 S. P. Woodward Mollusca I. ■joCranchia. Body
large, ventricose. Ihid. no Whirls ventricose. _ 1865 GossE
Lank 4- .Sea 155 Their ventricose or parallel-sided form.
Comb. i8rt Stark Elem. Nat. Hist. II. 25 Shell oblong,
ventricose -cylindrical.
c. Zool. or Anat.
1804 Shaw Gen. Zool. V. II. 394 Ventricose Sucker. . .Oliv-
aceous Sucker, with ventricose abdomen. 1813 Montagu
Ornith. Diet. Suppl. S.V. Golden-eye, The ventricose part
consists of the same cartilaginous rings as the rest of the
windpipe. i8k-« Todds Cycl. Amit. I. 533 The ventricose
and short-bomed species of Cephalopoda. 184X E. New.
MAN Hist. Insects 111. iii. 185 The gullet.. is ventricose or
ventricosus when it dilates into a large bag or crop before
its union with the stomach.
2. Of persons: Big-bellied; having an unusually
or abnormally large alxlomen.
1843 F- E. Paget Warden HcrkinglwU 266 The Reverend
Rory O'Flannigan rose like the full moon, .when first she
peeps from behind the hill, rubicund, coppery, ventricose.
2856 Ka.nk Arct.Exfil.w. XXV, 248 Ending with the ventri-
cose little Accommodah. 1876 W. Roberts Urin. 4- RenaZ
Dis. III. viii. (ed. 3) 485 A little boy, who had been ventri-
cose from birth.
Hence Teutrlco'senesa, Ventrlco'slty.
1857 Tl'rton Land fj Frcsh.W, Shells 183 [The shell]
varies greatly in size, ventricoscness, and colour. 1868 Proc.
Zool. Soc. May 374 The greater ventricosity of form.. of
M{elo\ eeorginse. 1009 J. W. Jenkinson Exper. Entbryot.
71 The 'ventricosity (ratio of breadth to length) of the shell
of the Periwinkle.
Ventrioo'so-, comb, form of prcc, with the
sense 'distended and — ', as ventricoso-globose.
Ill
1821 J. Parkinson OuiL OrycioL sS A Icyouium putrid*
pjtt«;.— Ventricoso-globose, somewhat pear-shaped.
Ve'ntricons, (Z. rare, [See-ous.] = Ventri-
cose a., in various senses.
170a Bavn'ard Cold Baths (1709) ii. 341 Such Children.,
are usually ventricous, and not so agil and nimble as other
Children. 1828-31 Webster, I'entricous, in botany, bellied;
distended; swellinj out in the middle; as, a ventricous
perianth. 1850 OciLVtE, l^'eniricous, . .in conchology, applied
to shells which are inflated, or which swell in the midcile-
Ventricular (ventri'lci/Ha-r), a. Chiefly Anat*
and /W//. \i. L. vcniricul-us (see next) ■(- -ab, or
ad. mod.L. *ventrictddns. So F. ventricuiaire.']
1. Of or pertaining to the stomach; abdominal,
gastral, ventral.
1822-7 Good Study Med. (1829) I. 249 It Is also said that
the common garden rue . . , when eaten to excess, is succeeded
by the same symptoms of ventricular pains. 1840 Neiu
Monthly Ma^. LIX. 164 No one.. ever listens to ventri-
cular admonitions, but 'greatly daring dines 'on, in defiance
of dyspepsia. 1845 Blackvj, Mng. LVH. 610 Louis XIV
actually did wear it buttoned below the ventricular curve.
b. Distended in the middle ; ventriculous.
1850 in Ogii-vif.
2. a. Affecting a ventricle or ventricles (of the
heart, brnin, etc.).
\%^ Penny CycL XII. 79 Its [the heart's] point, .strikes
at each ventricular contraction, or systole, as it is called,
against the wall of the chest. 1853 Markham Skoda's
Auscult, 205 The ventricular systole may also he accom-
panietl by two distinctly different sounds. 1888 W. R.
GowERs Man. Dis. Nerv. Syst, II. 298 Limited ventricular
meningitis occurs especially in young children.
b. Of or pertaining to, forming part of, a
ventricle.
1840 E. Wilson Anat.'s Vade M. (1842) 338 The Deep or
Ventricular veins commence within the lateral ventricles by
two vessels. 1870 Rollkston Anim, Life Introd. p. Ivi, A
complete separation of the ventricular part of the heart into
two cavities. 1875 Paynf. Jones ff Sier; Pathol. Anat. ix.
244 The surface cither of the plexus or the ventricular walls.
1896 AUhutes Syst. Med, I. 109 So far as regards the heart
and ventricular mu.scle.
3. Of the nature of a ventricle.
i8;4x T. R. JoNF.s,^«//rt. AT/wf*/. xxiii. 397 A single auricle
that communicates with a strong ventricular cavity. Ibid,
xxix. 606 The heart .. separated into two distinct sets of
cavities, each composed of an auricle and of a st.-ong ventri-
cular chamber. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. iii. 115 In
the simplest CakispongiXy . .the pores open directly into the
ventricular cavity.|
Veutricule (ve-ntrikiwl). Afta/. [a. OF.
ventrictiU (i4tli c. in Littr^ ; = Sp. and Pg. ven-
tricuioy It. ventricold)^ ad. L. ventricuUts Ventbi-
cuLUS.] «= Ventricle in various senses.
a 1425 tr. Ardeme's Treat. Fistula, etc. 14 pe synowez. .
hal»e festnyng with t»e stomake and wit» ^ ventriculez of t>e
brayne. 1677 Galf. Crt. Gentiles iv. 97 The Apostle addes
* Meats are for the belly ', i.e. for the ventricule or stomach
and intestines. 1742 Phil. Trans. XLII. 125 In the Right
Auricle and Ventricule of his Heart was found a large tough
subrubicund Polypus. 1880 GCnther Fishes 15a The walls
of the ventricule are robust.
Ventricolite (ventri-ki^nait). [ad. mod.L.
VeniriculiteSj f. L. ventriadus ventricle : see -JTE 1
J.] A fossil sponge belonging to the genus Ven-
triculites or the family VenlricuHtidm,
18x2 Mawtkll Geol. Sussex 176 The difference in the
form of this ventricuUte. 1885 J. E. Tavlor Brit. Fossils i.
24 In the white chalk of Sussex,.. Ventriculites occur in
great numbers.
Hence VentrlcuUtlo a., of or belonging to,
containing, ventriculites. (In recent Diets.)
Ventriculo'Se, a. rarr-^, [ad. L. ventriad-
osus pertaining to the belly, f. ventriadus Ven-
TBICULU8.] a. ' Paunch-bellied' (1727 in Bailey,
vol. II). b. Bot, « next. (1891 in Cent, Did.)
Ventriculous, a. rarr^. [Cf. prec. and -ous.]
(See qnots.)
1802 R. Hai.l Elem. Bot. 194 Fi?«/nV«/tfwj, . . somewh.at
ventricose. 1828-32 in Webster, Ventriculous^ somewhat
distended in the middle.
Ii Ventricnlns (vcntri-ki/lflvs). [L. (in senses
I and 2), dim. of venter Venter '.]
1. Anat. and Zool. = Ventricle 3.
[1693 tr. Blancard's Pkys. Diet. (ed. 2), Veniriculus, the
Stomach.] 1710 J. Harris Lex. Techn. 1 1, s-v., The Sto.
mach or Ventriculus U placed immediately under the Mid-
riff, j-jji Encyd.Brit. I. 258/1 Ventriculus, or Stomach,.,
a great bag or reservoir, situated [etc.]. 1843 Wilkinson
tr. Swedtf^org's Anim. Kingd. I. iv. 109 The stomach or
ventriculus is a hollow membranous viscus. iX^Atkenmum
21 April 514/3 The alimentary canal is more of the type of
other Gamasidae than of the Uropodina:, the ventriculus
being small and its cxca long.
b. The gizzard in birds and insects.
1891 in Cent. Diet, 1896 Newton Diet. Birds 916 [The]
Stomach.. consists of an interior portion, the Proventri-
cuius, . .and a posterior, the Ventriculus or Gizzard, which
is muscular.
2. « Ventricle i.
1771 Encycl, Brit. I. 278/2 The heart.. is hollow within.
and divided by a septum which runs between che edges into
two cavities, called ventriculi.
3. The body-cavity of a sponge.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. iii. irs In the s'implest
Calcispougix..X\\fL wall of the ventriculus is thin. Ibid. vii.
409 The anterior end of the ventriculus.
t Ventrilocu-tion. Ohs.-^ = Ventriloquism.
1846 in Worcester (citing C. B. Brown).
VENTRILOQUIST.
VentrilOCLUal (ventri-lokwal), a. rare. [Cf.
next and -al.J = Ventriloquial a.
1864 Tallis's Thea/r. Newspaper 30 July 258 The pheno-
menon will be attributed to some kind of ventriloqual trick.
1888 DoLGHTY Arabia Deserta I. 89 These Western men
are distinguished by their harsh ventriloqual speech.
Hence Ventri'loqually adv. rare~~^,
1871 B. Taylor Faust (1875) II. 11. 152 Proteus, speaking
ventriloqnally, now near, now at a distance.
Ve'Iltril0C[Uef sh. and a, rare. [.Anglicized
form of Ventriloquus : cf. F. ventriloque^ a. sb,
A ventriloquist, b. adj. Ventriloquial.
1681 Glanvill Evid. Witches London ii. 63 This Pythoness
being a Ventriloque, that is, speaking as it were from the
bottom of her Belly. 1826 Hood Irish. Schoolm. iii, And
oft, indeed, the inward of that gate, Most ventriloque, doth
utter tender squeak. 1834 Muoie Brit. Birds (1841) I. 314
The voice of the birds., is also made up partly of echo-notes,
in all cases where it is ventriloque, or varies in apparent
place.
Ventriloqui, pi. of Ventriloquus.
Ventriloquial (ventrilJu'kwial), a. [f. Ven-
triloquy + -AL.]
1. Of sounds : Such as are produced by ventrilo-
quism.
1836-7 Dickens Sk. Boz., Char, viii, The symphony. .was
soon afterwards followed by a faint kind of ventriloquial
chirping, a 1845 Hoon To Kitchener viii, Potent to hush
all ventriloquinl snarling. 1879 HoDDAM-WHETHAM/?cr(z//«fE
xiii. 152 It was very delightful to hear one of them pouring
forth his rich and ventriloquial notes.
2. Of or belonging to, consisting of, ventrilo-
quism.
1838 Dickens O. Twist xli, ' .\ bad one 1'.. growled Mr.
Grimwig, speaking by some ventriloquial power, without
moving a muscle of his face. 1865 Pall MallG. 23 Oct. 11
His ventriloquial entertainment is.. a clever piece of vocal
imitation. 1875 Flo. Marryat Open Sesame I. x. 146 Ex*
peeling to receive another proof of her ventriloquial skill.
Hence Ventrllo'quially adv.
1893 Ganthonv Pract. Ventriloquism 27 Should Ventri-
loquial practice make your throat ache,.. do not use it
ventriloquially for a time.
Ventriloc[uis]n (ventri'l^wiz*m). [f. Ven-
TRiLOQU-Y-*- -ISM: cf. next.]
1. The art or practice of speaking or producing
sounds in such a manner that the voice appears to
proceed from some person or object other than the
speaker, and usually at some distance from him.
(The common use.)
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XVIII. ^39/2 It is with no great
propriety that . . their art [is called] ventriloquism, since ihey
appear more frequently to speak.. from the roof or distant
corners of the room, than from their own mouths or their
own bellies. 1826 Scott Diary 12 Jan., Mathews. .con-
firms my idea of ventriloq^uisin (which is an absurd word),
as being merely the art of imitating sounds at a greater or
a less distance. 1832 Brewster Nat. Magic vii. 167 This
uncertainty with respect lo the direction of sound is the
foundation of the art of ventriloquism. 1856 Kank Arct.
Expl, II. xii. 126 Their deceptions are simply vocal, a
change of voice, and perhaps a limited profession of ven-
triloquism.
trausf, £1819 Coleridge Rem. (1836) II. 275, I call it
ventriloquism, because Sejanus is a puppet, out of which
the poet [Jonson] makes his own voice appear to come. 1874
Fortn. Hex'. Feb. 244 We consider the poem [* Maud 'J
about as striking an instance as could be named of what
we call poetical ventriloquism.
b. An instance of this ; a ventriloquial sound.
1839 T. BealkA'a/. Hist, Sperm i^'/m/*r302 All our talent
and ingenuity in these ventriloquisms were thrown away.
1878 Hardy Ret. Native v. vi, Soft strange ventriloquisms
came from holes in the ground, hollow stalks, ..and other
crannies.
2. The fact or practice of speaking or appearing
to speak from the abdomen.
b8x8 in Todd. 1846 Trench Mirac, v. (1862) 156 note^ The
notion of a ventriloquism such as this, of a spirit having his
lodging in the body of a man. 1852 Convbeare & Howson
.S7. Paul I. ix. (1862) 276 It was usual for the prophetic
spirit to make itself known by an internal muttering or
ventriloquism.
Ventriloquist (vcntril(?kwist). [f. Ventri-
LOQU-Y + -isT,J One who practises, or is expert
in, ventriloquy or ventriloquism; spec, in modern
use, one who gives public exhibitions of his skill in
this art.
With early quots. cf. prec. 2. The modern application (cor-
responding to Ventriloquism 1) appears just before 1800.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Ventriloquist, one that hath an
evil spirit speaking in his belly, or one that by use and
practise can speak as it were out of his belly, not moving
his lips. 1681 H. More in Glanvill's Sadducismus u
Postscr. (1726) 19 Who knows but some of his counterfeit
Ventriloquists may prove true ones. 17x8 Bp. Hutchinsom
Witchcra/t ii There are also many that can form Words
and Voices in their Stomach, which shall seem to come from
others rather than the Person that speaks them. Such
people are call'd Engastriloques, or Ventriloquists. 1749
Wesley IVks. (1872) IX. 7 There was a compact.. be-
tween the ventriloquist and the exorcist. 1797 Encycl,
Brit. (ed. 3) XVIII. 639/2 As the ancient ventriloquists,
when exercising their art, seemed generally to speak from
their own bellies, the name.. was abundantly significant.
1815 Stage I. 176 A ventriloquist at Paris has attracted the
attention of the whole metropolis. 1840 Dickens Old C,
Shop xix, And pale slender women with consumptive faces
lingered upon the footsteps of ventriloquists and conjurors.
1893GANTMONY /'raf/. Ventriloquism 147 It is curious that
Ventriloquists are nearly all English.
fig, ei8i9 CoLEBiiWE Rem. (1836) II. 317 The scenes
VENTRILOQUISTIC.
112
VENTURE.
are mock dialogues in which the poet solu& playii the ven-
triloquist. 1885 Pail Mail G. 10 Jan. i/x The 'Ventrilo-
qui:>t of Varzin , who can pull the strings of three Imperial
Chancelleries.
attrib. 1850 X.^Q. Ser. i. II. 101 It can hardly be doubted
that the .Archbishop's miracle was a ventriloquist hoax.
b. Applied to birds or animals. Also attrib.
180a Paley Nat. TheoL x. § 5 .\ tuneful bird is a ventrilo-
quist. The seat of the song is in the breast. 1879 Jefkeries
Wild Life 218 The belief that the [corn-)crake is a ven-
triloqubt. 1895 Funk's Stand. Diet., Onappo (Braz[il]), a
reddish-gray nyctipithecine monkey or teetee (Callithrix
discolor). Called also veHtriloquiU-mo$tkey,
Ventriloc^uistic (ventril()'kwi'stik), a, [f.
prec. -h -ic]
1. Using or practising ventriloquism.
In first quot. used to translate Gr. fy^Awrroyoarwp, which
has also Men rendered by ' ventrilinguist '.
1830 tr. Aristophanes, Birds 1651 At PhanacUve a yi!-
Unous ventriloquistic race,.. and from these same ventrilo-
qui>tic PhUippi in Attica the tongue is severed in twain.
1851 G. S. Faber Many Mansions 79 Hence the Seventy
scruple not to express their sense of the hebrcw Baalath
Ob, by rendering it a Ventriloquistic Woman.
2. 01 or pertaining to ventriloquism or ventrilo-
quists ; ventriloquial.
1853 F. O. MoBRis Brit. Birds llh 182 This ventriloquistic
power is certainly very remarkable. 1873 B. Harte Fiddle-
town 32 He even uttered a short ventriloquistic laugh with-
out moving his mouth. 1885 H. O. Forbes JVai. IVand.
E. Arch. 72 Its deep and ventriloquistic voice.
Ventriloquize (ventri'Ukwaiz), V, [f, as
prec +-ii£.'\
1. mlr. To use or practise ventriloquism ; to
speak or produce sounds in the manner of a ventri-
loquist ; to cast the voice.
1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm I. 297 When the corn-crake
..ventriloquises in the corn or grass. 1846 Landor Imag.
Conv. Wks. I. 148/2 The horses capered and neighed and
ventriloquized right and left. 1855 Kingsley Westiu. Ho!
ii. Leave thy caverned grumblings, . . and discourse elo-
quence from thy central omphalos, like Pythoness ventrilo-
quising. 1879 Jekfkries ll-'ild Life 219 Some say in like
manner that the starling ventriloquizes.
/ig, x83a CoLEKiDCE Table-t. 21 July, I have no admira.
tion for the practice of ventriloquizing through another
man's mouth. 1890 Spectator 1 Nov., It looks as if the new
Radicalism had entered into his soul and were ventrilo-
quising through his organisation.
2. trans. To utter as a ventriloquist.
1865 Spectator 14 Jan. 45 It is a falsehood ventriloquizing
truth. 1871 Farrar Witn, Hist. iv. 131 The little Temple,
up which the priests.. crept to ventriloquise behind the
deceptive statue their lying oracles. 1900 Dail^ Netvs
18 July z/5 He not only mimics but ventriloquises his
imitations.
Hence Ventri'loquizing vbL sb. Also aUrib.
1805 Eugenia de Acton Nuns 0/ Desert II. 52 Mrs.
Mervin's ventriloquising powers, exhibited in the church.
VentriloqaOTLS (ventri-Ukwas), a. [f. L.
venlriloqu-tts (see next) -l- -ous.]
1. Of persons : = Ventriloquistic a. i.
1713 Derham Fhys.'Tkeol. iv. vii. (1^27) 149 note^ In the
same Tract, Chap. 6 is this Observation of Ventriloquous
Persons. 1737 BvROM Rem. (1857) 116 There came the ven-
triloquous fellow, who imitated a friend's voice out of his
moutn. 177S in Ash, and in later Diets.
2. Produced by or as by ventriloquy ; ventrilo-
quial.
1768 G. White Selborne xvi, In breeding-time, snipes play
over the moors, piping and humming... Is not their hum
ventriloquous, like that of the turkey? 1844 H. Stephens
Bk. Farm III. 738 The harsh ventriloquous cry of the corn-
craik amongst the grass. 1880 Caui-e Grandissimes (1898)
200 The dismal ventriloquous note of the rain-crow.
II Veutri'loqnus. Obs, Usu. in pi. ventrilo-
qui. [L., f. venlri', venter belly -^ loqui to speak,
after Gr. iyyanTpifi.v$os. Cf. Ventriloque.] A
ventriloquist (esp. in the original sense).
The fem. ventrilogua (pi. -loqux) is employed by R. Scot
Discov. Witchcr. (1584) vii. i. 126 and xiii. 150.
X644D1GBV A^rt/. ^tf^iejxxviii. §2. 251 They that are called
ventriloqui, do persuade ignorant people that the Diuell
.speaketh from within them deepe in their belly, 1667 Fkil.
Trans. II. 603 How by a peculiar use of the Epiglottis, one
may come to speak inwardly, as do the Ventriloqui. 1706
Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) I. 306 Two or three pretty stories
. -of Ventriloqui, or those that speak in their bellies. 1748
Hartley Observ. Man 1. ii. § 5. 228 We may see how Ven-
triloqui, or Persons that speak in their Throats, without
moving their Lips, impose upon the Audience. 176a Ann.
Reg. 1. 143/2 The known faculty many people called Kf/«/r/-
loqui have had of uttering strange noises [etc-].
VentrilOCLUy (venlri-Ukwi). [ad. med. or
early mod.L, ventriloqui-utn (lUvenlriloquio ^ Sp.,
Fg. ventriloquia^ F. ventriloquic)^ f. L. vcntrilo-
quus : see prec]
1. « Vextriloquism (in both senses).
1584 R. Scot Discov. WitcJicr. vii. i. (1886) 101 A wench,
practising hir diabolical] witchcraftand ventriloquie An. 1574.
2IS4J Fuller Holy 4- Prof. St. u, ix. 83 Some have ques-
tioned ventriloquie, when men strangely speak out of their
bellies, whether it can be done lawfully or no. a z68o Glan.
viLL Sadducismus u. (1684) 64 For Ventriloquy, or speaking
from the bottom of the Belly, 'tis a thing, .as strange.. as
anything in Witchcraft 1775 in Ash. 18x3 Examiner ^-^S
His excellent imitations of ventriloquy, 1843 Penny Cycl.
XXVI, 248/1 The lips and jaws being always somewhat
open during ventriloquy, a slight labial movement remains
unnoticed. 1889 MacColl Mr. Stranger's Sealed Packet
XXX, Vou would have put it all down to ventriloquy and
imposture.
% 2. (See quot.) Obsr^
16*3 CocKEKAM I, Ventriloquie^ diuination by the inwards
of beasts.
Ventrinei «. rare"^, [f. L, ventr-, venter
belly + -INK J.] Of or pertaining to the abdomen.
a 1859 De Quincev Posth. Wks. (i8gi) 1. 235 note.
Prompted by a principle that sank him to the level of the
brutes, viz., acquiescing in total ventrine improvidence.
t Ventrio*Se,rt. Obs.rare, \a.di.\^.veHtrids-uSy
f. ventri-f venter belly.] a, Bot. — Ventricose
a. I a. b. * GorbcUied ' (1727 in Bailey, vol. II).
1707 Sloane yrt/«a/ca(i725)ll. 60 Pods.. having here and
there eminences over the peas within, or being ventriose.
ibid. 59 Smooth ventriose pods.
Ventripotent (ventri-p^^tcnt), a. [a. Y.ventri-
potent (Kabelais), f. L. ventri-^ venter belly +
potent-^ potens powerful, etc.]
1. Having a large abdomen ; big-bellied.
1611 CoTCR., VetJripotent, ventripotent,big-paunch, bellie-
able, huge-guts. [Hence in Blount.] 1892 Harper's Mag.
Sept. 504/2 His mind is obviously not of the finest fibre, nor
his massive and ventripotent person either. 1905 Fitz-
maurice-Kellv Cer-i'antes in Eng. 5 The short, ventripotent
rustic [ = Sancho Panza].
2. Having great capacity of stomach ; gluttonous.
1823 New Monthly Mag. VII. 115 These ventripotent
melodists called up from the Ked Sea of my port and claret
all their buried swells, shakes, and cadences. 1837 Blachw.
Mag. XLII. 425 The ventripotent vermin \sc. fleas] were
in the midst of their meal, 1863 Ld, Lennox Biogr.
Reminiic. I. 303 Louis des huitres, as the ventripotent
monarch was called.
Hence Ventripoteiitial a. nonce-word,
1824 New Monthly Mag. XI, 313 A ventri -potential
citizen, into whose Mediterranean mouth good things are
perpetually flowing.
Ventre- (ve-ntr^?), comb, form, on Gr. models,
of Venter 1, occurring in various terms (chiefly
Anat* and Stirg.\ as ventro-a'xial a,, of or
pertaining to the ventral and axial portions of the
human trunk; ventro-doTsal a., of sections or
lines of direction : extending from venter to back;
hence ventro-dorsally 2Ay.\ ventro-i'nguinal a.,
of or jDcrtaining to the abdominal cavity and
the inguinal canal ; ventro-la'teral a.^ of or
belonging to the ventral and lateral sides of the
body; Yv^ncQ vent ro-Iaterally^dw.', ventro-mo'aal,
-me'sial adjs.^ of or pertaining to, situated at or
on, the ventrimeson; ve:ntronudibra*neliiate a.
[cf. NuDiBUANCHiATE £Z.], characterized by having
naked gills depending from the ventral region ;
vehtro'podal a, [cf. Podal «.], walking with the
venter or breast touching the ground ; ventro-
poste*rior(7., situated on, pertaining to, the under
and hinder part of an organ, etc. ; ventro'tomy,
the operation of opening the abdomen by incision ;
abdominal section. (Cf. Ventui-.)
Various other terms, as ventrocystorrapky, -fixation,
-scopy, -suspension, etc., appear in recent Diets, or special
works.
1902 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 10) XXV. 399/1 These muscles may
be divided into two series— those of the trunk ("ventroaxial),
and those of the limb (appendicular). 1895 Funk's Stand.
Die'. S.V., *Ventro-dorsal. x888 Eticycl. Brit, XXIII. 613/1
When the heart contracts *ventro-dorsally. 1882 Wildeh
& Gage Anat. Technol. 28 *Ventroinguinal. 1835-6 Owen
in Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 522/1 *Ventro-lateral cartilages of
the mantle. 1883MARTIN & Moale Verteb. Dissect. 141 The
ventro-Iateral aspect of the trachea. 1888 Howes & Scott
Elem. Biol. (ed. 2) 95 Slitting open the body-wall "ventro-
laterally. 1882 Wilder & Gage Anat. Technol. 36 The
line . . might be called dorso-lateral instead of dorso-sinistral;
or it might be called *ventro-mesal. 1872 Humphry Myology
8 The *ventro- mesial position and relations of the pelvic
bones. _ a x^-^ Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VII. 289/2 The naked
branchial fringes . . indicate the In/ero or *Ventronudi-
branchiate Order [of molluscs]. 1898 Shufeldt in Ibis Jan.
48 Audubon . .gave them [grebes] both the erect attitudes,as
well as, what may be termed, the *ventropodal ones. 1903
Trans. Amer. Microsc. Soc. Nov. 62 (Cent. Suppi.), I'he
*ventro-posterior Hinit of the proton. 1887 H. A. Reeves in
Brit, Med. Jrnl. 12 March 593 There is much need for a
single and simple word to express the operation of opening
the abdominal cavity, for whatever purpose. . . I would there-
fore suggest the use of an etymologically hybrid word,
namely, * *ventrotomy *.
Ventro'se, a. rare~°, [ad. late L. ventrds-us,
f. venter belly.] (See quot. and Ventricose a.)
j8S9 Mavne Expos. Lex., Ventrosus^ having a belly, or
swellings like the belly ; ventrose.
Hence Ventre *sity, corpulence. (1891 in Cent,
Diet.)
Ventr(o)us, -ly, obs. ff. Ventdrous, -ly.
tVe'ntuous,^. Obs. Also 5 ventuos, [Irreg.
f. L. ventu-s wind -(--ous.] Windy, flatulent.
Some other instances of the word in the same work (v. Ix.
and xvn. clxxxvi.)are due to mistranslation of the Latin text.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xix. liv. (1495) 89s Rawe
hony not well clarefyed is ryght ventuous and bredyth
curlynge and swellyng in the wombe.
t Ve'ntnrable, «• Obs. rare. [f. Venture z/.]
a. Adventurable, attemptable. b. Venturous,
hazardous.
1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 390 That whiche is harde and
skarse venturable. 1597 J. Pavne Royal Exch. 34 Whose
valure and venturable servy<j. .deserveth the favour, .of all
tiue subiects.
Venture (vcntiiu, -tjai), sb. Also 5-6 ventur.
^. 6-7 (9 dial,') venter. [Aphetic f. aventurt
Adventure sb. : cf. It. and Pg. ventura. In some
senses perh. from the verb.
The form is no doubt partly due to the initial a- of aven-
ture having been taken as the indefinite article, esp. after
the stressing ave'nture had become usual. In xstn cent.
texts it is probable that occasional inbtances of a venture or
a venter should be read as one word.]
I. fl. Fortune, luck; chance. =AuvENTt;REi.
a\^y>LeMorte Art/i. z'&ii Launcelot saw ther was no
socoure, nedysse muste he hys venture abyde.
■fb. -4 venture's stroke, one delivered at a ven-
ture ; a chance stroke. Obs.—^
£:x45o in Ret. Ant. I. 308 Come in with a rake in every
a syde, An hole rownde and an halfe, ^j-ath so hit betyde,
iiij. quarters and a lownd and a ventures stroke wyth.
C. At a venture, at random, by chance, without
due consideration or thought; = Adventure 3b.
1509 Hawes Fast. Fleas, iv. vii, Howe at a venture, and
by sodayne chaunce He met with Fame, by fortunes pur-
ueyaunce. c 1590 Sir T. More iv. i. 157 Then, good Incnna-
tion, beginne at a venter. i6ox Fulbecke ist Ft. Farall.
15 Hut if the things aforesaid be not.. weighed or marked,
but be sold at a venture. 1611 Bible i Kings xxii. 34 A
certaine man drew a bow at a venture. 1696 Whiston Th.
Earth II. (1722) 215 *Tis possible that I may several times by
guess, or at a venture, hit upon it. 17*0 De Foe Capt.
Singleton xv. (1840) 256 They should rather ftre at a ven-
ture. 1780 CowPER Let, 2 June, I never in my life began
a letter more at a venture than the present. 1841 Lane
Arab. Nts. (Rtldg.) 77 As I no longer knew where I was, I
continued swimming at a venture. 1886 Mrs. Lvnn Linton
Paston Carew xvi, * And your mother was an Indian,' said
Lady Jane, drawing her bow at a venture.
1 2, Danger, jeopardy, hazard, or peril ; the
chance or risk of incurring harm or loss. Obs.
a. 1550 Crowley Last Trumpet 655 Thy lyfe thou must
put in venture For Christes congregation. 1634 Sir T. Her*
BERT Trav. 79 [He pressed] on the Persians, that they
desired to come off without more venture, and so.. retired
home. 1677 Varranjon Eng. Dnprov. 156 By this way the
Seed was put into the Husbandmans hand, and no venture
to him. C1705 Pope ^Jan. ^ May iS2Thc venture's greater,
I presume to say, To give your person, than your goods
away. i8a3 Scott Quentin D. xxviii, 'Nevertheless,' said
the King, *it is not our pleasure so to put thee in venture *.
^' '599 B* JoNSON Cynthia's Rev. i. lii. One that hath now
made the sixth returne upon venter. 1623 T. Scot Highw.
God 75 The venter and hazard is the buyers and the sellers,
but the certaine gaine fals betwixt both to the usurer. 1640
Habington Edw. IV, 90 When she perceived the Lords
earnest to have the Prince present in the battle, shee vio-
lently opposed. In respect of his youth, want of experience,
and the so mighty venter.
t b. To run the venture of, to run the risk of.
172a De Foe Col. Jack (1840) i6g To run the venture of
tlie gallows rather than the venture of starving. 1729 Butler
Serm. Wks. 1874 II. 164 [He] had rather forego his known
right than run the venture of doing even a hard thing.
3. An act or occasion of trying one's chance or
fortune ; a course or proceeding the outcome of
which is uncertain, but which is attended by the
risk of danger or loss ; an enterprise, operation, or
undertaking of a hazardous or risky nature.
a 1566 R. Edwards Damon iff Fithias Ej b, Gronno.
Wilt thou venter thy life for a man so fondly? Fithias. It
is no venter, my friende is iust, for whom I desire to die.
*( 1625 Fletcher Noble Gent. iv. i, I'll be your scholar, I
cannot lose much by the venture sure. 1665 Boyle Occas.
Kefi, Ded. Let. A 4 Yotu" Charity.. made you so resolute
and pressing to have me run a Venture, which you are
pkas'd to think but a very Small One. x6B6 tr. Chardin's
Trav. Persia 181 The rest, which they durst not remove, for
fear of endangering all at one venture. 1819 Shellev Peter
Bell 3rd vii.xxiii. No bailiff dared. . to enter ; A mai\ would
bear upon his face. For fifteen months,. .The yawn of such
a venture. 1856 Kane Arci. Expl. II. v. 60, I made the
desperate venture of sending off my . . huntsman . . to find the
Esquimaux. x868 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1877) II. 326 He
deemed it better not to make his great venture till he bad
strengthened his force.
tran^f. 1871 R. H. Hutton Ess. I. 7 A kind of proba-
tionary venture of the will.
t b. In the phrases to put in or to a (or the)
venture, to hazard or risk. Obs.
1638 R. Baker tr. .Sa/zac'j Lett.{\o\. II) 18, 1 have put my
selfe to the venture to goe as far as Gascogny to seek you
out. 1639 S. Du Verger x.r. Camus' Admir. Events loi He
resolved to put all in a venture. 164a D. Rogers Naaman
J46 How loath would I bee.. to have the matter put to a
venture, c 1670 M. Bkuce Gd. Neius in Evil Times, elc.
(1708) 33 This Love of Christ makes us put all to the ven-
ture ; what loss had thir poor Women that put their All to
the venture for him? 1700 S. L. tr. Fryke's Vopf. E. Ind.
323 As soon as they have paid their Debts, what is left they
put to the venture. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), To Ad-
venture, to venture, or put to the Venture, to hazard,
t c. To give the venture, to make the attempt.
1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. n. 58 That although the people
were blacke and naked, yet they were ciuiU : so that nee
would needs giue the venter without the consent of the rest
to go without weapon. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 194 'I'hen
Patroclus gave the venture. 165* Hevlin Cosmogr. 28
However I will give the venture, and make as. .profitable
a discovery, as the limes enable me, of the whole World.
d. An adventure or remarkable feat, incident,
etc. rare.
1810 Scott Lady of L. ni. 1, The race of yore, Who. .told
our marvelling boyhood legends store, Of their strange
ventures happ'd by land or sea. 1844 Kinglake Eoihen
vi, The ventures of the Greeks are surrounded by such a
multitude of imagined dangers, that [etc].
4. An enterprise of a business nature in which
there is considerable risk of loss as well as chance
of gain ; a commercial speculation.
VENTURE.
113
VENTURE.
1584-7 Greene Carde 0/ Fancie Wks. (Grosart) IV. 145
Your venter was much, but your gaines such, as. .you are
like to Hue by the losse. 1596 Shaks. Merch. V. in. iL 270
Hath all his ventures faild, what not one hit? 1605 B.
JoNSoN Volporui. ii, If you died today, And gaue him all, ..
What large returne would come of ali his venters. 1610 — ■
Alck. n. ii, But I buy it. My venter brings it me. 1660
Pepvs Diary 3 Oct., I heard the Duke speak of a great
design that he and my Lord of Pembroke have.. of sending
a venture to some parts of Africa, to dig for gold ore there.
1810 Crabbe Borough xvii. 219 Of both lie keeps his
ledger :— there he reads Of gainful ventures and of godly
deed'i. 1867 Smiles Huguenots Eng. t. 5 [He] agreed
to join them in their venture, and supply them with the
necessary means. 1884 Lazv Rep. 29 Chanc. Div. 465 In-
ducing other people to spend their nfoney..on such a
venture as a limited company.
b. That which is ventured or risked in a com-
mercial enterprise or speculation.
1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, 11. iv. 69 There's a whole
Merchants venture of Burdeux-Stuffe in him. 1598 B.
JoNso?* Ev. Man out of Hum . 11. iii. He may pricke his
foot with a thorne, and be as much as the whole venter is
worth, a 1764 R. Llovd TewpU Foiik Poet. Wks. 1774 K.
135 The consequence has vEsop told. He lost his venture,
sheep and gold. 1771 Mme. D'.Arbi-av Early Diary 3 June,
As to merchandise, the few ventures he took out with him,
he has brought back unchanged. 1814 Canning in Croker
/'a/^rj (1884) 1. 57 It is the ship A'/«^w«V/,. .destined for
the East Indies.. .She is a venture of 40,000/. 1841 Stephem
Comnt. Laws En^. {1874) II. 565 'I'he importer is now
enabled to bring his goods into this country, without being
obliged to pay the duties until he finds for bis venture
either a foreign or a home purchaser.
t 5, Chance or risic of something [Sc.^ ; also
eilipt.jc)\AX\CQ ofbeingefficaciousor beneficial. Obs.
1613 Lodge Foore Mttns Talent Wks. (Hunt. CI.) IV. 16
Dropp..two or three dropps into your eies. If you could
get the liuer of a buck and mix it with these, it would bee
the better, and the water would haue greater venture. 1637
Rutherford Lett. 1 1862) I. Ixxviii. 200 Your Lordship hath
now a blessed venfure of winning court with the Prince of
the Kings of the earth. 1671 M. Bruce GH. News in Evil
Times Pref. (1708) A 2, That it is better for yo^ to come and
take your venture of suffering nor bide away.
6. The (or an) act of venturing upon something ;
an attempt at some action ; also, the means or
result of so venturing.
184X LovKR Hand^ Andy Preface 6 .\ few short papers,
under the title of this little venture, appeared at intervals in
IJentley's Miscellany. 1849 Ruskin Sex>. Lamps iv. § 3. 96
There are many forms of so called decoration in architecture,
habitual, and recei%-ed, . . without any venture at expression
of dislike. 1883 Meredith AurM (J- ^/iaw i, On her great'
venture, Man, Earth gazes.
7. = Adventure sb. 8. rare.
1844 KiNGLAKR Eothen vi, Navigating the seas of their
fjrefathers with the same heroic, .spirit of venture. 187a
Blackik Lays lUghl. 26 Who. .fled from pomp of Courts.,
to win lost souls, .with loving venture.
II. t 8. A prostitute ; = Ventobeb 3. Obsr~^
z6ii Shaks. Cymb. 1. vi. 123 Diseas'd ventures That play
with all Infirmities for Gold, Which rottcnnesse can lend
Nature.
1 9. One who or that which ventures out. Ohs~^
170a in Pennsylv. Hist. Soc. Mem. IX. 123 The cruisers.,
may pick up alt ventures out without hazard.
10. Venture-girl^ -miss^ a girl or woman who
goes to India in order to get a husband.
1815 r. Hook Sayings Ser. 11. Passion <5- Princ, \\\. 1 1. 287
It was a rule in the carnal bazar of Bengal for Venture-
Misses to take the first man who proposed. 1836 — G.
Gurney III. 107 Mrs. Nubley was a venture girl from
England.
Venture (vcntiai, -tj?i), v. Forms: a. 5-7
ventsr 6 ventre). &. 6 ventur (Sc. ventour),
6- venture. [Aphetic f. aventure Adventure v,
Cf. prec]
I. 1, trans. To risk the loss of (something);
to expose to the chance of loss or injury, esp. in
the hope of obtaining some advantage or gain ; to
hazard, risk, or stake.
Freq. const, with preps., as/or, in^ on, or upon.
a. c 1430 Lydc. Min. Poenn (Percy Soc.) 109 Alle ys for
your love, madame, my lyfe wold I venter, So that ye wylle
graunt me, I have desyrjd many a wyntter. 1560 Daus tr.
Sleidane*s Comm. 260 Som of the religion and league of the
Protestauntes.. wil venter their lives & spend their blud in
ihi-i war. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. 11-', v. i. loi And Prince of
Wales, so dare we venter thee, Albeit, considerations in-
finite Do make against it. i6a8 Wither Brit. Rememb.
n. 1992 There many thousands are Of Townes and Cities
..Who would conceive it were unjustly done, That he
should venter all their wealth in One. 1645 in Ellis Orig,
Lett. Ser I. III. 306 Hee that venters his life for the libertye
of his countrie [etc.]. 1689 Poi-ple tr. Locke's 1st Let.
Toleration L.'s Wks. 1727 II. 418 We are persuaded to
venter our eternal Happiness on that Belief.
fi. 1575 Gascoigse /'"Afiw^rj Wks. 1907 1. 77 He. .lykeaven-
turer. .Determined for to venture me and all his worldly
pelfe. 1580 in Heath Grocers' Comp, {i86q) 75 note^ A
girdle ventured by Brothers of the Company in the Lottery.
1634 W. Wood New Eng. Prosp. 1. i, Many of his Majesties
faithfuU Subjects have beene imboldned to venture persons,
states, and indeavors. 1665 Pepvs Diary 27 Dec, I will
not venture my family by encreasing it, before it is safe.
1690 Locke Hum. Und. 11. xxi. S 66 It is a very wrong and
irrational way of proceeding, to venture a greater Good for
a less. 1701 W. WoTTON Hist. Rome 486 Mamaea, who
durst not venture her son thro her overmuch Fondness. «779
JoHNsos L. P.y Pope Wks. IV. 46 Pope was seized with the
universal passion, and ventured some of his money. i8oa
Mar. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. xi. 89 Few people
chose to venture a hundred guineas upon the turn of a straw.
f 1853 KiNGSLEY Misc. (1859) I. 34 His whole fortune is
Vol. X.
ventured in an expedition over which he has no control.
1885-94 R- Bridgks Eros * Psyche April xix, What hour
the happy bride Ventures for love her maiden innocence.
b. Const, to with inf.
1583 Melbancke Philotimus O ij b, I rather would to
shield mine honour, & preuent his shame,.. so venter life
& limme. 1584 Cogan Haven Health cxxxvi. (1636) 137
Many men rashly will venter their credit, yea, and some-
times their lives too, to steale Venison. 1647 R. Stapylton
Juvenal 76 As D. Junius Brutus ventured his [life], to free
Rome of Tarquin. 2667 Pepvs Diary 4 April, Himself and
three more would venture their carcasses upon it to pay all
the King's debts in three years. 1706 Stevens Sp. Diet.
s.v. Rico, O rico, o pinj'ado. Either rich, or hang'd, when a
Man ventures his Neck to get Wealth. 1748 Anson''s Voy.
I. ii. 17 The Commodore did not care to venture the ships
long boats to fetch the water off. x86o Motley Netherl.
ii. (1868) 1. 59 To further this end, many leading personages
in France avowed, .their determination to venture their
lives and their fortunes.
c. In proverbial use, esp. in the phrase nought
(or fiothing) venture, nought (or nothing) have.
1546 J. Heywood Prov. (1867) 31 Nought venter nought
have. 1553 Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 42 Nought
venter nought hiiue, is a saying of old. 1604 I?Chettle]
Wit rif Woman C 4 b, And she that will not venter her egges
.shall neuer haue chickens. 1668 Sedley Mulberry Card.
ni. ii. Who ever caught any thing with a naked hook?
Nothing venture, nothing win. 1777 Boswell in Life John-
son (1904) II. 145, I am, however, generally for trying,
' Nothing venture, nothing have '. 1885 Cent. Mag. XXIX.
186 * Nothing venture, nothing have,' Betty replied saucily.
+ d. 7(? venture a Joints to take some risk. Obs.
1573-80 TussER Husb. (1878) 173 To trust without heede
is to venter a ioint. 1590 Greene Never too late (1600) 17
The poore woman, .promised to venture a ioynt, but shee
would further him.
2. refl. To risk (oneself) ; to dare to go. Now
arch.
Const with preps., as r», on, upon, w/M, or adverbs of
place, as abroatl, thither.
157a Satir. Poems Reform, xxxviii. Bo For Ijetter it is to
fecht it,. .With speir men and weir men, and ventonr our
sellis. 1597 Deloney Gentle Craft (1912) 169 Lo thus her
selfe she ventred, .And streight her streets we entred. 1643
D. Rogers Naaman 21 Yet so venture thyselfe as a forlonie
wretch upon the Lord. 1676 Doctrine of Devils qi For who
being of the Demonologists opinion . . will . .so much as ven-
ture himself in a sound Boat? 1705 Addison Italy, etc. 51S
We were advis*dbyourMerchants,bynomeans to venture our
selves in the Duke of Bavaria'sCouniry. 1735 Johnson Z-cit^'j
Abyssinia, Descr. xi. 108 When I was to Cross this River
at Boad, I durst not venture myself on the Flotes. 1^46
Hervey Medit. (1818) 153 One so.. delicate in her constitu-
tion, that she dares not venture herself abroad in the open
air. 1777 Sheridan Trip Scarb. iv. i, Dare you venture
yourself alone with me? 1815 Scott Talism. xxiii, Was it
not through thy conversation.. that I ventured me thither
in disguise.
3. To take the risk of sending, or causing to go,
where loss or detriment is possible. Now rare.
1599 Shaks. Hen. V^ 1. ii. 192 Others like Merchants venter
Trade abroad. 1611 in lo/A Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm, App.
I. 552, I have thought good to venture these with y* Frenche
poste by y" way of Lyons. 1617 Moryson Hin. 11. 82 The
streame..he found so exceeding swift, that it was like to be
dangerous to venture our horses ouer. 1686 tr. Ckardins
Trav. Persia 173 No body would venture their Goods into
Mingrelia. 1707 Dobson m Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) II. 83,
I can't think any Gentlemen will venture their Sons here.
17x8 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. C'tess Mar 10 Mar., Which
induces me to venture this letter to your house at London.
1734 in Swift's Lett. (1768) IV. 77 As 1 would not venture
my character abroad in the world without the advice of
those who have succeeded in it, 1780 Cowper Progr. Err.
520 Like something precious veniur'd far from shore, 'Tis
valued for the danger's sake the more. 1814 Scott Diary
19 Aug. in Lockharty Our own Jog-boat being too heavy and
far too valuable to be ventured upon this Cocytus.
b. To risk entrusting (a thing) with a person,
or letting go out of o\\t*s hands.
1618 Fletcher Chances in. i, Now could I willingly..
Venture my Body with thee. 1666 Bunyam Grace Abound,
{329 But yet..l must venture you all with God, though it
foeth to the quick to leave you. i7»6 Swift Gulliver 1. it,
apprehended they might be lost or spoiled, if X ventured
them out of my possession.
II. 4. To run or take the risk of (something
dangerous or harmful) ; to brave the dangers of
(ice, water, etc.).
Passing into sense 5, and now rare.
1548 Cooper Elyoi's Diet, s.v. Coeo, Soctetatem periculi
ft^rVf, to venture the. .daunger of a thing with another. 158*
Stanyhurst yEneis 11. (Arb.) 67, I was determind fully, too
ventur al hazards, Al Troy too trauerse, too suflTer danger
al hapning. a 1604 Hanmrr Chron. Ireland (1633} ^5^
Such as would not venter the water, were slaine by the
English. 1604 Shaks. 0th, iv. iiL 77 Why, who would not
make her husband a Cuckold, to make him a Monarch?
I should venture Purgatory for't. 1675 Hatton Corr.
(Camden) 120 That they had rather venter hanging than
starving. 1707 Freind Peterboroiv's Cond. Spain 38 They
were unwilling to venture the disorders that might have
happened to their Army. 1741 Lady Hartford Corr. (1805)
III- 3 Eighty-one of them ventured his resentment, a 1774
GoLDSM. tr. Scarron*s Com. Romance (1775) I. 213 They
could hardly believe his relation that I threw him into the
water, and ventured my own drowning to procure his. 1853
Kanf. Grinnell Exp. xl. (1856) 362 The temptations of the
flesh were too much for me : I ventured the ice.
b. To risk allowing (a person) to do something.
1710 Addison Sped. No. 21 f 8 A Man would be well
enough pleased to buy Silks of one, whom he would not
venture to feel his Pulse.
o. To risk trusting or confiding in (a person).
1777 Sheridan Trip Scarb. iv. 1, Well, this once I'll ven-
ture you. But if you disparage me—. 18x7 Jas. Mill Brit.
India II. IV. ii. 92 His Sepoys deserted for want of pay, and
he durst not venture them in sallies.
5. To dare, or have the courage, to attempt or
undertake (some action) ; to risk the issue or
result of; to venture upon (see 9 b).
1595 Shaks. John iv. iii. 5 The Wall is high, and yet I will
leape downe. ..I am afraide, and yet He venture it. 1598
Gbenewky Tacitus, Ann. ir. xv. (1622) 54 Catualda.. ven-
tured a reuenge. 1633 T. Stafford Pac. Hib. i. viii. 62
O Conner did underiake that the Connaught men should
not.. take our parts, being the only encouragement of the
English, to venter this Enterpiize. 1650 Milton Eikon.
(ed. 2) Pref. A 3, It shall be ventur'd yet, and the truth not
smother'd, but .sent abroad. 174a C. Miudleion Cicero III.
xi. 230 For we neither think it safe to venture a battel, nor
[etc.]. 1774 GoLDSM. Nat. Hist. VII. 257 It hunts about
to find out the web of another spider,, .with whom it ven-
tures a battle. 1815 Scott Guy M, 1, Miss Bertram accom-
panied her fiiend . . without venturing a second glance at the
object of her terror. 1858 Fhoude Hist. Eng. IV. xviii. 71
The garrison did not wait to make closer acquaintance with
men who would venture such an enterprise. 1879 — Cxsar
xxii. 384 No more opposition was ventured by the Greek
cities.
b. To dare to give, put forth, or express (an
opinion, statement, etc.); to make or utter tenta-
tively, or with some degree of presumption.
1638 R. Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. ;voL II) loi A prudence
that is so.. scrupulous, that feares to venture a word for a
vertuous friend. i8a8 Lytton Pelham II. xxvj, I. .ventured
a sly joke at the good effects of matrimony. 1849 Eastwick
Dry Leaves 64 Those who had not the slindow of a ground
for venturing any statement at all. 1906 Marj. Bowen
Viper of Milan viii, 'They say in Milan Lady Valen-
tine is to marry the Duke of Orleans,' Tomaso ventured
presently.
f c. With abroad : To risk publishing (an
article, etc.). Obs.
X674 Boyle Excell. Theology Pref. 3 The Philosophical
papers I have hitherto ventured abroad. 1709 Chandlkr
Eff.agst. Bigotry Dtd. A 2 b.When I first ventur'd it abroad
in the World, I expected the Fate that usually attends such
as attempt to part a Fray, even to be box'd on both Ears.
III. 6. inlr. To risk oneself; to brave the
lisks or chances of a journey, voyage, etc. ; to dare
lo go or proceed. Const, with preps, and advs.
1534 in Star Chamb. Cases (Selden) il. 292 Your mar-
chantes.-venteryng to Iseland for Fysshe. 1550 Crowley
Last Trumpet 1033 If thou venter into straunge landes, And
bringe home thynges profitable. 1587 Mirr. Mag., Sabrina
xxii. For love to ayde her, venter in would I. 1624 Capt.
.Smith Virginia iii. 66 Into the great vast deep to venter
out. 1676 Doctrine of Devils 92 For who being of the
Demonologists Opinion.. will dare to venture to either of
the Indies, a 1727 Newton Chronol. Amended (1728) 111
The first men who left the Sea-coasts, and ventured out into
the deep. i;;97 S. & Ht. Lee Canterb. T. I. 328, I thought
not of venturing near this spot ttU dark. 18J3 F. Clissold
Ascent Mt. Blanc 21 It being half past six, it was considered
too late now to venture to the summit. 183a W. Irving
Alhambra II. 239 Venturing on, she came at last to a great
'hall. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. II. iii. 46 With a good stock
of fresh meat,. I can venture away from the vessel to draw
supplies from the Esquimaux.
fig. 1610 Donne Pseudo-Martyr 133 Olde Menkes were
vscd heretofore to be but Coasters, . . further then the Con-
templation of Heauen.. guided them, they did not easily
venter. 1633 Massinger Guardian in. i, I affect A hand-
some mistress, and on good terms, Will venture as far i' the
fire, so she be willing To entertain me. 1877 Froude Short
Stud. (1883) IV. I. ix. 104 'Ihe archbishop had not ventured
so far to be frightened at the first hard word. 18^ ' H. S.
Merriman ' Rodens Corner xvi, She knew that in love he
was the incarnation of caution, and would only venture so
far as she encouraged him to come.
7. To run or take risks; to incur the chance of
danger, peril, loss, disapproval, etc.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 64 And where as you
may preuayle more by other ineanes, why wyll you venter
with so great dauneer? 1589 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 53
It is the token of ahigh minde toventer foraQueene. x6ax
Lady M. Wroth Urania 503 Three Gentle- women were
then sent forth to seeke a Knight that would venter in her
defence. 1657 T. Jordan Walks Islington v. ii, As I live
here's Sir R. Lamard that broke the prison ; how the devil
dares he venter ? 1725 Watts Logic 11. v. § 4 Where the im-
probabilities of success or advantage are greater than the
probabilities, it is not prudence to act or venture. i8ao
BvRON Mar. Fal. 1. ii. 539 Vou have deeply ventured ; But
all must do so who would greatly win. i&js H. H. Furness
Mids, N. Dream Pref. p. xxi, In emending Shakespeare's
text, .those who know the most, venture the least.
b. To be boldly speculative, rare—^.
*S59 Aylmer Harbortnve E 4, It is a wonder, that men
vnskilled in the diuersities of times, and histoiis, dare thus
ventre in so great matters.
c. To take part in, invest in, a financial venture
or speculation. rare~^.
c i6«> in Eng. Hist. Rev. Jan. (1915I 2° The Lottery shall
be presently removed., with speciall care of the Governors
that the poor be not suffered to venture.
8. With inf. : To dare, presume, go so far as, be
so bold as (to do something).
Common from(;i6io; in later use frequently in weakened
sense (cf. next). . .
1559 Aylmer Harborowe E4, A Quene in IlUria, who
durst venture to withstand the Romains. 1589 Pas^uiPs
Ret. Db, The holie Patriarche. .neuer venturde to alienate
the possessions of Idolatrous Priestes. 1609 Rowlky
Search for Money (Percy Soc.) n Biskets, which., nere a
souldier there durst venter to breake. 1656 Cowley Pindar.
Odes, New Vfar iv. Upon the Brink., We should stand
shivering, and but slowly venter The Fatal Flood to enter.
1699 Burnet ^9 Art. xviii. 173 Instead of stretching the
15
VENTURED.
se«rity of |ustice..we may rather venter to stretch the
Mercy of God. i7«5 De Foe I'oy. round IVcrld {iZ^o) 2$^
He would at anv time venture to send his two sons into the
mountains. 1774 Burke i>. -4 w/r. Ttix, Wks. II. 355 Why
do you venture to repeal the duties upon glass, paper, and
painters colours? x84oTHiRLWALLO>r^«lv. VII. 71 Archias
. .did not c«n venture tocrossovcr to the Arabian side of the
Persian Gulph. 1849 Macaulav //ist. Eng: v. I. 617 Thirty
times the fugitives ventured to look through the outer
hedge : but everywhere they found a sentinel on the alert.
1887 BowEN I'iiT. EcL viii. 102 Over thy shoulders fling
thtin, nor venture behind thee to look !
b. Used with reference to the expression of
opinions, etc
x6io Holland Cojndfns Brit. i. 354 Some of these . .were
by a new English Saxons name called Wiccij : but where-
upon, I dare scarse venture to guesse. 1660 Boyle Nc:v
Exp. Pkys.'Mfch. xviit. 134, I should not undertake to
answer so difficult a question, and sliould venter to say no
more, a 1687 Petty /*(?/. -4 W/A. (1690)95,1 humbly venture
tosay.all these things may be done, a 1774 Tucker /,/. Nni.
IV. III. 203 If you observe those people who pretend to be
fullest of doubts you wilt find them most fond of that posi-
tive phrase, I will venture to say. 1803 Med. Jrnl. X. 297,
I now ventured to pronounce, that what I took for a bilious
fever was in reality the influenza. 1850 Grove Corr. Phys.
Forces (ed. 2) 98 The view which I would venture to suggest
is, tliat such vibrations are themselves electricity or mag-
netism. 1875 JowETT Plato (ed. 2) V. 244 The sound of the
voice which reaches and educates the soul, we have ventured
to term music
9. To venture on or upon : f a. To make trial of
(a person or animal) ; to dare to advance upon,
approach, or attack. Obs.
Tcxsso Everyman 484 in Pollard En^. Mir. Phys (1890)
87 Vet will I venter on her now. My Good Dedes, where
be you? 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. vi, The sly Rhino-
cerot : Who. .doth venter Upon his Foe. 1592SHAK5. Ven.
4- Ad. 628 Being irefuU, on the lyon, he [the boar] will
venter \rinte enter]. 1631 A. Wilson The Swisseru. iii,
I'lc venture on the Beauty. (He kisses her.)
b. To attempt or undertake (something of a
dangerous or difficult nature) without assurance of
success; to accept or take the risk of (an action,
course, or proceeding) ; to dare to do, make, or
take (something), realizing that a risk is being
run, + Also with of.
X557CHEKE Let. to //ody in Hohy Couriyerii^Si) Z zv. If
the old dcnisoned wordes could . .ease this neede we wold
not boldly venture of vnknowen wordes. 1560 Daus tr.
Sleidane's Comm. 282 There is no daunger so great, that
they wyl refuse to venter vjpon for his preseruation. 1609
B. JoNSON Sit. Worn. i. it. Can he endure no noise and will
venter on a wife? 165a H. L'Estrange Amer. no Jcwes 7
To venter upon such another voyage as Noah's 1711
Addison 5/^c/. No. 121 Fi They never venture upon the
Fruit of any Tree,.. unless they observe that it is marked
with the Pecking of Birds. 1755 VoUNGC£«/a«ri. Wks. (1757)
IV. 123, 1 venture on it out of what I conceive to be charity,
greater siill ! 1781 Cowper Charity 6 A task I venture on,
impeird by thee. 1863 Kinclake Crimea I. 296 Not only
could they have noseniblancc of a public meeting, but they
could not even venture upon the slightest approach to..
Ifcsscr gatherings. 1876 ' L. Carroll ' Hunting Snark 11.
xviii, The third is his slowness in taking a jest. Should you
happen to venture on one,
10. To venture at, to make a venture or attempt
at ; to guess at.
1613 Shaks. Hen. Vlll, 11. i. 156 [It is] held for certaine
The King will venture at it. 1653 More Antiit. Ath. 11. xii.
$ 17 To view theasperities of the Moon through a Dioptrick-
Glass and venture at the Proportion of her Hills by their
shadows. 167X R. Bohun Wind 85 Wee might likewise
venture at a better account. <:x7io Celia Fiennes Diary
(1888) 158 They cannot venture at that sort of tillage. 1736
Aissworth I. S.V., Mankind will venture at anything. 1823
J. Simpson Ricardo the Outlaio I. 24 She debated for a few
minutes, which door she should venture at. 1863 Cowden
CiJiKKE Shaks. Char, xx, 508 The only time he. .ventures
at a reason for what he says.
Hence Ventured///, a.
1613 Massinger Dk. Milan 11. i, Is this. .The fair return
of both our ventured favours I c 1625 Bradford Plymouth
Plant. (.Massach. Hist. Soc) 1 1 1. 201 The catle were y« best
goods, for y* other, being ventured ware, were neither at y*
best, . . nor at y' best p^ses, xSga J. B. Mayor Ep. James,
Author p. xxiv, His mother. .did nevertheless.. draw upon
herself his reproof for ventured interference.
t VC'lltlirelillgf. Obs.^^ In 6 venterlyng.
[f. Venture jA. orz/.] A young or petty adventurer.
156* BuLLEiN Bidiva>'ke, Dial, SorenesSf Chir. 27 b, It is
not to be marueiled, that sochc venterlynges and young-
linges, stomble so ofte at a strawe.
Vontnrer. Also 6 venterer, -our. [f, Ven-
TDBE V, Cf. Adventurer and It. veniuriere^
L One who ventures, in various senses ; an ad-
venturer,
1530 Palscr. 284/2 Venturer on the lande, aduenturier.
Ibid., Venturer on the see, piratic. 1538 Tonstall Serm.
Palm Sund. (1823) 67 To make this realme a praye to al
venturers, al spoyfers,. .all rauenours of the worlde. a 1560
PiiAER /Eneidx. (1562) G gij b, Fortune is frend to venturers,
and cowards hateth most. <<>63z Donne Poems (1635) 274
No fa-nily Ere rigg'd a soule. .With whom more Venturers
more boldly dare Venture their states. 1654 Whitlock
Zootomia Pref, a 6, Lastly for Detraction and Censure.. it
is more my scorn than feare, and ought to '->e to any Venturer
abroad into publike view. 1^27 in Bailey (vol. II). 1841
Dickens Barn. Rudge xxviii, A visit to the gaming-table —
not as a heated, anxious venturer, but [etc.]. 1863 King-
lake Crimea I. 447 The next night Prince Louis Bonaparte
and his fellow venturers destroyed the French republic
187a O. W. Holmes Poet. Break/.-t. vii, No Arctic venturer
00 the waveless sea Feels the dread stillness [etc].
114
fig. i6a4 Donne Semi. (1649) II. xlix. 463 Was God a
venturer with me in my sinne?
trans/. i8a« Clare Vill. Minstr. II. 201 Airy leaves of
woodbine.. Are earliest venturers to unfold their buds.
fb. (See quot.) Obs~^
1599 Hakluvt Vp^. 1 1. 1. 129 The venturers with the sword
were 60. thousand in number [mar^., Gli Venturieri da
spaiia^ are a kind of venturing souldiers, who commonly are
wont to folow the army in hope of the spoile.j.
2. One who undertakes or shares in a commercial
or trading venture, esp, by sending goods or ships
beyond seas ; a merchant-venturer.
1557 Rkcorde Whetst. a ij. The gouerners, ConsuUes, and
the reste of the companie of venturers into Moscouia. 1593
R. Harvey Philad. 3 What traffique .should a venturer
haue [etc.]. 1621-3 Middleton & Rowley C hdngeliug i. i,
I meant to be a venturer in this voyage, 163a Massinger
City Matiam i. iii, You were, .the mam venturer In every
ship that launcheci forth. z66i Webster Cure for Cuckold
III. iii, This beginning May make us of small venturers to .
become Hereafter wealthy merchants. 1844 Kinglake
Eothen vi. 88 The great Capitalist whose imperial sway is
more withering than despotism iiself, to the enterprises of
humble venturers.
fS. A strumpet or prostitute. Cf. Venture sb.
8. Obs.-'^
1607 Dekker & Webster Westiv. Hoe 11. ii, Mist. Just,
Had thy Circ^an Magick me transformd ._. that I were
turn'd common Venturer, I could not loue this old man.
tVe'lltnreship. Obs—^ In 6 venter-, [f.
Venture sb^ Venturousness.
1583 GoLDiNG Calvin on Dent. cxxx. 8oi For there must
bee no ventershippe in this belialf.
Ve'Uturesome, a. Also 7, 9 diaU^ venter-,
[f. Vbntubb sb. or V. + -SOME.]
1. Of persons : Disposed or ready to venture or
take risks; bold, daring ; ^ Venturous a. i.
1677 Gilpin Demonol. i. xviii. 155 Even as courage whetted
on and enraged, makes a Man ventersome beyond the
due bounds of prudence, or safety. 1698 Hearne Duct.
Hist. (1714) I. 134 Does he not make his Hero more Rash
than Wise, and more Venturesome than Ambitious ? 1798
Edgeworth Pract. Educ. (1811) II. 395 We should even in
trifles avoid every circumstance which can tend to make
girls venturesome. 1863 Kinglake Crimea 1. 214 He was
most venturesome in his schemes for action. x886 C. E,
Pascoe Lond. of To-day xx'ix. (ed. 3) 262 Some persons..
are sufficiently venturesome to visit Billingsgate when at the
hish-tide of business.
2. Of the nature of, characterized by, or involv-
ing risk; hazardous, risky.
x66i in Phmiix (1721) I. 84 These two last Opinions of
tlie F'ather, which seem the most bold and venturesome of
all the rest. 1721 Strype Eccl. Mem. I. Hi. 391 It must ever
redound unto the honour of his memory, that bold and
venturesome act of his. 1755 Johnson, Hazardable, ven-
turesome; liable to chance. 18^9 Dana Geol. ix. (1850) 451
From the sunny piain above, the streamlet made the ven-
turesome descent. 1885 Public Opin. 9 Jan. 28/2 General
Stewart has returned safely from his venturesome ride across
the desert.
Hence Venturesomely adv.^ Ve'nturesome-
ness.
1727 Bailey (vol, II), *P'enturesomly, daringly. 188a Sat,
Rev. LIV. 597 To a butterfly also, may we venturesomely
compare this strange., tome of weird verse. 1883 Evang.
Mag. Aug. 343 The rocks toasted almost enough to blister
the hand that should venturesomely touch them. 1727
Bailev (vol. II), Fool Hardiness, Rashness, Temerity, a
Thoughtless *Venturesomness. 1740 Richardson Pamela
1. 236 She seem'd full of Wonder at my Resolution and
Venturesomeness. 1869 Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann. 16
Did ever one hear of such venturesomeness? 1876 Geo.
Ei.iOT Dan. Der. iii, xxiv, A handsome girl, whose lively
venturesomeness of talk has the effect of wit.
t Venturine, Obs, [ad. It., Sp., or Pg. ven-
turina^ = F. aventurine Aventurine.]
1. (See quots.)
The sen.se is not recorded for the Continental word, and
may be due to some mi-iunderstanding.
1704 Diet. Rust. (1726)8. v. ya^an. That it [sc. varnish]
may not dry before the Ventiirine or Gold-Wire reduced
to powder is sifted on it. Ibid., P'enturine or Aventurine,
is the most delicate and slender sort of Gold-wire, us'd by
Embroiderers, &c. 1799 G. Smith Laboratory II. 441 As
for the black and venturine, you must first lay a coat of
varnish on the wood [etc.].
2. Vent urine-stone : (see quot. and cf. Aventur-
ine 1).
1775 Ash, V'enturinestone, a kind of transparent stone
brought from Italy powdered with a kind of gold dust.
Ve'iituring, vbL sb. [f. Venture v."]
1, The action of the vb. ; spec, engagement or
paiticipation in a commercial venture or enterprise.
1548 Admiralty Crt. 17 Dec. Exam. 35 Having the licence
of the Lorde Protectors Grace to goe a venturing \i.e.
having a letter of marque]. 1562 J. Hevwood Prov. ^
^/"g^^- (1867) 139 Ventryng of mucli, May haue a lyttle.
i59S[? J'C.J^/c/V/dxlviii. (Grosart)27 Much good successe
men niisse for lack of ventring. 1631 in loth Rep. Hist.
MSS. Comm. App. V. 476 Theire daylie losses sustained in
the ventring of theire goods by sea. a 1695 Marq. of
Halifax IVks. (1912) 245 Wise Venturing is the most com-
mendable Part of human Prudence, 1706 Stephens Sp.
Diet. I, Arriesgamiento, hazarding or venturing.
t 2. Venturing pin, a disposition to use, or the
habit of employing, the phrase ' I venture to say '.
(Cf. Pin j*.i 15.) Obs.
1671 Eachard Obs. Answ. Cont. Clergy 23 Thus far I durst
venture to say, (seeing that we are yet upon the Venturing-
Pin) that [etc.]. 1680 Reft. Late Libel Curse-ye-Meroz 5,
I know him by the .same old, insipid, phlegmatic-style, the
same old Supposals, Dilemma's, and venturing-pins.
VENTUROUS.
Venturing,//''- a- '^o\s rare. [f. as prec]
Of a person : That ventures ; engaged ur engaging
in a venture ; venturous.
IS-. Vox populivox Dei 288 in E. P. I'. (Hazlitt) III. 278
For of one C ye have not ten, That now be marchantes "
ventring men. iS99 (see Venturer i bj. 1616 J. Lane
Conln. Sgr.'s T. vil. 536 Enginers, stronpe laborers and
ventringe pioners. 1747 HoosoN Miner's Diet. S iv b, In the
High and Low Peaks, where ventureing Miners get but
small Quantitys of Booss.
t b- Of an expression : Bold, daring. Obs.~^
i6s» N. CutvEBWEL Lt. Nature xi. (1661) 79 The Sloicks
. . have indeed some doting, and venturing Expressions.
Hence Vont-aringly adv.
1884 Fawcett Rutherford i, ' They were very nice people
..', Rutherford proceeded, somewhat venturingly. 1803
Sunday Mag. July 465/1 He bent down and touched the
child's cheeks venturingly with a hard, horny finger-tip.
Venturous (ve^ntiiiras, ve-ntjaras), a. Also
/3. 6-7 venterous. 7. 6 ventrus, 6-7 ventrous,
6-8 vent'rous. [Aphetic f. of Adybntlkoub a.
alter Ventube sb. and v^
1. Of persons, etc. : Disposed to venture upon
or undertake something ol a dangerous or risky
nature ; willing to take risks or incur danger ;
bold, daring, or enterprising in action or opinion ;
adventurous, venturesome. Also const, at, in, of,
or with to and inf.
tt. 1576 Fleming Fanopl. Epiit. T iii b, I waxed venturous,
and like a confident fellowe amended my pase. 1581 Pkttie
tr. Gvazzo's Civ. Conv. n. (1586) 63 b, 1 count those, which
wil vndertake to speake of eiierie matter, rather venturous
than learned. 1675 tr. CamdetCs Hist. Etiz. ill. (ed. 3) 328
Skenk a Frieslander and Sir Roger Williams a Welshman,
two venturous men. 1694 Kettlewell Comf. Penitent 21
A most presumptuously venturous and daring Sinner. 1719
De Foe Crusoe l. (Globe) no But 1 had no need to be ven-
turous ; for 1 had no Want of Food. 1800 Wokdsw. Brothers
275 Every corner Among these rocks, hnd every hollow
place That venturous foot could reach. 1831 ScOTT Ct. Rcb.
li, I know I am but too apt to be venturous in action. 1853
C. BuONTE Villette xi. The directress was very prudent,
but she could also be very venturous.
p. 1578 T. N. Ir. Conq. W. India Pref. p. ii. It is nowe
approoved by the venterous travellour . . Martin Frobisher.
•579 LvLY Euphues (Arb.) 94 Thou art not. .more venterous
to challenge the combatte, then I valiant to aunswere the
quarrcli, i6oi Holland Pliny II. 156 Some bold and ven-
terous Empiricke, who made great boast of his decpe skill.
1619 H. Burton Truth's Tri.\oi Taking vpon him (as he
is very venterous) to answer an argument, a 1660 Contemp.
Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archajol. Soc.) I. 256 The noble and venterous
sparke, Phelim mc Tuhill Oneylle.
y. 1596 Nashe Saffron WaldtnTi His ventrous manhood
and valure. 1601 Weever Miir. Mart. Cvb, All the
Armie, ventrous, valorous, bold. 164a D. Rogers Naaman
249 Let a besieger of a City be too ventrous, and what pcriU
ensueth. 1667 Milton P. L. 11. 205 Those who at the
Spear are bold And vent'rous. 1715 Pope Odyss. in. 89
Savage Pirates seek thro' seas unknown '1 he lives of ethers,
vent'rous of their own. 1747 Francis tr. Horace, Odes
(ed. 2) 1. xxxi. 16 The golden Goblet let Him drain. Who
vent'rous plows th' Atlantic Main.
b. absol. with the.
1583 Melbancke PhilotimusYlx), And nowe shalt thou
trie It, that fortune most vsually fauoures the venterous'.
1589 Nashe Anat. Aisurd. Wks. (Grosart) I. 35 The acts
of the ventrou.s, and the praise of the vertuous.
C. Of things.
1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Aliesaudax, a venterous shippe.
1598 Sylvester Dh Bartas 11. i. Eden 27 But (sacred Pilot)
tliou canst safely steer My vent'rous Pinnasse to her wished
Peer. 1634 Bp. Reynolds Shieldes 0/ Eaith li6j6) 41
Remember a Shield is a venturous weapon, a kind of surctie,
which.. receives the injuries which were intended to another.
1676 Shadwell Virtuoso 1. i, Those venturous blossoms,
whose over-hasty obedience to the early spring does
anticipate the proper season. 170S Watts in Soththy's
Sate Cat. 30 July (1902) 49 Accept of this first labor of the
press, this ventrous Essay of Poesie in so Nice and_ censor-
ious an Age. 1764 Goldsm. Trav. 187 He. .drives his
venturous plough-share to the steep. 1804 Charlotte
Smith Conversations, etc. 1. 151 The first bud whose ven-
turous head The Winter's lingering tempest braves. 1861
Calverlev Verses 4- Transl. (ed. 2) 28 He who erst with
venturous tliuinb Drew from its pie-y lair the solitary plum.
2. Of the nature of a venture ; marked or charac-
terized by, attended with, involving, hazard or risk ;
hazardous, risky.
1570 FoxeW. if M. (ed. 2)1. 114/1 Desperation, ..which IS
wont in ventrous affaires to do much. 1598 Bakret Theor.
Warrcs ill. ii. 75 It is venturous to set ones fortune vpon
the brunt of one sole battell. 1670 Eachard Cont. Clergy
22 The meer venturous and inconsiderate determining of
youths to the profession of learning. 1709 PmoR Carni.
Sec. 75 Bloody Wreaths in vent'rous Battels won. 1783
Crabbe Village I. 117 The tost ves^el.. Which to their coast
difects its vent'rous way. 1840 F. D. Bennett II- haliug
Voy. II. 186 Now but few .seas are entirely free from the
visits of ships occupied in this venturous service. iKi
7rnl. R. Agric. Soc. XXIII. 277 Twenty years ago the
manufacture and sale of artificial manures partook more ol
the character of a venturous speculation.
b. Marked by, full of, adventures.
1813 ScoTT Rokeliy iii. ii, And well his venturous life had
proved The lessons that his childhood loved.
3. Arising from, indicative of, a readiness to
encounter hazard or risk ; l)old, daring.
1584 jl/i'rn Mag. Epist., If their forfeats were wel knowen,
1 fere, thei do acts as ventrus. 1587 Turberv. Trag. Tales
74 b, I thinke him such a one as dares Such ventrous parts
to play. i6m Bacon Henry VII, 51 Meane men, who would
make it their Master-piece of Credite and Fauour, to giue
Venturous Counsels, a i6«i Fuller Worthies ili. (1662) 43
VENTUROUSLY.
He was. .knighted by the King for his venturous Activity..
1711 Shaftesb. Ckarac. (1737J 11. m. 346 Bear with my
ventrous and bold Approach. 1818 Scott ///-/. MiM. xxvii,
There was somethinj; of romance in Jeanie's venturous
resolution. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh viii. 349, I
scarce marvel much you took it for a venturous piece of
spite, 1877 Bryant 5tf//a 21 Her clear, calm eye Was Ijright
with venturous spirit.
b. Of opinions, etc. : Daringly bold or original ;
going further than the evidence or facts appear to
w.irrant.
1608 Wii.LET Hexapla Exod. 571 Contrarie then to this
orihodoxall doctrine of the Fathers . . are tlie-^e ventrous and
bold positions. 1644 Milton Areo^. (Arb.) 57 One sentence
of a ventrous edge, utter'd in the height of zeal. 1681
Baxter ApoL Nonconf. Min, 5 Men's uncertain and ven-
turous reports. 1830 \V, Tavi.or Hist. Surp. Germ. Poetry
I. 333 Lessing. .was distinguished by the venturous origin-
ality of his opinions. 1837 J. H. Newman Proph. Office
Church, ^c. 133 Nothing is gained to the intellect ; rather,
something is lost by ihis venturous claim.
Ve'nturously, adv. Also 6 venter-, 6-7
ventrously, 8 vent'rously. [f. prec + -XT 2.]
In a venturous manner ; boldly, daringly,
a., a 1533 Ld. Berners Hiton xvi. 42 Than venturously
they releuyd them. 1591 Horsey Trav. (Hakluyt Soc.) 199,
I stode emonge the rest venturously. 1603 Holland
Plutarch's Mor. 476 To make shifts and expose themselves
venturously into any danger. 1651 Fuller Perkins in
Abel Redivivus 435 A difficult taske no lesse valiantly
performed than venturously undertaken. 170X Norris
Ideal IVorld i. v. 324 'I'hey. .determine venturously upon
the first views. 18x4 Scorr li^av. i, I have venturously
essayed to read a chapter to the public.
Comb. 1639 HoiiBEs Thucydides 104 You ought not to
b«e lesse venturously minded against the cnemie.
3i Y- cx$ss Harpsfield Divorce Hen. /V// (Camden) 150
He sticketti not venterously to avouch that it was not law-
ful- iS73'l'wvNEy^««V^ Ded. A ij, I haueenterprisedmore
ventrously then wisely, .to end that which he left vnperfect.
1650 Bl'lwf.r Anthropo7uet. 170 This agitation of mind..
makes the Soule more boldly and ventrously to reflect upon
it self, a 1656 Hales Gold. Rem. (1673) 1. 85, I have often
wondred with my self, how men durst die so ventrously,
except they were sure they died well. axToiSEDLEV V^en. 4-
/J<V. Wks.f 1766) 251 He vent'rously again ihechace pursues.
V6'IXtTirOTlS116SS • [f. as prec] The character
or state of being venturous ; boldness, daring,
vent ureso meness.
1583 GoLoiNO Calvin on Dent, cxxxvii. S42 Although men
..through their venturousenesse and their rashnes, make a
confusion of atl thingcs, and enterprise whatsoeuer their lust
fancietlL 1643 D. Rogers Notjman 40 Checking and taming
them from old ventrousnesse, and saucinesse against God.
1663 BoYLE Use/. Exp. Nat. Philos. \\. L 11 Though his
relation may be credited, his venturousness ought not to be
imitated. \^^^ Bailey (vol. 11), Venturousness^. .^o\Ax\^%%t
Uaringness, Hardiness. 1838 Webster s.v., The event made
them repent of their venturousness. 1903 A. T. Jnnes in
A. B. Davidson Called 0/ Got 46 The faith which they
demand always goes out. .with an objective venturousness
or heroism.
Ventuse, variant of Ventose v, Obs.
Venue (ve*ni«). Forms: 4 venov, venev,
veneu, 5 venyw, 6-8 venew, 6-7 venewe ; 6
venu, fenue, 6- venue. See also Veny2. [a. OF.
t'^/;/« coming, vbl. sb. from venir to come]
I, 1 1. A coming on, in order to strike ; an
assault or attack. Obs. rare,
a 1330 Roland ^ V. 845 And at ano^wr venov, Roland
smot vernagu, ^t he fel doun to grounde. 13.. Sir ISeues
(A.) Si I Beues in ^at ilche venev, . . Wib is swerd out a slinte
Twei toskes at pe ferste dent. 13.. Cocr de L. 1074 The
lyon made a gret venu. And wolde have him al to-rent.
i* 2. A thrust or hit in fencing ; a stroke or
wound with a weapon, Obs. Cf. Veny^ i.
159X Percivall Sp. Did., Treta, a fenue at defence,
tactus. 1600 Holland Lrvy 513 Divers of the guard let
flie at Indigemines, who by this time was readie to oppose
himselfe, and to ward all venues, c 1605 Harington in
Month, Rev. (1770) 53 Like a perfect fencer that will tell
aforehand in which button he will give the venew. 1653-63
Hkylin Cosmos^, hi. (1682) 146 He valiantly charged upon
the Rebel, and at the second venew slew him.
b. fig. and in fig. context.
1588 .Shaks. L. L. L. v. i. 62 A sweet tutch, a quicke
venewe of wit, snip, snap, quick & home. 1590 Nashe
PasqiiiCs Apol. I. Cij, The second venue the Welch-man
hath bestowed vpon vs, is a wipe ouer the shinnes of the
Non Residents. 163s Mabue tr. Aleman's Guzman d'Alf,
II. 195 Shee had no^more any Nunnerie to shelter, but lay
open to the venues of Fortune, a 1640 Massincer, tXc.Old
Law III. ii, Tve breath enough at all lime^, Lucifer's musk-
cod, To give your perfumed worship three venues.
t 3. A bout or turn of fencing. Also/^i'. Obs.
1598 B, JoNsoN Ev. Man in Hum. \. v. Mat. But one
venue, sir. Bob. Venue I Fie: Most grosse denomination,
as euer 1 heard, 1615 Heywood Eoure Prentises 1. il, Into
the Fenciiig-schoole, To play a venew with some friend.
1640 Shirley Love's Cruelty n. \, Faces about, good Master
Fencer ! . . Vou and I will try a venue below, 1659 FullkIi
App. Injured I nnoc. (1840) 357 If the Animadvertor hath a
mind to.. have a venue with him to try whose skill is most
and weapon best. [i8>o Scorr Monast. xxi. Let us pau^e
for the space of one venue, until I give you my opinion on
this dependence.]
II. t4. The action of coming ; arrival. Obs.~^
7^1400 Arthur 307 Eche of i>ese vyvc at her venyw
Brou^t zyx |>ousand at har retenyw.
+ b. softer. That which has come ; an importa-
tion (^something. Obs.~^
a 1483 Liber Niger in Househ. Ord. (1790) 74 To kepc the
first venues of wynes in vessellcs or shippes . . from any sale.
6. Law. The county, district, or locality where
115
an action is laid ; the place where a jury is sum-
moned to come for the trial of a case. Freq. in
the phrase to lay (alsoyfj: ox place) the venue.
1531 Star Chamb. Cases (Seldenj II. 190 The venewe most
nedes be of Stevenage aforsed. Ibid. 194 Ihe layng of the
venew or issue at Stevenegcto have an indefferent Jury.
»S43-4 -'^ct 35 Hen. VIII, c. 6 § 3 Within thesaide hundred
where the venewe lieth. 1641 Vermes de la Ley 260 Vcneiu
or Visnc is a terine used.. often in our bookes, and signifies
a place next to that where any thing that comes to be tryed
is supposed to bee done. And therefore.. some of the Jury
must be of the same hundred, or sometimes of the same
parish in which the thing is supposed to be done. 1664-5
; Act 16-17 Charles I I,c. 8 § 1 The Plaintiffe might have de-
I murred and shewen the same for Cause, nor for want of the
I Averment.. or for that there is noe right Venue. 1728
j Chambers Cycl. s.v.. Thus we say, Twelve of the Assize
I ought to be of the same Venew where the Demand is made,
I 1796 J. Anstey Pleader's Guide i. i. (1826) 5 For Kards and
Lawyers, both, with ease, May place the Venue where they
I please. 1836 Syd. Smith Lett. Electors Cath. Quest. Wks.
I 1859 II. 227/1 The venue of several crimes imputed to the
! prisoner is laid in countries to which the jurisdiction of this
court does not extend. 1838 MEtsoN & Welsbv Reports
II. 23 The Attorney-General may lay the venue where he
pleases. 1883 S, C. Hall Retrospect I. 350 The plaintiff
laid the venue in Warwickshire.
b. In the phrases (0 change the venue or {a)
change of venue.
1768 B1.ACKSTONE Comm. III. 294 If the defendant will
make affidavit, that the cause of action, if any, arose not in
that but another county, the court will direct a change of
the venue, or znsfte, 1796 J. Anstey Pleader's Guide To
Rdr., Partly owing to.. the changing of the Venue in the
Trial. 1817 W. Selwyn Laiv Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II, 984
Where the writing and publication are confined to tlie same
county.. the venue may be changed into such county. 1881
Macm. Mag. XLIV. 134 If we often changea venue because
a fair jury cannot be bad, why should we not go further to
insure justice? "893 Times 3 June 13/4 The dropping of
such obvious and effective weapons as secret inquiry and
change of venue.
C. The scene of a real or supposed action or
event ; also^^,, a position taken up by a disputant.
A 1843 SoUTHEY /^(^^/(jr clxxxviii. (1848) 4q6 When I was
young there was no tradition of any such thing in the town
where the venue of the action is laid. 1845 Ford Handbk.
Spain I. 46 Sterne would have done better to have laid the
venue of his sentimentalities over a dead ass in Spain rather
than in France. i86x Saui Dutch Pict. 269 A something
far more.. vexatious.. changes the venue to a kingdom of
realities. 1873 Spencer Stud. Sociol. ii. 38 Here Mr. Froude
changes the venue and joins issue on the old battle ground.
cL An appointed place of meeting, esp. for a
match or competition.
1857 G. Lawrence Guy Liv, iv, A steeple-chase in which
both Universities were to take part.. .The venue was fixed
at B. 1884 Tntth 13 March 361/2 It showed a great want
of judgment., to select the former town as the venue for the
semi-final tie. 1901 Scotsman 11 March 5/4 'I'he question
of the venue of the annual meeting : at present this was held
on one of four greens.
Venued, obs. variant of Vinowed///. a.
Venning, obs. form of Vinowing vbl. sb,
Ve'nnlar, n- rare~^. [f. next + -ah.] Marked
with veins; veined.
1811 Pinkerton /V/ra/.L 387 The marble statues., present
the following colours; milk-white, the same with venular
silver-white mica,. .and yellowish white.
Venule (ve*ni«l). [ad, L. venuia, dim. of vena
Vein sb. Cf. F. veinule and Veiwulet.] A small
or minor vein.
a. Bot. 1850OCILVIE, Kt-Mw/e-i,. .the name given to the la^t
ramifications of the veins of a leaf, which inteiminjjle fre-
quently* and form the skeleton. 1857 T. Moore Handbk.
lirit. Ferns (cd. 3) 8 The branches of the veins are venules,
and the branches of the venules are veiulets. x866 J. Smith
P'ertts Brit. «V Eor. (1879) loi Venules arcuaiely or angu-
larly anastomosing, producing two or more excurrent free
veinlets.
b. Anat. axZ^^lKCCALLW^KS Nat, Hist. Dee S/de (185s)
171 The minute glandular bodies are all situated on the
venules, and are of a circular form. 1876 Trans, Clinical
Soc. IX. 91 Tlie white cells accumulate in the small venules
in surprising numljer>. 1899 Al/butt's Syst. Med. VIII. 826
The venules on the skin of the nose and cheeks of old people.
Ve-nulite. rare—'. [Irreg, f. Venu-s + -litk.]
(See quot. and Venl's l lo.)
x8s8-3a Webster, / 'enulite^ a petrified shell of the genus
Venus,
Venulo'se, a. Bot. [f. Venule + -ose.] (See
quot.)
1857 A. Gray First Less. Bot. (1866) 236 Venulose, fur-
nished with veinlets.
Venum(ou8, obs. forms of Venom(ous.
fVenundate, v. Obs.-"* [f. L. venun-dat-y
ppl. stem of venun'dare, var. (by assimilation) of
venum-dare to sell, vend.] (See quots.) Hence
t Venundation. Obs.-~^
i6a3 Cockeram 1, Venundate, to sell. Venundation, a
selling and buying. [Also in Phillip-; (1658).] 1656 Blount
Glossogr., Vennndate, to buv and sell.
Venus ^ (vrniSs). PI. Venuses (7, 9 Veneres).
Also 5-6 .SV. "Wenua. [L. Venus {^tti. Veneris).']
I. 1, Mythol, The ancient Koman goddess of
beauty and love (esp. sensual love\ or the corre-
sponding Greek goddess Aphrodite.
a 1000 Sal. ir ^<^i- (Kemble) 124 Done syxtan dje^ hi
Sesetton (S.x-re sceamleasan gydenan Uenus sehaten, and
Frycgon Denisc. 1*97 R. (jV-OMcChron. (Rolls) 2433 After
him [Jupiter] we honoureJ» venus mest, t>at frie ycluped is.
C 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 604 So faire ladies
VENUS.
ar none l3mand ; Hot me t>ynkes of ^ow J»re Dame Venus
semes fairest to be. 1390 Gower Conf. II. 84 The Coper
set is to Venus, And to his part Mercurius. 1419-20
Lyug. Chron. Troy 11. 3443 In honour only of Venus,
t>e goddes, Whom >e Grekis with al her besynes Honoured
most of euery nianer age. 1490 Caxton Eneydos xiv.
50 Certes, Venus, thou and thy sone Cupydo are gretely
to be praysed. 1508 Dunbar Gold. Targe 21 The birdis
sang .. With curiouse note, as Venus chapell clerkis.
1590 Marlowe ind Pt. Tamburl. iv. ii, Thou shalt..Sit
like to Venus in her chaire of state, Commanding all thy
princely eie desires. 1687 Drvden Hind ^ P. 111. 1064
As if this troublesome intruding Guest Would drive the
Birds of Venus [ = dovesl from their Nest. 1781 Cowper
Conversat. 824 Certain feasts . . Where Venus hears the
lover's tender vow. 1835 'Ywivx^i K\A.Greece 1. 141 The temple
of Venus at Eryx, which was most probably founded by
Phoenicians. 1875 Encycl. Brit. II. 172/2 'Ihe native
Roman goddess Venus, as distinguished from the Venus
who through contact with the Greeks was afterwards idenii-
tied with Aphrodite.
b. In allusive use ; (cf. sense 2).
c 141a HoccLEVE De Reg. Princ. 3890 pere wole he outen
his langage, And do to Eachus and Venus homage, c 1508
C. Blo-wbol's Test. 62 in Hazlitl E.P.P. I. 94 Hegafme
many a good certacion. .That he had laboured in Venus
secret celle. 1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2) s v.
Maslach, Sometimes tliey take Three Drams, without any
prejudice, especially when they are about to Fight the
Battels of Mars or Venus, a X796 Burns Lines Windoius
Globe Tavern, Dumfries, In wars at hame I'll spend my
blood. Life-giving wars of Venus. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias
IV. vii. ^8 He could not stomach those beauties who call
a spade a spade. Such were not for his market ; the rites
of Venus must be consummated in the temple of Vesta.
c. A representation, esp. a statue or image, of
Venus,
a 1568 AscHAM Scholem. \\. Wks. (1904) 301 Csesar. .is like
the halfe face of a Venus, the other part of the head beyng
hidden, the bodie and the rest of the members vnbegon.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 566 But of all the images that ever
were made, ..his \sc. Praxiteles] Venus passeth, which hee
wrought for them of Gnidos. a 1700 Evelyn Diary 23 May
1645, 'Twixt the pictures two naked Venuses by Titian.
Ibid., A Venus of marble, veiled from the middle to the feete.
ij*x Richardson Statues etc, in Italy 134 There is a Venus
which stands just by This which is Irreproachable. 1834
Penny Cycl. II. 157/2 Many representations of the goddess
[Aphrodite]., are extant : among these, the celebrated statue,
called the Venus de' Medici, is that with which we are most
familiarized. 1850 Thackeray Pendennis lii. The wig-box
beside the Venus upon the middle shelf of the book-case.
d. A local or other distinct conception of the
goddess; also transf.^ a goddess in other mytholo-
gies corresponding to Venus.
J770 Percy tr. Mallei's Northern Antig. I. 94 This Frea
became in the sequel.. the Venus of the north, doubtless
because she passed for the principle of all fecundity, 1818
DuppA Trav. I'-aly^ etc. 136 He also shewed us a little
bronze statue of a Venus. 1877 W. R. Cooper Egypt.
Obelisks vii.(i878) 30 Under the special protection of Hathor,
the Egyptian Venus.
t2. The desire for sexual intercourse ; indulgence
- of sexual desire ; lust, venery. Obs.
1513 Douglas j^neid iv. Prol. gjChildir to engener ois
Venus, and nocht in vane. 1573 L, Lloyd Marrow of Hist.
(1653I 253 Sardanapalus .. was alwaies werid but never
! satisfied with Venus. x6ao Venner Fia Recta iii. 61 It
I yeeldeth very good nourishment, which.. encreaseth seede,
j and exciteth Venus. 1697 Drvden Virg. Georg, iv. 289
I What's more strange, their modest Appetites, Averse from
I Venus, fly the Nuptial Rites. 1746 Francis tr. Horace^
! Epist. I. xviii. 43 If Venus be his darling Vice. 1746 —
Sat. I. iv. 148 An honest Venus will indulge your Flame.
1 3, A quality or characteristic that excites love ;
a charm, grace, or attractive feature. Obs.
1540 Palsgr. Acolastus Livb, Here dwell Venusis and
graces of al kynd. 1607 Middi.eton Five Gallants 1. i, A
pretie, fat eyde wench, with a Venus in her cheeke. 1621
I Burton Anat. Mel. i. ii. iv. vi, All the Graces, Veneres,
pleasures, elegances attend him. 1647 R. Stapylton
■ Juvenal 236 Know'st not how many Venu.ses appear In
others gold? 1711 Shaftesb. Charac. (1737) I. 138 Every-
one is a virtuoso, of a higher or lower degree: every-one
pursues a Grace, and courts a Venus of one kind or another.
Ibid. 337 If he knows not this Venus, these Graces [etc, J.
f b. Beauty ; charm, Obs, rare.
1657 G. Thornley />a//(«/j <$■ Chloe 181 The Garden ;.. the
[Mice now made a waste ;. all the Venus of the place was
gone. 17X1 Shaftksb. Charac. (1737) l._337 lo discover,
amidst the many false manners and ill stiles, the true and
natural one, which represents the real beauty and Venus of
the kind. Ibid.^ T'is the like moral Grace, and Venus,
Khtch..is copy'd by the writing artist.
4, A beautiful or attractive woman.
aiS79 T, Hacket tr. Amadis of Fr. viii. 188 (Stf.), One
day ye reputed me for a Venus, that rested, .in your heart.
167s J. Smith Chr. Relig. App. in. 8 The great Heauty of
the Land, an Helen, a Venu.s. 1706-7 Farquhar Beaux
Strat. IV. iiv Had my Spark call'd me a Venus directly, I
shou'd have believ'd him a Footman in good earnest, a 1814
Woman's Will w. i. in iWw Brit, Theatre IV. 62 Witness
the Hottentot Venus before she has strung on her beads.
1816 Tuckey Narr. Exped, R. Zaire i. (1818) iS The
dreams they had indulged in of the sable Venuses which
ihey were to find on the banks of the Congo.^ ^J^^ ^•
Hook Ned Mnsgrave i, The evening on which Re first saw
this Venus of the village.
II. 5. Astr, The second planet in order of
distance from the sun, revolving in an orbit between
those of Mercury and the earth ; the morning or
evening star.
c X390 S. Eng. Leg, I. 311 Sethhe J?e sonne \s Venus sethbe*
|)e clere steorre. 1*97 R. Glouc. Chron. (Rolls) 4704 To
tueye sterren, t»at nie suc|» ylome, Venus & Mercurius,
bii wenej» >at hii bicome. <r 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 1016
15 - a
VENUS.
Tbc bryght venus folwedc and ay taughte The wcy, iher
brode Phebus down alighte. c 1400 Treat. Astron. 8 b
(MS. Bodl. R 17), The secunde owe of >c same day is the
owre of J>e planet Venus, c 1480 Henryson Tist. Cres. ii
Fair Venus, the bewtie of the nicht, Uprais. 1590 Shaks.
Afitfs, A'. III. ii. 107 Let her shine asglonously As the Venus
of the sky. 1664 Butler //ud. n. iii. 530 Venus you retriv'd.
In opposition with Mars, And no benigne friendly Stars T
allay ih* effect. X7»7-46 Thomson Summer 1695 Sudden to
heaven Thence weary vision turns ; where, .with purestray
Sweet Venus shines. 1771 EncycL Brit. I. 436/2 When
Venus appears west of the sun, she rises before htm in the
morning, and is railed the morning-star; when she appears
east of the sun, she shines in the evening after he sets, and
is then called the eveningstar. 184a Francis Diet, Arts
S.V., Venus changes her phases lilce those of the moon, ac-
cording to her position, relative to the earth and sun. 1868
LocKYER GuilUmin's Heavens (ed. 3) 81 Thus the sohd
ground of Venus is uneven, like that of Mercury and the
Earth.
t6. Ahh, Copper. (In quot. 1797 allusively.)
c 1386 Chaucer Can. Ycom. Prol. ^ T. 276 Sol gold is,. .
and J ubiter is tyn. And Venus coper, by my fader kyn. 1594
PuvT Jeivtli-ko. I. 20 The Alcumists giue a blauncher vnto
Venus with the salt of Tartar. 1610 B. Josson Alch. 11. i,
The great med'cine ! Of which one part proiected on a hun-
dred Of Mercurie, or Venus, or the Moone, Shall turne it
to as many of the Sunne. i7»8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Copper^
The Chymists call it Venus', as supposing it to have some
more immediate Relation to that Planet. 1758 [see Jupiter
abX X797 W. Johnston tr. Beckmann^s Invent. I. 398 One
may justly doubt whether, at present, Mars, Venus, or
Saturn, is most destructive to the human race.
t b. So in crystals^ saffron, salt, vinegar, vitriol
of Venus (see quots.). Obs.
1693 Phil. Trans, XVII. 901 This very elaborate method
of procuring the Salt of Venus. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn.
I, Vitriol o( Copper or I'enus is IJlue Chrystals made by a
Solution of Copper in Spirit of Nitre, Evaporation, and
Chrystallization ma cool place. i7»8 Chambers Cyc/, s,v.
Copper^ The Calx of Brass, called . . sometimes . . Saffron of
Venus, is nothing but Copper calcin'd in a violent Fire.
1707 EncycL Brie. (ed. 3) XVI. 623 The acetous salt of copper,
called crystals of Venus, or of verdigris, by the chemists.
1807 T. Thomson Ckem. (ed. 3I II, 259 When acetate of
copper, reduced to powder, isput into a retort and distilled,
there comes overa liquid, .and afterwards a highly concen-
trated acid. ..The acid., was formerly distinguished by the
names of radical vinegar and vinegar of Venus.
+ 7. Her, A name for the tincture green or vert
when the names of planets are used in blazonry.
[156a Legh Armory 16, 1 pray you what planet belongeih
to this colour [invert]? Venus.] 1578 BossEWELL.^rOTor;>
II. 78 b, The fielde is parted per Fes.se Dented, Venus, and
Saturne, five brasauntes. 1680 Sir G. Mackenzie Her.
18-19. '704 J* Harris Lex. Techn. I, Vert^ the Heralds
Word for a Green Colour j. . in Coats of Nobles, 'tis called
Emerauld; and in those of Kings 'tis called Venus.
8. The highest or most favourable cast or throw
in playing with huckle-bones.
x6ii CoTGR. S.V., The play at huckle-bones,- wherein he
that turns vp Venus (figured on one side of the bonej doth
winne ; whereas he that turnes vp the dog, doth lose, c 1650
in MS. Ashmole •/SSioX. 163 The game of Astragalls... When
all y« fower boanes shal shew seuerall sides this is the most
fortunate cast & is called Midas or Venus take all Cock-all.
1737 OzELL Rabelais III. p, xvi, Venus was the best Cast,
three Sices. [1876 Browning At the * Mermaid' xv, Well
may you blaspheme at fortune ! I 'threw Venus* (Ben,
expound !).]
9. Girdle^ maundy vtoitnt, ring of Venus, in
palmistry (see quots.) ; also mount of Venus, in
anatomy (see quot. 1728).
Cf. Venus girdle (1653) in 13 below.
1695 CoNGREve ifff^y^/" L. 11. iii. She has. .a moist Palm,
and an open Liberality on the Mount of Venus. 1738
Chambers Cyir/. s.v., Mount of Venus, ^/owf Veneris, among
Anatomists, is a little hairy Protuberance, in the middle of
the Pubes of Women. Ibid.^ Among Chiromancers, the
Mount of Venus is a little Eminence in the Palm of the
Hand, at the Root of one of the Fingers. 1865 Beamish
Psychon. Hand -^i The line of Saturn, the ring of Venus,
and the line of Apollo. 1894 Paul Hello Palmistry 21 The
Girdle of Venus is a line describing a semicircle, extending
from between the Mounts of Jupiter and Saturn to the
Mount of Mercury. This girdle is generally absent. 1900
Ina Oxenford Mad. Palmistry 22 The Mount of Venus
encircles the root of the thumb, and is bounded more or less
by the Life-line.
10. Zool. A genus of bivalve molluscs typically
representing the family Veneride \ a member of
this genus or family ; a venerid. Cf. Clam sb.'^ i d.
1770 Pennant Brit. Zool. (1777) IV. [p. xiv], Commercial
Venus [and various other species]. Ibid. 93. 1802-3 tr.
Pallas's Trav. (1812) IL 293 A ribbed Venus, rounded at
one extremity. 1857 GossE Omphalos viii. 228 That lilac-
tinted Prickly Venus (^Diopu Veneris). x88o Bastian Brain
75 The Razor-fish, Cockle, Venus, and other bivalves pos-
sessing ..* siphon- tubes '.
^. pl. iw Pennant Brit. Zool. (1777) IV. 89 Telliua
rugosa. . .Dredged up at Weymouth. Misplaced among the
Venuses. iSaa J. Parkinson Outl. Oryctol. 257 That these
supposed fresh-water shells are sometimes found scattered
among a multitude of acknowledged sea shells, as. Oysters,
Venus's, &c 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVL 209/2 In the Veneres
the animal, furnished with longer siphons, is provided with
a retractor muscle.
III. attiib. and Comb.
11. Simple attrib, (also possessive without V),as
Venus bower, court, knot, + mcle, + star, throw, etc.
c 1550 RoLLAND Crt. Venus x. 90 In *Venus Bowr to eik
baiib game and glew. 1513 Douglas ^netd iv. Prol. 159
Lat ws in riot leif, in sport and gam, In *Venus court. 1579
I/VLY Euphues (Arb.) loS If [she is] one of Venus court,
they haue vowed dishonestye. 1590 Shaks. Mids. A'. 1. i.
X71, I sweare to thee, . . By the simplicitie of * Venus Doues.
116
I 1876 T. Hardy Etkelberta (1877) 35 Her hair fastened in a
' sort of "Venus knot behind. \^o Sivetnara Arraigned {xZZo)
I 45 By Art they know . . how to adde A "Venus mole on euery
I wanton cheeke. 1596 Shaks. Merch. V. u. vi. 5 O ten times
faster "Venus Pidgions flye To steale loues bonds new made.
190a Edinb. Rev. Oct. 321 Helen, by reason of the "Venus-
spell,, .loves Paris, dt 1593 Marlowe & Nashe Dido 39
"Venus swannes shall shed their siluer downe, To sweeten
out the slumbers of thy bed. 1591 Spenser Daphn. 483
And night without a "Venus siarre is found. 1611 Florio,
Ventre^, .the day or morning star, called Lucifei or Venus
star. 1879 Lewis & Shokt Lat. Diet., Veuereus, the
"Venus-throw at dice.
b. In sense 2, as Venus act, exercise, life, play,
work, etc
c 1400 Destr. Troy 753 J>ai solast horn samyn . . With
venus werkes, J)at horn well pleasid. 1508 Dunbar Tua
Mariit IVemen 399 He that wantes riches. And vaUeandnes
ill Venus play, is ful vile lialdin. 1513 Douglas ^neid iv.
Piol. 187 With Venus henvifis quhat wyse may I flite?
rt 1578 Lindesay (PitscQttie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 158
That licherie and wenus lyfe hes oft tymes a euill end.
16x1 Florid, Venereo,.. given to Venus-sports, or letchery.
1617 MoBYSON Itin. II. 166 Most of them when they were
stripped, were seene to have scarres of Venus warfare. 16*3
CocKERAM 1, Venus-escuage, wanton fleshlinesse. Ibid, iii,
Barnacle, a kinde of Sea Gull, it growes not by Venus
act, but as Dubartas writes [etc.]. 1634 Sir T. Herbert
Trav. 151 Opium. .makes them strong and long in Venus
exercises. 1658 Rowland tr. Mou/eCs Theat. Ins. 1004
Unless there had been plenty of milk at hand, this Venus
bird had died and suffered deservedly for his Lechery. 1786
Burns ^ Z?rra?« xiii, A glorious Galley, ..Weel rigg'd for
Venus barter, i8ai Liddle Poems ^t Your venus jobs now's
a' kend thro' The Loudias braid.
o. In sense 10.
18x6 TucKEY Narr. Exped. R. Zaire ii. (1818) 58 Frag-
ments of shells of the cockle and venus genera. i86x P- P.
Carpenter in Rep. Smithsonian Instit. i860, 256 The
Venus-tribe may be regarded as the types of the Lamelli-
branchs.
12. Special combs, (of the possessive, with or
without V) : Venus + gem, t girdle, + hair,
Venu8*s hair-stone, pencil (see quots.).
x6ox Holland Pliny II. 621 Such Amethysts as these..;
many give them the name of Venus gems, for the great
grace that they have . . both in fashion and colour. Ibid. 629
The stone called Venus haire, is exceeding blacke and
shining ; howbeit it maketh a shew of red haires sprinckled
among. 1653 R. Sanders Physiogn. 49 Venus Girdle is a
Semicircle that begins between the fore-finger and the
middle finger, and ends between the fojrth finger and the
little one. 1884 Imp. Diet. IV, Venus's kair.stones,
Venus's pencils, fanciful names applied to rock crystals in-
closing slender hair-like or needle-like crystals of horn-
blende, asbestos, oxide of iron, rutile, oxide of manganese, &c.
b. Bot. Venus*s basin, bath, the wild teasel,
Dipsacus sylvestris', Venus's comb, the shep-
herd's needle, Scandix Pecten- Veneris ; Venus's
cup, Venus's basin ; Venus's flytrap, the North
American marsh-plant Dionssa muscipula ; f Ve-
nus' garden, = Venus's navelwort (rt) ; f Venus*
glass, Venus's looking-glass; Venus golden
apple (see quot.) ; Venus' hair, the maiden-hair,
Adiantum Capillus- Veneris {?,tc also quot. rl 7 1 1 ) ;
t Venus* laver, Venus's basin ; Venus('s) look-
ing-glass, one or other of certain plants belonging
to the genus Specularia, esp, S, (or Campanula^
Speculum (f Speculum Veneris^ ; Venus' navel,
= next (a) ; Venus's navelwort, {a) the penny-
wort, Cotyledon Umbilicus ; (^) one or other
species of annual plants belonging to the genus
Ompkalodes, esp. 0. linifolia ; f Venus needle,
Venus's comb ; Venus-pear, a variety of pear
mentioned by Pliny and Columella ; Venus's
pride, U.S. (see qaot.) ; Venus's slipper, the
lady's slipper, Cypripedium Calceolus.
XSSI Turner Herbal i. Oivb, Dipsacos, called in latin
labrum veneris: that is *venus basin, because it holdeth
alwayes water. iS78[see below]. 1597 Gerarde Herbal n.
cccclxxi. 1006 Tease 11 is called.. Carde Teaseli, and Venus
Bason. 1671 Skinner, Venus-bason, Dipsacus vulgaris.
1763 Stukeley Palxogr. Sacra 25 Ladys fingers, ladys
traces, ladys linnen, Venus glass, Venus bason, . .etc. 1863
Phior Plant-n., Venus Bason, Veneris labruvt, so named
..from the hollows formed by the united bases of the
leaves being usually filled with water, that was used.. to
remove warts and freckles. 1S78 Lyte Dodoens 522
Called in. .Englishe, Fullers Teasel, Carde Thistell, and
*Venus bath or Bason. 1855 Miss Pratt Flo^ver. PI. III.
169 Wild Teazel.. is still often called Venus's Bath. 1866
Treas. Hot. 1208/j Venus' bath, Dipsacus sylvestris: so
named from water collecting in the connate bases of the
opposite leaves. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. cccc. 884 Pecten
Veneris, siue Scandix, Shepheards Needle, or *Venus
combe. 1671 Skinner, Venus-Comb. 1753 Chambers' Cycl.
Suppl., Scandyx, venus comb... The flower is of the rosa-
ceous kind, consisting of several petals, which are arranged
in a circular order on a cup. 1785 Martvn Lett. Bot. xvii.
(1794) 238 Venus's-comb is remarkable for long processes or
beaks terminating the seeds. 1863 Prior Plant-n., Venus*
Comb, from the slender tapering beaks of the seed-vessels
being set together like the teeth of a comb. 1855 Miss
Pratt Flower. PI. III. 69 Wild Teazel, .is still often called
. . "Venus's Cup. ^^^^ Ann. Reg. 11. 93 A Description of a
newly discovered Sensitive Plant, called Dionaea Muscipula,
or 'Venus's Fly-trap. x8s7 A. Gray First Less. Bot. (1866)
171 The Venus's Fly-trap, .growing where it is always sure
of all the food a plant can need. 1867 H. Macmillan Bible
Teach, vii. (1870) 1^8 The leaf of the Venus' fly-trap of
North America, closing together on its prey by turning on
its mid-rib as on a hinge. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. cxliii.
424 Nauelwort is called . . of some Hortus Veneris, or
VENUS.
■Venus garden. i6iz Cotcr., Nombril de /V«ttr,..WaU
Penniwori, Venus garden, Hipwort. 17*8 Bradley Diet.
Bot. II. s,v., *Venus ij\as&,.. Speculum veneris sive Viola
Pentagona. 1763 [see Venus basin]. 1888 Nicholson's
Diet. Card. IV, *Venus' Golden Apple, a common name
for A talanti a tnonophylla. XS48 Turner Names Herbes ■
(E.D.S.) 9 *Venus heir is in a meane tempre betwene bote
& colde. 1S78 LvTE Dodoens 409 Venus heare groweth
in walles, and in stony shadowy places. x66x Lovell Hist.
Anim. i<( Min. 450 Leaves, of venus-haire, and lungwort.
cijtt Petiver iiazophyl. vi. liv. Round leaved Malabar
Venus-hair. .. Its large noich'd Leaves on single Stalks,
distinguish it from others. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade
S.V., Venus'.hair, the Adiantum capiilus' Veneris, given as
an expectorant, and forming the basis of the celebrated
syrup of capillaire. x6oi Holland Pliny II. 376 The little
grub or worme which is found in the hearbe Tazill, called
* Venus Laver. JS97 Gerarde //^r^a/ 11. cW. $56 Speculuvt
Veneris, * Venus Looking glasse ..groweth in ploughed fields
among the corne. x68i Grew Musxum n. iii. iiL 234 The
Seed of Venus Looking-Glass. a 1689 Mrs. Behn xr.Covfley's
Plants C.'s Wks. 1711 III. 372 But say Corn- Violet, why
thou dost claim Of Venus Looking-Glass the pompous Name.
1785 Martyn Lett. Bot. xvl. (1794) 189 Venus s Looking,
glass is a Campanula, with a weak, low, and very branching
stalk. X863 Prior Plant-n., Venus' Looking-Glass, from
the resemblance of its flowers set upon their cylindrical
ovary to an ancient round mirror at the end of a straight
handle. 159a R. D. Hypneroto-machia 24 b, With other
murall and wall weeds comming out of the chinkes as..
"Venus Navill. 1625 B. Jonson Pan^s Annivers. Wks.
(Rtldg.) 643/1 Bring.. Bright crown imperial, kingspear,
hotyhocks, Sweet Venu.s-navel. 1678 Phillips (ed. 4),
* Venus Navelwort,..^ Plant of Venus, esteemed of great
use ;.. otherwise called Wall Penywort, and Kidneywort.
1731 Miller Gard. Diet, s.v. Ompkalodes, Low Vernal
Venus Navel-wort, with a Comfry-leaf, or Lesser Borage.
1767 Aberchombie Ev. Man his own Gardener (1803) 104
Hardy Annual Flower-seeds :. .Lobel's catch-fly, Venus'
navel-wort, dwarf poppy. 1866 Treas. Bot. 812/1 Ompha*
lodes; .. several species are grown in English gardens,
under the name of Venus's Navelwort. i88a Garden 10
June 411/3 Small bouquets of pink Brier Roses with Venus's
Navelwort. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. cccc. 884 Scandix,..
Venus Coombe, or *Venus Needle. 1648 Hexham 11. App.,
Venus-peere, a *Venus-peere. 1879 Lewis & Short Lat.
Diet., Venerea pira, a kind of pear, Venus-pear. X84S-50
Mrs. Lincoln Led. Bot. 143 The Houstonia cxrulea. .\%
known by different common names; as Innocence, *Venus's
Pride, and Blue Houstonia. 1785MABTYN Lett. Bot. xxvii.
(1794)423 It has more resemblance to a wooden shoe in form,
and therefore is unworthy the title of "Venus's Slipper,
which Linna:us has bestowed upon it.
C. Zool. Venus-basket, Venus*s fiower-basket ;
Venu8(*s) comb, Venus's cup (see quots.);
Venus's ear, a sea-ear or ear-shell ; Venus's fan,
a sea-fan, esp. R hipodogorgia {Gorgonia)Jiabellum',
Venus's flower-basket, a glass-sponge of the
genus Euplectella, esp. E. aspergillum; Y&nws'H
girdle (see quots.) ; t Venus pxirr (see quot and
FuRR j^.-) ; Venus* purse, Venus's flower-basket
{Funk's Stattd. Diet. 1895) ; Venus-shell, a
bivalve mollusc belonging to the family Veneridee
or related species; a venus, murex, or cowry;
Venus's slipper (see quot.); + Venus- winkle
(see quots. and cf. Porcelain 3).
188a Casseifs Nat. Hist. VI. 318 In some the form is con-
stant and characteristic, as in the fairy-like "Venus-basket
{E7iplecteila). 1&43 Penny Cycl. XXII. 54/2 Murex
Tribulus, Linn. . .This is the *Venus's Comb of collectors,
and when perfect is a most delicate and striking shell. 1864
Chambers's Encycl. VI. 616/2 The Venus Comb of the
Indian seas is. .a very ..beautiful shell, with many long thin
spines. 1885 Lady Brassey The Trades 312 There were.,
grey sponges, sometimes called 'Venus's cups, — in shape
not unlike coral Neptune's cups. 1859 H. Ki.n'cslky G,
Hamlyn xxxiv, They fell to gathering shells, .like children,
..Trochuses,. .and ** Venus-ears', scarlet outside. 1880
Miss Bird japan II. 87 One urn and a large covered bowl
are beautifully inlaid with Venus' ear. 1855 Kincsley
Glaucus 33 The great stony 'Venus's fan which hangs in
seamen's cottages, brought home from the West Indies.
x86o Worcester (citing Baird*, Venus's Fan,.. xh^ common
name of much branched and reticulated polypes of the
family Gorgonix. 187a Good JVo?ds 703 One of the most
beautiful of all natural productions, the Euplecte/la, or
' *Venus's Flower-basket . i8g6xr. Boas^ Text Bk. Zool. izi
The beautiful Philippine Venus's Flower-Basket (/:«//(<:-
tella aspergillum), which like several of its allies, lives at
considerable depths. 1870 Nicholson Man. Zool. xvi. I.
114 In Cestum, or 'Venus' Girdle, ' elongation takes place to
an extraordinary extent*. 1896 tr. Boas' Text Bk. Zool.
118 Cestus veneris (Venus's girdle), with body much coin-
pressed and elongated to a ligamentous form. 1713 Petiver
Aquat. Anim. Amboime Tab. 18/12 Purra Venerea,..
White "Venus Pur. 1589 Rider Bibl. Schol. 1723 A sea
snaile, or *Venus shell, cochlea Veneris. 161s if-. E>e
Alont/art's Sum. E. Indies 31 Their Venus-shells consist of
certaine kind of earth or clay which hath remaind a 100
yeares in one place. 1666 J. Davies tr.Roche/ort's Caribby
Isles 121 The Venus-shells may justly be numbret^ among
the rarest productions of the Sea. x68x Gkew Musaeum i.
Vi. i. 137 Venus-Shell. Concha Veneris. Because beautiful.
187J A. Domett Ranolf s\. ii. 112 Exact as roseate streak
for streak Some opened Venus-shell displays. 1836 Penny
Cycl. VI. 294/1 The shells of this genus [sc.Car/mir/a] were
formerly known to collectors under the name of ' *Venus's
Slipper ' and ' Glass Nautilus '. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 253
The Porcellanesor "Venus Winkles swimme above the water,
and with their concavitie and hollow part which they set into
the weather, helpe themselvesin stead of sailes. 1611 Florio,
Veneria, a Scallop called a Purcelane or Venus- winkle.
Ve'nus^, error for Venice, by association with
prec.
1629 in Foster Eng. Factories India (1909^ HI. 349
Cordage, wheat, Venus cloth. 1841 Penny Cycl. XIX. 4S5/1
VENUST.
Rhus CotinuSt Venus Sumach, or Wild Olive. 1866 Treat.
Bai, q8o/i R. Cotinns, another South European species,
called the Venus or Venetian Sumach, yields the yellow dye-
wood called Young Fustic.
t VenUSt, a- Ods. [ad. L. venusi-us^ f. Venus
Venus *, Cf. It. and Pg. venusto.] Handsome,
beautiful ; elegant, graceful ; comely in appearance,
1513 Doui;las yEneid xii. Prol. 87 The variant vestur of
the venust vaill. a 1568 in Bannatyne MS. (Hunterian
CI.) 672 My bird, my bony ane, my tendir bab venust. 1604
R. Cawdrev Tabu Alph.^ Venuste, faire, beautifull. 1657
ToMLissos Rf/iou's Disp. 673 Amber is a. . Rosine flowing
from the incisures of a.. Venust tree. 1663 Waterhouse
fort. 187 As the Infancy of Rome was venust, so was its
Manhood notably strenuous. 1698 Fhver Acc. E. India <5-
P. 270 Nor could tthey] have ever thought it \supra so
Magnificent a Pile] venust enough, whilst they aboutided
with Pious Benefactors.
Hence fVenustlty, fVeimstiiesa. Obsr^
lya? Bailey (vol. II), F;««5^««j, K^ww^/Z/y, beautifulness.
t Venustate, v. Obs.—° [f. L. venustdt-j^p^A.
stem of venustdre^ f. venust-usi see prec] (See
quot.) Hence f Venustation, Obs."^
1656 Blount G/i>ssogr., I'ennstaie, to make beautiful, fair
or sightly. 1658 Phillips, I'enustation^ a making handsome
or beautiful.
fVenusty. Obs.~'^ [ad. L. venusias, f. venust-
us (see Venust rt'.), or a. obs. V. venuste. Cf. It.
venusth!\ Elegance of form ; beauty.
'559 Bercher Nobylytye Wymen {Roxb. 1904) 105 Nature
hathe geven hym \_sc. man] a bewtye — it is called maiestye,
or venustie, . . —which passethe all other bewtye.
Venviile (vcavil). locaL Forms : 4 wenge-,
vengefeild, vennefeld, 6 vyndefelde, 7 fen(g)-
fleld, venvill, 8- venviile. [Of obscure origin ;
the suggestion made in quot. 1829 does not account
for the earliest forms of the word.]
1. A special form of tenure obtaining in parishes
adjoining Dartmoor, by which the tenants enjoy
certain privileges in the use of the forest. Usually
in the phrase in venviile.
?i3.. in Traiis. Devonsh. /Jfrotr. {1876) VIII. 408 M[emo-
randu]m quod Tenent[esJ d(omi]ni principCis in] Wengefeild
al[iais Vennefeld clamant .. habere eos articulos et Hbertates
subscript, infra forcstam de Dartmoore. Ibid.^ £t eorum
Tcnentes iacerit in vengefeild [etc.]. 1609 in S. Rowe
Peramb. Dartmoor (1848) 279 Blacktorrebeaie (which is
Sart in the Forest of Dartmoore and part in Venvill). 1704
\. Fraser Gen. View Devon 49 It is customary .. to take
from those not in venviile one shilling. 18*9 T. MooRB
Hist, Devon iv, i. I. 473 Many of them belonged to parishes
lying in what is called venviile, which paid annually for the
cattle, when trespassing within the forest bounds, certain
compensations, entitled 'fines villarum', thence corrupted
into ' fin vil ' and ' venviile *. 1837 Penny Cycl. VIII. 430/2
Part of the waste \oi Dartmoor] is appropriated by the
surrounding parishes, the freeholders of which possess the
right of common, or as It is termed the right oi venviile, on
these appropriated parts. 1887 W. F. Collier in Trans.
Devonsh. Assoc. XIX. 378 The tenants in venviile are s-iid
to have the right to take anything off Dartmoor.. except
green oak and venison.
2. attrib. with farm^ man^ money, renly righis,
tenantf etc.
a 1600 in S. A. Moore Refi. Dartmoor Preserv. Assoc.
(1890) 48 The vyndefelde men of Chagford and Mannaton.
1609 in S. Rowe Peramb, Dartmoor (iB^Si 279 Payinge for
the same their Venvill rents and other dues as hath bene |
tyme out of mynde accustomed. ^1630 [see FenfieldJ.
1676 in Trans, Devonsh. Assoc. (1899) XXXI. 142 Paid.. '
Phillip Andrew for Venvill rent, ..[4s. id. J. 1796 W. H. ^
Marshall 'K England 11. 36 Many of those lands have a
prescriptive right, on the forest, by paying an inconsiderable
sum..anntially, under the name of \enville money, to the
Duchy. Ibid. 28 The good estimation in which V'^enviUe
farms are held. 18*9 T. Moobe Hist. Devon iv. i. I. 473
The names of the venviile parishes are Sheepstor, Walk-
hampton, Sampford Spiney [etc \ 1848 S. Rowe {iilU)^ A
Perambulation of the antient and royal Forest of Dartmoor,
and the Venviile Precincts. 1887 W. F. Collier in Trans.
Devonsh. Assoc. XIX. 377-85 Venviile Rights on Dartmoor.
t Veny '. Obs. Also 3 uenie, 5 pi. venyse,
veneia. [a. AF. venie ( = OF. veine Veynk), ad. L.
venia indulgence, pardon, remission.] Pardon or
forgiveness; a request for this; the gesture of
kneeling or prostrating oneself as an indication of
penitence a^jd desire for pardon.
a taas Ancr. R. 46 Jif ^c^urh ^emeleaste gluffeSof wordes
..nime5 ower uenie dun et ter eor5c mid te honden one.
Ibid. 426 Ase ofte ase heo hit do3..makicn hore uenie
akneon adun to l^er eorAe biuoren hire, & sigge ' Mea
culpa*. C1400 Rule St. Benet (Prose) 141 When sho comes
whare the cuuent takts bare venyse, ban sail sho prostrate
downe. 14. . in Maskell Mon. Rit. II. 279 All other obser-
vance of the order as . . Inclinacyons, venels and prostracyons.
1483 Monk of Evesham (Arb.) 33 And thanne y came and
lay prostrate before hym, askyng my veny and rehersyd
ageyne my Cou/iteor^ etc.
veny 2. Obs. exc. dial. Forms: 6-7 veny,
veney, venie, 7 venee, veany ; 6-7 vennie,
venney, venny ; 8 dial, vinny, 9finney. [Altera-
tion of Venue, with the terminal vowel weakened
through loss of stress. Freq. c 1580-r 1640.]
1. A hit or thrast in fencing ; a woand or blow ;
« Venue a.
15^8 H. WoTTON Courtiie Controuersie 27 In daunger to
receiue a venny at my hande. 1591 .Sylvester Dtt Bartas
I. i. 813 A sacred Fencer . . Whose two-hand Sword, at every
veny, , .keenly slyces through whole Troops at once. 1635
Long Meg 0/ westmintter vii. (1816) 14 Or else take that
staffe and haue a bout with me for thy brakefast, hee that
117
giues the first three Venies scape free. 165a Urquhart
Jeivel VVks. (1834) 223 The three aforesaid gentlemen, who
were wounded in the very same parts of their bodies by
other such three venees as these.
b. Jig. and in fig. context; esp, a sharp retort, a
pungent remark.
15JB6 Bright Melanch. xxxvi. 324 Accompt not thes€ small
venies of Sathan for deadly woundes. ifij* Greene Def.
Conny- Catching To Rdr., I meane..to giue him such a
veny, that he shalbe afrayd heereafter to disparage that
mysiicall science of Conny-catching. 1606 Heywood2«/^
Pt. If you knoiu not vie {1609) F4b, lohn. Name the
weapon. Courtis. Nothing but kisses, and enticing lookes.
lohn. Then ward your lips well, or youle ha the first venney.
1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. i. § 55 That whilst we lj;e
at close ward against one vice we lye (not] open to the vennie
of another. 1685 Life William Bedell 302 As for these vain
flourishes of mine, if he had not taken a veny in them, and
found it smart, he had not strook again so churlishly,
c. Veny for veny^ tit for tat.
1611 Chapman Widow's T. Wks. 1873 III. 20 So, there's
venie for venie, I haue giuen't him *ith speeding place for
all his confidence.
2. A bout or turn of fencing ; = Venue 3.
1594 Greene Fr. Bacon ^ Fr. Bungay 1944 Why standst
thou Serlsbie ? doubtst thou of thy life ? A venie man : faire
Margret craues so much. 15^ Shaks. Merry W. t. i. 2c,6,
I bruiz'd my shin, .with playmg at Sword and Dagger with
a Master of Fence (three veneys for a dish of stew'd Prunes).
1615 Heywood Foure Prentises \. i, I am no sooner got into
the fencing-school To play a venie with some friend [etc.}.
1673 Jackson's Wks. III. 134, I hadaVenie or 'Bout for it,
and the Intent, though not the Hap, to kill him.
fg. 1606 Dekker Seven Sins iii. (Arb.) 28 One Vennie
more with thee, and then I haue done. 1618 Mynshul Ess.
9f Charac. Prison^ Jailers 34 One Venny more, and if that
fait, so, if not.. I will lay downe the Bucklers. 1644 Sir K.
Dering Prop. Sacr. Pref.c, And now, my sacrificing Jesuite,
stand forth and let us occasionally here try a veny.
3. south, dial. (See quots.)
X746 Exmoor Scolding i^.'D.'S.^ 139 Dist hire ma, Dem?
Chell ha tether Vinny wi' tha. Ibid. Gloss., yinny,. .a,
scolding Bout. s88i Isle of Wight Gloss. 11 Finney^ a
frolic; to have to do with. ' I'll hey a bit of a finney at
that ' ; I'll have something to do with that.
Venyod, obs. var. Vinnied ///. a. Venym(e,
obs. fT, Venom sb. and v, Venyinou8(e, -ows,
-us, etc., obs. ff. Venomous a. Venyng, obs.
.Sc. f. Weening vbl. sb, VenysonCe, -oiuie,
-owne, Vonzon, obs. ff. Venison. Venys8(e,
obs. ff. VjtNiCE. Venyw, obs. f. Venue.
Veo, southern ME. var. Fee sb.^\ south-west
dial. var. Few a. Veolar, obs. Sc. f. Violer.
Veolau, southern ME. var. Fellow, Veolau-
reden, southern ME. variant of Fellowbed Obs.
Veole, ME. var. Fele a. Obs. Veol(l, southern
ME. pa. t. Fall v, Veolthe, Veond, Veor,
Veorlioh(e, southern ME, varr. Filth sb.. Fiend,
Fab adv., Ferly a. and adv. Veorme, var.
Farm sb,y- Obs, Veorne, VeortSe, Veotere,
southern ME. varr. Febn a. Obs.j Fourth a.y
Fetter v.
Vepe, obs. Sc. f. Weep v, Vepen, ME. var.
Weapon. Veper, obs. Sc. f. Viper.
Vepreco'se, a. Obs,—^ [ad. med. or early mod.
L, veprecdS'USy f, L. vepres {vepris) brier-bush,
bramble-bush.] (See quot.)
vj»t Bailey, Veprecose^ full of Brambles.
t VeprioO'BOUS, a. Obsr^ (See prec. and quot.)
1656 Blount, Vepricosous^ full of briars or brambles.
t Ver, sby Obs. Also Sc. 5-6 wer, 6 uer. [a.
L. vir or OF. ver. In ME. a variant of Vkbe.]
The season of spring ; springtime.
138a WvcLip Ecclus. 1. 8 He shyneth..as the flour of roses
in the da^es of ver. c 1407 Lvuc. Reson ^ Sens. 91 Whan
theclere sonnearoos In grene ver, ful of delyt. 1:1450 Harl.
Contin. Higden (Rolls) VIII. 435 In whiche yere in the
tyme of ver [etc]. 1450-80 tr, Se^reta Secret. 27 Ver
bigynneth whan l>e sonne entrith into the signe of ^e Ram.
1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. 11. 226 Syne into ver,quhen that
theda gi ew lang, This king . . tuke the feild. 1581 T. Howell
Denises (1879) 197 The more to mourne Our Ladie lost in
source of sorrowes shaken Which loe in Ver to heauen hath
tanc the waye. 1600 Eng. Helicon (1887) 253 Ver hath
made the pleasant 6eld Many several odours yield.
b. In more or less personified use.
, 1390 GoWER Conf. III. 118 Whan Ver his Seson hath be-
gonne. c 1400 Destr. Troy 4037 Ver entrid full euyn, eger with
all. 1430-40 Lydg. Bochas v. xv. (1554) 132 Ver came in
with hys newe grene. a 1547 Surrey in Tottels Misc. (Arb.)
8 There might Ise how Ver had euery blossom hent. 1568 T.
Howell Arb. Amitie (1879) 24 Now Lady Ver in liuely
greene doth showe her grace in fielde. 1577 Grange
Golden Aphrod. etc. P iv b, When Ver is in hyr pryme. 1630
Drayton Muses Eliz. Nymphal iii. 179 Whilst fresh Ver is
flinging Her Bounties abroad.
tVer, j^.- Obs~^ (Meaning obscure.)
13. , Gaw. 9( Gr. Knt. 866 t^e ver by his uisage verayly hit
semed Wei ne? to vche ha(>el alle on hwes.
tVer, v.^ Obs."^ [Of obscure origin.] trans.
? To spot or bespatter wilh something.
?« 1400 Morte Arth. 2573 The vesere, the aventailc, his
vesturis ryche, With the valyant blode was verrede alle ouer !
t Ver, 2^.2 Obs.—^ [Aphetic f. Aver v."] trans.
To aver, declare.
c 1^00 Destr, Troy 49 Ouyd and othir )>at onest were ay,
VirgiU be virtuus, verrit for nobill.
Ver, southern ME. var. Fab a. and adv,^ FiB,
FiBEj^., Yo^prep,
VERACITY.
Ver, obs. Sc. f. werey pa. t. of Be v. ; obs. Sc. f.
Warj^. and a., Were sb, (doubt).
Ver-, southern ME. var. Yo}X- pre/.^
fVera. Naut. Obs, [App. *. Veer z/.i] ?A
command to let out more of the sheet.
c 1530 Hickscorner 302 A-le the heime ! a-lc ! vere ! shot
of I vere sayle ! vera !
Vera, obs. or dial. f. Very a.
Veracious (veri^^-Jas), a. [f. L. verdc-, verax
according to truth, that speaks the truth + -lous.
Cf. next.]
1. Habitually speaking or disposed to speak the
truth; observant of the truth ; truthful.
a 1677 Harrow .yfrw.( 1 686) 1 1. 63 That God is good, vera-
cious, and faithfull. 1778 Johnson L. P.^ S^vift U781) III.
409 The credit of the writers, both undoubtedly veracious.
1820 Shelley Hymn i\/erc. Ixii, I am a most veracious
person, and Totally unacquainted with untruth, 1839
Dickens Nickleby xxviii, The testimony of the two vera-
cious and competent witnesses. 1864 Bowen Logic xiii. 431
A witness is presumed to be veracious in this case, in propor-
tion as his love of truth is already established from others.
2. Characterized by veracity, truthfulness, or
honesty ; conforming to truth ; true, accurate.
X777 Johnson Let. to Mrs. Thrale 27 Oct., Is not my soul
laid open in these veracious pages? 1802-12 Bbntham
Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827) V. 718 The testimony which
has served as the instrument of the mischief, has been.,
veracious. 1868 W. R. Greg Lit. <V Soc. Judgm. 400 He..
showed His back but not His face to Moses; and dictated
the veracious narrative of Balaam and his ass. a 1871 De
Morgan Budget Parad. (1872) 250 That it was the most
veracious of books written by the most honest of men.
3. That estimates or judges truly or correctly.
1851 Carlvle Sterling \, v, The young ardent soul that
enters on this world., with veracious insight,.. will find this
world a very mad one.
Hence Vera'clonsly adv.^ '7era*cioasness.
1807 G. Chalmers Caledonia I. in. vii. 405 In Shakspeare,
it was fiction, to lay the murder of Duncan, at a place differ-
ent from Bothgowanan, where the Chronicle has veraciously
fixed it. i86o I. Taylor Sp. Hebr. Poetry (1873) 63 'Jhe
veraciousne?s of the record. 1879 Morley Butke v. 97
Burke's habitual veraciousness. 1905 Athensuvi 25 Nov.
719/1 How diplomatists plot.. is veraciously related.
Veracity (verae-siti). Also 7 veracitie. [ad.
F. v^racite ( = It. veracith, Sp. veracidad^ Pg.
vcracidade)^ or med.L. vcrdcitdl-, verdcitds, f. L.
verdci-^ verax, f. ver-us real, true.]
1. The quality or character in persons of speaking
or stating the truth ; habitual observance of the
truth ; truthfulness, veraciousness.
1623 in CocKERAM I. i6a^ H. Mason Neiv Art Lying v.
95 Truth morally taken, which hee calleth veracitie. 167B
] NoHRis ColL Misc. (1699) 154 A due conformity between the
! Words and the Understanding, when I speak as I think;
I which is moral Truth or Veracity. 1714 K, Fiddes Pract.
\ Disc. II. 87 Veracity. .is amoral virtue, and consists in adue
conformity of our words, or declarations, with our thoughts.
1775 Johnson Tax. no Tyr. 57 To send deputies to the
Congress of Philadelphia, to that seat of Virtue and Veracity.
1B09 Coleridge Friend (1865) 23 Veracity, therefore, not
mere accuracy ; to convey truth, not merely to say it, is the
point of duty in dispute, i860 Emerson Cond. Life, illu-
sions VVks. (Bobn) II. 447, I look upon the simple and
childish virtues of veracity and honesty as the root of all
that is sublime in character. 1900 L. Huxley Life ^ Lett.
T, H. Huxley II. 427 Huxley's passion for veracity was
perhaps his strongest characteristic.
b. 0/ veracity, trustworthy, veracious, truthful.
(Also with qualifying adjectives.)
1671 J. Webster Metallogr. i. 8 Authors, .of the greatest
authority and veracity. 1700 Astry tr. Snavedra- h axardo
I. 88 Speaking of a Man of Veracity, we say he carries his
Heart in his Hands. 1704 in 'Pennsylv. Hist. Soc. Mem. IX.
331 Those in this place, of unblemished credit and undoubted
veracity, who were witnesses. 1737 Centl. Mag. VII. 11
The same Author of veracity attests, that [etc.], 1780
Harris Philol. Enq. Wks. (1841) 494 Philosophers, men
of veracity, studied the heavenly bodies. 1839 James
Louis XI V^, III. 31 A few instances., from one author alone,
of undoubted veracity.
C. This quality as manifested in individuals.
Const. of{^ person) or with possessive.
1669 W. Simpson Hydrol Chym. 114, 1 . . doubt not of the
veracity of that noble philosopher. 1687 T. Brown Saints
in Uproar Wks. 1730 I. 81 Authors of that undoubted
credit, that no body.. will call their veracity in question.
I7«6 ^wirv Gulliver \. viii, Which, after great astonishment,
clearly convinced him of my veracity. 1785 Paley Mor.
Philos. in. I. XV, All the benefit of conversation, depends
upon our opinion of the speaker's veracity. 1840 Hood Up
Rhine 2 But for the preparations, .going on before my eyes,
I should have,. doubts of my own veracity. 1870 J. H.
NEW.MAN Gram. Assent 1. ii. 14 The child assents.. to the
veracity of his mother in her assertion of the inapprehensible.
2. Agreement of statement or report with the
actual fact or facts ; accordance with truth ; cor-
rectness, accuracy.
1736 Butler Anal. 11. vil 369 Mere genealogies, .perhaps
do carry some presumption of veracity. i;^5o Johnson
Rambler No. 4 P 19 In narratives where historical veracity
has no place. 1825 Coleridge in Lit. Rem. (1839) IV. 275
The character of veracity and simplicity on the very coun-
tenance, as it were, of the Gospel, i860 Emerson Cond.
Life, Fate Wks. (Bohn) II. 316 No picture of life can have
any veracity that does not admit the odious facts.
b. Const, ^or with possessive.
1664 H. More Myst. Iniq. loi The veracity of the voice
of Christ sounding in the Scriptures. 1684 T. Goddard
Plato's Demon 100 For Testimony concerning the Veracity
of his History, we find eveu [etc.]. a 1706 Evelyn Hist.
VEBAMENT.
Rel^. (1850) I. 386 Were the tradition of the Scriptures'
antiquity and veracity not enough. 1755 Lloyd in Con-
noisitnr No. 75. 434 The veracity of these posthumous en-
comiums 'nay, indeed, be fairly su-^pectcd. 1803 Edwin \.
vi. 89 The baind of warriors no longer doubting the veracity
of his words. 1843 G. S. FabeTr Eight Dissert. <i845) I. 151
Such, at least, is the ancient narrative:, .and. .1 see no reason
to disbelieve its general veracity. 190s Hichens Londouers
42 Fiodinf the veracity of bis paragraph thus impugned.
3. Correspondence with external facts; exactness
in the indication of these.
1666 Bp. S. Parker Fret ■< Impart. Censure (1667) 59
Suppose that we were born with these congenita Anticipa-
tions, . . how can I be certaine of their Truth and Veracity ?
i«37 DiCKESS Picizv. ii, He was under the painful neces.siiy
of admitting the veracity of his optics. 1869 F. W. Newman
Misc. S3 Ever>* Specific Informant [i.e. scientific instru-
ment] needs to have its veracity put to the tesL
4. That which is irae ; a truthful statement ; a
truth.
i8$2 F. \V. Robertson Serm. Ser. in. xvi. (1857) 204 It is
possible for a man to utter veracities and yet to be false to
himself and 10 his God. 1867 Stubbs Study Met f^ Mod.
Nisi. (18861 18 A world whose falsehoods and veracities are
separated by so very thin a barrier.
6. Comb.y as veracity-assuring^ ^serving.
i8M-ia Bestham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827) I. 194
According as . . the force of. . the veracity-insuring . . motives
is the strongest. Ibid, 282 V^eracity-serving information, in-
formation considered as a source of truth.
Verade, variant of Ferred Obs,
Verai, ol>5. form of Verv a.
t VeTament, fl'^z'. Obs. Forms: a. 4 vere-,
4--6 verrement (4 verree-). &. 4-6 vera-, 4-5
verra-, 5 Sc. werrament. [ad. AF. veirement
(cf. moi. Walloon v^remeni), = OF. voirement
(slill in dial, use), f, veirj voir :— L. verus true.
The 3-forms may be partly due to the influence of
verraiment Vebimbnt.] Really, truly ; « Vebi-
MEUT adv.
Freq. c 1330-c 1560, esp. in ^-form, often as a mere tag or
rime-word.
a. 1303 R. Brun.ne Handl. Syiine 651 5yf ^>ou wene J»at
vcrcment, Hyt ys a^ens J>ys comaundement. cx^^^Siec.
Gy lVa>~iv. Ztj pu shalt fonge verreement pare Jji rihle
iugement. ^1400 T.Chestre ZaK^//^//485 Manyaknyght,
verement, To ground was ibore. a 1450 Mvhc Par. Pr.
390 These t>re poyntes verement Nowl>er schale do, hot
Dol>e assent. 15.. W. Bkoi^n in Bannatyne MS. (Hunt.
CI.) 138/6 With havy hairt and inekle dreid I red the scrip-
tour verement.
p. c 1323 Lai le Freine 255 He . . bad his man sigge, verra-
ment, He schuld toward a tum.iment. c 1386 Chaucer 6";r
Thopas 2 Listeneth, lordings, in good entent, And I wol
tell you verament Of mirth and of solas. 1436 Auoelav
Poems 6 Fore ihou art bouiiden, go were thou goo,. .Ther
is no mon may hit unuoo Bot he be cursid verament. c 1460
7o!Vfw/ey Mysi. iiL 6 The son, the moyne, verament, Thou
maide. a 1310 Douglas K. Hart ii. 470 Go send for Deid,
thus said he verament. 1561 Queen Esther A iij b, In their
mynde they thyncke verament That either for riches &
honour lustis will doe. («z6o6 N. Baxter Siduey^s Ourania
D4 b, Yet not in any sort colour verament For no colours
hath the starrie firmament. 1611 in CotyaVs Crudities
PanegjT. Verses, He did his homage verament And salued
them each one.
b. Quasi-i^^. /;/ verament^ — prec,
c 1450 Son^s, CarolSf etc. (1907) i. xi. 3 In this tyme God
hath sent Hys own Son. .To dwell with vs in verament.
C1470 Henry Wallace ix. 1208 It is for gud at he is fra us
went; It sail ye se, trast weill, in werrament. £'1550
RoLLANi) Crt. Venus 1. 763 [They] deput ane to gif diffini-
tiue .\nswer agane. .Quhilk Lady hecht Themis in vera-
ment. 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuff ^IV^. (Grosart) V. 247 In
▼erament and sincerity, I neuer crouded through this con-
fluent herring faire.
Veranda, verandah (vcrse-nda). F(jrms :
a, 8- veranda (8 -do, -der). j3. 8- verandah.
7. 8-9 viranda, -dah (8 -do, -der). 5. 8 feran-
da,feerandah, verunda,voranda, 8-9varanda,
9 varhandah. [Originally introduced from India,
where the word is found in several of the native
languages, as Hindi varandd^ Bengali barandii^
mod. Skr. baranda, but appears to be merely an
adoption of l*g. and older Sp. varanda {baranda)
railing, balustrade, balcony. F. veranda appears
to have been adopted from English.
^ The evidence for the origin of the word is fully presented
in Yule and Burnell's Hobson-Jobson. The supposition lliat
it was native to India accounts for some of the spellings
placed under t.\
1, An open portico or light roofed galle»y ex-
tending along the front (and occas. other sides) of
a dwelling or other building, freq. having a front
of lattice-work, and erected chiefiy as a protection
or shelter from the sun or rain.
a. 1711 C. LOCKYER Ace. Trade India 20 The Building is
very ancient, two Story high, and lias., two large Verandas
or Piazzas. 1757 J. H. Grosk Voy. E. Indies 84 A pent-
house or shed, that forms what is called in the Portuguese
Lingua-franca ^Vra«rfaj, either round, or on particular sides
of the house. 1793 Hodges Trav. India 39 These boats . .
are, however, extremely commodious, having in the center
a small verander, or open portico. x866 Lowell Biglmi>
P. Introd., Poems (1890) II. 201 The Captain was walking
up and down the veranda of a country tavern in Massachu-
setts while the coach changed horses. 1884 J. Gii.mour
Mongols xxvii, 325 A crowd of women . . take their stand in
the veranda of a temple.
/5. 1800 Asiai. Ann. Reg. "s^^l^. All around is a wide
verandah, containing ranges of cells. 1808 Eleanor Sleath
118
Bristol Heiress V. 208 Emma, .advanced to meet Lady
I Castelton as she quitted her chair at the verandah. 1859
' L. Oliphant China <^ Japan II. ix. 198 The huilding itself
was in the form of a shed, with very deep verandahs. 1879
I R. H. E1.1.10T {Written on Eorehcads II. 2 After dinner we
j will sit in the verandah.
I Y- "75' 'Philai.ethes ' Jml. Boscawcus I'oy. Bombay
(ed. 2) 45 When we got to the Prince's, he was sitting in a
iniserahle little Virando or Piazza. 1765 Phil. Trans. LVI I .
219 Hence people get out into the virando's and elsewhere
for hreath. 1793 Hodges Trav. India vii. 146 The space
between the angle rooms are viranders, or open porticoes,
to sit in during the evenings. 18x8 Ladv Morgan France
(ed. 3) II. 3 The pretty ^/7>£-/^«. -were, .not unconscious.,
of the glasses pointed from the virandas of Tortoni's or
Hardy's caf^s. 1833 N. Arnott Physics (ed. 5) II. 184
When a slightly projecting roof, or a viranda, shadows..
the whole front of a house. 1844 Dickens Pictures from
Italyi\%^t) 174 There are virandas and balconies, .to almost
every house.
5- >7S4~73 ^- Ives I'oy. India \. iiL 45 Near each of the
vorandaSf there is a square room with a pillar in the
middle. 1784 in Archaeologia VII. 287 A feerandah, or
piazza, which extends from east to west sixty feet. 1786
Ibid. VIII. 254 The other gate leads to what in this
country [India] is called a veranda or Jeranda, which is a
kind of piazza, or landing place. x8oo Asiat. Ann, Reg.
128/2 His Lordship is supposed to be seated in the east
verunda of the govern ment- house. 1836 T. Hook G.
Gurney I. 46 Vestibules, varhandahs, .. palanquins and
punkahs.
fb. Without article. Obs.
X776 Trial Nundocoutar 33/2 He was not in the room I
saw him in yesterday ; but in a little room of Veranda.
c. Austr, (See quots.)
1873 Tboi-lope Australia I. 418 The verandah is a kind
of open exchange, — some place on the street pavement
apparently selected by chance, on which the dealers in
mining shares do congregate. 1898 Morris Austral Eng.
489/1 Verandahs., are an architectural feature., of most City
shops, where they render the broad side-walks an almost
continuous arcade. ' Under the Verandah ' has acquired
the meaning, ' where city men most do congregate '.
2. attrib. and Comb.^ as veranda pillar^ 'post,
etc. ; veranda-builder^ -like adj.
185a Life in Bombay 17 A support to a light verandah-
like roof. 1858 SlMMONDS Diet. Trade, Verandah-builder,
a maker of wire or wood lattice-work. 1868 Rep. U. S.
Commissioner Agric. (1869) 204 There is no.. climbing
plant that can excel this as a covering for veranda pillars,
(■ 1890 A, Murdoch Yoshiivara Episode 73 She clasped the
verandah post.. to keep her from falling in a swoon. 1897
Kipling Capt.Cour. i96Cheyne,inaverandah«room,. .toiled
along wearily from day to day.
Vera'nda(ll)ed, a. Also 9 virandoed. [f.
pree.]
1. Provided with a veranda ; furnished with
verandas.
a. 1823 L. Hunt Poems {i860) 272 Nor would I have
Veranda'd windows to forestall my grave; Veianda'd truly
from the northern heat ! 1885 Howells Silas Lapkam
(1891) I. 144 The stretch of verandaed hotelsand restaurants
..along the shore.
^. x82S Heber JrnL 14 Sept., Three good-sized rooms,
verandahd all round. 1865 E. Lott Go2>erness in JCgypt
107 The lower basin was surrounded by a marble-paved
verandahed walk or terrace. 1885 R. L. & F. Stevenson
Dynamiter 145 A large verandahed court.
y. trausf. a x8i8 M. G. Lewis JrnL IV. Ind. (1834) 84
The whole house is virandoed with shifting Venetian blinds
to admit air.
2. Abounding in verandas.
1893 The Critic (U.S.) 16 Nov. 316/2 The verandahed
South is the home of the open-air irouverr,
fVerangene. Obs,—^ [ad. Sp. berengena.'\
— Brinjal.
1587 Harrison Descr. Eng. 11. xx. in Holinshed I. 208/2
The nobilitie. .adventure fur.ther upon such fruits as are
verie dangerous and hurtfull, as the verangenes, mushroms.
Ver-arnd, var. vor-arnd\ see Yow-pref^ 6 b.
Veratr-, combining form or stem of Vkbatrum,
occurring in chemical terms, as veratralbia,
-albine (see quots.) ; veratrate, a salt of veratric
acid (1884 Imp. Did.) ; veratric a., derived from
or contained in species of Veratrum ; veratroidea
(-oidia), = VERATRiNE ; veratroidine (seequot.) ;
veratroi, a colourless aromatic oil obtained by
distilling veratric acid with excess of baryta.
X876 H. G Wood Tkerap. (ed. 2) 156 Chas. L. Mitchell.,
finds two alkaloids in the rhizome [o( Veratrum album], one
of which he denominates jervia, the other *veratralbia.
1891 Cent. Diet., *Verat?albine, an alkaloid obtained from
Verafrum all'um. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 251 * Veratric
acid, the acid with which veratria exists combined in
Cevadilla. 1866 Cha7nbers's Encycl. VIII. 395/2 Two
special organic acids, to which the names Cevadic and
Veratric acids have been given. 1877 Watts Foivnes' Chem.
II. 542 Dimethyl-protocatechuic or Veratric acid., is con-
tained in sabadjlla seeds (from Veratrum Sabadtlla). 1874
Garrod & Baxter Mat, Med. 382 This rhizome is stated
lo contain two alkaloids, Viridia and * Veratroidea; ..the
latter is insoluble in ether. X879 H. C. Wood Therap. 156
Recently Prof. Wormley has arrived at the conclusion that
veratroidia is identical with veratria. X89X Ce/tt, Diet.,
'* Veratroidine, an alkaloid, supposed to be identical with
rubijervine, obtained from Veratrum viride, 1868 Watts
Diet. Chem. V. 997 *Veratrol does not appear to unite with
alkaline bisulphites.
Veratria (ver^''tria). Chem, [f. Veratr-UM
+ -lA 1.] = Veratrinb.
X821 Ure Diet. Chejn., Veratria, a new vegetable alkali,
discovered lately [in July, 1819] by MM. Pelletier and
Caventou.in the. .cevadilla, the. .white hellebore, and the. .
meadow saffron. 1843 Penny Cycl, XXVI. 251/1 Veratria
VERB.
is a white or greenish-white powder, which has a silky and
crystalline appearance under the microscope. X865 Daily
Tel. 20 Oct. 2/2 An alkaloid known as veratria or white
hellebore. 1876 'Wkt^x.v.h Royle's Mat. Med. 388 It. .does not
excite sneezing like the closely allied substance veratria.
Veratrin (vc-tatrin). chem, [f. as next-*- -IN I.
Cf. F. vtfratrin.'] a. = Veratrine. b. Vera-
trum-resin (Watts, 1868).
.1830 LiNOLEY A'at. Syst. Bot, 272 The medicinal properties
of ttie root of Veratrum are owing to a peculiar alkaline
principle, called Veratrin. x866 Aitken Pract. Med, II.
730 Of all remedies, digitalis, aconite, and veratrin are the
most useful in tranquiiizing the action of the heart. 1899
AllbutCs Syst. Med. VIll. 726 Ergot, aconite, veratrin,. .
and many oihers have been prescribed.
Veratrine (veTatrsin). Chem. [a. F. ver-
atrine, f. Veratr-um + -ike 5. The mod.L. form
veratrina has also been employed.] A poisonous
vegetable alkaloid or mixture of alkaloids, obtained
esp. from various species of Veratrum (as the seeds
of V. Sabadilla and the root of V, album), and
used medicinally as an ointment for the relief of
neuralgia, rheumatism, etc. ; veratria.
x8aa A. T. Thomson Lond. Disp, (ed. 3) 257 Its [re.
Colchicum] acrimony resides in a peculiar alkali, which can
be separated from the other principles, and has been named
veratrine by M.M. Pelletier and Caventou, who discovered
it. 185a W. Gregory Ilaudbk. Org. Chem. (ed, 3) 362
Veratrine, in the form of tincture, and still more in that of
ointment,, .is now much used, 1883 R. Haldane Workshop
Receipts Ser. 11. 27/1 Veratrine is easily exhausted from the
seeds of Veratrum Sabadilla.
attrib, 1865 Mrs. Carlvle Lett. HI. 259, I got the thing
he mentioned, Veratrine liniment. 1868 Watts Diet, Chem.
V. 997 A solution of a veratrine-salt, mixed with tartaric acid.
vexatrize, v, rare. [t. Veratr-ine + -IZE.J
trafis. To drug, poison, or treat with veratrme.
Hence Ve'ratrized ///. a.
1874 H. C. Wood Therap. 143 These facts, however, do
not prove that the convulsions in the veratrized frog are
not spinal. 1891 in Cent. Diet.
Ii Veratnun (ver^''trom). Bot, [L. veratrum
hellebore.]
1. A perennial genus typical of the family Vera-
trex of liliaceous plants ; a plant belonging to this
genus, esp. the white hellebore ( F. c/i^«w) ; also,
the rhizome of this.
[1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvii. Iv. (Bodl. MS.),
Elohorus;. .J>e Romayns clepej? l-is lierbe Veratrum, ..and
^erof is twei mancre of kinde, white & blacke. 1548
Turner Names Ilerbes (E.D.S.) 79 Veratrum. .maye be
called in englishe Nesewurte.] 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's
Husb. II. (1586) 69 Veratrum, there are two kindes of it, the
blacke and the wliile. i6ox Holland Pliny II. 232 The
root of Veratrum or Ellebore. .maketh a most excellent
niedicine to rid it [dandruflT] away. 1693 tr. Blancards
Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Veratrum, the same with Helleborus.
'753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. s.v., The species of white
Hellebore, enumerated by Mr. Tournefort, are these : 1.
The greenish-flowered /Vy/i/r;/;;/. And 2. The early-flower-
ing Veratrum, with blackish purple flowers. 1797 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) XVII I. 642/1 Veratrum has likewise been
found useful in epilepsy, and other convulsive complaints.
j8a3 Crabb Technol. Did. s.v., Whiie-fiowered Veratrum,
or White Hellebore. 1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 448/1 We
strongly suspect that all these supposed Veralrums leally
belong rather to the genus Helonias [etc.], X871 Garrod
Mat. Med. (ed. 3) 345 Therapeutics [of Veratria]. As
veratrum, but much more powerful.
2. attrib* and Comb.^ as veratrum family^ -leaved
adj. ; veratrum-resin (see quots.).
X836 J. M. GuLLV Magendie's Formul. (ed. 2) 69 That all
the individuals of the veratrum family possessed a very
acrid taste. 1843 I'lorisfs Jrnl. {1846) IV. 156 Calanthe
veratri/olia, (Derived from veratrum -leaved.) X853 Rovlk
Mat. Med. (ed. 2) 664 Veratrum Wine. x868 Watts Diet.
Chem. V. 997 Veratrum-resin, . .a constituent of sabadiila-
seeds. 1888 Cassells Encycl. Diet., Veratntui-resiu, ..n
brownish resin, extracted from sabadilla seeds.
Veray, obs. form of Very a. and adv.
Verayly, obs. f. Vbrily adv.
Verb (v5ib). Also 4-7 verbe. [a. OF. (also
mod.F.) verbe or ad. L. verbutn word, verb (whence
also It., Sp., Pg. verba).']
1. Gram. That part of speech, by which an
assertion is made, or which serves tp connect a
subject with a predicate.
I'or the numerous kinds of verbs distinguished by special
epithets see the adjs. active, auxiliary, deponent, desidera-
tive, frequentative, etc.
X388 IVycliffte Bible Prol. xv. (18501 1. 57 Sumtyme it mai
wel be resoluid into a verbe of the same tens. 1483 Cath.
Angl. 400 2 A verbe, verbum, 1530 Palsgr. Introd. p. xxx,
Of verbes in the frenche tong be two dyvers sortes. 154a
Udall Erasm. Apoph. 120b, The greke verbe (.tiitiv-tK\.v
souneth in latin e.xcidere. X544lr. Littletons Tenures (1574)
107 b, In some case these vcrbes rtVrf/ & ctf«cfJiz have the
same effect in substaunce, 1655 S. Ashe Fun. Serm.
Cataker 6 There is no verb to limit it unto any term of time,
either past, present, or to come. 1668 Wilkins Rei\t Char,
in. i. § 8, 503 That part of speech, which by our Common
Grammarians is stiled a Kfrt', ..ought to have no distinct
place amongst Integrals in a Philosophical Grammar. i7as
Watts Logic \, iv. § 6 'there are also verbs, or words of
action, which are equivocal as well as nouns or names. 1784
CowpER Tiroc. 619 No nourishment to feed his growing
mind. Hut conjugated verbs and nouns declin'd? 1835 '1.
Mitchell Acharn. of A ristoph. 241 note, The four forms of
future verbs with a passive signification, which occur in
Greek writers. 1904 Verney Mem. 1. 42 The inversion of
the sentences, the verb <:oming at the end, is curiously like
the German construction.
VEBBAGE.
'. win be a verb
yfr. 1730 FiF.l.DiNG /va/€ upon Rn/>c\\. v
active, and you shall be a verb passive.
b, ait rib. and Comb.j as verb-formation ^
-grinder^ -root, -stem.
1809 Malkin' Gil Blass. i. P 3 The verb-grinder engendered
in his noddle a most ingenious device. 1865 Tvlor Early
Hist. Man. iv. 63 The reference of substantives to a verb-
root in the Aryan languages. 1884 Philot. Soc. Trans. 557
A more systematic consideration of the verb- format ions.
1904 Bradley Making English 124 Prefixing an adverb to
a verb-stem, such as * outbreak, outfit '.
t2. Principal verb^ the chief or most important
thing. Obs.
1616 J. Lane Contn. Sqr's T. vir. 582 ' Sirrah,' Cambuscan
lowrd, ' all yee haue loste Your principale verbe (credite)
which yee boste '. 164* Remonstr. Lords ff Conim. in Fart.
26 May 20 That therefore which is the principle Verbe in
this Statute, is the serving of the King for the time being.
1670 in C- N". Robinson Brit. Fleet (1894) 122 The Quality
of the Commodity is not considered, but the gratuity to the
officer is the principal Verb. 1718 North Mew. Music
(1846) 80 The violin was scarce knowne tho' now the prin-
cipal! verb.
1 3. A word, Obs. rare.
rt 1716 South Serm. {1744) IX. 125 That so it might
appear, that the assistance of the spirit promised to the
church was not a vain thing, or a mere verb.
Verbage, variant of Verbiage. rare~^.
1787 Poi-wHELE En^t. Orator in. 770 As the flippant
Phrase Glides from his hollow Tongue, tho' oft debas'd By
tow commercial Verbage,
Verbal (v5-jbal), a. and sb. Also 6-7 verbale,
-allCo. [a. OF. (also mod.F.) verbal { = ^^. and
Pg. verbaly It. verbale)^ or ad. L, verbalis consist-
ing of words, pertaimng to verbs, f. verbum word,
Verb,]
A. adj. 1. Of persons; a. Dealing in or with
words, esp. with mere words in contrast to things
or realities.
1484 Caxtos Curtail 4 We be verbal or ful of wordes and
desyre more the wordes than the thynges. 1613 Purchas
Pilgrimage {161^) ^Z Henoch himselfe is made, not a veiball
but a reall Preacher. 1648 Milton Ten. Kings (1650) 58
While they are onely verbal against the punishing of
Tyrants, all the Scripture they bring is direct to inferr it
altogether lawful. 1677 in Hubbard Indian IVars (186^)
II. 275, I am perswaded if Mars and Minerva go Hand in
Hand, they will effect more Good in an Hour than those
verbal Mercurians in their Lives. 1770 Beattie Ess. on
Truth Introd. (1776) 4 A verbal disputant \ what claim can
he have to the title of Philosopher?
fb. Usingmany words; talkative, verbose. Obs,
1611 Shaks. Cymb. IT. iii, iii, I am much sorry (Sir) You
put me to forget a Ladies manners By being so verball. i6so
MiDDLETOM Chaste Maid I. i. He's growne too verball, this
Learning is a great Witch. 1647 Lilly Chr. Astral, i. xiii.
78 A meer verball fellow, frothy,, .constant in nothing but
idle words and bragging.
C. Interested in, attending to, the mere words of
a literary composition.
1709 Pope Ess. Crit. 264 Neglect the rules each verbal
critic lays. For not to know some trifles, is a praise. 178a
V. Knox E^^s. xxxiii. (1819) I. 180 It is from the labours
of verbal critics, that our language will receive the only
excellencies it wanted. 1855 Palev Mschylus Pref. (1861)
p. xxviii, Hermann, the leader of the verbal-critics.
2. Consisting or composed of words; also, of or
pertaining to, manifested in, words.
Verbal inspiration', see Isspiratios 3 a.
1530 Palsgr. 327/2 Verball, full of wordes, -verbal^ verb-
alle. 158^ Cooper Adnion. 60 As he and other of his crewe
babbling in their verbale sermons vse to doe. I59« Shaks.
Veit.ff Ad.Zii All the neighbour caves, as seeming troubled,
Make verba! repetition of her moans. x6>o W. Folkisoham
Brachi^raphy 1, Short-writing is either of the bare Letter,
or of Words composed of Letters. '1 hat I call Literal! or
Elementall, this Dictionall or Verball. x66s Hibbert Body
Divinity i. 253 There is a threefold lie... i. Verbal, when a
man tells a false tale. 16^ Goz<t. Venice 163 The Council
of Ten having stretched their Law against Treason, to Verbal
Expressions. 17M Woli.astox Reltg. Nat. i. 9 Now.,
what has a meaning, may be cither true or false ; which is
as much as can be said of any verbal sentence. 1751 John-
son Rambler No. 140 Fii Samson's complaint of the in-
conveniences of imprisonment Is not wholly without verbal
quainlness. 1791 Centl. Mag. iii!-2 Several pages of his
sermons consisting of a series of verbal quibbles and jingles.
i8«o Hazlitt TabU-T. Ser. 11. iii. (1869) 72 We cannot by
a little verba! sophistry confound the qualities of diff'erent
minds. 1868 Peard IVater/arm. vL 67 Instead of a verbal
description, we will give a rough sketch of the nursery. 1874
Grfkn Short Hist, vii, 57. 424 The young playwright
quizzes the verbal wit and hi^h-flown extravagance of
thought and phrase which Euphues had made fashionable,
b. Of the nature of, or denoting, a word.
1605 TryallCIiev. in. iii, Bourbon ! who names him? that
same verbal! sound Is like a thunderclap to Philips cares.
1690 Locke Hum. Uml, n. xi. 9 8 These verbal signs they
\sc, children] sometimes borrow from others, and sometimes
make themselves. 1701 Grew CosmoL Sacra ii. vi. 63
Observing hy degrees, that all Words consist of a certain
Number of Simple Sounds ; they . .brought them ^sc. marks],
from many Thousands of Verbal Marks, to Two or Four and
twenty Literal ones.
to. Verbal process {2\%'Q process verbal]^ a de-
tailed account or report. [After ^. prod s-verbal. '\
168a BuRSKT Rights Princes viii. 263 In the Process
Verbal of the Assembly General of the Clergy of France.
1688 Land. Gaz. No. 2330/2 But the Nuncio and Clergy. .
have drawn up a Verbal Process of all that passed, which
they have transmitted to Rome. 1749 Smollett Gil Bias
vn. XV, I took an inventory of the particulars, of which I
formed in my pocket-book a small verbal process. i75*S"9
A. BuTLEB Lives 0/ Saints ^ St. Jane Frances, He left an
119
authentic verbal process of this vision, but as of a third (
person. 176a Ann, Keg. i. 129 The next day, what is called 1
the verbal process, was taken at the town-house. . .This
verbal process is somewhat like our coroner's inquest.
d. Verbal notey in diplomacy, an unsigned note 1
or memorandum sent as a mere reminder of some 1
matter not of immediate importance, I
i860 Wharton Laiv-Lex. (ed. 2). '
3. Concerned with, affecting or involving, words !
only, without touching things or realities. 1
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, ii. 36 Socrates . . separated Philo- I
sophy and Rhetoricke, whereupon Rhetorick became an
emptie and verball Art. x6ii Biulk Transl. Pref. Pi6 Wee
might iustly feare hard censure, if generally wee should
make verball and vnnecessary changings. 1690 Locke //«///.
Und. III. xi. § 7 Whether the greatest part of the Disputes
in the World, are not meerly Verbal, and about the Signtfi- !
cation of Words, ax'fix Law Com/. IVeary Pilgr, (1809)
122 Men fallen from the.. truth of the Christian life under
the power of natural reason, and verbal learning. 1785 T.
Rkid Powers Hum. Mind'w. 369 If all the general_ words
■ of a language had a precise meaning, ..all verbal disputes |
would be at an end, 1807 Knox ^ Jebb's Corr, I. 372 If |
our liturgy, .had been cast., in a vulgar mould; subsequent
alterations, not only verbal but radical, would have been
indispensable. f:i8«o Whatelv Logic in Encycl. Metrop.
(1845) I. 224/t A definition of the term..; viz. a verbal, not
necessarily a real definition. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) y. j
121 The opposition between these two modes of speaking is \
rather verbal than real. i
b. Finding expression in words only, without
being manifested in action. 1
i6aa Rowlands Good Neives <V B. 32 Telling him that her I
selfe, and herestate Is not to be obtain'd with verball prate j
Of loue, and fancie. 1639 Massinger Unnat, Combat iv. i.
Nor shall you find A verbal friendship in me, but an active.
1690 C. Nesse Hist.ffMyst. O. f{ N. T. I. 68 They put not
God off with empty complements, and verbal acknowledg- .
ments. rtX7i8 Prior A'«<nWcrt'^<r 706 My Prophets,and my !
Sophists finish 'd here Their Civil Efforts of the Verbal War.
1741 Butler Serm. Wks. 1B74 II. 256 These merely verbal |
professions . . were thought the proper language for the public i
car. 1838 Tmviuw M.L Greece xli. V. 173 Some solid and
extraordinary benefit, something, .beyond a mere verbal
recognition of its independence. !
c. Consisting merely in words or speech.
1618 Bolton /Ytfrwj (1636) 301 How true is that speech..
That vertue was only a verbal thing, and not a real. 1633 I
P. Fletcher Purple /si. vii. v, Of these great monarchies \
..Onely a fading verball memorie. And empty name in writ
is left behinde. 1653 Milton Hirelings Wks. 1851 V. 349 1
But our Ministers. .?or the verbal labor of a seventh days j
Preachment . . exact as due the tenth . . of o;ir . . Labors. |
4. Expressed or conveyed by speech instead of
writing ; stated or delivered by word of mouth ;
oral. I
1591 Horsey Tmv. (Hakluyt Soc.) 241 His Majestys
verball answer to those two points conieyned within her
^Iajestys letters. 1617 Morvson /tin. 1. 193 The Chamber
of the Pallace where verball appeales are decided, is called,
the Golden Chamber. 1646 Hamilton Papers jCamden)
131 The gentleman . . carried nothing from hence in writing ;
but 1 belieue he had a verball commission. 1667 Pepys
Jh'aty 14 June, He did it by verbal order from Sir W.
Coventry. i-j2y Swift Poisoning n/E. Cwr//Wks. 1755 III. !
I. 150 Mr. Curll. .immediately proceeded to make a verbal
will. X7»8 Chambers Cycl. s.v.,A Verbal Contract, is that
made merely by Word of Mouth; in opposition to that
made in Writing. 1776 Trial Nundocomar 61/2 Did you
send a verbal or a written message ? 1807 Landseer Led.
Engraving Vizi. 8The verbal communications of Sir Henry
Englefield, and Mr. Douce ; the printed researches of Raspe,
Hayley,..and various other authors. 1834 Marrvat P.
Simple xiv. Sending a polite verbal refusal to the com-
missioner, upon the plea of there being no paper or pens on
board. 1877 Froude Short Stud. {1883) IV. i. iii. 37 The
archbishop believed that a verbal agreement was all which '
would be demanded of him.
b. Of persons : Using uttered words.
x8xs Scott Nigel i. The verbal proclaimers of the excel-
lence of their commodities, had this advantage ovfer those
who, .use the public papers for the same purpose,
5. Corresponding word for word ; =VEKBATlMrt.
x6ii Brinsley Lud. Lit. 238, I take the very same help of
translations, either Verball or Grammaticall, to be the most
speedy furtherances. 1656 Cowlky Pimiar. Odes Pref.,
When he that understands not the Original [of Pindar] reads
the verbal Traduction of him into Latin Prose. 171a Addison
S/^ct. No. 464 F I Of this kind is a beautiful saying in
Theognis;..to give it in the Verbal Translation, Among
.t/*M[etc.]. 1786 Jefferson Writ. (1859) II. 46 Vou will
perceive that it is almost a verbal Copy. 1909 R. Law
Tests 0/ Life iu 29 We have what may be supposed to be
almost verbal qt*otations of current forms of Gnostic
profession.
b. In respect of each single word,
1790 Paley ^crjr /•««/. i. 4 In close and verbal conformity
with the account.. preserved by St. Luke. 188s Farrar
Early Chr. 1. 443 note. The sacred writers never aim at
verbal accuracy in their quotations.
6. Of, pertaining to, or derived from a verb.
1530 pAt.SGiL 57 They come of latyn nownes verballes
eiidyng in tio. /bid. 154 All nownes verballes endyng in eur
be of the masculyne gendre. 1636 B, Tonson Eng. Gram.
xvi. Wks. (Rtldg.) 780/1 A person is the special difference
of a verbal number, whereof the present, and the time past,
have in every number three. 1648 Hexham ii. t^ramm.
(1658) Vu4b/2 All Substantives derived from Verbals are
: called Verball words. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Verbals
. or Verbal Nouns, those Nouns that are derived from Verbs;
as Considerable,, .from the Verb, To consider. 1755 John-
son, Abandoning. (A verbal noun from abandon.) c 1818
Encycl, Metrop. (1845) I. 54/2 Verbal adjectives (commonly
I so called), which express the conception in the form of an
Uttributc, as the Latin verbals in bills, &c. 18^3 P^o^'
I Pkilol. Soc. I. 31 The Grammar proceeds to describe other
of
VERBALIZE.
verbal derivatives. 1875 Whitney Life Lang. iii. 38 The
plural verbal inflection.
B. sb. 1. A noun, or other pait of speech,
derived from a verb.
1530 Palsgr. 154 Broderesse, a woman broduiar,.,^f«.
ceresse, a woman chyder; and so of all other verballes.
1570 Levins Mantp. 8g Some verbals in bilis. 1591 Per-
civALL Sp. Diet. B4b, Verbals in (>y, are of the masculine
gender, c 1620 A. Hume Brit. 'Tongue {1865) 19 [Words]
that we derive from latin verbales in tio, sould also be
wrytten with t. 1665 R. Johnson Scholars Guide 6 The
Latine tongue loves Verbals, Participials, Gerundives, and
Participles of the future in rrts. 1726 S. Lowe Lat. Gram.
12 Verbals are wanting, for the most part in Iinpersonals.
?<zi8oo Lett, on Eng. ^ Fr, Nation I. 293 ( Jod.)_, The rules
of etymology and formation of Greek verbals evince that it
must be so. 1836 J. R. Major Gnide Grk. Trag. 105 A is
long before ^la in verbals derived from the first person of the
preterite passive. 1882 F. W. Newman IJbyan Vocab. 3S
Kabail Verbs and Verbals, including Adjectives.
t2. [After med.L. verbale.^ A collection of
words; a vocabulary or dictionary. Obs, rare.
1599 Bk. Preserv, K,Hen. VII, i, Untill I have set forth
a Verball or little Dictionarie. 1623 T. Spicek in Cockeram
Eng. Diet. A vijb, To the Reader on this Verball of his
esteemed friend, Master Henry Cockeram of Exeter.
Verbalism i^vsubalizm). [f. prec. + -ism.]
1. A verbal expression ; a word or vocable.
1787 Anna Seward Lett. (181 1) I. ^72, I always write in
too much haste to pause for best-possible verbalisms. 1799
Ibid. V. 207 This propensity has probably left several
erroneous verbalisms in myself-revised sheets. 1837 Whit-
tock Compl. Bk. Trades 390 With those instructions, and
other verbalisms, that he acquires daily, ..the apprentice
may acquire a taste for the art. 1881 J. Russell Haigs xi.
308 Its quaint orthography and archaic verbalisms.
b. collect. Words, plirasing.
1800 Anna Seward Lett. {1811) V. 285 It is not amongst
our modern songs that the musical composer is to look for
his happiest verbalism.
2. Predominance of what is merely verbal over
reality or real significance.
1871 ^. C. Eraser Life Berkeley ii. 28 His abhorrence of
scholastic verbalism and empty abstractions. 1879 H. N.
Hudson. Hamlet Pref. p. xv, Our children must be con-
tinually drilled in a sort of microscopic verbalism. i88g
J. M. Robertson C//r/i/ ^ Krishna xii. 65 The rest is mod
ern Talmudism — the ancient 'demoniacal possession' ol
verbalism over again.
Verbalist (vaubalist). [f. as prec. + -ist.]
. 1. One who deals in, or directs his attention to,
words only, apart from reality or meaning.
<ri6o9 F. (jreville Hum. Learn, xxxi. (1894) 209 Vet not
ashamed these Verbalists still are.. To engage the Grammar
rules in civil war For some small sentence which they
patronize. 1629 Gaule Holy Madn. 100 Vaine Verbalists I
whose words are but wind. 1660 Gauden Bro^vnrig 171
Not that he was such a Formalist, Verbalist, and Scnt^i-
tiolisl, as could not endure any alteration of words, or
phrases, or method, a 1750 A. Hili. Wks, (1753) II- 23^
God grant now, that he mayn't think, I have piddled out
-this httle heedlessness, with purpose to be even with him,
in behalf of the poor verbalists, 1797 Monthly Mag. III.
509 'that this circumstance should have escaped the notice
of mere verbalists, is not surprisiiici. 1864 Reader No. 99.
638/2 The extreme conclusions of the Verbalists. 1883 J.
Parker A post. Life II. 15 The mere verbalist; yes, and
even the mocker, may find his way into the church.
b. attrib. or as adj.
1889 J. M. Robertson Ess. Crit. MetJi. 130 The verbalist
and confused pantheism of last century. 1891 — Mod.
Humanists 43 He himself became viciously verbalist.
2. One who is skilled in the use or knowledge of
words.
1794 T. Tavlob Pausanras's Descr. Greece I. Pref. p. viii.
His meaning is, frequently, on this account, inaccessible to
, the most consummate verbalists. i8za — Apuleius 351
j This blunder of the editor, who was otherwise a good
' verbalist, is a deplorable specimen of ignorance in things of
the greatest importance. x86o-i Philol. Soc. Trans. 164
The opinion of the best English verbalist I ever knew.
Verbality (vajbx'liti). [f. as prec. +-ITY.]
1. The quality of being (merely) verbal ; ihat
which consists of mere words or verbiage.
1643 Bp. Hall Peace-Maker 23 That it may appeare, this
controversie hath in it more verbality then matter. 1646 Si R
T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 1. x. 42 He will seem to be charmed
with words of holy Scripture, and to flye from the letter and
dead verbality. 1661 Feltham Resolves i. iii. 181 Let men
be never so specious in the formall profession and Verbal-
ities of Religion. 1721 Bailey, Verbality, 2, being Verbal.
i8i6 J. Gilchrist Philos. Etym. 251 Verbality is the cover-
ing which such quack philosophers as Kant and Stewart put
over their poor, naked, false theories. i8a6 — Lecture 45
note, i know.of nothing so much calculated to reduce it \sc.
Scripture] to a mere mass of verbality.
2. //. Verbal expressions or phrases.
1840 New Monthly Mag. LX. 316, I recollect, .the
glorious emanations, .of my author— but I cannot remember
the intoxicating verbalities wherein he clothes them.
3. The quality appropriate to a verb.
1884 tr. Lotze's Lo^ic 26 The forms of substantivity,
adjectivity, and verbality.
Ve-rbalization, [f. next + -ation. Cf. F.
verbalisation.^ The action of verbalizmg or the
fact of being verbalized.
1846 WoRcrsTER (citing Palmer), i860 G. P. Marsh Lect.
Ent^. Lang, xiv, The verbalization, if I may so express it, of
anoun, is now a difficult matter, a 1901 F. W. Mvebs //«?«.
Personal, (jgoi) 1. 27 Each of the four forms of communica-
tion, of verbalisation, with which human life is familiar.
Verbalize (v5-jbabiz)j ^- [a- F. verbaliser
(i6thc. ; = Pg. verbalizar), or f. Verbal a. + -ize,]
VERBALIZING.
1. inir. To use many words ; to talk diffusely ; to
be verbose.
1609 (Bp. W. Barlow] Answ, NameUss Catk. Ded. p. vii,
Verbalize he can, dispute he cannot. 1648 Hexham n. App.,
Vtrhalisercn, to Verbalize, or make a speech. 1731 Bailey,
Verbalise, to be tedious in Discourse, to make many
Words. 1889 J. M. Robertson Ess. Crit. Mctk. 130 Mr.
Lowell verbalizes as to Duty being an eternal harmony.
2. irons. To make into a verb.
x6s9 O. Walker lustr. Oratory 31 So nouns.. are some-
times verbalized ; as to complete, to contrary, to experience.
1818 (?. Rn, XIX. 207 To sui)ply the place of the nouns
thus verlwlized Mr. Keats, wirh great fecundity, spawns
new ones, i860 G. P. Marsh L^ct. Eng. Lang, viii, English
no longer exercises.. the protean gift of transformation,
which could at pleasure verbalize a noun.
3. To express in words.
187s Dora Greenwell Liber Humanitatis 42 The man of
the world, whose creed has been thus.. verbalized, 'There's
nothing new, and nothing true, and it's no matter '. x886
GuRNEY, etc. Phantasms of Living W.^-i, It is more natural
..to visualise it,.. than to verbalise it in some imagined or
remembered phrase.
Hence VeTbaliaing vbl. sb, and />/>/. a.
x8s4 J. Gilchrist £'/)'W. Interpr. ^ What thatsomething
more or verbalizing property is, he cither could not or would
not inform the world. 1869 W, G. T. Shedd IIomiletics\\.
133 If the formation of the plan is merely a verbalizing
process. 1880 Meredith Tragic Com. iv, (1892) 48 A burst
unnoticed in the incessantly verbalizing buzz of a continental
supper- table.
Verbally (vaubali), adv. [f. Verbal a, + -lt 2.]
1. Word for word ; in respect of each word.
1588 Lambard Eiren. iv. v. 502 It is not of necessitie, that
the Statute be verbally rehearsed, but only that the offence
against the Statute be sufficiently and with full words
described. x68o Dryden Pref. Ovid's Ep. Ess. (Ker) I.
238 Tis almost impossible to translate verbally, and well, at
the same time. 1841 Myers Cath. 7'h. in. § 8. 29 To make
them, .such a record of Divine utterances as to be through-
out verbally and literally true. 1864 Froude Short Stud.
(1867)1. 245 If all three agreed verbally, we should feel cer-
tain it was more than accident. 1883 A. Roberts p. V.
Reinsion \%. 198 They could not but verbally agree in the
reports which they furnished of His addresses.
2. In or with (mere) words, without accompany-
ing action or reality.
1610 Healey St. Aug. Citle 0/ God 573 This passion of
Christ, the reprobate preach verbal lieonely. 1640 Bp. Hall
Episc, III. §8. 257 Would God I might not say, even the
Lords Anointed, whom they verbally professe to honour.
1678 CuDWORTH Intell. Sysf. 55 Some of the Pagans..,
tliough they Verbally acknowledged a Deity, yet supposed
a certain Fate superiour to it.
b. So far as words (only) are concerned,
1855-6 T. T. Lynch Lett. Scat / ered (1B7 2) 572 It is vain
to be verbally right, if we are not livingly real. 1862
Spencer First Princ. i. ii. §11 (1875) 35_ Thus these three
different suppositions.., verbally intelligible though they
are,. .turn out. .to be literally unthinkable. 1908 W. M.
Ramsay Z-K^tf Physician viii. 251 You can with sufficient
ingenuity always explain — verbally— any thing out of anj*-
thing.
3. In actual words ; by means of words or speech,
Z646 Tenkvn Remora 12 They said not so verbally, but
mentally and practically. 1650 Bp. Hall Cases Consc.
(ed. 2) Addit 402 Justly supposing, there may be as strong
a prohibition in a sense implyed, as verbally expressed.
0x691 Boyle Hist. Air {i6g2.) 55 Nature.. has furnished
men with sensories capable of distinctly perceiving a far
greater variety of objects, than they are able verbally to
express. 1796 Mme. D'Arblay Camilla II. 395 But, till
then, here he will stay, .till you have deigned to pronounce
verbally his doom. 1840 Dickens OldC, Shop xxxi, She
verbally fell upon and maltreated her.
b. In speech, as contrasted with writinjj.
1637-50 Row Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.) 503 Then, after
long reasoning and protesting, ..the King's Commissioner
arose, dischargeing the Assemblie verballie. 1673 Essex
Papers (Camden) I. 70 My humble advice. .is to content
your selfe with what his Ma[jes]ty has verbally been pleased
to declare in this matter. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxxvi.
2Q2 It was universally said that the Emperor, .would verb-
ally agree to any terms. 1782 Miss Burney Cecilia vii.
vii, Give me but the commission, either verbally or in writ-
ing. 1817 W. Selwyn Law N'isi Pritts {td. 4) II. 793 It
was verbally agreed between plaintiff, defendant, and J. S.
that the defendant . .should pay the amount. 2864 Lin'coln
in E. McPherson Hist. U. S. RebelL (1864) 336 You a-ik me
to put in writing the .substance of what I verbally said the
other day in your presence. 1878 S. Walpole Hist. Eng.
II. 67s The King was verbally assured., that at least fifty
fresh peerages would be required.
4. With the function of a verb.
1875 Whitney Life Lang. xii. 233 The verbally used
[Scythianl forms are, rather, but one step removed from
nouns used predicatively.
Verba 'Xian, a. and sb. [f. L. verb-nm word,
after forms in -arian.'\ a. adj. Having to do with.
words, b. sb. An inventor or coiner of words.
1830 Coleridge Churchy State (1839) 25 note, A verbarian
Attorney-General, authorized to bring information . . against
the writer or editor of any work . . who . . should persevere in
misusing a word. 1873 F. Hall Mod Eng. 21 In The
Doctor, Southey gives himself free scope as a verbarian.
Verbarnd, southern var. pa.t. Fobbubnz'. Obs.
I! Verbascnm (vajbje-skrm). [L. (Pliny),
whence also It, Sp., Pg. verbasco.l A widely dis-
tributed f^ehus of herbaceous plants, = Mullkin ;
one or other species of this.
i56» Turner //«r^a/n. 161 The why te Verbascum is called
commonly in English mollen or hickis taper, and . . longwurt.
1601 Holland Pliny 11. 264 That kind of Verbascum or
Mullen, the flower whereof resembleth gold. 1741 Compt.
120
Fam.'Piece 11. iii. 367 Venetian Vetch, Borrage-Ieav'd Ver.
bascum. 1765 Phil. Trans. LVI. 234 Phlomis, verbascum,
stoechas, sage, thyme, 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 254/1 All
the species of Verbascum are tall, robust, handsome plants,
and may be cultivated in gardens and shrubberies. 1857
Henfhey Boi. § 528 Verbascum, having 5 stamens, is some-
times referred to Solanaceas.
tVerbate, ^- Obs.~^ [f. L. verb-nm word,
perh. after verbatim.'] trans. To reproduce word
for word.
1512 Helyas in Thoms Prose Rom. (1828) III. 2, 1 have al
cnely verbated and folowed mine auctour as nighe as I
could with the profoundite of good herte.
t Verba tical, a. Obs.-'^ [Irreg- f. L. verb'Um
word : see -atic and -al.] Verbal.
t6ix T. Wilson Chr. Diet. Pref., His is Axiomaticall, of
simple propositions ; mine is partly Verbaticall and Remat-
icall,..of Wordes with their significations [etc.].
Verbatim (vajbtf^'tim), adv,^ a., and sb. [a.
med.L. verbatim^ f. L. verb-urn word : of. Liteu-
ATIM.]
A. adv. 1. Word for word ; in the exact words :
a. With reference to a copy of a document or
passage in a book, or to the report of a speech, etc.
1481 Cov. Leet Bk. 477 Stodealf. .brought like writing as
is before wreton verbatim direct to l^e Maire. ? 1503 in gtk
Ref>. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. 263/2 The said patent.,
which is now verbatim copied in this boke in the xlviii. lef.
1557 Order of Hospiialls F vij. And . . make for him a treue
and iust..Coppie thereof verbatim. 1579 W. Wilkinson
Confut. Fam. Love 9b, Although the place.. be verbatim
and word for word as I alledged it, yet will he not be satis-
fied. 160a Willis Stenographic A ij b. He that is well
practized in this Art, may write Verbatijn, as fast as a man
can treateably speake. 1653 W. Ramesey Astrol. Res. 155
A Volume five times as large as is this, is not able to contain
them all verbatim. X709 Steele Tatler No. 11 P 4, I sliall
give you my Cousin's Letter Verbatim, without altering a
Sellable. 1771 Encycl. Brit. I. 620/2 Merchants are pro-
vided with a large book, inyblio, into which is copied ver-
batim every letter of business before it be sent off. i8z6 F.
Reynolds Li/e <?■ Times II. 184 It was, according to the
previous directions of the great critic and editor, inserted
verbatim. 1893 Forbes-Mitchell Great Mutiny 274 The
following is the English version, verbatim, .. word for word,
and point for point, italics and all.
b. With reference to a translation.
1583 Fulke Dey. Tr. Script. 1. 69 The Scriptures trans-
lated verbatim, exactly, and according to the proper vse and
signification of the wordes. 1612 Bkinslev Lud. Lit. xxi.
(1627) 251 The Hebrew, in most places translated verbatim^
doth keepe a perfect sense. 1668 Dryden Even, Love
Pref,^ Witness the speeches in the first act, translated ver-
batim out of Ovid. 1687 A. LovELL tr. Thevenot's Trav. i.
Cij, The Translator could do no less than Verbatim to
Knglish the aforesaid letter from the Original. 1786 tr.
Beckfords Vathek (1883) aS The venerable personage read
the characters with facility,and explained them verbatim as
follows. 1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 124 note^
A translation verbatim from the french.
C. In the phrase verbatim et literatim.
1741 Fielding J. Andrews iv. v, We have, .procured an
authentick Copy ; and here it follows verbatim et literatim.
1787 Hawkins Johnson 94 note^ Mr. Newsham printed and
dispersed some thousand copies verbatim et literatim of this
letter. 1828 Congress. Debates IV. 276 (Stf.), It was, ver-
batim et literatim, a copy of the log-book of the brig.
1900 yml. Sch. Geog. (U.S.) Jan. 7 The following stor; is
copied.. from his note-book verbatim et literatim.
f 2. In so many words ; exactly, precisely, Obs,
1501 PlumptonCorr. (Camden) 151 That your sayd coun-
sell may have all the estayts-.wrytten verbatim in paper.
1564 Brie/ Exam. *»**ij, Did he not appoynt temperail
rites . . .which he had not Verbatim expressely at his masters
hands? a 1638 Mede IVks. (1672) 666 That which the .Spirit
speaks in the Written Word, that it speaks pijTwy, verbatim,
expresly.
fb. In exact accordance with the words. Obs.
1575 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 368 Ye
said Citie could not, .performe ye same verbatim.
t 3. ? By word of mouth ; verbally. Obs.~~^
X591 Shaks. I Hen. VI^ iii. i. 13 Thinke not.. That there-
fore I haue forg'd, or am not able Verbatim to rehearse the
Methode of my Penne.
B. adj. 1. Corresponding with, or following, an
original word for word.
1737 Gentl. Mag. VII. 14/1 Which grammatically repre-
sented in a verbatim Translation of the Verse into English,
will run thus. 1834 TaiVs Mag. I. 732/1 A mere simple
verbatim, repetition .. of the romances and scandalous
anecdotes. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. Pref. p. viii, Verbatim
reports were taken on the former occasion. 1880 Print.
Trades yml. xxxi. 6 A machine for verbatim reporting,
which will print phonetically.
2. trans/, a. Able to take down a speech word
for word (in shorthand).
188a Daily News 24 May 8/5 Thoroughly experienced
and efficient verbatim reporter. 1897 IVestm. Gm. 9 April
7/2 The Major spoke so rapidly that the fastest 'verbatim'
hands seemed to be embarrassed.
b. Of a speaker: Usually reported, or worth
reporting* word for word.
1892 Pall Mall G. 7 April 1/3 The verbatim men, the
column men,.. and the paragraph men. Ibid. 14 May 1/2
So much has Lord Rosebery slipped out from the front rank
of 'verbatim ' politicians.
C. sb. A full or word-for-word report of a
speech.
1898 Daily News 14 April 10/4 Crisp writer wanted, who
can also do a verbatim. 1899 Ibid. 6 March 8/5 Verbatims
of Mr. Morley were at a discount even before he quitted the
Irish Office.
Hence tVerba'timlyar/z' Obs,"^^ = prec. A= i.
VERBEKATB.
1597 E. Tii.NEY in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz. (1008) 417 A
Composition layd uppon me.. rated verbatimly by certain
orders sett doun by my Lord Treasorer.
Verbena (vajbrna). [a. L. verbena (usually
in pi, verbense) in sense i, med. and mod.L. ver'
bena ( = L. verbendcd) in sense 2 ; hence also It.,
Sp., Pg. verbena, and F. verveine Vervain.]
i. Roman Antiq, In //., the leaves or twigs of
certain plants or shrubs (as olive, myrtle, laurel,
etc.) having a sacred character and employed in
religious ceremonies.
1600 Holland Liiy App. 1359 There was an hallowed
place likewise upon the Capiioll, from whence ihey gathered
Verbense, or sacred hearbs. 1685 Temple Ess., Gardens
Wks. 1720 I. 178 Verbenas, which signifies all Kinds of
Sweet or Sacred Plants that were used for adorning the
Altars; as Bays, Olive, Rosemar>-, Myrtle. 1856 R. A.
Vaughan il/j-j/Zcj, ( 1 860) I. 98 Passages were culled, .with as
much care and reverence as the sacred verbenas that grew
within the enclosure of the Capitolini.
2. The plant Vekvain ; also, one or other plant
of the genus Verbena or the order Verhenacem.
156a Turner Herbal 11. 161 b, And Pliny maketh two
kindesofVerbena,or Verbenaca. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey),
Verbena, the Herb Vtrvain, much us'd by the ancient
Heathens in their Sacrifices. 1731 Miller Card. Did.,
Verbena, Vervain. 1827-44 Willis Declaration 4 A scent
Of orange leaves and sweet verbena. 1842 LouDON Suburban
Hort. 201 Cuttings of hardy or half-hardy herbaceous plants,
such as pinks, ..petunias, verbenas, rockets. 1891 Hall
Caine Scapegoat ix, 'J'he country of the verbena and the
musk that lies outside the walls of Fez.
attrib. 1855 Miss Pkatt Flower. PI. IV. 207 Verbenacem.
The Verbena Tribe.
b. With distinguishing terms.
1847 Darlington Amer. Weeds (j?^6o) 228 Ncttle-leaved
Verbena. Common Vervain, 1852 G. W. Johnson Cottage
Card. Diet. 27/1 Aloysia, sweet-scented Verbena. 1866
Tj-eas. Bot. 1210/1 The Aloysia ciiriodora is the Lemon-
scented Verbena of the gardens, i^^ Encycl. Brit, XXIV.
163/2 The garden verbenas, once so popular for bedding
out, are derivatives from various South-American species.
3. A perfume obtained from the leaves of ver-
vain. Oil of verbena (see quots.).
1858 SiMMONDS Diet. Trade, Verbena^ an otto, one of the
finest perfumes, obtained by distillation from the citron-
scented leaves of Aloysia citriodora. Owing to its high
price it is., imitated., by mixing the ottoof lemon grass with
rectified spirits, and this passes as oil of verbena, 1866
Treas. Bot. 1210/1 The lemon-grass, Andropogon Schce-
nanthus 07 A. citratumyfrom which the ' oil of verbena' is
extracted.
VerbenaceOTlS (vaabm^-Jas), a. Bot. [See
prec. and -ACEous.] Of or pertaining to the
Verbenacem, an extensive order of monopetalous
(chiefly tropical) plants.
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 481/2 I'be 'white mangrove'
Avicennia, a verbenaceous plant.
Ve-rbenate, v. rare—*", [f. Vkbbeka.] trans.
To strew with vervain. (Webster, 18^7, citing
Drake.)
Verbe'Ue. rare. [Anglicized f, Vepbena ]
fl. (See Vkkbena 1.) Obs.
1533 Bellenden Livy (S.T.S.) 1. 54 ' Deliucr to n:e,' said
(je ffeciall, ' the herbe namyt verbene'. H'id. 55 This
fecial. -twichit baith his hede and his hare with Jje herbe
verbene.
2. A plant of the order Verbenacege,
1846 LiNDLEY Veg. Kingd.CtT, The properties of Verbenes
are much the ;.ame as those of Labiates. Ibid. 664 By far
the most interesting plant .. belonging to the Order of
Verbenes is the 'leak. iZjgCnssell's Encycl. Diet., Aloyiia,
..a genus of plants belonging to the. .Verbenes.
t ve-rberable, a. Obs.~° [ad. L, verberabilis
(Plautus).] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr. (copying Cooper), Verberable, that
may be, oris worthy to be beaten.
Verberant (vsuberant), a. [ad. 1.. verberant-,
verberans, pres. pple. of verbeiare'. see next.]
Reverberant.
1890 Advance (Chicago) 23 Jan., He was grateful then,
that he had escaped before the streets became verberant
with such shrill echoes. 1891 Meredith One of our Cong,
I. xiii. 251 Like the verberant twang of a musical instru-
ment that has had a smart blow.
Verberate (va-jber/t), v. [f. L. verberat-^
ppl. stem of verberdre to beat, flog, f. verber a
lash, scourge, blow, Cf. It. verberarCi Sp. and Pg.
verberar, obs. F. verberer."]
1. trans, a. To i^trike so as to produce a sound,
rare.
1587 Mirr. Mag., W/<^fl«acilxxv, Thesounde that both by
sea ^nd land out flics, Reboundes againe, and verberaies
the skies. 1656 .Stanley Hist. Phiios. I, viii. 114 Hearing
is made when the aire betwixt the speaker and hearer is
verberated in a circulation.
b. To beat or strike so as to cause pain, esp.
by way of punishment.
1625 Shirley Love Tricks iii. v, You shall be verberated,
and reverberated, my exact piece of stolidity. 1656 Blount
Glossogr., Verberate, to beat, punish or strike. 1657 Abp.
Sancroft Mod. Pol. (ed. 7) B7, He feels sometimes, those
Bosome-quarrels that verberate and wound his Soul. 1873
Leland Egypt, Sketch-Bk. 201 So the native verberated him
till he reverberated. x88o Daily Tel. 14 Oct. 5 It was proved
..that he had been verberated to this extent while with his
regiment
t c. To beat or whip np (a substance). Obs."'^
1657 ToMUNSON Renon's Disp. 648 Oyl is assumed, ver-
berated, and washed in Fountain.water,
VERBERATING.
2. intr. To vibrate or quiver,
175s T. H. Gkoker Orl. Fur. xxxiv. I, A fragrant breeze
..Made the air trem'lous verberate (It. tremolar\ around.
Hence VeTberating///. a.
1867 J. B. RosK tr. Virgil's /Eneid 338 Crooked beak and
verberating wings.
Verberation (v5jl)er,f'*J'9n). [ad. L. verbera-
tio, noun of action from verberdre : see prec. So
F. verberation (i3-i4th cent.), Sp. verberaciofty
Pg. verherafdo.'l
1. The action of beating or striking, or the fact of
being struck, so as to produce sound ; percussion.
j6io Healev St. Aug. Citie o/God xvi. vi, (1620) 547 Not
admitting sound or verberation of aire. ^696 Phillips s.v.,
The cause of sounds that proceed from the Verberation of
the Air. 17*8 Chambers CycL s.v., Sound. .arises from a
Verberation of the Air. 1865 Sala Diary Amer, II. 131
Canada has often been declared, .to be 'knocking at the door
of the Union ' ; . . if Canada ever resorts to that method of
verberation [etc.].
b. Reverberation of sound.
1855 SiNGLFTos Virgil I. 186 Where The vaulted rocks
with verberation ring.
t2, (Seequot.) Obs,-^
1688 Holme Armoury u. 387/2 A Verberation, or Ver-
berous feeling; a smarting pain, as when we arc beaten
with rods, whips, or scourges.
3. The action of beating or striking so as to
cause pain or hurt ; esp. flogging or scourging ;
also, a blow or stroke.
C1730 Arbuthsot (J.), Redness and inflammation; all
the effects of a soft press or verberation, 1768 Blackstose
Cotttm. III. 120 The Cornelian law. .prohibited pulsation as
well as verberation; distinguishing verberation, which was
accompanied with pain, from pulsation which was attended
with none. 1774 Goldsm. Nat, Hist. (1862) 11. 427 It is
by the strong folds of the body, by the fierce verberatJons
of the tail, that the enemy is destroyed, i860 Thackeray
Round. Papers, Lazy little Boy, The anger, or. .the ver.
berations of his schoolmaster. \Z^^Daily^ Tel.-zi July, The
beadle, alas ! was armed with a different instrument of ver-
beration. i895C/«WJ. Rev.A^xW 146/1 It is idle to translate
*go on striking ', for the word is found repeatedly when the
verberation had not yet started.
Verberative, a. [f. Vebberatk f. : see
-ATIVE.] Addicted to the practice of flogging.
1866 Pall Mail G. I Aug. 9 Her mother was a strict dis-
ciplinarian of the verberative school.
Verbere, southern ME. var. Forbear v.
t VeTberous, a. Obs.—^ [f. L. verber a blow.]
x688 [lee Verberation 2J.
Verbiage (v^-ibied,^). [a. F, verbiage (17th c),
irreg. f. 1^. verb-tim word : see -age. So Pg.
verbiagem^
1, Wording of a superabundant or superfluous
character; abundance of words without necessity
or without much meaning; excessive wordiness.
aty*t Prior Dial. Locke <V Motitaigne 275 Without..
being guided by any sort of Verbiage like this. 1738 War-
burton Div. Lfgat. I. 69 The Matter, when. .cleared from
the Perplexity of his abounding Verbiage, lies open to this
easy Answer. 1787 Charlotte Smith Rom. Real Life I.
167 The repetitions and verbiage of the pleadings [have
been) reduced. 1858 Sears Athan, i. iit. 20 In vain you
take refuge in abstractions and verbiage. 1880 L. Stephen
Pope iii. 73 The Homeric phrase is thus often muffled and
deadened by Pope's verbiage.
2. Diction, wording, verbal expression.
1804 Wellington in Gurw. Desp. (1835) III. 153 All that
is nothing ; the previous verbiage [of the treaty] is thought
sufficient to bind us. 1814 New Brit. Theatre III. 286 The
language of the dialogue is as familiar as the verbiage of
the parlour fireside. i88j Fakrar Earl^ Ckr. 1. 186 Inde-
pendently of this distinctiveness of verbiage there is a wide
difference between the two Epistles in the general form of
thought.
Hence [or f. F. verhiager vb.] VerMa'g'eTle.
1817 Hlackvj. Mag. I. 469 Her obscurity, — her high-
sounding phrases, — ..and all the imposing apparatus of
verbiagerie, are not unsparingly employed.
Verbicide ^ (v5*ibis.^id). [f. L. verbi-^ verbum
word + -ciDE I.] One who mutilates or destroys a
word.
1867 Independent (N. V.) 2 May (Cent.), These clownish
verbicides have carried their antics to the point of di«;gust.
1894 Let, in Melbourne Argus 10 Jan., It is this laziness in
speaking which makes them [the Australians] grow up
habitual verbicides.
Verbicide 2, [f. as prec. + -cide 2.] The act
of destroying the sense or value of a word ; the
perversion of a word from its proper meaning.
1858O. W. Holmes v4«A Breakf.-t. i. (1859I 10 Homicide
and Tvr^/c/i/tf— that is, violent treatment of a word with
fatal resultsto its legitimate meaning. . — are alike forbidden.
1886 Q. Rev. Jan. 177 It is 'verbicide ' in a higher sense
than that in which Oliver Wendell HolmesappHed the term
to punning.
Verblfication (vaibifik^Jan). [See next and
-FiCATiON.] The action of converting a substantive
into a verb.
1871 Earle Philol. Kng. ToH^e vi. 25c> Reason will be
given, .for supposing that it had its beginnmgin the verbifi-
cation of a French substantive. 1884 Trans. Amer. Philol,
Assoc. XV. p. xxxii, The Kingua^es of Maskokt affinity.,
have the power of expressing accidental and real existence
by a verbification of the noun.
Verbify (vs-jbifsi), v, [f. Verb i+-(i)fy.]
trans. To convert (a noun^ etc.) into a verb. Also
eibsoL
a 181) [see ppl, a. \. 1871 Earls Pkihi. Eng, Tongue 1S3
Vol. X,
121
Not only does the language avail itself of this facility of
verbifying a noun, but even [etc.]. 1884 Trans. Amer.
Philol. A ssoc.y^ . p. xxvii. Nouns become verbified by the
appending of inflectional affixes, generally suffixes, and are
inflected like verbs. Ibid. p. xxxii, Hitchiti verbifies in the
same manner.
So "Ve'rbified, Ve'rbifying///. adjs,
a 18x3 Murray Hist, Europ. Lang (1823J II. 265 A con^
sonant or long vowel may intervene, which vowel or con-
sonant may be justly called the verbifying consignificative.
18S4 Trans. A uier. Philol. Assoc. XV. p. xxxii, An instance
of a verbified substantive, miki, ' chief , was presented above.
Verbigerate (vajbi-d^er^'t), v, [f. ppl. stem
of L, verbigerdre to talk, chat, f. verbi-, verbum
vfOT^+gerS're to conduct, carry on.]
+ 1. intr, (Seequot.) Obs,-''
1656 Blount Glossogr.^ Verbigerate, to speak, to talk, to
noise abroad.
2. Palh. To go on repeating the same word or
phrase in a meaningless fashion, as a symptom of
mental disease.
189J TuKK Diet. PsychoL-Med. II. 1355/1 The patient
repeats in a verbigeratmg monotone the sentence, ' Please,
do give me the keys'.
Jlence Verbig-eration. Path.
1891 in Cent. Dict.^ 189J Tuke Diet. Psychol. Med. 11.
'.355/1 Verbigeration is an abnormal and unnecessary repeti-
tion of words. Ibid. 1355/2 Verbigeration as a symptom, is
not rare. 1899 Allbuti's Syst. Med. VIII. 345 Verbigera-
tion has been noticed in some during the post-paroxysmal
automatism.
Verbill, obs. Sc. f. Warble.
Ve-rbing, vbl sb, [f. Verb i.] The using of
words as verbs.
1757 Mrs. Griffith Lett, Henry ^ Frances (1767) IV.
60 As to the Nouning and Verbing, which he so heavily
charged you with, I told him.. that you never confounded
Grammar.
VerbleSS (vaubles), a, [f. Verb -h -less.]
'Having no verb,
<zi849 H. Coleridge Ess. (1851) I. 75 What is called a
fluent man,., in whose discourse are no verbless nominative
cases. iSsiB J. Robertson /*(?<//« 80 The noun less, verbless
tongue. 194^ Daily Chron. 27 Jan. 4/7 After searching
through a solid page of verbless matter.
Verbo- (vaubt?), irreg. comb, form of L. verbum
word, employed in a few nonce-words, as verbo-
to'micai^ verbo'iomisty verbo'tomy.
Also, in recent use, verboma'ftia, •ma'niac.
i8<n (title). Hints to Legislators, by W. P. RusscI, Verbo-
tomist 1804 W. P. Russel {title), Verbotomical Spelling,
book. 1805 — (title), Verbotomy, or a classical improved
vocabulary, .of the English language.
t Verbocixia*tioil. Obs. rare, [a. F. verboci-
nation (Rabelais), f. L. verb-um, after ratiocina^
tion.'] Expression of ideas by means of words.
1653 Urquhart Rabelais u. vi. 31 We despumate the
Latial verbocination. 1694 Mottkux Rabelais v. 252
Where Rules to polish Loquels are prescrib'd, and Doct
Verbocination is imbib'd.
Verbose (.vsib^u's), a, [ad. L. verbos-us, f,
verbum word. Cf. It., Sp., Pg. verbosOy OF. verbos,
mod.F. (from 17th c.) verbeux^
1. Expressed in an unnecessary number of words ;
prolix, wordy,
i67» Penn Spir, Truth Vind. 8 Which I am assur'd is
quite another thing, from what is Verbose, Abusive Cavel-
hng. Airy, and meerly Notional. i68x H. Nevile Plato
Redixt. 159 For there was no need to make Acts verbose,
when the great Persons could presently force the Execution
of them, fjmx Strype Eccl. Mem. I. xlviiL 357 [They] fore-
saw, that in these conferences, .there would happen nothing
but verbose janglings and endless disceptations. 1756-7
tr. Keysler's Trar. (1760) I. 170 A verbose, but not^ a very
elegant inscription. 1781 Gibbon Decl. <5- F. xxviii. (1787)
III. -jsnole. Few facts, and few sentiments, can be extracted
from his verbose correspondence. i8s6 F. Reynolds Life
^ Times 11.97 Wilkes, -.instead of attempting to gain
silence, by any verbose circumlocutory appeal, proceeded at
once to the point. 1841 W. SpALniNG Italy ^ It. Isl. II. 392
His style, .is not only inartificially complex, but verbose to
the very brink of tediousness. 187* Burton Hist. Scot. Ixix.
(1873) VI. 164 Countless papers, expressed in.. verbose and
tedious tenor.
2. Using an excessive number of words ; writing
or speaking at excessive length ; long-winded.
16^ Washington Milton's Def. People Eng. M.'s Wks,
1851 VIII. Pref. I, I fear, lest.. I might seem to deserve
justly to be accounted a verbose and silly Defender. 1716
Ayi.iffe Parergon 56 They ought to be brief, and not too
verbose in their way of speaking. X776 Adam Smith W. N.
II. iv. (1869) I. 35B The conveyances of a verbose attorney.
i8ao Scott Monast. x, Undergoing the legends of the dull
and verbose Father Nicolas. 1874 Green Short Hist. li.
$ 3. 67 Dudo of S. Quentin, a verbose and confused writer,
has preserved the earliest Norman traditions.
b. quasi-art'z/. In a verbose manner.
1791 Cowper Odyss. xvri. 474 Peace ! answer not verbose
a man like htm.
Verbosely (vaib^a'sU), adv, [f. prec. -t- -lt 2 ]
In a verbose manner ; wordily,
1775 in Ash. 1784 Cowper Ep, % Hill 44, I hate long
arguments, verbosely spun. 1794 W. Taylor in Monthly
Rev, XIII, 45 Passages may be found which will seem to
have been rendered indolently or verbosely. 1909 Sat. Rev.
29 Nov, 683/2 Miss Taylor., tells the story effectively if a
little verbosely.
VerboseneSS (vsibJu-snes), [f. as prec. +
-NESS.] The character or quality of being verbose ;
verbosity.
17*7 Bailey (voL II), Verbosttess, the using many Words,
VERDAGE.
Fulness of Words, Prolixity in Discourse. 1748 Richard-
son C/amja (i8n) III. 73, I don't often gratify him
..with giving him the praise for his verboseness. 11797
H. Walpole George II (1847) Il.xi. 378 When his verbose-
ness did not persuade, he quickened it with impertinence.
1843 Eraser's Mag. XXVIII. 73 He has been mesmerised
into a mystical verboseness without positive thought.
t Verbosious, (7. Obs.—^ = Verbose a. 3.
1676 J. Smith Old Age (ed. 2) 258 Among all the Ver-
bosious Graecians there is not one compleat Tract upon this
Subject only.
Verbosity (vaib^'siti). Also 6 verboaitee,
6-7 -tie. [a. F. verbosity (i6th cent.), or ad. L.
(post-classical) verbdsitaSy f. verbosus Verbose a.
Cf. It. verbositd, Sp. verbosidad, Pg. -idade."] The
state or quality of being verbose ; superfluity of
words ; wordiness, prolixity.
154a Udall Erasm. Apoph. 74 b, Diogenes noted Plato
of unmesurable verbositee. 1^8 Shaks. L. L. L. v. i. 18
He draweth out the thred of his verbositie, finer then the
staple of his argument, a 1610 Heai.ey Theophrastus {1636)
29 Seeking the like occasions of pratHng and verbosity.
1649 Milton Eikon. ix. Wks. 1851 III. 397 It were an end-
less work to walk side by side with the Verbosity of this
Chapter, a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) I. 373 But O! the
Verbosity of thy Writings 1 1781 Mme. D'Abblay Diary
May, He gave his opinion, .with an emptiness and ver-
bosity, that rendered the whole dispute.. ridiculous. 1837
Hallam Hist. Lit. i. ii. §31 Vitello, avoiding the tedious-
ness of Arabian verbosity, is far more readable than Alhazen.
1898 BonLEV France II. in. iv. 197 A high standard of style
IS a check on rash verbosity.
b. With pi. An instance of this.
1665 Glanvill Scepsis Set, 116 These Verbosities emascu-
late the understanding, and render it slight and frivolous.
+ VeTbous, a. Obs. rare, « Verbose a,
1657 G. Starkev Helmont's Vind. 46 Which Art.. hath
been opposed, slandered, reproached, reviled and gainsaid
by the verbous, railing Galenists. 1639 O. Walker Oratory
A 4 b, To be Concise for the Pen ; . . Vet more circumlocu-
tory and verbous for extempore-speech.
Verbroyde, var, pa. pple, Fobbraid v. Obs,
II Verbum sap. [A shortening of L. verbum
sapienti sat est * a word is sufficient to a wise
person '.] A phrase used in place of making a
full statement or explanation, implying that an
intelligent person may easily infer what is left
unsaid, or understand the reasons for reticence.
Examples of the full phrase, and of the shortened forms
verbum sapienti {sat), occur in English works from at least
1602 onwards. The wording appears to be a combination
of verbum sat est (see next) and dictum sapienti sat est,
both of which are used by Plautus, the latteralso by Terence.
1818 T, MooRF. Fudge Earn, in Paris vi. 6 But never fear —
I know my chap, And he knows me, too — zerbufu sap. i8a8
Lytton Pelham xxiv, I am very sorry I could not see you
to breakfast— a particular engagement prevented me — verb-
%mt sap. i86z W. Collins No Name III, 12, I say no more.
Verbum sap.
11 Verbum sat. Also eat verbum. [See note
to prec] A phrase used to conclude a statement,
* implying that further explanation or comment is
tmnecessary or unadvisable.
In the first quot. perhaps equivalent to prec'
1640 Evelyn Corr. (1850) III. 49 Against which [conquest]
I find most men inclined to oppose, by a juncture with the
new Commonwealth. Verbum sat — . x668 in Extr. St. P.
rel. Friends iii. (1912) 277 He say they are not of y« brood
of y« old Presbitcrian. verbum sat. 1838 Thackeray Misc.
Ess, {1885) 129 Verbum fa/— this naughty 'Somnolency'
ought to go to sleep in her night-gown. 1856 Kane Arct.
ExpU II. xix. 195 The thing can be done, and we did it :
sett verbum.
Verby (vsubi), a, rare—^. [f. Verb -i- -t.]
Abounding in verbs,
<Ti845 Hood Sir John Doivring 10 No grammar too abs-
truse he meets However dark and verby.
Vercifier, obs, f. Versifier. Verclef, south-
cm ME. pa. t. oiforcleave For- pref,'^ 5 b.
tVerd, sb, Obs, [a. obs. F. verd (= Cat
verd, Sp., Pg., It. verde).—L,virid-em, viridis :
cf. Vert sb,^]
1. Her, The tincture green or vert.
fX45o J. Metham Wks. (E.E.T.S.) 36 For Arge, [w]hos
Icyng a lebard passaund Off syluer in uerd bare, he vsyd
greuys that with grene were dyght,
2. trans/. Verdancy, freshness.
X603 Harsnet Pop. Impost. 121 For Reliques. . worke like
an Apothecaries potion or new Ale : they have best strength
and verd at the first.
3. Forest-verdure; =Vertj(5.i i,
1641 Termes de la Ley 261 b {heading), Verde or Vert.
1664 in Spelman'^s Gloss.
4. Gcol. ^ = Green-stone i.
1795 W. TooKE View Russian Enip. I. 142 There are like-
wise, .mica spathosa, verd, serpentine,.. and marlstone.
Verd, southern ME. var. pa. t, of Fere 7a^ Obs.
tVerd, t'- Obs."^ [Back-forrafition from next.]
trans. To sow for verdage. In quot. absol.
1778 (W. H. Marshall] Minutes Agric, Digest 60 If
Verdage and Pasturage be wanted, verd with Spring-Corn
and Ley-Graces.
t Ve'rdage, sb, Obs. [f. verd- (as in verdure^
+ -AGE: introduced by Marshall. Cf. Y, verdage
young grain ploughed in as manure.] * Green
herbage, cut and given to cattle green ' (Marshall).
1778 [W. H, Marshall] Minutes Agric. 9 June 1775, The
weeds arc now tender and full of saj), and make very good
verdage. Ibid., Digest 74 Lucerne is an excellent Spring-
verdage. Ibid. 84 Clover and Tare verdage.
16
VERDAGE.
122
VERDET.
Hence tToTdage z\ trans., to cut or use as
Tcrdage. Also with off,
X778 [W. H. Marshall] Minutes Agric^ Digest 62 Plow-
in or Verdage-offa foul Crop. Ibid. 71 Verdaging the Corn
encourages the young Grasses, ibid, "ji Verdage weedy
margins early in Summer.
Verdancy (va-jdansi). [See Vkrdant a. and
-ANCY.]
L The quality, condition, or character of being
verdant; greenness.
1631 May tr. Barclays Mirr. Mindes T. 39 But the greatest
delight is, that soe faire a verdancy is almost distinguished
into diuerse colours. Ibid, 100 England abounding in rich
pastures, .doth cuery where delight the eyes of the beholders
with a most bcauiifuU \xrdancy. x88a Gd Words 608
Yellow freckles in some leaves may liestrew a surface of
unfadcd verdancj'. 1888 Harper's Mag. July 220 We see
..the same wonderful varieties of verdancy.
t b. iransf. Freshness of appearance. Oi'S.~^
1678 NoRRis Coii. Misc. (1699) 368 Had not the Youth and
Verdancy of her Face contradicted the ripeness of her Dis-
coursings, j-ou would have thought her well in years.
2. yTf. Innocence, inexperience ; rawness, sim-
plicity.
1849 W. S. Mayo Kaloolak xxxvii, True, in the verdancy
of youthful sentiment, many a one has shrunk from the
profane association of ruby Hps with the processes of mxstica-
tion and deglutition. 1863 Baily's Mag. Jan, 358 Alas for
my verdancy !
Verdant (vaudant), a. Also 7 verdent. [f.
verd' (as in verdure) + -ant, perhaps partly after
L. viridant-^ viridanSy pres. pple. of viriddre, f.
viridis green. Cf. also OF. verdeant {virdeant)^
verdoiant (F. verdoyant),'\
1. Of a green hue or colour ; green : a. Of
vegetation.
1581 A. Hall Iliad \. i Chryses . . With verdant crown,
wherewith Apoll his seemelyhead had clad. 1590 Spenser
F. Q. I, ix, 13 The verdant gras my couch did goodly dight.
1633 Cowt.EY Canstantia 114 Th' verdant grasse was dew'd
with many a teare. i66s J. Davies tr. Mandelslo's Tra7>.
267 Fruit-trees,.. which keep on their verdant Liveries all
the year long. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India «f P. 64 The
Walks which before were covered with Nature's verdent
awnitig..are now open to the Sun. 1764 R. Lloyd
Capricious Lovers v. ii. When eve embrowns the verdant
grove. 1796 H. Hukter tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799)
in. 334 We soon discovered the profound and verdant
forests which cover Celtic Gaul. 184s Loudon Suburban
Hort. 337 Where ornamental hedges and other verdant
architectural structures are to be grown. 1853 Kane
Grinnell Exp. K (1856) 474 Crowned each with its little
verdant tuft, — ten radishes!
b. In other applications, rare.
1649 Lovelace Grasshopper Poems 35 Poore verdant
foole \sc. a grasshopper], and now green Ice ! 1667 Milton
P. L. IX. 501 [The] Serpent.. With burnisht Neck of verdant
Gold, erect Amidst nis circling Spires. 1738 Gray Tasso 67
Here the soft emerald smiles of verdant hue.
2. Green with vegetation; characterized by
abundance of verdure.
1590 Spenser F. Q. i. ii. 17 Streames of purple bloud new
dies the verdant fields. 1647 Ogilby Virg. Georg. iv. 322
Gliding Streams.. Which border nigh the Quiver'd Persian
Land, And verdant Egypt Marl with fruitful Sand. 1667
Milton P. L. vni. 631 The parting Sun IJeyond the Earths
green Cape and verdant Isles Hesperian sets. 1738 Wesley
Ps. xxiii. ii. Where peaceful Rivers soft and slow Amid the
verdant Landskip flow. 1784 Cowper Task vl 70 As I
tread The walk, still verdant, under oaks and elms. 1815
Elphinstone Acc. Caubul (1842) \. 381 In the midst of a
verdant and pleasing country, which enjoys a temperate
climate. 1817 Moore Lalla R.^ Fire- Worshippers iv. go
Like those verdant spots that bloom Around the crater's
burning lips. 1868 Miss Braddon Dead Sea F. ii, The
verdant avenues and placid water.
3. ^j^. Of persons : Green, inexperienced, gullible.
1824 Byron ^uan xv. xciii. Because my business is to
dress society, And stuff with sage that very verdant goose.
1854 Poultry Chron. I. 263/2, I spoke of simple facts in my
own experience, and with the. .object of warning 'verdant *
purchasers. 1869 Punch 14 Aug. 57/1 Flush of his money
and just as refreshingly verdant.
Hence "Ve'rdantness, verdancy, rarer-^,
17*7 Bailey (vol. II), Verdantness, a flourishing, bright,
or lively Greenness.
II Verd-antique, verd antique (vaud an-
trk). Also 9 verde-. [Oldtr K (now vert an-
tique\ ' antique green '. Cf. Verde antico.]
L An ornamental variety of marble, consisting
chiefly of serpentine mixed with calcite and dolo-
mite.
X745 PococKE Descr. East II. i. 193 The hills of Antioch
are part of them of a crumbling stone, like verd antique.
^7^S^^"l- Trans. XLIX. 109 Columns of verd' antique and
oriental alabaster. 1806 J. Pinkekton Recollect. Paris II.
139 Egyptian breccia, .has been mistaken for the serpentine-
marble, called verd antique. 1838 Macaulav in Trevelyan
Li/eyu. (1876) II. 52, I should like to see the walls of St.
Paul's incrusted with porphyry and verde antique. 1884
Ma0. Art Apr. 226/1 Its design must have been made
entirely to suit the twelve columns of verd-antique which
surround its walls.
atirib. 1828 Lights * Shades II. 282 A verd-antique
pitcher with an ear. 1857 Dana Min. (1862) 147 Serpentine
fcn-ms a handsome marble when polished, especially when
mixed with limestone, constituting z'crd- mtique marble.
b. Oriental verd-antique, green porphyry. Oc-
casionally without adj. Also atirib.
i8s» E. Barber Painters' (etc.) Assist. 75 To imitate
Oriental Vcrdanlique Marble. 1857 Dana Min. (1862) 356
Green porphyry is the oriental verd antique of the ancients,
and was held in high esteem, 1879 Rutlev .V^«//. Rocks
xii. 240 The verde-antique porphyry is one of the diabase-
porphyrites.
2. A green incrustation on brass or copper;
verdigris.
<zi83S Mrs. Hemans Last li-'asp Scot. Poems (1849) 523
Never may housemaid wipe the verd antique From coin of
thine. 1851 D. Wilson Prek. Ann. in, v. 447 Another
example.., covered with verd antique, is a light beautiful
bracelet.
Verdantly (v5*jdantli), adv. [f. Vekdant a,
+ -LY -.] In a green or verdant manner ; freshly,
flourishingly.
i8»8 MooRE Believe jue, if all those endearing young
charms i, Around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still. 1847 in Webster.
1889 Gretton Memory's Harkb. 257 The special song of
Madame A. was ' With verdure clad . . . Madame B. elected
to be * verdantly ' clothed.
b. \vi a raw or inexperienced manner ; greenly.
1864 R, Kimball Was he successful^ i. xiii. 151 Perhaps
to give the young fellow who was so verdantly staring at
him a start.
t Verdate. Chem, Ohs. [f. Vebd-ic a, + -ate 1
I c] (See quot. 1859.)
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 256/1 The earthy or metallic
7'crditcs are yellow, while the z/erdates of the same bases
are green, 1859 Mayne Expos. Lex., Verdate,.. z. com.
bination ofverdicacid with a salifiable base.
Verd-aznre, a* rare~~^. [ad. It, verdazzurro
sea-green : see Verd .y^. and Azure a. Cf, obs. F.
verd d'azttr (Cotgr.), used by Holland /V/«_j' (1601)
ir. 528.] Of a bluish-green colour ; sea-green.
1876 Whitney Sights ^ Ins. xxxiii. II. 147 The gold-
green water that, out from the mountain shadows, grew
verd-azure in the sun.
t Verdazurine, a. Obs-^ [See prec. and
-ine2.] Bluish-green; sea-green.
i68i Grew Musxuni iii. iii. iii. 34^ A Verdazurine Bole.
So I call it, for that it is on the out-side of a blewish-green,
like Verdegriese.
Verde, southern ME. van Fbrd sb}- and pa. t.
Fere v,^ Obs.
tVerd^. Obs. rare. Also verdi(e. [ad. It.
verdia or F. verdie^ = next.
c 1645 Howell /,£■//. (1650) II. 74 Nor is ther in Italy any
wine transported to England but in bottles, as Ferde' a.nd
others. Ibid. (1655) iV. 16 They must not be us'd like
Saffron bags, or Verde bottles which are thrown into soin
by-corner when the wine and spice are taken out of them.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Verdi, a kind of white Muscadine
wine.
Verde*a. Also 8 verd(e)dea. [a. It. verd^a
(whence F. verd^e, Pg. verdea), f. verde green.] A
wine made of a white grape grown in the neigh-
bourhood of Arcetri near Florence. Also attrib,
a i6a5 Fletcher & Mass. Elder Bro. n. i. Say it had
been at Rome, and seen the Relique^, drunk your Verdea
Wine, and rid at Naples. 1656 Blount Glossogr.y Verdea,
a kind of white Muscadine wine, made in Toscany, which
is sometimes brought into England in bottles. 1719 Boyer
Diet. Royals, Verd^e,..'Verd-dea., While-Florentine Wine.
1760 Baretti Ital. Diet., Verdea, a kind of white grapes
called Verdedea, of which is made a kind of wine, called
also Verdedea. 1833 C. Redding Hist. Mod. Wines {1851)
278 The celebrated Verdea is a white wine, having a bright
green tinge, grown at Arcetri ; it was formerly held in high
esteem. 1845 Encycl. Metrop. XXV. 1285/1.
b. transf. (See quot.)
1858 SiMMONDS Diet. Trade,Verdea, a white Tunisian wine.
II Verde antico. [it.] = Verd-antique i.
^753 Chatnbers" CycL Suppl. s.v. Marble, Carystium
Marmor..; the Italian antiquaries particularly mean this,
by a name_ also in use among us, and prostituted to every
other species of green marble, the verde antique. 1765
Smollett Trav. Italy xxviii. Wks. (1841) 756/2 The great
profusion of granite, porphyry, jasper, verde antico, Japis-
lazuli, and other precious stones. 1839 Penny CycL XIV.
409/1 Some Verde Antico, as that dug near Susa in Pied-
mont. 1883 Miss Braddon Gold. Calf 11. vl. 185 Placid
gods and goddesses smirking at vacancy, on pedestals of
verde antico.^ 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 52()/i The famous
7'e rde antico is a rock of this character [i.e. serpentinous
limestone].
Verdegreace, -gres(e, etc., obs. ff. Verdigris.
Verdeour, variant of VerdourI Obs.
tVerder^ Obs. Also 6 vardar. [var. of
Verdour 1, with weakened ending on the analogy
of agent-nouns in -ourj -er^ -ar."]
1. = Verdour 1 2, Verdure 3 : a. In plural,
1500 Inv. in Ann. Reg. (1768) n. 134 One dozen of
cushions of verders stuffed with feathers. 154a in Harrison
Ann. Old Manor Ho. (1893) 207, vij peces of smale verders
storyed with bests & fTowles ; iiij peces of verders paued with
redd and white. 1547 in Kempe Losely MSS. (1836) 152
Sixe longe carpytts of grene vardars, with flowers ly ned with
caiivys. 1660 in Statutes of Realm (1819) V. 198/1 Verders
of Tapistry with haire. 166a in Stat, at Large, Ireland
(1765) II. 417 Verders Tapistry, containing eight or ten ells
with hair.
b. In singular.
i5aa-3 Inv. mArchaeol. (i86o)XXXVin. 364 A counter,
paynt of verder and a pleyn cubborde. Ibid., ijogret cown-
terpoyntes of verder. 1535-6 in Dugdale Monast. Angl.
(1823) IV. 542 0nechareofletherfrynged with one cuysshon
of verder. 1594 Inv.\x\Archaeol. (1884) XLVIII. 126 Item
two wollen blancketes and a coveringe of verdere xl s.
2. = Verdure 4. rare—^.
153a More Confut. TindnleVlks. 357/1 That theolde hol-
some wine.. offend their dronken taste, because it is not so
walowc swetc but drinketh more of the verder.
f Verder 2. Obs.rare. [a. AF. verder (13-
14th c.) --= OK. and F. verdier Vehdier. See
also Verdour 2.] = Verderer ^ i.
a 1625 Sir H. Finch Laxu (1636) 497 De exonerando virid-
arioforestx, to discharge a verder of the forest in like sort.
1717 Hist. Keg., Chronot. Reg. 41 Thomas Gage, Esq.,
elected Verder of the Forest of Dean.
t Verder 3, ?mispr. for Verger 3.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII, 214 [The] high Constable
of England bearyng the verder of siluer appertainyng to y'
office of Constableship.
t Verderer^, Obs.~'^ [Extended form of
Verder 1 : cf. next.] <= Verdures.
ci^$o Disc. Cojumon Weal Fug. (iBgp 85 The arrisses,
verderers, and tapstrie worke, wheare with they be hariged.
Verderer"-^ (voudar^i). Forms: a. 6-7 ver-
derour, 7-9 -or, 0, 7- verderer. 7. 8- ver-
durer. [a, AF. verderer (1278), extended form
oi verder Verder 2, f. OF. verdis^r. oivert : see
Verd sb. and Vert sbX) :— L. viridis green. In
med.L. rendered by viridariusJ]
1. ' A judicial officer of the King's forest , . sworn
to maintain and keep the assises of the forest, and
also to view, receive, and enroll the attachments
and presentments of all manner of trespasses of the
forest, of vert and venison ' (Manwood).
In later use chiefly surviving in connexion with New,
Epping, and Dean Forests. Otherwise only arch, or Hist.
a. 1541-1 Act ^i Hen. VIII,c. 38 § 5 Surveiyng ofWoodes
..in any of y^ said Parkes, Forrestes or chases,. .and the
namynge, rulinge and orderinge of the verderours thereof.
i6i4Sb:LDEN Tit/esHon. 26g'yhGSG. .foure seem to haue been
as those which later time haue stiled Verderorsof the Forest.
1644 Coke's Inst. IV. c. y J Cou7ts of Forests {ijgy) zBg It was
presented by the foresters, verderors, and agisters that the
f>laintiflrhas chased and taken deer within the forest. 1667-8
see Regarder i]. 1747 Carte Hist. Eng. 1. 709 He.. ap-
pointed likewise in each [part] two gentlemen of his house-
hold, as verderors to lake care of the vert and venison. 1765
Blackstone Comm. I. 343 He is likewise to decide the
elections of knights of the shire, ..of coroners, and of ver-
derors. 1791 GiLPiM Forest Scenery \\. 20 Besides these
officers. .there are fpur others, called verderors. Ibid. 21
The verderor is ati ancient forest-officer. 1866 Cltamb. Jrnl.
Apr. 261/1 Under the Norman rigime, the officers of the
Forest were Verderors, Regarders, and Foresters (besides
others). Ibid. 261/2 The verderor, to look after the vert.
p. 1611 CoTGB., Segrayer, a Verderer, or such a like Officer
ol some authoritie, in forrests. £1645 Howell Lett. (1655)
Il.iv.xvi, 39 A Forest hath Lawes of her own, to take cognis-
ance of all trespasses ; she hath also her peculiar Officers, as
Foresters, Verderers, Regarders, Agisters, &c. 1664 Evelyn
Sylva 114 The amplitude of the distance, .resign'd to the
care of the Verderer. c 17x0 Celia Fiennes Diary (1888)
39 There are severall Rangers of y* forest, and 6 verderers
yt are their justices or judges of all matters relateing to ye
forest. i8ia W. Taylor m Monthly Mag. XXXIV. 210
A forest has laws and officers of its own, as foresters, ver-
derers, &c. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVI. 175/1 The verderers
and regarders (of the New Forest] are chosen by the free-
holders of Hampshire. Ibid., The verderers have no salary,
emolument, or perquisite, besides a fee buck and a fee doe
yearly. 189s Times 16 July 11/2 Hampshire.. has com-
Eleted its roll of Unionist county members, the New Forest
'ivision . . returning the son of the Verderer, Lord Montagu.
y. 1734 Sir R, Atkins' Pari. ^ Pol. Tracts 62 As Coro-
ners and Verdurers [i68q Verderers]. .are chosen by Writ
at the County-Court to this day. 1763 Martin Nat. Hist.
Eng. II. 221 The. .Forest of Sherwood, .has.. a Ranger,
4 Verdurers, 12 Regarders. 1826 Scott Woodst. xxxii,
[The] hut. .of old Martin the verdurer. 1884 Tennyson
Becket I. iv. The King's verdurer caught him a-hunting in
the forest, and cut off his paws.
1 2. local. A petty constable having supervision
of a city ward. Obsr~^
1791 [see Verdery].
Ve*rderership. Also 8 verdurer-. [f. Ver-
DKRER ^ + -SHIP.] The office of a verderer.
i6xi CoTGR.,6"<frar7V,a Verderership ; or such a like Office
of account in forrests. 176a tr. Busching's Syst. Geog. VI.
296 The verdurership over Osterforest. 1863 Guardian
14 Jan. 25/1 The election of proper persons to fill the vacan-
cies in the verderership of the Forest. 1901 Blacktv. Mag.
Nov. 660/2 Why should not the author of 'The Forest
Lovers *..be offered a verderership?
tVeTdery. local. Ohs. \js.,OY,verd€rie{\^s\i
c. in Godef.), f. verder Verder-.] (See quots.)
1791 T. CoLLiNsoN Hist. Somerset HI. 375 The city of
Wells . . is divided into four verderies in the manner of wards,
and thus denominated :— High Street Verdery,.. and South
over Verdery. Ilnd., These verderies, each of which is
superintended by two verderers, or petty constables (an office
originating from the Viridarii of the Bishop's Forest of
Mendip). 1839 Phelps Somcrsetsh^ II. 11 These Verderys
[in Wells] are named Chamberlain-street Verdery [etc.].
Verdet (v5*jdet). [a. OF. verdet (i6th c.,=
Prov. and Cat. verdet, Sp. and Pg. verdete, It.
verdetto), dim. of verd Verd sb.']
1. Chenu An acetate of copper (see quots.).
1558 Wa rde tr. Alexis' Seer. 118 Take verdet, or Verde-
grise. Vitriol of Almain, and salt Armoniacke. 1559 Ibid
lit. I. 53 Take Spanishe greene called Verdet,.. Vitrioll, and
Alome of eche equally. 1673 Ray Journ. Low C. 454 At
Montpellier the best Verdet or Verdegreece is made,., which
is. .nothing but the rust or scurf of copper calcined by the
vapour of wine. 1863 Watts Diet. Client. I. 14 Acetates of
Copper... The normal salt (C2H*0=)'Cu", called also Crys-
tallised Verdigris, Verdet, ..is produced by dissolving cupric
oxide or common verdigris in acetic acid. 1896 Lodeman
Spraying Plants 44 Verdet is an acetate of copper. There
are many such combinations, all being known under the
general name of verdet, or verdigris.
2. A fungus which grows upon maize.
VEBDETTO.
123
VBRDITB.
1897 AUbuft'sSysi. Med. II. 801 There seems therefore to
be some quality in the maize itself, which when acted upon
by the *verdet 'as the fungus is called, produces a specific
poison.
Verdeter, var. Verditek.
llVerdetto. rare. [It,] = Verdet i.
1598 K. Haydocke tr. Loittazza iii. 99 They which make
Greenes, are greene bize, VerdJgrease, vcrdetto called holy,
inclining towards a yeallow. 1835 G. Field Chromato-
graphy 129 The greens called Verona green, and Verdetto,
or holy green, are similar native pigments [to terre-verte].
Verdeur, var. Verdour Obs. ; obs. f. Verdube.
Verdges, obs. f. Verjuice.
tVcrdic, «• Chem, Obs. [ad. mod.L. z/^r-
diats or F. verdique^ f. F. verdir ta become green,
Cf. Verdous a.] (See quots.)
1836-41 Branue Man. Chem. (ed. 5) 1198 Verdic Acid.—
This acid was extracted by Runge from several of the Unt-
belliferx and Fiautaginex, &c., but chielly from the root of
the Scal'iosa succisa. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 2^6/1 Runge
slates that he found by analysis that verdic acid contains
one equivalent of oxygen more than the verdous acid.
Verdict (v3udikt),.f^. Forms: a. 3-7, 9^//^/.,
verdit, 4-7 -dite, 6-7 -ditt, 3-6 verdyt, -dyte,
5 -dytt, -dyth(e ; 4 veirdit, 5 veredit, -dyte;
4-5 voirdit. ^. 5 wardytte, 6 varditt, -dytt,
6, 9 diai.^ vardit, 9 dial, vardite. Also Vardy.
7. 5 verdoit, 6 verduytt, 7 verduit, -duict.
5. 6-7 veredict, 6- verdict, 6 -dicte. [a. AF.
verdit (= OF. voirdit), f. ver^ veir true + t//V,
pa. pple. of dire to say, speak. Hence med.L.
verdictum {veredictum)^ to which the mod. spell-
ing and pronunciation are due. The mod.F. ver^
dicty Pg. verdictj Sp. verdicio^ are from Eng.]
1, Law. The decision of a jury in a civil or
criminal cause upon an issue which has been sub-
mitted to their judgement.
a. 1*97 R. GiJ>L'c (Rolls) 2980 He stod vp & sede be verdit
vor al opere ^at J>ere were, a i3»s MS. Raivl. 8.320 fol.
60b, 5if. -be Joree segge in his veirdit bat te askare is bas-
tard, c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 2952 Until b^ihave gyven
bair verdite. And ouiher ^zx-<A made hym qwyte Als be
laghe walde, or made hym gilty. c 1^0 Promfi. Parv. 50^2
Verdyte, z'eridicnm. \\i% Paston Lett. III. 40, I took
syche a wey with hym that the qwest gave no verdyt. 1544
Ir. lAttteton^s Tenures (1574) 78 The verdyte of twelve men
taken at large in j\ssise of disseysine. 1559 Mirr, Mag.
(1563) K v, I gyliles was condempned : Such verdits passe
where iustyce is contemned. 2591 Q. Elizabkth in Ltsmore
Pafiers Ser. 11.(1887) 1- 3 To order the landestoour pattentes
as shalbe found due, vpon the saide Verdyte. 1614-5 Boys
E.xp. Fest. Epist. ^ Gosp. Wks. (1630) 750 When any suite
concerning the Clergle shall be tried by your verdite. i6ai
QuARLES Iiadassa\^k%. (Grosart) II. 44/2 At last, .they put
their choyce Vpon the verdit of a lurie's voyce.
fl, y. 1479 Presentm. Juries in Surtees Misc. (1890) 28
Thys is the wardytte of xxij men & the constabylls. 153X
Star Ckamb. Cases (Selden) II. 193 To wryte anysuch pre-
sentment or vardytt. Ibid. 196 The same homage cfeed
pleynly shewe . . the same to be their trewe verduytt.
h. 1533 More Debeli. Salem Wks. 996/1 Who>e verdicte
the iuage taketh for a sure sentence.. without an! examina-
cion of the circumstances, wherby they know.. their ver-
dicte to be true. 1559 Avlmer tiarborowe Lj b, Our lawe
committeth it to the veredict of .12. men. 1613 Shaks.
Hen. yillfV. \. 131 Not euer The Justice and the Truth o'
th' question carries The dew o' th* Veredict with it. ,1657 in
Verney Mem. (1907) II. 121 A house and lande, which nee
had recovered by law, and by a second verdict lost the same
again. 1674 Wood Life (O.H.S.t II. 281 The jury were
about to pass their verdict. 17*6 Li/e Penn P.'s Wks. 1. 15
The Agreement of Twelve Men is a Verdict in Law. 1781
CowpER Truth 448 The jury meet, the coroner is short, And
lunacy the verdict of the court. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2)
II. 519 On the trial the Judge directed the jury to find a
verdict for the plaintiflF. 1885 Public Opinion 9 Jan. 36/3
An advocate who wins an unjust verdict has contributed to
bring about a miscarriage of justice.
Comb. t89s Daily News 10 May 2 Though Mr. Bramwell
bad a good practice, he was never a great verdict-getter.
b. Without article.
1437 Roils of Parlt. IV. 509/2 Founde gilty be verdite of
xii notable men. *( 1500 in Archae^l. (1904) LIX. lo By the
comyn lawe..ther Itth non atteynt upon untrewe verdit
gyffyn in London. 1535 Wriothesley CAr^^n. (Camden) I.
27 A jurie.. incontinent gave verdiit of them beinge guiltie
of the same treasoa 1577 Harriso.s England 11. ix. (1877)
I. 20a Our trials and recoueries are either by verdict and
demourre, confession or default 158^ TLyly Pappe w.
//a/cA^/ (1844) 25 The lurie gaue verdit and said guiltie.
171a pRiDEAi;x Direct. Ch.-vfardtns (ed. 4) 22 In ca>e any
should . . obtain Verdict on their side. 1797 Tomliss Jacob s
Law Diet. S.V., Another rule at Common law is, tlmt sur-
plusage will not vitiate after Verdict.
C. With particularizing addition.
1607 C^owBLL InterPr. s.v., This verdict is two-fold : either
generall or especial!. ..A general verdict is that, which is
giuen or brought into the Court, in like generall termes to
the generall is^ue. ibid.. This speciall verdict, if it containe
any ample declaration of the cause, from the beginning to
the end, is also called a verdict at large. i6s8 Coke On
Litt. I. 226b, There be two kindes of verdicts; viz. one
generall, and another al large or especiall. Ibid.y It is there-
fore called a speciall Verdict or a Verdict at large, because
they finde the speciall matter at large, and leaue the iudge-
ment of law thereupon lo the Court. x6a8[see Privv a. 8J.
1665 [see Special a, 7). 1768 Blackstonk Comm. III. 377
The only effectual and legal verdict is the public verdict ;
in which they openly declare to have found the issue for the
plaintiff, or for the defendant. 1769 Ibid, IV. 354 The jury
..cannot, in a criminal case, give a privy verdict. But an
open verdict may be either general, guilty, or not guilty.
183s ToMLiNS Law Diet. s.v., Where a verdict is given by
thirteen jurors, It Is said to be a void verdict ; because no
attaint would lie. 1854, 1884 [see Perverse a. z c]. 1894
[see Sealed///, a. 2].
2. transf. andyf^. A judgement given by some
body or authority acting as, or likened to, a jury.
c 1381 Chaucer Parlt, Foules 525, I iuge on euery folk
men shul on calle To seyn the verdit for yow foulys alle. 1579
W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Love 63 b, The euidence
..whereby.. that verdict should be gathered, which shall
passe agaynst vs. 1589 Warner Alb. Kng. Prose Add. (1612)
338 The lurour could not but giue Verdict for EUsa, and the
ludge sentence against ^Eneas. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit.
IX. ii. § 8 They are here presently to abide the verdite of
battaile. 1671 Milton Samsoti 324 Though Reason here
aver That moral verdit quits her of unclean. 1684 T. Burnet
Th. Earth 1. 295 Ought we not in this, as well as in other
things, to.. bring in an honest verdict for nature as well
as art? x86o Hawthorne Marb. Faun (Tauchn.) II. xvi.
177 Might we not render some such verdict as this? —
' Worthy of Death but not unworthy of Love '. 1867 Free-
man Norm. Conq. (1877) l.vi. 501 The great Earl is at least
entitled to a verdict of Not Proven, if not of Not Guilty.
3. transf, A decision or opinion pronounced or
expressed upon some matter or subject ; a finding,
conclusion, or judgement,
a. c X3/B6 Chaucer Prol. 787 (Petworth), Vs Jpou^t it was
not worbe to make to wis. .And bad him seie his veredit
[z/.n verdii(e, voirdit, verdoit] as him lest, f 1430 LvDc.i1//w.
Poems (Percy Soc.) 33 Clatcring pyes, whan tha come in pre-
sence. Most malapert there verdit to purpose. 1545 Ascham
Toxopk. (Arb.) 73 When the messenger was gone, euery man
began to say his verdite, 1585 Daniel Paul. louius Pref.,
Neither must wee depend vpon the verdite of some conceled
Philosophers. 1617 Bp. Hall Epist. 11. v. 302 There is
none of all mylabours.. whereof I would so willingly heare
the verdit of the wise and iudicious. 1671 Milton Samson
1228 Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster, to survey me, To
descant on my strength, and*give thy verdit ? x8as Jennings
Observ. Dial. IV, Eng. 80 Verdiy Verdit, opinion. 1873
Williams & Jones Somerset Gloss, 40 Thats my verdit,
therefore I zay't.
18. 1565 Stapleton tx.Staphylus' Apol, 161 b, For they par-
die by the vardit of Luther, are all damned, if they thought,
as they taught. 1577 Misogonus iv. ii. 97 To take thy neigh-
boures varditt in such a case thou must not sticke. i8a8
Carr Craven Gloss., Vardite, verdict, opinion. 1877 Pea-
I COCK N. W^. Line. Gloss. 265, I think we shall hev snaw ;
what's your vardit ? Ibid., Thoo's atus pokin' in thy vardit.
y. 14.. Verdoit [see a]. 1642 D. Rogers A'<iawa« 197 No
one mystery, administration, worke or ordinance of his can
passe her fingers, without some verduit or other of her owne.
Ibid. 345 The ten spies bringing a verduict of bense to their
brethren.
6. 1585 Greene Planetomachia, Satnmes Trag. Wks.
(Grosart) V. in Psamneticlms. .thought it a longe time to
yeelde so small a verdict. x63» Lithgow Trav. i. 43, I end
with this verdict, the lew and the lesuite, is a Pultroneand
a Parasite. 1M3 D. A. Art Converse Pref., It.. shall stand
or fall by your Verdict. 1791 Burke App. IVhi^s Wks.
VI. 76 This representation is authenticated by the verdict of
his country. 18x9 Keats Othov. v.Those tears will washaway
a just resolve, A verdict ten times sworn ! X857 W. Collin.s
Deoit Secret iii. i. The verdict of humanity is always against
any individual member of the species who presumes to differ
from the rest. x88a C. Pebody Eng. Journalism xvii. 127
No controversy b supposed to be closed till the Times has
given its verdict.
b. Without article.
1537 [?Tindale] ExP. St. John 93 Of such he geueth ver-
dyte contynently. Ibid. 100 The Apostle Jhon..gaue such
verdyte. 1566 Drant Horace, Sat. x. E vj b, In learnyng
rype, in venue juste, in verdite sharpe and sa^e. 1^96
Spenser F. Q. vii. vii. 27 ludge thy selfe, by verdit of thine
eye, Whether to me they are not subiect all
1 4. A vote or suffrage. Ods.~^
1580 in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 431 Neither
the Mayor,, .nor any Mayors peare, shall have either at the
tyme of ellectioa or for any other cause but th« verdicte of
one man.
Ve'rdict, v. rare, [f. prec]
1. trans. To pass judgement upon, to give deci-
sion or pronounce an opintoa concerning (some
l>erson or thing).
1594 Q. Elizabeth in Tytler Hist. Scot. (1864) IV. 349
We princes are set upon highest stage, where looks of all
beholders verdict our works. 1634 Rainbow Labour {1635)
16 Must a lury of Trades be busied lo verdict him readie?
2. intr. To pronounce a verdict or sentence
against somethinfj.
x^^ Literature 12 Nov. 439 Lawful men of the neighbour-
hood . .verdict entirely against their own temporal interest.
t Verdier. Obs.—^ « Verdeu 2.
x6ii CoTGR., Verdier, a Verdier, or ouerseer of a forest ;
a ludge or Officer .. who commaunds all the Raungers,
Woodwards, Foresters, &c.
Verdiffris (vaudigris). Forms: a. 4 verde-
grez, 4-0 -8:res(e, 5 -greys, 7 -gresse, -griese,
7-8 -grease; 5-6 verdegrece, 6-7 -greace, 7-8
-greece ; 6-9 verdigrease, 6 -grese, 6-8 -greese
(7 verdie-), 6 verdigrece, 7 -greace, -greece ; 6
verdygresse, -grace, 7 virdigreace, -greese.
^, 4 vertegrez, 5-6 -grece (5 vertagrece, 6
verthigreace', 5 vertgrez, -grees, 6 -grese,
-grease, 7 -greece. 7. 5 vert de grece, 7 vert-
degrease. 6. 6, 8-9 verdegris (6 verddegris\
7-9 verdigrise, 8- verdigris, «. 6 vargrasse,
vergre8(se (wer-), vergrys, Sc. vern-, varn-
gris. [a. AF, and OF, vert de Grece {c 1170),
OF, verte grez^ij^ih c.)jvert de grice {1^1^), vert-
de-gris (15th c. ; also mod.K,), lit. * green of
Greece * : see Veut sb.^ Cf. med.L. viride grecum
(i4-i5th c). T^ie terminal syllable at an early
date was no longer understood and hence under-
went various corruptions of spelling and pro-
nunciation.]
1. A green or greenish blue substance obtained
artificially by the action of dilute acetic acid on
thin plates of copper (or a green rust naturally
forming on copper and brass), and much used as a
pigment, in dyeing, the arts, and medicine; basic
acetate of copper.
o. 1336-7 Ely Sacr. Rolls (1907) IL 92 In ij libris dim. de
verdegrez empt., ijs. vd. c 1386 Chauckr Chanon Yeom.
Prol. Sf 7; 791 (Corpus), 5it wol I telle hem,.. As boole
armonyak, Verdegres, Boras. 14x7 in For. Ace. 8 Hen. V,
D j/2 Vermelone, Coperos, Verdegres, Vernysshe. 14.. Voc.
in Wr.-Wulcker6iQ Viride grecum^ verdegrece. 1495 /"r^-
visa^s Barth. De P. R. xix. xxxviii. 879 In the same wyse
as Cerusa is verdegreys made,,. and comyth of vapour of
stronge vyneygre shed vpon plates of brasse. 153a in E.
Law Hampton Cri. Pal. (1885) 363, 3 sackes of verdygrace
conteynyng 23 lb. 158a Batman Trevisa's Barth. De P. Ii.
Add. 259 Vcrdigrese, which as it is a colour for Painters, so
it is a fretting poison. 1626 Bacon Sylva % 291 Metalls give
Orient and Fine Colours.. in their Putrefactions or Rusts;
as Vermilion, Verdegrease, Bise. 1681 Grew Museum ni.
iii. i. 341 A sort of Native Verdegriese, from the Copper-
Mines of Herngrundt. 1691 Patent Specif^ o. 270, Verdi-
grease being a commodity of great vse in this our realme,
especially for painting and dying, and never hitherto made
here. ci7aoW. Gibson Farrier's Dispens.M.\\\. (1734) 97
The Verdigrease which is made by the pressings of the \Vine
put upon plates of Copper. 1758 Ann. Reg. 292 That their
process in salt-making would dissolve the surface of the
copper, into verdigreese, 1807 G. Chalmers Caledonia I.
I. lii. 107 The head of a Roman spear. .of brass, .and. .en.
crusted with verdigrease.
p. 1300-1 Durham Aec. Rolls (Surtees) 502 In vertegrez,
meile, atramento. £:i386 Chauckr Can. Yeom. Prol. ^ T.
791 (Ellesm.), Boole armonyak, vertgrees, Boras, a 1425 tr,
Arderne^s Treat. Fistula, etc. 82 Wax and oilcdulle (je
scharpnez of vertgrese, and vertgrese represse)? |>eir putre-
faccion and humcccacion. 1487-8 in Willis & Clark Caw-
bridge{iZZ6)l.^i2 Pro xj Ii. de colore viridi, anglice, verta-
grece, xs. xd. 1362 Turner Herbal 11. 151 [Turpentine] is
good for lepres, wyth vert gresse. 1373 Art of Liviming 6
To temper Vertgrese, called Spanishe greene. z6i2 Peacham
Gentl, E.xerc. 82 Vert-greece is nothing else but the rust of
brasse. 1656 '^xjasi^i Glossogr., Verd-greaseotvert-greeee.
y. c 1400 Lanfranc's Cinirg. 257 Take hony. .& pan do
Jierto 5 -ij. of vert de grece. 1674 Vertdegrease[see 2].
6. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Aerugo, . . verd degris : the rust
of brasse either artificiall or naturall. 1378 Lvte Dodoens
106 Gladyn pounde with a little Verdegris. .draweth forth al
kindes of thornes. 1601 Holland Plifty II. 471 This is
altogither artificiall, and is made of Cyprian verdegris or
rust of brasse. i68x Ciietham Angler''s Vade-m. ii. §4
(1689) 9 Haifa Pound of green Copperas, [and] as much
Verdigrise. 1737 Dyer Fleece i. 279 Corrosive drugs. .Dry
allum, verdigrise, or vitriole keen. 1789 Mrs. Piozzi
Journ. France I. 378 Here is a brassy scent in the air as of
verdigris. 1819 Shelley (Edipns ii. i. 76 Scorpions are green,
and water-snalces, and efts, And verdigris. x83<» Ukh Diet.
Arts 1273 Verdigris is a mixture of the crystallized acetate
of copper and the sub-acetate, in varying proportions. 1853
.RovLE Alat. Med. (ed. 2) 172 yErugo or Verdigris must have
'been early known, from the employment of Copper vessels.
*. X505-6 Aec. Ld. High Treas. Scot. III. 187 Tor tua
pund verngreis to him, xij s. 1506 Ibid. 193, vj pund varn-
greis. 1531-1 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) II. 65 Pro
duabus hbris ly wergresse, xys. 1593 Shuttlezvorths' Ace*.
(Chetham Soc) 103 For vargrasse to dresse the oxe feete.
b, trans/. (See quots.) rare,
x6o8 'I'opSELL Serpents 186 There is no part of the Frog so
medicinable as is the btoud,..The same also being made
into a Verdigreace, & drunke [etc.]. [1844 Hood The
Turtles 116 He mention'd Aldermen deceased,. .And specu-
lated on that verdigrease That isn't poison.]
O. With qualifying adjs. (see quots.),
1747 Wesley Prijn. Physick (1762) 91 One or two Drams
of distill'd Verdigrease. 1753 Did. Arts ff Sci. s. v., These
are the crystals of verdegrease, improperly called distilled
verdegrease. x8oo tr. Lagrange's Chem. 1 1. 339 Crystal-
lized verdigrise or acetite of copper. 1835 J. Scoffern A/^;«.
Chem, 490 Neutral acetate of copper is known popularly by
the absurd term distilled verdigris. i863\yATTS Diet. Chem,
I, 14 The bibasic salt or blue verdigris is prepared at
Montpellier. Ibid. 15 Green Verdigris.
2. altrib.y as verdigris blue^ colour^ water; ver-
digris green, a green of a bright, bluish hue ;
seruginous green,
i6^Culpei*per & Cole Barthol. Anat. in. i. 129 His skin
became of a Verdigreese or yellow-green colour. 1674 W.
Levbourne Compl, Surveyor 311 Vertdegrease water and
yellow berry water make a transparent Green. 1758 in
Dodsley Fu^. Pieces (1761) II. 84 The Unwholesomeness of
the Rust anil Verdegrease Suffusions. 1796 Kirwan Elenu
Min. (ed. 2) I. 38 Verdigris green— that [colour] in which no
shade of yellow is perceptible, rather bluish. 1805-17 R.
Jameson Char. Min. (ed. 3) 67 Verdigris-green is emerald-
green mixed with much BerUn-blue, and a little white, 1832
T. Brown i?>6. Butterflies <V M. (1834) I. 213 A rich verdigris
blue, of fine satiny lustre. 1896 Georgiana M. Stistkd True
Life Sir R. F. Burton ii. 31 That leek-like verdigris green
which one associates only with early spring in the temperate
zone. - ,. .
Hence VoTdlgrlsy a., of the colour of verdigris.
1897 C. Mokley Stud. Board Schools 193 Can that bit of
verdigrisy green be dried salt?
Ve-rdigrised, ///.«. [f. prec. + -ed.] Coated
or tainted with verdigris.
1831 Trelawny Adv. Younger Son I. 218 We hoisted up
four verdigrised brass nine-pounders. 1833-8 Hawthorne
Eng. Note-Bks. (1879) I. 63 An old verdigrised brass bugle.
Verdingal(e, variants of Vardingale Obs.
Verdit(e, obs, forms of Verdict,
tVe-rdite. Chem, Obs, [f. Verd-ou.s «. + -ite l
16-3
1^
VERDITEL.
4 b.] A salt produced by the action of verdous
acid on a base
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 159 The precipitate
consists of verdite of lead. 1843 /*<''"*-)' Cyci. XxVI. 256/1
The earthy or metallic verdites are yellow, while the ver-
dates of the same bases are green.
fVerditel. Obs.-^ « next 1.
1778 pRYCE MtH. Contuh. 250 By gradually adding the
powder, in some time, 011 the ceasing of the violence of
effervescence, the Copper will precipitate in a green powder,
called Verditel.
Verditer (vauditaa). Forms: a. 6-verditer,
6 viriditer, 8 verdeter. &, 6 verdytor, 7
vepditor. 7. 7-9 verditure, 7 virditur, [a.
OF. verddeterre (later F. vert de ierre), lit. * green
of earth ' : see Vbbd sb. Holland Pliny (1601)
II. 528 employs the OF. form.]
L 'a kind of pigment of a green, bluish green, or
(more freq,) light blue colour, usu. prepared by
adding chalk or whiting to a solution of nitrate of
copper, and much used in making crayons and as
a water-colour.
a. 1505-6 Ace. Ld. High Trcas. Scot. III. 184, iij di. pund
verditer ; ilk pund vjs. 1558 in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz.
(190S) 94 Rosset j lb. viii*; verditer xiiij*. x66iin Statutes
at Large, Ireland (1765) 11. 417 Verditer, the hundred
weight,, .^i 6s. 8rf. 1674 W. Leybourne Compl. Sut'veyor
310 Verditer, washed and tempered with Gum-water, is a
good Blew. 1738 Chambers Cycl- s. v. Dyeing, Bright green
IS first dyed blue, then back-boiled with braziletto, and ver-
deter. 1783 Priestley in PhiL Trans, LXXIII. 406 An
ounce of copper from verditer absorbed 403 ounce measures.
1839 Ube Diet. Arts 150 Bremen blue, or verditer, a green-
ish blue colour obtained from copper mixed with chalk or
lime. Ibid, 1275 Verditer, or Bremen Green.. is a light
powder, like magnesia, having a blue or bluish green colour.
1873 BeeioiCs Diet. Comm.^Sealing-Wax . .is a composition
of gum-lac, melted and incorporated with resin, and after-
wards coloured with some pigment, as vermilion, verditer.
/3. 153* in E. Law Hampton Crt. Pal, (1885) 363, 2 lb. of
verdytor, at \(id. the lb. 2660 Act 12 Chas, II, c. 4 (1786)
III. 157/2 Verditor, the hundred weight,. J H. vj» viij<'.
y. 1606 pEACHAM Art Drawing 54 Take your Verditure,
and grind it with a weak Gum Arabick Water, it is the
faintest and palest green that is. 1674 W. Levboubne
Compl. Surveyor -^lo Verditure washed and tempered with
Gum water, makes a Green not transparent.
b. With particularizing terms, as blu€j green^
refined blue, refiners' verditer.
1683 MoxoN Mech. Exerc,^ Printing xxiv. f 17 Virdi-
greace, and Green Virditur, for Greens. ..But all must be
round with soft Varnish. 173a J. Peelk Water-Colours 62
Jlue Verditer is a very bright, pleasant blue. 1799 G. Smith
Laboratory {^d.d) I, 184 Blue verditer or smalt, mixed witli
enamel, will make a good blue paint. 1837 Penny Cycl.
VII. 504/2 It [blue carbonate of copper] is of a fine light
blue colour, and known by the name of refiners' verditer.
1858 SiMMONDS Diet. Trade s. v.. There are refined blue,
and green verditers. 1867 Bloxam C/iem. 345 The paint
known as blue verditer is hydrated oxide of copper obtained
by decomposing nitrate of copper with hydrate of lime.
o. Hence occas. in pi.
1665 HooKE Microgr.Tz For Smalts and verditures, I
have been able with a microscope to perceive their particles
very many of them transparent. 1835 G. Field Chromato-
graphy 113 These blues, .as pigments are precisely of the
character of verditers.
2. The blue or green colour characteristic of
verditer.
1819 H. Busk Vestriad v. 422 The sacred hill.. Clad in
bright verditure and Prussian blue. 1858 Sat. Rev. 20 Nov.
507/2 Flies, .done in the brightest of verditer and ultra-
marine. 1877 Miss A. B. Edwards Up Nile vii. 185 The
prevailing colours, .are verditer and chocolate.
3. altrib. a. With names of colours, esp. ver-
diter blue,
i55x-a in Feuillerat Revels Edw. VI {igi^) 71 Grownde
white leade, viijd. Verditer grene, ixd. 1683 MoxoN Mech.
Exerc.y Printing xxiv, P17 Virditur Indico and Bice for
Blews. /i/rf., Virditur Indico. .and Green Virditur. 173*
J. Pecle IVater-Colours 62 Verditer-Green is a light Green.
185^ P'raser's Mag, LVl. 571 Greenish blue approaching
in richness to verditer blue, 1864-5 Wood Homes •without
H. xiii. (1868) 239 A large patch of feathers on the top of
the head glows and flashes with metallic splendour, and is
of a vivid verditer blue. 1891 G. E. Shellev Catal. Birds
Brit. Mus. XIX. 95 Throat verditer-blue, with paler blue
central lines. 1901 Q. Rev, July 18 The magnificent verdi-
ter-blue giant plantain-eater.
b. In the sense * of the colour of verditer *.
1857 Fraser's Mag. LVI. 571 A grayish white chin is fol-
lowed by a verditer throat, 1893 Sv.monds In Key of Blue
II Verditer hues of water-snakes.
Verdius. Verdjuioe, obs. ff. Verjuice.
fVerdoire. Obs.-^ [Irteg. var. verdor Veb-
i>oub1.] - Vekdl'uf. 2 c.
1586 Ferse Blaz. Gentrie 142 The Smaragd (commonly
called the Emeraud). .exceedeth the cullors of all herbs or
Vcrdoires.
Verdoit, obs. variant of Verdict sh.
II Verdona. [Sp., f. verde green.] A variety
of wine (see quots.).
1703 Dampier Voy. III. i. 10 Verdona is green strong-
bodied Wine, harsher and sharper than Canary. 1833 C.
Redding Hist. Mod. Wines (1851) 210 Verdona, a green
wine, of good body,.. formerly grown on the western side of
that island, and shipped at Santa Cruz for the West Indian
market, little or none coming to Europe.
tVerdonrl. Obs. Forms: a. 5 verdeur, 5-7
verdour (6 Sc, wer-), 6 veerdour, Sc. ver-
deour ; 5 Sc* wardur, 6 vardour, Sc. wardour^e.
124
&. 5 Sc. warder, 6-7 verdor, 7 verdore. [a.
OF. verdour^ verdor (13th c. ; = Prov., Sp., Pg.
verdor^ It. verdore)^ later verdeur (mod.F. dial.
vardeur)j f. verd green : see -or i and cf. Ver-
derI and Verdure.]
1. Fresh greenness (of vegetation) ; fig. fresh or
flourishing condition.
X447 BoKENHAM Seyntys {"R-oxh.) 2X1, The verdour or gren-
nesse & the redolence Of good fame. 1483 Caxton Gold.
Leg. 156 b/2 The blessyd George was hygh in despysyng
lowe thynges and therfore he had verdeur in hym self. 1610
GuiLLiM Heraldry m. vii. (i6ii) 106 He beareth Argent,
three sterued branches,.. this being mortified and vnuesied
of the verdour which sometime it had. 1646 Quarles
yudgem. ^ Mercy Wks. (Grosart) I. 87/1 {heading). The
worldly man's Verdour. Contrasting the prosperous condi.
tion of the worldly, .man [etc.].
b. Taste, esp, fresh or pleasant taste ; — Ver-
dure 4. Alsc^^.
1516 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 154 And the vyne
answered sayenge, 1 may not leaue my swetnes and pleas-
aunt verdour, whiche so delyteth. .bothe god it man. 1549
CovERDALE, etc., ErasiH, Par. Jas. II. 35 But every frute
is lyke unto hys owne tree, and bathe the verdour of the
juyce of hys owne rote. 1570-6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent
(1826) 223 Those plantes which our auncestors had brought
hither out of Normandie had lost their native verdour,
whether you did eate their substance, or drink their juice,
which we call Cyder. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, i.viii. § 5
We see in all other pleasures [than learning] there is sacie-
tie; and after they bee used, their verdour departetb.
2. = Verdure 3.
1480 Wardr. Ace. Edw.lV{\%y:^ 118 Oon other fcounter-
pointj of greene verdours with trees ; oon other of white
verdour with a scripture. 1493 Halyburton's Ledger {iZdj)
10 A cuvaryng of wardur, cost 12s. \^^\-% Rutland MS S.
(Hist. MSS. Comm.) IV. 271 For Jiij peces of verdours for
hanginges, vjV/. xiijj. iiijW. a 1548 WAUi.Chron.y Hen. VII I,
165 b, The newe banket chamber. . was hanged with a costly
verdor all new, the ground therof was all gold and the
flowers were all of Sattyn silver. 1574 Burgh Kec. Glasgow
(1876) I. 32 Ane lettgant bed furneist witht Flandreis wer-
dour, blancattis, scheittis, and coddis.
attrib. 1488 /Jcc. Ld. High Treas. Scot. I. 157 A verdour
bed to the Duk. 1501 Ibid. II. 31, vj elne cammas deliverit
to Jame Dog to mend the verdeour claihis in Strivelin.
153* N. Country Wills (Surtees) 133 A covering of a bedde
of verdour werke lyned with canvas.
3. = Verdure 2,
1508 Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 30 As new spynist
rose, Arrayit ryallie about with mony rich wardour. 1587
HouNSHED Chrotui^d.. 2) III. 857/1 Vnder it antike images
of gold inuironed with verdor of olifs cast in compasse. 1605
Bacon Adv. Learn, i. vi. § u. 30 Salomon became inabled..
to compile a naturall Historic of all Verdor, from the Cedar
vpon the Mountaine, to the mosse vppon the wall.
4. = Verdure i b. rare-\
"S5S Eden Decades (Arb.) 266 There appeareth to the eye a
certeyne verdour shynynge lyke the beames of the soonne.
t Verdour ^. Obs. rare. Also 6 vierdour, 6-7
verdor. [a. AF. verdour (1327), var. of verder
Verder2.] = Verderer2 I.
xjoa Arnolde Chron, p. IxxxA And to this Swanmot..
shall com to gedurs foresturs and vierdours and non other be
distraint. 1594 Crompton yurisd. 169 If a man be indited
of Trespasse done in the forrest before verdors, regardors,
agistors, and other Ministers of the Forrest [etc.]. 1607
CowELL Interpr., Verdour. ..a ludiciall Officer of the
Kings forest, chosen by the King, in the full county of the
same shire, within the forest, where he doth dwell. Ibid.^
The verdour is made by the Kings writ, . . which is directed
to the shyreeue for the choice of him in a full Countie. 1656
Blount Glossogr. (after Cowell), V'erderer or Verdor, a
Judicial Officer of the Kings Forrest. i8ia W. Taylor in
Monthly Mag. XXXIV. 210 A forest has laws and officers
of its own, as foresters, verdours, rangers, and agisters.
t Verdous, a. Chem. Obs, [See Verdic a. and
-0U3,] Verdous acid; (see quots.).
1836-41 Brande Chem. (ed. 5) 1198 On evaporation [of an
extract from the root of Scabiosa succisa] a yellow acid pro-
duct is obtained : in this state Berzelius proposes to call it
verdous acid. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 256/1 Berzelius. .
proposes to call the colourless the verdous and the coloured
the verdic acid.
Verdoy, sb. and a. [ad. K. verdoyi^ pa, pple.
of verdoyer : see next.]
t A. sb, = Verdure 3. Obs."^
154a Test. Ebor. (Surtees) VI. 166 Item v peces of ver-
doyes for hanginges.
B. adj. Her, Of a bordiire: (see quots. 1562
and 16 10).
1561 Leigh Armorie 190b, The sixte [emborduring] is
called Verdoye, as when it is occupied with frewtes, leaues,
or sUppes. 1610 Guillim Heraldry \. v. (1611) 20 This
terme Verdoy is appropriated to all bordures charged with
leaues, flowers, fruits, and other the like vegetables. [Hence
in Phillips {1658), and in later Diets.] 1661 Morgan Sph,
Gentry 11. vi, 62 Sable, a bordure or, charged with Verdoy
of Trefoiles sliped to the number of eight. 1725 Earn. Diet.
s.v. Bordure, If a Bordure be charg'd with any Parts of
Plants or Flowers, they say Verdoy <^ Trefoils ^qx whatever
Flower it be. i88a Cussans Her. (1893) 68.
+ Verdoy, v. Obs,"^ [ad. OF. verdoier (12th
c), verdoyer^ f. verd Vebd j^.] intr^ To become
green.
1480 Caxton Ovids Met. x. i, A grene medowe full of
herbes verdoying or wexyng grene.
f Verd-aauoe, variant of Veht-sauce. Obs.
1409 Promp. Paru. (P.), Verdsawce, viride salsamentum,
+ Verdue, irreg. variant of Vebdube.
In the earliest instance app. a simple misprint, but parh.
accepted by later writers.
164X Sylvesters Du Bartas 11. i. Handycrafts 334 A Grove
VEBDUBE.
Upon the verdue [edd. 1605, 1621 verdure] of whose Virgin-
boughs Bird had not percht. 1650 Eakl Monm. tr. Senault's
Man bee. Guilty 176 'I'will make snow black, to make a
womans face seem fair, tarnish the verdue of the rose, to
exalt the freshiiesse of her Complexion. rtx67o Hacket
Aip. Williams i. (1692) 124 The month of May coming in
with its verdue.
!l Ve'rdiLgal. Obs. Also 6 vardygall, 7 vertu-
gal, vertigal. [OF. verdugale, vertugak : see
Vakdingale.] a farthinyalc.
1558-9 Sir R. Clough in Burgon Gresham (1839) '• iv- 251
After that, came i other horse coveryd with cloth of golde to
the grownde, which stoode lyke unto the gentyllwomen's
vardygalls. 1584HUDSON Du Bartas' Judith v.2i5Amongst
his vertugals for ayde he drew From his Lieutenant. x6ii
Coryat's Crudities Panegyr. Verses, The Gallery of ' Donna
Amorosa ' . . in Arabia Deserta which is a meere Magazia of
verdugals,
II VerdagO. Obs, rare. [Sp. (also Pg.) verdugo
hangman, lash, rod, shoot, = It. verduco narrow-
bladed sword.] A hangman or executioner. Also
employed as a term of abuse.
a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Sco?nf. Lady 11. i, Wei, Where are
my slippers Sir? Ser[vant]. Here Sir. Wei, Where Sir?
h.ive you got the pot Verdugo? have you seen the Horses
Sir? a 1625 Fletcher Wofnan^s Prize iv. i, Contrive your
beard o'th top cut like Verdugoes.
Hence f Verdu^osMp, the personality of a ver-
dugo or executioner. Obs,—^
1610 B. Jonson Alch. Ill, iii. His great Verdugo-ship (=a
Spaniard] has not a iot of language ; So much the easier to
be cossin'd, my Dolly.
Verduict, -duit, obs. variants of Veedict.
tVerdurant, a, Obsr^ [f. next + -ant i.]
Green, verdant.
1583 Melbancke Philotimiis N ivb, As she walked one
daye in her verdurant garden atone.
Verdure (vaudiua). Also 5 uerdure, 6 ver-
dur,. 7 verdeur, 8 verduer. [a, OF. verdure
(i2th c. ; = It., Sp., Pg. verdurd)^ f. verd greeu
+ -URE. Cf. Verdour 1.]
I. 1. The fresh green colour characteristic of
flourishing vegetation ; greenness, viridity.
13.. Gaw. <$■ Gr. Knt. 161 AUe his vesture uerayly was
clene verdure. 1413 Pilgr. So7vle (Caxton, 1483J iv. i. 58
This appel was. .borne fro the grene tree and put vpon the
drye tre for to restoren this drye tree io verdure and to
fresshenes. c 1430 Lvdg. AHtt. Poems (Percy Soc.) 212 The
large feeldys shulde be bareyn, No corn up growe nor greyn
in his verdure. i6io Shaks. Temp, i. ii. 87 He was The luy
which had hid my princely Trunck, And suckt my verdure
out on't. 1639 N. N. tr. Du Bosq's Compl. Woman 11. 67
We see the Ivy full of Verdure, on the most withered tree.
1675 Trahekne Chr. Ethics 404 Ingratitude, .cuts off the
soul like a branch from the root that gave it life and verdure.
1700 Prior Carmen Secnlare xH, Let twisted Olive bind
those Laurels fast, Whose Verdure must for ever last. 1765
Museum Rust. IV, 229 When the snow lay very thick upon
the burnet, that part of it which was above the snow had
all the verdure of spring. 1838 Murray's Hand Bk. N.
Germ. 165/2 Another valley, .clothed with meadows of the
brightest verdure. 1910 igthCcnt. Feb. 285 The perennial
verdure of cypress and pine, ilex and box was invaluable.
fg. 167s Tkaherne Chr. Ethics 390 A spark of fire,., if it
falls.. into green wood or watery places,. .does no harm.
Penitent tears, and the verdure of humility prevent such
flames and extinguish the quarrel.
b. With a and pi. A shade or tint of green.
1523 Skelton Garl. Laurel 776 A croiiell of lawrell with
verduris light and darke I haue deuysyd for Skelton, 1610
Guillim Heraldry {1611) loMostvegitables, so long as they
flourish, are beautified with this verdure : and is a colour
most wholsome and pleasant to the eie. 1796 H. Hunter
tr. St.'Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) I. p. xxv, Tlie fir. .Clothed
with leaves stiff, filiform, and of a dark verdure.
2. Green vegetation ; plants or trees, or parts of
these, in a green and flourishing state.
a 1400-50 Alexander 4079 A ferly faire tre.. void of all
hire verdure & vacant of leues. C1477 Caxton Jason 104
Some ran for to gadre of the grene herbes and verdure for
to caste a long on the waye. a 1513 Fabvan Chron. vn.431
The tyme of wynter which trees doth deface And causyth
all verdure to a voyde quyte. 1667 Milton P, L. xi. 828
Then shall this Mount, .by might of Waves be moovd Out
of his place,.. With all his verdure spoil'd. 17J9 T. Cooke
Tales, Proposals, etc. J15 To him who longest shall main-
tain the Field This blooming Verdure on my Brows I yield.
177s Johnson Lett, (1788) I. 288, I can look into Lucy's
garden. . . 1 believe she has hardly any fruit but gooseberries;
but so much verdure looks pretty in a town. i8aa Shelley
tr. Calderons Mag. Prodig. iii. 59 Voluptuous Vine, ..To
the trunk thou interlacest [thou] Art the verdure which em-
bracest, 183a Ht. M artineau Homes Abroad i. 2 Flourish-
ing young plantations put forth their early verdure. x886
Sheldon tr. Flaubert's Salammbd 14 The fire spread from
tree to tree, until the tall mass of verdure resembled a vol-
cano beginning to smoke,
fig. x8i8 Keats Endyvi. ni. 187 At this a surpris'd start
Frosted the springing veidure of his heart.
Comb, x^ia Blackxv. Mag. Sept. 316/1 Around us were
the precipitous verdure-clad cliffs.
b. esp. Green grass or herbage,
1447 UoKENHAM Seyntys Introd. (Roxb.) 3 In may was
neuer no medews sene Motleyd with flours on hys verdure
grene. 1515 Barclay ££-/<';f« v. (1570) Dij/i What time
the verdure of ground & euery tre. By frost and stormes
is priuate of beautee. 1638 Cowley Love's Riddle iv,
{Thoughts] and the pleasant verdure of the fields Made me
forget the way. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. iv. xiii. § 2 The
earth will not appear painted with flowers^ nor the fields
covered with verdure, whenever he has a mmd to it. '794
Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho iii, Along the bottom of
this valley the most vivid verdure was spread. 1846
MCCULLOCH Ace, Brit, Empire (1854) 1. 143 The Cheviot
VERDURED.
hills are.. distinguished by their fine green verdure. 1878
Bbownisg La Saisiaz 52 Praising still That soft tread on
velvet verdure, as it wound through hill and hill.
t o. //. Green plants or herbs. Obs.
c 147s ParUnay 3824 She lepte the fenesire vppon, Aboue
beheld she uerdures Houresshing. c 1481 Caxton Dialogues
13/22 In wodes ben the verdures, Brembles, bremble berics
1631 G. TowNSHEND Tempe Resior'd\ All this second story
seem'd of Silver worke mixt with fresh Verdures. 1603
Evelyn De la Quint. Compl. Card. 1 1. 199 Parsley, .is com-
prehended under the Title of Verdures or green Pot-herbs.
1719 London & Wise Compl. Card. ix. 282 May. It is now
the time of the flourishing reign of all Verduers and green
things. 17M WOI.L.4STON Relig. Nat. ix. 206 He might
perhaps now and then meet with a little smooth way, . . or be
flattered with some verdures and the sidles of a few daisies
on the banks of the road.
+ 3. A rich tapestry ornamented with representa-
tions of trees or other vegetation. Obs.
Common c 152S-C 1550 after French usage : see also Ver-
DERt I, VerdourI 2.
1513 MS. Papers 5 Hen. VIII, No. 4101 (Publ. Rec Oflice),
A Counterpoynt of paly verdure, ..an old counterpoint of
Redde verdures. (Tisjo Dice-Play (Percy) 9 Divers well
trimmed chambers, the worst of them apparelled with ver-
dures. Z586 Rates o/Custome E viij, Tappistry with wul or
Verdure the flemish elle, xii. d.
II. t4- Freshness or agreeable briskness of
taste in fruits or liquors ; also simply, taste, savour.
1513 Brad.skaw si. iVerhurge I. 614 A swete tree bryngeth
forth. .Swete fruyte and delycyous in tast and verdure.
c 1540 tr. Pol. Virg. Eng. Hist. (Camden) I. 216 Being
parched and brent.. it engenderethe the verdure and taste
ofsalie. 1574 R. Scot //o/ Car,/. (1578) 6That Ale. .borow.
eth the Hoppe, as without the which it wanteth his chiefe
grace and best verdure. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 424 Upon
such a chaunce and unhappie accident it [new wine] looselh
the verdure and quicke tast. 161 1 Speed Theat. Gt. Bril.
xxiv._ (1614) 47/1 I'he very wines made thereof .. being little
inferior in sweet verdure to the French wines.
fi^. 1630 Donne Serm. (1640) 133 Every word in them [the
Scriptures) hath his waight and value, his taste and verdure. ,
fb. Sharpness, tartness, or unpleasantness of
taste. Obs.
In last quot. perh. only a contextual application of the
general sense of ' taste ' : see prec.
1508 Stanbridge Bulgaria (W. de W.) Bvb, This wyne ■
IS of verdure. Hoc viniim est acre, 1601 Holland Pliny
II. 152 The wines which by age and long keeping, lay
downe their verdure and become sweet. i6a6 Kr. Hall
Contempt., O. T. xxi. vi. 512 Something they must haue to
complaine of, that shall giue an vnsauory verdure to their
sweetest morsels.
t5. Smell; odour. K\sxi fig. Obs.
ijao Whitinton Vulg. (1527) 15 This wyne drynketh of a
good verdure {delicati odoris). 1(89 Greene Tullies Loue
Wks. (Grosart) VII. 165 Let lillies witlier on the stalke,
lUld wearc violets in thy hand, the one faire and vnsauorie,
the other blacke but of sweete verdure. 1594 R. QarewJ
Huarte's Exam, ints (1616) 309 What is the cause, that
the excrements of brute beasts haue not so vnpleasant a
verdure, as those of mankind? ifcl Holland P/iny I.
377 The good Baulme . . in smell . . should have an harsh
verdeur. /iid. 429 The Oile-oliue..hath of all other the
best verdure, and in tast excelleth the rest. 1716 M, Davies
At/ien. Brit. II. 351 The powerful Verdures of the foresaid
Allium, Cepa, &c.
6. fig. Fresh or flourishing condition.
c 1586 C'lEss Pembroke Psalms Lxxr. v. Do not then,
now age assaileth. Courage, verdure, vertue faileth. Do not
leave me cast away. 1591 Shaks. Two Gent. I. i. 49 Euen
50 by Loue, the yong and tender wit Is turn'd to folly,
blasting m the Bud, Loosing his verdure, euen in the prime.
1619 Donne Lett. (1651) 222 Whatsoever I should write now,
of any passages of these days, would lose their verdure
before the letter came to you. ai«64 Kath. Philips Poems
(1667) 44 In Youth she did attract (for she The Verdure
had without the Vanity). 167a Clarendon Contempt,
on Psalms Tracts (1727) 653 If he discontinues to give,
all his former bounties have lost their verdure, and wither
away. 1716 Pope Odyss. xix. 149 My lords protecting hand
alone would raise My drooping verdure, and extend my
praise 1754 H. Walpole Lett. (1846) III. 67, I am in no
tear of not finding you in perfect verdure. 1819 Lytton
Dtsowntd X, Those years make the prime and verdure of
our hves.
7. fig. Signs of gullibility ; -= Gbeen sb. 1 c.
1861 H. C. Pennell Pud on Pegasus 75 Perceiv'st thou
verdure in my e\-c ?
Verdurea (vs-jdiilid), ///. a. [f. prec. -h -ED.]
1 1. Of wine : Having a (specified) taste. Obs.
IS33 Elvot Cast. Hetthe III. xviii. (1541) 69 Moderate vse
of small wynes, clereand well verdured, is herein very com-
mendablc. 1J48 Udall Erasmus Par, Luke vL 73 The
sower verdured wyne of the olde supersticion.
2. Clad with verdure or vegetation ; covered with
grass.
" ''^* \- •'*«'"'-'-•■ '^i^ 0/ Poetry (1894) 193 Lonely plea-
sure leads To verdur'd banks, to paths adorn'd with
Bowers. 1798 W. Mavor Brit. Tourists V. 7r The terrific
ascent of St. Catherines . is well verdured. 1839 Arnold in
l.iU li Corr. (184.^) II. App. 398 There are two houses just
built by the roadside, and opposite to them a little patch of
ground just verdured. 1893 ScHiner's Mag. June 734/2
A peculiar valley., made up of palisades and verdured
plateaus.
Verdnreless (vS-idioiles), a. [f. Verdubk
+ -LESS.] Destitute of verdure ; lacking vegeta-
tion ; bare, bleak. (Freq. from c 1850.)
'^ *r°i" '" ^''^^"- l^'"?- XVI. 394 The bright-feather 'd
tribes of the sea . . bask on the verdureless brow of the deep.
»83i James Phil. Augustus xiv, My heart is like a branch
long broken from its stem, withered and verdureless, 1877
Dawson Grig. iVorld viii. 181 It was a world of bare,
rocky peaks, and verdureless valleys.
Verdurer, variant of Vebdebeu 2.
125
I Verdurous (vS-jdiilras), a. Also 7-9 poet,
verd'rous. [f. Verdure -i- -ous.]
1. Of vegetation : Rich or abounding in verdure ;
flourishing thick and green.
1604 Drayton Moyses ii. 51 The loathsome Hemlock as
the verdurous Rose, I hese filthy Locusts equally deuow, e.
i6ia — Poty.olb, XV. 196 The sent-full Camomill, the ver-
durous Costmary. 1708 J. Philips Cyder 1. 35 Where the
lowing Herd Chews verdrous Pasture, c 1750 Shenstone
I J^<^?»omy I. 129 Lovely as when th' Hesperian fruitage
j smild Amid the verd'rous grove! i8ia Cary Dante,
I jf^K^r. XXIX. 89 Four animals, each crown'd with verdurous
leal. 1835 J. p. Kennedy Horse Slwe R, xii. The rich
verdurous and lively forest that encompassed this blighted
spot. 1837 HowiTT Rur. Life 11. i. (1862) 89 Green fields
and verdurous trees or deep woodlands lying all round.
188S Athenxum 23 May 669/1 Verdurous masses of foliage
aiKl sward disposed with great simplicity and breadth.
Jig. ^nA trans/. 1857 WiLLMOTT Pleas. Lit. xxiii. 148 Of
these, Philosophy is one of the most verdurous and throws
wt.hT " ^^f'"^- ■»?« Blackie Songs Relig. fr Life 197
With banners of gold and of silver, .. And verdurous power
in his path Wnen he comes in the pride of the May.
b. Of places, etc. : Covered or clothed with
verdure; displaying a rich fgreen) vegetation.
1717 E. Fenton Poems 93 There the Flocks And Herds of
Phffibus o er the verd'rous Lawn Browze fatt'ning pasture.
177a Sir W Jones Seven Fount. Poems (1777) 37 Green
hillocks, . . And verdurous plains with winding streams
bedew d. 1796 Coleridge To Chas. Lloyd 51 That ver.
durous hill with many a resting-place. <:i8i8 Keats Ep.
o <n Reynolds 58 The verd'rous bosoms of those isles.
1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics (.860) II. 80 Spots like those
in the lowlands of Northern Germany, verdurous and seem,
ingljf solid. 189a .Mrs. H. Ward David Grieve II. 302 A
playing wind sprang up,, .freshening the verdurous ways
through which they passed.
2. Consisting or composed of verdure.
1667 Milton P. L. iv. 143 Vet higher then thir tops The
verdurous wall of Paradise up sprung. 1771 NuGENTtr. Hist.
Fr. Gerund I. 533 Why did not the Earth protend her
verdurous oflirings. 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam vi. xxvii.
Clasping Its gray rents with a verdurous woof, .\ hanging
1?"",' 'L "^"'^ '*'* '^^'^^^ Endym. in. 420 Just when
the light of morn.. Stole through its verdurous matting of
fresh trees, i860 Motley Nether t. (i863) I. v. 259 The
soldiers themselves, attired in verdurous garments of foliage
and flower.work, . . paraded the bridge.
3. Of or pertaining to, characteristic of, verdure.
1810 Keats Ode to Nightingale iv. Through verdurous
glooms and winding mossy ways. 1851 Meredith London
by Lamplight xxiv, This night of deep solemnity. And ver-
durous serenity. 1859 Neale Disciples at Emmans in
ieatoman P. (1864) 187 Every tinted leaf Opes its young
channel to the verdurous sap. 1883 Harper's Mag. July
166/1 Its verdurous hue is more noticeable than its elevation.
Hence Ve-rdnroasness.
1856 Lynch Zf«. to Scattered U^l^) 557 Many of thera
Isc. sermons] have an invigorating verdurousness, and are
like the wide green fields.
Verd(u)ytt, obs. variants of Verdict.
Verdjmggale, variant of Vardinoale Obs.
+ Vere, sb. Obs. Forms : a. 4-5 veir, 5 veyr,
Sc. weyr, 6 Sc. weir. fi. 4 veer(e, 5 weere, 6
; vear. y. 4-6 vere, 5 JV. were. See also Ver .r^ I
[a. OF. ver masc. or vere fern. :— L. ver Ver sb.^\
, The se.Tson of spring ; spring-time.
I c\. ' L^* ''^''" Psalter\xx'ul i8 Pou madest alle \>e cuntres
. of >er^ : somer and veir, bou forinedest l>o Jiynges. c 1400
tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 72 Veir bigynnes whenne
\K Sonne entres yn to ^e toknynge of \><: sheepe. £1470
Henry JVattace viii. 1697 Gud Wallace .. Brest in weyr
to Sanct Jhonstoun couth fair. 1513 Douglas yEntid 111.
I. 17 Scant begunnin was the fresch weir, Quhen that
Anchises. .Bad ws mak sail. Hid. x. Prol. 11 Fresche veir
to burgioun herbis and sweit flouris.
p. C1374 Chaucer Tropins 1. 157 pe tyme Of Aperil, when
clothed IS )k mede. With newe grene, of lusty veer the
prime. 1388 Wyclif Ecctus. 1. 8 As a flour of rosis in the
dates of veer. 14U Vonge tr. Secreta Secret. 243 The tyme
of weere is hote and moisti. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 244 b/2
Some say that the transfyguracion was made in veer. 1583
Melbancke Pkilotimus H iv. In vear, the husbandmen lop
their trees, to the intent that afterward they may growe the
better.
y. 1387-8 T. UsK Test. Love 11. ix. (Skeat) 1. 133 The same
yere makelh springes and jolite in Vere .. to renovel with
pelnted coloures. C1400 Somdone Bab. 965 In the prym-
sauns of grene vere. 1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. 11. xii. in
Ashni. Theat. Ckem. Brit. (1652) n8 And then be Wynter
and Vere nygh over-gon To the Est. 1509 Payne Evyll
Marr. (Percy) 25 In tyme of vere when lovers lusty be.
a 15x9 Skelton On Time Wks. 1843 I. 138 The rotys take
the>T sap m tyme of vere. 1563 Jack Juggler (E.E.D.S.)
36, I never use to run away in winter or in vere.
Hence t Vere-tlme, spring-time. Obs.
138a WvcLlE Geti. XXXV. 16 He goon out thens, com in
veer tyme to the loond that ledith to EITratam. 13^ —
Ps. Ixxiii. 17 Thou madist alle the endis of erthe; somer
and veer tyme, thou fourmedist tho. 1483 Caxton Gold.
Leg. 48 b/i He wente thens and cam in veer tyme unto the
londe that goth to effratam.
t Vere, v. Obs.-^ [Of obscure origin.] trans.
To raise up ; to nplift.
13.. E. E.Altit. P. \. 254 That luel l)enne in gemmyz
gente, Vered vp her vyse with j-^en graye.
Vore, ME. var. Fere sb., FniK sb.; obs. f.
Very a. ; obs. Sc. var. \VARf4. ; obs. f. Wear v. :
Sc. f. Were (doubt) Obs.
Vereonnd (ve-r/kcnd), a. [ad. L. vericund-us
(whence obs. F. verecond (Cotgr.), It. verecondo,
Pg. verecundd), i. vereri to reverence, fear.]
Modest, bashful ; shy, coy.
VERGE.
C1550 Rolland Crt Venus iii. 325 Than said Venus vith
<;« ^"«:'">d. Say quhat 3e will and kelp 50W within bound.
i5SS Blount Glossogr. (following Cotgrave), Verecund,
modest, shamefacd, demure, bashfull. [Hence in late^
Diets.) 18711 'Aliph Cheem ' (Veldham) Lays o/Ind (1876)
2 One day this said verecund Mr. McPherson He chanced
at a nautch to be present in person. 1873 Ruskin Fors
C/w.xxvii. 12 And verecund Mr. McLosh,..has he no sug-
gestion to offer? ^
Hence 'Verecn'udlty, VeTecnndness. rare-'.
I7ai Bailey, Verecunitity, Modesty, Bashfulness. 1727
//v^vol. II), Verecuniiness, Modesty,.. Verecundity.
t Verecundious, a. obs.-^ [f. prec. -i-
-lous.] Characterized or accompanied by modesty.
" '*39 WoTTON in Reliq. (1651) 160 Your brow proclameth
much fidelity, a certain verecundious generosity graceth
your eyes.
So t Verecundous a. [ous.] Obs.—^
1656 Blount, Verecundous, modest, shamefac'd, demure
t Verefiance. Obs,-^ [f. verefy Verify v. +
-ANCE.] Verification, confirmation.
C1450 Lovelich Grail x\W. 113 To morwen scholejehem
alle se To londe aryven,.. Whiche to 30W schal ben gret
v^fiaunce And gret fulfillenge to 3oure cieaunce.
Verefie, -fy, obs. ff. Verify. Verejouse, obs.
f. Verjuice. Verelale, obs. f. Vibelay. Vereli,
-liehe, -ly(e, -lyohe, obs. ff. Verily adv.
fVerement. Obs.-" (See quot.)
<:i44o Promp. Pat v. 56/2 Buschement, or verement,
cuneus, [Also 508/2.)
Veren, obs. pi. f. were, pa. t. of Be v.
Veresimilous, var. Verisimilous a. Obs.
Veretle, obs. Sc. form of Verity.
Vereti'lliform, a. Zool. [f. mod.L. Veretill-
um -H -(i)form.] H.iving the form of a member of
Veretillum, Wis typical genus of Veretillidse,' a.
family of pennatuloid polyps.
1838 Penny CycL XII. 270/2 The ordinary or Verelilliform
Hotothurix. X891 in Cent. Diet.
■Verey(e, -licho, obs. ff. Very, Verily.
VergaloO. U. S. Also vergaleu, virgaloo,
-ieu. [var. of Virgouleuse, prob. taken as a pl.j
The white doyenne or Warwickshire bergamot.
i8a8-3» Webster, F«r^o»/«a«, a species of pear; contracted
to vergaloo, 184a J. BuEL Partner's Cotnp. 269 It is as easy
to cultivate the vergaleu as it is the choke pear. 1845 A.J.
VowmsG Fruits^ Fruit-trees Attier.^-ji Virgalieu, of New
York . . .Virgaloo, Bergaloo, of some American gardens. . . It
IS an old French variety, but with us, is in the most perfect
health.
t Vergantine. Obs. rare. [a. older Sp. ver-
ganlin (Sp. bergantin, Pg. bergaittim) Brigantine.]
= Brigantine I.
1578 T. N[|CH0LAS] tr. Cotig. IV. India 18 Hee then
bought a Carvell and Vergantine. 1648 Gage West Ind. 38
Hernando Cortez went.. from Ihaxcallan to Mexic.o, to
besiege it by land and by water, with Vergantines which
for that purpose he had caused to be made.
Verge (vajdj), sb.^ Also 6-7 verdge, vierge,
7 varge. [a. OF. (also mod.F.) verge ( = It. verga)
:— L. virga rod, etc. : cf. Vikge.]
I. 1. t a. The male organ ; the penis. Obs.—^
anooStocth. Med. MS. \. 343 in AngliaXWlU. 303 Jif
J>e verge be brente. As man of woman may so be scheme.
b. Zool. [After mod.F. use.] The male organ
of a mollusc, crustacean, or other invertebrate.
1774 GoLDSM. Nat. Hist. (1824) III. 114 AH (sea-snails)..
that have this orifice, or verge, as some call it, on the right
side. i8sa Dana Ct^st. 1. 242 The male verges are similar
111 position. 1861 HuLME tr. Moquin-Tandon 11. vil. 333
In these animals the sexes may be separated or united.
The males arc generally provided with a verge or spiculum.
t2. Arch. 'The shaft of a column, or a small
ornamental shaft in Gothic architecture' (Parker).
Obs.-^ ^ '
l4il-»o LvDG. Chron. Troy w. 653 If I schulde rehcrsen
by and by pe korve knottes by crafte of masounry, be
fresche enbowyng, with vergis ri^t as linys [etc].
1 3. A species of torch or candle. Obs. rare.
'494-S Durhatn Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 653 Pro factura viB
toi;chez, xij torchettes, cum iiij vergez pro capella d'ni
Prioris. 1500-1 Ibid. 656, ij torches, iij torchetez, ij verges.
4. a. A rod or wand carried as an emblem of
authority or symbol of office ; a staff of office ; a
warder, f sceptre, mace, t Sergeant of the verge,
- Sergeant sb, 8 b.
"494 Househ, Ord. (1790) 124 The abbott to take to her
her scepter and her verge to her hand. 151^ in Ellis Grig.
Lett. Ser. 11. I. 251 The said Cardinall. .delivered her the
Scepter in her right hande, and the vierge of the hand of
Justice in her lyfte hand. 1566 Adlinpton Apiileius
It, I pray you tell me what meaneth these servitours
that follow you and these roddes or verges which they
beare ? 160a Segar Hott., Mil. ^ Civ. Iv. viii. § 4. 218 'To this
degree of Archduke belongeth a Surcoat i . , hee also bcareth
a Verge or rod of gold. 1609 Holland A mm. Marcell.
d iv b. He used to go before the Emperour with a golden
Verge or Warder. 1670 Blount Anc, Tenures 22 To
support his [the King's] right Arm.. whilst he held the
Regal Verge or Scepter. 1688 Holme Armoury iv. xii.
(Roxb.) 506/1 Then marched the sergeants of the Verge of
the Guildhall in Paris. 1708 J. Chamberlayne St. Gt. Brit.
I. II. vi. (1710) 62 Putting into his Hand a Verge of Gold.
1791 Burke App. Whigs Wks. 1842 I. 530 His mind will be
heated as much by the sight of a sceptre, a mace, or a
verge. 1867 \st Rep. Commissioturs Publ. Worship 38/1
Have you any cross or other emblem carried in processioa
in your church?— Only a verge. 18940. N. Robinson Brit.
Fleet i^t The verge formerly borne in state before a newly*
appointed member of the Board.
VERGE.
126
VERGE.
+ b. A rod or wand put in a person's hand when
taking the oath of fealty to the lord on being
admitted as a tenant, and delivered back on the
giving up of the tenancy. Also in jihr. teuaut by
the z*trge. Oh.
1607 J. NoRDES Sunt. Dial, ni, 101 Tenants of Itase
tenure, are they that hold by verge at the will of the Lord.
x6«8 Coke Oh Litt. 61 'jenantrsj by the Verge are in the
same nature as tenants by copy of Court roll. 1651 tr.
A*/VcA/ii'fC<»«//iZ,f<'/(i675) 161 Plow-holders of base tenure
are those which hold by Verge at the Will of the Lord.
5. fa™ A cbaaot-]x>le. Ohsr^
x6ii Speed Hisi. Gt, lirit. v. iv. § 13. 25 They will, .run
vpon the vergies (L. /^r temonein\ and st.ind stedfastly
vpon the beames [L. in jngn\^ and quickly recouer them-
selues backe againe into the waggons.
b. A rod, wand, or stick, rare.
1807 Church Q. Re:>. 5 The Pope's pastoral staff gradually
swallowed up the sceptres of kings, as Aaron's verge de-
voured the other rods.
f 6. An accent-mark. Obsr'^
1555 Eden Decades ill. vil (Arb.) 166 The names. .are
pronounced with thaccent, as yowe niay know by the
verge sette ouer the heddes of the vowels.
7. Watchmaking. The spindle or arbor of the
balance in the old vertical escapement.
1704 in J. Harris Lex. Teckn. I. 1757 Phil. Trans. L.
201 In the. .clock.. the verge, that carries the pallets, was
bent downwards. 18*5 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic
521 The socket.. !■? turned pretty small on the outside, in
order to allow the arbors of the detents to be laid as close
to the verge as maybe. 1876 C//«, Soc. Trans. IX. 145
He.. contrived to break the verge of one watch and the
cylinder of another. 1884 F. J. Britten Watch <S- Clockm.
syt) The Verge.. has no pretensions to accuracy in presence
of such escapements as the Lever and Chronometer.
b. ellipt. A verge watch (see next),
1871 ' M. Legrand ' Cambr. Freshm. iii, Mr. Samuel had
previously worn an antiquated verge, once the property of
the worthy Captain. 1904 Times w July 2/6 Ihe watch
was simply described as a gold verge with seal.
o. aitrib. and Comb., as verge escapement^ -file,
hole^ 'Viakerj 'pivot, springs watch.
179» Trans. Soc. Arts X. 217 Common verge watches
have no oil upon the pallets. x8s5 J. Nicholson Operat.
Mechanic 508 Tiie verge-pivots of a good sized pocket-
watch. X841 Civil Eng. i^ Arch. Jml. IV. 29/1 The end
of the screw is attached to a strong verge spring. 1858
SiMMONDS Diet, Trade, I'^rge-maker, a maker of pallets;
a branch of the watch-movement trade. 1875 Knight Diet.
Mech. 2707/1 Verge-Jite^ a fine file with one safe side,
formerly used in working on the verge of the old vertical
escapement. Ibid. 2708/1 The vertical or verge escape-
ment is old-fashioned. 1884 F. J. Britten Watch ^■
Clockm. 128 In good clocks the pallets and verge holes aie
jewelled. .
8. a. A part of a stocking-frame (see quot.).
1851-4 Tomlinson's Cycl. Use/. Arts (1867) II. 877/1 In
front of the needle-bar is a small piece of iron, called the
verge^ to regulate the position of the needles.
b. U.S. That part of a linotype machine which
carries the pawls by which the matrices are released ;
an escapement pawl link.
In recent use.
II. to. a- A measure of length or superficies
for carpentry work. Obsr~°
c 1440 Projfip. Parv. 508/2 Verge, yn a wrytys werke,
virgata.
•fb. Verge of land [tr, OF. vage de terre,
med.L. virga ternvl, = Virgate. Obs. rare.
1^67-8 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 609/1 A mese, iii verge of Land,
..ill Acres of Medowe. 1651 tr, Kitchin's Courts Leet
(1675) 152 Upon two Verges of Land are built houses. 167*
CoweWs Interpr., Yardland . . is a quantity of Land
various, accorcfing to the place... It is called a Verge of
Land, anno 28 E, i, Statute of Wards.
IIX 10. Within the verge, within an area sub-
ject to the jurisdiction of the Lord High Steward,
defined as extending to a distance of twelve miles
round the King's court. Also with in, and freq.
const, ^(the court, etc.). Obs. exc. Hist.
The phrase is a rendering of AF. dedeinz la verge {in
Anglo-L. infra z'irgam), in which verge originally referred
to the Steward's rod of office (see sense 4 a) ; in early use
the full expression 7>erge de noster hostel (L. virga hospitii
nostri) is employed. In the 18th century commonly denot-
ing the precincts of Whitehall a; a place of sanctuary.
\m-\o Act I Hen. VIII, c 14 § i The Lorde Stuarde of
the Kynges House.. wythin the Verge and Justices of
Assize, and Justices of the Peace, ..have also power to
inqwere..of every Defaulte. 1329 in Fiddes Wolsey \\.
(1726) 177 According to the ancient custom us'd within
your verge. 1591 Lambardk Archeion (1635) 38 That the
Alarshall of the Kings House have the ptace of the King,
to heare and determine Pleas of the Crowne within the
Verge. 1604 Proclam. Prices Victuals 10 July, The
Ciarkes of the market of our Houshold within the Verge of
our Court. 1643 in Clarendon Hist. Keb. vi. § 231 That
both He, and the I>ord Herbert, . . may likewise be restrain'd
from coming within the Verge of the Court. 1669 E.
Chamberlavne Pres. St. Eng. 244 Murders, .committed in
the Court or within the Verge, which is every way within
12 miles of the chief Tunnel of the Court. 1711 Addison
Sped. No. loi F 7 Men and Women were allowed to meet
at Midnight in Masques within the Verge of the Court. 1764
in \otk Rep. Hist. AlSS. Comm. App. 1. 375 M. D'Eon who
was to have receiv'd his sentence on fry^ay last.. chose
rather to take post in the neighbourhood of Whitehall, in
the Verge of the Court. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 448/1 The
original court of the marshatsea is a court of record, to
hear and determine causes between the servants of the
Icing's hou>ehold and others within the verge.
trans/, x6o6 6p. Andkewf.s Sertn. (1841J II. 202 We were
not only within the dominion, but within the verge, nay
even within the very gates of death.
b. Hence The verge {of the cottrt), employed
with other prepositions or in other constructions
to designate this area or juiisdiction.
1539 in Y'xdd^slVolsey n. (1726) 177 All manner of victuals
within the precinct of the verge. 1614 Notti7tgham Rec.
IV. 319 Ye Clarke of the Markett for the verge. 1641
Termes dc la Ley 261 The Coroner of the Kings house.,
cannot intermeddle within the County forth of the Verge,
because that his office extendeth not tbereunlo. 1748
Smollett Rod. Rand. (1812) 1. 431, I got safe into the
verge of the court, where I kept snug. 1768 Hlackstone
Comm. III. 76 Hy the statute of 13 KJc. II. st. i. c. 3. .the
verge of the court in this respect extends for twelve miles
round the king's place of residence. 1813 H. & J. Smith
Horace in Lond. 75 Place me beyond the verge afar,
Where alleys blind the light debar. 1865 Nichols Britton
I. p. xxxiv, This officer [of measures] appears to have been
styled Clerk, or Keeper, of the Market ; and his duties were
generally united with those of the Coroner of the Verge.
aitrib. 1708 J. Chamberlavne Pres. St. Gt. Brit. (1710)
[538 Officers of the Hall.. .Marshalsea... Verge. Ibid.'\
Index, Verge Officers, [p.] 538.
c. Court of {the) Verge: (see quot. 1730).
1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. 1. Ixviii. 285 All cases.,
of trespassis vi et armis, where one [party] . . was of the
houshold, were handled in the court of the Verge, or the
Marshals court. 1683 Luttkell Brie/ Rel. (1857) I. 159
Sir Phillip Lloyd . . haveing been tried at the court of verge
for killing one Mr. Holborne. 1730 Bailey (fol.), Court 0/
Verge, is a Court or Tribunal in the Manner of a King's
Bench, which takes Cognisance of all Crimes and Mis-
demeanours committed within the Verge of the King's
Court. 1904 Makv Bateson in Scottish Hist. Soc. Misc.
II. II A well -developed Court of the Verge', presided over
by the Constable, is here revealed in the Scotland of J305.
11. The bounds, limits, or precincts of a. particular
place. Chiefly after the jjreps. within^ in, out of.
The examples placed under (a) keep closer to the original
use (see sense 10) than those under {b).
(a) 1641 in Rushw. Hist. Coll. 111. (1692) I. 411 The
English and Dutch Merchants within the Verge of the
Castle [of Dublin], a i668 Davenant Poems {t6y^) 219 Th'
Aldermen by Charier, title lay ("Cause writ 'ith City's
Verge) to my new play. 1693 Southerne Maids Inst
Prayer iv. i, I wou'd not be known by any good will out
of the verge of Whitehall. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. II.
xxxvi. 294 She should be beheaded within the verge of the
Tower. 17^8 Eng. Gazetteer (ed, 2) s.v. Lid/ord, The
parish (of Lidford] may. .compare with any in the kingdom,
the whole forest of Dartmore being in the verge of it.
{b) 1650 Fuller Pisgak 394 Probably there were some
wells within the verge of the Temple. 1703 Dampier Voy.
III. 1, 13 The Canary Islands are,. within the usual Verge
of the True or General Trade-Wind. 1727 A. Hamilton
Nexv- Ace. E. Ind. II. xlvii. 165 Whatever Animal comes
within the Verge of a Temple, it is secured from Pursuit or
Violence. i77a-84 Cook's 3rd Voy. i. iii. I. 31 This shews
that the Cape de Verde Islands are either extensive enough
to break the current of the trade-wind, or that they are
.situated just beyond its verge, i860 Hawthorne Marb.
Faun xxxviii, All splendour was included within its \sc,
the cathedral's] verge.
/ig. 1742 VouNt; Nt. Th.w. 633 The chamber.. Is privi-
leg d beyond the common walk Of virtuous life, quite in the
verge of heav'n,
■f b. In //. in the same sense. Cbs^ rare.
x68o H. More Apocal. Apoc. 46 The Circle of the Throne
. .is thus conceived to be drawn about it, but so near that
the Beasts. .will have the same faces appear witliin the
verges of the Throne that appeared without. 1690 C. Nesse
O. <5r N. Test. I. 324 This only of all Jacob's children was
born within the verges of the land of Canaan.
•|-12. In phrases (as prec). a. The range, sphere,
or scope of something ; all that is naturally in-
cluded or comprehended under a particular concept,
category, etc, Obs. (common in 17th c).
'599 Nashe Lenten Stnffe Wks. (Grosari) V. 219 Voide
ground in the towne from the walls to the houses.. is not
within the verge of my Geometry. 1633 P. Fletcher /'wr/.
Isl. I. xlvi, He. .gave it. .a perfect motion, To move it self
whither it self would have it, And know what falls within
the verge of notion, 1664 Owen Vind, Animad. Fiat Lux
Wks. 1855 XIV. 294 These things are without the verge of
Christian religion, —chimeras, towers and palaces in the air.
1679 C. Nesse Antichrist 1S8 U'hey fall within the verge of
that dispensation. 1717 Col, Rcc. Pennsylv. III. 35 Made
without the Verge of the ancient Laws of that Kingdom.
1734 Treat. Ong. ^ Progr. Fees 34 They do not fall within
the Verge of my Undertaking in the present.
trans/. 1607 Tourneur Kev. Trag. i. iii. Nay, brother,
you reach out o' th Verge now.
•|-b. The pale 6r limit pf^ class or community.
160a Marston Antonio^'s Rev v. vi, We will live inclos'd
In holy verge of some religious order. 1649 Jer. Taylor
Gt, Exevip. I. 57 As he was included in the vierge of
Abrahams posterity. 1699 Shaftesb. Charac. II. i. i. § i
'Tis as hard to persuade, .tlie other [sort] that there is any
Virtue out of the Verge of their particular Community.
1768 .Sterne Sent. Journ., Dwar/{iyjZ) I. 188 Driven out
of their own proper class into the very verge of another.
f c. The power, control, or jurisdiction of a
person or ])ersons. Obs.
1648 Milton Observ. Art. Peace Wks. 1851 IV. 573 For
the Conscience, we must have patience till it be within our
verge. 1653-4 Whiielocke jtrtil. Swed. Emb, {1772) 1. 227
The master of the ceremonies (as in his own verge) imperi-
ously urged Whitelocke to pledge the health. 1676 Marvell
Gen. Councils Wks. 1875 IV. 143 The dextrous bishops.,
hooked within their verge, all the business and power that
could be catch'd. 170^ Swift Mech. Operat. Spirit (1711)
291 Engag'd in wise Dispute about certain Walks and Pur-
lieus, whether they are in the Verge of God or the Devil,
IV. 13. The edge, rim, border, or margin of
some object of limited si/e or extent. Now rare.
1459 Paston Lett. 1, 468, ij. galon pottes of silver wrethyn,
the verges gilt. Ibid.t ij. flagons of silver, with gilt verges.
i^BzIbid. III. 282 A scochen..with a scripture wretyn in the
verges therof rehersyng thise wordes, ' Here lieth Margret
Paston [etc.]'. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. iyyjl\
About the verges [of the coins] was written ; Francis of
France duke of Brabant. 1616 B. Jonson Masques, Hy-
menxi 926 A transparent veile. .whose verge, returning up,
was fastened [etc.]. 1633 G. Herbert Teitiple, Love Un-
kuo^vn 25 A boyling caldron, round about whose verge Was
in great letters set Affliction. 1673-4 Grew Anat. Trunks
I. i. § 14 On the inner Verge of the Barque, stands another
Sort of Sap-Vessels, in one slender and entire King.
1716 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) V. 256 A Gravestone, round
the verges of which [etc.]. 1747 Gray Death Fav. Cat 29
Again she bent, Nor knew the gulf between. ..The slipp'ry
verge her feet beguil'd, She tumbled headlong in. 1864
Boutell Hist. ^ Pop. Her. xix. § 5 (ed. 3) 310 The Verge of
the Escutcheon charged with 4 half Fleurs de lys or. 1865
Dickens Mut. Fr. ni. i, He stood on the verge of the rug.
fb. With a and jil., etc.: A brim or rim; a
circle of metal, etc. Obs.
1561 J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 64 b, A raine-
bow lyke an Emeraud compasseth or incloseth it as a
verdge. 1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, iv. i. 59 The inclusiue
Verge Of Golden Mettall, that must round my Brow. i6sx
AiNswoBTH Annot. Pentat, (1639) 102 These Cups. .had
verges at the bottome, that they might rest upon the table.
1649 Markham Eng. Houseiv. 11. li. 116 Then having rold
the coffin flat, and raised up a small verdge of an inch, or
more high, c 1710 Celia Fiennes Diaty (1888) 129 There
is another [statue], .whose garments and all are marble, .and
a verge all down before and round ye neck with ye figures
of the Apostles done in Embroydery as it were,
tc. Bot. (See quots.) Obs.
1704 Diet. Rust, (i 726), Verge, . . among Florists, . . is taken
for the edge or outside of a Leaf; as A dented Verge, 1728
Chambers Cycl, s.v., Among Florists, a dented Verge, is a
jagged edge or outside of a Leaf.
d. Arch, (See quots.) Cf. Verge-BOABD.
1833 Loudon Encycl, Archil, §83 To give a slight incli-
nation to the verge or border-slates, where they butt against
brick-work. Ibi<l. § 849 The verges are the external edge of
the tiling in gables, wJiich are covered with lime and hair,
or Roman cement. 1875 Encycl. Brit. II. 475/2 Verge, the
edge of the tiling projecting over the gable of a roof.
14. The extreme edge, margin, or bound of a
surface of an extensive nature, but regarded as
having definite limits. Also occas. without const.
1593 .Shaks. Rich. II, 1. i. 93 The furthest Verge That
euer was suruey'd by English eye. i6oa Marston /4«/. (J-
Mel. in. Wks. 1856 I. 30 The shuddering morne that flakes,
With silver tinctur, the east vierge of heaven. 1628 Wither
Brit, Rememb. 1. 73 The spacious verge of that well peopled
Towne. 1667 Milton P. L. 11. 1038 Here Nature first
begins Her fardest verge, and Chaos to retire. 1698 Fryer
Ace. E. India S,- P. 16 To return to Johanna ; the innermost
part we suppose to be fruitful, by what the Verge of it
declares. 1727-46 Thomson Summer 944 Sad . .he sits, And
views the main that ever toils below, Still fondly form-
ing in the farthest verge. 1735 So.mervillk Chase \\u 549
Close to the Verge Of a small Island. 1774 Goldsm. Nat.
Hist.{l^^6) III. 337 The jackall..pursues even to the verge
of the city, and often along the streets. 1791 Mrs. Rad-
CLiFi-E Rom. Forest it, The first tender tints of morning now
appeared on the verge of the liorizon. 18x9 Scott Rob Roy
Imrod. P 2 He owed his fame in a great measure to his
residing on the very verge of the Highlands. 1849 Macaulay
Hist. Eng. iii. I. 342 About a day's journey south of Leeds,
on the verge of a wild moorland tract, lay an ancient manor.
1876 Page Adv, Textbk. Geol. iii. 53 On the western verge
of Egypt.
b. fig. The end of life.
1750 Johnson Rambler No. 71 ? 11 The computer ..
believes that he is marked out to reach the utmost verge of
human existence. 1864 Pusev Led. DauielijS-jt) 503 The
utmost verge of this life. 1874 Holland Mistr. Munse
xxvii. It had the power to stay his feet Vet longer on the
verge of life. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrastan 55 Tiie mind
was wandering, as it often does On the dim verge of life.
O. The utmost limit to which a thing or matter
extends ; the distinctive line of separation between
one subject and another.
1796 Mme. D'Arblay Camilla V. 406 Having lived up to
the very verge of his yearly income. 18x8 Scott Hrt. Midi.
X, He carried his dislike to youthful amusements beyond the
verge that religion and reason demanded. i8«o Hazlitt
Led. Dram. Lit. 173 Sforza's resolution, .is. .out of the
verge of nature and probability. 1870 Emerson .^i^c. ff Solit,,
Work <S- Days Wks. (Bohn) III. 70 The verge or confines of
matter and spirit. 1874 L, SteI'hen Houis in Libr. (1892)
I. V. 180 The very outside verge of the province permitted
to the romancer.
16. a. The extreme edge of a cliff or abrupt
descent. Used absol. or with of,
(a) 1605 J. Rosier in Capt. Smith Virginia (1624) 19 The
rocky clifts. .are ail overgrown with Firre,..and Oke, as the
Verge is with Gousberries [etc.]. 1728 Eliza Heywood tr.
Mme. de Gomez' Belle A. (1732) II. 61 He fell off the Verge
he had been so bold to climb, dying the Sea with his
Blood. 1784 Cow PER Task vi. 519 His steed. ., wheeling
swiftly round, Or e'er his lioof had press'd the crumbling
verge, Baflled his rider, sav'd against his will ! 1813 Bvbon
Corsair i. xvi, The verge where ends the cliff, begins the
beach. 183a W. Irving AUiambra II. 234 In the centre of
this basin yawned the mouth of the pit. Sanchica ventured
to the verge and peeped in.
{J>) 1677 Gilpin Demonol. (1867) 320 Like a man that walks
upon the utmost verge of a river's brink. 1817 Moore Za//a
/?., Fire- Worshippers iv. 128 The mighty Ruins.. Upon the
mount's high, rocky verge. x8a3 F. Clissold Ascent Mt.
Blanc 23 This rock is seated upon the verge of a precipitous
eminence. 1863 Baring-Gould Iceland 257 Thorbjoru
shouted and brought Grettir and his brother to the verge
of the cliff.
fig. 174a Young Nt. Th, i. 62 My hopes and fears.. o'er
iifes narrow verge Look down — on what? a fathomless
I
VERGE.
abyss. i7«o Ghav Lcl. to Ulinrlon j2 June, You 5ee him
[i, e. Sterne] often tottering on the verge of laughter.
1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. w. viii. 276 The fortunes
of Hyder tottered on the verge of a precipice. 1849 Sir I.
Graham in Parker Life \ Lett. (1907) II. iv. 86 He is now
tottering on the verge of the grave. 1861 Sir G. Trevelyan
Horace at Athem iii. (1862) 39 We still consume. .Veal
that is tottering on the verge of beef.
b. The margin of ^ river or the sea. Also with-
out const.
1606 SvLVEsTFR Du Harias It. iv, Tropheis 1157 The
flowry Verge that iongst ail Jordan lies. 1614 Gorges
Lucanx, 26 Where the Tarbellians bound at large A calmetl
sea, with croolced varge. 1634 Capt. Smith i''irginia iv,
II I Vpon the verge of the Riuer there are hue houses. 1814
Scott Ld. 0/ Isles v. vii, The leaders unge Their followers to
the ocean verge. 185s Macaulav Hist. Eng. xii. III. ,65
There, at length, on the verge of the ocean,.. the imperi.-i'l
race turned desperately to bay. 1878 Susan Phillips On
Seaboard 81 What do they [sc. ships] bring to us? who..
Sport by the verge and gather rosy shells,
fis- 1843 Neale Hymns/or Sick 23 And when I tread the
utmost verge Do Thou divide the flood.
o, poet. The horizon.
182a BvRON Heav. f, Earth I. iii. Their brazen-colour'd
edges streak The verge where brighter morns were wont to
break. 1847 Tennvsom Princ. vii. 23 She.. sees a great
black cloud ., Blot out the slope of sea from verge to shore,
16, With a and pi, A limit or bound ; a limit-
ing or bounding belt or strip. Somewhat rare.
1660 H. .More .\tyst. Gadl. i. 16 Within the narrow verges
of this mortal life. 16*7 Milton P. L. \i. 877 Serve they as
a flourie verge to binde The fluid skirts of that same watrie
Cloud? 1790 Trans. Sac. Arts VIII. 6 A lerge, six yards
broad, on two sides, is tilled with a variety of Forest.trees.
1851 Meredith Death of Winter 19 He melts between the
border sheen And leaps the tlowery verges. 1852 Wiggins
Embanking 136 Such pasturable verges or gr.issy fringes as
have already been subject to acts of ownership.
b. spec. A narrow grass edging separating a
flower border, etc., from a gravel walk.
1738 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Grass-flot, The Quarters, or
Verges, are to be prepared with. .Earth to lay the Turf on.
1731 Miller Carrf. Diet., Verge. .'m Gardening, .is gener-
ally understood to be a Slip of Grass which joyns to Gravel
Walks, and divides them from the Borders in the Parterre
Garden. 1858 Glenny Card. Everyday Bk. 71/1 The
verges of green turf, so apt to encroach upon the gravel,
walks and inwurdly upon the beds.
attrib. and Comb. iSaa LouooN Encycl. Card. 5 617 Verge-
Shears. .areasmaller variety, in which the blades are joined
to the handles by kneed shanks, to lessen stooping in the
operator. They are chiefly used for trimming the sides of
box-edgings [ed. 1824 adds and grass-verges]. i88z Garden
28 Jan. 65/1 Verge cutting and levelling of turf.
17. The brink or border ^something towards
which there is progress or tendency (from without) ;
the point at which something begins. Usually iii
the phrases on or to the verge of.
Various types of context are illustrated by the different
groups of quotations.
ia) i6oa .Marston Aiit. t, Met. Induct., I will.. ding his
spirit to the verge of hell. 1718 Pope [liadxw 14 His senses
wandering to the verge of death. 1740 Smollett Regie, iv.
ii. But let us seize him on the verge of bliss. 1791 Cowper
llicui V. 787 Sheer into his bone He pierced him, but . .Jove
Him rescued even on the verge of fate. i8ao Scott' Abbot
xiii, Her maternal fondness for her grandson . . carried almost
to the verge of dotage. 184s J. PAdie Exp. Jonah v. 88
He seems to have been driven to the very verge of despair.
a i8S9 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxiii. (i86i) V. 5 Spencer. . was
more than once brought to the verge of ruin by his violent
temper. 1884 L'pool Mercury 22 Oct. 5/4 He was jealous
and volatile to the verge of insanity.
(*) .'754 Johnson Let. to Chesterfield 7 Feb., I have been
pushing on my work . . and have brought it, at last,to the verge
of publication. 177a Shrubsole & Denne Hist. Rochester
35 The nation seemed on the verge of a civil war. 1848
W. H. Kelly tr. L. Blanc's Hist. Ten V. I. 599 A generous
city, driven to the verge of revolt. 1851 Robertson Serm.
.Ser. II. xi. (1864I 145 Such men tread, .on the very verge of
a confession. 1866 G. Macdonald Ann, Q. Neigkb. xxiv,
I had driven Catherine Weir to the verge of suicide.
fc) 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. § 121, 1 was now upon the
verge of the proper se.^son for action. 187* Mozley Univ.
Sernt. V. (ed. 2) 107 Just before death. .his expressions and
signs tipon the verge of that moment awaken our curiosity,
(rf) 1837 Whewell Hist. Induct. Sci. (1857) I. 173 [Thisl
brings us to the verge of modern astronomy. x86a Sir B.
Rrodie Psychol. Imj. II. iv. 138 We are here on the verge
of an inquir>- which has perplexed the greatest philosophers.
ellipt. i8s9 Meredith R. Fcnerel xxxviii, She touched on
delicate verges to the baronet, and he understood her well
enough.
b. With vbl. sbs. On the verge of, on the very
point of (doing something).
i8s8 Froude Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 123 He.. reached the
town to find . . the commons and the gentlemen on the verge
of fighting. 1858 Dickens Lett. (1880) II. 42 We were on
(he very verge of granting an. .annuity. 1887 [?Mlss
Ingham] Poor Nellie 11888) 91 Twice she was on the verge
of telling all.
18. The space within a boundary ; room, scope.
.\lso const, to OT for.
Chiefly in echoes of quot. 1757.
i6go Dkyden Don .Sebastian I. i, Let fortune empty her
whole quiver on me, I have a Soul, that like an ample
Shield Can take in all : and verge enough for more. 1757
Gray Bard px Give ample room, and verge enough The
characters of bell to trace. 1837 Lockhart Scott II, i. 8
The bard., had ample room and verge enough .. for every
variety of field sport. 1880 Hawthorne Marb. Faun xxiv.
In this vast house . .a great-grandsire and all his descendants
might find ample verge. 1877 ' H. A. Pace ' De Qnincry I.
xiii. 2S3 When numbers of freebooters found ample verge
for their predatory propensities.
b. Jig, ,-md in fig. context.
127
1836 Sir W. Hamilton Discuss. (1852) 338 In no other
country was there so little verge, far less encouragement,
.-il owed to theological speculation. 1863 I). G. Mitchell
/l/^/'C- ^ i -/_ J r. -,, . - . .
culti
act of verging or inclining to or towards some
object, etc.
1661 Glanvill Van. Dogm. 233 If by this verge to the
otiier extream, I can bring the opinionalive Confident but
half the way. i66a _ A1/.1: 6)r;V«/. xiv. 119 Though they
have had. .their Verges towards the body and its joys, as
well as their Aspires to nobler, .objects.
Verge (vSidg), v,^ Also 7 verdge. [f. Vergk
sb.x^
1 1. trails, a. To provide with a specified kind
of verge or border ; to edge. Chiefly in passive.
Also with about, Obs,
160S J. Rosier in Capt. Smith Virginia (1624) i. 20 An
equall plaine . . verged with a greene border of grasse. i6ai
Markham Prev. Hunger y This Net shall be verdgd 011
each side with very strong Corde. [Hence in later works.]
I6a5— Bk. Hon. ix. x. § 10 Long Mantles.. verdged about
witti a small fringe of siluer. 1708 Ne-.u View 0/ London
I. loi/i The Figures of a Man and a Woman in Brass, and
the Stone verged with Plates of the same.
b. To bound or limit by something. rare~^,
I7S9 Mills tr. DuhamlCs Husb. i. viii. 20 Sending, .for
horse-dung, to manure those very lands which never fail of
being verg'd, or bottom'd, by a substance, .more proper for
the end they aim at.
o. To form the verge or limit of,
1817 Chalmers Astron. Disc. iv. (1830) 132 How to draw
the vigorous land-mark which verges the field of legitimate
discovery,
d. To pass along the verge or edge of; to skirt,
1890 F. Barrett Betw. Life ,5- Death II. xxviii. 179 The
chariot can verge the d.iTs all the way.
2. intr. a. To be contiguous or adjacent to ; to
lie on the verge of. Const, on or upon, along.
1787 G. White Selbome vii, Forests and wastes . . are of
considerable service to neighbourhoods that verge upon
them. iSai Clare Vill. Minstr. 1 1. 37 The air was still i
The blue mi.st, thinly scatterd round, Verg'd along the
distant hill. 1858 Hawthorne Er. f, It. Note-Bks. (1872)
I. II The Place de la Concorde. ., verging on which is the
Champs Elys^s.
b. To border on or upon some state, condition,
etc. (Cf. Verge v.^ 3.)
i8«s [see Vergencv ']. 1827 Faraday Chem. Manip. vii.
(1842) 197 Mercury or zinc require one [sc. a temperature)
verging upon, or even surpassing, a red heat. 1853 C.
Bkonte Villelte xviii. Your generosity must have verged
on extravagance. 1874 H. R. Reynolds John Bapt. v. § 3.
352 Philo, however, verges on allowing the Aoyot to be the
centre of the personality of God.
Jig. tS4z Tkosysou Gardener's Dau. yt Vague desires . .
made. .all kinds of thought, That verged upon them,
sweeter than the dream [etc.].
3. To rise up so as to show the edge, rare—^,
',7f*-4« I'hovson IVinteriii Wish'd Spring returns ; and
..I he welcome ,sun, just verging up at first, By small '
degrees extends the swelling curve !
Hence VeTging pp/. a, I
1796 W. H. Marshall (f. England I. 165 Wild Deer I
were found very injurious to the verging crops. " 1
Verge (vSjd^), j/.n [ad. L, verg/re to bend,
incline, turn, Cf. Converge v., Diverge v.] >
1. inir. Of the sun : To descend toward the
horizon ; to sink, or begin to do so. Also transf. \
iSio G. Fletcher Christ's Tr. 11. xxv. Yet when he (the '
sun] verges, or is hardly ris, She [the moon) the vive image '
of her absent brother is. i8as Scott Talism. iii. The light
was now verging low, yet served the knight still to discern
that they two were no longer alone in the forest. 189a R
Bridges Indolence Poems (1912) 270 The summer day Had
verged already on its hot decline,
2. To move in a certain direction (esp. down-
wards) ; also, to extend or stretch,
a 1661 Fuller Horlhies,Somersct{x6(r2) 32 Henceforward
the Sun of the Kings cause declined, verging more and
more Westward, till at last it set in Cornwal. 173a Pope
Ess. Man 1. 59 So Man. .Touches some wheel, or verges to
.some goal. 177s S. J. Pratt LiberalOpin, cv. (1783) IV. 6
A tear, .still upon the back of my hand, verging to the very
finger that (etc.). Ibid, cxxvi. 149 The higher we climb. .
the nearer to the gods . . : as we verge towards earth . . we con.
volve with the dirt. 1797 Monthly Mag, III. 513/1 Verge
not downwards, a precipice lies under the earth. z8aa ' B.
Cornwall' Misc. Poems, Halt of Eblis, The pUiars.,
verged away In long innumerable avenues. 1886 Mrs.
HUNCERIORD Lady Branksmere i. Towards this rather
dilapidated apartment they always verge when perplexed.
Jig. 1780 Cowper Progr. Err. 430 Learning, once the man's
exclusive pride. Seems verging fast towards the female side.
b. To diverge or deflect ; to run or trickle off.
169a Bentley Boyle Led. 215 The Epicurean theory, of
atoms descending down an infinite space . . and verging from
the perpendicular no body knows why. 1780 S. J. Pratt
Einnia Corbett (ed. 4) II. 74 The tear had verged ofl;
possibly woile he was bowing.
3. To incline or tend, to approach or draw near,
towards or to some state or condition. Also with
advb. complement. (Cf. Verge w.i 2 b.)
(<i) ifi«4 H. More Myst. Iniq., Apol. 514 Presbytery . .that
ver.ges nearer toward Populacy or Democracy. 1837
Carlyle Fr. Rev. x. il iv, A man of light wit, verging to-
wards fourscore. 1840 Thirlwall Greece VII. Ivi. 135 At
a time when the people is supposed to have been verging
toward utter degeneracy. 1856 Dove Logic Chr. Faith
Introd. § 5. 10 The more human knowledge progresses, the
more does man . . verge towards the infinite.
(*) a 1677 Barrow Serm, xvii. Wks. 1686 HI. 193 The
VEKGENT.
farther -we go on, especially in a bad course, the nearer we
verge to the dregs of our life. 1731 Arbuthnot Rules of
Diet 256 Where the Blood verges to the contrary State.
1737. Pope Let. to .Swift 23 Mar., The nearer I fincf myself
verging to that period of life which is to be labour and
T'l1^hT^'ff"'\ ^' ^ALPOLE Vertue's Anecd. Paint.
(1786) ly . Advt. 6 As refinement generally verges to extreme
contrarieties. 1823 Scott Quenlin D. Introd., A man
whose credit was actually verging to decay. 1&14 Thiri-
WALL Greece VIII. Ixi. 125 When the reign of Demetrius was
verging to its close. 1851 Trench Poems 14 When I began
First to verge upward to a man. 1865 Pakkman France in
Aiiier. II. (1876) i6 Yet, verging to decay, she (Spain) had
an ominous and appalling strength.
(r) 1776 Bentham Fragiii. Govt. iv. Wk.s. 1843 1.288/2 It
IS not that,.. or any discourse verging that way, that can
tend to give him the smallest satisfaction. 1837CAHLVLE
Fr. Rev. 1. 1. ii. In such a decadent age, or one fast vereins
that way. " *
b. Const, to with inf. rare—^,
x8i8 Colebrooke Import Colonial Corn 45 A country in
which c-ipital has .iccumulated, population become dense,..
IS necessarily a manufacturing one, or verging to become so.
o. To approximate in shade or tint to a specified
colour.
181S Stephens in Shaw's Gen. Zool. IX. i. 87 Plumage
nearly black, with a green gloss, which, in some parts,
verges to a violet. 1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 462/2
Wlien large, its colour is dark red, verging to purple.
d. To pass or undergo gradual transition into
something else.
1756 BijBKE Subl. ff B. Wks. 1842 I. 57 It is not to make
a strong deviauon from the line of the neighbouring parts ;
nor to verge into any exact geometrical figure. i8S4
Poultry Chron. I. 282/1 The 'Poultry Chronicle' is fa^
verging into a state of monomania. 1858 Mrs. C. Gore
Heckington II. xiii. 267 The close and trimly shrubbery
verged, after a few hundred yards, into a beautiful copse.
4. To have a particular direction; to lie or extend
towards a sjjecified point.
I7a« Leoni Alberti's Archit. II. 74/2 A large semi-
circular area verging to the South. 1796 Morse Aiiier,
Geog. I. 557 The flat [Ijoat] always being put in an oblique -
direction, with its foremost end verging towards the line
described by the rope. 1813 Shelley Q. Mab. ix. 7 Whose
rays. . Verge to one point and blend for ever there. i8aa-7
Good Study Med. (1829) I. 469 Indurated tumour in the
left hypochondtium, verging towards the spine, i8a8-3a
Webster s.v., A hill verges to the north.
HenceVerging///.a., approaching, converging.
1741 H. Brooke Constantia Poems (1810) 397/1 Through
his foes shield the verging weapon press 'd. And raz'd the
plume that wanton'd on his crest. 1910 Contenip. Rev.
Mar. 339 My sleek limbs cramp in this verging gloom.
Verge-board. Arch. Also dial, varge-. [f.
Verge j-Za' i.^ d.] = Barge-board.
1833 Lol'don Encycl. Archil. §470 Sixty-six feet lineal
one and a half inch verge board to gables. 1835 F. Goodwin
Rural Archit. Add. 2 The Verge Boards to be cut out of
2I inch Timber plank, well spiked to the rafter-ends of the
Roof and Purlins, 1861 B. Poste in Archxol. Cantiaita
IV.iifi There are mouldings on the verge-boards of the
pediment, i^to A thenieum 3 Sept. ^^2/2 The.. church of
Witley has good fourteenth-century verge-boards attached
to the gable of its stone porch.
Hence Verge-boarding, rare—^,
183s F. Goodwin Rural Archit. Add. 2 The Gables and
Verge Boarding.
Verge-line. rare, [f. Verge sb.^] (See quot.)
171a J. James tr. Le Blond's Gardening ixg The Verge-
Line, in the Business of Tcrrasses, is the Place where the
Corner of a Wall, or the Bank of a Terrass, comes to termi-
nate. Ibid. 121 The Verge-Line of the Terrasses.
Vergelt, obs. .Sc. form of Wergild,
Ve-rgencyi. [f. Verge z;.t: cf. next.] The
fact of bordering on something.
l8as Ld. Cockburn Mem. iii, (1856) 179 [He] said of him.
self, 'I often verge .so nearly on absurdity' [etc.].,. This
w;is quite true: especially the vergency on absurdity,
Vergency^ (va-jd^ensi), [f. Verge v,'^ +
-ENCV,]
tl- The act or fact of verging or inclining
towards some condition, etc, ; tendency, leaning ;
an instance of this. Also const, to, toward, Obs.
a i6«s J. Goodwin Filled with the Spirit (1867) 486 The
general vergency and leaning of the Scriptures on that hand
we speak of. 1668 H. More Div. Dial. II. 451 The visible
vergency of the World to another Degeneracy or Apostasie
from the Kingdome of Christ. 1680 — Apocal. Apoc. 27
Which is a sign you are in a state of languishment and ver-
gency towards death. 170a C, Mather Magn. Chr. iir. 11.
xxix. 164/r Scarce a Minute [would] pass him without a
Turn of his Eye towards Heaven, whereto his heaven-touch 'd
Heart was carrying of him, with its-continual Vergencies,
fb. Bent or inclination, Obs,
, »'49 J- H- Motion to Part. Adv. Learn. 33 It were but
justice to him that the natural] vergency ofhis Genius should
be found out.
2. The fact or condition of being inclined toward
some object or in some direction,
1668 WiLKlNS Real Char. It. vii. % 3 That respect of the
imaginary face of a thing towards some other thing or place,
called vergency, tending, leaning, inclining. «zi696 Scar-
burgh Euclid (1705) 13 First, there must be. .an Inclination,
Vergency, .. or Tendency, of Two lines one to the other.
b. Optics, (See quots.)
183a Sir W. R. Hamilton in Trans. R. Irish Acad. (1837)
XVII. 80 We may therefore call the curvatures of these two
diametral sections the two vergencies of the final ray-lines.
x86o Worcester (citing Lloyd), Vergency, . . the reciprocal
of the focal distance, being the measure of the degree of
divergence or convergence of a pencil of rays.
Vergent, a. Geol. [ad. L. vergenl-, vergens,
pr. pple, of vergire to Verge.] Constituting, or
VERGER.
128
VERIFICATIVB.
belonging to, a series of Appalachian strata corre-
sponding in age to the middle Devonian strata of
British geologists.
1858 H. D. Rogers Geoi. FenMsyiv. I. loS Vergent Flags
(Portage Flags of New York). Ibid,, Vergent Shales (Che-
mung Group of New York). Ibid. 1 1, 732 The Cadent and
Vet^nt rocks contain important bands of iron ore.
vergeous, obs. form of Vebjlice.
tVeTger'. Obs. Also 5 vergere, vergier, 5(-.
virger. [a. OF. z'^r^^(iith c. ; so in mod.F.),
7>€rgier (12th c. ; = Pr. vergier) :— L. virdiariumy
virididrium (also viridariuni)^ f. viridis green.]
A garden or orchard ; a pleasure-garden.
13. . Senyn Sag, 167 Thai woldemakea richehalle, With-
outen Rome, in on verger. .bi o riuer. ciioo Rem. Rose
3831 Why hast thou ben so necligent, To kepen . . This verger
heere left in thi warde? c 1450 Merlin xix. 310 Merlin lete
rere a vergier, where->-nne was all maner of fruyt and alle
maner of flowTes. 1480 Caxton Ovid^s Met. xiv. xii. To
wcde and pyk oute alle the evyl herbes and wedes out of her
verger or gardyn. 1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. !, Prol. 44 The
greshoppers amangis the vergers gnappit.
Vorjfer ^ (va-jd^aj). Also 7 vierger. [prob.
a, AF. *verger^ f. verge Verge sb}- Cf. Of . ver-
gure {vergettr) ganger, vergier maker of rings, obs.
F, verger verger (Cotgr.); also med.L. virgdriusy
and Virger.]
1. An official who carries a rod or similar symbol
of office before the dignitaries of a cathedral,
church, or university (for before justices).
i47»-3 Rolls of PavU. VI. 48/1 Howe that Henr* late
Duke of Lancastr'.. founded, .a Churche. .of a Deane,. .vi
Choresters, and a Verger perpetuell. 1530 Palsgr. 284/2
Verger that bereth a rodde in the churche, sergent de
lesglise. c 1549 in Swayne Sarum Churchw. Ace. (1896) 75
To Thomas Johnson y* verger at owr ladye churche. 1607
CowKLL f'lterfir., Vergers.. \x such as cary white wands
before the lustices of either banke, &c..; otherwise called
Porters of the verge. 1616 B. Jonson Devil an Ass
IV. iv, I must walk With the French sticke, like an old
Vierger, for you. 168S R. Holme Armoury iii. 197/1 The
Verger [of the Cathedral Church] is a Man in a Gown
..whose Offic* it is to conduct the Reader to his place
(etc.]. 1818 BVRON Ch. Han iv. Notes 117 The Emperor,
. .taking a wand in his hand, officiated as verger,, .preced-
ing the pontiff to the altar. 1846 Hook Ch. Diet, (ed. 5) 900
l^erger, . .he who carries the mace before the dean in a
cathedral or collegiate church. 1854 /did. (ed. 7) 782 Verger.
An officer with a similar title precedes the vice-chancellor in
the English universities. 1867 Trollope Chron. Barset II.
xlix. 59 For nearly a week, .he had been unable to face the
minor canons and vergers.
attrib. CX530 in Gutch ColL Cur. II. 340 Item oone Ver.
ger Rodde of silvar parcel gilte. 1546 Inv. Ch. Goods
(Surtces) 137 Two verger rodys of sylver.
trans/. 1615 Chapman Od^ss. xn. 555 This by Calypso, I
was told, and she Inform'd it, from the verger Mercurie.
b. One whose duty it is to take care of the
interior of a church, and to act as attendant.
17OT Farquhar Beaux' Strai. n. ii, Then I, Sir, tips me
the Verger with half a Crown. 1784 Gentl. Mag. May 349/1,
I felt a secret satisfaction on visiting, .the tombs in West-
minster Abbey, that the verger no longer amuses the gaping
vulgar [etc.]. 18*4 W. Irving T. Trav. I. 258 The parish
clerk bowed low before him \sc. the squire] and the vergers
humbled themselves unto the dust in his presence. i86x
Sat. Rev. 30 Nov. 568 How splendid an opportunity for
architectural study is afforded by the Abbey, if only the
vergers would allow any one to enjoy it. i88i Besant &
Rice Chapl. of Fleet I. 182 The beadles and vergers curtsied
to the quality and remained behind for doles.
t2. (Seequot.) Obs,-^
i^ Liber Niger in Househ, Ord. (1790) 48 Mynstrelles,
xiii, whereof one is verger that directeth them all in festival!
dayes to theyre stations, to bloweings, pipynges [etc.].
Hence Ve-rg-erless a,, unaccompanied by a
verger; Te'rgersUp, the office of a verger.
14^ RollsofParlt. VI. 383/2 The Office of our Sergeaunt-
ship at Armes, and . . the Office of Vergership of Wyndesore.
1871 Daily Neivs 12 Aug., The Vergership in St. Paul's
Cathedra), vacant by the death of Mr. Cummings. 1886
HissEV On Box Seat fr. Lond. to Lands End 167 The
cathedral, over which we were considerately allowed to
ramble vergerless, much to our enjoyment.
tVerger 3. Obsr"^ [? a. AF. vergiere (Gower).]
A rod carried as a symbol of office ; = Vebge sb^-
4 a.
1547 m Strjpe EccL Mem. {iti\) II. App. A. loThen came
the sergeant of the vestry with his verger, and after him the
cros, with the children [etc.]. 1647 Hexham i, A Verger,
een roedeken.
tVeTgerer. Obs. Also 5 vergerar-. [Ex-
tended f. Verger 2 i : see -erI 3.] = Vergeu2 i.
Hence f Ver^erership. Obs.
\^ RollsofParlt. VI. 347/2 The Office of Vergerarshipp
of Wyndesore. 1566 tr. Beza's Admon. to Parlt. Dj,
Cathedrall churches, where master Deane, ..pentJoners,
readers, vergerirs, &c. liue in great idlenesse. 1617 Minsheu
Ductors.\.^ Vergerers..be such, as carry Virgas, i. roddes
before the lustices of either banck, &c. 1676 Wood Life
(O.H.S.) II. 362 His father was vergerer of Westminster.
Vergeress (v9-jd.53res). [f. Vekger 2 + -ess.]
A female verger or caretaker of a church.
1889 Daily News 13 Nov. 3/3, I wonder some old verger-
ess did not come forward to claim the purse. 190Z JVestm.
Gaz. 4 Jan. 3/1 The vergeress who sweeps ♦he floor.
VeTgerism, rare~^, [f. as prec. + -iSM.]
Action, etc., characteristic of a verger.
1857 Rusk:n'^/^/«. DrawingW. 155 There is always some
discordant civility, or jarring vergerism about them {sc,
English cathedrals].
Vergery (v5'jd53ri). rare—^. [f, as prec.+
-T.] A sacristy.
i88a M'Clintock & Strong Cycl. Bib. Lit. VIII, 515
Cassell's Suppl.), The consecrated priests repair to the
vergery, and put down the missal garments.
Verges, obs. form of Verjuice.
t Verge-salt. Obs.-^ (Meaning obscnre.)
1656 S. H. Golden La7v To Rdr., All which .. are
immaterial to Matter, and but ceremonies to substance, as
Rose-leaves and Verge-salt are to a sound and wholsome
dish of meat.
t Verge-sauce. Obs. rare. = Verd-sauce,
ci^^o Profti^. Parz>.$og/i Vergefiawce, . .7dride salsamen-
trtfrr. c 1450 T7vo Cookery Bks. 102 pe sauce is verge sauce,
Vergesse, -geus, etc., obs. ff. Verjuice.
Vergier, variant of Verger 1 Obs.
Vergiform (v5'jd,:5if]pjm), a, Zool. [f. Verge
sby + -(I}form.] Of the feet of certain crustaceans:
Resembling a rod; rod-like.
\Zyj Penny Cycl. VIII. 197/2 Podophthalmia.. ; feet or
extremities vergiform, partly prehensile, partly ambulatory.
xSga Dana Crust, i. 433 There are a few m which these feet
are vergiform.
Vergilian, var. Virgilian. Vergine, obs. f.
Virgin. Vergious, -is, -ius, obs. ff. Verjuice.
Vergobret (v5*jg^bret), [ad, L. vergobretus,
of Gaulish origin. So obs. Y. vergohert.'\ The
chief magistrate among the ancient yEdui of Gaul.
Also iransf,
X563 GoLDiNG Cxsart. 12 The princlpall office, whichthey
call Vergobret, ..is an offyce that lasteth but from yere to
yere, and for the tyme hath absolutepower of life and deathe.
1656 in Blount Glossogr. 1839 Kf.ightlev Hist, Eng.
I. 3 The power of the Vergobret, or Prince of each tribe, was
absolute. xSga ¥REEt<,iA,tiHist. Ess. Ser. iv. v. 107 The pre-
sent literary rrr^(?/'r(r/ of the iEduan state., refused all help.
Vergon, southern ME. variant of FoKGOz'.
t Vergoyne. Obs. [ad. OF, (also mod.F.) ver-
gogjte ( ^- It. vergogna, Pg. vergonhd) :— L, vere-
ciindia, f. verecundus Verecuxd a.] Shame.
1484 Caxton Fables of^sop 11. xv, Hast thow no shame
ne vergoyne to come in oure companye. c 1500 Melusine
xxxvi. 285, I shuld haue grete vergoyne yf I smote the
behynd.
t Vergoynous, a. Obs. [ad. OF. vergoignos
(i 2th c, later F. vergogneux, = It. vergognoso, Pg.
vergonJiosd)^ f, vergogne: see prec] Ashamed.
1483 Caxton G. de la Tour cxxxiv. jgoWherof he was
moche vergoynous and shamefull. ciSoo Melusine iv, 21
Whan Raymondyn herde thus spek hys vncle, he was in
h^self vergoynouse.
Vergres(se, obs. ff. Verdigris. Vergus,
-uys, -ws, etc., obs. ff. Verjuice. Vergyn(e,
obs. ff. Virgin. Verhede, southern MK, var.
ferkede Ferred Obs. Veri, obs. f. Very.
Veridical (vM-dikal), a. [f. L. veridic-us
(whence F. viridique^ It., Sp., Pg, veridicd)^ i.
verum truth, and die- stem of dicire to speak.]
1. Speaking, telling, or relating the truth ; truth-
ful, veracious.
1653 Urquhart Rabelais 11. xxviii. 185 Who shall read this
so veridical history, a 1693 Ibid. iir. xlvi. 375 The veridical
Triboulet did therein hint at what I liked well. 1784 S.
_Heni,ey Beckford's Vathek Note (1868) 147 Notwithstand-
ing the reference of Ariosto to the veridical archbishop. x8i6
Keatinge Trav. I. 321 The veridical Gulliver. 1847 Med-
wiN Life Shelley I. 359 That very veridical review which
assumes to be the oracle . . of literature. 1861 A. Havward
SeL Ess. (1878) II. 105 Mr. Gladstone's argument for con-
verting Homer into a veridical historian.
2. Spec. '\x\. Psychol. Of hallucinations, phantasms,
etc. : Coincident with, corresponding to, or repre-
senting real events or persons.
1884 F. W. H. Myers in Proc. Soc. Psychical Research
Apr. 48 The truth-telling, or, as we may_ call them, veridical
hallucinations which do, in fact, coincide with some crisis
in the life of the person whose image is seen. jSgSAfhenarum
25 June 824/1 The vision of the lady , . is certainly spoken of
..as if it had been 'veridical '.
Hence Verldlca'lity, Veri'dically adv., f Ve-
ri'dicalness.
1727 Bailev (vol, II), Veridicalness, Truth-speaking, or
the Quality or Faculty of speaking Truth. 1836 yohnsoni-
ana 264 Pope draws human characters the most veridically,
of any poetic delineator, a 1901 F. W, H. Myers Hum.
Personality (1903) I. p. xliii, The only valid evidence. .for
veridicality depends on a coincidence with some external
event.
Veri'diCOUS, a. [f. L. veridic-us (see prec.)
+ -ous.] Veridical, veracious.
App. used by Peacock only.
181^ T. L. Peacock Melincourt xix, Our Thalia is too
veridicous to permit this detortion of facts. 1831 — Crotchet
Castle xvii, I'his veridicous history began in May,
Verie, obs. form of Very a. and cuh).
Verie(n, southern ME. varr. Ferry v.
Verier, Veriest, compar. and superl. Very a.
Verielie, obs. form of Verily adv.
Verifiability (ve:rif3i,abi-lTti). [f. next -f
-ity.] The fact of being verifiable.
1891 in Cent. Diet. 1893 F. Adams Ne-.v Egypt 234 Doubts
, . as to the verifiability of that conception.
Verifiable (ve-rifaiiab'l), a. Also 7 verefiable.
[f. Verify j/.-f -ABLE.] That can be verified or
proved to be true, authentic, accurate, or real ;
capable, admitting, or susceptible of verification.
Common in the 17th cent., and freq. from c 1865.
1593 G- Harvey Pierce's Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. n6, I
could peraduenture arread him his fortune in a fatallbooke,
as verifiable, as peremptorie. 1593 R. Harvey Philad.g
Why should not.. Geffrey be as plaine and verifiable as
Buchanan? a 1638 Mede IVks. (1672) 789 It is commended
for a modest, discreet, learned, regular, and of all in that
list most verifiable, discovery. 1661 Glanvill Van. Dogm.
199 If this notion be strictly verifiable. 1677 Cary Chronol.
II. i. I. iv. I02 That of the Foundation of the City, .is verifi-
able by the like Authorities. 1843 Ruskin Mod. Paint. I.
n. v. i. § 4 A few only of the broadest laws verifiable by the
reader's immediate observation. X846GROTE Greece 11. xix.
(1862) II. 76 Neither Homer nor Hesiod mentioned any veri-
fiable present persons or circumstances. 1885 Clodd Myths
^ Dr. II. xii. 227 The authority.. will rest on the accredited,
because verifiable, experience of man.
Hence Ve'rifiableness, verifiability,
i88i A. Bruce Chief End Revelation \. 42 While the ab-
stract possibility of a revelation is admitted, its verifiable-
ness is in effect denied. x886 — Mirac. Element Gospels
294 They satisfy the modern requirements of vcrifiableness.
tVeri-fical, a. Obs.~^ [f. med.L. verijic-us
(Diefenbach),true, truthful + -AL.] True, veridical.
a 1660 Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archaeol. Soc.) 1. 157 This
proposition transposed unto its verificall sense.
t Veri-ficate, v. Obsr"" [f. med.L. verificat-^
ppl. stem olverijicdre : see next.] (See qnot.)
17*1 Bailey, To Verifcate^ to prove a thing true.
Verification (ve:rifik^*j3n). Also 6 verifica-
tioun, -acioun, veryfycacyon. [a, OF, verifi-
cacion (mod.F. virificationj=^\\.. verificazione^ Sp.
verificacion, Pg. verifica^ad), f. verifier^ or ad. med.
L. * veri fie dtidH'^ verification f. verificdre; see
Verify v. and -ation.]
1. The action of demonstrating or proving to be
true or legitimate by means of evidence or testi-
mony ; formal assertion of truth. Now rare,
1523 Reg. Aherdon. (Maitl. CI.) I. 388 For J>e verifica-
tioun and prewyng of his indorsyng and execution of my
lordis precept. 1533 Bellenden Livy i, xix. (S.T.S.) I. no
In venficacioun hereof [i. e. an intended act of treason] ^
said turnus didmaist cruelieinwayaganishim. 1599 Skene
De Verb. Sign. (ed. 2) Q 3 b, The Schireffe, .suld summond
certaine persons. .& suld be present in proper persone. .with
the verification of the saidis summoundes. 1634 W. Tir-
whyt tr. Balzac's Lett. 19, I say nothing (my Lord) I am
not ready to sweare in verification of my belief. 1660 Jer.
Taylor Ductor 11. i. rule 7 § 2 If she be a woman, if she
can be a wife, and can be his, there is no more requir'd to a
verification of the contract in the law of nature. 1911 A. G.
Hogg Christ's Message Kingd. in. xi. 140 To use an oath
even for the purpose of verification, is to make a convenience
of God.
2. Demonstration of truth or correctness by facts
or circumstances.
1541 R. Copland Guydon^s Quest. Chirurg. Bj b, Thus
than appereth the verytycacyon of the fyrste condycyon that
a Cyrurgyen ought to haue, for he ought to be lettred and
learned. 1651 Hobbes Leviaih. ir. xxvi. 142 The Sentence
of the Judge.. is a sufficient Verification of the Law of
Nature in that individuall case. 175. Warburton />rj^.,
Rise Antichrist Wits. 1788 V. 443 It hath.. only the tradi-
tional verification of the Evidence of a past Fact. 178a J.
Brown View Nat. ^ Rev. Reiig. u. i. 139 All the disposi-
tions and actions of mankind are a plain verification of the
leading truths of his wfjfd. x8o2 Playfair Hlustr. Huiton,
77(. 507 A very unexpected verification of some of the con-
clusions deduced above. 1830 Herschel Stud. Nat. Phil.
12 They afl^ord the readiest and completes! verifications of
his theories.^ i88a U.S. Rep. Prec. Met. 613 Let us await
the verification of time.
3. The action of establishing or testing the truth
or correctness of a fact, theory, statement, etc., by
means of special investigation or comparison of
data.
_ 1603 Florio Montaigne iil v. 521 You waste away and die
in pursuite of so concealed a misierie of so obscure a verifi-
cation. 163s Jackson Creed vjii. x. § 3 Fitter occasion.,
could not be offered for the exquisite verification or exact
fulfilling of this prophecy. 1677 Plot OxfordsJi. 222 The
latter wrote a verification of all the fix'd stars, as to their
longitude and latitude, for the year 1440. 1837 Whewelu
Hist. Induct, Sci. I. jii. iv. § i. 190 Periods of verification,
as well as epochs of induction, deserve to be attended to.
1855 Maury P/iys. Geog. Sea v. § 294 This estimate . . is not
capable of verification by anymore than the rudest approxi-
mations. 1885 Manch. Exam. 12 May 5/3 Nearly a month
will be swallowed up in the verification of the returns.
b. The action of verifying or testing the accu-
racy of an instrument, or the quality of goods. Also
attrib.
183a Babbage Econ. Meuiuf. xiv. 103 In the Irish flax
trade, a similar example of the high price paid for verifica-
tion occurs. 1888 Pall Mall G. 6 Dec. 5/2 The total number
of instruments rejected as unfit for a verification certificate
owing to excess of error or to other causes was only 346.
4,' [After French usage.] Katification.
1845 S. Austin RanJke's Hist. Ref. III. v. iv. 141 When
the verification of it was laid before the parliament, the pro-
cureur gdn^ral. .sokmnly protested against it. 1865 M.
Arnold Ess. Crit. ii. (1875) 50 By the old constitution of
France, these letters patent required the verification of the
Parliament, j^x W. L. Mathieson Pol. ^ Rel. Scotl. I.
i. 49 'Ihe Parliament of Paris in their act of verification
adopted a very superior tone.
Ve'rificative, a. rare. [f. L, verificdi-y ppl.
stem oiverificdre : see Verify v. and -ative. Cf.
OF. verificatify obs. F. vh-ificatif^ Sp., Pg., It.
verificativo^ Verificatory.
i860 in Worcester (citing A^. Amer. Rev.). Hence in
recent Diets.
VERIFICATORY.
129
VERILY.
Verificatory (veTifik/i:t3ri), a. [f, as prec,
+ -ORV-.] That verifies; having the proj>erty of
verifying; of the nature of, serving as, a verification.
1834 Frasers Ma^. X. 362 There is nothing new under the
sun — an observation which Is indeed verificatory of itself.
1870 J. H. Newman Gram. Assent 11. viii. 297 Syllogism has
no part, even verificatorj', in the action of my mind. 1875
W.Jackson Bampton Led. 156 The evidence becomes
accumuladve, or, if you please, verificatory.
Verified (ve-rifaid),///. a. [f. as next + -edI.]
Proved to be true by verification.
1594 Carew Hunrtes Exam. Wits Proem to Rdr. ii, By
this example of our first parents, .it is a verifyed conclusion,
that he infused the lesser portion [of wisdom] into her. 1911
Edin. Rev, Oct. 281 To lay down principles .. as a basis
or verified induction.
Verifier (ve-rifaijaj). [f. Verify z;. + -er.]
1. One who verifies, in various senses.
In quot. 1718 a translation of the Arabic title of Abubekir.
1648 Hexham ii, Een waer'ftiaker^ a Verifier, or a Maker
good. 1718 OcKLEV Saracens II. 355 Then the Verifier
succeeded him with the good liking of the Muslemans. 1736
AlNSWORTH I, A verifier, confirvtator, assertor. 1865
Reader No. 141. 283/2 Valued by some verifier of the past.
1^ Mrs. Lvsn Linton Chris. Kirkiandll. \i\. 223 Who
will keep the keeper ? and who will verify the verifier?
2. techn. In the names of tools or devices (see
quots.).
x88i Raymond Mining Gloss.^ Verifier, a tool used in deep
boring for detaching and bringing to the surface portions of
the wall of the bore-hole at any desired depth, 1934 Knight
Did. Midi. Suppl. 394 Gas verifier^ an apparatus intended
to verify whether the gas comes up to a given standard.
Veid^ (verifai), v. Forms : 4-6 veryfy, 5
-fye, Sc. -^^TgiYy 6 veryfle ; 4-7 verifle (5, 7
verrifle}, 6 verifye, 5- verify (4 ferify); 4-6
verefy (5 -efFSr, 6 Sc. vare-, warefy), verefye
(6 Sc. werafye), 5-6 verefie. [ad. OF. verifier
(1348; = mod. F.Z'/ryf^r, Sp., Pg., Pr. z'^ryf^ar, It.
verificare)y ad. med.L. virificdre^ f. L. vcj^is true.]
1. trans. Law, To prove by good evidence or
valid testimony ; to testify or affirm formally or
upon oath. Also const, that, and to with inf.
a 13*5 [see Verifying vbl. sb.'\. c 1450 Godstow Reg. 658
fThe abbess appeared, denying] J>at she leuied or causid
ony noiinge or turnid ony course of watur as hit was pre.
sentid afore, & ^at she is a-redi to verifie. c X48S in Ca!.
ProcChancQ. Eliz. (1830) II. Pref. 65 Alle whiche maters
the seid Richard is redy to verifie and prove, as this court
woU awarde. 1533-4 ^<^^ 25 Hen. VI tl, c i^ P i To the
intent to maynteyne, upholde, and veryfie suche reporte as
he had made. i^iSi \\\ Maitl. Ciub Misc. III. 289 Thesaidis
George and Wiliam diaconis warefyis That thai lawfullie
chergit ye said Mr. Thomas Meffen . . to compeyr. 1579 W.
Wilkinson Con/ut. Earn. Love Brief Descr. iij b, lohn
Carcles in his examination by Doctor Martin verifieth that
to bee true, whiche. .those two were burdened withall by
Sieuen Norish. 1631-3 Ca«/^r^. Marriage Licences {^\S.\
Catherine Whitfield, .is expressly consenting to this in-
tended marriage, as is verified by Thomas Hatcher. 1689
Acta Parlt. Scotl. (1875) XII. 66/1 The Hcraulds who
denunced the viscount of Dundee at the mercat cross, .did
verefie (>eir execuiiones upon oath. [1768 Blackstonic
Comnt. 111. 312 In any stage of the pleadings, when either
side advances or affirms any new mailer, he usually, .avers
it to be true; 'and this he is ready to verify '.] 1786 Burki:
iV. Hastings Wks. Xll. 192 The said charge to be verified
by the oath of the said Frazer. 1838 W. Bell Diet. Law
Scot. 1028 He mu.st be prepared with a cautioner, .at giving
in his defences, unless ne mstantly verify a defence exclud-
ing the action. 1884 Law Times Rep. 10 May 320 The
Court, .ordered that the receiver should withdraw and verify
his accounts by af&davit.
b. In general use : To testify to, to assert, to
affirm or confirm, as true or certain. Now rare.
1515 Ld. Berners Froiss, II. cc. 252 b/2 The landes,
seignories,tordshippes, and baronyesin Acquytayne, whiche
they verifyed to pertayi;ne to the kynge and rcalme of
Knglande. 1586 Day Eng. Secretary 11. {1625) 20 Him,
whose approued fidelity for that it rcmaineth of no small
record to my cerlaine knowledge, I will presume to verifie.
1600 Holland Li7>y xxxix. xUx. 1054 At first the tidings
seemed so incredible, that the furmost messenger was held
..for a vaine lyar..: but after that there came one after
another, and all with one voice verefied and affirmed the
same. 1608 1'opsell Serpents 19 So that it may as truly be
verified of the Serpent as it was of Esau, that the hands of
all men and beastes are against them. 16x7 Morvson Itin.
I, 239 This Novice at his confession made this knowne and
after verified as much to the Guardian and chiefe Friars.
1866 Mf.reditii Viltoria xxxix, 'Does Major Weisspriess
know it to be true?* The question came from Anna.
Weisspriess coolly verified it, on the faith of a common
servant's communication,
C. To support or back up by testimony.
1607 Shaks. Cor. v. ii. 17, I haue euer verified my Friends
. . with all the size that verily would without lapsing suff'er.
2. To show to be true by demonstration or evid-
ence; to confirm the truth or authenticity of; to
substantiate ; a. Of persons. Now rare,
CX386 Chalcer Can. Veom. Prol. «V T. 515 As witnessen
thise olde wyse; And tliat ful soone I wol it verifie In this
Chanon. 1406 HoccLEvE La Male Regie 35 * Pro^peritee
is biynd' ;. .And verifie I can wel it is so. i:i4«5 Audklav
XI Pains Hell 211 in O. E. Misc. 217 In er)>, J»e fyndis
J>em verefyd, [The soul] Dispisid godis laus euerechon. c 1500
Melusine i. 16 Be nac you displesed yf I haue recounted
vnto you this auenture, For it is for to adiouste more of
feyth, & for to veryfy thistory. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot.
(Rolls) 1 1. 250 This suith example . . I verifie ma richt Weill
be the Britis. 158a Bentley Mon. Matrones III. 286
Verifie I^rd the words on me, drawe me after thee, 1595
Shaks. John 11. i. 277, I bring you Witnesses Twice fiftecne
Vol. X.
thousand hearts of Englands breed,.. To verifie our title
with their Hues. 1627 Lisander ^ Cal. v. 87 [He] only
desired to cleer so dangerous a suspicion, and never to
speake of it but when he could verifie it. 1671 Milton
P. R. I. 133 Gabriel this day by proof thou shalt behold
, . how I begin To verifie that solemn message late, On
which 1 sent thee. 178a J. Brown View Nat. f^ Rev. Relig.
V. ii, 430 The covenant-form of this law is not changed ;
and God hath verified it in the., dreadful sufferings of his
only begotten Son. z8a8 Webster s.v., The first act of
the house of representatives is to verify their powers, by
exhibiting their credentials to a committee of the house, or
other proper authority.
b. Of things, or in passive.
^ c 1449 Pecock Repr. \, x. 53 Therfore neuer neither of tho
ij. textis . . serueth neither forto grounde neither forto verrifie
the seid firste opinioun. c 1475 Mankind () in Macro Plays
I pat may be seyde & veryfyede : mankynde was dere
bought. 1508 Kennedee Flyiin^ w. Dunbar 354 In to thy
mowisand mokis It may be verjfeit that thy wit is thin. 1560
Daus ir. Sleidane'sC Of >im. 150 If this myght be verefied of us
in dede, it were.. detestable to be heard of. 15B3 Stocker
Civ. IVarres Loive C, u. 63 The prince greatly marueileth
that such great learned men,. would set downe and pro-
pound such matters, as neuer'can nor shalbe any way veri-
fied. 1651 HoBBES Leviath. 11. xxvi. 142 The knowledge
of the publique Registers, publique Counsels, publique
Ministers, and publique Scales; by which all Lawes are
sufficiently verified. 1756 Mitchell in ElHs Orig. Lett.
Ser. II. IV. 376 All which has been verified by the examina-
tion of the persons in whose company he was. 1849 Macau*
LAY Hist. Eng. V. I. 629 The strongest evidence by which
the fact of a death was ever verified. 1876 Mozley Univ.
Serm. iti. (1877) 55 The same scene of action which brought
the rational expectation brings also the event which tests
and verifies the correctness of it,
3. In passive : To be proved true or correct by
the result or event, or by some confirming fact or
circumstance; to be fulfilled or accomplished in
this way.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 213 So J>at now beeb feri-
fied be vers J»at Hildebertus . . made, c 1400 Maundev.
(Roxb.) xxxiv. 154 t>us es J>e prophecy verified. 1456 Sir
G. Have Laxo Arms (S,T.S.) 10 That is ane office ofane
angel, to.. bring the hye new tydingis, thequhilk is verifyit
be the haly writt. 1462-3 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 268 Scrip-
ture saithe heritage holdyn wrongfully Schal never cheve..
As halhe be verified late ful playne. x^n Prose Life Si.
Brandan (Percy) 49 Than the sayenge of Saynt Brandon
was veryfyed. \^ Maplet Gr. Forest 38 The old Pro-
uerbe is herein verified : the ill weede ouercroppeth the
good come, 1631 Gouge Gods Arro%vs iii. §6, 192 The
like bath been verified time after time. 1667 Milton P. L.
X. 182 So spake this Oracle, then verifi'd When Jesus,. Saw
Satan fall like Lightning down from Heav'n. 1736 Butler
Anal, I. vi. Wks. 1874 I. 123 This reasoning from fact is
confirmed, and . . verified, by other facts. 1799 Ht- Lee
Canterb. 7"., Frenchm. T, (ed. 2) I. 221 Of these doubts one
only was verified. i8zs H. & J. Smith Rej. Addr. x. Pro-
fessions lavishly eff'used and parsimoniously verified are..
inconsistent. 1852 Miss Yonge Cameos I. xxxiv. 286 The
Pope's suspicions were verified. 1875 Jowett Plata (ed. 2)
IV. 226 The picture., is verified in the course of the dialogue.
b. Const. /«, o/y on, or upon.
1387-8 T. UsK Test. Love i, i. (Skeat) 1. 71 God graunt
that proposicion to be verifyed in me. a x^oo Apol. Loll.
(Camden) 8 And be pope isPetir's vicar, ^erfor it be howfi|>
to trowe l>at t»is feij> is vcrifi^ed of him. 1456 Sir G. Have
Law Arms (S.T.S.) 4 The prophecyes. .be verifyit in jour
maist noble and worthy princehede, 1530 Rastell BA:
Purgat. I. vii, Everythynge in the world is verefyed upon
one of them. 1577 Northurooke Dicing (1843) 153 And as
this was spoken of the Phariseys, I feare me it may be like-
wise verified in vs. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pal. \. Ixix. § 2
That which is vttered of the time, is not verified of lime
tt setfe, but agreeth vnto those things which are in time.
c 1645 Howell Lett. (1650) I. 242 If ne doth, I fear it will
be verified in him, that a * fool and his money is soon
parted '. 1719 I-)e Foe Crusoe il (Globe) 387 It is true, they
..made Fences j but Solomon's Words were never better
verified than in them. 1768 Sterne Sent. Jourtt.^ Dwarf
1. 191, I. .content myself with the truth only of the remark,
which 13 verified in every lane and by.lane of Paris.
c. Used actively of the circumstances, person,
etc., serving as proof or confirmation.
c 1430 Hymns Virg. 127 For soth then y sobbed Veryfy-
yng tnys wordys. c 1450 Mirk's Festiat 152 The f>Tst
[cause] ys, forto verefy fe fay)> of his resurreccyon, 1530
P.vLSGB. 765/2 He hath nowe verifyed my sayenges. 1598
Bakcklkv Felic. Man 11. (1603) 72 The lemple fell downe
and verified the answere of the oracle. 1631 Gouge Goii^s
Arrows i. §25. 37 The issue verifieth thus much, 1659
Milton Touching Hirelings o A voice [was] heard from
heaven.. cryiug aloud, This c(ay is poison pourd into the
church. Which the event soon after verifi'd. 1671 — P. R.
Ill, 177 So shall thou best fullfil, best verifie The Prophets
old, who sung thy endless raign. 1785 Trusler Mod. Times
III. 47 The case of Wheble, the bookseller, verifies this
assertion, i860 Tvndall Glac- 11. xv. 308 The measure-
ments of Agassiz.. completely verify the anticipations of
Rendu. 1870 J. Bruce Life Gideon xiii. 229 The people
themselves did verify this pregnant saying of the Lord by
their own immediate conduct. ^
+ d. reji. To demonstrate or prove (oneself) to
be of a certain character. Ohs.
C1586 C'tess Pe.mbroke Ps. lxxvi. V, And so him self
[the Lord] most terrible doth verify, In terrifying kings.
I 1596 Drayton Leg.y Dk. Normandie cxxxiv, Fortune..
Turned her sclfe, as shee away would flie,..As what she
was, her selfe to verifie.
4, To ascertain or test the accuracy or correct-
j ness of (something), esp. by examination or by
comparison with known data, an original, or some
\ standard; to check or correct in this way.
i X5J7 R. Thorne in Hakluyt Voy. (1589) 254 For this cause
; can be no certaine situation of that coast and Islands, till
this difference betwixt them be verified. 1559 W. Cunning-
ham Cosmogr, Glasse 162 When you will verifie your nedle
..you shall use the healpe of the Sunne, 1774 M. Mac-
kenzie Maritime Surv. u. i. 67 To verify these protracted
Distances, go to any of the Objects, as D, take the Hearing
of X and Y, to find if thty agree with the Protraction, 1796
H. Hunter tr. St.'Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) III. 18 Let
us now proceed to verify the elongation of the Poles. 1802
Mar. Edgeworth Moral 7\, Forester, A Clerk, Hours.,
spent in casting up and verifying accounts, 18^ Ht.
Martineau Demeraraiii. 43, I have seen a calculation and
1 mean to verify it. 1848 H. H. Wilson Brit. India III.
237 Capt. Dillon was.. sent back., to verify the reported
existence of some of the survivors of the wreck. 187s
Chambers^s Jrnl. No, 133, 7 A set of instruments which
have been properly verified at Kew Observatory.
b. To establish by investigation.
x8oi Med. Jml. V. 386 A medical committee was
appointed to verify the phaenomena which precede, accom.
pany, and follow the Vaccine Inoculation. 1854 Badham
Halieut. 537 In reading over various poetic bills of fare
preserved by Athena;us, we have verified twenty-six species
in one Attic supper. 1880 UkrViUlll Aneurism ^2 If. .the
disease [be] verified as seated on the second or third part of
the subclavian vessel.
5. To give the appearance of truth to ; to cause
to appear true or authentic, rare.
1581 [see Verifying vbl. sb.\. 1768 H. Walpole Hist.
Doubts 99 All Henry's art and power could never verify
the cheat of Perkin. 1815 Scott Cuy M. xl, He assumed the
name and profession of his friend Dudley, having command
enough of the pencil to verify his pretended character to his
host of Allonby.
Hence Ve'rifying///. a.
1634 Wood Ne-w Ejig. Prosp, (1865) 61 A false assevera-
tion usually winneth more beleefe than two verifying
negatives can resettle. 1870 J. Bruce Life Gideon xxiii.
412 An appendix, .of verifying deeds and documents. 1884
R. Burn in Athenasum 15 Nov. 630/3 Its [i. e. archaeology's]
verifying and corrective spirit in historical investigations.
Ve'riQriiLfiCi '^^^' ^^- t^* Vebify t/. -h-ingI.]
The action of the vb. in various senses ; the prov-
ing e/" something; verification.
a 132$ MS. Rawl. B. J20 fol. 47 b, Wan ha be? icleped to
uerehhinge, \>qxvl \>3X ^ulke i-voched weren in present.
c 1450 Mirk's Festiat 23 In verefiyng of thys thyng \>e fyrst
masse., begynnylh thus. 1561-j Reg. Privy Council Scot.
I. 196 Sik richtis..and documentis as thai will use for
verefying of thair content. 1581 Sidney Apot. Poetrie
(Arb.l 37 Zopirus. .fayned himselfe in exlreame disgrace of
his King: for verifying of which, he caused his own nose
and eares to be cut off. 1598 f lorio, Veri/icatione, a
verifying, an approouing, an auerring. 1633 Le Grvs tr.
/ 'elleius Paterc. 168 Catullus second to none in verifying
of the worke which he tooke in hand, a 1653 Binning Serm,
(1845) 480 For verifying whereof, We appeal to the Know-
ledge of some Noblemen and Ministers. 1670 Milton
Hist. Eng. II. 79 The verifying of that true sentence, the
first shall be last. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey)) Verification,
a verifying^ or proving.
t VeTlfyment. Obs.~^ In 4 uerefiement.
[a. OF. verijiement : see Verify v, and -ment.]
Verification.
a 13*5 MS. Rawl. B. 520 fol. 47 5if b'll^e t^at is i-voched . ,
" wolle waranti Jje tenaunt ^:e forcseide uerefiement to ^^e
askare ne costumez no^t.
Ve-rigreen, U.S. slang, [f. Veby a. -h Green
a.'\ A very simple or gullible person.
1854 i" ^^- Johnson //•''. L. Garrison <$- Times (1880) 269
That man must be a veritable verigreen who dreams ot
pleasing slaveholders, .by any method but that of letting
slavery alone.
Verilay, obs. form of Vibelay.
t Veri loq.uOUS, a, Obs,~^ [f. L. verihquus.']
Speaking the truth; truthful, veracious.
Cf. Veriloquent (Blount, 1656), Veriloquious (Bailey,
1727), and Veriloquy (Blount).
167a G. Thomson Let. to H. Stubbe 14 Those,. Galenists
. .contrived therefore a scurrilous Pamplilet against a veri-
loquous Treatise of mine.
Verily (ve*riU), adv, (and «.). Now arch, or
rhet. torms: a. 4 verrailiche, verrayle, 4-5
verrayly (4 varrayly), verraily, 4-6 verayly, 5
veraily ; 4 verei-, ver(r)eyliche, verreyly, -Ii,
verreill, 4-5 -ly, 5 verreilly. )3. 4 verali, 4-6
veraly, 4-5 verraly, 5 verralye, 5-6 -ie, 6
veralie, 5 Sc. wer(r)aly, weralie. 7. 5 vere-
lyche, -liche, 4-5 verrely, 5 vereli, 5-6 vere-
lye, 5-7 verely,6 verelie, verrelle, .5V. werelie.
5. 4 verilyche, verrylyk, verrili, 4-5 verry-,
verrily (5 varily), 5-8 veryly, 6 verilye, Sc,
verie-, weri(e)-, verrilie, 5- verily, [f. Very a.
+ -LT^. Cf. next and Verament adv.'\
A. adv. In truth or verity ; as a matter of truth
or fact ; in deed, fact, or reality; really, truly.
Freq., latterly almost entirely, used as an emphatic affirma-
tion of the truth of a statement, esp. with verbs of believing,
thinking, etc. In MK. and otdtr Sc. poetry often used as
a mere rime-tag,
o. a lyto Cursor M. 17288+422 ^ai..told t>am [sc. the
apostles] openly, How |>ai sa;e crist & with him spake,
on-liue ful verraily. c 1340 Hami-ole Pr. Consc. 9239 pe
nerrer bat ^jai sal hym be, pe verreylyer J>ai sal hym se.
1387 Tkevisa Higden{Ro\U) I. 177 So l^at ^>e raj^er welles
beet> now but lakes, ol>er more vereyliche dreye chanels wij*
oute watir. 1:1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xv. 70 pe whilk.,
i descryued me ^e maners of oJ>er cuntrees, .als graythely
and als verraily as J)ai had bene euer ;it dwelland in )»am.
; <ri430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode i. Ixxxvii. (1869) 49 With inne
this bred al the souereyn good is put,..presentliche and
I verreyliche, txAfio Mir. Saluacioun (Roxb.) 44 This pro-
: phecie was fullfiUid in dede fulle verrayly. 1485 Caxton
17
VERIMEKT.
Paris 4- K. {1868) 33 Knowe ye verayly that tt is not longe
s>thcn, that the sayd lewels were, .jjyuen to me.
^ ax^fo Hampolk Psaiter cxviii. 175 My saule sail
verraly « perfiily loue |>e in new saiige. c 1350 Will.
PaUme 519^, 1 sdial hasUli me hije . . to venge J»e verali for
oujt |iQt U-tide^. 14U VoNGE tr. Secreta Secret. 135 Who
so weraly desjxyth good rennoune he shall be renounet and
prcysid. c 1475 Golagros <f- Ga%v, 1036 Me think farar to
dee. Than schamyt De, venalie, Ane sclander to byde.
150S Dlnbar Poems iv. 90 Gud Maister Walter Kennedy,
In poynt of dede lyis veraly. 156a WinJet W'ks. tS.T.S.)
I. 87 Cif 5ebeleue that our Saluiour did thir tiungis verahe
and indeid. ., ,
>. c 1374 Chaucer Boeih, iv. pr. iv. (1868) 127 Whan I con-
sidre >i resouns. quod I, I ne trowe iiai M men seyn any
>>ing more verrely. c 1380 Wvclif Sel. Wks. 111. 399 Lazar
and ot>er weren verely deede, and verely reysid by Crist to
lyvc, 14.. Sir Beues (O.) 2577, I thanke you, sayde Beuys,
verely. ^1460 Fortescue Abs. 9f Urn. Mon, (1885) 153
Wich materes thrugly considered, it scmyth verely good,
M [etc], a 15x3 Fabyan Chron. (1516) 27/1 Whenne he had
rc>'gned or more verely vsurped by the terme of .nu. yeres.
1568 GRAt-ros ChroH. II. 295, 1 think verelv by his valyant-
nesse that he will not flie. X594 Plat Jeivell-ho. 11. 7, I
doo verely beleeue y' the spirit of God. .did make them to
be of that nature, a 1647 Habington Surv, Worcs, (Wore
Hist. Soc.) 11. 301 The father, I verely thincke, of Sir Walter
Skule.
5. X303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 10045 Whan J>e vble
wason]^ auter leyd,..Al!e Jire l^o^t i>an verrylyk, Before
t>e prest, J»at a chyld lay quyk. c 1380 Wvclif Serm. Sel.
Wks- 1. 374 Pei knowen verrili how t)at Crist is Goddis Sone.
c 1410 SirCUges 305 The vsscher lyfte vp the lede smartly,
And sawe the cheryse verily. 1451 Paston Lett. 1. 2 1 5 If he
wold make yow promys that ye myght veryly trust upon
hym. 1483 Catk. Angl. 399/2 Varily, . .i'^/-^. -31533 Ld.
Berners Huon Ixxxii. 255, I beleue veryly that thou dydyst
dye*on the holy crosse to redeme vs all. 155a Hulokt,
Verilye so manye, /W/V^f':'/. X604 E.G[rimstone] Z>Mc^sAi'f
Hist. Iniiesxw. ix. 147 Some in the passage demaundcd con-
fession, thinking verily to die. 16x0 Holland CamdaCs
Brit. 207, I am therefore verily perswaded, that the name
of Hercules even to thisplace came either [etc]. X68S-3
Pennsylv. Arch. I. 55 Though I could veryly hope my
enemy were reconciled. 15^08 Swift Sacrum. Test Wks.
1755 II. I. 127 We are veriiy persuaded, the consequence
will be an entire alteration of religion among us. 1771
yunius' Lett. liv. (1788) 293 He . . verily believes him an
honest man. x8oa Mar. Edgeworth Moral 'P.., P'orestcr,
A Clerk, A person whom he now verily believed to be, as he
had originally suspected, insane. 1839 Carlyle Chartism
t. (1858) 3 The time is verily come for acting in it. 1851
Mrs. Browning Casa Guidi Wind, i. 122 Thou coujdst. .
laugh the laugh back, I think verily.
Co'nb. 1586 Day Eng. Secretary 11. (1625) 4 The first..
appeareth to be Accusatorie, which.. either simply by
coniectures or by matter of knowne, or verily supported
truth,, .may bee conueyed.
b. Placed in front of a sentence or statement
as an emphatic asseveration of its truth or accuracy ;
freq. connoting the truth of a preceding statement.
In versions of he N.T. regularly used to render L. ameny
G. aMJif, which are freq. strengthened by repetition.
1303 R. Brumne Handl. Synne 10068 |>ys y beleue, and euer
y shai; For verryly we se hjrt alle. 138a Wyclif Gen. xx.
12 Forsothe and verreili my sister she is. c i^^Gesta Rom.
xlvi. 194 (Harl. MS.), perefor he that bathe )>e Ringe of
Feithe, vereliche he shalle have al thinges to his likinge.
<rz46o FoRTESCUE Abs. <V Lim. Man. (1885) 114 But verely
thai liven in the most extreme poueriie and miserie. 1500-zo
Dunbar /'4;tf/;/j I. 52 Verralie, that war grytrycht. 1535C0VHR-
dalk John iii. 3 Verely verely I saye vnto the [etc.]. Ibid.
1 1 Verely I saye vnto y« [etc.]. 1548 Hall Chron., Edw. IV,
44 b, Verely the kyng of England had so great trust . . in the
honor, .of the French kyng. 1610 ^qxa^khq Camden^ s Brit,
(1637) 268 And verily there remaineth yet a great Castle.
x63a SANDiiRso.M .y^rw. 11 As if despising were an especiall
..kind of offending, or scandalizing. And verely so it is,
especially to the Weake. 1711 Steele Sped, No. 43 P4
Verily, Mr. Spectator, we are much offended at the Act for
Importing French Wines. 1849 Lytton Caxtons 37 Verily
at times he looked on him as a t;ook. 1871 B. Taylor Panst
(1875) II. M. iii. 127 Verily, we sit securely t 1879 Butcher
& Lang Odyssey 158 For verily the might of the sun was
sore upon him.
c. Used to emphasize a negative or affirmative
particle.
C1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon ix. 224 Dyde ever ony
man so grete a trayson as I have doon, nay vereli. 1509
Fisher Pun. Serm, Ctess Richm. Wks. (1876) 307 Were
not she an vnkinde & vngentyl moder? Yes verayly. 1549
Chaloner Erasvi. on Folly F iij, Naie, verilier, that is it
to be a man. 1559 W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Glasse 138 You
saye I shall take the Angles of sight of euerye place that I
can see... Yea verelye. 1597 Morley Introd. Mus. Annot.,
Should they then becom perfect chords? No verily. i6ix
Bible Acts xvi, 37 Nay verily, but let them come them-
selues, and fetch vs out. 1647 Hexham, Yea verily, ia
trctnvenSi ofte ja voorivaer. [1865 Dickens Mnt. Pr. 111.
viii. Yes, verily, my lords and gentlemen,.. so you must.]
+ B. adj. True, very. Obs. rare.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter cxxxix. 8 Lord, verralyest lord,
noght as menere lordis. c 14*5 Lydg. Assembly o/Gods 1285
Morpheus, That hym before warnyd of the verryly tyde.
t Veriment, adv., sb., and a. Obs. Forms :
4 verrei-, verrey-, 4-5 verray-, 6 Sc, verrie-, 6
veriment. [a. OF. veraie-^ verrai-^ vjaiement,
etc. (mod.F. vraiment) truly, f. verai true: see
Very «.and -ment and cf. Verament adv."]
A. adv. In truth or verity ; truly^ verily.
13.. K. Alis. 717 (Laud MS.), By sterreo & by J>e firma-
ment He hym tau^tte verrayment. c \-^%Chron. Eng. 6-7 in
Ritsoa Metr. Rom. II. 296 From him verreiment He brohte
a riche present. 1370-60 Visions 0/ St. Paul 235 in O. E.
Misc. 229 (>o Fendes seiden verreyment— He hal> se^en his
luggement, £7x400 Ytvaine ^ GauK 1491 The lady said,
Sir, verrayment, I wil do al yowr cumandment.
130
B. sb. Truth ; verity.
iS«8 Lyndesay Dreme 801 Efter my sempyll intandiment,
. . I sail declare the suith and verrayment As I best can, 1535
Stewart Cron. Scot. (Rolls) II. 27 Gif that he traistit nocht
To that tha said wes suith and verriemeut [etc.]. 1570
Levins Manip. 68 Veriment, Veritas,
C. adj. Veritable, correct.
£-1590 Greene Fr. Bacon 940 To speake like a proctor.
And lell vnto you, what is veriment and true.
t Verinas. Obs, rare. Also 7 Verrinus. [var.
of Vakinas. Cf. Sp. verina and F. verine (1675).]
A superior quality of roll tobacco (see Vakinas).
1618 in Capt, Smith Wks. (Arb.) 541 There are so many
sofisticating Tobaco-mungers in England, were it neuer so
bad, they would sell it for Veiinas, and the trash that re-
maineth should be Virginia. X670 Merry Drollery i. 10 But
all tlie day long you do us the wrong ; When for Verrinus
you bring us Rlundungus.
tVe'riness. Obs.~^ In 6 verynesse. [f. Very
rt.] Actuality, reality, truth,
"574 '■". Marlorat's Apocalips 21 He is sayde to be lyke
the Sonne of man, to betoken the truenesse or verynesse of
humane n.iture in him, with the same fygureof speechethat
Paule vsed.
Veriour, obs. Sc. form of Warkior.
Verious, -iowce, -ioyce, obs. ff. Verjuice.
Verisimilar (verisi'milai), a. Also 7 very-,
9 veri-similar. [f. L. verisimiliSy vert sitnihs (see
Verisimilitude), after Similar a. Cf. It. veri-
similey Sp. verosimil, Pg. veri-^ verosimii,'] Having
the appearance or semblance of truth or reality ;
appearing true or real ; probable.
In early use rare. Frequent since c 1845, app. after Carlyle,
who used it freely.
1681 Ess. Peace <^ Tntth Ch. 2 As the Opposition to Truth
is either from a downriglit Lie; or a verisimilar Semblance.
1682 Dryden Dk. Guise Dram. Wks. 1725 V. 334 Now I am
to perform all this it seems, without making any Thing
verisimilar or agreeable. 1683 T. 'Hh^t De/. Charter Lond,
29 Our Poet hath not so mucli art left him as to frame any
thing agreeable or very-similar to amuse the People or
wherewith to deceive them. 1727 Bailey (vol. 11).
1827 Carlyle Misc. (1857) '• 39 ^^^ these dramas of his
not verisimilar only but true ? 1846 G. S. Faiser Lett.
Tractar. Secfss. 3 Since I judge the doctrines of Rome to
be more rational and verisimilar than any other doctrines
whatever. 1887 Lowell Democracy, etc. 165 But 'Don
Quixote', if less verisimilar as a narrative, ..appeals to far
higher qualities of the mind.
Hence Verisi'milarly adv,
1833 Carlyle in Froude Liyi- (1882) II. xiv. 338 Words-
worth, .fwasl represented verisiniilarly enough as a man full
of English prejudices, idle [etc,].
i: Verisi'milary, a. Obs.-'^ [Cf. prec. and
Similary «.] Verisimilar.
X653 Urquhart Rabelais 11. vi. 31 Like verisimilarie [F.
verisimiles] amorabons, we captat the benevolence of the
. .faeminine sexe.
t Verisi'iuile. Obs~^ In 7 very simile. [See
Verisimilar a, and Simile sb,'\ A plausible sem-
blance or appearance ^something.
1652 Culpf.pper Eng. Physic. (1656) 300 Almost al Astro-
logo-Physitians hold this to he an Herb of Mars, and they
give a very simile of a truth for it too, viz. Because it cures
diseases of the Head.
Verisimilitude (verisimi'litii^d). Also S-9
veri-similitude. [a. obs. F. verisiviilitude {i^^f^y
or ad. L. verl similitfido. verisimilitudo, f. veri
similis, vcrisimilis, f. verif gen, of verum truth,
and similis like. Cf. Sp. verisimilitude Pg. veri-
similitude. It. verisimilitudine.l
1. The fact or quality of being verisimilar ; the
appearance of being true or real ; likeness or re-
semblance to truth, reality, or fact; probability^
In very frequent use from c 1850.
1603 Hot.LMiD Plutarch's Mor. 1031 If we wil use the rule
of probability and verisimilitude. x6s4 Flecknoe y^r Vears
Trav. 30 Truth has no greater Enemy than verisimilitude
and likelihood. x66x Glanvill Van. Dogm. 64 Verisimili-
tude and Opinion are an easie purchase ; and these counter-
feits are all the Vulgars treasure. X727 Warburton Tracts
(1789) 83 Was it but Falshood's Mask of Veri-simjlitude
that we doated after. 1764 Reid Inquiry vi. § ig His con-
jectures have more verisimilitude than dogmatic theories.
1826 Miss Mitford Village Sen 11. (1863) 289 A dejith of
tenderness in her large black eyes.. gave a great verisimi-
litude to her representation of the lovelorn damsel. 1870
J. H. Newman Gram. Assent 11. vii. 221 They are nothing
more to me than . .judgments on the verisimilitude of intel-
lectual views, not the possession and enjoyment of truths.
1892 Stevenson & Osbourne Wrecker i, To add a spice of
verisimilitude 'college paper' had an actual marketable
value.
b. esp. Of statements, narrative, etc.
X67X Milton Samson^ 0/ Tragedy, The Plot... which is
nothing indeed but such reconomy, or disposition of the
fable as may stand best with verisimilitude and decorum.
1733 G. Cheyne Eng. Malady i. vi. § i (1734) 48 If what I
have advanc'd ..have any I'ruth or Verisimilitude. 1777
Robertson Hist. Amer. II. v. 60 They would appear.. so
extravagant, as to go far beyond the bounds of that veri-
similitude which must be preserved even in fictitious narra-
tion. X817 Coleridge Biog. Lit. xvii. (1882) 165 The char-
acters . . have all the verisimilitude and representative quality
that the purposes of poetry can require. 1858 Merivale
Rom. Emp. Iv. (1865) VII. 2 We must accept in the main
the verisimilitude of the picture they h;ive left us of this arch-
tyrant. 187s JowETT Plato (ed. 2) I. 422 The traditional
form was required in order to give verisimilitude to the
myth.
2. A statement, etc., which has the mere appear-
VERITABLE.
ance or show of being true or in accordance with
fact ; an apparent truth.
X783 Y{k\\.^s Antiq.Chr.Ch. iv. 141 Perhaps, the author had
no farther view, than to state the Academical verisimilitudes
on each side of the controversy. X797 J. Lawrence in
Monthly Ma^. (1810) XLVIII. 112/1 The advantages of
sophistry are infinitely beyond those of real truth; because
a fortunate and well-sounding verisimilitude is so adapted
to the comprehension of nine-tenths of mankind. i8>i
LAMB£'//a I. Old Benchers Inner T., Henceforth let no one
receive the narratives of Elia for true records ! They are,
in truth, hut shadows of fact — verisimilitudes, not verities.
xSjo L. Hunt Autobiog. vii. (i860) 128, I felt.. that there
was more truth in the verisimilitudes of fiction than in the
assumptions of history.
tVerisimilitu'dinary, a. Obs.-^ [Cf. prec.
and SiMlLiTUDiNAUY a.] Of persons : Having a
show of being correct in opinion or judgement.
X675 E. W[ilson] Spoiiacrene Dunelm. 4 Those that hold
the materiality of the Air to be from water, are not in
opinion altogether paradoxical, but verisimilitudinary.
t Verisimility. Obs. Also 7 veri-simility.
[f. L. type ^verisimilitaSy f. verisimilis {veri sim-
His) : see Vehisimilitude.] Verisimilitude.
1646 Sir T. Bkown Pseud. Ep. in. xxi. 157 Touching the
verisimility or probable truth of this relation. Ibid. vii.
xviiL 382 Assuredly it was a noUe Nation.. upon whom, if
not such verities, at least such verisimilities of fortitude
were placed. x$68 Dkyuen Drain. Poesy Ess. (Ker) I. 59
The spirit of man cannot be satisfied but with truth, or at
least verisimility. 1706 tr. De Piles\Art Painting 71 The
third [copy], which is Faithful and Easy,, .puzzles the great-
est Criticks, and often hazards their Pronouncing against
the Truth, tho' it may be agreeable to Verisimility.
t Verisi'iniloxiS, a. Obs. Also 7 vereaimil-
ous. [Irreg. f. L. vert similis^ verisimilis : see
Verisimilitude.] Verisimilar.
X635 F. White Snbbath i6 Many erronious doctrines of
Pontificians, are in our dayes wholly supported by veri-
simitous and probable reasons. 1643 Gal'Den Three Serm.
62 A Judge.-needsbeeaCritick, .. todiscerne betweene man
and man, cause and cause, just and unjust, true and vere-
similous. 167s E. WIilson] S^adacrene Dunelm. 33 Any
verisimilous conjecture concerning the causation of Springs.
Verism (via'riz'm). [f. as next + -ISM. Cf.
Veuitism.] The literary or artistic style practised
or advocated by the verists.
x8o2 Illustr, Lond. Kcivs 24 Sept. 407 'i This triumph of
realism, verism, naturalism, or whatever sort of ' ism ' it
may be called.
verist (vI»'ristV [f. L. ver-um (neut.) or It.
z'tfr-iJ true + -1ST. Cf. Vebitist.] One who believes
in or practises the rigid representation of the truth
or reality in literature or art. Also aitrib.
1884 Contemp. A't-z/. _ Mar. 395 This observation .. would
lead us to a controversy with the verists, realists, naturalists,
or whatever their name. 1899 Acoiiemy 18 Feb. 213/2
These provoked the Verist reaction which followed.
Hence "Veri'stic a.
1884 Contemp. Rev. Sept. 450 The veristic school does
indeed go too far in holding up the things of sense as exclus-
ively true and real. 1891 Blackw. Mag, CL. 869/1 The key-
noteof GeorgeEliot'sart Signor Negri qualifies as essentially
realistic, or, as he puts it, veristic.
Veritabi'lity. rare~^. [f. next.] A truth or
verity.
1864 A. Leighton Myst. Leg. Edinb. (1886) 119 It even
happens often that many veritabilities pass through the
mind without leaving any traces.
Veritable (ve-ritabT), a. (and adv^. Also 5
veritabill, 6 verytable. [a. OF. and AF. verit-
able (mod.F. veritable, = It. veritevole\ f. verite
Verity : see -able.
App. the word had become obsolete by the middle of the
17th century, and was revived early in the igth. Webster
(1828-32) notes it as ' little used '.]
1. Of a statement, etc. : That is in accordance
orconformity with the truth or verity ; true. 1 Obs.
1474 Caxton Chesse 11. i. (1883) 21 Therfore hym ought to
saye no thynge but yf hit were veritable and stable, c X485
Digby Myst. (1882) iv. 1068 We shall here tidinges..
shortlye; For that is suth veritabill. 1514 Barclay Cyt.
<y Uplondyshm. (PercyJ 20 In good fayth..thy tale is veryt-
able, Grounded in lernynge, and gretly commendable. 1604
Shaks. 0th. in. iv. 76 Dcs. Indeed ! is't true? 0th. Most
veritable, therefore looke too 't well. 1649 Evelyn Liberty
Serz'itude iv. Misc. Writ. (1825) 21 It was not lesse lawfull
to men who comprehended thoughts worthy and veritable,
such as we might have of things divine, to possesse an heart
elevated and a courage invincible.
+ b. Of persons: Speaking the truth; truthful,
veracious. Obs,
X489 Caxton Faytes 0/ A. i. vii. 11 The maners and condi-
cions whiche belongen to a good conestable ben these, that
he be not testyf. .ne angry, But amesured and attemporai,
..yerytable in worde and proniesse hardy, a 1533 Ld.
Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) E vij b, The greatest
faute. .is to spare the trouthe and not to be verytable. 1594
R. Ashley tr. Loys le Roy 46 The second warned him to bee
all his life true, and veritable.
2. Genuine, real, true ; not counterfeit, false, or
spurious; correctly or properly so called.
X483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 19/1 And to thende to preve that
his deth was veritable he wold lye therin thre dayes. 1646
Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. v. xix. 262 But where the real
works of Nature, or veritable acts of story are to be
described, digressions are aberrations.
X830 J.G. Strutt Sylva Brit. 24 Few persons.. form any-
thing like just estimates of the veritable size of trees. 1855
Miss CoBBE Intuit. Mor. i. 73 Then Intuition must be
given its natural position as the basis of the only veritable
VEBITABLENESS.
System of Ethics. 187a Morley Voltaire (18S6) 8 A moral
relish for veritable proofs of honesty.
b. Of things or persons.
1649 Earl Mon.m. tr. Soiauifs Use Passions 9 The same
Philosophers.. im.igined it [the soul] had parts as well as the
body, and though they were more subtle, they were not less
veritable. 1833 Lamb Elia it. Imaginative Faculty in
Productions Mod. Art, He had painted a laudable orchard,
with fitting seclusion, and a veritable dragon. 1852 Miss
YoxcE Cameos II. xxiii. 249 A veritable personage was
Whittington. 1881 Lit. World^x Jan. 37/1 Nelson, we all
know, was a veritable sea king.
C. With ihe^ in emphatic use.
1831 Miss MiTFORD in L'Estrange Life (1870) Il.xiv. 320
A cast of the skull of Raphael — the veritable skull dug up
at Rome. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. 11. i% 94 Next, sugar;
what complex memories the word brings back I — the verit-
able sugar has been long ago defunct. 1871 Blackik Four
Phases i. 150, I who am now talking.. am the veritable
Socrates.
3. In extended use, denoting possession of all the
distinctive qualities of the person or thing specified.
1863 C. Stretton C/uguered Life I. 24, I tell you that
Charley is a veritable eel. 1869 A. Harwood tr. De Pres-
senses Early Years Chr, in. i, 360 They had a succession
of governors who were veritable brigands. 1897 Standard
2 Feb. 7/5 At Rochefort there was. .a veritable hail of tiles,
slates, etc. blown off the roofs.
t4. K%adv. Veritably, truly. Obs."'^
_ 1490 Caxton Eneydos xxvi. 93, I beleue veritable that it
is \ox to take vengeaunce of the feyth it of the grete othe. .
whiche I haue violated falsly.
Hence Verltableness, truth, veracity. rare^K
1664 J. Newburch in Evelyn Pomona, etc. 44, I am so
well assured of the veritableness of my neighbours relation,
that I dare not question it.
Veritably (ve-ritabU), adv, [f. Veritable a.
+ -LY '-^.J In a veritable manner ; with truth or
verity ; truly, truthfully ; genuinely, really,
1481 Caxton Godfrey cxliii. 214 The nombre of them that
were slayn was neuer verytabty knowen. a 1^13 Fabvan
Chron. I. xxiii. 18 Kymarchus y* sone of Secilius, as some
wryters haue, but more veritably as sayth y* olde Cronycle,
the brother of lago was made ruler of Hrytayne. c 153a Du
Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. ^27 Veritably, veritablement.
1567 '^\.K\'\x.i: Gr.F'orest 25 b, They esteeme many things by
figure and fanticie, but few veritably and vprightly.
1804 Anna Seward /.*//. (181 1) VI. 143 Allpossible hazard
may be precluded, by observing more veritably to the
youthful reader, that [etcj. 1875 Poste Gains ii. {ed. 2)
237 Veritably afterborn, that is to say born after their father
has made his will,
Ve'ritism. [f. VEniT-Y+-i8M.] — Verism.
So Ve-ritist, Veriti'stio a. = Vebist, Vebistic a.
Originally and chiefly U.S.
1894 Nation (N.V.) 19 July 53/2 Veriiism is the name by
which devils are to be cast out, and the artist himself is to
be a veritist. 1894 H. Gari^nd in Forum (N.V.) Aug. 690
My own conception is that realism for veriiism) is the truth-
ful statement of an individual impression corrected by refer-
ence to the fact. Ibid.^ The veritist chooses for his subject
not the impossible, not even the possible, but always the
probable. Ibid. 693 The critic cannot distinguish between
the entirely fictitious characters of the veritistic novel and
the characters drawn from life.
Verity (veriti). Forms: 5 varyte, ^tr. weryte,
5-6 verite, Sc, veryte, 6 veriteo, Sc, varite ;
5-6 .SV. veretie, 6 veritye, verytie, ueritio, Sc,
werietie, weratie, 6-7 veritie, Sc, verritie, 7-
verity. [a. AF. and OF. verite^ veritet (mod.F.
virite^-\x.. verith^ Prov. vetifaty vertat^ verdady
Sp. verdady Vg. verdade) :-L. vl-ritat^^ Veritas, f.
ver-us true, Very a. : see -ITY,
App. not in common use in the i8th cent., but revived in
the lotb.]
1. Without article. Truth, either in general or
with reference to a particular fact ; conformity to
fact or reality. Also persottif,
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints i. {Peter) 254 Bot-gyf J>at pece be
and Concorde, to fynd veryte In-to na thing may be profyte.
i4»a VoNGE tr. Secreta Secret, 161 Verite getyth hatredyn.
Ihid.^ Verite [is] caste doune, whan any vnryghtly thynge is
preferrid to trouthe. c X470 Henbv Wallace viii. 1406 And
verite war seyn, That ye me lufTyt, I awcht yow luff agayn.
1540-1 Elvot Image Gov. 87 Than dcmaunded he of hym,
what thyng he professed. He aunswered ; Veritee. 1579
W. FuLKE Con/ut. Sanders 577 IJetweene veritie & falsitie
there is no meane. 164a H. Moke Song of Soul \\. in, iii.
58 Mirth, and Frec-mindednesse, Simplicitic,. .These be the
lovely play-mates of pure veritie. 1653 Gataker V'ind.
Ann0t. Jer. 66 Historical verity, saith he, shews the
sepulkers of their false Gods here on earth. z6$^ G. Thomas
Pensilvania 10, I.. have ,ill along, and shall still declare
nothing but Veritv. 1816 Scott Old Mart, xxxiii. He is a
prelatist . . , and all, anj more than all, that has been said of
him must needs be verity. 1851 Carlvle Sterling 11. vl.
(1872) 137 A little verdant flowery island ofpoetic intellect,
of melodious human verity. 1874 H. R. Reynolds John
Bapt. V. } 2. 325 The hypothesis of Catholic verity does
not attempt to solve the problem.
Comb. x8oa-sa I!bntham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1837) I.
191 A motive of any description may be termed a veracity
or verity- promoting, or mendacity-restraining, motive.
b. In various prepositional phrases and construc-
tions used adverbially, freq. with emphatic force,
as in (f of) verity,
14.. Sir Beues (S.) ^313 + 127 Foure l>ousand men, pur
varyte, J»ey brou^ten with hem to Lundone cyte. 1533 Gau
Rickt Vay y^ Hir cleyne virginite wes (wjvnderlie and in
verite prouine be the prophetls. a 1557 Diurn. Qccurr.
(Bann. CI.) 14 Thenuhilk Johne Scott fastit without meit or
drink of veritie xxxij dayes. 1597 Hookkr Fleet. Pol. v. Ivii.
f 5 For we take not baptism nor the eucharist for bareresem-
181
blances. ,, but (as they are indeed and in verity) for means
effectual. 1849 James Woodman xxxiv. It is somewhat
sudden in verity and truth ; but he must depart for Dorset
by daybreak to-morrow. 1875 Ruskin F'ors Clav. Ivi. 231
In verity it was not I who fed my nurse, but my nurse me.
t C. <y verity (used predicatively) : True, Sc.
Obs. (Cf. 3 b.)
1549 Compl. Scot. V. 35 Bot admittand..that Socrates
opinione var of verite, ^it [etc.]. a 1578 Lindf.sav (Pits-
cottie) CAron. Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 134 'Ihe provist ansuerit
and said, ' that is of truth and weratie, and gif ' [etc.]. c 15913
in Spalding Club Misc. I. 5 Gif this be of ueritie I remit
me to the Erlle of Angus declaratioun. 1658 in Hawick
Arckxol. Soc. Trans. (1868) 30/2 The which the said David
Baddie hes maid faith before the bailUes that it was of
verritie.
2. With article or pronoun. The truth ; the true
or real facts or circumstances.
Freq. in the 16th c. in reference to religious belief, some-
times taking the sense of ' the true religion or faith '.
1432 YoNGE tr. Secreta Secret. 161, 1 sey that ham lackyth
men that sholde say to ham the Verite, or the trouthe.
c 1450 Merlin xxi. 372 Telle me what ye be, and of youre
felowes telle me the verite. c 1480 Hrnrvson Fables, Sheep
9( Dog X, Seikand full mony Decreitis of the Law, And
Glosis als, the veritie to knaw. 1535 Coverdale i John iii,
19 Hereby knowe we, that we are of the verite. 1582
Stanyhurst Aineis 11. (.A,rb.) 46 King: my faith I plight
heere, to relate thee veritye soothlye. 1607 J. Carpenter
Plaine Mans Plough 22 Iherefore Lactantius approacheth
neerer to the veritie. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 73
The Apostles preached here the Christian veritie. 1696 in
Aubrey s Misc. (1721) 212, I have set it down fully,. .being
curious for nothing but the Verity. 1754 in NairTte Peerage
Evidence (1874) 55 [To] grant commission for taking his
oath on the verity.
b. Const. i^A (something).
1509 Hawes Past. Pleas, xi. (Percy) 39 The comon wyt. .
Maye well ajudge the perfyt veritie Of theyr sentence,
«S3S in Lett. Suppress. Mon^isteries (Camden) 80 Howbeit
no farder than the verity of Scripture will justifie my cause.
1604 T. Wright Passions 1. x. 43 By which auncient
Proverbes may be collected the verity of the assertion set
downe. 1651 Hobbes Leviatk. 111. xl. 250 The verity of
his Miracles. 1679 Penn Addr. Prot. 11. iii. (1692) 79 We
cannot.. allow That a meer Belief of the Verity and
Authority of the History and Doctrine of Scripture is..
Faith. 1727 Swift Further Acc. E. Curll Wks. 1755 Hi.
I. 154 The verity of this hypothesis is justified by the
symptoms. 1788 FRMiKLi:^ A utobiog. Wks. 1840 I. 210 He
wrote a volume denying the verity of my experiments. 1830
Gen. p. Thompson Exerc. (1842) I. 238 The most powerful
proof of the verity of the rule, i860 Tvndall Glac. i. x. 66,
I felt in alt its force the brave verity of the remark of
Mtrabeau. 1888 Sat. Rev. 21 Jan. 83 It is a pity Mr,
Ashton should not have clearly distinguished, .between the
veracity of the author and the verily of his book.
O, Said of God or of Christ. Usu, with defin-
ing adj. preceding.
«535 JovK Apol. Tindate (Arb.) 6 The verite hath sayd it
andwryten it, 1559 Homilies i. Of Faith it. G iij b, Chryst
hymself: the eternal and infallible veritie. 1563 Ibid., Of
the Resurrection G ggg ij b, O man, cal lo thy minde, that
therefore hast thou receyued intothyneowne possession the
euerlastingveriticjOurSauiour Jesus Christ. 1645 Vanr ^1'^'
Sheepe 41 God being the Prime Verity. 1870 J. H. Newman
Gram. Assent i. v. 126 We have no experiences in our
memory which we can. .transmute into an Image of the
Ineffable Verity,
+ d. The exact wording and meaning of the
original Hebrew or Greek text of the Bible. Obs.
«53S Jove Apot. Tindale (Arb.) 45 But yet let Tindale
loke ouer his Testament once agene and conferre yt a lytle
beter withe the verite and greke to [ = tool. 1539 Bible
(Great) tiiUi The Byble in Englyshe, truly translated after
the veryte of the Hebrue and Greke textes. 1627 W. Beoell
in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 136 For the translation sake
(being not in the Vulgar, but according to the Hebrew
verity). 1659 Bp. Walton Constd. Considered 91 The
greatest assertors of the Hebrew verity. 1771 Luckombe
Hist. Print. Pref. B 2 b. When they quote the Scripture
wrong.,, the authority of the Greek and Hebrew verity
should be cast in their teeth.
e. The actuality or reality ^something.
a 1633 Austin Medit. (1635) 176 He [Christ] offered also
his Hands, to the other Disciples,. . to proove,. the veritie of
his humane Body. x686 W. Hopkins Ratramnus' Body^ Bl.
Dissert, v. fi68S) 75 Concerning the Verity of Christ's Body
and Blood in the Eucharist. 1913 Act 3 1^ 4 Geo. V, c. 20
$21 Such oath.. shall be taken by him to the verity of the
debt.
3. Wilh a and pi. A true statement, doctrine, or
opinion ; an established fact, a reality ; a truth.
1533 Frith Ans^v. Afore (1548) 42 There are many verities,
which yet may be no such artycles of our faithe. 1577
Harrison England 11. vii. in Ilottnshed I, 80/2 Sith con-
iecturs are no verities & mine opinion is but one mans
iudgement. 1605 Camden Rem. (1623) 221 Magtcke, in
the time of Nero, w.is discouered to be but a vanity, in
the declining state of the Roman Empire, accounted by the
Gentiles a verity. 1640 Bulwer Pathomyot. 11. i. 60 A
great An.itomist, whom I find running away with an errour
instead of a conceited verity. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. iv.
vii, 5 II Which [propositions] being settled in the minds of
their scholars, as unquestionable verities. 1765 Sterne Tr.
Shandy vii, xxxiv. But it is an indubitable verity, con.
tinued I, addressing myself to the commis-;ary. 1845 Bailev
Festus {ed. 2) 122 Thus dreams arc verities. 1867 Fkfkman
Norm. Conq. (1877) ?• App. 643 The quarrel and the recon-
ciliiition arc uncjuestionable verities, 1878 Tait& Stewart
Unseen Untzu vii. § 203. 202 Our strength lies in keeping up
a communication with those verities which we all acknow-
ledge.
\>. 0/ a verity (chiefly in parenthetic use) :
Truly, assuredly, in truth, indeed. (Cf. I b.) rhet,
1850 W. Irving Malwmet vi. (1853) 33 Oh Mahomet, of a
verity, thou art the prophet of Godl 1856 Kane /Ifr/. Expl.
VERJUICE.
!l. i. 15 The liver of a walrus eaten with little slices of his
fat;.. of a verity it is a dtlicious morsel, i860 Sala Had-
dington Peerage I. xv. 271 Down she came, in about ten
minutes, looking of a verity, radiant.
4. Truthfulness, veracity, sincerity. %Obs,
ciSSS Harpsfikld Divorce Hen. K/// (1878) 51 Justice,
verity, holiness, fear of God. 1565 _T. Stapleton Fortr.
Faith 14 b, Thou hast sworen to Dauid in thy verite. 160s
Shaks. Macb. IV. iii. 92 The King-becoming Graces, As
lustice. Verity, Temij'rance, Stablenesse. 1606 Hryskett
Civ. Life 242 Veritie is the vertue. .by which a man in all
his conuersation, in all his actions, and in al his words shew-
eth himselfe sincere and ful of truth. 1808 E. S. Barrett
Miss-led General 47 If my verity is called in question, 1 will
state in what manner, and by what means it was paid. 1848
Scottish yml. Topog., etc, II. 167/1 Scoto-Gallicisms...On
my veritie, [from French] ve'rite'. My certie, [from French]
certes.
Verjuice (v5*jd5«s), sb. Forms : a. 4-5 ver-
ious, 5 veryous, -yose, -iu8(e, -iuys, -jusse,
-iowce (vere jouse), 6 werius, verioyce, -juce
(verdjuice), 6-7 veriuice, -iuce, -iuyce, 7 ver-
juyce, -juce, -jus, 7- verjuice, &. 4 vergwa, 5
wergoys, 6 vergus, -uys ; 4 vergieux, 4-6
-eous, 6 -ews, -exis, 5 vergyous, 6 -ious, -yus,
-ius (4 verdius, 5 vertious). 7. 5 vergys, 5-7
vergis, 6-7 verges, 6 werges, vergesse, -i(e)s8e,
7 verdges; 6 warges, 6-7, 9 dial, varges, 7, 9
dial, vargis. [a. OF. vertjus^ verjuSy verguSy etc.
(mod.F. verjus)yi. vert green, unripe +y«.y Juice.]
1. The acid juice of green or unripe grapes, crab-
apples, or other sour fruit, expressed and formed
into a liquor ; formerly much used in cooking, as a
condiment, or for medicinal purposes. Also in com-
parisons as, as sour {bitter^ tarty etc.) as verjuice.
a. 1301-3 Ely Sacr. Rolls (1907) II. i8 Pro j barillo ad
verious. 14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 619 Viridis s7/ccus,
veriuys. C1440 Promp. Parrr. 508/2 Veriowce, sawce,
agresta. 1450-80 tr. Secreta Secret. 33 Make him drynke
of verious and watir. c 1460 Tow/teley Myst. xii. 236 A calf
lyuer skorde with the veryose ; Good sawse. This is a re.
storele To make a good appete. 1534 in Peacock Eng. Ch,
Furniture (1866) 187 A brake to make verioyce wilh. 1544
pHARRRegiw. Lyfe (1560) Bivb, 'Ihe juce of Purcelane, of
. Plantaine, and verjuce of grape, or crabbes. 1594 Plat
yctuell-ho. ill. 71 Crabs after the veriuice is expressed from
them. 1626 Middleton Women Beware Wont. iii. iii,
Having a crabbed face of her own, she'll eat the less ver-
juice with her mutton. 1657 Trapp Comm. Ezra vi. 13 II,
22 Their obedience was wrung out of them, as verjuice is out
of a crab. 1748 Hartley Obsen^. Man i. ii. 124 The good
Effects of Vinegar, Verjuice, Spirits of Wine, in Sprains.
'799 G. Smith Laboratory {ed. 6) I. 343 Beat pumice stones
to an impalpable powder, and mix up with verjuice. 1853
RovLB Mat. Med. (ed. 2) 358 When unripe the fruit is
remarkable for the harsh acidity of its juice, which is then
called verjuice. x88i Harper's Mag.lXWl.'zfitTo^isXorX.
the face as if one were quaffing verjuice.
yf^. i6i6 R. C. Tinted Whistle (1871) 80 They must have
veriuice that wilt squeese such craboes. 1634 Middleton
Game at Chess v. iii, 'S foot this Fat Bishop hath.. so
'squelch'd and squeez'd me, I've no verjuice left in me. x66a
HiBBERT Body Div. i. 269 Take heed of matching with one
of the daughters of Heth ; he that graffs into a crab-stock, is
hke never to want verjuice.
^. 1349-50 Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees) 551 In xvj lag. de
vergeous. 139J Earl Derby's Exped. (Camden) i«;5 Et pro
viij galonibus vergws. a 1400 Leg. Holy Rood viii. 175 ^it
Moyses in Rule ha|> rad. We schulde ete vr lomb in sour
vergeous. C1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode 11. cxlvii. (1869) 134,
I serue of vinegre and of vergeous, and of greynes J>at ben
soure. c 1440 Donee MS. jj fol. 7 'J hen take. ,a quantite
of vertious & saffron & satte & cast ther to. 1463 Bury
Wills (Camden) 23 A barell with wergoys, and a hotel for
Wynne. 1513 W. DE Worde Bk. Keruynge in Bnbees Bk.
278 It ought for to be cten with grene garlyke, or with
sorell, or tender vynes, or vergyus in somer season. 1558
Warde tr. Alexis Seer. (1568) 65 b, Boile it in iii glasses
full of good vergeous or whyte wyne. 1577 B. Googk
Heresbach's Husb. it. {1586) 57 Some adde thereunto Ver-
gius, or the iuyce of soure Grapes, to make the taste more
tarte.
y. 1^12-% Abingdon Acc. (Camden) 75 De vuts..pro ver-
gis inde feet', c 1518 Skelton Magnyf. 177^ Somtyme,
parde. I must vse largesse. Ye, mary, somtyme in a messe of
vergesse. i5»7 Luton Trin. Guild (1906) 186 Payd..for
galone of wargis. 1557 Lane, f^ Chesh. Wills (Chetham
Soc. 1884) 64, ij barrells to keepe varges in. 1573 Tusser
Husb. (187B) 53 Be sure of vergis. .so good for the kitchen.
x6io Markham Masterp. i. Ixxi, 148 You shall then onely
giue it a pint of strong verdges to drinke. 1630 J. Tavlor
(Water ^.)Begser Wks. i. 97/2 And for a Sauce pe seldom
is at Charges, For euery Crabtree, doth affoord him Vergis.
1639 O. Wood Alpk. Bk. Secrets 102 Make a posset of
Varges or Vinigar and Milke, bath the joynt very hot there-
with. 1837 Hood Ode to Dr. Hahnemann 38 A drop of
' varges '. 1854 M iss Baker Northampt. Gloss. 375 As sour
as vargis. 1904 E. Step Wayside ^ Woodland Trees 103
Cycler is made from the rolling Crabs; also a kind of
vinegar called verjuice or vargis.
t b. In fig. phrases to crowdy criishj squeeze to
verjuice. Obs.
160S TryallChev. ii. I. in Bullen Old PL (1884) III. 289
And that sowre crab do but leere at thee I shall squeeze him
lo Vargis. i6ai Fletcher Isl. Princess in. t, They love a
man that crushes 'em to verjuce. a 1625 — WifeforMonth
II. i. They have crowded me to Vergis, 1 sweat like a butter-
box.
2. In fig. use, with reference to the characteristic
acidity or sourness of verjuice.
1508 E. GuiLi'iN Skial. (1878) 39 Oh how the varges from
his blacke pen wrung. Would sauce the Idiome of the Eng-
lish tongue. Ibid, 65 To mittigate The sharp tart veriuice
of his snap.haunce hate. z6a6 B. Jonson Staple ofN, v. i,
17-3
VERJUICE.
132
VERMICELLI.
Han^ him, an austere :^rapc, That has no iuice, but what U
veriuice in him, 1685 Ckowne SirC. Nice 1, The Devil of
Knvy suck'd it ail out, and left verjuice in the roome. 1759
Mrs. Dkl.\ny in Life ^ Corr. (1862) 543 To be sure there
must be an infinite deal of verjuice in her composition I 1791
J. WoLCOT (P. Pindar) Rights 0/ Kings xviii. Wks. 1816 1 1.
209 The heart should be a medlar, not a crab ; Milk, and not
Verjuice, from its fount should flow. i8as %co^t Betrothed
xxii, Raoul, glancing towards her a look of verjuice [etc.J.
1833 T. Hook Parson's Dau. 11. xi, Miss Budd, although
she said nothing, looked vinegar and verjuice. 1873 Sv-
MONDS Grk. Poets \\, loi The temper of hisproposed son-in-
law was a mixture of gall, wormwood, vinegar, verjuice,
vitriol and nitric acid,
3. aitrib. or as adj. a. Simple attrib., as 7^*?^-
juice barrel, bottle, brake, house, sauce^ tub^ vessel.
%\V» E. E. With (1882) 91 A vergyous barell. C1450 Tivo
Cookery Bks. 103 The sauce is vergyus sauce or sauce
ginger. 1516-7 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 106 Pro
osttis le Weriushouse. 1551-60 in Hall Eliz. Soc. (1887)
150 A verguj-s tubbe. 1578 Knaresh. Wills (Surtees) I. 134
In the buttrie-.a kitt, a vergious brake. 1588 Latic. ^
Ckesh. Wills (Chetham Soc. 1893) 150, ij kneadinge tubes,
iij cheises, ij verges barrells. 16S9 Inv. liouseh. Goods in
Trans. Essex Archseol, Soc. 111. 11. j6i In the West Larder
. . 8 vergis vessells.
b. Passing into adj. in the sense of * bitter, sour,
sonr-looking ', as verjuice countenance^ face, wit.
1598 Marston Sco. Vilianie To ludiciall Perusers, I
dare defend my plainenesse against the veriuice-face of
the Crabbedst batyrist that euer stuttered. 1613 Hevwood
Brazen Age 11. iii, She scarce will let me kisse her, But shee
makes vergisse faces, 163* Uromb Co7tri Beggar 11. i, Thou
hast a verjuice wit. 1813 Scott Peveril vii, A verjuice
countenance ..is no such temptation, 1853 Hickif; tr.
Aristoph. (1887) I, 12 You bear the basket prettily, with a
verjuice face.
t C. Verjuice grape, one or other variety of
grape suitable for the naaking of verjuice (cf. quot.
1735 and F. verjus a sour or green grape), Obs,
1648 Hexham ii, Verjuys-hesien^ Verjus or Sowre grapes.
1653 Urquhart Rabelais \. xxv. The great red grapes, the
muscadine, the verjuice grape. 1664 Evklyn Kal, Hort.
Sept. 74 The Verjuyce -grape excellent for sauce^ &c. 1706
London & Wise Retir'd Card. I. xi. 52 Having planted
your Trees, you ought.. to set some Chasselas, or Verjuice
Grapes, about your Squares. tj»s Favt. Diet. s.v., There
are three sorts of Grapes to which they properly give the
Name of Verjuice, viz. the Gouais, Farineus, and Bourdelas,
otherwise te Grey; and 'tis from these three that they com-
monly press Verjuice.
Hence Ve*rjuice v. trans., to embitter, make
sour ; Ve*rjniced ///. a.
1836 W, H. Maxwell Capt. Blake xv, The maid was a
vcrjuiced spinster. 1848 Lowell ^a^/^y^rCr/V/tJ(i865) 217
His sermons with satire are plenteously verjuiced. 189s
W. G. Thorpe Still Life Mid. Temple 3 Sir John Key,
where the inherent rhyme to ' donkey ' verjuiced the
baronetcy.
Verk(e, obs. Sc, forms of Work sb.
t Verken, obs. form of Firkin.
1485 Cely Papers (Camden) 184 P** per me for an verken
of gonpouder, viij d.
Verlay, Verlet(te, obs. ff. Virelay, Varlet,
Verlioh(e, ME, varr. Ferly a. and adv, Obs.
t Verling-line. Naut, Obs. (Origin and mean-
ing obscure.)
x4ao in For, Ace. 3 Hen. VI, ij. haunserspro verlyng-lynes
, ponderis ex. lb.
-Verlore, var. f. pa, t, and pa. pple. Forlese v,
Obs. 'Verlot(te, obs. ff. Varlet, Verm,
southern dial, var. Farm sb. ; obs, Sc var. Worm
sb. Vennayn(e, obs. ff. Vermin sb.
tVerme. ^ef* Obs, [ad, L. vermis worm
(Honorius of Autun De Itnag. Mundi i, xiii), in-
correctly taken as the name of a fish.] An alleged
fish of the Ganges, able to seize and destroy
elephants.
Bossewell elsewhere (ri. 66) has the form vermante, prob.
an error for verme Itariante by accidental omission of letters.
157a Bossewell Armorie iii. 25 Ij, H. hathe to hys
Creste, a Verme hariante propre, subsigned aboute the tayle
w'ith a scrowe.
Ve'rmeazi, a. rare-'^, [f. Verme-s + -AN.]
= Vermian a. I .
1905 p. Rev. Apr, 493 Parasites, both external and
internal, both protozoan and vermean, were met with,
Vermechuili, obs. f. Vermicelli.
Vermeil, vermil (vaumll), a. and sb. Forms :
a. 5 vermaile, -mayle, -meyle, 6 vermayll, 7
-meyl; 6 vernaeill, 8-9 -meille, 6- vermeil.
/3. 6 vermeil, 7 Vermel ; 6-7 vermile, 7 -myle ;
8-^ vermil, [a. AF. and OF. vermail, vermeil
adj. and sb, (nth c, mod.F, vermeil, = Vvo\. ver-
melh, vermely.-^cc. sing, of L, vermiculus, dim.
of vermis worm : see Vermicle, and cf, Vermilion
sb. and Vermily,]
A. adj. Of a bright scarlet or red colour ;
vermilion. Chiefly poet,
a, € i±oo Rom. Rose 3645 Ful fayre it [sc. the rose] spradde
the god of blesse For suche another as I gesse Aforne ne
was ne more vermayle. £ i4ao Lvdg. Ballad at Reverence
Our Lady 45 (Skeat), Benigne braunchelet of the py iie-tree,
Vyneyerd vermayle. 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 74
Take not cclde water in stede of vermayll wine. 1549 Compi.
Scot.^ vi, 37 The pretty fische .. vitht there rede vermeil
ftnnis, 1596 Spenskk Prothal. ii, With store of vermeil
Roses, To dccke their Brtdexromes posies. 180a Sporting
Mag. XII. 359 Nature's vermeil robe and lilied vest. 1807
WoRDSw. White Doe u. 12 This Maid, who urought-.In
vermeil colours and in gold An unhlest work. i8ia S.
Rogers Columbus Poems (1839) 42 Tinging with vermeil
light the billows blue. 1898 Menme M. Dowie Crook of
Bough 16^ The vermeil flood mounted in her cheeks, but
she met his glance fully.
fi. 159J Wvrlev Armorie, Ld. Chandos i, A vermile
crosse the Cyprian king still wore. 1637 Milton Lycidas
(MS. draft), Ihat sad Floure that strove To write his own
Woes on the Vermel Graine. 169a J. Salter Triumphs
Jesus 17 A Face with Vermile Paint still over.laid. 1791
E, Darwin Bot. Card. \. I. 4 In noon's bright blaze thy
vermil vest unfold. 1800 Moore Anacrcon Ivi, The ripe
and vermil wine, Sweet infant of the pregnant vine.
b. Freq. of the countenance, lips, etc.
c 16x4 Sir W. Mure Dido ^ Mneas 1. 626 The dimples of
a vermile cheek. 1754 Gray Pleasure fr. Vicissitude 3
With vermeil cheek and whisper soft She [sc. the morn]
woe's the tardy spring. 1780 S. J. Pratt Emwa Corhett
(ed. 4) II. 176 The invisible sigh steals through its vermeil
passages. i8«> C. R. Maturin Melmoth (1892) III. xxx.
198 A lip as vermeil as her own. 1864 Musgrave Ten Days
in Fr. Parsouage I. i. 29 The vermeil cheeks.. faded away
into creamy hues.
transf 1759 Mallet Fragment Wks. I. 50 The vivid
pulse, the vermil grace,.. Youth, beauty, pleasure, all are
thine I 1800 Moore Anncreon xiv. note 3 So many vermil,
honeyed kisses, Envy can never count our blisses.
C. With names of colours ; ts^. vermeil red.
1590 Spenser F. Q. ii. iii. 22 In her cheekes the vermeill
red did shew. 1791 Huddesford Salma^. 121 Thy vermeil
red and living green In mimic folds thou shalt display. 1859
Tennyson Enid 364 Like a blossom vermeil-white, I'hat
lightly breaks a faded flower-sheath. 1906 C. M. Doughty
Dawn in Britain I. 68 Her rud as apple blossoms, vermeil-
white. Her locks. . Like sunny rays.
B. sb. 1. Vermilion hue or colour,
1590 Spenser F, Q. 11. xii. 45 The snowy substaunce \ante
frothy billowes] sprent With vermeil, like the boyes bloud
therein shed.^ 1633 P* Fletcher P%irple Isl. x. xli. So
when cleare ivorie vermeil fitly blois, By stains it fairer
grows. 1728 Fielding Love in Sez<. Masques i. v, It has
exagitated my complexion to that exorbitancy of vemieille.
C1750 Shenstone Ruined Abbey 180 The vivid vermeil
fled his fady cheek. 1848 Lytto:* Harold ni. iv, The orb
was sinking red and lurid, amidst long cloud-wracks of
vermeil and purple. 1892 *M. Field' Sight Sf Songi A
cloak Of vermeil and of blue.
•fb. transf. Blood. Obs, rare,
1590 Spenser F. Q. ir. x. 24 How oft that day did sad
Brunchildis see The greene shield dyde in dolorous vermeil?
I5<)4 Greene Selimus (>iq He follow Mars, ..And die my
shield in dolorous vermeil. x8ii Gary Dante, Parad. xvi.
151 With these [I] sawher so glorious and so just, that ne'er
The lily from the lance had hung reverse, Or through
division been with vermeil dyed.
1 2. = Vekmilion sb. I a. Obs. rare~^,
16I0 G. Fletcher Chrisfs Vict, 11. xxxii, A painted face,
belied with vermeyl store.
3. (See quots.)
1796 KiRWAN EJem. Mtn. (ed. 2) I. 250 Oriental Ruby.
Its colour is carmine red,.. sometimes red and while, or red
and blue, and thence called sapijhire ruby, or orange red,
by some called vermeille or rubicelle. xEt84 /;///. Diet.,
Vermeil, a jeweller's name for a crimson-red garnet inclin-
ing slightly to orange.
4. Gilding. (See quot.) Also aitrib.
Directly from mo^.^. vermeil', the quotation is part of
a description of the French method of gilding.
18^9 Ure Diet. Arts 613 The vermeil coat. Vermeil is a
liquid which gives lustre and fire to the gold, and makes it
resemble or moulu. [Hence in later Diets.]
b. Silver-gilt ; gilt bronze.
1858 SiMMONDs Diet. Trade, Vermeil (French), silver
gilt, or gilt bronze. [Hence in later Diets.] 1889 Harper's
Mag. Aug. 334/2 The iconostase or screen is a high wall of
burnished vermeil. 191X igth Cent. May 841 Golden
pheasants sat. .on platters of embossed vermeille.
C. Comb, (chiefly parasynthetic), as vermeil-
cheeked, -dyed, -rimmed, -tinctured ^-tinted, -veined.
1634 Milton Comus ys^ What need a vermeil-tinctured
lip for that?^ 1777 Potter ^schylns. Furies 451 Let th'
Athenian train... now advance, Array 'd in richest vesture
darting round Its vermeil-tinctur'd radiance. 1810 Shelley
Hope IV. Orig. Poetry (1898) 25 The vermiel [«V] tinted
flowers. x8i8 Keats Endymion i. 50 Before the daisies,
vermeil rimm'd and white, Hide in deep herbage. i8ao —
St. Agnes xxxviii, Thy beauty's shiela, heart-shap'd and
vermeil dyed, 1831 L. Hunt Indicator No. 67 (1822) II.
117 The bearded and the vermeil-cheeked. 1905 Holman-
Hunt Pre-Raphaelitism L 4 Cheeks vermeil-veined by the
pencilling of nature.
Venueilf vermil (vaumil), v. Chiefly /^^/.
[f. prec. Cf. the earlier Envermeil vI\ trans.
To colour or suffuse, to stain over, with or as with
vermilion or bright red. Also transf.
1596 Danett tr. Comines (1614) 278 The presses painted
& vermiled with golde. 1609 Heywood Brit. Troy xni.
Ixxxix, Euen till his armes with blood were vermeil d o're.
1616 J. Lane Contu. Sgr.'s T. xi. 164 Their bewties, all
sophisticate to viewe (Vulgarlie vermilld to pretende as
trewe). 1785 J. Sterling Cambuscan ccHi, Abundant roses
vermil o'er the plain. 183a J. Bree St. Herbert's Isle, etc,
171 'Twas vermilled o'er with sweetest dye That nature's
pencil ever spread.
Hence Vermeiled, Ve'rmiled///. a,
1616 J. Lane Contn. Sgr^s T. ix. 17 Her painted truith,
her vermild modestie.
Vermeillone, -meleon, obs. ff. Vermilion.
t Vermelet. Obs.—^ [ad. OF. vermellet^ ver'
mcillet, dim. o{ vermeil Vermeil ^.J Vermilion,
c 1530 Crt. of Love 141 O bright Regina, who made thee
so fair? Who made thy colour vermelet and white?
Vermelon(e, -otin, etc., obs. ff. Vermilion.
Verraen, oI)5. form of Vermin.
tVe'rment. Obs.~^ Aphetlc f. Averment.
1471 Rolls of Par it. VI, 64/1 By his Othe,.. withouten
any issue, triall or verrement to be takyn bitwene you and
hym iheruppon.
V ermeo'logist. [f. Vekme-s + -ologist.] One
who treats of worms ; a helminthologist.
1828-39 Webster.
So Vermeo'logy, =^ Helmintholqgy. {Ibid^
Vermeon, variant of Vermion Obs.
II Vermes (vaum/z). [L., pi. of vermis worm.]
1. Pat/i. (See quot. 1728.)
[1693 tr. Blancard's Fhys. Diet. (ed. 2),_ Vermes, see
Lumt>rici.\ 1728 Chambers Cyel., Vermes., in Medicine, a
Disease popularly call'd Worms ; arising from some of
those Reptiles being generated, and growing in the Body.
1800 I^Ied. Jrnl. I V. 203 Observations on Diseases in London.
. .Vermes, ..Epistaxis,. .Epilepsia.
2. Zool, One or other of the primary divisions,
sub-kingdoms, or groups of the animal kingdom
proposed or adopted at various times by certain
classifiers, comprehending worms and allied forms,
but differing widely as to the nature and number
of the classes or families included.
The term was introduced by Linnaeus in his Systema
Naturae {1766).
1771 Encycl. Brit. III. 362/2 Linnaeus divides the whole
animal kingdom into 6 classes. .. Class VI. Vermes, or
Worms. 1796 Morse Amer. Ceog. I. 225 The following
catalogues of insects and vermes. 1828 Stark Eiem. Nat.
Hist. \\. 418 Linnaeus, .arranged the whole in his class
Vermes. 1878 Bell Ge^enbaurs Comp. Anat. 125, I
arrange the various divisions of the Vermes in the follow-
ing order. .1. Platyhelminthes..ii. Nemathelminthes [etc.].
xM8 /iKiryc/. Brit. XXIV, 677/2 The group Vermes as used
. . by Claus includes several distinct phyla, viz., Nematoidea
[etc.]. 1888 RoLLESTON & Jackson Anim. Life 579 Other
i Vermes are certainly unisegmental.
Venneselly, obs. f. Vermicelli.
Ve'rmetid. Zool. [ad. mod.L. Vermetid-se,, i.
L. vermes Vermes.] An individual of the family
Vermetids& of holostomatous gasteropods.
i860 P. P. Carpenter in Rep. SmitJisoman Insiit. iSSQ
205 [The Vermetidse (worm shells). Ibid.^ Some of the
Vermetids assume a looseness of growth as great as that of
the worm.
Vemii- (v3'imi), comb, form of L. vermis (cf.
Vermes), used in various words, as Vermicide,
Vejimiform a., Vermifuge, Vermiparouso:., etc. ;
also as a base in a few other terms, as Vermi'ceoas
a., of or pertaining to worms ; wormy (Webster,
184;); Vermi'clouB a., = prec. (Craig, 1849);
Ve'rmidom [cf. L. dom-us house] Zool. (see
quots.) ; Vermi-ferous a. [-Fergus], producing
worms ; Vermig-erous a. [-gerous], infested with
intestinal worms.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. v. 242 The ova undergo
their development. , in masses of gelatinous matter which
adhere to the tubes of the *vermidom in Protula. 1894
Jr7il. Marine Zocl. May 57 The examples, .were not all
from the same cluster of tubes or vermidom. 1854 H.
Miller Sch. Sf Schm. x. (1857) 206 Many a half-hour have
1 spent beside it,.. watching its numerous inhabitants, —
insect, reptilian, and *vermiferous. 1853 G. Johnston
Nat. Hist. E. Bord, I. 129 The inexperienced mother is
recommended to give.. cakes and puddings tainted with
'J'ansy to her *verniigerous child, i860 Encycl. Brit. Jed. 8)
XXI. 974/1 It must not. .he concluded, that, .every indivi-
dual [animal] is vermigerous.
Venuian (vSumian), a. [f. Verm-ES + -IAN ;
see Vermi- and -an.]
1. Of or pertaining to Vertnes ; characteristic of
worms ; worm-like.
1878 Bell Gegenbanrs Comp. Anat. 307 In this point
also we can make out an affinity with Vermian larva:
(Actinotrocha). 1888 Rolleston & Jackson Anim. Life
578 The types of structure seen in most Vermian classes aie
very distinct from one another. 1905 Outlook 28 Oct. 589/2
Human nature is not the same in all ages;.. it was once
simian nature, once vermian, once lower still.
2. Anat. Pertaining or belonging to the vermis
of the cerebellum. (In recent Diets.)
t Vermicell. Sc. Obs,~-^ [a. F, vermicel,
-celle, ad. It. vermicelli: see next.] Soup-vermicelli
= next 2.
1714 Ramsay Health 63 Soup-vermicell, sous'd turbot,
cray, and soles.
Vermicelli (v9Jmise*U, vaimitje'li). Also 7
vermechuili, virmizzelli, 8 vermigelly ; 8 ver-
micelly (-cella) , vermeselly. [a. It vermicelli,
pi. of vermiccllo, dim, of verme^ :— L. vermem^ ace.
sing, of vermis worm. Cf. prec]
1. A wheaten paste, of Italian origin, now usu.
made of flour, cheese, yolks of eggs, sugar and
saffron, prepared in the form of long, slender, hard
threads, and used as an article of diet. Cf.
Macaroni i.
1669 Davenant Man*s the Master 1. i, Vermechuili shall
my Palat please, Serv'd in with Bisques, Ragous, and Inler-
mets. 1674 BovLE Excell. Theol. \. i. 54 Vermicelli, wafers,
and pie-crust, are all of them diversified meal. 1709 Prior
Paulo Pnrganti 65 With Oysters, Eggs, and Vermicelli,
She let Him almost burst his Belly. 1747 Mrs. Glasse
Cookery xix. 155 It will run up like little Worms, as Vermi-
cella does. 1767 Ann. Reg. i. 92 The free importation of
rice, sago dust, and vermicelli . . from the American colonies.
181Q BvRON Juan n. clxx, Ceres presents a plate of vermi-
celli. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts 1276 The macaroni requires to
VERMICIDAL.
133
VERMICULE.
be made of a less compact dough than the vermicelli. 1887 1
L. OLirnAST K^isiuics (1S88) 153 A soup_ in which was
floating what appeared to be pieces of vermicelli.
b. aitrib.y chiefly in the sense * made of ver-
micelli ', as vermicelli pudding, soup ; also ' re-
sembling or suggestive of vermicelli ', as vermicelli
braidj braiding,
1769 Mrs. Raffald Eng. llousehpr, (1778) i When you
malce any kind of soups, particularly portable, vermicelli,
or brown gravy soup. Ibid, 175 A Vermicelli Pudding,
Boil four ounces of vermicelli in a pint of new milk till it is
soft [etc.]. 1806 A. HuNTKR Cuiina (ed. 3) 207 While
Vermicelli Soup. X884 Iliusir, Lond, News 20 Sept. 267/2
We had vermicelli soup (flavoured with grated parmesan
cheese). 1904 Daily Chron. 23 Aug. 8/1 Quite the newest
of these embroideries are the so-called vermicelli braids,
narrow crinkled cords formed into whirligig devices of no
decidedly definite pattern, ipo? Ibid, i Oct. 8 Sleeveless
coats in fme cloth, covered entirely with vermicelli braid-ing.
2, elltpl. Vermicelli soup.
1771 Smollett //■«/«//i, CI, 26 April, We. .commonly stop
at Mr. Gill's, the pastrj'-cook, to take a jelly, a tart, or a
small basin of vermicelli. 1850 Mayne Reid ki^e Rangers
xiv, * Perhaps you would prefer Julienne or vermicelli,
gentlemen 1 ' inquired the Don.
VeTmlcidal, a. [f. next + -al.] Of the nature
of a vermicide ; destructive to worms ; anthelmin-
tic. (In recent Diets,)
Vermicide (vSumisaid), Med, [f. Vermi- +
-ciDK I .] A medicine for killing intestinal worms ;
an anthelmintic, a vermifuge.
1849 tr. Pereiras Mat, Med. ff Therap. (ed. 3) 230 Anthel-
mintics ai-e of two kinds :— Some act obnoxiously on
intestinal worms— destroying or injuring them. , . These are
. .the vermicides of some authors. 1876 Bartholow Mat,
Med. (1879) 490 Vermicides are remedies which kill as w<!ll
as expel worms. 1899 Cagnev Jaksck's Clin. Diagn. vi.
(ed. 4) 228 Sandwith finds thymol by far the most efficient
vermicide in cases of anchylostomiasis.
Vermicle (va'Jmik'l). Also 4 vermycle. [ad.
h, vermiculus little worm; also (late L.) scarlet
colour, Cf. Vermicule and Vermeil.]
fl. =: Vermilion J^, 3 a, Obs. rare.
138a Wyclif Exod. xxxviiL 23 A worcher with nedlis, of
iacynct, and purpur, reed cloolh [altered /rom vermyclej,
and bijs. Ibid, xxxix. i.
2. Biol. A small worm or grub ; a vermicule,
1657 ToMLiNsos Renou's Disp. 302 A certain insect, or fly
or vermicle. 1667 Phii. Trans, il. 426 A little Vermicle,
a!> small as a Mite. 17^ /bid. XLIV. 355 The Vermiclesjof
Ants], .in a few Days mfold themselves in asoft silken kind
of Tissue. X747 Gould £ng. Ants 76 The next. .Exercise
belonging to the working Ants, is feeding the Maggots or
Vermicles, i8aa-7 Good Study Med, (1829) 1 1 T. 366
Vermicles or the larvae of insects have at times been found
in the open ulcer of a cancer. I6id, V. 661 An egg, which
"iives rise to a minute vermicle or larve. 1880 Nature
XI. 453 The bodies thus evolved simulate worms so
closely.. that Gaule styles them ' Wurmchen ', which may
be translated vermicles.
t Vermi'CTllaiUtt «. Physiol. Obs."^ [a. med.
L. vermiciilanl', vermiculans {pulstts^^ pres. pple.
of L. vermiculdrl'. see Verm icu late v.^ and cf.
K. vermiculanij Pg, -antcl Of the pulse : = Ver-
UICL'LAK a. I b.
1707 Flover Physic,^ Pulse- H^atc/t 33 The Pulse before a
Syncope U very quick, then small, languid, . . obscure,
vermiculant, fomiicant.
Verxoicalar (vajmi kirflaj), a. and sb. [ad.
med.L. vermicttldriSy f. L, vermiculus: see Ver-
MicuLB, So F. vermiculaire (Par^), Sp., Pg.
vermicular^ It. vermicolare.']
A. adj. 1. Physiol, t *• t Full of vermicules,
Obs. rare~^.
1655 Culpepper & G)le tr. Rivertus vii. iii. 159 Somtimes
it [the blood] is intermitting, watery, vermicular, when the
Lungs are rotten by too much moisture.
b, = Perista-ltio a.
Freq. from C183S.
x67» Phil. Trans. VII. 5137 We instance the Vermicular
motion of the veins [of plants] when exposed to the air.
1713 Chkselden Anat, in. xii. (1726) 236 After this it (the
food] is continually moved by the. .vermicular motion of
the guts. 1791 K. Darwin Bot. Card. i. Notes 09 In
such a structure it is easy to conceive how a vermicular or
peristaltic motion of the vessel., must forcibly push forward
Its contents. 1834 Gooits Study Med. {ed. 4) I. 9 Its [the
stomach's] mascular fibres are calculated to produce a
constant undulatory vermicular movement. 1835-6 Tod(Cs
Cycl, Anat. 1, 668/1 On the supposition that the arteries
undergo an undulatory or vermicular contraction. x88i
MivABT Cat 181 This form of movement is also spoken of
as the vermicular motion of the intestine.
trans/. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med, VII I. 201 Sometimes
these muscles are seen working under the skin in vermicular
fashion.
2. Having the sinuous shape or form character-
istic of a worm; consisting of, characterized by,
tortaons outlines or markings ; sinuous, wavy.
1711 tr, Pontet'iHist, Drues I. 180 The Vermicular, or
Worm-like Gum, is one of the Arabian or Senega Gums.
'753 Phii. Trafts, XLVIII. 87 This second furrow was. .not
in a strait line, but in a vermicular direction. 178^ Cowprr
Task I. 30 A generation more refin'd . . made three legs four,
Gave them a twisted form vermicular. 1815 Kirbv & Sp.
Entomol. xiv, (1816) I. 438 'Ihe vermicular shape.. of the
masses with which theparval] cases are surrounded, i860
Hook Lives Abps. I. 1, 33 His mantle, .ornamented with
stripes or vermicular figures. 1875 Fortkl'h MaiolicAXU
16 Pottery of Moresque character and ornamentation with
vermicular pattern in copper lustre.
SI'
X
b. Bot, (See quot. 1 866.) '
1^66 Compi. Farfuer s.v. Madder^ The [madder] plants
which are raised from layers.. produce very few of those
vermicular roots, which are the only valuable ones. 1849
Balfolr J/rt«. Bot. Gloss. 641 t. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1210, 2
Vermicular^ worm-shaped ; thick, and almost cylindrical,
but bent in diflfereiit places.
0. Ajiat. - VEBiUFORM a. 5, 3 b,
1843 J. G. Wilkinson Sivedenborg's Anim. Kingd. 1. v,
148 The vermicular appendage is seen on one side of the
fundus of the coecum, resembling a miniature intestine.
1891 Cent, Diet. s.v.. Vermicular appendix or process.
o. Uf or pertaining to, characteristic of, a worm
or worms ; resembling or like a worm,
1713 Derham Phys.'Theol. (1716) 385 In its Vermicular
Slate it is a red Magt^ot. 1720 S. Pakker Bibliothcca Bibl.
I. 152 Without the Taint of the polluted Vermicular Life.
175* Phil. Trans. XLVII. 449 Several species of vermi-
cular tubes found in the sea. i8oa IjInglev Anim. Biog,
(1813) III. 7 Across the body there are several annular
divisions, or rather rugse of the skin, from which the fish
should seem to partnke of a vermicular nature. 1804 J.
Grahame JrtMrt//f (1839) 16; I We may compare the erect
spirit of a British legislature with the vermicular servility
of. .the senate of France, 1892 Scottish Leader 24 May 4
Vermicular patience, however, has its limits,
b. Accomplished or made by worms; performed
by means of worms. Alsoy?f.
1715 tr, Pancirollui Rerum Mem. II. i. 266 From thence
came also Indian Figs, Nuts and Canes, and a vermicular
kind of Web made of Silk, 182s Blackvj. Mag. XII. 153
The party, which the work stood pledged to oppose through
all its vermicular attacks on the glorious fabric of British
Institutions. 1887 C. Hazard Mem. J, L, Diman xv. 338
The trout here disdain flies. As Lewis phrases it, vermi-
cular fishing is what succeeds.
o. Vermicular work : (see quot. and Vebmicu-
LATED ppl. a. I c).
1728 Chambers O'c/., Vermicular Work,.. In Sculpture,
a sort of Ornaments used in Rustick Work ; consisting of
Frets, or Knobs, cut with Points, representing, in some sort,
the Tracks made by Worms.
4, Of the nature of a worm. Vermicular ascarisj
the threadworm, Oxyttrus {^scaris) vermicularis.
1784 Cowper Let. 13 Dec, No animal of the vermicular or
serpentine kind is crested but the most formidable of all.
1802 BiNCLEV Anim. Biog. (1813) III. 395 The Vermicular
Ascarides are very common in the intestines of children.
liza-^ Good Study Med. (1829)!. 365 For the cure of vermi-
cular ascarides, or maw-worms and bots, these oils have
been used in the form of injections.
Jlj^. and trans/. 1825 Examiner ■^o'jj'z Fawcett..wanted a
little more personal flexibility..; he cannot, at his time of
life, be sufficiently vermicular. i8m Lowell Cambridge
30 y. Ago Prose Wks. 1890 I, 89 Refusing to molest the
canker-worms, .because we were all vermicular alike, 1872
RusKiN Arr(nvs of Chace (1880) II. 189 Criminals.. are
partly men, partly vermin ; what is human in them you
must punish— what is vermicular, abolish.
b. Comprising or consisting of worms.
1886 H. F. Lester Under two Pig Trees vtii. 117 Their
(iv:. worms'! minds, like their bodies must be glutinous;
hence they stick to the thin-end theory. . . There is no sect of
'bigendians' in the vermicular fold.
5. Path. Of diseases : Due to, caused by, in-
testinal worms.
iTjK R. J. SuLiVAN View Nat, I. 237 Hence the probable
utility of fixed air in vermicular diseases, a i8aa Shkllkv
Devil Pr. Wks. 1880 II. 400 Persons subject to vermicular
and animalcular diseases.
+ B. sb, = Vebmicule. Obs. rare.
i6!>o R. Clark Vermiculars Destroyed q X sort of invisible
Worms or Vermiculars. Ibid, 11 The Putrefaction.. is
degenerated into innumerable Vermiculars.
Hence Verml'cularly adv,
1812 Nem Bot. Card. I, 84 The seeds .. vermicularly
wrinkled.
Vermiculate (vaimi-kiwl-rt), a. [ad, L. ver-
miculdt-us^ pa. pple. oi vermiculdrl : see next.
Several other senses given in various Diets, are merely
inferences from senses of the ppl. adj.]
Vermiculated ; vermicular ; sinuous. Chiefly/^'*.
1605 Bacon Adv, Lenm, i. iv, §5 It is the propertie of
good and sound knowledge to putrifie and dissolue into a
number of subtile, idle, vnholesome, and (as I may tearme
them) vermiculate questions. 1658 Phillips, Vermiculate^
worm-eaten, a 1864 R. Choate (Webster), Vermiculate
logic 1872 G, Macdonald WHf.Cuntb. Ill.xvi. 214 My
life seemed only a vermiculate one, a crawling about of
half-thoughts-half- feelings through the corpse of a decay-
ing existence, 1891 Cent. Did, s.v,, Vermiculate color-
markings.
b. spec» in Ent. (See quot.)
1826 K18BV & Sp. Entomol. IV, xlvi. 271 Vertiticulatc,.,
having tortuous excavations as if eaten by worms.
t Verzui'Clllate, v. Obs. [f. L. vermiculdl-y
ppl. stem of vermiculdrl (Pliny), f. vermiculus,
dim. of vermis worm.
Other senses which appear in various Diets, arc merely
assumed from the ppl, adj.]
1. inlr. To become worm-eaten, ranr'^,
c 1631 Elegy OH Donne D.'s Poems ( 1654) B b iv b, Speake,
Doth his body there vermiculate, Crumble to dust, and
feele the lawes of Fate?
2. To beat with peristaltic motion, rarer'^.
1706 Hearne Collect, (O.H.S.) 1. 183 Her pulse indeed
vermicuiaces, Her Breath is short & little.
Vermi'Culated, ///. a, [See prec. and -ed l.]
1, Worm-eaten ; covered or ornamented with
markings resembling those made by the gnawing
of worms,
16*3 CocKERAH I, Vermiculaiedy worme-eaten. [Hence
in Blount.] 1707 Sloane Jamaica I. 7S The pinnse set in
the iniddle are largest,, .having on the backside several
vermiculated, ferrugineous lines, in which is the seed. 1886
C. D. Warner Their Pilgrimage vi. (1888) 157 The worms
worked underneath.. until the bark came off and exposed
the stems most beautifully vermiculated. 1914 H. L. Joly
Caial. Behrens Coll. iv. 24 Bronze Koro, vermiculated
design charged with dragons.
t b. Bot. Of plants or leaves : ? Presenting a
worm-eaten appearance. Obs.
1731 Miller Card. Diet., Santolina, vermiculata,
Cretica, Tourn[efort], Vermiculated Lavender Cotton of
Candy. 1746 Robt. James Inirod. Mou/et's HealtfCs
Imfirov. 17 Those Vegetables also which contain an
aromatic alcaline Oil. .[include] Savory. Acrid vermiculated
Hou.seleek, Mustard. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl, s.v.
Santolina^ The species, .enumerated by Mr. Tourneforl,
are these, i. The common santolina with cylindric vermi.
culated leaves... And 14. The Cretic santolina with vermi-
culated leaves.
0. Arch, Of stone-work or other surfaces so
carved or moulded as to present the appearance of
worm-tracks.
1788 Encycl. Btit, (ed. 3) II. 242/1 The rustics may either
be plain, hatched, or vermiculated. 1823 P, Nicholson
Pract, Build. 482 In different parts of the Louvre, wormy
or vermiculated rustics are to be found. 1833 Locdon
Encycl, Archit. § 1926 The rocky surface,.. the vermi-
culated, and the punctured, are among the kinds used by
the Italians. x88x Young Ezl Man his o^vn Mech. § 1173
The caps and key-stone are frequently of stone, the latter
being 'vermiculated', as it is called, or indented with
irregular hollows.
2. Of mosaic work: Wrought, ornamented, or
inlaid so as to resemble the sinuous movements
or tracks of worms.
After L. {opus) vertniculatum,
1656 Blount Glossogr., Vermiculated^ .. embroidered,
wrought with checquer work, or with small pieces of divers
colours, representing sundry pictures, as we see in Tables
and Counters. 1712 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) III. 311 So
livelily were their Countenances describ'd in this vermicu-
lated work. iBSz Encycl. Brit. XVI. 850/2 For Walls and
Vaults: — Fictile or vermiculated; pieces of opaque glass,
in small cubes, arranged so as to form complicated pictures.
3. Ornamented with sinuous or wavy lines or
markings of a specified colour.
1872 CoUES N, Atner. Birds 124 Our species are.. white
more or less evidently vermiculated with black below.
Vermiculatioil (V3jmiki;?]^-j3n). [ad. L.
vermiculdlidn-yverniiculdtio (Pliny), noun of action
f. vermiculdrl : see Vermiculate v.']
1. The fact or condition of being infested with
or eaten by worms ; conversion into small worms.
x6ii Florio, Vermiculatione^ a vermiculation, a breeding
or crauling of vermine or grubs. 1630 Donne Last Serttt,
Wks. 1839 VI. 285 Putrefaction and Vermiculation and In-
cineration and Dispersion in. .the Grave. 1640 Howell
Dodona's Gr, 70 This huge Olive which flourishd so long. .
fell, as they say, of vermiculation, being all worme-eaten
within. 1658 J. Rowland Mou/et's Thcat. hts. 933 A
certain kinde of Flies which are begotten in the bark of the
Elm, ..and so perchance in other herbs and plants, without
any preceding vermiculation, or being turned into little
worms first. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn, 1, Vermiculation^
is an Infection of Plants by Worms. 1706 Phillips (ed.
Kersey), Vertniculation^. . the breeding of Worms in Trees,
Herbs, or Fruits.
/ig. 1907 Daily Chron. 3 Apr. 3/1 The decay and vermi-
culation of faith has already brought European theology to
the verge of collapse.
t2. Path, Vermicular or peristaltic movement of
the intestines, etc. ; peristalsis. Also transf.
1652 Spahke Prim, Devot, (1663) 117 [There is] a vermi-
culation in his muscles. Convulsions seize on his whole
body. 1671 [R. MacWard] True Noncon/. 44 This is the
vermiculation of your pulse, a 1676 Hale Prim, Orig.
Man, I, i. (1677) 31 My Heart moves. .by the motion
of Palpitation, my Blood by the motion of Circulation,.,
my Guts by the motion of Vermiculation. 1710 T. Fuller
Pharvi. Extemp. 192 Hypochondriac Affections, such as
Vermiculations, Flushings.
fb. (See quot.) Obs-""
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vermiculationt..i\\t griping
of the Guts, a Disease.
3. With pi. A tortuous boring or marking made
by, or resembling the track of, a worm,
16^ Evelyn Sylva (ed, 2) xxv. 123 The wood of the
Enzina, . .when old, is curiously chamblelted, and embroid-
ered with Natural vermiculations. 1874 T. Hardy E'ar fr.
Madding Crowd ix. The face of the boards is shown to be
eaten into innumerable vermiculations. 1891 G- E. Shelley
Catal. Birds Brit, Mus. XIX, 34 The under surface of the
body pale sulphur-yellow, more or less mottled.. with dull
ashy vermiculations.
b. (See quot.) rare~^.
1828-32 Webster, Vertniculation^ the act of forming so
as to resemble the motion of a worm,
C. Without article. Vermicular marking or
ornamentation.
1866 Daily Tel. 17 Feb. 5/3 This enigma of honeycombing
and vermiculation. 1872 Coues N.Amer. Birds 21 note.
Cross-wise streaking is called barring, and always runs
transverse to the axis of a bird ; if the lines are straight, it
is banding.. ; if very fine and irregular, it is vermiculation.
Vermicule (va'jmikirfi), Biol. [ad. L. ver-
micui-tts, dim. of vermis vform, Cf, Vermicle.] A
small worm or worm-like creature ; a maggot or
grub. Also cUtrib,
1713 Derham Phys.-TkeoL viil vi, (1716) 391 We see
many Vermicules towards the outside of many of the oak-
apples. 1778 [W. H. Marshall] Minutes Agric, 24 Jan.
1775, Perhaps, from insects or vermicules, or both, comes
VERMICITLIST.
134
VERMILION.
smnU iB*»-7 Good Siuii'/ Med. (1S29) IV. 392 A transfer
of vennicules from one individual to another. x8q8 P.
Manson Trop. Diseases \. iS The halteridium .. slowly
changes form, becoming elongated into a pigmented spindle-
shaped body or vermicule. 1B99 Allbuifs Syst. Med. VIII.
943 In the former.. there Is a corresponding or travelling
vermicule stage.
Hence + Vemii'OTLlist, a supporter of the view
that generation is due to vermicnles.
1784 tr. S^UaHzaKts Diss. Nat. Hist. II. 249 The three
prinapal systems respecting the generation of animals, the
system of the ovarists, that of the vermiculists, and that
founded upon the two liquors.
Vermiculite (vaami ki/Hait). [f. L. vermi-
cid-arl (see \*ermiculate z/.) + -ite 1.]
L Rlin. * Hydrous silicate of aluminium, iron»
and magnesium, occurring in small foliated scales *
(Chester).
18x4 T. H. Webb in Amer. yniL Set. 8f Arts VII. 55 If
subjected to the flame of a blowpipe, . . it expands and shoots
out into a variety of fanciful forms, resembling most gener-
ally small -tvorms-.Ai this proves to be a new variety.. I
term it Vermiculite (worm breeder). 1863 Dana Man. Mitt,
149 Vermiculite . . looks and feels like steatite ; but when
heated before the blowpipe, worm-like projections shoot out,
owing to a separation of the thin leaves composing the
grains. 1888 RuTLEV Rock-forming Min, 199 Vermiculite
and Jeffreysite are considered to be altered varieties of
phlogopite.
b. //. (See quot.)
1875 Ure^s Did. Arts {ed. 7) III. 1074 Vertm'culiteSy a
group of minerals resembling the chlorites, remarkable for
their exfoliation before the blowpipe.
2. Geol. 'A short worm-track seen on the surface
of many flagstones* (1884 Imp. Did.).
VermiculO'Sei a. rare. [ad. late L. vermicu-
ids~us (Palladius), f. vermiculus Vermicule. Cf.
It. vermicoloso and next-]
+ 1. Of the pulse : «= Vermicular a. i b. Obsr^
1707 Floyer Physic, Pulse-Watch 124 The Pulse is
languid, slow, vermiculose if without a Fever.
2. Infested with worms ; worm-like. rare"^.
I7»7 Bailev (vol. II), Vermiculose, full of worms. 1847
Webster, Vermiculosey i. full of worms or grubs. 2. re-
sembling worms. [Hence in later Diets.]
Hence Yermiculo'sity. rar€~^.
17J7 Bailey (vol. II), VeTtmculosity, Abundance or Ful-
ness of Worms.
Venuiculous (vajmi^kiwlss), a. [See prec.
and -ous. Cf. F. vermiculeux.']
1. Full of worms, rarer-^.
1690 R. Clark Vermiculars Destreiyed 14 SUme and
vermiculous matter.
2. Of or pertaining to worms.
1813 T. Busby Lucretius I. in. Comm. p. xxv, Otherwise,
the vermiculous souls will be portions of human souls. 1819
H. Busk Banquet in. 462 The race vermiculous.
3. Having a wormy appearance.
1818 Todd, ^Vrw/cw/tJKj, ..resembling grubs. xZy^ Neiv
Monthly Mag. LVI I. 406 The more prominent part of the
[man's] nose, on whose vermiculous top, the Prussian blue
mostly prevailed.
4. Path. Of strangury : Accompanied or marked
by the discharge of worms or helminths.
1823-7 Good Study Med. (182^) V. 469 They lay a
foundation for the following varieties :. .Spasmodic strang-
ury.. ..Scalding strangury.. .Vermiculous stranguty.
t Vermiculus. Obs. PI. vermiculi. [L,,
dim. of vermis worm. Cf. Vermicule.]
1. A small worm or grub ; a vermicule.
1694 W. .Salmon Bate^s Dispens. (1713) 12 All the Vermi-
culi, or Miasmata^ which are the Progenerators of the
Plague, or Pestilence. 17*8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Vermes^
Some Authors assert, .. that ^\% SpoHum is not animated,
but receives its Sense and Motion from VermicuH^ or
Cucurbitini inclosed in it. Ibid. s.v. Vermicular.
2. A Species of marine annelid; a sea- worm.
a 17*8 Woodward Fossils (1729) I. 11. 22 A Vermiculus
growing to a Piece of a Pinna Marina. 1753 Chambers'
Cycl. Suppl. S.V., These shells are called vermiciili,. .itom.
the fish contained in them, which is always a sort of worm.
1776 Da Costa Elem. Conchol. 284 A chambered Vermi-
culus, taken from Davila's Catalogue.
tVe'rmified,/^.///^. Obs.~^ [SeeVERMi-and
-FY.] Troubled with, infested by, intestinal worms.
1666 G. Harvey Morbus Angl. xvii, (1672) 36 Persons thus
vermifyed, seldom go to stool without avoiding a great
quantity of those verminous seeds.
Vdrxuiform (vaumifpim), a. [ad. med.L.
vermiform'is (whence F., It., Sp., and Pg. vermi-
forme), f. L. vermis worm : see -FOBM. Cf.
Vebmes and Vekmis.
Vermi/ormal \s used by Urquhart Rabelais (1653) **• '^*"i
translating Y. vermi formed
1. Zool. Having the form of a worm ; resembling
a worm in appearance or shape ; long, thin, and
more or less cylindrical.
1730 Bailey (fol.), Vermiform^, .shaped like a Worm. 18x6
KiRBY & Sr. Entonwl. I. 437 A covering of vermiform
masses, apparently composed of honey and pollen. 1828
Stark Elem. Nat. Hist. II. 211 Body elongated, but not
vermiform or linear. 1857 Eraser's Mag. LVI. 641 [It]
feeds on the insects with its protruded vermiform tongue.
i88x Darwin Veg. Mould xv. (1882) 186 Five or six vermi-
form castings had been thrown up.
b. Of animals.
x8a6 KiHBV & Sp. Entotnol. IV. xlvii. 374 One species,
which much resembles the vermiform larvse of Hymenoptera,
1%^ Patterson Zool. 57 The Leeches and Worms present
very much the same aspect as the vermiform or worm-
shaped Echiiiodermata. 1846 Carpenter Man. Phys. 505
111 some of the lowest Vermiform (worm-like) Fishes, such
as the Lamprey. 1883 Fisheries Exhib. Caial. 283 These
young vermiform and semi-transparent eels.
o. spec, (see quot.)
1877 Coues Fur Anim. iv. 116 In general form, the Stoat
typihes a group of carnivorous Mammals aptly called
'vermiform , in consideration of the extreme length, tenuity
and mobility of the trunk, and shortness of the limbs.
2. Of or pertaining to, characteristic of, a worm ;
like or resembling that of a worm ; vermicular.
1835-6 TodtCs Cycl. Anat. I. 327/2 The Spleen.. in Birds
..sometimes presents an elongated and vermiform shape.
1859 Uarwin Orig. Spec, (i860) xiii. 442 If we look to the
admirable drawings, .of the development of this insect, we
see no trace of the vermiform stage. 1878 Bell Gegenbaur's
Comp. Anat. 118 In the Discophora they form tufts of fila-
ments,, .and execute vermiform movements.
3. AjmI. a. Vermiform appendix or appendage^
a small, worm-like process or diverticulum extend-
ing from the caecum in man and a few other
mammals.
{a) 1778 EncycL Brit. (ed. 2) I. 368/2 Of the Uttle vermi-
form appendix of the caicum, it will be sufficient to say
ihat its uses have never yet been ascertained. 187a Huxlkv
I'hys. vi. 150 An elongated, blind process, .which from its
shape is called the vermiform appendix of the ca;cum, 1B88
RoLLESTON & Jackson Anim. Life 28 Caecum with vermi-
form appendix. . of rabbit.
(/') 1841 T. R. Jones Anim. Kingd. 6S0 In Man, the
Orangs, ..and the Wombat,.. both cxcum and vermiform
appendage are met with. X876 Rristowe The, Sf Pract.
Med, (1878) 674 Concretions are mostly found in the vermi-
form appendage and are the usual causes of perforative
ulceration of this part.
b. Vermiform process, the median lobe of the
cerebellum, the upper and lower lamina; of which
are distinguished as the superior and inferior
vermiform processes.
Also, = prec. (In some recent Diets.)
xZ-^ Penny Cycl, V. 332/1 The cerebellum. .. In the centre
of its upper surface there is a distinct prominence termed
the vermiform process, 1840 E. Wilson Anat. Vade M.
(1842) 383 The cerebellum is divided into two lateral hemi-
spheres or lobes, two minor lobes called superior and inferior
vermiform processes, and some small lobules. 1899 Allbuifs
Syst. Med. VII. 497 A very little lymph on the superior
vermiform process of the cerebellum.
Hence Vermiformous «., ' shaped like a worm *
(Kailey, 1727, vol. II).
Vermifugal (vaimi'fi/Jgal), a. Med. [f. next
-f -AL.] = Vermifuge a.
1830 LiNDLEV Nat. Syst. Bot, 8 The seeds of Delphinium
Stapbisagria are vermifugal and caustic. 1875 H. C. Wood
Tlierap. (1879) 447 Especially in the case of the seat-worm
the vermifugal enemata should be medicated,
Vennifage (vS'Jmifiwd.^^), a. and sb. Med. [a.
F. vermifuge (= It., Sp., Pg. vermifugo), or ad.
mod. I., type *vermifugus^ f. L. vermi'S worm :
see -FUGE.]
A. adj. Causing or promoting the evacuation or
expulsion of worms or other animal parasites from
the intestines; anthelmintic.
In some instances perh. an attributive use of the sb.
1697 in Mem. Rokeby (Surtees) 58 Vermifuge pills, a box
3s. 4d. 1769 E. Bancroft Guiana 54 Their vermifuge
quality. .justly intitles them to particular attention. 1803
Med. Jrnl. IX. 468 The physician had suspected the
presence of worms, and prescribed vermifuge medicines
accordingly. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, Sindhooka^
Sinduya, vernacular names in India for the Vitcx Negundo,
the fruit of which is considered vermifuge. 18^ Bristowe
The. ^ Pract, Med. (1878) 711 The administration of vermi-
fuge drugs.
B. sb. A medicament or substance having the
power or property of expelling worms from the
intestines; an anthelmintic.
1718 QuiNcv Compl. Disp. C1719) no It is used hardly in
any other Intention in Medicine, than as a Vermifuge.
1763 Phil. Trans. LIII. 14 Vermifuges of the most cele-
brated kind, ..and such other medicines as tend. .to carry
off or destroy the worms, were assiduously administered.
i8aa-7 Good Study Med. (1829) I. 364 In the former [class
of anthelmintics] we may rank.. all the oleaginous vermi-
fuges, as oil of olives, beech-nuts, castor, and terpentine
[etc.]. 1843 YouATT Horse xiii. (184^) 292 Arsenic w.is
once in great repute as a tonic and vermifuge. 1871 Garkod
Mat. Med. (ed. 3) 404 Anthelmintics are employed for the
following purposes: — ..2. The indirect, or vermifuges, to
expel any worms, living or dead.
t Vermi -fugous, a. Obs. rare. [f. as prec. +
-CDS.] Vermifugal, vermifuge.
17*6 C. D'Anvers Craftsman xxxix. (1727) 374 If _my
ingenious friend can by an>^ vermifugous preparation bring
away or destroy this pernicious Animalcule.
Vermigelly, obs. form of Vekmicelli.
t Vermiglion, obs. var. Vermilion sb. (perh.
after It. vermiglione).
1592 Greene Conny-Catch. in. Wks. (Grosart) X. 234
Paynters coulde not.. make away theyr Vermiglion, if
tallow faced whoores vsde it not for their cheekes,
Vermil(e, obs. or var. ff. VsKMEiLrt., sb., and v,
Vermilion (vajmi'lyan), sb. and a. Forms :
a. 3 vermelyon, 6 -eleon, -eleoun ; 4-5 ver-
milyon, 5 -ylyoun, 5-6 -ylyon(e, 6 -ylion ;
4-5 vermilioun, 5- vermilion (6-7 -milian, 7
virmilion). 3. 4 vermeillone, 5 -elone, 5-7
-elon, 6 Sc. -eloun ; 4-5 vermylone, 4 fer-, 5
vermyloun, 5-6 vermylon; 4-5 vermulon,
4-5 vermilon(e, -iloun ; also 6 vermelonde,
Sc. wermeling, -myling. 7. 6-9 vermillion, 7
virmillion. [a. AF. and OF. vermeillon, ver-
milion, vermiio{u)nj etc. (mod.F. vermilion^ =
Prov. vermeillon, vermillopi, vcrmelho, Cat. ber-
mellOj Sp. bermellon, bermillon, vermellon^ Pg.
vermelkaOj It. vermiglione), f. vermeil y^^WLlh a.
Hence also Du. vermiljoen, Da. and Sw. ver-
milion.']
A. sb. 1. Cinnabar or red crystalline mercuric
sulphide, esp. in later use that obtained artificially,
much valued on account of its brilliant scarlet
colour, and largely used as a pigment or in the
manufacture of red sealing-wax ; also, any red earth
resembling this and similarly used as a pigment.
In early use rendering L. minium and occas. confused
with 'red lead' {as in quot. 1546 in ^) : see Minium.
a, 1296 Ace. Exch, K. R. 5/20 m. 4 In duabus libris dc
Vermeiyon emptis. 1336-7 Ely Sacr. Rolls (1907) II. 83
In ij libris de vermilioun empt. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 508
Vermyiyone, minium. 1471 Kiplev Comp. Alch. Adm. i.
in Ashm. Theat, Chem. Brit, (1652) 189 Many Expery-
ments I have had in bond; .. Which I wyll tell the re-
hersyng sone: Eegynnyng wyth Vermylion. «i533 Ld.
IJiiRNEits Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) Kkj, All the Decade
was written with blacke ynke, and these wordes with redde
vermylyon. 1553 Kden Decades (Arb.) 384 Cinoper or ver-
milion which the paynters vse in certeyne coloures. 1626
Uacon Sylva § 291 Metals give Orient and fine Colours . . in
their Putrefactions or Rusts, as Vermilion, Verde-grease
[etc.]. 1669 Sturmv Mariner's Mag. 11. 119 Thi^ will be.,
as ready to you, as if these Letters were painted out for you
in Vermilion. 1758 Reid tr. Macguer's Chyni. 1. 82 Cinabar
finely levigated acquires a much brighter red colour, and
is known to painters by the name of Vermilion. 1841
Thackeray Gt. Hoggarty Diam. xii, All this while Mary
was anxiously looking in his face,. .as pale as death ; while
Gus-.was as red as vermilion. 1871 Garrod Mat. Med.
(ed. 3) 103 Dark scarlet shining crystalline masses, forming,
when powdered, a beautiful scarlet colour, known by the
name of vermilion.
&. J300-1 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 503 In tribus
libr. Gummi, di. li. de vermtloun, iij s. 1356 Pipe Roll 32
Edw. Ill, m. 33/2 b, In..ij. clench' hamers, iiij. boltes
ferri, .. xxxj. lb. de vermeillone. 1387 Trevisa_ Higden
(Rolls) I. 63 Of the. .strondes of )7e Reed See is i-gadered
vermylon. Ibid. II. 331 And ^ere is i-founde scharpe fer-
myloun [L. minium^. C1400 Pety Job 580 in 26 Pol.
Poems 139 Ynke blak or rede. Made with gumme and
vermylone. 1413-20 Lvix;. Chron, Troy ii. 4717 We may
al day oure colour grynde & bete, Tempre our azour and
vermyloun. 1480 Robt. Deryll 21 Robertes clothes were
readde as vermulon. 1505-6 Ace, Ld High 'Precis. Scot.
III. 184 For iij di. pund vermeloun to him, xiiij s. 1546
Langi.ev Pol. I'erg. de Invent. 11. xiv. 59b, Vermilon^ or
redde lead was founde in Ephesus by Gallius an Athenien.
1567 Maplet Gr. P'orest 98 The Parret.. about hir necke..
hath a Collar or Chaine naturally wrought like to Sinople
or Vermelon. 1609 B1BI.1; (Douay) Isa. i. 18 If they be red
as vermelon, they shal be white as wooll,
y. 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. iii. 901 I'le pnely now
emboss my Book with Brass, Dye 't with Vermillion, deck 't
with Coperass. 1594 Plat Jewell-ho. in. 46 Mingle..
Vermillion with Masticke for a red colour, 1604 E. G[rim-
sione] D'Acosta^s Hist. Indies iv. xi. 237 Quicke-silver is
found in a kinde of .stone, which dooth likewise yeelde
Vermillion. 1698 T. Froger P'oy. 112 Calices . . made of
Gold, Vermillion, and silver. 1763-71 H. Walpole Vertue's
Anecd. Paint. (1786) IV. 8 New cloathing them in vermil-
lion and ultramarine. 1796 Withering Brit. PI. (ed. 3)
IV. 397 Dust the colour of vermillion. t^y^VR^Dict. Arts
1278 The vermillion of commerce is often adulterated with
red lead, brickdust, dragon's blood, and realgar. 1865 Watts
Diet. Chem. III. 912 Mercuric Sulphide, .. in the latter
[crystallised state], ..has a fine red colour and constitutes
the well-known pigment called cinnabar or vermillion.
b. Used as a cosmetic or for painting the body.
In later use chiefly with reference to the 'war-paint' of
the American Indians,
1600 J. PoRY tr. Leo*s Africa ni. 144 The morrow after a
companie of women goe to dresse the bride, to combe her
locks, and to paint her cheekes with vermillion. x6..
Middleton Old La-.u in. i. The old wrinkles are well filled
up, but the vermillion is seen too thick. 1635 Swan .S^i^c.^V.
VI. (1643) 294 Camillus, when he triumphed in Rome, was
painted with this Vermilion. 1788 Encycl. Brit.{ed.i) I.
547/z A thick coat of vermilion commonly distinguishes
the [Red Indian's] cheeks, 1809 A. Henry TraT/. 247 The
men were almost entirely naked, and their bodies painted
with a red ochre, procured in the mountains, ami often called
vermilion. 1836 W. Irving Astoria II. 71 Happy was he
who could render himself hideous with vermilion. 18^3
Marrvat M. Violet xxiii, When does a Comanche turn his
back on receiving the vermilion from his chief? Never I
2. The colour of this pigment ; a bright red or
scarlet.
a 1400-50 Alexander 4336 Nouthire to toly ne to taunde
transmitte we na vebbis. To vermylion ne violett ne variant
littisr 1430-40 Lydc. Bochas 11. xiii. (1554) 5»b, Fenix as
Clerkes eke endite Found fyrst the colour of vermilion.
1530 pALSGR. 284/2 Vermylon, reed colour, uermilion. 1587
A. Day Daphnis ^ Chloe (1890) 51 A vermillion more
perfect, thair rested in the freshe springing rose. 1590
Spenser F. Q, \, v. o Streames of bloud..\Vuh which the
armes, that earst so Lright did show, Into a pure vermillion
now are dyde. 1638 Guilliin's Her. (ed. 3) 1. ii. 19 Amongst
Colours.. this Colour Vermilion, or Red, hath the prime
place. 1646 J. Hall Poems 52 A Rose can more Vermilion
speake. Then any cheeke. 1681 Drvden Abs. Sf Achit. i.
649 His long Chin prov'd his Wit ; his Saint-like Grace A
Church Vermilion, and a Moses's Faca 1708 Ozell tr.
Boileau's Lutrin 20 Streight the Vermillion vanish 'd from
her Face. 1793 Beddoes Calculus 230 The blood became
of a brighter vermilion. 1822 [M. A. Kelty] Osmond i. 274
The soft vermillion.. of her complexion. 1838 Thiklwau,
VERMILION.
135
VEBMIN.
Greece 11. xv. 255 The negroes of Nubia — with their bodies
painted half while, half vermilion. 1882 Garden 23 Dec.
548/1 The colour is a vivid vermilion.
fb. A blush. Obs.-^
1787 Minor 111, ix. 1S3 Miss Charlotte.. never beheld me
without the vermillions increasing in her cheeks,
f tj. a, (KenderinLj L. vertnictthim.) Wool or
yarn of a red or scarlet colour. Obs.
1388 WvcLiF Exod. XXXV. 25 Tho thingis, whiche thei
hadden spunne, iacynt, purpur, and vermyloun, and bijs.
— Lev. xiv. 4 He schal comaunde to the man which is
clensiJ, that he offre for hymsilf. .a tree of cedre, and ver-
mylyoun, and isope.
t b. A fabric dyed witli vermilion. Oh~^
1641 L. Roberts Treas. Traffick 33 They buy Cotton
wooll, ill London, ..and perfit it into Vustians, Vermilions,
Dymities, and other such Stuffes.
f 4. A red or reddish coloured variety of pear.
1699 Evelyn Kal. Hort. (ed. 9) 169 Pears;. .Ambrosia,
Vermiliaii, Lunsac.
• •|-5. {h\?>o vermiiion-stone.) A particular gem or
precious stone. Cf. Veumeil sb. 3. Obs.
1703-4 in Ashton Soc. Life Reign Q. Anne (1^2) I. xiv.
181 Several Gold Rings set with Turky and Vermillions.
(117*8 WooDWAHo /•'ossiis (1729) I. I. 191 The Common
Crystal, .appears to be the Basis, .of the Opal,, .the Jacinth,
the Vermilion. 1747 PhU, Trans. XLIV. 504 The Ver-
milion-Stone is more tawny than the Jacinth.
6. a. Comb., as vemiiiion-dyed, -like adjs. ;
+ vermilion- writer, a scribe or illuminator usiitg
vermilion.
c 1470 Cath. Angi. 400 A vermylon wrytter, minographus.
1581 G. Petti E tr. Guazzo's Civ, Conv. ]u. (1586) 125 b,
Those dawbed, pargetted, vermilion died faces. 1647
Hexham i, Vermillion like, roodtacJitigk.
b. attrib. with coiottr, etc. (passing into next) ;
hence in combs., as vermilion-coloured.
1594 T. B. La Primand, Fr. Acad. 11. 327 The face is
painted with a vermillion colour. 1655 tr. SortCs Com.
Hist. FrancioH i. iii. 56 It was of a vermilian colour like
blood. 1675 Traherne Chr. Ethics 465 Modesty., is a
tincture of humility, visible in a vermilion and deeper die.
1687 Mi^GE Gt. Fr. Diet. 11. s.v., A vermilion Tincture,
couleur vermeitU. 1697 Dryden Virg.^ Past. x. 40 Great
Pan arrived ;. .His checks and tetuples of vermilion hue.
X706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), VermiUion-Tincture, a Natural
red Die upon the Face; a Cherry-red. i7a8 Chambers
Cyci. s-v. Ker,iiest Unless, perhaps, it be so call'd from its
beautiful Vermillion Colour. 1796 H. Hunter tr. St.-
Pierre's Stud. Nitt. (1790) III. 381 0( a vermilion hue.
183s Todd's Cyci. Anat. \. 414 If vermilion-coloured bloo<I
be subjected to the action of carbonic acid. 1856 Henslow
Diet. hot. Terms 107 Miniatus (of a vermillion colour).
B. adj. Having the colour of vermilion ; of a
bright red or scarlet colour.
1589 Greene MenaPhon (Arb.) 45 Shee. .died her cheekes
with such a vermillion blush. i6za Dkavton Poty-olh. x.
153 The pure vermillion bloud, that issu'd from her vaines.
1639 G. Daniel Ven<ic. 442 Let, let, that fatall Day record
my Name, In bright vermilion Letters. 1675 HoftBBS
Odyisty loi For the good ship with the vermilion cheeks
The Cyclopses have not. a x'jxx Pkior Vicar 0/ Bray .y
Sir T. Moor P64 A lusty young Fellow with large white
Teeth, and a Vermillion countenance. 1788 Gibbon Decl.
if F, Ixvii. VI. 463 The Greek monarch . . with his own hand i
impressed three vermillion crosses on the golden bull, 1853
C. Bromte Villette xvi. How warm [the room] in its amber I
lamp-light, and vermilion fire-flush ! 1878 H. M, Stanlev
Dark CoHt. II. vL 167 The handiwork of their artisans in
copper and iron and wood, the vermilion camwood.
Comb. 18x8 Keats Emiymion il iii All my clear-eyed
fish. Golden, or rainbow.>ided, or purplish, Verm il ion -taWd.
t b. Painted with vermilion ; rouged. Obs.
1631 LiTHGOw Trav. i. 27 These vermillion Nymphs, to
let me vnderstand they trauelled with a cbearefutl stomacke,
would oft runne races.
C. With names of colours, as vermilion-crimson^
-red, -scarlet, -lawny, etc.
1815 J. SMiTH/'a»<?ra«/a Sci. ^ Art II. 411 With mercury,
a vermilion red; with silver, a carmine red. i8a8 Stark
EUm. Nat. Hist. I. 246 Rump and upper coverts vermili.m-
red. i88a Garden 1^ July 57/3 Well formed flowers of a
brilliant verniil ion -crimson. Ibid. 14 Oct. 347/2 The colour
being a vivid vermilion-scarlet. 1887 W. Phillips Brit.
Diicomycetes 85 Pezizti rtj/t-r/^r.. .Scattered, vermilion- !
tawny, applanatc. ;
Vermi'lion, v. Also 7-9 vermillion, 7 vir- i
milion. [f. the sb. Cf. OF. vermeilloner^ later
and raod.F. ver mil loner. "]
1. trans. To colour or paint with, or as with,
vermilion; to give the colour of vermilion to (the
face, etc.).
x6o6 Warner Aib, Eng. xvi. cL 400 Nay, why should
faces faire indeed bo-peepe behinde a Fanne, Or be con-
ceild in Salten, now Vermiliond, now drugd wanne. 1740
tr. De Mouhy's Fort. Country-Maid (1741) II. 85, I dis-
approv'd of the Red with which their Faces were ver-
miltionM. 1756 Toldervy Hist. 2 Orphans IV. 215 Lusty
lovely health vermillions the honest cheek. 1771-j Ess./r.
Batchelor{i-jT^) I. 93 When a blush vermilions the face of
a well-bred woman. i8ia G. Colman Br. Grins, Lady 0/
Wreck 11. viii, A transient hectic spread, Vermilioning
health's softer red. 41849 Mangan Se/. Poems {\Z<)-j) 105
The pall of the sunset fell, Vermilioning earth and water.
/ig. 1667 DtNHAM Direct, Paint, iv. viii, VermiMon this
mans guilt, ceruse his fears, a 1849 Mangan Poems (1859)
154 By thee [sc. Hope] are his visions vermillioned.
b. Const, over {o'er).
16^ S. H0LI.ANU ^ard (1719) 32 That Up.. was not Ver-
million'd over for any to kiss. 1697 Congrevk Mourn.
Bride \\. iii, L.chafd Thy temples, 'till reviving blood
arose. And, like the mom, vermillion 'd o'er thy face. 1769
W, Jackson in Monthly Ke%<. XLII. 171 The choicest
fruits- .vermillioned over with maiden blushes.
o. slang. To cover or besmear with blood. -
1817 Sporting Mag. L. 53 Holt's face was completely ver-
millioned.
2. intr. To blush, rare—^,
1719 BovER Diet. Royal ir. s.v.
Hence Vermi-lioued ///. a.
1615 R. NiccoLS Marriage ^- IVivingy'n. -zi. To what end
isthe laying out of the embrodred haire, enibared breasts,
virmilioned cheekes, alluring lookes [etc.]. fjzS Fani. Diet.
s.v. I'crjuice, The Secret how to keep Verjuice Grapes, as
verinillion'd and as fresh as if they were growing. 1773 J.
Ross Fratricide v. 6^7 (MS.), Those once-vermillion d lips
now pale with death ! 1836-48 B. D. Walsh Aristoph.,
Acharnians \. i, The citizens are.. running up and down,
To get away from the vennllion'd rope. 1867 Augusta
Wilson Vashti xxv, Then, pink flesh, hazel eyes, vermil-
ioned lips, and glossy hair had preferred incontestable claims
to beauty.
Vermilione'tte. [f. Vermilion sb, + -ette.]
A substitute for or imitation of the pigment ver-
milion, the chief constituent of which is eosin or
similar dye.
1897 AUbutVs Syst. Med.'ll. 989 Several of the bright red
colours used as pigments, .contain arsenic; for example
cochineal red, Persian red, vermilionette, and rosaniline.
1900 Daily News 3 Aug. 7/5 [He] said defendants had been
making vermillionette, without providing a bath.
Vemii'lioilize, v, rare~^. [f. as prec. + -IZE.]
trans. To vermilion.
1854 Blachw. Mag. LXXVI. 325 The genius of Mr. Owen
Jones, which, plunging into colouring matter, would ver-
milionise the palest face of Death.
tVe'rinily. Obs.—^ [Irreg. f. verviile Ver-
meil sb^ Vermilion.
1590 Spenser F. Q. 111. viii. 6 The same she tempred with
fine Mercury, And virgin wex,..And mingled them with
perfect vermity.
Vermin (vaMmin"^, sb, (and a.). Forms : a.
4-6 vermyn, 4-7 vermyne, 6 vermynne, Sc,
verming, 6-8 vermine, 6- vermin ; 7, 9 dial.^
varnun, 7, 9 U.S., virmin. ^. 5-7 vermen, 6
varmen. 7. 5 vermayn, 6 vermayne. See
also Varment I. [a. AF. and OF. vermin masc.^
vermine fem. (mod.F. vermine, Pg. vermena. It.
vermine^ :— pop. L. *vermJnum, -Jna, f. vermis
worm. The rare 7-form is prob. directly from
the OF. variant zf^rz/wm (cf. mod. Burg, vermaigne,
Picard. vermeinn),']
1. collect. Animals of a noxious or objectionable
kind : a. Orig. applied to reptiles, stealthy or
slinking animals, and various wild beasts ; now,
except in U.S. and Attstr. (see ^), almost entirely
restricted to those animals or birds which prey
upon preserved game, f Also in phr. beast of
vermin.
a- (1) S3.. A*. /l/i>.6ii2(Linc. InnMS.),Euetb&snakes
and paddokes brode, pat heom }K>u^te mete gode, Al vermyn
^y eteK ^ 140&-50 Alexander 5422 A vale full of vermyn
& all of vile neddirs. 1406 Patent Roll 7 Hen. IV, 11.
m. 28 Feras et alia animalia vermyne nuncupata. t^vg Rolls
0/ Parlt. V. 24 'i Chese and Buttur is a Merchaundise that
..wil take grete empayryng by bestes of Vermyn and
Wormes. 15*3 Fitzherb. Huso. § 146 Whan they haue
broughte forihe theyr byrdes, to see that they be well kepte
from the gleyd, crowes, fullymartes. and other vermynne.
1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 355 The Catt frayeth away
rattes, myce, and noysome vermine. 1577 B. Googe Herts*
bach's Hush. 40 When the Come is ripe,. it is to be cut
downe out of hande.. because that birdes and other vermine
wyll devoure it. 1603 G. Owen Pembrokeshire (1892) 268
The rest, .are rather vermyne than bcastes of game ; such is
the wild Catte, the Brocke and such like. 0x631 Drayton
David Sf Goliah 38 His father's flock.. he From ravenous
vermin hourly usM to free. His only arms his sling and sheep-
hook were. 164a D. Kogeks Naaman 23 We are stilt at
Gods advantage in all, by wet, by drought, by fire, and ver-
mine. 1684 Contemil. St. Man ii. vi. (1699) 193 A hole..
filled with Snakes, X,izards, and other poisonous Viiniin.
1719 De Foe Crusoe i. 120 From these three Cats, I after-
wards came to be so pester'd with Cats, that I was forc'd
to kill thera like Vermin, or wild Beasts. 1825 Hone Every.
day Bk. I. 991 The other dogs were good-looking savage
vermin, averaging about 40 lbs. weight. 1859 Darwin Orig.
spec, iii. (i860) 63 That the stock of partridges, grouse, and
hares on any large estate depends chiefly on the destruction
of vermin. 1900 IVestm, Gaz. 7g Dec. 10/ j Thefox..is..
regarded in the Highlands by farmers and game- preservers
as one of the worst species of vermin.
0) 183a Kknneuv Swallow Barn xvi, The finest place to
catch ver/nin, aS they call the three latter species of animals
[racoons, opos-sums, and rabbits]. x87» De Vkkk American-
isms 564 Varmin. as all wild animals are called in hunter's
phrase, whether they are hunted for sport, for profit, or fur
extermination. 1891 E. Jenks Gtn't. Victoria xxxi. agi
note, ' Vermin * includes kang.iroos, wallabies, dingoes,
stray dogs, foxe«, and rabbits, and any other animal or bird
proclaimed by the Governor in Council.
^. c 1400 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483) in. x. 56 There also
sawe I a wondre grete pytte ful of vermen. is«6 Tindale
Acts %. 12 A certayne vessell.. where in wer all maner of
iiij. foted beastes of the erth and vermen and wormes. —
A'rt'. vi. SPower wasgeven vnto them. . tokyll withswearde,
and with honger, and with deeth that cometh of vermen
of the erth. X59S Warner Alb. Engl. vii. xxxvii. (1612) 178
The Weasell, Prince of Vermen.
y. rt 1513 Fauvan C//rtf«. ccxix. liob/i Of the Famyne. .,
wonders are reported that they shuld ete all maner of Ver-
mayne, as Cattes, rattes, dogges, & other.
D. Applied to creeping or wingless insects (and
other minute animals) of a loathsome or offen-
sive appearance or character, esp. those which
infest or are parasitic on living beings and plants;
also occas. applied to winged insects of a trouble-
some nature.
a. c;x340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 916 Aftir man, .. vermyn
es, And aftir vermyn stynkand uglynes. CX400 Maundev.
(Roxb.) viii. 31 In J>at abbaycommes neuer fleess, ne flyes,
ne nan o(>er swilk vermyn of corrupcioun. 1484 Caxton
Cutiald We after ouermoche drynkyng of wynes and grete
paynes lye doun ofte in beddes ful of vermyne. x^ Bk.
St. Albans cvb, A medecyne for vermyn. ifisa Huloet
S.V., Vermyn, as flees, lyse, wormes, etc. 1591 Nashe
Prognostication Wks. (Grosart) II. 165 Beggers on Sunne
shine dayes. .commit great murthers vpon their rebellious
vermine. x6o8 Topseli. Serpents 103 Some of them..
are transformed very strangely into a kind of vermin or
wormes, who beeing couered with a hard crust or shell, lye
as it were dead all the winter. x66s Sir T. Herbert Trav.
(1677) 314 In Summer, their Slaves attend about them. .to
scare away the Gnats and such like buzzing vermine. 1671
Milton Samson 574 Here rather let me drudge and earn
my bread. Till vermin or the draff of servit food Consume
me. i7a« De For Plague (Rtldg.) 278 Hot Weather fills
the Air with Vermine. 1748 Anson's Voy. i. v. 42 These
operations were extremely necessary for correcting the noi-
some stench on board, and destroying the vermin, 1819
Keats Otho iv. ii, No wrinkles where all vices nestle in
Like crannied vermin. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pr/ict, Agric.
(ed. 4) II. 374 Vermin of the Insect kind. The insects
which infest plants, orchard trees, &c., are almost a^
numerous as the plants or trees themselves. 1875 H. C.
Wood Therap. (1879) 364 For this reason tobacco ought
never to be employed, as it formerly was, to kill vermin on
the person.
trans/, andy?^. 159a Lodge Euphues Shadmv (Hunter.
Club) 10 Many there were that carryed vermine in theyr
toongues to open secrecie. cx6»x Donne Serm. Iviii. (164c)
585 To the Consideration of those Vermin of the Soule, lesser
and Unconsidered Sins.
^. X5S3 Eden Treat. Neiv Ind. (Arb.) 16 When any flyes
or other creping vermen are entered into the sayde riftes of
theyr skinnes. 1599 Dallam in Early Voy, Levant (HakI,
Soc.) 54 'I'hare we saw diverse sortes of varmen, which we
have not the like in Inglande.
2. With a, thatf this, etc, a. In generic or
collective sense : A kind or class of obnoxious
animals.
c 1386 Chaucer Clerk's T. 1039 Voure woful moder wende
stedefastly, That cruel houndes or som foul vermyne Had
eten yow. a 1400-50 Alexander 3948 Quen he had voidid
J?is vermyn & vencust ^>at of ynde. X548 Coopek Eliot's
Diet., Volucra, a vermine, whiche eateth the tender vines.
1553 Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 16 Euen thi.s greate
beaste [i.e. the elephant] also.. is troubled with this lyttle
vermyne [i.e. flies]. 1599 Dai lam in Early Voy, Lez'ant
(HakI, Soc.) 54 We. .weare sodonly wonderfully tormented
with a varmen that was in our pillowes, the which did bite
farr worss thanfleaes. 1609 Holland Amm. Marcell. 212
This Crocodile is.. a dangerous vermine used to both ele-
ments. X634 Wither Embl. 215 Though the mice a harm,
full vermine be. \^%^ T. Thomas in Portland Papers
(HisLMSS. Comm.) VI. no A fox just suspended on a pole,
..the shepherds.. being much infested by this vermin all
hereabouts. 0x774 Tucker Lt.Nat. (1834)11.44 Diseases
.. proceeding from an imperceptible vermin swarming
within us.
f b. A single animal or insect of this kind.
c 1460 J. Metham Wks. (E.E.T.S.) 62/1668 As at the sege
off 'J heljes Ampyorax . . Fyl in-to helle alle qwyk, ryght so
this foule best an vermyne Myght falle thorw the erth to
helle pyne. 1484 Caxton fables of ^sop v. viii, Ha cursed
& euylle serpent, vermyn and fals traytour, thow hast de-
ceyued me. 15*6 Tindale Acts xxviii. 5 He shuke of the
vermen [L. viperd\ into the fyre. X590 Stenskr World's
Vaniiie 77 'I'he subtill vermin {sc. a spider] creeping closely
neare, Did in his drinke shed poyson priuilie. 1604 Breton
Passionate Sheph. Wks. (Grosart) I. lo/i If I see the Wolfe,
the Brocke, the Foxe, (Dr any varmin stealing downe a
furrowe. 16x3 Chapman Rev. Buss^ D'AmboisK j h, Stornie
not, nor beate your selfe thus gainst the dores. Like to a
sauage vermine in a trap. 16^8 Butler H7td. iii. il. 1030
'Tis true, a Scorpion's Oyl is said To cure the Wounds the
Vermine made. X809 Scott Poacher 11 Thine eye, applaji-
sive, each sly vermin sees, That baulks the snare, yet battens
on the cheese.
t c. In />i. in preceding senses. Obs,
1470-85 Malory Arthur viii, iii. 277 Of beestes of vencry
and beestes of chace, and alle manere of vermayns. Ibid.
X, Hi. 500 Whiche were beestes of chace and beestes of
venery, and whiche were vermyns. 1563 Homilies 11. AgsL
Idolatry m. Nniij, We haue not folowed the Gentylcs in
makyng of images of beastes, fyshes, and vermins alsa
1^5 Parsons Chr. Exerc. i. viii. 86 It must be cast out to
serue for the food of vermine.s. 1601 Holland PUny \\,
145 There doe engender in pulse, certain little venomous
Vermins. X648 Hexham ii. s.v. Vermelnwen, To be full of
Maggots, Vermins, or Wormes.
3. fig, Api^lied to persons of a noxions, vile,
objectionable, or offensive character or type,
Freq. used as a term of abu.se or opprobrium ; in mod.
dial, sometimes without serious implication of bad qualities,
a. In collective use.
X56S WinJet Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 31 On the wthir syde,con.
t rare cry is ccrtane padokis, filthy verming, and fieis.., of
the quhilk sort are the Pelagianis. 1577 /'. de L'tsle's
Legcndarie M iv b. We may then vtterly roote out this ver-
mine (for so did the Cardinal call the Protestantes). x§86
T. B. La Primaud. /•>. Aeml. i. (1594) >48 Dancers, min-
strels, bands, and such like vermin, whereof commonly there
is no want aljout great personages. 1610 Holland Cam-
den's Brit. (1637) I07 Whole swarmes of duskish vermin, to
wit, a number of hideous highland Scots and Picts. 1690
T. BUBNET Theory Earth II. 214 No knaves, cheats, hypo-
crites J the vermin of this earth, that swarm every where.
1710 Palmer Pror'erbs 81 He that falls once into the com.
pany of such vermin has a misfortune. 1767 (A. VouncI
Farmer's Lett, to People 743 These vermin, who are gener-
ally labourers, swarm in every village round me. i8ao
VERMIN.
Macaulay in Trevelyan Life (1876) I. iL 98 A coronation
all unknown To Europe's roj-al vermin, 1859 Tennyson
Gtmint 217, I will avenge this insult,. .And I will track
this vermin to their earths. X876 G, Meredith Beauch.
Career I. iL 20 The poacher was another kind of vermin
than the stupid tenant.
b. A single person or individual of this type.
X581 J. Bell Haddon's Ams2v. Osor. 76 b, O monstruous
verminc : did I ever speake or thinke any such matter ?
«6»7 J. Taylor K<wy 0/ Land Ships Cviij, As a Horse
being dead in the feilds and stripd, is a banquet for Dogs, . .
so is a Surety to those Vermins, who.. prey vpon his estate.
a 1656 Vioi.\.^Abridgitt, Lit, Action surCase (:668) 57 He is
a corrupt man, he is a Vermine in the Commonwealth. 168a
Dbyden Medal 31 A Vermin wriggling in th' Usurper's ear,
Bart'ring his venal wit for sums of gold. 17M Humourist
19a Human Society is not infested with a more dangerous
Vermin than a Flatterer. 1796 Solthey Lett. fr. Spain
(1799) 373 Here 1 was shown a den in which a Hermit lived
twelve years; a small hole for so large a vermin. 184s J.
Wilson Ckr, North (1857) I. 137 The accursed vermin died
.somewhere in the Cottage. x88i Lo. Salisbury in Daily
TeL 14 Nov. 2/5 The landlord is an outcast, and a vermin
so horrible [etc.],
4. To Stand irtu vermin^ to show pluck and
persistency. rare~^,
1834 Col, Hawker Diary {1893) II. 67 My horse shied.,
and down we both came... But I stood true vermin, and
tried the islands afterwards for snipe.
5. aiirtb, aw^ Comb, a. Simple attrib., as z'^rw/«
heady 'irap^ etc, I). Objective and obj. genitive,
as vermin-catcher y -destroyer^ ^killer \ -destroying^
-killing, c. Instrumental or similative, as vermin-
covered, 'footed y -haunted, -ridden., -tenanted adjs, ;
vermin-like sA},\ also vermin puddle (see quot.).
It is not clear whether wermine broiue, glossing L. murica
in Wr.*Wulcker 644, is an attrib. use of this word.
s8ii Sporting Mag. XXXVIII. 221 Were they associated
as a body of *vermin-catchers? Il>id. 222 They were a club
of "vermin-destroyers. ?x88. Dogs (Bxit, Stand. Handbks )
iv. 18 Any of the *vermin-deslroying powders. 1865 E.
Bl'rritt IValk Land's fwrt^ 182 There were scarcely any
daisies or buttercups, or even the * verm in -footed charlock.
1831 Gen. p. Thompson Exerc. (1842) I. 417 To throw it
off like a *vermin-haunted garment. x86i Neale Notes
Dalmatia 97 A tolerable inn, not more dirty nor vermin-
haunted than usual 1799 Addin^ham (Cumberld.) Par,
Bk, (MS.), 8 *Vermin Heads, 2 : 8. * 1680 W, W. [title), The
•Vermin Killer, being a very necessary Family.Book, con-
taining Exact Rules and Directions for the Artificial Killing
and Destroying of all manner of Vermin, etc. 177a T.
Simpson {title), The Complete Vermin-killer. 1889 Daily
News 21 June 7/1 Two packets of vermin killer containing
about six grains of strychnine. 1893 W. H. Hudson Idle
Days Patagonia v. 59 The common dog of the country is. .
a good watch-dog and vermin-killer. 177a Ann. Reg. i. 129
He acquired 2000/. by "vermin-killing. 1829 Scott Guy M.
Note K, The race of Pepper and Mustard are in the high-
est estimation at this day, not only for vermin-killing, but
for intelligence and fidelity. 1863 Atkinson Stanton
Grange (1864) 67 Vermin-kiiUng was well carried out there.
x6jBs Roxb. Ballads {iS^i) V. 214 His. .disagreeable "Ver-
min-like Face. 1850 OciLviE, *Vermin Puddle, puddle
formed of stiff clay and small stones or gravel beaten to-
gether until it forms a mass like pudding stone. It is used
in the embankments of reservoirs, to prevent.. the inroads
of water rats and other vermin. 1861 Neale Notes Dal-
tnatia 104 The *vermin-tenanted houses are washed by the
pure green waves of the lovely bay. 1664 Evelyn Kal.
Hort. 61 February... Continue "Vermine Trapps, &c. x86a
Catal. Intemat, Exhib., Brit. 1 1. Na 61 33, Every descrip-
tion of wild beast, game, and vermin traps. 1859 Tennyson
Elaine 139 The *vermin voices here May buzz so loud — we
scorn them, but they sting.
1 6, As adj. Verminous. Obs~^
x6oa 2nd Pt. Return fr. Parnass. \. iv. 443 See how a
little vermine pouerty aftereth a whole milkie disposition.
t Ve'rmin, v, Obsr^ [f. the sb.] trans. To
clear of vermin,
1573-80 TussER Hitsh, (1878) 72 Get warrener bound to
vermin thy ground.
t Venoinai'lle. Obs.-^ [f. Vermin j<J., after
canailky etc.] «= Vehmin sb. 3 a.
_x6oo O. E. (M. Sutcliffe)^ Repl. Libel \. v. 129 The Par-
liament of Paris.. did banish the whole society or rather
verminaille of Jesuites out of France.
Verminate (vaumin^'t), v. rare, [f. L. ver-
minat' ppl. stem of vermindre to have worms or
griping pains,, f. vermis worm, Cf, L. vermina
griping pains caused by worms, stomach-ache.]
1. intr. To br^ed or produce parasitic vermin.
X693 Sir T. p. Blount Nat. Hist, 263 He having taken
extraordinary care and pains to observe, that always on the
Flesh, before it did Verminate, there sate Flies of the self
same kind with those that were afterwards produc'd thence.
lysx Bailey, To Verminate, to breed Worms. 1913 D.
Crawford Thinking Black xxii. 441 Here, then, we see
them \sc, people] crowding and verminating in their filth.
1 2. Path, (See quot.) 0/'J."-*>
I7ai Bailey, To Verminate (among Physicians), to have
a griping or wringing in the Belly ; to. .void Worms.
Hence TeTminating vbl, sb, (used attrib,) and
///. a.
x7«o S. Vmlke-k Bil'lioiheca Biblia I. 152 The Seed of
the Serpent, and its Verminating Principle. 1856 Boker
Leonor de Guzman i. i, Out, thou flea-bitten, verminating
rogue ! S9xa D. Crawford Thinking Black vi. 97 Their
average beehive hut is a verminating hole, a den of disease.
Vermiuation (v5amin^-Jan). [ad. L. ver-
mindtion', vermindtio, n. of action f. vermindre ;
see prec. Cf. obs. F. vermination."]
"fX. The fact or condition of being gnawn by
worms; vermiculation. Obs, rare.
136
i^ Donne Sertu. liv. (1640) 542 Agalnstthis vermination,
(as the originall denotes) against this gnawing of the worme,
that may biare through and sink the strongest vessell that
sailes in the sea of this world, there Is no other varnish.
2. The breeding, growth, or production of vermin,
esp. parasitic vermin. A\%q fig. ? Obs,
i6a8 Fhltham Resoh'ts u. Ixxxiv. 241 A Mouth, nasty
with offensive fumes, till it sicken the Braine with giddy
verminations. 1665 Nef.oham Aled. Medicinx 203 This
..may serve to give some lijjht, how much Diseases are
altered from their old state in reference to Vernunation.
1699 R. Burthogge Soul 0/ World 37 The Vermination in
Human (as well as other Animal) Bodies, of which there are
innumerable Instances in Medical Writers. 1713 Derham
Phys.-Theol. vin. vi. 414 Seigneur Redi..tryed more Ex-
periments relating to the Vermination of Serpents, Flesh,
Fish, putrified Vegetables, . . than any one hath done since.
t3. (See quot.) Obs.-°
1656 ^UiVViT Glossogr. (copying Cooper), Vermination^ . ,^
disease with worms properly in Cattle, a vehement ache by
the wringing of the Guts, as if they were gnawn with worms.
4.. The fact of being infested with parasitic ver-
min ; esp, Med.y the morbid condition due to this.
x8i8-2o E. Thompson Cullen^s NosoL Method, (ed. 3) 318,
76 /'araj-iV/V;««i... Vermination. 1821-7 Good Study Med.
(1829) V. 656 Cutaneous Vermination, Ibid. 657 Generally
speaking, vermination is a proof of weakness, whether in
animals or in plants. 1836 J. Kl. Gully Magendies Formnl.
(ed. 2) gi His success was particularly great in the vermina-
tion of children.
VoTmine,a. Zool. rare, \2A,vsi(dd.\..vermine-
ns,'\ = Vermineous a,
1839-47 Todtfs Cycl. A nat. III. 237 The smaller ones with
a long slender body, and short extremities, as the Weasel
or Vermine tribe. Ibid., The canine and vermine genera.
Ve'rmined, ///, a, [f. Vermin sb,'\ Infested,
with vermin.
1852 Meanderings 0/ Mevi. I. 210 Von vermined Sarco-
phage. 1859 Gen. P. Thompson ^j</// Alt. II. Ixxxvi. 55
Why not . .bring back the Stuarts, or install Saint Thomas
of the vermin'd shirt at Canterbury ?
t Vermi'neous, a. Zool. Obs.~^ [f. raod.L.
verviine-us (Ray) : see -ecus.] Belonging to the
animals classed as vermin.
1693 Phil. Trans. XVII. 851 The Wolf, Fox, Badger,.,
which from their long slender Bodies, like to the Weasel,
we call the Vermineous or Weezel-kind.
VeTmiuer. rare. Also 7 vanniner. [f. Ver-\
MIN sb. + -EB 1.] A destroyer of vermin,
1615 Markham Country Conientnt. i. \. 5 The grissell..
shag-haird [hounds] are the best vanniners, and therefore
are chosen to hunt the Fox, Badger, or any other hot sent.
1848 .\iNSWORTH Lanes. IVitches in. i. (1878) 421 The
lurchers, and, lastly, the verminers, or, as we should call
them," the terriers.
t Vermi'iiiail, a. Obs."^ [f. Vermin sb.+
-IAN.] Consisting or composed of vermin.
1640 Balfour in Maidment Scottish Ball. (1868) I. 334
God, Whose heavie hand with his verminian hoast Hath
quell'd our courage and laid all our boast.
Vennixxiferous, a. rare. [f. Vermin sb. +
-(i)feuous.] Breeding or producing vermin.
hX^ofig.
1895 Farkar in Clarion 9 Nov. 1/2 Places horrible to live
in, ..foul with. .gin, and verminiferous dirt. 1898 — 0//tf
Piock, Many Folds 53, I usually commit these verminifer-
ous fragments [R. C. newspaper cuttings] to the purging
flame unread.
+ VeTXttinly, «. Obs, rare. [f. asprec. + -ly 1.]
Of the nature of vermin ; like (that of) vermin.
1653 Gauden Hierasp. Pref. 37 A vermirdy generation (ever
destroyed, yet ever breeding) who owe their best education
to their bellies. Ibid. 379 They have nothing in them but a
verminly nimbleness and subtlety.
Vermino'logy, rare-^, [f. as prec. + -ology.]
The science of vermin.
1830 KiTTO in Eadie Z//tf vi. (1857) 184 On removing some
clothes, .one day, I found one [scorpion],, .and not being
sufficiently acquainted with verminology to recognise it, I
felt no alarm.
t VenuinO'Se, <2. Obs~^ Ind.'L.verminps-Jts:
see next and -ose.] = Verminous a, 4.
1747 tr. Astruc's Fevers 9 In like manner the verminose
fevers are so called from their cause, viz. worms,
VerminotlS (vauminas), a. [f. Vekmin sb. +
-OL'S, or ad. L. verminos-us (whence OF, vermin-
OHS, vermenouSf -eux^ etc., = mod.F, vermineux^
-euse^ It., Sp., Pg. verminoso, Prov, vermenos) :—
vermis worm.]
1. Of the nature of, consisting of, vermin ; like
or resembling vermin in character; noxious, ob-
jectionable, offensive : a. Of animals or persons.
i6ai-3 Middleton & Rowley Changeling iii. iv. Do you
place me in the rank of verminous fellows, To destroy things
for wages? 1624 — Game at C/tess iv. iv, Like that ver-
minous labourer [sc, the mole], which thou imitat'st In hills
of pride and malice. 1691 Ray Colt. JVords (ed. 2) 128 A
Fowmart,a Polecat, is a noted Beastof this verminous kind.
1795-6 WoRDsw. Borderers ii. 587 That soft class of de-
votees who. .spare The verminous brood, and cherish what
they spare While feeding on their bodies. 1830 Southey
Lett. (1856) IV. 177 Both in Russia and Poland I believe
they [Le. Jews] are a verminous population, preying upon
others. 1887 Swinburne Stud. Prose ^ Poetry (1894) 140
He has exactly as much claim to a place beside Dante as
any..otlier murderous and verminous muckworm.
b. Of things.
cx6i6 Chapman Batrachom. Ded., If yet the vile sou! of
the verminous time Love more the sale-muse and the squir-
rels chime, 1846 Landor Imag. Conv. Wks. I. 201/2 The
smoky, verminoas, unconcocteU doctrine of passive obedi-
VERMIVOROUSWESS.
ence. 1884 Browning Ferishtnh, Sun 14 Fancies verminous
Breed in the clots there.
2. Infested with, full of, vermin, esp. parasitic
vermin . foul or offensive on this account,
163a Brome Crt. Beggar i. i, Note the necessity, that they
[perruques] be well made OL. No verminous or sluttish locks
or combings. But [etc]. 1641 Milton Prel. Fpisc. 1 1 Search-
ing among the verminous and polluted ragsdropt overworn
fiom the toyling shoulders of lime. ai69i BftVLE Hist. Air
(1602) 2^0 He. .found that divers drugs, salves, and..espe.
ciafly ointments, were verminous. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist.
(1862) I. xix. no In these tropical climates also,, .drugs and
plasters lose their virtue, and become verminous, x8t9
Metropolis III. 128 The lively companions of a verminous
bed. 1865 Pall Mall G. No. 211. 1/2 A verminous, over-
crowded vagrant ward. \S^ AllbutCs Syst. Med. VIIL
866 In 'verminous persons' the hair is sometimes matted
together by pus, nils, scales and scabs.
trans/. x86i Dickens Tom Tiddler^ s Ground i, How long
he had held verminous occupation of his blanket and skewer.
3. Tending to breed vermin, rare''^.
1666 G. Harvey Morb. Angl. (1672) 39 A wasting of their
[fC. children's] flesh., must depend upon some obstruction of
the Entrails, or Verminous disposition of body,
4. Of diseases, or morbid conditions, etc. :
Caused by, due to, characterized by the presence
of, parasitic vermin or intestinal worms.
1666 G. Harvey Morb. Angl. (1672) 35 Of a Verminous
Consumption. 1^ tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. x. 366/2
Their hypothesis is sufficiently known, concerning vermin,
ous putrefaction. 1733 tr, Bellosie's Hosp. Surg. II. 71
Pestilence, SmalUpox and all Verminous diseases. 1748
/'////. Trans. L. 837 The lead.. might, by its weight, assist
in removing the verminous filth, especially as the bowels
were made slippery by the oil. 1756 P. Browne Jamaica 25
You may frequently observe.. ladies poisoned with bark in
verminous inflammations. 183a Barker Lempriere''s Class.
Diet. (ed. 2) s.v. /Ethiopia, Almost all these people die ot
verminous diseases produced by this food. 1861 Hulme tr.
Moquin- Tandon 11. vii. 332 Some families appear to be more
predisposed to verminous affections than others. 1897
Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 1033 There have been many
instances of verminous abscess recorded.
b. Of persons : Subject to vermin or intestinal
worms,
i860 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 8) XXI. 974/2 Females may be
more verminous than males.
Hence Ve'rxuinonsly adv., Verminonsness.
1727 Bailey (vol. II), Verminousness, Fulness of Worms,
Worm-eatenness. i860 Worcester (citing Ec. Rev.), Ver-
minously. 1891 Cent, Diet, s.v., Verminously unclean,
tVerminulonSy a. Obs,-^ [f. Vermin j^.]
Made by vermin.
1665-6 Phil. Trans. I. 205 In the shaking he saw all the
Communications of these little Verminulous holes, like to
the hole of the Worms in Wood.
Ve'rmiuy, a, rare. [f. Vermin sb, + -v.] In-
fested with vermin ; verminous.
1859 All Year Round Na 36. 219, I avoid his verminy
robes and his flowing rags.
Vermion, -eon, obs, varr. Vermilion sb,
j Cf, med.L. vermeum, var. oiz'crjnellum, etc.
1 1399 Mem. Ripon (Surtees) 111. 129 In j lib. de vermion
j emp. pro pra;dicto vale t = veil], 22^. a \«iioo~^ Alexander
3945 pan come a fli5tir in of fowls as fast as it dawid. To vise
on as vowtres, as vermeon hewid. 14.. MS. Harl. zzjy,
Minirgraphus, a writer with vermion. Minium est genus
colorii rubci,. .anglice vermion.
Verxui'parOUS, a, rare. [f. Vebmi- + -PAROUS.
Cf. Sp. and Pg. vermiparo.']
1. Producing young, or produced as young, in
the form of small worms or maggots.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. F.p. 135 We deny not that
many animals are vermiparous, begetting themselves at a
distance. Ibid. 297 In creatures oviparous, as birds and
fishes ; in vermiparous, as Flies, Locusts, and Gnats ; in
animals also viviparous, as Swine and Conies, 1650 Ibid,
(ed, 2) V. v, 203 The same, .may be also true in some vermi.
parous exclusions. 1765 Treatise on Dom. Pigeons 14 All
animals are distinguished into three sorts : oviparous, . . vivi*
parou.s, . . and vermiparous, or such as are formed from a
worm. 1910 D'A, W. Thompson tr. Aristotle's Hist. Anim.
538 In oviparous and vermiparous creatures, .the female is
larger than the male.
2. Producing verminous parasites,
i860 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 8) XXI, 974/2 Very few averte-
braled animals are vermiparous, while there is probably no
species of vertebrate that is exempted from parasites.
Hence + Vermi- par ousness, * worm-breeding
quality' (Bailey, 1727, vol. II). Obs.-^
II Vermis (vsumis). Anat, [L. vermis worm.]
The vermiform process of the cerebellum.
1890 Cent. Diet., Postvermis, the vermis inferior of the
cerebellum. Ibid., Prcz'erjnis, the anterior and prominent
part of the vermis of the cerebellum. 1899 Allbutt's Syst.
I Med. VII. 365 In one [case, of cerebellar atrophyl-.the
vermis was less afl'ected by atrophy than the hemispheres.
VenuivorOUS (vsjmi'voras), a. [f. mod.L.
vermivor-us worm-eating + -ocs. Cf, F. vermi-
vore, Sp, and Vg.vermivoro."] Feeding on worms,
grubs, or insect vermin ; said esp. of certain birds.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, I'ermiz'oruus, are such
Animals, as Feed upon Worms. 1828-32 Webster s.v.,
Vermivorous birds are very useful to the farmer. 1861 H.
Macmillan P'ootnotes fr. Page Nat. 172 Guano, the pro-
duct of those vermivorous shore. birds which inhabit the
desolate islands of the South Seas. 1870 Gillmore tr.
P^guier's Rept. 4- Birds 344 They [sc. the Pressirostresjare
mostly vermivorous; some, however, are granivorous or
herbivorous.
Hence Vermi 'vbronsn ess, ' a worm-devouring
nature* (Bailey, 1730).
VERMOUTH.
Venuoath. (veiumSt, v3-jm«J)). Also ver-
muth, [a. F. Vermont (v^rmKt), ad. G. ivermuth
wormwood, Webmuth.] An alcoholic cordial or
liqueur consisting; of white wine flavoured with
wormwood or other aromatic herbs and taken in
order to stimulate the appetite. Also atlrib,
1806 J . PwiiF.RTOti J!eivUtc/. Paris 11. XV. 20S A decanter
of J.amaic.l rum, Wormwood wine, or that of Vermouth.
1837 LvTTOM /;. .Mallrav. vil. i, Thinking that you soften
the hearts of your friends by soups a la irisijite^ and I't-r-
mutk vyine at a guinea a bottle 1 1870 PaltMallG. 5 Nov.
12 Absinthe and vermouth began to be .sold in them. 1884
y CoLBORNE HLks Pasha 83 There is one Italian firm
importing good vermouth. ^
b. A glass or drink of this.
1899 J. Conrad in Blackii'. Mag. Feb. 201/1 As we sat
over our vermuths he glorified the Company's business.
1903 'Marjohihanks' /-Vic/f-Z/KKr.-rj 151 He felt discom-
fited, and ordered a Vermouth to gain time for reflection.
Vermtilon, -ylone, -yl(y)oun, etc., obs. ff.
VERiirLio.v. Vern, southern dial. var. Kerx sh.'^
Vernacle, var. Vebnicle.
t Vernacly, adv. Obs.—^ [Irreg. f. L. vernac-
nlus : see below.] = Vebnacdlablt aiiv.
1673 HlCKEBlNGiLL Grrg. f. Crcyb. 284 By Hebrew Jews
you mean Jews that vernacly speak Hebrew.
Vernacul, obs. f. Vebnicle.
Vernacolar (vajnse-kirflaj), a. and sb. Also
7 vernaculer. [f. L. vernacul-us domestic, na-
tive, indigenous (hence It. vernacolo, Pg. verna-
itilo), f. venia a home-born slave, a native.
The Latin adj. occurs in a large variety of applications;
the restricted use common in English is represented by
I'erttacula vflcabula in Varro.]
A. adj. 1. That writes, uses, or speaks the
native or indigenous language of a country or
district.
ifci Bp. W. Barlow Defittcc a A vernaculer pen-man:,
hauing translated them into English. 1715 M. Davies
Athen. Brit. 1. 77 The Ofiice of the Virgin Rlary.. is Trans-
lated also in most Languages for the Use of the Vernacular
Romanists. 1716 lliid. III. 38 The learned vernacular
Editor of Hippocrates's Works in French, Mr. Dacier. 1819
W. Tavixir in Monthly Mag. XLVIL 30 The vernacular
public remained unmoved, atul gazed at the labours of
authorship, as Londoners at the opera. 1869 Freeman
AVrw. Conq. (1875) IIL xii. 145 The vernacular poet more
kindly helps us to the real names,
2. Of a language or dialect : That is naturally
spoken by the people of a particular country or 1
district ; native, indigenous.
Usu. applied to the native speech of a popuL-ice, in con-
trast to another or others acquired for commercial, social, or '
educative purposes ; now freq. employed with reference to ■
that of the working classes or the peasantry.
<ri645 Howell Lett. II. Ivi. 78 The Welsh, .is one of the
fourteen vernacular and independent tongues of Europ. I
1*97 Bestlev Phalaris (1699) 316 Being Dorians born,
Itheyl repudiated their vernacular Idiom for that of the
Athenians. 1715 M. Davies Atlitn. Brit. 1. Pref. 35 They
don't understand their Breviaries and Mjiss-Books, not.,
when translated and expounded in their respective ver-
nacular Tongues. 183a G. Downes CohI. Countries I. 197
The congregation here being chiefly peasants, and artisans,
a .sermon was delivered in the vernacular dialect. 1858
Glacstose Itomer 1 1. ii. 50 When Ihe Chaldee tongue be-
came the vermicular, and the old Hebrew disappeared from
common use. 1874 H. R. Revxolds John Baft. v. § 3.
338 There were ' voices '..which expressed in some ver-
nacular idiom of Hebrew or Greek the thoughts of the
.Mmighty. j
trans/. 1778 Wahton /list. Eiig. Pottry 1 1. 50 They much '•
improved the vernacular style by the use of this exotic
phraseology. 178J European Ma^. V 1 1 1. 467 Several pas.
sages are modulations on the vernacular airs of Otaheite. j
1850 Ecdesiologist XI. 176 Even Rome, then, cannot con. !
sislently blame words to the vernacular Gregorian melodies.
b. In predicative use. Also with preps. 1
s8o8 Sm Smith Wks. (1859) I. 103/2 Ihe Scriptures
translated into the Tamulic language, which is vcriwcular
in the southern parts of the peninsula. 1835 Macaulav in
I rcvelyan Compel. Wallah (1866) 321 The intellectual im-
provement of those classes, .can at present be eflected only
l<y means of some language not vernacular amongst them.
1856 Mrs. Stowe Dredll. xxxii. 323 He commenced a
speech in that peculiar slang dialect which was vernacular
with them. 1870 Anuersox Missions A mer. Bit. 1 1 1, iv. 52
The Arab-spealting race.. must receive the gospel mainly
from those to whom the language is vernacular.
c. Coupled with the name of the language.
J77S Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry (1870) 61 The vernacular
hnghsh, as I have,, remarked, was rough and unpolished.
1840 liARKAM Ingot. Leg. Ser. 11. Lay St. Aloys, The
' Requiem ' was sung ; Not vernacular French, but a classi-
cal tongue. i8«4 Dasent 7tst>, Earnest (iiTi\ II. 10 The
vernacular Anglo-S.ixon before the Conquest was undergo-
ing that change which all languages suffer. 1883 Froude
in Contemp. Rev. XLIV. 18 He (LutherJ began to trans-
late the Bible into clear vernacular German.
3. Of literary works, etc. : Written or spoken in,
translated into, the native language of a particular
country or people.
iMi Glanvill Van. Dogm. 156 Though, in Greek or
l.atine, they amuse us, yet a vernacular translation un-
masks them. 1716 M. Davies Atheu. Brit. III. 20 Dr
Harvey siamily.Fhysician, and most of Will. .Salmon's
Books, with other such like Vernacular Pharmacy. 1788
Warbuktoi* Tracts (1780I ,70 I.ong vernacular .Sermons
from Dr Parr. 1841 IVUraeli Amen. Lit. Pref. (1850)
p. Ill, A history of our vernacular literature has occupied
.Parr. 1841 D Israeli Amen. Lit. Pref. (1850)
history of our vernacular literature has occupied
my studies for many years. 1868 J. H. Blunt Ref. Ch.
t-ng. I. 495 Vernacular pray.r-books had, indeed, been lone
known 10 England. 1874 Green short Hist. i. f 5. (1876)
Vol, a.
i.sr
49 The Chronicle remains the first vernacular history of any
1 eutonic people,
b. Performed in the native language.
1874 A. Somerville Led. Missions xiii. 243 A paper
which he read on Vernacular Preaching at the Ootacamund
Missionary Conference.
4. Of words, etc. : Of or pertaining to, forming
part of, the native language.
1716 -M. Davies At/ten. Brit. II. 174 This Ralph is call'J
also Koger, the Latin name, Rariulphus, being possibly
capable of both those Vernacular Appropriations. 1728
Pope Dune. I. .Votes, Which being a French and foreign
termination, is no w.iy proper to a word entirely English
and vernacular. 1788 V. Knox IVinler Even. xxii. (1790)
1. 193 Brown.. preferred polysyllabic expressions derived
from the language of ancient Rome, to his vernacular voca-
bulary 1816 Scott Old Alort. Peroration, O, ignorance 1
as if the vernacular article of our mother English were
capable of declension ! 1848 Gallenca Italy I. ii. 146 Low-
born vernacular idioms were handed down to posterity as
the poet's creation. 1864 Bkyce Holy Horn. Emp. xv.(i875)
257 \t hose official style of Augustus, .as well as the verna-
cular name of ' Kaiser ' [etc).
b. Native or natural to a particular language.
_ iS^^ProcPhilol. Soc. 1. 176 The finding an i.solated term
in an .Anglo-Savon or German vocabulary by no means
proves It to be vern.acular to that language.
5. Connected or concerned with the native lan-
guage.
184s Stocqleler Handhk. Brit. India (1854) 234 The
southern side of the building is appropriated to the verna.
cubr department, and the northern to the English. 1883
j R. B. S.MIT11 Life Ld. Lawrence II. 535 Efforts were made
to extend vernacular education.
6. Ofarts, or features of these: Native or peculiar
' to a particular country or locality.
1857 Sir G. Scott Sec. «, Dom. Architecture 6 Look at
; _the vernacular cottage-building of the day. a 1878 —
Lect. Archil. (1879) !'• S'S The revived knowledge of the
j architecture of Greece rudely disturbed the vernacular style
derived from Rome. 1893 Harper's Weekly 21 Oct. 101 1/2
The theatre is a big, rather bare room, app.-u-ently of verna-
cular Javanese construction.
\1. Of diseases: Characteristic of, occurring in,
a particular country or district ; endemic. Obs.
1666 G. Harvey Morh. Angl. i. (1672) 2 Which in.stances
do evidently bring a Consumption under the notion of a
Pandeniick, or Endemick, or rather a Vernacular Disease
to England. 1718 CuAMBEas Cycl. s v., Diseases which
reign most in any particular Nation, Province, or District,
are called Vernacular Di-seases.
8. Of a slave : That is bom on his master's
I estate ; home-bom. rarr~^.
.«*o4 W. Tavlor in Ann. Rev. II. 326 K disposition to use
kindly, and to emancipate frequently, the vernacular slave.
I 9. Personal, private.
184a G. S. Faber Regen. 38, I was favouring my evil
propensities, as if they were specially my own vernacular
property.
B. sb. 1. The native speech or language of a
particular country or district (see A. 2).
a 1706 Evelyn Hist. Relig. (1850) I. 427 It is written in
the Chaldaeo-Syriac, which was . . the vernacular of our
Lord. 1840 Barham /a^o/. i<g-. Pref., Mr. Maguire,.,in
ins account of the late Coronation, retains bis own rich
vernacular. 1864 Burton Scot Abr. II. i. 94 Even within
the native stronjhold of the Dutch vernacular. 1874 Savce
Compar. Philol. v. 179 A child can learn as readily the ver- \
nacular of Canton as the language of London.
trans/. 1807 W. Tavlor in Ann. Ret: V. 575 By neglect.
ing the vern.icular in idea, he has missed In part the advan-
tage of home praise and hereditary sympathy.
D. Freq. in phr- in the vernacular.
«8i$ J. C. HoBHOLSE Substance Lett. (i8i6) I. 176 The
court confessor in his sermon at St. Denis . . took the oppor.
tunity of what is called in the vernacular preaching at the
Duke of Orleans. 1856 Dasent Jest ^ Earnest (1873) I.
337 The performance of the services of religion in Latin, and
no longer as of old in the vernacular. 1889 Je.ssopp Coming
o/Eriari i. 37 Of the five .. no one of them was qualified as
yet to preach in the vernacular.
O. Without article. (Cf. next.)
1857 Hughes Tom Brcnm 1. i, Repeating in true sing-song
vernacular the legend of St. George and his fight. 1881
B. D. W. Ramsav Recoil. Mil. Serv. I. i. 25 'The fair song,
stress opened upon me such a volley of choice Tuscan ver.
nacular, that I fairly fled.
2. With a and pi. A native or indigenous lan-
guage.
171s M. Davics AtJien. Brit. I. 325 Charles the Fifth,
King of France, order'd the Bible to be translated . . in the
Picardian and Norman Vernaculars, a 1734 North Lit'es
(1826) III. 32a Latin, and the vernaculars westward,, .cirry
nearly the same idiom. 1850 S. Dobell Roman vii, The
wayfarer Of many lands is not responsible For each verna-
cular. i88a Atlunxum 4 Mar. 280 Some of the peoples and
tribes whose vernacuLars that cUiss comprises. 189a Times
24 Dec. 3/1 Spain, destined to \x for long the most active
enemy of the circulation of the Scriptures in modern
vernaculars.
3. transf. The phraseology or idiom of a parti-
cular profession, trade, etc.
1876 Tait Rec. Adv. Phys. Science vi. 151 To use the
vernacular of engineers. 1891 Century Mag. May 128/2 On
the bar we found friends that we bad made in Panama, who
had preceded us a few days, long enough to speak the ver-
nacular of mining.
Hence 'Verna-onlarness. rare-'.
1717 Bailev (vol. II), lernacularness, Properness, or
Peculiarness to one's own Country,
Vemacnlarism (v3jnae-ki»?lariz'm). [-I8M.]
1. A vernacular word, idiom, or mode of ex-
pression
1846 Worcester (citing Q. Rev,).
1863 Npale Ess. i
VERNAGE.
I.iturgiol. 527 Wherever the Church., was not established
till a late period, there such vernacularisms are scarcely, or
liot at all, perceptible. 1873 F. Hall Mod. Eng. 307 note,
Ihe more of such vernacularisms (as ' belongings'! we call
up from the past, the better.
2. The use of the native language.
iSSo Ecdesiologist XI. 176 If Rome not merely allows, but
authorises such vernacularism, who can forbid us to emnlov
our own Ecclesiastical English ?
Vemacularity (vamoeki/aoe-rTti). [-1TY.]
i 1. The lact of belonging or adhering to the
vernacular or native language.
[184a Sir W. Hamilton in Reid's Wks. 1. ico/2 note. As
the expressions are scientific, it is perhaps no loss that their
technical precision is gu.-irded by their non.vernacularity.)
1847 De Quincev in Tail's Maf. XIV. 570 The merit,
which justly you ascribe to Swift, is vemacularity ; he never
. forgets his mother-tongue in exotic forms.
2. A vernacularism.
1867 Carlvle E. Irving in Reniin. (1881) 1. 335 Rustic
Annandale begins it, with its homely honesties, rough ver-
. nacularities, .safe, innocently kind.
Verna cnlariza'tion. [f. next -i- -ation.]
The action of making, or fact of being made, verna-
cular or native to a language.
1873 F. Hall Mod. Eng. 105 Thousands of word.s,. .on their
first appearance, or revival, as candidates for vernaculariza-
tion, must have met with repugnance.
Vernacularize (vajntckirflaraiz), zi. [f. Ver-
i NACL'LARrt. -H-izE.] /raw. To render Or tr.anslate
into the native speech of a people; to make
j vernacular.
'H' ^^- 'i'*'>''-°'' in Monthly Rev. XCIV. 384 The Stephens,
or blephenses, as their names have.. been vernacularized
among us. 1830 — y/irf. Sun: Germ. Poetry III. 450
Godfred of Strasburg, who vernacularized Trystan <?•
Essylda. l8«6 Songs f, Ball. Cumbertd. 397 Prince Louis
Lucien Buonaparte employed him to vernacularise the Song
of Solomon.
Hence Verna'cularized ppl. a.
a 1874 in A. Somerville Led. Missions xiii. 243 His sanc-
tified and vernacularized intellect lives in the numerous
Tamil works.
Vemacnlarly (vainse'kirflajli), adv. [f. as
prec. + -Lv i!.]
1. In conformity with the vernacular manner ; in
the native or mother tongue.
1808 Scott Let. 23 Feb. in Lockhart, To expound more
vernacularly, I wrote you.. a swinging epistle of and con-
cerning German Romances. 1812 Ne:v Monthly Mag. VI.
298 He sang . . very vernacularly. 1840 Eraser's Mag.
XXI. 23 A wonder that he, a Spaniard, could write Eng-
lish so vernacularly. 1878 Maclear Celts viii. (1879) 123
The family, vernacularly called 'muintir', consisted of
brethren'.
2. With or among the people of a particular
country.
1830 Macinn in Eraser's Mag. XX. 263 An author so ver-
nacularly popular as their familiar and national dramatist.
t Verna-culary, a. Obs.-^ [Irreg. f. Verna-
cular a. + -Y.] = \ ERNACtll.AR a. 2.
1651 Urquhart Jewel Wks. (1834) 202 After the manner
of our English and other vernaculary tongues.
t Vema-culate, v. U.S. [Irreg. f. Veknacdi,-
AB a. 4- -ATE 3.]
1. trans. To call or term in the vernacular.
1887 Semi-Tueekly Tribune IN.V.) 15 July (Cent.), Very
large Antwerp ' patches ', as they are vernaculated by the
average fruit-grower,
2. intr. -To use vernacular language.
189s in Eunk's Stand. Did.
Vemacule, obs. form of Vernicle.
t Vemacnle, a. Obs. rare. [ad. L. veniacul-
us: see Vebnaoulae a.] = 'Vernacular a. 2.
1669 Gale Crt. Gentiles 1. 1. 71 The Syriac Tongue is now
nowhere vernacule, save in some few towns about Libanus.
Ibid. 76 Mariana Victorius makes three Dialects of the
Ethiopic Tongue, the Vernacule, the Babylonic, the Sacred.
t Vema'Cnlize, v. Obs.-^ [See prec. and
-iZE.] trans. = Vernacularize v.
a i8oa A. Geddes Notes Ps. cvii. 42 (1807) 205 Tongue-
tied, lit. mouth-shut : which, perhaps, might be not im-
properly vernaculized.
t Vema'CnlonS, a. Obs. [i. \ . vemdail-ns -.
see -00.S.]
1. a. Low-bred, scurrilous.
1605 B. JoNSON Volpone Ded., When a Name, so ful of
authority,, .is. .become the lowest scorne of the age: and
tho.se men., subject to the petulancy of euery vernaculous
Orator, that were wont to bee the care of Kings.
b. (Seequot.)
1613 Cockeram I, Vernaculous, a yong or green wit.
o. (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr. (following Cooper), Vernaculous.
that IS born and brought up in our own house.
2. Of products: Indigenous, native.
i6o6 BiHNiE Kirk-Buriall (1833) u Where gold is verna-
culous and plentifull. 1657 Tomlinson Rtnou's Disp. 388
Some of them are exoticall, not easily cicurabte in our soyle,
as the Cedar of Patestina and Lebanon : others are indeed
Ve(r)naciilous, but altogether, wild and Sylvestrian.
3. — Vebwacular a. i and 2.
1658 Phillips Did. Ded., I have, .rendred it.. worthy of
the greatest masteries of Rhetoricians and the tongues of
our Vernaculous Oratours. a 1681 Sir T. Browne Tracts
viii. (1683) 130 The common Language, which besides their
vern.aculous and Mother Tongues, may serve for commerce
between theni,
tVernagfe. Obs. [a. OF. vemage, vernace,
vernache, ad. It. vernaccia 'a kind of strong wine
18
VEBNAGELLE.
like malmesie or muskadine, or bastard wine*
(Florio, i.SqS). CUmed.h. verfta^ttMtVt'/'nadumf
vemachia.'\ A strong and sweet kind of white
Italian wine.
c 1386 Chaucer Merck. T. 563 He drinkith ypocras, clarre,
and vernage Of spices hote, to eiicrese his corrage. 1390
GowER C(m/, III. 8 In stede of drinke I underfonge A
thogbt so swete in mi corage, Thae- nevere Pyment iie
vernage Was half so swete forto drinke. c 1430 Two Cook-
ery-bks. 2a Take«rnage, oJ»er strong wyne of he beste l>at
a man may fynde [etc.]. <:x46o Play Sacram. 428 They
faryd as dronk men of pymente or vernage, c 1500 Coitn
Blffvobots Test. 339 Mahiiasyes, Tires, and Rumneys,..
Vernage, Cute, and Raspays also.
attrib, a 1400 Sgr. io7w De^e 754 Ve shall have rumney
and malmes\Tie, Both >-pocrasse, and veniage wyne.
So + Vernag-eUe. a variety of vernage. Ohs."*^
c 1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 118 The namys of swete
wynes y wold >at ye them knewe : Vernage, vernagelle,
wyne Cute, pyment.
Vernage, Sc. form of Wabnage Obs,
VernaSill, -ylle, obs. forms of Vernicle,
Vernal (v3-inal), a. (and sb^. Also 6-7 ver-
nall. [ad. L. vcmdl-is (rare), f. vermis pertaining
to spring, f. trr spring, Ver sby So OF. and F.,
Prov., Sp., Pg. vernal It. vernah^
1. Coming, appearing, happening, occurring, etc.,
in spring, a. Vernal equinox (or \ equinoctial) :
see Equinox i and 2.
1534 More Treat. Passion Wks. 1308/1 The xiiii. daye
after theyr vernall Equinoctiall in the euenynge. 1594
Blun'devil Exerc. i. xvi. (1597) 151 The beginning of Aries,
which is called the vernal Equinoxe, 160^ Topsell Hist.
Four-/, Beasts 299 From the vernall aequinoctiall to the
summer solstice. 1696 Whiston The. Earth 1,(1722) 39 At
this time, the Vernal Equinox is on the pth of March. 1715 tr.
Gregoiys Astron. iiizti^ I, 316 You wdl have the Longitude
sought from the Verrral Equinox. 1796 H. Hunter St.-
Pierre^s Stud. Nat. (1799) J- i5S The tides at our vernal
Equinox, in March, rise higher than those of September.
1837 Brewster Magmi. 216 During the three months be-
tween the vernal equinox and the summer solstice, i858
LocKyES Elem. Astron. § 171 The days and nights areeaual
all over the world on the 22d of March and the cad of
September, which dates are called the vernal and autumnal
equinoxes.
b. In general use.
1634 Sir T, Herbert Trav. 4 Such time as the Sunne is
vernall, [the Island of Ferro] becomes exceeding hot and
scalding. 1660 Sharrock Vegetables^T. Which are generall
rules for vernall and autumnall settings. 1709 T. Robinson
Vind. Mosaick Syst. 69 These Worms are.. ordained for the
Food of the Vernal Birds, such as the Cuckow. 1769 Gray
Installation Ode ti Sweet is the breath of vernal shower.
1787 Winter Syst. Husb. 54 The vernal heat of the sun.
i8jo Combe Syntax^ CoiisoL i. (Chandos CI.) 139 'Twas as a
vernal evening clos'd, 1842 J. Wilson Chr. North I. 244
ThewholebuiTdingis..asfresh as if just washed by avernal
shower. 187a Yeats Growth Comm. 24 The Babylonian
pJain was subject to vernal floods.
C. Med. Of affections or diseases.
i8aa-7 Good Stud. Med. (1829) II. 134 The vernal agues
generally disappear with the advance of summer. 1843 Sir
T. Watson Lect.Princ. ^ Pract. Physic I. xl. 710 You will
hear and read a good deal of vernal intermittents, and
autumnal intermittents,
2, Of, pertaining or belonging to, the spring-
time ; appropriate to the spring ; spring-like : a.
Of weather, scenery, etc.
1611 Beaum. & Fl. Maid's Trag. i. ii, We must have none
here But vernal blasts, and gentle winds appear, 1634 T.
Johnson tr. Parens Chirurg. i. xiiL (1678) 18 Such an Air,
,,if it have avernal temper, is good against alt diseases.
1646 Crashaw Sos^. d'Herode xiv, He saw a vernall smile
sweetly disfigure Winters sad face, 1710 Prior Truth Sf
Falsehood 8 The purling stream, the margin green,. With
flowers bedeck'd, a vernal scene. 1778 Warton Hist. Eng.
Poetry II, 51 We fondly anticipate a long continuance of
gentle gales and vernal serenity. But winter returns with
redoubled horrors, i8aa W. Irving Braced. Hall xix, It
was a beautiful morning, of that soft vernal temperature,
that seems to thaw all the frost out of one's blood. 1847 Li.
Hunt Jar Honey ii. (1848) 23 Both heaven and hell are in
it— the freshest vernal airs, with the depths of Tartarus.
1871 B. Taylor ^a«S^ (1875) II. i. i. 6 The Alpine meadows
sloping, vernal, A newer beam descends.
trans/. 1869 Lowell Under the PVilloivs 30 By vernal
Chaucer, whose fresh woods Throb thick with merle and
mavis all the year.
b. Vernal season y the season of spring.
1644 Milton Educat. 7 In these vernal seasons of the
yeer, when the air is calm and pleasant. 1687 MifiCR Gt.
Fr. Diet, II, The Vernal Season, or the Spring, le Printems.
s8o6 Med. Jrnl. XV. 120 In the vernal season. 1864 A.
McKay Hist. Kilmarnock 296 In the vernal season of the
year.
C. In miscellaneous uses.
I7a5 Fam. Diet. s.v. Sallet, They also make an excel-
lent Vernal Pottage. 1764 Goldsm. Trax>. 118 Whatever
sweets salute the northern sky With vernal lives, that blos-
som but to die. 1817 Wordsw. {title), Vernal Ode. Beneath
the concave of an April sky [etc). 1838 J. L, Stephens
Trav. Russia 67/1 Moscow seemed basking in the mild
climate of Southern Asia, rioting in its brief period of vernal
existence. 1885 Patrb Marius I. vi. 112 A kind of mystic
hymn to the vernal principle of life in things.
d. /g. Suggestive of spring; ha/ing the mild-
ness or freshness of spring ; early, youthful.
1790 Coleridge Moiwdy Death Chatterton viii, Ah !
where are fled the charms of vernal grace, And joy's wild
gleams, light-flashing o'er thy face? 1805 Foster Ess,
1. i. II What is become of all those vernal fancies, which had
so much power to touch the heart ? i8s7 Southev Funeral
Song Princess Charlotte 17 Late in beauty's vernal bloom,
138
1844 Mrs. Browning Catarina to Camoens ii. When I
heard you sing that burden In my vernal days and bowers,
1898 T. Hardy IVessex Poems 100 Captain and Colonel,
Sere Generals, Ensigns vernal, Were there,
3. Of flowers, plants, etc. : Appearing, coming
up, or blooming in spring-time.
169s Ld, Pkeston Boeth. in. 121 Fading sooner than a
vernal Flower 1 17*8 Pope Dune, iii, 33 As thick as bees
o'er vernal blossoms fly. 174a Collins Ode to Liberty 4
The youths,, . Like vernal hyacinths in sullen hue, At once
the bieath of fear and virtue shedding. xj^Med. Jrnl. II.
491 A Journal kept in Spring 1798, to record the time of
flowering of several vernal plants. 1812 H. & J. .Smith
Horace in Lond. 65 The wood nymphs crown'd with vern.1l
ftow'rs.
b. In specific or popular names of flowers,
plants, or grasses, as vernal Croats^ cyclamen^
gentian^ sandwort, sedge, squill^ etc. (see quots.
and cf. Spring sb^ 'j c a).
1778 Encycl, Brit. (ed. 2) III. 2311 The varieties of the
*vernal crocus are, the small and large [etc.]. x88a Garden
i3 Mar. 188/3 ^h^ common Vernal Crocus, .issopredomin*
ant among spring flowers, 1735 Fam. Diet. s. v. Cyclamen^
Our Botanists reckon upon several Sorts of this Plant, .as
the *Vernal one ; . . another white Vernal single, and the
small Purple Cyclamen. 1728 R. Bradley Diet. Bot., Gen-
iianella minor Verna, the smaller *Vernal Gentian. 1796
Withering Brit. Plants {tdi. 3) II. 282, 1 thought it possible
that the vernal dwarf Gentian . . might be our plant. i88a
Garden 18 Nov, 442/3 The lovely Vernal Gentian. 1753
Chambers* Cycl, Suppl. s.v. Orobus^ The *vernal, wood
orobus, with a pale red flower. 1731 Miller Gard, Diet.
s.v. OrobnSy *Vernal Purple-Wood Bitter- Vetch. 1848
Johns IVeek at Lizard 303 Arenaria verna, variety
Gerardi, *Vernal Sandwort, is a small plant with numerous
needle-like leaves, and star-like flowers of the most dazzling
white. 1859 Miss Pratt Brit. Grasses 39 Order. Cyper-
aceae. ..*Vernal Sedge, ..A humble plant from 3-8 inches
high. 1796 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 13 Veronica
verna... *\exnsX Speedwell. 1855 Miss Pratt Fio^uer. PI.
IV. 102 Vernal Speedwell. ..This very rare Speedwell, .has
..pale blue flowers. 1796 Withering Brit. PL II. 338
Scilla verna... *Vexn3.\ Squill. [Grows in] meadows and
pastures. 183a Johnston in Proc. Berw, Nat. Club I. 10
It was.. believed that the vernal squill was peculiar to the
western coasts of England. 1796 Withering Brit. Fl, I!
5 Callitriche verna.. ,*Vernal Stargrass. Water Starwort.
Water Fennel. 1855 Miss Pratt Flower. PI. II. 396 Calli-
triche verna. *Vernal Water Starwort.
c. Vernal grass^ one of the grasses commonly
cultivated for hay,
i^6a B. Stillingfleet Misc. Tracts {1791) 38a, I saw this
spring a meadow not far from Hampstead.. with someof the
vernal grass and the corn brome grass. 1765 Museum Rust.
IV, 428 The vernal, or spring grass, we find in the class
Diandria Digynia. 1799 J. Robertson Agric. Perth 208
The meadow fescue.. and the sweet scented vernal grass
(anthoxanthum odoratum>. i8oa Med. Jml. VIII. 477 The
vernal grass {Antlioxanthut/i odoratum, L.) which is fre-
quentljj met with in hay. 1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org.
489 This substance [i.e. coumarinj is found.. in the sweet
scented vernal grass, to which much of the fragrance of hay
is owing.
d. Sown in the spring.
179a .\. Young Trazu France 331 They sow here a vernal
rye, which is a true spring corn, that will not succeed if
sown in autumn,
4. Comb., as vernal-bearded ^ -seeming, 'tinc-
tured adjs,
1744 Akenside Pleas. Iiuag. 11. 104 The melting rain-
bow's vernal-tinctured hues. 1857 Whittier Last IValk
Autumn 'w't PiXiA that the vernal-seeming breeze Mocked
faded grass and leafless trees. 1874 L. Morris Old Maytide
iii, Here be stalwart youths and lissome, honest-eyed and
vernal bearded.
5. ellipt. OT ^"i sb. fa. The vernal season ; the
spring. Obs.~^,
1654 E. Johnson IVonder'Work. Provid. 106 The vernall
of the yeare 1637. being now in his prime.
b. = Vernal grass (see 3 c above).
1771 Young Farjtier's Tour East Eng. II. 256 The grass
has consisted chiefly of the holchus, .,a little meadow fox
tail, and great poa:.,it is remarkable that no vernal has
appeared. 1834 Brit. Husb. I, 514 Anthoxanthum odora-
turn, or sweet-scented vernal, is one of the earliest of our
grasses. 1908 Animal Manogem. 114 The aroma of good
hay is due to the aromatic grasses contained in it, Sweet
Vernal being the variety which is mainly responsible.
C. //. Seeds of vernal grass. rare~^,
17S4 Trans. Soc, Arts II. 60 Mix the Vernals and Hay
seeds together.
Hence Terually adv. rare.
jjzy Bailey (vol. II), Vemally, according to or in the
Spring of the Year. x^8 Ainger Let. in Sichel /,yt (1906)
xiii. 235 He thinks the Tweens are also vernally cleaning
themselves.
Verna "lity, rare. [f. Vernal a. + -ity.]
f 1, The 'spring-time' i?/" something. Obs.
1639 Wotton in Relig. (1672) 477, I was then surprized
with an advertisement from Court, of the death of . . my
dear nephew, in the vernality (as I may term it) of his
employments and fortunes.
2. (See quot.)
1896 Agric. Gaz. iB May 470/1 Vernality expresses that
property of rich and shaded pasture land wnicli makes them
a lovely green, with tender and close clustering spring
shoots,
Ve'rnalizef ^- rare. [f. as prec. -i- -ize.] trans.
To render vernal or spring-like.
1830 Erasers Mag. I, 500 By the amenity of their smile
and their dallying jocundity, irradiating and vernalising
whatever that smile and jocundity consecrate by tipping and
touching. 1898 W.Watson Poems, Lines Richmond Park
165 The stored sunlight in your hair and eyes Would
vernalise November, and renew the aged year.
VERNICLE.
t Ve'rnancy, Obsr"^ [See next ami -ANCY.]
The condition or quality of being vemant.
1669 Addr.hope/ulyng. Gentry 0/ Eng. t\\^ that expect.s
after a deluge the same vernancy, disposition and order,
the soil was before adorn'd with.
VeTHant, a. Now rare or Obs. Also 5 ver-
nand, 6 veruaunte, varuaunt, [a. OK. vernant
vernal, ad. L. vemant-, vernans, pres. pple. of
vcrndre to flourish, be verdant.]
1. Flourishing or growing in, or as in, spring,
c 1440 York Myst. XXV. 498 Hayll ! vyolett vernand with
swete odoure. 1513 Bkadshavv St. IVetburge 1. 606 A..
plante, Whiche dayly encreased by sufl'eraunce deuyne,
Merueylously growynge in her, fresshe and varnaunt. Ibid.
2808 Whiche tree to this day, endurynge all the yere, By
inyracle is vernaunle, fresshe, green, and clere, \t^ Pilgr.
Per/. (W, de W, 1531) 83 A floure, whan it is fresshe, ver-
nant & newe, ..is moche delectable & swete. 1567 Tur-
BERViLE Poems no Vernant flowers that appeere To clad
the soile with mantell newe. 1615 Brathwait Strappado,
etc. (1878) 316 The tree sent out her Branches, which did
couer their corps with vernant blossoms. 1667 Milton P.L.
X. 679 Else had the Spring Perpetual smil'd on Earth with
vernant Flours, 1728-30 Thomson Spring 81 The pene.
trative Sun.. sets the steaming Power At large, to wander
o'er the vernant Earth. iS^z Eraser's Mag. XXVI. 80 The
vernant branches feel the breeze, /bid. 82 The cool delicious
shade Of vernant oak.
trans/, and^^. 1607 Brewer Lingua i. i. Aiiijb, Oft
haue L.embelisht my entreatiue phrase With smelling
flowres of vernant Rhetorique, 1615 Brathwait Strappado,
etc. (1878) 317 Let not your vernant bosome so retaine, all
comfort from the oat-pipe of a Swaine. 1661 Bp. Rust
Origen Hf his Opinions 89 The excellencie of the vernant
youth and spring of the renewed world.
b. Freshly green; verdant.
1594 WiLLOBiE Avisa (1880) 97 The flowring hearbes, the
pleasant spring, That deckes the fieldes with vernant hew.
i6ai Brathwait Nat. Embassie 3 Should I not.. garnish
her with Flora's vernant hue ?
2. Pertaining to the spring ; vernal.
1654 Gavton Pleas. Notes iv. 211 The Trees, .were so
closely interwoven, that the vernant and asstivall Sunne
beames could not pierce their rare imbroydery.
3. Of or forming the * spring-time * of life.
1794 W. RoBEitTs Looker-on III. 381 The green platform
of our vernant years.
+ VeTnate, v. Obs."-^ [f. L. verndt-, ppl. stem
of vcrndre (see prec.).] intr. (See quot.)
16*3 CocKERAM I, Vernate, to wax young againe.
Vernation (vam^'Jan). [In sense i ad, mod.L.
verndtio (Linnieus), f. L. verndre : see Vebnant
a. (So F. vernation.) In sense 2 directly f. L.
verndt', ppl. stem of vemdreJ]
1, Bot. The arrangement or formation of the
leaves of plants or fronds of ferns in the bud ; the
manner in which the rudimentary or unexpanded
leaves are disposed ; prefoliation.
1793 Martyn Lang. Bot., Foliatio, foliation, vernation,
or leafing, i8a9 Lindlev Syn. Brit. Flora 88 Prunus,
vernation convolute, /bid., Cerasus, vernation con-
duplicate. 1830 — Nat. Syst. Bot. 157 The vernation of
both the calyx and petals. 1857 P, H. Gosse Omphalos 131
The green and leafy arches were once coiled up in a
circinate vernation, 188a Vines Sachs* Bot. 428 The leaves
of Ferns are usually characterised by a circinate vernation.
2. Vegetable growth or development, as charac-
teristic of the spring, rare or Obs.
i8a7 Steuart /Planter's G. (1828) 320 The season of
vernation erelong will come on, the leaves will be enlarged,
and assume a far deeper and more lively green. 1867 A* L.
Adams IVand. Nat. /ndia 68 From the earliest appearance
of Vernation in March up to the end of May.
Verne, obs. var. Fekn sb."^ (windlass).
f Verne, obs. var. ume Run v.
a IMS MS. Rawl. B, 320 fol. 32 J>at alle ben certein in
euenche contreie f>at te foreseide peine sal verne [F. curra\
grefiiche.
Vemeuk (vaanz/k), V. S. African slang. Also
vinook. [ad. Cape Du. verneuken (also in W,
Flem., with variant tv/-w«>^^«/).] trans. To cheat,
humbug, swindle.
1871 Cape Mont/tly Mag. III. 46 (Pettman), How Hend-
rick enjoyed verneuking the Boer. 1905 D. Blackburn
R. Hartley, Prospector xiii, So you have verneuked me?
1009 R. CuLLUM Compact xviii. 213 He has vinooked the
Kaffir chiefs into granting large concessions.
Hence Verneu'ker. Also Verneu'kering' vbl.
sb., Yerneu'kery [a. Cape Du. vemciU'cn'c.']
1896 in IVestm. Gaz. 4 July 8/1 But we women of South
Africa despise such maudlin verneukery. 1900 Sir J.
Robinson Li/e Time S. A/rica vii. 185 Hence arose the
practice of * verneukering '—by which buyer and seller each
sought to get the better of the other. 1905 D. Blackburn
R. Hartley xiii, Do you take me for a Boer verneuker ?
Vernice, obs. form of Varni3H sb.'^
Vernicle (va-mik*!). Forms : a, 4, 8-9 ver-
nicle, 4 fernyclo, 4-6 vernycle. 3. 5 verna-
cul(l, -cule, vernakill, -kylle, 5-9 vernacle,
6 varnacle. [a. AF. and OF. vernicle, = OF.
veron{n)icle, varr. of veronique, ad. med.L. veron-
ica the sudarium of St. Veronica : see Veeonica '^
and cf. Veronicle, Vebonique. On the change
of -ique to -icle see the note to Chbonicle sb^
1. The picture or representation of the face of
Christ said to be impressed upon the handkerchief
or sudarium of St. Veronica (see 2); any similar
picture of Christ's face, esp, one engraved, painted,
VERNICOSE.
139
VEERE.
or worked upon a vessel, garment, ornament, etc.,
used for religious or devotional purposes ; an orna-
ment or token bearing this as worn by pilgrims.
a. 136a Langl, p. Pi. A. VI. 14 Moni Cros on his cloke
and kei^es of Rome, And Jw vernicle [C. fernycle] bi-fore
for men schulde him knowe. ^ 1386 Chaucer ProL 685
Swiche glarynge eyen hadde he as an hare, A vernycle
hadde he sowed vp on his cappe, 1467 Paston Lett. Suppl.
1 1 1 Sly master gaff her a gret sygnnet of goolde with the
vernycle. 17*6 Bailev (ed. 3). i8»S Fosbrokb Encyd.
Antiq. (1843) II. 805 The Vernicle, or Veronique,..or face
of Christ, miraculously impressed upon a handkerchief.
1853 Rock Ch. of Fathers \\\. x. 438 A medal stamped
with the vernicle showed the pilgrim* had visited Rome.
1901 Athenxum 27 July 131/3 The vernicle, or face of our
Lord, appears in the centre of the paten.
&. 1x1400 Le^. Rood{iS-ji) 170O vernaculetz/.r. vernacul],
i honoure him and the, pat ^e made (wrow his preuite.
£1450 in Maiti. Ciub Misc. III. 204 Item a tabill of the
vernakill in thevestre. 1473 It^iii o/Be/aske {Somerset Ho.),
My newe chalice with a patent of siluer, the crucifix in the
foote of the same chalice gilt and the vernacle upon the
same patent gilt. 1516 in/i ofGrene (ibid.), Lytle masser of
syluer and gylt with the vernacles bed in the bothom. 1536
in E. Ledwich Antiq. Sarisb. (1771) 202_ A cope of Green
cloth of gold, with a goodly Orphery, having in the Morse a
Vernacle. 1534 in Peacock Eng. Ch. Furniture (1866J 196
Item a Masar with a sengle band with a prynt of the ver-
nacle in the bothom. i7»i Bailkv. 1849 Rock Ch. 0/
Fathers i. iii. I. 253 A large conve.x piece of fine crystal,
-showing beneath it the vernacle or face of our divine
Redeemer. 1901 E. Hoskins Horae B. Marix Virg. 125
ttr. text of 1510), The pope John the xxii. .hath granted
unto all them that devoutly say this prayer beholdmg the
glorious visage or vernacle of our Lord v thousand days of
pardon. Ibid. 127 A devout orison to the blessed vernacle
of our Lord.
2. The cloth or kerchief, alleged to have be-
longed to St. Veronica, with which, according to
legend, the face of Christ was wiped on the way
to Calvary, and upon which His features were
miraculously impressed.
This cloth IS iJreserved at St. Peter's, Rome, and is
venerated as a relic.
a 1400 Stac. Rome 59 Whon l?e vernicle schewed is, Gret
pardoun forsot>e her is. 1517 Torkingtom Pilgr. (1884) 33
We cam to the howse of Veronica,, .wher as our biyssyd
Savyor impressyd the >-mage of hys Face in byr wymple
whiche ys at Rome. And it ys callyd tber the Vernacle.
15J6 Piigr. Per/. (W. dc W. 1531)304 Y« blessed relyke the
Vernacle, whiche is the very similitude & imprynte of thy
blcs«d & gloryous vysage. 1581 J. ]^v.\.\. H addon's A ns^v.
Osor. 460 The Vernycle wherewith Christen face was wyped
is shewed in S. Peters Church at Rome, a 1648 Ld. Herbkrt
Hen, V'lll (1683) 625 He would ask leave to see the Ver-
nacle; which he said, was the picture of Christ given to
Women by himself as be went to death. 1^7 W. Hughes
Man of Sin It. iii. 51 A large Handkerchief, or Towel,.,
whereunto, with many others, they put up this devout
Orizon : namely, to the Holy Vernacle, as they christen it.
Ibid. 52 The most holy Face, .Imprinted on a Snow-white
Cloth by th' Power above. And on the Vernacle bestow'd, as
Pledge of Love. 1845 J. Saunoeks Cabinet Pict. Eng.
Life. Cftaucer 14 Thus originated the Sudarium or holy
kerchief — the Veronica — and, by corruption, the vernicle,
Vernioo-se, a. BoL ran-'^. [ad. mod.L.
vernuos'USy f. med.L. vcrnic-ium Varnish j*.']
'Covered with a natural varnish ' (TV^OJ. ^(»^,
1866).
Vernier (vauniai). [From the name of the
inventor, Paul P'ernier (1580-1637), a French
mathematician, who described it in a tract on the
Quadraftt Nouveau de Maikimatiques published
in 1631.]
1. A device, consisting of a short movable scale,
by which more minute measurements may be
readily obtained from the divisions of the gradu-
ated scale of astronomical, sur\*eying, or other
mathematical instruments to which it is attached.
Sometimes erroneously cajled a Nonius (q.v.).
1766 Instruct, for Hadley's Quadrant 17 A scale of
divisions graduated on the chamfered edge or sloped side
of the index, which scale i-s called the vernier. 1774 M.
Mackenzie Maritime S/trv, 28 It would likewise be an
Advantage if the Vernier was made to ^ive every* Minute of
a Degree, in place of four or five, as in most Theodolites.
1798 P/u'I. Trans. LXXXVIIL 473 Another small slip of
ivory is placed at each end of the arm, serving as a vernier,
and subdividing these divisions into five parts. 18x5 J. Smith
Panoranta Set. ^ Art II. 26 The scale of variation is
furnished with an instrument called a vernier or nonius,
1856 Kane Arct. Expior. I. xiii. 144 Though I had much
clear weather we barely succeeded by magnifiert in reading
the verniers. 1888 Rutley Rock- Forming Min, 18 For
very exact work, the circle may be divided to half degrees,
and a \-emier may be employed.
2. attrib, and Como., as vernur circle^ division^
pitce^platey scale, etc.
PsX-^ with the names of instruments or tools having a
vernier -scale or attachment, as vernier caliper^ compass^
transit (Knight Diet. Mech.).
17W Encyct. Brit.(cd.^) II. 587/2 The first divbionof the
vernier piece marked 15. 1797 Ibid. XVUL644/1 l^emicr
scale^ a scale excellently adapted for the graduation of
mathematical instruments. 1843 Penny Cyiri XXVI. 267/1
In order to read off the hundredths of an inch which the
vernier zero advances beyond any tenth in the scale, we
have merely to see what vernier division comes nearest to a
division of the scale. i86a Catal, Internat. Exhib.^ Brit.
11. No. 2947, The vernier plate is carried on four arms, and
a diagonal brace. Ibid.^ 1 he horizontal limb, vernier circle,
&c. 1884 Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl. 925/2 Vernier Scale
tight {Rijfe)^ a hind sight with a vernier scale for accurate
adjustment. 1884 F. J. Britten Hootch ^ Clockm, 148 To
I the bottom of ihe itock of a Vernier slide guage he attaches
; a spring.
+ Ve'rnile, «. Obs. rare. Also 7 verniU. [ad.
L. vcrntliSf f. vcrna a home-born slave.] Servile,
slavish.
1623 Cockeram 1, Vcmill^ slauish. 17*7 Bailey. 1843
De Quiscv in Blackiv, Mag. LIV. 60 This scandal of
Roman society was not.. a pure product, from the vernile
scurrility of which we hear so much in Roman writers.
t Venii"lity, Obs. [ad. L. vcyniiitds, f. ver-
nllis : see preo. and -!ty.] Servility, slavishness.
1623 CocKEKAM I, Verniiitie, slauery. 1656 Blount
Ciossogr.^ V'ernilityy flattering, servile or slavish behavior.
1665 Evelyn Let. to Sir P. Wyche 20 June, I conceive the
reason both of additions to and the corruption of the
English language .. has proceeded from .. affectation of
travellers,,, vernility & mincing of citizens, pulpits, political
remonstrances, . . &c. 1788 H. Clarke Sch, Candidates
(1877) 9 Oh, the stupidity and vernility of mankind, that
there should be permitted such an abuse of power in the
world, as either a public or -domestic Gynecocracy !
Vemish, obs. form of Varnish sb.^ atidz'.
II Vernix. Obs, rare. [med.L. : see Varnish
shy\ Varnish.
1573 Art of Limniing 9 To make a kynde of colouring
called Vernix wherewith you may vernishe golde, siluer, or
any other colour or payntinges.
t Vernon, error for Vernal a. Obs.
1658 R. FRANCKiVi7r//(. Mem. (1694) 1 The Vernon Ingress
smil'd a Blessing, when she sent the melodious Harmony of
Birds to melt the Air. Ibid. 127 The Race of Salmon,
especially the Female in the Vernon ^Equinox, is for the
most part.. casting against the rapid Streams.
VernysouJi, Sc. form of Wabnison Obs.
f Ve'rol. Obs, rare. Also 7 veroU. [a. F.
virole, doublet of variolc Variola.]
1. French pox ; syphilis.
1596 Harisgton Metam.Ajax ProL Bj, He met a french
Surgeon. .y' cured him both of that and the Verol, y' he
had before in his priorums.
2. (See quot.) rare-^,
1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 238/1 The Veroll, the Web,
are two Diseases in the eyes of Hawks, some call them the
Pynne ; they do proceed from Rume,
So" t Verola [of. Cat. verola\. - prec. i. Obs,"^
1600 Breton PasquiVs Passe <V Passeth Not Wks.
(Grosart) I. 9/1 From. .The French Verola. and the English
feuer, . .The blessed Lord of heau*n deliuer me.
Verona (vi'r<?a*na). [a. It. Verona : see def.]
1. The name of a city in northern Italy used
attrib. to designate articles found or produced in,
or associated with, the locality, as Verona brown^
eirthf green, serge, etc. (see qnots.).
1726 Diet. Rust. (ed. 3) s.v. Peach, Verona (peachj.
183s G. Field Chromatography 129 The greens called
Verona green, and Verdetio,..are similar native pigments
of a warmer colour. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts 619 Verona
green is merely a variety of the mineral called green earth.
1850 Ansted E/em. GeoL^ Min,, etc. § 435 HLsingerite,. .
Verona earth, Nonlronite,..are also impure silicates of
(iron). 1858 S1M.MONDS Diet. Trade, Verona,$erge, a thin
worsted and cotton fabric. It is also made of mohair and
cotton, and of various colours. 1889 Cent. Diet, s.v. Broivn^
Verona broum, a pigment used by artists in oil-painting.
It is a calcined ferruginous earth, of a reddish-brown tone.
2. einpt, (See quot.)
1904 Tailor 9f Cutter 4 Aug. 480/2 Veron/i, a thin make
of woollen material with a cotton warp, having a blight
twill; used for linings.
Veronal {ve-r^kl). Chem, [a. G. veronal.'\
Diethyl-malonyl-urea, a white crystalline substance
used as a hypnotic. Also attrib,
1903 Merck's Ann, Rep. XVII. 183 Veronal has been
thoroughly tested in a large number of noted public and
private hospitals, 1^0^ Lancet 23 Jan. 223/2 A box of vero-
nal cachets, each containing eight grains,
Veronese, a. and sb, [a. It. Veronese : see
Verona and -ese.]
A. adj\ Of or belonging to, made in or ob-
tained from, Verona in the north of Italy.
17S7 tr. Keyslcrs TraxK III. 181 Four hundred and fifty
Veronese feet. 1776 in Encyct. Brit. (1780) VI. 4124/2 'Ihe
Vicentine and Veronese lavas and volcanic ashes. 1833 C.
Redding tlist. Mod. Wines (1851) 278 Even a wretched
Veronese wine, .is called * vino santo '. 1885 Encyct, Brit.
XIX. 88/1 Veronese earth or terra verde, a form of ochre.
1888 Ibid. XXIV. 171/2 Many good pictures of the Veron-
ese schooL iB^ Cent. Diet, s.v. Creen, Veronese green,
R pigment consisting c^ hydrated chromium sesquioxid.. .
Also called viridian.
B, sb. 1. Thenativesor inhabitants of Verona.
Also as sing.
1757 tr. Keyslef's Trav. II 1. 176 The Veronese might justly
erect statues to other illustrious persons. 1843 Penny Cycl.
XXVI. 2^3/iThe revolutionists. .threatened the other pro-
vinccs which remained in obedience to the senate, and e.spe-
cially the Veronese. 1873 'Ouida' Pasearel I. 56 The
Veronese used to call me L'Uccello.
2. The form of Italian spoken in Verona.
187a RusKtN Fors Ciav. II. xix. 11 Some talk followed,
of cold and heat, and anything else one knew the Italian
for, or could understand the Veronese for (Veronese being
more like Spanish than Italian).
II Veronica ^ (v/rp-nika). [med.L. veronica
(whence also Sp. and Pg. veronica, K. vironique),
app. from the name of St. Veronica.]
1. Bot, A large genus of scrophulariaceous
plants (herbs or shrubs) having leafy stems and
blue (rarely white or pink) flowers borne in
racemes or spikes.
Many .species are indigenous to the British Isles and are
commonly called Speedwell. Others are cultivated in
gardens for their foliage and flowers.
1527 Andrew tr. Brunsivyke's Distyll. Waters 11. Ixxix.
F ij/2 A dragma of pouder of ye same iierbe Veronica. 1578
LvTE Dodoens 27 'ihe Female Veronica is.. much weaker,
and not so good as the Male. 1657 S. Pukchas Pol. Flying
Ins. I. XV. 92 Ordinarily they gather not of many little or
small flowers, as.. Veronica. 166^ Evklyn Kal.Hort.dy
May. Flowers in Prime.. .Valerian, Veronica double and
single. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Veronica, the Herb
Fluellin, or Speed-well, good for Wounds and to provoke
Sweat. 1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. s.v.. The common
small procumbent Veronica, called male Speedwell. 1796
WirHKHiNG Brit. PI. (ed. 3) II. 15 Brooklime,..and some
other species of Veronica, afford nourishment to the Papilio
cinxia. 1833 B ness Bunsen in Hare Life (1879) I. ix. 377
For the first time in Italy I found my mother's favorite
veronica. 1834 Mrs. Somkrville Conner, Phys. Sci. 275
The primrose, the lily of the valley, or the veronica which
adorn our meadows.
attrib. 1868 J. T. Burgess Eng. Wild Fl. 42 One dis-
tinguishing feature of the Veronica tribe.
b. With distinguishing epithets, as earth-oak,
field, foreign veronica. Cf. Speedwell b.
1846-50 A. Wood Class-bk. Bot. 406 Veronica arvensis.
Field Veronica. Corn Speedwell. 1847 Darlington ^**t£r.
U'eeds, etc. (i860) 227 V, peregrina...¥ore\^vi Veronica.
Purslane Speedwell. Neckweed. 1856 Delamer Fl. Card.
(i36i) 105 Veronica Chajuxdrys, or Earth-Oak Veronica
(from the shape of its leaves).
2. a. With a and pi. A plant or species of the
genus Veronica.
1855 Poultry Chron. III. 38/1 To make the garden gay,
the following roots may be planted out either in beds or
patches : American cowslips, . . veronicas, wall-flowers. i88z
Garden 6 May 317/3 Tall Veronicas will now need tying
up. 1899 R. Bridges Idle Floivers Poems (1912) 353 Blue-
eyed Veronicas And grey-faced Scabious.
b. In pi. with the. The various species which
compose this genus.
1856 Delamer Fl. Gard. (1861) 105 The Veronicas [have]
..something graceful, feminine, and fragile in their aspect.
Vero'nica '-*. [Proper name : see Vernicle.]
= Vernicle i and 2.
In quot. i8i2 stressed Verotti'ca.
_ a 1700 Evelyn Diary 15 Jan. 1645, The Zitelle.. walked
in procession to St. Peter's, where the Veronica wasshcw'd.
i7»8 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Veronica's are Imitations of that
celebrated Original one, preserv'd with great Veneration at
St. Peter's in Rome. 1788 Gibbon Decl, ^ Fall. xlix. V.
94 The veronica of Rome, or Spain, or Jerusalem, which
Christ in his agony and bloody sweat applied to his face.
i8ia Gary Dante, Parad. xxxi. 95 Like a wight, Who haply
from Croatia wends to see Our Veronica. 1855 Milman
Lat. Chr. ix. viii. IV. 2i4The Pope. .showed him the Ver-
onica, and allowed him to touch the holy face of the Lord.
iransf. 1788 Encyct. Brit. (ed. 3) I. 24 It is disputed
whether the Veronica of Montreuil, or the granite obelisk
mentioned by Gori, be Abrojcascs.
+ Verouicle. Obs. rare. [a. OF. veron{ii)icie :
see Vernicle.] <= Vernicle.
t^.. Leg. Rood (1871) 170 O vernacule \Addit. MS,
veronicle], i honoure him and the, pat J>e made Jiorow his
preuite. c 1450 MS. Hart. I4g fol. 276 Here aftyr foloweth
a story of \)t. veronycle.
tVeroniane. Obs, rare. Also 7 veronicke.
[a. OK. and later F. veronique Veronica 2 ]
=-. Vernicle i. Also fig*
1624 Gataker Transubst. 95 The veronicke or the print
of Christs face in a toweL a x-jxx Ken Psyche Poet. Wks.
1721 IV, 222 My soul. Lord, thy Veronique make, That
1 may thy Resemblance take. i8as (see Vernicle 1 aj.
+ VeTOny. Obs."^ Also weroni, veroni. [a.
AF. or OF. *z'ir/'(7«;V:— med.L. veronica,'] — prec.
n 1300 Cursor M. 18859 O suilk a moder, wel slik a child,
Wit fair wisage and modes mild, It es sene be J?e weroni
[v.rr. veroni, verony].
t VerpO'rt. Obs. [f. the Du. personal name
VerpoortoT Verport."] A class of tulips (see cjuots.).
1796 C. Marshall Garden, xix. (1813) 380 The plain tulips
..are called whole blowers, or breeders; and accordingly
as they break into other colours, stripes and variegations, , .
are denominated and classed into baguettes, bybloemensy
vcrports, and bizarres, 1614 Loudon Encyct. Gard. (ed. 2)
E32 The Dutch florists class their late-blowing tulips as
under : . . Prime baguets,. . Baguets Kigaut's, . .Incomparable
Verports.
tVerguere. Obs, [Ultimately (prob. through
an obs. ¥.*verqt4ere') ad. DxL.vcrkeerixn the comb.
verkeer-bord, f -berd) backgammon, f. verkeeren
to turn round, to play at backgammon (Kilian).]
An old form of backgammon.
4x1700 Games most in Use 50 The Famous Game, cal I'd
Verquere, came originally.. from Holland, and is said to be
the only noted Game, upon the Tables, that they practise
and are good at. 1714 T. Lucas Mem. Gamesters (ed. 2) 67
He was very dextrous also at Verquere, Tick-lack, Grand
Trick-track, Irish, and lJack*Gammon. 1731 T. Aitken
Compi. Gamester (tiile-p.), The Famous Game of Verquere,
Tick-Tack, Irish, Back-Gammon.
Verra, southern dial. var. Fabrow a, ; Sc. and
northern dial. f. Very. Verrai(e, obs. ff. Very.
Verrailiohe, -ly, obs. ff. Verily adv. Verra-
ment, var. Vebament adv. Obs. Verraj, obs.
f. Very ; obs. Sc. f. Worry v. Verrayle, -ly,
obs. ff. Verily adv. Verrayment, var. Vhbi-
MENT adv. Obs.
t Verre, Obs, Also 4 verr, 5 ver, virre. [a.
OF. (also mod.F.) verre :— L. vitrum glass.]
1. Glass.
€ 1374 Chaucer Troylus 11. 867 And forthi, who that bath
18-3
VERKEL.
an hede of verre Fro caste of stonys ware h>-m in the^werre.
a 1400-50 AUjcaii4iir43$i Make we na vcssall of virrc ne
of na dere siluir. 14.. Lvdg. Lt/e Vifxtit {MS. Antii].
Soc IJ4) fol. 14 (HaJliw.), In alle the erthe y-halowid ami
y-holdc. In a closet more clere than verre or glas. t" 1440
Promf. Parv. 50S. 2 Verre, glasse, vitruiit,
2. A vessel made of glass, esp. a drinking-vessel ;
a glass.
138a WvcLiF Prm. xxii!. 51 Ne beholde thou the win.
whan it floureth, whan shal shine in the verr ihe colour
of.it [1388 the colour therof schyneth in a ver]. c 1400
Maundev. (1839) iv. 3a It isalle fuUeof Uravclle,..of the
which Men maken fair Verres and clere. c 1410 Master 0/
Game (MS. Digby 182) xii, Putte it in )>e houndes t>rote lie
moununce of a verre full, a 1450 Knt. de la Tour 37 Slie . .
Icpte upon the borde,. .and brake the verres, and spilt all
that there was on the borde. \^tAcc. Lit. High Treas.
Sci>tHi9oi)y^-75 For iiij verris with thair caceis, .. price
of the pece vj. s.
Verre, ME. var. Far a. and aJv. ; obs. i. Veuv.
Verrei;ily, etc., obs. ff. Very, Verily cuiv.
Ve'trel, si. 06s. exc. dia/. Forms : 5 verelle,
7 verrill, 8 verril, 8-9 verrel, 9 verel, verrsll.
[ad. OK. virtlle, virol (mod.F. virole) : see Fek-
BULE sb. and Vjrl rf.] A ferrule.
1483 Cath. Angl. 400/2 A verelle of a knyflfe, spirttla.
1611 CoTGR., FretCy a Verrill ; th' yron band or hoope that
keeps a wooden toole from riutng, Ibid.^ Tourillon^ an
inner Verrill ; the roundplate of yron whereby a peece of
wood, often turned on, is presented from wearing. 1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey), Verrel or Verril-, a little Brass or
Iron-ring, at the small end of a Cane, or Handle of a Toot,
&c. 1773 Phil. Trans. LXIII, 418, I cover this part of the
tube with a brass verrel. 1807 Vancouver Agric. Devon
(1813) 120 On the upperend of this spar is fixed a stout ring
or verrelf. i8a8 Carr Craven Gloss., Verel, . .a small iron
hoop.
+ V e'rrel, v. 0/is.~^ In 5 virell, vyrell. [ad.
OF. virekr, viroler.'\ trans. To furnish with a
ferrule ; = Ferrule v.
a 1450 Fisliing iv. Angle (1883) 8 pen virell \v.r. vyrell] J>e
staff wel at bothe endys with hopy[s] of yren.
Verrelay, obs. f. Virelat. Verrelle, -ly,
obs. ff. Vekily. Verreinent, var. Verament
adv. Verren, ME. var. Ferren adv. and a.
tVe'rrer. Obs.~^ In 5 verrour. [ad. AF.
verrcr{\yxi}, = OF. (and mod.F.) verrier (1265
in Godef.), f, verre Vebre.] A worker in glass ;
a glazier.
1415 in York lilyst. p. xxvi, Sellers, Verrours, Fuystours.
verret, dial. f. Ferret jA.i Verrey, obs. f.
Veby ; obs. Sc. f. Worry v. Verreyli, -liohe,
-ly, obs. ff. Verily adv. Verreyment, var.
Vebiment Obs. Verri, southern ME. var. Far
V. ; obs. f. Very a. and adv.
t Verri 'Cular, a. Obs.—^ [ad. mod.L. verri-
(uliiris, f. L. verrkitlum ^'EEBICULE.] Resembling
a net in form or construction (see qiiot.).
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Verricular Titnick (in Anat.),
a Coat of the Eye, the same with Atnphiblestroides. [After
Blancants Phys. Diet. (1693).]
Verri'CUlate, a. Ent. [ad. mod.L. vcrricuUil-
us, f. L. verrkulum : see next.] (See quot.)
j8a6 KiRBV & Sp. Entotnol. IV. xlvi. 277 Verriculate,..
having one or more verricules.
VeTlicule. Eut. [ad. L. verruttl-um a drag-
net, seine, f. verr^re to sweep, etc] (See quot.)
i8a6 KiRBY & Sp. Entomol. IV. xlvi. 277 Verricnle,. .s.
thick-set tuft of parallel hairs.
Verrie, obs. form of Very.
t Verril, obs. variant oivervil Varvel.
ciMs God Speed the Plow 23 in Ro.-cb. Ball. (1S89) VI.
524 When the Hauk on his fist doth stand. His houd and
his verril's brave, and other things we have. Which yeelds !
joy to a Serving-man. !
Verrili, -ly, obs. ff. Verily adv. Verrlnus,
var. Verinas Obs. Verritie, obs. Sc. f. Verity. !
Verrore, southern ME. var./ar?-f>- Far a. Ver- j
rour, var. Vbrreb Obs. ; var. werrour Warreh. \
II Verruca (ver»<-ka}. PI. verruoae (ver«*sj). j
[L. verruca wart, excrescence on precious stones. \
Cf. It. verruca, Vioy. vcriica.'] a. A wart. b. Boi., I
Conch., Ent. A wartlike formation, growth, or
prominence.
The pi. appears as verucein Lanfranc's Cirurg. (E.E.T.S.)
296-7.
a. 1565 J. Hall Lanfrank's Cirurg. Table 41 Galen
(rekening it with Veruca,..z.nd, other lyke affectes of the
skinne,) teacheth how with a holowe quille to plucke it
out. [1671 Salmon .S>«. ^/tfrf. l.xlviii. 115 I^drm^ca, a Wart,
is a little tubercle on the Skin. 1693 tr. Blancard^s Phys.
Diet. (ed. 2), F^rrwcar, Warts, a sort of Tubcrcula. ] 1770 Pen-
nant Zool. IV. 85 On the chin [of the Noctule bat is) a little
verruca. 1876 Duhrinc Dis. Skin 349 Verruca is a hard
or soft, rounaed, flat, or acuminated, circumscribed, papil.
lary formation, a 1883 Fagge Princ. 1^ Pract. Med. (1886)
II, 718 \^SiX\s,. — Verrucx,papilhmata. — These are small
cutaneous tumours consisting in overgrowth of the papilla:
of the cutis.
b. 1822 J. Parkinson Ontt. Oryctol. iiB The upper parts
of all the areas (of Echinus pentagoHus\ are remarkiibly
bare ; but, about the rounded margin, the verruca;, .become
frequent. x8a6 Kirbv & Sp. Entoinol. IV. xlvi. 273 Verruca,
a small flattish wart-like prominence. 1861 Bentlev Man.
Bot. i. 51 When sessile glands consist of cells containing
solid secretions so that they form hardened spherical or other
appendages upon the surface of the epidermis, they are
termed verrucx or warts.
140
Verrucated, «. Conch. Also 8 veruccated.
[f. mod.L, verrftcdi-uSj f. L. verruca Vekkuca +
-EU 1.] Having or covered with verrucic or warty
growths.
a 1728 Woodward Fossils (1729) I. 11. 33 This small Shell
lias Stripes of brown, very thick, running parallel with the
Volute. . . Two veruccated. 1819 Samouelle Entomol.
Compemi, 88 Verrucated shell [of a crab].
Vermel-, combining form, on L. models, of
].. verruca Vkrkuca, occurring in a few terms in
Bio!, and Bot.^ as Verraci'ferons a., of a zoo-
phyte: bearing verruca,"; Verru'ciform «., wart-
shaped.
VetTucxform adj. (= prec.) occurs in Henslow Diet. Bot.
Tcriits (1856J s.v.
1833 Hooker in Smith Eng. FioraW. i. \yz Apothecia
verruciform. 1B46 Dana Zooph. (1848) 506 Corallum with
deep immersed cells, interstices verruciferous, verrucie con-
vex. Ibid. 525 Summit branchlets verruciform.
VerruCOSe (ver«kJu*s), a. [ad. L. verrucos-
us, f. verruca \'erkuca.]
1. Covered or furnished with, full of, verrucrc or
wart-like excrescences or growths. Now A^«/. Hist.
and Path,
x686 Plot Staffordsh. 181 A verrucose stone found near
a petrifying Spring. 1721 Bailey, Ferrucose, Full of
Warts. 1826 KiHUY & Sp. E/ttof/wt. IV. xlvi. 273 Verrucose,
.. bavins; several verruca. 1828 Stahk Elcni. Nat, Hist.
II. 68 Tritonia Hombergii. . . Body oblong, subtetragonous,
\errucose above. 1846 Dana Zooplt. (1848) 527 Branches
rather stout, ..verrucose. 1883 Le Conte & G. H. Horn
Classif. Coleoptera N. Amer. 242 Head roughly granulate,
orverrucose. x^^AUbuifs Syst. Med. VIII. 816 The skin
is covered by epicfermis, in some parts thin and delicate, in
others thick, horny, and verrucose.
Jig. 1823 Biackw. Mag. XIV. 311 What designation could
be more apt to mark the scurvy, verrucose, uneven,.. and
repulsive style of this man ?
2. Bot. Studded with small warty swellings or
protuberances ; tubercular.
i8oz R. Hall Did. Bot. Terms 194 Verrucose,. .■wsaty.
x82i W. P. C. Barton Flora N. Amer. I. 79 Seeds numer-
ous, small, ova!, verrucose, yellowish. 1874 Cooke Fungi 77
The sporidia in many cases are large, reticulated, echinu-
late or verrucose, and mostly somewhat globose. 1887 W.
Phillips Brit. Discoviycetcs 292 The verrucose epispore
distinguishes this from its congeners.
Hence Vermco'seness, * fulness of warts '.
1727 Eailkv (vol. II).
VerrnCOUS (ver/rkss), a. [ad.lj.verrucos-us,
f. verruca Verruca : cf. prec. So OF. vcrrucueux ,
veruqueuXj mod.F, verruqueux, -euse.]
1. — Verrucose a. r and 2. rare,
1656 Blount Glossogr. (following Cooper), Verrucous, full
of warts, hillocks or knaps. 1658 Phillips, Verrucous,
full of warts or little excrescences of the flesh. (Similarly
in Chambers Cyci. (1728).] 1828-32 Webstkr s.v., A ver-
rucous capsule.
2. path. Of the nature of a wart or warts ;
characterized by the formation of warts.
1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Verruca, Verrucous is applied
to any E.vcresceiicies which have a resemblance to Warts.
184^52 Todds C^ci. Anat. IV. 11. 1262/^2 The urethra is
sometimes occupied by verrucous vegetations, the result of
gonorrhoea. 1876 Duhring Dis. Skin 165 In thickened,.,
localized patches of eczema a peculiar warty, verrucous
condition at times shows itself. 1900 Hutchinson's Arch.
Surg. XI. 223 They are of the kind known as the Verrucous
nsevus.
Vermcnlose (ver«ki«l^u's), a. [ad. mod.L.
verruculoS'Us yi. L. verrucula, dim. oiverrUca Ver-
ruca.] Covered with small verrucas or warts.
1846 X^MiK Zooph. (1848) 656 A series of granules.. range
along each side of the medial space, as if the surface were
minutely verruculose. 1866 Treas. Bot. 121 1/2.
II Verruga (ver«-ga). Path. [Sp. (also Pg.
and Prov.) verruga wart :— L. verruca Verruca.]
A febrile disease endemic in Peru and character-
ized by warty eruptions or tumours on the skin ;
Peruvian wart. Also in pi. verrugas.
\a 1883 V\CGK Princ. <V Pract. Med. (1886) II. 744 Yaws
. .appears to be identical with what is known, .as Verrugas
in Peru.] tZ^j Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 499 Patientssuffering
from verruga, .donotconununicate the contagion to others.
attrib. j8gy A l/butt's Syst. Med. II. 498 Verruga cases
do better in warm places. Ibid. 499 The inhabitants of
these verruga districts.
tVe"rry, a. (and^^.). Ods. Forms: Overrye,
verriOj 6-9 verrey, 6-8 verry. [var. of varrjf
Vairy rt.]
1. //er, = Vairy fl. i.
A 1550 Leland Itin. II. 93, I marked yn the Wyndowes
isortes of Armes, one al verr^' of blew and white. 1562
i-:gh Armorie 131 b, The seuenth doubling, is properly
called Verrey, and is on this fashion, Argent, and Azure, or
els Azure and Argent. 1572 Bossewell /4rw/t7r« n. 31 b,
Some are borne Barrie vndee, barrye verrye, or enuecked.
1610 Guillim Her. (1611) i. iv. 15 Hee beareth Verry, Or
and Azure by tlie name of Claude de Rochford. 1655 M.
Carte Hon. Ke^tiv. (1660) 99 The next is called Vayie or
Verry, this being of Argent and Azure, is termed Vaire
onely; but if any other Colours, then must it be blazoned
Verry of such Colours. 1656 Blount Glossogr. (Hence
in Phillips, Harris, Kersey, etc.] 1780 Edmonston Heraldty
\ I, Verrey, or Varry, are names given to . . fur . . called Vair^
if it is composed of. .any other tincture than argent and
azure.
112. Used as sb,y as if the name of a material
or colour. Cf. Vaiby 2.
Drayton's use may be due to confusion with Vair sh. 1.
VERSANT.
1603 Drayton Bar. Wars 11. xxii, A Ladies sleeue hie-
spirited Hastings wore, Ferrer hb Taberd with rich verry
spred. 1812 Cary Dante, Par.%\i. 100 Thecolumn, clothed
with verrey [It. vaj'o], still was seen Unshaken.
Verry, southern MK. var. Far v. ; obs. f. Very.
Vers, southern ME. var. Fresh a. ; abbreviation
of VhRSIN.
t Versabi'lity. Obs, [See next and -ITV.]
a. = Versatility 2. b. Aptness or readiness to
be changed or turned (round).
1673 O. Walker Educ. xi. 122 Wit., consists (saith
Thesauro) in i. perspicacity, which is the consideration of
all.. circumstances : and 2. veisability, or speedy comparing
them together. 1721 Bailey, Versability, an aptness to be
turn'd, chang'd* or wound any way. 1762 Sterne Tr.
Shandy v. xlii, By the versability of this great engine,
round which they are twisted, to open new tracts of enquiry.
VeTSable, a. Obs.~° [ad. L. versabiUs, f. ver-
sure : see Verse v.-'] (See quots.)
1623 CocKKRAM I, Vcrsabie, which may be turned. 1636
Blount Glossogr., Versable, that turns, or may be turned :
turned or wounden one about another. 1721 Bailey; and
in later Diets.
Hence f VeTsableness. Obs,
1727 Bailey(vo1. II), Versableness, Aptness to be turned,
or wound any way. [Hence in later Diets.]
Versail, var. Veuslk v. Obs.
t Vcrsal, sb. Obs. rare, [f. L. vers-, ppl. stem
of vert^re to turn (cf. reversal'), associated with
Verse j^.] = Versification 3.
1657 Bampheld in Burton's Diary [iZ^Zi II. 222 Such., as
they shall think fit to advise with, concerning the best versa!
of the Psalms. Ibid., The amendment of Mr. Sternhold and
Mr. Hopkins's Versal of the Psalms.
Versal (va'jsal), a. ? Obs, Also 8 Versal.
[Illiterate or colloq. abbrev. of Universal a. Cf.
the later Vassal a,']
1. Universal ; whole, Usu. coupled with world,
1592 Shaks. Rom. ^ Jul, 11. iv. 219 Sheelookes as pale as
any clout in the versail world. 1664 Butler Hud. 11. lii. ^30
Some, for brevity, Have cast the Versal World's Nativity,
1777 Sheridan Trip to Scarbof-ough iv. i, That which they
call pin-money, is to buy everything in the Versal world.
2, Single ; individual.
1709 Mrs. Manlev Secret Mem. I. 151 She.. had pro-
vided no versal Thing for the Child. 1717S1SANNA Wesley
in Southey Wesley {\%-2fS\ I.444 Weare secluded from sight,
or hearing, of any ver.sal thing except Jeffrey.
Versalie, pres. subj. of Veksle v, Obs,
Versant (vsusant), sb. [a. Y.versani (15th c.
in Littre), f. vcrser : see Verse v.'^'\
1. The slope, side, or descent of a mountain or
mountain-chain ; the area or region covered by
this. (Usu. with specifying epithet.)
1851 Catal. Gt. Exhib. iv. 1341/2 The species of oak which
produces the cork vegetates.. over the vcrsants or faces of
the Pyrenees. 1883 Encycl. Amer. I. 477/2 The best part
of the United States for bee-farming is considered to be the
Pacific versant. 1901(7. Rev. July 18 The conifer forests.,
which clothe the eastern versant of the Victoria Nyanza.
2. Tendency to slope or descend ; declination.
1859 R. K. Burton Centr. A/r. in Jml. Geog. Soc. XXIX.
30 Thus the oriental half of the African continent has a
compound versant, eastward with southing, and westward
with southing.
Versant (vausant), a, [f. L. versant-, versans,
pres. pple. of L. versare, versdri : see Verse v.^
Cf. Conversant tf.]
1. Concerned, anxious, or busy about^ occupied
or engaged in or with^ something.
1645 Arraignm. of Persecution 15 [His] nature hath ever
been and is always versant in such cruelties. 1681 Flavel
Method of Grace xxv. 432 His fears were once versant
about noxious creatures, now God is the object of the
fear of reverence. 1682 Boyle Coni. New Exp. Phys.-
Mech. II. Pref., Ihe other [matter] was [for me] to be ver-
sant about those trials, which were not to be made.. with
natural air. .but factitious air. »86i Temple Bar Mag. Ill,
409 The literary question of the age was versant almost
exclusively with verbal accuracy.
2. Of persons: a. Skilled, versed, or experienced
in a subject, practice, etc., as the result of having
been occupied with it.
In frequent use from c 1790 to c i860. Now rare.
1766 W. GoRi>ON Gen. Counting-ho. 3 It may be known
..by any person versant in accounts, what sums are due.
1777 Boswell in Johnson 18 Sept., 'I'hat is owing to his
bemg so much versant in old English poetry. 1789 Phil.
Trans. LXXIX. 107 Wfaoisperfectly versant in the method
of breeding the insect. 1805 T. Harral Scenes of Life 11.
113 This gentleman.. was completely versant in the gram-
matical niceties. .of the language. 1842 Syd. Smith Wks.
(1850) 669 These excellent directors, versant in wood and
metal. 1870 Burton /^n/. ^V(J^ lxxii.(i873) VI. 312 Persoub
versant in the history of Scotland.
b. Conversant, familiar, or intimately acquainted
ivil/i a subject or person.
1787 J. Howie in Refortuation Princ. Re-exhib., etc. 151
The Author,, .being mostly versant with country-people,
labours to speak and write in the vulgar dialect. 1822 Syd.
Smith U'ks. (1850) 351 A man not ver.sant with courts of
justice will not believe it. 1S31& Eraser's Mag. XIII. 289
Mr, Puff, .bad become versant with all the private affairs of
all the boroughs. 1877 ' H. A. Page ' De Quincey II. xvj. 30
A shepherd, .who was versant with all the approaching
changes of the weather,
3. Conch. Turning or curling over.
1839 Penny Cyd. XIV. 321/1 Family Columellida:... Shell
without a canal, but having the base of its aperture notched
or versant, and the whorls of the spire large.
VERSATE.
4. Her. (.See quot.) rarer-".
c i8a8 Berrv Encycl. Her. I. Gloss., Versanti the same as
rcjUvant, called also sursuanti and implies erected, or
elevated.
Ve'rsate, v. rarr-^. [f. L. versa/-, ppl. stem
of versdre : see Versk z".'-] irans. To turn about.
1887 .Va/. A^^rc. 17 Sept. 405 \n edition which we can really
versate in the . . hand without causing the .said hand to droop
and ache.
Versatile (vs-jsatail, va-JsatiU, a. Also 7
versatle, versatil, varsatile. [a. F. versatile
(i6th c, = It. versatile, Sp., Pg. versatil), or ad. L.
versdtilis, f. versare \ see VEKSE7/.2]
I. 1. Marked or characterized by changeability
or inconstancy ; subject to change or flnctuation ;
variable, changeable.
X605 Bacon Adv. Learn, i. iii. § 6. 15 It is rather the
reuerence which many times both aduerse parts doe giue to
honestie, than any versatile aduantage of their owne carri-
age. 1659 Quxries on Pri^posalts 0/ Oncers 0/ A rmie to
t'arlt. 4 To mold the versatle hypocrisy "of his depraved
mind. t6b^GLKji\-\n.Sccpsis Sci.xwi. i6i Those versatile
representations in the neck of a Dove. i68a Bubnet Rights
0/ Princes Pref. 36 He also observes the Varsatile Temper of
the Jesuits. 1791 Burke Let. to Member 0/ Nat, Assenit).
_Wks. 1842 1. 482 The versatile tenderness which marks the
irregular and capricious feelings of the populace. 1798
Grant Surv. Prov. Moray 279 The number of scholar.s
vibrates from 20 to 90 ; but from the versatile state of the
establishment, it is not possible that [etc.]. 1801 Farmer's
Mag. Jan. 67 Our author, .is of such a versatile disposition,
that., he states [etc.]. 1853 Y^K^iLGrinnelt Exp. ix. (1856) 67
The things were there half an hour ago. I saw them, capri-
cious, versatile, fuU of forms, but bright and definite as tlie
pha^ies of sober life.
Comb. 1850 Thackeray Pendennis Ixiii, For at one instant
to hate and defy a man,. .and at the next to be. .friendly
with him, was not an unusual process with our versatile-
minded Baronet.
b. Of persons : Fickle, inconstant, rare.
leSiBvRKzr KigAts Princes viii. 293 Thomas Beckel..
was a proud varsatile and factious Man. 1697 Evelyn
Numism. ix. 315 The French, Versatile, Unconstant. i8ss
M11.MAN Lat. Chr. vct.iv. (1864) IV. 148 The versatile people
rose on his side (andl drove out the troops. iS8a Sllss
BRAptX)N Mt.-Royatm, He is too versatile, too soft-hearted
and impressionable-
2. Characterized by readiness or facility in tam-
ing from one subject, pursuit, or task to another ;
marked by many-sidedness or variety of talent.
In early use somewhat rare ; freq. from £1795. !
1656 Stanley Hist. Philos. (1687) 151/1 He was of aver- ]
satile wit, and in composure of his speech a difficult adver-
sary. i6«7 Sprat Hist. Royal Soc. 18 Disputing is a very
good instrument, to sharpen mens wit.s, and to make them
versatil. 1791 Cowper Odyssey I. 2 Make the man thy
theme, for shrewdness famed And genius versatile. 1796
H. Hunter tr. St-fierre's Stnd. Nat. Uigg) H. 290 What
then is that versatile faculty, called reason 1 a i8a8 H.
Neele Lit. Kent. 19 Chaucer's genius was vast, versatile
and original. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. I. 158 A multitude
of other subjects, with which his versatile ability made him
conversant. 1874 Green Short Hist. i. j 6 (1876) 52 His '
nature was sunny, versatile, artistic.
trans/. 1791 Newte Tour Eng. S; Scot. 171 The physical
as well as the moral nature of man is extremely versatile,
and accommodating to circumstances. l9o\ Lusignan IV. I
152 .\bsorbed in meditations and versatile reflections, he
wandered, unconscious of the progress of time. i
3. Of persons : Turning easily or readily from
one subject or occupation to another; having an
aptitude or faculty for fresh pursuits or tasks;
showing facility in varied subjects ; many-sided.
1761-71 H. Walpole Vertue'sAiucd. Paint. (1786) II. 95 t
In 1665 the versatile Gerbier published a piece he called -
Subsidlum Peregrinantibus. 1815 W. H. Ireland .JcWM/^fl-
mania 213 Of this versatile writer, ah \ what should be
said. 1841 Macaulay Ess., IK Hastings (1851) 634 The
able and versatile Henry Dundas. 1851 Thackeray Eng.
Hum. vi. (1858) 327 The vivid and versatile genius who
has touched on almost every subject of literature. 1874
Stubbs Const. Hist. I, xii. 460 He was an able man of busi-
ness, versatile, politic
b. Const, in.
1807 DIsraeli Cur. Lit. (ed- 5) I. 22 An individual, how- '
ever versatile and extensive in bis genius, would soon '
be exhausted. 184a Miss Mitford in L'Kstrange Li/e
(1870) III. ix. 144 O'Coiinell is versatile in his words and
ways, and the Repeal seems to me incomprehensible. 187a
MiNro Eng. Prose Lit. I. L 58 He is more versatile in the
* pitch ' of his style.
n. 4. Capable of being turned round on, or ,-ts '.
on, a pivot or hinge; that may be turned different
ways. In later use spec, in Ent. and Oritilh.
1658 Phillips, l^ersatite, apt to be wound or turned any
way. 1671 R. BoHUN WindTi A feather, or other versatil
body. 1678 Phil. Trans. XII. 030 The Eyes resemble a
Lens or Conve* Glass set in a Versatile globular Socket.
1816 KiRBY & ^r. Entouiol. IV. xliii. 172 Some muscle of
this kind must be in Gryllotalpa, and in those that have a '
versatile head. /i/rf. 175 The Head, .is sometimes versa- '
til.. 1840 /'^«)y/ O-c/. XVIII. 306/1 Tarsus [in harbets is)
shorter than the versatile toe. \i^^Qa\>^s N. Amer. Birds
200 Hallux of average length,, .outer toe more or less per- '
fectly versatil* (but never permanently reversed). i
b. Bot. Of an anther: Swinging or turning
about freely on a filament to which it is attached. !
i7«o J. Lee Introd. Bot. 111. xxiL (1765) 228 The Anthera
is versatile and incumbent, when it is fastened on at its Side.
1787 Families 0/ Plants I. 254 Anthers oblong,' versatile.
1830 LiNDLEY Nat. Syst. Bot. 47 Their small round and
versatile anthers. 1861 S. Thomson Wild Ft. i. (ed. 4) 65
The filament.. may.. be so attached to some point of the
141
I anther as to allow it to bwiiig loosely, when a versatile
anther is constituted. 1870 Hooker Stud, Fhra. 182 Dip-
\ saces,. .anthers versatile.
j c. Of a leaf: Turning either way. rare~^,
\ 1870 Hooker Stud. Flora 335 Populus tremula.. .Leaves
1-4 111., versatile.
Hence Ve-rsatilely adv.^ Ve-rsatileness.
I 1646 Gaule Cases Come. 130 [A witch] that works not only
, darkly and closely, but variously and versatilly, as God
i will permit [etc.]. 1654 R. Codrington tr. lustine viii.
I 129 According to the versatilness of his wit. 1787 Bailev
I (vol. II), Vcrsattleness, aptness to be turned or wound any
I way. 1791 J. Le.\rmont Poems, Mutability of Man 20
Versatileness attends him still; A deep inwoven art Con-
ceals . . the guile And rancour of his heart. 187a M. Collins
[ fwo FluHges/or Pearl iv. An intellect so different from
his own— so versatilely fluent, yet passionately obstinate.
I Versatility (vsjsati-lfti;. [a. F. versatUiU
! (-It. verstttilith, Sp. venatiitdad, Pg. -idade), or
directly f. prec. + -lTY.]
1. The condition or quality in persons, their con-
duct, etc., of being changeable, fickle, or incon-
stant ; tendency or liability to vary in opinion or
: action ; variableness, inconstancy.
175s Johnson, Versatility, the quality of being versatile.
178a V. Knox Ess. xii. (1819) I. 71 This versatility and du-
plicity of the gratide vtonde. 1783 W. Thomson WatsotCs
i Philip I If, V, 324 To his holiness, whom they suspected of
, a versatility of character, which might soon lead him to re-
, lapse:.. they answered [etc.]. 18x4 JJ'Israkl! Quar.Auth.
(1867) 346 We are apt to condemn their versatility of prin-
ciples as arising from di>honest motives. 1849 Macaulay
Hist, Etigl, ii. I. 213 Ashley's versatility was the effect, not
I of levity, but of deliberate selfishness. 1855 Mi lm an Lat,
, Chr. vir. ii. III. 168 He might indeed dread the versatility
of Henry's character, and his ready assent to the advice of
flattering, .counsellors.
2. The faculty or character of turning or being
able to turn readily to a new subject or occupation,
; esp. of an intellectual nature ; facility in taking up
varied pursuits or tasks with some success or dis-
tinction ; many-sidedness.
1798 BissET Ltfe Bttrke 210 Wedderburne [was] eminent
for acutentss, versatility, and ingenuity. x8a7 Scott Surg.
/>««. X, His intelligence, his learning, above all, his versa-
tility and freedom from prcjudicesof every kind. 1874 Green
Short Hist. vi. §6 (1876) 325 It was with Italian versatility
I that he turned from the camp to the counting house. 188a J.
I Sully in Mind No. 27. 366 In the scientific treatment of
I the sulyect..we shall make versatility synonymous with
[ wklth of faculty, or diversity of capability in alt its measures.
] b. Const, ^(wit, character, etc.).
I « I773Chesterf. Charac. Pitt (1777) 46 He. .had such a
versatiuty of wit, that he would adopt it to all sorts of con*
ycrsation. ^1842 Arnold Hist. Rome II. 495 Cineas..was
in the versatility and range of his talents worthy of the best
ages of Greece. 1853 J. H. Newmas Hist. 6"^. {1873) II. i.
ii. 70 Not often indeed do the Oriental nations present us
, with an example of versatility of character. x866 Felton
Ahc./^ Mod. Gr, I. xii. 231 [Aristophanes] reminds us. .still
ofiener of the splendid versatility of poetical genius.. dis-
played by Goethe.
c. //. Features or traits of versatile intellect.
1841 D'IsKAELi Amen. Lit. (1859) II. 123 A voluminous
1 commentary expounded the morality of the ravishing ver-
satilities of Ariosto.
I 3. Diversity of nature or character; variety of
] application, etc.
i8oa Plavfair lUustr. Hutton, The. 339 The Huttonian
system cannot boast of theories of equal versatility. i8aa-7
Good Siu<iy Med. (1829) II. 415 The symptoms, that prin-
I ci^Uy mark the progress of this disease in all their versa-
tility;..it is this versatility that has produced the chief
differences of opinion, entertained concerning it. 1871
Karle Philol. Eng. Tongtte 458 The Book of Proverbs
abounds in examples of the versatility of the Hebrew and.
1879 Church Spenser 35 The inexhaustible versatility of
the English tongue.
4. Capability of turning about as on a pivot*
1884 CouES Key N. Anier. Birds 126 We have no case of
true versatility of the hind toe among North American birds.
t Versa "tilons, a. Obs. rare. [f. L. v£rsdtil-is
Veh.satile a.-|--ous.] Marked or characterized by
versatility or variableness ; versatile.
x6s9 H. Burton Truth^s Triumph 347 He can finde no
certaine demonstration, .but that be can stoppe with his
versatilous wit. 1650 Eldermeld Civ. Right Tytlies 135
Whose versatilous shifts are hard to be avoided.
Hence f Versa 'tilousness. Obs^-^
1640 Bp. Reynolds Passions xxvi. 269 Another cause of
Holdnesse, is Immunity from Danger, or at least a Versa-
tHotisnesse and Dexterity of wit to evade it.
t Versa'tion. Obs. [ad. L. versaUon-y versdiio,
noun of action i, versdre '. see Veesez'.'-^] A turn-
ing over or backwards and forwards. Also attrib.
1656 BLousr Glossogr. (following Cooper), Versation^^
turning or winding. 1673 Olky Pre/, to JacksotCs ii'ks. I.
p. XXX, Reader, if thou wilt believe thirty or forty years
experience, or versation of this author, thou wilt find at
every return n«w matter both of observation and delight
in him. 1716 M. Davies Athen. Brit. III. 8 Any other of
the Rough-Versation-Orders of our Dissenting Separatists.
1837 Eraser's Mag. XV. 717 Retiuiring such perpetual
versation of the pages backwards and forwards to connect
one section with another.
VeTsative, a. rar^^. [f. L. versdi-y ppl. stem
of versdre Vkkse v.-'\ Marked by adaptability or
variety.
1846 Blackw. Mag, LIX. 416 Homer possibly had no
choice ; but in the hexameter there is the greatest versativc
power.
Versche, southern ME. variant of Fbesh a.
VERSE.
Verse {y^i^),sb. Forms: i, 4 fers (i fters,
fyrs), 3 Orm. ferrs; i-4uers, 1,3-4,5-6 6t-.,vers,
4-5 wers ; 4- verse, 5, 6 .5V., werse ; 5 veerse,
veerce, 6 vearae, 5-6 Sc. veirs, 6 Sc. veirse.
\p^.fers, corresponding to OFris.y;-;-^ (WKris.
fers, NFi-is.y^, etc.), MDu. (Du.)and MLG. vers,
OHG., MHG, vers, fers i^^.vers), ON. (Da., Sw.)
] vers, ad. L. versus a line or row, spec, a line of
j writing (so named from turning to begin another
line), verse, f. verlireKo turn ; in ME. reinforced
I by or newly a. AF. and OF. (also mod.F.) vers
! { = VT.vers, It.,Sp.,Pg, 2/tf/'.y(7) from the same source.
I In OE, (the word being neuter), and to a certain extent
I in ME., the pi. was the same as the sing.]
I 1. A succession of words arranged according to
'■■ natural or recognized rules of prosody and forming
i a complete metrical line ; one of the lines of a
; poem or piece of versification.
C900 tr. Baeda's Hist. iv. xxiv. (1890) 344 pa ongon he
bona siiigan in hcrenesse Codes Scyppendes t>a fers [z'.r.
uers] & t>a word l>e he narfre jehyrde. c 1000 ./^lfric
Cram, xxxvii. (Z.) 218 Uersijicor, ic fcrsi^e o33e ic wyrce
I fer.s. c 1050 Byrhi/erth's Handboc in Anglia (1885) VIII.
I 313 I'iEt pentimemeris byS Jjc toda;!3 JrEet vers on l>am
oSium fet. ciaoo Ormin Ded. 59 And ice ne mihhte nohht
min ferrs A33wi^j)>GoddspelIesswordess Wei fillennall. 13..
, Cato 633 in AHnorP. i'emon MS, 6og pe [ = thee] merueyles
' of ^ise nakede vers [that] Beo^ maked hi two and two.
1 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blanche 1.463 He made of ryme ten
ver.-^es \v,r. vers] or twelue Of a complaynt. c 1380 Wyclh-
Last A^e Ch. (1840) 33 Sibille acordi^ herto ^at suche
tribulacioun is ny5e in pes verse. C1400 Maunuev. (Roxb.)
ij. 5 As it es contende in ^is werse, whilk es here writen.
1479 Fasten Lett. III. 242 Thes too verse afore seyde be
of inyn own makyng. 1483 Caxton Cato g, I haue made
this lytel book in double verses the whiche conteynen two
.'■horte and utyle sentences for the symple folke. A1513
Fabyan Chron. (15x6) 200 And for this Scisme thus gra-
ciously was endyd, a Vercifier made this verse folowynge ;
Lux fulsit mundo cessit Felix Nicholao. 1567 in Gude Sf
Godlie B. (S.T.S.) [p. cxxxiv], Sing thir four veirs efter
euerie Psalme as followis. 15^-8 Bacon Ess., Ceremonies
(Arb.) 26 Some mens behauiour is like a verse wherein
euery sillable is measured. 1643 Fuller Holy ^ Prof. St.
IV. XV. 316 When, .the Spanish Embassadour..had summed
up the effect thereof in a Tetra.stich, she instantly in one
verse rejoined her answer. 1664 Butler Hud. \\, i. 28 But
those that write in Rhime, still make The one Verse for
the others sake. 1709 Heakne in Chron. R. Gloucester
(1724) App. 6oi There are eight Verses in the Tale it self,
which are not in the common Editions, a 1771 Gray
Observ. Eng. Metre Wks. 1S43 V. 260 The verse of fourteen
[syllable-;!, .and verse of six. i8sa S. Tillbrook {nSouthey's
I Poet. IVks. (1853) p. xx/'2. Eight verses of hexametrical
dimensions. x84a Penny Cycl. XXII. 370/1 An hexameter
verse which has a spondee in the fifth place, is called a
spondaic verse. 1895 A. W. Ward Pope^s H'As, p. Ii, The
ordinary rule as to the position of the cxsura in the verse.
b. In the pi. occas. merging into sense 5.
X477 Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dtctes 14 He hadde many
verses techyng folkis to eschewe their propre wiUes. X500-
ao Dunbar Poems lix. 16 He hes indorsit myn indytting
With versis off his awin hand vrytting. 1579 Spenser
Sheph. Cal.^ June 42 Tho couth I sing cf loue, and tune my
pype Vnto my plaintiue pleas in verses made. x6ox Shaks.
jnL C. in, iii. 34 Cinna. I am Cinna the Poet...4[M OV.j
Teare him for his bad verses, a 1643 W. Cartwright
Lovers Convert iv. v, They do swarm hither with their
Verses, like Town-poets on some Lord's Son's Wedding-
day. 1714 {title)y Rymer's Translations from Greek, Latin
and Italian Poets; with other Verses and Songs X779
Johnson L. P., Lytielton F i The verses cant of shepherds
and flocks, and crooks dressed with flowers. xSo^ H. K.
White Let. to B. Maddock 18 Oct., I have this week
written some very elaborate verses for a college prize.
C. With distinguishing terms. (Cf. 6 c.)
XS46 Lanci.ev tr. Pol, Verg. De Invent, i. viii. 16 A songe
of Exameter Verses. 1576 Fleming /'aw^//. Epist. 377 To
write in herolcall Verses. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor.
1246 .\ chronicler penning the historie of these aff;iires in
elegiack verses. 1605, 1646 [see Serpentine a. i b]. 1658
[see Leonineii. 2]. X7a8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Hexameter,
Epic Poems, as the Iliad, Odyssee, ./Eneid, &c. consist of
Hexameter Verses alone. Ibid., Serpentine Verses, are
such as begin and end with the same Word. X756 J. Warton
Ess. Pope X. {1782) II. 211 Like Ovid's Fasti, in hexameter
and pentameter verses. 1774 Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry
(1870) 30 The verses whicn we call Alexandrine. 18x5
[see Fescennine a.J. i8t8 J. C. Hobhouse Hist. Illust.
(ed. 2) 443 [Italian] heroic verses have not the advantage
of the hexametrat length.
2. Liiurg. ^ Versicle i. Now rare.
6-960 Rule St. Benet ix. (1885) 33 CweJ;e arrest Y\^ fers:
Deus in adiutorium meum intende. Ibid. xi. 35 Singe man
a;re-it six sealmas and J^onne on ende fers. 1 1030 Ibid.
(Logeman) 41 /Efter Jiisum raidingum fylian..syx sealmas
mid antiphonam, swa swa );a a:reran & mid ferse. ax4oo
PrymerixZcii) 88 R*. Delyuerc me lord. With these thre
ueers. V'. Now cryst. V'. Brennynge soules wepi|) [etc.].
v. Schappere of alle (>ynges. c 1450 Myrr. Our Ladye 1x4
What is vnderstonded by the thre lessons wyth the
Responces & verses folowynge. a 1500 Chaucer's D rente
1806 Many orisones and verses, Withoute note full softely
Said were and that full heartily. 1^8-9 (Mar.) Bk. Com,
Prayer Pref,, Respondes, Verses, vaine repeticions. x6a7
Cosins Corr, (Surtces) I. iii Doth he begin with the Lord's
Prayer ; orderly proceeding with the Verses and Responds.
1657 Sparrow Rationale 29 Then follow the Verses, 'O
Lord open Thou our Lips, And our mouth shall shew forth
thy praise'. 176a Evening.Office of Church (ed. 2) Direct.
3 Then is sung the Hymn with its Verse and Responsory.
1763 Burn Ecct. Lam I. 38 The invitatories,_responsories,
verses, collects, and whatever is said or sung in the quire.
1877 J. D. Chambers Div. Worship 91 The Gradual,
AUeluya, and Responsory and Verses.
VERSE.
142
VERSE.
+ 3. A clause, sentence, or the like ; an article of
the Creed. Obs.
c looo ^LFRic Croiti, 1. (Z.) 201 Se |>ridda hattc distinctto
o^'be /cripdiTS, se belycd J^aet icrs [r.rr. faers, fyrsj. ciooo
•~- Pre/. Genesis (Grein) 23 Eft stynt on Jraere bee on J>am
fonnanferse: Et spiritus deiferebatursupcraquas. CI17S
Lamb. Horn. 75 pet rihte iieue setten t»c twelue apostles on
write,. .& ec of neom wrat iher of his uers^ & sancte peter
wrat J»et erestc Ibid. 77 We habbed bigunnen ou to
se^en on engHsch hwat biquel> J>e crede, _& habbeS ou
is«d twa uers. c 14*5 Wyntoun Cron. v. xL 3495 Sancte
lerome wrat til hym . . (7/<»r/(i Patri'xn til twa uerbC. 153S
CovERDALt Dcut. \\\ 13 Hedcclarcd vnlo you his couenaunt,
which he commaunded you to do, namely, the ten verses.
x^Protuie Wyoes Pater Noshr ii6 in W;i.7\,E.P. P. IV.
157, 1 pray you, gossj-p dere, vnderstand well this verse.
4. One of the sections of a psalm or canticle
corresponding to the compound nnit (usually a
couplet) of Hebrew poetry. (Now merged in next.)
c i»oo Ormin 11943 Forr )>xr iss sett an ot>err ferrs f>att
speket>|> off \>e deofell. a m$ Ancr. R. 36 l>e vorme psalm
is* lubilate'.., J>e vifte, * LaudateDoniinum in Sanctis ejus';
and in euerichon beod vif vers, c xa9o S. Eng. Leg, I. 34
(He) seide ^os two vers of Jfe sauter. Ibid. 225 [Je foweles
sunge ek here matyns, . . & of )je sauter seide l>e uers. c I3a5
spec. Gy Wanv. 460 Sein Daui seil», if |>u wolt Joke In a
vers of J>e sauter boke [etc.]. 1377 Lancu /*. PL H. xii.
290 l>e glose graunteih vpon t>at vers [Ps. xxiii. 4J a gret
mede to treuthe. C1425 Wyntoun Cron. v. xi. 3508 Of be
psalm>'s distyntly pe la syde sutde J>e fyrst werse say, pc
tol>ir ^ next werse ay Sulde begyn. c 1450 Ke^ule Susiris
M e/iou n'sses {igis) 103 pan t>e quere on ^at one syde s^chal
take his verse, & \>e Quere on l>at oJ>er syde schal take
ano)?er verse [of Ps. H]. 1508 Fisher 7 Penit. Ps. cxxx.
Wks. (1876) 208 It is also profytable for good & ryghtwyse
people ofte to reherse this verse [Ps. cxxx, 1] wherby they
may auoyde thegrete perylles of this wretched worlde. i^a6
Piigr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 163 b, Yf..for ony necessUe,
a psalme scape ony persone, or a lesson, or else y* they
omyt one verse or twayne.
b. One of the sections into which a chapter of
the Bible is divided. Freq. abbreviated as v.
The practice of dividing the chapters of the Bible into
verses, introduced by Stephanus in 1551, was adopted by
Whittingbam in his New Testament (1557) and followed in
the Geneva Bible (1560).
Chapter and verse: see Chapter sb. 10 b.
1560 Bible (Geneva) To Rdr., The argumentes bothe for
the booke and for the chapters with the nombre of the
verse are added. 16^3 Caryl Expos. Job 178 Verse 2 [of
ch. iii]...This verse is only a transition into the matter of
the next. 1678 Butler Hud. in. \\. 1170 One single Red-
Coat Sentinel .. could disperse Whole Troops, with Chapter
rais'd, and Verse. 1685 Baxter Pamphr. N. T. John viii. 3
The last Verse of the foregoing Chapter and the eleven first
Verses of this Chapter. 17*9 Law Serious C, i. 8 That
Religion., is to be found in almost every verse of Scripture.
1818 HoRNE Introd. Script. (1834) 1 1. 75 The verses into
which the New Testament is now divided. 1847 Kitto's
Cycl. Bibl. Lit. II. 909 note^ The twentieth verse of the
tenth chapter of Matthew. 1888 E. Aubot Crit, Ess, xx.
465 The first edition of the New Testament divided into
our present verses was printed by Robert Stephens at
Geneva in 1551.
Cotnb. 185s I. Taylor Resior. Belie/ {iZ$e) 186 A verse-
by-verse commentary.
5. A small number of metrical lines so connected
by form or meaning as to constitute either a whole
in themselves or a unit in a longer composition ; a
stanza.
In quots-c 1340 and 1387 applied to elegiac and hexameter
couplets. In later use the pi. is sometimes not clearly dis-
tinct from I b,
ctyASat. Kildare i. in E.E.P. (1862) 153 pis uers is
fill well iwro^t, hit is of wel furre y-bro^t. Ibid, iii, pis uers
is imakid wel of consonans and wowel. c 1340 Hampole Pr.
Consc. 246 Of Kis Saynt Bernard witnes bers And er fra four
wryten in bis vers. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 83 So
hit seme^ pat l>is vers wolde mene |>at Jjese feyned goddes
regnel»..in Chestre. i^z Douglas Pal. Hon. iii. xcii. In
laude of honour I wrait thir versis thre. 1573-80 Uaret
v^Afraws. v., Averse: acbarme: a prophesie, car;//<r«. 1598
Grenewey Tacitus^ Ann. 111. xiii. (1622) 83 The Smyr-
naeans alleaged an oracle of Apollo,.. the Tenjans a verse
[U carmen] of the same Apollo, commanding them to
offer an image and Temple to Neptune. x6oi Shaks.
T7i-el. N. II. iv. 7_Now goodCesario, but that peece of song.
That old and Anticke song we heard last night ; . . Come, but
one verse. i7ix Aduison Sped. No. 74 P 5 The Country of
the Scotch Warriors, described in these two last Verses [of
'Chevy Chase']. 1793 Burns /.f/. to G, Thomson 7 April,
I rememlier the two last lines of a verse in some of the old
songs of * Logan Water ',.• which I think pretty. x8oi
Busby Diet. Mus. s.v,, In secular music, as a song or
ballad, each stanza of the words is a verse. 1838 Dickkns
0, Twist xxvi, A young lady proceeded to entertain the
company with a ballad in four verses, i860 Tyndall Glac.
1. xxiii. 167 It was at once proposed to sing a verse from
Schiller's play.
b, Mus, (See quot.)
180X Busby Diet, Mus., Verse, the appellation given
to those portions of an anthem meant to be performed by
a single voice to each part
6. Without article : Metrical composition » form,
or structure ; language or literary work written or
spoken in metre ; poetry, esp. with reference to
metrical form. Opposed to prose.
a 1300 Cursor M, 22227 ^^e wat bath thoru stori and wers,
pal ^ kingrtkes o grece and pers War hefd kingrikes in
form tide. 14,. Chaucer's Sottipn. T. 297 (Harl. MS.),
Schortly may no man, by rym and vers, Tellen her
thoughtcs, thay ben so dyvers. cx^z% Wyntoun Cron. v.
xi. 3492 This Damasyus. .Couth mak rycht weill in metyre
vers, a 1586 Sidney Apol. Poetrie (Arb.) 50 That Verse
farre exceedeth Prose in the knitting vp of the memory,
the reason is manifest. X65X Hobbes Leviath. \\. xxvi. 141
In aiiiitnt time, before letters were in common use, tlie
Lawes were many times put into verse. 1696 Prior
Secretary 16 Athens. ., Where people knew love, and were
partial to verse. X7a8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Stanza^ For
though we speak Verse on the Stage, 'tis still presumed we
are speaking Prose. ^779 Johnson L.P., Dryden (1868)
186 To_ write verse, is to dispose syllables and sounds
harmonically by some known and settled rule. i8a7 Pollok
' Course T. in, He searched again. . For theme deserving of
immortal verse. 1883 R. Noel in Contcvip. Rev. Nov. ;^og
noti^ Wefind..niuch nakedly argumentative ratiocinative
verse, but that is not, strictly speaking, poetry at all.
personi/. 1580 Spenser Let. to Harvey Wks. (1912) 636
Unhappy Verse,. .Make thy selfe fluttring wings of thy fast
flying 'ihoughL rx64S Milton Soun. to Lawes g Thou
honour'st Verse, and Verse must lend her wing To honour
thee.
b. Freq. in verse, in metrical form. PAsoJig.
(quot. i39o\
c iy$ Shoreham vii. igi O god hyt hys, and stent in uers
Ine bulke song [ = Athanasian Creed]. X340 Ayenb. 128 He
wenp libbe yet uourti yer, ase zayj> elyuans ine uers of |ie
dyape. 1390 Gowek Con/ III. ^ For Dronkeschipe is so
divers, It may no whyle stonde in vers. CX425 Wyntoun
Cron. VI. X. 859 His epitaphi |jan in werse Wryttyn |»us men
may rahers. 1483 Caxton Cato 3 Two partyes— the f>Tst
is in prose and the second in verse. 1500-20 Dunbak Poems
xxxii. 43, I will no lesingis put in vers. 1557 TotteVs Misc.
To Rdr., That to haue wel written in verse. .deserueth
great praise [etc.], 1586 W. Webbe Eng. Poet. (Arb.)_3o
'J'hinking nothing to be learnedly written in verse, which
fell not out in ryme. X643 Caryl Expos. Job 178 Job
breaths out his passion in verse, and in verse receives his
answer. 1689 Pkior Ep. to Eleetwood Shephard 97 In
Verse or Prose, We write or chat. X76a-7i H. Walpolr
I'ertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) I. 132 The Introduction to
knowledge, partly in verse and partly in prose. 1838
Thirlwall Greece II. 124 In Crete and at Sparta., the
maxims of the constitution were delivered in verse. 1841
W. Spalding Italy Sf It. I si. III. 272 The Romans choose
this form.. for conveying their feelings in verse,
o. With distinguishing terms. (Cf. i c)
Adonic, Alexandrine, blank, elegiac, keroic{al, hexa^
meter, Leonine, Saturnian verse, etc. : see_ those words.
xssa Huloet s.v.. Verse heroicall, or of sixe feete, versus
heroicus. 1585 Jas. VI Ess. Poesie (Arb.) 68 For flyting,
or Inuectiues, vse . . RouncefalHs, or Tumbling verse. 1685
Dryden {title), The twenty-ninth Ode of the third Book of
Horace; paraphrased in Pindarick Verse. X711 Addison
Sped. No. 39 ? 5 Aristotle observes, that the lambick Verse
in the Greek Tongue was the most proper for Tragedy.
1855 MiLMAN Lat. Chr. xiv. iv. VI. 488 An interminable
length of harsh hexameter, or of elegiac verse.
7. The metrical or poetical compositions of a
particular author, etc. ; a certain amoimt of metri-
cal work or poetry considered as a whole.
1586 W. Webbe Eng. Poetrie (Arb.) 32 Lydgate.., surely
for good proportion of his verse, .comparable with Chawcer.
i6n Shaks. IVint. T. v. I 101 Thus your Verse Flow'd
with her Beautie once. ^1715 Pope Ep, Jervas i This
Verse be thine, my friend, nor thou refuse This, from no
venal or ungrateful Muse. 1810 Scott Lady 0/ L, i. xxxii,
Till to her lips in measured frame The minstrel verse
spontaneous came. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. iii. I. 401
The verse of Waller still breathed the sentiments which had
animated a more chivalrous generation. ipo6 Lit. World
15 Nov. 487/2 Some of the poems are spoiled by.. hate of
England. . . Had it been omitted the verse would have been
improved.
t b. A particular style of metre or versification,
X586 W. Webbe Eng. Poetrie (Arb.) 30 A singuler gyft in
a sweete Heroicall verse. Ibia. 34 Master D. Phaer. .had
the best peece of Poetry whereon to sette a most galJant
verse.
8. atirib.^ as verse-book, -craft, -cup, -shot, -tvit,
etc. ; verse anthem (see quots.) ; + verse-fellow,
a fellow or companion verse-maker ; verse-
service (see quots.).
x8ox BusBV Did. Mus., * Verse, .. the epithet applied
to an anthem beginning with verse. 1876 Stainer &
Barrett Did. Mus, Terms 446/1 A verse anthem is one
which begins with soli portions as opposed to a full anthem,
which commences with a chorus. X849 Lytton Caxtons 22
Rude .songs, modelled from such *verse-books as fell into
my hands. X894 Daily News 20 Oct. 6/1 Her own skill in
*versecraft gives her unusual felicity of insight. 1885 S.
Cox Expositions xxii. 290 We have kept the best wine in
ihis little *Verse-cup until now. 1592 Nashc Four Lett.
Con/uted Wks. (Grosart) II. 235 To beare his old *verse-
fellow noble M. Valanger company. x8st J. S. Adams
jooo Mus.^ Terms 105 * Verse service, a service in which
verses are introduced. 1889 Groz^e's Did. Music (1302) IV.
257 A verse-service or verse-anthem sometimes includes
portions set for a voice solo. X794 Mathias Purs, Lit,
(1797) n. 13 note. Before they were half fini.shed,..as many
of the others as were within hearing or *7'tf rif -j/zt?/ . . were
all found fast asleep! ! I 1668 Drvuen Evening's Lovcwi. i,
The prose-wits playing and the *verse-wits rooking.
b. In the sense 'composed or written in, con-
sisting of, verse *, as verse-exercise, miscellany^
narrative, -part, -tale, -text, translation, etc.
1685 Dryden Sylvz Pref. f 1 The hot tprose], which suc-
ceeded them, in this volume of Verse Miscellanies. X687
NoRRis Coll. Misc. Pref. (1699) 4 Thus much for the Verse-
part. X817 Colkridge Biog, Lit. 23 In verse or prose, or
in verse-te.xt aided by prose-comment. x88i Encycl. Brit.
XII. 19/1 Verse narrative, even when it deals with true
events,..iseithermore or less than history. xSjjdR. Palmer
Mem. 1. 1, viii. 122 He. .gained both the University prizes
for verse-exercises.
C. Comb, Objective or obj. genitive, as verse-
gracer, -merchant, -reciter, -S7nith,-wright, -writer;
verse-making, reading, -repeating '^^V a., -writing;
instrumental, as verse-commemorated adj. Also
verseward adv.
184a S. C. Hall Ireland II. 339 The long celeljraied and
* verse-commemorated month of August. x88x W. Wilkins
Songs 0/ Study 127 *Verse-gracer ! deign to grace mine
With lucky chosen words. i8n Andw. Scott Poems p. x.
My attachment to *verse-making. 1873 Symonds Grk.
Pods v. 147 A father taught the trade of flute-playing and
chorus-leading and verse-making to his son. 1845 Brown-
ing Lett, (1899) 1. 18 The Kialto where *verse-merchanis
most do congregate. 1585 Jas. I Ess. Poesie (Arb.) 31 Ve
procure By your lasciuious speache, that fathers sage
Defends "verse reading, to their yonger age, x8s>
Shelley To Jane, y/r^/wr'/Va/Z^JM 36 You, tiresome "verse-
reciter, Care, a X704 T. Brown Dial. Dead "Wks. 17:1 IV.
75 The "Verse -repeating Beaux of Will's Coffec-House.
1810 T. Mitchell Aristoph. I. 205 Ye *verse-smiihs and
bard-mechanicians I X887 Saintsbury Hist. Elizab. Lit. x.
(18^) 8 The supposed editor. .is but a Journeyman verse-
smith. x8xo Miss Mitford Let. 3 Apr. in L'Estrange Z.//t*
(1870) I. 99 That feeble *verse-spinner Bloomfield. 1809
BvRON Bards <5- Rev. 230 But if, in spite of all the world
can say, Thou still wilt *verseward plod thy weary way.
X7a9 Savage IVanderen. 335These scorn (said I) the 'verse-
Wright of their age. 1840 Pierpont Airs Palestine p. v,
The pieces thafmake up this volume will be seen., to be.,
the wares of a verse-wright, made ' to order'. 1726 Swikt
{title), Advice to the Grub*street * Verse -Writers. 1885 Pater
Marius I. vii. 121 A familiar playfulness of the Latin verse-
writer in dealing with mythology. 1850 Thackeray Pen-
dennis ii. If he was distinguished for anything it was for
* verse- writing. X884 Tennyson Becket 11, ii, So if the city
be sick . . your lordship would suspend me from verse-writing?
t Verse, fl. Obs. rare, [ad. L.z/^rj-z/j, pa. pple,
of vert^re to turn, change, vary.] Verse-sine, =
versed sine : see Versei> a.
iTJZ Phil. Trans. LXIl. 102 An arch equal to the verse-
sine of the deviation.
Verse (v5js), vX Also I fyrsian, fersian,
uersian, 4 uersie. [f. Vekse sb., prob. formed
afresh at different times.]
1. intr. To compose or make verses ; to versify.
Also with it,
c 1000 i^^LFRic Gram, xxxvii. (Z.) 218 Uersi/cor, \c fersije
{7\rr. uersige, fyrsije] o33e ic wyrce fers, 1393 Langl. P,
PI. C. xviii. 109 For ^er is nouthe non who so nymef> hede,
That can uersie [v.r. versi6e] fayre, o|>er formehche endite.
1606 Chapman Mons. D^Ol. iv. i. K iij b, Prettie little Witt,
y' faith; Can he verse?..! meane, hashea vaine Naturall?
1647 Ward Simp. Cobler 87 You verse it simply, what need
have we of your thin Poetry. x688 W. Scot Hist. Scots
II. (1776) 73 Come on as many as you will, And for a wager,
ri verse with them still. 1787 in Currie Burns' IVks. (iBoo)
II. 105 It sets na ony lawland cheel Like you to verse or
rhyme. x8i2 Combe Syntax, Picturesque 1. 1291*11 prose it
here, I'll verse it there, And picturesque it everywhere. x8s6
Meredith Sha7\ Shagpat (1909) 66 He began to verse
extemporaneously in her ear.
2. trans. To tell in verse ; to turn into verse ;
to write, recount, or celebrate in verse.
X446 LvDC. Two Nightingale Poems i. 108 This brid, of
whom y haue to you rehersed, Whych in her song expired
thus ande deyede. In latyn fonde y in a boke well versed.
1590 Shaks. Mids. N.w. \. 67 When thou, .sate all day, Play-
ing on pipes of Corne, and versing loue To amorous Philtida.
c 1711 Prior ^Full o/t doth Mat ' 4 But Topaz his own Werke
rehearseth; And Rlat. mote praise what Topaz verseth.
1869 F. \iKhLECK Connecticut x.vxiv, He., versed the Psalms
of David to the air Of Yankee- Doodle, for Thanksgiving
Days. 1899 Stopford Brookk Early Eng. Lit. 1. 12 The
wanderer, .sang his stave of thanks, or versed for the chief
in the high seat, who he was.
t 3. To accompany or bring with verses, Obs,~^
i6oa Marston Ant. .f- Mel. v, If that thou canst not give,
goe hang thy selfe: He lime thee dead, or verse thee to the
rope.
Hence VeTsing///. a,
1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Pennilesse Pilgr. Wks. 1. 125/1
My versing Muse cranes some repose, And whilst she sleeps
He spowt a little prose. 1665 J. Spencer Vulg. Proph. 55,
I should, .throw out the vast rabble of rhyming, clinching,
versing Prophets, as persons that tell the worst lies in the
best maner.
Verse (vsjs), v."^ [a. F. verser ( 1 2lh c. ; = Prov.
and Pg. versar, vessar, Sp. versar. It. versare), or
ad. L, versare, freq. of vertere to turn, etc. In
mod. use, in sense 4, app. a back-formation from
Vebsed///. aX\
+ 1. trafts. To pour otit (the voice). Obsr'^
c 1530 Ld. Bekners a rth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814) 453 Than she
[sc. a nightingale], .fylled her throte full of wj-nde, the more
shryller to verse out her swete voyce.
t2. To overthrow, overturn, or upset. Obs.-'^
'55* J' ,H LVwooD ^/rV^-r <5- y^. xliii. 40 This formost spider
and flie, in furius fret, . , this prosesse thei perst. And venge-
able venumly, ech other verst.
1 3. To turn over (a book) in study or investiga-
tion, Obs,
_ 1606 Bibnie Kirk-BuriallUB22)6 By versing and search-
ing the Scriptures, a X656 Hales Gol<l. Kern. i. (1673) =71
If you be versing the Ancient Histories, then provide you
Ptolomy's Maps.
+ b. To revolve or turn over (something) in the
mind. Obs.
1614 T. Adams Sinners Passing Bell Wks. (1629) 260 Who
versing in his minde this thought, can keepe hischeekes dry?
4. To instruct, to make (one) conversant or ex-
perienced, in something. Now reji. Cf. Versed
///. fl.l I.
X673 O. Walker Educ. 132 For reading: verse him well
in inventive Authors. 2677 W. Combe Diaboliad {\^^^') 43
Having vers'd them in each common evil, [you] l^ad them
to Masques to personate the Devil. 1786 Mrs. A. M,
Bennett Juvenile Indtscr. V. 164 The intrigues of state
affairs had thoroughly versed him in chicanery and dis-
simulation. X895 G. Alexander in Daily News 4 QcU 2/2 If
VERSE.
Students while versing themselves in the classics were [etc.]-
1898 K. F. HoRTON Covtnianiim. yvsus ,\x. 362 This is my
own feeling — a feeling which grows and intensifies the more
I verse myself in His commandments.
•f VcrSGt 2'*^ Cant, Obs. [Of uncertain origin ;
perh. a special sense of Verse v.- Cf. Verser 2.]
1. inir. To practise fraud or imposition. Also
with it,
159X IGvx.^^v.De/.Conny-catch. (1859)4, I had consorts
that could verse, nippe, and foyst. 1591 Grf.kne Discov.
Cosenage 10 b, If the poore Farmar be bashfuU, and
passeth by one of these shameles strumpets, then wil she
verse it with him, and claime acquaintance of him. c 159a
— Theeues Falling out (1615) A iv, We gee so neate in
appareU.. that wee are hardlysmoakt; versing vpon all men
with kinde courtesies and faire wordes.
2. trans. To impose upon ; to cozen, cheat, de-
fraud. Also const, to.
1591 Grerne Discov. Coseuage 10 b, Till shee and her
CTOsse-biters haue verst him to the beggers estate. Ibid. 1 1 b,
Heere is a Simpler, quoth shee, He Verse him or hang me.
Hence f Versing vbl, sO. Cant. Obs.
1591 Greene Discov. Cosenage 7 Versing Law, coosenage
by false gold.
Verse, obs. form of Verst.
t Verse-coloured, obs. var. Versicoloured a.
1607 TopsEi.L Four-/. Beasts 57 The Chamaeleon and
Polypus-fish, are pilled or bare without haire,and therefore
may more easily be verse -co loured.
Versed (vaJst), a. [f. mod.L. vers-ns (so.
5inus)j pa. pple. of L. verterc to turn.]
L Versed sine, a. TVz^f. Originally, the segment
of the diameter intercepted between the foot of tiie
sine and the extremity of the arc; in mod. use, the
ratio of this line to the radius, or (equivalently, as
a function of an angle) the quantity obtained by
subtracting the cosine from unity.
In mod. use also in the contracted form Versim.
1596 W. B(urrough] Variation 0/ Covipasse Bsb, The
versed signe of the semidiumall arlce. a 165a S. Fostkr
Descr. RuUr^ A large Scale of Versed-Sines. 1690 Li.v-
BOURN Curs. Math. ^97 The Line VS . . is the Line of Versed
Sines. z73aHADLF.vin /'////. V'rawj. XXXVU. 353Draw^ D
the Sine, and b r the Sine complement of the Arch B b : BU
is the versed Sine of the same. 1763 Emerson A/et/t. Inert'
vtenis 91 Hence we have the following series of versed sines.
t8s8 J. M. Spearman Brit. Gunner (ed. 2) 319 The arcs be-
ing similar, the versed sines are proportional to the arcs or
to their radii, 1853 Sir H. Douglas Milit. Bridges (ed. 3)
43 A segment of a sphere whose radius is r, the sagitta, or
versed sine, being a.
b. Bridge- building. The rise of an arch.
1838 C;W/ Fng. ^ Arch. "J ml. L 127/1 The Dover road Is
earned over the rail way by aflat segmental arch, 30 feet span,
the rise or versed sine [printed line] Ls only two feet. 1839
Ibid. \\. 191/2 Span of the arch.. 58 feet — the rise or versed
sine being ten feet. 1879 Casselfs Techn. £duc. IV. 384/1
It forms the strongest arch;, .but in consequence of the
height of the versed sine.. it becomes necessary. .to limit
the span.
1 2. Versed scale, a scale of versed sines. Obs.
a i6ci S. FosTEE Descr. li tiler \\\\. 31 The Versed Scale
is in length four times the same Radius. Ibid. 32 Let the
'tangents.. be measured out of the Versed Scale.
Versed (varst), ///. a.^ Also 7 verst. [ad.
L. versdtuSf-psL. pple, oi versdri io occupy oneself,
be busied or engaged (in something). So V.vers^^
It. versatOy .Sp. and Pg. versado,'\
1. Of persons: Experienced, practised, or skilled
in a subject, matter, art, etc.; conversant with,
having an intimate knowledge of, something;
expert, skilful ; = Versaxt a, 2 a.
Very frequent from c 1630 in this and sense t b.
i6aa Bacon Hem. VII, 1 6 (The bishops of Ely and Exeter)
had bcene both versed in his Aflaires, before hee came to the
Crowne. 1663 Gkrbier Counsel 24 A Clarke of the works
must be verst m the prises of Materials. x686 tr. Ckardin's
Trav. Persia 34 Levant Merchants, and others that were
verst in the AfTatrs of Turkey. 171a Hrarne Collect.
(O.H.S.) III. 361 Neither of us being vers'd in Latin. 1769
yunius Lett. xii. (17S8) 80, I am not versed in the politics
of the north. i8n W. Irving Braceb. Hall xviii, The
servants are all versed in the common modes of trying luck.
1843 Mill Logic 1. i. $ i A mind not previously versed in
the meaning and right use of the various kinds of words.
x88o L, Stkphen /V/V vi. 137 Curll was.. versed in every
dirty trick of the Grub-street trade.
D. With defining or limiting adverbs, esp. weil
{better, best) versed,
ia) a 1610 Healey Theophrastus To Rdr. (1616) I 3b,
Such as are well verst in Anttquttie. 1653 W. Ramrsey
Astral, Restored 160 A PhysicLin..must bebetter veised in
his Art before he can do any thing. 1655 Nicholas Faf>ers
(Camden) II. 176 He is certainly best versed in all his
Majesty's present affairs. 1711 Addisom Sfect. No. 108 p 3
He Is extreamly well versed in all the little Handicrafts of
an idle Man. 1791 Burkk Apfi. li'higs Wks. 1808 VI. 18
Men [sc. Jews] well versed in swearing, iSasCosBETT A^w/-.
Rides ■2T) He was very well versed in his prayer-book. 1841
Borrow Zincali 11, xL 111. 56 Reverend gentlemen.. much
better versed in the points of a horse than in points of
theology. 1874 Hurnand My time xxix. 277 Our tutor was
sufficiently well versed in his subjects.
Kh i6^ W. TiRWHYT tr. Balzac s Lett.KXs, A man no less
versed in the art of well-speaking then himself. 1641 Vind.
Snuctymnuits x. 107 He that is but meanly versed tn Cyprian.
i66a Stil[.in(;i-l. Orig. Sacr. iii. iv. § 10 Those who profess
themselves most versed in their own Antiquities, a 1711
pRiOK Ess. Learning p 3 Other parts of general L«arning in
which they may not be so perfectly versed, 1747 tr. Astruc's
Fevers 106 He was ilUversed m anatomy, botany and
chemistry. 1780 J. Picklrinc in Jesse Selwyn ^ Contem^,
143
(1844) IV. 356, I wish I was sufficiently versed in politics 1
[etc.J. 181S W. H. Irkl^nu Scribbleotuania 190, I am not
much versed in Egyptian hieroglyphics. 1836 H. Coleridge I
North. H'ortJiies Inirod. (1852) p. xxiv. Men long versed in !
public affairs. 1888 Burgon I^ives 12 C,d. Men I. iii. 346 j
He.. delivered his opinion.. like one thoroughly versed in I
the law of farms.
o. Without const, rare.
1734 tr. Rollings A nc, 11 ist. win. in. (1841) II. 214/1 A
general.. prudent, able, versed by long experience. 1888
Pall Mall G.z^y^h.t/i Observing that Lord Randolph
Churchill used to keep the Premier and Foreign Secretary
combined in order, which at present there was no one in the
Cabinet versed enough or bold enough to do.
f 2, Employed or exercised about something ;
— Vebsant a. I. Obs.-~^
1654 ViLVAiN Theol. Treat. \\. 80 Hope is properly versed
about some good to be attained by industry.
Versed {\^i%^ippL a.'^ [f. Vebse z^.^J Com-
posed or written in verse ; turned into verse.
1890 Athenxutn 27 Dec. 896/2 Monsieur P on/, the versed
biography of a dog. 1901 Dublin Rev, Apr. 413 Versed
commonplaces set to florid music.
Ve*rseless, a. [f. Vkrse sb^ Lacking verse
or poetry ; unable to compose verses.
1738 Gentl. Mag.yXW, 655\erseless myself, I conn'd not
blithsom song ; Nor lute had I, nor harp, nor tuneful lyre.
Ve'rselet. [f. Verse sb. + -let.] A little
verse ; a small poem.
1836 B. D. Walsh Aristophanes^ Achamians 11. iii. 43
His mind, which is collecting Small verseleis out of doors, is
not at home. 1865 Reader No. 151. 567/2 Each page con-
taining a verselet. x88o Warren Book-platcs i. 8 Mottoes,
texts, and verselets directed against borrowers.
Ve'rsenxaker. Also verse-maker, verse
maker, [f. Vebse sb. + Maker sb. Cf, Du.
verzenmaker y G. versmaeher. Da. versentager."]
One who makes or writes verses ; a poet or versifier.
1647 Hexham i. s.v., A verse maker, or a Poet, . .een Poet.
17*8 Young Love Fame 191 All other trades demand,
verse-makers beg. 1791 Boswell yohnson {1904) 11. 124 A
mere verse-maker, in whose numbers.. there is no poetry.
1836 SoL'THEV in Li/e ^ Corr. V\. 302 The versemaker gets
the habit of weighing the meanings and qualities of words.
1871 Tvlor Prim. Cult. I. 269 What we call poetry was to
them real life, not as to the modern versemaker a masque-
rade of gods and heroes.
Verseman (vausmsen). Also verse man,
verse-man. [f. as prec. + Man sb.'\ A man who
writes verse ; a versemaker; a poet, esp. (in recent
use) a minor poet or versifier.
165a Gaule Magnstrom, 235 To conclude, all the antient
verse men consent in this. 1718 Prior Better Answer v.
The God of us Verse-men (you know Child) the Sun. 1733
[see ProsemanI. 1779 Johnson L. P., Prior p 13 When the
battle of Blenheim called forth all the versemen. 1847 L.
HuNTi1/^«, Women, ^ B. I. xv. 300 Even miserly Pulteney
was a verseman. 1883 Pall Mall C. 30 Oct. 5/1 Almost
alone among recent English versemen, he preser\es . . a fine-
genilemanly air of urbanity. 189a A. Dobson 18/A Cent.
Vignettes 171 Madrigalists and minor versemen.
Hence TeTseznansliip, verse-makinp. rare~^,
176a J. Wilkes N. Briton No. az. The dull mechanical
part of verseinanship indeed b found, but the spirit of true
poetry is wanting.
Versemonger (vd'jsmz^ijgaj). Also verse-
monger, [f. as prec. +• Monger.] A versifier,
esp. one who writes poor or indifferent verse; a
poetaster.
1634 Bp. Hall Contempt., N, T. iv. xii. Which of those
versemongers ever durst write a ballad, without imploring
of some deity? 1768 Babetti Acc. Mann. Sf Cust. Italy
I. 234 Some few verse-mongers of Rome. 1866 Bi^ackib
Homer J^ Iliad I, 120 A set of inferior versemongers. 190a
W. L. Mathieson Pol. <J- Relig. Scott. I. x. 338 His virtues
..were cordially recognised even by the scurrilous verse-
mongers of the day.
Hence Ve'rsemongerinff vbi. sb., Te'rse-
monyarjr.
1836 Frasers Mag. XIV. 488 Earning his bread by
scribbleincnt and verse-mongery. 1875 Lowkll Spenser
Prose Wks. 1890 IV, 268 There is little to distinguish it from
the contemporary verse- monge ring south of the Tweed.
Verser ^ (va'jsai). [f. Verse v.^ + -er i. Cf.
versyowre s.v, Vehsifikr i a, quot. c 1440.] A
writer of verse ; a verseman, versifier.
cx^xx Chapman Iliad xitr. Comm., Such as abuse the
name of Critics as many versers do of poets. 16x9 Drlmm.
OF Hawth. Conv. w. Ben yonson vVks. (1711) 225 He
thought not Bartas a poet, but a verser ; because he wrote
not fiction. 1644-58 Cleveland Gen. Poems (1677) 63 O
That 1 could but vote my self a Poet, . .Or like the IJociors
Militant could get Dubb'd at adventure Verser Banneret,
1854 Mrs. Oliphant Magd. Hepburn \. 9 The archer
Simon, . . a verser as much as a bowman. 1907 Westm. Gaz.
21 Aug. 4 I The invidious task of separating the poets from
the versers,
+ Verser2. Cant, [Cf. Verse 7',^] One of
a gang of cozeners or swindlers (see quots.).
£"1550 Dice-Tlay (Percy Soc.) 38 He lightly bath in his
company a man of more worship than himself, that hath
the countenance of a possessioner of land, and he is called
the verser. 1591 Greene Discov. Cosenage x There bee
requisite effectually to act the Art of Conny-catching, three
seuerall parties : the Setter, the Verser, and the Barnackle,
Ibid. 3 Imagine the Connie is in the Tauerne, then .sits
down the Verser, and saith to the .Setter, what sirha, wilt
thou giue mee a quart of wine, or .shall I giue thee one?
ietc.]. 1606 Chapuan Mons. D'Ot. iv. i. F iij b, D'Ol. Can
le verse? Pae, I, and sett too, my Lord; Hec's both a
Setter and a Verser.
VERSICLE.
Verset (v5-jset). Also 5 werset. [n. OK.
(also motl.F.) verset ( = Prov. verset, Pg. verseto,
It. vcrsetto), dim. o( vers Verse sd.']
1. = Verse sb. 2, Versicle i. Now //ist.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 16 Sigge3 so al Se imne vt mid te uerset
* Emitte Spiritum tuum'. Ibid. 42 Her siggeS fiftiauez..,
alast l^et uerset, ' Ecce anciila Domini ' [etc.]. 1377 Langl.
/'. Pi, B. XII. 189 Doininus pars hereditntis mee is a nieri
verset. ^ 1400 Rule St. Benet (Prose) i6 Wen l^ai [i.e.
psalms] ere said and te verset, l>abbasse saie ^>e benecun.
Ibid., And efter[sing] ol>ir sexe salmis wid ^^e antefens, . .wid
|>e werset. 1641 Milton Auimadv. Wks. 1851 III. 209
They beare an equall part with the Priest in many places,
and have their cues and versets as well as he. 1844
LiSGARD Angto-Sa.r. Ch. (185B) I. App. M. 378 The manu-
script, both here and in several other places, interposes two
versets with their responses.
2. A little or short verse, esp. one of the Bible or
similar book ; a sliort piece of veise.
1625 Lisle Du Barias, Noe Pref. i Among the sundrie
versets or presets which besides this I have or shall set out.
1861 I. Taylor Spir. Ilebr. Pcetjy 335 The metrical Scrip-
tures— infixed as they were in the memory by the very
means of these artificial devices of versets,.. became food to
the mind. i888 Doughty Arabia Desei'ta I. 143 A Koran
verset is often written above,
Versical (vausikal), a, rare. [f. VeR8E sb.
+ -ICAL, ^i\.tx poetical, metrical^ Of or pertaining
to, of the nature of, composed or written in, verse.
i8s4 TaiVs JMog. XXI. 257 He already made some
versical efforts in the literary periodicals of Vienna. 1886
R. K. Burton Arab. Nts. (Abr. ed.) I. Forew. p. xiv. When
treating the versical portion,., i have not always bound my-
self by the metrical bonds of the Arabic.
Versicle (,v5'jsik'l),^^. Also 5 5V-, wersikill,
5-6 versycle, 6 versickiL [ad, L. versicui-us
Versiculus, Cf, Versicule.]
1. Liturg, One of a series of short sentences,
usually taken from the Psalms and of a precatory
nature, said or sung antiphonally in divine service;
spec, one said by the officiant and followed by the
response of the congregation or people ; often
collect.pl., a set of these with their accompanying
responses.
a 1380 St. Paula 191 in Horstm. ^//^wg-/. Leg. (1878) 7
peos versicles heo seide and bad. 1425 in Entick London
{1766J IV. 354 'Ihis psalm, de profundi s, with the versicles
and Orissons that longetli thereto, i486 Rec. St. Alary at
Hill (1905) 16 To go on procession . , syngyng a Respond , .;
that done, a versicle with the colet of S^ Stephen. 1570 W.
FuLKE Ref. Rastel 743 The very sound and sense of the. .
Respondes, and Versicles, declare whence thej^ proceeded.
1625 GonsiUz'io's Sp. Inquis. 97 The Psalme being ended . . ,
the chiefe Inquisitour singeth a sort of Versicles: and the
whole Quier answereth them with their Responses. 1631
Brathwaite Whimsies, Zealous Brother 120 Anthems and
versicles he holds papisiicall. 1710 Wheatlv Bk. Com.
Prayer \\. § 21. 50 Of the Versicles before the Lord's
Prayer. 1721 in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. VIIL 295 The
Ordinary Discipline is to last the time of a Miserere, with
the Versicle Christus /actus est, and the prayer Respite
guxsumus. 1795 Mason Ch. Mus. \\. 154 Tlie unaccom-
panied Chaunt, used in the versicles and responses. 1832
W. Palmer Orig. Liturg. I. 219 From this it appears, that
these versicles were not, perhaps, originally repeated in
church, but at home, as a preparation for divine service.
1893 W. Walker Three Churchmen 175 When he repeated
the versicle 'Lord save this woman, Thy servant !* the
clerk responded [etc.].
b. The sign {V, V\ If, or^)\vith which these
are noted or indicated in prayer-books, etc.
1888 Jacobi Printers' Voc. 151.
2. A little verse, in various senses of that terra :
fa. A short clause or sentence ; = Verse sb.^ 3,
1483 Caxton Gold, Leg. 231/1 A boke,.in whiche was
wreton thys versycle In euerlastyng memorye shal be my
rightful hoostesse. 1613 Pubchas Pilgrimage (1614) 198
Proceed in like manner, with the titles, attributes, and
workes of God. Doe it for thy name, Doe it for thy good-
nesse, , . &c. in seuerall versicles. 1668 Halk Rolle'sA oridgtn.
Pref. 5 In Jusiinians time there were an incredible number
of Versicles and Volumes of their Laws, c 1710 Burnet
Autobiog. II. {1902) 507 Ihe condemnatory versicles in
I Athanasius' Creed. 1721 R. Keith tr. T, a Kempis, Vail,
I /Mies vi. 13 Expound me this Word which thou spakest,
! open the Sense of this Versicle for the Comfort of thy
I Servant.
j b. + A verse of the Psalms or the Bible {obs^ ;
now spec, one of the subdivisions of a Hebrew verse.
[ 1624 Bp. Hall Art Medit. (1627) 36 Wee sliall lift vp our
! heart and voice to God in singing some versicle of Dauids
' diuine psalmes. 1641 J, Jackson True Evang. T. 1. 82
; That versicle of Psal. 119, Righteous art thou, O Lord, and
right are thy Judgements'. 1721 Strvi-e Eccl. Mem. (1822)
I II. I. 204 The psalms were in numtier fifteen,, .made in
I imitation of David's Psalms; being digested into versicles.
! 1737 KlHKUSiV.v.v.Cath.C hr. I nstructed {\Tsi\ loo Then wip-
ing the Chalice,.. he goes to the Book, and reads a Versicle
of the holy Scripture, called the Communion. 1783 Blaik
Led. xii. II. 389 When, .one band began the Hymn thus :
*The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice', the chorus..
took up the corresponding versicle. 1873 Speaker's Com-
mentary IV. 483/2 The .second clause of the first versicle
of this verse.
c. A short or single metrical line ; a little verse.
1573 G, Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 128 On[e] pore simple
versicle Had bene too mutch for such an article. 1589
Puttenham Fng. Poesie i. v. (Arb.) 26 The American . .and
the very Canniball, do sing and also say, their highest
and holiest matters in certaine riming versicles and not in
prose. i6ao Venner Via Recta v. 89 It behouelh him..
to be mindfull of that prouerbiall versicle: Caseus est
sanus, i]uem dat auara manus. 1637 Gillespie Fng. Pop,
Cerem. iv, iii. 7 The principall circumstances,. are coinpre-
VEBSICLE.
htnded in this versicle : Qitis,Q$n\l, I'H, Quiiiit atixilih.
Cur, Quomodo, QuaxJo. i^ Needham Stldrn's Mare
CL Ep D«L 8 According to that old Versicle Frangit «t
atloltit virts in MiliU cavsa. 1817 BvRON Let. to Moore
25 Mar., Here are some versicles. 1849 Thackekay Pen-
dennis ^1850) 11. 257 To these pretty little compositions Mr.
Pen replied . .with points of wit, n.iy, with pretty little
verses verj- likely, in reply to the versicles of the Muse of
'Mes Larmes'. 1893 ^lcCARTHY Red Diamonds III. 143
She »^s fond of writing versicles and setting them to music.
+ d. Without article. Ohsr^
1589 PuTTKSHAM Eiig. Poeiie I. v. (Arb.) 36 How the
wilde and sauage people vsed a naturall Poesie in versicle
and rime as our vulgar is. ...
Hence tVeT»iel« ^'- "''>'■ C^''''*' '')' '° ^'°S
versicles. 06s.-^
1550 Bale /»>«/. 131 b, I knowe thejT progresse was great,
as j-e were wont to versjxle it on thejT dales.
VeTSicler. rarr-^. [f. \'ebsiclej*.] a writer
of versicles or short verses ; a versifier.
1885 Meredith Diana xxx, I'll read your versider to-
morrow morning early.
Veraicolorate, a. Ent. [-ate 2.] = Versi-
COLODBEDfl.
l8>6 KiRBV & Sp. Entomol. IV. xlvi. 292 Vcrstcolorate^ . .
when a surface changes its colour as the light varies.
VersicolOTOUS, «. rare-^. [f. late L. veisi-
colorus : cf. Veksicolour a.] = prec.
1847 Hardy in Proc. Benv. Nat. Club II. 242 Abdomen
shining, versicolorous.
t Ve-rsioolour, sb. Obs.—° (See quot. and next.)
J775 .\SH, I'ersicolour, a variegated or changc-ible colour.
ve rsicolour, a. rare. Also 7, 9 -color, [ad.
L. versicolor, i. vers-, ppl. stem of vertlre to turn,
change, Vbbse v.^ -h color Coloob sb. So F.
vtrsicolore^ = next.
i6a8 Burton Anal. Mel. (ed. 3) 264 Neate gardens full
of exotick, vereicoloure, diuersly varied, sweele smelling
flowers. 1631 Ibid. (ed. 4) 478 Why doe they . . decke them-
selues with . .chaines, girdles, rings, .. versicolor ribbands!
(i8iS-3a Webster, Versicolor, .. having various colors; '
changeable in color.]
Versicoloured (vsusikcdaid), a. [f. as prec.
-hCoLODBED ///. a. Cf. the earlier Vbrsk-
COLOURED.] Changing or varying in colour ; irid-
escent ; also, of various colours, variegated.
I7»i Bailey, Versicoloured, changing Colour, of sundry
and changeable Colours. 1811-7 Good Study Med. (1829)
I. 421 Under these circumstances, the bile has at different
times, .been found, .whitish, bla-k, green, eruginous, and
versicoloured. 1846 Landoh Imag. Conv. Wks. I. 467/1 If
thou hadst enveloped him in thy versicoloured and cloud-
like vestiary. 1873 M. QaiA-m^ Squire Silchester III. xxii.
346 Arocket. .drops its versicoloured shower.
fig. 1867 ViscT. Strangford Selection (1869) I. 135 Such
views . . on the subject of the versicoloured policy of France
in the East.
Hence Terslcolouredness, 'the being of
changeable Colours' (Bailey, 1727, vol. II).
t Versi'cnlar, J*. Ohs.-^ [ad. med.L. »<«»-
ciilarius, f. L. versiculus Vebsiculus : see -ab 2.]
One whose office it was to say or sing the versicles.
c 14S0 in Aungier Syon (1840) 364 Of the versiculars for the
wyke. The two sustres that be tabled to synge the versicles
schal synge the Venite.
Versicular (vaasi-kiSlar), a. [f. L. versicul-
us Versicle ji5. -i- -ae 1.] Of or pertaining to,
characterized by, consisting of, versicles or verses,
esp. Biblical verses.
j8ia J. Jebb Corr. (1834) 1 1. 72 The theological uses of the
hebraic versicular system. 1840 G. S. Faber Clirisfs Disc.
Capernaum 20 That the sort of uncon.scious delusion, pro-
duced by the versicular figures, may be dissipated, I have
. .omitted those figures altogether. \Viz~\Schaff's Encycl,
Relig. Knoivl. III. 2242 It was in this edition that the ver-
sicular division of the New Testament was . . introduced.
Versicola'tioil. rare. [f. L. versicul-us or
Vebsicule.] The action or practice of making
versicules ; the result of this.
1893 Edin. Rev. Oct. 484 But here we will escape from the
polyglot versiculalions of Sir Edwin Arnold.
VersiCTlle (va-JsikiKl). ran. [a. OF. (also
mod.F.) versuule (14th c. ; = It., Sp., Pg. versi-
culo), or ad. L. versiculus : see next and Vebsicle
ji.] A versicle ; a short verse or poem.
1491 Cartul. St. Niclwlai Abcrdon. (New Spald. CL) I.
256 Gif he be ane choristar and playne Sangster t>at can
singe Anthems, Responseris and Versiculis. 1517 in ..4 rchaeol.
LXI. 84 A booke with the Invitatorys and the versiculis
noted, a ijso IVyntoun's Cron. (Wemyss MS.) v. xi. .3625
Versiculis thare to he can write, And ympnis alsua maid in
dite. 1861 W. H. Russell in Times 14 May, A variety of
versicules, songs, and rhetorical exercitations. ,
II Versiculus (vaisi-kifil^s). PI. -culi. [L.,
dim. of versus Verse sb. Cf. prec. and Versicle
sb.] A versicle. Chiefly in pi.
1755 Genti. Mag. XXV. 93 The late bishop Hare, began
his enquiry by attempting to discover the length of the ver-
siculi or lines. x8ao Blnckw. Mag. June 323 A sentence of
panegyric on ray own versiculi. iBso Byron Lett, ft Jmls.
(1900) IV. 395 Pray let not these versiculi go forth with my
name, except among the initiated.
Versie : see Vebsy a. Obs.
Versifiable (vS'isifsliab'l), a. rarr-^. [f.
Versify v. + -able. Cf. OF. versifiabk^ That
can be versified or put into verse.
iSaSSoUTHEY Lett. (1856) IV. 107 Names and dates, &c.,
will precede it (i.e. the epitaph] in the usual form, telling
all that is not versifiable.
144
t Versi'fical, a. Obs.~'^ In 6 versyfyoall.
[f. late L. versific-its (cf. L. versifudre to versify) +
-AL.I Of or pertaining to the making of verse.
154S-7 in ■'' rchaeol. XXXIV. 40 They have the versyfyoall
rulys of Sulpice gevyn in the mornyng of one of the vj"i
forme.
f VeTSiiicate, v. Obs.—" [f. I- vcrsifical-, ppl.
stem of versificare to versify.] intr. ' To make
verses' (Bailey, 1721).
Versification (vaisifik^'-Jan). [ad. L. versifi-
cation-, versifuatio, noun of action f. versificare to
versify. So F. versification (1680), Sp. versifua-
cion, Pg. -afao, It. -azione.']
1. The action of composing verse ; the art or
practice of versifying.
In Rolland Crt. Veuus (c 1550) n. ij6 'Versification,
meter ' should perhaps be read for ' Versificat in meter ' of
t4ie text.
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1 198 The order of writing
an historic, .came downe as one would say from the stately
chariot of versification, to prose, and went a foot. 1658
Phillips, Versification, a making of Verses. 1706 Pope i
Lett. Wks. 1736 V. 53 The thoughts I have already sent j
you on the .subject of English Versification. 1774 Warton
Hist. Eng. Poetry 1. 11. 27 Camden affirms, that Aldhelni..
taught his countrymen the art of Latin versification. 1790 •
CowpER Lett. 13 Sept., After perpetual versification during j
five years I find myself. . reduced to read for my amusement.
1814 Coleridge Table-t. 7 June, How lamentably the art |
of versification is neglected by most of the poets of the
present day I j86i Wright £js. /4rc/ia?<i/. II. xx. 153 The [
southern ecclesiastics, .adopted this new style of versifica- ,
tion for their chant music. 1875 Ouselev Mus. Form ii. 3
Vou may teach a man the rules of versification or of melody. I
2. The form or style in which the words in a
poetical composition are arranged ; the structure
of poetry or verse ; measure, metre.
1693 Dryden Juvenal Ded. p. v, Donn alone, of all
our Country. men, had your Talent; but was not happy
enough to arrive at your Versification. 1780 J. Welwood
Pre/, to Rcnue's Lucan p. xliii. As to the Translation it self,
. .the Language is pure, and the Versification both musical
and adapted to the subject. 1719 T. CooKE Tales, etc. 137
His Versifycation is mostly as faulty as his Sentiment. 1759
Johnson Idler No. 60 f 7 The versification of Rowe he
thought too melodious for the stage. 1813 Bvron Corsair
Ded., I shall.. take my chance, with that versification in
which I have hitherto published nothing. 1841 W. Spalding
Italy Hf It. Isl. I. 139 Virgil was the great model, and his
picturesque groups and flowing versification were imitated
by many men of letters. 1880 L. Stephen Pofe ill. 75 To
make theversification as smooth and the sense as transparent
as possible.
3. A poetical or metrical version 0/^ something.
l8si Q. Rev. XXV. 36 Of this song we have been favoured
with the following beautiful versification. 1858 Doran Crt.
Fools 154 Many of his epigrams.. are said to have been
versifications of his own jokes.
Versificator (va-jsifik^'taj). [a. L. vcrsifi-
color (whence also It. versificatore, Sp., Pg. versi-
ficador, F. versificaieur), f. versificare to versify.]
One who writes verse ; a poet, versifier.
1611 Cotgr., Versifictitcur, a versificator, versifier, maker
of verses. 1681 Shadwell Medal Ep. Aj b, His Fort is,
that he is an indifl'erent good Versificator. 1S93 Dryden
Juvenal Ded. p. xi, Statius, the best Versificator next
to Virgil. 1746 W. Hoesuey Fool (1748) I. 15 The Sons of
Imagination, whether Lovers or.. Prose-Writers, or Versifi-
cators. 1760 JoRTiN Erasm. II. 105 Erasmus was very far
from being as mean a poet as this versificator. 1805 Editi.
Rev. VI. 291 The system, upon which a certain sect of versi-
ficators have lately proceeded. 1841 DTsraeli Amen.
Lit. (1867) 477 Alliterations and epithets., with mechanical
versificators are a mere artifice.
tVersiflcatory.a. Obs.-^ [f. Versifioate ».]
' Belonging to versifying' (Bailey, 1727, vol. II).
Versifica 'trix. [a. L. type *versificdtrix,
fem. of versificator Versificatob.] A female
versifier ; a poetess.
1784 Beattie in Forbes Life (1806) II. 147 Johnson told
me, with great solemnity, th.at she (Hannah More] was ' the
most powerful versificatrix in the English language.
Versified (vs-jsifaid)), ///. a. [f. Versify v.
+ -ED.] Written or composed in verse.
1841 W. Spalding Italy f; It. Isl. III. 205 His versified
epistles are greatly prized, .for their taste and feeling. 1874
L. Stephen Hours in Libr. (1892) II. vii. 210 His poems
were versified sermons.
Versifier (v3Usif3i|3j). Forms: a. 4-5 versi-
flour, 5 -fyowre ; 5 versefiour, -fyour. /3. 5
versyfyer, -fyar, 6 veroyfyer, 5 vercifler, 5-
versifler, 6 -flax, 6, 8 -fyer; 5 versefier, 5-6
-fyer. [a. AF. versifiur (i.sth c), vcrsifour,
OF. versefiere, -fierre (13th c), versifieur (14th c),
f. versifier : see Vebsify v. and -EE.]
1. One who versifies or composes verses ; a verser
or verse-maker ; a poet.
o. c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 897 He suld fynd ful litel
matere To mak ioy whilles he here duelles, Als a versifiour
in metre Jms telles. 1383 Wyclif Job Pref., The whiche
thing versifioures more than a symple redere vnderstonden.
135(8 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvii. xci. (Bodl. MS.), It is
I seide J>* versifiours likned (>e lelye to mannes inwitte. a 1425
tr. Ardern/s Treat. Fistula, etc. 4 Wherfore seij? a versi-
fiour, ..*lat werke ouercome thi worde, for boste lessenej)
I godelose'. eij40 Profn/, Parv, $08/2 Versifyowre {/I. vcr-
syowre), versificator.
fi. 14. . Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 68i Hie versificator, a ver-
I syfyer. a 1450 Mankind 746 in Macro Plays 27 As a nobyll
i versyfyer makyth mencyon in |>is verse. 1477 Earl Rivers
VERSirYING.
(Caxton) Dicti's 13 Omer was an auncienl vercifier in Grece.
a 1513 Fadyan Chron. vll. 405 Of this noble prynce a vercy-
fyer made these .il verses folowynge. 1567 Drant Horace,
Fp. IL ii. H iv, Euil versefyers mocked be, yet haue they
totheireioy. 1603 Daniel yJ</; RhimeW'k^.ii?'?) 32 This
Self-Love, whereuuto we Versifiers are ever noted to be
especially subject. 1670 Milton Hist. Eng. v. Wks. 1851
V. 227 Other pretious things, . . describ'd in Malmsbury,
tak'n . . out of an old versifier, .some of whose verses he re-
cites. 1741 Watts Improv. Mind l. xvi. § 1 More elevated
language than the fondest critics have ever found in any of
the Heathen versifiers either of Greece or Rome. 1789
Bklsham Ess. I. xii. 232 Pope has often been stiled the best
versifier in the English language. 1828 Harrovian 46 He
was a good classic, and an excellent versifier. 1873 Svmonds
Crk. Poets X. 333 Those purely ru-stic poems which, .have.,
been imitated by versifiers emulous of his gracefulness.
2. \Vith depreciative force : A mere or poor writer
of verse(s) ; a limester, a poetaster.
1531 I;lyot Gov. l xiii, Semblably they that m.ake verses,
expressynge therby none other lernynge but the craft of
versifyeng, be. .of auncient writers, .onely called versifyers.
>58i Sidney Apol. Poetrie (Arb.) 28 Now swarme many
versifiers that neede neuer aunswere to the name of Poets.
1589 PuTTENHAM Eng. Pocsic 1. i. (Arb.) 19 The translator,
who.. may well be sayd a versifier, but not a Poet. 1642
Milton Apol. Smect. Wks. iSst III. 262 Rather nice and
humerous in what was tolerable, then patient to read every
drawling versifier. 1652-63 Hf.vlvn Cosmogr. iv. (1682) 85
Philip whom the Versifier (1 do not say the Poet) called
Pliiiippus Hispanus. 1696 Phillips (ed. 5), Versifier, a
maker of Verses, generally taken in an ill sense. 1781 Sir
J. Reynolds Journ. Flanders Wks. 1797 II. 112 The
modern versifiers,.. carrying no weight of thought, easily
fall into that false gallop of verse. 1821 Byron Diary Wks.
(1846) 531/2 As different from an orator as an improvisalore
or a versifier from a poet. 1880 M iss Braddon Just as I
aut xi. She thought Byron an ephemeral versifier.
Ve-rsiform, a. rare-°. [ad. L. versiformis
(post-class.) : see -FORM.] (See quots.)
1727 Bailey (vol II), Versiform, that changes its Shape.
1884 Imp. Diet., Versiform, varied in form ; changing
form : used in botany.
Versify (va-jsifai), V. Also 4-7 versifye,
-fie (5 uersefije, versfy), 5 versyfyyn, wer-
syfy, 5-6 versyfy. [ad. OF. vercifier, versifier
(I3lh c. in Godef. Comfl., = Prov. versifiar), ad.
L. versificare (whence It. versificare, Sp., Pg. ver-
sificar), f. versus Verse sb. +faa're to make.]
1. inlr. To make or compose verses; to write
poetry ;= Verse z/.l I. Also const. h/i>« (or fo/")
a theme.
I 1377 Langl. p. pi. B. XV. 367 For is none of bis newe
clerkes. .pat can versifye faire ne fornialich enditen. 1:1440
I Promp. Parv. 508/2 Versyfyyn, versificor. 1483 Catk.
i Augt. 401/1 To versifye, versificare, versiciilare . CX520
Skelton Magnyfi 1162 Yes, in faythe; I can versyfy. 1579
Lodge Def. Poetry, etc. (Hunt. Club) 15 Tully atributeth
it for prais to Archias y' vpon any theame he cold versify
extempory. 16x2 Brinsley Lud. Lit, viii. (1627) 121 To
learne to versifie, ex tempore, of any ordinary Theame. 1636
H. More Enthus. Tru (1712) 8 Maracus a Poet of Syracuse,
who never versified so well as when he was in his distracted
fits. i6j3 Drvden Juvenal I. 24 Since the World with
Writing is Possest, I'll versifie in spite. \'j\Z Free-thinker
No. 136. 236 The Subject .. promises no .small Glory to the
Genius who shall versify upon it. 1798 Lady Bedingfield
in Betham Lett. (1905) 51 Cannot you versify as you walk?
1824 Bykon Juan XV. xix, S^ieculating. .On what may suit
. . my story. And never straining hard to versify. 1841
DTsraeli Amen. Lit. (1867) 394 A few scholars.. had the
intrepidity to versify in French with the ancient metres.
1897 Pop. Sci. Monthly L. 391 The true poet does not
versify because he would, but because he must.
2. trans. To narrate or recount in verse ; to treat
as the subject of verse.
c 1386 Chaucer Monk's Prol. 90 They [tragedies] ben
versified communely Of vj. feet which men _clep«n Exa-
metron. 1596 Daniel Civ. Wars 1. vi, I versify the truth,
not poetize. 1766 Golds.m. Vic. IV. xvii. The silly poet
runs home to versify the disaster. 1868 Freeman Norm.
Cong, II. App. 533 The story is versified at great length
in the French Life. 1871 Lowell Study Wind., Pope 315
His more ambitious works may be defined as careless
thinking carefully versified.
3. To turn or convert (a literary piece) into verse ;
to change from prose into verse ; to translate or
rewrite in verse-form.
173s Pope Wile), The Satires of Dr. John Donne,. .Versi-
fied. 1756 J. Warton Ess. Pope I. 11 The exalted pro-
phesy of Isaiah, which Pope has so successfully versified.
1789 BuRNKY Hist. Mus. III. 35 note. The 30th. Psalm was
the first which Luther versified. 1814 DTsraeli Quarrels
Auth. (1S67) 256 Bolingbroke really wrote the 'Essay on
Man', which Pope versified. 1837 LocKHART.yrt'^/ I. viii.
247 These are all in prose like their originals; but he also
versified, .some lyrical fragments of Goethe.
VersifyilXg (va-rsifaiiii)), vbl. sb. [f. prec. +
-inqI.] The .let or practice of making verses;
an instance of this ; the art of composing verse ;
versification.
c 1450 Co-j. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 189 No clcrke abyl to here
oure book Of versyfyeng, nor of other scyen.s. 1479 Paston
Lett. III. 241, I lake no thynge but wersyfyynge, whyche I
troste to have with a lytyll contynuance. a 1568 Ascham
Scholem. 11. (\A>.) 147 Yet neither of them hath fullie hite
perfite and trew versifying. 1580 Spenser Let. to Harvey
Wks. (1912) 636, I perceiue you other whiles continue your
old exercise of Versifying in English, a 1653 Gouge Comm.
Hebr. V. 14 A scholar exercised in versifying will readily
distinguish between a true and false verse. 1677 J. Peter
Uitle), Artificial Versifying ; a New Way to make Latin
Verses. 1740 J. Clarke Educ. Youth (ed. 3) 61 Of what
Use Versifying is, , . I do not understand. 1830 Southey
Bunyan p. xlix. In versifying he was attempting an art
VERSIFYING.
which he had never learnt, and for which he had no apti-
tude. 189a Athenmtm 6 Aug. 190/1 What really genuine
poetic inspiration he .showed is lost in the commonplace of
too idle versifyings.
b. atlrib., as versifying dialogue, etc.
1686 in Vernt^ Mem. ^.\go^) II. 424 As to y[ou]r Versify-
ing Dialogue with Him, I like it very well. 1725 Watts
Logic III. ii. § 3, I confess some of these logical Subtilties
have much more Use than those versifying Tables. 1737
Gmtl. Mag. VII. 148/1, I shall exemplify by a Text, where a
Singing, or mere Versifying Repetition, is literally express'd.
1787 Skinner Let. in M'ks. Burns (1800) II. 127, I know a
classical education will not create a versifying taste. 1811
BvnON Hints /r. Hor. 839 If free, all fly his versifying fit.
1885 Athenxtim ri July 50/1 Godwin desired Wordsworth
to undertake the versifying part of the business.
Versifying, ppl. a. [f. as prec. +-ing2.]
That versihes or writes verses.
1580 2nd ff 3rd Blast Piaysff Theatres no These versi-
fieng Plaie-makers. 1750 Gray LnngSttny 18 Shame of the
versifying tribe 1 1893 Walker Three Churchmen 134 Tlie
reviewers he looks upon as ' gamekeepers ', doing invaluable
service to literature by keeping the versifying * poachers '
off Parnassus.
tVersi-loquy. Obs.-° [Cf. lateL. versiloi;nHS
that speaks in verse.] (See quot.)
i7»7 Bailey (vol. II), I'ersiloquy, speaking in Verse.
Versin, contracted f. versed sine Versed a.
iS»7 Airy in Encycl. Metrop. (18^5) I. 685 Versin c = i —
cos r. /*/(/., Versin e = versin a — 4 (etc). 1850 Parkinson
Optics f 1866) 254 The quantity of light received by the disc
is zv^a^B versin a,
Versine, variant of V'erzine Obs.
Versinff (vajsiij), vbl. sb. [f. Verse z/.i*
-inqI.] The action or practice of writing verse; an
instance of this ; the art or science of verse-making.
1581 Sidney Afol. Poetrie I XA.) ^9 That which gyueth
greatest scope. ., is ryming and versing. 16x3 W. Browne
Brit. Past. 11. i. (1616) 9 For well it seemes in versing he
hath skill. 1633 G. Herbert Tempie, Flower vi, I once
more smell the dew and rain. And relish versing. 1644
Bulwer Chirol. A iij b, Physick and Versing in his flaming
Chaire Plac'd Phoebus, and bestow'd that blazing Haire.
1856 Anne Manning Tasso ^ Leonora 46 Charmed with
his smooth versings. 187^ M. Collins Transmigr. II. ix.
162 The man who can , .relish versing has nothing much the
matter with his. .psychical htelth. 189a Stopford Bkookk
Early Eng. Lit. I. vii. 146 He had before him some ancient
versings of the fight.
altrib. 1645 G. Daniel PoemsWVs. (Grosart) II. 51 What
mad men are wee of the versing trade I
t Versing box. Ofo.-' (Of obscure meaning ;
perh. connected with Verse v.-^ and Vebser 2.)
_ a xsa9 Skelton Bouge cf Court 232 As I stode musynge
in my myndc, Haruy Hafter came lepynge, lyghte a& lynde.
Vpon his breste he bare a versynge boxe.
version (v5-jjjn), sb. [a. F. version ( = It. ver-
sione, Sp. version, Pg. versdo), or ad. L. version-,
versio, noun of action from verlire to turn.]
L A rendering of some text or work, or of a
single word, passage, etc., from one language into
another; a translation; also (rarely), the action or
process of translating.
Freq. with adjs. denoting the language into which the
translation is made.
IS8» N. T. (Rhemish) Pref. bij. Trusting that it may
giue occasion to you ..to lay away at lest such their
impure versions as hitherto you haue ben forced to occupie.
i6o7_TopsELL Four./. Beasts 435, I vtterly seclude al their
opinions, which translate this word Arabian wolues, for the
H%brew notes cannot admit such a version or exposition.
C1645 Howell £<«. (1650) II. 61 Things translated into
another tongue lose of their primative vigor and strength,
unless a paraphrasticall version be permitted. 168a Grew
Anat. Plants Pref., The Second Lecture, .is also translated
into French, by Mons. Mesmin, . . whose Version is very well
approved by those who are competent Judges. 1718 Prior
Poems Several Occas. Pref., His excellent Version of the
Carmen Seculare. 1794 Burke Pre/, to Brissofs Addr,
Constit. Wks. VII. 327 The translator has only to say for
himself, that he has found some difficulty in this version.
c 1806 H. K. White Rem. Eng. Poels Remains (1825) 156
None of our better versions have been able to preserve the
original graces of these verses [of Ps. xviii]. 1841 Elphin-
STONE Hist. India I. iii. vi. 293 Such of those literal ver-
sions 33 we possess in English (which arc mostly from the
' RSraiyana '). 1874 Green Slutrt Hist. viii. { i. 448 The
Knglish version of the Bible remains the noblest example
of tne English tongue.
b. Sc. A translation from English into Latin
prose done as a school or university exercise ; a
piece of English prose set for translation into Latin.
1711 Burgh Etc. Aberdeen (1872) II. 34sTher proficiency
in themms, versions, poeticall composurs, and orations.
c 1850 Hurry in Walker Bnrds Bon-Accord\\iiS) 629 When
we our versions wrote, nae Lexicon had we To help us.
2. The particular form of a statement, account,
report, etc., given by one person or party ; an ac-
count resting upon limited authority or embodying
a particular point of view.
1^88 in Ld. AucklantFs Corr. (1861) II. 93 The version
which we received here respecting the famous Scarborough
cruise. i8ss Macaulay Hist. Eng. xviii. IV. 214 The
Whig version of the story was that the old robber Mac Ian
had ^ laid an ambuscade for the soldiers. . . The Jacobite
version .. appeared in the Paris Gazette of the seventh of
April. i8to Frouok Cxsarx\. 740 The version generally
received of what he actually did say. 1907 Verney Mem.
II. 154 Sir Roger sends his version of the reconciliation
between Monk and the City,
b. A special form or variant of something.
183s I. Taylor Spir. Despot, viii. 345 To see Christianity
freed from the bonds of every peculiar version. 18^
Vol. X.
145
Masson Milton (1859) !■ 679 In the cause of true religion,
or of the Scottish version of it. 1908 Sir H. Maxwell
Guide Holyrood 20 This painting is a larger version of one
at Windsor Castle.
+ 3. A turning about ; a change of direction. Obs.
x6is Bacon £:jj,F/Wj5.^7'/»«e,r(Arb.) 571 What Kinde of
Comet, for JIagnitude, Colour, Version of the Beames, ..or
Lasting, produccth what Kinde of Effects. 1706 Concrkve
Disc, Pindaric Ode A j b, The first was call'd the Strophe,
from the Version or circular Motion of the Singers in that
Stanza from the Right Hand to the Left.
b. Obstet. The operation of manually turning
the child so as to focilitate delivery.
1853 J- Y. Simpson Obstet. Path. ^ Pract. 17, I now found
an obstruction to the complete version of the infant. 1889
Buck^s Handbk. Med, Sci. VII. 628/2 The term version is
applied to all operations by which the long axis of the child
is changed in its relation to the long axis of the uterus.
f 4. Conversion, transformation. Obs.
i6a6 Bacon Sylva § 27 Springs, which the Ancients
thought.. to be made by the Version of Aire into Water,
1626 — Nevj AtL^ Mngn. Nat. giij, Version of bodies into
other Bodies. 1666 Bovle Otig^. Forms <$• Qual. 407 \s to
, the version of Water into Earth, by a seemingly slight
j Operation,
I Hence Te*rsion v. trans.^ to translate. VeT-
j sioxiAl a., pertaining to a version or translation.
I TeTSloner, Ve'rsionist, one who produces a
I version ; a translator. Ve'xsionize v. trans., to
j render into another tongue, to translate.
j 1716 M. Davies.^^/i^«. Brit. IIL ArioJiism 19 Biddle's
brief Scripture-Catechism was caus'd to be *version'd into
Latin. 1884 Advance (Chicago) 3 Jan.^ At the time the
! Scriptures had been versioned into the King James version.
: 1871 Independent (N. V.) 23 Mar, (Cent.), All the sugge.s-
I tionsfor emendations [of the Bible], whether textual or
*versional. 19x0 Expositor Nov. 4oq The versional variants
■ rest on divergent Hebrew texts. CX806 in H. K. Whites
' Rem. {1825) 159 Our *versioner, by adding an s to it, has
rendered them both plurals. 178a Elphinston tr. Mar-
tial Pref. p, iv. His \,sc. Martial's] Editor and *Versioiiist.
1811 R. Dixon Interpr. Sixty-eighth Ps. 46 twte^ All the
ancient versionists seem to have thought, that the valley in
this verse received its name [etc.]. x86x \. Taylor Spir.
Hebr. Poetrpf ^iZ Serviceable as Jewish versionists. .are, it
was not their Ainction to concern themselves with the soul
..of the national literature. 1874 H. Copper Eng. Lit.
(ed. ^) 52 Wace's poem. .was soon again.. to be ^version-
, ized into English.
t Versipellous, a. Obs.-^ [f. L. versipdlis,
{. vers-, vert^re to turn ■k-pelHs skin.] Having the
faculty of changing the skin. In quot^^.
1650 B. DiscoUiminium 28, I could demonstrate it to Ije
Heterogeneous, Heterodoxous, Incongrous,. .Versipcltous.
t Ve-rsity, Obs. [Abbrev. of Universitv.] =
Varsity.
fi68o HicKERiNCiLL Htst. Wkiggism I. Wks. 1716 L 37
M. Tantivee is a Graduate, and no small Fool, I assure
you, he has been at the — Versity. i6ax Mrs. D*Anvers
Academia 8 When e're he's sent to th' Versity.
tVeTSle, V. Obs. rare. Also 3 uerslen,
uersalien, 4 versail. [ad. OF. verseiller, ^sailier,
-seller, etc :— L. type *versiculdre^ f. L. versicnlus
Versicle sb^ intr. To say or sing versicles or
verses of the Psalms, esp. during Divine Office.
Also trans.
axaas Ancr. R. 44 Mid him ne schule ^e nouSer uerslen
ne singen )>et he bit muwe iheren. Ibid. 120 pauh heo
uersalie, & sigge hire vres, & hire Pater nosters. a xjas
Prate Psalter c. 1 Lord, y sha! synge mercy and iugement
to ^ ; y shal versail and vnderstonde in wai unfiled, c 1330
R. Brunne Chron. IVace (Rolls) 16472 pys salme ^y songe,
St versled hit al wyj> o tonge.
Hence f VeTsliiig vbl. sb. Obs.
a IMS Ancr. R. 44 Verslunge of hire sautere; redinge of
Englichs, oder of Freinchs ; holi meditaciuns.
il Verso (vs-JSi?). [L. verso {sc. folio leaf), abl.
sing, neut. of versus, pa. pple. of ventre to turn.
So F. and Pg. verso."]
1. The back of a leaf in a manuscript or printed
book ; the side presented to the eye when the leaf
has been turned over. Also abbrev. v., vo.
The left-hand page of a book is the verso of that leaf, and
faces the Recto of the next.
1839 Halliwell Maundevile Introd. p. xiii. See f, 2, vo.
1850 FoRSHALL & Madden Wyclijffite Bible \. p. Ixi, The
verso commences with the eleventh chapter of the Epistle
to the Romans. 1873 Rep. Brit. Assoc, i. 43 Sines, cosines,
and secants are given on the versos of the pages in columns.
1898 Athenaeum 12 Nov, 676 The text begins on the verso
of the title-page.
before I had the verso of this agreeable recto of one leaf of
fig. 1873 j. Henry Aeneidea \. Pref. 77 It was not long
my library life.
2. The reverse of a coin, medal, or the like.
X89X Cent. Diet. 19x4 P. E. Newberry in Anc. Egypt 6
On the verso of the same palette there is a scene [etc.].
Versoke, southern ME. pa. t. Forsake v.
tVersOr^. Obs, In 5 versour(e. [a. AF.
*versour (F, verseur), f. verser to pour. Verse
z/.^] (See quots.)
A 1483 Liber Niger in Househ, Ord. (1790) 77 One chief
sobyr yeoman versoure, to resceyve all the ale or beere
that shall be pourveyede. Ibid., Othyr twoe groomes
versours in this office to helpe to lodge theyre ale, to helpe
drawe it [etcj.
Versor 2 (vaus^j). [a, L. type ^versor^ f. vers-,
vert/re to turn.]
+ 1. The needle of a compass. Obs. rare.
1640 G. Watts tr. Bacon's Adv. Learn, v. ii. sag So
VERSY.
the versor of a Mariners needle applies it selfe to the Poles
of the world.
2. AJath. In quaternions, an operator which
changes the direction of a vector without altering
its length.
ax865 Sir W. R. Hamilton Elem. Quaternions ii. i.
(1866) 133 We shall now say that every Radial Quotient is
a Versor. A Versor has thus, in general, a plane, an axis
and an angle. 1886 W. S. Alois Solid Geom, (ed. 4) xiv.
235 If the two vectors OA and OB be of equal length the
change of one into the other is merely an operation of
rotation. In this case the quaternion is called a versor.
Verss(e, southern ME. varr. Fresh a.
Verst (v5ist). Forms: a. 6-8 werste, 6,
8-9 worst, 7 worst, 7-8 wurste. ^. 6- verst,
6-8 verste, 7 vorst; 6 verse (//. versse), 7
i ferse. [ad. Russ. Bcpcra, partly through G.
. wersi and F. verste.'] A Russian measure of length
equal to 3500 English feet or about two-thirds of
an English mile.
a. X5« Eden Decades (Arb.) 322 From Moscouia to the
citie of Vuolochda, are numbered [500] Werstes, one Werst
conteynynge ahnoste the space of an Iiatyan myle. z66a J,
Davies tr. Olearius'' Voy. Ambass, 27 We left Novogorod
and got forwards 36. Werstes, or seven Leagues. iix^Lond.
Gas. No. 5293/2 He was not gone above 12 Wur.stes or
Russian Miles, x-jn^ Ann. Reg.w. 151 Having approached
this island within almost three wersts, or two English miles,
their vessel was suddenly surrounded by ice. 1818 Byron
Mazeppa xvii, Many a werst, Panting as if his heart would
burst, The weary brute still stagger'd on. x&iz Motley
Corr. {i88g) I . iv. 73 The road from Tauroggen to Petersburg
is 14 wersts.
fr 1557 Jenkinson in Hakluyt Voy. (1886) III. 198
Vologhda and M osco.. are acconipted 500 verstes asunder
CX57X J. Stow Vopf. ff Trav. (Hakl. Soc.) II. 339 The
ryuer oca, which is 20 .versse disiant from ye moscow
a verse is iii quarters of an yn^leshe myle. 1591 G.
Fletcher Russe Commiv. (Hakl. See.) 7 A little isthmus
or narrow slippe of lande, a fewe versts ouerthwart. 1617
MoRYSON Itin. I. 295 In Russia among the Moscovites con-
fining upon Poland, a mile is called a ferse. X63S Pacitt
Christianogr. 23 From the furthest part westward.. to
Siberia Eastward, is 4400. verst or thereabouts. 0x670 [S.
Collins] Prts. St. Russia (1671) 83 Some ran away ten
Versts before they could be overtaken." 1760 Phil, Trans,
LI. 490 It runs from a great lake, which lies a verste and a
half from its mouth. X775 Wraxall Tour North, Europe
218 Muscovite lords commonly go fifty and sixty versts. .to
make visits to each other. x8o8 R. K. Porter Trav. Sk.
Russ. fy Sived, (1813) I. iv. 27 Seventy or eighty versts above
St. Petersburgh. 1864 Burton Scot Air, II. ii. 204 A
country house of the Tzaar's seven versts from Moscow.
1879 Browning Ivan Ivan. 194 No stiength, old crone,—
not she ! — to crawl forth half a verst 1
Ver8t(e, southern ME. varr. FiiiST a. and adv, ;
obs. Sc. ff. Worst a. Versuore, southern ME.
yzx^orswore Forswore.
II versus (v5-js:?s),/?v/. [L.] Against; em-
ployed in Law to denote an action by one party
against another. Also transf\ Freq. abbrev. v,
(also ver., vs.).
1447-8 Shillincford Lett. (Camden) 53 Also the jugement
by twene..John Husset versus John Notte. 145X Paston
Lett, I. 221, I send yow the scire jacias for Osbern and Foke
versus Heydon and Wyndam. x6ai Debates Ho. Lords
(Camden) 26 Suyt per Fowles in the Starr-chamber versus
Lake and others. 1744 J. Comyks Reports 0/ Cases 634
Wallis ver. Pain and Underbill. X774 J. Adams in Fam.
Lett, (1876) ig, I am engaged in a famous case,— the cause
of King, of Scarborough, versus the mob that broke into
his house. x8sx Scott Peveril Pref. Ep., She may sue me
for damages, as in the case Dido versus Virgil. X839 De
Quincey Casuistry Rom. Meals Wks. 1890 VII. 22 Gener-
ally such a person is 'rather yellow, rather yellow * (to
quote Canning versus Lord Durham). 1873 H. Spencer
Stud.Sociol. il. 38 The old battle-ground of free will versus
necessity. 1894 Outing Feb. 397/2 The Rambler vs, the
Lumberman ; an indictment for the larceny of a path.
Versute (vajsiw't, v3*rsiKt), a, [ad. h.versul-
us, f. vers-, verlire to turn.] Cunning, crafty, wily,
x6x6 J. Lane Contn. Sqr^s T. ix. 15 Her artishe Hers,
wittie versute theeves. Ibid. 73 Ne bee out reachd at
versute pollecie, or once out runn at bardie chivalrie. 1659
Gauden Tears Ch. i. xiv. 132 A person of very supercilious
gravity, also of versute and verti^enous policy. X790 Paley
Horae Paul. i. 6 The second, which is a more versute and
specious forgery.
Hence Versntely adv. ; Tersuteness.
Also Versutiloquent, 'a crafty talker, one using words
craftily* (Blount Glossogr., 1656), and Versuizloguous,
'talking cunningly or craftily ' (Bailey, vol. II, 1727): both
after L. versutiloquus.
x6i6 J. Lane Contn. Sgr.'s T, x. 128 Now guiltie Horbell,
Leifurcke, Gnartolite, castinge on chaunge, the Hop versutlie
bite. 1685 H. More Cursory Reji. Baxter 29 That he may
become really sensible and ashamed of his present Crooked
Versuteness and Hypocrisie. 1710 R. Ward Life H.More
81 Some Neatness of Stile, Versuteness of lemper, and
Hypocrisie in Religion. 1857 Maurice Mor. <V Met. Philos.
IV. vi. § 89. 286 An ingenious explanation of astuteness
and versuteness.
tVersutions, a. Obs.-'^ [f. L. versfil-us.']
= prec.
1660 3rd Con/, betw. Cromwell If H. Peters 7 What do I
not ow thee for thy versutious Complements to my Lady
Lambert,
t VeTSy, 3. Obs.~^ Her. In 6 versie. [a. F.
versi, pa. ^^Xc.oi verser: see Verse v."^ F. ver si
has been used in some mod. heraldic books]
Renverse, reversed.
157a BossKwELL Armorie 11. 36 b, He beareth d'Or, a
Cheuron Versie d'Azure.
19
VEBT.
Versycle, obs. form of Vzbsiclk sb,
Versyowre : see Verseb i.
Vert (vaJt), sb.^ (and a.). Also 5 veert, 5-7
verte. [a. AF. and OF. vert (so mod.F. ; for-
merly also verd Vekd sb."), ■» Prov, vtrt, Cat.
verd, Sp., Pg., and It. verdt :— L. tnrid-em, viridis
green, VlWD o.]
1. Green vegetation growing in a wood or forest
and capable of serving as cover for deer.
14. . Forts! Lotus (MI. Douce ^35) fol. 73 As touching
the kinges veert, that is to say, the kinges wodes ; if ther be
ony maun, that haih felled ony gret okes [etc.]. 1577
■ Haxriso.-i EDgloHit iL XV. in Ho/ins/ud I. 89 b/i The
better preseruation of such venery and vert of all sortes as
were nourished in the same. 1598 Manwood Latues Forest
vLSi.33b. [HenceinlaterDicts.,etc.] ijot Phil. Trans.
XXIIL 1073 While this Country was a Chace, and while
the Vert was preserv'd. 1768 BlackstoAe Coin/n. III. 71
The punishment of all injuries done to the king's deer or
vmistrn, to the vert or greenswerd. x8i8 Cruise Digest
(ed. 2) III. 143 Destruction of vert is destruction of venison.
x8m Stonehouse Axkolme di A royal demesne.. covered
with vert, and well stocked with deer. 187X Daily News
18 Sept., The Lord of the Manor.. had.. enclosed four
hundred acres of waste land, and had destroyed the vert on
parts thereof.
^ trans/. 1635 A. Stafford Fem. Glory c vij b. The fourth
is humble Ivy, intersert. But lowlie laid, . . Preserved, in her
antique bed of Vert, No faith's more firme, ..then where't
doth creep.
b. Coupled with venison. (The common nse.)
Freq. without article.
X4SS Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 319/a The oversight of verte and
venyson, in all the Parkes. 1577 Holinsheo Chron. II,
459/3 The k[ing].. appointed foure iustices..to be as sur-
- ucyers aboue alt other Foresters of vert & venison. 1598
Manwood Lawes Forest xviL 102 b, That which tendeth to
the hurt and annoyance of the Vert and the Venison. i6ia
Sir J. Davies Why Ireland, etc. (1747) 164 The great plenty
both of Vert and Venison within this land. 1700 Tyrrell
Hist. Eng. 1 1. 820 Every Forester in Fee shall . . Attach Pleas
of the Forest, as well concerning Vert as Venison. 177a
Junius Lett. Ixviii. (1788) 347 If a man was taken with
vert, or venison, it was declared to be equivalent to indict,
ment. 183J J. P. Kessedv Horse Slwe K. xxxvii. He gave
much of bis time to the concerns of vert and venison. 1840
PeHHy Cycl. XVI. 175/1 The master-keepers' and groom-
keepers' duty is to preserve the vert and venison in their
respective bailiwicks and walks.
t O. Nether, aver, special vert : (see qnots.). Obs.
1598 Manwood Lames Forest vi. §2. 34 'There are two
sorts of Vert in euery Forrest,that is to say, Ouer vert, and,
Neather vert : Ouer vert is tha;, which the Lawiers do call
Hault Boys, and Neather vert is that, which the Lawiers
do call South Boys, and in the Forrest lawes, Ouer vert is
all manner of Hault Boys, or great wood, aswel such as
beareth /ruit, as such as beareth none. I6id. 35 Special!
vert, which is euery tree and bush within the Forrest, that
doth beare fruite to feed the Deere withall, as Peare trees,
Crabtrees, Hawthornes,. .and such like. [Hence in later
Law Diets., etc.J 17*7 Nelson Laws cone. Game 231
Special-vert, which may be either over or nether-vert, or
both if it bears fruit, for nothing is accounted special-vert
but such which beareth fruit to feed the deer.
2. ellift. The right to cut green trees or shrubs in
a forest. Now arch.
1639 in Maitland Hist. Edinburgh (1753) II. 151/1 All
their antient Rights, . . with Pit and Gallows, Sack and Soke,
Thole, Theam, Vert, Wrack, Waifs [etc.]. 1707 in State,
Fraser 0/ Fraserfield 310 (Jam.), Cum furci, fossa, . .vert,
veth, venison, . . pit et gallows. 1819 Scott Ivanhoe xl. The
Holy Clerk shall have a grant of vert and venison in my
woods of Wariicliffe. 1843 James Forest Days vii. His
righu of vert and venison, extended over a wide distance
around. 1864 Kincsley Rom. /^ Tcut. 257 The iioblesabout
gave up to him their rights of venison, and vert, and pasture,
and pannage of swine.
to. A green plant or shrub. Obs.—^
1648 J. Kavuond // Merc. Ital. 129 Bayes, Locusts,
Pomegrannets, and such like Verts, that grow wild in the
Hedges.
1 4. A green colour or pigment Obs.
..«48i-90 Howard Househ. Bis. (Roxb.) 339 Item, . . for
iiij. dos. of golde paper, and silver rowche clere and verte,
viij.s. lS7»in Feuillerat ;f«/f/jg. ^//s. (1908) 178 Vert,. .
Sapp,..Crymsen, ..White,.. Broune. 1582 Itid. 359 Paste
bord, paper, and paste, white, sise, verte, Syneper.
6. spec, in ffer. "The tincture green. Also as adj.
c 1507 Justes Moneths May tf June 28 in Hazl. E. P. P.
11. 114 For a cognysaunce Of Mayes month they bare a
souenaunce. Of a verte cocle was the resemblaunce, Tatcbed
ryght fast. 1561 Leigh Armor ie 15b, That is greene, &
biased Vert. Ibid,, And nowe we to the fourth colour. Vert.
a 1586 Sidney Astr. ^ Stella xiii. In vert field Mars bare a
golden speare. i6az Peacham Compt. Gentl. xv. (1906) 104
A plaine crosse Vert, by the name of Hus.sey. 16415 G.
Daniel Poems Wks. CGrosart) I. 44 [To] tell you how they
beare Gules, or, vert, azure, -heathen words for Red, Yellow,
green, blue. 1655 Fuller Antheologia (1867) 278 The
whole field was vert or green. 1656 Blount Glossogr.
(Hence in Phillips, etc.] 1717 Bailey (vol. II), l^ert (in
Heraldry) signifies Green, and in Graving, is expressed by
Diagonal Lines, drawn from the Dexter Chief Corner, to
the Sinister Base. 1815 Kirbv & Sp. Entomol. i. (1816) I. '
JO Some [insects] she {sc. Nature] blazons with heraldic
insignia, giving them tc bear in fields, .vert— gules— argent
and or, fesses— bars .. and even animals. £ i8s8 Berry
Eiicyci. Her. I. Gloss., Vert, the common French term for
green, and the proper heraldic term for that colour.
Vert (v3it), sbH Also 'vert. [Shortened f.
Convert sb., Pebvebt sb^ A pervert or convert
from one religion to another, esp. to the Roman
Catholic faith.
1864 Union Rev. May 277 Old friends call me a pervert :
new acquaintances a convert : the other day I was addressed
146
as a 'vert . . This term * 'vert ' 1 have every reason to believe
has been only just coined. 1886 Pall Mall G. 25 May 4/2
Cardinal Manning stands alone. ., and as he is an Anglican
'vert he does not count.
trans/. 1886 North Star 5 May, Your 'vert [to Homa
Rule] IS ever vigorous.
Vert, v.'>- [ad. L. vertcre to turn, overturn, etc.]
tl. trans. To turn up, root up (the ground).
1578 Burgh Rec. Aberdeen (1848) II. 32 It sail be lesum to
quhatsumewir personne apprehendand the said swyne
vertand the ertht, to distroy the sainen.
2. To turn in a particular direction ; to turn or
twist out of the normal position. Now spec, in
Path, ox Anat. Hence Ve'rting///. a.
CIS90 J- Stewart Poems (S.T.S.) II. 47 His sourd..did
clinck and clak, Quhair euir he verts his force And awful!
face. i6s9 Fuller .-ipp. Inj. Innoc. in. 21 When a
Writer's words are madly verted, inverted, perverted,
against his true intent, and their Grammatical! sense.
1883 Duncan Clin. Led. Dis. Worn. (ed. 2) viii. 59 A lady
had ulceration of the interior of the Ijody of the uterus,
which was not flexed or verted. 1903 Med. Record 7 Feb.
210 All of the muscles of the eyes may be relatively weak.
The ducting or verting power is not as great as it
should be.
3. intr. To change direction; to dart about.
i8s9 Meredith R. Feveril I !. x. 198 He flew about in the
very skies, verting like any blithe creature of the season.
Vert, z-.^ Also 'vert. [f. Vert sb.^'\ intr. To
become a pervert or convert from one religion to
another, esp. to Roman Catholicism.
x888 Echo 17 Mar. (Cassell's), As a man he is welcome to
vert and re-vert as often as he pleases. 1891 Hist. Sk. Par.
St. Martin, Colchester •! William Murray, .'verted to tlie
Roman Church after J. H. Newman.
VeTtant, a. Her. [a. F.verlant,=h. vertenl-,
vertens, pres. pple. of vertHre: see Vebt z».1]
Bending, curving.
1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 473/1 He beareth Argent,
eight Leaves, the Stalks conjoyned and contrary bowed. . .
But the most compendious, is to blazon them conjoyn'd
dorse endorse ; though good Artists will .say, conjoyned and
vertant to the Dextre and Sinister, c 1828 Berry Encycl.
Her. I. GIo.ss., Vertant and Rerertani, or Verted and Re-
verted, the same as/lexed and rejlexed, or boived embirwed,
that is formed like the letter S reverted. [Hence in later
Diets.]
Vertdegrease, Vert de grece, obs. forms of
Verbigris. Verte, soutliem ME. var. Fart v.
Verteber, var. Vertebre.
Vertebra (vaat^^bra). Pl. vertebrae (va-jtr-
brf) ; also 7-8 vertebras, [a. L. vertebra joint,
joint of the spine, f. vertere to turn. Hence It.,
Sp., Pg. vertebra, F. vertebre : cf. Vertebre.]
1. Anat. and Zool. One or other of the joints
composing the spinal column in man or other
vertebrate anijnals ; any segment of the backbone.
o. 1615 Crooke Body 0/ Man (1631) 930 The vertebra in
the middest receiueth that spondell wliich is aboue it. 1634
A. Read Descr. Body Man C vj/i The transvers processe
of the first vertebra, a 17*8 Woodward Fossils (1729) I. II.
82 A large Vertebra of a Fish. 1767 GoocH Treat. IVoiinds
1. 367 The Thoracic Duct or canal runs, .as far as the fifth
vertebra of the back. 1788 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) I. 726 The
oesophagus . . terminates in the stomach about the eleventh
or twelfth vertebra of the back. 18^0 E. Wilson Anat.
Vade M. (1842) 7 A Vertebra consists of a body, two
laminae, a spinous process, two transverse processes, and
four articular processes. 1881 IMivart Cat 35 Each of
these small bones is called a vertebra.
Comb. 1839 G. Roberts Diet. Geol. i8o Vertebralis,..
vertebra-like.
A 1664 Power Exp. Philos. i. 42 The Lamprey, .hath a
Cartilaginous flexible Tube or Channel, without any
Vertebra or Spondyls in it. i6«« J. Davies Hist. Caribby
Isles 132 Having no vertebrae in the back.bone,. . be [sc. the
crocodile] goes straight forwards, not being able to turn.
1731 Arbuthnot Rules 0/ Diet 362 For there be some with
fewer Vertebrai in their Necks than others. 1774 Goldsm.
Nat. Hist. (1824) II. 140 The vertebrae of the neck (of the
ourang-outang] also were shorter. 1851 S. P. Woodward
Mollusca 1. 1 3 A backbone, composed of numerous joints,
or vertebra;. 1867 F. Francis Angling iii. 73 The angler
should . . sever the vertebree at the back of the neck.
trans/. 1864 Lowell Fireside Trav. 233 Tlie shattered
vertebrae of t!ie [Roman] aqueducts.
y. iMi LovELL Hist. Anim. cj- Min. Isagoge b8 b, Their
vertebra's are cartilagineous and flexile. 1667 Phil. Trans.
II. 461 The Vertebra's descending from tlie Back. 1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey), Cyphoma,. .a bending backwards of
the Vertebra's, or Turning-joynts of the Back. 1770 Phil.
Trans. LXI. 134 It. .extended, .to the right ovarium, and
vertebras of her back.
b. With particularizing terms.
l^t6 Monro Anat. Bones 178 The Spine is commonly
divided into true and false Vertebrae. 1771 Encycl. Brit. I.
169 The lumbar vertebrae, as they descend, have their oblique
processes at a greater distance from each other. 1847-9
Tod(fs Cycl. Anat. IV. I. 621 The cervical vertebra, .difliers
in this respect from the dorsal vertebra ; this from the lumlMr
vertebra ; this from the sacral vertebra ; and this from the
coccygeal vertebra. 1854 Owen in Orr's Circ. Sci., Org.
Nat. I. 193 This unusually developed spine of the mesen-
cephalic vertebra. Ibid. 236 In the odd-toed, .ungulates,
the dorso-lumbar vertebrse differ in diflTerent species. l8«6
Huxley Preh. Rem. Caithn. 109 A horse's skull with its
upper cervical vertebrae. 187J — Phys, vii. 171 The
odontoid peg of the axis vertebra.
2. //. (with the). The vertebral column; the
spine or backbone.
a l6»7 MiDDLETON Anything /or Quiet Li/e III. i, I will
finde where his Disease of Cozenage lay, whether in the
Vertebra;, or in Oscox-Index [= Os Coxendix). a 1700
VEBTEBRARTEBIAL.
Evelyn Diary 2 May 1644, They show also the ribs and
vertebrse of the same beast. 1728 Chambers Cycl- s.v., A
Weakness of the Ligaments and Muscles fasten'd to the
backside of the Vertebra:. 1759 Sterne Tr. Shandy 11. ix,
Dr. Slop's figure, coming, .waddling thro' the dirt upon the
vertebrae of a little diminutive pony. 1834 McAIurtrie
Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 27 They are articulated at one ex-
tremity with the vertebra. 1856 Kane Arct. F..rpl. II. xv.
160 'the vertebrae of a whale similar to that at the igloe
of Anoatok. 1872 Huxley Phys. i. 6 The bones thus cut
through are called the bodies of the vertebra.
fig. 1768 Tucker Lt. Nal. (1834) I. 429, I should have
known you for a true Search by the pliableness of your
neck: the Knowals have a wonderful stiflTness in the
vertebrae.
b. Without article.
1840 Muechison Siluria xx. 478 Large fossil fishes with
vertebra; sometimes ossified. j86i Muscrave By-roadsy^
He had made the tour of all Europe without once leaning
back in his carriage ! This indicated matchless rigidity of
fibre and strength of vertebrje.
3. In sing. = sense 2. rar«— '.
1791 Walker Pron. Diet. s.v. 1876 J. G. Wood Nat.
Hist. 501 We now enter upon another vast division in which
there is no true brain and no vertebra.
4. Zool. (See quots.)
1704 Ray Disc. 11. iv. (1713) 182 Great Stones, and even
broken Pieces of Lime.stcne Rocks,, .almost wholly com-
pos d of those Vertebra!, or broken Pieces of the Radii of
Sea-Stars_, which are commonly call'd Fairy-Slones. 1891
Cent. Diet., Vertebra, in echinoderms, any one of the
numerous axial ossicles of the arms of starfishes.
Vertebral (va-jtrtiral), a. and sb. [ad. med.
or mod.L. vertebralis (= F. veriibral, Sp., Pg.
vertebral, It. vertebrate), or f. prec. -^ -al.]
A. adj. 1. Of or pertaining to, situated on or
near, the vertebrae ; spinal.
1681 tr. Willis' Rem. Med. Wks. Vocab., Vertebral, be-
longing to the joynts of the backbone. 1704 Ray Creation
II. (ed. 4) 310 The carotid, vertebral and splenick Arteries
are.. variously contorted. 1737 Bracken Farriery Impr.
(1756) I. 83 The Cirotidal and the Vertebral Arteries.
1771 Encycl. Brit. I. 218 Of the Vertebral Muscles. 1831
R. Knox Cloquet's Anat. 27 Vertebral Canal .. extends
along the whole length of the spine, following its various
curvatures. 184a E. Wilson Auat. Vade M. (1842) 342
The Vertebral vein descends by the side of the vertebral
artery. 1854 Owen in Orr's Circ. Sci., Org. Nat. 1. 197 The
pleurapophyses or vertebral ribs in serpents. 1887 Kncyci.
Brit. XXII. 111/2 A sort of bony canal in which runs the
vertebral artery.
trans/. 1824 Galt Rotlielan I. i. The acts of.. the Black
Prince constitute the vertebral portion of his history.
b. Ent. ' Situated on or noting the median line
of the upper surface' {Cent. Diet. 1891).
2. Composed of vertebra; ; spinal. Freq. in
vertebral column.
1822 J. Flint Lett. Amer. 234 The vertebral column was
completely pliant, her body . . bent in every direction suc-
cessively. 1847-9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. i. 632/1 Every
lesser unit of the vertebral chain. 1877 J. A. Allen Amer.
Bison 449 The smaller size of the posterior part of the
vertebral column in the American bison.
3. Of the nature of a vertebra.
1847-9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. 1. 648 The vertebral pieces
hold their own serial order, and thus we know them. Ibid.
670 These two iliac bones (c, c) are homologous .. to the two
vertebral lamina: of A.
b. Zool. (See quots.)
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. 563 [In] the Ophiuridea,
..each of these [quadrate axial] ossicles (which are some-
times termed vertebral) is surrounded by four plates. 1877
F. Butler in Encycl. Brit. VII. 633 The deep ambulacral
grooves which occupy the middle of the lower face of each
ray [in star-fishes] are formed each by a series of plates, the
vertebral ossicles.
4. Of animals : Having a spinal column ; = Ver-
tebrate a. I.
1816 J. Scott Vis. Paris (ed. 5) 299 Cuvier, who was the
first to divide animals into vertebral and invertebral. 1822-7
Good Study Med. (1829) IV. 16 All the classes of vertebral
animals possess the same number of senses as man. 1854
H. Miller Sch. >i Schm. xxi. (i860) 229/1 Under what
peculiarities of form.. vertebral life existed in the earlier
ages of the world.
B. sb. 1. .A vertebral artery or vein.
1718 J. Chamberlayne Relig. Phitos. (1730) I. iii. % 3 We
here see the Jugular Veins, and the Vertebrals. 1755 Diet.
Arts «f Sci. s.v. Medulla, The arteries and veins of the
spinal marrow., are derived from the vertebrals of the neck,
the intercostals, and the lumbar. 1880 Barwell Aneurism
53 If we ligature the first part of the subclavian, ought we
also to occlude the vertebral? 1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med.
VII. 390 The arteries of the medulla oblongata, .arise from
the vertebrals.
2. A vertebrate animal. rare~°.
1828-32 Webster, Vertebral, n., an animal of the class
which have a back-bone.
3. One of the unpaired dorsal plates in the cara-
pace of a turtle.
i88j Encycl. Brit. XXIII. 456 Dermal Scutes [of Testudo
pardalis] -.-co, costals ; v, vertebrals ; jn, marginals.
Hence Ve-rtobrally adv.
1891 Cent. Diet. s.v.. Segmented vertebrally; vertebrally
articulated ribs.
Vertebrarterial, a. Anat. and Zool. [f
Vektebr-a -f Arterial a.] Of or belonging to a
vertebra and an artery ; verteliro-arterial.
188^ Coues N. Amer. Birds 139 The series of the-se fora-
mina IS called the vertebrarterial canal. 1902 Cunningham's
Text-bk. Anat. (1906) 75 The vertebrarterial foramen.. is
traversed by the vertebral artery and vein in the upper six
vertebrae.
VERTEBRA.TA.
II Vertebrata (vajtrbr^'-ta). Zool. [mod.L.
(Cuvier), a. L. vertebrata (sc. animdlia)^ nent. pi.
of vertebrdtus Vertebrate a.]
1. With the, A division of the animal kingdom
including all animals which have a backbone or its
equivalent.
1836 KiRBY & Sp. Eniomot, xxviii. III. 44 The difference
here between Insects and th^ Vertebrata seems very wide.
1834 M^MuRTRiE Cuvier s Anztn. Kingd. 2^2 The blood of
the MoHusca. .appears to contain a smaller proportionate
quantity of fibrine than that of the Vertebratx 1843 Penny
• Cyci, XXVI. 277/2 In the yertebrata the brain and princi-
pal trunk or chord of the nervous system is enclosed in a
bony or gristly case composed of the skuU and the vertebree.
1877 Huxley .(^>mA lm\ Anim. 49 Even the hiatus between
the Vertebrata and the Invertebrata^ is partly, if not
wholly, bridged over.
2. A group or class of these ; a number of verte-
brate animals.
185K D. Wilson Prelt. Ann. iv. vii. 644 The geologist,
without seeking to reanimate these extinct vertebrata, learns
much regarding the past from . . their colossal remains. 185S
H. Spencer /*r/w. PsychoL (1872) I. i. L -^ Between the
water-breathing vertebrata and.. air-breathing vertebrata
there is an equally conspicuous unlikeness in energy. 1870
RoLLESTON Anim. Life 5 In every Mammalian skeleton..
the vertebrae in the trunk always differ from those of the
different lower vertebrata in . . the following points.
Vertebrate (vs-Jt/br/t), a. and sb. [ad. L.
vcrtebrat-m CPliny), jointed, articulated, f. vertebra
Vertebra, Cf. prec. and Invertebrate.]
A. adj. 1, Zool. Of or belonging to the Verte-
brata ; characterized by having a backbone or
spinal column. Freq. in vertebrate animal,
i8a6 KiRBY 8c Sp. Enioff/ot. xxviii. III. 42 Size forms a
pretty accurate distinction between insects and the great
Dulk of vertebrate animals, a 1843 Encycl. Metrop. (1845)
VII, 392 The passive motive Organs or Skeleton of the
Vertebrate Series of Animals. 1870 Gillmore tr. Siguier's
R^tt (V Birds Introd. 4 A bountiful Creator appears to
have adopted one general plan in the organization of all
the vertebrate creation. 1881 Mivart in Nature No. 615.
337 The highest of them, called the vertebrate sub-kingdom
. .comprises ourselves, with all beasts, birds, reptiles, efts,
frogs and toads, and fishes.
C0/n^. 1B63 Dana Man. Ceol, 276 In most of these verte-
brate-tailed species the vertebral column extends into the
upper lobe of the tait
D. Bot. (See quot.)
_ 183a LiNDLEY Introd. Bot. 790 Vertebrate^ . . when the leaf
is contracted at intervals, tnerc being an articulation at
each contraction ; as in Cussonia spicata.
2. Of or pertaining to, characteristic of, found in,
a vertebrated animal or animals.
1848 Owen {title). On the Archetj-pe and Homologies of
the Vertebrate Skeleton. 1854 H. aIiller Sch. ^ Schm.
xxi. (i860) 22g/i The second age of vertebrate existence on
our planet. 1857 H. Spencer in Westm. Rev. Apr. 450 The
earliest known vertebrate remains are those of Fishes. 1883
Encycl, Brit. XVI. 663/2 In the vertebrate eye, the fila-
ments of the optic ncr«« penetrate the retina.
fig. 187a Mmro Eng. Prose Lit. i. iii. 201 A vertebrate
Skeleton of the work.
3. fig. a. Of persons : Having connective mental
powers.
X&79 O. W, Holmes Motley xix. 146 The archivists and
annaUsts will pile up facts.. until the vertebrate historian
comes with his generalizing ideas.
b. Of writings, etc. : Connectedly put together ;
characterized by strength or consistency.
188a GossK in Grosart Spenser III. p. xlvi, Ramsay s
Gentle S/tepA^rd. .rcmsiins the most vertebrate and inter.
csting bucolic drama produced in Great Britain. 1884
Atiunxum 15 Nov, 635/2 The new comedy, .is more than
a little lachrymose and is scarcely vertebrate. 1900 Sat.
Rev. 24 Mar. 367 We have the right.. to expect something
more vertebrate, if he is to take place in literature,
B, sb, A member of the Vertebrata ; a verte-
brate animal.
x8a6 K1R8V & Sp. Entomol. xlv. IV. 340 The antenna; of
insects are analogous to ears in Vertebrates. 1840 Cwier's
Anim. Kingd. 33 The general plan of their organization is
not so uniform., as that of the vertebrates. 1870 F. Howen
Logic vi. 155 Some wingless animals are not vertebrates.
Ve'rtebrate, v, [f, prec] trans. To con-
nect or join after the manner of vertebrje.
1891 in Cent, Diet. 1894 Blackmore Perlycross tag As
like each other as three peas vertebrated in one pod. 2010
Q, Rev, Jan. 69 They {sc. satires] were written in rough cfia-
lect and vertebrated with peasant phrases and peasant wit,
Vertebrated (vajt/br^r'ted),///, a. [f. Ver-
tebrate a. + -En.]
1. = Vertebrate a. x, Freq. in vertebrated
anifrMl{s),
i8s8 Stark Elem. Nat. Hist. I. 371 Vertebrated animals
with cold red blo(xi, respiring by gills or branchiae. 1835
J. Duncan Beetles (Nat. Lib.) 74 Certain relations of ana-
logy which some of the species are thought to bear to the
vertebrated tribes. i849S.\XE/'tftf///j(i873l 120 One of those
vertebrated vermin That lie in the grass so prettily curled,
1874 Carpkntkr Ment. Phys. 1. ii, § 57 (1879) 57 1^« Verte-
brated series, of which Man is the highest representative,
2. Consisting of, provided with, vertebrae.
1863 Dana Man. Geot. 276 All these ancient fishes tGan-
oids] have vertebrated tails. 1864 Bowen Logic x. 323
.Among inorganic bodies,.. the metallic property is an in-
stance of the former class; among animals, the possession
of a vertebrated column or backbone.
3. trans/. Constructed in a manner suggestive of
vertebrse.
■ 2840 Civil Eng. ^ Arch. Jml. III. 56A A vertebrated
147
carriage . . left the station at Euston Square with one of the
trains for Birmingham, ibid.^ The vertebrated carriage.,
adapted itself to all curves with the greatest facility.
vertebration (vait/br^'-Jan). [f. Vertebra.]
1. Vertebral formation ; division into segments
like those of the spinal column. Also in fig. context,
1888 Encycl. Brit.XXlV. 179/2 Some writers have main-
tained that the vertebration of the Vertebrata may be
understood as having reference to the segmentation of the
muscles of the body-wall. 1889 Theol. Monthly Jan. 48
His style rather resembles a cellular tissue . . which may ad-
vance by growth on many sides, rather than a.. compact
l<^ical vertebration.
2. fig. * Backbone*; strength or firmness.
1884 _W. G. Wills in PallMailG.-zZ July 4/2 Poetry and
rhetoric, ..which have not the heart, life, and vertebration
behind, are an impertinence and intrusion. 1892 W. S. Lilly
Gt. Enigma 313 Doctrine is the vertebration of religion.
Ve'rtebratist. rarer-^. [f. Vertebrate sb. +
-1ST.] An authority upon the spine or back-bone.
1866 Reader 31 Mar. 331 (Theory of the skeleton), The
'orthodox * ideas of ordinary vertebratists.
Ve'rtebre. Anat, and Zool. ? Obs. Also 7, 9
verteber. [a. F. vertkbre : see Vertebra, In
sense i ad. L. vertebrum,'\
•|*L The rounded top of the thigh-bone. Obs."^
1541 R. Copland Guydon's Quest. Chirurg. I v, The endes
of the bones of the thyghes, called vertebres.
2. = Vertebra i.
a. 1578 Banister* Hist. Man \, 19 b, The first Vertebre
..of the necke is more solid, .. then all the bones els of
the backe. 1650 Bulwer Anthropomet 9 That part of the
neck which is next to the Atlantick Vertebre. z6aa Ray
Disc. 109 The Vertebres of Thornbacks and other Cartila*
gineous Fishes. 1738 Phil. Trans. XL. 37 The upper ex-
tremity of the tuedulia spinalis, in the first vertebre of the
neck. 1769 Ibid, LX, 32 A kitten.. had its head cut off
betwixt the first and second vertebre of the neck. 1834
Gaunter (?r/V«/.^««.viii. 107 Amorah,or footstool, formed
of a vertebre of some huge creature. Ibid. 108 The atten-
dants brought away the jaw and half a dozen of the vertebres.
/3. 1838-33 Webster, Verteber. a 1843 Encycl. Metrop.
(184^) VII. 292/2 The spine consists of a set of consecutive,
cartilaginous, horny pieces,.. called Vertebers.
1 3. The spine ; = Vertebra 2. Obsr"^
1633 CocKERAM I, Verteber, the chine or backe bone,
t D, //. = prec. Obs.-'^
1696 Phillips (ed. 5), Vertebers^ the whole Ridge of the
Back-lione.
Vertebriform, a. rare, [f. Vertebr-a +
-(iIfobm.] Having the form of a vertebra.
1847-9 Todd's Cycl, Anat. IV. i. 672/2 The mode in which
the vertebriform scapulae contract a connection with the
costiform clavicles and coracoid Bones. Ibid,
Vertebra- (v3jt/br<?), comb, form, on Greek
models, of Vertebra, occurring in various terms
of Aftat.y as vertebro-arterial, •basilar, 'chondral^
-costal, -femoral^ 'iliacy -sacral^ -sternal.
In recent medical and other Diets.
Ve-rted, ///. a. Her. rare-^, \{, Vert z/,1]
(See quot. c 1828 s.v. Vertant (Z.)
Veite(e)go, obs. ff. Vertigo.
t Vertely , (K^. Obs,—^ lAhet OV,vertementj
verdement (i 5th c.) in the same sense, f, verte green,
youthful, energetic, etc.] With activity or readi-
ness; quickly, readily.
"ia x^atQ Morte Arth. 3168 Vertely the avawmwarde voydez
theire horsez. In the Vertennone vale, the vines i-mangez.
tVe'rtent, a. Obs. rare, [ad, L. verlent-,
vertens, pres. pple. ofz^i^r^/r^toturn, etc.] Vertent
year, a cycle of the celestial bodies, containing
15,000 solar years.
After L. annus vertens (Cicero R^P; yi- 22, 24).
163s Hkywood Hierarch. in. 147 This great and vertent
yeare is, when we see All stars and planets brought to their
first station After their much and long Peregrination. 1636
— Love's Mistress 2nd Prol., Who so un-read, doth not of
Plato heare. His Annus Magnus, and his Vertent yeare?
VerteouB, -ly, obs. forms of Virtuous, -ly.
Vertew, obs. form of Virtue.
Vertex (vauteks). PI. vertices (vSutis/z) ;
also vertexes, [a. L. vertex whirl, whirlpool,
Vortex ; crown of the head, highest point, summit,
etc., f, vcrtire to turn. Cf, Vertice.]
1. Geom. The point opposite to the base of a
(plane or solid) figure ; the point in a curve or
surface at which the axis meets it; an angular
point, as of a triangle or polygon.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/. Ci], From the vertex, to the Cir-
cumference of the base of the Cone, 1571 Digges Ponton/,
IV. XXV. Hhij, A transfigured Icosaedron may be resoJued
into 12 Pentagonal and 20 hexagonal Pyramides, concurring
with their toppes or vertices all in the centers of this trans-
formed body. ai6o8 Dee Relat. Spir, 1.(1659) 355» 4 Tri-
angles or rather Cones, of water, whose vertices rest cut off
(as it were) by the middle stream of water. 167a Bovlk
Virtues Gems i« So as to make six triangles, that terminated
like those of a Pyramid in a Vertex. 1715 Desagulikrs
Fires hnpr. 13 Two half Parabolas's whose Vertex's are
Cc. 1743 Emerson /^/w-r;(7«j 150 In the vertices of Curves,
where they cut the Abscissa at right angles. 1840LARDNEK
Geom. ii. 17 These lines are called the sides of the angle, and
the point C where the sides unite, is called its vertex, i860
TvNDALL Gtac. 1. vii. 54 Along the two sides of a triangle,
the vertex of which was near the centre of the glacier. i88j
MiNcHiN Unipl. Kinemat. \% The parallelogram must now
be jointed at its four vertices.
D. Optics. (See quots.)
1704 J. Harris Lex, Techn. I, Vertex o/a Glass (in Op-
VERTIBLE.
ticks) is the same with its Pole. 1797 Eficycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
XIII. 288 Draw the ray RC through the centre, cutting the
[spherical] surface in the point V, which we shall denominate
the vertex^ while RC is called the axis. 1803 Imison Sci.
<5- Art I. 348 To find the vertex or centre of a lens. 1867
J. Hogg Microsc. i, ii. 18 The point where the axis cuts the
surface is called the vertex of the lens.
O. Astr, (See quot.)
1876 G. F. Chambers .^j/r(7«. 022 Vertex.., a term used
to designate that point in the Ump of the Sun, the Moon, or
of a planet, intersected by a circle passing through the
zenith and the centre of the body.
2. The point in the heavens vertically oveihead,
or directly above a given place ; the zenith. Lati-
tude or meridian of vertex (see ^uot. c 1850).
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud, Ep. w. \\. 62 The true meri-
dian is a major circle passing through the poles of the world,
and theZenith or Vertex of any place. 1665S1RT. Herbert
Trav._ (1677) 5 These sorts of people freeze within the polar
circles,. .the Pole being their vertex, and the ^Equator.,
their direct Horizon. Ibid. 39 The heat, .when the Sun
comes to the Vertex, is much more intense .. than it is about
the Polar Circles. 1715 tr. Gregory's Astron. (1726) I. 346
When the PhEenomenon..is in XDZ the common Azimuth
..of the two places on the Earth pitch'd upon for this pur-
pose, whose Vertices are X and Z, 1748 AnsotCs Voy. ir.
v. 182 The Sun was within about three degrees of the ver-
tex, c 1850 Rudim. Navig. (Weale) 54 Either of these
points is called the vertex of the great circle to which it
belongs; the arc intercepted between the vertex and the
equator is the latitude of vertex ; the meridian that passes
through the vertex is the meridian of vertex. 1867 Smyth
Sailor^s IVord-bk., Vertex, the zenith, the point overhead.
3. Anat. (and Zool,), The crown or top of the
head ; esp, in man, the part lying between the
occiput and the sinciput.
[1615 Crooke Body Man vii. ii. (1631) 434 The middle part
of thescalpe. . is gibbous or round ;..the Latins call it Ver-
tex, because in that place the haires runne round in a ring
as waters doe in a whirle-poole.] 1638 A. Read^/^w. Anat.
iiL i. 389 Vertex, 4he crown, that which is betweene the
former two, somewhat arched. x68o S. Hawopth Disc.
Cone. Man 115 The middle Part between these which is
Gibbose is called Vertex. 1754-64 Smellie Midivif I. 86
(In child-birth] the crown or vertex is the first part that is
pressed down, because . . the bones at that part of the skull
make the least resistance. 1771 Encycl. Brit. II. 226/2
The [Columba] turbita, with.. a short bill, and a plain
vertex. 1840 E. Wilson Anat. Vade M. (1842) 43 The
skull.. is divisible into four regions,— a superior region or
vertex, a lateral region, an inferior, and an interior region.
1873 CoUES Birds N.IV. (1874J 281 That the ^'oung males
have more or less of the vertex red or yellow, instead of an
occipital crescent of scarlet. 1888 P. ll Sclater Argentine
Ornith, I. 137 Vertex more or less tinged with rufous.
attrib. 1899 Allbutt'sSyst. Med. VIT. 482 In these vertex
cases [of tuberculous meningitis]. Ibid, VIII. 8 The forceps
was employed fifteen times in vertex presentations.
I b. Ent. (See quots.)
i8a6 K1RBY& Sp. Entomol. III. 365 Vertex, the horizon-
tal part of the Facies^ next the front, that lies behind the
eyes and between the temples. Ibid, 487 In Blatta and
some other Orthoptera the posterior angle of the head is
the vertex, i86i-a Le Conte Classif Coleoptera N. Amer.
I. Introd. p, X, The upper surface is divided into regions,
the back part being called the occiput, the middle the vertex,
and the anterior the front. 1897 W. F. Kirbv in Mary
Kingsley IV. Africa 719 Trkhotnera insignata.,. Face
nearly smooth, shining black below the vertex.
4. The top, summit, or highest point of some-
thing, esp. a hill or structure ; the crown of an arch,
t Also, a high piece of land, an eminence {obs,'),
1641 R. Brooke Eng. Episc. 21, I am neere the Apex of
this question, which yet (Pernassus-like) hath a double Ver-
tex, a twofold toppe. 1691 Ray Creation i. {1692J 203 The
great diversity of Soyls that are found there, every Vertex,
orEminency, almost affording new kinds. 176a tALcoNER
Shipzvr, in. 243 Its [an altar's] vertex thirty cubits from the
ground. 1770 Pennant Brit. Zool. (1777) IV. 142 Patella
vulgata... vtrtex pretty near the centre. i8xi PiNKEmoN
Petralogy II. 338, I was not more than a hundred and fifty
paces distant from the vertex of the cone. \ZzjCeutl. Alag.
XCVII. iL 9 Aconical dome, on the vtrtex of which is a gilt
cross. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. 1. 197/1 The highest
point in the intrados is called the vertex or crown.
fig. 1865 MozLEV Mirac. vi. 130 Ihe question whether
man is or is not the vertex of nature.
Vertgrees, -gre8(8)G, etc., obs. ff. Verdigris.
Verj)e, Verging, 'V"erj)ore, Verpuor]?, south-
ern MR variants of Foubth, Fabthing, Faktbbb,
Far-forth.
t Vertibi'lity. Obs, Also 5 veitybylyte, 6
vertibilite. [ad . med. L. vertibilitat-, vertibilitas :
see next and -ity. Cf. Sp. vcrtibilidad,'] Capacity
for turning or changing; changeableness, incon-
stancy, mutability.
1447 BoKENHAM Seyntys (Roxb.) 255 Whom fro servjl con-
dycyoun fortune up hente Of hyr whele by vertybylyte And
put hym in the state oif hy degre. 01529 Skelton Agst.
Venemous Tongues \\'\is. I. 134 Yeare so full of vertibilite,
And of frenetyke folabilite. a 1617 P. BayneOm E/'h. i. 11
(1618) 268 God may., will that his creature shall sinne, being
suffered to it selfe, by accident of it own liberty and verti*
bilitie. 1675 H. More in R. Ward Li/e (1710) 296 In this
capacity of being United with the Matter, consists the
Liberty and Vertibility of the Soul.
tVe'rtible, o. Obs, Also 5 vertybyl. [a, OF.
vertible^ or ad. med.L. vertibilis, f. L. vert-, stem
of verthe to turn : see -ible.] Capable of turning
or being turned ; changing, inconstant, mutable.
1447 BoKENHAM Seyntys ^oxh.) ITT. By the vertybyl cours
of fatal deth. 1657 ). Sergeant Schism Dispach't 134 A
parallel of your vertible and Wind-mill uncertainty. 1667
H, More Div. Dial, 11. xx. (1713)151 But were it not better
19-3
VEBTIBLENESS.
that God Ajmtghty should annihilate the Individuals of this
middle vertible Order, as you call it, as soon as they lapse
into Sin?
Hence t VeTtibleness, ' aptness or easiness to
turn' (Bailey, vol. II, 172-). Obs.—°
Ve'rtic, a. poet. Also 7 vertiok. [Irregular
shortening of next, after Irojiii:, etc.] Vertical, esp.
of the sun.
1607 Barksted ;l//rrAa (1876) 51 Thus much the Goddesse
of the floods doth deign to change thy shape, into a vertick
flower. 176J Falconer Shi/^ur. 1. 745 While Phcebus down
the vertic.circle glides, a 1769 — Occ, Elegy ix, Unfelt by
you the vertic sun may glow. 1800 T. Sanderson Orig.
Pmiiu 9 Where vertic suns, that torrid fervour pour. Check
the grove's music and the vernal flow'r. 1876 J. Ellis
Caesar in Egypt 79 Their sacred Well, One day illumined
by the vertic Sun.
Vertical (vs-Jtikal), a. and sb. Also 6-7 ver-
ticalL [a. F. vertical (1545,= Sp., Pg. vertical,
It. verticaW), or ad. late L. verticdlis (Quicherat),
f. vertic-, stem of vertex Vertex.]
A. adj. 1. Of or pertaining to, placed or situ-
ated at, p.issing through, the vertex or zenith ;
occupying a position in the heavens directly over-
head or above a given place or point.
fa. Vertical point, =^\^v.tS7i 2. Also ^^., the
culminating or highest point, the point of greatest
development or perfection (freq. in the 1 7thc.). Obs.
"SS9 W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Gtasse 16 Leuell with th'
earth, and his verticall point, in the forsaid Equinoctial.
163a Peacham CompLGentL ix. (1906) 61 Latitude is the
distance of the Meridian, beiweene the verticall point (or
pole of the Horizon) and the j^uinoctiall. 1653 W. Ramesev
Astral. Resiftred I. viii. 15 Those that live further North
are of stronger body, . . because their vertigal [sic] point
being far removed from the Suns course, they more abound
in cold and moisture. 1715 tr. Gregory^s Astron. (1726)
I. 368 Let XBL be a Vertical Circle, X>the Zenith, (for the
Vertical point may be consider'd as mov'd in regard of the
Ecliptic unmov'd). X7a8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Point, The
Zenith and Nadir are the Vertical Points.
/ig. 161X Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xii, 103 Such successe,
as well declared it was Gods will . . , that the English name
should now be brought to the verticall poynt thereof without
any thing being able to resist it 1616 T. H. Canssin's
Holy Court 363 Saint Ireneus.,calleth Charity.. the top,
and verticall point of all venues, guifts, and fauours of God.
<ii«49 Drumm. of Hawth. Hist. yas. Ill, Wks. (1711) 43
This family seemed now in the zenith and vertical point of
its greatness.^ a 1671 Ld. Fairfax Mem. (1699) 103 Here
was the vertical point on which the army's honour and
reputation turned into reproach and scandal. 1698 Fryer
Ace. E. India ^ P. 284 Both Christianity and their Country
are past their Vertical Point, and are upon their Declension.
b. Vertical circle, an azimuth-circle (see Azi-
muth i).
•SS9 W. CiniNiKGHAM Cosmogr. Class 22 Here you se
A.E.C. represent the verticall point, B.D. the poles of the
world, by which and A. (bein^ the vertical circle) is the
meridian circle A B. CD. delineated. 1594 Bujndevil
Exerc. III. I. xix. (1597) 154 b, Ther is another great circle
called the circle Verticall, which passeth right over our
heades through our Zenith. 1594 J. Davis Seamen's Seer,
IL (1607) 8 Circles of Azumuths, or verticall circles, are quar-
ters of great circles, concurring together in the Zenith. 1669
Sturmy Mariner's Mag. vi. iii. 112 Measure the extent
CM on the Vertical-Circle, and apply it to the Line of Signs.
• 1704 J. Harris itf.r. Techn. I, Azimuths or Vertical Circles,
are great Circles intersecting each other in the Zenith and
Nadir, ..and cutting the Horizon at Right Angles. 1715
tr. Gregory's Astron. (1726) L ^48 Let ZBL be a Vertical
Circle, in which Z is the Zenith. 1846 A. YouNo Nant.
Diet. 24 The vertical circle which passes through the east
and west points of the horizon is termed the Prime Vertical.
x86o Olmstead Mech. Heaven^ 23 But if the point is adove
the horizon, then its azimuth is estimated by passing a
vertical circle through it [etcl.
c. Of the sun, stars, etc., or in general use.
1594 Blundevil Exerc. iv. xxvi. (1597) 228 As many stars
as passe right vnder your Zenith are said to bee verticall.
1615 N. Carpenter Geog. Del. I. x. (1635) 220 To them the
Sunne is twice in the yeere verticall, that is directly ouer
their heads. i6«s Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 43 The ex.
treara heat of the Sun, which when vertical usually raises
vapors in abundance. 1679 Moxon Math. Dict.s.v. Vertex,
The Equator is said to be Vertical to them who have a contin-
tjal Equinox ; because, it constantly passes by the Vertex of
the Place. 1715 tr. Gregory's Astron. (1726) 1. 271 The Globe
■must be tum'd about till the first of the two Places becomes
Vertical, (which it will be, when it arrives at the Meridian
of the Globe). 179S Morse Amer. Geog. L 21 He knew that
the sun, at the summer solstice, was vertical to the inhabit-
ants of Syene. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. /, Art II. 53
We find the services of the winds almost equally important
■n meliorating the fervour of avertical sun. 1844 Kinglake
Eothen xvii, Becalmed under a vertical sun in the midst of
the wide ocean. 1880 Geikie Phys. Geog. i. ii. 16 At each
equinox the sun appears vertical over the equator.
Jie. IS93 Harvey Pierce's Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. 266
Comealltbedaintiestdaintiesof this toungue, and doe horn.
age to your Verticall Starre. a 1734 North Exam. 1. ii. §96
('74°) 82 It fell out in a Conjuncture so vertical, that without
it both Nations might have plunged into a mischievous
Condition of Civil War. 1844 Kinglake Eothen iv. The
strong vertical light of Homer's poetry is blazing so full
upon the people and things of the Iliad.
t ^- fiS- Pertaining to, characteristic of, or de-
noting the period or position of greatest eminence
or perfection; at one's highest point or position.
Cf. vertical point (a. fig. above). Obs.
1*41 Ld. J. DicBV Sp. in Ho. Com. 19 Jan. 25 In voting
this bill, we shall contribute . . to the perpetuating our Sun,
our Soveraigne, in his vesticall {sic\ in his noone-day lustre.
I«S5 Fuller Ch. Hist. iv. 175 But now in the time of the
148
aforesaid William Heyworth, the Cathedral of Litchfield
was in the verticall height thereof. 1655 — Hist. Camb.
(1840) 186 As Cambridge was his vertical place, wherein he
was in height of honour. 1673 Hickekingill Greg. F.
Greyb. 38 Though Greg, and his virtuoso's seem to them,
selves to be vertical and cock-a-hoop.
2. Vertical angle : a. An opposite angle (see
Opposite a. i and quot. 1704). b. The angle
opposite the base of a triangle or polygon.
1571 DiGGES Pantnm. i, vi. C iij, Two right lines crossing
one another, make the contrary or verticall angles equall.
1660 Barrow Euclidl. xv. Schol„'lhe vertical (or opposite;
angles. 1704 J. Hahris Lex. Tcchn. I. s.v. Angles, Oppo-
site or vertical Angles, a,s, i. Those that are made by two
Right Lines crossing each other, and which touch only in
their Angular Point. 1771 Encycl. Brit. III. 910/2 The
tangent of half the vertical angle. Ibid., The line CF bi-
secting the vertical angle. 1798 HunoN Course Math.
(1806) I. 368 In a Triangle, having given the two Sidesabout
the Vertical Angle. i86a Todhunter Euclid 1. 15 If two
straight lines cut one another, the vertical or opposite angles
shall lie equal.
3. Placed or extending at right angles to the plane
of the horizon ; perpendicular ; upright.
a. Geotn. Of a straight line or plane surface.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Line Vertical, in Perspec.
tive, IS the common Section of the Vertical Plane and of the
Draught. Ibid. s.v. Plane, Vertical Plane, in Opticks and
Perspective, is a Plain Surface which passeth along the
Principal Ray, and consequently thro' the Eye, and is per-
pendicular to the Geometrical Plane. 1715 tr. Gregory's
Astron. (1726) I. 436 Therefore there is given the Angle Z/A
the Difference or Sum of them, and Flf Vertical to it,
z8i»-6 Playfair Nat. Phil. (1819) I. 11 A plane at any
place perpendicular to the line in which bodies gravitate, is
called a horizontal plane ; and any plane passing through
that line is called a_ vertical plane. 1851 S. P. Woodward
Mollnsca I. 62 Their shell is usually straight, or coiled in a
vertical plane. 1871 Tyndall Fragm. Sci. (1879) I. iv. in
When the short diagonal of the prism was vertical.
b. In general use.
1723 Fam. Diet. s.v. Windmil, That is reputed the best
made with vertical Sails, like the ordinary Windmils.
1756 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) 1. 10 Vertical rainbows in the
sky are not uncommon, whereas the horizontal are very ex-
traordinary. 1813 Bakewell tntrod. Geol. (iSij) 187 In
some coal fields one part of a stratum is inclined, and the
other part vertical. 1831 Brewster Optics xxxi. 260 Some
phenomena both of vertical and lateral mirage. 1855 Maury
Phys. Geog. Sea vi. 326 Under the vertical rays of the never
clouded sun. 1882 Vines Sachs' Bat. 940 The adaptation of
the Virginian Creeper to climbing up vertical walls.
Comb. 1857 T. Moore Handbk. Brit. Ferns (ed. 3) 10 The
vertical-ringed spore-cases, when mature, split suddenly with
a transverse fissure.
o. With abstract nouns, esp. of movement or
direction.
1794 [see Veeticity i]. i8oa Palev Nat. Ttuol. ix.
§ 6 The comjiound motion of the lower jaw, half lateral,
and half vertical. 1813 Bakewell Introd. Geal. (1815) 31
Plates of rock, separated by seams which have generally a
vertical direction. 1830 Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 410 Four-
fifths of the town of Cumana was shaken down bya vertical
shock. 1859 J. R. Greene Man. Anim. Kingd. i. Proto-
zoa Introd. p. xxix, The relations of animals to the elements
in which they live.. .Their vertical (bathymetrical) distribu.
tion. 187a Darwin Emotions xi. 273 We give a vertical
nod of approval., when we approve of their conduct
Comb. i8so Denison Clock f; Watch-m. 48 It would fail
for a balance or vertical.force-magnetometer.
d. Of mechanical appliances or structures. Also
in technical use applied to machines which operate
vertically.
Numerous other examples are given in Knight Diet. Mech.
(1875 and 1884).
i8as J- Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 141 The comparative
power of horizontal and vertical windmills. 1859 Handbk.
Turning 79 The vertical, or universal cutter. 1875 Knight
Diet. Meeh.^ 2708/1 Vertical Borin^.maehine, a drill or
boring-machine having a vertical spindle. Ibid., Vertical
Planing.machine. 1888 Jacobi Printers' Voc. 151 Vertical
engine, an upright engine, as distinct from a 'horizontal
one',
e. Special collocations, as vertical bond, care-
grinder, dial (cf. B. 3), escapement, fire, watch, etc.
A number of other scientific or special terms are defined in
recent encyclopaedic Diets.
1833 Loudon Encycl. Archil. 1131 'Vertical bond is a
course of bricks, stone, or other materials, tending to sup-
port or strengthen the building vertically. 1859 Slang
Diet. 114 * Vertical-eare-grinder, the treadmill. 1669
Sturmy Mariner's Mag. vn. vi. 11 The Vertical Dial,
whose Plane lieth in the Horizon, for which cause many
call it the Horizontal Dial. 1728 [see B. 3 a]. 1877 Encycl.
Brit. VII. 155/1 Vertical dials, when on a vertical plane
facing one of the cardinal points. 1850 Denison Treatise
Clock ff Watclumaking 33 The escapement was exactly the
same as that of a bottle.jack, or the commonest kind of
watch, and is called a 'vertical escapement. 1884 F. J.
Britten Watch /, Clackm. 248 Vertical Escapement .. [is]
an escapement in which the pallet axis or the balance staff
IS set at right angles to the axis of the escape wheel. 1842
Burn Nav. ff Mil. Techn. Diet. I. s.v. Feu, Feu courbe ou
■vertical, curved or •vertical fire, generally from mortars
laid at an angle of not less than 15°. 1867 Smyth Sailor's
Word-bk. 712 Vertical fire, in artillery, that directed up-
ward at such an angle as that it will fall vertically, or nearly
.so, to Its destination. 1838 Penny Cyel. XII. 302/2 We
shall now give a description of a common "vertical watch.
1850 Denison Clock ff lVatch.m. 145 The old vertical watch,
so called because the scape-wheel stands vertically when the
other wheels are horizontal.
4. Having a position at right angles to the plane
of the axis, body, or supporting surface ; pointing
or situated directly upwards or downwards.
VERTICALITY.
a. Bot. Of a leaf or other part.
Martyn Lang. Bot. (\-jrsi) also gives vertical leaf (after
Linnaeus ^folium -.'erticalc) as -= obverse leaf, but objects to
the use of the term.
'77* J- Lee tntrod. Bet. Explan. Terms 382 Vertical,
Leaves so situated that the Base is perpendicular to the
Apex. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1212 i. 1879 A. Gray Struct.
Bot. iii. § 4 (ed. 6) 108 Vertical leaves, those with blades of
the ordinary kind, but presenting their edges instead of
their faces to the earth and sky, or when erect with one
edge directed to the stem and the other away from it.
b. Zool., esp. of certain fins of fishes.
1834 M^Murtrie Ctivier's Aniin. Kingd. 203 A vertical
caiitial, as in Gymnetrus, but shorter. 1880 GUnther Fishes
40 Ihe vertical fins are situated in the median dorsal line,
from the head to the extremity of the tail.
5. Zool., Anal., etc. Of or pertaining to, situated
on, affecting, the vertex of the head.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entamol. IV. 315 Stemmata : Vertical,
when they are placed in the Vertex. 1891 Cent. Diet, s.v.,
Vertical eyes of a fish. Ibid., The vertical crest of some
birds is horizontal when not erected. 1899 A llbntt's Syst.
^'^' y^^' 546 Meningitis, whether vertical or posterior-
basic, is caused by an invasion of micro-organisms.
t 6. Belonging to giddiness. Obs.~°
1623 COCKERAM.
B. sb. [Ellipt. use of the adj.']
1 1. The vertical point ; the vertex or zenith. In
(\\xois.fig. Obs.
1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Btit. ix. xv. §119 King Henries
glory thus ascended to the highest verticall in France.
<zi6s2 J. Smith Sel. Disc. iv. vi. (1821) 104 A naked intui-
tion of eternal truth which is always the same, which never
rises nor sets, but always stands still in its vertical, and fills
the whole horizon of the soul with a mild and gentle light.
165s Fuller Ch, Hist, ix. 100 Now she was in the Verticall
of her favour, wherein hence-forward she began to decline.
2. A vertical circle, line, or plane.
Prime vertical : see Prime a. 9 b.
1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. vii. x. 15 If you have not
time until the Sun Cometh unto the Azimuth of the Wall, or
the Vertical of it, which cutteth the Pole thereof. Ibid., The
Sun is neerer to the Meridian, than to the Vertical of the
Plane. 1674 Moxon Tutor Astron. v. Prob. iv. (ed. 3) 154
You may reduce all Verticals into Horizontals [in dialling].
1774 M. Mackenzie Maritime Sum. 52 This Angle PZs. .
is therefore equal to the horizontal Distance of the Vertical
of the two Stars from the Meridian. 1834 Mrs. Somerville
Connex, Phys, Sci. vii. 55 The difference of the latitudes
being the angle contained between the verticals at the ex.
tremities of the arc. 1868 Lockyer Guillemin's Heavens
(ed. 3) 449 Every portion of matter left to itself., falls in the
direction of the vertical of the place on which it falls. 1882
Geikie Ttxt-bk. Geol. iv. vi. 526 In an inclined fault the
level of the selected stratum is protracted acro.ss the fissure
until a vertical from it will reach the level of the same bed,
b. Math. A vertical angle (see A. 2).
1728 Chambers Cyc/.s.v. Angle, The Measure of an Angle
without theCentre, is half of the Arches HIandLM, where-
on it and its Vertical K do stand
c. The vertical, the vertical line or position ;
the perpendicular.
1834 ftlRs. Somerville Connex. Phys. Sci. vii. 56 Local
attractions, which cause the plumb-line to deviate from the
vertical. 1840 Ibid. xxix. (ed. 5) 335 'ihe dip (of the needle)
was 89° 59', which was within one minute of the vertical.
1882 "ViNBS Sac/is' Bot. 849 A line drawn tangentially to the
apical portion will very nearly coincide with the vertical.
Ibid. In consequence of the continuing curvature, .the now
erect apical portion becomes bent over out of the vertical.
3. A vertical dial (see A. 3 e).
In contrast to later use, Sturmy gives the name of s-rr/rca/
to the horizontal dial.
1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. Aaaa 2, I will name the
Dials,, .viz. Eight Verticals and Decliners. 1728 Chambers
Cyel., Vertical Dial, is a Sun-Dial, drawn on the Plane of
a Vertical Circle ; or perpendicular to the Horizon.. .'These
are particularly call'd. .East,.. West,. .South, and. .North
Verticals, when opposed to one, or other of these Cardinal
Points of the Horizon.
4. (See quot.)
190a Cornish Naturalist Thames 180 In the slang of the
rock garden the plants living.. on upright rocks are called
* verticals '.
Hence 'V'e'rticalness. rare-".
1727 Bailey (vol. II), Veriicalness, the being right over
one's Head. [Hence in later Diets.]
Verticalism. rare—^. [-ism.] = next 2 b.
i860 CocKUURN MuiR Pagan or Christian f xii. 88 The
spirituality of Verticalism is so positive and manifest, that
it is hard to believe that the pious Architects.. had not
these things ever in their mind.
Verticality (vajtikae-liti). [f. Vertical a. -^
-ITY. Cf. F^ verticality, It. verticalitii.']
1. The fact on the part of the sun or other celestial
body of being at the vertex or zenith.
1570 J. Dee Math. Pref. 23 To consider.. Sterres in their
Longitudes, Latitudes, Declinations, and Verticalitie. 1646
Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. xi. 284 For unto them the
Sunne is verticall twice a year, making two distinct Summers
in the different points of verticalitj*. 1656 W. D. tr. Camen.
ius's Gate Lang. Unl, § 557 In the Torrid [Zone], by reason
of theVerpetual verticality of the Sun, there are most vehe-
ment heats. 1867 E. B. Denison Astronomy without
Mathematics i. 37 The heat received anywhere depends on
the directness of the sun's rays, or its apparent verticality
overhead.
2. The condition or quality of being vertical or
perpendicular; vertical position ; perpendicularity.
X799 Kirwan Geol, Ess. 283 Their [te. argillites] verti-
cality arising only from the drain of water. 1833 Lvell
Princ. Geol. III. 318 The verticality of the strata in the
Isles of Wight and Purbeck. 1856 Ruskin Mod. Paint, IV.
v. xvi. § 6 Precipices which produce on the imagination the
VERTICALLY.
effect of verticality. 1884 G. M. Dawson in Handhk, Dom.
Cttnada 325 Gctod sections of. .Cretaceous rocks.. become
folded together and lie at all angles up to verticality.
b. Of buildings, or architecture.
1843 Civil Eng. ^ Arch. Jml. VI. 99/1 The verticality
which is designed and usually conveyed by the orders he
communicated to his buildings by rustic quoins. x86o
CocKBURsMum/'d^ifw tf''CV:r/j//a«.' 61 The first and most
striking feature [of the architecture of the 12th and i3lhc.]
is the Verticality of composition, as directly opposed to the
Horizontality of all anterior structural modes, a 1890
LiCHTFooT Hist. Ess. tii. (1895) 146 The leading conception
of Gothic architecture,..! mean its verticality, as contrasted
with the horizontal lines of the Greek.
c. In weakened sense : Krectness, uprightness.
1838 Eraser's Mag. XVII. 687 She walked.. in unswerv-
ing verticality.
VeTtically, adv. [f. Vertical a. + -ly 2,]
In a vertical manner, direction, or position ; so as
to be vertical to the plane of the horizon, the
earth's surface, or some other horizontal line or
plane ; perpendicularly, or approximately so ;
directly overhead or down below.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. x. 326 The Dogstarre,
..although it be not verticall unto any part of Asia,., yet is
it so unto America, and vertically passeih over the habita-
tions of Peru and Brasilia. 1677 Grew Ana/. Eruits v. § 17
The Seed-Case of Anagaliis. .opens not by its Meridian or
Vertically, .but hy its Horizon. 1679 Moxom Math. Diet.
s.v. Vertex, A Star is said to be Vertical, that.. Vertically
hangs over any place. 1686 V\jy\ Staffordsh. 17 If Lighten-
ing causes these Circles, it must also be allowed that it
descends vertically. 1794 G. Adams Nat. ^ Exp. Philos,
II. xvii. 361 mr/r, The pupil in animals of the cat kind. .is
oblong vertically. 1796 Withkring Brit. Plants fed. 3) 1 1 1.
763 Capsules opening vertically. i8>8 Stark Elem. Nat.
Hist. II. 221 Some [msects], as the butterflies, raise their
wings vertically in repose. 184a Loudon Suburban Hort.
615 Some modification of lateral training will, in almost
every case, be found preferable to training vertically. 1880
Haughton Phys. Geog. ii. 21 An earthquake occurred, ver.
tically under tne town of Arica.
Comb. 1TO3 Martyn Lang. Bot. s,v. Veriicale, A vertically
ovate leaf is the same with an obverse I y-ovate or obovate
leaf; and a vertically cordate leaf is the same with an ob-
versely cordate or obcordate leaf. 1878 Abnev Treat.
Photogr. xxxiii. 268 A fair general focus can.. be obtained
by using with the camera a vertically-pivoted swing-back.
b. Math, (Cf. Vertical a, 2).
1660 Barrow Euclid i. xv. ScHol., If four right lines, pro-
ceeding from one point, make the angles vertically opposite
equal. 1840 Lardner Geom. 24 When two straight lines
cross each other, ..the angle B.\D is said to be vertically
oppos te to the angle EAC
tVe-ptice. Obs.-^ fn. F. Venice (= Sp., Pg.,
and It, vertue), ad. L. vertiC'Cfn, vertex Vebtex.]
The vertex or zenith.
1665 Sir T Herbert Trav. (1677) ^ But the Periscii have
their shadow circulating, their meridional shadow having
no existence from the vertice, but oblique and extended to
the plain of the terrestrial Horizon.
Verticil (v5-Jtisil). Also 8-9 verticel. [ad. L.
t;^r/?Vj7A«5- Verticillus. Cf. F. verticille in sense
2 (also, in earlier use, a whorl).]
tL (Seequot.). Obs."^
1703 A. DE La Prime Let. to Sir H. Sloan (Sloan MSS.
4056) fol. 33 Verticels or glass Beads formed on purpose to
wind thread on.
2. Bot, A number or set of organs or parts
arranged, disposed, or produced in a circle round
an axis (see quot. 1882); a whorl. False or
spurious verticil^ a verticillaster.
Also similarly in Zool. (in recent Diets.).
«. 1793 Martvn Diet. Bot. s.v., A Verticil or Whirl may
be I. oessile or pcduncled. z. Naked.. .3, Crowded. 1806
J. Galpine Brit. Bot. 5258 Ajuga. ..l\3Axy: verticils
crowded into a pyramidal form, many-flowered. 18*6-34
Encyct. Metrop. {1845) VII. 43/2 The stamens in the same
verticil are sometimes joined together, and sometimes with
the neighbouring verticils. i88a Vines Sachs" Bot. jjo An
axial structure may produce either several equivalent lateral
members at the same level, or only one; in the second case
the members formed in succession are termed solitary, in
the first case a Whorl or Verticil.
(5. 1856 Hrnsi.ow Diet. Bot, Terms i\^ Verticel, Verti-
ciilus,..z whorl. 1871 Nicholson Palaeont. 483 The joints
of the stems give on verticels of leave:*. 1881 Spencer in
Science Gossip No. 20a. 229 It is generally supposed that
the branches were aI>o arranged in verticels.
t Verticillary, a. Obs. rare, [f. L. verticill-
«j Verticillus: see -art.] Of motion: Rotatory,
whirling, vertiginous. «
1757 E. Darwin in Phil, TroJis. L. 947 The verticillary
motion given to charcoat*dust thrown on nitre in fusion.
i7S^-tf — Zoon. (1801) III. 145 When the legs are straight,
as in standing erect, there is no verticillary motion in the
knee-joint.
Verticillaster (v5:jtisilx'st3j), Bot. [mod.
L., f. L. vcrticill-tis Vebticillus + -asteu.] A
form of inflorescence occurring in certain labiate
plants (see quots.) ; a false whorl.
1831 Lindlev tntrod. Bot. 112 If the cyme is reduced to
a. very few flowers, and those few become corymbose, such a
disposition has been called a verticiliasterhy Hoffmansegg.
1861 Bkntlev Matt. Bot. 213 The Verticillaster.— This kind
of cyme is seen in the WHite Dead-nettle. 187a Oliver
EUm. Bot. II. 217 A coarse perennial herb, with. .axillary
cymes (forming verticillastcrs) of bilabiate white flowers.
Verticillate (vMtisi-lrt, vajti-silA), a. Also 9
vertioellate. [ad. mod.L. verticilldt-us ^ f. L. ver-
ticillus Vebticillus : see -ate '■* 2. So It. verticil-
149
lalo, Sp. verticilado , Pg. verticillado, F. verticilU
(1694).]
1. a. Bot. Of plants : Having leaves, flowers,
branches, etc., arranged or produced in circles or
whorls around the stem. Now rare or Obs.
1668 WiLKiss Real Char. it. iv. §4. 81 Herbs considered
according to their flower . . may be distinguished into . . Ver'
ticillatc ; by which those kinds of Plants are meant, whose
flowers grow in rundles or whirles about the stalk. x686
Phil. Trans. XVI. 286 The Verticillate Herbs, so called
from the Flowers embracing the stalk like a whirl, or wherle.
4:1711 Petiver Gazophyl. x. 94 A Verticillate Water Herb,
whose Husks stick to Cloaths like Burrs or Clivers. 17*0
P. liLAiR Bot. Ess, iii. 135 The Verticillate Kind are for the
most part Irregular. 1796 C. Marshall Garden, xix. (1813)
357 Coreopsis, verticillate, yellow. 1822-7 Oood Study
J\/t'd. {1829) I. 174 The verticillate order affords an abundant
stock, from which we may select [carminatives] at pleasure.
/did. IV. 568 Many of the warmer sedatives and antispas-
modics, as assafoetida, camphor, most of the verticillate
plants, and cajeput.
b. Eftt.y etc. (See quots.)
1826 K1R8V & Sp. Entomol, IV. xlvj. 324 Verlicillaie..,
antennae beset with hair in whorls. 1883 Le Conte & Horn
Classif. Coleoptera N. Atner. Introd. p. xv, In this form
the joints are frequently surrounded at tip with a circle of
longer hairs, in which case the antennie are said to be
veriiceilate. _
2. a. Bot. Of leaves, flowers, branches, etc. :
Disposed in, or forming, verticils or whorls.
1793 Martvn Diet. Bot. s.v., Verticillate flowers; or
flowers growing in a Whirl; or round the stem in rings one
above another at each joint. 1830 Lindlev Nat. Syst. Bot.
202 Square stems and verticillate leaves [of the Madder
tribe]. 1851 Mantell Petrifactions i. § 2. 26 Specimens of
• a common, .tribe of coal-plants.., whose verticillate foliage
is too remarkable to escape notice. 1882 Vines Sachs' Bot.
396 The branches and roots spring exclusively from within
the base of the leaf-sheath; and as this forms a whorl, the
branches and roots are also verticillate.
b. Similarly in Zool., Ent., etc.
1828 Stark ^/^/w. Nat. Hist. II. 378 Antennae filiform,
long, of from fifteen to sixteen globular joints, furnished
with verticillate hairs, 1846 Dana Zooph. (1848) 675 Ver-
rucae ascending,, .verticillate. _ 1871 Duncan Transform.
Insects III Each tubercle carries several verticillate hairs.
3. Marked or characterized by verticillation.
183a Lindlev Introd. Bot. 113 The most exterior verticil-
late series of the integuments of the flower within tlie
bractea;.^ 1836-9 Todd's Cycl. Anat, II. 414/1 Simple tubes,
divided in a verticillate manner. 1877 CouES& Allen A''.
Awer. Rod. 475 The veriicillate whorls of scales between
which the short hairs spring. 1882 Vines .Jatr/w' Bot. 464
The phyllota.vis is ."^onietimes verticillate, sometimes spiral.
Verti'Cillated, a. Now rare, [Cf. prec]
1. =^ prec. I and i b.
1698 J. Petiver in Phil. Trans. XX. 315 Like tfae Whorles
on a Verticillated Plant. 1752 J. Hill Hist, Anint. no
The Lacerta, with the tail verticillated with denticulated
scales. 1822-7 Good Study Med. (1829) IV. 531 The ver-
ticillated stimulant plants have, in many instances, also,
been found serviceable. 1882 Gard. Chron. XVIII. 70 To
make trial of seeds of any verticillated plants.
2. = prec. 2, 2 b, and 3.
1718C11AMBERLAVNE Relig.Philos. I. x. § 17. 184 Tho' the
Calculation bad been made from a greater Plumber of the
Fibres of a verticillated Body, c 1789 Encycl. Brit. {ed. 3)
III. 440/3 Different species of stellated or verticillated
leaves.^ x8»8 Stark EUm. Nat. Hist. II. 377 Antenna
..furnished with verticillated hairs, or simply pubescent.
1844 Florist's Jml. (1846) V. 84 Flowers produced from the
base of the bulb on a long drooping raceme, verticillated
along the raceme. 1857 H. Miller Test. Rocks \. 20 Its
fluted stem and verticillated series of linear branches.
Verticillation (vaitisil^Jan). [f. Verticil-
late a. : see-ATiON.] The formation of verticils ;
a verticillate form or structure, a verticil.
1830 Lindlev Nat, Syst. Bot. iiyj The degree of verticilla-
tion requisite to constitute a calyx. 1843 Penny Cycl.
XXVI. 131/2 The tail is rounded.. ; its verticillations are
composed, above, of large tubercles, and below, of flat,
quadrangular scales. 1888 Riverside Nat. Hist. I. 167 In
the Diadematidae the spines are hollow, long, and set with
rings or verticillations.
Verticillato-| combining form, on Greek
models, of mod.L. verticilldfns Verticillate a.,
as verticillato-piniiate (see quot.).
1829 T. Castle Introd. Bot.-ji Veriicillato-pinnate— when
the leaflets, instead of being arranged in the same piano on
each side of the common leaf-stalk, are placed around it.
II Verticillus Cvajtisi-iiJs). Bot, PI. verti-
cilll (-si'bi). [L. verticillus (Pliny) whorl (sc,
of a spindle), dim. of vertex Wz'B.ttyi. Cf. Verti-
cil.] A verticil or whorl.
1760 I. Le& Introd Bot. in. iv. (1765) 174 Verticillus, a
IVhor/f expresses a Number of Flowers that are subsessile,
and are produced in Rings round the Stems. 1783 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 2) X. 8570/2 The.. smaller creeping germander,
hath, .reddish flowers, growing almost in a verticillus, or
whorls, round the stalk. 1829 T. Castle Introd. Bot. 94
In the verticillus or whorl, the flowers surround the stem in
a sort of ring. 1830 Lindlev iWi/. Syst. Bot. Introd. p. xxv,
In most orders the sepals occupy one series or verticillus
only. 1870 tr. Pouchet's Universe 388 When the floral
apparatus is complete it is formed of four ro.settes, or verti-
cilli, of depressed concentrated leaves.
Verticity (vojti-siti). Now rare. [ad. mod.L.
verticitdSj f. L. vertic-^ stem of vertex Vertex. So
F. verticitiy Sp. verticidad, Pg. verticidade,']
I, 1. Thefaculty of turning, or tendency to turn,
towards a vertex or pole, esp. as exhibited in the
loadstone or magnetic needle.
VERTIGINOUS.
Very common in the 17th c; now rare or Obs.
^ 1625 N. Carpenter Geog. Del. i. iv. (1635) 72 The Verticity
Ls that whereby the Poles of the Earthly Spheare, conforme
and settle themselues vnto the Poles of the Heauen. 1661
Glanvill Van. Dogni. 140 We believe the verticity of the
Needle, without a Certificate from the dayes of old. 1705
Derham in PhiL Trans. XXV. 2136 And having again
straitened it, I was surprized to find it had quite lost its Ver-
ticity. 1794 G. Adams Nat. <V E:>rp. Philos, (1806) IV. 1. 393
His poker and tongs were natural magnets, and had their
verticity fixed by being heated and cooled in a vertical
position. 1837 Brewster Magnet. i6§ The little magnet
or needle turned itself briskly,, .shewing great verticity.
1867 S.MVTH Sailor's Wordhk. 712.
Jig. 1687 Norris Coll. Misc. 184 The Soul will then point
to the center of Happiness with her full bent and verticity.
i6«ji — Praet. Disc. 170 His Will has lost much of its Ver-
ticity or Magnetick Inclination towards the chief Good,
b. With a and pi.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 68 A Loadstone flred..
according to the position in cooling contracts a new verti-
city. 1658 —■ Gard. Cy>'us v. 72 If any shall further quaery
why magneticall Philcsophy excludeth decussations, and
needles transversly placed do naturally distract their verti-
cities. 1705 C. PuRSHALL Mech. Macrocosm 265 If you heat
an Iron Red, and let it cool perpendicular to the Earth,., its
lowest end will gain a Verticity towards the North Pole.
1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Magnet, A Bar of Iron that has
gain'd a Verticity by being heated red-hot and cool'd again.
fig. 1661 Glanvill Van, Dogm. 244 Though the body by
a kind of Magnetism be drawn down.. ; yet the thus im-
pregnate spirit contracts a Verticity to objects above the
Pole.
2. The power of turning or revolving ; rotation,
revolution, ? Obs,
i6^2 Hooker in Rigaud Corr, Sci. Men (1841) I. 181 The
verticity of Jupiter and Mars on their axes. 1690 Locke
Hum, Und. iv. ii. §11 (i6c)5) 307 A certain number of
Globules, . . having a verticity about their own Centres.
1819 H. Busk Banquet in. 241 Hence on all subjects sparks
of light you throw.. : Blaze with the comet in his swift
verticity, Or rouse us with a flash of electricity.
II. + 3. The vertex or top of something. Obsr~^
1656 Blount Glossogr.
1 4. Vertical position in the heavens. Obs. rare.
1646 J. Gregory Notes ^ Obs. (1650) 151 The verticity of
any of those [stars] could not haue come and 'stood over
the place where the young child was'. 1686 Goad Celest.
Bodies II. xiii. 333 The ./Estival Part of Heaven does more
invigorate those Planets which attend the 0, not only by
their higher Exaltation or Approches to Verticity, but [etc. J.
6. Pole of verticity^ (see quot.).
x886 Cu.MMiNG Electricity 54 There are two points, one in
the northern hemisphere and one in the southern, at which
the dip is 90'^, or the magnetic force is vertical. These
points are called the Magnetic Poles of the earth... The
term Pole of Verticity is sometimes applied to them.
+ Ve*rticle, erron. f. Vertical a, and sb, Obs.
161X CoTGR., Azimuth, an Azimuth, or Vertlcle circle,
which discends from the Zenith. 1653 Waterhouse Apol.
Learning 51 Now grows Our Nation to its Zenith: Fame
is no friend to Continuance ; the Verticle is near, when
Admiration from abroad, and Luxury at home, threaten
our Change.
+ Ve*3?ticle. Obs. rare. [ad. L. verlicula, •us^
'Um joint, vertebra, dim. of vertex Vertex, or OF.
verticule (rare) vertebra.] A vertebra.
1658 A. Fox Wurtz* Surg, v, 363 Some Childrens back
bone have I seen crackt in two, and the verticles thereof
were disjoyned.
t VerticO'rdiouS, a. Obs.~^ [f. L. verticordia
turner of hearts (an epithet of Venus), f. vert^re to
turn + cord'y cor heart : see -ous.] That turns the
heart (from evil) ; regenerative.
1701 C. Mather Magn. Chr. iii. 11. xxvi. 149/1 The
Regenerating and Verticordious Grace of Heaven, took
advantage from his Religious Education . . to steal into the
Heart of this young Disciple.
t Vertixularly, ^/z'. Obs.-"^ [i.'L.verticula,
etc., Verticle.] In a whorled or verticillate
manner.
1657 Tomlinson Renou*s Disp. 610 Spinous cups do ver-
ticularly circumvest its Caulicles.
t Vertiginal, a. Obs,-^ [f. L. vertTgin-^ ver-
tigo Vertigo.] « Vertiginous a, 2,
x6i2 Benvenuto's Passenger i. ii. 177 For vertiginall
dizzines.
Verti'ginate, ff. rare~°, [Cf.next.] 'Turned
round, giddy* (Webster, iS6i).
Vertagiuate (vajti-dgin^'t), v, rare. [f. L.
vertigin-, vertigo Vertigo.] intr. To turn round,
spin, or rush dizzily.
(1767 A. Campbell Lexiph. (ed. a) 23 My steed, .with an
incredible acceleration of velocity, vertiginated along^ the
arable. Ibid. 52 Brine, that once vertiginated in the pacifick
ocean.] a 1814 Last Act i. iii. in Neiu Brit. Theatre II.
372, I, your great Chiron, was your instructor ; and thither-
ward my glory vertiginates, a 1834 Coleridge in Lit. Rem.
(18-^9) IV. 212 Surely never did argument vertiginate more !
V"ertigine, -inie : see Vertiginy.
Vertigino'Sity. rare, [ad, F. vertiginositS
(i6thc.). Cf.next.] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr. (copying Cotgr.), Vertiginosity, a -
giddiness, dizziness, swimming of the head or brain.
Vertiginous (v3Jti'd5rn3s), a. Also 7 yirt-.
[ad. L. vertiginostts one suffering from giddiness,
f. vertigin-, vertigo Vertigo. So F. vertigineux,
Sp., Pg., It. vertiginoso.']
i. Of persons, the head, etc. : Affected with,
suffering from, vertigo or giddiness ; giddy, dizzy.
i63z Burton AncU. Mel, l iii. i. i. Many phantasticall
VEBTIGINOUSLY.
visions about their eyes, vertiginous, apt to tremble. 1653
Jkh. Taylor Serm^/or Kco^i.xix. 233 They grew vertigin*
ous and fell from the battlements of heaven. 1695 Woodward
Nat. Hist. Earth iv. 206 The former of these [damps].,
makes the Workmen faint, and vertiginous. 1707 Reflex,
upon Ridicule 136 The Head turns and grows vertiginous,
1787 Best Atfgiing (ed. 2) 69 By these balls fishes are ren-
dered \-ertiginous, and as it were intoxicated. 1808 Med,
ymL XIX. 299 The ocular spectra of objects.. augment
the disturbance of the eyes, and thereby add to the confu-
sion of the vertiginous person. iBaa-y Good Study Med.
(1829) I. 170, I have never been able to raise it [the drug]
abo^'e seven grains without making the head stupid and
ventginous. 1906 G._ Tyrrell in Li/e (1912) II. xi. 260 At
first f was very \'ertiginous, but am slowly getting my nerves
in hand.
fig^. i6«4 [Scott] Vox Regis 41 The heighthof prosperitie
so amazeth the ej-es of men, as it makes them vertigmous.
1687 NoRRis Misc., Disc. Rom. xii. 3 § 19 If they can stand
there without growing vertiginous, .. they are still within
the Region of Humility.
b. J^. Giddy-minded ; unstable or unsettled in
opinions, etc. ; inconstant; apt to change quickly;
marked by inconstancy, instability, or rapid change.
Frequent in the 17th century.
1609 Bp. W. Barlow Answ. Nameless Cath. 209 This
vertiginous Vertumnus, whom Plato describes for an in-
artificial! disputant. 1631 Burton Anat. Mel, (ed. 4) i. lii.
I. ii 185 Inconstant they are in all their actions, vertiginous,
restlesse, vnapt to resolue of any businesse. x68x Mantom
Sertft. Ps.cxix. 20 Wks. 1872 VI. 190 Therefore take heed
of being given up to this vertiginous spirit, to be turned and
'tossed up and down with every wind of doctrine'. 1789
Gouv. Morris in Sparks Life ^ Writ. {1832) II. 66 As all
men and things are in the same vertiginous condition. 1841
DisRAEU Amen. Lit. {1859) II. 378 The sphere of publica-
tion widened, in this vertiginous era. 1898 Bodley France
iiL v. 271 When one thinks of the vicissitudes of those
vertiginous days, it is not surprising that . . sons of the
Revolution [etc.].
2. Of the nature of, characterized by, vertigo.
1608 TopsELL Serpents 76 Sluggish dulness, a giddy and
vertiginous pace,, .are sure arguments that Bees are not in
good health. i6»o Venner Via Recta vii, 134 Fisticke
Nuts, .distemper the bloud, and being much eaten, often-
times procure the vertiginous euill. 1699 Evelyn Acetaria
(1729) 133 Mustard, .strengthening the Memory, expelling
Heaviness, preventing the Vertiginous Palsey. 1733 Cheyne
Eng. Malady iii. tv. (1734) 327, I was suddenly seiz'd with
a vertiginous Paroxj-sm. zSas-^ Good Study Med. (1829)
I. 460 That staggering or vertiginous disease which is pro-
vincially known by the name of Dtint. 1854 Gilfillam
Beattie p. xvii, Beattie was troubled with a vertiginous com-
plaint. 1876 Clin. Soc. Trans. IX. 183 He found that if he
closed his eyes the vertiginous feeling was mitigated. 1901
Brit. Med. JrnL No. 2092. Epit. Anc. Lit. 18 Vertiginous
attacks became troublesome at times.
/ig. i6»6 Ailesbury Passion Serm. 13 Their theory was
vertiginous, swom in the braine, there floating without
anchor, and was of no credit with the will. 1643 H. Mori;
Song 0/ Soul n. in. iii. 22 My strong- winged Muse feeble
to sfide Into false thoughts and dreams vertiginous.
3. Liable to cause vertigo or dizziness; inducing
giddiness. A\so Jig.
1649 Jer. Tavlor Gt. Exemp. i. ix. 1^3 There . . the
station is least firm, the posture most uneasie, the prospect
vertiginous. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 326 The
Dervis and other Santoons .. express their zeal by turning
round, . .and others I have seen in this vertiginous exercise
at the Cavalcades, a 1701 Maundrell Journ. yents. (1721)
95 After they had by these vertiginous circulations and
clamours tum'd their heads. 1865 W. Kay Crisis Hup/el-
diana 78 If any one chooses to look further into this verti-
ginous subject, he may examine [etc.]. 1874 Stevenson Ess,
Trav., Unpleasant Places (1005) 242 There is nothing
more vertiginous than a wind like this amons; the woods,
with all its sights and noises. 1899 Alldutt's Syst. Med,
vii. 796 It is generally necessary to avoid crowded rooms
and the vertiginous influence of the dance.
4. Of motion : Having the character of rotation
or revolution ; rotatory.
In some cases prob, implying the preceding sense.
1663 Baxter Div. Li/e 21$ The thoughts of earthly fleshly
things have power to delude men, and mislead them, and
hurry them about in a vertiginous motion. 1690 Leybourn
Curs. Math. 449 It is found to have a Vertiginous Motion
about its own Axis, lytz Blackmore Creation 251 So give
the air impression from above. It in a whirl vertiginous
would move. 1751 Johnsos Rambler No. 117 f 10 That
vertiginous motion, with which we are carried round by the
diurnal revolution of the earth. 1766 G. Canning Anti-
Lucretius IV. 323 We see, with whirl vertiginous, the Sun
From west to east around his axis run. 183a Nat. Philos., 1
Eleciro-Magn. xii. % 257. 80 (L.U.K.), The peculiar kind of
movement.. which Dr. Wollaston attributed to the electro.
magnetic agent, and which he termed its vertiginous
motion. 1837 Carlvle Fr. Rev. i. iii. vii, It is the centre
whereon infinite contentions unite and clash. What new
universal vertiginous movement is this? 1883 Salmon in
Contemf. Rev. Oct 512 All the souls in hell and purgatory
..who, in the earth's vertiginous double motion, must roll
about like grains of coffee in a grocer's mill.
b. Of an axis : Revolving, rotating.
1680 Counterplots 6 Whirl'd about with perpetual agita.
tions upon the Vertiginous Axis of that Globe.
Hence Vertiffinously adv., giddily, dizzily.
1766 G. Canning A nti- Lucretius v. 368 Which, to the
centre of the cloud repair. And there.. With furious rage
vertiginously roll. 1868 Browning Ring Sf Bk. xi. 2365 The
smoothest safest of you all . . Will rock vertiginously m turn,
and reel. And, emulative, rush to death like me. 1886
SvMONDS Renaiss. It., Cath. React. (1898) VI I, ix. 45 A new
philosophy occupied his brain, vertiginously big with in-
coherent births of modern thought.
Vertigiixousiiess, [f. prec. + -ness.] The
condition or state of being vertiginous; dizziness,
giddiness, Also^^.
150
1599 A.M. tr. Gahelhouers Bk. Physicke lift Applye it on
his Foreheade and on the Temples of the heade,..as long as
the vertiginousnes dureth and continueth. ci6a8 Donne
Serm. 658 It was a staggering,a vertiginousnesse, an ignor-
ance. 1653 Jer. Taylor Sertn. i. xxi. 282 He that commits
sacriledge, is marked for a vertiginousnesse and changeable
fortune, a 1677 Barrow Serm. (1810) II. 416 We would all
climb into high places, not considering the precipices on
which they stand, nor the veriiginousness of our own brains.
1717 Bailey (vol. II), 6^/rf(^/«fw,.. Veriiginousness. 1846
Browning Lett. (1899) II. 528, 1 got up with the old verti-
ginousness, or a little worse.
t Verti •giny. Obs. Also 5, 7 vertigine, 6-7
-inie. [a, L. vertigine, abl. sing, of vertigo.']
= Vertigo.
^1400 Lan/ranc's Cirurg. 310 [It] is good for Jjc brayn
wit-innefori^ as for scotomia h vertigine. 1583 Stubbes
Atiat. Abus. Evjb, Y^ vertiginie, & instability of their
more than fantastical brains. 1605 B. Jonson Volpone 11. ii,
For the Vertigine, in the head,., a most soueraigne, and ap.
prooued remedy. 1608 Topsell Serpents 32 It induceth a
kinde of lieauines or drunkennesse in their head, with a
vertiginie [i658_vertiginy] or giddines.
t verti 'gious, rt. Obs, rare. = VkrtiginouS(2.
1623 CocKERAM, Vertigious, belonging to giddinesse. 1653
E. Chisenhale Cath. Hist. xv. 461 The nauseating juyce
..hath intoxicated them, making their Vertigious heads
turn after the Laterane Weather.cock. 1656 Blount,
Ii Vertigo (vautig^J, vsitai-gc, vsjtrgo). Also
7 vertego, -teego, virtigo, [L. vertigo a turning
or whirling round, giddiness, etc., f. vertire to turn.
Cf. F. and Sp. vertigo ; also F. veriige, Pg. verti-
gem. It. vertigine.
The various modes of pronouncing t"bis word form the
subject of an elaborate note by Walker (1797), arguing in .
favour of that with the stress on the first syllable. The
fashionable pronunciation, however, appears to have been
(vajti'go), andthis alone is given by Smart {1836-40) as really
current, in spite of its divergence from English analogy.]
1. Path. A disordered condition in which the
person affected has a sensation of whirling, either
of external objects or of himself, and tends to lose
equilibrium and consciousness ; swimming in the
head ; giddiness, dizziness : a. Without article.
^ Sometimes applied to the staggers in horses or the sturdy
in sheep, and in quot. i6ig to a disease of hawks.
1528 Paynell Salerne^'s Rcgim. C iij b, Tlie heed ache
called vertigo:, whiche maketh a man to wene that the
world turneth. 1558 Bullein Gmit. Health Av, Apoplexia
and Vertigo will neuer fro th^e] starte, Untill the vitall
blode be killed in the harte. 1619 E. Bert Haivkes <5-
//rtw>t/«^iii. V. 85 Adisease..of .some called Vertego,it isa
swimming of the braine. x68i tr. IViilis' Rem. Med. Wks.
Vocab., Vertigo. 1766 Beattie Let. in Life ^ Writ. {i8o6)
I. 93 Have I not headachs, like Pope ? vertigo, like Swift ?
1799 Med. yml. II. 119 The most common effects observed
from full doses, are vertigo, pain, or throbbing of the fore-
head. 1803 Ibid. X. 3^6 The general symptoms were pain
across the forehead with vertigo. 1840 Thackeray /'rt^Vj
Sk. Bk. C1872) 185 He felt as if attacked by vertigo, and his
thoughts whirled in his brain. 1875 Richardson Dis, Mod.
Li/fTi In those who have irregular circulation through the
brain, the tendency to giddiness and vertigo is more easily
developed.
b. With the.
1605 B. JoNSON Volpone iii. vii, Our drinke. . we will take,
vntill my roofe whirle round With the vertigo. 1631
Brathwait Eng. Gentlew. (1641) 316 What a circular ges-
ture wee shall observe some use in their pace as if they were
troubled with the vertigo. 1725 Fam. Diet, s.v., The Ver-
tigo will sometimes seize upon those who look down from
an high Place. 1794 E. Darwin Zoon. (1801) 1. 335 Thus on
turning round on one foot, the vertigo continues for some
seconds of time after the person is fallen on the ground,
1827 Scott Let. in Lockhart (1838) VII. 29 Your letter has
given me the vertigo — my head turns round like a chariot-
wheel, a 1883 Fagge Princ. ^ Pract. Med. (1B86) I. 702
The vertigo caused by derangement of the liver.
e. With fl, etc., and pi.
c 1620 Fletcher & Massinger Trag. Bamavelt v. ii,
Here's a Sword . . cures all rhumes, all Catharres, megroomes,
verteegoes. 1641 R. Brooke Eng. Episc. 5 Your Faulkiiers
seele a Pigeons eye . . to prevent a Vertigo. 1698 Frykr Acc.
P2. India ^ P. 129 The Mountains fenced with horrible
Gulphs, till strange Vertigoes prejudicate Pancy. 1731
Swift On his Death Wks. 1755 lU. n, 242 That old vertigo
in his head Will never leave him, till he's dead. 1789 W.
Buchan Dovt. Med. (1790) 39 These, .occasion palsies, ver-
tigoes, and other nervous affections, which often prove fatal.
1830 Galt Life Byron xlvii. 310 He complained ol frequent
vertigos, which made him feel as though he were intoxicated.
1895 Zangwill Master in. ii. 302 The fumes of expensive
wines and cigars gave him a momentary vertigo.
2. fig. A disordered state of mind, or of things,
comparable to giddiness.
1634 Wither Etnbl. 231 Those uselesse and vaine temp'rall
things . . which if thereupon our hearts we set Make men and
women the vertigo get. 1661 Bagshaw in Baxter Acc. to
Inhabitants Kidderminster ^-j^ For him now to be suddenly
advanced so much beyond his Art, will run the poor man
into a dangerous Vertigo. 1702 Steele Funeral i. ii,
How dizzy a Place is this World you live in I All Human
Life's a mere Vertigo ! 170^— Taller No. 29 F 7 Absolute
Power is only a Vertigo in the Brain of Princes. 1810
Bentham Packing (1821) 187 The British Themis seems
little,, in danger of being healed of her habitual vertigo by
this one hand.^ 1831 Carlvle Sart. Res. u. v, There was
a certain delirious vertigo in the thought. 1875 Jevons
iI/i?MO'{i878)2i7Thatdangerouskind of intellectual vertigo
which often attacks writers on the currency.
3. The act of whirling round and round.
1853 pK QviNCEY A utobio^. Sk. Wks. I. 44 It was not a
humming-top that was required, but a peg-top. Now, this,
in order to keep up the vertigo at full stretch, . . needed to be j
whipped incessantly. j
VERUMONTANUM,
t Ve-rtilage. Ods. [Irreg. f. L. vert-ere to turn.]
(See quots.)
1610 W. Folkingham Art of Survey i. vii. 14 Tillage
generally taken may comprehend all maner of husbandings
of grounds, but it is heere limited to Vertilage and Fertilage.
Vertilage consists in Deluage and FJciilage. 1688 R. Holme
Armoury iii. 333/2 Vertiliage, isa preparing of Ground to
receive its Seed by stirring, tossing or turning the same.
fVertingale, obs. var. Farthin-, Yarding ale.
1552 Huloet, Vertingale for agentilwoman, limns. 1869
Mrs. Palliser Lace \\. 79 Under the vertingale of black
taffety they wear a dozen or more petticoats.
Vertious, obs. form of Verjuice.
fVertoll, obs. var. Vardle, Vartiwell.
1552 Huloet, Vertoll of a dore, vertebra, vertibuluin.
Vertousnes, obs. f. Virtuousness.
Vertouyse, obs. Sc. f. Virtuous a,
Vertre, southern ME. var. Fir-tree.
+ Vert-sance. Obs. rare. [ad. OF. (also mod.
F.) sauce verte green sauce.] A sauce made prin-
cipally with green herbs. Cf. Green sauce.
1:1440 Anc. Cookery in Househ. Ord. (1790) 441 Vert
Sause. Take parsel, and myntes, and peletur [etc.]. c 1440
Protnp. Parv. 509/1 Vertesawce, or vergesawce, . . ^/Wo'tf
salsamentum. c 1450 Tivo Cookery Bks. 104 And sauce ii>
vergesauce \Douce MS. vert sauce]. 1483 Cath. Angl.
401/1 Vert sawse, viridis salsa.
Vertu, Vertu, varr. Virtu. Vertual, obs. f.
Virtual a. Vertue^less, obs. ff. Virtue(less.
Vertueet, obs. superl. of Virtuous a. Ver-
tueux, obs. var. Virtuous a. Vertugal, var.
Verdugal Obs. Vertuise, obs. Sc. f. Virtu-
ous a. Vertules(;se, obs. ff. Virtueless.
t Vertu'mnal, a. Obs. rare. [f. L. Vertumn-
us (see next); by Adams falsely associated with
vcr spring, Ver j^.l] a. Vernal, b. Of or
pertaining to Vertumnus.
1622 T. Adams Firenopolis 182 Her smiles are more
reuiuing then the Vertnmnall Sunneshine. 1633 — Exp.
2 Peter iii. 8 We cannot, .keep back the cowslip to August,
nor the vertumnal flowers to autumn. 1705 N. Tate tr.
Co%vleys Plants C.'s Wks. 1711 III. 405 The Goddess her
Vertumnal Rites prepares.
+ Vertu 'innals, sb.pl. Obs.-" [ad. L. Ver-
tumnal-ia sb. pi., the festival of Vertumnus, f.
Verlumn-us god of the changing year.] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr. (citing Broughton), Vertumnals,
Feasts dedicated to, or Books treated [1674 treating] of the
god Vertumnus.
Vertuose, obs. f. Vjutuous. Vertuositie,
obs. f. Virtuosity. Vertuoso, obs. f. Vibtuoso.
Vertiious(ness, obs. forms of Virtuous(ness.
Vertuse, -tuyse, obs. Sc. ff. Virtuous a.
Vertw, obs. Sc. f. Virtue.
tVertwell. Obs.-^ [ad. OF. verteveiie-. see
Vartiwell.] = Vartel.
13.. Pari. Three Ages 23S Hchenntis thaym \sc. the
hawks] one honde.., Lowppes in thaire lesses thorowe
vertwells of siluere.
Verty, a. Sc Also 5 werty, 9 vertie, vair-
tie. [Aphetic f. Averty a.] Attentive to busi-
ness ; prudent, cautious, wide-awake, early, etc.
In enrly use coupled with wise.
1375 Bakbour Bruce xvin. 439 King Robert, .was Wis in
his deid and ek verty. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron.vwi. 3121 He
wes wys and rycht werty. 1456 Sir G. Have Laiv Arms
(S.T.S.) 115 It efferis wele to a constable to be wys and
verty, and wele avisit in all his dedis. 1804 Tarras Poems
2 Archie, fu' vertie, owre the moorlan' spangs Ilk strype and
stank; nae doubt he itchin langs To crack wi' San . 1825
Jamilson Snppl.^ Vairtie, early. Buchan.
Hence Ve'rtyness. rare~^.
1456 Sir G. Have Bk. Knighthood V^V%. (S.T.S.) II. 54
A man can , . mend ane evill fortune apperand be vertynas.se.
Veruel, obs. var. Varvel.
Vemlamian, a. rare. [f. L. Vemlami-um
St. Albans.] Performed by, emanating from,
Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam.
1671 R. BoHUN Windi^ From another of the Verulamian
experiments. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iii. I. 406 The
discipline, .had brought the public to a temper well fitted for
the reception of the Verulamian doctrine.
t Verule, obs. f. Ferrule sb. and v,
C1S2S Berry EncycL Her. I. Gloss., Verules, or Ferrils,
several rings, one within another, which have the same
centre. Ibid., ^Veruled, or Ferriled,. .are terms used in
heraldry to express the ornamental rings round hunting-
horns, &c.
II Vernmonta num. ^Jiat, [f. L. veru spit
+ montdnum, neut. oi montdnus hilly.] (See quots.
1728 and 1831.)
1728 Chambers Cycl., Ve?-u-fnontaiium, in Anatomy,.. a
kind of little Valve, in the Place wliere the Ejaculatory
Ducts enter the Urethra.. .Its use is, to prevent the Urine,
in passing the Urethra, from getting in at those Ducts. 1771
Encycl. Brit. I. ■2-j-^/i A small oblong oval eminence, .ter-
minating forward in a point, called caruncula or vcrumon-
tanum. 1831 R. Knox Cloquet's Anat. 817 Ihe inferior
median line ends posteriorly at an oblong, rounded pro-
minence, about an inch long, called the I'ernmontanum
{Caput Gallinagiitis), This prominence is formed by the
mucous membrane. . . Anteriorly, it becomes thin and end.s in
a point. _ x86o Sir H. Thompson Dis. of Prostate (1868) 16
Some minute vessels, chiefly venous, . . on either side of the
verumontanum. 1876 Gross Dis. Bladder^ etc 557 The
sinus in front of the verumontanum.
Verunda, ,obs. form of Veranda.
VERVAIN.
Veruorj), southern ME, var, Far-forth adv.
Vervail(e, obs. ff.VARVEL.
Vervain (vaiv^n). Bot. Forms : a. 4-6
venieyn(e, -veyn(e, 5, 7 -uoine, 4, 7 verveine,
4, 7-9 vervein. ^. 5, 7 vervaine, 5 -wayne
(warwayn), 6-7 -uaine, 7- vervain. 7. 5-6
veruen(e, 6-7 -ven. 6. 6 veruyne, 6-7 ver-
uine, 6-8 -vine ; 6 veruin, -uyn, 6-7 vervin,
-vyn (7 varvin). [a. AF. and OF. vervcine
(13th c. ; OF. also vervainm^ mod.F. verveine, =
Prov., It. vervetia), ad. L. verbena Verbena.]
1. The common European and British herbaceous
plant, Verbena officinalis^ formerly much valued
for its reputed medicinal properties. Also rarely,
some other species of the genus Verbetta^ or the
genus itself. Cf. Verbena 2.
a. 1390 GowER Con/. II. 262 Tok sche fieldwode and ver-
veyne, Of hertes ben noghtbetre tueine. c \^oo Lau/ranc's
Cimrg. 243 A 3elke of an eij, & as miche of oile of rosjs, &
as miche of iuys of verueine. 'Z1425 tr. Arderne's Treat.
FiiUda, etc. 64 Vitriol.. made with iuyse of moleyn, or of
plantayne, or verueyn. i6n Cotgr., Verveine, Verueine,
Holie hearbe, lunoes teares. 1706 Stevrns Sp. Diet, i,
Verbena, the Herb Vervein. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1210/1 The
common name of Verbena offichuilis,. .V^x\^\i\y our only
native species. 1874 O'Shaughnessy Music Sf Moonlight
161 Between the pathway and the wood She seemed to make
a softer clime For vervein, violet, and thyme. 1887 Molonky
Forestry {V. Afr. 401 Vervein {Verbena officinalis^ L.).—
Herbaceous plant.
^. a 1400 Stockholm Med. MS. ii. 315 in Anglia XVIII.
315 A lytyll wyl I tellyn of verwayne, Herbe ^at meche is
of raayne. c 1425 Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 645 Hec ueruena,
warwayn. 1477 Norton Ord. Alck. iiL m Ashm. (1652)
39 Vervaine, Lunara, and Martagon. itt? Gerarde Herbal
ii.ccxxxv. 580 There be two kindes of Veruaine as Pliny
saith, the male, and the female ; or as others affirme, vp.
right, and creeping. i6ix Oravton Poly-olb. xiii. 2i3 And
hard by them againe he holy Vervaine finds. 1671 Salmon
Syn. Med. ui. xxii. 439 Vervain.. is good against Tertian
and Quartan Agues. X7i8 Quincy Coinpl, Dtsp. 132 Ver-
vain flowers in June and July. 1757 Burkk Abridgm, Eng,
Hist. Wks. X. 196 The Druids also looked upon vervain, and
some other plants, as holy. 178a J. Scott Poet, li^ks. 97
Vervain blue for magic ritei renown 'd. 1816 Scott -4 w/t-
qitary xxlii. You have used neither charm,, .magic mirror,
nor geomantic figure. Where be.. your May-fern, your
vervain ! 1830 Lindlev Nat. S^st. Bot. 239 The properties
formerly ascribed to the Vervain appear to have been ima-
ginary. 1873 ^OmnK' Pascareliw.s'x. II. 90 About the feel
of the Tower of Galileo, ivy and vervain, and the Madonna's
herb, grew among the grasses.
y. a 14x5 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula^ etc. 63 Mirabolan
ow to be dissolued in got^ my Ik, ..or in rajTie water or rose
water, or of veruene, or of anot>er stiptikc herbe. 1545
Elyot, Hierobotane, the herbe called Veruen. 1567 Maixet
Gr. Forest 64 Veruen, of some after their language is called
Hoiy Herbe. 1591 Lodge Hist. Dk. Normandy B ij h,
Thou art like the veruen, . .poyson one wayes, and pleasure
an other.
8. 1530 Palscr. 284/2 Vervyn an herbe, uerueyne.
1533 Elyot Cast. Helihe (1541) 9 b, Thynges good for
the eyes ; Eyebryght : Fenell : Vervyn. 1569 Tukner
Herbal 11. 162 The second kinde of Veruine. . . The leaues of
thys . . are good agaynst . . serpentes. 1596 Cogan Haven
Health xxi, 41 Also one olde saying I haue heard of this
herbe. That whosoeuer weareth Veruin and DIM, May be
bold to sleepe on euery hill. 1610 Fletcher Faith/. She/h.
II. i, And thou light VarrJn too, thou must go after, Provok*
ing easie souls to mirth and laughter. 1638 Rawley tr.
Bacon's Li/e <5- Death (1650) 32 These yield a Robust heat,
especially Elecampane, Garlick, . . Vervm, Valerian, a i8oa
in Leyden Cout 0/ Keeldar xxiv. note^ Gin ye wish to be
leman mine, Lay off the St. John's wort and the vervine.
b. With distinguishing terms, denoting varieties
of this or other species of the genus Verbena. Also
applied to various species of plants resembling
or allied to (and sometimes formerly classed with)
the vervains.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 125 Verbena rtf£-/a, ..Upright or
straight Veruayne. Ibid.^ Verbena supina, . . Low and base
Vcruayne. i6ox Chester Love's Mart, xlii. Base or flat
Veruine, and the wholesome Tansie. 1611 Cotgr., Ver-
veim basse, Holie Verueine, creeping Verueine. /bid.,
yervei/te/tf/tel/e, Female Verueine. Jbid., Verreine masle,
Male Verueine, straight or vpright Verueine, common Ver-
ueine. c X711 Petiver Gazophyl. x. 93 Luzone Vervain with
Mint like Leaves. 1731 Miller Card. Dict.%.v. Verbe»ti,
Taller broad-leav'd Portugal Vervain, /bid.j Canada Nettle-
leav'd Vervain, /bid., .American Vervain with many Spikes.
'75? Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v.j The fine-leaved Vervain.
. . The narrow-leav'd nettle Vervain of America. 184a Penny
Cycl. XXII. 403/2 Stachytarpha Jamaicensis, Jamaica
Bastard Vervain. 1843 /bid. XXVI. 254/2 Verbena Au-
bletiay Rose-coloured Vervain... K [now Lippia\triphylla,
Lemon-scenied Vervain. 1846-50 A. Wood Class-ok. Bot.
412 Verbena Spuria, Spurious or Jagged-leaved Vervain.
V. Angustt/o/ia,..Na.Trow-\ca.ved Vervain. 1856 A. Gray
Afan, Bot. (i860) 29? Verbena hastataf Blue Vervain.. .K.
stricta. Hoary Vervain. z868 — Less. /Jot. (1874) 340 Ver-
bena officina/is, European Vervain. 1891 Cent. Diet, s.v.
Stink, Stinking vervain, the guinea-hen weed.
c. With a and pi, A single species or plant of
the genus Verbena.
"597 Gerarde l/erbal 11, ccxlvl 718 The Veruainesfloure
in Julyand August. 184s Penny Cycl. XXII. 403/2 Many
of them (species of Stachytarpha] have been described as
Vervains, but they are distinct from that genus. 1891 F.
Tennyson Psyche i. Garden sweets, Jasmin and vervains,
and old lavender.
2. Incorrectly used to render (or represent) L.
verbena : see Vfrbena I. l
1548 Coot-ER Eiyot's Dict.t VerbenartMS^ was one of the I
151
ambassadours sent from the Romaines vnto their ennemies,
which ware on his heade a garlande of Veruen. 1567 Gold-
ING Ovid's Met. vn. {1593) 159 Altars twaine of turffe she
budded : . . Both the which as sooneas she had dight With ver-
vine [etc.]. 1600 Holland i:/7:y XXX. xliii.771 They should
Carrie with them everyone by himselfe, certaine flint stones
of their owne, and likewise Verven. 1603 B. Jonson Sejanus
v. iv, Bestow your garlands : and, witli reverence, place The
vervin on the altar. 1697 Dryden ^irg. Past. viii. 90 Bind
those Altars round With Fillets ; and with Vervain strow the
Ground. 1720 Ozell Vertot's Rom. Rep. I. v. 276 Shall we
..say to the ^qui and Sabines, take Branches of Vervain,
and return and sue to us humbly for Peace? 1759 W.
Mason CarcKtacus Poems 1830 II. 77 Lift your boughs of
vervain blue, Dipt in cold September dew. 1855 Singletom
Virgil I. 55 Festoon these altars and fat vervains bum.
1863 CoNENGTON Odt's Hor. IV. xi. 7 The altar, strew'd With
vervain, hungers for the flow Of lambkin's blood.
3. attrib. and Comb., as vervain family^ order,
root, tree, etc. ; vervain-like adj. ; vervain hum-
ming-bird, the small Jamaican species, Mellisuga
minima; vervain-sage U.S. (see quot.).
C1580G. Hahvev Marginalia Hopperus {iqii) 182 Redd
Roses, Verueyn rootes, . . Good for the sight. 1712 tr.
Pomet's Hist. Drugs I. 144 Which signifies the Ricinus^ or
a kind of Vervajn Tree. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v.
Veronica, American shrubby Speedwell, with vervain-Hke
leaves. 1849 Balfour Man. Bot. §968 Verbenacea, the
Vervain Family. 1861 Bentlev Man. Bot. 611 The Ver-
vain Order. — Herbs, shrubs, or trees. 1865 Wood Homes
ivit/iout H. xxviii. 560 I'his is the Vervain Humming Bird,
..one of the minutest of the feathered race. Its popular
name is derived from its fondness for the West Indian ver-
vain. ^ 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 163^2 The vervain genus
^ives its name to the natural order {Verbenaces) of which it
IS a member. 1895 Funk's Stand. Diet., Vervain-sage, a
European species of sage (Salvia Verbenaca) with small
bluish flowers, sparingly naturalized in the United States.
b. Vervain mallow, a species of mallow,
Malva alcea.
1548 Turner A^aw« Herbes (E.D.S.) 10 Alcea.. in eng-
lishe . . may be named Veruen mallowe, or cut mallowe. 1611
CoTGR., Guimauves saitvages, the wild Mallowes called,
Veruine Mallowes, cut Mallowes, and Simons Mallowes.
i68x Grew Mttsaeitm 11. iii. iii. 2^5 The Seed of the Ver-
vaine Mallow of Japan, c 1710 Petiver Cat. Ray's Eng.
Herbal Tab. xxxix. 1753 Cliambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v.
Alcea. The common larger vervain mallow with red flowers.
1785 Martyn Lett. Bot. xxiv. (1704) 342 Vervain Mallow
has an erect stem,.. the flowers large, and light purple.
i8m Hortus Angl. II. 204 Vervain Mallow. Stem erect ;
lower leaves angular.
Vervall, obs. variant of Vabvel.
Verve (v5iv). [a. F. verve^ of obscure origin ;
in OF. (from 12th cent.) the sense is 'caprice,
fancy '.]
1. Special bent, vem, or talent in writing. Now
rare or Obs.
1697 Dryden Mneid Ded., Ess. (Ker) II. 216 If he be
above Virgilj and is resolved to follow his own verve, (as the
French cdl it,) the proverb will fall heavily upon him : Who
teaches himself, has a fool for his master. 1756 Gray in
W. Mason Mem. (1807) II. 119 You will not expect there-
fore I should give you any account of my Verve which is at
best. .of so delicate a constitution. 1783 H. Walpole Let.
to IV. Mason 8 Nov., One of my most fervent wishes has
long been that you would exercise more frequently the verve
that is so eminently marked as your characteristic talent.
1878 Smiles Robt. Di9k 412 He had a strong poetic verve.
2. Intellectual vigour, energy, or ' go *, esp. as
manifested in literary productions ; great vivacity
of ideas and expression. (Common from c 1870.)
1803 Bedooes Hy^a x. 35 Many such processes .. are
carried on with as high a verve or as true fervour as ever
accompanied poetic Action. i8z8 Lady Morgan Autobiog.
(1859) 233 There is Madame de Genlis, ..approaching her
eightieth year, full of verz'e, and announcing her ' M^moires
de Dangeau'. x87a Morley Voltaire 327 He.. launched
forth during the rest of the meal with his usual verve and
fanciful extravagance of imagination. 1879 M. Pattison
Milton 172 That thorough enjoyment of the labour, which
is necessary to give life, and verve to any creation, whether
of the poet or the orator. 1894 A. Birrell Ess. v. 56 Cumber-
land tells the story with the irresistible verve of falsehood.
3. In general use : Energy, vigour, spirit.
1863 'Oi;ida' Held in Bondage iv. I. 87 There isn't one
half the verve among you new people there was in my
young time. 1885 M'ss Bradi>on IVyllard's IVeird I. 250
Such a man, not too young nor yet too old,, .full of verve
and enjoyment of life. 1893 Vizetellv Glances back II.
xxiv. 48 Thackeray's ' Mahogany Tree ', which.. [MayhewJ
gave in his deep bass voice with uncommon verve.
fVerveoean, fl. Obs.-'^ [See next and -ean.]
(See quot.)
1656 Bi.ouNT Glossogr., Vervecean, Vervecine, of or be-
longing to a Weather or Sheep; like a Weather.
Ve'rvecine, a. rare. [a. F. vervecine (Rabe-
lais), or ad. L. vervecJn-us^ f. vervec-is, vervex
wether : see -ine l.] Of or belonging to a sheep.
The first quot. merely follows the burlesque diction of the
original text.
1653 Urquhart Rabelais 11. vi, Goodly vervecine spatules
perforaminated with petrosile. 1656 [see prec.]. 1835 Kirby
Hab. <V /nst. Ani7u. I. xL 330 The vervecine and ovine
hydatids, which penetrate into their [sc. sheep's] lungs and
liver and occasion the rot.
Vervel(l, variants of Varvel.
t Verven, obs. variant of Fbbvent a. 2,
Attributed to a rustic speaker.
1633 B. JoNsoN Tale Tub in. ix. To mark the verven Heart
of a Heast.
Verven, etc., obs. ff. Vervain. Vervens,
Vervente, obs. varr. Febvence, Fervent.
VEBY.
Vervet (v5-ivet). Zool. [a. F. verve/ (Cuvier),
of obscure origin.] A species of monkey {Cerco-
pithecus pygerythrus or C. lalandii), native to
various parts of Africa. Also attrib.
1884 /mp. Diet. 1893 LvDEKKER Roy. Nat. Hist I 07
Still better known than the malbrouck is the South African
vervet monkey, /bid.. The fur of the vervet is of a greyish-
green colour. 1897 H. 0. Forbes Hand-bk. Primates II.
60 1 he Vervet Guenon . . [is] very nearly allied to the Grivet,
..the Malbrouck, and.. the Green Guenon.
Vervil(e, obs. variants of Vauvel.
tVervise. Obs.-'^ (See quot. and Pli'NKETj/?.)
X483 Act I Rich. ///, c. 8 § 18 Eny Clothe called Vervise,
otherwise called Plounkettes, Turkyns, or Celestrines with
broode listes.
Verwound, southern ME. var. Forwound v.
Very (ve-ri), a., adv., and sb. Forms: a. 3-5
(6 Sc.) verray (4 verrai, -aie, 6 Sc. varray), 4-6
werray (4 werrai, warrai, 6 Sc. warray), veray
(5-6 veraye, weray), verai ; 4-6 verrey (4
verrei, ferrey, 5 werrey), verey (5 uerey, ver-
eye, 7 .5"^. werey). ^. 4-5 verra, 6 Sc. vera,
werra ; 8-9 Sc. vera, 9 Sc. and north, verra ; (i~1
{<^ north.) vara,9.S"c-.varra. 7. 4-5 verre(5vere),
5-6 werre (6 were). 5. 4-5 verri, verry (5, 9
diaL werry), 6-7 Sc. verrie (6 werrie), 9 dial.
varry, vurry ; 4-6 veri, 5- very (5 vary, 5, 7
Sc.y wery), 5-6 verye, 5-7 verie (6 werie, Sc.
vearie). [a. AF. verrai, verrey, verai, veray,
OF. ve?'az, varai, vrai (mod.F. vrai, Pr, verai),
f. the stem of L. vertis true.]
A. adj. L 1. Really or truly entitled to the
name or designation ; possessing the true character
of the person or thing named ; properly so called
or designated; = True a. k.
Very comnion from c 1300 to c 1600 ; now rare except as an
echo of Biblical usage.
a. Of persons, or the Deity,
o, a. cia$o Kent. Serm. in O. E. Misc. 27 Be bet hi
offrede gold, .seawede )>^i he was sothfast kink, and be J)et
hi offrede Slor..sed.wede J>et he was verray prest. a 1300
Cursor M. 22729 A elude.. bar him vp, wonder bright;
Warraiman and godd warrai. 13.. Guy IVanv. 3568 Wele
haj> Gij don ^jat day. As gode knijt &. verray. a 1380 in
Horstm. A Itengl. Leg. (1878) 32/1 A mayden, forso^e, wente
her in. But now forsojje, as i seo con, 5onde sitte)? a verrei
mon. 0x400-50 Alexander 389 A verra victor a-vansid
with all ^ vayne werde. £1400 Maundev. (Roxh.) xv. 66
He . . es a haly prophete and a verray in worde and in dede.
1413 Pilgr. Sozt'le i. xv. (Caxton, 1483) 14 Ihesu, .. that
were of Slary veray mayd bore in veray flesshe and bloode.
c 1470 Gol, ^ Gaw. 957 Grant me confort this day, As thow
art God verray ! 1509 Fisher Funeral Serm. Ctess Rich-
mondWVs. (1876) 301 All the lerned men of Englonde to
whome she was a veray patronesse. 15*1 — Serin, agst.
Luther i. Ibid. 313 To be vnto her in all suche stormes a
veray comforter. 1533 Gau Richt Vay 37 Be this word..
he is veray God.
y,i. C1380 WvcLiF.S"c/. IVks. III. 310 Si|> Crist, verrest
bischop of alle, cursede not for his tij>es. c 1403 Lvdg.
Temple Glas 571 Nou am I cau;t vnder subieccioun, Forto
bicome a verre homagere, To god of loue. c 14S0 Myrroure
our Ladye 323 Thow arte the certayne hope of wretches,
very mother of motherlesse. <r 1460 Wisdom 15 in Macro
Plays 36 t»e belowyde sone . . , S^ows of |>e chyrche, & wery
patrone. 1596 TiNOALEVI/rtr^ xi. 32 All men counted Ihon,
that he was a veri prophett. a 1548 Hall Chron.,Hen. V/,
150b, She had one poynt of a very woman, ..she was.,
mutable, and turnyng. 1549 Bk. Com. Prayer, Ccmm.
Creed, Very God of ver^ God. 1574 tr. Marlorat's Apocalips
21 In respect wherof he is called the sonne of man, that is too
say, verie man. 1615 Bedwell Moham. Imp. 11. § 53 God is
a very spirit, a 1680 Butler /f^/«. (1759) I. 102 Th'arevery
Men, not Things That move by Puppet-work. x8oi Mar.
Edgewortii Moral T., Mile. /^ an ac he {iS^2) 252, ' I confess,
I am a very woman,' said Lady Augusta, with a sigh. 1854
Trench Synonyms §8 (ed. 2) 30 But he is aKrieivo^, . .very
God, as distinguished from idols and all other false gods.
2857 Hawthorne Eng. Note-Bks. (1870) II. 329 Thence we
went into Queen Mary's room, and saw that beautiful por-
trait—that very queen and very woman.
b. Of abstract things, conditions, or qualities.
o. a X300 Cursor M. 26103 And Jian we sal t>e pointes rede
^at warrai scrifte al of has nede, 13. . E. E. Allit. P. A.
1184 So was hit me dere \>sn )>o\x con deme, In ^ys veray
avysyoun. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. iVks. 1. 15 For ri^t-wisnesse
fjeneraly is fulfillinge of lawe, and so fulfilUnge of Goddis
awe is verrei ri^t-wisnesse. c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg-
Princ. 3313 Mercy.. Of herte is a verray compassioun Of
othir menys harm. c:x44o Pa/lad. on Husb. ix. 91 The
fertilitee Of withi, reede, aller, yvy, or vyne That ther
is water nygh is verrey signe. c X470 Henry Wallace \. 3
Our antecessowris.. We lat ourslide, throw werray sleuth-
fulnes. X539 Cromwell in Merriman Li/e^ Lett, (1902)11.
202 Under the colour of a veray peax, whiche isneuertheles
but a cloked and furred peax, 1562 Winjet Cert. Tractatis
i. Wks. (S.T.S.) I. 12 Thre of the gretast ydolis,, .verray
ydolis in deid.
/3, 5. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 1659 pere was verry
matrymony, with-oute fleshly dede of any. c X380 Wyclif
Sel. Wks. I. 315 Crist axih here mekenes and poverte, wij>
verri pees. I4aa Vonge tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 146
This goodis of Fortune or of kyndc.be not werry goodys,
for now ihay byth, and now thay byth agone. c 1450 Merlin
i. 1 1 Thou . . haste very repentaunce of herte. /bid. 1 3, 1 haue
very trust in god. that [etc.]. X486 Bk. St. Albans aij,
Therfore thys book fowlowyng in a dew forme shewys veri
knawlege of suche plesure. X5*6 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W.
1531) 24 A generall syght of y« principles & processe of
very religyon. 1540-1 Elyot /mage Gov. 7 The moste pre-
ciouse g.-irmentof verie nobilitee. >57» J- Jones Bathes
Buckstone 5 Which wee abusively call worldely wealth, when
VERY.
as very Wealth, is health. 1651 Hobbes Levidih. 11. xxvi.
147 Also, UnwTiuen Customes. .by the tacite consent of the
Emperour. .arc very Lawes. a 1679 — Rh^i. xvL (1681) 39
The written Law is but .<«eming justice ; the Law of Nature
very justice. 1868 MoRitis Earthly Par. i. 58 Half dead
with very death still drawing nigh.
C. Of raateiial things.
a 1330 Roland <5- K. 119 For to wite t>e soJ?e tiere, Jif N
relikes verray were, c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xvii. {Martha)
188 Scho..bad ^me h>Te in askis lay, & schaw til hyre a
croice verra. CX449 Pecock Refir. 11. ix. 193 Ech lyuyng
man is verier .. ymage of Crist.. than is eny vnquyk stole.
X495 Trevis^i'sBarih, De P. A*, xvi. xlvii. 569 It is harde..
to knowe beiwene the very precyous stones and fals. 1555
£o£N Decades (.-Vrb.) 356 Many bouwes and br.inches,..
muche like vnto verj"c trees that are in owlde woddes. 1581
Pettik Guazio's Civ. Conv. i. (15S6) 23 The other parts
which we call compound, or inst rumen tall, which are the
verie members of the bodie. 150* Timmk Ten Eng. Lepers
KJ b, They which are out of their wittes do not see the
verie things, but the fantasies of their passion. 1678 Hobbes
DtcaiH, ix. 106 Such Iron were iitdeed a very and vigorous
Loadstone.
■f* d. Full, thorough, unqualified. Obs.
1^ in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) I. 339 The said
maister..shaldohi3 verray diligence to pourvey..a place as
gode. ^96 Ralls of Parlt. VI. 512/1 The said Quene is of
verrey will and mynde, that the same Erie shall be truly
and fully contented.
fe. Spec, in Law. (See quot. 1607.) Obs.
1544 tr. LiitUton's Tenures (1574) 96 b, But if it be verye
lord and verj'e tenaunt, and the tenaunte maketh a feoffe-
meni in fee. [So Coke On Liit. (1628) 269.] 1607 Cowei.i,
Interpr. s.v., Very Lord, and very Tenent,..are they that
be immediate Lord & Tenent one to the other.
2. With limitation (usually expressed by the or
a possessive) to particular instances : The true or
real ; that is truly or properly entitled to the name.
Now arch, a. Of material things or places.
ctyjsSc. Leg. Saints xix. {Christopher) 61 pe king can
ma pe takine of i>e croice verra on hyme. 1387 Trevisa
Higden (Rolls) \. 255 Ysidre sei> J>at verray [ L.proj^rie dicta]
Germania haj> in J>e est side t>e mouth of pe ryuer Danubius.
1414 Lay Folks Afass Bk. App. ii. 120 The materyall
bred that was before is turnyd into Chrystys verray body.
c 1450 Merlin xx. 329 Than he made vpon hym the signe
of the very crossc. 15*6 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 4
Theyr ioumey..signifyeth the iourney to yc very Jerusa-
lem. 153s CovERDALE John vi. 55 For my flesh is y» very
meate, and my blonde is y« very drynke. 1567 Gude <^
Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 6i He is the way, trothe, lyfe.and lycht.
The \*array (r'.n verray, verie] port, till heaven full rycht.
1651 Hobbes Leviath. i. L 4 Though.. the reall, and very
object seem invested with the faacy it begets in us. 1849
Neale HymnsforSick (1906) 26 Thy very Flesh and Blood.
b. Of abstract things, conditions, etc.
<^«374 Chaucer Boeth. in. pr. iii. (1868) 69 And by a maner
^u}t..)e looken from a fer til |»ilk verray fyn of blisful-
nessc. CX400 Maundev. (1839) xii. 139 Thei that scholden
ben converted to Crist . . ben thorghe oure Wykkednesse . . fer
fro us and straungeres fro the holy and verry Beleeve.
^1449 Pecock Repr. \. xii. 65 But the trewe and verry
vndirstonding ther of is this, c 1465 PoL^ ReL, ^ L. Poems
('903) 3 pe welfare of Edward Rex moste riall, That is )«
verie purpos that we labure fore. 1:1470 Gol. ^ Gaw. 161
The verray cause of his come I knew noght the cace. 1516
Pilgr. Per/. (\V. de W. 1531) i b, Kuery religious persone
sholde intende the perfeccyon of his soule, whiche is the
very peace of the spiryte. 1538 Starkey England i. i. 10
Thys ys the veray true and cyuyle lyfe. 1577 ■^'' ^"^^
Manual (Longman) 106 The very wisedome of God shall
shew himselfe to them. 1647 Saltmarsh Sparkles Glory
(1847) 80 Pastors, .. who cannot now minister as the oracles
of God, nor according to the very gifts of the Holy Ghost
then. 1859 Gek. P. Thompson Audi Alt. Part. II. Ixxxvii.
57 The vulgar animosity against a skin, — the stamp of
lowly-mindedness, and very indication of cart blood.
o. Of persons or the Deity.
c 1450 Mirottr Salitacioun 3 Xrist, goddes verray son and
wysdame. 1456 Sir G. Have Law Arms {S.T.S.) 24 The
verray pape sanct Innocent had bene put out [by a false
pop*! «5«3 [Coverdale] Old God ^ New (1534) Bj,
After y* y* etemall & the verye god had shewed hym selfe
vnto Adam. 1548-9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer^ Covim., Pre/.
Easter 126 He is the very Pascall Lambe. 1567 Gude .y
Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.) 184 The Priestis..ar the verray Ami-
christis. s6ooSHAics. /4. K. Z.. 1 v. i. 71 What would you say
to me now, and I were your verie, verie Rosalind ? 1613
PuRCMAS Pilgrimage (1614) 21 His minde was enlightened
to know the onely very God.
fd. Proper, correct. Ohs,"^
c 1410 Master o/Game (MS. Digby 182) xv, pough l>er be
alauntes of alle hewese, t>e verrey hewe of J>e good alauntes
..shuld be white with a bbke spotte aboute |w eres.
3. In emphatic use, denoting that the person or
thing may be so named in the fullest sense of the
term, or possesses all the essential qualities of the
thing specified. Cf. Veritable a. 3.
Common from ci$^o to c 1700; now chiefly in the super-
lative, freq. qualifying something bad, objectionable, or
undesirable. Occasionally repeated in order to give addi-
tional emphasis.
a. With a or the preceding (or rarely without
article), or with pi. sb.
(a) 1384 Chaucer L.G. W. 259 {Prol.), Thow thynkist in
thyn wit . lliat he nj-s but a verray propre fole. 1484
Caxtom Fables 0/ Aitian vi, He.. is a very fole, 1535
Coverdale 2 Kings xxii. 19 They shall become a very
desolacion and curse. 1545 Brinklow Compl. xxv. 75
Eiiery one of them is become a very Nero. 1576 Gascoigne
Kenehvorth Castle Wks. 1910 if. 122 Heaven was not
heaven, it was rather a verye Hell. 1609 Holland Amm.
Marcell. Fj b, When he was dead. Valentinian his sonne a !
very cbilde. was by the army stiled Augustus. i66a Petty
Taxes 83 Not to rate, .wool until it be cloth, or rather until
it be a very garment. 1693 Dkyden Juvenal vi. 592 When I
152
Poor, she's scarce a tollerable Evil j But Rich, and Fine, a
Wife's a very Devil. 1711 Steele iy^'c/. No. 157 ri Marius
was then a very Boy. 1771 Fhankh.v Autobiog. Wks. 1840
I. 55 The attorney was a very knave. 1826 Disraeli Viv.
Grey iii. vi, Yes, it is madness ; veryj very madness. 1839
Scott ^««(r^C xxi, Sigismund Biederman will aid him
willingly, and he is a very horse at labour. 1888 J. Incus
Tent Li/einTigerland\ North Bhangulpore. .is admittedly
even for India a very sportman's paradise.
Kb) 1593 Hooker Eccl, Pol. 11. vii. §6 Which insolency
must be repressed, or it will be the very bane of Christi.in
religion. 1648 Art. Peace in Milton's Wks. (1851) IV. 546
The intermedling of Governours and Parties in tliis King-
dom, with Sidings and Parties in England, liave been the
very betraying of this Kingdom to the Irish. 1711 Addison
Sped. No. 393 P2 A Region, which is the very Reverse of
Paradise. 1729 Law Serious C, xiv. 234 Mortification, of
all kinds, is the very life and soul of piety. 1779 Warner
in Jesse Selwyn <5- Contcmp. (1844) IV. 308 And then for
owls, it is their very kingdom. 187a Morley Voltaire 5
Voltaire was the very eye of modern illumination. 1883
Manch. Exam. 29 Nov. 5/4 The atmosphere of most of the
courts, .is the very reverse of healthy.
b. With a inserted between the adj. and the sb.
qualified, esp. as or so very a. Cf. So adv. 14 d.
Now rare or Obs.
_ 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 405 There can no man be
imagined so very a coward or so barbarouse. 1565 Cooi'Kr
'Thesaurus, Ad^que misery euen as very a wretch. 1573-80
Tusser Husb. (1878)69 For oftentimes scene, no more verie
a knaue than he that doth counterfait most to be graue.
1634 W. TiRWHYT tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. I) 352, 1 will onely
content myself to protest that you were never so very a poet,
as when you spake of me. 1667 Pepys Diary 29 July, He
is as very a wencher as can be. 1704 J. Trapp Abra-Mule
in, i. 1047 Thou cam'st to find as very a Madman As ever
rav'd in Chains. 1739 A. Hill in Richardson's Corr. (1804)
I. 36, I was so very a boy when I suffered that light piece
of work to be published, that [etc.]. 1747-8 Richardson
Ibid. I. 182 A thing.. so very a nothing in itself. 1804 H.
Martin Helen o/Glenross IV. n8 So very a soldier. 1818
Scott Tapestr. Chamb. f 47, I sank back in a swoon, as
very a victim to panic terror as ever was a village girl. 1844
C Macfarlane Caw//<7/"/e^«^£ v. (1897)77 Without know-
ing., how very a prisoner she is in her own manor-house.
c. In the comp. verier and (in later use more
commonly) the superl. veriest,
{a) Z548 Cooper Elyot's Diet. s.v. CertuSy There is no
yeryer knaue. 1579 Tomson Calvin's Serm. Tim. 767/1
The Lord will.. suffer vs to come home verier fooles and
doltes then wee went. 1648 Hunting 0/ Fox 40 Your selves,
veryer beasts then the hogs you lost. 1681 Flavel Meth.
Grace v'li. 145 To represent it as a verier trifle, and need.
less thing than these his agents have done, a 1701 Maund-
rell Journ. yerus. (1732) 94 Where the stump of the 'JVee
stood it meets with not a few Visitants so much veryer
stocks than it self,^ as to fall down and worship it. 1735
Pope Donne's Sat. \\. 28 A verier monster than on Africk's
shore. The Sun e'ergot,or slimy Nilusbore. i8z4Southky
* Who counsels Peace V iv.All too long in blood had he been
nurst. And ne'er was earth with verier tyrant curst. 1840
Clough Dipsychus 11. iv. iii A verier Mercury, express
come down To do the world with swift arithmetic. 1856
Aytoun Bothwell {1B57) 8 A verier knave ne'er stepped the
earth.
(b) 1530 Palsgr. 327/2 [The] Veryest foole, le plus /ol.
1571 DiGGES Paniom. i. xxx. Kjb, He hath erred euen
in the principall, and as I might tearme them the veriest
trifles. 1581 Pettie Giiazzo's Civ. Conv. iii. (1586) 126, I
know not which of these two sortes are the veriest fooles.
1630 pRVNNE Anti-Armin. 155 He is no more.. for the
Elect, than bee is for the veriest Reprobate. 1695 Congreve
Love /or L. MI. vi, I swear Mr. Benjamin is the verriest
Wag in nature ; an absolute Sea-wit. 1709 Steele Tailer
No. n f 5 His Sons and his Sons Sons, have all of 'em been
the veriest Rogues living. 174a Blair Grave 642 The
veryest Gluttons do not always cram. 1780 Mirror IS o. 104,
From the same causes, the veriest trifle.. had become to
him an object of importance. 18^ Chalmers Const. Man
(1855) I. ii. 129 There is no enjoyment whatever in the
veriest hell of assembled outcasts, 1859 Kingsley Al/sc.
(i860) I. 22^ Poetry, which read by the veriest schoolboy
makes music of itself. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 200 Even
the deep sinking at the Rosebridge Colliery is but the
veriest dent in the earth's surface.
4. t a. Truthful, true ; sure, reliable. Obs.
axyM Cursor M. 3473 Oure Iauerd..Had don hir in to
sikernes, Thoru his werrai prophecie, Quat suld be t>aa
childer vie. 1303 R, Brunne Handl. Synne 9065 pese
wurdes are verry and clere; Dauyd hem seyth yn ^e
sautere. 1375 Barbour Bruce 11. 87 Sekyrly I hop that
Thomas prophecy Off Hersildoune sail verray be In him.
c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 34 Come lord y' thi prophets
be fonden lele and verray. c 1450 HarL Contin. Htgden
(Rolls) VIII. 516 A verey prove cowthe not be hade in that
mater, wherefore the kynge grawntede to t»eim bothe theire
lyves. rtisos Chron. Lond. (Kingsford) 222 This yere..
came veray tydynges vnto the kyng. .that the frensh kyiig
was dede.
b. Of truth : Exact, simple, real, actual.
c 1386 Chaucer Sgr's T. 158 This is a verray sooth with
outen glose. c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 66 Herkenes now, and
5e may here The werre sothe alle plenere. c 1425 Lydg.
Assembly o/Gods \22(} And I shall yow tell the verrey sothe
of all. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour e vij b, And alle this is
very trouthe. 1534 More Com/, agst. Trib. 11. Wks. 1193/2
If he.. can by no meane be shogged oute of his deadde
slepe, but wil nedes take hys dreame for a verye trouth.
XS97 Shaks. 2 ffen. IV,\\\.'\\. 237 In very truth, sir, I had as
hef be hang'dsir, asgoe. 1611 Florio, Verita, truth, veritie,
verie.sooth. 1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. i. v. 8
To speak the very truth. 1850 Hawthorne Scarlet L. xi.
(1852) 133 He had spoken the very truth, and transformed
it into the veriest falsehood. 1882 Myers Teneriffe vii,
And is the World's in very truth An impercipient Soul t
tc. Of decisions, etc. : Just, true. Obs,
£•1440 Gesta Rom. i. xlvii. 202 (Addit. MS.), Therfore we
are turned agayn, to here a verrey dome, what is for to
VERY.
j done of this thynge. 14S3 Caxton Cold. Leg. 86 b/i Alle
they meruaylled and said that thys was a veray and ryght
good answere of the question.
t d. Of very {ciite) n;^^/,justly,properly,rightly,
truly. Obs,
? a 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 1627 This welle is clepid
as welle is knowen, The welle of Love, of /erray right!
c 1430 LvDC. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.J 7 Fortune gafl" hini
eke prosperite, and richesse. Withe scripture appering in
ther sighte, To him applyed of verray dew righte. c 1440
Hors, Shepe cf G. 57 Eques, ab ' equo ' is seid of verray
riht And chenalere is saide of cheualrye. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur X. Ixxxvi. 565, 1 and ony knyght..oughte of veray
ryght socoure and rescowe soo noble a knyghie as ye are.
1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 117 He that of very r>ght
owed y* cappe.
e. In (or + of) very deed : see Deed sb, 5 c.
t 6. Exact or precise, as opposed to approxi-
mate ; = True a. 4. Obs.
1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 83 How mykelle lond &
rent holykirke had to a prowe, Alle J>ei did extend to witte
lie verrey valowe, X38a Wvclif Deut. xxv. 15 Wei;t thow
shalt haue iust and verrey, and euen busshel and verrey
shal be to thee, c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. i. § 17 Euermo thw
cercle equinoxial turnyth lustly fro verrey est to verrey
west. X463 Bury Wills (Camden) 40 The seid places with
the portenances [to] be soold to the verray valew. 1485 loM
Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 318 The veray value of
the same. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. 11. {1586) 53
The verie time, as Theophrastus wnteth, is at the spring.
'504 West Symbol. 11. Chancerie § 95 Gently requiring him
. . to deliver . . such and so many of the said sheepe, . . or the
verie value thereof. 165a Needham tr. Selden's Mare CI.
33 They are not well agreed about the very particular
place. 1657 Trapp Comm. Job xxxix. 25 Horses will per.
ceive aforehand the very time of the fight.
fb. Of a copy, writing, etc. Obs, (Cf. 10 c.)
1470-85 Malory /4rMwr XIX. xiii. 796 And by cause I haue
lost the very mater of la cheualer duchar>'ot 1 departe from
the tale of sir Launcelot. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. y/I,
49 b, His awne confession written with hys awne hande, the
very copy wherof hereafter ensueth.
+ 6. Of a friend, servant, etc. : True, faithful,
sincere, staunch; = Tbue a. i. Obs.
^ Ver^ common in the i6th c. In later use perh. merely
intensive.
^'385 Chaucer L. G. W. 1686 Lucretia, To..drawe to
memorye The verry wif, the verry trewe Lucresse, c 1386 —
Wi/e's T. 348 Pouerte a spectakele is, as thynkyth me,
Thorw whech he may his veray frend i-see. a 1475 G.
Ashby Dicta Philos. 245 Who that cannat disseure wise
from bad Shal haue no verrey freendes )>sA be sad. c 1487-
1500 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) I. 474 Your verrey
bedeman the provost of the kynges College. 1531 Crom-
well in Merriman Li/e ^ Lett. (1902) I. 347 My veraye
Frend and Felow Mr. John Welsborne. 1584 B. R. tr.
Herodotus To Rdr., I ende. Your very friende. B. R.
1607 R. C[arew] tr. Estienne's World 0/ Wonders 283 A
gentlewoman of Lorraine, my very friend. x6f}8 Rowlands
Humors Looking Gl. 14 A Gentleman a verie friend of mine.
1676 Wycherley pi. Dealer \n. i, Sir, Sir, your very Ser-
vant ; I was afraid you had forgotten me.
t 7. Of persons : Truly or rightfully standing in
a certain position or relationship ; rightful, lawful,
legitimate. Obs.
? 1461 Paston Lett. II. 68, 1 am very heyre, by the disceas
of my fader, to a place called Keswyk. 1495 Act 11
Hen. V/f, c. 56 Preamble, Landes..io the whiche the vcre
owners be now restored by dyvers actes. 1513 Test. Ebor,
(Surtees) V. 51, I do give my full power. .unto my saide
suster Lucie, and 1 do charge hir, as she is very mother of
my .saide nece [etc.]. 1545 Charters rel. Glasgow (1906) II,
509 His varray lawful cessionaris, donatouris and assignais.
1568 Grafton Chron. (1800) II. 105 Neither King Edward
himselfe nor the Duke of Clarence were lawfully begotten,
nor were they very children of the Duke of Yorke. x6o6
Munim. Metros (Bann, CI.) 657 We .. constitutis .. Oure
verrie lauchfull vndoubtit and irreuocabill Procuratouris,
actoris, facioris [etc.].
trans/. 1570-6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 203 In the
yeere, 1146, was founded Boxley in Kent, the verie daughter
of Clarevalle.
fb. Legally valid or established. Obs.
X47S Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 24 To be jjut in rememoraunce
of youre auncien enheritaunce, verray right and title in youre
duchies of Gascoigne and Guien. 1^7 Munim. Metros
(Hann. CI.) 618 pe Abbot.. hes verray ncfit to J:e erdesiluer
of J>e quer of )?e said Kirk.
H. 8. Used as an intensive, either to denote
the inclusion of something regarded as extreme or
exceptional, or to emphasize the exceptional pro-
minence of some ortMnary thing or feature.
In very comtnon use from the 16th cent. With slight
change of syntax the sense may commonly be expressed by
the advs. * even ' or 'actually . Various types of context
(with the, possessives, etc.) are illustrated in the several
groups of quotations ; the use in [d) is now obsolete, and that
in {c) a rare archaism.
{a) 1:1386 Chaucer Nun's Pr. T. 565 Ran cow and calf,
and eek the verray hogges .Sore fered were for berkyng of
dogges. 15*6 TiNDALE Luke ii. 35 The swearde shall pearce
the very hert off the. 1535 Coverdale Ps. xcvi.6 The very
heauens declare his rightuousnes, & all people se his glory.
1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons Ded. 8 b, All Coronells
and Captaines of footmen, yea euen the verie Lieutenants
generalls. x63a J. Hayward tr. Biondfs Eromena 180 Sore
was she troubled with vomiting, so as having nothing in her
stomack, she cast up the very pure blond. 1655 Fulc.erCA.
Hist. IV. 184 The Provost, .being provided for in all parti-
culars, to the very points of his hose. 171a Steele Spect.
No. 306 flit goes to the very Soul of me to speak what 1
really think of my Face. 17*8 Pope Dune. in. Notes (1736)
223 All tastes and degrees of men, from those of the highest
quality to the very rabble. 178a Miss Burnev Cecilia vii.
ix, The very air was rent with cries. 1823 Scott Quentin D.
xxxiii, He flew like the very wind. 1831 Warren Diary
VERY.
153
VEBY.
Late Physic. II. iij. 122 The room was crammed to the very
door, 1874 Green Short Hist. vX. § 5 (1882) 140 The very
retainers oi the royal household turned robbers. 1891 'J. S.
Winter ' LumUy xv, It's absurd on the very face of it.
Kb) 1535 CovERDALE Hob, vX. 2 In thy very wrath thou
thinkest vpon mercy. 1563 Homilies ii. Rogation Week'v^.
p 2 To striae for our very nghtes and dueties, with the breche
of loue & charitie, . . is vttcrly forbydden. 1595 Locrine i. i.
63 A greater care torments my verie bones. 1600 in Morris
Troubles Cath. Fore/. (1872) I. iv. 194 Oftentimes their very
beds they lie upon.. are sold before their faces. i6ao T.
Granger Div. Logike 100 Yet in their verie mutuall rela-
tion there is also force of arguing to explicate a sentence.
1681 Drvden Ahs. ^ A chit. To Rdr., The Chyrurgeon's work
of an Ense resdutlendumy which I wish not to my very
Enemies, 1703 ir. Bositiatt's Guinea 27 You may imagine
what Case we were in when one of them began to hack our
very doors with an Ax. 1768 Goldsm, Good-n. Man i. i, His
very mirth is an antidote to all gaiety. 1807 Crahrb Par.
Reg. \. 725 His very soul was not his own. 1831 Carlvle
Sari. Res. i. i, That we do not. .see what is passing under
our very eyes. 1836 J. H. Newman Par. Serin. (1837) III.
vi. 86 The plain and solemn sense which they bear on their
very front 1880 McCarthy Own Times III. xlvii, 433 His
very defects were a main cause of his popularity.
(cj 1548 Udall, etc. Krasm, Par. John 118 b, So nowe
they sawe certainly at very hande the thing to be true. 1561
T. HoBV tr. Castigliotte's Courtyer ir. (1577) Kiij, There
needeth no art, bicause very nature hir selfe createth and
shapeth men apt to expresse pleasantly. 1571 Digges
Pantom. i, xvii, E iij b, And yet m conueying of waters any
great distance, very experience wil bewray an error. 1609
KiBLE (Douay) Numb. xiv. comiii.y It is so absolutely
necessaric in everie communitie to have one Superior of al,
that verie mutiners themselves do ever choose such a one.
1617 MoRvsoN Ilin. I. 233 They keepe the Roman Lent, but
more strictly, abstaining from Fish, and very Oyle (which
they use for butier). 1649 Karl Monm. tr. Senault's Use
Passions (1671) 81 The noise of Trumpets puts them in good
humor, and. .very hurts do animate their courage, 1657
Cromwell in Burton's Diary (1828) II. 329 Their greatest
persecution hath been of the people of God,., as I think very
experiences will sulKiciently demonstrate. 1851 )\.¥.BL9:Occas.
Papers ^ Rev. (1877) 240 By the way in which things are
managed all Apostolic authority is denied in the Church,
and very unbelievers may settle what we are to believe.
((/) 1616 in J. Russell Haigs ( 1881) vii. 158 For fear that
his very being my brother left- .some impression of the truth
of his accusations. 1665 Boylk Occas. Re/l. v. x. (1675} 335
Those Beams, which derive a new Glcwy from their very
being broken.
b. Kmphasizing sbs. which denote extremity of
tl^ree or extent.
c 1391 Chauckr Asiroi. i\. 1 1 Ley thi reule vp that same
day, ^ thanne wol the verray point of thy rewle sitten in the
bordore, vp-on the degree of thy sonne. 1530 Palsgr. 806/1
At the very dawnyng of the daye. Ibiil. 820/1 In the very
myddes..ora thyng. 1560 Bible (Geneva) Jolm vm. 4
The Scribes, .said, .. .Master, this woman was taken in aduU
terie, in the verie act. 1565 Allbn De/. Pitrgat. (1886) 3
That matter which..! perceived of all other causes in the
world, most to touch the very core of heresy. 1590 Swin*
BUKNK Testamentsdx He that is at the very pointeof death.
1605 Camden Rem. x It cannot be impertinent, at the verie
enterance, to say somewhat of Britaine. , i6ofy Hollani>
Amm. Atarcell. 116 From the very brims of Tigris banke,
as farre as to Euphrates, there was no greene thing left.
1771 LucKOMBE Hist. Printing 401 He.. then draws the
lower part of that noose close up to the very corner of it.
1851 Gallenga ftniy 359 The Milan government, we are in-
formed, was a bankrupt from the very outset. 187a Rout-
Udge^s Ev. Boy's Ann. 347/1 Reduce this movement to the
very minimum. 1878 Bkowning Ea Saisiaz 18 Quiet slow
sure money.making proves the matter's very root,
■f* c. Qualifying pronouns in order to give em-
phasis. Sometimes emphasizing identity (cf. sense
10 b). Obs,
IS4S \Z\iMJL ErasfH, Afio^k^vZi. I wyseven veray I myself
am y« manne. 1548 — Erasm. Par. Luke \. 17 And verai
he snal be the expectacion of all nacions. 1561 T. Hoby tr.
Castiglione's Courtyer \. (1577) E v. For very such make the
ereatnesse and gorgeousnesse of an Oration. i6a4 Quarles
j<A XV. 26 I'm turn'd .1 Uughing-^tock To boyes, ci. those,
that suM to tend my Flock, . .these (euen very these) Flout
at my sorrowes. i6u Holland Cyru^xdta 200 And this
is even very she, wnom you.. were wont to sport with.
a 1701 Sedlkv I'enns 4- Ad. Wks. (1766) 56, I am ty'd to
very thee By ev'ry thought I have.
d. Coupled with own.
\96\ KiNCLAKF. Crimea (1877) I. vi. 89 A prince who
wielded with his own very band the power of All the
Russias. 1884 Mr-s. Ewing Mary's Meado^v (1886J 72, 1
had to have it, for my very own.
9. Neither more nor less than (that expressed by
the sb. qualified); exactly that specified without
qualitication ; — Sheer a. 8.
Qualifying abstract nouns, esp. those denoting emotions or
conditions, and usually f )llowiiig a prep., csp.yOr.
c 1386 Chal'ccr Fraitkl. '/'. 132 For verray fcere so wolde
hir herte quake, a 1440 Parlonofie B49 She gynneth to wepe
For verray joye. 1456 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 69
[He] throu verray fors was the first lord of that realme.
1463 Bury lyU/s (Camden) 37, I yevc.to my neve.. my
best pura . .and xx li. to put ther inne, . . and wil he be servyd
apart with the fyrst, of verray love. 1535 Coverdale Zech.
viii. 4Sochasgo with staues in their hondes for very age. 1568
Grafton Chron. II. 168 The Sommer was so bote that men
dyed with very heat. 1577 Holinshed Hist. Scot, in Chron.
I. 157/1 Through verie displeasure of .<uche iniuries as shee
daylye susteyned at the handes of his concubines, shee
founde meanes to strangle him. 167s Milton P, R, iv. 12
As a man who. .for very spight Still will be tempting him
whofoyls him still.
i8ia Crabbe Tales xviii, 73 Fondly she pleaded and would
gently sigh, For very pity, or she knew not why, 1849
Macaulav Hist. Eng, \\. I. 191 The sailors mutinied from
very hunger, 1878 Masque Poets 31 For veriest joy her red
mouth laughs.
Vol, X,
b. With a limiting or restrictive force : That
alone to the exclusion of any thing else; = MerK
a.'^ 5.
1546 Yorks. Chantry Sutv. (Surtees) 495 Having no
other promocions but theyre verye stipende or wages.
■574 Bourne Regiment for Sea xix. (1577) 50 b, Then haue
they no other heipe but onely the very account of the
shippes way. 1611 Shaks. Cymb. 11. iv. 9 Your very good-
nesse, and your company, Ore-payes all I can do. 1618 in
Gutch Coll. Cur. \l. 424 There be. . 17,000 Sheets of paper
in that Book, which, upon ordinary account, cometh to eight
hundred and fifty pound, the very writing. 1657 Crom-
well Speech :ii Jan. {Carlyle), So give me leaue, in a very
word or two, to congratulate with you. 1703 Rowe fair
Penit. I. i, At thy very Name My eager Heart springs up.
Ibid.y Sure 'tis the very Error of my Eyes. 1817 Jas. Mill
Brit. India II. v. vii. 595 The Governor-General treated the
very request as a high offence. 1843 A. W. Pugin Apol.
Reviv. Chr. Archi't, 40 The very weight :ind massiveness of
the work causing it frequently to settle and give. 1894 P. H.
Hunter yas. Imvick xii. 153 The verra mention o' Tod-
Lowrie's name was eneuch.
10. Used (after the^ this, that^ etc.) to denote or
emphasize complete or exact identity : a. Of
points of time.
1582 N. T. (Rhem.) Luke x. 20 In that very houre he
reioyced in spirit, and said [etc.], 1610 Day Festwals '\.
(1615) 20 Even in this nickeof time, this very, very instant.
1617 MoRVSON Itin. L_ 193 The bell of that Church was
sounded upon the verie day of Saint Bartholmew, 1683
Brit. spec. Pref. p. ii, To which., this our Island has been so
fortunate as to have been subjected from its very first being
inhabited to this very Day. a i7»x Prior Doivn-Hall
xxviii. Come this very in.stant. 1738 Swift Pol. Conversnt.
141 She died just this very Day Seven V'ears. 1796 Stfd*
MAN Surinam I. i. 29 On the very day of our debarkation.
1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) II. 268 It is a rule of law.. that a
remainder must vest, either during the continuance of the
preceding estate, or at the very instant of its determination.
i8ao Keats St. Agnes xiv. My lady fair the conjuror plays
This very night. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. v. I. 643
Jeffreys gave directions that Alice Lisle should be burned
alive that very afternoon.
b. In general use.
In quots. under {b) corresponding to a defining clause
which follows the sb.
1S98 Shaks. Merry IV. 11. i. 84 Why this is.. the very
hand : the very words. 1605 — Macb. i. vii. 76 When we
haue marlc'd with blood those sleepie two.. ,and vs'd their
very Daggers. 1611 B1BI.E Ps.xxxv. 8 Into that very destruc-
tion let him fall 1657 Sparrow Bh. Com. Prayer22 We are
taught to pray, * And lead us not into temptation ',. .which
very method holy church here wisely imitates. x66i Act
13 Chas. If, c. 9 $6 All the Papers.. shall bee duely pre-
served and . . the very Originals sent up intirely and without
fraud to the Court of Admiralty. i7ia Arbuthnot John
Bull III. i, Timothy Trim; whom tney did, in their con-
science, believe to be the very prisoner. 1771 Luckombe
Hist. Print. 390 We put neither folio nor any thing else
over the very Dedication. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, xxxv,
* Young woman,' said he, ' your sister's case must certainly
be termed a hard one *. *God bless you, sir, for that very
word!* said Jeanie. 1836 J. Gilbert Chr. Atonem. vii.
(1852) 20I It must be made apparent, that what was
demanded of human nature was the perfection of that very
human nature. 187$ Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 394 First of all
answer this very question.
(^) 1641 J. Shuts Sarah ^ Hagar{i6^^) 151 We have but
little reason to expect, that God should gratifie us in the
very individual thing that we desire. 1681 Dryden Abs. ^
Achit. I. 61 Those very Jews who at their very best Their
Humour more than Loyalty exprest Now wondred. 1705
.Stanhope Paraphr. III. 566 Each are continually intent
upon that very thing, to which Each are respectively
appointed. 1780 Mirror No. 09, The supposition, that
this is the very character which Shakespeare meant to allot
him. 1796 Jane Austen Pride 9f Prej. x. Seeking the
acquaintance of some of those very people, against whom
his pride had revolted. 1857 Buckle Hist. Civiliz. I. i. 6
They.. take for granted the very question at issue. 1891
Latv Times XC. 463/1 The contents of the deed were
falsely stated by the very person who ought to have
advised her on such legal matters.
O. Of words : Exactly corresponding to those of
an original or previous statement.
1598 [see bj. 1778 Jefferson Aiitobiog. App., Wks._i859
I. 146 Preserving, however, the very words of the established
law. 1838-9 Hallam Hist. Lit. II. u. L 857. 51 He has
neglected to quote the very words of his authorities. 1865
KiNcsLEV Ilereiv. xv, I said it, I said it. Those were my
very words !
d. The very things the thing exactly suitable or
requisite.
i7<S8 Sterne 5m/. Journ., Moutreuil{i-j7S}l . oolt occurred
to me that that was the very thing. i8os Mrs. J. West
Infidel Father II. 123 This behaviour was certainly the
very thing. 1868 Newman Let. in The Month July (190^)
66, I am both surprised and glad at your news. . . I think it
is the very thing for you.
B. adv. + 1. Truly, really, genuinely ; in or
with truth or reality ; truthfully. Obs.
13. . E. E. Allit. P. C. 333. I dewoutly awowe, \iat verray
l>es halden. Soberly to do pe sacrafyse when I schat .saue
wort>e. C137S Cursor M. 22973 (Fairf,), Bot mani man |>at
wele can rede vnderstandis no;t al verray quat ^e vale of
losaphat is to say. £'1384 Chaucer //. P'ame 11, 571 It..
hath so very hys lykenes That spack the word, c 1440 Bone
Florence 1928 The abbas, and odur nonnes by, Tolde hyt
full openlye. That hyt was so verraye. c 1485 Drgby Myst.
(1882) II. 357 The compyler here-of shuld translat veray so
holy a story.
+ b. Qualifying an adj. or pa, pple. Obs»
Not always clearly distinguishable from next,
1387 Tbkvisa ///^</«( (Roils) V. 329 But for he was verray
repentaunt he was excited for l>e fey. 14*3 Jas. I Kingis
Q. clxix, 01 verray sely wrech, I se wele by thy dedely
coloure pale. Thou art to feble of thy-self to streche Vpon
my quhele. £^1450 in Aungier Syon C1840) 335 None schal
be ouer skypped in any wyse for any suche chaunge, withe
oute a very resonable cause, c 1489 Caxton Somies 0/
Aymon \\\\. 191 Two thousand knyghtes. ., all yonge men
of pryme berde, whiche were very frenshe. 1529 More
Dyaloge \\\. Wks. 244/1 Both those tonges ti.e. Greek and
Latin] wer as verye vulgare as ours, c 1593 in Spalding
Club Misc. I. s Your Maiestie and the consell hes to Judg
gif thay be lauchful, and uerray qualifiit.
2. In a high degree or measure ; to a great ex-
tent ; exceedingly, extremely, greatly.
Sometimes emphasized in speaking, and italicized in
printing, to give additional force. (Cf 4.)
a. Qualifying positive adjs. (and ppl. adjs.)
used predicatively, attributively, or absolutely.
a. C1470 Henry IVallace l 86 Erie Patrik than till Ber-
weik couth persew ; Ressawide he was and trastyt werray
trew. 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 328 In the latine it hath
a veray good grace. IS54~S '" Feuillerat Rervls Q. Mary
(1914) 173 Of verey fayer quaint & strange atiier. i^oDaus
tr. Sleidane's Comm. 255 Machlin (a veraye fayreTowne..
in Brabant), a 1578 Lindesav (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot.
(S.T.S.) I. 4 To pray me think it is verray necessarie.
6. a 1500-34 Cav. Corp. Christi PI. n. 513 Those fowlys
the ar full far fro me And werie yvill for me to fynde. 1530
Palsgr. 327/2 Very good ^ /or t bon. Ibid. 828/1 Very farre,
very bye, very lowe, etc. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie)
Chron, Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 317 The said pest come in the
towne of kirkcaldie that thair deit verrie mony. 1588
Knaresborough Wills (Surtees) I. 169 My father.. ys a
verye old man. 1600 J. PoRY tr. Leo's Africa 56 This isle
is very scarce of oile and of corne. Ibid. iv. 224 Batha,
whereof now there remaine but very few ruines. 1661 Pr.
Rupert in iiM Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 8 Tell
him that [I] am very glad to heere of his recouvry. 1676-7
Marvell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 530 A Bill for exporting
Coals free, or at a verj'easy custome. 1709 Steele Tatler
No. 44 P 6, I have, I fear, huddled up my Discourse, having
been very busy. 1774 Goldsm. Aa/. Hist. (1776) V. 56
They lay very large eggs, .some of them being above five
inches in diameter. 1799 E. Du Bols Piece Family Biog.
III. 175 You say this to relieve me, and 'tis very kind of
you. 1803 Med. Jrnl. X. 304 An intermittent tendency
was also i'tf?> observable in some instances, 1838 T. Thom-
son Ghent. Org. Bodies 580 A soft mass,.. very soluble in
alcohol. 1856 Ld. Granville in Life (1905) 1. 211 Very
few of our Embassy were invited \x.o the party]. x88o
Disraeli Endym, Ixvii, Cards of invitation to banquets and
balls and concerts, and 'very earlies',
b. Qualifying another adverb.
1448 Paston Lett. !. 76 Vere hartely your, Molyns.
1530 Palsgr, 814/1 Very erly in the mornyng, au plus
fuatytt. Ibid. 843/2 Very gladly, moult voulentiers. Very
hardly, a Paynes. . .Very seldome, peu sonutnt. 1x553
Udall Royster D. iv. vi. (Arb.) 70 But very well I wist he
here did all in scorne. a 1578 Lindesav (Pitscottie) Chron.
Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 22 The gouernour hard thir vordis verrey
plesandlie. 1630 B, Jonson New Inn Dram. Pers., Sir
Glorious Tipto.. talks gloriously of any thing, but very
seldom is in the right. 1664 Jeb. Taylor Dissuas. Popery
ii. §8. 118 For if it were {.necessary], very extremely few
would do their duty. 1691 tr. Emilianne^s Frauds Rom.
Monks (ed. 3) 130 The next day we set out very betimes in
the Morning towards Mount Alverne. 1711 Addison Sped.
No. 58 p 4 Several Pieces which have lived very near_ as
long as the Iliad it self. 1795 Gentl. Mag. 543/1 Nonjuring
clergymen and their families partook very largely of his
benevolence. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) ifl. 510 Courts of
equity would do very ill by not adopting that rule. 1835
Uhe Philos. Maiiuf. 158 Ihe spindles should revolve very
quickly in the spinning frame. 1867 Drake Chr. Schools
II. iii. 129 The school at Sempringham very soon became
famous,
c. Qualifying past pples, used predicatively or
attributively : ^ Very much. (See Much adv.
I c.) Also exceptionally with Hke vb.
The correctness of this usage, which has been prevalent
from the middle of the 17th cent., depends on the extent to
which the participle has acquired a purely adjectival sense.
1641 in Nicolas Priv. Mem. Dighy (1827) Introd. p. lix,
At which the good Knight seemed very discontented. 1664
Extr.St. P. rel. Friends in. (1912) 215 Faber, a Jerman,..
being a very suspected person, reather of crafty principalis.
1701 Addison Dial. Medals ii. (1726) 35 Many very valued
pieces of French, Italian, and English appear in the same
dress [i, e. dialogue]. 1781 R. Cumberland /4«crf. Painters
(1787) 11.90, I was a very interested and anxious spectator.
1791 W. Roberts Looker-on No. 14 (1794) I- ^79 Betty.,
looked very pleased at several passages. 1804 Syd. Smith
Mor. Philos. (1850) 54 A very over-rated man. x84a Geo.
Eliot Li/e in Leit.^ Jrnls. (1885) L 112, lam becoming
very hurried. 1874 Dasent Half a Life III. 60, I should
so very like to know who this Mr. Ball and his daughter
arc. /*/'</. J77 Her foot is veryswollen. 1876-7 Gladstone
Glean. {iBjg) I. 79 In this rather confused and very dis-
appointed letter.
d. With a negative, freq. denoting ' only moder-
ately ', * rather un — '.
X710 Swift Jml. to Stella 31 Oct., Then it went off, •
leaving me sickish, but not very. 1758 J. S. Le Dran*s
Ohserv. Surg. (1771) 269 It was not very adherent to any
other Place than the Coccyx, a 187X Grote Eth. Fragm.
\. (1876) 24 They leave them unnoticed, and are not very
willing to admit them in their full extent at all.
3. In purely intensive use. a. Emphasizing
superlatives, esp. best, last^ next.
t Also with virtual superlatives, as principal.
1567 Drant Horace, Ep. vii. D iij. He will see the. .wyth
the swallowe verye firste that cummes into that place. X654
Gataker Disc. Apol. 17 This fel out to be the verie next
day after Qeen Elizabeths decease. 1664 Extr, St. P.
ret. Friends w. (1911) 188 A greater meeting, .at her house
then ever, the very next Sunday after the Sessions. X684
Scanderbeg Redw. vi. 142 The City was now reduc'd to the
very last Extremity. X717 Attirbosy Serm., i Pet. ii. 3i
(1734) I. vi. 163 How then should the very Best of us..
VERY.
expect.. to be free from them? 1753 Miss Collier Art
Torment.^ Gtn, Ruits (181 1) 109 If you know yourself to be
of some consequence, althougn not the very principal per-
son of the party. 1767 Sterne Tr. Shandy ix. xxx, In the
very next pa^e. 1S49MACAULAY Hist,Eng.\\\, I. 3oSThree
of the very nchest subjects in England. 18^ Barisg-Gould
Wertwohxs v. 53 Whenever they stray in the very least.
1891 E. Reeves Ho/nrward Bound 143 You have missed
tlu very best thing in Kandy.
b. Denoting and emphasizing absolute identity
or difTerence, esp. \i\iS\^ same ox opposite,
?aisoo Chtsier PL (Shaks. Soc) 215 It is the vereye
same (blind man]. 154J Udall Erasvi. Afio^h. i. Socrates
■ §86eiij, Plato, .. whiche in rebukyng bym [Socrates] did
committe the veraye selfe same faulte, that he rebuked.
x6oi Shaks. Aifs IK 11. iii, 29 That's it, I would haue said,
the verie same. i66aj. Davies tr. Oiearius Voy. Ambass.
182 That which happen'd on the very same day the year
before. 1711 Addison S/>ect. No. 44 f 6 Whose Murther he
would revenge in the very same Place where it was com.
mitted. 1781 [see Selfsame a. ij. 1833 I. Taylor Fanat.
i. 7 The very same spirit of kindness which shouW rule us
in the performance of a task such as the one now in band.
183S T. Mitchell Acham. of Aristoph, 690 fwie., The very
opposite word was of course expected.
■f- o. With advs. of time, place, or manner :
Exactly, precisely, just ; = Even adv. 6. Obs.
(a) 1530 Palsgr. 8o8/i Ev>*n very now, tout /yn ntayn-
tenant, a 1553 Udall Roister Z>. iv. vi. (Arb.) 70 T.
Trusty, But when gost thou for him? M. Mery. That do
I very nowe. a 1555 Philpot Exatit. ^ If^n't. (Parker Soc.)
334 It is possible some part of the Church for a time to be
deceived when, .they have a zeal of the truth,, .yea, very
then when they err, and plunge into any vice or sin. 1644
Maxwell Prrrog. Chr. Kings 74 If we alleadge Ignatius,
it is to be feared he'l fare no better, for a great Scholar..
hath very now rejected all we have of him. 1645 Quarles
SoL RecoJtt. VUL 41 Did not that voice, that voted Wisdome
vain But very now, now cry it up again?
(^J "53° Palsgr. 823/2 Very here, very ther, droit cy,
droit la. x6ia Tmo Nolle A^ v. iv. 115 In this place first
you fought : ev'n very here 1 sundred you.
(r) a 159a Greene Aipkonsus n. ii, What newes is this?
and is it very so? Is our Alphonsus yet in humane state?
163a Sanderson Serm. 98 Very so ought we to conceiue the
meaning of the vniversall particle ' Every man *.
4. Repeated in order to convey greater emphasis.
X649 Nicholas Papers (Camden) 128, I have a verry verry
great jealousy Lord Digby will be left in the lurch. 1653
Walton Angler 137 He [the salmonj is very, very seldom
observed to bite at a Minnow, .and not oft at a fly. X7»
De Foe Plague (1896) 46 It was indeed very, very, very
dreadful. 1807 Sir R. W11.SON Prru. Diary 13 July (1862)
II. 317 The retribution may be just but it is very very
severe. i8a^ T. Hook Sayvigs Ser. il Man 0/ Many Fr.
I. 306, ' I think him pleasant, and handsome, and — .' ' Oh !
verj', very,' said George. 1837 Dickens Pickw. iii. Oh ! I
see. . ; negus too strong here— liberal landlord — very foolish
-very.
t C. sb. Truth, verity. Obs.-^
tifi* WvcLip Rom. Prol.fThes reuokith the apostle to the
verrey [1388 treuthe] and the gospels bileue.
+ D. Forj zftf or tnio vety, -= Truly, verily, Obs,
j$.. Smyth 9f his Dattu 52 in Hazl. E. P.P. III. 203, I
am mayster of all, That smyteth with hamer or mall, And
so may thov me call, I tell the for ueray. c 1550 Rolland
Crt. I^enus 11. 96 Terpsichore [the] fift is callit in verray.
/did. 772 Ane messinger said scho, into verray Thair erandis
gais, baith nicht and als be day.
tVery(e. Obs,—^ (Meaning obscure ; occurring
only as part of a charm.)
c:i386 Chaucer Miller's T. 299 Ihesu Crist and seint
Benedight Blesse this hous from euery wikked wight For
nyghtes uerye \v.rr. very(e, verie, verray] the white pater
noster.
Very(e, obs. Sc. ff. Waky v., Weart a.,
WoEBT V, Veryen, southern ME. var. Ferry v.
Veryly, obs. form of Verily adv. Veryn,
obs. variant of Fern sb.^ Verynes, obs. Sc. f.
Weariness. Verynesse : see Verixess, Very-
Bimilar, obs f. Verisimilar a.
Ver^ete, southern ME. var. Forget v.
t Verzine. Obs. rare» Also versine. = next.
1558 Warde tr. Alexis' Seer. 90 A pounde of Verzine or
Brasyl cutte in pieces. 1599 Hakluvt Voy. II, i. 218
Santfob, Marsine, Versine, Porcelane of China.
11 VerziuOi Obs. rare. Also Yerzina. [It.]
Brazil-wood.
('SSS ^OK,H Decades (Arb.) 80 None other trees then bra-
sile, whiche the Italians caule Verzino.\ 1588 T. Hickock
tr. C. Frederick's Vo^. 23 b, In whose harbour euerie yere
there ladeth some Shippes with Verzina, Nypa,and Benta-
min. 1599 HAKLtJVT i^oy. II. i. 229 There goeth another
ship for the said Captaine of Malacca to Sion, to lade
Verzino.
Ves, obs. Sc, form of was : see Be v,
Vesage, obs. Sc. form of Visage.
Vesalian (v/s^-lian), a. [f. the name of the
lielgian anatomist Andreas Vesalius (1514-64).]
L Connected with anatomical researches.
In quot. with reference to body-snatching.
1870 H. Lonsdale Life R. Knox 65 The students, .set out
on Vesalian crusades, and succeeded beyond expectation.
2. Vesalian foramen^ vein : (see quots.),
1891 Cent. Diet. s.y.. The Vesalian foramen (foramen
Vesalii) of the sphenoid bone (a small venous opening), zgos
Hughes'' Man. Pract. Anat. III. 188 The Vesalian, an
emissary vein from the cavernous sinus, which, however, is
only occasionally present. 1913 Dorland's Med. Diet.
1040/2 Vesalian vein^ a vessel which connects the pterygoid
plexus with the cavernous sinus.
llVesania (v^s^'-nia). Path. [L. vesdnia^ f.
vesanus mad, f, ve- not + sdnus sane^] Mental de-
154
rangement, esp. of a particular type (see quot.
1857)-
[1693 tr. Blancarcts Phys, Diet. (ed. 2), Vesania, Madness
from lx>ve. c 1793 Encyct. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 282 Order IV.
Vesanix.] x8oo tr. Cullen's Nosology 130 note. For who
would consider .. any other Hallucinatio or Morositas,
which do not depend on the judgment, as a Vesania? i8ao
Good Nosology 278 Parr.. makes Vesania tlie genus, and
arranges melancholia, mania, and even oneirodynia as sepa-
rate species under it. 1857 Dusglison Diet. Med. Sci.
964/2 Vesania, madness ; derangement of the intellectual
and moral faculties, without coma or fever.
Vesa'Uic, a. Path, [f. L. vt'sdn~us insane +
-ic] Of or pertaining to, of the nature of, vesania.
1899 Alibutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 196 This includes eight
types [of mental disease], namely i. vesanic type.
t Vesa'nous, a, [ad. L. vesanus.'] (See quot.)
1656 Blount G/cjj(>i,'-n tfollowing Cooper), VesanouSfXtia^dt
wood, furious, out of his wit, cruel, outragious.
Vesar, obs. f. Visou. Vesatour, obs. Sc. var.
Visitor. Vescel, Vesohale, -all, -el, obs. ff.
Vessel sb,"^ Ve8oh(e, obs. Sc. varr. Wash v.
f Ve*8CUlent, a. Obs,—° [a.d. med.L. vesculenl-
us (full of dainties, f. L. vescus small, dainty),
associated with L. vesci to feed.] (See quots.)
1656 Blount Glossogr.. Vesculent, apt to eat or feed. 1658
Phillips, Vesculent, to be eaten, fit for food.
Vese, ME. var, Vease 0^5^. and Feeze z^.l; obs.
var. VizY V. Sc, Veseal, obs. f. Vessel sb.'^
Veaelr, obs. Sc. f. Visor. Vesen, southern
ME. var. Feeze z/.i Veshel(l, obs. Sc. ff.
Vessel sb.^
tVesiar. Sc. Obs. [{. vesy Nizx v.] An in-
spector. So t Vesiater. Obs.
ta 1500 Aberdeen Reg. (Jam.), Cerciouris, vesiaris. 1517
Burgh Rec. Edin. (1B69) I. 167 Vesiater and serchare of
the skynnis. .within the said burgh.
II Vesica (v/ssi'ka), [L. vesica^ a bladder,
blister.]
1. Anat. A bladder.
Rarely used exc. with defining term, esp. v. naiatoria or
V. -urinaria.
[1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Vesica, the Blad-
der, an hollow membranaceous Part, wherein any Liquor
that is to be.excerned, is contained.] 1706 Phillips (ed.
Kersey), Vesica^ a Bladder. [Hence in Bailey, etc.] 1859
Mavne Expos, Lex.
1 2. A copper vessel used in distilling. Obs,
1683 Salmon Doron Medicum i. 21 Put a quarter of the
infusion.. into a vesica and powre on more rain or river
water. 16^ — Bate''s Dispens. (1713) 12/2 You may
either distil in a Copper Vesica,.. or.. in a Glass Body.
1704 J. Harris Lex, Techn. I, Vesica,.. the large Copper
Body Tinned within-side, which is commonly used in Dis-
tillation of Ardent Spirits, xyia tr. Pojuet's Hist. Drugs
I. 126 Put ail the Matter into a Copper Vesica, tinn'd
within. X718 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Distillation, Odoriferous
Plants.. are dislill'd by the Cucurbite, or Vesica.
3. Vesica piscis (also piscium^ a pointed oval
figure, the sides of which are properly parts of two
equal circles passing through each other at their
centres, freq. employed as an architectural feature
and by early artists as an aureole enclosing figures
of Christ, the Virgin, etc.
The reason for the name (fish's or fishes' bladder) is dis-
puted : see quot. 1813.
1809 T. Kerrich in Archaeol. (1812) XVI. 313 [A figure]
formed by two equal circles, cutting each other in their
centers... We are told that it was called Vesica Piscis. 1813
J. S. Hawkins Gothic Archil. 244 Vesica piscium cannot,
therefore, signify a fish's bladder, but a bladder, which
when filled with wind, would be in the form of a fish. x8ao
T. Kerrich \x\. Archaeol. XIX. 353 Observations on the Use
of the mysterious Figure, called Vesica Piscis, in the Archi-
tecture of the Middle Ages, and in Gothic Architecture.
1B45 Parker Gloss. Archit. (ed. 4) I. 399 Vesica piscis, a
name applied by Albert Durer to a pointed oval figure [etc.].
^1878 Sir G. Scott Led. Archit. I. v. 189 Their heads
[sc. of the two portals of Ely] were formerly filled with the
Vesica Piscis.
attrib. 1884 //«/*, Did. s.v.. Vesica piscis Seal, Wimborne
Minster. 1901 Athenxutn 16 Nov, 667/2 A Vesica Piscis
window of unusual character at Millom Church, Cumberland.
b. ellipt. in tl^s sense. Also attrib. and Comb.
i8ao T. Kerrich in Archaeol. XIX. 361 The precise form
of the Vesicawhich was used. xZa^'^xc.vmk^ Styles Archit.
App. p. xxxvi, A figure standing in a shallow niche, holding
a vesica, probably intended to represent the Trinity. 1878
M'^ViTTiE ChiHst Ch. Cathedr. 68 The figures are combined
in vesica-shaped medallions. 1907 Times Lit. Suppl. 25
Jan. 30/2 The very beautiful vesica form . . adopted in conse-
quence of the prevailing taste for the pointed arch, and the
fashion for the vesica in architecture.
Vesical (ve-sikal), a. [ad. mod.L. vesicat-is,
f. L. vesica: see prec. and -al. So F. vhical
(i6th cent.), Pg. vesical^ It. vessicak.]
1, Of or pertaining to, formed in, the urinary
bladder.
vj^ Phil. Trans. LXXXVIII. 45 The specimen.., which
was said to be a vesical calculus of a horse. 1857 Miller
Eleni, Chem., Org. 711 Urine, .always contains a little
vesical mucus, together with some other ill-defined azotised
principles.
b. spec, in Anat. of various appendages of the
bladder (see quots.).
1831 R. Knox CloguefsAnat. 511 Vesical Nerves. These
nerves vary in number, and are irregularly interlaced.
1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 388/2 The pelvic and vesical
fasciae. 1840 E. \Vilson Anat. Vade M. (1842) 348 The
vesical and prostatic plexus is an important plexus of veins
VESICATION.
which surrounds the neck and base of the bladder and pros*
tate gland. 1881 Mivart Cat 21^ Amongst theni we have
the superior vesical [branch], which goes to the side cf the
bladder.
c. Path. Affecting or occurring in the urinary
bladder.
1846 G. E. Dav tr. Simon^s Anim. Chem. II. 183 When
mucus b separated in large quantity (as in vesical catarrh).
1859 R. F. buRTON Centr. A/r. in yml. Geog. Soc. XXIX.
61 .'\ violent cough and vesical irritation. 1876 Gross Dts.
Bladder, etc. 82 Of the causes of vesical neuralgia very little
is known. 1888 Dolghtv Arabia Deserta I. 527, I found
the women lying on the ground far gone in a vesical disease.
2. Having the form of a vesica ; pointedly oval.
1865 Reader No. 121. 462/2 Seals. .of vesical shape. 1880
Archseol, Cant. XIII. 72 The circular boss or knob, and
the elliptical or vesical shape, are seen upon the jewels in
the cover of the celebrated Durham Gospels of St. Cuthbert.
Vesicant (vesikant), sb. and a. Med, [ad.
mod.L. vesicant-^ vesicans^ pres. pple. of vesicare :
see next and -ant. So F. vhicanty Pg. vesicantej
It. vessicante.']
A. sb. An application employed to raise blisters ;
a vesicatory.
1661 LovELL Hist. Aniur. ^ Min. ^59 Vesicants. Simple.
Roots,ofthapsia,and pellitoryof Spaine. Seeds, of mustard.
1836 Peuny Cycl. VI. 249/1 The terebinthinate solution
may be used as a most efficacious vesicant. 1871 Garrod
Mat. Med. (^. 3) 417 The pustulants induce a still deeper
action, and are sometimes of greater value than vesicants.
B. adj. Causing, efficacious in producing, blis-
ters ; vesicatory.
i8a6 KiRBV & Sp. Entomol. IV. xlviii. 468 There appears
no particular affinity between the Predaceous and Vesicant
beetles. iSsy Henfrev Elem. Bot. § ^i\ Polygonum Hydro-
piper, a common native weed, is very acrid, even vesicant
when fresh. 1864 Garrod Mat. Med. (ed. 2) 54 It is astrin-
gent, irritant, vesicant, or even escharotic, according to the
mode of its application.
Vesicate (ve-sik^'l), v. Chiefly J/^(/. [f. ppl.
stem of mod.L. vesicare-. see Vesica and -ate.]
1. trans. To cause to rise m a blister or blisters;
to raise blisters on (the skin, etc.).
1657 G. Stakkev Helmont's Vind. 173 He will perhaps
apply pigeons or the like to the feet or vesicate the external
members for revulsion sake. 1676 Wiseman Surg. Treat.
VI. viii. 435 Celsus proposes, that.. the externall Parts be
vesicated, to make more powerfull Revulsion from within.
i7»o (^uiNCY tr. Hodges'* Loimologia 189 The Parts thus
vesicated were never suffered to heal till the Malignity of
the Disease was spent. 1753 Phil. Trans. XLVIII. 149 If
..this bark is stripped off with their teeth, it inflames and
vesicates their lips and gums.
b. In pa. pple* Covered with, converted into,
blisters.
1676 Wiseman Surg. Treat, i. vi. 38^ I saw [the arm]
swelled, the Cuticula vesicated, and shining with a burning
heat ofa citron colour. 1802 Jennek /?/i/r. Vaccine I noeula-
^/(j« (1884) 59 A little red spot will appear on the third day . .
which . . becomes perceptibly vesicated. 1899 A Ubutt's Syst.
Med. VIII. 482 Outbursts of persistent wheaMike forma*
tions, sometimes vesicated.
2. absol. To produce blisters.
1809 Phil. Trans. XCIX. 343 The fluid effused by vesi-
cating withcantharides. 1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. (ed._2)
I. 315 In America the Lyita cinerea and vittata..zxt. said
to vesicate more speedily and with less pain. 1843 ^' J-
Graves SyU. Clin. Med. xiL 133 Blisters [applied] would
be doubtful, and the probability was that the patient would
sink before they vesicated. 1864 Garrod Mat. Med. (ed. 2)
41 Liquorammoniacfortior. .will vesicate rapidly, ifevapora-
lion is prevented.
! 3. intr. To become blistered.
^899 J. Hutchinson's Arch. Surg. X. 120 It (i.e. an
eruption] consists of erythematous patches which vesicate
! at their borders and spread.
' Hence Ve'sicated ///. a., Vesicating vbl. sb,
(also attrib^ and ///. a.
In quot. 1703 app. meaning 'having large air-cells': cf.
Vesiculated a.
1703 Phil, Trans. XXIII. 1393 The Lungs of these Water
Lizards being *vesicaled, and not vesiculated. 1806 Med.
yrnl. XV. 44 Blistering plasters were applied, and the vesi-
cated parts treated as above. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin.
Med. IX. 102 note. Dressing the vesicated surface with the
French blistering paper. 1663 Boyi.e Use/. Exp. Nat.
Philos. II. ii. 61 The Chirurgion, unknown to me, made use
of Cantharides, among other ingredients of his "vesicating
piaister. 1771 T. Percival Ess. (1777) 1. 196 Neither mus*
tard,..nor any other vesicating stimulus but cantharides,
excite this complaint. 1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 249/1 A yellow
viscid matter, .which has no vesicating power. x87a T. G.
Thomas Dis. Women 297 There are two preparations of
vesicating collodion.
Vesication (vesik^jan). Med, [ad. mod.L,
vesicatio, noun of action from vesicare : see prec.
So F. visication (i6th cent.), Pg. vesicafdo^ Sp.
vejigacion, Cf. Vesiculation.]
1, The result of blistering or of rising in blisters ;
a blister or group of these.
1543TRAHERON Vigo's Chirurg. 11. xi. 25This..appayseth
the paine, and purgeth the vesication or bladerynge and
inflation. 1676 Wiseman Surg, Treat, i. iii. 23, I applied
a Pledgit of basilicon upon it, and dressed the Vesications
with unguent, tutiae. i72oQui\'cv ir. Hodges' Loimologia
1 10 Those poisonous Vesications called Blains. 1769 E«
Bancroft Guiana 105 These leaves are also applied to
vesications, to promote a copious discharge. 1785 C. Kite
in Med. Commnn. II. 47 A small vesication appeared on the
navel. 1813 J. Thomson Led. Injiam. 595 The early open-
ing of the vesications will, .not occasion pain, 1861 Hulmb
tr. Moquin-Tandon ii. iv. i. 236 The stinging apparatus of
the Medusx..may even give rise to vesications. 1899
VESICATORY.
AllbuWs Syst, Med, VIII. 466 In exceptional cases vesica- :
tions are produced.
2. The formation or development of blisters;
the action or fact of blistering.
x7§3 Phil. Trans. XLVIII. 325 An enlargement of the
eyelids, and vesication of the tunica conjunctix>a. 1807
Med. Jrnl. XVII. 320 A complete vesication had taken
place over the whole extent of the metatarsal hones. 1843
R. J. Graves Syst, Clin. Mf-d. vii. 85 They have no hesita-
tion in applying a large blister, leaving it on until it pro-
duces full vesication. 1864 Gabrod Mat. Med. (ed. 2) 335
Vesication is also made use of on account of its revulsive
action in internal congestions, as of the head, &c.
Vesicatory (ve-siktr'tari, vesi-katari), sb. and a.
Med, [ad. med. or early mod.L. vesicatortus,
-orium (whence F. vSsicaioiret It. vessuatoriOf Pg.
vesicatorio, Sp. vejigatorio) , f. L. vesica : see
Vesicate v, and -oby.]
A. sb, A sharp irritating ointment, plaster, or
other application for causing the formation of a j
blister or blisters on the skin ; = Blister sb, 3. \
Very frequent from c 1650 to c 1780 ; now somewhat rare. '
1604 F. Heri.ng Mod. Dejence 18 Vesicatorys to be ap. ,
plied neere vnto the most principall Part. 1655 Culpepper, j
etc, Riverius x. vii. 32 You must apply a Vesicatory to
the forepart of the head. 1676 T. DEGARKNCiEREsCtfr/^/sS j
Carrying in his pocket a vesicatory made of cantharides.
170^ F. Fuller Med. Gymn. (1711) 38 It can't be done by '
Vesicatories without some Pain. 175J Phil. Trans. XLVI I.
504 These were blistered sUzhtly, by means of a small vesi.
catory. 1803 Med. yrtil. X. 310 A vesicatory applied to
the affected part, constantly relieved the pain, and produced
the desired effect. 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 7 The
leaves of Knowltonia vesicatoria are used as vesicatories in
Southern Africa. 1875 H. C. Wood Therap. (1879) 561
Epispastics, vesicatories, or, more colloquially, blisters.
B. adj. Of the nature of a vesicant ; capable of,
characterized by, raising blisters. '
s6ii WooDALL Surg. Mate Wks. (1653) 173 The use of
Vesicatory medicines ; namely, Cantharides in painfull I
swolne limbs. 1663 Boyle use/. Exp. Nat. Philos. n. ii. j
43 If you duly perpend what I lately mentioned, of the
transmutation of water into hot and vesicatory substances.
1817 KiRBY & Sp. Eiitomol. II. 227 The vesicatory beetles \
. .are not improbably defended from their assailants by the
remarkable quality.. that distinguishes them. 1813-7 Good
Study Med. (1829) I. 59 The cerambyx tfiosc/iaius, which 1
possesses a vesicatory power nearly equal to that of the '
fytta. x8^ Rep. U. S. Cominissioiter Agric. (18^) 102
Many of these beetles [sc,*Vif/tf/d^I possess strong vesicatory
powers. i
Vesicle (ve*sik*l). Also 6, 8 vesaiole. [ad. F. I
visicule, or L. y^jfcw/a Vesicola.] |
1. a. Attat. and Zoo!, A small bladder-like vessel
in an animal body ; a cavity or cell with a mem- |
branous integument ; a small sac or cyst. |
Freq. with defining terms, as blood-^ food-, germinal^ 1
seminalyunthilicalvesicles', seealsoGRAAFiAN, Purkinjeav. ^
1578 Banister Hist. Man v. 64 The intrels, which receiue
the dryer excrement, as the Vcssicle of Choler. 1607 Walk- ;
iNGTON Opt. Glass ix. 103 Those men which want the vesicle
of choloT, are both strong and couragious. 1664 Power
Exp. Philos. r. 4 If you divide the Bee near the^ neck, you
shall see the heart beat most lively, which is a white
pulsing vesicle. 1691 Ray Creation 11. (1692) 63 That the
Lungs should be made up of such innumerable Air-pipes and
Vesicles interwoven with Blood Vessels in order to purific,
ferment, or supply the sanguineous Mass with Nitro-aerial
Particles. \^\'^Q,HV.s%\MtMAnai.\.\. ^1726) 12 The marrow
in the larger cells is also contained in their membranous
vesicles. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1862) I. il 156 The
vesicles, that go to form the brain. 17^ M. Baillie Morb.
Anat. (1807) 390 The small vesicles which make a part of
the natural structure of the ovaria. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst.
Clin. Med. xxii. 260 These cells may be represented as
so many minute vesicles. 1870 Rolleston Anim. Life
Introd. p. xxxvi. The brain [of Amphioxu^l consists of three
primary vesicles.
Como. 1870 Rolliston Anim. Life 155 Contractile Poiian
vesicle-like sacs are developed.
b. Similarly in Bot,
1670 Phil. Trans. V. 1176 There are found many leaves of
other trees, on which grow Vesicles, or small baggs. 1673
Grew Anai. Trunks i. i. 83 \ simple, white, and close
Parenchyma or Barque ; made up of Vesicles . . hardly visible
without a Glass. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. in. v. (1765)183
Pappaiose, nipplyt when it is covered with Vesicles, little
Bladders. 1766 Compl. Farmer s.v. Vegetation^ All the
roots becoming longer, put forth new branches out of their
sides, the second leaf withers, and its vesicles are emptied.
183a Lindley Introd. Bot, 158 This third envelope always
begins by being a mass of cellular tissue, ..and generally
finishes by becoming a vesicle. 1882 Vines Sachs^ Bot. 59
The older hj-pothesis of a deposition of new layers from
within presupposes that the starch-grains were at first
hollow vesicles.
o. Physics, A minute babble or spherule of
liquid or vapour, esp. one of those composing a
cloud or fog.
1731 Miller Card, Diet. s.v. Dew, The thin Vesicles
of which Vapours consist. Ibid., The Warmth .. forms
those Vesicles that are specifically lighter than the Air.
1794 G. Adams Nat. ^ Exp. Philos. IV. Hi. 446 Clouds
are composed of a mafs of vesicles like soap-bubbles. 1854
Brewster More Worlds iii. 61 The aqueous vapour which
it \sc. the atmosphere] contains, whether it exist in minute
vesicles, or in masses of clouds. 1869 Piiipson tr. Guillemin' s
Sun (1870) 42 When the vesicles which constitute clouds are
cooled they unite to form drops. 1884 I. Tait Mind in
Matter (1892) 87 The salt is brought by the travelling
clouds, each vesicle charged with a precious burden.
d. Geol. A small spherical or oval cavity pro-
duced by the presence of bubbles of gas or vapour
in volcanic rocks.
155
_i8ix PiNKERTON Pctralogy IL 328 The vesicles are some-
times of an oblong form, but often spherical. x8^ Dana
Geol. vi. (1850) 346 Occasionally we see fragments in which
the vesicles are thickly disseminated. 1879 Rutley Stud.
Rocks xi. igi In some of the obsidians of Hawaii the
vesicles are quite spherical.
2. A hollow swelling. rare~^. (Cf. next.)
1671 Marvell Reh. Transp, w. 11 He demonstrates at
large how impossible it was . . for Mankind to be produced at
first from certain Vesicles or Pimples of the Earth.
3. Path. A small, generally round, elevation of
the cuticle containing fluid matter.
^799 Jenner Further Obs. Variolx Vaccina (iSoi) 33
The patient felt no general indisposition, although there
was so great a number of vessicles. x8oi Med. 'Jrnl. V. 338
He has twice scratched off the surface of the rising vesicle.
1847 VouATT Horse viii. 204 Vesicles will sometimes appear
along the under side of the tongue. 1867 Baker AV/tf Tribut.
viii. (1872) 107 Small vesicles rose above the skin. 1876
Bristowe r/*. ^ Pract. Med. (1878) 295 The amount of
fluid relatively to the solid constituents of vesicles varies
very much.
b. Without article.
184s Encycl, Metrop. VII. 755/1 The vaccine pustule runs
a given course of varus and of vesicle,
Vesico- (ve'sik(?), combining form, on Greek
models, of Vesica, occurring in various terms
referring to the bladder in connexion with some
other part of the body denoted by the second
element, as vesico-cervkal^ -intestinal, -prostatic^
-rectal^ etc. (So F. vhico-.)
Various other terms, as vesicocele, vesicoclysis ', vesico-
abdominal, -pubic, -spinal, etc., appear in recent Diets.
x^ Buck^s Handbk. Med. .Sci. VIII. 581/2 The tear,
beginning in a rigid os, extends.. up the cervix to the
*vesico-cer\'ical junction. 1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I.
400 "Vesico-intestinal fistulae sometimes establish a com-
munication between the bladder and the ileum or colon.
X878 T. Bryant Pract. Surg. (1879) II. 64 Vesico-intestinal
Fistula is sometimes met with. 1839-47 TodtCs Cycl. Anat.
III. 933/2 The veins in the neighbourhood of the prostate
gland and of the neck of the bladder . . are called the vesico-
prostatic plexus. 1876 Gross Dis. Bladder, etc. 156 Vari-
cose enlargement of the vesico- prostatic plexus of veins was
described. Ibid. 339 "Vesico-Rectal Fislule is between the
bladder and rectum, and between the latter tube and the
urethra. 1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 400/2 When the
disease is a *vesico-umbilical fistula, the communication is
with the summit of the bladder. 1885 Buck's Handhk. Med.
Sci. I. 526/2 *Vesico-urethral fissure.. is a crack or fissure
between the folds of the mucosa, at the point of junction of
the urethra and bladder. 1839-47 TodtCs Cycl. Anat. III.
943/1 There are a ^air of recto-uterine peritoneal folds in
the female and a pair of *vesico-uterine folds. 1889 Buck's
Handbk. Med. Sci. VIII. 581/2 All the tissues below may
heal, leaving an opening at the upper angle of the tear — a
vesico-uterine fistula. 1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 400/2
* Vesico- vaginal fistulae are sometimes, .the result of the
progress of a uterine cancer- 1876 Gross Dis. Bladder,
etc. 326 Vesico-vaginal fistule is an opening between the
bladder and vagina. 1889 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. VIII.
580/2 The tear reaches up to, or dissects off the vesico-
vaginal tissue from the uterus.
II Vesicula (v/si-ki/Ha). PI. vesioulaB (-irfli).
[L. vesicu/a a little blister, a vesicle, dim. of
vesica Vksica.]
1. = Vesicle i. Usually in pi.
In Anat. also with defining terms, as vesicular seminales
a. Anat. 17x5 Cheyne Priuc Relig. i. iii. § 12 (ed. 2) 134
Spiral Threads, which divide these hollow Fibrils into so
many elastick Cystes or Vesiculae. X7a8 Chambers Cycl.
s.v. Lungs, A Stone-Cutter, the Vesiculae of whose Lungs
were.. stuffed with Dust. 1771 Encycl. Brit. I. 282/2 Tlie
thoracic duct, .terminates in some subjects by a kind of
vesicula. 1835-6 ToddHs Cycl. Annt. I. 380/2 (Bladder),
Towards the vesiculae it [the cellular coat] is dense and
white, and supports a number of veins. 1849-52 Ibid. IV.
ir, 1431/1 The difficulty of proving the identity of sacs called
vesiculae in other animals.
b. Bot. 1718 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Vegetation, These
Seed-Leaves consist of a great Number of little Vesiculae,
or Bladders. 183* Lindley Introd. Bot. 207 Vesiculae, in-
flations of the thallus, filled with air, by means of which the
plants are enabled to float
c. Physics, i-jx^ Derham Phys.'Theol. 1. iii. 22 note.
Vapours being, .no other than inflated Vesiculae of Water.
2. Path, «= Vesicle 3.
X876 DuHRiNG Dis. Skin 43 Vesiculae are circumscribed,
rounded elevations of the epidermis, varying in size from a
pin-point to a split.pea, containing a clear serous fluid.
Vesicular (visiki/Haj), a. [ad. early mod.L.
vesicular-is (whence F. visiculaire, Pg. vesicular,
It. vescicolare), f. L. vesicula : see prec]
1. Having the form or stmcture of a vesicle ;
bladder-like.
a. Anat. c 17J0 Gibson Farrier's Guide i. App. (1722) 101
These receive the Chyle, .into the vesicular Kernels of the
Mesentery. 17JS Fam, Diet. s.v. Lungs, Its inner Laminx
fill up the Interstices, which are below the Bunches of the
small Lobes [in the lungs], withlittle vesicular Cells. 1822-7
Good Study Med. (1829) V. 10 There are no organs of
generation that differ so much.. as these vesicular bags.
1873 MiVART Elem. Anat. x. 416 A simple vesicular heart
may be continued on forwards into a median artery. x888
RoixESTON & Jackson Anim, Life 859 The nucleus is
single ; it is large when full grown, vesicular, with chro-
matin globules or ribbons.
b. Bot. X848 I-TNDLEV Introd, Bot. (ed. 4) I. 147 A vesi-
cular organ, which he terms Cistome. 1867 J. Hogg
Microsc. II. i. 303 The spores are developed freely in the
vesicular cells destined to produce them. x88a Vines Sachs*
Bot. 514 Their capacity for transport is increased by the
vesicular hollow protrusions of the extine.
c. Physics, i860 A. Greelv Amer. Weather vii. C1888) 60
It was formerly advanced that these minute drops of rain
VESICULATION.
or fog were vesicular— that is, hollow spheres ! 1863
TvNDALL Heat vi. § 224 (1S70) 176 If the particles of water
be sufficiently small they will float . . without being vesicular.
2. Characterized by the presence of vesicles ;
composed of parts having the form of vesicles.
a. Anat. 1715 Cheyne Princ. Relig. i. vi. § 37 (ed.2) 312
.\ Muscle is a bundle of Vesicular Threads, or of solid
Filaments, involved in one common Membrane. 1833 Sir
C. Bell Hand (1834) 69 Cold-blooded animals.. respire less
frequently than other creatures, . , hence their vesicular
lungs. 1848 Carpenter Anim. Phys. i. (1B72) 76 We find a
form of nervous tissue, . . generally known as the vesicular.
1855 Bain Senses ^ Int. 1. ii. § 16 These central masses all
contain grey substance, the cellular or vesicular matter.
x86o (JossE Rom. Nat. Hist. 364 A true serpent, with large
vesicular lungs.
b. Bot. ^79^ Martvk Lang. Bot., Vesicularis..scabritiest
vesicular or bladdery ruggedness. x8oa R. Hall Elefu.
Bot. 195 Vesicular, .. having small bodies like bladders on
the surface.
C. Physics. 1794 SuLivAN View Nat. I. 357 He calls
them vesicular vapour, whose particles may be distinguished
by the eye. 183a Macgillivray Trav. Humboldt xvi. 204
In the beginning of March the accumulation of vesicular
vapours became visible. X834 Mrs. Somerville C<>«««jr.
Phys. Sci. x.\viii. 296 The vesicular state constituting a
cloud. 1880 'Times 25 Dec. 5 The silicate of soda was left
in the state of a highly vesicular maps.
d. Geol. i8xi PiNKERTON Petralogy II. 328 {keadifig).
Vesicular Lava. i8i3BAKEWELL/«^r£'rf.G<rij/.(i8i5)33oThe
cavities in vesicular lava vary in size from that of a pea to
a small nut. 1843 Portlock Geol. 106 The whiter gntsare
also sometimes vesicular from the local removal of the
calcareous paste. 1882 Geikie Text-bk. Geol, u. 11. iii. 89
When this cellular structure is marked by comparatively
few and small holes, it may be called vesicular.
3. Zool. Of worms: (see qnot. 1861).
1830 R. Knox BeclarcCs Anat. 378 The cysts which con-
tain vesicular worms. 1861 Hl'lme tr. Moquin-Tandon ii.
VII. xiii. 391 Under the name of Vesicular or Cystic Hel-
mintha are included those entozoa which terminate in a
vesicle, are contained in a cyst, or are composed of the latter
only. 1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol, (ed. 6) 115 Vesicular
Tape-worms are of considerable size.
4. Path, a. Characterized by the formation or
presence of vesicles on the skin.
18x8-20 E. Thompson Cullen's Nosol. Method, (ed. 3) 328
Pemphigus; Vesicular Fever. X843 R. J. Graves S^st,
Clin. Aled. xxv. 318 The vesicular and scaly eruptions
occurred in delicate persons. X876 Dumring Dis, Skin 78
Vesicular eczema exhibits the lesion in its most perfect
Slate. x886 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. II. 632/1 Vesicular
eczema may occur in very small patches or m quite exten-
sive areas.
b. Affecting or connected with the vesicles or
air-cells of the lungs.
X829 Cooper Good's Study Med. (ed. 3) I. 622 These
organs [the lungs] are in a slate of vesicular or pulmonary
emphysema. 1853 Mabkham Skoda's Auscult. loi By
vesicular bieathing, I understand that murmur only which
is heard during inspiration. x866 A. Flint Princ. Med.
(1880) 244 Vesicular emphysema. .consists in an abnormal
accumulation of air within the air-cells, whereby they be-
come distended and their walls often atrophied. ax883
Fagge Priuc. ^ Pract. Med. (if86) I. 853 It is commonly
called the ' vesicular murmur ', having been so named when
the idea that it arose in the air-cells of the lung was accepted
without question.
So Tesi'cnlary a, rare~^.
1754 Phil. Trans. XLVIII. 632 We found, that the
animals in the vesicles were dead ; but. .we had an oppor-
tunity of discovering the vesiculary polypes alive, in another
coralline.
Vesiculate (v/si^kirfl/t), a, [ad. mod.L. vesi-
culat'USy f. I- vesicula Vesicula.] = Vesicul-
ATED a.
1828-32 Webster s.v., Vesiculate a., bladdery; full of
bladders. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1212/2 Vesiculate, inflated,
bladdery. X874 Cooke Fungi 55 Innumerable protuber-
ances, which.. soon become round vesiculate cells. i88x
Encycl. Brit. XII. 551/2 One of the vesiculate medusae.
Vesixulatef v, [Back-formation from next.]
1. trans. To make vesicular or full of air-cells.
1865 Pall MallG. 18 Oct. 10 He tells us that bread is
* vesiculated ' by the carbonic acid gas forced into the
dough.
2. intr. To become vesicular ; to develop vesicles.
1891 Cent. Diet.
Vesi'culated, «. [f. as Vesiculate a. -f -ed.]
1. Having or full of small cavities or air-cells.
1703 Phil. Trans. XXIII. 1390 Frogs, Toads, Snakes,..
that have their Lungs Vesicated, as well as Vesiculated.
'774 Ibid, LXIV. 213 Any air, which gets beyond the vesi-
culated lungs themselves. x886 A. H. Church FoodGrains
Ind.y^ \\%\sc. wheat's) admirable appropriateness for the
making of a light vesiculated bread.
2. Of the nature of a vesicle or vesicula.
X898 P. Manson TroP. Diseases xxxvii. 565 A threatening
boil may often be aborted by touching the little initial
itching or vesiculated papule with some penetrating anti-
septic.
3. Path. Covered with vesicles.
^1858 Bright Abdominal Tumours (i860) 210 They
both presented most extreme specimens of the vesiculated
kidney.
Vesiculatiou (visikiiH^-Jan). Path, [f, Ve-
sicula -H -ATioN. Cf. Vesication.] The formation
of vesicles, esp. on the skin ; a vesicular condition
or pustule.
1876 DuHRiNG Dis. Skin 67 Typical fluid exudation is
observed in vesiculalion, in the vesicles of eczema and
herpes. X897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 138 In some cases..
the minute papules which characterize the scarlatinal erup-
tion actually proceed to vesiculation. X898 P. Mansom
20-2
VESICULI-
156
VESPERTILIONID.
Tro^. Diseases xxxv. 546 There may be evidence hi the
shape of \*e5iculations and thickening of the mucosa of a
greater or less degree of catarrh.
VesiCTlli- (v/si*ki/ni), combining fonn of
Vesiccla, occurring in a few terms, as vesiouli*-
foroua a., bearing vesicles; vesi'culiform «.,
resembling a vesicle ; vesiouli'gerousa., vesiculi-
ferous.
1846 Daka Zooph, 135 l^tie inner tentacles clavate_ and
vcsiculigerous. 1850 Mavne Ex^s, Lex. 1330 Vesiculi-
ferom. "1891 Cent. Diet, s.v., Vesiculiform.
llVesiOTllitia (v/siki/aaitis). Path. [f. Vbsi-
ccLA + -ms.] Inflammation of a vesicle, esp. of
the seminal vesicles.
1861 BuMSTXAD Ven, Dis. (1879) 183 A case in which
\-esicBHtis terminated in an abscess. iSi^ Buck's Handbk,
Med. Sci. IX. 380/2 In chronic vesiculitis local measures
are of little value.
Vdsioulo- (v/si*ki//b), combining form, on
Greek models, of Vesicula, occurring in a few
terms referring to vesicles in connexion with some
part or thing denoted by the second element, as
resutth-brofukiait -spinal^ -tympanitic,
i88< EncycL Brit. XIX. 35/2 Ano-spinal and vesiculo-
spinsil centres. 1886 Buck's Handbk. Med. Set. II. 82/1 In
emphysema a characteristic sound, somewhat less resonant,
is heard, which is called vesiculo-tympanitic. 1898 Allbutt's
Sysi. MeiL V. 98 Mingled with this diminished dulness and
with the ' vesiculo-bronchial ' breathing, ..may be heard an
adventitious murmur.
VesiculOSe (v^'sikirfW-s), a. [ad. L. vestcul-
os-us full of blisters : see Vesicula + -OSE.] Full
of vesicles ; vesicular.
^ 1817 KiRBV & Sp. EntomoL II. 223 The elytra.., shrewd,
ing its vesiculose abdomen, gave it much the appearance
of a fine flower. 1856 \V. CuvRK Van der HoevctCs Zool.
I. 332 Abdomen inflated, vesiculose. 1861 Hagen Synopsis
NeuroPtera N, Atner. 171 Abdomen compressed at base,
vesiculose, triquetral.
Hence Tesicnlcso-, employed as a combining
form, as vesiculoso-cellular adj.
i8a6 KiRBY & Sp. EntomoL IV. xxxviti. 69 In Sphinx
Ligustri the bronchix terminate in oblong vesiculoso.
cellular bodies, almost like lungs.
t Vesi'culous, a. Obs. [f. Vesicul-a + -ous.
So F. vhiculeux. ] = Vesiculose a,
1698 Phil. Trans. XX. 119 The vesiculous Parts of the
Body; which, according to my Notion, are part Muscles,
part Glands. 171a tr. Pomet «■ Hist. Drugs I. 150 This
Kind covers a Vesiculous Substance.
Vesigh, obs. form of Vizy sb. Sc.
t Ve'Sike, Obs, Also 6 vesyko, visyko. [ad,
L. !»«/*« Vesica.] a. The bladder, b. A bladder-
like vessel or formation ; a vesicle.
15A0 R. Jonas Birth Man. i. 14 b, Sometyme the vesyke
or bladder, .be also apostumat & blystered, 1545 Raynald
Byrth Mankyndi p. i, Yf . . the visyke or bladder be swollen
or encombred with the stone. 1548-77 Vicary Anat. viii.
(i883) 71 The chest of the Gal., is as a purseorapannicular
vesike in the holownesse of the Lyuer.
Vesir, obs. form of Vizier.
Vesper (ve*sp3i). Also 7//. vespre«. [Partly
a. L. vesper masc. (hence OF. vespre^ older F.
vepre^ Pr. vespre, Sp. vespero, Pg. vespera. It. ves-
perOj vespfo)^ evening star, evening, cognate with
Gr, tffwfpos Hesperus, Partly ad. older F. vespres
(mod.F. v^pres\ vespers, evensong, ad. L. vesperas
(nom. vesperx)^ ace pi. of vespera fern, ; hence
also Pr. vespras^ Sp. visperas^ Pg, vesperas. For the
use of the plural form cf. matins^ nones."]
I. In the singular form.
1. poet, (or rhiet.). With capital. The evening
star ; Hesper, Hesperus.
1390 GowER Con/.\\. log Whan that thi liht is faded And
Vesper scheweth him alofVe. 1508 Dunbar Goid. Targe 2
Ryght as the stern of day begouth to schyne, Quhen gone
to B;d war Vesper and Lucyne, 1 raise. 1577 Grangk
Golden Aphrod.^ etc. R iij b, Phebus . . His course was done,
& Vesper she with Luna playde their |)artes. 1503 G,
JPeele Hon. Order Garter B j, About the time when Vesper
in the West Ganset the euenin^ watch. 1633 P, Fletcher
Purple Isl. v. Ixx, Vesper fair Cynthia ushers, and her
train, See, th* apish earth hath lighted many a starre. 1697
Dbyden yirg. Georg. i. 343 Red Vesper kindles there the
tapers of the night, 176a Falconer Shipivr. 1. 657 While
glowing Vesper leads the starry train. iSso Keats Ode to
Psyche 27 Fairer than Phccbe s sapphire-region 'd star, Or
Vesper, amorous glow-worm of the slcy.
trans/. 1815 Shelley Adonais xlvi, Assume thy winged
throne, thou Vesper of our throng I
2. Evening, eventide ; an evening. A\so personif.
Now rare or Obs.
1606 Smaks. Ant. 4- CI. IV. xiv. 8 Thou hast scene these
Signes, They arc blacke Vespers Pageants. 1613 Purchas
Pilgrimage {1614) 123 From which ninth houre the lewes
began their Vespera or Euening...In these Vespers, as
also on the Euen of euery Feast and Sabbath, atter the
euening sacrifice, they which doe any worke. .shall neuer
see good signe of a blessing. 171a Buixjell Spect. No. 425
f 3 The one [companion] waa Aurora . . : The other was Vesper
in a Robe of Azure beset with Drops of Gold. 1798 Cole*
VLiooK. An£. Mar. 76 In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud,
It perched for vespers nine. 1849 Thoreau IVeek Concord
Riv. 26 From highest noon till the red vesper sinks into
the west.
Jig. 1701 Nobris Ideal World i. iii. 160 There cannot be
anv vespers in the great sun of truth.
3. Vespers, evensong. (See 6.) Also trans/, f In
early tjse with a or the.
1636 Ma.s51ngbr Bash/. Lover 1. i. If you miss him when
She goes to the vesper or the matins, hang nie ! 1657
THOvi.Khv.vir.Lougur Daphiis f^ Chioe h.\iy\i,\ will tell you
a storie, one I had at a Tavern vesper. 1737 Ozcirs Rabelais
I. xl. 315 A Mass, a Matine, a Vesper well sun^ is half said.
1815 Shelley Alastor 694 Mighty Earth I'rom sea and
mountain, city and wilderness, In vesper low or joyous
orison. Lifts still its solemn voice. 1844 Metn. Babylonian
Princess II. 309, I knew that many of those with whom I
was acquainted attended mass and vesper at this chapel.
4. ellipt. The vesper-bell.
1808 Scott Martnion 11. xxxiii, Even in the vesper's
heavenly tone, They seem'd to hear a dying groan. 1817
MooRE Lalla R., Paradise f,- P. 440 But, hark ! the vcspei
calls to pray'r.
II. In collective pi. Vespers.
t6, a. In Univ. use: The public disputations
and accompanying ceremonies which immediately
preceded the inception or commencement of a
Bachelor of Arts ; esp. in later use at Oxford, the
day on which these were held, the eve ^the Act.
Cf. Vespery. Obs,
157^ M. Stokys in Peacock Stat. Cambr. (1841) App. A.
p. xxii, The Bedyll shall bryng the Inceptours in Arte to
the Place where the commensement shall be kepte, and so
shall begynu the Vespers in Arte and in Civill. Ibid, p. xxiv,
The Father in Arte m the Ve[s]pers shall sytt in the West
ende off the Chyrche. 1657 Owen Vind. Treat. Schism \.
Wks. 1855 Xlll. 217 A learned gentleman, whom I had pre-
vailed withal to answer in the Vespers of our Act, sent me
his questions. 1681 Grew Musxunt iv. il. 361, I read
two Publique Lectures at Oxford, on the Vespers of the
Publique Act. 1715 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) V. 93 Lectures
in the Vespers. The Vespers on Saturday.
fb. The eve of^ festival, or ^the Passion.
16*9 Donne Serm. 73 What a dimme Vespers of a glorious
festivall. x66o Jer, Taylor Worthy Commun. i. § 3. 49 The
Sacrament of the Lords Supper ..being instituted in the
vespers of the passion. 1663 — Serin, t Cor. xv. 2J, 33
And as the Apostles in the vespers of Christs passion, so he
in the Eves of his own dissolution was . . heavie unto
death. 1607 Burghope Disc. Relig. Assemb. 132 Our blessed
Lord in the vespers of his death.
6, Eccl, The sixth of the Canonical Hours of the
breviary, said or celebrated towards evening ; —
Evensong i ; also, the time of this office.
Usually without article, but occas. with the, and some-
times with a smg. verb.
«6ii CoRVAT Crudities 14, I came into their Church at
the time of prayers in the afternoone, the Nunnes being
then at their Vespers. X644 in Eng. Hist. Rev. Apr. (1913)
341 The parish Church in Ruell where the King and Queene
were at Vespres. 170a in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. VII. 127
Afternoon we went to Vespers to ye Abbay of S' Floraux,
a Benedictine Order. C1731 Diary Blue Nuns Ibid. VIII.
92 About three a clock in the afternoon whilst we were at
vespers. 1756 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) IV. 19 On Ascen-
sion-eve, vespers are performed with great pomp and splen-
dor. 1831 G. Downes Lett. Conf. Countries I. 34, 1 stopped
to attend vespers at the Cathedral of St. Denis. 1871 Miss
MuLOCK Fair Prance xv. 142 Vespers is, I conclude, a litany
rather than a mass. 1884 F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer I.
•24 Then we went into the Capella del Coro to wait for the
vespers.
t b. Applied to the Evening Prayer or Even-
song of the Church of England. Obs. tare.
x66o Pepvs Diary 2 Oct., At Will's I met with Mr. Spicer,
and with him to the Abbey to see them at vespers.
O, With distinguishing terms denoting special
forms of this office.
Sicilian vespers: see Sicilian a. 2 a.
a 1700 in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. IX. 368 At y» first vespers
of y» Assomption of o' Blessed Lady. 1761 Evening-Office
0/ Church (ed. 2) 300 In the second Vespers, is a commemo-
ration of S. Paul. Ibid. 363 After Benedicamus Domino,
the Vespers of the Dead are said. 1908 Ch, Times 13 Mar.
3^7/2 Vesi>ers for the Dead, in the form sanctioned by
Bishop Creighton, was sung,
d. poet. Evening prayers or devotions.
1814 Shelley in Dowden Li/e{\^^^') 1. 496 Adieu; remem-
ber love at vespers before sleep, I do not omit my prayers.
i8ao Keats Eve St. Agnes xxvi, Her vespers done. Of all
its wreathed pearls her hair she frees.
7. trans/. The evening song of a bird. Cf.
Evensong a. Chiefly /^^Z.
1678 H. Vaughan Pious Th. 225, I heard last May.. The
pleasant Philomel her vespers sing. 1795-18x4 Wordsw.
Excurs. IV. 1 169 If the solemn nightingale bt; mute, And the
soft woodlark here did never chant Her vespers. 18x3 Scott
Rokeby v. ii, Hoarse into middle air arose The vespers of
the roosting crows. 1854 Thorkau Walden iv. (1884) 135
The whippoorwills chanted their vespers for half an hour.
HI. 8. attrib. a. In the sense * of or belonging
to, used at or for, vespers or evensong *, as vesper'
beil, -carol, -chinu, -hymny Hght, psalm, -song^ etc. ;
vesper-book (also + vespers book), a vesperal ;
vesper music (see quot.) ; vesper service,
vespers, evensong.
In general use freq. pas--ing Into next.
1794 Mrs. Raucliffe Myst. Udolpho xxxvi. The monas-
tery, whose *vesper-bell she had heard on the preceding
evening.^ 1844 Dtckens Pictures/rom Italy (Collins) 244
To the ringing of vesper-bells, darkness sets in. 1864 Skeat
Uhlands Poems 223 The sun sinks down, the vesper-bell
bids men to rest and pray. 177a in Catholic Records
Soc. Publ. I. 138, 4 Vols: of Mass Books,.. *Vesperse Book.
1850 {title)., Vesper-Book; containing the complete Order
for Vespers for the entire Year, according to the Roman
Breviary. 1865 Pall Mall G. No. 140. 3/1 The vesper-
book used by Roman Catholics. i8t8 Keats Endym. iv.
834 Therefore for her these *vesper-caroIs are. a 1835 Mrs. ,
Hemans My own Portrait Poems (1875) 487 Even as a
sound of "vesper-chimes Can wake departed things. x8o8 j
Skurrav Bidcombc Hill 7 The blackbird from tiie ivied
temple chants His *vesperhymn. i866Engel A^i^/. V^auiV
viii. 281 The Roman Catholics., have their Vesper Hymns,
and the singing of these appears to be custoniarjj in most
countries where the Roman Catholic faith prevails. 1892
Ch. Times ^ Nov. 1094/2 An oaken altar.. with *vesper
lights. 1888 Jacobi Printers' Voc. 151 *P'esper music,
plain chant or Gregorian music is thus designated. 1813
Mrs. Hemans Vespers 0/ Palermo in. iii, Here.. meet
me, when the bell Doth sound for "vesper-prayer I 1896
SwETE Ch. Serv. 62 The *vesper Psalms were five in num-
ber, recited as at Mattins in regular course, 1797 Mrs.
Raihjmffe Italian vi, The *vesper-service of the monks.
184^ Dickens Mart. Chuz, v, The old cathedral bell began
to ring for vesper service. 1904 Wordsw, & Littlehales
Old Service Bks. 79 The Kvensong or vesper service of
Sunday and other days of the week. 1810 Scott Lady oj
Lake in. xxiii. To-morrow eve.. My *vcsper song [may
be] thy wail, sweet maid ! 1871 Longf. Wayside Inn n.
Baron St. Castinc 169 No day is so long But it comes at
last to vesper-song. 1813 Scott Triertn. 1. i. Holy as her-
mit's *vesper strain. x866 Neale Sequences <5- Ilymns 81
It shallblend its *vesper summons With the day s depart-
ing smile. 1808 Scott Marmion v. vi, There must the
Baron rest, Till past the hour of *vesper tide, a 1849 Mangan
Poems (1859) 49 From streaky gleam of mornmg's light
Until the *vesper-toH. 1845 R. S. Hawker Bait. Comiv.,
etc, (1869) 45 Teach me, Father John, to say ^Vesper-verse
and matin-iay.
b. In the sense ' of or belonging to, character-
istic of, occurring in, the evening ; vespertinal '.
1791 E. Darwin Bot. Card. i. 65 Soft fell the vesper -drops,
condensed below, Or bent in air the rain-refracted bow.
'794 sporting l^I^S- IV. 58 A vesper-blue curricle. x8io
Associate Minstrels 6 Fair shines the vesper-star. 183a G.
Downes Lett.Cont. Countries I. 63 To preside over bread
and butter at the vesper tea-table, 1839 De Quincev
Recoil. Lakes Wks. 1B62 II. 134 Vet in these eyes of vesper
gentleness, there was a considerable obliquity of vision,
1887 J. AsHBV Sterrv Lazy Minstrel (1892) 208 When
rooms with the vesper tobacco are clouded. X890 Sat. Rev.
23 Aug. 225/1 Rich in every imaginable tint of vesper
beauty.
c. (Chiefly (/,S,) In the names of animals,
birds, or insects, as vesper- beauty, vesper-bird
or -sparrow (see quots.) ; vesper mouse, a
mouse of the genus Hesperomys or Vesperimus or
related genera ; a white-footed mouse.
1831 J. Rennie Cotisp. Butter^. <5- M. 115 The Vesper
Beauty {Efiione vespcrtarids appears the middle of July.
x8s9 S. F. liMRD Mammals JV. Amer. 455 A striking feature
of the North American vesper mice, to anglicize Wagner's
name,^ is their diminutive size compared with the South
American, 1869 J. Burroughs in Galaxy Mag. Aug., They
[/'. e, grass- finches] sing much after sundown, hence the
aptness of the name vesper-sparrow, which a recent writer,
Wilson Flagg, has bestowed upon them. 1884 Coues N.
Anier. Birds 364 Passerculus gramineus,..C>xz.^& Finch.
Bay-winged Bunting. Vesper- Bird. 1893 Scribner's Mag.
June 764/1 Our little vesper sparrow is said to have had
the same end in view when he made his soft sweet carol
the vesper-song of the uplands.
+ d. In sense 5 a, as vesper disputations. Obs,
17x5 Hearne Collect, (O.H.S.) V. 93 Vesper Disputations
in Philosophy. Vesper Disputations in Law,
Vesperal (vesperal), a, and sb. [ad. late L.
vesperdl'isy f. L, vespera : see prec, Cf. F. vesperal
sb.]
A. adj, a. Vespertinal, vespertine. b. Per-
taining to vespers or the vesper-bell. rare.
1613 CocKERAM I, VesPerall, of or belonging to the euen-
ing. [Hence in Blount,] xZfj Cwivii-V. Germ. Rom. \\\.
135 Amid the vesperal melodies of the steeple sounding-
holes.
B. sb. 1. Jiccl. An office-book containing the
psalms, canticles, anthems, etc., with their musical
settings, used at vespers ; an antiphonary contain-
ing the vesper-chants.
1869 Li/e Marg. M. Hallahctn (1870) 431 They were pre-
sented with a Vesperal and Processional. 1884 Grove's Diet.
Music IV. 257 The most correct Vesperals now in print are
those published at Mechlin in 1870, and at Ratisbon in 1875.
2. An evening song.
In quot. as the title of a poem.
1896 E. DowsoN Verses 39 Vesperal. ' Strange grows the
river on the sunless evenings I '
+ Ve-sperate, v. Obs.~° [f. ppl. stem of med.L.
vesperdre to become evening, f. L. i/^j/^r Vespeb.]
*To wax night* (Cockeram i, 1623).
Vespe'rian, a. rare"^, [f. Vesper ■*- -ian.]
Vespertine.'
X777 Toi'LADV Solar System Wks. 1794 IV. 271 [Venus]
enters on her short vesperian regency, and shines by the
name of Hesperus, or the evening-star.
Vesperti'lian, a. rare-^. [See next and -ak.]
Hat-like. In quot.yf^^
1874 RusKiN Proserpimi I. iv. §22 Mr. Darwin. .in his
vespeitilian treatise on the ocelli of the Argus pheasant.
II Vesperti'lio. rare—\ [L. vesperttlio bat, f.
vesper \ Y.^VY.v.,'\ A bat.
In modern Zoology VespertHio (pi. -iones) is one of the
many genera of Cheiroptera : cf, next.
16^ Sir T. Herbert Trav.(\t>^^^ 385 These vespertilios . .
hang in swarms upon the boughs of Trees.
Vespertiliouid, a. Zool. [ad. mod.L. Ves-
pcrtilionid'm (see def.).] Of or belonging to the
Fespertilionidx^ a large family of insectivorous
bats, including the common British species.
1875 Dallas in Cassell's Mat. Hist. I. 332 The tail tra-
verses the interfemoral membrane in the fashion of that of
a Vespertilionid Bat.
VESPERTILIONINE.
Vesperti-liouine, a. {sd.). Zoo/, [f. L. ves-
fertilidn-, vespertiHo bat + -ine.] a. adj. Of or
belonging to, comprising or consisting of, a large
distinct group of insectivorous bats included in
the sub-order Microchiroptera.
l«75 G. E. DoBSON in Ann. Nat. Hist. XVI. 350 The
fatnilies of Microchiroptera.. form two natural atlianccii,
which may be called the Vespertilionine and Embaljonurine
alliances respectively.
b. sb. A bat belonging to this group.
1891 Cent. Dkt._
Vesperti'lionize, v. nome-word. [f. as prec.
+ -ize!] /ram. To convert or turn iit/o a bat.
1854 Badham Hatieut. 451 Others.. have vespertilionized
this skate into the Sea-bat.
Vespertinal (vespartai-nal), a. [ad. late L.
vesptrttna/-is, f. L. vesper/inus : see next and -Ai-.
Cf. obs. F. vesper/ina/, -e/.] — next.
iSfi Frascrs Mag-. XIX. 469 All my troubles, cares,
anxieties, perplexities — matutinal, meridional, and vesper-
tinal. 1849 TuoREAU tiWk Cotuord Riv. irg The vesper-
tinal pout had already begun to flit on leathern fin. 1854
Lowell Cambridge 30 Yrs. Ago Prose Wks. 1890 I. 90
F. became purely vespertinal, never stirring abroad till after
dark. 1901 AtlietiXKin 28 Dec. 876 3 Vespertinal events. .
might be dated in Saxon times in four different ways.
Vespertine (ve-spaitain, -in), a. (and sb:).
[ad. L. vesper/Jn-m (hence also OF. vespertin,\\.,
Sp., Pg. vesper/ino), i. vesper Vesper : see -ine ■.]
1. Of or pertaining to the evening ; coming,
occurring, or taking place in the evening ; s/xc. in
.Is/ro/. (cf. 2).
1501 Arnolds Citron. 168 Vf thou wil kepe late set plantis,
kepe hem from vespertyn reynes. cisjo Rollano Crt.
Venus 11. 695 Kra Phebus rais to the hour vespertine, c 1610
Sir C. Hevimn Astro/. Disc. (1650) 60 The .second is.. the
Vespertine oriental Apparition, which he callelh the last
rising. 1634 Sir T, Herbkrt Trav. (1638) 217 1 he starres ;
their heliacal], acronicall, matutine, and vespertine motions.
1716 M. Davies At/un. Brit. I. 33 The Morning and Ves-
perlin Service in that Church. i8i> Carv Dante, Purg.
XV. 140 Far onward as our eyes. .could stretch against the
bright Vespertine ray. 1851 Glbnny Handbli. FL Card. 68
It IS desirable on account of its powerful vespertine fra-
grance. 1901 Athenxum 18 Dec 877 The vespertine
portion of the ecclesiastical day.
b. Of animals, birds, etc. : Appearing or espe-
cially active in the evening.
In quot 1607 after L. /upiis vespertinus, the Vulgate ren.
dering of Heb. z'eb ^ereb in Hab. i. 8.
1607 TopsEUL Four-/, /leasts 435 This first and vulgar
kinde of Hyaena is bred in Affricke and Arabia. . .God htm.
selfe in holy scripture calleth it by the name of a Vespertine
Wolfe. l8aa Shaw Gen. Zoot. III. I. 114 Vespertine Frog.
..Native of Siberia. 1891 Cent. Diet. s.v., The vespertine
or evening grosbeak, //esperifliona vespertina.
+ 0. Dim, imperfect. Obs,"^
t6>3 Bp. Hall Best Bargaim Wks. (1625) 518 If ye had
already that vespertine knowledge of the Saints which ye
shall once haue in heauen.
2. As/r. and As/rol. Of a star, planet, etc, : Set- \
ting at or just after sunset. j
1601 Holland Piiny 11. xvi. I. ti These stars or planets
in their evening setting, are neerest to the earth :. . and then :
they be called Occidentail Vespertine, i. when the sun to- '
ward the evening covereth them with nis raies. 1647 Lilly '
Chr. Astro/, cxxvii. 577 .\n Infortune in the Nativity,, .if
Vespertine, [shows] long Di.seases. 1679 MoxoN /kat/t.
/?ii<., t'M/fr/i/ie, when a Planet sets after the Sun. [Hence
in Harris, Kersey, etc.] 1690 Levboubn Curs. A/at/t. 449
She (i.e. VenusJ is. .sometimes almost Full, at other times
Gibbous, . . as well when she is Vespertine as Matutine.
1819 J. Wilson Diet. Astro/. 288 Vespertine planets, vi?.
those between the 10th and 7th, or on the cuspof the 4th or
near it, or ^ and ? rising vespertine by day.
3. Geo/. Used todesignatethe lowest carboniferous
formation of the Pennsylvaoian coal-measures.
1858 H. D. Rogers GeoL Pennsy/v. II. 735 The.. horizon
which separates the Umbral red shale from the underlying
Vespertine conglomerate. Ibid. 756 The Vespertine, or
Lower Carboniferous series. 1888 Encyc/. Brit. XXIV.
258/1 In its Vespertine areas are numerous patches of
anthracite and semi-anthracite coals. |
t4. hisb. Vespers, evensong. In quot .yf^. Obs. j
aityi Randolph Hey /or f/onesty v. Wks. (1875) 489 i
Tbejr breakfasts are their matins holy zelibus. Their ves-
pertines are eating beef and vcllbus.
II VespemgO. Obs. rare. [L.] Evening, or
the evenmg star. (Cf. Vespek i and 2.)
In mod. Zoot. used as the name of a genus of bats belong,
iiig to the group Vesfierti/iones.
i6ao ToUKNEUR Trans. Metam. vii. The skie. .Is cloath'd
with moorie Veapcru^oe's coate. 1679 Moxon Mat/i. Diet.,
I'esperugo, the hvening-Slar, Venus, when she shines after
Sun-Set. [Hence in Kersey, Bailey, etc.]
Ve'SpePT. Now/Zij/. U. ¥.vespMe(^i6i\ic.),
or ad. raed.L. vesperia, f. L. vesper Vesper.] //.
= Vespers Vksper 5 a.
[1656 BLOUNr Gtossogr. (copying Cotgr.), Vesperies, Even- ,
t"S Exercises or Disputations (among the Sorbonbts). 1706 '
Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vesperies, the last Act, or Exercise
for taking the Degree of Doctor, among the Sorbonists in I
t rance.l 1886 I.YrE //ist. Univ. Oxford 213 The vesperies i
of the Faculty of Arts might be held . .on any day that wiis
available for lectures. The exercise consisted of a disputa-
tion between the inccptor and some Masters of Arts on ccr.
tain questions propounded in Latin verse by the presiding
Master.
Vespiary (ve-spiari"). [Irreg. f. L. vesp-a wasp,
after apiary. Cf. med.L. vesparium.'] A wasps'
nest.
157
1817 K1KBV& St. £ntomo/. II. 108 The number of females
in a populous vespiary is considerable. 1830 insect Archi-
tecture (L.E.K.) 71 We have never met with a single vespi-
ary in any situation likely to have been frequented by moles.
1890 Science.Cossip XXVI. 122/t Wasps clothe their vespi-
ary with ten or twelve layers of paper.
Vespidons, a. Ent. rare. [f. med.L. Vespid-te
(see def.) -f -ous.] Of or belonging to the Vesptdx,
an extensive family of wasps, including the social
wasps and hornets ; vespoid.
184S Maunder Treas. Nat. Hist. 724 A Vespidous insect
having the first joint of the abdomen elongated into a pedicel.
Ve'Spifonu, a. Enl. Also 8 vospse-. [f. L.
vesp-a, -so, wasp -y -(i)fobm.] Having the form or
appearance of a wasp; wasp-like.
175a J. Hill Hist. Anim. 31 The vespaform Asilus, with
the antenna; longer than the head. 1817 Kirby & Sr.
Entomoi. II. 263, I once found one of the vespiform bees
(.4 /lis Goodeniana . . ) hanging by its mandibles from the edge
of a hazel-leaf.
tVespillo(n. Obs. rare. Also vespilone^
[a. L. vespil/dn-, vespil/o (also vespa), ace. to
Festus f. vesper evening. So obs. F. vespil/an.']
(See quot. 1656.)
1631 Weever.^«c. Funeral Moh. iii. 11 Such as. .were of
high parentage . . were buried in the euening by certaine
men who had that charge, who were called Vespillons.
Ibid.iv. 12 Such.. were buried in the night time, by the
Vespillons clothed all in white. 1643 ^'R T. Browne Ke/ig.
Med. 1. % 38_ By raking into the bowells of the deceased,
continually sight of Anatomies, Skeletons, or Cadaverous
reliques, like Vespillocs, or Grave-makers. 1656 Blount
G/ossogr., Vespitone. he that carries forth dead bodies in the
night to be buried, as they use in lime of plague and great
sickness.
Vespine (ve-spain), a. [f. vesp-a wasp -f -ine '.]
Of or pertaining to a wasp or wasps ; consisting ot
wasps.
ill|3 Penny Cyc/. XXVII. loj/i The neuters are the..
busiest class of the vespine community. 1863 Miss Vonce
Wars IV'apsbiirg iv, Vespine laws of fortification could not
be more perfectly observed. 1884 Com/i. R/(^. Oct. 400
To meet this abnormal fancy of the vespine intellect, the
fig-wort makes its sensitive surface mature first.
Ve'Spoid, o. En/, [f. L. z;«/-a wasp-H-oiD.]
Resembling a wasp ; wasp-like ; spec, of or be-
longing to the Vespoidea, a super-family of Hymeno-
p/era containing the typical wasps.
1815 Kirby & Sp. Entomo/. iv. (1816) I. 122 Pompitus
viaticus, a vespoid insect that deposits its eggs in spiders.
1850 Mayne Expos. Lex. s.v. Vespoides.
V essohe, obs. form of Vetoh.
t Vesse. Obs. [Of unknown origin.] A kind
of worsted fabric formerly made in Suffolk. Only
in pi.
xitixAcl I Ric/t. //I, c. 8 § 18 The makyng of any Clothes
called Vessees, Cogware, or Worstedes. 1511-1 Act 3 Hen.
y/l/, c. 7 The drapyng and makyng of such clothes, called
vesses, rayes, saylynge clothes, and other clothes. 1513
Act 14 f, 15 Hen. Vin, c. 11 That Vesses olherwyse called
Set Clothes of dyvers Colours be made in your said Countie
of SuflTolk, which be made to be worne in far Countries and
nat in Englond.
Vesse, var. Vksset Obs.
Vessel (ve-sel), sbX Forms : a. 4, 6 vessele
(4 wessele), 4-5vesselle (5 wess-), vessale; 4
vescel, vessil, 4- vessel (4-5 weasel, uessel,
4, 6 fessel), 5-7 vessell (wessell, 5 fessell) ; 4
vesseal, 5 veseal, vessall. /3. .Sc. j vysoele,
weschele, 5-6 wesoh-, veschsle, 5 wes(a)-
ehael(le ; 5 wischeall, 5-6 veachall (5 wesoh-,
vessohe-), 6 wesohail ; 5-6wesoh-, j;-; veschell
(6 vessch-), 6 veshel, 7-8 veshell. 7. 4-5,
7 vessayle, 5 veassayle, vessaile. 8. s vayssel,
vaissel. [a. (i ) AF. and OF. vessel, OF. vesseal,
vaissel, vaisseau, etc. (mod.F. vaisseatt) masc, =
Pr. vaisel, Sp. vasillo. It. vascello :— L. vascellum
small vase or urn, ship, etc., dim. of vas Vas ;
(j) AF. and OF", vessele, veselle, OF. vasselle,
luasselle, vaissele, etc. (mod.F. vaisselW) fem., repr.
the L. pi. vascella and used in a collective sense.]
i" 1. In collective singular : Vessels orntensils for
the table or for use in the household, esp. those
made of gold or silver ; = Plate sb. 15. Obs.
Freq. from c 1300 to c 1600.
«. a x-M Cursor iU.6i4s Fra )>is folk .. l>e folk of israel to
boru Asked silueren vessel [v.r. wessel] sere. 13.. Coer de
E. 1488 Now, styward, I warne the, Bye us vessel gret
plente, Dysschys, cuppys, and sawsers, Bolles, treyes, and
platers, c 1400 Maundev. (1839) «"• 220 Alle the Vesselle,
that men ben served with, in the Halle or in Chambres, ben
of precious Stones. 1410 E. E. IVii/s (18S2) 46 A dosen of
peulre vessell. 14x4 Ibid. 56 All my seluere vessell. 1477
Ro//s 0/ Parlt. VI. 184/2 That Sterfyng Halpeny nor Fcr-
thyng, shuld not be molten for Vessell. 1513 Ld. Berners
Froiss. I. XX. 29 All his Vessell was of goTde and siluer,
pottis, basons, ewers, dysshes, flagons, barels, cuppes, and
all other thyngis. 1587 Harrison E^ig/and 111. xi. in
Ho/inslud I. 237/2 Such furniture of houshold of this
mettall \sc. pewter], as we commonlie call by the name of
vessell, IS sold vsuallie by the garnish. 1609 Holland
Amm. Marcet/, 192 They shamed now to drinke out of
earthen vessell. 1613-4I Daniel Col/. Hist, Eng. (1826)
107 He., made restitution of much Church vessell, that had
beenc taken and sold for ransome. 1664 Marvell Corr.
Wks. (Grosart) II. 148 Have I.-layd them in mine own
beds, mine own hangings, and treated them continually in
mine own vessel?
VESSEL.
0. 1375 Barbour Druce xi. 117 Al! thai. .that charglt war
Of pal^eonys and veschail vith-all. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints
xviii. i,Mary Egypt) 1094 pan godis blud & his body put in
to weschale, J>are-to worthy, c \^S Wyntoun Cron. 11, xii.
1073 Golde, siluir and wesschaelle, Cleynly made of gud
metaille. 1490 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. I. 132 For the
caryage of the siluer vesscheall to Lythgow again Payee.
XS«3 OoUGLAS Mneid i. ix. 109 Siluer plait . . was brocht To
set on buirdisj and weschail forgit of gold. 1549 Compi,
ScotL xvii. 145 Coppir, bras, and yrn and vthir mettellis var
meltit to mak vteiisel veschel necessair to serue ane hous-
hald. a 1578 Lindesav (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I.
337 Costlie beding, weschell and naiperie according for ane
king. 1627 [see sense 7].
■y, h. 1474 QKX.iG^Chesse \\. v. (1883) 6g He sayde that hit
was better and more noble thynge to shyne in good maners
than in vayssel. 1605 Tryall Chevair. iv. i, And so, sir,
you that walk in pewter vessayle, like one of the worthyes,
will you be rul'd by me? [iSjo Scott Monast. xvi, Every
bit of vassail and silver work have we been spoiled of
since Pinkie Cleuch.]
b. dial. (See quots.)
1854 Miss Baker Northampt. Gloss. 375 Vessel, ..2\\ the
plates, dishes, and culinary utensils which are put into
requisition during a meal. ' Wash the vessel up. Never
applied to a tea-service or to glasses. 1893 Wilts. Gloss.
176 To wash up the vessel is to wash up plates, dishes, &c.
2. Any article designed to serve as a receptacle
for a liquid or other substance, usually one of cir-
cular section and made of some durable material ;
esp. a utensil of this nature in domestic use,
employed in connexion with the preparation or
serving of food or drink, and usually of a size
suitable for carrying by hand.
Often with defining term preceding (sometimes hyphened*,
indicating its special use, as dairy, drinking^ kitchen,
iiiilk-^ winC'Vessel. See also Air-, Steam-vessel 1.
o. a 1300 Cursor M. 13395 lesus badd fcam Jjan o-nan Fil
|?air gret wessels [Fair/, vessels] o stan O water clere. 1340
A^enb. 235 pe |[»inges pet byej> y-hal^ed, ase ^e uesseles y.
blissed, )>e chalis, ^e copereaus. c 1386 Chaucer Monk's T.
204 Goth, bringeth forth the vessealx . . The which my fader
in his prospente Out of the temple of Jerusalem byraft.
C1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xi. 43 A vessell of gold full of
manna, c 1450 MS. Douce SS fo'- 11 Steep hem with sugre
water.. in to a feyre fessell. CX47X Fobtescue Wks. (1869)
458 Oftyntyms his Highnessc must and will bye. .Wessels,
Wcslments, and other Ornaments for his Chapel. iS»6
TiNDALE Luke V. 37 Also no man poureth newe wyne into
olde vessels. »5So N. C. Wiiis (Surtees, igo8) 208 Such
vessels, barkes, and other thinges as belonges to the tanners
craft. 1577 Hkkmsou England \n Holinsked l.jiof I Aii^T-
ward putting it [sc. brawn] into close vessels, they poure . .
good small ale. .thereto tyll it be couered. »6io Holland
Camden's Brit. 650 An earthen vessel in which was
hourded a mighty deale of Romaine coine. 1658 J. Har-
rington Prerog. Pop. Go7't. 11. ii. 11 His Enemies break-
ing down his Statues,.. made homely Vessels of them.
1719 De Foe Crusoe 1. 121 To my great Mbfortune, I had
no Vessel to boil or stew any Thing. 1791 Cowper Odyss.
n. 381 Join thou the suitors, and provide, In separate vessels
Ntow'd, all needful stores, 1831 Brewster Optics iii. 23 Let
the board with its pedestal be placed, .in a glass vessel of
water. 185S Dickens Dorrit ii. ix. Bending over a steam-
ing vessel of tea. 1907 Verney Mem. I. 8 Queer tin vessels
of many shapes.
_ Prov.Phr. 1599 Shaks. I fen. K iv. iv. 71 But the saying
is true. The empty vessel makes the greatest sound.
trans/. 1645 Ussher Body Div. (1647) ^oo The third night
(as it seemeth] God caused the Waters to retire into their
Vessels.
&. ci^z^ WvNTOuN Cron. v. 1458 pat. .his blude In til a
weschael tj-cht and gude Sulde be put. a 1500 Ratis Rav-
ing, etc. 101 As lekand weschell haldis no thinge, Sa opin
tung has na traistinge. 1561 W1N3ET /Fij. (S.T.S.) 1. 94
'J'he weschelis and ornamentis appropriat to the seruice of
(jod. 1596 Dalrvmple U.Leslies Hist. Scot. II. 120 In
dischis of daintie, in veschelis of al sortis. 1756 Mrs.
Calderwood yrnl. (1884) 84 They immedially put those
veshells into cold water.
y. 13.. E. E, A tut. P. B. 1713 pou..has hofen l^y hert
agaynes l>e byte dryjtyn, . .& now his vessayles (are] avyled
ill vanyte vnclene. C1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) Lay
pigges in a vessayle, with bothe hande.
6. In various fig. applications. (Cf. 3.)
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 7859 pe lew t>ey called ' a
voyde vessel ', And forsoJ>e, so hyt fel. c 1315 Shoreham i.
1548 per-fore ech man. .wessche and greydy hysfessel. And
do trewlyche hys charge. 1587 Holinshed Chron. (ed. 2)
III. 832/1 The vessell of amitie betweene the king of Eng-
gland & the French being first broched by this popes letters.
1599 Shaks. Hen. V, iv. Chorus 3 Of a time, When creep-
ing Murmure.. Fills the wide Vessell of the Vniucrse.
1605 — Macb. III. i. 67 For them, the gracious Duncan
haue I murther'd; Put Rancours in the Vessell of my Peace
Onely for them, a 1650 May Old Couple v, Gently, my
joys distil Lest you do break the vessel you should fill. 1667
Milton P. L. xii. 559, Greatly instructed I shajl hence
depart, .and have my fill Of knowledge, what this vessel
Ciin containe. 1883 H. Drummond Nat. Law in Spir. W.
( 1 884) 270 Who will not willingly exchange bis shallow vessel
for Christ*s well of living water?
o. The contents of a vessel ; a vcsselful. rare.
1506 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 25 b, The vyntenar
i;yueth frely, .a taste of his wyne though he gyue not the
hole vessell at ones. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj.^ Stat. K,
William 3 Ane free man.. sail gif for multure at the milne
the sextenc veshell.
t d. Arch. (See quot. and Vase i b.) Obs.-^
1704 J. Harris Lex. Tcchn. I, Vessels, in Architecture,
are certain Ornaments, usually set over ihe Cornices, and
S'l named, because they represent divers sorts of Vessels,
which were in use among the Ancients.
t e. slang. The nose. Obs.
1813 Sporting Mag. XLI. 170 There d— n your eyes, I've
tappeid your vessel.
o. fig. (chielly in or after Biblical use), a. Said
VESSEL.
158
VEST.
of a person regarded as having the containing
capacity or function of a vessel. Freq. const, of (a
conditiwi, quality, etc). Nowor^^.
Few thephr. the weaker vessel^ see Weak «.
n\yM Cursor M. 1967^ pou ga til him {sc. Paul], he es
me le!e. And o mi diesing he es wesscle. 138a Wvclif
2 Tim. it. 31 He schal be a vessel halwtd into honour, and
ratjfytable to the Lord. 1388 — Gen. xWx. 5 Symeon and
Leuy,..fiv>'ngev*ss'ls of wickidnesse. ai^ooN. 7'.(Paues)
Acts ix. 15 For he es maked vnto me a vessel of choos forto
-bere my name bifore kenges ande folke. 1451 Capgravk
Li/e St. Gi^rt xxxviL 115 [They] came on-to be graue
wber-.Gilbcrtes body was hid, and..Jjei lifte up M holy
oessel of God. 15^ Piigr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 19 Ther-
fore let vs apply our wylles at all tymes to be vesselles of
grace. 155* Lyndesav Dreme 254 The cursit Emprioiir
Nero, Off euerilk vice the horrabyll weschell. 1597 Hooker
Eccl. Fol. V. xlix. § I We know there are vessels of wrath.
ax6a9 Hindf. J. Bruen ii. (1641) 6 If he [God] had a pur-
pose to reserve him as a vessell of honor, and for his own
house. 1667 Milton P. L. ix. 89 Him after long debate.,
his final sentence chose Fit Vessel, fittest Imp of fraud, in
wb<Kn To enter. 1738 Weslev Psalms LVi. v, And cast into
the burning Lake The Vessels of thine Ire. 1773 Mrs.
Chapose Improv. Mindiiyj^) I. 93 We know not whether
..they might not prove .. chosen vessels to promote the
honour of God. 1819 Scott Ivanh/^e xxxviii, Nature..
grieves that so goodly a form should be a vessel of perdi-
tion. 1837 Dickens Pickw, Hi, It makes a vessel's heart
Ueed ! lyos A. Innes Shahd Days 0/ Past vii. 129 As for
the archbishop, be was a seasoned vessel.
+ b. Said of the body, esp. as the receptacle of
the soul. Obs.
c 1360 Know Thyself ^ in E. E. P. (1862) 130 Vche cristen
creature knowen hym self ouht His oune vessel. 138s
WvcuF I Thess. iv. 4 That ech of 50U kunne welde his
vessel in. .hoolynesse and honour. — i Pet. iii. 7 ^euynge
honour to the wommans vessel, or body. 153a Du Wi:s
Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. 1061 The body . . is the vessell of the
soule. 1535 Coverdale 2 Esdras iv. 11 How shulde thy
vessel then be ablelocomprehende the waye of the Hyest?
1610 Healev St. Aug. Citie 0/ God 526 The seede of
generation should have been sowne in the vessell, as corne
IS now in the fielde. a 1629 Hinde y. Briten vii. (1641) 28
They possessed their vessels in hoHnesse, and in honour.
1704 Swift Meek. Oderat. Spirit (1711) 299 The Saint felt
his Vessel full extended in every Part.
+ 0. In other Biblical uses (see quots.). Obs»
1340 Hampole Psalter vii. 14 And ^are in he has redid
%*essels of ded [L. vasa viortis] ; his aruys till brennand he
made. (So in Wyclif (1382).] 138a Wyclif i Mace. xiv.
10 The citees he..ordeynyde .that thei weren vessels of
strengthtng. 1545 Ascham Toxoph. i. (Arb.) 71 Dauid in
the Psatmes calleth bowes the vessels of death. 1609 Bible
(Douay) i Mace. xiv. 10 He gave victuals to the citie, and
be appointed them that they should be vessels of munition.
4. Any structure designed to float upon and tra-
verse the water for the carriage of persons or goods ;
a craft or ship of any kind, now usually one larger
than a rowing-boat and often restricted to sea-going
craft or those plying upon the larger rivers or lakes.
Freq. with distinguishing termS} as bomb-, fishing^ gun-,
macAtne-y sailing-f steam-, trading', trojtsport; -war-
z*essel, etc.
a- a 1300 Cursor M. 1662 Bot ar i wil mi wengeaunce tak
I wil ^at ^ou a wessel mak. . . A schippe be-houes )}e to
dight. 1390 GowER Con/". 1. 197 Hire Schip goth in among
hem alle, . . And hath the vessell undergete, Which Maister
was of al the Flete. 1453 IVars Eng. in France (Rolls)
II. 477 Ordcyne as meny shippes and vessels of ihoo that
bylonge to oure port of A. as ye shal mowe. a 1489 Caxton
Blanchardyn xxxv. 131 Blanchardyn drew hymsylf aside
wyth-in his vessell. <z 1533 Ld. Berners Huon xxxv. no
Sum maner of shyppe or wessell to passe ouer y* see. 1590
Sir J. Smvth Disc. Weapon 12 AH the long boates and
vesselb of oares for the landing of men. 1625 Bp. Hall
Wks. 59 A little saile to a large vessel!, rids no way. 1683
Col. Ree. Pennsylv. I. 6g All Ships and Ves.seIIs vnder 10
Tunns..to pay no fees. 1736 Gray Stntius n. 21 Where.,
parting surges round the vessel roar. 1769 Falconer Diet.
Marine, l^essel, a general name given to the different sorts
of ships... It is, however, more particularly applied to those
of the smaller kind, furnished with one or two masts. 1836
Marrvat Midsh. Easy xix. 67 All the varieties of vessels
which float upon the wave. 1844 Kinglakb ESthen vi, I
knew enough of Greek navigation to be sure that our vessel
would cling to earth. 1889 Welch Naval Arckit. 13 For
ships of ordinary form (including probably the great
majority of vessels).
^g. i6n Shaks. Cyttih. iv. li. 319 Damn'd Pisanio Hath
with his forged Letters. . From this most brauest vessell of
the world Strooke the maine top ! Oh Posthumus, alas,
Where is thy head? 1781 Cowper Hope i68 Hope, as an
anchor.., holds fast The Christian vessel, and defies the
blast. 1876 Trevelyan Macaulay I. v. 250 In 1832 the
vessel of Reform was stilt labouring heavily.
tramf. 1882 F. M. Crawford Mr. Isaacs i. 6 And every
variety of horseflesh maybe seen,. .from Lord Stephen Kil-
dare's thoroughbreds to the broad-sterned equestrian vessel
of Mr. Currie Ghyrkins,
B. e 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xvii. {Martha) 106 Bot for na
vyscele wes bane nere, he enterit in riuere faste, & swemand
ay. c 1470 Henry Wallace xr. 326 He A weschell gat, and
maid him to the se. ^11568 Sempill in Satir. Poems Reform.
xlvL 25 A fair vesschell abone l>e watter. 1609 Reg. Ma^.
Sig. Scot. 71/1 The dewtie of coqueitis, entres of shipis,
barkis, crearis and wtherisveshelHs.
y. £1460 Fortesctje Abs. ^ Lim. Mon. vi. (1885) 123 To
horde with carrikkes and opcr grete vesi^ailes. 1470-85
Malory Arthur viii, vi. 282 He commaunded hb seruaunt
Got»ernayle to goo to his vessaile ageyne, 1497 Naval Ace,
Hen. yit^ (1896) 250 The seid veassayle fyrst freight at
London with cordage.
3. c JA77 Caxton Jason 76 And the sayd vaissels and ships
were blowen unto the perrillous yle of Colchos.
+ b. In collective singular. Obs,
e 1400 Destr. Troy 13996 Whan Eneas was exiled, euyn
were his shippes Two hundreth full hole, all of hede vessell.
1436 Libel Eng. Policy in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 160 The
haven of Sluse. . . Where many wessell and fayre arne abyd-
ynge, c 1470 Henry Wallace ix. 749 Sum fled to Tay, and
in small weschell 5eid.
5. Anat. and Zool. One of the membranous
canals, ducts, or tubes in which the fluids of the
body are contained and by means of which they
are circulated ; freq., a blood-vessel.
Often with distinguishing term, as blood-, iliac, lymphatic,
pulmonary, etc.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. iv. vii. (1495) go Veynes I
ben the vessels of blode. 1548-77 Vicary Anat. (i888) 21
There is no more difference betweene these two vessels of
blood, but that the Artere is a vessel of blood spiritual or
\ytal. 1615 Crooke Body of Man 113 The double mem-
brane of this mesenterie doth inclose and sustatne the
vessels which runne through it. 1635-56 Cowley Davideis
IV. Poems (1905) 380 A nimble thrust his active En'emy
made,.. And opened wide those secret vessels where Lifes
Light goes out, when first they let in aire. 1691 Rav
Creation 11. {1692) 65 All the Bones, and all the Muscles,
and all the Vessels of the Body. 173a Arbuthnot Rules of
Diet 279 In short whatever relaxeth the too strict vessels,
or straitens the too lax, . . is a Cordial. 1793 Holcroft
Lavater's Physiog xii. 65 Vessels everywhere penetrate the
bones, supplying them with juices and marrow. 1831 R.
Knox Cloquet's Anat. 5 The Vessels .. are canals which
divide and subdivide into branches, are more or less elastic,
and are formed by the superposition of different membranes.
They are distinguished according to their uses and general
disposition into Arteries, Veins, and Lymphatic Vessels.
1871 T. H. Green Inirod. Pathol. 286 Portions of new
growths, ..which having perforated the vessels, have been
carried away by the current. 1893 W. R. Gowers Man.
Dis. Nerv. Syst. (ed. 2) II. 422 If a cist forms in an artery
it may be detached . . and may obstruct the vessel further on.
b. Bot. One of the cellular or tubular Structures
composing the vascular system of plants and hav-
ing the function of containing or carrying sap or
other secretion ; a duct.
^ 1671 Grew Anat. Plants 1. iii. § 30 Of the Lignous Body
it is so apparent by its Pores, or rather by its Vessels, that
we need no farther Evidence. For to what end are Vessels,
but for the conveyance of Liquor ? 1731 Miller Gard. Diet.
s.v. Vegetable^ Bulk for Bulk, the Plant imbibes into its
Vessels 17 times more Fluid than the Quantity of the Chyle
which enters into a Man's Vessels. 1787 Winter Syst.
Husb. 03 Air. .passes., into the absorbent vessels of the root.
1796 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) I. 368 The leaf has no
rib, but seems composed of vessels equally dispersed. 184a
Loudon Suburban Hort. 40 Whenever the .sap tn the vessels
of a plant freezes, they become ruptured and the plant dies.
1875 Darwin Insectiv. PI, xii. 285 Some of the vessels are
barred and punctured instead of being spiral.
6. Bot. = Pericarp, rare.
Common in the comb, seed-vessel: see Seed sb. 8.
i(k)i Ray Creation r. (1692) 100 Such Mosses as grow upon
Walls,.. and other high Places, have Seeds so excessively
small, that when shaken out of their Vessels they appear
like Vapor. [1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Vasculiferous
Plants, are.. such as have besides the common Calyx or
Flower Cup, a peculiar Vessel or Case to contain their Seed.]
7. attrib, and Comb. a. In senses i and 2, as
vessel ambry, •cleatur^ cloth, house, maker, -man,
stuff. Chiefly .5".:.
Vessel-bearing, defining vasiferous (q.v.), is given by Coles
(1676) and Bailey (1721).
c 1450 Bk. Curtasye 367 in Babces Bk., For wesselle
clothes,.. pe porter base ^at warde in holde. 1488 Acta
Doin. Cone. (1839) 98/2 A weschale almery, a cop almery.
1531 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scotl. VI. 30 To the court
weschellmen. 1590-1 Exch. Rolls Scotl, jL^W. 121 To..
William Murra, aid in the vessel hous. 1598 Fi.okio,
Vascellaro, a potter, or vessell maker. 1627 Reg. Decreets
Sc. Admiralty Ct. I. 93 Clapeburde, pype stalves, veschell
and veschell stuff, pitche, tar, rosin, etc. 1886 Cheshire
Gloss. 377 Vessel-cleaner, an under dairymaid, whose busi-
ness it is to clean the cheese tub, cans, and dairy apparatus.
b. In sense 5, as vessel-dilator, -sheath, -wall.
1879 -S"'- George's Hosp. ReP. IX. 428 In the right lateral
i sinus, where the clot was adherent to the vessel.wall. 1896
AlUmtCsSyst. Med. I. 234 Vessel dilators are of sj)ecial use.
1899 Ibid. VIII. 609 A proliferative inflammation of the
vessel-sheaths.
c. In sense 4, as vessel-load, man, etc.
1894 Pop. Sci. i*/^«M/y XLIV,483 The first Russian crew
which ' rescued ' a vessel-load of Circassians on their way to
Turkey. 1898 Daily Tel. 6 Jan. 10/7 Other couriers were
despatched to see the railroads and the vessel men.
Vessel, sb.'^ [Of uncertain origin: connexion
with prec. is not clear.] Vessel of paper (see quots.).
1790 Grose Prov. Gloss., Vessel of paper,\vsiS.i^t^zx\^x
of a sheet, a 1825 Forby Voc. E. Anglia. i84oSpurdens
Suppl. Forby, Vessel,.. ■vt^s used for theme-papers formerly
at Bury School, and perhaps at others, i860 Guide to Eton
(Jlc«s., Vessel, the eighth of a sheet of foolscap, on which
derivations are written. 1891 Wrench Winchester Word-
Bk. 51 Vessel, a half quarter of Long-paper. 1910 Sat. Rev.
10 Dec. 751/1 Acton, .made copious extracts, ..written on
vessels of paper specially made for him.
Ve'SSel, V. Now rare or Obs, [f. Vessel sbX\
1. trans. To put or enclose (a liquid, etc.) in a
vessel. Also with tip.
^ 1577 Harrison England in. vi. (1878) 11. 37 Our honie..
is harder, better wrought, and clenlier vesselled up, than
that which commeth from beyond the sea. i6a6 Bacon
Sylva § 520 The Fourth Rule shall be, to mark what Herbs
some Earths doe put forth of themselves; And to take that
Earth, and to Pot it, or to Vessell it. 1640 Harvey
Synagogue {^t^^') C vij b, I would have this bread. This wine,
Vessel'd in what the Sun might blush to shed His shine.
When he should see. x^-jq W. Simpson Hydrol. Ess. 129
In vessclling up and stopping in the Tunbridg-waters.
iransf. 1650 T. Vaughan Anthroposophia 2 Man had at
the First, and so have all Souls before their Entrance to the
Body, an explicit methodicall Knowledge, but they arc noe
sooner Vessel'd but that Liberty is lost.
2. To take or lift out by means of a vessel.
1673 P/iil. Trans. VIII. 6022 When they pour this solu-
tion into the Vessel, they use a stick, . . whereby they agitate
and beat the Wine in the Vessel, and then they vessel it out
into other vessels.
Vessel-cup, north, dial. var. Wassail-cup.
Vesselfol. [f- Vessel sb.^"] As much or as
many as a vessel will hold. i860 Worcester.
Ve'Sselled, ppl. a. [f. Vessel v. or j^.i]
1. Enclosed in a vessel. Now rare or Obs.
1660 Boyle Ne^v Exp, Phys. Mech. iii. 42 The Vessel'd
Mercury. 1664 Power Exp. Philos. 11. gi You may with
great facility move the Tube to and fro in the vessel'd Quick-
silver. 1670 Boyle in Phil. Trans. V. 2037 That 4 parts of
5, or rather 5 of 6 of the vessel'd Air (if I may so call that
which was shut up in the Receiver) had been pump'd out.
i7o8 R. Neve Baroscop. 10 Upon opening of the inverted
1 ube into the vessel'd Mercury,
2. Bot. Having or provided with vessels or ducts.
189s Pop. Sci. Motithly Feb. 499 The vesseled thorns, .are
disposed in a fixed and regular manner.
tVe'SSelling. Obs. rare. [f. Vessel sb.^ +
-ingI.] Vessels collectively. (Cf. next.)
c 1440 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 410 When they beth cold, in
picched vessellynge And cleyed, close hem vp. Ibid, xi.
110 The chanels of this oil & vessel>Tige.
tVe'SSelment. Obs, [a,A¥.vessellment,OF.
vesselement, vaisselhment, etc., f. vaisselle Vessel
sbX : see -ment.] Vessels collectively, esp. church
vessels or plate.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 9338 Curteynes. or ouJ>er
vestyment, Or any oJ?er vesselement pat fallep to holy
cherches seruyse. Ibid. 0480 For sacrylage, alle J>ys ys
tolde, pat vesselment of cherche ys wybnolde. 13.. E. E.
A Hit. P. B. 1280 Dere disches of golde & dubleres fayre,
[>e vyoles & J>e vesselment of vertuous stones. Ibid, 1288.
t VeSSey. Obs. rare. Also 6 vesse (9 vesey).
[Of uncertain origin. Cf. Fesse 2.] Vessey colour,
a light-blue or sky-blue colour.
156a Leigh Armorie (1597) ii6b, Fishes, or something.,
appertaining to them. Whereof the maisterie must bee of
colour vesse, that is, the colour of the Turcas. c 1573 in
Nichols Progr. Q. Elizab. (1823) I. 413 He hath twoe
clokes, th' one of Vessey Collor garded with . .black Clothe
and twisted lace. (Hence 1826 Hor. Smith Tor Hill I.
186 A vesey-coloured cloak, guarded with black cloth, and
twisted lace of carnation. 1
Vessiole, obs. f. Vesicle.
Vest (vest), sb. Also 8 dial. west. [a. F.
veste, a. It. veste (also vesta^ robe, gown :— L. vest-
em, vestis garment, attire, clothing, cognate with
Gr. \<^Bi\s, Skr, vaslra. Cf. Sp. veste garment,
t vesta vest, Pg. veste garment, vestia vest.]
1. A loose outer garment worn by men in Eastern
countries or in ancient times ; a robe or gown.
1613SHERLEY Trav. Persia^oVfe were forced to send his
maister three verstes [sic] of cloth of gold, for beholding his
person. 1634 Sir T, Herbert Trav. 146 Their [Persians']
out Garment or Vest is commonly of Callico quilted with
Cotton. 1665 Ibid. (1677) 131 Artaxerxes the Great gave
Mithridates . . a Gown or Vest of gold which he wore during
a Royal banquet. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840)
85 The Persians make their long vests of such cloths. i7a6
Francis tr. Horace, Epist. i. vi. 63 Lucullus.. being ask d
to furnish for a Play An hundred martial Vests. 1791
CowpER Odyss. I. 555 Putting ofFhis vest Of softest texture.
1817 Sheixey Rev. Islam xt. xiv, A hermit's vest Concealed
his face. 1838 Arnold Hist, Rome I. 215 Kaeso then put
on his vest, such as the Roman generals were used to wear
in battle. 1843 Barham Ingol. Leg. Ser. 11. F'ragment, The
slanting ray of the evening sun shone . . With fitful light
on regal vest, and warrior's sculptured maiL
transf. 1643 Davenant Unfort. Lovers 1. i, Not in his
Perfume and Silks ; but in his Iron Vest. 1671 Grew Anat.
Plants i. § 3 If then we take a Bean and dissect it, we
shall find it cloathed with a doubled Vest or Coat.
b. A similar garment worn by women. Chiefly
poet.
1700 Dryden Pal. 9f Arc. iii. 193 Attended by her Maiden
Train, Who bore the Vests that Holy Rites require. 1717
Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to C'tess of Mar 18 April, I
found the lady sitting on her sofa, in a sable vest. 1759
Johnson Rasselas xxxvii. When my upper vest was taken
off, they were apparently struck with the splendour of my
clothes. 1757S0UTHEY Triumph Woman 30 Thydaughters
..for this nigh feast Weave the loose robe, and paint the
flowery vest. i8oi Scott Glenfinlas xii, O gentle hunts-
man, hast thou seen.. A lovely maid in vest of green? 1810
— Leidy of Lake iv. xii.
O. A garment, in various fig. uses.
165s H. Vaughan Silex Scint. 118 The fair woods ..
flourished in that youthful vest With which their great
Creator had them drest. 1678 Cudworth Intel I, Syst. i.
v. ^(p The Ancient Asserters of the Souls Immortality, sup-
posing it to have besides this Terrestrial Body another
Spirituous or Airy Body.. as its Interiour Vest or Tunicle.
1746 Collins Ode Poet. Charac. 45 Truth, in sunny vest
array'd. 1781 CowpER Charity it-z When ev'ning in her
sober vest Drew the grey curtain of the fading west. i8ao
Shelley Witch A tl. Bed. v, Light the vest of flowing metre
She wears.
t d. Without article. Clothing, attire. rare~^,
1694 MoTTEUx Rabelais v. 252 Our Means of Life are
Pote, and Cibe, and Vest.
2. An ecclesiastical vestment, rare.
1663 Pepvs Diary 16 Feb., A priest was taken in his vests
officiating somewhere in Holbornc the other day. a 1700
Evelyn Diary 17 Nov. 1644, The precious vessels of gold,
silver, and gems, with the vests and services to be seene
in the Sacristy. 173a Lediard Sethos II. viii. 222 The
VEST.
initiate's vest.. hung out under my cuirass. 1839 Cassan
Bps. Bath 4- iVells 162 He gave also many splendid vests
to the Churches of Bath and Wells.
3. a. A sleeveless garment of some length
worn by men beneath the coat. (Introduced by
Charles II ; see first quot.) Now? Hist. b. A
short garment worn beneath the coat or jacket as
a nsual part of male attire ; a waistcoat.
l6«« Pepvs Diary 8 Oct., Vhe King hath yesterday, in
Council, declared his resolution of setting a fashion for
clothes. . . It will be a vest, 1 know not well how ; but it is
• to teach the nobility thrift. Ibid, 15 Oct., This day the
King begins to put on his vest;. .being a long cassocke
close to the body, of black cloth, and pinked with white silk
under it, and a coat over it, and the legs rutHed with black
riband like a pigeon's leg. 1667 in Vertiey Mem. (1907) II.
300, 1 doubt the old fellow must have a new vest and tunick.
z668 Etheredgk She rvoutd if she cottldiw. iii, You are not
To learn.. how absolutely necessary A rich Vest and a
Perruque are to a man that aims At their favours. 171a
Overseers' Ace. Holy Crass, Canterb., Payd for mackin a
west and briches for gouddins child, [^Jo. i. 6. i8t8 Scott
Roi Roy V, She wore.. a coat, vest, and hat, resembling
those of a man. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair lix, Provided
with some of the most splendid vests that Calcutta could
furnish. 1907 Dully .Veios 3 Sept. 3/2 Lightish striped
cashmere trousers would not be correct.. if worn with a
dark blue coat and vest.
trans/. 1830 Whittier Mogf Megone 1237 The rivets of
the vest Which girds in steel his ample breast. 1863 Bates
Nat. Amazon viii. (1864) 220 A bird resembling our starling
in size . . and not unlike it in colour with the exception of the
rich rosy vest. 1876 Hollasd Sev. Oaks i. Among the
charms that dangled from this liquid chain— depending from
the vest of a landscape, which ended in a ruffle of woods.
O. A knitted or woven undergarment for the
upper part of the body, worn next to the skin.
i8ji Catiit. Gt. F.xhlb. iii. 583/1 Cotton,. .spun silk,
merino and Cashmere gentlemen's and ladies* vests. 1883
' SVLVIA ' Lady's Guide to Home Dressm. », Millinery xiiL
107 [List of under-linen], 4 merino vests, [/Jo 5 9.
d. Part of a woman's dress bodice, consisting of
a collar and front, asoally of lace, net, silk, or other
soft material.
1887 Lady's IVorld June 256/1 Vests of spotted kersey,
mere, .are made with military collars and two pockets. X913
Daily Graphic 26 Mar. 12/4 The bodices having vests ana
collars of ecru lace. 1913 flay Pictorial Ho. 134P. ii/i It
(a ' waistcoat blotLse '] has a soft net vest that ends in short
sharp points.
e. atlrib. and Comb., as vtst-maker, -pocket;
also vest-pooket voter U.S. (see quot. 1883).
1813 Mass. Spy 3 Dec. (Thornton), He found him asleep,
took from his vest pocket the key [etc.]. i8>8 Webster,
I'estlng, cloth for vests; vest patterns. 1879 G. W. Cable
Grandlsslmes xliii, I could be a confectioner, a milliner, a
dressmaker, a vest-maker. 1883 in Bryce Amer. Comiinv.
(1888) III. V. Ixxxix. 217 The class of 'vest-pocket voters'
— men who come to the polls with their tickets made up,
to the confusion of ' the boys.'
Vest (vest), V. Also 5 Sc. west. [ad. OF.
vestir (mod.F. vetir, = Sp. and Pg. vestir. It.
vestire) :— L. vestire to clothe, f. veslis clothing :
see prec.]
I. 1. trans. To place, settle, or secure (some-
thing) in the possession of a person or persons ;
= Invest v. 6. Chiefly in passive, and usually j
const, in (rarely upon or vnth). a. \Vith reference I
to estates, rights, titles, etc. I
e 1415 Wyntoi;n Cron. viil xL 7089 Al Gascon wi)>e >>e ,
portynance To be insesit and westit He and al his ayris
ijwhit. J47S Rolls o/Parlt. VI. 147/1 That all such astate,
title, right,.. and possession .. in the same persone and
persones and their heires be vested. 1503-4 Act 19 Hen.
yil, c. 34 § 7 The seid Castels .. [shall] in the same persone
or persones and their heires be vested and they therin be
intiteled. 1585 Holinsmed Hist. Scot, in Chron. II. 244/a '
The ri§ht of which countie king Dauid affirmed to be
iustlie m him.. as truelie vested in his possession by the
forfeiture. 1650 yimi. Hammond's Addr. |6o. 24 What is
vested in me, I may give or derive to another; what is
intrusted onely, I cannot. 1651 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng.
II. viii. (1739) 53 No Legiance is due to him, before the Crown
IS vested upon him. 1701 Lond. Gaz. No. 3830/4 Until all the
said Estates and Interests vested in them are disposed of.
1758 in Naime Peerage Evid. (1874) 68 The late act of
parliament vesting the estates of certain traitors in his
majesty. 1818 Cruisb Digest (ed. 2) II. 22 There were no
words to vest the portions in the daughters till a marriage
with consent. 1847 Bright Sp., Ireland 13 Dec (1876) 1^3
A bill with this title to vest the ownership of the land with
the present occupiers. i8«8 Ld. St. Leonards Handy Bk.
Prop. Law xvi. 107 The Court may direct the parts so laid
out to remain vested in the trustees.
b. With reference to power or authority.
1659 Hammond Oh Ps. Ixxx. 17 By which the power is
vested on him. 1671 Marvill Reh. Traiisp. u 98 The
Government of Religion was vested in Princes by an ante-
cedent right to ChrisL 1691 T. H(ai.e] Acc. New Invent.
p. Ixxxvu, That power of abating Nusances . . is vested in
both of their Offices, both by Grant and Prescription. 1756
C. Lucas Ess. Waters III. 244 There is a particular jurST
diction vested in the officers. 1774 Pennant Tour Scott, in
'77^t .45 The right of voting is vested by burgess tenure in
certain houses. i8ai W«lleslev in Owen Desp. (1877) 210
It IS my intention to proceed immediately to vest the
administration of the ceded districts in the hands of the
Company's civil servants. 1841 Elphinstone Hist. India
I. 37 The government of the society thus constituted was
vested in an absolute monarch. 1867 Freeman Norm. Cony.
'•533 That va?ue power of recommending a successor
which the Law vested in him.
C. transf,
1*49 RusKiN Stv. Lamps v. fai. 157 If completeness is
159
thought to be vested in polish, and to be attainable by help
of sand paper. 1852 Thackeray Esmond i. iii, Proud of
this confidence and secret vested in him.
2. To put, place, or establish (a person) in full
or legal possession or occupation of something ;
= Invest v. 5. Chiefly in passive, and usually
const, in (or t ?/^)-
In early use only Sc. in the phrase vested (also vest) and
seized.
1464 in Acc. Fam. Innes (1864) 78 The said schir Robert
deyt last ves(t]it and sesit as of fee. 1488 Acta Dom. Audit.
(1839) '^3/2 It beis piefit (>at Williame |)e barde deit last
westit and Sesit in t>e said landis. 1557 Rec. Inverness
(New Spald. 01.) 1.6 For sesing takyn of all landis Wilyam
Paterson his fadyr deit last vestit and sesit conforme to his
serwing. IS97 Burgk Rec. Glasgo^u (liib) I. 186 All landis,
rowmes, heretageis,. .quhairin he deitt last vest and seasit.
167a Petty Pol. Anal. (1691) 329 Of which the Irish that
are vested by restoration, seem rather to take part with the
divested. 174J Fielding Tom Jones ix. iv, The sergeant
I presently inquired for the principal magistrate of the town,
I and was informed by my landlord that he himself was vested
in that office, a 1774 Goldsm. Hist. Greece I. io3 Kliltiades
thus vested in the supreme command [etc.]. 1905 Times
8 June 6/4 The Government proposed that the Free Church
should be vested in the property to be allocated to her.
Jig. 1654 H. L'Estrangk Chas. I (1655) 126 Not all his
most gracious and debonair mine towards them could vest
him in that Nations affections, f 1680 Beveridce Serm.
(1729) I. 29 In order to their being actually vested in that
salvation. 1705 Stanhope /"ara/Ar. II. 442 All, who partake
of this Nature, are not onljj certain of, but may in some
sense be said already vested in, the Happiness, which [etc.].
b. To invest (a person) witA some quality, esp.
power, authority, etc. Chiefly in passive.
1674 Owen Holy Spirit (1693) 126 It is his Person as
vested with all his Offices, that is the immediate Fountain
of all Grace unto us. 1699 Burnet 29 Art. iv. (1700) 67 He
is vested with an unconceivable hign degree of Glory, 1719
De Foe Crusoe 11. (Globe) 574 God's most glorious and
best Creature,. . vested with a reasonable Soul- 1717 —
Hist. Appar. iv. (1840) 32 They may be reasonably sup-
posed to be vested with the same powers. 1771 Goldsm.
Hist. Eng. IV. 13 [He was] created a peer, and was soon
after vested with the dignity of chancellor. 1797 Ht. Lee
Canterb. T., Old Woman's T. (IJ99! I. 361 [Thou] art
vested with the mission of thy.. king. 1803 in Gurwood
Wellington's Desp. (18^7) II. 50 note, I further vest you
with full powers to decide any question which may arise.
1817 Jas. Mill Brit. Indiall. iv. ix. 288 To vest the officers
of the Crown in India with powers independent of the
Company. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India I. 227 The
Indian Government was vested with the power of sove-
reignty within its own limits.
o. To endow formally or legally with some
possession or property.
1756 Anson's Voyages (eA.%) \. v. 70 This company, in
consideration of a sum paid to the king, is vested with the
property of all diamonds found in Brazil. 1858 in J. B.
Norton Topics 246 We propose .. that every ryot should be
vested with the freeholtl of his farm.
3. intr. To become vested (in a person) ; to pass
into possession ; to descend or devolve upon one as
possessor.
IS9> West \st Pt. Symbol. $ 44 Euerie estate either
executed maintenant, or executorie by limitation of use,
which vesteth in possession by vertue of the Statute of 27
H. 8. 1847 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. xli. (1739) 66 In
those days the title vested not unless the Child opened his
eyes, a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1766) II. 137 If the Duke
came to be King, the prerogative would by that vest in
him. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. 196 For the right of the
crown vests, .upon his heir. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) VI.
500 The Court held.. that the whole estate vested in L.
his executors and administrators. 1827 Jarman Powells
Devises 1 1. 223 The principle . . does not apply, if there be an
express declaration that the land shall vest at twenty.one.
1865 Lowell Reconstruct. Prose Wks. 1890 V. 227 In all
cases of land granted to freedmen no title should vest till a
fair price had been paid. 1885 Sir R. Bacgallav in Law
Times' Rep. LII. 671/2 The property vests in the official
receiver oua trustee.
n. 4. trans. In pa. pple. : Dressed, clothed,
robed in some garment. Also without const.
{spec, with reference to ecclesiastical vestments).
1513 Douglas Mnetd vil. ii. 3 And heich abuf. .cleirlie
schane Aurora vestit into broun sanguane. Ibid. xi. 29 In
rob ryall vestit,. .And ryche purpour. 1581 N. T. (Rhem.)
Rev. 1. 13 One like to the Sonne of man, vested in a priestly
garment to the foote. i6n I. W. Ouiiin's Sp. Gram. 297 He
..sales that a Frier stayes for you readie vested at the Altar.
c 165s Milton Sonn. xxiii. My late espoused Saint. .Came
vested all in white, pure as her mind, a 1668 Davenant
Fair Favorite Wks. (1673) 97 Your Brother (Madam) and
he brings A Lady with him, vested like a Nun. 17x8 Ozell
Ir. Tourr.efort's Voy. I. 92 The Priest being vested, sets
about the Preparation of the Bread and Wine at the little
Altar. i;r6i Brit. Mag. II. 362 On the dexter side, a pil-
grim or friar, vested in russet. 1849 Rock Ch. of Fathers
l.v.(iy)3) I. 328 The thurifers and taper-bearers, in our large
collegiate and cathedral churches, were vested in tunicles.
1859 Jephson Brittany vi. 76 A priest, vested in surplice
and stole.
b. transf. s.nd.fig. Also const, with.
1679 Drydkn Troll, tf Cress. Pref, Ess. (Ker) I. 219
Spirits, according to Plato, are vested with a subtle body.
a 1706 Evelyn Hist. Pelig. (1850) I. 81 We see other living
creatures come vested, armed, able immediately to find their
pasture, a 1711 Prior Dial, ietiv. Charles ff Clenard T 18
Hast thou not seen me . . vested in all the Types and Orna-
ments that Human Greatness is capable of receiving. 1805
D_. Johnston Serm. for Blind ^^ The brightest ornaments
with which our natures can be vested. 1865 Neale Hymns
Paradise 8 The Saints, in beauty vested.
5. Of a garment : To clothe or cover (a person).
Mfjofig. Cf. Invest v. i b.
VESTA.
1581 Stanvhurst jEneis \. (Arb.) 38 Which plad vested
Helen, from Greece when to Troy she flitted. i8ia Cary
Dante, Parad. XXL 59 The light that vests me.
6. To dress (a person) in a robe or garment, esp.
as a formal act or ceremony. Cf. Invest v. i.
In the 17th cenL chiefly with reference to Oriental usage
1648 W L. Ncwesfr. Turkie 7 My Lord was privatly
informed he intended an affront by not Vesting him 1670
Clarendon Hist. Reb. xv. §47 The Speaker .. vested him
with a rich purple Velvet Robe lined with Ermines. 1695
Voy. Eng. Merch. to Tadtnor in Misc. Cur. (1708) III. 130
To draw him near the City, he vested and caressed some of
his Followers. 1840 H. Jolly Sunday Services 219 The
words formerly pronounced at vesting the baptized with
their white garments, were very solemnly exprtssive. 1868
Gladstone Juv. Muttdi viii. 292 The Charites receive her
on her return from the scene of the Net to Cyprus, where
they bathe, anoint, and vest her.
fig. 1639 G. Daniel Ecclus. ii. 71 Prepare their hearts,
and in Humilitye New vest their Soules.
b. Eccl. To diape or cover (an altar).
1867 Portuary Calendar p. v, Our right.. to vest the
Altar in colours . . is grounded on the old law of the English
church. 1874 MiCKLETHWAlTE Mod. Par. Churches 305 It
IS best for the ends as well as the front of an altar to be
vested. 18^5 Eiicycl. Brit. I. 641/2 Altars are 'vested'
during service; that is, covered with cloths of various
kinds.
7. refl. To apparel or robe (oneself), esp. in
ecclesiastical vestments. Also /f^.
a 1668 Lassels Voy. Italy (1698) 1. 41 Thinking it had
been a priest putting on the amice and vesting himself to
say Mass. vjv] De Foe Hist. Appar. iv. (1840) 30 If we
grant that spirit, may vest itself so with flesh and blood.
1748 Richardson Clarissa (181 1) VIII. 63, 1 shall vest my-
self, as I may say, in classical armour, c 1771 in E. H.
Burton Life Bp. Challoner {igoCf) I. ix. 140 Just before the
Bishop vested hiinself to say Mass. 189a C. E. Norton
Dante's Parad. iii. 17 There are who vest and veil them-
selves. 1905 R. Bagot Passport xvii. 159 Don Agostino
disappeared into the sacristy to vest himself.
b. absol. in tiie same sense.
188a Maskell Anc. Liturgy Ch. Eng. (ed. 3) 219 A com-
mon custom . . that thepriest (whether or not he vested before
the altar) should vest in the sanctuary. 1892 in A. E. Lee
Hist. Columbus (Ohio) II. 657 Ihe imposing procession.,
moved . . up the main aisle to the sanctuary where the
celebrant vested.
IIL 8. trans. — Invest v. o. Now rare or
Ois.
1710 De Foe Crusoe i. (Globe) 36 The Merchant, .vesting
this Hundred Pounds in English Goods. 1771 H. Walpolk
Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) IV. 139 He was then in good
circumstances, and it was said came to vest his money in
our stocks. 1794 Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 247 He vested in
some kind of property.. all, or almost all, that he had
brought out of France. 1804 Earl Lauderd. Publ. Wealth
(1819) 178 He vests his capital either in seed.. or in a stock
of cattle. 184s M'CuLLOCH Taxation Introd. (1852) ii
Her capitalists were tempted to vest very large sums in
foreign countries. 1863 [see Vested ppl. a. 3).
Vest, southern SlE. var. Fast o. ; obs. Sc. f.
West.
II Vesta (ve-sta). Also4Ve«te. [L. K«/a,the
goddess of that name (see sense 1) answering to
the Gr. 'EtrTia, identical with koTta hearth, house,
household.]
1. Mythol. A Roman femaledivinity, the daughter
of Saturn, goddess of the hearth and household.
1387 Trevisa Higden iRolls) III. 73 He jaf a temple.,
wif fyre to (>e goddes Vesta and here maydenes to be
worschippcd. 1300 Gower Conf. II. 157 Sche which was
the Prioresse In Vestes temple the gcddesse. 1513 Douglas
jUneid 11. v. 91 The..garlandis Of Vesta, goddes of the
erd and fyre. 1589 Greene Roumielay Poems (1876) 102
Vesta's virgins with their holy fires Do cleanse the thoughts
that fancy hath defiled. x6oo Holland Livy xxviii. xi. 676
Ihe minds of men were put in feare, for the going out of the
fire in the chappell of Vesta. ^633 Milton Penserosoi-} \a
thou art higher far descended, Thee brighthair'd Vesta..
To solitary Saturn bore. 1697 Dryden /Eneid 11. 395 He
said, and brought me.. The venerable statues of the gods,
With ancient Vesta from the sacred choir. 1718 Chambers
Cycl. s.v. Vestals, The Romans were not the only People
who kept the perpetual Fire of Vesta, in imitation of the
celestial Fires. i8ao Shelley Witch All. xxxiv, Couchetl
..as on Vesta's sceptre a swift flame. 1843 Penny Cycl.
XXVI. 285/1 Vesta was regarded as the goddess of domestic
union and happiness. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 193/1 If
ever the sacred fire of Vesta did go out, the negligent vestal
was to be punbhed by scourging.
altrib. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 193/1 Fire was solemnly
sent from the prytaneum or Vesta temple of the mother
colony.
2. Astr. One of the minor planets, revolving in
an orbit between Mars and Jupiter.
tier) Phil. Trans. XCVH. 245 Observations and Measure-
ments of the Planet Vesta. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 285/2
Vesta performs its revolution in about 1326 mean solar
days. x868 Lockyer Guillemin's Heavens (^6. 2) ^'^a'^^^
distance, and other elements of the orbit of Vesta, presented
serious differences both with this theory and Bode's law.
3. Used as the distinctive name of a special make
of household stove.
1843 PennyCycl. XXVIL 68/2 In. .the ' Vesta stove ',. .
the ashes can be raked from the grate .. without any dust
rising into the room. 1843 Civil Eng. ^ Arch. Jml. VI.
422/2 The various stoves, Vesta, Chunk, &c., . . are all
founded on the Arnott Stove.
4. A kind of wax match. Orig. atlrib.
1839 Cath. Sinclair Holiday House ii. 25 Laura after-
wards singed a hole in her muslin frock, while lighting
one of the Vesta matches to seal these numerous notes.
i8s7 Act 20 <• 21 Vict. c. 62 § 2 The following Duties of
Customs sliall he charged :..Lucifers, Vesta, of Wax, the
VESTAL.
ipoo Matches, 0.0.0^. 1859 Cornwali.is Panorattta New
ly^rlti I. 326 Wax vesla-s pipes, maccaroni, and candles,
1863 Abkl in Z^*/. (etc.) J'hr'L Mag, Nov. 356 Varieties
of wax or Vesta matches. 1864 Strauss, etc Eng, Work-
sho^t ^33 The vesta boxes are put in parcels of half-a-dozen
and one dozen. 1886 D,C. Murray tint Person Singular
xix, Frost's trembling fingers had to strike one or two vestas.
1899 T. M. Ellis Three C at* s-tye Rings (>Z The major pulled
a xesta-case from his pocket.
Vestal (vestal), a. and sb. [ad. L. vestalis^ f,
Vesta Vesta. So Sp. and Pg. vestal^ It. and F.
vestaU,'\
A. adj, 1. Vestal virgin^ one of the priestesses
(originally four, subsequently six in number) who
had charge of the sacred fire in the temple of Vesta
at Ronae.
>43*-So tr. Higden (Rolls) IV. 473 Cornelia, the most
noble of virgynes vestalle, . . was put m to therthe on lyve.
1^33 Reli.endem Lrfy 11. xix. (S.T.S.) 1. 202 pai condamp-
nuOppia J>e \-irgine vestal for hir Incest. 1600 Hoi.lanij
Lrty I. XX. 14 Numa. .instituted also a Nuntierie as it
were, of religious vestall virgines. Ihid. xxviii. xi. 676
The Vestall virgin who had the charge that night, .was. .
throughly skourged. 160a tr. Sailusi 20 Cataline had..
Debauch d a Lady of Noble Extraction, and a Vestal
Virgin. 1710 W. King Heathen Gods ^ Heroes ix. (1722)
26 The Vestal Virgin Claudia, whose, .freedom of Behaviour
had made her Modesty suspected. 1770 Lanciiorne
Plutarch (1851) II. 882/2 What is there in Rome so sacred
and venerable as the vestal virgins who keep the perpetual
fire? 1865 Lecky Ration, (1878) I. 23 'llie miracles which
clustered so thickly around the vestal virgins. 1891 Farrar
Darkn. ^ Daxvn xlix, In defiance of every law. .he had
recently seized Rubria, one of the Vestal Virgins.
2. Offire, etc. : Of or j>ertainiiig to Vesta,
>S99 Brou^htons Let, xii. 40 'Ihey counted it vnlawfull
to refresh the Vestall fire. i6a7 Drayton ShepK Sirena 53
My coate with light should shine. Purer then the Vestall
fire. 1697 Drvden Virg, Georg. iv. 553 Shesprinkl'd thrice,
with Wine, the Vestal Fire. 178a V. Knox Ess. cxiv. (1819)
II. 287 Those institution^.. have still kept the light burning
like the vestaj fire. 179a S. Rogers Pleas. Menu Poems
(1839) 4 Oblivion steals upon her vestal-lamp. 1853 Kane
Grinntll Exi, xxxiv. (1S56) 301 Three stoves and a cooking-
galley, four Argand and three bear.fat lamps, burn with the
constancy of a vestal shrine.
fi^- '75» Young Brothers i. i, Thou in whose eye, so
modest, and so bright, Love ever wakes, and keeps a vestal
fire. 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam Ded. xi, Through thine
eyes, even in thy soul I see A lamp of vestal fire burning
interoally. 1853 Chr. Rnnembrancer }^,\\, 70 Then it was
that the Jeromes and the E'lstochiums retired .. from a
world whose light seemed on the eve of extinction, to nurse
the vestal fire which was never to be really put out
3. Resembling a priestess of Vesta in respect of
chastity ; chaste, pure, virgin.
"SJS Locrine v. iv. 5^ Beleeue me, Locrine, but the girle
is wise. And well would seeme to make a vestall Nunne.
1705 Pope Jan. ^ May 203 Demure and chaste as any
vestal Nun. i74j> Fielding Tom Jones xv. ix, Jones had
no reason to imagine the lady to have been of the vestal kind.
i8ai Shelley Epipsych. 390 The day is come, and thou
will fly with me. To whatsoe'er of dull mortality Is mine,
remain a vestal sister still. i8aa W. Irving Bracch. Hall
xviii, Mrs Hannah, the vestal gentlewoman of my Lady
Lillycrafi, has had long walks and talks with Phoebe.
trans/. 1806 Moore Dtram Antig. i, Upon the bank
awhile 1 stood, And saw the vestal planet weep Her tears
of light on Ariel's flood. 1818 Keats Endym. 1. 874 Oft
have I brought thee flowers, on their stalks set Like vestal
primroses.
4. Pertaining to, characteristic of, a vestal virgin
or virgins; marked by chastity or purity.
159* Shaks. Rom. ^ Jul. 11. ii. 8 Her Vestal liuery is but
sicke and greene. 1594 Drayton Min. Poems (1907) 4
Since holy Vestall lawes haue been neglected. i6xt Tivo
Nohle /C.v. i. 156 This is my last Of vestall office; I am
bride habited. Hut mayden harted. X7a9 T. Cooke Tales,
eta 18 Young Men, and Virgins,.. Attend a Song fit for a
vestal Ear. i8« Shelley Q. Mad in, 68 O dear and
blessed peace [ Why dost thou shroud thy vestal purity In
penury and dungeons ? 18*5 Scott Betrothed xvii, Neccs*
sarily introducing many male guests within those vestal
precmcts. 184^ Tennyson Priuc. 11. 204 Love, whispers may
not breathe Within this vestal limit.
B. sb. 1. A vestal virgin.
iSro-80 North Plntarch's Lives, Numa (1612) 68 He
also hath the keeping of the holy virgines which they call
Vestales. Ibid. 69 [ He] taketh out . . the condemned Vestall,
muffled vp close. 1616 Bullokar Eng. Exp, s.v., These
Vestals were first instituted by Numa Pompilius, or as
some write, by Romulus. 1671 Phillips (ed. 3) s.v. Vesta,
Certain Virgins called Vestalls, who were to take care of the
Vestal fire. iTaa J, Richardson A cc. Statnes, etc Italy,
etc 135 The Head of the young Vestal was the most engag-
ing thmg I had seen in Italy. 1740 J. Dupr£ Conform.
Anc.f[ Mod. Cerem. 47 The Chief of the Vestals was called
Maxima. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. {1776) 11. 265 A. .face
formed exactly like the Venus of Medicis, or the sleeping
vestal. 1843 Penny CycL XXVI. 286/1 The habits which
the vestals nad acquired during their priesthood. 1869
Lbcky Europ. Mor. I. iii. 433 iwte. The vestal Urbinia was
buried alive on account of a plague.
yff. and transf. i«94 Drayton Min, Poems (1907) 4 Here
Chastity that Vestall most diuine, Attends that Lampe with
eye which neucr sleepeth. 1767 Sterne Tr. Shandy ix.
xvii, I keep neither man or Doy,..or any thing that can
eat or drink, exctpt a thin, poor piece of a Vestal (to keep
my fire in). i8s8 Hawthorne Eanskawe iv, A flame, .which
Hugh was so far a vestal as to supply with its necessary
fuel at all .seasons of the year.
2. A virgin ; a chaste woman ; a nun,
1590 Shaks. Mids. N. \i, i. 158 A certaine aime he tooke
At a faire Vestall, throned by the West. 1593 Nashe
Christ's T. 80 .\ grosse-pencild Painter, who., vnder colour
(rf" drawing of pictures, drawes more to his shady Pauilion,
160
then depart thence pure Vestals. 1608 Shaks. Per. iv. v. 7
Shall's go hear the vestals sing? 1717 Pope Eloisa to
Abelard 207 How happy is the blameless vestal's lot !
The world forgetting, by the world forgot. 1784 Cowper
Tc^k IV. 554 The stain Appears a spot upon a vestal's robe.
The worse for what it soils. 1848 Ihackerav Van. Fair
X, She was the most hospitable and jovial of old vestals,
and had been a beauty in her day. 1879 Gladstone Glean.
II. i. 10 He States that he never knew souls more polluted
than those of some of the professed vestals of the Church.
Hence Ve'stalshlp, the state or condition of
being a vestal or virgin,
1893 F, Thompson Poems 42 A mouth too red for the
moon to buss it, But her cheek unvow its vestalship.
t VeBtament, erroneous var. of Vestiment or
Vestment.
z63a Massinger & Field Fatal Do7vty iv. i. H j b, His
vestaments sit, as if they grew vpon him.
Veste, southern ME. var. Fast v. and adv.^
Fist i-^.i
Vested (vested), ///. a. [f. Vest v. + -ed.]
1. Clothed, robed, dressed, spec, in ecclesiastical
vestments. Also^^.
1671 Milton/*.^, l 257 Just Simeon and Prophetic Anna
..spake Before the Altar and the vested Priest. 1769
Goldsm. Des. Vill. 360 The cooling brook, the grassy vested
green. 1841 Chalmers in Hanna Mem. (1852) IV. 256 Why
do I not go forth as a forgiven and vested creature. 184a
WoRDsw. Eccles, So/tn. ni. xxvi. The Vested Priest before
the Altar stands.
b. //er. (See quot.)
ri8a8 Bkrry Encycl. Her. I. Gloss., Vested, habited, or
clothed, as a cubit arm, &c. vested az. or the like.
2. Established, secured, or settled in the hands of,
or definitely assigned to, a certain possessor.
1766 Blackstone Comm. II. i68 K^j/#<^ remainders, .are
where the estate is invariably fixed, to remain to a deter-
minate person, after the particular estate is spent. Ibid.
513 A legacy to one, to be paid when .he attains the age of
twenty-one years, is a 7'«/^f/ legacy. 1818 Cruise Digest
(ed. 2) VI. 185 He held it to lie a vested estate in fee in the
son. x83a Lewis Use 9f Ab. Pol, Terms iii. 25 In its legal
sense, vested is opposed to contingent. 1845 Williams Real
Prop. 241 The alienation of an executory interest, before
its becoming an actually Vested estate. 1868 £. Edwards
Ralegh I. Introd. p. xlv, After, .months of .struggle with
the vested privileges of record-keepers,
b. esp. with right or interest. Ahojig.
(a) A 1797 J. P. Andrews Man. Constit. 211 (Thornton),
Violativeof a vested legal right. iSmAusun yurispr. App.
p. xxxiv, Vested rights essentially differ .. from rights
which are contingent. 1848 Mill Pol. £con,i. ix. § 3(1876)
89 The vested right which Parliament has allowed to be
acquired by the existing companies. 1858 J. Maktineau
Stud. Chr. 285 Let its vested right, of paying out the
truth, be flung into the free air of history. 1876 Digbv
Real Prop. V. § 3. 233 It is not such a right as the law
regards as vested, that is, as completely created.
{b) 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) V. 481 The limitation.,
gave him an immediate vested interest in the surplus of the
estate. 184a Abuy I Vater Cure (1S42) 154 Finding that new
truths have not as many vested interests to recommend
them as old fallacies. 1859 Mill Liberty iv. (1865) 53/1
The doctrine ascribes to all mankind a vested interest in
each other's moral, intellectual, and even physical perfec-
tion. 1889 W. DoNisTHOftPV. Individualism iv. 122 Vested
interests may perhaps be defined as rights based not upon
contract but upon custom.
3. Invested.
1863 P. Barry Dockyard Econ. 20 The returns for vested
capital and the comfort of the working classes both [being]
considered.
Vestee*. taw. rare. [f. Vest v. + -ee.] One
who is vested with a right, property, etc.
1879 Austin's yurispr. 1 1. Hi. 883 Subject to a series of
vested rights (descendible perhaps from present vestees),
Vesten, southern ME. variant of Fast v.
Ve'Ster. rare. [f. Vest v. 8.] One who in-
vests money ; an investor.
i8a9 Southev Lett. (1856) IV. 146 They declare that their
vesters aim at. .a community in land and in goods,
tVesterer. Obs. rare. In 4 westerer. [t.
vester-ie Vestry, or OF. vestier vestiary.] A
person having charge of vestments,
1388 in Archaeol. LII. 213 Fyrste the westerer shall lay
the abbot es cope lowest opon the awier w*in the sayd westi e.
Vesterle, obs. form of Vestry 1.
+ Vesteye, I'. Obs. rare. Also vestoy-. [app.
ad. an unrecorded AF. *vesteier^ OF. *vestoier^
of obscure origin.] trans. To inspect, examine.
Hence f Vesteying vbl. sb.
ti4io Master 0/ Game (MS. Digby 182) xxv, It is to
weten )>at ofte tyme a deere is herbored with vestoynge of
mannys eye. Ibid, xxx, If hb lymer be dislaue, late him
vesteye it with his eye. Ibid, xxxiii, And if )>e lymer ouer-
shete, or kan not put it forth, euery hunter bat ^ere is, ought
to go somedele a broode forto se yf j»ei may fynde Jjc
leghtes with vesteynge of eye.
Vestiarian (vesti|e»'rian), a. [f. Vestiar-y
-t--IAN.]
1. Ofor relating to, concerned with, ecclesiastical
vestments or their use.
1850 Marsden Early Purit. (1853) ig The question of
the habits, or as it has since been termed the vestiarian
controversy. 1866 Contemp. Rev. II. 557 The ecclesiastical
Adria, agitated by ritualistic and vestiarian gales, has
thrown up a great heap of pamphlets. x88i Guardian 16
Feb. 2^2/3 We shoula have been well pleased had these
vestiarian differences never found place amongst us.
2. Of, belonging or peculiar to, clothing or
dress ; vestiary. rare~^.
VESTIBULARY.
_ 1854 R. H. Patterson Ess. Hist. ^ .-ir/(i862) 34 Whiten,
ing of the seams — a disagreeable vestiarian phenomenon
produced by the surface, or best-coloured portion, of the
cloth being rubbed off.
t Vestiarier. Obs. rare~°. Also vefltyaryer(e,
[t. med.L. v^stidrius sb, Cf, OF. vestiaricur
^^Godef.),] = Vesterer.
c\^ Promp. Parv. 509/1 Vestyarycr [printed -cej (A*,
vestiariere [ii'VwM. MS. vestyarycrej, P. vestyar), r-w//.
arius.
II Vestia*rium , rare. [L. vesHdrium, f. vesti-s
clothes, clothing : sec-ARiUM.] A vestiary, vestry.
185s Thackeray Netvcomes xliv, The chapel by the little
door near to the Vestiarium. il^s Encycl. Brit. I. 13/1
The upper story of the refectory [in a Benedictine abbeyj
is the 'vestiarium*, where the ordinary clothes of the
brethien were kept.
Vestiary (.ve-sti,ari), sb. Forms: 3-6 vesti-
arie, 4 vestiare, 5 vestyarye, -iarye, 5- vesti-
ary, [a. OF, vesliarie, vcstiaire^ vestyairCf etc.
(mod.F. vesliaire, = Vr. vesliari, Pg. and It. vesli-
ario)y or ad. L. veslidriuni clothes-chest, wardrobe,
neut. sing, of vestidrias adj., f. vesti-s clothing,
vesture. Cf. Vestlaky.]
I. 1. A vestry of a church. Now rare or Obs.
cia9o .S". Eng. Leg. I, 455 A lodlich cloth he boujhte for
fif panes J to ^e bischope he gan it bringue. J)e bischop eode
into Jje vestiarie ; is Cope he gan of strepe. 1417-8 Rec.
St. Mary at Hill (1005) 69 For a plomer on Jje vestyarye.
1448 Hen. VI Will in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) 1.
354 The vestiarie to be sette oon the north syde of the saide
Quere. 1503 in Blyth Hist. Notices ^ Rec. Fincham (1863)
57 My bodye to be beryed in the vestiary of Sent Martyiis
Chirche. 1551 T. Wilson Logike (1580) 57 b, The Church,
the pulpite, the vestiarie, the chauncell. 16^ 1". Smith in
Phil. Trans. (1697) XIX. 604 Toward one end of the
English Church, just by the Vestiary, 1717 Bailey (vol.
II), Vestiary, a Vestry or Dressing-Koom. 1819 W.
Tennant Papistyy Storm'd (1827) 212 And monie ane that
day did herrie Braw spulyie frae the vestiary. 1841 Greslfv
For. Arden (1842) 61 The service being at length finished,
..he returned to the Vestiary. 1866 Mrs. k. T. Ritchie
Village on Cli_^\\\\, The cure. -walked thiough bis wild
overgrown wilderness to the vestiary.
b. A room or building, esp, one in a monastery
or other large establishment, in which clothes are
kept. Also, a cloak-room (quot. 1893).
^1450 Capgrave Life St. Aug. 41, I haue do mad 50U
clothis & hosyn and schon..whech I wil bat )»ei be kept in
a comon vestiary, )>at euery man may haue part as him
nedith. 1467-8 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V, 596/2 Davy Chirke,
Yoman of oure Vestiarye of oure Houshold, 1706 Phillii-s
(ed. Kersey), Vestiary, a place in a Alonastery, where the
Plonks Cloaths are laid up; the Friers Wardrobe, i860
AiNswoRTH Ovingdenn Grange 157 The room.. being used,
at the present day, as a vestiary. 186a Sir H. Taylor St.
Clement's Eve ji, i, Go to the vestiary, wherein thou'lt find
Provision of all garbs for the masqued ball. 1893 McCarthy
Red Diamonds IL 161 *A11 right,' said Granton,. .turning
to the vestiary for his light overcoat.
fc. (See quot.) Obs."^
1656 Blount Glossogr. (copying Cooper), Vestiary, ,.^
Wardrobe, Press, or Chest, where apparel is laid, iHence
in Phillips, and recent Diets.]
t2. = Vestibule 1. Cf. Vestry i b. Obs. rare.
138a Wyclif Exod. XXXV. 17 The tenlis in the ;atb of the
vestiarie [L. in /or i bus vestibuli\. 138J — 2 Sam. xvii. 18
Thei wenten in a swift paase in the hows of a maner man in
Bahuryni, that hadde a pit in his vestiarye.
H. 3. Clothes, dress, garments, rare^^.
1846 Landor Ima^. Conv. \V'k.s. 1. 467/1 1 hy versicoloured
and cloudlike vestuiry, puffed and effuse, rustling and
rolling.
Vestiary (ve'stiiari), a. [ad. L, vestidri-us :
see prec. and -aky 1. Cf. obs. V .vestiaire {\Aiiri).'\
Of, i>ertaining or relating to, clothes or dress.
i6» E. MissELDEN Free 7'rade{cd, 2) 109 The Superfluity
of other Commodities may bee restrained by lawes Vestiary
and Sumptuary. 1648 Bp. Hall Select Th. §93, 271 Some
are for manuary trades, . . another for Vestiary services, 1839
Blackiv. Mag. XXV. 346 'Ihe soul may remain the same,
but a new body is actually given to it by the interposition
of vestiary talent. z866 R. CHA.vishRS Ess, Ser. 11. 113 A
collection of vestiary curiosities. 1870 W. R. Greg Polit.
Problems 167 Some vestiary materials have become more
abundant and lower in price. 1891 Han. Lynch 6". Meredith
78 We learn of vestiary elegances, and temper.
Vestible, obs. form of Vestibule.
Vestibular (vesti-bi/Jlaj), a. [f. next + -ab l.
Cf. obs. F. vestibulaire.'\ 0( or pertaining to, of
the nature of, resembling or serving as, a vesti-
bule : a, Anat. (Cf. Vestibule sb. 2.)
1836-9 Todd's Cyc.l. Anat. II. 537/1 The vestibular part
of the membraneous labyrinth, .is all that is really funda-
mental in the structure of an organ of hearing. 1851 Wood-
ward Mollusca I. (1856) 23 As in the vestibular cavities of
fishes. 187a Huxley Phys. viii,2ii The vestibular nerve
tells us that sounds are weak or loud, but gives no impres-
sion of tone or melody or harmony. x%^ Allbutt's Syit.
Med. VII. 580 The vestibular termination of the auditory
nerve.
b. In general use.
1861 Beresf. Hope Eng, Cathedr. t^th C. 158 The outer
world was fenced off by the interposed atrium or vestibular
cloister.
C. Zool. (See quot.)
1887 Sollas in Encycl. Brit. XXII. 416/1 This pseudo-
stomosis is due to a folding of the entire sponge, so as to
produce secondary canals or cavities, which may be in-
current (vestibular) or excurrent (cloacal).
I So Vesti'bulary a. rare.
I 1843 in F. H. Ramadge Curab. Consumption (1850) 37
VESTIBULE.
The. .morbid conditions of this vestibulary portion of the
respiratory apparatus.
Vestibule (ve'stibi»I), sb. Also a. 7-8 ves-
tible. [ad. L. vestibulum (hence F. vestibule,
OF. vestihk, It., Sp. and Pg. vestibulo), entrance-
court, fore-court, entrance. The origin of the L.
word is uncertain.]
1. In reference to ancient times : The enclosed or
partially enclosed space in front of the main en-
trance of a Roman or Greek house or building ;
an entrance-court or fore-court,
lii some instances approximating to next,
a. i6a3 CocKERAM I, VestibU, the porch of a dore. 1656
Blount Glossazr., Vtstible, . . a void place without the door,
a Porch, an Entry. 1753 Chambirs Cyct. Suppl. s.v.
Atrium, Some have mistakenly confounded the Atrium
with the porch or vestible, from which it was distinct. 1796
BuBNEY Mem. Melastasia II. 163 Porticos, vestibles of
temples, and other public buildings.
/3. a 1751 Bot-iNGBROKE Sttitiy Hist. ii. (1752) I. 19 The
citizens of Rome placed the images of their ancestors in the
vestibules of their houses. 1770 Lakchorne Plutarch
(1851)11. 1081/1 This tyrant. .would not suffer his guards
to do duty in the pab^ce, but only in the vestibule and
porticos about it. 1791 Cowper //iVxrfxi. 943 While ye on
preparation of the feast Attended both, Ulysses and myself
Stood in the vestibule. 1819 Keats Lamia u. 163 He met
within the murmurous vestibule His young disciple. 18x9
Shellev Cyclofs 119 (To) Throw you as balList into the
ships hold. And then deliver you, a slave, to move
Enormous rocks, or found a vestibule. 1891 Farrar
Darkn. ff Dawn i, In its vestibule was a bronze statue
fifty feet high. '
D. In modern usage : A chamber or hall immedi-
ately between the entrance-door and the interior
of a building or house (usually one of some size),
to which it gives admittance ; an ante-chamber,
entrance-hall, or lobby.
«. 1730 Bailev (fob), A I 'ettihte is also used for a Kind of
little Anti-Chamber before the Entrance of an ordinary
Apartment. 1747 in Nairne I'eeragi Evidriice (1874) 80 In
the low vestible ane old clock.
». 1756 .Mrs. Delanv in Autoliiog. f, Curr. (1861) III. 437
Her apartment is the prettiest thing I ever saw, consisting
of a skylight antechamber or vestilmie, adurned in the
Gothic way. 1797 .Mrs. Radcliffe Italian i, He was soon
admitted to a small vestibule, where he found Hianchi wind-
ing balls of silk. i8a8 .•)««. Reg. 76/1 A scene almost of
butchery took place in the staircases and vestibules. x86a
Miss Braddon Lady Audley xxxvi. The clock in the vesti.
bule struck nine as Robert opened the library-door. 1881
OwEMin Nature No. 618. 425 The impressive and rather
gloomy vestibule which leads to the great hall.
Comb. 1887 I'all .Malt G. 11 Nov. 2/2 This room opens
into a long and lofty vestibule-like chamber.
C. transf. ».nA fig.
Freq. from c 1800 j usu. const, of, as in the first group,
("I «7SS VouNO Centaur ii. Wks. 1757 '^- M' ^« '''"■''•
solemn approaches to, or dismal vestibules of, the grave.
1785 Burns Comman-pl. Bk. Oct., If ever any young man,
111 the vestibule of the world, chance to throw his eye over
these pages [etc.). 1800 .'ited. yml. III. 254 There can be
no very great deviation, while we remain at the vestibule of
useful inquiry. 1833 H. Coleridge Lives Northerns 3 A
single copy of verses [by Marvell). keeping its station in
the vestibule of Paradise Lost. 1861 ^. G. Holland Less,
Life iii. 48 To-day we stand in life's vestibule. 187s
GRiNDoNZ.r^i. 4 True figurative language is. .the vestibule
of philosophy.
(*) 17B1 Harris Philol. Eug. 11. iv. 106 Looking upon
Knowledge.. to pass into the Mansions of the Mind thro'
Language, they were careful.. not to offend in the Vesti-
bule, a 1848 k, W. Hamilton Rem, ^ f'unishm. viiHiSsj)
379 The present is the vestibule to a boundless existence.
•850 Mauricx Afor. t, .Met. Philos. (ed. 2) 131 One large
class of the Platonic Dialogues, which are the induction or
vestibule to the rest. 1873 Svmonds Grk. I'oets \. 3 Language
and Mythology form ihe vestibules and outer courts to
Homer, Pheidias, Lycur^us.
d. An enclosed and covered-in portion at either
end of a railway carriage, serving as a means of
passage from one carriage to another. Also allrib.
in vestibule train (see Vestibi'ledo.). Orig. U.S.
1880 Daily Ne7us 7 May 7/3 Communication was then
established by throwing a board across, and privacy secured
by stretching a piece of canvas above to connect the two
roofs. It was the vestibule train principle established un-
expectedly in a new quarter. 1890 T. M. Coolev, etc.
Railways Amer. 246 A perfectly enclosed vestibule of
handsome architectural appearance between the cars. 1896
Paily Nevis 14 July 9/7 The new vestibule East Coast
train.
2. Anat. (and Zool^. One or other of various
cavities or hollows regarded as forming an ap-
proach or entrance to another, usually a larger or
more important, part.
A number of these, as vestibule 0/ the aorla, larynx,
mouth, pharynx, are specified in recent encyclopedic and
medical Diets.
a. The osseous cavity which forms the central
portion of the labyrinth of the ear and is situated
between the tympanum and the internal auditory
canal, immediately behind the cochlea.
I7«8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Ear, The Labyrinth . . is divided
into three Parts; the first called the Vestibule. 178s A.
Monro -4 oa/. 72 The other [hole] ends in several very small
canals that allow a passage to the branches of the portio
mollis, .into Ihe vestibule and cochlea. 1836-9 Tod^ts Cycl.
Anat. II. 530/1 Of the compartments of the osseous laby.
rinlh, the vestibule lies in the middle, the semi.circular
canals behind it, and the cochlea in front. l8s6 Todd &
Bowman Phys. Anat. II. 96 The essential part of the organ
of hearing is the vestibule. 1884 CouES A'. Amer. Birds
Vol.. X.
161
188 The bony labyrinth consists of an irregular central
cavity, the vestibule.
b. (See tjuot. 1857.)
1841 Ramsbotham Obstetr. Medicine 55 The Meatus
Urtnarius, . . which is the canal leading to the bladder, is
situated at the further extremity of the vestibule. 1857
Bullock Caseaux Midjui/. 43 The vestibule is a small
triangular space placed at the upper part of the vulva.
1883 Duncan Clin. Led. Dis. It^om. (ed. 2) xvii. 167, I call
them inflammations of the pudendum; but they are often
called inflammations of the vulva, and sometimes of the
vestibule.
o. Membranotis vestibule, the membranous sacs
contained within the osseous vestibule of the ear.
1857 DUNOLISON Med. Lex. s.v.. There is also another
membrane, constituting the membranous vestibule, but it is
not an exact imitation of the osseous cavity.
d. Zool. ~ Vestibulum 2 b. rare.
1875 HUXLEV& Martin Elem.Biol. 87 When fa:cal matters
are discharged, they make their way out by an aperture
which is tempmarily formed in the floor of this vestibule.
Ve'Stibule, v. [Back-formation from next.]
trans. To provide or supply (a railway carriage)
with vestibules ; to unite by means of vestibules.
1891 in Cent. Diet. 1896 Westm. Gaz. 20 Apr. 2/1 The
two cars.. are ' vestibuled ' together by a central lobby.
S904_A^. ^ _Q. loth Ser. I. 346/2 Through carriages on a
certain train between London and Hull will henceforward
be ' vestibuled through ' to an express.
Ve'stibnled, a. [f. Vestibule sb.'] Of a
train : Provided with vestibules. Orig. l/.S.
'•9» T. M. CoOLEY, etc. Railways A mer. 249 The first of
the vestibuled trains went into service on the Pennsylvania
Railroad in June, 1886. 1898 lyestm. Gaz. 26 Apr. 6/4 The
vestibuled corridor dining-car trains on the East and West
Coast routes to Scotland.
Vestibnli'tis. PalA. [f. Vestibule sb. +
-ITIS.] Inflammation of the vestibule of the vulva^
1889 Duncan Clin. Led. Dis. tVom. (ed. 4) xi. 65 When
they do so women suffer.. from slight superficial inflamma-
tion—vestibulitis.
VeBtibolO'tOnXjr. Surg-, [f. as prec. : see
-Tomy.] The operation of cutting or opening the
vestibule of the ear.
^ S908 Lancet 9 May 1341/2 We have come to regard
inferior vestibulotomy as a good and'adequate means of
draining the vestibule in cases of infection.. .Double vesti-
bulotomy was performed with partial removal of the cochlea.
II Vestibulum (vesti-bi»<lom). [L.: see Vesti-
bule J*.]
1. = Vestibule//', i.
i66s J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Amiass. 286 In the
midst of the Vestibulum, there was a great Fountain. 1664
EvELYM tr. Ereart's Archil. 132 In those large Xystas,
Porticos, A trias and yestibula of the Greeks and Romans.
1699 Howe Redeemer's Dominion Wks. 1724 11.64'Having
the Keys of the Celestial House of God,.. he should also
have the Keys of the Terrestrial Bethel ; which is but a
sort of Portal or Vestibulum to the other. 1718 Ozell tr.
laume/ort's V'oy. II. v. 176 In the Vestibulum of a Convent
of Greek Nuns, there is a Chri.st very ill painted. 1834
LvTToN Pompeii 1. iii, You enter.. by a small entrance-
passage (called vestibulum) into a hall.
2. Anat. and Zool. a. ==■ Vestibule sb. 2.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, yestiiulum, is a Cavity
in the Os Petrasum, behind the Finestra Ovalis. 1716 A.
Monro Anat. loi Canals, that allow a Passage to the
Branches of the Portio mollis of the seventh Pair of Nerves,
into the Vestibulum and Cochlea. 1797 M. Baillie Morb.
Anat. (1807) 420 The external parts, particularly the inside
of the nymphx and the vestibulum. are subject to inflamma-
tion. x8oo Phil. Trans. XC. 9 The vestibulum ., is com-
pletely separated from the tympanum. 1880 GUnthek
Eishes 116 The membranous vestibulum is continued by a
canal to a single opening in the roof of the skull.
b. Zool. The cavity or chamber in certain in-
fnsorians into which the oesophagus and anus open.
1859 J. R. Greene Man. Anim. Kingd., Protozoa 56 In
addition to the oral orifice, the vestibulum is provided with
a lateral aperture which would appear to discharge the
function of an anu.s. 1875 Huxi.ev & Martin Elem. Biol.
87 A groove {in the bell-animalculej, which, at one point,
deepens and passes into a wide depression, the vestibulum.
tVestigate, z'. Obs.rare. \i.\^.vestigat-,^^\.
stem of vestlgare to track, trace out, investigate.]
intr. and trans. To investigate, in various senses.
1 IS6» G. Cavendish IVolsey, etc Uli^) II. 4 Wherefore
Dame Reason did me persuade, and move To be content
with my small estate. And in this matter no more to
vcstigatc. 1613C0CKERAM 1, r«//iM/^, to tracke, or trace.
1656 Blount Glossogr. (following Cooper), Vestigate, to seek
out, to seek by the print of the foot, to trace, to search,
diligently, to hunt after. 1780 J. T. Dillon Trav. Sfain
(1781) 28 To vestigate their mode of propagation,
Hence f ▼•-■tilting (vbl.) sb., a footprint. I
(Cf. Vestioiating.) tVe«ti(ratlon (see quot. I
and Investigation). Obs. rare. \
i«34 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 189 [The Cingalese hold] that
Adam was their Created_ and lined there ; they beleeue it
rather in regard his vestigatings are yet imprinted in the
earth. 1658 PHlLLire, V'estigation, a seeking any one by
the print of their foot, a searching diligently.
Vestige (ve-stidj). [a. F. vestige, ad. I., ves-
tigium footstep, footprint, trace, mark, etc. Cf.
the earlier Vestigt.]
I. 1. A mark, trace, or visible sign ^something,
esp. a building or other material structure, which
no longer exists or is present ; a piece of material
evidence of this nature ; something which remains
after the destruction or disappearance of the main
portion.
VESTIGIAL.
In the singular freq. in negative phra.ses.
//. «6o»J. Cot.viLLE/*ararM«tfuij, Not. .farder..nor vnto
yc vail of Seplimius Seuerus. . vharof the vestiges yit re-
mane, a 1700 Evelyn Dia^y 20 Nov. 1644, Descending the
Mons Caehus we come against the vestiges of the Palazzo
Maggiore. 1730 A. Gordon Maffei's Amphith. 297 We see
the beginning of a Vault.. with the Vestiges of the Stair
upon It. 1791 W. Gilpin Forest Scenery II. 136 Tlie ves-
tiges of different buildings, and the walls of a small chapel
still remain. 1816 Sir H. Daw in Farad ay'j Exp. Res.
(1859) ^ Vestiges of extinct volcanoes exist in all the low
countries on the western side of the Appennines. 1847
Pkescott Peru in. viii. 1. 459 They had not been molested
by enemies. But more than once they had seen vestiges of
them in smoking hamlets and ruined bridges. 1864 D. G.
Mitchell Sev. Sior. 243 Others wandered thither, seeking
vestiges of old inheritance.
*"'f- 1730 A. ■Gordon Maffei's Aviphith. 240 Of these
there is not the least Vestige remaining. 1743 Kames Decis.
Crt, Sess. jy3o-^2 (1799) 63 1 here was no remaining vestige
of any moveable effects. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters III.
370 No..ve.stige of the inflammable principle [will] appear.
1806 Med. Jrnl. XV. 98 Not the least vestige of a slough
could lie perceived. 183^ Veowell Anc. Brit. Ch. xii. 140
A vestige of some ancient fabric may be seen. .near the
church. 1886 RusKiN Prxterita I. 280 There is now scarce
vestige left of any building prior to the fifteenth century.
b. A surviving memorial or trace ^some con-
dition, quality, practice, etc., serving as an indica-
tion of its former existence. Usu. in pl.
a 1700 Evelyn Diary 29 Jan. 1645, The once mighty Capua
..shewing some vestige of its former magnificence in pieces
: of temples, arches [etc.J. 1791 Bf bke Corr. (1844) HI. 378
That line of policy which government has pursued :. . that, I
: mean, of wearing out the vestiges of conquest. 1805 Foster
Ess. I. iii. 1. 35 The vestiges of the first indelible impres-
sion, a 1850 Calhoun Wks.{\%ni,) III.282Theseconsolida-
i tion doctrines sweep away at a blow every vestige of State
Rights. 187a Veats GrmvthComm. 197 Atoll, .drove away
■ the la.st vestige of lawful traffic. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2)
V. 71 Modern enquirers, .have also detected.. the vestiges
of a patriarchal state still surviving.
c. Without of^ in prec. senses.
I *73S Thomson Liberty 11. 404 Scarce any trace remaining,
I vestige grey. Or nodding column. .To point where Corinth,
or where Athens stood. 1789 Mrs. Piozzi Jourtt. France
I. 127 A mode. .that I think will. .leave no vestiges behind.
1789 J. Williams Min. Kingd. I. 32 A solid body of stone
..-which exhibits no manner of vestige or leader whatever to
point out which wa^ the coal is gone. 1814 Scott Border
Antig. I. i This ancient baronial edifice is now in ruins,.,
and nothing scarcely remains but a few melancholy vestiges,
which {etc,]. 1830 G. A. Cooke Topogr. Descr. Surrey 68
Not a vestige is now standing, but the coloured bricks,
stones, etc... prove that the materials have not been entirely
destroyed.
d. A very small or slight trace, indication, or
amount (^something) ; a particle, a scrap.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters I. m If it contains the least
vestige, the slightest taint,. . precipitation follows. 1781
CowpER Conversat. 219 On all the vestiges of truth attend,
And let them guide you to a decent end. iSox Playfair
lllnstr. Huttonian Theory 33^ ihe mountain., appeared
to me to be without any vestige of stratification. 1834
Pringle A/r, Sk. ix. 298 Not a vestige of green pasturage
was to be descried. 1884 Chr. Cotiniumiocaith 12 June
824/1 The general ruck and run of our politicians nave
scarcely a vestige of lofty motive or noble principle.
2. Biol, A surviving trace ^ some part formerly
existing in the species ; a vestigial organ or
structure (see quot. 1886).
1859 Darwin Orig. Species xiii. (i860) 454 Rudimentary
organs, . .as . . the vestige of an ear in earless breeds.
1868 Lyell /V/«r. GcoL (ed. ic) 111. xxxv. II. 274 The
aquatic reptile called Proteus a ngu in us,, .which retains
only the vestiges or rudiments of eyes. 1886 J. A. Ryder
in Proc. U.S. Ant. A/us. 80 On investigating the condition
of the vestiges of these limbs we find that the skeletal parts
have actually been arrested, /bid. note. Structures which
are disappearing should be called vestiges.
II. 3. A mark or trace left on the ground by the
foot ; a footprint ; a track, rare,
1656 Blount Glossogr. (following Cooper), Vestige., the
print of a mans foot, a footstep, a trace, or track, or mark
of any thing. 1719 Bover Diet. Royal i, Vestige^ step,
footstep, vestige. i8ao Shelley Hymn Merc, xxxvii. Who
with unwearied feet could e'er impress The sand with such
enormous vestiges? 1841 Elphinsione Hist. India I. 363
In a dry country a bare foot leaves little print to common
eyes; but one of'^these people, .will pursue a robber by these
vestiges for a distance that seems incredible.
fig. 18*4 Landor Imng, Conv. I. 8 A country where pro-
phet comes after prophet, and each treads out the last
vestige from the sand.
b. transf. An impression made upon the brain
by an image, rare.
1885 J. Martineau Types Eth. 'The. i. ii. § 2 Through the
senses, external objects act upon the brain,, .leaving a dur-
able vestige there, /did. i. ii. j) 8 An image of sense or fancy,
persistent in proportion to the depth of tlie cerebral vestige.
+ Vestigia, error for Vestigium.
1789 J. Williams ./!//«. Kingd. I. 28 Every slip of the
coal metals has a vise, or vestigia, which points out to a
skilful eye which way the metals are thrown out of their
former course.
Vestigial (vesti 'dgial), a. [f. L. vestlgi-um
(see Vestige) + -al 1.] Of the nature of a vestige ;
remaining or surviving in a degenerate, atrophied,
or imperfect condition or form : a. spec, in Biol.
of certain organs or structures.
1884 CouES A'^ Amer. Birds 215 The transitory wolffian
bodies and ducts, .ultimately disappear from the female,..
leaving only a trace of their former existence in certain
vestigial structures. 1891 ./^<7«M Jan. 16 The existence of
what are called * rudimentary ' or 'vestigial ' organs. 1898
21
VESTIGIALIiY.
AUhutfs Sysi. Meti, V. 727 A triangular foM— the ' vesti*
pa! fold ' of Marshall— formed by a duplicature of the
serous layer, . . passes between the left pulmonaiy artery and
the subjacent pulmonary veins.
b. In general nse,
189s tQth Cent. Jan. 37 They are only the stunted rem-
nants, the vestigial and atrophied traces indicating the later
stipes of ages of [mentalj development, a 1901 F. W.
Mtbbs Hum. Personality (1903) II. 308 Vestigial beliefs
which still encumbered the spirit have had time to atrophy.
Hence Vestigially ctdv.
190a Amer, A ntkropclorist IV. 33 This conception persists
up through barbarism, albeit vestigially, into civilization,
Vestigian, a. and sb. rare. [f. Vestige +
-IAS.] a. adj. Of or pertaining to, or designating,
the theory of evolution propounded by K. Cham-
bers in his Vestiges of the Natural History of
Creation {iS ^4). b, sd. One who agrees with or
supports this work or theory.
t86o Darwin in Ltye 4- Leit. (1887) 1 1. 295 The rase would
be a decided difficulty on the Lamarckian or Vestigian doc-
trine of necessary progression. 1891 Tablet 12 Sept. 414
Men who had never been known to read a scientific book in
their lives, were found poring over it, and taking sides as
Vestigians and anti-Vestigians.
t Vesti'giai^. Obsr^ [f. L. vestigi-um +
-ART *.] A vestige or trace.
1651 \i\GGS New Disp. § 238 The adored Fontanel!, .helpes
nothing, before the crustous eschar be taken away; and the
vestigiaries of heat and drynesse be first removed.
t vesti'giating. Obsr^ [f. I., vestigi-um : cf.
Vesttg.vting,] Footprints, tracks.
1638 Sir T. Herbert Tran?. (ed, 2) 307 Upon Colombo's
high peake..is also shew'd and scene.. the vestigiating or
footsteps of old Adam.
II Vesti'gium. Pl.vestigia (also 7 vestigia's).
Now rare or Obs. [L. : sec Vestige.] A vestige
or trace ; a mark or indication left by something
destroyed, lost, or no longer present.
1637 N ABBES Microcosm, v. in Dodsley O. /*/._ (1744) V. 355
Repentance stays as the vestigium, Or mark impressed, by
which the past disease Is found to have been. 1644 Digbv
Nat. Bodies v'li. § 7. 50 Experience assureth vs, that after it
{sc. light] is extinguished, it leaueth not the least vestigium
behind it of hauing beene there. 1665 Sir T.^ Herbert
Trot'. (1677) 353 Upon better view I may discover his
(Jerah's] Vestigia near Malaccaamongst his other Brethren.
1749 PAii. Trans. XLVI. 197 Ruinous Heaps and Vestigia
nearly eflfaced by Length of Time.
b. Const, of,
1644 tH. Parker] yus Popnli 54 Neither Nature nor His-
tory afford us any Vestigia of it. 1664 Evelyn tr. Frearfs
Archit. iL 9 Of which there is to this day some Vestigia's
remaining, itm Wollaston Relig. Nat. v. pa So univer-
sally and utterly abolishd, that no part, no vestigium of them
should remain. 1769 E. Bancroft GK/a«rt 42 It is covered
with bark of a light brown colour, variegated by the vestigia
of the fallen off stamina of the leaves. 1771 Ann. Reg. 11.
2oo/i The vestigia of antiquity in a vicinage ought always
to have great weight in determinations of this kind.
to. Spec. (See quot. 1704.) Obs.
i4^5 Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth 22 The same Vestigia
of Tendons. .in each [fossil shell]. 1704 J. Harris Lex,
Techn. I. s.v., Vestigia of Tendons, are the little Hollows
in the Shells of Fishes, which are formed on purpose for the
fastening or rooting of the Tendons of their Muscles,
tVe*stigy- Obs. [a. older F. vestigie. or ad. L.
■ trace.
here re-
here no
nother memorial! or skant any vestigie thereof. Ibid. x.
169 b, It behowued not one stone vpon another nor vestigie
of the temple to stand and remaine. 1637 Gillespie Eng.
Pop. Cerent, in. viii. 102 The Canon Law it self hatli some
vesti^ies of the auncient order. 1644 Digby Naf. Bodies
xxxvi. § 13. 317 We see how the doubting, the resoluing,
..and the lilce, which we experience in beasts, may by the
vestigies we haue traced out, be followed vnto their roote,
+ Ve'Stiilieilt, Obs. Forms: 3-4 uestiment,
4-6 vestyment (5 -mente), 4-7, 9 vesti-
ment (5 Sc. westiment) ; also //. 3 -menz, 4
-mens, 4-5 -mentz. [a. OF. vestiinent (= Pr.
vesfimen^ Sp. and It. vestimentOj Pg. vesiimentd)^
or ad. L. vestimentum clothes, a garment, etc., f.
vestire to clothe, Vest v. Cf, Vestment sb."]
1. A vestment, esp. one worn by an ecclesiastic.
Common from c 1380 to c t6oo, freq. in pt.
aixa$ Ancr. R, 418 Ne wite ^e nout in oure huse of o5er
monnes ^nges.., ne nout ne underuo ae (>e chirche uesti.
menz. c 1990 S. Eng. Leg. I, 133 ^o seint thomas hadde is
masse i-songue his chesible he gan of weue, AUe is o^>ur
uestimenz on him he let bi-Ieue. 1303 R. Brunnf. Handl.
Synne 9337 Curteynes, or oui>er vestyment, Or any o^>er
vesselement pat falleb to holy cherches seruyse. 1387 Tre-
visA Higden (Rolls) V. 87 He ordeyned l?at mynystres of
holy cherche schulde noujt were holy vestymenlis in Jjc
comyn use of every day. CX400 Plowman s Tale in Pol,
Poems (Roils) I. 332 Now been pristes pokes so wide, That
men must enlarge the vestiment. c 1450 Merlin vi. '07 And
ther-with thei risen vp,and toke hym by-twene their armes,
and ledde hym to the vestymentz rioatt. 1513 [CovebdaleJ
Old God^ A'^u (1534) L j. This day the preest hath a redde
vestiment . . , and when he syngeth masse of requiem, he hath
on a blacke vestimenL 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utopia
II. (1895) 287 Thies priestes, ..whiles the armes be fighting
together,.. knele vpon their knees in their hallowed vesti-
mentes. 1596 Nashr Saffron Walden Wks. (Grosart) III.
108 Hee creditted Newgate with the same metamorphized
costly vestiment. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11. § 5. 9 Socrates
answereth : you haue reason, and it becomes you well, l>eeing
a man so trimme in your vestiments. i6ox Morgan Sph,
Gentry 11, ii. 27 The High Priests Vestiments was linnen
162
Breeches next his flesh. 1850 Drowning Christmas Eve 11. 1
74 Mine's the same right with your poorest and sickliest, '
Supposing I don the marriage- vestiment \rime Testament)
Comb. 1479-81 Rec. St. Marv at Hill (1905) loi The
Vestyment makere. c 151^ Cocke LorelCs B. 10 Stacyoners,
vestyment sewers, and ymagers.
trans/, ^nd Jig. 159c .Spenser F.Q. hi. xii. 29 All that
day she outwore in wandering,. .Till that againe the second
euening Her couered with her sable vestiment i6ao E.
Blount Horae Subs. 30 Howsoeuer a man may appeare to
himselfe more complete, and full, in the vestiments of
Vertue. 1655 T. Vaughan Euphrates 91 With the fire he
attracts the Air which is the vestiment or body of the fire.
i^S6 Hevlin Surv. France 51 There we beheld nature in
her richest vestiments.
2. collect. Clothing, garb, vesture, rare.
1637 G- r*ANiEL Genius of Isle 25 The Naiades in Azure
vestiment, With Hairs vnbound, the willing Sand shall print.
Vestime 'Iltal, a. rare. [f. as prec. + ..m,.]
= next.
1840 Rock Ch, o/Fatliers I. v. 495 John of Salisburj', In one
of his leiter.s to Alexander III, reminds that Pontiff of a
belt,— very likely one of these vestimental ones, which he
had deigned to bestow upon him. 1908 Times 25 Nov. 4/2
If they were going into vestimental matters, it would take
too long.
Vestimentary (vestimcntari), a. [f. as prec.
+ -ARY 1.] Of or pertaining to, in respect of,
clothes or dress ; vestiary.
Freq, in journalistic use.
1803 in Spirit Pub. Jmls. VII. 15 What has been the
effect of all the sermons, dissertations, essays, and para-
graphs that have been written against vestimentary errors
and offences? 1863 Sat. Rev. XV. 174/2 Such vestimentary
sufferings as he has been exposed to in the changing course
of fashion. 1890 Spectator 10 Mar., An American dentist's
wife was not quite the person to inaugurate a vestimentary
revolution.
Vestin, obs. Sc. form of Westen a.
Ve'Sting, sb, [f. Vest sb. 3 b.] Cloth or
material for making vests or waistcoats. Usually
in pi.
x8a8 Webster, Vesting^ cloth for vests ; vest patterns.
United States. 1851 Catal. Gt. Exhih. in. 495/' Chinese
prints for vestings. Ibid.^ Angora velvet plushes for vest-
ings. 1889 Textile Ne^vs 20 Sept., Advt., Damasks, Vest-
ings, Piques, Twills. 189a Daily News s Dec. 2/4 The
Berlin vesting is still much liked, as it is produced in such
pleasing combinations of colour.
Vesting, vbl. sb. [f. Vest v. -h -ing i.]
1. The action or fact of investing, confirming, or
establishing, esp. by legal process.
1596 Bacon ^a^. Com. Law ix. (1630) 42 But that holdeth
place onely upon the first vesting of the vse. 1611 Cotcr.,
Vesture^.. z. vesting, inuesting, or putting into possession
of. 1678 CuDWORTH Intell. Syst. 798 This Christian Resur-
rection of Life, is the Vesting and Selling of the Souls of
Good men, in their. .Immortal Bodies. 1729 Jacob /.rtw
Diet. s.v. Remainder, The Vesting of the Estate in the
Crown, during the Life of the Father. 1816 G. Bell
Comm. Laws Scot^ (ed. 5) IL 609 Of some Points in the
Vesting of Estates in Trust, Judicial or Voluntary. 18*7
Jarman Devises II. 217 The Court held. .that the adverbs
of time, whc't, &c. do not make any thing necessary to pre.
cede the settling (i. e. the vesting) of the remainder. 1880
MuiRHEAD Ulpian xxiv. §23 It is requisite that, when the
time of vesting arrives, the legatee shall be no longer in the
heir's potestas.
attrib. 1700 Lvtthklu Brie/ R el. (1857) IV. 631 Yesterday
the lords., went thro most part of the land tax and Irish
forfeiture bill ; postponed the first clause, called the vesting
clause.
2. The action or process of putting on, or invest-
ing with, vestments. Also attrib.
1648 W. L. Newes/r. Tnrkie 9 To hinder his Lordships
Vesting, c x66o Jer. Taylor Serm. Wks. 1S31 IV. 144 That
observation of St. Jerome made concerning the vesting of
the priests in the Levitical ministrations. 1875* Simmons
Lay-Folks Mass-bk. 164 The subsequent directions prove
that this vesting was not at the altar. 1905 Times 27 Sept.
4/2 Liturgical vestments are worn., and the vesting prayers
used in the Church of Rome.
t Ve'Stite, v. Obs. rare. [f. h,vestit-i ppl. stem
of vestire to Vest.] trans. To cover or clothe as
with a garment.
1597 A. M. Guillemeau^s Fr. Chirnrg. 42bA [To] vestite
the edges of the vicerationes with plasters. 1657 Tomlinson
Renous Disp. 372 Citrons, .vestited with a thin cortex.
Vestiture (ve*stitiuj). [ad. med.L, vestitura,
f. L. vestire to Vest. Cf. Investiture.]
1. Investiture of a person in an office or with
power, etc. ; = Investiture 2 and 3. rare.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VIL 419 He resigned to
God and to seint Peter J»e vestiture of prelates Jjat was i-doo
by seculer hondes. 1861 J. A. Alexander Gosp. Jesus
Christ xxxix. 521 A proof of man's original formation in
God's image, and his original vestiture with delegated
power as God's vicegerent.
2, concr. That which clothes or covers: fa. =
Vesture sb. 2. Obs. rare.
In quots. translating L. 7festitura in documents of the
second half of the 13th c.
c Z460 Oseney Reg. (1913I 152 t>e saide Abbot and o|?er
lordes aforenamed.. haue i-suffrid ^at h^ saide John the
vestiture (or grasse) of ^>e same telthe t>e which abode.. in
t>is 5ere alone may gadur & haue. Ibid. 156 pe vestiture
of be saide In-hoke.
b. Clothes, clothing, vesture. Also transf. and
The first quotation is the source of the inexact definition
given by Worcester (1846) and some later Dictionaries.
1842 R. Park Pantology (1847) 472 Under the head of
Vestiture, we include all those arts which relate immedi-
VESTMENT.
ately to the manufacture of cloth, and preparation of cloth-
ing. 1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. xl. (1856)366, I clain^ to be
the first who has reduced all vestiture lo a primitive form.
1856 — Arct. Expi. 1 1, i. 23 A pair of bear-skin breeches,
..the characteristic and national vestiture of this strange
people. 1877 Tinsley's Mag. XX. 512/1 It is night in the
streets of a fair Italian city, and the lonely queen of Habt is
..arraying in snowy vestiiure the tall shafts and broad
walls of marble that rise here and there. 1879 J. Hawthorne
Sebast. Strome II. xi. 175 Mary.. felt herself pointedly un*
equal to introducing her ungainly news under a graceful
vestiture of words.
Hence tVevtitured rtf. Obs.-"*
i6«3 CocKEBAM I, Kw^//«r^// [printed -Jited], apparelled.
Ve'StleSS, a. [f. Vest sb.^ Having no vest ;
lacking a vest,
1888 Daily News 28 Sept. 5/3 The plucky clergyman
pursued the vestless burglar. 1891 ihid. 29 April 7/1
Bodices are often vestless now.
Ve stlet. Zool. [f. Vest v.] A sea-anemone
of the genus Ceriant/ms, which is invtsled with a
tube-like stem.
i860 GossF. A ctinoiogia Brit. 268 The Vestlet, Ceriajtthus
Lloydii. Ibid. 272 The Vestlet feeds freely in captivity.
Vestment * (vestment). Forms : a. 4 ueste-
ment, 4-6 westement(e, 4-6 vestement (6
festement). /3. 5-6 -westment, 5 vestraente,
5- vestment (7 vesVment). [a. AF. and OF.
vestement (mod.F. v^temenl)y2.6. L, vestimentum :
see Vestiment.]
1. A garment or article of clothing, esp. one of
ihe nature of a robe or gown ; freq. an outer gar-
ment of this kind worn by a king or official either
ordinarily or upon some ceremonial occasion. Also
collect. J clothing, dress, vesture.
Now somewhat rare or rhet.
a 1300 Cursor M. 3701 pe odor o Yi uestement It smelles
als o piement. C1386 Chaucer Sgr's T. 51 This Kainbyn-
skan..In riall vestement syt on hys deys. 1474 Caxton
Chesse iv. v. (1883) 176 He is bo'jnden to deffende and kepe
them that make his vestementis & couertours necessarye
vnto his body. 1489 — Faytes 0/ A. iv. xvii. 280 The scrip-
ture saith that the vestement of Ihtes]u Crist dide seme to
his apostles white as snowe. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie)
Ckron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 374 The heraulds with thair awfull
westmentis. 1500 Shaks. Com. Err. 11. i. 94 Doe their gay
vestments his affections baile? 166s J. Da vies tr. Olearius''
Voy.Ambass. 388 The five principal Persons of the Retinue
had each of them a satin Vestment, and another of Taffata.
X718 Prior Solomon i. 99 A fairer Red stands blushing in
the Rose, Than that which on the Bridegroom's Vestment
flows. X764 Harmer Observ. vi. § 23. 2?o Presents of vest-
ments..are frequently made in these countries to the great
and those that are in public stations. 1771 H. Wai.pole
y'ertue's Anecd. Paint. IV. 2 Ihe slightness of their
vestment and the lankness of their hair. 1790 Cowper
Odyss.xi. 313 Her charge Of folded vestments neat the
Prmcess placed Within the royal wain. x8a6 Lamb EUa
11. Wedding, She stood at the altar in vestments white and
candid as ner thoughts. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. I. xxix.
381 Their clothes saturated with the freezing water of the
floes, these iron men.. did not strip themselves naked.. and
hang up their vestments in the air to dry. 1899 Alibutt's
Syst. Med. VIII. 497 Remembering lo warn [the paiient]
against heated rooms,, .stewing in bed, and any possible
irritation by vestments.
2. A garment worn by a priest or ecclesiastic on
the occasion of some service or ceremony ; a
priestly robe, f In early use also collect., a set of
these.
13.. K. Alis. 1560 iLaiid MS.), pe Bisshop..dude hym
on a vestement, And made.. To jubiter sacrifise. c i4«5
WvNTOUN Cron.v. 1898 Hee [a priest of Jupiter] tuggit wi>e
his teythe in taggis His westment rewyn a! in raggis. c 1485
Digby Myst. (1882) iii. 1183 To my awter I wyll me dresse;
On xall my westment and myn aray. 1560 Bible (Genev.)
2 Kings X. 22 Bring forthe vestements for all the seruants
of Baal. And he broght them out vestements. 1598 J.
HowsoN Serm. 2t May 35 Thimelicus, a dauncer, had
bought by chaunce some holy vestement, and abused it
publickly in the open theater. 1651 Hobbes Lez'iath. in.
xxxvi. 228 The High Priests, .put on the holy vestments,
and enquired of the Lord [etc.]. 1737WHIST0N tr. Josephus^
Antig. m. vii. §2 Over this he (the priest] wore a linen
vestment, made of fine flax doubled. Ibid., This vestment
reaches down to the feet, and sits close to the body. 1796
Morse Amer. Geog. II. 659 The surplice, a vestment of the
Pagan Priests, introduced into churches. 1843 Pbescott
Mexico VI, V. (1864) 371 A few priests, clad in their usual
wild and blood-stained vestments, were to be seen. 1868
Marriott Vest. Chr. Introd. p. v. The attempt . . to trace out
in detail a correspondence between the 'eight vestments '
of the Jewish high-priest, and those of Christian ministry.
b An article of attire worn by the clergy of
various branches of the Christian church, or by
certain of their assistants, during divine service or
on some special occasion ; spec, one or other of
those worn by the priest or priests at the celebra-
tion of the Eucharist ; esp. the chasuble.
In early use perh. sometimes (like med.L. vestimentum')
employed in the collective sense of 'a set of vestments '.
a. X303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 4,6-js 5yr prest or clerk
lene vestement pat halwed ys t>urgh sacrament. 1340
Ayenh. 41 pecrouchen, t>e calices, t>e creyme, ^e corporeaus,
]>e yblissede uestemens. c 1400 Plowman's Tale xxix. in
Pol. Poems (Rolls) I. 311 They halow no thing but for hire.
Church, ne font, ne vestement. c 1450 Mirk's Festial 140
Thys was he fyrst man J>at euer song masse yn vestementys,
as prestes now dol>e. 1493-4 ^^'^- -^^- Maty at Hill Ugos)
199 Payd to mastyr parson for halowyng of the weste-
mentes, xij d. 1549 Bk. Cow. Prayer, Holy Comtnun., The
Priest.. shall put upon hym,. a white Albe plain, with a
vestement or Cope. 1566 in Peacock Evg. Ch. Furniture
VESTMENT.
163
VESTRY.
f 1866) 35 Itsm iij vestements— sold to Christopher Baud wine
in anno 1565 who haihe put them to prophane vse.
fi. c^ 1440 rrontp. ParxK 509/1 Vestment.., z'estimenfum.
^1460 FoRTEScuE Alfs. ^ Lim. Mon. \\\. {1885) 125 Often
lytnes he [the king] woU bie riche hangynges and other ap-
paretl for his howses; vessaill, vcstmentes, and ober orna-
mentes for his chapelt. 1509 Will in Archaeologia LXVI,
312 A payre of Vcstmentes of Whit clothe of gold of Tissue.
1531 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) VI, 23. Item, I will that a vest-
ment be maide..Qf my daqiaske gowne. ^ 1580 Parsons
xnRelig. Pamphlets {.iZi)'^) 166 For this Sacrifice was Preistes
apparell made : Vestments, Sensors, Frankensence, and the |
lyke. 1600 Fairfax Tasso xi. xiv, In costly vestments
- sacred Wiliiam dight, With fear and trembling to the altar
went. 1687 A. LovELLtr. Thez'enot's Trav, i. 82, I shall not
here spend time in describing their way of celebrating Mass,
. .nor shall I speak of their Sacerdotal Vestments. 178a in
J. H. Harting Hist. Sardm. Chapel (1905) 25 Priest's vest-
ment, two dalmatics to correspond, with maniples and stoles
[etc.]. 1797 Mrs. Radcliffe Italian xvi, Your years, old
man, and those sacred vestments protect you. 1816 Scott
Antiq. xxv, .Another churchman in his vestments bore a
holy-water sprinkler. 1867 Trollope Chron. Barset II.
xlix. 59 He bad kept his surplice in his own room, and had
gone down in his vestment. z88i A. O'Shaughnessy Christ
xvill Return^ Songs of Worker 10 And where, 'mid all the
glory Of vestments rich, are Joseph's working coat And
Mary's rags?
3. trans/. and_/?^. Something which covers as a
garment ; a covering.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 11 8/2 Ryght so the majeste of god
hydde the lyght of hys dyuynyte by a carnal vestement
whyche he toke of our nature humayne. i6so Quari.es
Jonah 1300 Their nakednesse with sackcloth let them hide,
And niue the vest'ments of their silken pride. 1660 Shar-
ROCK Vegetables 40 The verdure, .that is generally the
beauteous vestment of all vegetables. 1669 W. Simpson
Hydrol. Ckym. 146 This hidden spirit.. putting on new
shapes according to the mineral vestment wherewith he is
cloathed. 1753 Hogarth Anal. Beauty x\.%^ Green,, .which
colour nature hath chosen for the vestment of the earth.
1836 Emerson Mature, Lang, Wks. (Bohn) II. 152 A
material image .. arises in his mind, contemporaneous with
every thought, which furnishes the vestment of the thought.
1841 W. A. Butler Serin. Ser. i. x. (1849) 172 His per-
petuated humanity is, then, in heaven,, .the vestment of the
divine priesthood.
4. Contb. in vestment- maker.
Freq. in 15th and early i6th c accounts.
1405 Close Roll, 6 Hen, IV, b, Johannes Est, vestment
makere. 1477-9 Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905) 80 Item, paid
to a vestment -maker for the mendyng of the Blak Copes.
1530 PAt.scR. 284/2 Vestmentmakcr, chasublier. 1537-8
Rec. St. Mary at //ill {190^ 378 Paid to a vestment maker
for xxvij dayes labour.
Ve'Stment 2. rart-^. [f. Vest v. Cf. Invest-
ment.] A right or privilege with which a person
or body is invested or endowed.
1795 J. Phillips Hist. Inland Navig. Add. 149 It is en-
acted, that they be one body politic and corporate, by the
name of ' The Company of Proprietors of the Mersey and Ir-
well Navigation ', with all customary powers, vestments, &c.
Ve'stmental, a. rarc'^. [f. Vestment i +
-AL. Cf, Vestimental a.] Vestimentary.
1849 Rock Ch. 0/ Fathers II. vi. 249 Amongst the few
episcopal ornameius still to be found in England., is one of
the * caligae ', or vestinental stockings of Bishop Waneflete's,
Ve'Stmented, a. [f. as prec] a. Of per-
sons : Dressed or robed in vestments, b. Of a
service : Celebrated or conducted in vestments.
1859 Sala Tiv. round dock (1861) 338 The black-vest-
mented groom of the chambers. 1867 ^st Rep. Comniis-
sioners i'ubl. Worship 52/1 From your changing the service
from the high choral to the vestmentcd service. 1871 Miss
MuLocK Fair France 143 There came filing in a Hnc of
priests richly vestmented.
VeBtni, southern ME. var. F.xsten v. Ves-
torie, obs. f. VestryI. Vestour, var. Vousteb,
boaster. Sc, Vestoure, obs. form of Vesture.
Vestoy, var. Vesteye v. Obs.
Vestral, Vestrical, Vestrlfieation, etc. :
see after VaSTRY 1.
Vestry 1 (vcstri). Forms: 4, 6 westre, 6
vestre ; 5 vestri, 5-6 vestrye, 6-7 veatrie (6
vestorie, 7 veaterie), 5- vestry. [Prob. a. AF.
*v€sl{e)rie, f. Vest v. + -,e)by, substituted for OF.
vestiari€y vestiaire : see Vestiary. Cf. Revestby.]
1. A room or part of a church, usually situated
in close proximity to the chancel or choir, in which
the vestments, vessels, records, etc., are kept, and
in which the clergy and choir robe for divine ser-
vice ; a room usetl for similar purposes in connexion
with any church, chapel, or place of worship.
The vestry of parish churches is also u<ed as a place of meet-
ing for the transaction of certain parochial business (see a).
1388 in Archaeoloi^ia \A\. 213 The awter w> in the sayd
westre. 14.. in Wr -Wvilcker 619 Vestihulum, a vestrye.
c 1440 Promp. Parr. 509/3 Vestrye, vesiiarium. 1496-7
Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905) 225 Kor cblys to brenne in
the vestrye. 1506-7 Ibid. 261 Payd for makyng of ij keyes
for the tresory chest in the vestry, vid. 1540-1 in Archaeo*
logia XIX. 272 On the South Syde of the same Churche
ys the Vestrye well covered with lead^ 1593 Rites 0/ Dur-
ham (Surtees, 1903) 8 When the nionkes went to say or
singe the high masse they put on theire vestments.. in the
Vestrye. 1617 Morvson Itin. 1. 110 In the Vesterie lie the
bodies of nine kings in coffins of wood. 168a N. O. Boileau's
Lntrin 111. 35 With equal pace the Temples Nave they
measure ! Into the Vesiry came; Here lies the Treasure 1
i&^ T. Feoger Voy. 1 1 1 The Jesuits are very potent there.
. . Their Vestry is one of the most magnificent that ever was
Seen. 1756-7 Keysler's Trav. (1760) III. 73 Formerly, in
the Tribuna hung a large picture of St. Joseph ; . . but this is
removed into the vestry. 1796 Mme. D'Arblav Camilla
I. 303 ihey sauntered about the church while the Doctor
retired to the vestry to take off his gown. 1798 Southey
Surgeon's Warning xxiii. Three men in the vestry watch
To save him if they can. 1837 I^'ckens Pickm. xxviii.
The ceremony was performed .. in the parish church,, .and
Mr. Pickwick's name is attached to the register, still pre-
served in the vestry thereof. 1864 A. McKay //«/. Kilmar.
nock 225 The church consists of a nave with an organ -gallery,
a chancel, and a vestry. 1873 Hale In His Name viii. 73
Candles which furnished the light to the dim vestry.
fig. 1648 Milton Observ. Art. Peace Wks. 1851 IV. 572
So that this rough Garment to deceive, we bring ye once
again. Grave Sirs, into your own Vestry. 1847 Emerson
Repr. Men, StvedenborgVIV%. (Bohn) 1. 324 The worshipper,
escaping from the vestry of verbs and texts, is surprised to
find himself a pa^ty to the whole of his religion.
b. A similar room or part in a temple or other
non-Christian place of worship.
153s CovERDALE 2 Kings X. 22 Then sayde he vnto him
that had the rule of the vestrye: Brynge forth rayment for
all Baals mynisters. 1584 B. R. tr. Herodotus i. 57 In this
sacred house or vestry no image is erected. 1609 Bible
(Douay) £zek. xliv. 19 They shal put of from them their
vestiments..and shal lay them up in the vesterie of the
sanctuarie. 1641 Milton Reforjn. i. Wks. 1851 III. 2 In
Palls and Miters, gold and guegaw's fetcbt from Arons old
wardrope, or the Flamins vestry.
C. A place or room where clothes (f or valu-
ables) are kept ; a robing room, cloak-room ; f ^
treasure house or chamber. Now rare.
1574 HELLOWEs(7K^«ara'j Fant. Ep, (1577) 263 Also they
make report of your Ladyship here, that you entred the
vestorie or treasure house of Toledo, to fetche the plate that
was there. 1600 Holland Livy xxix. xxi. 725 For alt the
holy money which they found . . they bestowed againe in the
privie vestries where the treasure was kept. 1613 T. Godwin
Rom. Antiq. (1625) log By the Scene in this place, I vnder-
stand the partition betweene the players vestry, and the
stage or scaffold. 1684 Bunvan Pilgr. 11. (1900J 192 Then
said the Interpreter again to the Damsel that waited upon
these Women, Go into the Vestry and fetch out Garments
for these People. 1891 G. Gissing New Grub Street I. 198
Where are your out-of-door things? I think there is a
ladies' vestry somewhere isn't there ?
2> In English parishes : An assembly or meeting
of the parishioners or a certain number of these,
held usually in the vestry of the parish church, for
the purpose of deliberating or legislating upon the
affairs of the parish or upon certain temporal
matters connected with the church (see next).
Also without article (^).
(«> 1589 R. Harvey PL Perc. (1590) 24 This worke being
finished and red ouer and ouer by the bead of the parish,
they called a Vestry, wherin they concluded [etc.]. 1596 in
W. H. Hale Prtc. Causes Office (1841) 87 That they cause
a vestrye to be warned on Sondaye next.. to mete at the
evening the same daye. 1640 Minutes Archdeaconry 0/
Essex (MS.) fol. 195 William Petchie..notatur for keeping
a private vestry in Rookitt's hall on Easter Munday in
tyme of divine service. 164s Sir E. Dering Sp, on Relig.
90 1'be Parish Minister to hold weekly Vestries, a 1700
Evelyn Diary 6 Nov. 1692, There was a Vestry call'd about
repairing or new building of the Church. 1762 Foote
Orator \. Wks. 1790 I. 194, 1 did speechify once at a vestry.
1885 Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 296/3 Common vestries aie meet-
ings of all the ratepayers, assembled on a three days' notice.
(p) 1764 in W. Wing Ann. Steeple Aston (1875) 63 It was
agreed at vestry to sow Sandhill tumoops this next year.
1845 Stephen Comm. Laws Eng. (1874) I. 120 The affairs
of a parish.. are regulated in vestry, wliich is, properly
speaking, an assembly of the minister, churchwardens and
parishioners. 1857 Hughes Tom Brown i. iii, He himself
had. .gone birds'-nesting with the farmers whom he met at
vestry.
b. The body of parishioners meeting in this
way and constituting a parochial board or council
of management.
l*his body had formerly the admini.stration and manage-
ment of the whole of the business affairs of the parish ; but
now its authority is almost entirely restricted to certain
temporal matters connected with the parish church, its
former powers being invested in the Parish or District
Council.
a 167a M. Wren in Gutch ColL Cur. I. 229 It was very
difficult to find a man, who .. followed the persuasion of
Calvin, who had not also strong propensions to the Elder-
ship and Vestry, a 1700 Evelyn Diary 6 Apr. 1662, Being
of the Vestry,.. we order'd that the Communion Table
should be set as usual altar-wise. 1708 Swift Reply to
Bickerstaff detected S.'s Wks. 1755 II. i. 167 If I had not
used my utmost interest with the vestry. 1766 Entick
London IV. 45 The vestry is select, pursuant to the will of
William Tudman, who, hoping thereby to prevent the in-
conveniences which usually arise from a general vestry
[etc.]. 179a Young Trav. France 549 The first attempt
towards a democracy in England would be the common
people demanding an admission and voice in the vestries.
i8ao SnuTHEY iVesley II. 402 As the vestry would not be
persuaded to erect a gallery, he built one at his own ex-
pense. 188a Besant Revolt of Man iv. (1883) 78 The Lower
House.. had degenerated into Something noisier than a
vestry. i88a Encycl. Brit. XIV. 820/1 The vestries and
district boards are entrusted with the management of local
sewers, the lighting, paving, and cleaning of their own
thoroughfares, and the removal of nuisances.
O. Any similar body elected by members of the
congregation of a church and invested with the
conduct of its business affairs ; a meeting of such
body. 1891 Cent. Diet
\ 3. Clothing or vesture. PCii,ofig. Obs. rare.
1606 J. Welsh in Sel. Biog. (Wodrow Soc.) 1 . 22 She shall
be arrayed with the golden vestry, and needlework of his
manifold graces. 1616 B. Jonson Masques, Love freed
\ />"• Ignorance, One o* the Black-guard had his hand in my
vestrie.
4. attrib, and Comb. a. In sense i, as vestry
door, fire J -keeper, window, etc.
1477-9 Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905) 81 A key to the
vestry dore beneth. 1510 in Willis & Clark Cambridge
(1886) II. 200 The largienge of the vestrie dore. i6xx
CoTGR., Sacristain, a Sexton, or Vestrie-keeper, in a
Church. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals \. iii. 75 They are
Qblig'd . . to give to the Popes Vestry-keeper . . f^ve and
twenty Ducats. 1706 PHiLLii'S(ed. KerseyJ, Vestry- Keeper,
a Sexton, whose Business is to look after the Vestry. 177a
ir. Life Lady Guion II. s, I had taken the office of Sacristan
(or Vestry Nun) and the care of waking the Sisters at the
hour they were to rise. 1844 Dickens Mart. Ckuz. xxxi,
I have left the vestry window unfastened. 1855 — Dorrit
xiv, Having stirred the Vestry fire, he looked round the
shelves of registers.
b. In sense 2, as vestry assessment, -brother,
-business, -consult ( = consultation), meeting, etc.
1631 T. Powell Tom All Trades (1876) 139 Like a Reuer-
end vestry wit. 1683 N. O. Boileau's Lutrin i. 224 Him
time preferr'd. . From poor Church- warden to a Vestry-
brother, a 1683 Oldham Satyrs Wks. (1686) 194 At Vestry-
Consults when he does appear For choosing of some Parish
Officer. X75X Genii. Mag.l. 159 In the Parish where I serve,
the Vestry is compos'd of thirty select Members, besides the
Rector, and two Vestry Justices of the Peace, a 1734 North
Exam. 11. v. § 94 (1740) 374 No more of Plot than a Vestry
Meeting to settle their Rates. 1808 Edin. Rev. XII. 509
.\n imperial sovereign summoned to settle a petty vestry-
squabble ! 1833 Act 2 & A ^ii^- ^^f c. 37 §63 Such Ex-
pences. .as have beenneietofore defrayed by Vestry Assess-
ment in Ireland. 188S W. Morris in Mackail Ljfe (1899)
II. 206, 1 don't see why they should not keep out of the
vestry-business.
C. Special Combs. : vestry-book, (a) a book
in which the proceedings of a parochial vestry are
recorded ; (b) a book kept in a vestry in which the
births, marriages, and deaths of the parishioners
are registered ; vestry cess, in Ireland, a church
rate or tax levied by a vestry ; vestry-clerk, the
clerk of a parochial vestry ; vestry -tax, = vestry-
cess.
1773-4 ^1" ^<^ts 13 <V 14 Geo, III, c. 10 § 4 The said election
or nomination shall be entered in the *vestrybook of every
parish, union, or chapelry. 1789 Sir W. Scott in J. Haggard
Rep.Consist.Crt. London (1822)!. 13 As. .no poll appears for
Anthony, and the vestry book, which must be taken to be the
authentic book, makes no mention of him, I cannot look on
him as elected. 1856 Lever Martins ofCro' M.\x\, I was
sent for to the Castle togive a private baptism. .,and request-
ing that I would bring the vestry-book along with me for
the registration. 19x1 A. Gordon in Jrnl. Friends' Hist,
Soc. IX, 102 A modern forgery, entered in the church-
wardens' vestry-book at Cheltenham. tifu^Act 27 dj- 28
Vict. c. 17 § I It is expedient to abolish *Veslry Cess in
Ireland. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), * Vestry-Clerk, a
Scrivener that keeps the Parish Accounts. 1763 Burn Eccl.
Lata II. 478 The vestry clerk is chosen by the vestry. 1836
Dickens Sk. Bos, Our Parish \\, The vestry-clerk, .is an
attorney, and generally in a bustle. 1807-8 Syd. Smith
Plymley's Lett. Wks. 1859 II. 170/1, I request to know if
the *vestry taxes in Ireland are a mere matter of romantic
feeling ?
Hence in various terms, chiefly in nonce-use, with
reference to sense 3 : Ve'stral a,, of or pertaining
to a vestry or vestries. Ve^straUia'tion, admin-
istration by means of vestries. Ve'strical a., =
vestral, Vestrifica'tion, the action of vestrify-
ing. Vestrlfied (//A) a., governed by a vestry.
Ve'strUy v. trans., to transform into, cause to
resemble, a vestry in character or function. Ve*s-
trydom, the system of localgovernmentbya vestry
or vestries ; parochial vestries collectively ; hence,
the parochial narrowmindedness or selfish spirit
regarded as characteristic of vestries. Ve'Strybood,
= prec, Ve*«tryl»li a., affected with or charac-
terized by the spirit of vestrydom. Ve'stryism,
vestrydom. Ve'stryiie v, trans., = vestrify,
1884 Contetnp. Rer. June 802 The fire-brigade as adminis-
tered by the "vestral authorities. Ibid. 805 The disadvan-
tages of disunity under the vestral administration. 1886
Times 13 Mar. 5/1 The wastefulness of *vestralization.
1881 Daily News 31 Jan. 5 The magistrate.. discovered on
Saturday an instance of *vestrical sapience which [etc.].
1884 Ibid. 31 Dec. 5/4 The "vestrlfieation of Parliament.
1865 Sat. Rev, 4 Feb. 144/1 We can hardly expect an ordin-
ary "vestrified general-reading Englishman to understand
..the intensity of passion [etc.]. 1884 Chaplin in Daily
Nrzvs 5 Dec. 3/1 If he might coin a phrase, its general effect
would be to 'vestrify the Mouse of Commons, i860 Temple
Bar Mag. I. 80 It was the defeat of beadledom and *ves-
Irydom. 1884 Christian World 22 May 409/i_The opposi-
tion raised by a stolid vestrydom to a more rational .systeiu
of local self-govtrnment. 1871 Contcjnf. Rev. XVI. 374
*Vestryhood had for generations flourished as a calling.
188a Society 16 Dec. 10/2 The public instinct recognises
something petty and "vestryish about the Board. i86x
Illustr. Loud. Ne7us 23 Feb. 168/1 The House displayed a
greater tendency to what may be called * *vestryism ' than
ever. 1870 W. R. Greg Polit. Problems 226 To deal
systematically and thoroughly with the giantcvil of pauper-
ism,, .would bring those who undertook it face to face with
the vast opposing army of vestryism. 1869 Contemp. Rev.
X!. 235 How many disappointed competitors for that
honour, .will submit to be "vestryized.
Vestry ^t Mining, [Of uncertain origin.] The
refuse or rubbish of a mine.
1784 (MS.), Rubbish and vestry from a lead mine. 1830
Eng. .J- For, Mining Gloss. (Newcastle), Vestry, refuse.
21-2
VESTRYMAN,
164
VETCH.
Ve'Strsnnan. Also ve3try-man, vestry
man. [f. Vestry l 2.] A member of a parochial
vestry.
1614 in W. H. Hale Prfc. Causes O^ce {1S41) 39 So many
of the \'estrie men as shall . . meet there for the makein^ of
a rate. i6|i 'Smectymnuvs ' yifni. Answ. Pref. a iij b,
Indeede bee satth, that these were but as our Church-
wardens, or Vestry men. 1651 Cleveland Poems 26 These
linsie-Woolsie Vcstry.men. 1701 Maryland Laws (i7^^i
15 Two New Vestrj'men shall be annually chosen in the
Places of Two others, o >7>i Prior True Statesmen ^
If tbou ever bas't a voice Tho it be only in the Choice Of
Vestry Men or grey-Coat- Bo>*s. 1847 C. G. Addisos Law
&/ Comtra£ts xv. §3. 391 Vestrymen, in vestry assembled,
■ may, like any other persons, exceed their duties as vestry-
men. 1873 B- Harte Fiddletoum yj She was roused by
a formal visit from a vestryman.
Hence Ve'strTm.anly a., befitting a vestryman;
Testrymaiisliip, the position of a vestryman.
1885 Pall Miill G. 12 Jan. 4/1 That may be *vestrymanly,
but it is hardly gentlemanly. 1879 Escott England I. 123
The mere fact of a parochial office being the coveted prize
of a political competition raises its duties above the level of
•vestry man ship.
Vestry-room. Also vestry room. [f. Ves-
TBT 1.] The vestry of a church ; the room in
which a parochial vestry assembles.
17x0 Lond. Gnz, No. 4721/4 The Vestry-Room of the
Parish Church of Lambeth was broke open. 1745 Viner
Abridgm. Lofw Sf Kqtiity XXI. 549 His proper Remedy
for the Injury done by the Defendant, by hindring him to
come into the Vestry-room. 1810 \V. Wilson Hist. Dissent.
Ck. III. 224 He opened a day-school, in the vestry-room of
his meeting. 184a Penny Cycl. XXII. 227/1 It compre-
hends a nave, ..and a chantry, now used as a vestry-room.
1891 ' S. MosTVN * Curatica 136, I thought I sliould have
seen you in the vestry-room.
attrib. 1838 Dickens O. Tiuist v, The clerk, who was
sitting by the vestry-room fire,
Vestschipe: see Fastship Obs,
Vestuary. Now arch, [ad. OF. vestuaire
(= Pr. and Cat. vestuari^ Sp. and Pg. vestuario\
or med.L. vestuarium^ f. vestura Vestuke sb. Cf.
Vestiaby j/^.] a vestiary or vestry ; a wardrobe.
Also transf.
c 1490 Caxtos Rule St, Benet 136 Whan in l>e chirche he
shall doo of his seculer arraye and becladdewiththe habite
of the place; those [clothesj that he puttyth off shall be
kept in the vestuary. x6io Holland Camden's Brit. 449
Some., small bones wrapped up in fine silke of fresh colour,
which the Abbot tooke for the reliques of some Saints, and
laied upi>c in his Vestuary. i860 Trench Serm. IVesim.
Abb. xxxii. 368 The trappings of men's outward existence.,
must be laid aside in the vestuary of the grave.
fVe'storage. Obs.—"^ [f. Vesture .r^^.-f -age.]
.\n allowance lor vesture or clothing.
1679 E. Chamberlayne Pres.St.Eng. 11. (ed. 12) 262 Note
that out of the Sergeants afore- mentioned, the King by
Writ, usually calls some to be of his Council at Law, allow,
ing each one Wadage, Feodage, Vesturage, and Regardage.
Vestural (ve-stiiiral), a. [f. as prec -H -al.]
Of or pertaining to vesture or clothing; vestiary.
1831 Cahlvle Sart^ Res. i. i. How, then, comes it.. that
the grand Tissue of all Tissues- -should have been quite
overlooked by Science, —the vestural Tissue, namely, of
woollen or other cloth? 1883 Times 13 Nov. g/3 Vestural
adornments less suited to military purposes than to a mas-
querade. 1891 Miss Dowie Girl in Knt-p. ii. 17 His
vestural advantages.. are what 1 grudge a man sole pos-
session of.
Vesture C ve -stiui) , sb. Also 5 vestoure, wester
{gdial, veiter), 6-7 vestur. [a. AF. and OF.
vesture (mod.F. v^ture)^ f. vestir Vest v. Cf.
med.L. and It. vestura^
I. 1. That with which a person is clothed or
dressed : a. With a or pi. An article of apparel
or clothing ; a garment or vestment.
13.. E, R. Alia. P. B. 128S Wyth alle J>e coyntyse
t>at he [i.e. Solomon] cowjTe clene to wyrke Deuised he
l>e vesselment, l>e vestures cleue. ^1384 Chauckr H.
Fame in. 235 AUe and euery man Of hem.. Had on him
throwen a vesture, Whiche that men clepen a cote armure.
<x 1400-50 Alexander 1539 (.^hm.), And sithen he castis
on a Cape of kastand hewes,..A vestoure to vise on of
violet floures. axsx3 Fabvan Chron. vir. 558 Fyre was put
to the vesturts of the disguysers. c 1550 Disc. Common
Weal Ene. ii, (1893) 75, I hauehearde vestures weare made
only of gold then. 1555 Eden /^.Tcat/w (Arb.) 113 Acerteyne
Kynge made towarde theym appareled with vestures of gos-
sampine cotton. x6ii Bible Gen. xli. 42 Pharaoh .. arayed
him in vestures of fine linnen. 1643 Burroughes Exp.
Hosea xL (1652) 344 It anathematizes all those that shall
iudgeone vesture.onegarmentmoreholy thenanother. 1817
G. HiGGiss Celtic Druids 214 Clothed with never-fading
vestures. 1856 .Mrs. Browning ^«^. Leigh v. 322 The whirl-
ing white Of choral vestures. 1871 Longf. Wayside Inn n.
Leg. Beautiful 17 And he saw the Blessed Vi4on Of our
Lord, with light Elysian Like a vesture wrapped about him.
b. collect. Apparel, clothing, garb, raiment.
c XTfis CHAtJCER L. G. W. 2691 KHypermnestra\ \ am a
mayde,..And be my semblant, and by my vesture, Myn
handes ben nat shapen for a knyfe. 1393 Lancl. P. PI, C.
II. 23 Aren non nudful Ixjte t>o Jwe [things]... The ferst of l>o
ys fode, and vesture J>e secounde. 143S-50 tr. Higden (Rolls)
V. 347 A kny^htc.cloihede also with regalle vesture, as if
be hade bene the kynge. a 1475 Ashbv Active Policy 535
Lete nat thepouer Comyns bedysguised Nee haue precious
clothe in theire Vesture, 103 Ld, Berneks Froiss. I. ccxx.
283 The kyng of Cypre hofpe them to comptayne the dethe
of the kyng, ..and., clothed hymselfe witn the vesture of
doloure. 1535 Covkrdale Ps. xxi. 18 They haue parted
my garmentes amonge them, and cast lottes vpon my ves*
ture. a 1548 Hall Chron. ^ Hen. IV, 13 They adorned
Magdalene .. in roiall and princely vesture. 1601 Shaks.
yul. C. ni. ii. 200 KindeSoules, what weepe you, when you
but behold Our Cxsars Vesture wounded? 1670 Milton
Hist. Eng. III. Wks. 1851 V. 132 The Abbots Coap, which
he had thrown over them, thinking by the reverence of his
vesture to have withheld the murderer. 1790 CowpEk
Receipt Mothers Pict. 75 Could time.. restore the hours,
When, playing with thy vesture's tissued flowers, . , I prick'd
them into paper with a pin. 1813 Scott Trierm, \\\. xxxv,
Her graceful vesture swept the ground. 1855 Macaulav
Hist. Eng. xiii. III. 305 Seers wrapped themselves up in
bulls' hides, and awaited, in that vesture, the inspiration
which was to reveal the future. 1856 Mrs. Browning j^wr.
Leigh I. 887 The rustling of your vesture through my
dreams.
attnb, a 1743 Savage Progr. Divine Wks. 1775 II. 119 To
tear off rings,.. To part 'em, for the vesture-shroud cast lots.
o. transf. andy?f. (Freq. in the 19th c.)
15*6 Pil^r. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 8 For there all shall be
clothed with the vesture of immortalite & garment of glory.
'575-85 Abp. Sandys Serm. (Parker Soc.) 208 To clothe
ourselves with the comely vesture of innocency. i6os
Marston Ant. ^ Mel. n. Wks. 1856 \. 26 Would'st thou
have us sluts, and never shift the vestur of our thoughts?
1653 J- Hall Paradoxes 76 The strongest and most hand*
some Animalls are satisfied in theii owne naturall Vestures.
1717 Dyer Grongar Hill 99 Thus is nature's vesture
wrought. 1738 Glover Leomdas \. 271 The moon through
allthe dreary vapourspreadsThe radiant vesture of her silver
light. 1768 Johnson in Johnsoniana (1836) 438 When a
nation, .acquires new ideas, it must necessarily have a suit-
able vesture for them. i86a Stanley Jexv.Ch. \, xii, (1877)
223 The golden clusters of the Syrian vine, . . so beautiful a
vesture of the bare hills of Palestine. 1867 H, Macmillan
Bible Teach, iii. (1870) 45 Nature as a whole was meant to
be for man the vesture of the spiritual world.
d. Conch. (Seequot. ) rare~°,
1755 Gentl. Mag. XXV. 32 Vesture, the inner covering of
a shell that first appears upon removing the epidermis.
2. Law, All that grows upon or covers the land,
with the exception of trees ; one or other of the
products of land, such as grass or com.
145s Rolls of Parlt. V. 305/1, xl acres of Wode, and the
Vesture of the same, in our Forest. 1467-8 Ibid. V. 575/2
The vesture of Grasse and Comes therof. 1583 Fitz-
HERBERT Surv. V, It IS to be enquered of parkes..howe
many acres ar conteyned in them, and for how inoche the
vesture of euery acre may be sold. i6sa Qk\a.\% Stat. Sewers
(1647) ^°S Hs which hath the Vesture or Herbage of grounds
. . m.-iy be charged to the repairs. 1630 Capt. Smith Advt.
Planters 25 The best [ground] is ever knowne by thegreat-
nesse of the trees and the vesture it beareth. 1768 Black-
stone Contm. Ill, 210 It is requisite that the party have a
lease and possession of the vesture and herbage of the land.
X817 W. Selwvn Laiv Nisi Prius (ed. 4) IJ. 1217 Where
piamtifF is intitled to the vesture of land, that is, corn, grass,
underwood, and the like. 1869 Austins yurispr,(ed. 3) U.
881 In English Law it has been held that one person may
have a freehold in the soil and another in the vesture. 1885
I^aiv Times Rep. LI I, 572/2 Certain hay, straw, and other
vestures which nave arisen on the said farm.
II. 1 3. The investiture of a pftrson as a novice
in a religious order. ObsJ"^
1639 S. Du Verger tr. Camus' Admir. Events 184 The
two youngest, designated ,to the monastery, were yet farr
from the age not only of profession but of vesture.
1 4. Law. (See qnot. and Investuue.) Obs.—'*
1607 CowELL Interpr., Vesture, . . in the vse of our common
lawe, [is] turned metaphorically to betoken a possession, or
an admittance to a possession.
Hence Ve'sture v. transit to array in a vesture
or vestments, rare.
XS5S Eden Decades (Arb.) 3c^ That he shuld bee honor-
ably receaued and vestured with silke.
Ve'Stxired, ///. a. [f. prec] Clothed or
dressed in vesture ; wearing vesture. Also transf.
Chiefly in predicative use and const, with or in.
ijai Ld. Berners Froiss, I. ccclxxxi. 640 They ar clothed
in veluet. .and we be vestured with pore clothe. CX530 —
Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814) 156 She was vestured wythasamyte
of grene. a 18x4 Apostate 11. iv. in New Brit. Theatre
III. 319 When I contrast my naked ignorance. With that
rich-crown'd, that flowing vestured knowledge. x88a Nature
XXVI. 61 Cables have.. been lifted richly vestured with
the spoils of the bottom. X893 R. H. Charles Bk. Enoch
129 They will be vestured with life.
Vestorer. [f. Vesture sb. + -eb. Cf. Ves-
TERER.] (.Seequot. 1877.)
1779 G. Keate Sketdtes/r. Nat. (ed. 2) L 20 The vesturer
conducted us thro* this great repository of the dead. X877
F. G. Lee Gloss. Ecct. ^ Litnrg. Terms 437 Vesturer. i. A
sacristan. 2. A sexton. 3, A keeper of the vestments. 4,
A sub-ireasurer of a collegiate church or cathedral. 1898
Guardian 31 Aug. 1313 The site [of the depository of the
Easter sepulchrej has recently been localized by. .the worthy
hon. vesturer.
Vestynge, obs. form of Fasting vbt. sb.
VeSUVian (v/s«-vian), a. and sb. [f. Vesuvi- ;
us, the name of the active volcano on the Bay of |
Naples in Italy. Cf. G. vesuvian, F. v^suvien.'] I
A. a(f/. Of or pertaining to Vesuvius ; esp. {a)
like or resembling Vesuvius, orthatof Vesuvius, in
volcanic violence or power.
(a) X673 R. Head Canting Acad. 11 The fury of this
smoaking rage being . . abated, and having pretty well
drench'd their Vesuvian throats. 1809 Campbell Gert.
Wyom. III. XX, Then looked they to the hills, where fire
o'erhung The bandit groups in one Vesuvian glare. X83X
Caklvle Sart. Res. 11. v. Such a fire.. did actually burst-
forth, with explosions more or less Vesuvian, in the inner
man of Herr Diogenes. 1878 Huxley in L. Huxley Li/e
(1900) II. XXV. 432_The inflammation of the pudding was
highly successful— in fact Vesuvian not to sa)^ iEtnaic.
i^) 1833 Lvell /'r/wc. Geoi. III. 125 There i> a tendency
in almost all the Vesuvian dikes to divide into horizontal
prisms. 1886 A. Winchell Walks GeoL Field '^■j History
records a large number of Vesuvian eruptions. 1897 Qeikie
Anc. Volcanoes Brit. Ii. II. 471 The three modern types of
Vesuvian cones.
t b. Vesuvian salt, aplithitnlite. Obs.
1813 Smithson in Phil. Trans. CIII. 262 This Vesuvian
salt.. has presented no less than nine distinct species of
matters.
B. sb. 1. Min, A silicate of aluminium, lime,
and iron, or other base, occurring massive but more
freq. in square crystals of various colours, found
originally in the ancient Vesuvian lavas ; idocrase.
Named by Werner, the German mineralogist, in 1795.
1796 Kirwan Ele7n. Min. (ed. 2) I. 285 Vesuvian, or
white Garnet of Vesuvius. Found principally in the lava of
Vesuvius. x8is Aikin Min. (ed. 2) 224 Vesuvian occurs
crystallized in groups, or lining cavities, or massive, 1859
R. Hunt Guide Mus. Pract. Geol. (ed. 2) 255 Idocrase
was first observed in the ancient Vesuvian lavas, and thence
it is called sometimes Vesuvian, It is a compound of
silica, alumina, lime, and iron. 18^9 Rutlev Study Rocks x.
142 Idocrase or Vesuvian is in its chemical composition
closelyallied to the lime-alumina garnets.
2. A kind of match or fusee, burning with a
sputtering flame, used especially for lighting cigars
or tobacco-pipes in the open air,
iBS3 Pract. Mechanics Jml. VI. 147 One of Palmer's
Vesuvians is a still more sure.. way of igniting the fuze.
i86a Whvte-Melville /w^/tf^ /)'a?- 348 Striving by the aid
I of a 'Vesuvian ' to relight my cigar. 1886 R. C. Leslik
1 Sea-Painter's Log 103 iJeyoncl a few vesuvians, they had
I nothing among them tliat would bum.
j attrib. 1879 Man. Artillery Exerc. 175 A vesuvian match-
box. 1904 ' E. Nesbit ' Phoenix ^ Carpet i. 4 They tried to
I light it with Vesuvian fusees.
Veau'vianite. Min. [f. prec. -h -ite i.] =
Vesuvian sb. i.
x^^CasselCs Encycl. Diet. 189a E. S. Dana Min. 480
I Vesuvianite was first found among the ancient ejections of
I Vesuvius and the dolomitic blocks of Monte Somma.
Veau'viate, v, nonce-wd. [f. Vesuvi-us: see
Vesuvian.] intr. Of weather : To be very hot.
5x1876 M. Collins Th. in Card. (1880) I. 166 It vesu-
viates. ^ This sudden heat in the atmosphere has something
to do with the eruption of the mountain which killed Pliny
the Elder.
Vesnvin (v/s«*vin). Chem. [a,G. vesuvin, f.
Vesuv-iusj from its explosive property : see -IN 1.]
Phenyl-brown, used esp. as a staining matter for
histological preparations.
x885 Klein Micro-Organisms 84 Stained with methylene
blue and vesuvin. 1886 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. III.
678/1 Bismarck Brown, Vesuvin. The chloride of triamido-
azobenzol. X897 ^^tbuit's Syst. Med.ll.4 Bismarck brown,
eosin, or vesuvin may be used as a counter stain.
Vesy, obs. form of ViZY v. Sc.
Vesyke, variant of Vesike Obs,
+ Vesyness. Sc. Obs.-^ [f. *vesjf, aphetic f.
Advisy a. -f- -NESS.] Caution, foresight, prudence.
c 1425 WvNTOUN Crou. VIM. 6555 Wijj wit.. And vesynes,
throu quham Jjai wan This batall.
Vesyte, obs. form of Visit v.
Vet, sb. [Colloquial contraction of Veterin-
arian or Vetickinary.] A veterinary surgeon.
x86s H. Marrvat Year in Szveden III. 328 A lieutenant,
accompanied by the vet, did the honours of the stables.
1876 BuRNABV Ride to Khiva xv. (ed. 3) 136 The Kirghiz
themselves have but little faith in doctors or vets. X883
E. Pknnell-Elmhirst Cream Leicestersh. 223 A battered
stud was left in the hands of the groom and the vet.
Vet, V. [f. prec.]
1. trans. To submit (an animal) to examinalion
or treatment by a veterinary surgeon.
1S9X * Annie Thomas' That Affair II. i. u Beau is
shaky in his fore legs. I shall have him vetted before the
races. 1904 Times 9 Mar. 8 i Of the 73 stallions, .only 39
came back for a .second inspection a/ter they had been
' vetted '.
2. To examine or treat (a person) medically.
1898 Mrs. Croker Peggy 0/ the Bartons xiv. You will
have them {sc. friends] round to 'vet 'you. X900 Westm.
Gaz.^ 14 Apr. 2/1 ' Where are you going this afternoon? *,.
' Going to be vetted,' he grunted.
Vet, southern ME. var. Fat a., feet Foot sb. ;
southern dial, var, Fet v. ; obs, Sc. f. Wet z/.,
Wit v. Vetail(l)e, obs. ff. Victual sb, and v,
tVeta-tion. Obs.-'' [f. L. z/^/^z-r^ to forbid.]
' A forbidding to do a thing.*
i6a3 CocKERAM \. [Hence in Blount and Phillips.]
Vetayll, obs. form of Vici ual sb.
Vetch (vetj). Forms: a. 4-5 fecchCe, 5
fechcho, fehche, fech, 5-6 feche, 4-7 fetche,
4-8, 9 dial, fetch, ^. 5 vache, 5, 9 s.w. dial.,
vatch; 5-7 veche (5 vessche), vech (5 -wrech),
4-6 vetche, 6- vetch (9 veitch). See also
Fatch and Fitch sb.'^ [a. ONF. veche, vecche,
veiche, vesche, = OF. vecce, vece, vesse (mod.F.
vesce^ :— L. vicia^ whence also It. veccia.J
1, The bean-like fruit of various species of the
leguminous plant Vicia.
Also with delining terms, us. gore-vetch: see 3 b.
Occas. used as a type of something of little or no value
(see quots. c 1374, 1632).
a. c X374 Chaucer Troylus in. 936 (Harl. MS), This
seid is by hem that be not worth two fecchis. ^1400 Lan-
/ranc's Cirurg, 209 Oon [cancer] comeh of malancolie rotid.
& bigynne> for to wexe in J>e mychilnes of a fecche or of
VETCH.
165
VETERANIZE.
apese. a 1513 Fabvan Chron. vii. 612 For this scarcyteof
whete in Englande, in many places the people made them
brede of fetche^^ pesyn, and benys. 1533 in Archeuologia
XXV. 519 Feichys bought for sedc.ij combe of fetchys.
155a Cooper Elyot's Diet., Eruufn..is greater and
httterour then a fech. 1615 Latham Falconry (1633) 95
Take of allocs the quantity of a Fetch unwashed. 163a
Rowley ll^oman never vexi u. 26 You may Imagine it to
be 'I'welfc-day at night, and the Beane found in the corner
of your Cake, but 'Tis not wrprth a fetch I'l assure you.
1661 Petit, for Peace 11 The Tetches are beaten out with
a staff.
0, 1388 Wyci.if Ezek. iv. 9 Take thou-.beenys, and tilUs,
■and mylic, and vetchis [1382 vetche]. xy^'Y^VL-e.wsK Barth.
De P. R. XVII. xcv. (Bodl. MS.), Amonge codware,.,
titles & vacches be^ smalleste in quantite. c 1483 Caxton
Diai. 22 Otes, vessches, Benes, pesen. 1539 Elvot Cast.
Heithe 84 b, Some is lyke lyttelle redde vetches. 1578 Lvte
Dodoens 482 Afterward there come vp long flat coddes,
wherein are Vetches. 1617 Moryson Itin. in. 112 English
Merchants bring into Italy . . Conny skins, Veches, Kersies,
and sometimes English Corne. 171X Addison Sped, No. 59
f 4 Cicero., was marked on the Nose with a little Wen like a
Vetch. «7S6J- Kennedy C«r/W. IVilton House (17&6) 65
The Busts of Cicero,, .with the Mark of the Cicer or Vetch
on his Face. 1790 Cowper /Had xiii. 715 As vetches or
as swarthy beans Leap from the van and fly athwart the
floor. By sharp winds driven, 1866 C. C. Felton A>tc. ^
Mad. Cr. I. vi, 406 Beans, lupines, radishes. Vetches,
wild pears, when we can. And a locust now and then. 1870
Brvant liiad xiir. II. 32 The swarthy beans Or vetches
bound before the whistling wind. 1901 Daily Ne^vs 12 Mar.
8/6 Some large Swedish gore-vetches are now offering at
attractively low rates.
t b. = FiTC'H j^.l 3 (q, v.). Obs.
2. //. Plants l>elonging to the genus Vicia^ esp.
to the species Vicia sativay the common tare.
Frequently with special reference to the produce.
a. a 1387 Sinon. Bartlwt. (Anecd. Oxon.) 43 Vesces^ \.
fecches I**/ mou-^ pese. 1388 Wvclif Isaiah xxviti. 25 He
schal not sette wheete bi ordre, and barli. .and fetchis in his
coostis. c 1440 Fnllad. on Husb. 1. 237 Lupyne and fetches
slejn, and on thaire roote Up dried, arc -isdounging landes
boote. x6io Shaks. Temp. iv. \. 61 Rich Leas Of Wheate,
Rye, Barley, Fetches, Oates and Pease. 1:1640 J. Smyth
LiTes Berkeleys (i^Zi,) I. 303 From hence also came their
great proportions of wheat, rye, barly, . .and ffetches, apples
and pears, a i66t Fuller H^orlAies, Leicester 11. (1662)
126 Whereas lean land will serve for puling peas and faint
fetches. 1879 Miss Jack.son ■S'Ard/fA. ^^ord-bk. 145.
^. 155a HuLOEr, lares or vetches, a kinde of pulse or
Ktayne, eruii.i, erunirt, orobum. 1575 in Phillipps Wills
U 1830)457 Corne in thefelde.. .Item,9acresof peaze. . . Item,
la acres vetches. 1576 Fleming Pojtopl. Epist. 352 With
Wlieatc,. . with Vetchesse, with Millette, & all other kinde
of pulse. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 572 Vetches also doe
manure and fat the ground where they be sowed. 1688
R. Holme Armoury 11. 97/2 Vetches, Lentils, Tares, have
leaves like Pease. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. i. no Where
Vetches, Pulse, and Tares have stood, And Stalks of
Lupines grew. 1765 Museum Rust. IV. 386 Beans, Peas,
and Tares or Vetches- I79» A, Voung Trav. France 7 A
piece of wheat ; a scrap of lucerne ; a patch of clover or
vetches. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4) I. 28
The vetches attained by the 4th of July a height of ten
inches. 188a * Ouida ' Maremma 1. 188 Amidst the maiden-
hair and the vetches about the orifice of the warrior's tomb.
3. In generic use as a plant-name (or, in early
use, as that of a grain), usually without article or
with the ; also occas., with a and pi., one or other
species of the genus Vicia.
tjBa Wyclif Ezek, iv, 9 Take thou.. bene, and lent, and
mylie,and vetche, 14.. l^oc. in Wr.-Wijlcker 619 K;V/rt,
a wecb. Ibid. 625 IJicia, vache. C1440 Promp. Parv.
153/1 Fetche, corne, or tare, ..vicia. c 153a Du Wes introd.
Fr. in Palsgr. 915 Fetche, uesche. «55> Huloet, Vetche,
fetche, or tAie,passilus. 1578 Lvte Dodoens 482 The Vetche
hath stalkes of a sufficient thicknesse. 1649 J- Ogilbv
yirg. Georg. I. 241 Wouldst thou the Ground sliould Vetch
and Fasels bear. 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) I. 139
The Chich, Fetch or V"ctch are of several sorts, but the
most known are the Winter and the Summer Vetch.
1750 SHKNsroNE Rural Elegance 204 The tangled vetch's
purple bloom. 1797 Washington Writ. (1892) XIII. 407
Tiic Vetch of Europe has not succeeded with me. i8ai
Clare F/V/. Minstr. II. 144 Heath's creeping vetch, and
glaring yellow brooms. x866 Treas. Bot. 662/2 The true
Laihyri. . are herbs . . with fewer and larger leaflets than in
the vetches, 1867 Baker Nile Tribut. viiL (1B72) 125 A
peculiar species, that resembles a vetch, bears a circular
pod as large as a horse-bean. 1890 D. Davidson Mem.
Long Life viii. 211 In a field of toor (a kind of vetchj,
we saw a fine buck antelope lying pretty well concealed. |
b. With distinguishing names, denoting various
species of Vicia, \
a 1711 Lisle Obsery. Husb. (1757) 125 The pebble-vetch
is a summer-vetch, different from the goar-vetcn and not so
big ; they call it also the rath-ripe vetch. 17*5 Pam. Diet.
S.V., The most known [sorts] are the Winter and Summer
Vetch. 1731 MiLLKR 6"fln/. Dict.s.v. KiV/a, Common Vetch
or Tare. .. White Vetch. .. Many flowcr'd Vetch. 1753
Chambers' CycL Suppl. s.v. Vicia, The species of Vetch,
enumerated by Mr. Tournefort are these: r. The common
cultivated Vetch... 4. The great wild bush Vetch.. . 12. The
white- flowered hairy wild Vetch [etc.]. 1777 Jacob Catal.
Plants 122 Vicia saliva. Common Vetch. .. /^iV/a sepium^
Bush Vetch. Vicia lathyroides, .. Wild Vetch. 1777
LiGHTFOOT Flora Scot. (1789) I. 394 Vicia cracca. Tutted
Vetch. 1796 Withering Brit. PL fed, 3) III. 638 Vtcia
lathyroides. Strangle Vetch. Ibid. 639 V. lutea. Yellow
Vetch. . . V. hybridt. Bastard Vetch. . . V. bithynica. Rough
Vetch. 180s [see Tufted a. 3 J. 1813 (see Tare sb.'^ 4I.
i8a9 Loudon KncycL PL (1836) 622 (Alany species]. 1843
Penny Cycl. XXVl. 396 [Biennial, Pca-like, Bush, Rough-
podded Yellow and Purple Vetch, etc.]. 1846-50 A. Wood
Class-bk. Bot. 220 ViLia Americana. American Vetch...
V. Carolinians. Carolinian Vetch... K. /^/r/w/crwa. Slen-
der Vetch. 1850 Mlss Pratt Comtn. Things Seaside 78
The rough-podded Yellow Vetch {Vicia lutea). Ibid. 79
The smooth-podded Vetch (Vicia lan'igata). . .The rare
rough-podded purple Vetch {Vicia Bithynica).
4. Applied, with distinguishing terms, to plants
of various genera more or less resembling vetches.
See also milk-vetch Milk sb. 10 b, wood-z>etch.
Ii56»-i7»7 (see Ax-fitch).] 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl.
App.^ •Ax-vetch, in botany, the English name of a genus
of plants, called by authors secnridaca. 1760 J. Lee Introd.
Bot. App. 330 Ax Vetch: see Hatchet Vetch. 1819 Louimjn
EncycLFl. (1836) 636 /"^aca. * Bastard Vetch. ^^SiCha^^l•
bers* CycL Suppl. s.v. Aphaca, 'I'here i.s only one known
species of Aphaca, which is the yellow vetchling, called by
some the * bind -weed- leaved vetch. 1578 Lvte Dodoens ^-z
Of the "bitter Veche called in Greeke Orobus, and in latine
Eruum. 1507 Gerarde Herbal 1051 Cich, or true Orobus
..: in F^nglish it is called bitter Vetch. x66i Lovkll Hist.
Anim. <y Min. 44 -Betony,.. bitter vetch with Wine. 1728
Bradley Diet. Bot., Ervuvi of Columella, .is the Orobus
or Bitter Vetch. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 330 Jointed
Podded Bitter Vetch, Ervuvi. 1866 Treas. Bot. x-zx-zl^
"Bladder Vetch, Phaca. 1731 Millrr Card. Diet., Lathy-
rus, *Chichling Vetch. 1756-1861 [see Chickling ^ b].
1887 Anier. Naturalist XXL 710 Chickling Vetch. Lathy-
rus sativus L*. 1846-50 A. \Ioo'Q Class-bk. Bot. 221 Ervum
hirsutum. Hairy or "Creeping Vetch, 1671 Phillips s.v.,
The crimson *grasse Vetch [is called] Cantananee. 1731
M I LLER Carrtf. Diet., Nissolia, Crimson Grass-Vetch. 1760
J. LEE/«/rOif. 5(7^. App. 331 Crimson Grass Vetch, Z.aM>rKj.
i8sa Hortus Anglicus II. 243 Lathyrus Nissolia. Crimson
Lathyrus, or Grass Vetch. 1846^ * Hairy Vetch (see
Creeping z'ctch]. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 1055 The first
kinde of "hatchet Fetch, haih many small branches trailing
..vpon the ground. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Peleeinus
or Pelecinum,., Hatchet-vetch, a Weed that grows amidst
Corn. 1728 Bpadlev Diet. Bot., Hedysarum,..\n English,
Hatchet Vetch, or Sickle-wort. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot.
App. 331 Hatchet Vetch, Coronilln. Ibid,, Clusius's foreign
Hatchet Vetch, Biserrulet^ iSag Loudon Encyct. /*/. (1836;
628 Coronilla Secnridaca. Hatchet- Vetch. Ibid. 638
Biserrula Peleeinus. Bastard Hatchet Vetch. 1640 Par-
kinson Theat. Bot. logi The greater *Horse shooe Vetch.
Ibid., Many codded Horse shooe Vetch. 1671 Skinner
Etymol. Ling. .4ngl. LIll, Horshoe Vetch, Ferrum Equi-
num. ty6o }.hER Introd, Bot. App, S3t Horse-shoe Vetch,
Hippocrepis. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot. ^x-j Galega...
Some with us call it "Italian Vetch, but most commonly
Goates Rue. 1718 Bradley Diet. Bot. s.v., Italian Vetch,
or Goats-Rue, in Latin, Galega. 1597 Gerarde Herbal
1060 "Kidney Vetch hath a staike of the height of a cubite.
Ibid., The Starrie Kidney Vetch, called Stella leguminosa.
S640 Parkinson Theat. Bot. 1094 Bladder Pease or Kidney
Vetch of Spaine. Ibid., Crooked Kidney Vetch of Candy.
17S3 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v. Vulneraria, The common
yellow- flowered Vnlneraria^ called kidney-vetch, and
ladies finger. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. .-Xpp. 331 Kidney
Vetch, Anthyllis. 1865 GossE Land ff Sea (1874) 7 The
kidney vetch or lady's finger. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot.
1098 The most common "Licoris Vetch. 1751 Miller Gard.
Diet., Apios, the knobbed rooted Virginian Liquorice-
Vetch. Ibid,, Astragalus, Wild Liquorice, or Liquorice
Vetch. 1753 Chambers^ Cycl. Suppl. App. s.v., Liquorice*
Vetch, the English name of a genus of plants, known
among botanists by that of glycine. 188a [see Liquorice
41- '597 Gerarde Herbal 1064 Onobryehis montana...
Mountain 'Medick Fetch. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl.
App. S.V., Medic-Vetch, the name by which many call the
onobryehis. 1760 J. Lre Introd. Bot. App. 331 Medic
Vetch, Hedysarum. 1731 Miller G^rrf. Diet. s.v. Orobus,
Broad'leav d Creeping Orobus, with a small Pod, commonly
caU'd, 'Venetian Vetcn. 1741 Compl. Fam. -Piece 11. iii, 367
Persian Lilly, Lichnis, Venetian Vetch. 1578 Lyte Dodoens
485 The "wilde Vetche [Galega a/^rraj. .serueth onely but
for pasture, and feeding for cattell. 1597 Gerarde Herbal
'053 Of the yellow wilde Fetch, or Tare euerlasting. 1640
Parkinson Theat. Bot. 1067 Aphaca. The yellow wilde
Vetch. 1715 Fam. Did. s.v-, The Seed of the Wild Vetch
is bitter.
5. attrib. and Comb.j as velck flower, -grass,
'leaf, seed; vetch-ieaved, -like adjs.
1715 Fain. Did. s.v.. Vetch Flower mixt with Honey, .will
lake away Freckles. 1731 Miller Gard, Dict.%.\. Orobus,
Wood Orobus, with Vetch-Leaves. 1753 Chambers' Cycl.
Suppl. S.V. Onobryehis, The great, vetch-leaved onobryehis.
Ibid., The Stone onobryehis, with long, and narrow, vetch-
like leaves. Ibid., App.^.\. Grass, Vetch-grass, the English
name of a distinct genus of plants called by authors nissolia.
1831 J. F. .South tr. Otto's Path. Anat. 455 One [knot] as
large as a date seed . . and a third of the size of a vetch seed.
1845-50 M rs. Lincoln Led. Bot. 184 Vicia saliva. Common
vetch-tare. 185a Mundy W«///*(»//« (1857) i4TheKennedya,
with a purple vetch-like blossom.
Vetch, southern diaL variant of Fetch v.
Vetchling (vetjlig). Bot, Also 6 vitche-
linge, 7 fetchling. [f. Vbtch -f- -ling.]
1. A plant or species of the genus Lathyrus
(falso Hedysat-um) ; the genus itself.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 485 Galega altera.. mAy also be wel
called.. in English Small wilde Vetches or Vitchclinges.
1640 [see buckler vetchling in 2]. 1753 Chambers' C^cl.
Suppl. App., Vetchling, the English name of a distinct
genus of plants, known among botanists by that of aphaca.
1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 331 Vetchling, Hedysarum.
i8aa Hortus Anglicus IL 243 Lathyrus Apkacn. Yellow
Lathyrus, or Vetchling. 184a C. W. Johnson Farmers
Encycl. 1 216/2 There are seven indigenous species of vetch-
ling, or everlasting pea. 1861 S. Thomson IViid Fl. (ed. 4)
III. 200 We have a good many., vetches and vetchHngs. 1894
Daily News 5 June 6/5 Mineral manures, including potash,
give a great development of clover, vetchlings, &c.
2. With distinguishing terms.
1777 Jacob Catal. Plants 57 Lathyrus Pratensis, Tare
everlasting, or common yellow ''bastard Vetchling. 1640
Parkinson Thent. Bot. 1082 Onobryehis elyPeata asjAera
minor. The lesSer 'buckler Fetchling. 184a Hooker Brit.
Flora L 90 L. A^mo//a,..*crimson Vetchling, or Grass
Vetch. 1796 Withering Brit. PI. (ed. 3) IIL 635 Lathy-
rus paitistris. Chickling Vetch. *Marsh Vetchling. Ibid,
634 Laihyms pratensis. Common Yellow, or *Meadow
Vetchling. 1834 Brit. Husb. L 511 Lathyrus pratensis, or
meadow vetchling, furnishes a copious, succulent and tender
herbage, 1903 Cornish Naturalist Thames 174 Meadow
vetchling and the tall meadow crowfoot. 1578 Lvte Dodoens
484 Saint F'oin. *Medick Vetcheling. 1731 Miller Gard.
Did, S.V. Onobryehis, Smaller Cock*s-head, with rough
Fruit or Medick Vetchling. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App.
331 Medic Vetchling, Hedysarum. 1843 Hooker Brit.
Flora 89 Lathyrus hirsutus, L., *rough-podded Vetchling.
1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl., Aphaca,. .\\v^ ^yellow vetch-
ling. 1775 Essays Agric. 426 The common yellow vetch-
ling, Lathyrus pratensis, or everlasting tare. 1863 GossE
in Intell. Observer III. 318 The hedgerows are still gay with
flowers; the abundant yellow vetchling, two species of St.
John's wort, the toad-flax ..and hawkweeds supply the
golden colours. 1880 Jefferies Gt. Estate 138 The yellow
vetchling had climbed up from the ditch.
Vetchy (ve'tji),a. rare, [f. Vetch -t- -v.] Com-
posed of, abounding in, vetches.
1579 Spensf-R Sheph. Cat. Sept. 256 If to my cotage thou
wilt resort, ..There mayst thou Hgge in a veichy bed. 1806
J. Grahame Birds o/Scot. 26 The blooming, vetchy ridge.
Vete, obs. Sc. form of Wet v.. Wit v.
Veteran (veteran), sb. and a. Also 6-7 veter-
ane, 7 -ant, veterean. [a. older F. veteran (F,
vetirany = It., Sp., Pg. veterano), or ad. L. veteran-
us, i, veler-j vetus old.]
A. sb. 1. One who has had long experience in
military service ; an old soldier.
1509 Hawes Past. Pleas, xxvii. (Percy Soc) 132 The
sturdy knight well named Fortitude. With the noble vetcr-
ane syr Consuetude. 1681 tr. Willis' Rem. Med. Whs.
Vocab., Veterans, old soldiers. 1700 Astrv tr. Saavedra-
Faxardo II. 248 Even Veterans, who had never kept Guard.
1758 Johnson Idler No. 8 F9 A sound that will force
the bravest veteran to drop his weapon, and desert
his rank. 1769 Junius Lett, xxxiv. (1788) 170 Military
governments, which were intended for the support of
worn-out veterans. 1814 Scott Ld. of Isles iv. xix. Veter-
ans of early fields were there. Whose helmets press'd
their hoary hair. 1843 Pbescoti Mexico 111. ix. (1864) 190
Then came the Spanish infantry, who in a summer's cam-
paign had acquired the discipline and the weather-beaten
aspect of veterans. i88a Rhys Celtic Brit. iii. 80 Ostorius
establishes a strong colony of veterans at Camulodunon.
2. One who hns seen long service in any office or
position ; an experienced or aged person.
1597 Hooker Eccl, Pol. v. xlii. §5 The Arrians for the
credit of their faction take the eldest, the best experienced,
the most wary and the longest practised Veterans they had
amongst them. 1721 Wollaston Relig.Nat. ii. 34 Asiurdy
veteran in roguery. 178a Miss Bubnev Cecilia 11. ii. 152
The servants were all veterans, gorgeous in their liveries.
1857 Dickens Dorrit 11. vi. Miss Fanny. .said the usual
nothings with the skill of a veteran.
trans/. 1774 Goldsm. Nat, Hist. {1776) III, 22 The new
backely [South African ox] is then joined with one of the
veterans of his own kind, from whom he learns his art.
1837 Whewell Hist, Induct. Sci. I. 422 Sending into the
field a reserve of new physical reasonings on the rout and
dispersion of the veterans.
Comb. 1850 R. G. Gumming Hunter's Life S. Afr. (1902)
95/1 Several of the adjacent veteran- looking trees.
B. adj» L Of soldiers: Having much experience
in warfare or military matters ; long practised or
exercised in war.
161X Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xvi. 2 Veterant Souldiers,
most of which were of skill sufficient to be Commanders
themselues. 165a Earl Monm. tr. Bentivoglio's Hist.
Relat. 170 The Veteran Souldiery of the United Provinces.
1686 tr. Chardin's Trav. Persia 55 The veterane Janizaries
were all cither slain or dead. 1759 in loM Rep. Hist. AISS.
Comm. Apj). I. 316 So much has the present War drain'd
them of their Veteran Troops, 1781 Gibbon Decl. lir F. xviii.
(1787) II, 121 The loss of a veteran army, sufficient to defend
the frontiers. 1839 Scott Anne of G. xxxiii, Here report
said, that Adrian de Bubenberg, a veteran knight of Berne,
commanded. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng, iv. I. 460 His pro-
fessional skill commanded the respect of veteran officers.
1870 Emerson Soc. ^ Solit., Courage Wks. (Bohn) III. 108
It is the veteran soldier, who, seeing the flash of the cannon,
can step aside from the path of the ball.
2. Of persons in general : Grown old in service ;
experienced by long usage or practice.
X7a8 Chambers CvcL s.v., A Veteran Counsellor has a
Voice and Seat at Audiences. 1789 Belsham Ess. II. xl.
502 Did it never occur to this veteran politician that there
are degrees of misconduct? 1814 Dibdin Libr. Comp.
528 The veteran English author was not slow to reply.
1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. il I, 255 Godolphin had, .early
acquired ail the flexibility and the self-possession of a veteran
courtier. 1883 B. Smith Life Ld. Lawrence II. xxviii, 532
The veteran Viceroy walked round to the sacred spot.
trans/. 1847 Stoddart Anglers Comp. 250 Give me, , the
rush of some veteran water-monarch, or the gambol. .of a
plump new-run grilse.
3. Of things : Old ; long-continued, rare.
1653 Gauden Hterasp. 44 Our old bottcls and veterane
Wines. .are sound, sweet, well-refined, and full of spirits.
1710 Prideal'x Grig. Tithes iv. 208 The payment of Tithes
was grown to be a Veteran and thorough settled Constitu-
tion of this Kingdom. 183a Longf. Coplas de Manrique
Ixvi, By great And veteran service to the state,.. He stood
. .The proudest knight of chivalry.
Hence Veterancy, the state or condition of
being a veteran. Ve'teraness, a female veteran.
Te*teranise v. U.S, a. trans. To render a
veteran, b. inlr. To re-enlist as a soldier.
190a Daily Chron. 23 July 5/3 This cricketer. .is now, in
his 'veterancy, both batting and bowling better than ever
before. x88o Sat. Rev. 8 May 588 On the platform, .many
heroines gathered, some of them "veteranesses in this war
and others recruits to the cause. 1884 A. jf. Johnson's
VETEBASCENT.
Umiv, CycL (1893) I. 355/2 The proportion was at first a
little over three pieces for 1,000 infantry, but as the latter
became more "veteranized this was reduced to about two
pieces. 1891 C<»/«w^«j (Ohio) Dispatch 7 Oct., They were
the first to veteranize, and this signified a great deal at that
time.
t Vetera 'scent, «. Obsr-'^ [ad. pres. pple. of
L. vtterascire to grow old.] Growing old.
164* Gauden Three Serm, 136 The clothing of our soules,
is daily veterascent and mouldring away.
tVe'terate, «■ Obs. rare. [ad. L. veterat-us^
f. veUr-^ Vitus old.]
L Of long standing ; inveterate.
1541 R. Copland GalyctCs Terap. 1 G iij b, Seing y' he
made no mention of veterate viceres. 156a Bullein Bui-
'warke 49 b, My sicknesse is so veterate and olde, that the
aire was unsufficient to bee my helpe.
2. Having the authority of age or antiquity.
1565 J. Halle Hist. Expost. 31, I have thought good to
gather the councels, and good documenles of dyvers good
and veterate authores.
So fVe-teratedtf. Obs. (Cf. next.)
1547 BooRDK Brev. Health cviii. 41 They may be holpen .
so be it that the infirmitie or the impediment be not veterated \
or of a longe continuance.
t Ve'terate, z*. Obs—^ [f. late L. veterdre.']
intr. ' To wax old ' (Cockeram, 1623).
tVeterato*rian, fl. Obs.-~-^ \i.\.,veterdtdri'U5y
f. veterdtor an old hand.] (See quot,)
1656 Blount Glossogr. (copying Cooper), VeleratorioHi
crafty, subtil, gotten by long use.
Vetere, southern ME, variant of Fetter sb.
Veterean, obs. form of Veteran,
Vetexriuarian (veiterlnea-rian), sb, and a. [f.
L. vcUrtndri-us (see next) + -an.]
A. sb, 1. One who is skilled in, or profession-
ally occupied with, the medical and surgical treat-
ment of cattle and domestic animals ; a veterinary
surgeon,
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. E^. 107 Thesecond Assertion,
that an Horse hath no gall, is very generall, nor onely
swallowed by the people, and common Farriers, but also
received by good Veterinarians. 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 179
Thus the subtile Veterinarians procure white stars, or other
desired marks in the fore-heads of their horses. 1716 M.
Davies a then, Brit. III. 12 Such were call'd at first..
Unguentarians, Emplastrists, Veterinarians, Hippo- Jatrists.
x^ax Med. JmL Vlll. 271 Mr. Barrier, veterinarian, is said
to have observed a disease in doss, perfectly similar to the
small-pox in men. 1844 H. Stephens ^A. Farm II. 81 It
is. .not desirable that you should consider yourself a veter-
inarian. 18S6 E. R. Lankester Advancem. Sci. iii. (1890)
124 Rabies in a dog is recognised without difficulty by the
skilled veterinarian.
+ 2. (See quot.) Obs.-*"
1656 Blount Glossogr. (after Cooper), Veterinarian, he
that lets Horses or Mules to hire, a Muletor, a Horse*
courser, a Hackney-man.
B. adj. = Vetebinaby a.
1656 Blount Glossogr.^ Veterinarian . .is also used adjec-
lively. 1716 M. Davies Athen. Brit. III. 43 Neither is
the Collection of the Veterinarian Greek Physicians much
less representative of the Series of the old Minor Physical
Prophets of Medicinal Greece, 1789 Trans. Soc.ArtsVll.
75 A few remarks on the necessity of. . a Veterinarian School.
1861 Times II July, This may be a reason why some very
eminent veterinarian authority should occupy a place on
the bench.
Hence Veterinarianism.
1816 L. TowNE Farmer ^ Grazier's Guide 10 Analogy
will often hold good .. between the human [maladies], and
those which come under the Head of Veterinarianism.
Veterinary (ve*terinari), a. and sb. [ad. L.
veterindri-us, X. veUrin-us belonging or pertaining
to cattle {veierinx fem. pi., veterina neut. pi.,
cattle). So F. v^irinaire (i6tii cent.). It., Sp.,
Pg. veterinario.l
A. adj. Of or pertaining to, connected or con-
cerned with, the medical or surgical treatment of
cattle and domestic animals.
1791 Gentl. Ma^. n. 1016/1 Veterinary College, London.
Established April 8, 1791. For the. .Improvement of Far-
riery, and the Treatment of Cattle. 1799 Med. Jml. I. 182
Experiments made at the Veterinary School have confirmed
this hypothesis. 1833-3 Ktitle\ The Veterinary Examiner;
or Monthly Record of Physiology, Pathology and Natural
History. 1835 H. Hakewood Diet. Sports s,. v. Clystering,
They may be purchased at any of the veterinary instrument
makers in London. 1865 Daily Tel. 16 Oct. 4/6 Medical or
veterinary problems are regarded by some as absolutely in-
capable of definite solution. z888 Field 21 Jan. 92/3 It is
curious to notice the entire absence of any idea of specific
infection among the older veterinary writers.
b. Veterinary art, science, etc.
inp Gentl. Mag: i. 298/2 The veterinary art is a practical
application of sure and scientific principles to the preserva-
tion of health in animals. /6id. 496/1 The important sub*
ject of Veterinary Medicine. 1799 Med. yrnl. I. 412 'I'he
Veterinary Art. 180^ Ibid. XII. 278 Hence they were led
. to bring tne therapeutics . . of the human body to veterinary
science. i8a5 Bentham Ration. Reward 'z\% The veterin-
ary art, or the art of healing as applied to animals, has only
within these few years been separately studied in England.
18&4 American VII. 343 Medicine, veterinary.
O. Veterinary surgeon^ = Vetkbinarian sb. i.
Frequently abbreviated as Vet,
i8o> James Milit. Diet. 1809 European Mag. LV. 22
The ancient farriers of our metropolis have conferred on
themselves a title highly pre-eminent, that of veterinary sur-
geon. 1854 Poultry Chron. \. Z9Zf^ ^^ a" experimental
hospital could . .be established under the care of a veterinary
surgeon.
166
B. sb, = Veterinarian sb. i.
1861 S. LvsoNS Claudia ^ P. i8, I must have an especial
portion set off as a forge, for the armourers and veterinaries.
x88z S. R. Macphail Relig. House 0/ Pluscardyn \\. 51
Sometimes, indeed, a man was veterinary and a member of
the fraternity too.
t Veterine, ^- Obs, rare, [ad. L. veterin-us:
see prec] (See quot. 1656.)
1656 Blount Glossogr. (after Cooper), Veterine^ that bears
burdens; used in carriage. 1661 Lovell Hist. Anim. ^
Min. Isagoge b j b, The hoofes are solid in those [animals]
that are not corni^erous ;. .and tliey are renewed onlyin the
veterine. ..The taile is.. setose in the veterine.
Veterlok, southern ME. var. Fetterlock.
Veth, dial. var. Faith int.; Sc. var. Waith Obs.
Vethym, southern ME. variant of Fathom sb.
t Vetite, ///- a- Obs.-^ [ad. L. vetit-us, pa.
pple. oivetdre to forbid.] Forbidden.
? a 1500 in Bannatyne MS. (Hunterian CI.) 768 Grit was
the lust that thow had for to fang The fruct vetite.
Vetitive (vetitiv), a. rare~^. [f. L. z'^//V-,ppl.
stem of vetdre (see prec.) + -ive.] Amounting to
a veto.
1853 F. LiEBER Civil Liberty xvil. 164 The only case In
which our executives have a real vetitive power. Is the ca>e
of pardon.
Vetiver (vctivaj). Also -veyr, -vert, viti-
vert. [ad. F. v^tyver^ ad. Tamil vettiverti (f. ver
root).] = Cuscua-.
[1846 LiNDLEv Veget. Kingd. 113 The Anatherum muri-
catum, called Vetiver by the French, and Khus in India.]
1858 SiMMONDS Diet. Trade, Vetiveyr, a name for the
Khuskus grass ; a scent or perfume so named. 1883 /bid.,
Vetivert, a perfumer's name for kuskus root. 1886 Buck's
Handbk. Med. Sci. II. 308/1 Aromatic substances, such as
vanilla, tonba bean, orris, and vetiver root. 1899 M. Thorn-
hill Haunts Indian Official 18, I saw some [roots of Khus-
khus] once years ago in a shop in Bond Street. It was there
known under the name of ' vltivert'.
Vetles, southern ME. variant of Fetles Obs.
Veto (vrti7), sb. [a. L. veto I forbid (ist pers,
sing. pres. ind. oi vetdre) j the word by which the
Roman tribunes of the people opposed measures
of the Senate or actions of the magistrates. Hence
also F., Sp., Pg., It. veto.]
1. A prohibition having for its object or result
the prevention of a proposed or intended act ; the
power of thus preventing or checking action by
prohibition. Freq. in phr. to put (also p/ace, set)
a veto on or upon (something).
1629 Sir W. Mure True Crucijix 1108 Hee who doth
exalt Himselfe to raigne, . . Dare gainst this Law most im-
pudently stand, And God's great Veto boldly counter-mand.
1654 Trapf Comm., Zach. \\. 13 God . . refraineth the re-
mainder of mans wrath. ..If he do but. .Interpose his Veto.
1788 H. VValpole Remin. in Lett. (1857) I. p. cxyiii, They
persuaded her to demand of the new King an earl's coronet
for Lord Bathurst. She did— the Queen put in her veto,
and Swift.. returned to Ireland [etc.]. 1794 U. Price Ess.
Picturesque 1. 43 note, Had I not advanced too far to think
of retreating, I might possibly have been deterred by so
absolute a veto from such authority. 1809 Syd. Smith Wks.
{1859) I. 139/1 It is not the practice with destroyers of ver-
min to allow the little victims a veto upon the weapons used
against them, 1837 Lockhart Scott III. x. 323 Upon this
ingenious proposition Scott at once set his veto. 1866 Geo.
Eliot F. Holt xxiv, The Rector had beforehand put a veto
on any Dissenting qhairman. 1B67 Baker NiU Tribut. xv.
{1872) 255 They were much displeased at my immediately
placing a veto upon their bloody intentions.
trans/. 1865 Mozley Mirac. lii. 73^ Confounding the re-
sistance of impression to a miracle with the veto of reason.
2. spec. The act, on the part of a competent
person or body, of preventing or checking legisla-
tive or other political action by the exercise of a
prohibitory power ; the right or power to inter-
pose prohibition against the passing, or putting in
force, of an enactment or measure.
[1759 E. W. Montagu Anc. Republics JiTi The Cartha-
ginian constitution, where the single, Veto, of one discon-
tented senator, referr'd the decision of the most important
affair to a wrong-headed, ungovernable populace.] 1792 A.
Young Trav. Fratu:e 127, I was- .answered, that the King
of France must have no veto on the will of the nation. 1806
Gazetteer Scot. (ed. 2) p. xxviii, In fact, though the king
possessed no veto.^ yet . . nothing could come before parliament
which could require his negative. 1841 .W. Spalding Italy
9f It. Isl. 1. 87 He deprived the plebeian tribunes of every
prerogative except the veto, which he restricted to certain
cases. j86o Motley Netherl. (1868) II. xii. 112 It could
neither enact its own decrees nor interpose a veto on the
decrees of the Governor. 1888 BRVCE/4?«^r, Commw. I.
xvi. 232 The President's veto kills off some vicious measures.
\i. Without article.
1837 Carlvle Fr. Rev. i. vii. i, Journalism is busy, France
rings with Veto. 1879 M. Arnold Mixed Ess., Irish Catkol.
124 The bishops claimed, .the right of veto on the appoint-
ment of professors.
3. at t rib., as veto power, proposition, etc.
Veto Act, an act of the General Assembly of the Church
of Scotland, passed in 1834, providing that no minister
should be presented to a parish against the wish of the
congregation.
1838 Edinb. Christian Instructor Jan. 47 Cases of Tain
and Strathbogie.— Veto Act. 1840 in Acts Gen. Assembly
(1B43) 1103 The act anent calls, called the Veto Act. 1861
W. J. FiTZ-pATRicK Life Doyle (1880) I. 163 The friends of
the Catholic claims had abandoned the old veto propositions.
1883 Harper's Mag. Nov. 941/2 While it did not give them
actiial control, [it] allowed the exercise of a veto power
somewhat akin to it.
VETTUMNO.
Veto (vrttf), V. [f. prec]
1. trans. To put a veto on, to refuse consent to;
to stop or block by this means : a. With reference
to legislative measures or similar matters.
1706 Hearne Collect, i Apr. (O.H.S.) I. 213 Letters for
degrees, .vetoed, by the Proctors. 1837 Ht. Martineau
Soc, Amer. II. 210 Mr. Monroe vetoed the bill authorising
the collection of tolls for the repair of the Cumberland road.
1861 yiKY Const. Hist. (1863) III. xvii. 572 Measures passed
by tlie assembly were refused by the council, or vetoed by
the governor. 1888 Bryce Amer. Commw. I. i. vi. 74
Washington vetoed (to use the popular expression) two bills
only. Ibid. App. 563 The President is permitted to veto
any particular Item.
b. In general use.
1879 E. K. Bates Egypt. Bonds I. vii. 146 Fred's common
sense vetoes this suggestion at once, 1886 H. F. Lester
Under T1V0 Fig Trees 7 The area garden plan was unan-
imously vetoed. 1902 BucHAN Watcher by Threshold 1^2,
I proposed shooting, which he promptly vetoed.
trans/. 1871 E. F. Burr Ad Fidem iv. 66 [God] will be
hampered by no necessity of general laws. The nature of
free moral agents will not veto His activity.
2. To refuse to admit or accept (a person).
1885 Graphic 24 Jan. 74/2 The right of vetoing persons
whom they deemed ineligible. 1891 Spectator 21 Mar., The
power of choosing their own Prime Minister, and ..the
power of immediately vetoing and removing him.
Hence Ve'toed ///. a, ; Ve-toing vbl. sb. and
ppi. a. Also Ve'toer, one who vetoes.
1893 Sir a. Gordon Earl 0/ Aberdeen vi. 144 Another
vetoed minister. .applied to the Court of Session to issue
a similar decree.. on his behalf. 1888 A'«w York Weekly
Tribune 24 Oct. i (Cent.), *Vetoer. 1892 Columbus (Ohio)
Dispatch 27 Sept., Cleveland's record as a vetoer of jpension
bills. 1867 Latham Black (^ White Ti. The President.,
used his pardoning and his *vetoing powers. 1890 Daily
News 12 July 5/5 A total of 433 Presidential vetolngs in the
century 1789-1889. 1892 Pa/l Mall G. 18 Feb. 2/2 The
committee suggested the establishment of a controlling and
vetoing body.
Ve'toism. rare. [f. Veto j^. + -I8M.] Exercise
or advocacy of the power of veto.
1897 Westm. Gaz. 17 Dec. (Cassell's Suppl.), Vetoism has
nothing to say against the immense amount spent in that
way.
Vetoist (v/'tiJiist). [f. Veto sb. + -ist.] One
who exercises the right, or supports the use, of the
veto ; one who advocates the possession of a power
of veto, esp. for some particular purpose.
The term has been specifically applied to supporters of
(a) a veto on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in
Ireland, {b) the Veto Act of the CImrch of Scotland, (c) local
veto on the sale of liquor.
i8z2 Netv Monthly Mag. V. 484 A little further on you
will come upon another, a group of learned vetoists and
antl-vetoists. 1832 Blackw. Mag. XXXI. 355 The vetoists
..intimate their disapprobation by hissing the unfortunate
performer. 1840 Gladstone Ch. Pi inc. 489 The principle
for which the Vetoists contend I believe Is . . really this [etc.].
X863 A. H. Charteris Life J. Robertson iv. 68 If. .the
vetoists desired to give effect to the people's conscientious
objections. 1896 IVestm. Gaz. 25 Nov. 5/2 He considers
that unless the Liberal Party is dissociated from the Tem-
perance reformers and Vetoists . . its future will be disastrous.
Hence Vetoi'stic, Vetoi'sticaX adjs.
1815 D. O'Connell in W. J. Amherst Hist. Cath.
Emancip. (1886) 11. 183 He came into Ireland on a veto-
Istical mission. 1861 W. J. Fitz-Pathick Li/e Doyle (1S80)
I. 163 Dr. Milner branded Mr. Pluiiket's bills as vetoistic.
1862 F.C. HusENBETH Life Bp. Milner i^s His subsequent
uniform opposition to every form of Vetoistical arrangement.
t Vetonfy. Obs. Also 5 vetoyne, 6 Sc. ve-
touii, veyton, 7 vett'ny. [a. AF. *vetonie, OP\
vetoine, var. (after L. vettonicd) of betoine Betony.]
The plant betony.
a 1400 Stockholm Med. MS. 11. 99 in Anglia XVIII. 310
Betoyne is ^e erbis name, And vetonye eke in same, c 1440
in Thornton Romances p. xx.xvi. Take vervayne, or ve-
toyne, or filles of wormod, and make lee therof. 15^9
Compl. Scot. vL 67, I sau veyton, the decoctione of it is
remeid for ane sair hede. 1568 Skevne The Pest (i860) 25
Of herbis. . . Pimpinell, Vetoun, Finkill. a 1689 Mrs. Behn
tr. Co7vley's Plants C.'s Wks. 1711 III. 295 From Spanish
Woods the wholsom Vett'ny came, The only Glory of the
Vettons Name.
Vette, southern ME. var. Fat v., Fet v.
Vettell, obs. form of Victual sb.
II Vettura (vetz7*ra). [It. :— L. vectura, con-
I veyance, carriage, f. vect-, vek^re to convey.] A
four-wheeled carriage used in Italy.
1792 [see next i]. 1851 J. Gibson in Lady Eastlake Life
iii. (1870) 45, I proceeded on my way in the vettura. 1M3
C. E. Norton Lett. (1913) II. x. 152 We took a Uttle one
horse vettura and drove, -to Ponte Grande.
llVetturino (vetwrrn^?). PI. -ini. Also 7
-ine. [It., f. vettura : see prec]
1. In Italy : One who lets out carriages or horses
on hire ; also, a driver of a vettura.
In early use, one who provided horses and made other
arrangements for the convenience of travellers whom he
accompanied on a journey.
1617 MouvsoN Itin. i. 99 We agreed with a Vetturine or
letter of horses, that each of us paying him fiftie five Poli,
hee should finde us horses, and horsemeate, and our owne
diet to Rome. <!Zi668 Lassei.s Voy. Italy (1670) 11. 258 Others
take with them a Vettunno, that lets them have horses, and
dyets them to. 1756 tr. A'eysler's Trav. xxxv. I. 301, I
made a little excursion into the Milanese, in which I found
that the best way of performing it is with the vetturini.
7792 A. Young Trav. France 209 Yesterday I agreed
with a vetturino, to take me this morning at six o'clock, to
VETUST.
167
VEXATION.
Brescia; but.. I insisted that he should not come for me
without his rcttiira. c 1820 S. Rogers Italy, Harper {iZ^Z)
232 note, Within a crazed and tattered vehicle, .. Then de-
graded, and belonging to a Vetturino. 1883 W. H. Russell
in igth Cent. Sept. 483 Asserting my right of way notwith-
standing the fierce opposition of many of the local vetturini,
I toiled up the steep ascent for the hotel. 1905 R. Bagot
Passport xi. 104, I must drive back to Genzano. I told the
veiturino to wait.
2. = Vkttuba. *
1789 A. VousG Autobiog. (1898) viii. 176, I went by a
z'ctturino to Turin. 1857 Ladv A(organ Autobiog. iii.
(1862) I. 16 A lumbering post-coach, the Irish veiturino,
the ' leattiern convenience of that time {like those of Italy
of the present day). i88i Blackw, Mag. July 122/1 The
lumbering veiturino . .vizs packed with the jolly party of
bachelors !
3. attrib., as vettunno-carriage^ -fashion, etc.
1838 Murray's Hand-Bk. N. Genu. 193 In vetturino
travelling, he must expect to start at break of day, in all
weathers. 1851 Helps Comp. Solit. \\. 82 It wasnecessary
to stay some time {for we travelled vetturino- fashion) at the
little post-house. 1859 Lever Dai\ Dunn Ixx, A miserable-
looking vetturino carriage stood at the inn door.
VetU'St, a- rare, [ad. L. vetnstus^ related to
veins old.] Old, ancient.
x6«3 CocKEBAM 1, 1637 Bastwick Ahsiv, Inform. Sir
y. Bauks 1 1 Neither novell nor hereticall but according to
both the Divine Scriptures and all Antient trueth, and the
vetustest Bishops, and by the whole clergy of England in
King Henry the eights dayes. 1847 Blackxv. Mag. LXI.
748 This is something too vetust to abide the shock of any
agitation.
Hence Vetu'stness, 'ancientness, antiquity \
1727 Bailev (vol. II).
Ve'tusty. rare-"^. [s^^.Y.,vetustas,Uvetustusi
see prec] Antiquity.
1861 J. H. Bennet IFiftter Medit. m. xv. (1875) 499 Some
had on two or even three of these bournous,..in various
degrees of vetusty and dilapidation.
tVeuterer. Obs. Also veutrer. [ad. AF.
veuirier: see Fewterer, and cf. Vautereb.] As
an epithet of a hound : Employed for hunting.
c 1410 Master o/Game (MS. Digby 182) xv, O^^er \>^x be
()at men clepeth alauntes veutreres. Ibid.^ pat other nature
of .ilauntes is ycleped veuterercs.
Veveres, obs. Sc. form of Viveks, provisions.
Veveri, erron. obs. form of Ivoby.
Vew (vi«). north, dial. Also 6 veiwo, 7-9
iriew, 7 vewe, vue. [Prob. an alteration of Yew,]
A yew-tree, or the wood of this.
16.. in Weber Floddon Field {iZd&) 2,'&i A Scottishe Myn-
strell . . broughte a bowe of vewe to drawe. 1699 M. Lister
jfoum. Paris 215 Here are several Acres of young Pines,
Cypresses, Vues, &c. 1796 Pegck Derbictsms Ser. i .
(E.D.S.) 79 Vevjor Viciv,. .the yew tree. x8s8-in northern
dial glossaries (Yks., Lanes., Chesh., Derby).
attrib. <ci6oo Robin Hood <V Guy 0/ Gisbarm xv^ lohn
bent vp a good veiwe bow. And fetteled him to shoote.
c 1675 O. Hevwood Diary,ctc. (1883) lU. 213, 4 view trees
set about my house Sept. i. 1674. ij^Gkose Prov. Gloss.,
yie^v-treet yew-tree.
Vew, southern dial. var. Few a, Vewar, obs,
Sc. f. VivEB, a fishpond. Vewe, southern ME.
var. Few a, ; obs. f. View. Vewlle, obs. f.
ViEWLY. Vewter (in hunting) ; see Fewtereb,
and cf. VAtJTEBER and Veuterer,
Vex, sb, [f, the vb.]
1. Sc. A cause (or state) of vexation or grief.
1815 Scott Gu^ M. xxxvi, It was a sair vex and grief to
a' her kith and kin. 18*4 — St. Ronansxy^ That is another
vex to auld folk such as me. 1877 G. Macoonald Marquis
of Lossie iii, Her man's in a sair vex. \Viim-~ Castle War-
lock xlix, A sair vex it wad be to mony a puir body like
myscr to lowse the richi o' "t.
2. Distressing or vexing commotion.
i86a R. S. Hawker in Life {,\<y>^ x\'\\. 393 The Vex of the
coming Confirmation is now great. s866 Alger Solit. Nat.
ff Man IV. 412 Let trust sink in peace beneath the struggling
vex of mortality.
Vex (veks), V, Also 5-7 vexe, wex (5 uex,
wix). [a, OF. (also mod.F.) vexer^ ad. L, vexdre
to shake, agitate, disturb, etc., whence also It,
vessare, Pg. vexar, Sp. vejar^
I. L trans. To trouble, afflict, or harass (a
person, etc.) by aggression, encroachment, or other
interference with peace and quiet.
Z4j6 Paston Lett. I. 26, 1 have nought trespassed ageyn
noon of these iij,. .and yet I am foule and noysyngly vexed
with hem, to my gret unease, c 1440 Alphabet 0/ Tales 333
So on a day hymhappend tocom vnto aplace ^>er adamyseU
was vexid with a fend. 1487 Munitn, de iT/^/rof (Bann.Cl.)
618, I sail neuer inquiet, vex, nor diiitrubit ^ said Abbot
and conucnt. 1535 Coverdale 2 Mace. viii. 32 They slewe
Philarches that wicked personne, which was with Timo-
theus, and had vexed many lewes. x^oXiKV^vcSUidane's
Comm. 184 b, He,, .to ihend he might vex the Turkes in an
other quarter, was fully resolved to go foreward. 1576
Flemin*; Panopl. E^ist. 383 By who-;e meanes I am so
molested, vexecl, & disquieted. 1617 Morvson Hin. n. 95
His Lordship hereupon had called the Counsellors to Tre-
dagh, . . to deliberate how the Army might be imployed most
to vex Tyrone. 1651 Hobbes Leviathan ir. xxvi. 142 He
docs unjustly, and bewrayeth a disposition rather to vex
other men, than to demand his own right. 1738 Weslev
Psalms 11. V, Then shall He in his Wrath address, And vex
his baffled^ Enemies. s8si Shellev Adonais xxxv, Let me
not vex, with inharmonious sighs, The silence of that heart's
accepted sacrifice. 184^ Polson in Kncycl. Metrop. 11.
723/1 When intestine divisions vex a state. 1850 Tenkv-
soN In Mem, xxix. With such compelling cause to grieve
As daily vexes household peace. 1887 Bowen Mneid vi.
Ill A thousand arrows, that vexed our flight as we came,
Safe from the ranks of the foemen.
b. Const, with (some action, etc.).
a 1540 Barnes IVks. (1573) 246/1, I wyll bryng you S.
Augusiines wordes, the which was vexed of the Donatistes
wyth thys same reason, a 154S Hall Chron,, Hen. IV,
16b, It was not sufficient.., this realme to be. .vexed with
thecraftie practicesand invencions of the Frenche men. i6jo
Holland Camden's Brit, (1637) 126 They never ceased to
vexe the Britans with skirmishes and in-roades. 1641 J.
Jackson True Evang, T. 1. 40 So did hee ve.xe the Church
with various and interchangeable pomp of sufferances. 1667
Milton P.L,. ii. 801 These yelling Monsters, .bursting forth
Afresh with conscious terrours vex me round. 18*7 Pollock
Course of Time 111. (1869) 62 Whom she praised to-day.
Vexing his ear with acclamations loud.
C. To worry (one) out of something, rare"^.
1878 Prodigal Son iii. 103 Such openhanded fellows are
not often to be found. So we must fasten on him, till we
have stolen and vexed him out of all he has.
2. Of diseases, etc. : To afflict or distress physic-
ally ; to affect with pain or suffering. Now poet.
1489 Caxton Faytes of A. in. xxi. 219 To putte in pryson
a man that is vexed with suche a maladie what a valyaunt-
nes were it. 1509 Fisher Funeral Scrm. C'tess Richmond
Wks. (1876) 300 To endure the moost paynful crampes soo
greuously vexynge her. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII,
179 b. He was so sore vexed with the gout that he refused
all suche solempnities. 1596 Mascall Cattle 208 Although
they \_sc. sheep] are housed, they are oftentimes vexed with
cold, a 1614 Donne Biaflai'OTo? (1644) 147 After the perse-
cutors had beat out her teeth, and vexed her with many
other tortures. 1746 Francis tr. Horace, Epist. i. vi. 42
Would You not wish to cure th' acuter Pains, That rack thy
tortur'd Side, or vex thy Reins? 1784 Cowper Ttuk 1. 582
Feigning sickness oft. They swathe the forehead, drag the
limping limb. And vex their flesh with artificial sores. 1817
Keats On the Sea 9 Oh ye ! who have your eye-balls vex a
and tir'd. Feast them upon the wideness of the Sea.
transf. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. 9f Comynw. (1603) 22 It
is most certaine, that Flaunders and Brabant are more vexed
with colde and yce then England. 1718 Pope Iliad \\\. 5
When inclement winters vex the plain With piercing frosts,
or thick-descending rain. 18x0 Shelley Prometh. Unb. i.
i6p Lightning and Inundation vexed the plains.
absol. a 1614 D. Dyke Myst. Self deceiving 42 The stone
. . so bedded in the bladder, that it cannot greatly vexe.
3. To afflict with mental agitation or trouble ; to
make anxious or depressed; to distress deeply or
seriously ; to worry with anxiety or thought.
1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. clxxiv. Though that my spirit vexit
was tofore In sueuenyng, alssone as euer I woke, By
twenty fold it was in trouble more. 1500-so Dunbar Poems
Ixix. 12, I walk, I turne, sleip may I nocht. I vexit am
with havy thocht. 1535 Coverdale Dan. v. 9 Then was the
kynge sore afrayed,..and his lordes were sore vexed. 1596
Spenser /^ ^. vi. v. 6 She,. day and night did vexe her
carefull thought, And euer more and more her owne afflic-
tion wrought. 1605 Shaks. Lear v. iii. 313 Vex' not his
ghost, O let him passe. 1651 C. Cartwright Cert. Relig,
1. 83 Thus doe we sec Christ to be on all sides so vexed, as
being over-whelmed with desperation. s8o6 Wordsw. Horn
Egremont Castle $$ It was a pang that vexed him then;
And oft returned, again, and yet again. 1847 Helps Friends
in C. 1. viii. 1 54 Most of us know what it is to vex our minds
because we cannot recall some name, or trivial thing, which
has escaped our memory for the moment. 1880 Watson
Prince's Quest (1892) 15 There fell a sadness on him, thus to
be Vext with desire of her he might not see. Yet could not
choose but long for.
b. refi. (In later use passing into sense 4.)
r 1440 Alphabet of Tales 128 pis preste gretlie blamyd
hym for his syn,. .& J>is man wexid hym [= himself] gretlie
and slew hym. 15*6 Tindale John xi. 33 He groned in his
sprct and vexed hym silfe and sayde : Where have ye layed
hym? 1579 Lvlv Euphues (Arb.) 148 Not to eate opr
heartes : that is, that wee shoulde not vexe our selues with
thoughts. i6zx Bible 2 Sam, xii. 18 How will he then vexe
himselfe, if we tell him that tlie childe is dead? a 1653
Binning Serm. (1845) 123 Ye toil and vex yourselves and
spend your time about that body and life. 183a J. J.
Blunt Sk^ Reform. Eng. ii. 35 He vexes himself because
he cannot maxe a hundred watches go by his own. 1873
* OmxiK'' Pascarel \. ^\ Why will you vex yourself about
your father 7
c. To trouble, exercise, or embarrass in respect
of a solution.
i6it Brerewood Lang, ff Relig. f>Z, I could produce other
forceable reasons, such as might.. vex the best wit in the
world to give them just solution. 1871 Markbv Elem.Laiv
§ 531 No subject has vexed English judges more than the
question, what remedy a debtor has for a wrongful . . sale by
a creditor of property which he holds as security.
4. To affect with a feeling of dissatisfaction,
annoyance, or irritation ; to cause (one) to fret,
grieve, or feel unhappy.
a 1450 Mirk's Festial 57 pe forme woman Eue vexude
God more J>en dyd man. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie)
Chron, Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 33 This wexit him mair nor all the
troubillis that he had of befoir, and [he] was the mair crabbit
with him sellffe [etc.]. 1591 Shaks. Ttoo Gent, iv, iv. 66
Away, I .say : stayest thou to vexe me here ? 1613 —
Hen. VIII, II. iv. 130 They vexe me past my patience. i66a
in Verney Mem. (1Q07) II. 182 It vexes my very soul to
heare how the base bumpkins triumph. 1676 Hobbes Iliad
I. 312 Which, angry as he is, will vexe him worse. 1710
Swift Lett. (1767J III. 37 Thebishop-.complainsof my not
writing ; and what vexes me, says he knows you have long
letters from me every week. 1714 Lady M. W. Montagu
Let. to IV. Montagu (1887) I. 95 Your letter very much
vexed me, 1809 Malkin GH Bias x. viii. (Rtldg.) 358
Nothing vexes me, but that Antonia has not a thumping
fortune to bring with her. 1835 Politeness ^ Gd.'breeding
28 This boy or girl.. who never sneers at or jeers you, or
tries to vex your feelings. 189a Law Rep., IVeekly Notes
188/1 The defendant had been maliciously making nmses
for the mere purpose of vexing and annoying the pTainnflfs.
b. In pa. pple., freq. const, at or iviih.
C1460 Toivneley Myst.xxi. 187 Sir, year vexed at all, And
perauentur he shall here after pleas you. 1555 Phafr
Aineid II. 31 For amends to Pallas wrath, so vext with sore
oflTence. x6ii Cotgr., Se Mar?-ir, to grieue, or sorrow for,
. . be sad, or vexed at, 1664 in Verney Mem. (1907) 1 1. 204
I am slepy and vexet, and now I fear I have vexed you.
X711 Addison Sped. No. 165 f 6 The Curate.., upon the
reading of it, being vexed to see any thing he could not
understand. 1736 Butler Anal. i. iii. Wks. 1874 I. 55 That
inward feeling, which,.. in familiar speech, we call being
vexed with oneself. 1783 Johnson in Boswell Life 15
May, I would have knocked the factious dogs on the head,
to be sure; but I was not vexed. 1833 Ht. Martinf.au
Briery Creek ii. 26 He was amused at some of his foibles,
vexed at others. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. ni. v, A little
vexed that she had spoken precipitately. 1885 'Mrs.
Alexander ' At Bay i, I am always vexed with people who
don't care what they eat.
c. To irritate or tease (an animal).
a 1700 Evelyn Diary 19 Sept. 1657, 2 Virginian rattle-
snakes,., when vexed, swifily vibrating and shaking their
tailes. 1770 Langhorne Plutarch (1851) II. 1002/2 She
vexed and pricked it [an asp] with a gnlden spindle till it
seized her arm. 1835 Lvtton Rienzi i. iv, Vex not too far
the lion, chained though he be,
6. inir. To be distressed in mind; to feel un-
happy or dissatisfied ; to fret or grieve. Also
const, at.
Common in the 17th cent. ; now rare or Obs,
iS9a Greene Groat's W. Wit Wks. iGrosart) XII. 122 A
yong Gentleman,, .vexing that the sonne of a farmer should
be so preferred, cast in his minde by what meanes.. he might
steale away the Bride. 1598 Marston Scourge of Villanie
III. viii. (1599) 214, I doe sadly grieue, and inly vexe. To
viewe the base dishonour of our sexe. i6zi Lady M. Wroth
Urania 346 If. .we should faile, I should hate my selfe, and
vexe incessantly at my fortune. 1663 Bp. Patrick Parab.
/'/^fr. xxxiii.(i6S7) 412 It makes us vexif webecrossedin the
least of our desires, a 167a Wilkins Nat. Relig. 257 Men
usually vex and repine at that which is extraordinary and un-
usual. 1770 Mrs. ThraleZ.^//. to yohnsoniijSS) I. 31 Mr.
Thrale particularly vexes lest you should not see Matlock
on a moon-light night. 180^ Charlotte Smith Conversa-
tions, etc. 1. 137 But since it is so, . . I must not vex about it.
H. 6. trans. To disturb by causing physical
movement, commotion, or alteration ; to agitate,
toss about, work, belabour or tenr up, etc.
i6a7 Hakewill Apol. (1630) 151 Even there where they
[the minerals] are most vexed and wrought upon, yet are
they not worne out. 1666 Drvden^ww. Mirab.ccvii, Some
English wool, vex'd in a Belgian Loom, And into Cloth of
spungy softness made. 1697 — Virg, Past. iv. 40 And
sharpen 'd Shares shall vexJhe fruitful ground. 1759 Mills
tr. Duhamefs Husb. u viii. 20 Clay... In these cases laxa-
tives are to be prescribed,. .and continually vexing it with
the .spade or plow. 1775 Burke Sp, Concil. Amer. Wks.
1842 I. 186 No sea but what is vexed by their fisheries.
1817 Shelley Rev. Islam vii. vii, Some calm wave Vexed
into whirlpools by the chasms beneath. 1861 T.A. Trollope
La Beata II. xviii. 213 Well sheltered from the blasts that
even in summer vex the upper Apennine. 1879 J. D. Long
yEneid vii. 905 His followers they, who vex Ihe Massic
glebe, so fruitful of the vine.
b. To disturb by handling ; to twist, rare.
"673 [R- Leigh] Transp. Reh. 35 He exalts his supercilt-
ums and vexes his formal beard.
O. fig. To press, strain, or urge.
1678" Marvell Def J. H&ive Wks. (Grosart) IV. 191, I
would not too much vex the similitude, a 1680 Butler Rem.
(1759) I. 218 Distinctions,. . By b'ing too nicely overstrain'd
and vext, Have made the Comment harder than the Text.
7. To subject (a matter) to prolonged or severe
examination or discussion ; to debate at excessive
length.
a 1614 Donne BiaflacaTO? (1644) 20 The best way to finde
the truth in this matter, was to debate and vexe it. a 1648
Ld. Herbert Hen, VIII (1683) 243, I shall now come to
the business of the Divorce ; so much vexed by our Writers.
1869 Blackmore Lorna D. xli. Be that as it may ; and not
vexing a question (settled for ever, without our votesX let
us own that he was, at least, a. .gentleman. 1877 R. F.
Burton in Athenaeum 3 Nov. 569/1 Upon this point I must
join issue with him, with Stanley, and with others who have
vexed the subject.
Vex, obs. form of Wax v.
Vexable(ve-ksab'l),a. rare. [s.6.L.7/exddi/is,
\ or f. Vex z;. -h-ABLE.]
f 1. Troublesome, oppressive. Obs.
i5o« in Antiq. Rep. (180B) II. ■*32o Without distrobill, en-
sjTchyng, or any other vexable demaundsof his liage people.
2. Capable of being vexed.
i8to SooTHEV Lett. (1856) H. 191 The printers use me
ill, but they do not vex me, because I am not vexable by
such things.
Vexation (vekst"'*j3n). Forms: 5-6 vexa-
cione, -aoyon (5 wexacion), 6 vexatyon, 6-
vexation ; 5 wex-, vexacioun, 6 vexatioun.
[a. OF. (also mod.F.) vexation, or ad. L. vexation-,
vexdtio, n. of action f. vexdre Vex v. Cf. Pg.
vexafdo, Sp. vejacion, It. vessazione.']
1. The action of troubling or harassing by ag-
gression or interference (sometimes spec, by un-
justifiable claims or legal action) ; the fact of
being troubled or harassed in this way.
Common in the i6th cent. ; now rare.
C1400 Beryn 3842 Vee shulle fynde. .amendis for to make
For our vndewe vexacioun. 14.. Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin
(1889) 324 Such persones as will cum to the citte..he fre
withoute eny wex.icion, cumyng, goyng and abydyng a
day befor and a day after. 1481 Coventry Leet Bk. 494
Be his longe defferynges, cautels, vexacions & troubles,
VEXATIOUS.
be wold neoer haue conclucion, but fynde mcasnc^ of
trouble & vexadon to hurt & disheryte the pore comiens
bete of their rightfull comen, which he wolde do.
icai Act 13 4- 14 //'»■ ^V//, c iii. S 9 The said maire..
may have and use all.. powers and .luctorities .. without
trouble, lette, or vexacion of any of the Inhabitauntes. 1560
D»fS tr. SUiJaiu's Coinm. 144 b, They loved rather the
vexation of the common wealth, than peace and quietnes.
itai Sir T. Coventiiv in Fartcscut Papers iCimden) 156
The \-exacions of informers and other new devised straj'nes
I shall endeavour to repres.se. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Omt.
£v. I. Ixvii. (t739) '6' I'herefore the Law providj:d a \ynt
of remedy against unjust vexation, i^ >r- , {''";"'" f
C<m«. CluHa 191 Finally, .came out an Edict, which forbad
aiWurther vexation, after they had killed a hundred thou,
sand men. 1770 Goldsm. Dts. KiV/. 95, •i"'"'!>d hopes, my
long vexatiofTpast, Here to return. _ 1788 Cowfe. hegros
Com*/ 37 He, foreseeing what vexations Afric s sons should
undergo i8sa Sir W. Hamilton DiscMSS. 232 He was
constiSined by their «xations to abandon that University.
+ b. Strict examination or calling to account.
aiax Cit-oi. LO'U/. (Kingsford, 1905) ^l This yere was
Sir William Capell ayein put in vexacion, .. for thingesdoon
by bym in the tyme of his mairaltie.
t 2. The action of troubling, disturbing, or ir-
ritating by physical means ; the fact or slate of
being so troubled or distressed. Ois.
14. . HocCLEVK Miiior Poems (1892I 220 The vexacloun Of
decth so haastid him, (>at his spiryt Anoon forsooke his
habiucioun. c 144a Gesta Rom. Ixvi. 298 Abowte cockn
crowe t)e mayde, for gret vexacion hat she hadde with t>e
tempest, fell on slepe. 1493 Pctranylla 18 ;Pynson), Though
she had of brennyngc greate feruence Twene colde and hole
vexacion inportable There was no grutchinge. IJIJ Bar-
CLAV Egtoges ii. (1570) B iv/i In all that thy sight hath
deleciation, Thy greedy tasting hath great vexation, a 1548
Hall Chron., Hen. VI I, 3 b, By the torraentyng and vexa-
cion of which sicknes, ..tliey cast away the shetes & all the
clothes liyng on the bed. 1577 Hanmer Aiic. EccUs. Hist.
(1619) 148 Maiming, racking, and scourging, and thousands
of other vexations. 1590 Shaks. Mids. N. iv. i, 74 That he
. May. .thinke no more of this nights accidents, But as the
fierce vexation of a dreame. i6to B. Jonson Catiline ill.
ii, No noise, no pulling, no vexation wakes thee. Thy
lethargic is such. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. s.v. Assodes
fehii, The Distemper usually arises from the Vexation of
the Stomach by sharp and cholerick Humours.
3. The state or fact of being mentally troubled or
distressed, in later use esp. by something causing
annoyance, irritation, dissatisfaction, or disappoint-
ment.
c 146$ Pot., Ret., * L. Poems (1903) 2 Raynyng with
Rewles resenable and Rightfull) The whiche for oure sake
bathe sofferde grete vexacion. c 1471 in Pot. Poems
(Rolls) II. 279 What vexacioun was then To the quene and
the lordis...Then aftur kynge Edwarde thay cryed and did
wepe. isoo-»o Dunbar Pi>ems xxv. 41 Tak consolatioun in
^our pane, In Iribulatioun tak consolatioun. Out of vexatioun
cum hame agane. ISSS Eden Decades (."Vrb.) 71 Contentc
onely to satisfie nature, without further vexation for knowe-
lege of thinges to come. 1590 Shaks. iMids. N. 1. i. 22 Full
of vexation, come I, with complaint Against my childe, my
daughter Hermia. 1(63 Brit. Spec. loi I'hosc Britains..
did. .so infest the Roman Province, that the very Vexation
of it cost Ostorius his Life. 1715 De Foe Voy. round
Jfor/rf (1840) 344 They let it (a canoe] go to the first catar-
act,., and bad the vexation of seeing it dashed all to pieces.
1781 Miss BURNEV Cecitia 111. viii, [She] very openly ex-
pressed her vexation and displeasure. x8a8 Scott P. M.
Pertli XX, The King, .heard of this new trouble with much
vexation. 1854 Poultry Chron. II. 122/2 The vexation of
the poultry owner when he sees his favourites fall under the
ravages of disease. 1887 RusKiN Prxterita II. 19, 1 spoke
of the constant vexation I suffered because I could not draw
better.
b. In the phr. vexation of mind, spirit.
153s CoVERDALE Isatoh Ixv. 14 Ye shal crie for sorow of
hen, and complayne for vexacion ofmynde. X540-S4CROKK
11/ Chap.Eccles. (Percy Soc.) 49 Nought fynde I butvexa-
cion Of spryte and mynde. 1560 Bible (Genev.) Eccl. ii. 17
All is vanitie, & vexacion of the spirit. 1588 Fbaunce
Lawiers Logike Ded. F2b, The perpetuall vexation of
Spirite, and continuall consumption of body, incident to
every scholler. x6n Cotgr., A/a>-;vio«, . .chafing, fuming,
vexation of mind. l6al Burton Anat. Met. 11. ili. vll. 422
Many men spend themselues..vpon small quarrels, .. with
much vexation of spirit and anguish of minde. _ i8a8 Scott
F. M. Pertli xiv, She found her reward in vanity and vexa-
tion of spirit,
4. A source or cause of mental trouble or dis-
tress ; a grief or affliction. Chiefly witli a.
1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, iv. iv. 305 Your Children were
vexation to your youth. But mine shall lie a comfort to
your Age. i6it Brinslev Lud. Lit. iii. (1627) 13 It is an
extreme vexation, that we must be toiled amongst such
little petties. l6J8 R. Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. Ill)
165 Sir, I am your vexation in ordinary. 1765 CowPKR
Let. to Lady Hesketh i Aug., It is a mark of their great
charity for one who has been a disappointment and a
vexation to them. 1833 Hr. Martineau Loom Ar Lugger
It. V. 94 It may be a vexation and disadvantage to us.
1879 Froude Caesar xx. 344 My own vexation is, that I
must pay Caesar my debt.
1 5. The action of subjecting to violence or
force ; the fact of being so treated. Obs.
1603 B. Jonson Sejanus iv. ii, As the wind doth try strong
trees. Who by vexation grow more sound and firm. 1610
— Atch. IL V, Name the vexations, and the mattyrizations
0( mettalls, in the worke. 169a L'Estrange Josephus,
AsUii. IV. viii. (i73i) 94 The Earth hath enough to do. .
without the superfluous Vexations of the Plow over and
above.
Vexatious (veksi^-Jas), a. Al«o 6 vezacyns.
[f. prec. : see -10U8.]
L Causing, tending or disposed to cause, vexa-
168
tion (in later use in sense 3) : a. Of persons, their
disposition, etc.
1534 Star Chamber Cases (Selden) II. 319 Henry.. of hK
vexacyus mynde purchased a writtc of monstrauerunt in the
Comen place ageynst the seid defeudaunt. 1651 G. W. tr.
Coquets Inst. 246 Ihey might meerly through envy, and the
pleasure they took in being vexatious, take men upon Writs.
167(5 WvcHERLEV Pt. Dealer i. i. She is as vexatious as her
Father was, the great Attorney. 1715 Lomi. Gaz. No. 3343/=
The Townsmen . . are . . turbulent and vexatious to the Kegi-
ment. 1738 WESLEv/'.rai'wwcxviil. iv, Begirt with Hosts of
Enemies Vexatious as thick-swarming Bees. 1853 Dickens
Bleak Ho. xxiv. The Lord Chancellor described him, in
open court, as a vexatious and capricious infanL
b. Of things.
1664 Power Exp. Philos. in. 184 If he could but stiffly
wrangle out a vexatious dispute of some odd Peripatetick
qualities, a 1680 Butler Vf^wi. (1759) II. 38 Flies and Gnats
are more vexatious in hot Climates, than Creatures that are
able to do greater Mischiefs. i70S-« Penn in Pennsylv.
Hist. Soc. Mem. X. 108 The business of Beaumont proves
very vexatious to me here. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 176
p I There are many vexatious accidentsand uneasy situations
which raise little compassion for the sufferer. 1804 Aber-
nethv Surg. Obs. loi The opening of the cyst generally leaves
a vexatious and intractable sore. 184a Loudon Suburban
Hort. 709 It is most vexatious 10 find a fruit tree has been
planted untrue to name. 1869 Freeman Norm. Cong. (1875)
III. xii. 75 It is somewhat vexatious that we have to trust
almost wholly to authorities on one side.
•c. Of legal actions : Instituted without
0. spec.
sufficient grounds for the purpose of causing
trouble or annoyance to the defendant.
1677 Yarranton Eng. Improv. 9 It is a Sin, that a Gentle. \
man., should be the occasion of ruining so many Families.,
by putting them to such vexatious Suits for their Moneys
lent. 1696-7 Act 8-9 William III, c. 11 Diverse evil dis-
posed Persons are incouraged to bring frivolous and vexa-
tious Actions. 1746 Francis tr. Hor., Sat. 1. vi. 6 Persius
had wealth by foreign traffic gain'd, And a vexatious suit
with King maintain 'd. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II.
vi. 72 Their courts were unceasingly occupied with vexa-
tious suits.
trans/. 1909 H. M. Gwatkin Early Ch. Hist. I. viii, 142
If the charge turns out vexatious {fatumnix gratia) the
accuser shall be severely punished.
■(• 2. Full of trouble or uneasiness. Obs.
1644 DiCBV Two Treat. Ded. a iij b, He leadeth a vexa-
tious life, that in his noblest actions is so gored with
scruples, that he dareth not make a steppe, without the
authority of an other to warrant him. 1671 H. M. tr.
Erasm. Cotloq. 529 Riches and honours which bring not a
pleasant, but rather a careful and vexatious life,
t 3. Vexed, annoyed. Obs.~'^
1756 ToLDERVv Hist. 1 Orphans IV, 106 Heartley grew
vexatious with himself for having parted with the watch.
Vexationsly (veks^-Jasli), cuiv. [f. prec. +
-Lv'''.] In a vexatious manner; so as to cause
annoyance or irritation.
1653 R. Sanders Physiogn. 140 Thy soul is vexationsly
perturbaled. 1709 Swift & Addison Tatter No. 43 p 2,
The rugged Cares and Disturbance that Publick Affairs
brings with it, which does so vexatiously affect the Heads of
other great Men. 1748 Anson's Voy. u. ix. 227 We were
most strangely and vexatiously disappointed, by finding that
the light.. was only a fire on the shore. 1788 Mme. D'Ar-
BLAV Diary 2 Aug. , Very vexatiously, however, my message
arrived, .late. 1S17 S. Austin Ranke's Hist. Re/. III. 531
At the same time difficulties were vexatiously thrown in the
way of the protestant procurator. 1879 S. C. Bartlett
Egypt to Pat. xi. 242 We paused here and interrogated our
Arabs, but, vexatiously enough, we could extract from them
no such tradition.
b. spec, in law. (See Vexatious a. i c.)
1880 MuiRiiEAD Gaius IV. §172 The praetor allows an
oath to be exacted from him ' that he is not vexatiously
denying his liability'. 1883 Law Times 20 Oct. 412/1 The
bankrupt, .must not have vexatiously defended any action.
VexatiousneSS (veks^'-Jasnes). [f. as prec.
4- -NESS.] The character of being vexatious.
i6<S Bp. Hopkins Sermons, Vanity (1685) 39 There is a
fourfold vexatiousness in all worldly things. 1717 Bailev
(vol. II). c i8a5 Ld. Cockburn Mem. (1856) 300 Amidst the
vexatiousness of the most complicated case, , . Monypenny
sat ,. serenely, 121859 De QuiNCEV in 'H, A, Page ^'f"
(1877) II. xvii. 54 The vexatiousness of writing letters.
Ve'xatory, a. [f. L. vexdt-, ppl. stem of
vexare Vex v. : see -okv.] = Vexatious a. i.
1900 speaker 8 Sept. 622/1 The objection that they are
not Englishmen may be brushed aside as futile and vexa-
tory. 190a Fortn. Rev. Oct. 585 The only people who
would gain by these vexatory measures would be the lawyers.
t Vexed, variant of Faxed a. Obs.
a i>59 [see Faxed a.J. a 1661 Fuller IVorlhies, Vorlis.
III. (1662) 200 Hence Mathew Westminster calleth a Comet
. . a Vexed Star.
Vexed (ve-kst), ppl. a. Also 7 vex't, vext,
, 7-9 vex'd. [f. Vex t/.]
1. Troubled, harassed ; kept in a disturbed or
unquiet state.
1:1440 Promp. Parv. 509/2 Vtxxi.vexatus. 1583 _Mel-
Hfi-HCKt. Philotimus T jb, If you will.-kepeme still aliue in
vexed plighte, for some offence I haue committed, then
shew fete.]. 159a Kyd Sp. Trag. ill. ii. 13 The night. .With
direfull visions wake my vexed soule. c 1670 Wood Life
6 Sept. 1645, Col, Legge charged them so gallantly, that the
rebels ran back.,, Yet farr had they not gone, before these
vexed rebels came on againe. 1816 Shelley 5k««^ 43 The
tomb of thy dead self Which one vexed ghost inhabits. 1870
Burton Hist. Scot. (1873) VI. Ixx. 189 He thus was chosen
to settle the vexed affairs of Scotland.
2. Distressed, grieved ; affected with vexation ;
annoyed, irritated.
1601 2nid Pt. Return /r. Parnass. 11. i, 564 O how it
VEXILLATION.
greeues my vexed soule to see Each painted asse in chayre
of dignitye, «65» Crashaw Carmen Deo Nostro, Epi.
fhanie Wks. (1904) 211 [The sun] hiding his vex't cheeks in
ahir'd mist, 1798 S. & Ht. Lee Canterb. '/'. II. 96 Ihe
vexed father now sighed to himself 1810 ScoTT Lady 0/
Lake II, v, While her vex'd spaniel from the beach Bay'd
at the prize beyond his reach. 1846 Mrs. A. Marsh Father
Darcy II. iv. 95 The priest looked vexed and perplexed.
1894 Mrs. Dvan Man's Keeping (1899) 247 'You think I
look it? ' he said, with a vexed little laugh. -
absol. X824 Campbell Theodoric 195 Hers was the brow
, .That cheered the sad, and tranquillized the vexed.
3. Subjected to physical force or strain ; tossed
about, agitated, belaboured, etc.
16x0 Shaks. Temp. 1. ii. 229 Where once Thou calldst
mevp..to fetch dewe From the still-vext Bermoothes.
X667 Milton P. L. 11. 660 Vex'd Scylla bathing in the Sea
that parts Calabria from the hoarce Trinacrian .shore. Ibid.
x. 314 A ridge of pendent Rock Over the vext Abyss. 1718
Pope Iliad xvill. 549 1'he ponderous hammer loads his better
hand, His left with tongs turns the vexed metal round.
1817 Shelley Rev. Islam i. i. The peak of an aereal pro.
montory, Whose caverned base with the vexed surge was
hoary. 1850 Blackie yEschylus I. 21 What time the
Chalcian strand Saw the vexed Argive masts In Aulis tides.
X852 G, W. Curtis Lotus-Elating i'\u. 117 The vexed river
rages and tumbles among channeled rocks.
4. Vexed question, a much debated or contested
question.
1657 Heylin Ecctesia Vind. 215 Nor do I mean to meddle
in so vexed a question. X848 Mill Pot. Econ. i. v. § 8
(1876) 48 This leads to the vexed question to which Dr.
Chalmers has very particularly adverted. x86o RusKiN
Unto this Last iii. § 54 The vexed question of the destinies
of the unemployed workmen. x87f Mahaffv Soc. Li/e
Greece iL 9 'The great vexed question of the origin and
composition of the Homeric poems.
Hence Ve-xedness. )aie~'.
X754 Richardson Grandison V. xx. 90 My teazing uncle
broke out into a loud laugh, which . . had more of vexedness
than mirth in it.
Vexedly (ve-ksedli), adv. [f. prec. 4- -lt.] In
a vexed manner; with vexation.
1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) II. xxiv. 165 My heart
is vexedly easy, if I may so describe it. Vexedly— because
of the apprehended interview with Solmes. X796 Anna
Seward Z,f//.(i8ii) IV. 241, 1 am in a society which makes
me vexedly feel ihe rapid flight of those weeks, whose period
must close an Intellectual intercourse very gratifying. 1856
[ Household Words XIII. 300/t Then he turned round,
neither vexedly nor impatiently. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr.
II. xvi, Eugene answers, and answers hastily and vexedly ;
' No, no, no ; he doesn't mean that '. X90X Clive Holland
Jiiousme 223 'Some one else come and have her,' she
remarked vexedly.
Vexer (ve-kssa). Also 6 vexar, -or. [f. Vex
V.'] One who er that which vexes or annoys.
X530 Palsgr. 284/2 Vexar, a grevar, turbateur. 1551
HuLOET, Vexor, animaduersor. c 1586 C'tess Pembroke
Psalms LXXXix. viii, I will quaile his vexers in his sight.
x6o8 TOPSELL .bVr/><:»</i 93 Hornets, are great vexers and
troublers. i6ao Rowlands Night Raien 34 Pray speake,
had you this vexer and abuser, And were thus plagu'd as I,
how would you vse her! 1651 Wood Ath. Vxon. II. 235
He was . . a vexer of two Parishes with continual suits of
Law. ai7i6 Blackall Wlis. (1723) I. 45 They can't be
blessed because they are their own Vexers and Tormentors.
1788 BuKKE Impeachm. IV. Hastings Wks. XIII. 59 The
dlsgracers of government, the vexers and affiicters of
mankind.
t Ve-xfal, a. Obs. rare. [f. Vex v. + -ful i.]
= Vexatious a.
XS98 F'lorio, Essoso, vexfull, cruell, exacting. 1603 —
Montaigne 11. xi. 243 Maintaining for his exercise the
peevish frowardnes of his wife, then which no essay can be
more vex-full.
Vexil, Anglicized f. Vexillum a (Webster,
1828-32). The stem oi vexillum is also the base
of the following formations given in Diets, without
evidence of their currency : Ve'xillar a., of or per-
taining to a vexillum, spec, in Bol. and Ornith.
VexillaTious a., = Vexillakv a. 2. Ve'xiUato
a., haying a vexillum or vexilla {Bot. and Ornith.).
Vexillary l.ve-ksilari), sb. and a. Also 7
vexiliarie. [ad. L. vexillari-us standard-bearer,
etc., f. vexilluin standard, Vexillum.]
A. sb. a. One of the oldest class of veterans
in the Roman army, serving under a special
standard, b. A Roman standard-bearer.
X591 Savice Tacitus, Hist. 11. xviii. 63 Three Praetorian
cohortes, and a thousand Vexillaries. Ibid. c. 1 1 1 With the
Vexillaries of the three British Legions. x6xi Speed Hist.
Gt. Brit. VI. xi. § 7. 84 The Vexillaries of three British
Legions followed Vitellius in his Expedition against the
Illyrian Army. x6s6 Blount Clossogr. 1793 A. Murphy
Tacitus (1805) V. 220 In the left wing were placed the
vexillaries of the thirteenth legion. 187a Tennyson Gareth
* Lynette 1172 In letters like to those the vexillary Hath
left crag-carven o'er the streaming Gelt.
B. adj. 1 1. Vexillary soldier, = prec. a, Obs.-y
1598 Grenewey Tacitus, Ann. \. ix. (1622) j6 Certaine
vexiliarie souldiers which continued vnder ensignes, and
were placed for a guard to the countrey.
2. Bot. Of estivation : (see quot.).
X831 LiNDLEY Introd. Bot. 411 Vexillary, when one piece
is much larger than the others, and is folded over them, lliey
being arranged face to face.
Vexillation (veksil^i-J^n). [ad. L. vexilldtio,
I. vexillum standard, Vexillum.] A company
of veteran soldiers (see prec. A. a) or of soldiers
grouped imder one standard.
X656 Blount Gtossogr., Vexillation, a company of men of
VEXILLATOB.
arms under one Standard. 173a Hist. Littfraria III, 5Q7
The quantity of Work perform'd by the Vexillations, ap.
pears to have nearly equalled that of the whole Legions.
tSsi D. Wilson Preh. Ann. (186^) II. in. ii. 44 The vexilU'
tion of the twentieth Legion dedicated four thousand paces
of their wall to the Emperor whose name it bore. 1876 Skknk
Celtic Scot. I. ii. I. 78 The vallum. .had been constructed
by ihe second.. and twentieth legions, or rather by their
ve.viilatioiis.
VexiUator (ve-ksiU'ta.i). [a. med.L. vexHla-
tor^ L vexillttm : see next.] A banner-bearer in
a mystery or a miracle play.
iBoi Strutt Sports <V Past. iii. ii. 137 The prologue to
this curious drama is delivered by three persons, who speak
alternately, and are called vexillators. 1831 Collirr Hist.
Dram, J'oitry U. 155 Ihe Chester Whitsun-plays are pre-
ceded by a kind of proclamation, .made by certain Vexill.-i-
tors in various parts of the city.
llVexillnm (veksi-Iom). [L. (in sense i), f.
the stem of veh^re to carry.]
1, a. A flag or banner carried by Roman troops;
a body of men grouped under one banner,
1716 Gordon I tin. Sept. 79 The Figures of two winged
Victories,supportingthe Koman Vexillum. 1805 Jamfs Mil.
Diet. (ed. 2), / 'exilluni, the standard which was carried by
the Roman horse. 1891 Cent. Diet, s.v., These vexilla
averaged from 500 to 600 in strength.
b. Eccl. A small piece of linen or silk attached
to the upi>er part of a crozier.
1877 F. G. Lke Gloss. Eccl. ^ Liturg. Terms 438 Many
examples of the vexillum are represented in illuminated
MSS. 1905 Ch. Times 3 Feb. 136/3 The vexillum some-
times attached to a pastoral staff wa*; a ' sudarium ' or
handkerchief, in all probability.
2. Bot. The large e-\ternal petal of a papiliona-
ceous flower.
«7a7 Bailev (vol. II), I'e.t ilium, the Banner of the broad
Single Leaf, which stands upright. X760 J. Lf.e Inirod.
Bot. II. XX. (1765) 116 I'ejcil/um, the Standard, a Petal
covering the rest, c 1780 /."wryc/. Urit. (ed. 3) HI. 446/2 The
superior [petal] ascentfing, (catted the vexillum or flag).
i8ai W. P. C. Barton Flora N. Avter. I. 11 Corolla with
a long sabre-shaped vexillum of a deep carmine-red colour.
187a OuvKR /Jem. /»■,»/. App. 304 Corolla [of garden peaj
papilionaceous, white ; vexillum targe.
0. Ornith. The vane or web of a feather.
1867 P. L. Sci-ATER tr. NitzscWs Pterylography 10 The
Barbs., form, with the parts seated upon (hem, the so*called
Vsinc ivexillMm). 187J Coues N. Amer. Birds 2 The
rhachis.. alone bears vexilla. Ibid, 34 Except in the case
of a few of the innermost remiges, their outer vexiUam..ts
always narrower than the inner.
^ Vexing ( ve-ksiij\ vbl. si', [{. Vex v, •»- -mo i.]
The action of the verb in various senses.
a 1450 Mirk's Festial 281 pat is of no wexyng of ^e fend,
but ofgrace of God. 1530 Palscr. 284/2 Vexyng or troub-
lyng. conturbatiou. 1611 Cotcr., Inquietation, a disquiet-
ing,.. vexing, molesting, troubling. 1617 Hikrom l^ks. II.
263 It is a kind of vexing to him, that he cannot master it.
>66oJf:k. Tavlob Ductor i. i. §2 The first is that which
Nazianzen calls, .accusations and vexings of a man when
he is in misery.
Ve-xing, ///. «. [f. Vex i/.+ ingZ.] That
vexes ; causing vexation.
a 1586 SiDNKV PsatiHs VI. vi, The while a swarm of foea
with vexing feates My life besitteth. 1599 Davies Immort.
SaKlxxu.vi. (1714) 79Treml)linK Fear, and vexing Griefs
.iniioy. 1654 Whitlo<:k /flfitoniia 28 Reckoning Imposs.
ihles not to concerne our Desires ; nor Unavoydables our
i 'eares ; nor things past our Remedy, our vexmg sorrow.
1*84 I.ElGHTON Comm. I Pelcr\. 8-9 Ihe burden of vexing
carefulness, tyvj IJailev (vol. II), I'txatiousmss, trout)le.
s.)me, perplexing, vexing Quality. 1761 Kames JiUiii.
Crit. xviii. (1833) 286 From this vexing dilemma 1 am
happiljr relieved. 1815 Scott ihiy M. xlv, I am glad to see
that this vexing job hasna taen awa your appetite. Captain.
toio 19M Cent, Feb. 279 Let others seek, .the games and
pleasures which bring with them a thousand vexing cares.
Hence Te'xingly a<y7>.
1635-5* CowLEV Davidth IV. 81 At Courts, and Seats of
Justice to complain. Was to be robb'd more vexingly again,
•*43 J- Carvi. Expos, yob I. 868 This they did so vexingly,
that they are said to wrest his words. 1710 Steele TatUt-
No. 269 p 5 It is the same poverty which makes men speak
or write smuttily, that forces them to talk vexingly.
Vexor, obs. form of V'exer.
t Vey, V. 06s.—' [ad. OF. wier: cf. Sobvey v.
and Vevob.] trans. To inspect, examine.
1511 Act 4 //fn. I '///, c. 18 83 Accomptes. .to be taken,
veyed, surveyede, & comtrolled.
Vey, southern Mli. var. Fey a.; obs. f. Weigh
V. Veyage, obs. Sc. f. Voyage. Veyoht, obs.
Sc. f. Weight. Veye, obs. f. Way si. ; obs. Sc.
f. Weiohz/. Veyle, obs. f. Vail siA ; obs. Sc f.
Well adv. VeyllartJ, obs. f. Vieillard. Veyn,
ob«. {. Vain, Vein, Ween. Veynde, obs. .Sc. f.
WiHD V. Veyno, southern ME. var. Feign v. ;
obs. f. Vain, Vein.
t Vejme. Ots. Also veino. [a. OF. vane, ad.
L. vtma pardon.] = Veny '.
f 1400 Ru/e .St. Benet xliv. 31 When )>ai say ' Kirieleison ',
sal sho take hir veine by-fore J»e auler at te grece. c 1450
in Aungier //iit. .Syon (1840) 250 Any brother that hathe be
seek..schal first ryse and take his veyne for hys defawtes
and omissyons in tyme of hys sekenes. Ibid. 328 Than
.. the sustres may take ther veynes, and proclanie Iher
defautes.
t Veyor. Obs. Also 5 veyour, vayowr, 7
veioiu (7-8 vejour), veighor. [a. OF. veiour
(also veier, vaier, voier, etc.), f. veier {voter) : see
Vet ».] One appointed to view or inspect a thing.
Vol. X.
169
i^'jo Little Red Bk. Bristol {iqoo) II. 132 Veyours sworne
before John Shipward, Meire, to make vewe and put in
sight of a grond and tenement. 1493 Ibid. 134 The vew of
the partable wall,, .the namysse of the sayd vayowres and
ther verdyt. 1607 Coweli, Interpr., Veiottrs^. .signitieth in
our common lawe those, that are sent by the court to take
view of any place in question, for the better descision of the
right. ai6ss Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 305 An action of
deceit . . must be brought during the life of the Sommoners,
but not when all the Sommoners and veighors be dead.
Ibid. 344 To take the land into the Kings hands by the view
of lawfull men, called thereupon Veyors.
Veyr, southern ME. var. Faib«. ; obs. f. Vair;
var. Verb, spring ; obs. Sc. f. War sb,. Weak v,
fVeyra. .5*^, Obs. [?Cf. Vera.] (See quot.)
1549 Covipl. Scotl. vi, 40 Than the marynalis began to
vcynd the cabil, vitht mony loud cry. ..And as it aperit to
ine, thai cryit thir vordis aseftir foUouis, veyra veyra, veyra
veyra, gentil gallandis [etc.].
Veyre, obs. southern var. Fire ; obs. f. Vair.
Veyton, var. Veton Obs. V&s^e, southern ME,
var. Key a. Ve^er, southern ME. var. Fair a.
Vezar, obs. f. Visor. Veze, obs. var. Feeze
sb, and v,^ ; var. Vease Obs, Vezir, var. Vizier.
fVezon. Obs,"^ (Meaning obscure.)
1706 E. Ward Nud. Rediv. (1707) H. iv. 4 Look, look,
Joan, how the Vezons fight. Who'd think they were so full
of Spite?
Vh-, obs. Sc. variant of Wh-,
V1-, prej\ reduced form of vis- Vice-, (See Vi-
CURATE, -POLITIC, -PRESIDENT, -QUEEN.)
II Via (vai'a), sb, [L. %na a road or way.]
Several sen.ses of the word (by itself or with Latin adjs,),
which are recorded in earlier and copied in later Dictionaries,
appear to have had no real currency in English,
1. Via LacteUy the Milky Way.
1615 [see MiLKV Way i]. a i6« Sibbes Breathing after
God (1639) 144 As we say of the via lactea,ot Milky way in
the heavens,., it is nothing but a deale of light from a com-
pany of little starres, that makes a glorious lustre. 1704 J.
Harris Lex. Techn, I, Milky^way or Via Lactea, the
Galaxy, is a broad white Path or Track, encompassing the
whole Heavens. 1786 M. Cutler in /.//Q-, etc. (1888) II.
238 In the via lactea he found the whitish appearance com-
pletely resolved into a glorious multitude of stars of all
pa>sible sizes. 1797 Kncyci. Brit. (ed. 3) XIII. 267 He
found that the via lactea and «^^/ar consisted of a collec-
tion of fixed stars. i8oa O. Gregory Treat, Astron.^i
The Via Lactea, Galaxy, or Milky Way, may also be
reckoned under the head of constellations. 1840 T, Dick
Sidereal Heavens 185 'l*his mighty zone .. is sometimes
termed. .the Via Lactea, hyxl more frequently.. the Milky
Way, from its resemblance to the whiteness of milk.
trans/. ai66i Fuller Worthies, London 11. (1662) 208
Sir Thomas More was.. born in Milkstreet, London (the
brightest Star that ever shined in that Via lactea),
2. A way or road ; a highway. Alsoy?^,
^ 1787 J. Williams (A. Fasquin) CA//rf'r. Thespis 11,(1792) 157
'Tis but few little years since the charms of bis voice Made
..thousands lejoice;. . And by walking approv'd thro the
Thesj)ian x>ia, Tho' a slave to the tril>es, prov'd the Drama's
Messiah. ^ 1909 W. J. Don in A. Reid Regality 0/ Kirrie-
muir xxiii, 301 It was no mere track, but a substantial via^
20 feet wide.
3. Via media, a middle way ; an intermediate
course or state. Hence via-medialism (see quot.
1881).
1845 Ford Hattdhk. Spain i. 168 The whole nation.. is
divided into two classes — . .bigoted Romanists or Infidels;
there is no via media. 1866 Geo. Eliot F. Holt Introd. 1.
5 They were kept safely in the via media of indifierence.
1881 Church Times X.IX. 128 Via-medialism, then, signifies
a -•ichemc whereof one party is asked to believe a little more,
and the other a little less, than what they conceive to be
true. 1886 Mrs. Lynn Iaston Pastou Careiv xxxW^ThtTc
was no via media, seeing that money was not to be found.
II Via (vai a), in/, Obs, exc. arcA. Also 6 fla.
[It. via (special use of via way: see prec.) *an
aduerbe of encouraging, much vsed by riders to
their horses, and by commanders * (Florio, 1598).]
1. As an exclamation encouraging, inciting, or
preparatory to movement or action, = Onward,
come on, come along, etc.
1596 Fdward III, II. ii. 12 Then via for the spatious bounds
of Fraunce. 1596 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, n. 1. 182 Why Via, to
Ix>ndon will we march. i6os Middleton Blurt, Master
Constabie 11. B iv b. Via for fate. Fortune, loe this is all, At
griefes rebound lie mount, although I fall. 1619 Fletcher
Mons. Thomas 11. ii, Tho, Away then, find this Fidler, and
do not miss me By nine a Clock. La[uncelot]. Via. i6a3
Markham Cheap ^ Good Hutb. i. ii. (ed. 3) 15 First the
voice, which .soundinjj sharply and cheerefull^y, . . crying, / 'ta,
hoiv, hey, and such like, adde a spirit and liuelinesse to the
horse. i8ao Scorr Monast. xxi, He exclaimed, * Thy death-
hour has struck -betake thee to thy sword— Via ! '
2. As an exhortation or command to depart,
" Away, be off, begone,
1S96S11AK.S. Merch. V, 11, it. gThe.. fiend bidsmepacke,
fia saies the fiend, away saies the fiend, 1611 Chapman May
Day IV. _i. 56 Your reward now shall be that I will not cut
your strings nor breake your fidles, via, away, 1616 II.
JoNsoN Dez'il an Ass n. i, Via Pecunia I when she's runne
and gone. And fled and dead ; then will 1 fetch her, againe.
1818 Scott Rob Roy\\\, Horsewhip the rascal to purpose—
via— fly away, and about it.
b. Used to check argument or reply, or to dis-
miss a subject.
1598 Shaks. Merry W. 11. U. 159 Ah ha, Mistresse Ford
and Mistresse Pace, haue I encompass'd you? goe to, via.
1821 Scott KeniTw. vii, And what was Ralph Sadler but
the clerk of Cromwell, . . via t I know my steerage as well as
they. Ibid, xxix. Why, via, let that pass too.
VIAL.
11 Via (vai-a), prep. Also via. [L. via, abl. sing,
of via way. Via sb."] By way of; by the route
which passes through or over (a specified place).
1779 J. Lovell Let. to Adams 13 June, A.'s Wks. 1854
IX. 483 This night is the fourteenth since we first had the
news of his victory, via New Providence. 1813 Sir R.
WiusoN Priv. Diary (1862) II. 139, 1 would sweep through
Berlin, revictual the fortresses, and return via Magdeburg.
1833 T. Hook Parson's Dau. 111. x, Lord Wey bridge., is on
his way to London via Paris. 1881 De Wiudt Fguator 127,
I arranged to proceed through Spain and zii'i Paris, home.
Viability! (v3i,abi-lUi). [ad. F. viabilile
(181 2), or f. Viable a,"^ : see -ity.] The quality
or state of being viable ; capacity for living; the
ability to live under certain conditions.
In common use from c i860.
1843 liouviER Laiv Diet. U.S., Viability, med. jur., an
aptitude to live after birth ; extra uterine fife. 1853 Simp-
son Obstei. Path. ^ Pract. 21, I have repeatedly been
astonished at the viability of the infant after traction had
been applied to it. 1870 Maudsley Body ^ Mind ^^ The
general and ultimate result of breeding in and in is to pro*
duce barrenness and sterility, children of a low degree of
viability and of imperfect mental and physical development.
1883 Cent. Mag, Sept. 727/1 An animal or plant which is
only partly adapted to its conditions of existence is ugly in
exact proportion to its lack of viability.
trans/. 1893 C. B. Upton Bases Relig. Belie/in It means
spiritual viability or immortality.
Viabi-lity-. [ad. F. viabiHtS (1878), or f.
Viable «.-] The condition of being traversable.
i88a W. Co^-^Guide Mod. F.n^. Hist. II. 470 The quality
which convicts gave it [Tasmania], can be expressed by one
word * viability ' : they made some roads.
Viable (voiab'l), a.l [a. F. viable (1539), f.
vie life : see -able.] Capable of living; able to
maintain a separate existence.
a. Of children at (normal or premature) birth.
1828-32 Webster, Viable, capable of living, as a new-
born infant or premature child. 1859 Todd's Cycl. Anat.
V. 200/1 The delivery of a fa.'tus of viable or full-grown
size. 1881 Trans. Obstet. Soc. Lond. XXII. 276 Such
narrowing or deformity of the female pelvis, .as will abso-
lutely preclude the birth of a viable child,
b. In other physical applications.
1885 GooDALE /*//>'.r/W. />V/. (1892) 446 Polyembryony [is]
the production of two or more viable embryos in a seed.
c 1890 Stevenson InSouth Seas \, iv. (1900) 26 To judge by
the eye, there is no race more viable ; and yet death reaps
them with both hands.
e. fig. Of immaterial things or concepts.
1848 Tait's Mag. XV. 702 The rest are waiting for the
proper medium, the viable medium, the medium of harmony.
1883 G. P. Lathrop Hawthorne' s H'ks. XI. 435 What we
have here_ is a romance in embryo ; one, moreover, that
never attained to a viable stature and constitution.
Vi'able* a,'^ [f. L, via way : cf. Viability 2,]
Traversable.
1856 Sat. Rez: II. 151/2 If the building, .has the advan.
tage of standing at the end of a vista, it is but mocking the
needs of the many not to make the vista viable.
t Viadant. Obs. rare. [Irreg. ad. Sp., Pg., It.
viandante, f, via way + andar{e to go.] A way-
farer, traveller.
163a Lithgow Trav. ill. 129 They are but poorely cled,
yet wonderfull kinde to all Viadants. Ibid, viii. 353 The
voluntary exposement of many vnnecessary Viadants.
Viadge, obs. form of Voyage sb.
Viador, variant of Veedor.
Viaduct (vai-adi^kt). [f. h. via way, after
Aqueduct. So F. viaduc.'\ An elevated structure,
consisting of a series of arches or spans, by means
of which a railway or road is carried over a valley,
road, river, or marshy low-lying ground.
1816 Repton Fragm. Landscape Card. 161, I have ven-
tured to suggest a hint for such a structure as may support
the road . . , rather calling it a Via-duct than a Briclge. 1837
Civil Rfig- «5- Arch. JrnL I. 57 Great Viaduct now erecting
over the River Wear, near Sunderland. This viaduct con-
sists of four large and six small arches. 1869 Times 15 Oct.
7/5 New bridges and viaducts and new streets can do much
in enabling Londoners to pass more quickly to their places
of business. 1869 Fkeeman Norm. Cong. (1875) III. xii.
340 The modern viaduct, a work worthy 01 old Roman days.
attrib. 1831 T, Grahame Lett. N. IVood 22 The Sankey
viaduct bridge.. consists of nine arches of fifty feet span.
1897 Daily News ir Feb. 6/4 The viaduct ganger, who
would be responsible for the erection of timbers.
Viage, obs. var. Voyage sb.
Viaggiatory, rt. nonce-wd. [{.It.viaggiareio
travel.] Given to travelling about.
1847 Medwin Li/e Shelley 1 1. 54 The viaggiatory English
old maids, who scorn the continent.
Vial (vai'al), sb. Forms : a. 4-6 vyol(e, 4-8
viol(e, 4, 6-7 violl(e, 5-6 vyoU(e. h. 5-7
vyal(l, 6 voyalle, vialle, 6-7 viall, 7- viaL
\\^x.fyole,fiol,fiall, etc., Phial sh. See the note
on the letter V,] A vessel of a small or moderate
size used for holding liquids; in later use spec, a
small glass bottle, a phial,
o. 13.. E. B. Allit. P. B. 1280 Dere disches of golde &
dubleres fayre, pe vyoles & l>e vesselment of vertuous
stones, c 1386 Chaucer Can. Yeom. Prol. «S- '/'. 240 Sondry
vessels maad of erlhe and glas,..Violes, crosletz, and sub-
lymatories, Cucurbites and alembikes, C1400 Lan/ranc's
Cirurg, 185 Sette J»e viol vpon soft colis & lete hem boile.
1412-SO LvDC. Chron. Troy 1. 3052 After J>at, for his chefe
socour, Sche toke to hym a viol with licour. 1470-85
Malory A rthur v. x. 178 Pryamus toke fro his page a vyolle
ful of the four waters that came oute of paradys. 1530
22
VIAL.
170
VIATICUM.
pALSCR. 385/1 Vyole, a glasse, fiotUy uioU. cx^sfi ^^•
IxoYD Trtas. Htalth E vj, Mengic them togither and put
them in a v>*ol of glasse, and slop the mouth thereof close.
1609 Dekker Rm}€ns Aim. Wks. (Grosart) IV. a^8 The
lewe..spyed the Violl that the poore man held in his hand
vnder his cloak. 1660 Bovlb AVw E.x^. Php. Meek. vi.
53 The Air in the little Viol began to dilate it self. 1705
Addison Italy 2^2, 1 plac'd a thin Viol, well stopp'd up with
Wax, within the Smoak of the Vapour.
p. a 1450 Mirk's Festial 146 He toke vyals of cristall and
of lambur and of glas, and put J>>'s blod >*n horn, 1530
Palsgr. 284/2 Vyall, a glasse, ^t^//^. 1576 in Feuillerat
Rfvih Q. Eliz. (1908) 275 Two glasse voyalles for the Lord
Howardes ser\'auntes. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's
l'<fy. III. ix. 84 b, A cruese or viall ful of sweeteand smelling
water. x6io Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 433 Glass vials
also and sundry small earthen vessels. 1683 W. Hedgks
Diary (HakL Soc.) I. 86, 1 gave him a small Vyall of Balme
of Gilcad. 1747 Wesley Frim. Physick (1763) 67 Put a
spoonful of this Water in a Vial. 1756 Nugent Gr. Tour,
France IV. 298 The holy vial, containing the oil used at the
coronation of their kings. xSxo Shelley IV^itch Atlas
xvii, Liquors clear and sweet.. She in her crystal vials did
closely keep. 184a A. Combe PhysioL Digestion (ed. 4) 114
[He] placed the vial in a basin of water on a sand-bath.
1871 K. H. HuTTON Ess. I. 296 France would not be what
she is if men had not believed for a thousand years in the
holy vial of Rheims.
aitrib. zxAConib. 1647 Hf.xham i, A viall-maker, ten..
Fioim-maker. 1825 T. Hook Sayings Ser. 11. Man of Many
Friends I. 321 There were two little viaUbottles and a box
of corn>plaster in the drawer of the basin-stand. x88o Mrs.
Camkron Three Flower-Pots 25 He saw upon the table
a large vial bottle with something very black in it.
b. In allegorical or purely figurative use.
Freq. in allusion to Rev. xv. 7, etc. (see first quots.).
X38a WvcLiF Rev. xv. 7 Seuen golden violes, ful of the
wraththe of God. Ibid. xvi. i Go ^e, and schede je out the
seuen violes of Goddis wrath in to erthe. c xaso Lvdc:.
Ballad Commend. Our Lady 113 O glorious viole, O vitre
inviolate ! 1603 Drayton Bar. Wars \\. vi, And with a vial
fild with baneful wrath,.. Which in her blacke hand readily
she hath, And drops the poison vpon euery wight x6ix
Shaks. Wint, T. v. iii. 122 You Gods looke downe. And
from your sacred Viols poure your gn^'aces Vpon my daugh-
ters head. 1656 Blount Glossogr. s.v., Vials of wrath, men-
tioned in the Apocalipse, signifie Gods readiness to be fully
revenged on sinners, c 1680 Beveridge Sertn. (1729) U. 5
To behold the almighty Creator, .pouring out the utmost
viob of his wrath, .upon them. 1718 Prior Solo7non 111. 386
The frighted Angels.. o'er the Earth from wrathful Viols
pour'd Tempests and Storm. 1780 Burke CEcon, Reform
Wks. 1842 L 339 You have tuns of ancient pomp in a via) of
modern luxury. x8ao Byron Mar. Fal. iv. ii. 134 Now the
destroying angel hovers o'er Venice, and pauses ere he pours
the vial. 1853 Kingsi.ev HyPatia xvii, Everywhere sen-
suality, division, hatred, treachery, cruelty, uncertainty,
terror; the vials of God's wrath poured out. 1880 W. G.
Blaikie Livingstone vii. 135 For one so patient and good,
he had a very large vial of indignation, and on occasion
poured it out right heartily over all injustice.
Hence Vl'alv, trans, ^ to put into a vial; alsoyf^.
Vi*aUed a., kept or stored in a vial. Ti*alfta, as
much as can be contained in a vial.
1634 Milton Com%ts 847 Helping all urchin blasts, and ill
luck signes.. Which she with pretious viold liquors heals.
1805 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. III. 46 The distilled perfume
of the bookmaker's style.. is here not sprinkled over every
page, and Walled in every sentence. x88<S Ruskin /'rar/rr/Va
xiL 404, I bad, in my little clay pitcher, vialfuls, as it were,
of Wordsworth's reverence [etc].
Vi'al, a. rarg~^. [f. L. via way, or ad. L. vidlis.']
Serving for a way or road,
1813 J. Forsyth Rem. Excurs. Ital^ 353 The arch of
Augustus, being a vial one, was necessarily much wider than
the triumphal arches, which succeeded.
Vialil, Vialle, obs. forms of Viol $b,
Viallin, obs. form of Violin.
Via*moter. rare, [f. L. via way -i- -meter.]
A device for recording the number of miles tra-
versed by a wheeled vehicle ; a hodometer or
cyclometer.
1831-3 Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VI U. 311/1 rnarg.. Count-
ing Machines for road carriages, or viameter. x8c^ Mrs.
Sinnett tr. B. Mollhausen^s Diary I. vL 75 The viameter
gave an accurate measurement of the number of miles
passed, by counting the revolutions of the waggon wheel,
i860 Worcester. [Hence in later Diets.]
t Vianoe. Obs.—"^ [Alteration of viandes (see
next) after forms in -ance : cf. Gabdeviance.]
Food, sustenance.
a x^po-<fi Alexander 4121 He. .at J»am enquires, Quat
was paire vlaunce in J>a vales. ' ser, venyson,' )»ai said.
Viand ^ (vaiand). Forms: 4-5 vyaunde, 5
Tiaunde ; 4, 6 vyand(e, 5-8 viande, 6- viand
(7 viond). [a. AF. viaunde^ viande, OF. viande
(= Sp. and Pg. vianda^ It. Tz/t/aw^a) :— pop.L.
*vtvanda^ for vtvenda^ neut. pi. gerundive of L.
vivire to live.]
1.//. Articles of food ; provisions, victuals.
C1400 Maundev. (1839) xxiii. 253 Flesche and dyverse
vyaundes. a x^ Hall CArwj., Hen. VIIl, Sob, Then
spices, fniites, lelies, and banket viandes wer brought.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau'sFr. Ckirurg. 48 b/2 His viande^?,
or meate and drincke, must only be Diureticke. 1615 H.
Crooke Body of Man 629 Whilst wee chew our meate the
Tongue rowleth it selfe on euerie side of the mouth and
applyeth it sclfe to the Viands to take a say or Taste of them.
X646 J. Hall Horae Vac. 92 A good and strong stomack will
convert course viands Into good nourishment. 1691 Rav
Creation 1. (1692) 126 Neither of which Viands (honey and
bee-bread] is any where to be found amass'd by Nature. 1735
SoMERviLLE Ckase I. 154 Soon as the growling Pack, with
eager Joy, Have lapp'd their smoking Viands. 1805 Med.
fml. XIV. 555 The means of inducing the invalid or con-
valescent to derive every benefit that arises from delicacy
and variety of viands. 1854 Milman Lat. Chr, iv. v. (1864)
II. 290 He dashed the wine on the earth and scatter^
about the other viands. x886 C. Bigg Chr. Platonists of
Alexandria m. 104 Viands of every kind.. were provided
by the liberality of the wealthier brethren.
fg. x8a6 Lamb Elia 11, Sanity of Trtte Genius, Lane's
novels, . . those scanty intellectual viands of the whole female
reading public.
trans/. 1870 Emerson Soc. \ Solit., Farming Wks.
(Bohn) III. 61 He will pamper his peaches and grapes on
the viands they like best.
tb. Applied to a viaticum. Obs.~^
Compare sense 2 b, quot. 1555.
1607 HiERON Bapt. Eunuch (1613) 7 To passe ouer the
Sacrament of the supper, to some old people.. who must
lake it (as was said in the daies of superstition) for their
viands, being neerer (in opinion and possibility) to their
last passage.
2. sing. a. colled. Food, sustenance.
c J4SO LovELiCH Grail xvi. 563 Othir viaunde hadde he
non verament, But everiday swich as God him sente.
a 1483 Liber Niger in Househ. Ord. (1790) 17 His dayly
dyet was not muche in sotyle and delicate vyaunde. c 1515
Interl. Four£lem. 465, 1 . . oft refresshe nature agayne With
delycate vyand. 01548 Hall Chron., Hen. /T'', 7 b, The
same treasure [he] spent in folic, not paiyng pore men for
their vitail and viande. Ibid,, Ediv, IV, 233 Euery table
was abundantly furnished with all sortes of delicate viand.
1607 Shaks. Cor. \. i. 103 The Belly..!' th' midd'st a th'
body, idle and vnactiue. Still cubbordlng the Viand. 1643
Prvnne Sirv. Pmver Pari. 1. (ed. 2) 05 All things necessary
both for viande and apparell. 1847 Tennyson Princ. iv. 17
Before us glow'd Fruit, blossom, viand, amber wine, and
gold. 186a Calverlev Verses 4- Transl. (ed. 2) 46 Say
I grow hourly thinner,. .Tho' I do try and absorb some
viand Each day.
b. With a, etc. An article or kind of food.
(Cf. I.)
1527 in Ellis Orig. Lett, Ser. iii. II. 128 Two small bar-
rylls of a viande vsyd among the lordes here. 1555 W.
Watreman Fardle Facions 11. xii. 287 That euery christian
manne, when he stode in any daungier of death,, .should
receiue it [the Sacrament] as a waifaring viande. 1658 R.
White tr. Digby's Po^vd. Symp. 36 By this thin viand
[the air], they came in lesse than a year to a foot long. 1704
W, King Mully 0/ Mountoun 20 Thy While-wine, Sugar,
Milk, together club, To make that gentle viand .Syllabub.
1829 Lytton Disowned 7 Not a viand they had fed on but
had its appropriate legend. 1849 W. X-rsx^g Astoria 320
Having made a ' famous repast ', where this viand happened
to be unusually plenty. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. i. iv. After
some discussion, .a decision was pronounced in favour of
veal-cutlel. . .R. W. himself went out to purchase the viand.
f c. Viand rial, as the name of a dish, spec, one
composed of paste, eggs, sugar, wine, etc., and
ornamented with gold and silver foil.
^1400 Maundev. (1839) xviii. 193 Of theise Snayles. .men
maken Vyaunde Rialle, for the Kyng and for other grete
Lordes. 24.. Anc. Cookery in Househ. Ord. (1790) 455
Viande Riall for xl. Mess. [Recipe follows.] c 1500 in
Babees Bk. (1868) 376 Veneson in broth, viaunde Ryalle,
veneson rosted.
t Viand ^. Obs-^ [si^.'Dxx.vijand : see Fiend.]
An enemy.
1616 J. Lane Contn. Sgr.'s T. vii. 87 Arme, arme, the
viand comes !
t Vi'ander ^. Obs. Forms : a. 4 vyaundour,
viandoure, 5 Sc. vyanddour, wyandoure.
&, 5 vyander (?), 6 vyandre, 6-7 viander.
[a. AF, via{u)ndourf viandere, OF. viandiere^
viandiery f. viande Viand 1.]
1. One who provides viands or good cheer for
his household or guests ; a (liberal) host or enter-
tainer. Usually with adjs., esp. good.
C1330 R. Brunne Chron. JVace (Rolls) 4076 Knyght was
he fol god in stour, & lyberal man, & vj'aundour [v.r.
& metegift man viandoure). 14.. Forme of Cury in
Warner Antiq. Culin. (1791) i Kyng Richard the Secunde
kyng of Inglond, . .the which was accounted the best and
ryallest vyand[er] of alle cristen kynges. c 1415 Wyntoun
Cron. IX. X. 1130 This Kyng wes wys and debonare; Gud
vyanddour, and fed hym fare. 1519 Horman Vulg. 152 b,
Placis to kepe all maner of fouUe be requyred in a good
vianders house [L. in domo dapsili]. 1534 Whitinton
Tullyes Offices n. (1540) loi One called Cimo in Athenes
was also a lyberall vyandre to his frendes. 1577 Stanvhurst
Descr. Irel. iv. i8/j in Holinshed, Wherein she fareth lyke
one, that, to purchase y» name of a sumptuous francklene
or a good viander, woulde bidde diuers guesles to a costly
and daintie dinner [etc.].
2. One who provides himself with good cheer ;
one who is fond of good living.
1539 Cranmer Let. in Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.) II. 396
How. .prebendaries have.. spent.. their substance in super-
fluous belly cheer. . .Commonly a prebendary is neither a
learner, nor teacher, but a good viander. 1780 Pecge Pref.
to Forme of Cury p. v, It is certain that Hardicnut stands
on record as an egregious glutton, but he is not particularly
famous for being a curious Viander.
3. A supplier or seller of provisions.
1598 Barret Theor. Warresv. ii. 151 These vianders, and
marchants, doth the Lord Marshall assure and guard. x6sa
F. Markham Bh. War in. iv. 94 The Armie shall euerhaue
great resort of Victuallers, Vianders, Sutlersand all occupa-
tions to relieve euery want.
4. (See quot.)
1778 Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2), Neivport, Corft7v[all], . .has
sent members to parliament ever since the 6th of Edward
VI, who are returned by two officers, called vianders.
t Vi'ander ^. Obs. Also 6 viandre, 7 -dour,
[ad. OF. viandier, f. as prec] Viands, victuals,
food.
a x^ Hall Chron., Hen, VI, 142 b, The Englishemen. .
prohibited the Gascoynes to minister to his arnre, viandre
and sustenaunce. Ibid. 148 b. The sumptuous feast, the
delicate viander. 1567 Mai-lkt Gr. Forest 105 Shcgoeth
another way to the Viander and viitailes, and there eateth
hirfyll. i6»5 J. Robinson Ess. xxxi. (1851) I. 134 Though
it seem unreasonable that the less way men have to go, they
should be careful for the more viandour and provision for
their journey.
tViandry. Obs. In 6 viandrye, -rie,
viaundrio, [f. Viand l + -rt.] ~ prec.
154a Udall Erasm. Apoph. 55 They had bounteous
stewardes and proctours for all their neces.sarie store of
foode and viandrie. 1543 Grafton Contn. Hardyng 574
When they had as well sufTiciente viandrj-e as all other
thynges ready, they tooke theyr iourney to Welles. 1548
Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Luke ix. 96 The Apostles had
provision of viaundrie.
t Vi'ary, a, Obs. rare. [ad. L. viHri-its, f. via
way.] Relating to, occurring on, a road or way.
1628 Feltham Resolves 11. xcvi. 282 So in Beasts, in Birds,
in Dreames, and all viary Omens, they are onely the guess-
iue interpretations of dim-ey'd Man : full of doubt, full of
deceit. 1656 Blount Glossogr.
Viate-Cture. rare-^. [Irreg. f. L. via way, after
architecture^ (See quot.)
184a R. Park Pantology (1847) 447 We propose the term
Viatecture, as nearly synonymous with Civil Engineering,
to include the construction of roads and bridges, railroads,
and canals, and waterworks; and the improvement of rivers
and harbors. [Hence in Worcester (1846), etc.]
+ Via'tic, J^. C^J. In7viaticke. —Viaticum.
1641 Impeachm. Father Phillips x. A iij b. After a Viaticke,
hee was dispatched againe for England, with some few
smalt Gifts.
t Via*tic, a. Obs."^ [ad. L. vidtic-us (rare), f.
via way.] (See quot.)
1656 Blovnt Glossogr., Viatick, pertaining to a Journey,
or travelling by the way. [Hence in Phillips, Bailey, and
later Diets.]
Viatical (vaiise-tikal), a. and sb. rare. [f. L.
vidtic-us or -nm : see prec. and Viaticlm.] a. adj.
Of or pertaining to a way or road ; relating to a
journey, b. sb.pl. Articles for use on a journey.
1855 Landor /mag. Conv. Wks. 1876 U. 450 His back
would have been bent., under the weight of armour and
viaticals which Titus [Livius] carried with him easily and
far.^ 1863 J. G. Baker N. Yorks. Stud. Bot.,ctc. 188 Such
stations as are denominated by the terms paludal, viatical,
agrestal, sylvestral, and septal exist no longer.
Via*tioated, a. rare-'*, [f. L. vidticdt-us
(Plautus), f. vidtic-um : see next.] (See quot.)
1727 Bailey (vol. II), Viaticated, furnished with Things
necessary for a Journey.
I! Viaticnm (vaiiKtik^im). PI. viatica. [L.
viaticum travelling-money, provision for a journey,
neut. sing, of vidticus (rare), f, via way. Hence
Sp., Pg., It. viatico, F. viatique^
1. EccL The Eucharist, as administered to or
received by one who is dying or in danger of death.
156a in Cooper Ans'u: Priv. i1/rtxj^ (Parker Soc.) 11 Divers
Christians . . would . . be always sure to have their viaticum,
as it is termed in the old canons, that is to say, their
voyage-provision.^ 1565 T. Stapleton Fortr. Faith 126
Whiche the auncient fathers called Viaticum, the viage
provision of Christen men departing oute off this world.
c i6io Women Saints 78 After that she had receiued her
holie /7a//t:Kw or voiage foode.. she departed this life.
^66J in Cath. Rec. Soc. Piibl. III. 63 Wee durst not giue
him the holy viaticum, he being so farre spent. 1685
Evelyn Mrs. Godolphin 151 As if presageing what was att
hand, she.. furnish 'd herselfe with ihe heavenly Viaticum.
1744 in J. O. Payne Old Eng. Cath. Missions (1889) 28, I
administered the viaticum to Will, Slie at E. Witton, he dyed
Sep. 3. 1774 Ann. Reg. 151 Many people were dangerously
wounded, 18 of whom had the viaticum administered. 1839
[Wiseman] Lives St. Alph. I.iguori,fAc. 225 Her mother
fell so dangerously ill, that the Viaticum was brought to her.
185s Kingsley Westiv. Hot xxvi, No absolution, no via-
ticum, nor anything 1 I die like a dog ! 1894 J. T. Fowler
Adajnnan Iiitrod. p.liv, Haying received the holy viaticum
at the hands of St. Kevin, he passed away in peace.
attrib. 1686 tr. Chardin'^s Trav. Persia loi They make
their Viaticum Bread once a year ; that is to say, upon
Holy Thursday.
2. A supply of money or other necessaries for a
journey ; a sum given or taken to cover travelling
expenses.
xs8a-8 Hist. James VI (1804) 100 This was very accept-
abill to the Puke, and thairfoir he gaue him a reasonabil)
viaticum for performance of this fact. iS94 i" Cath. Rec.
Soc. Publ. V, 243 He was sent by his superior into Scotland,
and had fiftee[nl crownes fur his viaticum. x6si Fletcher
Pilgrim i. ii, A poor viaticum j veiy good gold, Sir ; But
holy men affect a better treasure. 1637-50 Row Hist. Kirk
(Wodrow Soc.) 423 The Earle of Dumoar dealt many angells
of gold pretended for a viaticum, but indeed for voteing.
1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exentp. i, vi. 102 The smallnesse of
their viaticum and accommodation for their voyage.. were
so many circumstances of poverty. 1721 Wodrow Corr.
(1843) II. 587 There is L.120 of debt on the Church, and the
viaticums are stopped. 175a in Scots Mag. (1753) S^' ^"t»is
pannel caused to be sent him his baggage, and a viaticu*n
of money. x8aa T. Taylor Apuleius xi. 285 When a few
days had elapsed, I rapidly collected together my viatica
in bundles. 1899 B. Camm Brave Days of Old 85 This
money had been given to him by the most munificent Pope
Gregory XIII, for his viaticum or travtUing expenses the
year before.
b. Without article.
1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. iii. 88 He allowed them only^bare
viaticum to bear their charges. 1883 Law Rep. 9 Probate
Div. 41 The Gu5taf\% an authority in favour of the seamen's
VI AT OB.
claim for viaticum, and it is always the practice to give sub-
sibtence money.
O. Provisions taken for use on a journey. Also
transf. (quot. 1862).
1663 Patrick FaraK Pilgr. xviii, It will be a very good
Viaticitm for you, and in the strength of this Food you may
travel many days. l66£ J. Davies Hist. Caribby Isles 239
Afterwards sitting down on the grass, every one fell to what
he had brought along with him for his Viaticum. 1701
WoLLKY yrnl. New York (i86o) 36 This Indian Corn is
their constant Viaticum in their travels and War. 1791 W.
Bartkam Crtr(7//«a 344, I., comforted myself with a frugal
repast of biscuit and dried beef, which was all the food my
viaticum afforded me by this time. 1862 Rawlinson Anc.
Mon.y Chaldxa 1. 135 In the Chaldxan sepulchres a number
of dishes are always ranged round the skeleton, containing
the triaticum of the deceased person. 188a W. G. Blaikie
Livingstone v. S9 Purchasing a loaf and a piece of cheese
as viaticum, he started for a college at Oberlin.
3. transf. s.-R&fig. (from senses i and 2).
a 1618 Davies Wittes Pilgr. Wits. (Grosarl) II. 46/1 And
sith thy Pilgrimage is almost past Thou needst the lesse
Viaticum for it. 1640 Fiecknoe Trav. xxxiii. (1667) 103
Tis to.. travel without viaticum for any to.. undertake a
voyage without the Language of the Country, where he goes.
1649 Je><. Taylor G/. Exem/i. 11. §12. 06 The grace of God
IS our viaticum and entertains us by the way. 1676 Hale
Contempl. 11.(1677) 186 He. .hath a great freedom from fear
of Death, and no small viaticum to attain Tranquillity of
mind in his life. 1741 Warburton Div. Legal. VI. § 6 The
doctrine of a future state . . was their constant viaticum
through life. 1775 J. Jekyll Corr. (1894) i. 20 Bunbury's
etchings and Sterne s journey are almost as good viaticums
in Fr.ince as thepost book. 1853 C. D. Yonge tr. Laertiui
V. 189 .Another of his sayings was, that education was the
best viaticum for old age. 1891 Farrar Soc. f, Present Day
Quest. 21 1 There is all Biography. . to nourish you with the
viaticum of good examples.
Viator (vsii^'-taj). Also 6 vyatoup. [a. L.
viator, f. via way. Cf. obs. F. viateur. It. viatore,
Sp. viaJor.] A traveller, a vYayfarer.
The ancient Ronuin sense of * courtKjfficer, apparitor ' is
given in various Diets, from Chambers (1728) onwards.
1504 C'tess Richmond tr. Dc Imitatione iv. i. (1893) 262
He is our hclth and redempcyon, and the consolacion of
yyatours, and the eternall fruycyon of sayntes, 1655 Capei.
TentatioHS 12 Because the sight of God is not a duty of ours
whitest we are viators here. i6<o T. Watson in Spurgeon
Treas. Dav. Ps. iii. 8 The saints are not only blessed when
they are comprehensors, but while they are viators, a 1704
T. Brown Comm.-pl. Bk. Wks. 1709 III. m. 128 We find
the Inscriptions address 'd to the Viator, or Passenger. 1875
KuSKiN Jors Clav. liv. 157 Concealed by the fine trees,, .so
. .that the passing viator remains unappalled by them.
ViatO'rial, a. rare. [f. L. vialori-us, f. viaior :
see prec. and -orial.] Of or pertaining to travelling.
[176:7 A. CAMrEELL Lexiph. (1774) 54 We continued our
viatorial progression through the royal perambulations.)
1816 Keatinge 'Prav. 1. 5 As to France and Flanders, if ever
a subject were exhausted of viatorial novelty, this is the case
with regard to these countries.
Hence TlAto'riaUy adv.
1880 Daily Tel. 22 Nov., The Americans, viatoriall}^ con-
sidered, are the most patient and long.suffering people in the
whole world.
t ViatOTian,<7. Obs.-^ [Cf. ptec] (See quot.)
Also + ViatoTiouB a. Obs.-"
i6ifi Ulovst Glossogr., Viaiorian, belonging to the way,
travelling or journeying, or serving to way.faring.mcn.
rjrj Bailev (vol. 11), Viatorious, belonging to the Way.
t Vi'atory, rt. Obs. rare. [nd. L. vidtori-us.]
Of the nature of wayfaring.
1619 Donne JHenn. Wks. 1839 V. 2^1 Inaword, this is our
viatory, our preparatory, our initiatory, and inchoative
blessedness. i««7 Watehhouse Pire Loud. 86 A Militant
condition and a viatory state.
II Viber (vaibeks). Path. PI. vibicos (vai-, vi-
b3i's«). [L. v'lbe.x, vlbix mark of a blow or stripe, a
weal.] A long and narrow mark or patch in the skin
caused by the subcutaneous extravasation of blood,
occurring esp. in some fevers. Usually in pi.
ti6oj in BlaHcar,ts Phys. Did. (ed. 2). 1706 Phillips
(cd. Kersey), Vibex, . .a black and blew .Spot occasioned by
a Fluxof lilood.) 1771 Encycl. Brit. III. 68, 2 The vibiccs,
or large livid or dark greenish marks, seldom appear till very
near the fatal period. 1793 Beoiwes Consump. 115 Dark
coloured spots, vibices. or any other scorbutic symptoms.
i8aa-7 Goou Stuiiy Med. (18^9) II. 164 Petechial spots,
vibiccs, and hemorrhages from different parts. 1876
BklsiowE Tk. Ii Pract. Med. 208 In malignant cases (of
diphtheria] . . petechiz and vibices appear. . beneath the skin.
tVl-brable, a. Obs.-" [ad. L. vibrabilis, f.
viirHre to brandish, shake.] ' That may be shaken
or brandislied ' (Bailey, 1727, vol. II).
Vibraoolar, a. Zool. [f. ViBRAcuL-nM +
-AK.] Of or pertaining to, of the nature of, vibra-
cula ; famished with vibracula.
1891 Cent. Diet. 1896 Hakxier Polyzoa xviL (Camb. Nat.
Hist. II.) 486 The large vibracular zooecia occupy nearly
the whole of the surface.
Vibraculoid, a. Zool. [f. next + -oil).] Re-
sembling (that of) a vibraculum or \ibracula.
1896 Harmer Polyzoa xvii. (Camb. Nat. Hist. II.) 484
Avicularium with vibraculoid mandible. Ibid. 485 In
.yicroporella ciliata..thK avicularia arc very variable, and
in some cases take on a * vibraculoid ' character.
II Vibracnlnm (vaibrx-kirflum). Zool. PI.
-oula. [mod.L., f. L. vibrdre to shake.] One of
the long whii)-like movable processes or organs
possessed by certain polyzoans; now regarded as
a moditied zooid.
171
1854 S. p. WoODWAKD Mo/iusca 165 Eye tentacles deflected
at the tips, beyond the eyes ; vibracula much shorter,
also deflected. t86^ Gossm La/id ^ Sea (1874) 225 But..
there are some special organs of defence which were want-
ing in the Canda. One of these is called the vibraculum, or
the whiplash. 1877 Huxlev Anat. Inv. Anitn. viii. 457
The dilated bases of the vibracula contain muscles by the
contraction of which the flagelliform appendage is moved.
Vibrancy (vaibransi). [f. next : see -CY.] The
condition or quality of being vibrant.
1895 Funk's Stand. Diet, 15^6 Sat. Rev. 8 Dec. 703/1
With a vibrancy of tone that seemed to bring her voice quite
clo.se to him.
Vibrant (vai- brant),///, a, [ad. L. vibrant-.,
vibians, pres. pple. of vibrdre to Vibkate. Cf.
K. vibrant, Sp.,"Pg., and It. vibrante,]
1 1. a. Agitated with anger or emotion. Obs—^
c 1550 Holland Crt, Venus i. 735 This is the case I haif to
50W to mene, Quhilk in ane part to jow als dois pertene, As
to my self, thocht I be mair vibrant
fb. Moving or acting with rapidity or energy ;
stirring. Obsr~^
i6t6 Lane Contn. S^r.'s 7". xr. 295 Next came a stowt
cQuragious vibrant knight, larglie proportiond, and as large
of might.
t2. //er. Brandishing, flourishing. Obs.-^
157a hossKV/ELL A rmorie 11. 97 b, P. beareth Gules and
Sable,, .a Lyon rampaunt d'Or,vibranteasworde d'Argente.
3. Moving or quivering rapidly ; vibrating.
x6i6 h\KE Cantn. S^r.^s T. vi. 273 Theare, theare, three
stiuares of vibrant pikes out glides, /bit/, vm. 222 Till pikes,
and pikes, . . sidewise, and foreright, vibrant thrustes in
strikes. 176a Falconer Shipivr. 1.230 While Phoebus down
the vertic" circle glides : He, o'er tb horizon, vibrant seems
to swim, And, tangent, sweeps it with his nether limb. 1817
W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. XLIII. 236 His voice of song
. . Thro' their crystalline caves the vibrant billows bear, i860
O. AV. Holmes £/«VK. (1861) 136 She danced witha kind of
passionate fierceness, ..her round arms wreathing and un-
winding, alive and vibrant to the tips of the slender fingers.
1876 DowDEN Foems 22 A vibrant tongue Had in a moment
pricked upon my brow The mystic mark.
trans/, i^ W. Cory lonica 87 That vibrant hearts of
ours repeat What they with him were wont to feel,
b. Vibrating or thrilling with something,
1867 Bailey Universal Hymn 8 Ye orbs, .. Even the
nebulous star, ..with fearful joy Vibrant, conclude God is.
1883 Cr«/. Mag.Ocx.. %-2%j-z The greatest of commercial com*
niunities, . . so stirring and vibrant with commerce and specu-
lation. 1895 Zancwill Master \\. vii. 213 The wonderful
ciur. .vibrant with the swirl of perpetual currents of traffic.
4. Of sound : Characterized by, exhibiting, vibra-
tion ; resonant.
1848 Bailey Festus (ed. 3) 204 While yet these words
were vibrant on my tongue. 1874 Howells Foregone Concl.
viii, The vibrant accents of Chiozza. 189a Zancwill B&iv
Mystery ly The speaker paused a moment, liis low vibrant
tones faltenng into silence.
Vi*brate,/a. pple. and ///. a. rare. [ad. L.
vibrdt-iis^ pa. pple. of vibrdre : see next.]
ta. pa. pple. Vibrated (cf. Vibrate v. 7 b.).
c-i4ao Lydg. Ballad Commend. Our Lady 115 O fyry
Tytan, persing with thy hemes, Whos vertuous bryghtnesse
was in tni brest vibrat.
b. ///. a. Vibrating with something, rare'~^.
1849 Tait's Mag. XVI. 9 The sightless belfry clock, .had
. rung, vibrate with triumph.
Vibrate (v3i-br<?'t), v. [f. L. vibrat-, ppl. stem
of vibrdre to move rapidly to and fro, to brandish,
shake, etc So F. vibrer^ Sp. and Pg. vibrar. It.
vibrare^
I. 1 1. itttK Of persons : To move to and fro
in a fight or stniggle. Obs."^
1616 Lane Conin. S^r.'s T. ix. 177 Pusshinge, repu^h-
ii^c, vibratinge agen, as valient mortal and immortal men.
2. Of a |>cndulum, etc.: To swing to and fro;
to oscillate.
1667 P/til. Trans. IL 440 A Pendulum.. three foot, three
inches.. between the middle of the Bullet and the upper
end of the Thread, where it is fastned. .when it vibrates.
1698 Keill £"^aw. Tit. Earth (1734) 265 At Cayenne in
America,.. it is observ'd, that a Pendulum Vibrating in a
second is shorter [etc. J. Ibid. 279 The Gravity where the
swiftest Pendulum Vibrates. 170^ S. Clarke Attributes
iii. (1738) 26 Pendulums, which (being of equal Lengths and
unequal Gravities) vibrate in equal Times. i8a7 N. Aknott
Physics L 96 Long pendulums vibrate more slowly than
short ones. i8a7 Faraday Chem. Manip. ii. (1842) 33 To
ascertain that they [i.e. balances] really are in adjustment;
and that, after vibrating freely, they lake a horizontal posi-
tion. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 718/1 The double complex
pendulum, when it vibrates in one plane.
3. a. Of sounds : To strike (?«, sound i«, the
car, etc., with an effect like that of a vibrating
chord; to resound; to continue to be heard.
Chiefly poet,
I73S Pope Prol. Sat. 357 The whisper, that to ereatness
still too near. Perhaps, yet vibrates on his SovVeign's ear.
174a VoUNC Nt. Tk. III. 91 Her song still vibrates in my
ravishl ear. 1797 Mrs. Radcliffk Italian i. The touching
accents of her voice still vibrating on his heart. 1813
Byron Corsair i, .wi, He hears The clang of tumult vibrate
on his cars. i8ax Shelley * Music, %uken [etc.] ' 2 Music,
when soft voices die, Vibrates in the memory. 1910 Mac-
intosh Poets Ayrshire 46 The sound of the anvil had
ceased to vibrate in the streets.
b. To circulate abotitj move or pass throttgh^
pierce or penetrate to, by or as by vibration,
1756 W. Toldervy Hist. 2 Orphans IV. 167 This strange
news had vibrated about the town. 1764 Goldsm. Trav.
220 Those powers that .. Catch every nerve, and vibrate
through the frame. 1836 yohnsoniana 323 Surely the finest
VIBRATE.
sensibilities must vibrate through his frame, since they
breathe so sweetly through his song ! 1844 H. H. Wilson
Brtt. India I. an The consequences of the ambition of the
French Emperor thus vibrated to the heart of Asia. 1863
Geo. Euot Komoia xl, The voice.. had vibrated through
her more than once before. 1875 B. Taylor Fattst I. Notes
230 The puppet-play echoed and vibrated in many tones
through my mind.
4. To move or swing backwards and forwards,
or upwards and downwards, with some degree of
rapidity ; to quiver, shake, or tremble,
1756 Burke Sudl. ^ B. Wks. I. 267 The whole capacity of
the eye, vibrating in all its parts, must approach near to the
nature of what causes pain. i8oa Med. Jml. VIII. 345
The heart continued the whole time to vibrate.. about thirty
times in a minute, x8i6 Tuckey Narr. Exped. R. Zaire iii.
(1818) 91 A variety of palm trees vibrating in the breeze.
1853 Kane Cr/MMc// Exp.^ xxix. (1856) 250 The timbers.,
vibrated so as to communicate to you the peculiar tremor of
a cotton-factory. 1897 Mary Kingsley W. Africa 358 The
burning heat., making the whole desolate, hideous scene
vibrate before your eyes as you can see things vibrating
through the hot air over a line of gas jets,
b. spec, in Physics (see Vibration 3).
1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) II, 163 If we strike a
I>ell, or a stretched string, for instance,.. a single blow pro-
duces a sound., which is multiplied as often as it happens
to undulate, or vibrate. i8ia-6 Playfair Nat. Phil. (1819)
I. 287 A musical string may vibrate, but if it is touched by
a bit of cloth, or any soft body, no sound is heard. 183a
Brewster Nat. Magic viii. 180 If this string is taken by
the middle and pulled aside, or if it is suddenly struck, it
will vibrate between its two fixed points. 1871 Tyndall
Fragm. Sci. (1879) I. xiv. 384 When a hammer strikes abell,
the latter vibrates. 1875 Manning Mission H. Ghost i. 25
You know that if you strike a note of music, all the octave
notes will vibrate,
C. transf. and^^,
X813 Shellby^. Mab iii. 186 When Nero.. felt A new-
created sense within his soul Thrill to the sight, and vibrate
to the sound. 1853 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Totn's C. xl, Nerve
and bone of that poor man's body vibrated to those words.
i86a Burton Bk. Hunter 1. 46 A hidden pang or gust of
wrath has vibrated behind that placid countenance. 1898
* Merriman ' Rodents Corner xxxx. 306 The si§ht of him,
the sound of his voice, stirred something within her that
vibrated for hours.
6._/?^. To move or oscillate between (or betwixt)
two extreme conditions, opinions, etc, ; to fluctuate
or vary from one extreme to another. Also with-
out const. : To vacillate in opinion,
178a Priestley Inst. Relig. (ed, 2) II. 107 A person who
is less conversant in these things would feel his mind, as it
were, vibrate between both [gains and losses]. 1798 SntTjey
Province 0/ Moray iii, 279 The number of scholars vibrates
from 20 to 90. 1818 Rank en Hist. France V. v. 403 The
marc of silver . . vibrated betwixt 5 livres and 20 or 30 nvres.
i8j7 Maurice Mor. ^ Met. Philos. IV, viii. § 33, 466 The
third method is to vibrate between these two opposite state-
ments. 1874 Green Short Hist. ix. § r. 589 The life of a
man of fashion vibrated between frivolity and excess. 1875
Merivale Cen. Hist. Rome Ixxi. 582 While his susceptible
imagination was in this state of fusion, his rival . . was vibrat-
ing furiously from one side to the other,
II. 1 6. trans. To brandish or flourish (a sword).
Obs. rare. (Cf. Vibrant///, a. 2.)
1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 188 They, .shake and vibrate
their Swords vpon their Shields. Ibid. 207 In this their
Extasic.the boyes.. vibrate a readie sword against the
beholders.
7. To throw with vibratory motion ; to launch
or hurl (a thunderbolt, sentence, etc.). Now Obs,
or arch.
1641* Smectymnuus' Ansti'. ix. (1653) 39 Excommunication
_. . was never vibrated but by the hand of those that laboured
in the Word and Doctrine. 1660 H. More Myst. Godl.'To
Rdr. p. xxi, Such a Bishop as 1 have hitherto described..,
that. . vibratesthat sacred thunder and lightning, the truely-
dreadfull sentence of Excommunication. 1664 — Myst,
Iniy., Apot. 555 Though I must confess that this is very
stoutly and smartly vibrated, as a dart from a strong and
agil arm. 1840-x De Quincey Style iii. in Lett. Self-Educj
etc. (i860) 272 That orator [i.e. Pericles] of whom (amongst
so many that vibrated thunderbolts) it was said peculiarly
that he thundered and lightened. 1846 Landor Imag.
Conv. II. 44/2 Many vibrate sharp comminations from the
embrasures of portentously slit sleeves.
b. To emit, give forth, send out (light, sound,
etc.) by, or as by, vibration or vibratory motion.
f 1643 Ld. Herbert Autobiog.^xZ-i^) 59 A Foil. .whereby
it [i.e. a diamond] may the better transmit and vibrate its
native Lustre and Rays. 1665 Hooke Microgr. 218, 1 have
seen the Dog-starr to vibrate so strong and bright a radia-
tion of light, 1788 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) 1. 81/2 As to the
frequency with which they [sc. chords] vibrate the deepest
tones. »8io W, Taylor in Monthly Mag. XXIX. 418
O chear, Editha, and allow thy bosom To vibrate sym-
fiathy. 1864 Tennyson Aylmer's F. 578 Star to star vibrates
ight. 1874 Contemp. Rev. XXIV. 421 Any number of
strings that are in unison will vibrate an answer to one of
themselves when struck. «
8. Of a pendulum, etc. : To measure (seconds)
by vibration ; also, to swing (so many times).
1667 Phil. Trans. II. 440 A Pendulum, vibrating Seconds,
. . mu^t be three foot, three inches, and one fifth of an inch
lon^. Ibid. 441 A Pendulum, held in the hiind, vibrating
58 single strokes in a Minute. 1704 W. Derham /<$/(!'. XXV.
J785 The Movements,. were an Eight day Clock vibratitig
seconds, and an Half-seconds Movement of mine. 1760 in
Sixth Rep. Dep. Kpr. App. ir. 130 A pendulum.. which..
will vibrate seconds in a true and regular manner. 1803 J.
Wood Princ. Mech. viii. 173 A pendulum which vibrates
seconds in very small arcs. 1871 C. Davies Metr. Syst. 11.
22 The length of a pendulum which should vibrate seconds
at a given point on the earth's surface.
22-J
VIBRATED.
9. To give a vibratory molioii to (something) ;
to cause to move to and fro or up and down, esp.
with a quick motion ; to put in vibration.
a 1700 EvELVS Diary 19 Sept. 1657, 2 Virginian rattle-
snakes.. swiftly vibrating and shaking their tailes. I7«8
Young Lme Fame vi. 107 With skill she vibrates her eternal
tongue, For ever most divinely in the wrong. 1796 Mohse -
/iiKrr. Gtog. I. 221 Their tails terminate with a hard horny ,
spur, whicS they vibrate very quick when disturbed. i8ja I
T. Tavior AfuleiKs vii. 145 Though I vibrated my pendu-
lous lips M-ith excessive rotundity. 1879 G. Psescott S».
Ttlttkcnc 115 Bars, which, when to be vibrated by the
action of heat, are made of brass, a 18S7 C. C. Abbott
yalMralisfs RamHts 303 The last spotted adder . . vibrated
the tail in a very marked manner.
b. fig. or in fig. context.
181S Keats Cdt to A folio v, Each vibrates the string That
with its tjTant temper best accords. 187S Lowell fVonis-
■tforth Pr. Wks. 1890 IV. 365 He saw man such as he c.in
only be when he is vibrated by the orgasm of a national
emotion. 1876 — Among my Bks. Ser. 11. 165 The ' Muio-
potmos ' pleases us all the more that it vibrates in us a string
of classical association.
O. refl. To bring into a certain state by or after
vibration. rare~'^.
a tSu PoE Talcs, Moiwsfi Una (ad fin.), That feeble thrill
had vibrated itself into quiescence.
Hence Vi-bratod ///. a. ; Vi-bratlng vbl. sb.
1669 Aidr. Young Gentry Eng. 58 The pale face, vibrated
eies, tnequal pulse, -shew this to be under an acute feaver.
1743 Emerson Fluxions 303 To find the Time of a Pendu-
lun?s vibrating in the Arch of a Cycloid. 188a Bain lilill
iii. 133 There wasa clear walk, which was his principal place
for ' vibrating ', as he [Bentham] called his indoor exercise.
V'i'bratlle(v3i"bratil, -3il),a. [ad. mod.L. *ot-
bratilis : see Vibrated. + -ilb. Cf. F. vibratile^
1. Of the nature of vibration; marked or charac-
terized by vibration ; vibratory.
i8j6Kirbv&Sp. £«/<;«<»/. IV. xlvi. 301 Motion:.. fWm-
/lYc, . .when there is a constant oscillation of any part. 1857
Edin. Jler: July 36 The effect is produced . . by the propa-
gation of alternating atomic polarisations in a vibratile way,
i86> H. W. Fui.LEtL Dis. Lungs 36 \ body not possessed of
much molecular elasticity or vibratile power. 1881 Mivart
Cat 245 The vibratile, lashing action of the spermatozoon.
2. Of cilia, etc. : Endowed with the power of
vibration ; having a rapid and constant oscillatory
movement.
"835-6 ToditsCycl. Anal. I. ik>&/2 Polygastrica,. .n^nti^-
tic animals,.. with a circular exsertile dental apparatus
around the mouth, and with vibratile cilia for respiration
and progressive motion. 1874 Lubbock Orig.ff Met. Ins.
iii. 55 This larva swims by means of minute vibratile hairs
or ciliae. 1888 Roi.leston & Jackson Anim. Life 861 The
longer process is vibratile and breaks away ; the other be-
comes vibratile as soon as it has absorbed the remaining
protoplasm.
b. tramf. Of persons, or parts of the body.
1858 O. W. Holmes Aut. Break/.-t. viii. (1883) 158 She [a
woman) is vibratile and resonant all over. 1898 H. O. Wi:lls
PcrsotCal Matters 135 One has to resort to the extended arm
and fingers viljratile.
Vibratility. rarr-^. [Cf. prec] The quality
of being vibratile ; vibratory power.
X747 tr. Astruc*s Fevers 183 'i'he difierent degrees of the
spissitude and excication [sic] of the fluids, and vibratility
of the solids. 1828-32 Webster (citing Rush), Vibratility,
disposition to preternatural vibration or motion.
Vi'bratiilg, ///. «■ [f. Vibrate z'.]
L Of, or characterized by, vibration; causing
vibration ; vibratory.
li8s BoVLE Effects Motion ix. 108 That a vibrating mo-
tion IS thereby produced, may be argued by the dancing of
the water. 1710 J. Harris I.e-x. Teckn. II, Vibrating.
Motion, is a very quick and short Motion of the solid Parts
of Bodies, caused by the Pulse or Stroke of some Body upon
them. I7«S FUt- Trans. LV. 105 I'his weight supported
him in a vibrating state. 1782 A. Monro Compar. Anal.
(ed. 3) 252 The vibrating force of arteries. 1828 J. M.
Spearman Brit. Gunner (nA. 2) 313 The angular velocities
of the vibrating system.
2. That vibrates ; having a vibratory motion ;
oscillating.
«7 . . Raksav Ep. to Friend at Florence 33 The vib'rating
harmonious strings, And breathing tubes, which the soft
eunuch sings. 1743 Emerson Fluxions 230 The Center of
Oscillation is the Point in the Axis of a vibrating Body[etc.].
>834 Mrs. Somerville Connex. Phys. Sci. xviii. 154 Sup-
pose a vibrating string to give the lowest C of the piano-
forte. i860 Tyndall Glac. II. i. 225 The little songster s
organ of voice. .is a vibrating instrument, resembling.. the
reed of a clarionet. 1879 Stainer Music 0/ Bible 149 A
sistrum, either with three rings on each bar, or with three
vibrating bars.
b. Of machines or their parts, implements, etc.
1S31-3 Encycl. A/etrop. h&4s) VIII. 188/1 Vibrating en-
gine...It may be worked either by high or low pressure
steam, or by means of a vacuum. 1837 Hebert Engin. tf
Meclt. Encycl. II. 711 The vibrating lever, called the tuin-
blingljob. 1842 Francis Did, Arts s.v., [In the) Vibrating
Steam Engine, ..the steam cylinder vibrates upon two
hollow gudgeons. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 77tx)j2 Vibra-
ting-propellcr. ..Vibrating-roller. 1878 Prescott .V/. Tele-
phone (1873) 36 In the latest form of transmitter . . the
vibrating diaphragm is done away with altogether.
C. Of insects, etc. : Having vibratile antennse or
cilia, rare.
1870 tr. PoHcheVs Universe ill. iii. 163^ Some ichneumons,
or vibrating flies, arc much more rapacious and bold.
3. Of sound : Vibrant.
1849 James Woodmarixx, The swinging of the great bell,
as it continued to pour forth its loud vibrating call for assist-
ance. 1898 Allbutt'iSyst. Med. V. 754 In different cases it
172
{i.e. a pericardial friction-fremitUbJi&debcribeU ai> harhhand
gratinR, ra.sping, vibrating, or creaking.
Hence Vibra'tinffly adv.
183s AVtc Monthly Afag. XUV. 280 A note to which all
the tender sympathies of Miss Fanny vibratingly responded.
Vibration (vsibr^-Jan). [ad. L. vibration-,
vibrdtio, n. of action f. vibrate to Vibrate. So |
F. vibration^ It. vibrazione, Sp. vibracion, Pg. |
vibrafao."] j
1 1. (See quots. and cf. Vibrate v. 6.) Obs.-~*^ j
1656 "Bi.ov^T Giossogr.f F/i^rrt/'/Vw, a brandishing, shaking,
or wagging, as men do drawn swords, when they threaten |
others. _ I
2. The action on the part of a pendulum or simi- '
larly suspended body of moving or swinging to and '
fro; oscillation. |
1668 WiLKiNS Real Char. 191 The most probable way for
the effecting of this, is that which was first suggested by l)oc- ,
tor Christopher Wren, namely, by Vibration of a Pendutuni.
1700 MoxoN Math. Diet., Vibration, ihs Motion of a Pen- ,
diilum in a Clock, which moves in the long sort a Secant in
Time backward and forward. 1704 J. \\\nMsLe.r. Tcchn. \
I, Vibration, is the Swing or Motion of a Pendulum ; or of
a Weight hung by a String on a Pin. 1797 Encycl. Urit.
(ed. 3) XIV. 119/2 Whence the lengths of pendulums are as
the forces and the squares of the times of vibration. x8ai
Whbster Imison's Sci. ^ A rt I. 80 The vibration of bodies ^
when suspended must have been long observed. 1830 Katkr ]
& L.\kdnf:k Mech. x. 129 When the alternation [of motion 1
is constant and regular, it is called oscillation or vibration,
as in pendulums and balance-wheels. 1877 Encycl. Brit.
VI. 14/2 The time of vibration depends entirely on the
length of the pendulum,
b. A single instance of this.
1667 Phil. Trans. II. 442 The Pendulum was this Day
adjusted,, .there having been but 58 vibrations in a Minute,
the other Day. 1668 Wilkins RealChar. 191 I^t this Ball
be suspended by this String, being extended to such a
length, that the space of every Vibration may be equal to a
second Minute oftime. 1704 J. Harris /.^jr. Techn, I, s.v ,
The Proportions of the Vibrations of Pendulums. 1797
Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XIV. 118/1 The point or axis of sus-
pension of a pendulum is that point about which it performs
Its vibrations. 1803 J. Imison Sci. ^ Art\. 124 Kach swing
tliat it [i.e, a pendulum] makes, is called a vibration, or
oscillation. x8i8'6 Playfair Nat. Phil. (1819) I. 129 The
time of one vibration of the pendulum in seconds, ibid.^
The times of the vibrations of pendulums are as the square
roots of their lengths. 1895 R. H. Pinkerton Theoretical
Mechanics (ed. 5) 103 The acceleration of gravity is pro-
portional to the square of the number of vibrations of the
same pendulum in a given time.
3. Physics. The rapid alternating or reciprocat-
ing motion to and fro, or up and down, produced
in the particles of an elastic body by the disturb ,
ance of equilibrium ; the motion in the particles of
a sonorous body by which sound is produced. 1
1656 tr. Hobbes* Elem. Philos. (1839) 527 When the string
of a lute or viol is stricken, the vibration, that is, the recip- |
rocal motion of that string in the same strait line, causfelh
like vibration in another string which hath like tension.
rt 17*1 Prior Dial. betw. Locke <y Montaigne Wks. 1907
II. 243 The vibration of the Air and its Undulation. _ 1794
SuLivAN View Nat. I. 168 An asther,.. rendered luminous,
by a vibration occasioned by the planetary motion. 1803
Palky Nat. Theol. iii. The office of the drum of the ear is
to spread out an extended surface, capable of receiving the
impressions of sound, and of being put by them into a state
of vibration. 1869 Tyndall in Forin. Rev. 1 Feb. 247 The
plane of vibration of the polarized light turns suddenly
through an angle of 90°. 1875 Encycl. Brit. I. 100 Its am-
plitudeofvibrationordistance between its extreme positions.
attrib, 1801 Encycl. Brit. Suppl. II. 751/1 Vibration
Figures, are certain figures, formed by sand or very dry
saw-dust, on a vibrating surface, which is connected with
the sensation of sound in our organs of hearing.
b. A single movement of this kind.
1666 Pei'VS Diary 8 Aug., A certain number of vibrations
proper to make any tone. 1731 S. Hales Stat. Ess, I. 143
which perspiration is effected by the brisk rarifying vibra-
tions of warmth. 1748 Tho.mson Cast. IndoL i. xx, But still
their trembling ears reiain'd The deep vibrations of his
witching song. x8o8 Med. Jrnl. XIX. 406 The height of
the longitudinal vibrations is. .inversely as the length of the
sonorous body. 1834 Mrs. Somerville Conner. Phys, Sci.
xviii. 153 When the particles of elastic bodies are suddenly
disturbed by an impulse, they return to their natural posi-
tion by a series of isochronous vibrations. 1871 Tyndall
Fra^m. Sci. (1879) II. xi. 244 Each vibration asserts its in-
dividual rights ; and all are at last shaken forth into the air
by a second sound-board.
fig. 1847 Emerson AV/r. I\len, Shaks. Wks. (IJohn) 1 . 358
Ben Joiison..had no suspicion of the elastic fame whose
first vibrations he was attempting. 1863GEO. Eliot Ronwla
xxxviii, The words arose within him, and stirred innumer-
able vibrations of memory. 1866 — F. Holt (1868) 8 Vibra-
tions that make human agonies are often a mere whisper in
the roar of hurrying existence.
O. spec, A supposed movement of this kind in
the nerves, regarded as the means by which external
impressions are conveyed to the mind. Obs, exc.
Hist.
17*8 Chambers Cycl, s.v. Madness, Confused Vibrations
of the Nerves, and a remarkable Energy of Imagination.
1748 Hartley Observ. Man 1. i. 11 External Objects im-
pressed upon the Senses occasion, first in the Nerves, . .and
then in the Brain, Vibrations of the small., medullary Par-
ticles. 1^53 Hogarth Anal. Beauty xii. 95 Those more or
less pleasing vibrations of the optic nerves, which serve to
inform the mind. 1777 Priestley Matt. 4- Spir. (1782) I.
X. 120 The vibrations of the brain are [not] themselves the
perceptions. 1801 Belsham Philosophy of Mind § 4- 38 The
theory of vibrations suggested by .Sir Isaac Newton, (andj
adopted and amplified by Dr. Hartley, . .assumes that the
nerves are continuations of the medullary substaact of the
VIBRATO.
brain, that iuipressiona madt: upon llie oigaua of sense pro-
duce vibrations in the minute particles of the nerve-i- 18*9
Carlyle Misc. {1857) II. 104 Hartley's vibrations and
vibratiuncles. 1857 [see Vibrai iunclk],
4. In wider sense : Movement to and fro or up
and down, esp. when quick and more or less con-
tinuous; a quivering, swaying, or tremulous
motion of any kind.
x68x tr. Willis' Rem. Med, IVks. Vocab., Vibration, a
shaking, striking or quavering. 1715 N. Robinson The.
I'hysick 83 An increas'd Motion of the Blood, arising
from a Vibration of the Vessels. x8xa Shelley Lines Bay
of Lerici 16 Feeling ever— oh ! too much !— The soft vibra-
tion of her touch. 1853 ^Mi^Crinnell Exp. xxi.x. (1856)251
Our brig had just mounted the floe, and as we stood on the
ice watching her vibration, it seemed so certain that she
must come over on her beam-ends. 1870 Dfckens E. Drood
X, There was a vibration in the old lady's cap. 1901 D. B.
Hall & Ln. A. Osboknk Sunshine Sf Surf ii. 17 The
vibration and smells of the modern steamer.
attrib. 1897 AllbtitCs Syst. Med. IV. 678 Massage, vibra-
tion-massage, electrolysis and the constant current are said
to give excellent results in suitable cases.
b. An instance of this ; a quiver or tiemor.
1655 Vaughan Sih'X Scint.y Midnight (1858) 54 What
Emanations, Quick Vibrations, And bright Stirs are there !
1676 Glanvill Ess. iii. 27 He will perceive the Quick-
silver to descend from the Tube into the subjacent Vessel!,
till it comes to 29 Digits or thereabouts; there, after some
Vibrations it ordinarily rests. x8xx ^wfaa.y.s St. Inyne,
Sister Rosaxv'in, In long vibrations shuddered the ground.
X849 LvELL 2nd Visit U.S. 1 1. 298 The vibrations and noise
[are] much less than in other boats on the same high-pressure
principle. 1869 Phillii-s Vesnv. ix. 254 Accompanied by
tremors or vibrations in the rocks.
6. The action or fact of vacillating or varying
in respect of conduct or opinion ; an instance of
this ; a changing or swinging round.
1785 Jefierson Corr. (1829) I. 300 The late proceedings
seem to be producing a decisive vibration in our favor. X79X
BoswELL Johnson (1904) II. 301 This was a fair exhibition
of that vibration lietween pious resolutions and indolence.
1848 Gallenga Italy (1851) 171 It is of little importance.,
to talk about the perpetual vibrations of Charles Albert's
wcok mind at this period. 1664 Burton Scot Abr. I. iv.
170 There was the same restlessness and fickleness. ., the
same vibration between anarchy and abject submission,
i88j Banckokt Hist. Const. U.S.A. 11. 354 In Virginia
there had been a great vibration of opinion.
b. Variation in extent, etc.
i860 Malry IViys. Geog. Sea vi. § 329 The breadth of the
cahns of Cancer is also variable.. .The extreme vibration of
this zone is between the parallels of 17'' and ^Z^ north.
6. Electr. (See quol.)
184s Francis Diet. Arts, Vibration, in ekctricity, b
known as a quantity of the fluid intermediate between a
spark and a shock.
Vibra-tional, a. [f. prec. -^ -al.] of or per-
taining to vibration ; vibratory.
1878 Pkescott sp. Telephone ^i^g The number of vibra-
tional forms which may arise from tlie composition of
simple forms are mathematically infinite. 1884 H. R.
Haweis Afy Musical Life iii. 86 The very appearance of the .
wood would guide him to its probable vibrational fwwers.
x888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 242 In order that the vibrational
impulse may be given as nearly as possible at the centre of
the mass of air in the resonant box.
b. Vibrational number {stG i{ViO\.. 1881).
1879 C. Parry in Grove Diet. Mns. I. 670 As far as the
ratios of the vibrational numbers of the limiting sounds are
concerned. 1881 Broauhouse Mus, Acoustics j{Z We are
accustomed to take a second of time as the unit, and con-
sequently mean by vibrational number the number of vibra-
tions which the particles of a sounding lx)dy perform in one
second oftime.
VibratiouleSS, a. [r. as prec] Free from
vibration.
Freq., in recent use, of motor-cars.
1896 Prospectus Lond. Electrical Cab Company, We are
of opinion tnatthey [ic. motor cabs] are thoroughly adapted
to meet these retjuirements, being practically noiseless and
vibrationless.
Vibratinucle (vaibrt^Jiy-ijk'l). [ad. mod.L.
vibratiiinciila, dim. of L. vibratio Vibration.] A
minute or slight vibration. Cf. Vibration 3 c.
1748 Hartley Obscrz'. Man i. i. § 2. 58 Diminutive
Vibrations, which may also be called Vibratiuncles and
Miniatures. Ibid. 101 Concerning the Derivation of
ideal Vibratiuncles from sensory Vibrations, i^ Reid
Inquiry ii. §3 Our sensations arise from vibrations and
our ideas from vibratiuncles or miniature vibrations. 1794
R. I. SuiJVAN Vic7v Nat. IV. 156 Do you take the soul
to be an Eolus's harp, and all the fine thhigs in it, lo be
vibratiuncles ? i8a6 Kirbv & Sr. Entotiwl. IV. 244 Their
hearing or analogous sense is n:uch nicer than ours, collect-
ing the slightest vibratinncle imparted by other insects, &c,
to the air. 1857 Mauricv: Mor. 9f Met. Philos. IV. viii.
g 43. 478 Through what vibrations or vibratiuncles that
conviction came to him we do not care to enquire.
bo Vil3ra:tiuncuIa*tion, a vibratinncle.
1885 CouES D.Eifion of Darwin 58 (Cent.).
Vibrative (vai-brativ), a. Now rare. [f. L.
vibrat'j ppl. stem of vibrare : see Vibrate v.
and -ATlVE.] Vibrating, vibratory.
1667 Si-BAT Hist. R. Soc. 254 The variation of the vibrative
motion of Pendulums. 1675 J. S[mith] Horolog. Dial. 28
The vibrative traine of the Pendulum or Ballance. X747
Gentl. Mag. 225/2 The sun, by which the ethereal medium
is always kept in a vibrative motion. 1844 Mrs. Browning
Drama of Exile 804 It throbs in on us like a plaintive
heart. Pressing, with slow puliaiions, vibrative. Its gradual
sweetness through the yielding air.
II Vibrato (v/bra*t(7), adv. and sb. Mus. [It.,
;— L. vibrat-us, pa. pple. of vibrare to Vibrate.]
VIBBATOR.
A. adv. With much vibration of tone.
j86i J. S. Adams jooo Mus. Terms io6.
B. sh. (See first quot.)
1876 STAINER& Barrett /?/c/. ,1///^. Terms ^0 1 Vibrato,
a tremulous quality of tone, as opposed to a pure equal pro-
duction. 1901 Daily Xcivs 5 Jan. 3/2 Dr. Stanford charac-
terised the vibrato as the most detestable of devices except
when used in the proper places.
Vibrator (vai-br^'tai). [Aijent-noun, on L.
models, U Vibkatk v. + -or. Cf. It. vibratore.l
1. That which vibrates, or causes vibration.
a. One of the vibrating reeds of an organ, har-
monium, etc., by which the sound is produced,
i86« Catai. Intertiat. Exhib., Brit. 11. No. 3391, Notes
or vibrators, keys, pipes, stops, &c., for harmonium making
or organ building. 1873 Routie^i^e's Vng. Gcntl. Mcig.
Feb. 167/1 This vibrator is the origin of our reed instru-
ments. 1885 C. G. W. Lock Workshop Receipts Ser. iv.
293/1 There can be no escape of wind from the wind-chest,
except through the vibrators and pallet-holes.
b. One or other of various appliances, instru-
ments, or parts, which have or cause a vibratory
motion or action. Also aitrib.
A number of these are specified in recent American Diets.
1888 EncycL Brit. XXIII. 706/1 A composition roller,
called a vibrator. 1888 jAcoBt Printers I'oc. 152 Vibrator
roliers, thtjse rollers on a machine which have a vibrating
motion, and convey the ink to the slab for distribution.
1906 Daiiy Chron. 6 Apr. 9/5 There are also beauty rollers
and massage vibrators.
2. Math. (See quot.)
1879 Thomsok & Tait Nat. Phil. 1. 1. § 345 The reciprocal
uf this time we shall call, .the rapidity of the system, for
convenience of comparison with the frequency of a vibrator
or of a rotator, which is the name commonly given to the
reciprocal of its period.
vibratory (v3i-brat3ri>, a. [f. Vibrate v. +
-oRY 'K Cf. K. vibtatoire, Sp. and Pg. vibratorio ]
L Of the nature of vibration ; characterized by
or consisting of vibration.
1718 Chambers Cycl, s.v. Vibration^ Sensation is supposed
to l>e perform'd by means of the vibratory Motion of the
Nerves. a 1734 North Lives (1826} I. 247 When the
vibratory pulses are so slow as may Ijc distinguished, sound
vanisheth. 1788 Gibbon Decl, ff F. xliii. IV, 326 An im-
puKive or vibratory motion was felt [in the earth]. 1801
Hklsham Philosophy 0/ Mind %^. 41 Impressions made
upon the principal organs of sensations, are vibratory; the
vibratory agitations of light and of air. 1831-7 ^'^ooxi Study
yfed, (1829) IV. 449 The vibratory and irregular action,
which we denominate palpitation of the heart. 1878 Pres-
coTT Sp. Tdephotu (1879) 7 The tone or pitch,, .which
depends upon the rapidity of the vibratory movement.
2. Causing or producing vibration.
i75« Burke 5w.^/. 4- B. iv. §21 The smoothness of the
oil, and the vibratory power of the salt, cause the sense we
call sweetness. 1793 Smeaton Kdystone L. § 3J3 So many
vibratory strokes, can do it no service. i8zx Religionism
44 Vibration lends its aid ; for human throats Have vibra-
tory powers, that swell our notes. 1899 R. W. Trine /«
Tune w._ Infinite \'\. (1900) ie8 Don't be afraid to voice
your desires. In this way you set into operation vibratory
forces which go out and . .make their impress felt somewhere.
3. Of or pertaining to, connected or associated
with, vibration.
1831 Blakey Free Will 170 The vibratory, or automatic
system of Dr. Hartley. 1834 Mrs. Somkhvilte Cohhcx.
i'hys. Set. xvii. 140 All the particles of an undulating fluid
which are at once^ tn a vibratory stale. 1838 Penny Cycl.
XII. 85/2 Producing a peculiar vibratorj* sensation. 1889
Science-Gossip XXV. 43/1 This is explained by the vibra-
tory theory of light.
4. Capable of vibrating; readily admitting of
vibration.
1839 Darwin Voy. Nat, i. 17 The animals move with
(he narrow apex forwards, by the aid of their vibratory
ciliae. i86j R. H. pATTfcRSON Ess, Hist. ^ Art tj The
vibratory rays of the_ spectrum. 1878 Prescott Sp. Tele-
phone (1879) 23 It being necessary to keep the vibratory
bells at each station in circuits, in order that calls may Ijc
heard.
b. Of the voice : Vibrant. Also const, wiih.
1890 'R. Boldrewood' Miiur's Right (1899) 95 He..
commenced in a resonant vibratory voice 1891 Clark
KtssELL Marriage at Sea vii, A voice vibratory with
excitement.
II Vibrio (vai-bri^u, vi'briJu). pl. vibriones
(-t?u'n/z) and vibriOB. [mod.L,, f. L. vibrdre
Vibrate y.]
+ 1. A genus of minute nematode worms; an
anguiUule. Obs.
183s KiRBV f/ab. -5- Inst. Anim. I. iv. 150 The species of
I ibrio found in diseased wheat by M. Bauer is oviparous.
1836-9 TodiCs Cycl. Anat. II. 113/2 The higher organized
I'tbriones have distinct generative organs, and are ovo-
vivi parous.
2. A group or genus ofbacterioid orschizomyce-
tuus organisms characterized by vibratory motion ;
a member of this genus ; spec, in Bacterioi., a form
of bacterium having vibratile cilia and closely
resembling spirilla.
1870 H. A. NiCHoi-soN Man. ZooL '33 The bacteria and
the vibrios now exhibit a vibratile or serpentine movement
throtigh the surrounding fluid. 1875 Payne Jones <V Siev.
Pathol. Anat. (cd. 2) 98 This ha-, been shown to depend
upon the presence of a peculiar vibrio which lives on the
surfaces of wounds and the bandages. 1879 EncycL Brit.
IX. 95/1 Processes of putrefaction naving long been known
to be invariably accompanied by the formation of vibriones
and other microscopic organisms endowed with voluntary
motion.
Comb. 1871 Tvndall Fragm. Set. (1879) '• v- '9^ In ex*
173
aminin^ the secretion I regularly found . . certain vibrio-like
bodies in it. 1898 P. Manson Trop. Diseases xvii. 281 If
the cholera vibrio be the germ of cholera, then such hcTlthy,
vibrio-bearing individuals may well suffice to start an
epidemic.
Vibrioid, a. rare. [f. prec. : see -OID.] Of or
belonging to, allied to, the group Vibrio.
Also in recent Diets, as a j^.
1864 Intt-ll. Observ. VI. 70 Parasitic vibrioid worms.
Vi'brion. [ad. mod.L. vibrion- Vibrio. Cf.
F. vibrion^
1. A vibratile filament or appendage.
i8s3 Kane Grin.mll Exp. xlvii. (1857) 433 Clios..were
flashing colored light in shady places from their ciliary
vibrions.
2. Bacterial. A vibrio or vibrioid bacterium.
i88s Pop. Sci. Monthly^ XX. 801 Studies on butyric
fermentation and the vibrion which is characteristic of it.
1889 Nature 7 Nov. 3 ' Vibrions ' or 'microbes ' and the so-
called bacteriology.
Vibrionic (vai-, vibrlp-nik), a. [f. as prec. +
-ic] Of or pertaining to, caused by, vibrio.^.
1875 H. C. Wood Therap. (1879) 637 It was found that
the proto-sulphate of iron completely prevented the develop-
ment of either protoplasmic or vibrionic life. zfig/SAllbutt's
Syst. Med. I. 883 A firm believer in the vibrionic unity of
cholera.
li Vibrissse (vaibri-sf), sb.pl, [L. (Festus), f.
vibrdre to Vibrate. Cf. next.]
1. Anat. (See quots.)
1693 tr. Blancarifs Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), P'ibressx, the
Hairs in the No<;e. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Tecltn, I, f 7-
brissat, are the Hairs which grow in the Nostrils : They,
with the Mucus, which the Glands separate, stop any Filth
from ascending too high up into the Nostrils. 1839-47
Todtfs Cycl. Anat. III. 730/1 Those hairs. .which converge
from the inner circumference towards the centre of the
nostril... These hairs are of the kind named znbrissx. 1873
EncycL Brit. I._ 885/1 The vestibule or entrance to the
nxsal chamber. .is studded with numerous short hairs or
vibrissit.
2. Zool. Stiff or bristly hairs, esp. those growing
about the mouth or other parts of the face in certain
animals.
1839 yrwr. Bern: Nat. Club I. 202 These vibrissa; [of an
aquatic larva] ., possess no vibratory motion, nor do they
appear to be furnished with cilia-. 1871 Darwin Desc.Man
1. 1. 25 These hairs apparently represent the vibrissa:, which
are used as organs of touch by many of the lower animals.
1877 CouKs Fur Anitn. ix. 265 The vibrissae are sparse
and short, the longest scarcely or not attaining the eye.
1899 Allbutt's S^st. Med. VI. 490 They strongly suggest
the function of vibrissie.
b. Ornitk. The coarse hairs or bristles grow-
ing about the rictus of certain birds, esp. of.insecti-
vorous species.
1874 J. G. Wood Nat. Hist. 287 The beak of this species
[of goat-sucker] is not so powerful as in many of its relatives,
but the vibrisseE are long and well-developed. \
Vibri'SSantt fz. rare~^. [ad. pres. pple. of L. I
vihrissdre (Festus), f. vibrdre Vibrate vJ\ Vibrant. !
1664 PowKR Fixp. Philos. I A greenish glistering circle,
which is the Iris las vibrissant and glorious as a cats eye). 1
Vibrissa'tiou, rare-", [f. h. vibrissare : cf. ■
prec. and -ation.] (See quot.) ■
i6s6_Blount Glossogr., Vibriisation, a quavering or war* I
blin^ in singing, a shaking a thing.
VlbrO- (vai'br*?), irregular combining form of j
L. vibrdre to vibrate, used in some recent technical '
and scientific terms, as vi-brograph,vibro*meter, |
vibromo'tor, vi'brophone, vi'broscope (hence j
vibrosio'pic adj.), etc. j
1875 EncycL Brit. I. ito i Greater accuracy [in studying !
the relation between pitch and vibration] may be attained
with the so-called ^Vibro^raph or l^honautograph. 1904 ;
Nature 25 Feb. Suppl. p. lii, Vibrograph, or instrument for i
recording photographically vibrations of a building or of the '
ground. 1887 Pall Mall G. 24 May 4/2 An ingenious ^
instrument termed a "vibrometer. .accurately records the
vibration, and by its means every boat is tested before it
leaves the builder's hands. 1894 Standard 8 Feb., By Mr.
Heaumont's method the cause of vibration, .is converted
into a 'vibrotnotor. 1875 Kniuht Did. Meek, z-^o^l-i j
'^Vihroscope^ .. an instrument invented by Duhamel for
counting the vibrations of a tuning-fork. iSBi HKoADHot'SK
Mns. Acoustics loi Another method of measuring pitch
is the vibroscopc, which as its name implies, is a method of
making vibratiuns visible.
II Viburnum (v3ibi>'Jni;m). [L. viburnum the
wayfaring-tree.] An extensive genns of shrubs,
natives of Europe, Asia, and N. America, to which
the guelder-rose and laurustine belong ; a species
or plant of this genus.
1731 Miller Crtn/. /?/V/. s. v. ^tacm. The third Sort., will
. .stand in a common Stove amongst Guava's, Viburnums,
&c. Ibid. 3.V., The common Viburnum, or Pliant Mealy
Tree. X760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 331 Viburnum, Ameri-
can, Lantana. 178a J. Scott Poet. Wks. .167 And white
viburnum o'er the border strays. 1841 Bryant Fountain
ii, The viburnum there, Paler of foliage, to the sun holds up
Her circlet of green l>erries. 1867 A, L. Adams Wand. Nat.
India 204 A viburnum, differing in several resjiects from tht
Knglish Guelder rose, bloomed sweetly by the sides of
streams. 1884 Athenxnnt 20 Dec. 808/1 The remaining
third include rhododendrons, rues, ..viburnums.
attrib. ^-j^^ Chambers' Cyc^. Soppl., Vibtirnutn Gedls,. .
a species of galls, or small protuberances, frequently found
on the leaves of the Viburnum.
Hence Vibn'mlan, a moth of the genus Lozo-
tmnia ; Viburnic a., derived from Viburnum ;
Tibu'rxiin, a substance found in viburnum -bark.
VICAR.
1832 J. Kennii-: Consp. ButterjL ^ M. 157 The Viburnian
{Lozotxnia Viburnana). 1868 Watts Diet, Cliem. V. 998
The bark and berries of the guelder-rose.. contain valeric
acid (viburnic acid). 1886 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. 111.
sop/2 The bark [of Viburnum prnnijblinm] is said to con-
lain viburnin, valerianic, oxalic, citric, and malic acids,
besides other ingredients.
Vica'inbulate, v. nonce-7vd» [f. L. vicus street
+ ambuldre to walk.] intr. To walk about in the
streets.
1873 M, Collins Squire SHchcster II. xiii. 150 Many
strangers were there among iheni, as Musical Willie, who
vicambulated greatly, soon perceived.
So Vica'mbulist. rare~^.
iSzz Etoniaft I. 5 * To see and to be seen,' is the professed
olject of these unwearied vicambuUsts.
vicar (vi'kaj). Forms: a, 4 vikere, 4-6 vy-
kere, vyker (5 vykeyr), viker ; 4 veker, 6 -ere ;
4, 6 vicker(6 floker, fycker, vyckyr). $. 4-6
vicare (4 wic-, 6 vycare), 4- vicar (5-6 vycar,
6 Sc, wicar ; 5 vikar, 6 vykar), 6 Sc.y 7 viccar (6
Sc. vyccar, wickar) ; 5 vicour. 7. 4, 7 vicaire,
5 vie-, vycayro ; 4, 7 vicair, 5 vicayr, 6 vycayr.
[a. AF. vikere^ vicare, vicaire (OF. and F. vicaire)^
ad. L. vicdrius substitute (Vicauy sbX), f, vic-is
change, occasion, place (of another), etc. Cf. It.
and Sp. vicarioy Pg. vigario.'\ One who takes the
place of, or acts instead of, another ; a substitute,
representative, or proxy. Chiefly EccL
1. Applied to persons, etc., as earthly representa-
tives of God or Christ ; also to Christ or the Holy
Ghost as representing the Father.
The second line of the first quot. is partly corrupt.
a 1300 Cursor M. 27106 Noght anes to preist his sinnes [to]
serine, Bot elles to godd bot was wicare In mans scappe he
sittes l?are. r 1366 Chaucer A. B.C. 140 God. .hath t>ee
maked vicairS maistresse Of al J^e world, c 1380 Wvclik
WA-s. (1880) 3oSi}> prelatis ben vikerisof crist. C1400 Lovk
Bonavent. Mirr. (1908) 122 The preostes that he hath spe-
cially ordeyned in his stede as his vikeres. 1546 Supplic.
Poore Commons (E.E.T.S.) 73 These hierlinges intend.. to
be taken for Goddes vicars upon earthe. 154^ Udall, etc.
Erasm. Par. St. John xviii. 102 b, If thou Isc. Peter] wylt
succede me as my vicar, thou must fight with no other
swerde than of Gods woorde. i6ai Kukton Anat. Mel. ir.
i. I. i. 290 He calls a Magician Gods Minister and his Vicar.
1651 C. Car rwiUGHT Cert. Reiig, 11. 32 Christ sitting at the
right_ hand of his Father, holds but a second degree with
him ill honour, and rule, and is but his Vicar. 1678 R.
liAHCLAV W/y/. Quakers W. §2. 21 Knowledge might be..
brought to perfection by the holy Spirit, that Vicar of the
Lord. 1829 I. Taylor Enthus. vii. 161 Though the vicar
of Christ [sc. every true Christian minister J be not uncondi-
tionally responsible for the happy result of his labours.
1848 LowKLL Big/otv P. Ser. i. viii. Introd., By and by
comes along the State, God's vicar. 1:1850 Arab. Nts.
(Rtldg.) 496, I tell you again I am Commander of the
Faithful, and vicar upon earth of the Lord of both worlds.
b. spec. Applied to the Pope (t or the Patriarch
of Jerusalem) ; also to St. Peter in a similar sense
(cf. quot. 1548 above).
1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 3837 pat falles hym of office to
halde, For he es in erthe, Codes vicar calde. ?I370 Robt,
Cisylc 50 Hys oon brodur in^ovthe Godesgenerallevykere,
Pope of Rome, as ye may here, c 1440 Gesta Rom. xix. 60
(Harl. MS.) ' How of the Pope?' ' For god is oon,' seid he,
'and l>erfore he hath made a vyker '. 1481 Caxto^ God/rey
ccv. 301 The due godeffroy and the prynce buymont,..
whiche had gyuen to hym this honour as for to be the vy.
cayre of Ihesu Criste in that londe, . .assygned rentes to the
newe Patriark. 1526 Pilgr. Per/, (W. de W. 1531) 203
Heare deuoute chrystyan what saynt Peter the apostle and
hye viccar of Chrystes chirche sayth. 1570 Jewel Sedit.
Bull (1600) 17 Would the Vicar of Christ give this counsell ?
x6^ Penit. Cony.y'ix. (1657) 132 God and the Pope. .are not
alwayes of onemind ; and if Christ confirm not in heaveri
the sentence of his Vicar on earth, we (etc.]. 17x8 Chambers
Cycl. S.V., The Pope pretends to be Vicar of Jesuo Christ on
Earth. 1756-7 tr. Keyslers Trav, (1760) III. 244 The vic-
tory gained by the Most Chrihtian King, Lewis XII. when
he made war upon the Vicar of Christ. 1847 S. Austin
Ranke's Hist. Re/. III. 311 The divine right of the catholic
church, and the character of its head as Vicar of Christ.
1864 Brvce Holy Rom. Emp. x. (1875) 160 Proclaiming that
to the Pope, as God's vicar, all mankind are subject, and
all rulers responsible.
o. nonce-use. (See quot.)
1641 Milton Animadv. Wks. 1851 III. igS For Anti-
christ wee know is but the Devils Vicar, and therefore
please him with your Liturgie, and you please his niaister.
2. In early use, a person acting as priest in
a parish in place of the real parson or rector, or
as the representative of a religious community to
which the tithes had been appropriated; hence, in
later and modern use, the incumbent of a parish
of which the tithes are impropriated or appropri-
ated^ in contrast to a Rectou.
a. c 1315 Rletr. Hom. 87 Erles, knihtes, and baronnes,
Presles, vikers, and parsonnes. c 1380 Wvclif Wks. (1880)
76 pci..don neither office of pretalis,.. neither J?e office of
parsones ne vekeris to here parischenes. Ibid. 424 pe fend
hat» founden cautels to bringe in vikeris in persouns stede.
1415 Rolls 0/ Parlt. IV. 290/2 All maner of Persones, and
Vyiceyrs, and Hospitilers. c 1456 Pkcock Bk. t^ Faith
(1909) 224 A greet famed kunnyng mayster of divinite is
curat, and parsoun and viker. 1533 in Archaeologia XXV.
523 To the vykers woman of Dokkynge. Ibid., The vykere
of Snettysham servante. 1556 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden)
49 A gret gcneralle processione of alle parsons, vekeres,
curattes, withalle other prestes. 15^ }. Vdall Diotrtphes
(Arb.) 28 How shall we doe for the parsons and vickers ?
/5. ?I388 in Wycli/'s SeL Wks. III. 493 P^^t no persone
VICAB.
nc vicare iie prelate is. cxcusud fro personelc rcsidensc..
ill (>er bencficys. 1401 7- Upland 379 Sith persounes and
xicares alone,.. with bishop-; above hem, were y-nough to
. .do prestes office. 1439 Rolls of Parlt. V, 15 She. .openly
seide unto y« saide Vicar, that she wold never . . have hyni to
hur Husbond. 148a — VI. 210 Upon the same apropriation,
ther shuld be a vicour endowed sufficiently. 1511 Lincoln
IViils (1914) 1. 90 Sir Thomas Markby vykar off the .say<l
church. 1531 T€st Ebor. (Surteesi VI. 24 The vicare to
ha^•e iiijd. and the clerke ijd. 1560- [sec Parson i\. iW
Shaks. Merry IK. iv. vi. 51 lie to the Vicar, Bring you the
Maid, you shall not lacke a Priest. 1609 Dekker 0//A
NerM-fi. Wks. (Grosart) II. 206 Like some pedantical Vicar
■vtammerina out a most false and crackt latiiie oration. 1647
Clarendon /list. Keh. 1. § 185 He was preferred . to the
Bishoprick of Coventry and Litchfield . -before he had been
. . Vicar or Curate of any Parish Church in England, a 1700
tvEi.YN Diary 2 Mar. 1682, Our Viccar preached on Pro-
\tTbs. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. i. xi. ^o\ A vicar has
generally an approprialor over him. 1796 H. Hunter
St..Pierye"s Stud. A<f/'.(i799) HI. 482 Not a simple village
Vicar ought to be without the actual necessaries of life.
1818 Cruise Digest (cd. 2) III. 59 Where the vicar produces
an endowment, then the situation of the parties is reversed.
1870 K. R. Wilson Cli. Limiisf. 99 The present vicar.,
speedily brought about a different aspect.
y. c-i39$ Vltnvman's Tale 830 (Skeat),_Pope, bisboppes,
and cardinals Chanons, persons and vicaire, In goddes
sen-ice. ijao Caxtons Citron. Eng, vii. 90/1 There was
decreed y' all pcrsones & vyca>Tes sholde be called prestes.
b, fig. or iramf.
1563 Homilies it. Perils Idolatry iii. Vy iij b, We nede
not to compUyne of the l.icke of one dombe person, hauyng
so manye dombc deuyllyshe vycars (I meane these ydoUes
and paynted puppettes) to teache in theyr steade. 1588
Marprel. Epist. (.\rb.) 38, 1 doubt not., to get a hundreth
of these stralagemes, especially if I trauell neere where any
of the vickcrs of hell are. i6oa -zud PL Return fr. Parnass.
IV. ii. 1722 And ypu Maister Amoretto, that art the chiefe
Carpenter of Sonets, a priuileged Vicar for the lawlesse
marriage of I nke and Paper. i66oTatham /?ww// v. i,Sure
the viccar of fools was his ghostly father.
C. Vicar of Bray^ one who readily changes liis
principles to suit the times or circumstances.
Bray is the village of that name near Maidenhead in
Berkshire. Accordmg to Fuller (see ref. below) the * viva-
cious vicar ' held the ^nefice from the reign of Henry VI 1 1
to that of Elizabeth, and was twice' a Papist and twice a
Protestant. In the later song,to which the currency of the
phrase ts mainly due, the sovereigns under whom the vicar
successively changes his religion and politics are those from |
Charles II to George I. |
[a i«6i Fuller IVorthics i. Berks. (1662) 82 But first we
will dispatch that sole Proverb of this County, viz. The
Vicar of Bray, will be Vicar of Bray still, c 1710 Song,
I 'icar of Bray (Chorus), This is the law, I will maintain,
Until my dying day, Sir, That whatsoever King may reign,
Still I'll be the Vicar of Bray, Sir. 1735 Brome in Lett, by
Etnirunt Persons (1813) II. 100, I have had a long chase
after the Vicar of Bray, on whom the proverb. . . I am in-
formwl it is Simon Aleyn or Allen, who was Vicar of Bray
about 1540, and died 1588.)
i7»S Ld. Harley in Dk. PortlamVs MSS. (Hist. MSS.
Comm.) VI. 116 His chief crime is having been once Epis-
copal, and playing the Vicar of Bray upjn them, and keep-
ing his living, when the rest of his Episcopal brethren were
ejected. 1785 Grose Diet. Vnlg. T, s.v. Bray, A vicar of
Bray, one who frequently changes his principles, always
siding with the strongest party. i8j8 P. Cunningham N', S.
IVales (ed. 3) II. 248 The regularly educated thieves.. are
l^iears of Bray to every man whom it is their interest to
humour,— blaspheming with the blasphemer and praying
with the saint.
transf. 1895 Daily News 12 June 5/4 A habit which the
Iguana shares with many lizards.. is the habit of changing
its colour; most lizards are Vicars of Bray to this extent.
+ d. Temporal vicar (see quot.), Obs.
i7a6 Ayliffe Parergon 509 Temporal vicars.. are much
the same with our Curates as we now call them ; and these
are constituted for some particular Acts and Seasons.
3. = Vicar choral.
1387 Tkevisa Higden (Rolls) Vi. 465 For clerkcs fli? J>€
travayle of ^ queere,. .and dede vikers in here stede ^at
hadde ful litel for to lyve by. 1^31 Protocols TownCkrks
Glasgow (1897) IV. 33 To the wiccaris of the qwcyr; with
the borrow maell. 1641 Baker Chron., Eliz. 116 This
Queen . . ordained a Dean, . . forty SchoUars, Vicars, Singing-
mcn, &c. 1700 J, Brome Traiu Eng. 248 A Collegiate
Church, consisting of a Dean, four Prebendaries, five Sing-
ing-Men, three Vicars, and four Deacons. 1878 Grove's
Diet. MuSi I. 52 His choir was well appointed, and every
vicar, clerical as well as lay, gave his daily and efficient aid
in it.
b. Lay vicar, « prec. (Also Priest-vicar : see
Priest j(J. lo.)
1837 Penny Cycl. VII. no The Choir is aUo the term by
which the tay.vicars, or lay-clerks, and choristers, i. e. the
dingers, of a cathedral, are collectively designated. 1843
Jkbb Choral Service xii. 108 The Lay Vicars of the old
Cathedrals . . are sometimes members of the inferior Colleges,
sometimes merely part of the foundation at large. 1877 Lee
Gloss. Litnrg. $f Eccl. Terms 184 Lay vicar^ a term used
in the statutes of some of our cathedrals to designate the
superior grade of singing men.
4. One who takes the place of, or acts as the
representative of, another (csp. the Pope or other
high dignitary) in the performance of ecclesiastical
or religious functions ; spec, in the Roman Catholic
Church, a bishop's deputy. I
c Z380 WvcLiP Serm. Set. Wks. I. 18 5if he Pope and his
vikeris wolden studie wel J>is mater. 14x6 Lydg. De Guil.
Pilgr. 1393 And sempte that he sholde be Lyk a vyker doute-
!cs Off Aaron & of Moyses. 1576 W. Lambarue Peranth.
Kent 130 This Prelate (the Bishop of Ely], hauing nowc by
the Kings commission the power of a Viceroy, and besides
by the Popes ciftc the authoritic of a Legate and Vicar.
1^ in C«/A. Rec* Soc. PubL V. 129 Directed to the Arch-
174
bi^hopp of Cant: or to his vicar or Commissary generale.
x6ii §!■ D. Carleton Let. in \oth Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm.
App. 1. 546 Upon y« late remove of our patriarch's vicar
there hath fallen vacant a benefice annexed to y< vicariat.
164s Jer. Taylor Episc. 1. yj-i When S. Paul sent fur
Timothy from Ephesus, he sent Tychicus to be his Vicar.
a 1677 Barrow Pope's Supremacy vi. Wks. 1687 I. 261 The
Popes . . l)egan to practise a fine trick, . . which was lo confer
on certain Bishops . . the title of their Vicar or Lieutenant ;
thereby pretending to impart Authority to them. 1781
Pkiesi LEV Corrupt. Chr. II. x. i. 238 Ihey [the patriarchs]
appointed vicars, or deputies, to act for them in the remoter
provinces. i8ao Milner.Sw///. talent. Eng. Cath. 108 The
late H. Berington's Vicar, D/. Bew. 1898 W. Bright Some
Aspects Prim. Ch. Life it. § 6, 83 This ' high and Divine
power *, which C> prian claimed as inherent in the eptsco-
jtate, was larger than that which St. Paul had entrusted to
his own ' vicars '.
b. With defining term preceding, as graiid,
papai, Pope's vicar,
i66a in Catk. Rec. Sac. Fuhl. VIII. 236 M^ Hoden
*(;raiul Vicairof Paris being Superior. 1688 [see Grand a.
2] 1696 Phillips s.v., The Pope's Grand Vicar, who is
a Cardinal, has a Jurisdiction, .over all Secular and Regu-
lar Priests (etc.]. 1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) I. 249
Some days since, ..the king une.\pectedly nominated him
grand vicar to the archbishop. 1796 Helen M. Williams
Lett. Prance IV. 102 (Jod.), One of my college companions
had become grand-vicar and first confidant to the arch-
bishop of my diocese. 1843 ^^««J' Cycl. XXVII. 827/2
Faber, grand-vicar of the bishop of Constance. 1844
LiNGAKD Angio-Sa-v. Ch. (1858) I. App. E. 341 The bishop
of .Aries the *papal vicar in Gaul, in place of the pope,
whose representative he was. 190s J. K. Mann Hist. Pipes
I. I. 22 He came to Thessalonica;. .its metropolitan, .was a
papal vicar. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals i. in. 84 And fir>t
i shall begin with the ^Popes Vicar, which office is the mo>t
anlient of all, and was for a long time executed by Bishops,
and other Prelats. 1902 J. K. Mann Hist. Popes I. 1. 159
Augustine.. was consecrated bishop by Virgilius of Aries,
the Pope's vicar in Gaul.
O. With defining term appended, as vicar
apostolic, capitular^ episcopal, for anie) or foreign ,
provincial.
See also Vicab-ceneral.
1766 in E. H. Burton Life Challoner (1909) II. xxvii. 83
After allj bv the terms of the circular letter, the Vicars
'Apostolic have, in case of necessity, a power to dispense.
1799 C. BuTLEk Life A. Butler vii. The vicar-apostolic of
the middle district claimed him as belonging to that district,
and appointed him to a mission in Staffordshire. X836
Penny Cycl, VI. 37:5/1 Where the succession of the Cathofic
hierarchy has been interrupted, as in England, . . the bishops
who superintend the Catholic church and represent the
papal authority, are known by the name of vicars apostolic.
1851 Bright Sp., Eccles. Titles Bill 12 ftlay (1876) 518 The
changing of vicar.s-apostoUc to bishops in ordinary. 1849
Stovel Canne's Necess. p. xxxv, Wolsey, to carry on the
policy of his church, obtained his own appointment as vicar-
^apostolical of England. 1846 AKCulloch Acc. Brit. Em-
pire (1854) II. 305 On the death of a bishop, the clergy of
the diocese elect a vicar *capitular, who exercises spiritual
jurisdiction during the vacancy. 1903 IVcstni. Gaz. 7 Sept.
10/2 A special meeting, .for the purpose of electing a Vicar-
Capitular to administer the See of Southwark during the
vacancy. 1877 Lee Gloss. Eccl. Terms 439 I'icar * Epis-
copal^ an office corresponding in some particulars to the
English archdeacon, as well as to the Greek 'Chorepis-
copus'. 18*5 DovLE in Fitzpatrick Life xi. (1861) I. 282
Whenever a priest falls into any dangerous illness, the
Vicar-* Foreign within whose deanery he lives shall visit
him. 1888 CasselCs Encycl. Diet, s.v., I'icarforane,
Roman Church, a dignitary or parish priest appointed by a
bishop to exercise a limited jurisdiction in a particular town
or district of his diocese. 1896 Tablet 18 .Apr. 619 The
cwr^ and vicar-foran at Castries.. receives ;C2oo ^ year.
1856 V.\ughan Mystics (i860) II. 134 Vicar-*provincial of
Andalusia, he plies his task anew.
5. In general use : One acting, or appointed to
act, in place of another, esp. in administrative
functions ; a viceg^ent.
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xli. {Agnes) 2SolThe prefect] deput
in his .sted l>are, pe law to bald |jaim, a vicare, & sorouful
went away, c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret.,^ Gor^ I^ordsh, log
Folwe t^anne vche comandour tene vicaires, & vche vicaire
tene lederes. 1430-40 Lydg. Bochas viii, viii. (1558) 6 In his
enipyre he set two vicars, Gaue them power in euery region
[etc.]. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 169/2 Gordyan that wjts
vicayr unto Julyan themperour. 1533 Bellenden /.(Vj' v.
vii. (S.T.S.) II. 170, I wil inak him (for he is well institute
in chevelrie) vicare and lieutenent for me. 1506 Dal-
RYMPLE tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. (S.T.S.) 11. 278 He com-
mandes that women, barnes, and citisenis all to lum cum
and craue mercie as to the Kingis vicare. i6os T. Fitz-
HERBERT Apol. 38 To assemble his friends, and witnesses of
his wil, and those whome he meant lo make his heyrcs, his
vicars, and substituts. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. xxv. 207
Lord Cromwell.. sate in stale above all the Bishops, as the
King's Vicar, or Vicegerent-Generall in all spirituall matters.
170a Lond. Gaz. No. 3814/3 It is said, the King of Spain has
made the Duke of Burp;undy Vicar of the Spanish I^ow-
Countries, whicli Title gives him a Power over those Pro-
vinces, equal to that which the King would have if he were
there in Person. 1753 Scots Mag. XV. 27/1 During a
vacancy of the Imperial throne, the government of the em-
pire devolves upon the two vicars. 1781 Gibbon Dccl. <y /''.
xvii. (1787) II. 37 The eleven remaining dioceses (- pro-
vinces]., were governed by twelve vicars, or vice-prjefects,
whose name sufficiently explains the nature and dependence
of iheir office. 1835 Lyiton Ricnzi \\\. iii, He was chosen
afterwards vicar (or vice-gerent) of Louis in Aversa. 1870
IvOWELL Among viy Bks. Scr. i. (1873) 169 We may be very
sure that Heminge and Condell did not, as vicars, take
upon themselves a disagreeable task.
transf. 1474 Caxton Chesse 45 The rookes ben vycayrs
and legates of the kynge. 1541 R. Copland Guydon^s
Quest, Chirurg. C ivb, All the syncwes of the body brede
and come out of the brayne by it selfe, or of the noddle that
is his vycare.
VICABATE.
b. A thing substituted for anotlier. rare.
i65rs Evelyn Terra (1676) 16 All dungings and other
sordid teniperings, being but the vicars succedaneoustp
this improvement. 1846 THACKEBAy Cornhilt to Ciiito xiii,
Abraham caught the Ram, which was to serve as the vicar
of Isaac.
Vicarage (vikared,^). Forms: 5 viker(i)age,
vicerege ; 5 vicarage, 6 viooar-, vyo(o)ar-,
.S(. wicar-, viorage, 7 vicaradge ; 5 vycary-,
6-6 vicariage ; 5-7 vioarege, 6-7 -edge, -ige,
68 -idge, 7 vioeari(d)ge. (f. Vicar + -age.]
1. The benefice or living of a vicar.
14>5 Rolls 0/ Parlt. IV. 290/2 That they holde residence
upon thaire Parsonages, Vikerages, and Hospitalites, open
payn of lesyng the valeu of thaire Benefice, tr 1438 _Ld.
Clu-fokd in Fiuchale Priory (Surtees) 71 There is a vicer-
ege in Craven . .of the which the prescntacion longith to you.
1459 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 365 The advouson of the Vicariage
of the same. 1536 Protocols To7vn Chrks Glasgoiv (1897)
IV. gS Kactouris as thai allegit to the vyccarage of MwriK-
land. 1589 Cooper Adnion. 47 That of Euans concerning
the Vicarage of Warwike, is maliciously reported. 1631
High Commission Cases (Camden) 246 He was charged
with the simonaicall resignation and bestowing of his
viccaridge of Castor upon a young man, a minister. 1660
R. Coke Porver f, Subj. 206 Tythes appertaining to Parish-
Churches, Prebends, Hospitals, Vicaredges. 1695 Kennett
I'ar. AHti<i. ix. 91 We meet with no such early records that
make them distinct and proper Vicariges. I7»9 Swift
l.ibeloii Dr. Dclany 132 The offals of a church distrest :
A hungry vicarage at best. 1740 Pote Hist, f, Antit).
Windsor 12 It is a Vicaridge in the Deanery of Reading
and Diocess of Salisbury. 1815 Jane Aisten Emma iv,
Though the vicarage of Highbury was not large, he was
known to have some independent property. 1863 H. Cox
Insiit. III. vii. 700 The hereditaments of the Crown (except
advowsons and vicarages). 1884 Mamh. Exam. 14 May
5/3 The plaintiff, a clergyman, who at one time had a
vicarage at Bow.
transf. 1587H0LINSHEU Chron. (ed. 2)111. 558/1 The three
peruerse prelats . . stroue togither for the sacred see of papasie
Gods vicarage. 1653 H. Whistleb Upshot In/. Baptismc
2 Whether they were redeemed by the Vicarage of a Levite,
or by a ransome.
t b. A benefice attached to a parsonage. Ohs.—^
ijoi Reg. Privf Seal Scotl. I. 98 The parsonage of Sanct
Colinez Kirk.. with the annexis and vicaragis Ihairof, that
is to say, Kilmolowok in Rasay and Kilmory in Walternes.
1 2. A college of vicars. Obs.
148s in Ripon Chapter Acts (Surtees) 277, I will that iny
messebuke be gyffyn to the vicarage in Rypoii. 1505 IM't.
304 The said mescgoo to the vicarege of Ripon, Ihey
doynge therfor a yerely obbett.
3. The house or residence of a vicar ; also, those
who live in this.
1530 Palsgb. 285, I Vycrage a preestes \m\>!ae, presMoire.
1611 CoTGR., Presbitere, a Parsonage, Vicarage, or Priests
house. 161Z Peacham Centl. Exerc. 111. 157 The ancient
coate of Bassingborne, which by chance I found in a window
at the Vicaredge in Fulham. i8aoPRAED Poems (1864) II.
136 The traveller was to blame And not the Vicarage or the
Vicar. 1891 'S. Mostvn ' Curatica 150, I had bidden the
Vicarage farewell the night before.
t4. Se. A (or the) payment due to a vicar;
\ icarial tithes or other (3ues. Obs.
1579 Munim. tie Metros (Bann. CI.) 653 pe teind schevis
. .with small teindis and Viccaragis pertenand to J»e saming
Kirk. 159s in Maitland Club Misc. I. 73 The amount and
i)uantitie of the vicarages of the said benefices, with the
glebbis and mansis. 1684 Rec. Baron Crt. .Slitchill iH.H.S.)
95 For not paying of Vicaradge at Mertimas, which.. the
Judge decerns them to pay punctually. 176a in Nairne
Peerage Evidence (1874) 92 The town and lands of Kinnaird
and the lands of Tullybeagles with the tiends parsonage and
vicarage of the saids haill lands. 1775 L. Sham Hist. Moray
353 The Stipend is 80 Bolls of Victual, and aljoul K 50 of
Vicarage. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, viii. What have 1 been
paying stipend and teind, parsonage and vicarage, for ?
t 5. The position, office, or duties of a vicar or
representative. Obs. rare.
162a Donne Serm. John xi. 35 My vicaraga is to speak of
his [Christ's] compassion and his tears. 164a Jef. 'I'aylor
Episc. § 37. 264 This whole discourse showes . . that they [the
Bishops] have sole jurisdiction, and the Presbyters only in
substitution and vicaridge. 1734 Bp. Petbe in E. H. Burton
I.i/e Challoner (1909) I. 93 He gave up his pious spirit, in
the ninety secontf year of his age and forty sixth of his
episcopate and Apostolic Vicarage.
6. allrib., as vicarage church, + iltity, house,
stipend, teind.
1731 Gentl. Maf. I. Ji8 From hence the Writer takes
occasion to considfer the State of *Vicarage Churches. 1597
Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 303 2, sopundis money as for the per-
sonage dewlie and 10 inerkis for the *vicarage dewtie foir-
.said. a 1550 Lei.and Itin. (1769) IV. 118 From the which
Water is conveyed to the Prebendaries Houses, to the
•Vicarage Houses, and the Choristers. JS«9 Bp. Pakkhcrsi
Injunctions A iv. Whether . . your Parsonage and Vicaredge
house be well .. maintained. 1638 H. Sielman in Lett.
Lit. Men (Camden) 156 There is a reasonable Vicarage
house upon it. a 1704 T. Brown T'.iv O.xford Scholars
Wks. 1730 1. 10 An old rotten Parsonage or Vicarage-house.
178s J. Wesley Serm. Ivii. Wks. 1811 IX. 25 He removed
into the Vicarage-House. 1837 Lockhart Scott II. ?■■• 373
An ornamental cottage in the style of the old English
vicarage-house. 1867 J. Campbell Balmerino ft Abbey ill.
ii. 170 He was also minister of Logie. .and drew its *vicar-
age stipend. i6io in T. Font's Topogr. Acc. Cunningham
(Maitl. CI.) 185 To Mr. Williame Birsbane, of "vicarege
leynd the said yeir, aucht pund. 1640-1 Kircudbr. '•''or-
Comm. J\Hn. Bk. (1855) 163 The halfe of the said gleib and
vicarege teindes.
Vicarate (vi-kar^"t). [f. Vicab -i- -ate. Cf.
Vicariate.] A parish, district, etc., under the
jurisdiction of a vicar ; a vicariate.
VICAB CHORAL.
1883 American V. 319 Retaining the administration of
the vicarate of North Carolina. 19x0 Q. Reg. Presbyt. Ck.
Aug. 337 In the diocese of Albi,..a number of vicarates have
been suppressed.
Vicar choral. Also vicar-chopal. [Vicar 3.]
(See quot. 1854, and cf. Choral a,^ \ b.)
The pi. occurs in farious forms, as vicars choral^ f vicars
choraiSy and, rarely, vicar chorals.
1530-1 Act 22 Hen. /'///, c. 15 All other.. canons, pety
canons, vicars choral), & cleVkes. 1546 Yorks. Chantry
Surv. (Surtees) 348 The same prebendaries have, .vicars. .
under them.. called vicars choralles, which.. are bound to
. discharge the said prebendaryes of all their cures and ser-
vice in the sayd church, a x66x Fuller IVorthies^ Wilts,
III. (1662) 157 William Lawes, son of Thomas Lawes, a
Vicar Choral of the Church of Salisbury. 1704 Ace. Imiov.
Abp, Dublin 3 He calls.. the Vicar-Chorals, and orders
them to answer, notwithstanding [etc.]. 1770 In Met//. Rev.
If. Richardson (1822) 14 Vou seem to nave been much
taken with York lilinster and Cathedral Service, would you
like to be one of the Vicars Choral ? 1837-8 Act i & 2 l^ict.
c. 106 § 59 Any Spiritual Person, being Prebendary, Canon,
Priest Vicar, Vicar Choral, or ISIinor Canon. 1854 Hook
Church Diet. (ed. 7) 791/1 F/<rarjr//<??-rt/ [are] the assistants
or deputies of the canons or prebendaries of collegiate
churches,, .especially, though not exclusively, in the duties
of the choir or chancel, as distinguished from those belong,
ing to the altar and pulpit. x^3 Phillimore £ccl. Law
Ch. Eng. 161 The two classes of petty or minor canons and
vicars-choral. Ibid^ A vicar-choral of the cathedral church
of Wells.
Hence Ticar-cho'ralshlp, the office of a vicar-
choral.
x868 Ecclesiologist XXIX. 171 The endowments .. of
\ icars-choralshipH. 1891 Star i Nov. 1/7 The vicar-choral-
ship of St. Paul s is by no means a poor appointment.
Vicaress (vi-kares). Also 7 vicoaria. f.
Vicar + -ess 1.]
1. The sister ranking immediately beneath the
Abbess or Mother Superior in anunnery or convent.
CX613 in Cath. Rec. Soc, Publ. (1914) XIV. 34, 2 years
before ner death [she] was chosen first Vicaress of y» Mon-
astery, a >7oo Diary Blue Nuns Ibid. VIII. 11 Sister
Margarite Bruno alias Floyd was again chosen Viccaris.
lyai Ibid. 291 The Office of Vicaresse is nearest the Ab-
besse in Authority. . , The Vicaresse represents in every
place, the Abbesse when she is absent. 1B04 in A rchaeo -
togia (1840) XXVIII. 198 Mother Austin was afterwards
Vicaress [of the Blue Nuns' convent] several years, X857
G. Oliver Coll. Cath. Kelig, Cor/i-wall, etc. 136 The vicar-
ess, the Rev. Mother Eyston, was sent to Bruges, 1892
J, M. Stone Faithful unto Death 344 To govern the new
community as abbess and vicaress respectively.
2. A (female) representative. In quot. fig.
x66a J. Chandler Van Helmont's Orint. 125 The sensi-
tive Soul, the vicaresse of the minde, doth surely rejoyce in
a greater liberty than the souls of bruit Beasts.
3. The wife of the vicar of a parish.
1770 W. HuDDESFORD in }. Granger Lett, (1805) 146, I
am under the greatest obligation to the vicaress, for her for-
giveness of my impertinence. 1849 ^d- Coleridge in Life
•V Corr. (1904) I. viii. 190 Nothin^? could be kinder than the
Vicar and Vicaress. x86a Mrs. Houstoun Recommended
to Mercy xii, The encroachments of the Vicaress in the
government of the parish.
Vi'car general. Also vicar-general. [V^i-
CAR 4 c, atter med.L. vicari its generalise F. vicaire
general.']
The pi. occurs vstnously as vicarsgeneralis,vicargenerals.
f 1, The title assumed by or bestowed upon the
Pope, as head of the Church under Christ. Ods.
1390 GowF.R Conf. I. 253 At Rome. .The vicair general of
allc Of hem that lieven Cristes feith. 1456 Sir G. Have
Law Arms (S.T.S.) 104 God.., and next him his vicare
generale the pape. 1539 Tonstall Serm. Pahn Sund.
(1823) 46 All power is gyuen to me that Chrbte had : and 1
am his vicar general, as Peter was here in erthe ouer all.
xgSf Allen Afiol. 17 Whither should we rather flee for
releefe either of body or soul, then to . . the Vicar general of
Christ? 165X HoBBES Leviath. iv. xliv. 335 Consequent
to this claim of the Pope to Vicar Generall of Christ in the
present Church,, .is the Doctrine, that it is necessary for a
Christian King, to receive his Crown by a Bishop.
transf. c 1386 Chaucfr Doctor's T. 20 Lo, I, Nature, Thus
can I forme and peynte a creature. .. For He that is the
Former principal. Hath maad me his viker general [etc,].
2, R* C. Ch, An ecclesiastical officer, usually a
cleric, appointed by a bishop as his representative
in matters of jurisdiction or administration.
c 1450 St. Cutftbert (Surtees) 8023 Before his pepill
ordande he pe prior arcbedekyn forto be, And his generall
vicare. 1498 Reg. Privy Seal Scotl. I. 36/r A presentation
. . Direct to the vicare general of Sanctandris, the sege thair-
of vacand. ftp^ Plumpton Lett. (1839) 305 Master Plomp-
ton, ..at his departing out of England, comaunded to me
John Carvar, his Vicker generall, ,. to wryte unto you.
a 1578 LiNDESAv (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 286
Pryor Johnne Hepburne was at that time wicar generall of
the bischoperick of Sanctandrois. c x6s8 in Foley Rec. Bug.
Prov.S. y. I. I. r37 His inferior officers, dispersed through-
out all the Countyesof this realme, with titles, powers, and
formalities belonging to any Catholique Bishops whereso-
ever, as Vicaires Generalls. 167a in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ.
III. 100 M» George Richardson, .was ordained in Ireland
by ye Ch'« dimissoryes given him by ye Vicar Gen[era]ll.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vice* Dominus Episcofii, the
Official, Commissary, or Vicar-general of a Bishop. 1767
Phil. Trans. LVII. 461 The vicar-general of this diocese.
1797 Mrs. Rai>cliffe Italian xxvi, While Vivaldi spoke the
vicar-gencral listened with attention. X799C Butler Life
A. Butler xi\i, He was immediately appointed vicar-general
to the bishops of Arras, St. Omer's, Ipres, and Boulogne.
1847 S. Austin Rattke's Hist. Re/. III. 81 The bishop..
sent some delegates, unaer his vicar-general Faber. 1885
Lady Herbert tr. Lagrange's Life Dupanloup I. 358 The
175
Abb^ Valgalier, .. and the Abb^ Desnoyers, were made
titular vicar generals.
b. Similarly in the Church of England ; spec, a
permanent lay official serving as a deputy or
assistant to a bishop, or to the Archbishop of
Canterbury or York, in certain ecclesiastical causes.
1536 Act 28 Hen. VIl/, c. 10 § 4 All and every Arche-
bisshoppes, Bisshippes and Archedeacons, ..their Commis-
saries, Vicars generall, and other their Mynisters . . shall make
diligente inserch [etc.]. 1588 Marprel. Epist. (Arb.) 3 To
the right puisante, and terrible Priests, my cleargie masters
of the Confocation-house, whether fickers generall,. .or any
other of the holy league of subscription, a 1700 Evelyn
Diary 31 Aug. 1663, After which the Vicar-general went
to the vestry, and brought his Grace into the Chapell [at
Lambeth]. 1716 Avliffe Parergon 161 According to the
common way of Speech, a Chancellor is a Vicar General to
the Bishop to all Intents and Purposes of Law. \%-^ Penny
Cycl. VL 481/2 The Chancellor of a Church or of a Bishop
is Vicar-general to the bishop, holds his courts [etc.]. 1854
Hook Church Diet, (ed. 7) 792/1 The Vicar-General, an
ecclesiastical officer who assists the bishop in the discharge
of his office, as in causes and visitations. 1887 Ptill Mall
G. 23 June 2/2 The Vicar-General [in the Isle of Man] is a
man of many callings, holding, in addition to the Vicar-
Generalship, the positions of secretary to the bishop, keeper
of the records, coroner, and magistrate. 1907 Who's Who
413 Cripps, C. A... Vicar-General of Canterbury; Chan-
cellor and Vicar-Gen. of York since 1900.
3. Hist, The title given to Thomas Cromwell in
1535 as representative of the King in ecclesiastical
affairs. (Cf. Vicegerent sb, i, quots. 1536-38.)
X679 Burnet Hist. Ref.\. iii. 181 The first act of the Kings
Supremacy was, his naming Cromwell Vicar-General, and
General Visitor of all the Monasteries and other Priviledged
places. X706 tr. Dupin's Feci. Hist. 16th C. II. iv. vii. 419
«o/<*,The name of Vicar- General, as api>ointed by the Prince,
had been odious ever since Cromwell's management of that
office in Henry Vlll'stime; and was never, for that reason,
taken up afterwards. 17x4 Jer. Collier Feci. Hist. C,t.
Brit. II. II. 104/1 It appears that Cromwell by being made
Vicar General had an entire Delegation of the King's
Supremacy.
1 4. (See quot.) Obs,
1568 Grafton Chron. II. 235 The King was made Vicare
generall, and Lieutenant for the Empcrour.
Hence Vlcar-ife'neralsliip, the office of a vicar-
general.
aiM8 LiNDESAV (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 287
The bischope . . be the consall of wyse men gaif to this pryour
the wickar generallschip. 1714 Jes. Collier Feci, Hist.
Gt. Brit. II. 11. 104; I A Mistake in confounding this Vicar
Generalship with his following Dignity of Lord Vicegerent
in Ecclesiastical Matters, x^o Gladstone Glean. ( 1879) V.
193 The Vicar-generalship of Cromwell and . . the episcopal
Commissions of both these reigns. 1891 Pall MallG. 4 Feb.
7/1 Twenty-five years of Vicar-Generalship under Manning
..ought to weigh in the balance even against aristocratic
descent and Court favour.
Vioariage, obs. form of Vicarage.
VicariSkl (vsi-, vike»*rial), a, [ad. L. type
*vicdridi-is, f. vicarius ViCAB, So F. and Sp.
vicarial^
\. Delegated, deputed; vicarious.
1617 Slingsbv Diary (1836) 297 Our Lord communicated
his power to preistis and his ministires and vicars, and so
thar power is ministerial! and vicariall as they call it. a 1734
North Lives (1826) I. 392 By these vicarial offices In the
house his lordship was educated to the employ there. 1747
West Resurrection (ed. a) 275 God . . promised to continue
that delegated vicarial Sceptre of Righteousness in his
(David's) Posterity for ever. 1803 Edin. Rez>. I, 390 The
contest for vicarial and deputed power.. is more prudent
than the struggle for that which is original and supreme.
1850 Cdl. Wiseman Pastoral 7 Oct., The silver links of
that chain which has connected their country with the See
of Peter in its Vicarial Government. 1868 Lightfoot Philip.
(1885) 267 His office is representative, and not vicarial,
2. Of or belonging to a vicar or vicars.
1744 J. CoMVNs Reports of Cases C'i^'^aWis ver. Pain and
Underhill. . . Mr. Underbill the Vicar insisted upon the Tithe
ofCloverSeedasaVicariator small Tithe. X765 Blackstone
Comm. I. 376 Hence many things, as wood in particular, is
in some countries a predial, and in some a vicarial tithe.
1815 R. Churton in R. Chandler Trav. Asia M. I. Introd.
p. viii, He fitted up the vicarial house. 1840 John Bull 7
Nov. 540/2 A question relative to the liability of vicarial
lands to Church rates was mooted before the bench. 1865
M. E. C. Walcott Cathedralia 165 The vicarial stalls of
Gala major and Sandiacre have been also restored.
3. Consisting of vicars.
1771 in Mem. Rev. W. Richardson (1821) 13 In May, the
death of poor Frank, by a consumption, made a vacancy in
the vicarial body.
4. Holding the office of a vicar.
1806 V. Knox Serm. Isa. xxviii. 16 Wks. 1824 VI. 377
But the great proprietors of land soon., obtained for each a
resident pastor, either rectorial or vicarial, either an incum-
bent or a substitute.
Vicarian (vai-, vike^'rian), sb, and a. [ad. late
L. vicdrian-usy f. L. vicdriits Vicab, or indepen-
dently f. vicdri-us + -an.]
A. sb. 1 1. A substitute or deputy holding some
office. Obs,~'^
1598 Marston Sco Villani* i. iii. (1599)183 Shall Balbus,
the demure Athenian, Dreame of the death of next Vicarian?
Cast his natiuitie?
2. One who accepts the view of religious vlcari-
ousness.
1851 RusKiN Sheepfolds 37 Ecclesiastical tyranny has, for
the most part, founded itself on the idea of Vicarianism, one
of the most pestilent of the Romanist theories. .. Of this I
have a word or two to say to the modern ' Vicarian '.
VICARIED.
B. adj. Of or pertaining to, governed by, a
deputy ruler.
1643 UssHER Disquis. Asia 16 The greater part of the in-
land Lydia was brought under this Vicarian regiment. 1654
Vilvain Theol. Treat. \\. 156 The Dragon, .covertly erected
a Vicarian Kingdom.
Hence Vica'rianistti (see A. 2 above).
Vicariate (vsi-, vike»Ti(?0, ■f'''- Also 7 vi-
cariot, 7-9 vicariat. [ad. med.L. vicdridl-tis,
f. L. tncdri-its Vicar. Q{. OF. and F. vicariate
It., Sp., Pg. Wrt;7(7/(?.]
1. The office or authority of a vicar in a religious
or ecclesiastical sense : a. Of persons acting as
earthly representatives of God or Christ.
1610 Donne Pseudo-martyr 247 [To make] Kings, which
before had their Lieuienancie and Vicariate from God,
but Magistrates, .to his Vicar. ? 1614 — Flegy to Ld.
Harrington Poems (1669) 249 To deliver up to God that
state Of which he gave thee the Vicariate, a 1676 Halk
True Relig. 11. (1684) 28 Hold what you will, if you hold
not the .Supremacy and Vicariot of the Pope, all the rest of
your Religion is not worth a rush. x88a~3 SchafiTs Enc^'ci.
Relig. Kno^ui. III. 2456/1 Through St. Peter the vicariate
was forever conferred on the bishop of Rome.
b. Of the deputy of a bishop, etc.
161X Sir D. Carleton Let. in loM Rep. Hist. MSS.
Comm, App. I. 546 Upon y* late remove of our patriarch's
vicar there hath fallen vacant a benefice annexed to y" vic-
ariat, 1785 tr. Dupin's EccL Hist, lyth C. I. V. no Vigilius
gave his Vicariate to this Arch-Bishop in the Provinces.
<T 1773 A. Butler Lives Saints (1845) XI. 103 St. Charles
established a vicariat, that things might be done with deli-
beration and counsel, which many other bishops imitated.
C, Of a vicar in the Church of England. Also
freq.f the period of a vicar's ministry.
1837 J- Jordan Paroch, Hist. Enstone iv. igi The Rev.
J. lieckingham was at some period of his vicariat ejected.
1887 Pall Mall G. 24 Jan. lo/i He.. pointed to the record
of his fifteen years' vicariate, during which he had taken
none of the parish income.
2. A political office held by a person as deputy
for another; deputed exercise of authority by a
person or governing body.
1619 F. CoTTiNGTON Let, in Eng. ^ 6'rrw/. (Camden) 33 If
he should chance to fayle, the vicariate of Upper Germany
must neades fall upon the Palatin. ^'jii Lond.Gaz.^o.
4844/2 He has accepted and taken upon him.. his part of
the Vicariate of the Empire during the present Vacancy.
, 1769 Robertson Chas. /', 11. Wks. 1813 V. 249 The vicariat
I of that part of Germany which is governed by the Saxon
laws, devolved to the elector of Sa.\ony. 18^ Disraeli
j Coningsby v. viiL 220 An educated nation recoils from the
j imperfect vicariate of what is called a representative govern-
ment. 1898 Dill Rom. Soc. Last Cent. If'estent Empire 16
Flavianus received the vicariate of Africa.
I at/rib. 176a tr. Busching^s Syst, Geog. IV. 38 They may
I hold vicariate aulic courts.
3. a. A district under the rule of a deputy
I governor,
I 175s Smollett Qutx. (1803) IV. 204 Donna Guiomar de
Quinones, wife to the regent of the vicariate of Naples.
1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 404/2 The provinces which con-
stituted, under the Christian emperors, successors of Con-
stantino, the vicariate of Rome, [/bid.. These provinces
were under the lay jurisdiction of an imperial vicar,]
b. /'. C. Ck. A district under the charge of a
vicar apostolic ; the see of a vicar apostolic.
1818 Hallam iI//(^. /l^^.f (i8ig) II. 226 By the constitution
of the church, .every province ought to have its metro-
politan, and every vicariate its ecclesiastical exarch or
primate. 1857 ^J- Ouver Coll. Hist. Cath. Relig. Corn-
7vall,ttc. 425 This western vicariat becoming vacant by the
death of Bishop Baggs. 1890 T. Cooi'er in Diet. Nat.
Biog. XXI. 374/1 He was selected by the propaganda to
preside as bishop over the vicariate of the West Indies.
C. A church ministered to by a vicar.
176a tr. Buschin^s Syst. Geog. IV. 335 In it is one collegi-
ate and seven other churches, which are vicariates to the
former.
4. Vicar iousness. rare~^,
1877 A. Cave Script. Doctr. Sacr. \. \. \\, 52 They knew
that the lives of innocent, .animals were taken in lieu of
their own.. ; what did they regard as the reason of this
singular vicariate?
Hence Vlca'rlateship. rarer^.
1753 Scots Mag. XV. 27/1 There is a dispute.. between
the Elector Palatine, and the Elector of Bavaria, about one
of these Vicariatships.
Vicariate, a. rare. Also 7 vicariat. [f. L.
vicdri-us + -ate 2, or attrib. use of prec] Pertain-
ing to, characteristic of, a deputy or representative ;
delegated.
1619 Naunton in Eng. ^- Germ. (Camden) 33 Such strength
and forces as may.. enable him to maintaine the vicariat
dignitie when it shall fall uppon him. ^1677 Barrow
Pope's Suprem. vi. Wks. 1687 I. 261 We thought it conven-
ient that you should be held up by the vicariat authority
of our See. 1849 ^ock Ch. of Fathers II. vi. 137 To the
Bishops of Aries had the Holy See deputed a vicariate
power there.
Vioa-riate, v. rare. [f. Vicariate sb.'\ inlr.
To act as a deputy or substitute.
1827 Carlvle Germ. Rom. III. 139 Her he edified by his
Literary History, as relating to himself and the Subrector ;
how, for instance, he was at present vicariating in the Second
Form [etc. J.
t Vicaried. Obs,—'^ In 4 vikeried. (App. a
mistranslation of med.L. vicaridlus Vicariate sb,)
1388 Wyclif Ecclus. xxxiii. 6 note, Netheles he [an evil
prelate] scorneth God, and takith the office of his vikeried,
and chargith not of his onour.
CI
VICARIOUS.
Vicarious (vw-, vike'-rias), a. [f. L. vicari-tts
adj. and sb., f. vic-is change, turn, stead, office,
etc. : see -abious,]
1. That takes or supplies the place of another
thing or person ; substituted instead of the proper
thing or person.
1637 GiLLESPiK Eng. Pop. Cerem. \\\. iv. 56 If I..reli-
tously adore before the Pastor^ as the Vicarious Signe of
hrisl himself. 1664 H. Mork Myst. Ini^. 319 The In-
teireges are necessarily reducible to the Regal Power, beuig
but a vicarious Appendage (hcrelo. 1688 Bovlk Final
Canses Not. Things 11. 70 Gravel and little stones.. are
often found . . in iheir stomachs, where they prove a vicarious
kind of teeth. 1709 T. Robinson Viud, Mc^saick Sysi. 29
God. .made tt \sc. the moon] a vicarious Light to the Sun,
to supply its absence in this lower World. 1785 Burke
i>. Nahoh Arcot's Debts Wk-i. 1842 1. 320 These modern
flagell.ints are sure.. to whip their own enormities on the
vicarious back of every small offender. 18*9 1. Taylor
EMtkus. vii. 161 Every right-minded and heaven-commis-
sioned minister of religion is.. in.. a real sense.. a vicarious
person. 1850 Bi.ackiic /Eschylus 11.68 This, And worse
expect, unless some god endure Vicarious thy tortures. 1853
Abp. Thomson Laws Th. § 30 (ed. 3) 59 The cry or excla-
mation, .would be consciously reproduced to represent or
recal the feeling on another occasion ; and it then became
a word, or vicarious sign.
b. Const, of (something), rare.
1831 Sir W. Hamilton Discuss. (1852) 404 The University
and Colleges are thus neither identical, nor vicarious of each
other. 1836-7 — Metaph. viit. (1870) 131 If the science be
able to possess no single name vicarious of its definition,
2. Of punishment, etc. : Endured or suffered by
one person in place of another ; accomplished or
attained by the substitution of some other person,
etc., for the actual offender. Freq. in Theol. with
reference to the suiTering and death of Christ.
169a Bentlev BoyU Led. ix. 319 Some means of Recon-
dilation must be contrived ; some vicarious satisfaction to
iusttce. i6f)8 NoRRis Pract. Disc. (1707) IV. 137 But as
'reciou> as it was, it was not the very thing that the Law
required, but a Vicarious Punishment. 1736 Butler ^«/i/.
Reiig;. if. v. 211 Vicarious Punishments may be. .absolutely
necessary. 1781 Johnson in Bosxvell 3 June, Whatever
difficulty there may be in the conception of vicarious
punishments. 1836 J. Gilbert Chr. Aioncm, \\\. (1852)
80 The Christian doctrine of vicarious expiation. 1850
Blackie j^schylus II. 319 The idea of vicarious sacrifice,
or punishment by substitution,, .does not seem to have been
very familiar to the Greek mind, i860 Pusev Min.Proph,
laThe manifold harvest, which He.. should bring forth. .
by His vicarious Death. 1883 Gilmour Alongoh xvii. 202
Vicarious suffering too seems strange to them, their own
system teaching that for his sin a man must suffer, and there
is no escape.
3 Of power, authority, etc, : Exercised by one
person, or body of persons, as the representative or
deputy of another.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), F^VanV/w, belonging to a
Vicar, subordinate ; as A Vicarious Power. 1777 Johnson
in Bosweil {iga^) I. 126, 1 shall be considered as exercising
a kind of vicarious jurisdiction. 1807 J. Barlow Cotitnib.
1. 5 Who swayM a moment, with vicarious power, Iberia's
sceptre. 1844 H. H.Wilson Brit, /«//;« II!. 285 Such vicari-
ous powers wereconferredupon His Majesty's Courts at all
the Indian Presidencies. 1855 Macaulav Hist. En^. III.
487 He had . . held, during some months, a vicarious primacy.
trans/. 1835-6 Todd's Cycl. A fiat. I. 322/1 Redi's opinion,
that the pebbles [swallowed by birds] perform the vicarious
office of teeth.
4. Performed or achieved by means of another,
or by one person, etc., on behalf of another.
1806 Fellowes tr. Af titan's znd De/iftce Wks. VI. 377 He
had not the courage . . to prefix a dedication to Charles with-
out the vicarious aid of Flaccus. iBzx Lam u E/ia i. Bachelor's
Complaint^ I must protest against the vicarious glutionyof
Cerasia, who . . sent away a dish of Morellas . . to her husband
at the other end of the table. 1846 Edin. Re^f. LXXXIV.
68 The increasing laxity of the Mussulman world, and the
practice of vicarious pilgrimage, have greatly diminished
the numbers of the sacred caravans. 1877 Gladstone
Glean. (1879) IV. 347 May we never be subjected to the
humiliation of dependence upon vicarious labour. 1891^ H.
Drummonu Ascent Man 301 Unconscious of their vicarious
service, the butterfly and the bee., carry the fertilizing dust
to the waiting stigma.
b. Of qualities, etc. : Possessed by one person
but reckoned to the credit of another.
184a Pl'sey Crisis Eng, Ch. 136 To confound, .individual
duties with vicarious merits, x8^ Froude Hist. Eng^
(1858) II. vi. 36 A system. .where sin was expiated by the
vicarious virtues of other men.
o. Of methods, principles, etc, : Based upon the
substitution of one person for another,
1857 Hughes Tom Bro7vn 11. iii. It may be called the
vicarious method ; it obtained amongst big fellows of lazy
or bullying habits, and consisted simply in making clever
boys.,do their whole vulgus for them. 1870 J. H.Newman
Gram, Assent u. x. 400 On this vicarious principle, by
which we appropriate to ourselves what others do for us, the
whole structure of society is raised.
6, PhymL Denoting the performance by or
through one organ of functions normally dis-
charged by another ; substitutive.
1780 Encycl. Brit. VI, 4747 The Vicarious Haemoptysis.
i8ai-7 Good Study Med. (1829) I. 650 With a view of ex-
citing a vicarious action, I opened an issue in one of the
arms. find. 668 Where the complaint is strictly idiopathic
and uncombined, it has often been found to give way to
some local irritation or vicarious drain. 1846 Day tr.
Simon* s Anim. Chem. 11. 170 The vicarious action of the
i^in and lungs. 1877 Foster Physiol. (1878) 477 Vicarious
reflex movements may also !>e witnessed in mammals.
176
Vicariously (vai-, vike»*ri3sli), adv. [f. prec.
+ -LY-.]
1. By substitution of one thing or person for
another ; by means of a substitute,
1796 Burke Re^tc. Peace \\. Wks. 1808 VIII. 237 Not
beingable torevenge themselves on God, they have a delight
in vicariously defacing . . his image in man, i8a8 Scott
p\ M. Perth xvii, Some one must drink it for him, he shall
be cured vicariously. 1835-6 TodiCs Cycl. Anat. I. 133/1
Respiration is also carried on vicariously in a very large pro-
portion of animals. 1861 J. G. Shf.ppabu Fall Rome vii.
397 His campaigns were., vicariously carried on by a general
whom common report designated as the Achilles of tiie
Vandals. 1883 ' Ouioa ' ll'anda 1. 60 She never did anything
vicariously which concerned those dependent upon her.
2. As a substitute for another.
1868 Garrod Mat. Med. (ed. 3) 410 To c.-iuse the skin to
act vicariously when the action of other secreting organs is
excessive. 1886 J. Morlev CrrV. J/Zi-c. I. 298 He suspected
the practice by which one man offered up prayer vicariously
and collectively for the assembled congregation.
Vica*rioasxiess. [f. as prec. + -nkss.] The
quality or condition of being vicarious.
1717 Bailey (vol. II). 1858 J. Martineau St7td. Chr.
188 If the vicariousness be not this mere pretence, it de-
scribes an outrage upon the first principles of rectitude.
1874 H. R. Reynolds yohn Bapt. v. § 2. 328 The vicarious-
ness of the sacrifice makes a more severe demand upon our
conscience and intelligence. 1889 Lancet 27 July 17^/1
Another favourite assertion of the opponents of \accination
—the vicariousness of zymotic mortality.
f Vicariship. Obs. rare-"^, [f. Vicary sby'\
= VlCARSHlP.
ci^yiPilgr. Ly/Manhode i. xv. (1869) 11 Thowshuldest
also not foryeteof whom thow doost the vicarishipe.
t Vi'carly, tf. Obs.-'^ [f. Vicab 2.] Holding
the position of a vicar.
1596 Nashe Saffron Walden Ep. Ded., A deuine vicarly
brother of his, called Astrologicall Richard.
Vi'Carship. Also 6 -shyp, vycar8hip(pe.
[f. Vicar + -SHIP,] The office or position of a
vicar, in various senses of the word.
X534 Henrv VIII in Liber Regis p. viii, Every other
person that hath anydignitie, prebend, vycarship,. .or other
office. 1546 Bale Eng. Votaries i. (1560) 49 The general
commission, whiche he had of Sathan his great mastre, in
that vycarship of his. 1579 Fulke Confut. Sanders 540 Y*
liishop of lerusalem should more reasonably claime this
supremacie & vicarship vnto Christ. t6ii Speed Hist. Gt.
Brit. IX. xii. §66 Lewis of Bauar the Emperour sodainely
..re-called his Vicar-ship or delegation, which bee had made
to Edward, to exercise imperiall power in lower Germany.
1653 H. CoGAN tr. Scarlet Gotvn 66 After his arrival at
Rome, Cardinal Capucino paid him all the profits accruing
of his Vicarship by him administred in his absence. 1677
Sv. Hughes Man of Sin iii, iv. 139 If St. Peters, and so his
Holiness universal Vicarship follow hence. 1739 Swift Let.
to Pope 10 May, There is a man in my choir, one Mr. Lamb;
he has at present but half a vicarship. 176a tr. Busching's
Syst. Geog. III. J30 The crown of Spain held the vicarship
of Siena as a fief of the Empire. 1830 I. Taylor Ancient
Chr. I. 96 The universal vicarship of the bishop of Rome.
1867 R. Palmer P. Hozvard 71 He was recommended to
the master-general by Cardinal Pole for the vicarship of the
province. 1896 Oxford Chron. 25 July 5/4 The Bishop of
Oxford has lost no time in filling up the Vicarship of
Abingdon.
t Vi'Cary, sb^ Obs, Forms : a. 4-5 vioarie
(4 vik-), -arye, 4-6 vycary (4 -arye), 4-7 vicary
(5 -ari), 6 vykary. /3. 4-5 vicori(e, viccorie;
4 vycory, 4-5 vicory, vecory, 5 vicorye. 7. 4
vi(c)kery, 5 vekery, [ad, L, vicari-us Vicar.]
1. = Vicar i and i b.
1303 R. Brunnk Handl. Synne 11789 pe prest >*s crystys
vycarye. 1338 — Chron. (1810) 283 No man has powere
J>er of to deme no wirke, Withoute J?e pape of Rome, Code's
V icarie. c 1381 Chaucer Pari. Foules 370 Nature, vicarye
o the almyghty lord. 1393 Langl. P. PI. C. xv. 70 Cleregie
is cristes vikery to conforte and to curen. 1502 Arnolue
Chron. (t8ii) 159 Unto the most holyest and fauorablist
Prince in erthe, Vicary and Lieftenaunt of Cryst. 15*9
More Dyaloge w. Wks. 179/2 The Pope which is vnder
Christ vycary & the head of our churche.
2. = Vicar 2.
a, 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 11607 Alle prestes haue
nat powere, .to assoyle |>e. .But hyt be J>y parysshe preste
.., Or at J>y parsone or vycary. ^1330 — Chron. Wace
(Rolls) 5775 To parsones & to vicaries Was graunted grete
seignuryes. c 1386 Chaucer Parson's Prol. 22 (Corpus),
Sire Preest, quod he, art J>ou a vicary Or art |)OU a i>erson i
say soJ>, by py fey, 1417 E. E, Wills (1882) 28 Sir John
Dey, parsone of Bageworthe, . . sir Edward Osbourne, vicary
of Thornecombe. 1463 in Somerset Medieval Wills (1901)
200 The same writinges I send you nowe by the vicarye of
Porestoke. c 1501 Joseph Arim. 253 The vykary of welles,
that thyder had sought, . . Released he was of part of his in-
fyrmyte. aisj^Skelton Col. Cloute ST^ Of persons and
vycaryes They make many outcryes. 1538 North Country
Wills (Surtees, 1908) 158 To the vicarye of Willoby a
mortuary.
^) y* '377 Langl. P. PI. B. xix. 407 Thanne is many man
ylost, quod a lewed vycory. 1406 E. E. Wills (1882) 12
V wyt to the vekery of the same Kyrke xij d. 14x6
Audelav Poems i6_ Alas he ner a parsun or a vecory. c 1450
Chron. London (Kingsford, 1905) 134 Ther was a prest of
thaksted, that wbas vicory some tyme, whas brent in
Smythfelde, 1479 in Eng. Gilds(\Zjo) 421 The Maire..and
the Vicorye and the Propters [sic\ with them.
3. = Vicar 3,
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VI. 465 For those men fleynge
the laboure of the qwere. .ordeynede vicaryes to occupye
theire places. 1505 Will R. Gybbys 26 March (Prerog. Crt.
Canterb.), AlsoetoOwen Parsons my rosecuppe. .; but if he
shold dye, thenne to my brethren the Vicaries of the Quere.
VICE.
4. o Vicar 4.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VI. 243 He jaf to te pope,
Peter his vicary, a rente by ^e ^ere of everich hous of J»e
kyngdom. r 1430 Pilgi. LyJ Alanhode 1. xiii. (1869) 8 A
tiiaister j sigh fasteby that seemede to be a vicarie of aaron
or of moyses.
6, = V^ICAK 5.
?i4.. S. Eng. Legendary (MS. BotU. 779) in Herrig's
Archiv LXXXIL 383/57 lo myssian J»e vecory l>ey were
l>etake anon, pat he hem cholde make here sacrefise to don.
1422 Vonge tr. Secreta Secret, 214 Whan thou haste mestere
to the Service of ten thousand men, thou cal a gouernoure,
and hym shal Serve ten vicaries, and wyth euery vicarie
shall cvm ten leders. 1491 Caxton / 'itas Pair. 1. clviii.
(1495) 166/2 One of tne sayd chyldren was made Senatour
of Rome; the other Consul of Cartage, and thother vycarye
in Affrytiue. 1648 Hunting 0/ Fox (1649) 8 \et this [coun-
cil of state] is not our new intended King ;. .this is but his
vicary.
t Vi'Cary, j/'.^ Obs. Also 5 wycari, 6 vicarye.
[a. AF, and OK. vicarie {vikarie^y or ad. ined.L.
vicdria^ f. L. vicdrins Vicar.] The office or posi-
tion of a vicar ; a benefice held by a vicar.
cz4ao in Test. F.hor. (Surtees) II. 119 note. Forasmuch as
I am enfourmetl that there is a vicary voide w*in your
College of Heminynburgh . . I pray yow w' all niyn hert that
ye will graunte liyrn the seid vicary. c 1450 Godstcnv Reg.
437 The lond of the vicary of seynt tiyle. .without the north
gate of Oxenford. Ibid. 580 Longyng. .to the said chirch
of Seynt Petir by the reson of tlie vicary. 1483 Cath.
Angl. i\Qifn Pi. wiyaw'it . .vicaria. 1563 Bkcon Religues 0/
Rome 254 Houses of holy church, graunges, personages,
or vicaries, or any maneries of men of holy church. 1598
Marston .Sco. yUlafiie 1. iii. (1599) 185 By chance , . [he]
Hath got the farme of some gelt vicary. 1613 R. Shel-
i)o>a Serm. St. Martins 4 The ambitious Bishop and Mon-
arch of Rome.. in his pretended Vicary for the Messias.
171a Lond. Gaz. No. 5079/3 The Vicary, part of Killcrusaper
'Jythes.
tVi'Cary, a. Obs, rare. [ad. L. vicdn-us.']
Vicarious ; delegated.
C1400 Apol. Loll. 85 If ymagis be worschipid, not hi
vicary worschip, but by Jie same worschip of God, doutles
it is idolairie. 1660 J. Lloyd Prim. Epiic. 25 Putting the
liand and seal of his highest Vicary authority, as God's Vice-
gerent, to the resolves of the subordinate vicary authority
of the Vicegerents of our blessed Mediator. .Jesus Christ,
VicayT(e, obs. forms of Vicar.
Vice (vsis), sb.^ Forms : 3- vice (5-6 Sc.
wice), 4-6 vyc6 (5-6 ^V. wyce) ; 5 vise, wise,
wisse ; 5 vys, vijs (vyhs, Sc, vis), 6 vyss, Sc.
wya. [a, AK, and OF. vice (mod.F. vicej = Pr.
vicij Sp. and Pg. vicio^ It. vizio) :— L, vitium fault,
defect, failing, etc.]
1. Depravity or corruption of morals ; evil, im-
moral, or wicked habits or conduct ; indulgence in
degrading pleasures or practices,
1197 R. Gi-ouc. (Rolls) 4025 Hit is ney vif 5er J>at we
abbep yliued in such vice, Vor we nadde nojt to done, & in
such delice. a 1300 Cursor M. 24701 (Edinb.), If ani man in
vice be cast He mai him draw fra \>^K last And be Jjat he was
are. c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 4116 In wham al J>e tresor
of malice Sal be hidde with alle maner of vice. 1390 Gowkr
Conf. L 7 Tho was the vertu sett above And vice was put
under fote. c 1400 PUgr. So^vle (Caxton, 1483) iv. xxiv. 70
Vyce destroyeth the myght and the rygour of the sowle.
1447 BoKENHAM Seyntys (Roxb.) 18 God..heryth alle men
gladly Wych to hym preye, puryd from vyhs, a 1500 Ratis
Ravingy etc. 3662 Quhen thai tak it our mesour. Thai
turne in wys and in arroure. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas, xi.
(Percy .Soc.) 46 Fy upon slouth, the nourysher of vyce,
Whych unto youth doth often prejudice. 1560 Daus tr.
Sleidane's Comm. 1 19 b, That churche. . is replenyshed with
theftes, robberies, and all other kynd of vice. 1620 T.
Granger Div. Logike 123 As, vertue is to be insued :
Ergo, vice is to be eschewed. 1644 Milton Educ. 5 In-
structing them more amply in the knowledge of virtue, and
the hatred of vice. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thez-enot's TraT.
I. 104 It is impossible but that Vice must reign, where
People are so ignorant of the commands of God. 17*9
Butler Serm. Wks. 1874 II. 109 Vice is vice to him who is
guilty of it. 1769 Robertson Chas. V, iv. Wks. 1813 V. 395
In order to avoid vice (says he), men must practise per-
petual mortification. xSai Byron Mar. Fal. 11. i. Vice
cannot fix, and virtue cannot change, . . For vice must have
variety. 1835 Ure Philos. Manuf, 406 To exist by beggary
or plunder, in idleness and vice. 1873 * Ouida' Pascarel
I. 6 You, v.'ho blush for your mirth because your mirth is
vice.
b. Personified.
c 1430 LvDC. Assembly of Gods 602 A son of myn bastard,
Whos name ys Vyce — he Kepeth my vaward. i6oa Shaks.
Ham. III. IV. 154 Vertue it selfe, of Vice must pardon begge.
1634 Milton Comns 760, I hate when vice can bolt her
arguments. And vertue has no tongue to check her pride.
17^ R. Bull tr. Dedekindus' Grobiajius 78 Oft in the
mingled Scene, I've chanc'd to see A rev'rend Vice, a grey
Iniquity. 1754 Grav Progr. Poesy 80 Alike they scorn the
pomp of tyrant-Power, And coward Vice, that revels in her
chains. 1784 Cow per yVif^ in. 106 Vice has such allowance,
that her shifts .^nd specious semblances have lost their use.
1813 Shelley Falsehood ^ Vice 11 Where .. War's mad
fiends the scene environ,.. There Vice and Falsehood took
their stand.
2. A habit or practice of an immoral, degrading,
or wicked nature,
a 1300 Cursor M, 23286 pai . . Ne wald noght here bot l>air
delices, pat drogh J>am vntil ot>er vices. 1340 Ayenb. 17
Vor prede inakep of elmesse zenne, and of uirtues vices.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xix. 308 pat loue my^te wexe Amonge
J>e foure vertues and vices destroye. 1493 Yonge tr. Secreta
Secret, 205 Als often (as] he is touchid wyth any wyce.
Ibid., Ofte Prayer quynchyth the Pryck>*nges of vices. 1474
CkXTOH Chesse\. i. (1883)9 Whan he reccheth not ner taketh
hede unto them that repreue hym and his vices. 1545
VICE.
Brinklow Latneni. 79 They seti vp and mayntayne idol-
atrye, and other innumerable vices and wickedness. X560
Daus X.T.SUidane's Comvi. 452 Such unaccustomed vices..
seined not so muche to be forboden, as shewed. 1605 Shaks.
Leary. \\\. 170 The Gods are iust, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague vs. X647 Clarendon Hist.
Reb. I. § 3 Nor [to] speak of Persons otherwise, than as the
mention of their Virtues or Vices is essential to the work in
hand. X7a9 Law Serious C. \\. {1732) 16 How it comes to
pass thai Swearing is so common a Vice amongst Christians.
1771 yunius Lett. x\v. (1788) ^57 There are degrees in all
the private vices. 1818 Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life
(1870) II. ii. 46 An Englishman's worst vice is more human
than a Roman's best virtue. 1841 Emf.rson Ess. i. x. (1905)
180 The virtues of society are vices of the saint. 1878 J. C.
MoaisoN Gibbon 160 Madame de Maintenon,. .a woman,
cold as ice and pure as snow, was freely charged with the
most abhorrent vices.
b. Const, ^(the vice in question).
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 5967 pou art fatle J>an yn
J>c vyce Of coueytyse, (>eft, and auaryce. ^1375 Sc. Leg.
Saints Prol. 7 Thru |>e vicis of ydilnes, gret foly.., & van-
tones, a 1450 Mirk's Festial 118 |>er may no man fynde a
payne, forto poynych dewly J>e vyce of vnkyndnes. 1500-20
Dunbar Poems xlix. i In vice most vicius he excellis, That
with thevice of tressonemeliis. 1597 Shaks. 2//f«./K,in.
ii. 325 How subiect wee old men are to this vice of Lying.
a 1637 B. JoNsoN Underwoods Iv. Ep. to Friend 8 Not like
their country neighbours that commit Their vice of loving
for a Christmas-fit. 1754 J. Edwards Freed. Will iii. v.
171 The Vertue of Temperance is regarded.. as a necessary
Means of gratifying the Vice of Covetousness. 1839 Tennv-
SON Geraint 195 The dwarf, .doubling all his master's vice
of pride, Made answer sharply that she should not know.
C. In horses : A bad habit or trick. Also with-
out article (cf. sense 1).
I7a6 Diet. Rust. (ed. 3I s.v., Bad Horsemen occasion most
of these Vices, by correcting unduely or out of time. 1753
Chambers' Cycl. Suj>pl. s.v., The rider is first cautiously to
find whether this Vice proceeds from real stubbornness, or
from faintness. 1810 Sporting Mag. XXXVL 154 The
horse was warranted sound, free from vice, and not more
than three years old. 1847 T. Brown Mod, Farriery 377
Of all the vices incidental to the horse, shying is one of the
worst, a 1901 F. W. H. Myers Hum. Personality (1003I L
200 Those defects of stability which in a horse we call vice.
3. A character in a morality play representing
one or other vice ; hence, a stage jester or buffoon.
Very common C1560-1630J now only Hist.
i55i-« in Feuillerat Revels Edxv, I'l (1914) 73 One vyces
dagger & a ladle with a bable pendante..dehverid to the
Lorde of mysrules foole. 1553 RespubHca (1905) i Avarice.
. .The vice of the plaie. 1573 TusstR Hush, (1878) 247 His
face made of brasse, like a vice in a game, His iesture like
Dauus, whom Terence doth name. x6oo W. Watson
Decacordon {1602) 156 He stands at their deuotion, and is
but like an Ape, a Parrot, or a Vice in a play, to prate what
is prompted or suggested vnto him. 1627 Hakewill Apol,
(1630) 162 Luceia a common vice in playes followed the
stage and acted thereon an hundred yeares. 1645 Milton
CoMst. Wks. 1851 IV. 377 For I had rather. .not to have to
doe with Clowns and Vices. 1767 S. Paterson Another
Trap. L 113 Tom was the vice of every comedy, and the
punch of every puppet-shew of his time. 1801 Strutt Sports
4* Past, 111. ii. 140 note, I remember to have seen a stage
direction for the vice, to lay about him lustily with a great
pole. x886 .\. \V. Ward Old F.ng. Drama (1901) 297 A
favourite piece of borse<play in the old miracles and
morals, when the Vice belabours the Devi!.
tran^f. 1565 Calfhill Ahsjv. Treat. Crosse (1846) 210
When the Vice is come from the Altar, and the people shall
have no more sport [etc.}.
4, Moral fault or defect (without implication
of serious wrongdoing) ; a flaw in character or
conduct.
1338 K. Brunne Chron.{,\%\Q) 106 Sir Henry mad Jwfyne,
& mad l>c mariage. be may withouten vice, his weddyng
was wele dight. 1375 Harbour Bruce vi. 35^ For hardyment
vith foly is vis; Bot hardyment, that mellit is Vith vit^ is
vorschip ay. 1599 Shaks, Hen. F, in, vi. 161 Vet forgiue
me God, That I doe bragge thus ; this your ayre of France
Hathblowne that vice in me, 16^8 Jltnius Paint. Ancients
230 Whiiest they thinke it enough to be without vice, they
fall into that same maine vice to lacke vertues. i^ Palev
Evid. Ill, iv. (i8i^) 319 Contempt, prior to examination, is
an intellectual vice. 1817 Macaulay Ess., Machiavelli
(1897) 44 Ferocity and insolence were not among the \iccs
of the national character,
6. A fault, defect, blemish or imperfection, in
action or procedure or in the constitution of a thing.
c 1386 Chaucer Sar^s T, 93 He with a manly voys seith
this message,.. Withouten viceof silable oroflettre. a 1400
Bk. Curiasye 131 in Babees Bk., In salt saler yf J«it t»ou
pit O^er fisshe or flesshe ^at men may wyt, pat is a vyce,
as men me telles. ? a 1400 Morie A rth. 91 1 'i'he vesare, the
aventatle, .. Voyde with-owttyne vice, with wyndowes of
syluer. c 1440 Pallad. on Husb. i, 100 The londis fatte, or
lene, or thicke, or rare, Or drie, or moyst, and not withouten
vice. 1548 Cooper Elyoi's Diet., Anacoluthos, a vice in
writyng or speakynge, whan the wordes aunswere not the
one to the other. 1^)9 Puttenham En^. Poesie in. xxii.
(Arbw) 257 The foulest vice in language is to speake bar-
barously. 1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies
III. xxii. 188 7'here growes neither bread nor wine in these
Hands, for that the too great fertilitic and the vice of the
soile suffers them not to seede. 1700 Rowe Ambitious
Step-Mother Ded., I will engage not to be guilty of the
common Vice of Dedications. i7«9 Shelvocke Artillery
III. 166 The first and most remarkable Vice in Rockets.
1781 J. Moore View Soc. Italy (179O) \. xxxvii. 405 In
edifices.. capable of sublimity from their bulk the vice of
diminishing is not compensated by harmony. 1810 Southrv
in C. C. Soulhey Life (1849) 1 1 1. 274 The vice of the Friend
is its roundnboutness. 18^ A. W. Fonblanque in Life 8f
Labours {1874) 513 Tenacity to fopperies and neglect of
essentials is the vice of our Service. i88x Armstrong in
Nature XXiy. 451 The viceof the steam-engine lies in its
inability to utilise heat of comparatively low grade.
Vol. X.
177
b. A physical defect or blemish ; a deformity ;
a taint, imperfection, or weakness in some part of
the system.
c 1386 Chaucer Wife's T. 99 Myda hadde vnder his longe
heres Growynge vpon his heed two asses eras ; The which
vice he hydde, as he best myghte. c 1400 Lan/ranc's
Ciriirg. 181 If itsobeJ>atallopuciacomei7of vijsofhumouris,
..l>anne vlcera wole be in t>e skyn. a 1425 tr. Ardcrne's
Treat. Fistula, etc. 81 luyse of caprifoile pat is called lici-
um availeb hi itself to al ^ vicez of \>ft mouJ;e. c 1^0 Alph.
Tales 218 Demostenes. .laburd so agayn a vice & ane rnv
pediment in his moutlie, \>9X no man myght speke fayrer.
1541 R. Copland Gatyens Trap. 2 Fj, Nat that the
dyuturnyte indyketh the curacyon, but the vyce of the
blode. isga Huloet, Vice of a iihorte breath, or winde,
apnara. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. i. § 41, 1 perceive
I doe anticipate the vices of age. 1697 Dryden Vir^.
Georg. in. 693 Lauoce the Sore, And cut the Head; for 'till
the Core be found, The secret Vice is fed, and gathers
Ground. 1743 Xx.HeiUer's Surg.-yi-^ Physicians.. attribute
most Disorders of the Body to some Vice in the Blood.
1830 R. Knox Beclar(^s Anat.(>$'\\i^ numerous vices which
consist in a disunion or separation in the median line. ibid.
104 Vices of conformation are observed in some of these
membranes. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. iii. Shall I take a
thing so blind. Embrace her as my natural good ; Or crush
her, like a vice of blood ?
f C. A spoiled or vitiated condition. Obs,
1398 Tbevisa Barth. De P. R. xvi. vi. (Bodl. MS.), Mete
and wyne ikept in suche a vessel take)> an horrible sauoure
and smelle of pe vice of bras.
6. Viciousness, harmfulness.
1837 [Miss Maitij\.nd) Lett.fr. Madras (1843) '62 The
poison..willdry up, ..but..wiU not lose its virtue, or rather
Its vice. 1857 Hughes Tom Brown 11. v, In fact, half the
vice of the Slogger's hitting is neutralized, for he daren't
lunge out freely,
7. Comb. a. With pa. pples., as vice-bitten^
•corrupted, -created^ -haunted^ -polluted^ -wont ;
aho vice-sick adj.
1603 Harsnet Pop. Impost. 115 For a Devil to be so
Vice-naunted as that he should roare al_ the picture of a
Vice burnt in a pece of paper, .is a passion exceeding all
apprehension. 1614 Gorges Lucan 11. 56 These our vice-
corrupted times. 1735 Thomson Liberty 11. 496 Indepen-
dence stoops the head7To Vice enslav'd, and Vice-created
Wants. X754 Richardson Grandison V. xxx. 186 What a
paltry creature is a man vice-bitten, and sensible of detected
folly, 1777 Potter Mschylus, Choephorix 337 Rouse, sting,
and drive the vice-polluted wretch With brazen scourges
tortur'd thro' the city, a 1849 H. Coleridge Ess. (1851) II.
223 He has converted.. the over -grown coxcomb boy, into
the vice-sick, dispirited debauchee, 1884 'Edna Lvall '
We Two iv, The usual careworn or viceworn faces. 1890
E. Johnson Rise Christendom 104 Many a vice-haunted
monk must have gone mad but for this resource.
to. With pres. pples., as vice-loathings 'punish^
ing^ -rebuking^ -taming^ -upbraiding,
1508 Sylvester Dw Bartas 11. i. Imposture 506 Vice-
loathing Lord, pure Justice, Patron strongs Law's life.
Right's rule; will he do any wrong? Ibid. 11. Babylon 35
Such vice-upbraiding objects Who. . Spares neither mother,
brother, kin, nor kin. i6xx CoTGit.,Satyre, a Sat>Te ; an
Inuectiue. or vice-rebuking Poeme. 1619 A. Newman Pleas.
I'ision {1840) 5 And still, vice-punishing Authority, He
(outlaw-like) would slight. 16^1 H. More Song of Soul
III. III. V, Religious Plato, and vice-taming Orpheus.
8. attrib.^ &■> vice-complexion,
163s QuARLEs Embl, II. X. 4 A Hagg, repair'd with vice-
complexion, paint, A quest-house of complaint.
Vice (vais), sb:^ Forms: (4 viz, vicz), 4-6
vys (5 vijs, 6 Sc. wys), vyse, 5-6 Sc. wisa, 6-
vise; 4-6 (9) vyce (6 fyce), 4- vice. [a. OF.
vis (also mod.F.), viz^ viiz, etc. :-L. vJtis vine,
with reference to the spiral growth of the tendrils.
So Pr. vitZf It. vile screw.]
1, A winding or spiral staircase. Obs. exc. arch.
U33^'^ Ely Sacr. Rolls (1007) II. 73 In j serrura empt.
pro hostio in le Viz in novo Campanile, ij d.] 138a Wvclif
I Kings vi, 8 Bi a vyce [L. cochlea^ thei stieden vp into the
mydil sowpyngc place, and fro the mydil into the thridde.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) III. 8;? He ordeyned games
and plaies, and made walles and vices, and o^r^ strong
places, i^y^ Contract for Fotheringhay Ch. {1841) 28 In
the said stepill shall be a Vice towrnyng, servyng till the
said Body, Isles and Qwere. ci4SoC(?«/m. 5n*/347 Anaun-
gell come doun fro ^e stage on high, by a vice, and sette a
croune of golde & precious stonez & perles apon be Kingez
hed. i5»5 Bury Wills (Camden) 244 The b^ldyng and
fynysshynge of the vise of Seynt James's Chirche. 1543
Dunmow Churchw. MS. fol. 36, vi. days warke and a half
abowt the sowth ile and the vyse on the stepull. 1648
Hexham ii. s.v. Spille, A Vice to gett up on, or a Winding-
stares.
1886 Willis & Clark Cambridge 1. 16 A handsome stone
vice or spiral staircase. 1900 Hope in Vorks. Archaeol.
Jrnl. XV. 334 In the north-east corner is a vice, partly
built of glazed bricks.
t to. The case or shaft of a spiral stair, rare.
xifA in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) III. 03 Thei sha!
make. .the Roofe of the vice of the staire. And..shal..
fynde alle the bord and tymbre. -for the Roof of the vice
aforsaid. a 1500 Chaucer*s Dreme 1312, I rise and walkt
..Till I a winding staire found, And held the vice aye in
my bond, And upward softly so gan creepe.
+ 2. A device of the nature of a screw or winch
for bending a crossbow or catapult. Hence bow
(etc.) of vice, Obs.
13. . Coer de L. 3970 Richard bent an arweblast off vys.
And schotte it to a tour. [1371-3 Ace. Exch, K. R. 397A0
tn. 3, ij, vicz ad tendendum balistas.] ?a 1400 Mortc Arth,
2424 Thane they beneyde \read bendyde] in burghe bowcs of
vyse. c 14J5 WvNTOUN Cron, viii. 4227 Awblasteris, and
bowis of wise, And al thynge J>at mycht mik serwice.
VICE.
fb. A mechanical contrivance or device by
which some piece of apparatus, etc., is worked.
Obs. (common in the i6th c).
_ Orig. no doubt implying some application of a screw, but
in later use employed more loosely and perhaps associated
with Device 7 (cf. Vice sb.^).
a 1400 A*. Gloiic. Chron. (Rolls) II. 780 Man mai. .^inche
muche wonder hou hij were arerd For nis ^jcr no>er gyn
ne vys t)at hit my^te do. 1509 Hawes Pait. Pleas, iii.
(Percy Soc.) 15 The little turrets with ymages of golde About
was set, whiche with the wynde aye moved, Wyth propre
vices, a 1513 Fabvan Chron. vi. clvi. 145 Imagys on horse
backe aperyd out of sondrye placis, and after departyd
agayne by meane of sertayne vyces. 1547 Wriotheslev
Chron, (Camden) II. i He shewed a picture of the resurrec-
tion of our Lord made with vices, which putt out his legges
of sepulchree .. and turned his heade. 1597 A. M. tr.
Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg. p. xiii b/i The vice, or meanes,
wherby this Instrumente is opened and shutte agayne.
ai6i4 Overburv A Wife, etc. (1638) 169 His whole body
goes all upon skrewes, and his face is the vice that moves
them. x6ai T. Williamson tr. Goulart's Wise Vieillard
49 Idolles, and Statues, which artificially are moued by
vises & gynnes. 1650 R. Stapvlton Strada's Low C,
Warres viii. 20 All the power was in the Burgesses, at
whose pleasure they were nominated and moved, like
wooden Puppets with a Vice.
f C, A clasp or fastening for a hood. Obs.~"^
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 510/1 Vice, hood sperynge, spira.
+ 3. A screw. Obs.
Not always clearly distinguishable from sense 2 b.
z4xa-ao Lydg. Chron. Troy iv. 6282 Many vys and many
sotyl pyn In J>e stede he made aboute goon, pe crafty lokkes
vndoynge euerycbon. c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode iv. xvii.
C1863) 184 pe anguishe J)at so harde presseth troubel herte,
joat It thinketh it is streyned in a pressour shet with a vys.
1450 Fysshynge w. Angle (1883) 8 [A staff) with a pyke yn
J>e neper ende fastnyed with a remevyng vise. 1537 Inv.
Goods Dk. Richmond 18 in Camden Misc. Ill, A Bedstede
of waynscote. .well kerved, with vices and garthes to the
same. 1551 Sir J. Williams Accompte (Abbotsford Cl.) 73
Paid for viij paier of vices of iron made for the saied seven
images. Ibid. 76 An other paier of candellstickes . . lackinge
a vice. 1571 Dicges Pantom. i. xxvii. H iij b, In his backe
prepare a vice or scrue to be fastned in the top of some
staffe. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 484 A broad goblet or
standing peece there was.. with a devise appendant to it,
for to be set too and taken off by a vice. 1605 Stow Ann,
1281 A Pinnace was made by an house Carpenter;., this was
made to be taken a-sunder, and set togither with vices.
x^wQo^skt Crudities 134 He is pourtrayed in white stone,
. .his deske with a vice turning in it, and his bookes vnder it.
b. A screw-press, rare.
1633 G. Herbert Temple, Agony ii, Sinne is that presse
and vice, which forceth pain To hunt hiscruell food through
ev'ry vein. [1866 Rogers Agric, <$■ Prices I. xxi. 548 Apples
were pressed in a mill with a screw or vice.]
C, spec. (See quot.)
1875 KniGHT Diet. Mech. 2716/2 />« (Coopering), a gim-
let.pointed hand-screw employed to hold up the head while
the staves are closed around it.
t 4. A tap of a vessel ; a screw-stopper. Obs.
1530PALSGR. 158 I'nevis, ..a viceofacuppe, orsuchelyke.
Ibuf. 284/2 Vyce to putte in a vessell of wyne to drawe the
wyne out at, chanteplenre. 1564 Richmond Wills (Surtees)
174 One vice of gold enameled, one sylver spone doble gilt.
1591 Harington Orl. Fur. xlu. Ixxv, This took the water
from the azure skie From whence, with turning of some
cock or vice. Great store of water would mount up on high.
x6za in Halybnrton's Ledger (1B67) 305 Flagones of glase
with vices covered with leather, the dozen, xii 11 1653
Ubquhart Rabelais i. v. (1664) 26 The bottle is stopped and
shut up with a stoppel, but the flaggon with a vice.
5. A tool composed of two jaws, opened and
closed by means of a screw, which firmly grip and
hold a piece of work in ])Osition while it is being
filed, sawn, or otherwise operated upon ; used
especially by workers in metal or carpenters. Cf,
Hand-vice,
The spelling vise is now usual only in U.S.
1500 Nottingham Rec. III. 72 Unuin vise et diversa files.
1584 Knaresh, Wills (Surtees) I. 145 All my stiddes,. .one
vice, all my naile tooles and all my hammers. 1677 Moxon
Mech. Exerc. i. 5 The wider the two ends of the Spring
stand asunder, the wider it throws the Chaps of the Vice
open. 1688 R. Holme Armoury iii. 321/2 The Vice, called
the Bench Vice,..holdeth all sorts of Iron work that re-
quires Fileing. 1745 Eliza Heywood Female Sped. No. 10
(1748) II. 20I There is no doubt but a pair of globes will
make a better figure in their anti-chambers than the vice
and wheel. 1797 Phil. Trans. LXXXVII. 258 In this
machine the body to be pulled asunder is held fast by two
strong vices. i8a7 N. Arnott Physics I. 177 It is a screw
which draws together the iron jaws of a smith's vice. 1857
Dickens Domt xxiii, A long low workshop, fitted with
benches, and vices, and tools, and straps, and wheels.
1867 F. Francis Angling xiii. (1880) 464 The vice for trout
flies is a smalt brass table vice. 1884 F.J. Britten Watch ff
Clockm. 284 For nearly all operations connected with watch-
making either the work or the tool is gripped in the vice.
fig- «597 Shaks. 2 Hen. It', 11. i. 24 It I can close with
him, I care not for his thrust. ..If I but fist him once : if he
come but within my Vice. 1866 B. Taylor Poems, The
Waves, Bound in the vice Of the Arctic ice. 1901 Munsefs
Mag. XXIV. 803/1 The doctor's hands, picking at the iron
vise at his windpipe, grew feebler.
b. Used in similes or comparisons.
]8a8 Scott F. M. Perth ii. To secure him with a grasp
like that of bis own iron vice, was, for the powerful Smith,
the work of a single moment. 1S46 Mrs. A. Marsh Father
Darcy II. V. no Catesby stretched out his hand across the
tabic ; took hold of that of his friend, and held it with a grasp
as of an iron vice. 1871 Tyndall Fragm, Sci. (1879) l.xii.
363 The jaws of a gigantic vice appear to have closed upon
them. i8te Harper's Mag, Dec. oo/i The other hand.,
was crossed upon my breast, and held there as if in a vise.
23
VICE.
6. A tool used for drawing lead into grooved rods
for lattice windows.
1706 Philups (ed Kersey), Vice^ . .an Instrument with two
Wheels made use of to draw the Lead in Glazing-work. 1718
Chambers Cycl. s,v., Ihere are some of these Vices double,
and that will draw two Leads at once. 1815 J. Nicholson
Operat. Meckattic 638 A vice, with different cheeks and
cutters, to turn out the different kinds of lead as the magni-
tude of the window or the squares may require.
7. attrib. and Comb., as (sense 1) i vice-door,
-foot ; (sense 3) t vUe-candlestick, -hasp, -nail, -pi^j
•4urcas ; (sense 5) vice-bench^ -block, -board, -end,
-Jaw, -iegt -maker, -pin, -post, -screw, etc. ; f vioe-
aroh (see quot.) ; vice-hand (see quot. ; in mod.
use = next) ; vioe-man, a workman who manipu-
lates a vice (cf. quots.). Also Vice-like a.2
Also zHce-cap^ -chimps -press (Knight, 1875-84).
1387TREVISA Higden. (Rolls) IL 71 pere were somtyme
buldcs wib •vice arches andfonteslr.r voutesjin Jjemanere
of Rome (L. Romano more cocleata\ 1850 We ale Diet.
Terms, * Vice-bench, the bench to which a vice is fixed.
1895 Afodel Steam Engine 94 "Vice Blocks.— Of various
sizes, shapes, and patterns, used as supports upon which to
bend tubes. 1808 A. Scott Poevts 140 An' Vulcan loud,
wi' squeakin clang. Was at the *vice-board rispin Fu' soon
that day. 157a m Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz. (1908) 176
*Vice candlesticks xii, xiis. iS?^-? ^bid. 263, y^ vice,
candlestidces at xij* the peece, vj». 1687 Miege Gt. Fr.
Diet. I, Mdchoires d'Etau,. .*yice'chops, or the Chops of
a Vice. «3S4 Afem, Ripon (Surtees) IlL 91 In mercede..
reparantis serur. et claves del *Vicedores in ecclesia. 1463
Bury Wills (Camden) 29 Seynt Marie preest tohaueakeye
of mycost of the vys dore goyng vp to the candilbem. 1501
Vatton Churchtv. Ace, (Som. Rec. Soc.) 125 A Key , . for y«
fyce door, isis-3 Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905) 281 Nayles
for l>e gamettes on the v^-se dore in the steple. 1875 Car.
Pentry fy Join. 35 At the left hand or *vice-end of the bench.
IS33 in E. Law Hampton Crt. Pal. (1885) 348 The dore at
the *\'>'ce fote goj-ng up to the bartyllmentes of the haull,
1644 BuLwEB Chiron. 76 The *Vice-hand or Thumb, ex-
tended out with the Eare.Finger. 161J in Halyburtott's
Ledger (1867) 332 *Vice haspes the dozen, xiis. 1793-4
Mattkews^s Bristol Directory, Austin, Aaron, Clock and
*Vice-maker, Old-market. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade^
*Vice-fnaker^ a manufacturer of iron vices. 1837 W. B.
Adams Carriages 179 The business of the *vice-man is to
file and smootTi the work from the rough marks of the
hammer, to fit joints, and finish screw-bolts and nuts. 1858
SiMMOSDs Diet. Trade, Vice-men, smiths whose work is
at the vice instead of the anvil. 1488-92 Ace. Ld. High
Treas. Scot. I. 85 A grete "vice nail maid of siluer. 1501
Ibid, IL 26 For mending of ane vice nale of the Kingis
cowp that was hrokin. x63X F. Markham Bk. IVar i. ix.
34 His screwes, with which he shall unloose euery *vice-
pinne or epgine about the musquet. a 1642 Sir W. SIonson
Naval Tracts 111. (1704) 353/2 They neither want Vice- Pins
nor Scourers. 1694 Motteux Rabelais v. vii. 28 The Hole
for the Vice-pin. 1833 J. Holland Mann/. Metal 11. 145
The vice-pin miendedto be screwed . . is placed in the stock.
Ibid. 146 A very simple machine used for cutting •vice-
screws. 1549-50 Burgh Rec. Stirling (1887) 58 The gret
scheris, ane taingis, ane *vice turkes.
t Vice, sb:-^ Obs. Also 4 viis, vijs, wijs, 4-5
viys (4 uiys, 5 vyys) ; 4 vis, vys(e ; 5 vyce.
[a. OF. vis :— L. vis-um, visas face.] Face, visage.
Common in the first half of the 14th century.
axyxi Cursor M. 18841 His vice [r/.rr. vijs, viys] sumdel
wit rede was blend ; On neseand muih was noght at mend.
rt 1325 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878) 144 As we.. went
toward paradys; \iyxs he hot him in t>e viis. 1338 R. Brunnk
Chron. (1810) 104 Vnto Jie se side chaced J>ei Sir Lowys, He
durst not abide, no turne Thebald his vis. ?t:x4oo Emare
742 Leue we at |je lady, clere of vyce. cx^oa Laud Troy
Bk. 7733 His vice was red as any nr.
Vice, sb.^ Obs, exc. dial. Also 4 vyse, 6 vise,
.5V. wice, vyce, 9 dial, viae. [Aphetic f. avise,
azyftf, etch, Advice.] Counsel; advice.
1387-8 T. UsK Test. Love i. ii. (Skeat) 1. 60 Now thou
comest goodly by thyn owne vyse, to comforte me with
wordes. a 1500 Lancelot 1909 Alot euery king have this
wice in mynd In tyme. c 1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) v.
23 Sic sen^eoris tymis our weill this sessone ; Vpoun thair
vyce war lang to waik.
a 1847 ^^^' of Wight Gloss. (E. D.S.) 40 Vice, or Kiz^.advice.
fvice, -Ti^.^ Obs, Also 5 vyce, 6 vyse. [Aphe-
tic f. Device.] Design, figure, device.
a x^oo-sa Alexander 1539(0.), A vesture of vyce of vyolet
flourez. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. (Percy Soc.) 180 On the
fourth head, on the helmet crest There was a stremer ryght
white, ..Wheron was written with vyse of the best, My
name is Variaunce. a 1650 Sir Lambewell 116 in Furniv.
Percy Folio I. 148 In that pauillion was a bed of price that
was couered ore with goodhe vice.
Vice (vais), sb.^ Chierty .SV. [a. L. vice, ab!.
oivicis (gen. sing.), change, turn, stead, place, etc.]
L Stead or place (of another). Now rare.
1598 Florio, Vece, stead, place, Hew, vice, standing for
another. 1607 Hume Admonit. (Bannatyne CL) 13 If suche
a man, indewed with so gryte giftis, did so, Who ar ye title
ones to succede wittinglie in his vice? 167J Burgh Rec.
Aberdeen (1872) 283 Nominating and setleing ane post-
master..in the deceist John Wells his vice. ^ x68i Stair
Instit. I. xix. § 55. 397 Succeedincj in the vice is a kind of
intrusion, whereby after wammg any person romes in
possession, by consent of the parties warned. 1838 \V. Bell
Diet. Law Scot. 1027 I'he person succeeding in the vice. .
will be subjected as an intruder, unless he have a colour-
able title of possession to protect him. xW& Act 31 ^ ^2
Vic. c. loi 5 105 The mediate over superior, as acting m
the vice of such superior.
\ 2. Turn (of sequence or alternation). Obs.
1637-50 Row Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.) 356 It was Mr
Thomas Sydserf his vice to have sermon that day in the
Grayfrier kirk. 167a Burgh Rec. Aberdeen (1872) 279 Ane
..watch of the inhabitants [to] be setled,..and no person to
178
be absent in their vice without sicVnes.-or vther lawfuU
excuse. X711 Ibid. 344 That the saids elementarians. .be
taught for this vice be Mr. William Mestone. 1775 L. Shaw
Hist. Moray 357 After this, the Family of Seafort claimed a
Vice [of nomination]. \'j^iStatist.Acc.Scot.'^\\.-^\'^^s%x%.
Alexander Hamilton, .and Cunningham of Sea-bank are
vice-patrons [of the parish]. The former has the next vice.
Vice (vais), sb^ Also 6 vise. [Absolute use
of Vice- prefix^ One who acts in the place of
another ; a substitute or deputy.
In mod. use the second element is usually implied or ex-
pressed in the context, as in quot. 1852.
"597 Harvkv /"nw/w//;/^ 7'. iVaf//^ Wks. (Grosart) hi. 17
The Barbers were serued and they cut them, and were as
loues Vises to make them fit for warre. 1728 Chambers
CycL, Deputy^ is.. frequently used among us, for an Office,
or Employ, not a Dignity; and stands indifferently for a
Vice, or Lieutenant. x8ii Ora ^ Jitliet II. 180 Lord Ber.
Ungton offered himself as Henry's Vice, to conduct the
other end of the table, i8ao Bvbon Mar. Fal. v. iii. 66 The
few.. shall fawn Round a barbarian Vice of Kings' Vice-
gerent. 1852 Dickens Bleak Hex, Hesolaceshis imagina-
tion, too, by thinking of the many Chancellors and Vices,
and Masters of the Rolls, who are deceased. 1889 Gretton
Memory^s Harkb. 140 It was indirectly a proof of the esti.
mation in which the Vice [ = Vice-chancellor] was held.
Vice, obs. Sc. form of Wise sb. (manner).
Vice (vais), v> [f. VicK sb:^'\
1 1. trans. To fix on with a screw. Obsj~^
154* in Arckxol. Jrnl. XVIII. 144 Item oone Cuppe of
glasse with a cover, the fote being of silver and gilt and
viced on,
2. To force, strain, or press hard as by the use
of a vice ; to fix, jam, or squeeze tightly.
In early use only in highly figurative context.
i6oa Mabston Antonio's Rev. 11. ii. Dj, I see false suspect
Isvicde; wrung hardly in a vertuous heart. 161 1 Shaks.
Wint. T, 1. ii. 416 He sweares. As hehadseen't,or beene an
Instrument To vice you to't, that you haue toucht his Queene
Forbiddenly. 1637 N. Whiting Albino^ Bellama 12 Who
viceth honour, lyes. x8o6 J. Beresford Miseries Hum.
Life VI. iv. You find yourself suddenly viced in, from the
shoulder to the hip. 1849 De Quincey in Blackw. Ma^.
LXVI. 74B The coachman's hand was viced between his
upper and lower thigh. (^ 1859 — Aelius LnmiaWks. X.
306 The glory may envelop one in a voluminous robe,.. or
may pinch and vice one's arms into that succinct garment
[a spencer].
3. intr. To employ or apply a vice. rare~^.
x6ia Sturtevant Metallica (1854) 99 Pressing or im-
pressioning of things is performed.. secondeiy by screwing
or viceing.
Hence Vi'cing vbl. sb.
1648 Hexham ii, Een vij'singe, a Vicing, or a Screwing.
t Vice, ^.2 Sc. Obs. Also wyce. [app. ad.
OF*, vicier, med.L. vicidre^ L. vitidre to spoil,
vitiate, but with change of meaning.] trans. To
treat arrogantly or oppressively.
For the explanation of ivalentyne see Volentine.
c 1450 Holland Ho7vlat 918 Thus wycit [z-.r. viciit] he the
walentyne thraly and thrawin, That all the fowlis. ,plen5eit
to Natur.
liVice (vdi'si), prep. [L. vice: see Vice sb.^]
In place of ; in succession to.
xyyo Scots Mng. Jan. 55/1, 6th reg. of foot: Capt. Mathew
Derenzy to be Major, vice John Forrest; by purchase.
17B7 Gentl. Mag. Nov. 1015/1 The Lieutenant-Governor
has appointed. .James Miller .. Lieutenant of the said
fort, vice Frederic Gottsched, who is gone to Hallifax.
1806 Beresford Miseries Hum. Life ni. ix, A jarring
bat ;— a right-hand bat for a left-handed player ; — a hat,
vice stumps. 1849 Thackeray Pendennis xxii. He was
gardener and out-door man, vice Upton, resigned. x886
C. E. Pascoe London of To-day xi.(ed. 3J iii It was. .soon
afterwards reorganized, with Mr. Randegger, vice Mr.
Leslie, as conductor.
Vice- (vais), prefix, representing L. vice in place
of : see prec. Originally this governed a following
word in the genitive, but in late L. the tendency
to use the phrase as a compound noun appears in
vicequmstor (equivalent Xo prdquxstor of analogous
origin). In med.L. such formations became com-
mon, as vicecomes, -consul, -decamts, -dominus,
-princeps, -rector, -rex, etc. From the 1 3th cent.
onwards a number of these appear in OF., at first
usually with the prefix in the form oivis-,vi',h\^\.
latterly assimilated as a rule to the Latin original.
Similar compounds with vice- are also employed
in It., Sp., and Pg. The older examples in
English, having been taken immediately from
French, also present the prefix in the reduced
forms vis- {vys-, viz-) and vi- (vy-), subsequently
replaced by vice- (also in early use vize-) except in
Viscount. The more important compounds are
given below as main words ; the following are
illustrations of less usual or more recent terms.
a. With personal designations, especially titles
of office, indicating that the person so called acts
temporarily or regularly in place of, in the absence
of, or as assistant to, another who properly holds
the office or bears the title or name, as vice-abbot,
-agent, -Apollo ^ -apostle, -architect, etc. Also occas.
iransf., as vice-nature.
In the dictionaries of Florio and Mi^ge many examples of
similar forms are employed to render the Italian and French
equivalents, e, g. vice'Captain, .cardinal^ -censor, -com-
missary, etc.
a x66x Fuller IVorthies 11. (1662) 50 Gregory of Huntington
VICE-.
..was bred a Benedictine Monke in Ramsey, where he
became Prior, or *Vice.Abbot. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v.
xli. § I A vassal whom Satan hath made his *Vice-agent.
1648 Crashaw Poems (1904) 138 Him the Muses love to
follow, Him they call their *vice-Apollo. 1641 ' Smectym-
Nuus ' Vind, Ausw. xiii. 114 They were Comites, and
Vicarii Apostolorum^ *Vice-Apost!es. 1779 Phil. Trans.
LXIX. 598 M. Forfait. ., *vice-arcliitect of the French navy.
1690 Land. Gaz. No. 2617/2 'I'he Troops there under the
Command of the Ban and *Vice-Ban, were obliged by the
bad weather to separate. i686 Ibid. No. 2201/2 He who
formerly commanded that Gaiison was *Vice-Ba>sa. 1778
Stiles Diary (1901) II. 288 The Diploma Examinatorium
. .was delivered to the President, who gave it to the *Vice
Bedellus, directing him to read it. X671 F. Philii'PS Keg.
Necess, 433 The Baron of Limpurgh *Vice-Butler to the
King of Bohemia. 1600 J. Porv tr. Leo's Africa 1. 10
Hauing first put to flight the *vice-Califa of Aegypt. i860
Aii Year Round No. 46. 475 The unmanageable 'Arry,_who
was a species of *vice-chair, and was also provided with a
hammer. i88a J. Hardv in Proc. Ber. Nat. Club IX. 440
Mr. Charles Watson .. discharged the duties of the vice-
chair. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, * Vice-chairman, a
person who presides at the lower end of a table, supporting
and aiding the chairman or president ; the deputy-chairman
of a board of officers. 1659 Baxter Key Cath. xlii. 300
Prove that Christ hath commissioned a *Vice-Christ. 1691
— Nat. Churches x. 42 Being an Usurpation of Christ's
Office, and making a Vice-Christ, which is an Antichrist.
171a [see Vick-god]. 1497 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. I. 58
It is thought expedient that the Popes Holynesse comaund
the said aide . . to be publisshed by his *vicecollectour. 1858
Simmonds Diet. Trade, * Vice-commodore, 2>. deputy com-
mander of a naval squadron. 1631 Weevf.r Ane. Funeral
Mon. 541 Edward the third . . did substitute Edward Bohun,
the Earles younger brother, *Vice-Constable vnder him.
1878 J. Gaibdner Hist, Rich. Ill, iv. 175 Sir Ralph Ashton
was. .appointed Vice-Constable, .to exercise all the powers
of the Lord High Constable for the particular emergency.
1566 tr. Beza's Admon. Parlt. D j, Cathedrall churches,.,
where master Deane, master *Vicedeane, ..readers, ver-
gerirs, &c. liue in great idlenesse. 1637 Gillespie Eng,
Pop.Cerem.iu. viii. 161 Deanes, Vice-Deans,. .Subdeacons.
1697 Lond. Gaz. No. 3341/1 The Vice-Dean with the
Clergy, made a Congratulatory Speech. 1875 W. H. Jones
Fasti Eccl. San'sb, 265 There is always a distinction to be
observed between a ' Vice-Deaa ' or a ' I.,ocum Tenens ', and
the ' Sub-Dean '. 1647 R. Stapvlton Juvenal 153 He
made choice of his.. master or generall of the horse, or
*vice-dictatour. 1883 Macm. Mag. XLVI. 249 A *vice.
director of the military college. 18x8 Shellev Eug. Hills
244 But Death promised . . That he would petition for Her
to be made *Vice-Emperor. 1844 Thirlwall C^wcf VIII.
IxvL 451 Before Diatus came to Corinth, a council was held
there by the *vice-general Sosicrates. 17x1 Hickes Two
Treat. Chr. Priesth. (1B47) ^ J- ^88 Would he not have been
a *vice-high-priest as well as a viceroy? 1749 Fielding
Tom Jones xi. x, As the law hath foolishly omitted this
office of *vice-husband, or guardian to an eloped lady. 18x7
BvKON Beppo xx'xx. And so she thought it prudent to con-
nect her With a vice-husband, chiefly to protect her. 1609
J. Davies Hum. Heaven 11. cvi, My *vice loues quoth he
are ne'r afraid. 1555 Euen Decades (Arh.) 112 Lupus
Olanus the conductor of one of the shippes of Nicuesa, and
nowe also *vice Leauetenaunt in his steede. X690 Lond.
Gaz. No. 2527/3 And after them Count Popenheim, *Vice-
Marshal of the Empire, carried the Sword of State naked
before the Emperor. 1593 G. Haijvev Pierce's Super.
Wks. (Grosart) II. 212 He hath not played the *Vicemaster
of Poules, and the Foolemaster of the Theater for naughtes.
16x8 Bamevelt's Apol. G j, The Vice-maisters place of the
fees hath not allowed one halfe penny for stipend. 1690 C.
Nesse O. <y N. Test. I. 370 Potiphar. .made him his vice-
master. x886 Abp. Benson in A. C. Benson Life {1899) II.
122, 1 sate. .next to the Vice-Master, axty. 'Dontm Lotje's
Deity \, Since this god produc'd a Destiny, And that *vice.
nature, custome, lets it bee. 1707 Lond. Gaz, No. 4395/2
Advices from Hungary say, That Prince Ragotzki had
declared Count Berezini *Vice-Palatine of that Kingdom.
1775 L. Shaw Hist, Moray 357 Fraser of Strichen, who, as
*Vice-Patron, presented Rlr. John Anand in 1640. X793
(see Vice sb.^ 2]. 1643 Prynne Popish R. Favourite 69
And therefore the Popes Holinesse hath given these bis
*Vice-popes instructions, Commissions thus to do. X70S
HiCKERiNGiLL Fricst-cr. I, (1721) 54 As the Pope keeps the
Keys, they say, of Heaven Gates, being *Vice-porter under
St. Peter. X7_8i Gibbon Dcel. <5- F. xvii. (1787) II. 37, The
eleven remaining dioceses . . were governed by twelve vicars,
or *vice-pra;fects, whose name.. explains the nature.. of
their office. X877 J. Morris Troub. Cath. Forefathers Ser.
in. 116 During this time he was Socius to Father Henry
Garret, Vice-Prefect of the English Mission. 1600 Holland
Livy XXVI. i. 582 Those legions which were commaunded
by P. Cornelius the *Viz-pretour in Sicilie. x8o3-xa
Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827) V. 161 The celebra-
tion of the ceremony, .proved by the habitual operator, the
*vice-priest, a tobacconist. 1810 Oxford Univ. Cat. 129
Edmund Hall. . . Principal, George Thompson, D.D. . . "Vice-
Principal, Daniel Wilson, M.A. 1864 J. H. Newman Apol.'x.
(1904) 7/2, I became very intimate with him [Whately] in
1825, when I was his Vice-Principal at St. Alban Hall.
1857 G. Oliver Coll. Hist. Cath. Relig.Cornivall, etc. 486
Adeodatus T.^ngevin, elected *vice-prior at the fourth
general chapter. i6oa Archpriest Controv. (Camden) II. 2
To present ourselves first to the Protector and *Vice-pro-
tector. cxZ^ Stevenson In South Seas i. xiv. (1900) 122
The sergeant of gendarmerie enjoys the style of the •vice-
resident, 1878 Stubbs Const. Hist. xx. III. 421 The undue
return made by the *vice-sheriff, who had substituted
another name. 1704 Lond. Gaz. No. 4015/2 Baron Taston
is made *Vice-Stadholder, and as such will preside over the
Regency at Amberg. 1710 Ibid. No. 4664/2 Lieutenant-
General Weebe, Vice-Stadtholder of Norway, is lately
dead. 1835 App. Munic. Corp. Rep. iv. 2345 (Lincoln), A
Deputy Recorder, *Vice Steward, Gaol Chaplain [etc.).
1894 jgtk Cent. XXXVI. 425 The •vice-sultan of Haura
received us right well. 1631 Krathwait Whimzies,
Zealous Brother 119 Hee was once in election to have been
a *vice-verger in Amsterdam, but he wanted an audible
voice. 1848 CuRzoN Monast. Levant i, iii. '1897) 22 The
great man, who was *z//Vtf-viceroy on this occasion.
VICE-ADMIBAL,
b» With nouns or adjs. deiivcd from personal
designations, as vice-apostolical, -canceilarian,
-deity, -duchy, etc., or associated in someway with
the holding of office, as vice-chair, -gorvemment ,
•throne.
This type is represented in late L. vice-quxstura, med.L,
vice-comitaiis^ -comitatus^ -dominium, etc., and occurs
freely in French and the other Romanic languages.
1641 'Smkctvmnul's* I'itid. Ans^v. xiii. iig He bids him
goe on with speed to execute his "Vice-Apostolicall office.
1843 Whkwell in Life (i83il 285 Much too should I like to
see you in your * Vice-Cancellarian chair. 1850 Thackeray
. Petuiennis Ixxvi, The chair was taken by Sir F'rancis
Clavering, ..the *vice-chair beinjj ably filled by — i3arker,
Esq. 18S4 Cyclists' Tour. Club Gaz. Mar. 82/1 Messrs.
W, B. Tanner and A. R. Sheppee occupied the vice-chairs.
i8»6 SoUTHEY I'ind. Eccl. Angl. 394 You have to reconcile
the pretensions of the Popes with their practices,, .their
•vice-deity with their crime.s. 1611 Flohio, Vicedomin-
anziZj a *vice-gouernment. 1876 Bancroft //ist. U. S. IV.
xxxvi. iij The offer of a baronetcy and the vice-govern-
ment of Virginia. 1856 .Merivale Hisl. Rom. Emt. 1. (1865)
VI. i88 In the mean time he was deputed to hold pro-
consular, or *vice-imperial, power beyond the citj-. 1880
SwixBCRNE Stud. SAitis. 240 His poor little vice-regal or !
vice-imperial parasite, n 1617 Bavse On Cohss. i. r, ii. i
(1634) 97 We must not supply Him with "vice-ministeriall
heads. 1574 Life Jotk Abf. Canierb. Pref. C vij, The same
Austen hauinge thus gotten by conquest this uniuersall
vicepapaci ouer England. 1775 L. Shaw HiH. Moray
343 How far the King may claim a *Vice-Patronage, I
shall not determine. 1677 MiioE Fr. Diet, i, Vice-
rectorat, a 'Vice-principalship. 1870 Routledge's Every
Boy 5 Ann, Apr. 211 Fortunate enough to obtain the vice,
principalship of the college. 18M Daily News 23 Oct.,
The • Vice-Provostship of Eton College, c 1890 Stevenson
In South Seas 1. xiv. (1900) 125 He wa.s being haled to the
vice-residency, uncertain whether to be punished or rp.
warded. 1884 A. Forbes Chinese Gordon iii. 114 A royal
salute was fired, and then Gordon had to make his speech
from the 'vice-throne.
O. With verbs, as vice-reign (after viceroy).
l88j Sat. Rev. i June 653/2 If it were not for the Civil
Service, the Viceroy simply could not vice.reign.
Vice-a'dmiral. Also 6 Sc wioe admerall,
weis admirall, 6 vize-, 7 vizadiuirsU, -erall.
[a. AF. visadmirail (OK. visamiral, F. vice-
amiral) : see Vice- and Admikal. So It. vice-
ammiraglio, Sp. and Pg. vicealmirante.']
\. A naval officer ranking next to an admiral.
ISM in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. I. I. 165 Your Grace hath
deputed the Ma.ster of the Rolles and the Vice .Admirall to
examyn the Inglysfa marchaunts robbed and spoyled in
September. 1561 Act 5 Eliz. c 5 § 33 The Lorde Admirall
of Englande.,or..any his Viceadmiralles. 1589 BiccEs
Summarie Drake's If. Ind. Voy. 21 The Lieutenant
generall, the Vizeadmirall, .ind all the rest of the Captaines.
1604 E. Qrimstoni] D'Acosta's Hiit. Indies 111. xi. 156
Returning now to the Viceadmiralles shippe, ..they tooke
the sea. i6ao R. Cocks Diary (Hakl. Soc.) II. 121 The
admerall and vizadmerall gave hyin to understand shipps
were ready to departe. 1670 CovEL in Early Voy. Levant
(Hakl. Soc.) 102 Capt. Kobinson in the Greenwich, as
Admiral,. .and Capt. Wild, in the Assurance, as Vice-
Admiral. 1716 Swift Gulliver, Liltiput viii, I.. desired
his Imperial Majesty to lend me.. three thousand seamen
under the command of his vice-admiral. 1777 R. Wat.son
Philip ll,\\. 259 Philip., giving him Martinez de Recaldo,
a seaman of great experience, for his vice-admiral. 1833
Penny CycL 1. 126/2 There are also vice-admirals and rear-
admirals of each flag, the former ranking with lieutenant
fenerals..in the array. 185S Simmonds Diet. Trade s.v.,
'here are vice.admirals of three grades, who hoist respec.
lively a red, white, or blue flag.
b. (See quot. 1769.)
a 1618 Raleigh Royal Navy (1650) 37 If the Vice- Admirall
of the Shire where men are mustered . . had directions given,
to joyn with the Mustermasters. 1710 J. Chamberlaynk
State Gt. Brit. (ed. 2) 581 A List of the Vice.Admirals.
Sir John Molesworth, Bar., North parts of Cornwall. Earl
Rivers, County of Essex (etc.). 1769 Falconer Diet.
Marine (1780) S.V. Admiral, Vice-Admiral is also a civil
officer appointed by the lords-commissioners of the admiralty.
There are several of these officers established in different
parts of Great-Britain, with judges and marshals under
them, for executing jurisdiction within their respective
districts. 187s Encycl, Brit. I. 159 2.
o. (See Admiral sb. 4.)
1698 Aa 10 Will III, c. 14 § 4 That the Master of every
.«uch Second Fishing Ship as shall enter any such Harbour
or Crecke [in Newfoundland) shall be Vice-.Admirall of such
..during that Fishing Season. 1708 (see Admiral sb. 4I
t 2. A vessel commanded by a vice-admiral. Obs.
c 159s Caft. Wvatt Dudleys Voy. (Hakl. Soc.) 3 Our
Generall concluded that the vice-admerall with her pinness
should sett saile and make for Plimworth before. 1598 W.
Phillip tr. Linschoten ^/i Their names were the Admirall
S. Phillip, the vize Admiral S. Jacob. These were two new
ships. 16x9 Wadswohth I'ilgr. iv. 34 The Caplaine of the
Vice-Admirall., began to encourage his Marriners. 1660
Ingelo Ben'.iv. », Ur. 11. (1682) 180 Lysander commanded
the Vice.Admiral. 1693 Luttrell Brief ReL (1857) 'I'- 9
Another Tripoline, their vice admiral, was the next day
taken by the Malta gallies.
attrib. 1706 Stevens Span. Diet. 1, Almiranta, the Vice
Admiral Ship of a Fleet.
3. Conch. A variety of shell of the genns Co««i.
1819 [see A0.MIRAL sb. 7].
Hence Vloa-a-dmixalalilp.
1677 Sir C. Wyche in Essex Papers (Camden) II. ii8
That some man of integrity should succeed him in ye vice
Admiralship of Munstcr.
Vice-admiralty, [f. prec. + -Ty. Cf. F
vice-amiraulJ.'] The office or jurisdiction of a
vice-admiral (in sense i b) ; an area tinder the
179
juristliction of a vice-admiral. Court of vice-
admiralty, = vice-admiralty court.
160a Carew Cornwall i. 87 b. The Vice-admiralty is
exercised by Mr Charles Treuanion. 1679-88 Seer. Sen,.
Money Lhas. J Jos. (Camden) 29 Daniel Gyles, Marshall
?.r-'i "^ Admiralty of Southampton and the Isle of
Wight. ijtaProclam. in Lond. Gaz. No. 3872/2 All Vice.
Admirals, and Judges of the Vice-Admiralties are also to
?i ' n-'^"'^- , '7^ -^^^ dAnneciii 19, Ihat the Heret-
able Rights of Admiralty and Vice Admiralties in Scotland
be reserved to the respective Proprietors as Rights of
Property. 1773 Gentl. Mag. XLIII. 402 Ihe extending
the power of the courts of vice-admiralty to so enormous a
degree, as deprives the people in the colonies, .of their in-
estimable right to trials by juries. [1876 Bancroft Hist.
U.S. II. XXXI. 283 Ihe crown lawyers overruled all objec-
tions, .and the king set up his courts of vice-admiralty in
America.)
b. yice-admirally court (see quot. IBS'!).
1761 Ann. Reg. i. 127/2 Their lordships reversed the
sentence of the vice-admiralty court, and ordered restitution
of ships and cargoes. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. 69
Appeals from the vice.admirally courts in America.. may
be brought before the courts of admiralty in Engl.ind. 1829
\ Marrvat E. .Mildniay xxi, The True-blooded Y.inkee w.is
i libelled in the Vice-Admiralty Court at Cape Town. 1863
H. Cox Instit. \. V. 28 The Queen.. may regulate the
practice of her Vice-Admiralty Courts abroad. 1867 Smyth
Sailor's Word-bk., Vice-admiralty courts, branches of the
High Court of Admiralty, instituted for carrying on the
like duties in several of our colonies, prize-courts, &c.
Vice-chamberlain. [Vice-.] A subordin-
ate or deputy chamberlain ; spec, an officer of the
Royal Household under the Lord Chamberlain.
IS4S in Rymer Fadera (1713) XV. 81/1 Our Vice-
chambcrlane. Our two Principall Secretaries for the tyme
being. 1589 Cooper Admon. 56 Master Vicechamberlaine
at her Maiesties..tolde the Bishjp that her Maiestie mis-
liked nothing. 1614 Selden Titles of Honor 358 Vpon
knowledge thereof giuen to the Lord Chamberlaine of the
Houshold or Vicechamberlaine for the time being. 1645
Doc. Lett. Pat. at O-r/. (1837) 403 Bills.. subscribed and
allowed by the Chamberlaine, Vicechamberlaine, or Princi-
pal Secretary of his Maiestie. 169s Ld. Lonsdalk in Eng.
Hist. Rev. Jan. (1913) 93 The Prince had reserved for me
the Vice Chamberlain's place. i7oaZ.(;«ii Gas. No. 3840/t ■
The Rt. Hon. Peregrine liertie Esq., Vice-Chamberlain to t
Her Majesty. 1780 Burke C£Vo», ^T^/^rwr Wks. III. 287
He has an honourable appointment ;. .and he has the vice
chamberlain to assist him. 1835 App. Munic. Corp. Rep. \
1. 154 The Chamberlains [at Worcester] are annually elected, j
..Their business, which is performed by a deputy called a
Vice.chaniberlaiii, is to receive the rents and keep all the I
accounts of the corporation. \
Vice-clia'ucellor. Forms: 5 vlohaun-
celler, 6 vyohanoeUour, vysohanoelar ; 6 vioe-
chauncelour, -ellor, -ohanoelor, 6- vloe-ohan- i
oellor (7 -our) ; Sc. 6 Tioeohancellair, 7 -ellar,
-eler. [a. OF. vi(s)chancelier (F. vice-chancelier),
or ad. med. L. vicecancellarius : see Vice- and
Chancellor sb. So It. vicecancelliere, Sp. vice-
caiuiller, Pg. vicechancelUr.'\
1. The deputy or substitute of an ecclesiastical
chancellor ; spec, the cardinal at the head of the
Papal Chancery.
1431-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. 297 This bischop induede
the prior of Dirhem firste with his honoure that he is decan
in that bischopryche and a.s vichaunceller. 1670 G. H. Hist.
Cardinals l. ill. 85 Six of the Abbreviators places are in the
Gift of the Cardinal Vice-Chancellor. a 1700 Evelyn Diary
18 Feb. 1645, Belonging to Cardinal Francesco Barberini as
Vice-chancelor of the Church of Rome. 1845 Sarah Austin
Ranke's Hist. Re/, v. v. We have already alluded to the
proceedings of his vice.chancellor, Waldkirch. 1884 Cath.
Diet, (1897) 263 The more pressing, v^eighty, public, and
solemn affairs of the Apostolic See . . pass through the hands
of the Vice-Chancellor.
2. The acting representative of the Chancellor of
a university, usually the head of a college specially
appointetl to the office for a limited time, or the
principal of the university.
«53"> c^ct 22 Hen. VIII, c. 12 Scolers of the Universites of
Oxford & Cambrydge that goo about beggyng, not beyng
aucthorysed . . by the Comrays^ary, Chauncelloure, or
vichauncelloure of the same. 21540 Barnes IVks. (1573)
222/2 Because I had once submitted my selfe to the Vice,
chauncelour, and I was thereby circunuented. 1577 Hakri.
SON England II. iiL {1877) i. 82 Ouer each vniuersitie also
there is a seuerall chancdor, whose offices are perpetuall,
howbcit their substitutes, whom we call vicechancelors, are
changed euerie yeare. i6>9 Wadsworth Pilgr. Ded. A iij,
I he Keuercnd Vice-Chancellor, Doctors, Procters, Gouer-
nors of Colledges and Hals. 1681 Lond. Gaz. No. 1656/3
Afterwards several of the Nobility were admitted Doctors
of I.aw, His Majesty allowing the Vice.Chancellor to be
Covered in His Presence, while the Orator presented them.
1705 fbid. No. 4114/1 Mr. Vice.Chancellor, and the other
Members of the University, waited, upon the Prince.
17*3-5 Churchill Author Poems 1767 II. 128 Vice Chan-
cellors, whose knowledge is but small,.. Ill.brook'd the
gen'rous Spirit, in those days When Learning was the cer.
tain road to praise. 1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 482/1 In both
Ihe English Universities the duties of Ihe Chancellor are in
nearly all ca.ses discharged by a Vice.Chancellor. 1864
J. H. Newman Apol. 235 The late Vice.Chancellor threatens
to lake his own children away from the church.
3. A deputy or subordinate of one or other state
official bearing the title of Chancellor.
1587 Reg. Privy Council Scot. IV. 167 Schir Johnne
Maitland of Thirlstane, knycht, his Majesteis secretare
and vice.chancellair. 1611 Maitland Club Misc. III. 113
Appoynting him [sc. the archbishop) to be Vicechanceler
in the Parlement, if my Lord Chancelar thoght not the
Chancelarie and Commisaionarie compatible, c 1653 Kaillie
VICE-COUNTY.
in Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) Introd. 53 The Vice-
Chancellar was de.id. 1694 Luttkell Brie/ Ret. (1857) III
272 Mr. Hambden, vicechancellor of the exchequer, has laid
down that place. .728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Chancellor,
Sometimes the Lord Chancellor [of England] had a Vice.
Chancellor, who was Keeper of the Seal. 1777 R Watson
Philip /I, l\. 21-1 She was offended at their artifice, and
immediately despatched her vice-chancellor to complain of
their conduct. 1876 Bancroft Hisl. U.S. V 1 ^4 The
vice;Chancelior [at Moscow), therefore, calmly explained
the impossibility of conceding the request for troops 18S0
Diet. Nat. Biog. XVIII. 49 Eustace (d. 1215), tishop rf
Ely, . . became vice-chancellor and keeper of the royal seal
and ultimately chancellor. '
b. spec. One of the higher judges in the former
Court of Chancery.
1813 Act 53 Geo. Ill, c. 24 To nominate and appoint from
time to tune. .a fit Person, ..to be an additional Judge
Assist.lnt to the Lord High Chancellor,, .and to be called
Vice Chancellor of England. 1823 Egan Grose's Did.
j- iilg. T., Vice Chancellor'scourt, CTedkoi'sUstihift. 1835
loMLlNS Law-Dill. J. s.v. Chancellor, In his judicial
capacity, he hath divers assistanls and officers, vis. the
Vice-Ch.incellor of England, . .the Masters in Chancery,
&c. 1876 Encycl. Brit. V. 390/1 Previous to being merged
in the New Supreme Court of Judicature, the Court of
Chancery consisted of the Lord Chancellor,, .and three
Vice.Chancellors.
Hence Tice-cha-noeUorsliip, the office or dig-
nity of a vice-chancellor ; the period during which
this is held.
'579 Fenton Guicciard. i. 4 He made the Pope promise
him., the office of vicechancellorshippe (the principallest
place in Ihe Court of RomeX 1589 (?Nashe] Almond/or
Parrat2g T. C. in Cambridge first inuenttd this violent
innouatlon, when as his mounting ambition went through
I euery kinde of Ambitus, to compasse the Oflice of the Vice.
chauncelour-ship. 1655 T. Baily Li/e Bp. Fisher 10 But
. now Vicechancellour-ship, Mastership and all must be laid
I downe. 1691 Wood Alh. Oxon. I. 593 He did undergo with
I great honor the Vicechancellourship of this University.
1761 T. Warton Li/e Bathurst 94 The spirited orations
which he spoke in his Vice.chancellorship. 1813 Sir S.
ROMILLV Pari. Deb. 15 Feb., The Vice.Chancellorship
might in a short time become a sinecure. 1889 W. Wilson
State §426 (1893) 266 (The German chancellor) is..ultim-
^'■^ly responsible in every case— even for the non-exercise
of his office. The vice-chancellorship is only a convenience.
Vice-CO-mital, a. [Cf. Vice-county 2 and
CoMiTAL a.] Belonging to a vice-ccunty (sense 2).
.1859 H. C. Watson Cybele Brit. IV. 275 The comital and
vice.comital floras are yet incompletely ascertained.
Vice-consul. [Vice-. So med.L., F., Sp.,
Pg. vice-consul, It. viceconsolo.}
1 1. A Roman proconsul. Obs.
'559 Up. Scot in Strype Ann. Re/. (1709) I. App. x. 33
Certeyn wycked persons, .brought hym before their vice-
consul, called Gallio. 1579-80 North Plutarch (1595) 346
The authorof this epigramme reckoneth the two times of
his being viceconsull, for two whole Consulshippes. x6oi
Holland Pliny II. 526 Aterius Labeo, a noble man of
Rome, .. who otherwise had been viccConsulI in Gallia
Narbonensis.
2. An assistant or deputy of a consul.
1601 W. Parry Trav. Sir A. Sherley 10 The English con-
sulls and vice consults, igroj W. J. Bruyn's Voy. Levant
xxxii. 121 The next Morning we wailed upon the Vice-
Consul. <ri744 in Hanway Trav. (1762) I. v. Ixxi. 327
Which oath or affirmation, the said embas.'^ador, agent,
resident, consul or vice-consul respectively, is hereby
authorized toadminister. 1788 Jefferson I*ViV. (1859) II.
495 The consul's presence in his port should suspend, for
the time, the functions of the vice.consul. 1867 Smyth
Sailor's IVord-lii. ii-j If there be a resident consul, the
vice-consul is appointed and paid by him. i88x Ld. Acton
Let. to Mary Gladstone 9 Mar. (1904) 128 The Vice-Consul
is a singularly intelligent and practical man.
Hence Vice-co-nsnlar a., Vlce-coninlate,
Viee-oo'nsnlship.
1587 GoLDiNG De Mornay xxiii. (1592) 344 In Afrik they
sacrifized men, vntill in the Viceconsulship of Tyberius.
1819 Byron Let. to Murray 29 Oct., Yousay nothing of the
vice-consulate for the Ravenna patrician. 1836 Marryat
Midsh. Easy {,iifs2,) 164 They found Mr. Hicks looking very
red and vice-consular indeed. 1844 Kinglakl Flothen vii,
The only anomaly which had been detected by the vice-
consular wisdom. 1885 Manch. Exam. 12 Jan. 5/1 We
should re.establish our two vice-consulates in the interior
of Macedonia.
+ Vice-count, Obs. [Vice-, after med.L.
vicecomes.'] A viscount.
1461 Rolls o/Parlt. V. 477 Henry lale Erie of Northum-
berlond, William Vicecount Beaumont (etc.). 1633 T.
Stafford Pac. Hib. in. xvii. (1821) 658 John Barry, brother
to the Vicecount. 1655 Dicges Conipl. Ambass. 367 The
Vice-Count of Turayne, a Gentleman very dear unto
Monsieur. 1673 Phil. Trans. VIII. Ded., To the Right
: Richard Lord Vice-Count Ranalaugh.
a viscountess ; hence
f Vloe-oonntile a., vis-
Honourable
So f Vice-countess,
t Vioe-countess-ship,
countile.
ci6»4 J. Williams Let. in Cabala (1654) 79 A strange
Creation passed of late, of a Vice-Counteship of M.niden.
head, passed to the Heires Males, who must be called here-
after *Vice.Countesse Fynch. 1685 Broadside, Coronal.
James II (T. Newcomb), Vice. Countesses, Four a-Breast.
C1630 RisDON Surv. Devon (1810) 13 The *vicecountile
jurisdiction was hereditary.
Vice-COU'nty. [In sense I ad. OF. viconii,
-ei, -ey, etc. (mod.F. vicomti) Viscounty, or
med.L. vicecomitdtus, i. vicecomes : see prec. In
sense 2, f. Vice- + Coukty l j.]
t L A viscounty. Obs.'~^
1639 Fuller Holy War iii. xxii. 147 And for a breakfast
23-2
VICE GERE NCE.
to b^n with, lie [Simon de Montfort] w*as seised of the
Vicecounty of Besiers. 1706 Stevens S^. Diet. 1, Villa-
Nmtva dt Cardenas, a Town in . . Andaluzia, . . made a Vice-
County by King Philip the 4th.
2. A division of a large county, treated as a county-
area with regard to &e distribution of species of
plants, etc.
X859 H. C Watson Cybeie Brit. IV, 130 Sinaller and more
numerous sections could be formed by dividing the great
counties into vice-counties. *873-^ — Topographical Bot.
(tttle-p.), The iia Counties and Vice-counties of England,
Wales, and Scotland. 1800 Science-Gossip XXVI. iio/i
Not more than ten out of the 312 counties and vice-counties
into which Great Britain is divided.
Vicege'rence. Now rare. [Cf. next and
-BN'CE, So older F. vicegerence {tci<A,V , -g^rance).']
«= next.
15*7 Andrew Brunszuyke's DistylL Waters P iij, AI;;o yf
oyte be made of the same floures it hathe the offyce of
bawme and vycegercnce of his vertues. 1660 Milton Free
Commiv. Wks. 1851 V. 432 Christ.. hath not left the least
shadow of a command for any such Vicegerence from him
in the State. 1679 C. Nesse Antichrist 38 His title.,
signifies substitution and vice-gerence. 1681 Fi-avel Metk.
Grace xix. 336 In which words.. the vice-gerence of his
death is plainly expressed. 1814 Mrs. T. West Alicia de
Lac^ IV. 202 He could have endured the consciousness of
. .his rights invaded, from the hope that the vice-gerence of
truth and retribution would return. 1835 Penny Cycl. III.
173 (Avignon), The Court of Vicegerence was for all cases
in which the militar>* and religious orders were concerned.
X90S R, Bacot Donna Diana xiv. 156 The Papal Court, .is
no freer from petty jealousies . . than the Court of any ruler
in no wise claiming Divine vicegerence.
Viceffereucy (vaisid^i'Tensi). [See next and
-ENCT. ^ojno^.L..vicegerentia{i6oi inDuCange),
It. vicegere/iza.']
1. The office, dignity, or rule of a vicegerent ;
the fact of rnling or administering as representa-
tive of another.
1596 Dbavton Legends iy. 511 But to the great Vice-
gerencie I grew, Being a Title as Supreme as new. x6oo
W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 119 If euery Priest shold
take place agreeing to their Vice-gerencie vnder Christ,
there could be no order kept. 1641 Milton Prel, Episc.
Wks. 1851 III. 73 Timothy, and Titus,. .had rather the
vicegerency of an Apostleship committed to them, then the
ordinary charge of a Bishoprick. /zx668 Davenant Law
arst. Lovers Wks. (1673) 323 The Duke,. .During the time
of your Vicegerency, Remain'd here in disguise, x/oa
Sachevbrell Serm. Univ. Oxford (1710) 9 The highest in-
dignity..to any crown'd head is. .denying its vice-gerency.
xj6i Hume Hist. Eng. III. App. 75 James was vaunting
his divine vicegerency. 1845 R. W. Hamilton Pop. Educ.
IX. 334 To gain a just conception of civil government...
If it be tnat Divine vicegerency which many have
descnbed [ctc.J. 1891 Daily News 29 Dec. 6/1 He has. .
put to death more than forty persons who have dared to
question his authority or argued against his vicegerency.
trans/. 1711 G. Hickes Two Treat. Chr. Priesth. I. ii. 16
This Vicegerency, or mediatory Office to transact and
minister in sacred Matters betwixt God and Man,
b. A district or province ruled by a vicegerent.
1865 W. G. Palgrave Arabia I. vi. 244 History and tradi-
tion record no rebellious outbreak of any importance during
their sway among the numerous vicegerencies of Arabia.
+ 2. Vicarious nature or character, Obs,
1671 FuvvEL Fount Life viL 18 His sanctifying himself
for us plainly speaks the Vicegerency of his Death. 1679
C. Nesse Antichrist 24 Antichrist,. signifies substitution
and vice-gerency.
Vicegerent (v3is,d2l»T£nt), sb. and a. Also
6 vitz-, 7 vize-gerent. [ad. med.L. vicegerent- ^
vicegerens, f. L. vicetn (ace.) stead, place, office,
etc, and^*rr^«x, pres. pple. oiger^re to carry, hold.
So F. vicegerent (also -girant)^ It., Sp., Pg. vice-
gerenie. The hyphen, formerly not uncommon, is
now rarely used in this and the preceding words.]
A. sb. 1. A person appointed by a king or
other ruler to act in his place or exercise certain
of his administrative functions.
1536 Cromwell in Merriman Life tj- Lett. (1902) II, a6
Thomas Crumwetl.,keper of the privey Scale of our said
soueraigne Lorde the king and vitz^erent to the same for.,
all his Jurisdiction ecclesiasticall within this Realme. 1538
ibid. 151, I Thomas lorde Crumwell,. .Vice-gerent to the
kjmges said highnes. 1545 Act 37 Hen. VIII, c. 17 Censures
ecclesiasticall made by your Highnes and your Vicegerent,
officialls, commissaries, and Judges and visitators. 1593
R. Harvbv Philctd. i Mordred Arthurs kinsman being
appointed Vicegerent in his royalty, gaue great giftes..to
Cerdrick a Saxon. x6o6 G. W[oodcocke1 Hist. Ivstine vi.
30 Lysander whome Agesilaus appointed his Vize-gerent
the time of his ahsence. 1651 N. Bacon Disc. Govt.
Eng, II. XV. (1739) 79 It hath therefore been the ancient
course of Kings of this Nation, to constitute Vice-gerents
in their absence. 1733 Swift On Poetry Wks. 1755
IV, I, 198 Now sing the minister of state, ..Thou great
vicegerent of the king [etc]. 1788 Gibbon Decl. ^ F. Ivii.
V. 671 He was trusted by the sultan as the faithful vice-
gerent of his power. 1838 Thirlwall Greece II. xiv. 194
His vicegerent was at first willing to resign his authority.
18^ Stubbs Const. Hist. III. xviii. 95 He intended..
Gloucester to act as his vicegerent in England.
b. In general sense : One who takes the place
of another in the discharge of some office or duties.
1549 Coverdale, etc Erasm, Par. Tim. i. 3 b,- 1 left the
there euen as my selfe, to haue the autoritie as a notable
vicegerent in so excellent and so paynefuU an office. 1641
Baker Chron., Eliz. 24 The Govcrnours of Ireland, .were
at first called I ustices,-. afterwards, Lievtenants, and their
Vice.gerents were called Deputies. 1683 Brit. SPec. 114
(His] Vice-gerent was the Vicar General of Britain, honored
180
with the Title Spectabilis. 1773 Observ. State Poor 47 The
humanity and generosity of some of these parochial vice-
gerents, the farmers or managers of workhouses. 1781
Gibbon Decl. c5- F. xvii. (1787) II. 38 These prerogatives
were reserved to the praefects. .: their vicegerents were con-
fined to the trifling weight of a few ounces. 1851 Husstv
Papal Poiver iii. 130 For what respect will be thought due
to the vicegerents of the holy apostle St. Peter if what they
ordain. -be undone. x868 M. Pattison Academ. Org. iv.
109 There is in all cases, a vice-gerent, who in the absence
of the head exercises his powers.
e. A ruler or commander of a country, etc., in
virtue of deputed power,
"577 HoLiNSiiED CAr»«. II. 482/1 Herewith he [Richard I]
dothe commaunde them also to obey Robert Earle of
Leycester, whome he appointed.. as his Lieutenant or vice-
gerent of those parties during his absence. 1589 Greenk
Tnllies Love Wks, (Grosart) VII. 117 The Romanes had
made mee Vicegerente of their forces, c x6xo IVomen Saints
151 Aspasius the vicegerent of Rome. 1786 Burke Art.
agst. Ir. Hastings Wks. 1842 II. 208 The said Mogul has
been obliged to declare the head of the Mahratta state to
be vicegerent of the Mogul empire.
2. Applied to rulers and magistrates as represen-
tatives of the Deity.
Frequent in the 17th century.
1547-64 Baldwin Mor. Philos. (Palfr.) 74 Princes, being
by God put in authority, are His vice-gerents, and should
therefore require obedience. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst.
IV. XX, (1634) 735 If they [the Magistrates] remember tliat
they bee the vicegerents of God. 1595 W. C[lerke] Poll-
vtanteia C iv b, This likewise is the cause why the Prince
is tearmed Gods Vicegerent vpon earth. 1641 Milton Ch.
Govt. V. Wks. 1851 III. 114 We acknowledge that the civill
magistrate wearesan autority of Gods giving, and ought to
be obey'd as his vicegerent. x68i Dryden Abs. Sf Achit.
To Rdr., God is infinitely merciful ; and his Vicegerent is
only not so, because he is not Infinite. 1700 Astry tr.
Saavcdra-Faxardo I. 230 The same has place in Princes,
who are God's Vicegerents in Temporals. 1710 Pkideaux
Orig. Tithes ii. 120 All Governours of Nations being Gods
Vicegerents, they are bound in all things to order tlieir
Government so as will best agree with the will of him. 1840
Thackeray Paris Sk.Bk. (ed. 2) II, 274 * Dieu seul est
grand,' said courtly Massillon; but next to him, as the
prelate thought, was certainly Louis, his vicegerent here
upon earth.
b. Applied to priests, and spec, to the Pope, as
representatives of God or Christ.
1573 R.^ T. Discourse 49 Hee onely is Antichrist that
fayneth himself to do all that Christ can doo, to bee his
vicegerent in earth, to sit in his place. 1593 in J. Morris
Troub. Cath. Forefathers Ser. m. (1877) ^3° Unto all
which things the jurisdiction and authority of the Pope,
Christ's Vicar and Vicegerent, did extend. 1660 Milton
Free Covtviw. Wks. 1851 V. 432 All Protestants hold that
Christ in his Church hath left no Vicegerent of his Power.
1678 Marvell Growth Popery Wks. 1875 IV, 255 The
Pope.. does persecute those to the death who dare worship
the Author of their Religion instead of his pretended Vice-
gerent. 1737 Challoner Cath. Chr. Instr. (1753) 81 The
Priest that officiates in the Mass officiates as Christ's Vice-
gerent. 1841 Cdl. Wiseman in E. Purcell Life A. P. de
Lisle (1900) I. xiii. 285 Let me know that the Vicegerent of
Xt. approves of my course, . . and I shall not care for all the
world. J873 H. Rogers Orig. Bible ii. (1875) 78 Moses.,
did not affect to be, like, .the Pope, the visible representa-
tive and vicegerent of God.
trattsf, 1624 Gataker Transubst. 96 They say it to
Christ, whose deputie and vicegerent the Image there is.
C. Similarly applied to man in general or in
some special respect ; also ifi) to nature, the sun,
conscience, etc,
(a) 1601 Sir W. Cornwallis Disc. Seneca (1631) Mm viij,
That this confusion is incident to our Hues, is our owne
fault, since the disorders of a state belongeth to.. the
Gouernors of a state ; so this to man who is Vicegerent of
the earth. i6a6 Jackson Creed viii. x. 93 Our first parents
being Gods vicegerents here on earth, Lords of all his
visible creatures. 1654 Whitlock Zootomia 344 IndiflTer-
ently bent to the Continuance of it, or change j as God,
and his Vice-gerents, her Parents shall think fit. 1845
Encycl. Metrop. II. 561 [A Deity who] communicates to
men a knowledge.. of his purposes that they may he his
vicegerents in executing them. 1861 J. A. Alexander
Gosp. fesiis Christ xxxix. 521 A proof of man's original
formation in God's image, and bis original vestiture with
delegated power as God's vicegerent.
{b) 1646 H. P. Medit. Seige 76 Nature (God's great vice-
gerent). 1676 Sir M. Hale Contempl. 11. 82 God Almighty
hath substituted the Soul of Man, as his Deputy or-Vice-
gerent in that Province which is committed to him. x68i
Flavel Meth. Grace xxxiii. 556 Conscience, .. that noble
power, God's vicegerent in the soul. 1794 G. Adams Nat.
9f E.xp. Philos. {1806) II. xxi. 415 When the sun is said to
rule the day,, .what else can be understood but that he acts
as a vicegerent. 1821 Shelley Hellas Prol. 142 Thou
Destiny ; . . Go, thou Vicegerent of my will, no less Than of
the Father's. 1835 Miss Sedgwick Linwoods iv, Let man
beware how he wilfully or carelessly perverts and blinds
God's vicegerent, conscience. x86o Pvsev Jllin. Propli. 192
They dethroned righteousness, the representative and vice*
gerent of God, and made it rest on the ground. 1881 C. A.
Young Sun i. (1882) 12 It has been reserved for more
modern times.. to show clearly just how. .the sun himself
[is] the symbol and vicegerent of the Deity.
d. Applied to persons as representing some
other supernatural or spiritual power.
1588 SiiAKS, L. L. L. I. i. 222 Great Deputie, the Welkins
Vicegerent, and sole dominator of Nauar. 1615 Hevwood
Foure Prentises i. xviii, Joves great Vice-gerent over all
the world. 1701 De Foe Trueborn Eng. 1. 17 The List of
his (the Devil'sJ Vice-gerents and Commander? Outdoes
your Czesars or your Alexanders. 1715 Poi-e Odyss. xi.
310 Now in the time'.s full process forth she brings Jove's
dread vicegerents, in two future kings. 1763 J. Brown
Poetry ^ Music v. 61 Apollo, the God of Music, was their
VICE-LEGATE
Author [of oracles] ; The Fythia or Priestess was his Vice-
gerent. 1786 tr. Beckfords Vathek (1868) 104 Merciful
Prophet ! stretch forth thy propitious arms towards thy
Vicegerent !
3. A thing which takes the place of another.
1583 Melbancke Philotimus Ccij, If my lasie leggs..
should deny to make this voiage^ my hearte would.. sub-
stitute my handes to be their vicegerentes. 1871 Earle
Philol. Eng. Tongue 390 The pronouns are, as their name
signifies, words which are the vicegerents of nouns.
4. A vicarious bearer ^"sorrow. rare~^.
1594 Southwell M. Magd. Funeral Teares (1823) 73 All
creatures, .leaving me as the vicegerent of all their sorrow,
B. adj. (or attrib.). 1. Taking the place, or
performing the functions, of another.
1577 tr. Bullingers Decades (1592) 853 The Scripture
teacheth that Christ ascended into heauen, and hath
established a vicegerent power, to wit, the holie Ghost.
1667 Milton P. L. x. 56 But whom send I to judge them?
whom but thee Vicegerent Son. 1712 Blackmokk Creation
355 Next Man arose at thy creating word, Of thy terres-
trial realms Vicegerent Lord. 1749 Deity 1 7 But Conscience,
fair vicegerent light within, Asserts its author.
2. Characterized by deputed or vicarious power.
1667 Milton P. L. v, 609 Under his great Vice-gerent
Reign abide [ye], . . For ever happie. 1^7 H. Bushnell
Chr. Nurt. 11. v. (1861) 208 The vicegerent office to be
maintained, and the gracious ends to be secured, make xt
indispensable that parents should themselves be living in
the Spirit.
Hence Vicege'rentsliip.
1600 O. E. (M. Sutcliffe) Repl. Libel}, vi. 157 Let this
Noddy.. shew foorth the popes commission eyther for his
vicegerentship, or for his pretended apostolicke office. 1646
GiLLKSPiE MaU Audis 10 The capacity of a Vicegerent,
which he hath by his Vicegerentship. Ibid. 35 The two
fold Vicegerentship of God and of Christ.
Vice-£fOd, [Vice-.] One who (on earth) takes
the place, or exercises the power, of God.
Freq. in tlie 1 7th cent, as a hostile designation of the Pope.
1600 Darrell Detect. Hai-snet 204 Our Vice Godes which
are here on earth in Gods steade will take vengeance of
those traitors. 1624 Bp. Mountacu Gagg 63 There is an
headship which will not reach' that illimited power giuen
to the Pope, Our Lord, Vice-God vpon earth. 1664 Owen
Vind. Animad. Fiat Lux xvi. Wks. 1855 XIV. 352 The
consequences so startled the wise state of Venice that you
know they disputed it to the utmost with yoiur vice-god
Paul V. X712 ftL Henry Popery Spir. Tyranny Wks.
1853 II. 342 To call them Anti-gods, and Anli-christs, how-
ever they pretend to be Vice-christs and Vice-gods. 1784
R. Welton Chr. Faith ^ Pract. 434 Man is a vice-God in
the world. 1830 Bentham Consiit. Code Wks. 1843 ^^: 3^
On neither side has any vice-god been seen^ or fancied.
1873 L. Stephen Freethinking ix. 347 Man.. is hopelessly
ignorant, but set on a throne and properly manipulated he
becomes an infallible vice-God.
Hence Vice-srodhead.
1659 Baxter Key Cath. xx. 84 Not only the Romish
Universal Monarchy and Vice-godhead, but even its
Patriarchal Primacy was no Apostolical Tradition.
Vice-go ver nor. [Vice-.] An official acting
under, or in place of, a governor ; a deputy-
governor. Hence Vice-go *vernorshlp.
1598 Flokio, Vicegouernatore , a vicegouernouri a deputie-
gouernour. 174* Woodkooke in Hanway Trav. (1762) I.
II. xvii. 77 The governor, vice-governor, and commander of
the garrison, came on board. 1760 Ann. Reg. 73 He has
for some time resided as vice-governor under the King of
Prussia. 184a J. F. Cooi'er Jack 0' Lantern I. 159 Vito
Viti had long before gone up the street to see the vice*
governor. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U. S. VI. 500 (Francis
Bernard] thankfully accepts baronetcy and vice-governor-
ship of Virginia. 1897 Mary Kincslev W. Africa 393
Spanish possessions . under a Vice-Governor to the Governor
of Fernando Po. Ihid.^ The Vice-Governorship of Eloby.
Vice-Mxig. [Vice-.] One who rules as the
representative of a king ; a viceroy. Also attrib,
X579in Hakluyt Fty. (1600) III. 733 In coasting along the
Island of Mutyr, belonging to the Kmgof Ternaie, his De-
putie or Vice-king . . came with his Canca to vs. x6as Mabbe
tr. Aleman's Guzman d^'Alf. ii. 152 Vnder his protection we
went vp and downe the Ciiie, as if we had beene so many
Vice-Kings of the Country. 1659 Baxter Key Cath. xlii.
300 A Deputy, or Vice-King in Ireland. xiAx— Acc.Sher-
locke vi. 210 There is no netd of a Vice King to make this a
■ Kingdom. 1681-6 J. Scott C//r. Z//f(i747) III. 562S0 that
now he is subject to the Father in the Capacity of a Vice-
King to a supreme Sovereign. 1800 Hist. Ind. mAsiat.Ann.
Reg. 24/2 He appointed Don Francis D'Almeyda, Governor-
general, with the pompous title of Vice King of the Indies.
1848 Lvtton Harold iii. iii. 99 Farther still down the hall
are the great civil lords and vice-king vassals of the ' Lord
Paramount '. 1876 Tennyson Harold 11. ii, Thou shalt be
verily king^all but the name— For I shall most sojourn in
Normandy ; And thou be my vice-king in England.
Vice-le*gate. [Vice-, after F. vice-legat or
It, vicelegato (Sp. and Pg. viceiegadd),'] One who
acts as the representative or deputy of a (Papal)
legate.
1549 Sir T. Hoby Trav. 17 in Camden Misc. (1902), The
Pope is lord of yt. Vicelegate there for him was Annibale
Borio. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals 1. iii. 83 To meet the
eldest son of any Prince, or the Ambassadors of the Dukes
of Savoy, . . the Cardinals . . send their Vice-Legats with some
small number of Coaches. 1683 Apol. Prot. France iv. 31
The conference the Queen had, as she passed by Avignon
with the Vice-Legat, which gave him wonderful satisfaction,
pleased them not so well. 1708 Lond. Gaz. No. A^<iT/x The
Legat and Vice-Legat are excluded from having any part
in the new State. 1765 Ann. Reg. 143 At Avignon.. the
vice legate, .dispatched couriers to the neighbourmg cities.
^63$ Penny Cycl. III. 173/1 The popes governed the city
[oiAvignon]. .by a cardinal-legate, or rather, as the legate
was always non-resident, by a vice-legate.
VICE-LBGATESHIP.
Hence Vlce-le'gTAteship.
1691 Lond. Gaz. No. 2685/1 The Vice-LegatshJp of
Avignon is given to the Bishop of Fieschi. 1818 Gentl.
Mag. Aug. 127/1 In the exercise of the several governments,
..he has.. acquired great praise, as likewise in the Vice-
legateship of Botonia.
Viceless (val-sles), a. [f. Vice sb?^ i.] Free
from vice.
1560 Holland Seven Sages 5 To that effect, that he may
viceless be, Of all yices, and sic thing as gais wrang. 1591
Savile Tacitus, Hist. i. xlix. 27 Galba.. rather vicelesse
than greatly vertuous.^ 1665 Bovle Occas. Reji.v, i:.(i675)
301 Errours about Religion,, .maintain'd by ^fen that are
resolute, and viceless. 1671-4 Lady Warwick Auiobiog.
(Percy Soc.) 164 Mr. Henry St, John was very good natured
and viceless. /bid.. The young men were not viceless. 1847
J. Halliday Rustic Bard 321 Viceless virtue, undecaying.
Shed her lustre on our name. 1890 Sat. Rev. 22 Nov. 575/1
Those who are themselves sinless and viceless.
Vice-lilce, a.^ rare-^. [f. Vice sb.^ i.] Par-
taking of the nature of vice.
1590 Nashe Martin Marprelaie Wks. (Grosart) I, 184
Beeing once entered into the vicelike vaine of foolerie, . . I
was caried most wickedlie. .in a scorne against the Saincts
of God.
Vice-like, «.- Also 6^.9. vise-like. [f. Vice
sb^ 5.] Resembling (that of) a vice ; firmly
tenacious or compressive.
1845 Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 127 Traitors! that vice-like
fang the hand ye lick. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits, Lit,
%yks. (Botiii) II. 104 What he relishes in Dante is the vice-
like tenacity with which he holds a mental image before the
eyes. 1890 D. Davidson Mem, Long Life x. 258 [He] seized
uiy hand in his vice-like fist.
Vieelinge, ME. var./y6^//«^FiCKLiNG vbL sb.
Vicena-rioufl, rt. rare-^. [See next and -ions.]
* Of or belonging to the twentieth ' (Blount, 1656).
Vicenary (vi*senari), sb. and a. [ad. L, vl-
cindri-uSy f. viceni, distrib. f. vigintl twenty.]
+ a. sb. One who has command over twenty
persons. Obs.
1603 Habsnet Pop, Impost. 49 Dclicat, another Capuine,
or vicenarie in Sara, hauing vnder him twenty assistants.
b. adj, * Belonging to twenty * (Bailey, 1727) ;
based on the number twenty. Cf. Vigenaby a.
i8a6 Peacock in Encycl. Metrop, (1845) 1- 37^/' Such a
practice would naturally lead to the formation of a vicenary
scale of numeration. 1834 Penny C}^cl. II. 337/2 In France
the scale from 60 to 100 is strictly vicenary (by twenties).
Vice*nnal». rarr~^. [ad, L. vuenndlia^
1656 Blount Glossogr.^ Vicennals, solemn games and vows
for twenty ..years.
Vice'lUlial, o- Sc. Law. [f. L. vicenni-um : see
next. Cf. L, vUenndlis, F. vkennal^ Extending
to twenty years,
«737 Kames Decis. Cri. Sets. /7JO-J2 (1799) 19 What use
would there be for the vicennial prescription of retours, if a
Eurchasefctc.]. 1785ARNOT Tria/s [1812) 261 Lord Fountain-
all laid down this doctrine, that the vicennial prescription
of Crimes had no place with us. x8a6 G. J. Bfxl Comment.
Laws Scot. (cd. 5) I, Vicennial Prescription of Holograph
Obligations, iiijfi W. Bell Diet. Law Scot. 770 By the
act 1617, c. 13, a vicennial prescription of retours was
introduced.
H Vice nnium. rarr"^, [L., f, vie-, stem of
vtcies twenty times, etc., + annus year.] A period
of twenty years.
1846 McCuLLocH Ace. Brit. Empire (185^) 11,623 The
danger of dyin^ of consumption, .is greater in this than in
the preceding vicennium.
Vice-pre'sident. [Vice-. So F. vue-pri-
sidenty It., Sp., and Pg. vicepresidente.'l One who
acts as the representative or deputy of a president
(in various senses); an official ranking immediately
below a president.
1574 tr. Afariorat's Apoccdips 66 Under Sergius the Vice-
president of Asia . . tber arose a great strife . . aU}ut the keep-
ing of the Kaster. 1^6 in J. Morris Troub. Cath. Fore-
fathers (1877) 84 The Lord tvcrs silting as vice-president
with Meare«, HurUtone, Cheeke, and the re>t. 1629
Wai>sworth Pilgr. vii. 64 This North was created D.D. in
Paris, and was sometimes Vice-Pre.sident of the Colledgeof
Doway. 1660 R. Coke Power ^ Subj. 235 The President,
or Vice-president of the Queens Councell established in the
North. 1771 GoLDSM. Hist, Eng. {1789) IV. i8 The college
[Magdalen, Oxford] was filled with catholics; and Char-
nock., was made vice-president. 1796 T, Twining Trav.
India, etc. (1893) 54 The Vice-President always breakfasted
in hb own room. 1800 St. Papers in Asiat, Ann. Reg, 6/a
That nothing, .shall prevent such Governor, when absent,
from nominating a Vice-President and Deputy-Governor of
Fort William. 1841 W. Spalding Italy ^ It. Isl. III. 57
Melzi d'Eril was vice-president : and in the Council of State
were found Serbclloni letcj. 1855 Poultry Chron. III.
411/1 The society consists of a president, vice-president,
committee, secretary, and members. 1874 Bancroft Footpr,
Time ii. 234 The Vice-President becomes an officer of much
power or dignity.
Hence ▼ioe-preside-ntialfZ. ; Vice-pre'side&t*
■Mp. Also Tice-pre'sidenoy.
1690 Lond. Gaz. No. 2600/1 The Vice- Presidentship of the
Council of Arragon. 1&04 G. Rose Diaries (i860) II. 132,
I would accept the Vice-Presidentship of the Board of
Trade. 1833 Storv Comm. Constit. U.S. III. 336 Suppose
there shouIcT be three candidates for the presidency, and
two for the vice- presidency. 1889 W. Wilson State § 10^9
(1893) 562 Each party ..nominates the candidates of its
choice for the presidency and vice-presidency. 1904 Daily
ChroH. 20 June 5/6 There has never before been so pro-
nounced a reluctance to accept the vice-presidential
Domination.
181
Vice-q,ueen. [Vice-.] a. A woman mling
as the representative of a queen, b. The wife of
a viceroy. (Cf, Vicereine.)
1578 T. N, tr. Conq. IK India (1596) 7 His mother and
three sisters. .came to the Hand of Santo Domingo, with
that vicequeene the Lady Mary of Toledo. 1628-9 Digbv
yoy, Medit. (Camden) 77, I ..sent some letters to the Vice-
queene of Sardinia. 1667 Lond. Gaz. No. 221/3 Naples,
Dec. 13... The next day the Vice-Roy went incognito to
visit him, which was the day after returned him by the
Cardinal : who paid also his complements to the Vice
Queen. 1749 Smollett Gil Bias ni. ix, Heavens ! what
luxury and magnificence ! I believed myself in the palace
of a vice-queen. 1796 Nelson 28 Sept. in Nicolas Disp.
(1845) II. 284 If the Enemy land near Bastia, the Vice-
Queen's Vatch may be useful. 1842 Miss Mitford in
L'Estrange Z-i/^r (1870) Ill.ix. 139 Think of., the vice-queen
of Portugal labouring as a bookseller's drudge. 1894
Dublin Re7'. Oct. 463 A great Roman lady, who played the
part of a vice-queen m Judea.
Vice-re'Ctor. [Vice-. Cf. F. vice-recleufy
It. vicerettore, Sp. vicerector^ Pg. -reitor.'\ A
deputy rector (of a theological college).
1629 Wadswobth Pilgr. iii, 12 Entire obseruance and
duly to bee performed to the Rector.., next to the Vice-
Rector as his minister. 1834 in Ushaiv Mag. Dec (1913)
259 Your late worthy Vice Rector has been at Ushaw some
days. 1890 I. Morris in Month. Apr. 491 With Dr. Ferdi-
nand English, then Vice-Rector of the English College at
Rome, . . I left England.
Hence Vice-re *ctor ship.
1856 J. Morris in J. H. Pollen Life (1896) vii. 165 When
the Vice-Rectorship of the English College was offered me,
I did not hesitate to accept it.
Viceregal, a. [Vice- + Regal a., after Vice-
roy sb.'\ Of or pertaining to, associated with, a
viceroy.
1839 Levkr H. Z-tfrri-^/z^Kix, One of my fellow-passengers
was a gentleman holding a high official appointment in the
viceregal court. 1859 Lang li^and. India 325 He found a
carriage ready to convey him to the vice-regal dwelling.
1874 ^TUBBS Const. Hist. I. xiii. 563 The viceregal character,
which the justiciar certainly possessed.
Hence Vloe-re'^alize v. trans, y to convert into
a viceroyalty ; Vice-re'Gfally cdv,, as a viceroy.
1847 Mrs. Gore Castles in Air xxviii, In many things,
our poor vice-regalized kingdom only too strongly resembles
Ireland. x88x Acadetny April 271 The people whom he had
ruled vice-regally.
Vice-re 'gent. [Vice-. Cf. It. vicereggenu,'\
One who acts in place of a regent.
In some early instances perh. an error for vice-gerent,
1556 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. X. 315 To aiie boy ryn-
nand..to Dunkell witht clois writtingis of the viceregentis.
1581 Marbeck Bk. Notes 842 Who doubieth then, but if the
Pope bee Vicar to the Prince of this world, he is Viceregent
to the Diuell. i6<l9 Dryden Tyrannic Lave \\\. i, But
Monarchs are the Gods Viceregents here. 1817 Scott
Surg. Dau. xii, The Nawaub has placed his young son,
Tippoo, as Vice-Regent of his newly-conquered territory of
Bangalore. 1889 W. Wilsok State § 104 {1893) 67 The five
Ephors..were originally mere deputies of the kings, ap-
pointed., to act as vice-regents in the absence of their royal
principals.
trans/, x66o Marq. Worcester IKater-Comm. Engine
(1663) 15 A Viceregent or Countervail supplying the place
and performing the full force of a Man, Wind, Beast or Mill.
II Vicereine (vjsr^). Also vice-reine. [a. F,
vicereine, f. vice- Vice- +reine queen.] The wife
of a viceroy; also (less usually), = Vice-queen a.
Common from c 18S5.
i8»3 Mrs. A. Judson Amer. Bait. Miss. Burtnan Emp.
Contents, Letter v. Visit of the Vice-reine. [Cf. p. 63 Her
highness, the viceroy's wife, visited us.] 1833 Lady Beding*
FELO in yemingfuun Lett. (1S96) II. 391 Residing 3 years
at Brussels, .at the time that it belonged to Austria and had
, .the Arch D. Mary Christine for Vice-Reine. t88a Times
■2'j July 5/1 Those, .who have expressed to her Highness the
vicereine and [the Khedive] himself their sympatny. 1896
Pali Mall Mag. Jan. 105 The Viceroy and the Vicereine
stand before Tippoo 's throne, supported .. by the leading
officials.
Viceroy (vai'sroi), sb. Also 6-7 viceroye, 6
wize roy, vizeroye (7 -roy), 6-7 vizroy; 6-7
//. -roles, [a. older F. vice-roy, visroy (F. vice'
roi)^ f. vice- ViCK- + rot king. So It. viceri^ Pg.
vicerei, Sp. virey.
Formerly freq. written or printed with hyphen and occas.
as two words.]
1. One who acts as the governor of a country,
province, etc., in the name and by the authority of
the supreme ruler ; a vice-king.
a. 15J4 Chron. Calais (Camden) 34 The xxiiij. of Febru-
ary Frauncis the Frenche kynge was taken prisoner . . by the
vice-roy of Naples. 1555 Edon Decades (Arb.) 103 Inacus
lopez Alcndocius, . .viceroye of Granata. 1598 Barckley
Felic. Man 111. (1603) 241 The part rather of a tyrant then of
a vice-roy. a 1641 Bp. Mountagu Acts <5- Mon. (1642) 135
The custome being in Persia, that in the nece-isary absence
of the Prince in State, the Heire apparent was Vice-roy.
1698 J. Fryer Acc. E. India ^ P. 151 A long Gallery, hung
round with the Pictures at length of all the Vice-Roys that
had been in East India down to the present Vice-Roy.
XT^Gentl. Mag. VII. 685/2 His Catholick Majesty's.. dis-
patching all the necessary Orders to his Vice-Roys, Gov-
ernors, and other Officers. 1787 \. Hamilton IVks. (1886)
VII. I J The government lately established in Canada — the
splendid title of Viceroy — seems to look beyond the dreary
regions of Canada and Nova Scotia. 1808 Pike Sources
Mississ. III. App. 4 The whole political government of the
vice-roy of Mexica 1877 ^- ^' Cooper Egypt. Obelisks
xu (1878) 61 This obelisk, .was presented to the late Duke
of Northumberland . . by the Viceroy of Egypt. x88o Encycl.
VICEROYSHIP.
Brit. XII, 768/1 The supreme authority over all British
India. .is vested, .in the viceroy or governor-general-in-
Council.
^. 1582 N. LiCHEFiELD tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. 1.
Uxvi. 156 b, And so they remained untill the comming of
the Vizeroye Don Francisco de Almeda. 1590 Webbe
Trav. (Arb.) 24 These 60 Kings are all his Wize Royes in
seuerall places. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. <y Commiv. (1603)
336 The vizeroies of that huge tract do acknowledge him
for their soueraigne and supreme gouernour. i6ao Dekker
His Dream Wks. (Grosartj III. 20 About him, round (Like
petty Viz-royes), Spirits (me thought) all-Crownde.
2. transf. One having authority or rank com-
parable to that of a viceroy.
£'1590 Greene Friar Bacon 178 Now Maisters of our
Academicke State, That rule in Oxford, Vizroies in your
place. 1591 Lambabde Archeion (1635)97 I'^e King.. is
within his owne Kingdome the Vice-roy of God. a 1631
Donne Serin, i. (1634) 21 God creates man whom He con-
stitutes His Vice-roy in the world. 1644 [H. Parker] yus
Popttli^$ The Judges were Gods Vice-Roys, in regard they
did transact affairs by direction from Gods own mouth,
i676GREW^Ma/. PI, Exper. Luct. 238 For what Dominion
a Prince hath over the Moral, that a Physician hath, as
one of God Almighty's Vice-Roys, over the Corporeal
World. 1818 Lady Morgan Autobiog. (1859) 279 When
Barras reigned, and the beautiful Madame TalHen reigned
viceroy over him. 1837 Scott Chron. Cattongate iii,
Christie Steele was my mother's body servant, her very
right hand, and.. something like a viceroy over her.
attrib. 1656 Cowley Chronicle Wks. (1905) 41 But in her
place I then obey'd Black-ey'd Bess, her Viceroy-Maid ;
To whom ensu'd a Vacancy.
3. Ent. An American species of butterfly, .5a«7-
archia Archipptts, distinguished by handsome red
and black colouring.
x88i S. H. ScuDDER Butterflies vii. 103 The caterpillar of
the Viceroy signifies its displeasure at any disturbance by
tossing the head upward.
Hence Vl'ceroy v, (with zV), to rule as or like a
viceroy.
x8az Examiner 596/1 They, forsooth, may viceroy it over
authority with propriety.
Viceroyal, a. [f. prec. + -al. Cf. Vicekigal
a.] Of or pertaining to a viceroy,
t 1728 Swift Two Lett, Itnproz', Ireland Wks. 1841 II. gi
Burnet.. has not hitherto been able to persuade his vassals
. . to settle a revenue on his viceroyal person. 1868 Mrs.
Horace Mann Life in Argentine Republic 122 A viceroyal
government was expressly created for it \sc. Buenos Ayres
in i7_77l.
Viceroyalty. \2i^. Y. vice-roy auU\ seeVicE-
and Royalty. Stressed either on the first or
second syllable.]
1. The office, rank, or authority of a viceroy.
1703 Lond. Gaz. No. 3883/1 The Amba'^sador is not con-
tented.., having entertained great hopes of being advanced
to the Viceroyalty of Naples. 1740 Smollett Gil Bias
vm. ii, Here 1 saw commanders ancf knights of Calalrava
and St. lago, solliciting for governments and viceroyalties.
1800 Hist. Itui. in Asiat. Ann. Reg. 29/2 Pedro Malcar-
enhas, on whom the viceroyalty devolved on the decease of
Meneses. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. vi. II. 156 Sunder*
land .. offered to procure for Tyrconnel supreme military
command, enormous appointments, anything but the vice*
royalty. 1867 Freeman Norm. Cong. I. vi. ^75 This fact,
coupled with Thurkill's similar viceroyalty in Denmark,
shows that Cnut [etc.].
b. In quasi- concrete use : A viceroy or viceregal
household.
1844 Lover Handy Andy ix, Fancy might suggest that
the bouse rejoiced, as it were, in its honoured position,.,
because it was under the nose of viceroyalty. 1909 IVestm.
Gaz. 16 Sept. 4/2 1 his property . . was bought by the
Government in 1864 as a dwelling for Viceroyalty.
2. A province or dependency commonly ad-
ministered by a viceroy.
1715 Lond. Gaz. No. 5323/2 The . . Ship . . which is to carry
the Prince to his Viceroyalty of Peru. 1777 Robertson
Hist. Amer. \n. (1778) II. 332 Costa Rica and Veragua..
belong to the vice-royalty of New Spain. j8i6 Tuckev
Narr. Expcd. R. Zaire iv. (1818) 159 1 he opposite sides of
the river form two vice royalties. 1844 Regul. dj- Ord. Army
37 The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland shall be entitled to re-
ceive from tlie forts and batteries within His Vice-Royalty
a Royal Salute. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U.S. VI. Ivi. 441
The seeds of rebellion were already [in 1782] sown in the
vice-royalties of Buenos Ayres and Peru.
3. The period during which a particular viceroy
holds office.
1849 Ht. Martineau Hist, Peace v. ii. (1877) III. 207
Ireland bad never been so well governed as during the vice-
royalty of Lord Mulgrave. 1865 Maffei Brigand Li/e II.
21 During the vice-royalty of the Count of Castrillo. 1883
B. Smith Li/e Ld. Lawrence xxviii. II. 534 'I'here had been
a deficit in more than one year of his Viceroyalty.
Vioeroydom. rarr-K [f. Viceroy sb. + -dom.]
«prec. I.
17x1 in loM Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 125 To
putt allwayes the Viceroydom into the hands of an Irish
Catholick.
Viceroyed, a. rarer-^. [f. as prec] Committed
to a viceroy.
1839 Bailev Festus 347 His is the sway of social sovereign
peace :. . His is the vice-royed, vouched-safe, sway of God.
Vixeroyship, [f. Viceroy -k- -ship.]
1. = Viceroyalty i.
1639 Fuller Holy IFar 11, xxxv. 89 The Saracen Caliph
commanded in Egypt ; under whom, two great Lords. .fell
out about the Sultanie or Vice-royship of that land. x686
Lond. Gaz. No. 2156/2 The Viceroyship of Sardinia, vacant
by the removal of the Count de Fuensalichi to the Govern-
ment of Milan, is not yet disposed of. 1711 Ibid, No. 5953/*
VIGESIMAL.
The Prince.. took Possession of the Viceroyship of this
Kingdom. 1794 Nelson 24 Oct. in Nicolas Disp. (1845) I.
498 Since your Excellency has taken upon you the Viccroy-
Bhip of Corsica. 1893 Sir H. W. Norman in Mem. (1908)
297, I cannot face the Viccroyship [of India}...! feel I am
not really equal to five years of arduous work.
2. = ViCEBOYALTV 3.
1609 Ro»-LEV Search for Money (Percy Soc.) 24 These
gardners, or guardians, of this their little viceroyship, were
now approached us. 1703 J. Savage Lett. Antients Ixxxii.
225 The Dominion and Viceroyship of the Triballians. 1766
J. Z. HOLWELL Orig, Princ. Anc. Brojnins 11. iv. (1779) ^o
Thus the empire was divided into as many kingdoms, as
there had been Viceroyships and Governments. x8a7 Scott
NapoUoH xlvii, I will. .divide it [jc. Spain] into five. .vice-
royships.
3. = ViCKROTALTY 3.
1709 E. Ward tr. Cervantes 200 The Viceroy .. resolv'd to
be more favourable to Don Vincent, in case he should be
found in Valencia, before his Viceroyship was expir'd. x8at
New Monthly Ma^. VI. 51 His viceroyship will never be
forgotten. 1W9 Sir S. Walpole Life Ld. J. Russell I.
xvii. 460 During the first few months of his Viceroyship.
Vicesiiaal (v^ise'simal), a. rare, [f. L. vJce-
sim-us twentieth, f. vlchil'. see Vicenary.] -
Vigesimal a. Also + Vice'sim. Obs.-^
1656 Bloxwt Ghssogr.y I'icesimal^ Vicesim, the same with
Vicenarious. xgoa Daily Chron. 11 Jan. 5/2 Our system
has inherent advantages for conversion over the former
vicesimal and duodecimal system of France.
t Vice'Sime. Obsr^ [ad. l^.vicesima {sc. fars) :
see prec] A twentieth part.
x6oo Holland Livysu. xvi._26o He proposed a law. .con-
cerning a twentitb part or vicesime, to be levied of their
goods that were made free.
Vice-trea*surer. [Vice-.] One who acts
as the deputy or representative of a treasurer;
spec, an official acting in this capacity in the govern-
ment of Ireland.
iS4i-a in R. Bolton Stat. Irei.{i62i) 231 Which shall be
Sroued by writing . .before the two chiefe Justices, the chiefe
;aron and the Vicethesaurer. 1547 Privy Council Acts
(1890) II. 135 The Vicethresaurier of the Mynt at Bristowe.
1551 Sir J. Williams Accompte (Abbotsford) \<^ Roberte
Fowler, vicc-treasourer, and Thomas Fowler, receiver. 1633
T. Stafford Pac. Hib. \. (1821) 31 The Vice-treasurer and
generall Receiver of the Queenes Majesties revenewes of
this Realme. 1676 Earl Essex in Essex Papers (Camden)
II. 57 All the projects ,. w[hilch arise from our Vice
Treasurer, do still tend to this not to have any money left
here in the Treasury. 1710 Lond. Gaz. No. 4699/3 Mr.
Pratt, Deputy- Vice-Treasurer, delivered.. several Papers
relating to the Receipts and Payments of the Vice-
Treasurer, a iwj in ■3,rd Rep. Hist, MSS. Cotnm. 434/1
Mr. Flood & Mr. Hussey Burgh, the two best popular
speakers, were very much softened, & Flood made Vice-
Treasurer. x86o L. Harcourt Diaries G. Rose I. 71 The
office of Vice- Treasurer of Ireland,
Hence Vioe-trea'snrerslilp.
^^^\ Marvkll Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 396 My Lord
Angier, who bought, .the Vicetreasurership of Ireland,, .is,
betwixt knavery and foolery, turned out. 1765 Ld. Holland
in Jesse Selwyn ff Contemp. (1843) I. 394 Will he have a
Vice-Treasurership of Ireland? 1840 Penny Cycl. XVI.
396/2 Lord Rockingham had. .offered him the chancellor-
ship of the exchequer, and the vice-treasurership of Ireland.
t Vicety. Obs,-^ (App. f. Vice sb.'^ + -ty, for
the sake of rime.)
1633 B. JoNSON Lovers Welcome Wks. (1641) 278 Acci.
Here is to the fruit of Pem. Fitz. Grafted upon Stub his
Stem. Acci. With the Peakish Nicetie. Fitz And old
Sherewood's Vicetie.
II Vice versa (vai's* vausa), adv. pkr. Also
vice versft. [L. (also versa vice) ^ from vice^ abl.
sing, oivicis turn, place, position, etc., and versdj
abl. sing, fem. of versus^ pa, pple. of verUre to
turn. So F. vice versd, Sp., Pg., It. vice versa,
viceversa.'] With a reversal or transposition of the
main items in the statement just made ; contrari-
wise, conversely.
1601 A. Copley Answ. Let. Jesuited Gent. 23 They are
like to bee put to such a penance and the Arch-Priests vice*
versa to be suspended and attainted as Schismaticall. 1665
Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 335 When it rains and blows
. .all along the Coast of Malabar.. no Sun appears: con-
trarily. .those Countreys on that side Bellagate have then
clear Sun-shine weather.. .And vice versa, the season varies.
16B9 Prior Epist. to F. v9/«/Ad:«/6o The Thesis, z//ctf-z'^rj(i
put, Should Hebrew-wise be understood. 1710 Palmer
Proverbs 78 Nor can we ask his favour upon occasion, and
so vice versa he can make no use of us. 177a Regul. H.M.
Service at Sea 21 The Number of the first Entry is to be
noted against the Number of the Re-entry, and 7'ice versa,
the Number of the Re-entry against the Number of the
first Entry. 1803 Med. yrnl. X. 524 It may probably
happen that those who have the disorder mildly are con-
sioered only to have a common cold ; and, vice versa, a
heavy accidental catarrh may rank as influenza. 1830 R-
Knox Bfclartts Anat. 315 So that each portion of muscle
is single at one extremity, and at the other is continuous
with two portions; and vice versa, each of the latter is con-
nected with a double portion of the opposite extremity,
b. Freq. in and {fso) vice versa, or vice "tersa,
used to imply the complementary statement with-
out expressing it in words.
1642 Howell For. Trav. \x. (Arb.) 47 The yeaue of the
Conquering of France [by Spain), is the morning of the
Conquest of England (and viceversa). 1677 Plot Oxfordsh.
246 For Clay ground they have their seed from Red-land
or Chalk, & vUe versa. 1688 Bovle Final Causes Nat.
Things IV. 227 Not Anatomical but Chymical, or Vice
Versa. 1761 Stiles in Phil. Trans. LV. 255 These separ-
ated parts . . stretching or contracting themselves from round
182
to oval and cylindrical, and viceversa, 1787 Best Angling
(ed. 2) 42 The larger he [the pike] is, the coarser the food,
and so vice versa. 1B35 W. R. Hamilton tr. Severn's Ess.
Birds 0/ Aristoph. loi Flying is compared to rowing and
sailing, and vice versa. 1854 Poultry Chron. \. 2^3/2 The
young birds are sent packed in the old class hamper, or,
z'ice versA. 1885 Leudesdorf Cremona's Proj. Geom. 122
Consequently the tangents at four harmonic points are
harmonic, and vice versa.
Vice -warden. [Vice-,] A deputy warden
(esp. of the Stannaries or the Borders). Hence
Vioe-wardexury, -ship.
1536 in Priory of Hexham (Surtees) App. p. cxxxv, ^'he
lord Ogle beyng admytted as vice-warden. Ibid. p. cxxxvi,
Sir Ingram Percy beyng dischargid of the vice-wardenry.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV, 17 b, In the returne he was
encountered with therle of Northumberlandes vicewarden,
and other gentilmen of the borders. 1640 Act 16 Chas. I,
c. 15 The Warden, Vice Warden, or Steward of the said
Stanaries. 1703 Ld. Granville in Lond. Gaz. No. 3951/2,
I refer to my Vice- Warden to lay before you the present
State of the Stannaries. fri79o Ettcycl. Brit. (ed. 3) V.
462/1 (Cornwall), The lord-warden appoints a vice-warden
to determine all stannery disputes every month. 1836 Act
6-7 IVilliafn IV, c 106 § r The Court of Equity of the Vice
Warden..of the said Stannaries. 1863 Rules for Appeals
to Lord Warden of Stannaries i, Any person desiring to
appeal to the Lord Warden of the Stannaries from a. .de-
cision of the Vice- Warden. 1901 Westm. Gaz. 13 Dec. 2/3
Ejected from the Vice-wardenship of the Stannaries, he was
again returned to the House of Commons.
Vioh, ME. var. Each a, ; obs. Sc. f. Which.
Vichaunceller, obs. f. Vice-chancellor.
Viclioraft, obs. Sc. form of W^itchcbaft.
Vicht, obs. Sc. var. Wight sb. and a.
II Vichy (vffO* [See def.] The name of a town
in the department of AUier in Central France, used
attrib. and ellipt. to designate a mineral water ob-
tained from springs there.
1858 SiMMONos Diet. Trade s.v,, Vichy-water. 1876
Nature XIV. 320/a Vichy waters, from a physiological and
hygienicpoint of view, x^^SmartSet IX. 16 He. .mixed
the contents of the phial in a glass half-filled with vichy.
Vioiat(G, obs. ff. Vitiate.
Vicinage (vi-sined,?). Also 4 vesinage, 7
vicenage, visinage. [ad. OF. visenage {visnage) ,
vicenage^ or voisinage (see Voisinage), with as-
similation of the stem to the original L. vlctn-us :
cf. Vicinity.]
1. A number of places lying near to each other
taken collectively ; an area extending to a limited
distance round a particular spot ; a neighbourhood.
Usu. with thef this^ or similar word, but occasionally with
a or in pi.
a 1325 MS. Rawl. B.S20 fol. 55 Somune J>oru gode som-
unse xii fre men ant trewe of vesinage of N. 1551 Holoet,
Vicinage, vicinia, nicinetum. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. 11.
136 King Ethelred . . began the tryal of Causes by a Jury of
twelve men to be chosen out of the Vicenage. 1685 in
Vertuy Mem. (1907) II. 376 All our most able and Eminent
Doctors of this Vicinage, c \ioq Pomfbet Poet. Wks, (1833)
37 Adam by an injured Maker driven From Eden's groves,
the vicinage of Heaven. 1777 W. Dalrymplb Trav. Sp. ff
Port, cxx, The regiments are. .recruited from the vicinage.
1791 Burke App. Whigs Wks. VI. 122 The Metropolis and
its Vicinage. 1813 C. Vancouver Agriculture of Devon
2i6 All such other parts of the district as at this time are. .
open to all the inhabitants of the vicinage, a 1853 W. Jay
Autobiog. (1854) iv. 37 So it was with the vicinages all
around Marlborough. 1868 Lossing Hudson i The agricul-
tural and mineral treasures of its vicinage.
b. Freq. in the phrase in the (also, this^ our,
etc.) vicinage,
1638 Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. II) 182, I am afraid of
a Potgun or a Squib; far from running upon Muskets and
Swordpoints as they say in our Vicinage, a i66x Fuller
Worthies (1840) III. 394 No less than twenty thousand
pounds worth of this coarse commodity [lime] is yearly
made, and vended in the vicinage. 1676 Doctrine of De-otls
92 Until he have gotten the favour and blessing of all the
Witches in the Vicinage, yea in the Hemisphere. 1748
Richardson Clarissa (1811) I. xxxiv. 255 She is the only
flower of fragrance, that has blown in this vicinage for ten
years past. 1791 H. Walpole Let. to Misses Berry 11 Sept.
(1840) VI. 455 The French ladies in my vicinage. X814
Scott Wav. x. He had lived in retirement, _ conversing
almost entirely with those of bis own principles in the vicin-
age. i86i Beresf. Hope Eng. Cathedr. tgth C_ viii. 274
The. .recommendation of a sufficient population in the vi-
cinage. 1883 Manch. Exam. 3 Oct. 54 People in the
vicinage.. were not in a mood to regard it as a gratuitous
picturesque display.
fig. 1649 Jer. Tavlor Gi. Exemfi. Disc. v. § 24 That soul
that.. invites an enemy to view its possessions and live in
the vicinage, loves the sin itself.
C. transf. The people living in a certain district
or neighbourhood.
1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. Ixvii. 262 Barrons shall
be amerced by their Peeres, others by the vicinage. x67a
[H. SruBHEl Rosemary ^ Bayes 17, 1 could wish they would
not disturb the visinage with declamations against Mr.
Calvin. 1796 Burke Regie, i^eace i. Wks. VIII. 187 Where
there is no constituted judge,, .the vicinage itself is the natu-
ral judge. x8ai Cobbett Rur. Rides (1885) I. 46 Relying,
for influence, not on the good will of the vicinage, but upon
the dread of their power. 1836 Ld. Cockbukn yr«/. (1874)
I. 122 Towns and their rustic vicinages are agitating against
this measure. 1863 J. Thrupp Anglo-Sax. Home 269 The
vicinage applied . . to the bishop for leave to dig up the body
and bum k.
2. The fact of being or living close to another or
others ; nearness, proximity : a. Of persons ; spec.
in Law as entitling to certain rights of common.
VICINB.
1598 MARSTON5f(T. Villanie I. iii. 182 lie winke at Robrus,
that for vicinage Enters common, on bis next neighbors
stage. i6o> FuLBECKE sst Pt. Parall. 14 If I prescribe to
liaue common because of vicinage in such a village 1626
Daniel Hist, Eng. Wks. (Grosart) IV. loi By reason of
the vicinage, and innumerous populacie of that Nation.
1679 J. Goodman Penit. Pard. l ii. (1713) 30 As if his
father's presence or vicinage would put too great a restraint
upon him. 1766 Blackstone Comm. II. 33 Common be-
cause of vicinage, or neighbourhood, is where the inhabit-
ants of two townships, which lie contiguous to each other,
have usually intercommoned with one another. 1823 Cob-
bett Rur. Rides (1830)203 The tarred, trowsered, and blue-
and-buff crew whose very vicinage I always detest. 1830
Mackintosh Partition ofl'oland Wks. 1846 II. 338 In a de-
claration delivered at Warsaw, Catherine declared, that she
did nothing but in virtue of the right of vicinage, acknow-
ledged by all nations. 1891 J. Winsor Colufiwus xvi. 357
St. Augustine, St. Basil, and St. Ambrose had placed the
Garden of Eden far in the Old World's east, apart from the
common vicinage of men.
b. Of things or places.
1686 Goad Celcsi. Bodies \. ix. 34, I began to guess the
Reason of its Activity, as borrowed from the vicinage of the
warmer Corpuscles. 1696 Whiston The. Earth iv. (1722)
356 The particular Prerogatives . . do not entirely depend on
..the Vicinage of the Central Heat. 1826 Cobbeit /"(wr
Alan's Friend ii. Are they, now, to complain, if the vicinage
of these same works causes a charge of rates there ? 1844
Disraeli Coningsby vi. ii, The common white pottery, .will
not bear vicinage to a brisk kitchen fire for half-an-hour.
i88o Scribners Mag, Mar. 6(k>/2 The vicinage of the tra-
veling studio was an occasion and a pretext for unprece*
dented larks.
3. In the vicinage of, near or contiguous to, in
the neighbourhood o(. Cf. Vicinity 4.
1782 Mrs. H. Cowlev Bold Stroke for Husb. v. ii,
In the vicinage of Rosalvo, bounded on the west by the
river. 1789 Trans. Soc. Arts I. 151 If I had had any in
the vicinage of my plantation. i8ia J. Henry Caitip,
agst. Quebec 99 The Canadians in the vicinage of Quebec
lived as comfortably. 1830 Croly George IV, 412 The
length of canal navigation in the vicinage of London,
185a H. Rogers Eel. Faith (1853) 151 They had become a
centre and a source, .of moral pestilence, in the vicinage of
which it was unsafe for men to dwell.
Vicilial(vi'sinal, vissi'nal), a. [ad. L. vTctndl-is,
{, victn-us neighbour. So OF. and F. vicinal,']
1. * Belonging to neighbours or neighbourhood.'
i6«3 Cockeram I. 1656 Blount Glossogr. 1727 Bailsy
(vol, II).
2. Vicinal way or ready a local common way as
distinguished from a highway ; a by-road or cross-
road,
1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 314 Of these [public ways] amongst
the Romans some were called publick Jtar' tfojjij*', and
others Vicinal. 17*7 Magna Brit. |V Hib. IV. 210/2 Among
the Vicinal Ways, or Chemini minores, there is also one
in this County. 1790 Pennant London (1813) 13 A vicinal
way went under Aldgate.. towards Oldford. 1791 Newte
Tour Eng, ^ Scot. 259 From this permanent station, a vici-
nal or cross road is carried through Glenartney. 1807 G.
Chalmers Caledonia I. i. iv. 135 From this place. .there
probably went off a vicinal way to the Roman stations in
Tweedale. 1812 J. Bigland Beauties Eng. .y Wales XVI.
15 This, .appears to have been only a vicinal road of the
Romans. 1878 Hardy Ret. Native 1. i, In many portions
of its course it overlaid an old vicinal way, which branched
from the great Western road of the Romans.
b. Similarly with other sbs.
1799 R. Warner Walk thro' W. Counties (1800) 8 The
operations of husbandry have depressed, and indeed obliter-
ated in many places, this grand vicinal Dorsum. x8sx D,
Wilson Preh. Ann. II. iii. ii. 73 A small vicinal camp on
the banks of the Kirble. 190X Speaker 31 Aug. 618 He saw
a good-looking cure smoking in a vicinal railway.
d. Neighbouring, adjacent, near.
1739 Maitland Hist. London i. ii. 10/1 The noisom
Vapours incessantly emitted from that and the vicinal
Marshes. 1790 Phil. Trans. LXXX. 232 In vicinal situa-
tions, the next best mode to angular measurement is no
doubt that of marking, by means of well-regulated clocks, . .
the repeated . .explosion of light. x84a Proc. Lond. Electr,
Soc. (1843) 355 Sparks will pass from such a wire, and, there-
fore, from a lightning-rod, to vicinal conducting bodies.
b. Malh. and Min, Nearly coincident with a
given surface or plane.
1895 Cayley Math. Papers VIII. 302, I investigate the
values of a, b, . . for the point P' on the vicinal surface.
Ibid, 309 The lines which .. correspond to the principal
tangents of the vicinal surface must be the principal tangents
of the given surface.
C. Org. Chem. Of substituted groups or atoms :
Lying in consecutive order ; adjacent to each other.
1898 J. WaOe Introd. Org.Chem. 288 With regard to the
higher substitution products.. there should be three classes
of tri- derivatives, and only three . . , all conceivable arrange-
ments being reducible to the positions 1:2:3, pr vicinal,
1:2:4, or unsymmetrical. and 1:3:51 or symmetrical. 1900
E. F. Smith xx. Richter's Org. Cliem. II. 39 We call them
adjacent . .or . . vicinal.
4. Connected with the relations between a per-
son and his neighbours.
1855 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. XVI. 11. 570 No harm, agricul-
tural or fiscal, vicinal or political, shall betide the giver of
such . . assistance.
t Vi'cinate, v. Obs, rare, [ad. L. viclndt-, ppl.
stem of vlclndri, f. vtclnus : see next.] trans. To
lie near to, to adjoin.
1638 Sir T. Herbert rm:/.(cd.2) 2^ The Land .. sealed so
advantagiously for traffique,. .and vicinaiing those golden
countries of Mozambiq', Guiloa [etc.]. Ibid. 114 lasques
and Kostack in Margastan vicinating them.
Vi'Cinei a- Now rare. Also 6 vycyne, 7
VICINITY.
vicin. [ad. L. vidn-us neighbouring, near.] =
Vicinal a. 3.
a 1513 Fabyan CArm. vii. 312 These men .. subdued y«
Partyes, and many other vycyne counlreys. a 1550 Leland
/tin. (1769) V. 2, Aii .Myles a this side Montgomcricis a
River cumming out of the vicine Hilles. 1553 in Hakluyt
I'oy. (1599) I. 229 God, vnder whose merciful! hand naui-
gants aboue all other creatures naturally bee most nigh, and
vicine. 1605 L. Hutten Aunswere 28 With.. due regarde
alwaies had, to the easines and familiarity of the Ceremonie,
that it be vicine, hard at hanii, and obvious, not far fetcht.
1661 Glanvill I'an. Dopn. iv. 35 The opening of other
vicine passages might quickly obliterate any tracks of these.
1676 Jas. Cooke Mat-rtKu Ckirurg. iv. 11. i. 715 In Ustion
■ take heed of Vicin parts, and apply Cauteries through a
Pipe. i8j4 Guide to Aberystwyth 31 The visitor of Aber-
ystwyth, .parading the Terrace Castle Ruins or the vicine
hills.. gives the subject but an ordinary thought.
Vicinity (visi-niti). [ad. L. vidnitas, {.
vicin-iis : see prec. and -ITT. So It. viciniti, Sp.
vecindad^
1. The state, character, or quality of being near
in space ; propinquity, proximity.
iSfa Daus tr. SUidane's Comm. 12 b. For the Frenchmen
'^?'?'. ?' '*" ^^""^ offspringe that we do. . : and for the
vicinitie therof are very necessary for the Italians and us.
1604 T. Wright Passions v. § 4. 275 The vicinitie also of
the evill moveth much, for dangers afarre off we little
esteeme. i«4i J. Jackson Tnie Evang. T. ill. 169 The
third IS ' to feed, and eate together '. Another degree of
vicinity, and neerenesse. 1698 Fkver Acc. £. India I, P.
226 The most unhealthy of these [winds] are the South-East,
for that then the .^ir is thicker, by reason of the Seas Vicin.
ity. 1717 Swift St. Irel. Wks. 1755 V. 11. 166 The abund-
ance and vicinity of country seats, a 1774 Golusm. Hist.
Greece I. 105 But the Athenians were not to be intimidated
by any vicinity of danger. 1815 Scott Betrothed xix. The
Constable alleged the vicinity of the Welsh, as what might
possibly again render the abode of his betrolh<d bride.,
perilous. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vL II. 102 He had
forgotten that vicinity operates in more ways than one.
189a Photogr. AnH.ll.-n-! Under these conditions all vicin-
ity of watercourses, unless bridged, should be avoided.
b. Const, to, with.
1651 Baxter Lett, to Church at BruxUey 10 That we may
enjoy the comfort of unity, .according to our vicinity with
you on Earth. 16S1 Rvcaut tr. Gracian's Critick 23 All
those Epithets of changeable, defective, ..and the like, are. .
derived from her too near vicinity with the Earth. 1781
CowPER Heroism 52 Ill-fated race ! how deeply must they
rue Their only crime, vicinity to you ! 1836-7 Dickens Si.
Box, Scenes xxv. How much more awful Is it to reflect on
this near vicinity to the dying ! 1858 J. Martineau Stud.
Chr. 206 This vicinity to the great capital drew him, how-
ever, into a wider circle of duties.
t 2. Nearness in degree or quality ; close rela-
tionship or connexion ; resemblance, likeness. Obs.
IS94 West 2iirf Pt. Symbol., Chancerie % 145 Unto whom
your said Oratrices husband, for the vicinity of bloud, and
abilitie of substance, was bolder to make his mone for helpe.
JS99 Broughtons Lett. xii. 42 Speeches farre more diHer-
ing from any vicinitie to prophanenes then this of yours.
1614 W. B. Philosophers Banquet (ed. 2) 51 The vicinity
with mans nature it hath. 164^ Jer. Taylor Episc. (1647)
281 .An honorary.and extraordinary priviledge indulged to
them for their vicinity and relation to our blessed Lord the
fountaine of all benison to us. a 1676 Hale Prim. Orig.
Man. 1. iii. (1677) 83 There is a vicinity between Agents and
Patients.
3. = Vicinage i.
X781 Jefferson Corr. Wks. 1859 I. 293 Lord Cornwallis
had advanced to the vicinities of the Moravian towns.
1789 /iid. III. 26 The progress of light .. has equalled
expecuiion in Paris only and its vicinities. 1835 I. Taylor
SHr. Despot, iv. 173 That .. tendency of things, which
places the clergy of a vicinity in opposition the one to the
other. 1843 LvTTXiN Last Bar. 1. viii. It commanded a full
view of the vicinity without. s86a Tyndall Glac. i. xi. 75
We were glad, .to escape the vicinity of that ugly crev-isse.
187s Helps Soc. Press, iii. 41 That might gradually have
the effect of removing all noxious trades from London and
as vicuiity.
4. /» the vicinity {of), in the neig^boarhood (of),
near or close (to). (Cf. Vlci>fAGK i b and 3.)
(a) Z796 H. Hunter tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) II.
229^ It would most probably have in it's vicinity, the tree
which Nature designed should contrast with it in the same
site. 1810 W. Irving Sketch Bk. I. 121 The merchant has
his snug retreat in the vicinity of the metropolis. 1840
Hood tip Rhine 161 The extraordinary transparency of
the atmosphere in the vicinity of the Rhine. 1864 Trevel-
YAN Compel. IVallah (i86«) 185 Amidst the park-like un-
dulating scenery in the vicinity of the town. 1891 Science-
Gossip XXVII. 14/1 During a severe storm in that year
the Port Glasgow ship ' Marseilles ' capsized in the vicinity
of Portpatrick.
i.b) 1817 Faraday Ckem. Manip. xviii. (1842) 479 The
minute hole . . may be obliterated by a little pressure towards
It upon the lute in the immediate vicinity. 1843 Lvttqn
Last Bar. iil v, A. young man of low stature, .slowly
approaching towards the arch, and every cap in the vicinity
was off, and every knee bowed.
b. With similar sense in other constructions.
Also trans/., something near to (a specified
amount, etc.).
1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv. iv. 145 A detachment
01 grenadiers were very expeditiously quitting the vicinity
of danger. 1901 Proc. New-Eng. Hist. Cental. Soc. 9 Jan.
D. XVI, Raising the extra cost of that number of the Annual
Proceedings to the vicinity of one hundred dollars.
VicinouB, a. rare-K [f. L. vicin-us: tee
Vicine a. and -0D8.] Extending to immediately
adjacent parts.
i8n^ Good Studji Med. (1829) V. 621 Local tetter,
umued to paiticulax otgaos j stationary, or vicinous.
183
Viciosity, variant of Vitiosity.
Vicious (vi-Jss), a. Forms : a. 4- vicious
(5-6 -ouse, 6 Sc, -us), 4 vecyous, 6 vicyous, 5V.
wioious ; 5-6 vycious(e, vycyous (5 -owse, 6
-ouse), 5 vysyous; 4-5 viciose (4 vycios).
&. 5-6 yitius, 6-8 (9) vitious (6 -ouse). [a.
AF. vicious^ OF. vicious (vitious), vicieus (F.
vicieux, = '6^. and Pg. vicioso. It. vizioso), or ad. L.
vitiosus (med.L. also viciosus), f. vitium fault
Vice sbX\
I. 1. Of habits, practices, etc. : Of the nature
of vice; contrary to moral principles; depraved,
immoral, bad.
a. C1340 Hampole Prose Tr. 15 Righte als before >e
lykynges in t>e sensualite ware fleschely, vayne, and vecyous
. ., righte so now ^ay ere made gastely, and clene. c 1380
WvcLiF 5f/. Wks. III. 430 pe mor part of men, bi her
yiciose lijf, ben combred in J^isheresye. 1390 Gower Conf.
III. Ill He is so ferforth Amourous, He not what thing is
vicious Touchende love, c 1410 Lydg. Assembly of Gods
2097 From hys gloryous syght thus he vs estraungeth, For
our vycyous lyuyng, thorough owre owne foly. c 1430 —
Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 70 O loode-sterre of al goode
governaunce ! Alle vicious lustes by wisdom to represse.
I53S-* Act 27 Hen. VIU, c. 28 § i Ther \sc. monks']
vycyouslyvyng shamelesly encreasseth & augmentith, 1555
Eden Decades (Arb.) 53 Dissolute lyuynge, licentious
talke, and such other vicious behauoures. 1613 Purchas
Pilgrimage \\. ix. (1614) ^91 Richard lohnson caused the
English, by his vicious liuing, to bee worse accounted of
then the Russes. 1690 Locke Hutu. Und. 11. xxi. § 45 He
. . who prefers the short pleasures of a vicious Life upon any
consideration. 1736 Butler Anal. i. iii. Wks. 1874 L 54
Vicious actions, considered as mischievous to society, should
be punished. 1791 Mrs. Radcliffe Rom. Forest viii, The
Marquis pursuing her with insult and vicious passion. 1838
Thirlwall Greece V. xliii. 249 Interpreted by his enemies
as a proof of unmanly luxury and vicious habits. 1875
JowETT Plato (ed. 2) IV. 13 Plato attempts to ideniily
vicious pleasures with some form of error.
^. 1535 STF.WARTCr<»«. Scot. (Rolls) II. 426 How Donaldus
. . wes crownit King of Scottis, and of his vitius Lyfe. 1585
T. Washington tr. Nickolay's Voy, x. xviii. 21 [He] changed
his good maners and vertues into most vitious tyrannies,
i6ai Burton Anat. Mel. i. i. 11. xi. 45 Thence come, .many
times vitious Habits, customes, ferall Diseases, cxtno
HoBBES Dial, Com. Lofws (i68i) 7 How can a man De
indicted of Avarice, Envy, Hypocrisie or any other vitious
Habit till it be declared? 1700 Prior Carmen Sectilare
xxxiv, Some [Societies] that to Morals shall recal the Age,
And purge from vitious Dross the sinking Suge. a 1763
Shenstone Elegies xv. 54 To fire with vitious hopes a
modest heir. 1791 Burke Let. to Memb, Nat. Assembly
j2 Though his practical and speculative morals were vitious 1
m the extreme. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. ii. 370
His conduct was vitious and weak. I
2. Of persons : Addicted to vice or immorality;
of depraved habits; profligate, wicked.
o. £^1386 Chaucer Monk's T. 473 Al^Kjuhe Nero were
as vicious As fende )>at lijw ful lowe adoune. c 1400
Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483) iv. xxxv, 83 Vpon theues and
morderers,..niysprowde men and vicious they shalle be
fyers in jugement. C1450 Mirk's Festial 253 For yche
good man ys lol>e forto be yn company wyth a vycyous
man. 1483 Rolls 0/ Par It. VI. 240/2 Personnes insolent,
vicious, and of inordinate avarice, a 1548 Hall Chron.,
Hen. K, ^3 b, A vicious prince doth muche more hurte with
his pernicious example to other then to hymself by his
peculier offence. isgA Barckley Felic. Man v. 518 Such
as he found rich & vicious, he would depriue them from
the Senate. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage viii. iv. 629 He saith,
that the Armouchiquois are a great people, but haue no
adoration. They are vicious and bloudie. 165a Loveoav
tr. Calprcnede's Cassandra iii. 161, I have known indeed
many of the viciousest persons lead a long life with sweet-
nessc and contentment. i7a9 Butler Serm. Wks. 1874 II.
22 Mankind is in this sense naturally vicious, or vicious by
nature, 1766 Fordyce Serm. to Vug. IVm. (1767) 1. L 10
There are foolish and vicious women. 1793 Holcroft tr.
Lavatefs Pkysiog, xxxi. 164 Vicious men resemble valu-
able paintings which have been destroyed by varnish. 1813
Shelley Q. Mab vil 124 Every soul on this ungrateful
earth. Virtuous or vicious, .. Shall perish. 1862 Thackeray
Philip V, I know his haunts, but I don't know his friends,
Pendennis. . , I don't think they are vicious, so much as low.
1874 Green Short Hist. ix. § i. 5S9 Vicious as the stage
was, it only reflected the general vice of the time.
fl. c i^/oo Destr. yr^y 527 Voidis me noght of vitius, ..Ne
deme no dishonesty in your derfe hert. 156a WinJet Wks.
(S.T.S.) I. 44 He causis sumtyme vitious or tyrane princes
. . to haue dominioun aboue vs. 1^96 Dalrvmple tr. Leslie's
Hist. Scot. I, i6» Jn the beginnmg of his regyne a gude
Prince, eftirwarde vitious. i6s8 Burton Anat. Mel. (ed. 3)
II. iii. VIL 330 Themistocles. .was a most deboshed and
vitious youth. 1660 Milton Free Commw. Wks. 1851 V.
451 Monarchs. .whose Aim is to make the People wealthy,
..but otherwise softest, basest, vitiousest, servilest. 1678
L'Estbangk Seneca's Afor. Uyo2) 178 Drunkenness, .does
not make Men Vitious but it shews them to be so. 1755
Young Centaur iv. W*ks. 1757 IV. 200 My les.s vitiou.s
companions fell frequent around me ; and dismal was
their fall.
t b. Const. 0/. 06s.
f 37> Chaucer Boeth. 11. pr. v. 47 pe whiche seruauntes
yif pel ben vicious of condtciouns it is a greet charge and a
destruccioun to \>e house. 1453 Coventry Leet Bk. 278 Vf
eny officers fro this tyme forward be founde vicious of his
body, that then he be put oute of his office in eny wise. 1460
Capgbave Chron. 116 He was vicious of lyvyng. a hunter
outeragious. 1530 Palsgr. 328 Vyciouse of conversacyon
1557 North Gueuara's Diall Pr. Prol. A j b. The man that
ts vitious of his personne. .deserveth to be banished. 1577
Holinshed Chron. II. 1556/1 Some Princes basterd, . . high
minded, full of reuenge, vitious of his body.
o, absoi, with Ike,
1390 Gower Con/. Ill, 226 He putte awey the vicious 1
VICIOUS.
And tok to him the vertuous. 1536 Q. Wishart in Misc
fVodro^vSoc, 18 And by all meanes compell and reproue
the faultie and vicious, a 1581 Campion Hist. Irel v
(1633) 13 In which venue. .how far the best excel! so farre
in gluttonie and other hatefull crimes the vitious are worse
then too badde. 1673 O. Walker Educ. {it^Ti) 220 Most
men have greater averseness to the incompliant than the
vitious. X711 Addison Sped. No. 16 p 3 If I attack the
Vicious, I shall only set upon them in a Body 178a V
Knox Ess. xu. (1819) L 71 With the vicious you must b^
vicious. «i8o5 H. K. White Mel. Hours Ix, She. .has
found, by bitter experience, that the vicious., are devoid of
all feeling but that of self-gratification. 1863 Biogr. Sk. E
fry 72 Her example of devotedness, in the care of the
wretched and vicious, was emulated with blessed effect.
d. The vicious one, ? the Evil One. rarr-K
1713 Shaftesb, Judgm. Hercules i. § 2 He is wrought,
agitated, and torn by contrary Passions. "Lis the last Effort
of the viiious-one, striving for possession over him.
3, Falling short of, or varying from, what is
morally or practically commendable; reprehen-
sible, blameworthy, mischievous,
c 1386 Chaucer IMelib. r 18 He that is irons and wroth. .
may not speke but blameful thinges, and with his vicious
wordes he stiretli other folk to anger and to ire. 1500-30
Dunbar Poems xviii. 38 Thair vicious wordis and vanitie,
Thair tratling tungis. 1531 Elyot Gov. iii. xxii. (1880) 11.
346 All thoughe 1 dispraysed nygarshippe and vicious
scarcitie, . . I desyre nat to haue . . meates for any occasion to
moche sumptuous. 1575 Gascoigne Glasse 0/ Govt. Wks.
1910IL45 To bee opinionate of him selfe is vitious. a 1578
LiNDESAV (Pitscottie) Chro7i. Scot. (S.T.S.) 1. 47 James.,
thinkand it was wicions to denude the auld herietaigof aiie
house [etc.]. 1611 Shaks. Cymb. v. v. 65 It had beene
vicious To haue mistrusted her. 1648 Milton Tenure
Rings ii6si) I Being slaves within doors, no wonder they
strive to have the State govern'd conformably to the inward
vitious rule, by which they govern themselves. i6oa Prior
Ode Imit. Horace ii, .See the Repenting Isle Awakes, Her
Vicious Chains the generous Goddess breaks. 1751 John-
son Rambler No. 159 ^ 7 A timidity which he himself knows
to be vicious. 1780 Cowper Let. 18 March, The love of
power seems as natural to kings as the desire of liberty is to
their subjects, the excess of either is vicious and tends to
the ruin of both, i8as Jefferson Autob. Wks. 1859 I. 36
Our legislation, under the regal government, had many very
vicious points. 1845 McCulloch Taxation i. iv. 115 We
look upon every system of taxation as radically vicious that
sets the interest and the dutyofindividuals at variance. 1879
Harlan Eyesight viii. 107 Voung people often acquire the
vicious habit of reading with the book held close to the eyes.
t b. Of a person : Holding faulty or wrong
opinions. Obs.
1657 Trapp Comm. Ps. v. 26 Pope John 22 held the mor-
tality of the soule, and was otherwise erroneous and vitious.
4. Of animals {esp. horses) : Inclined to be savage
or dangerous, or to show bad temper ; not sub-
mitting to be thoroughly tamed or broken-in.
In quot. 1720 in fig, context, referring to persons.
I7X« Shaftesu. Charac. II. 30 "Tho we may vulgarly
call an ill Horse vitious ; yet we never say of a good-one, , ,
that he is worthy or virtuous, xyzo Swift Fates Clergy.
men f g People in power may.. drive them through the
hardest and deepest roads.. and will be sure to find them
neither resty nor vicious. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776)
II. 363 Those [horses] naturally belonging to the country,
are very .small and vicious. Ibid. IV. 319 Although in its
native wildness, it is said to be fierce and vicious, this
[nylghau] seemed pleased with every kind of familiarity.
x8i8 Ranken Hist. France IV. iv. iii. 267 A vicious animal,
having injured any person, wasforfeited. i86§ ^L Arnold
Ess. Crit. vi. 19^ Look at that bay horse rearing bolt up-
right ; what a vicious one ! X893 J. A. Henderson Annals
Lower Deeside 156 Philip, being flung by a vicious horse,
likewise succumbed.
trans/. 1814 Ld, J. Russell in Sir S. Walpole Li/e (1889)
I. iii. 75 He [Napoleon] has a dusky grey eye, which would
be called vicious in a horse.
b. Full of malice or spite ; malignantly bitter or
severe,
i8a5 Jennings Dial, IV. Eng., Vitious, spiteful, revenge,
ful. 1899 Tennyson Marriage 0/ Geraint 194 The dwarf,. ,
being vicious, old and irritable, . . Made answer sharply that
she should not know. 1908 G. Tyrrell in Petre Li/e (1912)
II, xvii. 348 Three nasty vicious letters against the poor
Baron in the Tablet.
O, transf. Of weather : Severe, inclement.
i88a yamieson's Sc. Diet. IV. 695/2 Vitious weather.
x9oa J. Buchan Watcher by Threshold 81 The weather
seemed more vicious than ever.
II. 5, Law. Marred, or rendered void, by some
inherent fault or defect ; not satisfying legal require-
ments or conditions; unlawful, illegal.
X393 in Collect. Topographica (1836) III, 257Toenselethe
same forsaid vicious fenyd chartre. ^1555 Harpsfield
Divorce Hen. VIII (1878) 44 The act being vicious and
nought at the beginning, cannot be by tract of time con-
firmed. X56X Reg. Prit}y Council Scot. I. 174, 1 ressavit the
gudis libellit immediatlie fra the saidisCantis eftir the spolia*
tioun thairof, knawing the same to be spulyeit and vicious,
x^S H. Wai.i'ole Otrauto tii, I have consented to put my
title to the issue of the sword — does that imply a villous
title? x88o Muirhrad Gaius iv. §151 Nor can there be
any accession in favour of a party whose own possession is
vitious, i.e. acquired from his opponent violently, clandes-
tinely, or in defiance of the recal of a grant during pleasure.
Ibid. 513 In the ordinary case it was lawful to use force to
eject a vitious possessor.
b. Vicious intromission^ intromitter (see quot.
1838 and Intromissiox 2). Scots Law.
X678 Sir Ci. Mackenzie Crim. Latvs Scot. i. xix. 5"
(1699) 102 If it be proved that he was actually denuded,
that will liberal him from vitious intromission. 1696 [see
IntromitterJ. X747 in Nairne Peerage F.vid. (1874) 149
Universal and vitious inlromitters with his goods and gear.
VICI0T3S.
17^-8 EftSKiNE Inst. Law Scot. in. ix. § 49 Though vitious
intromUsioD be a delict, it may be referred to oath. Ibid,
% 52 Before he be cited by any creditor as a vitious intro-
mitter. 1838 W. Bell Diet. Law Scot. 520 The term
vitious intromissicm is applied exclusively to the heir's un-
wurantable intromission with the moveable estate of the
ancestor, a 1856 G. Oltram Lyrics (1887) 95 (E.D.D.), I
then attefnpted Villous Intromission, And was immediately
conveyed to prison. Ibid. ai6 Vitious Intromitter.
6. Impaired or spoiled by some fault, flaw,
blemish, or defect ; faulty, defective, imperfect,
bad ; corrupt, impure, debased : a. Of language,
style, spelling, etc. Also trans/, of writers.
1589 Plttenham Eh£. PiHsiem. xxi. (Arb.) 256 It hath
bene said before how . .a good figure may become a vice, and
. .a vicious speach go for a vertue in the Poeticall science.
1638 Baker ir. Balzucs Lett. (vol. II) 208 He shall have
the honour to pur^e his country of a vitious phrase. 1655
Valghan SiUjc Sciiit. i. Pref., The complaint against vitious
verse.. b of some antiquity in this Kingdom. 1695 H.
Wharton in Lau^s li'ks. (1853) V. 371 Atthougii the
orthography be vicious (a matter common to many learned
men m that time). 1711 Shaftksb. Charac. I. 145 What-
ever Quarter we may give to our vicious Poets, or other
Composers of irregular and short-liv'd Works. 1841 W.
Spalding Itai^ ^ It, Isi, 1. 141 His mode of writing was
vicious, rhetoncal, antithetical, and forced. 1883 D, H.
Wheeler By-lVays Lit. 100 It is believed that the Welsh-
Keltic manuscripts are unusually vicious in the texts.
b. Logic. Of arguments, etc.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11. xiii. § 3. 50 The Induction
which the Logitians speake of;,. their fourme of induction
i say is vtterly vitious and incompetent. 1646 Sir T.Browne
Pseud, Ep. I. iv. 16 If this fallacy be largely taken, it is
committed in any vitious illation, offending the rules of
good consequence. 1697 tr. Bitrgersdicius his Lo^ic^ 11.
viiL 40 If from true premisses follows what is false, it is a
sign that the form of the syllogism is vitious. 1774 Reid
AristotWs Logic v. § 1. 219 The form [of syllogisms] lies
in the necessary connection between the premises and the
coticlusion ; and where such a connection is wanting, they
are said to be informal, or vicious in point of form. 1856
P. E. Dove Logic Christian Faith v. i. 290 We have, .de-
parted from the region of mind and spirit and introduced
the natural method where the natural method is utterly
vicious and illegitimate. 1864 Bowen Logic vit. 189 It is
not difficult to prove, .that arguments are vicious only when
they fail to observe this method, and are always good when
it is observed.
O. In general use.
1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 228 The uttermost on either
side is vicious. 1650 Bulwer Anthropomet, 4 A vitious
figure of the head is known by sight I7a6 Leoni AlbertCs
Archit, II. 90 b, Rightly supposing that the truth must lie
in some medium between th-^^e two vitious extremes. 1746
Francis tr. Hor., Sat. 11. iii. 35 Here the rudechizzel's rougher
strokes I trac'd ; In flowing brass a vicious hardness found.
18^ Art-Union Jmi, Oct 285 The foundations of the
bndge were originally vicious. 1855 Macaulav Hist. Eng.
xxi. iV. 611 A wooden model of that edifice, the finest spe-
dmen of a vicious style, was sent to Kensington for his in-
spection. 1880 Eraser's Mag. May 6^2 Thus the country's
money becomes thoroughly vicious: it breaks down in its
most essential quality.
+ d. Of a person: Wrong, mistaken. Obs.
X604 Shaks. Otk. in. iii. 145 Though I perchance am
vicious in my guesse.
7. Foul, impure, noxious, morbid. ? Obs.
X597 G^^f^v.Tiv. Herbal in. xxxv. 1168 Berries, .full ofclam-
mic or vicious moisture. x6o8 Iopsell Serpents j88 I'heyr
liner is very vitious, and causeth the whole body to be of lU
temperament. 1641 Milton Reform. 55 Thou.. that art
but a bottle of vitious and harden'd excrements. 1656 J.
Smith Pract. Physick 49 The vicious matter must be eva-
cuated. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 721 Here from the
vicious Air, and sickly Skies, A Plague did on the dumb
Creation rise. x8^i South Otto's Path. Anat. 73 The last
object of pathological anatomy is the consideration of vicious
contents ■ . which have no organic connexion with the animal
body.
fb. Harmful, noxious. Obsr-^
i(^ Earl Monm. tr. BoccalinPsAdvts./r. Parnass. 1. x.
(1674) 12 Those Shops wherein vitious things are sold.
+ 8. Of a part or a function of the body: Morbid,
diseased ; irregular. Obs,
1615 Cbookk Body of Man 304 Who euer saw a concep-
tion, although it were vitious and illegitimate, which was
not couered with a Filme as it were with a Garment ? 1646
Sir T. Browse Pseud. Ep. vii, ii. 342 The vicious excesse
in the number of fingers and toes. 1707 Floyer Physic.
PulsC'Watch 373 The five Members and their Intestines
being changed twice five times by five vitious Pulses. 1733
Cheyne Eng, Malady 11. vii. § 2 (1734) 185 A vitious Liver
seems to be one of the primary,. Causes of Nervous Dis-
tempers.
9. Vicious circle, a. Logic, (See sense 6 b and
CiBCLKj^. 19.)
c 179a Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 69/1 He runs into what is
termed by logicians a vicious circle. 1812 Woodhouse
Astron. viiL 52 This seems to be something like arguing in
a vicious circle. 18^ Herschel Stuiy Nat. Phil. 209 It
may seem to be arguing in a vicious circle to have recourse
to observation for any part of those .. conclusions. 1865
MozLEY Mirac. iv. 76 The whole evidence of revelation
becomes a vicious circle. 1876 (see Circle sb. 19].
transf. 1839 Sir H. Holland Med. Notes A Refl. 100
Thus the practice proceeds, in a vicious circle of habit, from
which the patient israrelyextricated without. .injury to his
future health.
b. Path, A morbid process consisting in the
reciprocal continuation and aggravation of one
disorder by another.
1883 Dlscan Clin. Le.t. Dis. IVomen (ed. 2) x. 78 There
ts, in this disease, what is sometimes called a vicious circle,
smd I shall have, in the course of this lecture, to point out
to you several instances of this vicious circle.
184
10, Comb.f as viciotts-looking, I
1871 ' M. Legrand' Camb. Freshm, 247 The gray mare
expressed her denial, .by giving one or two slight but un-
conmionly vicious-looking kicks. 1894 Mrs. Dyan Man's
Ketping{iBgg) 60 Those vicious-looking knives looked as
if they could do such work well.
Viciously (vi'Jasli), adv. Also 4 uioiouse-
liche, 5 vlcously ; 6-8 (9) vitiously, [f. prec.
-f -LY -.] In a vicious manner,
1. With addiction or inclination to vice ; im-
morally, dissolutely.
a 1315 Prose Psalter xlviii. 13 pys her way his sclaunder
to hem ; and efter hij shul plesen uiciouseliche in her
moul>e. C1400 Apol. Loll. 41 .Sum are gostly pore, and
sum bodily ; sum vertuously, and sum vlcously, or syn-
fully; and sum peynfully. 1415 Hoccleve Addr. to Sir
y. Oldcastle 130, 1 pulte cas, a prelat or a pieest Him
viciously gouerne in his lyuynge. 1446 \.HTiO. Nightingale
Poems i. 285 Moch peple viciously Were in this age damp-
nably demeyned. 1509 Barclay Shyp ofFolys {1570) 57 He
was.. Viciously lining in couetise and gyle. 1560 Daus tr.
Sleidane's Comm. 41 b, They live dissolutely and vitiously
at Rome. x6xx Cotgr., Vicieusement, viciously, lewdly,
corruptly, faultily, i68a Sir T. Browne Chr. A/or. i. § 17
(1716) 17 Perversity of Will, immoral and sinfull enormities
..pursue us unto Judgment, and leave us viciously miser-
able. 1780 CowpER Prog'-. Err. 432 By nature weak, or
viciously inclin'd.
b. In weaker sense : In an improper manner or
to an improper extent ; reprehensibly. Also sfec,
illegally (quot. 1880).
16x7 MoRVSON Itin. III. 17 Many. .are vitiously proud,
that their neighbours should see strangers thus visit them.
Ibid. 35 The Italian being a great and somewhat viciously
curious observer of ceremonious complements. i6ao Venner
Fia Recta (1650) 297 They that against Nature viciously
use the night for the day. 1824 Southey Sir T. More
(1831) II. 200 A practice virtually or rather viciously the
same has been imputed to the Venetian aristocracy. 1880
Muirhead Gains Dig. 512 He eventually prevailed who
proved that he was actually in possession, .and had not
taken it vitiously from his adversary, i.e. cither forcibly,
stealthily, or by refusal.
C. Spitefully, ill-naturedly, savagely; with (or
as with) animosity or intent to injure,
1841 Dickens Bam. Rudge ix, ' I wouldn't,' said Miggs
viciously, 'no, not for five-and-forty pound !' 185a Mrs.
Stowe Uncle Toms C. xxxii, The mill, from which he had
viciously driven two or three tired women, who were wait-
ing to grind their corn. 187a Rouiledge's Ev, Bo^'s Ann.
114/2 One of the sharp little telegraphic bells rang viciously.
2. Faultily, badly^, incorrectly ; corruptly.
1635-56 Cowley Davideis m. Note §8 Which Lucan
(methinks) avoids viciously by an excess the other way.
1679 Dryden Pref. to Tr. ^ Cres. Ess. (ed. Ker) I. 226 The
thoughts are such as arise from the matter, the expression
of 'em not viciously figurative. x68o Burnet Trav. (1686)
•66 They have the Gospels in Greek Capitals, but they are
vitiously writ in many places. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey),
Viciously, .. covrn-ptXy, falsely, as Viciously ivrit. 1790
Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. V. gi An assembly, .viciously or
feebly composed in a very great part of it.
Viciousness (vi'J"3snes). Also 5 vyoyows-,
6 vycyous-, vyciousness(e, 6-8 (9) vitious-
ness, etc. [f. Vicious a. + -ness.] The character
or quality of being vicious.
1. Inclination or addiction to vice or immorality ;
depravity of life or conduct.
x^o J. Shirley Dethe K. James (1818) 5 He wexe full of
viciousness yn his lyvyng. ^ 1440 Promp. Parv. 510/1
Vycyowsnesse, viciositas. X509 Barclay Shyp ofFolys Prol.
avijb, Whan this Socrates perceyued themindes of men
to be prone & extremely inclyned to viciousnes, he had
gret affeccion to subdue suche maners. X56X '1". Norton
Calvin's Inst. 11. 72 We bring with vs from the womb of our
mother a vitiousnesse planted in our begetting. 1598
Marston Sco. Villa/tie n. vii. 203 Marke those : for naught,
but such lewd viciousnes, Ere graced him. 16x5 G. Sandys
Trav. 218 Venus, ..their goddesse of viciousnesse. 1655
Fuller Ch. Hist. 11. 99 Now began the Saxons to be in-
fected with an universall Vitiousnesse. 1736 Butler Anal.
1. iii. 72 The., advantage., is gained by the action itself, not
by the morality, the virtuousness or viciousness of it. 1796
Bp. Watson Apol. Bible 379 Some men have been warped
to infidelity by viciousness of life. 1838 Dickens Nich.
Nick, xliv, I never will supply that man's extravagances
and viciousness. x89a Tennyson Foresters ni. i. These be
the lies the people tell of us, Because we seek to curb their
viciousness.
transf. 1^3 Melbancke Philotimns Kivb, Hatefull
viciousnes in wordes, and hurtfull loosenes in life.
b. Tendency, on the part of animals, to be
savage or refractory.
1774 GoLDSM. Nat. Hist. (1824) I. 383 In. .this country. .
they [sc, stags] are become less common than formerly; its
excessive viciousness during the rutting season, .inducing
most people to part with the species. 1775 Adair /I w;c/-.
Indians 427 The young ambitious heroes ascribed the whole
disaster to the viciousness of my horse, saying * he was
mad'. 1818 Ranken Hist. France IV. iv. iii. § 2. 267 If
the owner of it [sc. an animal] swore falsely, .that he was
ignorant of its viciousness. 1847 T. Brown Mod. Farriery
■XT2 It is not an unfrequent occurrence for horses in harness to
back instead of drawing when first started, and some add to
this considerable viciousness. 1908 Animal Managem. 81
A playful habit of snatchingat the man whilst being groomed
which some horses display, may not come under the head
of viciousness.
c. Maliciousness, spitefulness.
1879 HuxLEV Hume 11. viii. 159 One feels ashamed of hav-
ing suspected many excellent persons of being moved by
mere malice and viciousness of temper to call other folks
atheists.
2. The quality of being faulty or defective.
VICISSITUDE.
x6ox Deacon & Walker Spirits ^ Divels 90 The absence,
the vitiousnesse, the depriuation or fault of some other
thing. x64a Fuller Holy S( Prof. St. 11. xvii. 114 Then the
low value shews the viciousnesse of it. X687 M. Clifford
Notes on Dryden's Poems iv. 13, 1 intended to have made
no more Animadversions upon the viciousness of your
Style. 175a Carte Hist. Eng. (1755) III. 763 The arret
above mentioned being repealed, these conservators were to
judge of the goodness or viciousness of cloths.
•f b. Faultiness or badness in respect of physical
constitution. Obs.
X669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. v. xiL 67 The Brimstone
will burn up the gross victiousness [j/c] of the Salt-peter.
1706 Stevens Span. Diet, i, rVciV, . . Rankness, Viciousness
in Land, or the like.
3. Improper or illegal procedure.
i8oa-ia IJentham Ration. Judic, Evid. (1827) II. 458 In
the ca:^es above brought to view, as cases of unfairness or
vitiousness.
Vici-ssitouB, a. U.S. = Vicissitudinous a.
1865 E. Burritt Walk to Land's A'«rfi65 Acity set upon
such a hill could not have been hidden in the vicissitous ex-
periences of a nation. 1892 Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch 9
June, About all of them reach their affluence .. along the
same vicissitous road.
t Vicissitudal, a. Obs. rare. [f. next.] «
VicissiTUDlNAL a. Heucc t Vici'ssitndally adv,
1508 J. Keeper tr. A. Rotnei's Academi i. 7 The sensible
world hath two parts, one subiect to vicissitudal generation
and corruption ;.. the other is the celestiall world. x6ix
Benvenuto's Passenger i. iv. 322 The which sport they con.
tinuing. for foure times vicessitudally [sic] euery day [etc.].
Vicissitude (visi'sitiz^d). [a. OF. and F.
vicissitude (14th c), or ad. L. vicissiludo, f. vicis
turn, change : see Vice sb.^ and prefix. So Sp.
vicisitudi Pg. vicissitude^ It. vicissitudine^
1. The fact of change or mutation taking place
in a particular thing or within a certain sphere ;
the uncertain changing or mutability ^something.
X570-6 Lamb.\rde Peravib. Kent 105 Richeborowe. .came
to ruine, by the alteration and vicissitude of the Sea.
i6ss Bacon Ess., Vicissitude of Things (Arb.) 570 The Vi-
cissitude or Mutations, in the Superiour Globe, are no fit
Matter, for this present Argument. x6^o G. Sandys Christ's
/'a«/(Jnin.2680dire VicissitudeofThings ! x6<^Bramhall
Just Vind. vi. (1661) 115 According to the Vicissitude and
conversion of humane affairs, and the change of Monarchies.
1690 LocK'E Hum. Und. 11. xxvL 15^ The notice, that our
Senses take of the constant Vicissitude of Things, x^ao
Wf-lton Suffer, Son of God I !. xxv. 6^g lake Compassion
of the Fleeting Inconstancy and Vicissitude of the Dangers
with which we, poor Mortals, are surrounded. ^ X773 Cook
Voy. III. vii. III. 606 And now, such is the vicissitude of life,
we thought ourselves happy in having regained a situation,
which but two days before it was the utmost object of our
hope to quit. X864 Pusey Lect. Daniel ii. 61 It is remark-
able that this vicissitude of human things, this marked out-
line of the succession of Empires till our Lord should come,
is laid open.. to the Heathen Monarch.
b. With a, in the same sense.
X63X Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 3 Of all things else there
is a vicissitude, a change both of cities and nations. 1643
Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. \. § 17 Because the glory of one
State depends upon the ruine of another, there is a revolu-
tion and vicissitude of their greatnesse. X753 Johnson
Adventurer 'So. 95 f 5 There is likewise in composition, as
in other things, a perpetual vicissitude of fashion. X77a
Birmingham Counterfeit II. viii. 106 Her history, .abounds
with such an amazing vicissitude of incidents.
2. Without article : Change, mutation, muta-
bility, as a natural process or tendency in things
or in life generally ; successive substitution of one
thing or condition for another, taking place from
natural causes.
XS96 Drayton Legends iv. 757 Vicissitude impartially
wiU'd The goodiyest things be subject to annoy. X603
Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1310 He endeavoreth by vicissi-
tude of mutations, and by periodicall passion, to continue
alwaies yoong, as if he should never die and perish. x6^
Whitlock Zoototnia 3a 1 he Sisters Web of our lives is
checkered with Vicissitude, The whole peece proving but
a medley of Light and Shadow. <z 1664 Katk._ Philips
Submission Poems (1667) 108 Where were our Springs, our
Harvests pleasent use. Unless Vicissitude did them produce.
X758 Johnson Idler No. 4 f 11 Whatever is left in the hands
of chance must be lubject to vicissitude. X781 Cowpek
Hope 17 Vicissitude wheels round the motley crowd, The
rich grow poor, the poor become purse-proud. 1833-5 J. H.
Newman Hist. Sk. Ser. in. (1873) i. i This is a world of
conflict, and of vicissitude amid the conflict. 1869 J.
Phillips Vesuvius vii. 197 On such a fault-line atmosphenc
vicissitude has been effective.
3. A change or alteration in condition or fortune;
an instance of mutability in human affairs.
1616 B. JoNsoN Devilan Ass 11. \\. 38 Nature hath these
vicissitudes. Shee makes No man a state of perpetuety. Sir.
1665 Manley Grotius' Lptv C, IVars 429 That the vicissi-
tudes of War should be brought to a stay, if equall Coun-
sels should be found on both sides. x68i J. Flavel Right.
Man's Ref 220 His people may find.. rest and comfort
amidst the vicissitudes of this unstable world. 1709 Steele
Tatler No. ^i p 4 A deplorable instance of the Fortune of
War, and Vicissitudes of humane Affairs. X794 Godwin
Caleb IVilliams 314 Mr. Collins promised, as far as he was
able, to have an eye upon my vicissitudes. 185a Lyell Princ.
Geol. II. 1 We shall treat first of the vicissitudes to which
species are subject. x8s6 Kane Arct. Expl. II. xxviii. 281
My sturdy second officer,, .long accustomed to the vicissi-
tudes of whaling life, shed tears at the prospect. X879
Church Spenser 31 For fifty years the English people
had had before its eyes the great vicissitudes which make
tragedy.
4. Alternation, mutual or reciprocal succession,
VICISSITUDINAL.
of things or conditions ; esp. alternating succession
of opposite or contrasted things.
i6s4 Burton -4 «<i^ Mel. (ed. a) ii. ii. iii. 211 At Berna..
a shippe was digged out of a mountainc.Came this from
Earth-quakes, . . or is there a vlci.^situde of Sea and Land, as
Anaxlmenes held of old ? 1646 Sir '1". Browne Fsettd. Ep.
105 Reason cannot conceive that an animall. .should live m
a continuall motion, without that alternityand vicissitudeof
rest whereby all others continue. 1667 Milton /*. L. vi. 8
Which makes through Heav'n Grateful vicissitude, like Day
and Night. 1689 tr. Locke's Let. Toleration 26 How the
Church was under the Vicissitude of Orthodox and Arnan
Emperors is very well known. 1711 Steele Sped. No, 143
p I This Vicissitude of Motion and Rest, which we call Life,
1740 CiBBER Apol. (1756) I. 323 When I consider that various
vicissitude of hopes and fears we had for twenty years
struggled with. 1773 Monboddo Language (1774) L i. ix.
m Corporeal forms which are. .in a constant vicissitude of
generation and corruption. 1835 Trnvii^y! ma. Greece I. vi.
219 The succession of light and darkness, ..tHe vicissitude
of the seasons. 1854 Mrs. Oliphant Magd. Hepburn II.
21 Her girlish shyness.. made the colour come and go in
rapid vicissitude upon her cheek.
6. An instance of alternation or succession ; a
change from one physical state to another, esp. as
one of a constant series.
1648 Wilkins Math. Magic 11. v. 183 How those vicissi-
tudes of rarefaction and condensation may be maintained.
169s Bentley Boyle Led, vi. 180 The periodical and con-
stant Vicissitudes of Day and Night. 1718 Pkior Solomon
II. 832 What Pangs, what Fires, what Racks didst Thou
sustain? What sad Vicissitudes of smarting Pain? 1747
T. Story Z.y9, etc. 86, I kept close to Meetings, and to
Business^ in their proper Vicissitudes, ig^i Gibbon Decl.
Sf F, xvii. (1787) II. 6 The vicissitudes of tides are scarcely
felt in those seas. i8sa-7 Good Study Med. (1829) III. 352
Extreme heat and cold.. are far more injurious when flow,
ing in irregular vicissitudes, than when in an uniform tenour.
18^3 Phillips Kivers Vorksh, iii. 90 The surface influence
of descending rains, and all the agency of atmospheric
vicissitudes. 1893 Ball Stor^ of Sun 319 There must have
been remarkable climatic vicissitudes cfuring past ages.
•|* 6. Keciprocation, return. Obs~^
1565 Testimonial to K. Campbell in Wodroiio Soc. Misc.
(1844) 288 In doing whairof..so shall you bynd ws to the
lik vicissitude.
+ 7. A turn or occasion of action. Obs.~^
x^oi^^KCOH Adv. Learn, i. vi.§ i^. 30 In the next vicissitude
or succession, he did send his diuine truth into the world.
f b. By vicissitudes^ by turns. Obs.
1749 Lavington Enthus. Meth. ^ Papists il (1754) 47 The
Moravian Mystics are the Persons, whom Mr. Wesley repre-
sents by Vicissitudes as the best, and as the worst, of Men.
t VicissitU'dinal, a, 06s.-^ [See next and
•AL.] Vicissitudinous. Also f Viclssitadlna'rlan
a., -a'rioas a,, -a'rionsly m/v.
1588 J, Harvey Disc. Probl. 2j A *vicissitudinall conuer-
sion, or temporall transformation of the elementarie or
terrestriall globe of this world, c 17*9 W. Stukeley Mem,
(Surtccs) I. 210 Here we measure not time, nor have we need
of your *vicissitudinarian planet called the sun. 1667
Waterhouse /■>'« qfl^ond. 2 God,., by whom only they (it.
dreadful cflFectsl can be transformed into comforts (which
as elementary and "vicissitudinarious. they can in no true
sense be). 17x5 Meteorological Essays II. 191 *Vicissitu-
dinariously.
t Vicissitu'dinary, a. Obs. [f. L. viHssitu-
din-y stem oivicissiludo: see -abi.J
1. Marked by alternation ; coming alternately or
by turns.
16*4 Donne Devotions^ etc. (ed, 2) 296 Wee say . . the dayes
of man [are] vicissitudinary, as though he had as many
good days, a^ ill. 1640 Bp. Hall Episc. 11. xvii. 180 This
prcsidence. .is not perpetuall, but only for the time and
vicissitudinary. 1650 Descr. Future Hist. Europe 6 A
vicissitudinary time of Affliction and Ease, Persecution and
rest, pure Doctrine and Heresies, is signifled.
2. Reciprocal, responsive. rarr~^,
1619 Maxwell tr. Herodian (1635)92 When a mans Friend
hath (first) obliged him by Signall Offices; if hee shew not
all vicissitudinary Expressions of a thankefull Heart [etc. J.
Vicissitudinous, a. [f. as prec. + -ous.]
1. Marked by vicissitudes; subject to various or
frequent changes of fortune.
1846 Worcester (citing Q. Rev.). 1853 J. Stevenson in
Trans. Ch, Historians Eng. II. 227 In this mode was the
kinif's administration conducted during the whole of his
vicissitudinous life. i86f Reader -xx Sept. 335/1 His career
has been vicissitudinous in the highest degree. 1891 Sat.
Rev. 4 July 2/1 .\ second Oxford innings, which, though
'vicissitudinous ', almost equalled the first Cambridge total.
2. Of a person : That has experienced changes
of fortune or circumstances.
1856 Hawthorne A'«^. Note-Bks. (1870) II. 189 An Eng-
lishman . . who suggests himself as a kind of contrast to this
warlike and vicissitudinous backwoodsman.
t Vici'Bsity. Obs.—^ [ad, L. vicissitas (rare)
change, alteration ] (See quot.)
i7«i Bailey, Vidssity^ a changing or succeeding by
Course ; an interchangeable Course.
Victer(y, obs. forms of Vicab, Vicary.
Vickld, -It, obs. forms of Wicked a.
Vioont, obs. form of Vihcount.
t VicO'ntiel, sb. and a. Obs.. Also 7 vicon-
dell, viscontiel. ^. 6-7 vioountiell, 7-9 -iel.
See also Vicountilb. [a. AF. vicontiel, I. viconte
Vi-scoDNT. Of. OF. vicontalf F. viconUal.']
A. sb. pi. Certain sums regularly payable to the
Crown by a sheriff and charjjcd against him in the
Exchequer accounts.
1548 Ad 2^3 Edw. yi, c. 4 I 3 (To] be discharged of
Vol. X.
185
all suche Fermes and Sommes of money.. cxcepte onlie of
the Vicountielles of their Shires wherewithe they shalbe
chardged. 1607 Cowkll Interpr. s.v., There are also
certaine fermes called Vicountiels, which the Shyreeue for
his time payeth a certaine rent for to the King, and maketh
what profit he can of tiiem. 1642 C. Vernon Consid.Exch.
II The..Sherifie..to deliver a book written in parchment,
declaring of whom and where he receiveth the vicondells,
and other the "Rents and Farmes written unto him in the
Summons of the Pipe. 1738 Hist. Crt. Excheq. v. 89 This
sum was an Item placed after his Viconticls. \xZ\^ Statutes
of Realm IV. 41 marg.. Allowance to all Sheriffs for Vi-
countiels out of lands coming into the King's Hands.]
I B. adj, 1. Of or pertaining to a sheriff.
I o. 1614 Selden Titles Honor 253 Our ofEciarie Vice-
! com ites or Shirifes, which haue diuers Actions Viscontiel,
and inquirie of criminall causes. 1632 Callis Stat. Servers
(1824) 230 The highest authority that he [the sheriff] hath is
hut vicontiel. 1647 ^- Bacon Disc. Govt. i. Ixi. 191 Other
Courts also were in the countrey, and were Vicontiel or
Courts of Sheriffs and Lords of Hundreds and corpora-
tions. 1670 Ad 22 Chas. Ily c. 6 § I Guild Rents, Pensions,
Vicontiel Rents, Assart-Rents (etcj. 1798 Gentl. Mag,
Oct. 850/1 Not far from the church of Bromham lies.. the
chantry-bouse, to which appertained certain annual vicontiel
or fee farm rents.
$. 1630 Doddridge Hist. IVales 40 For all the ordinary
Ministers and executioners of the processe of the Lawes of
England, or which haue Vicountiell iurisdiction, are the
Officers of particular Shires. [1819 Statutes o/Realm IV.
43 mar^., Sheriffs taking Tallies shall be chargeable for
Vicountiel Farms, &c.]
2. Of writs: (seequots.),
1607 CowELL Interpr, s.v. Vicounticy Writs vicountiel are
such writs as are triable in the countie or Shyreeues court.
/iz68^ ScROGcs Co7trts-Leet (1714) 84 This Writ is a Vi-
countiel, and in the Nature of a Justicies in which the
Sheriff shall hold Plea. 1768 Blackstone Comm, III. 238
This writ of admeasurement . . is cne of those writs, that are
called vicontiel^ being directed to the sheriff", , .and not to be
returned to any superior court, till finally executed by him.
Vicori(e, etc., variants of Vicaby j^.i Obs.
Vlcount, obs. variant of Viscount.
t Vicountile, sb. and a. Obs. = Vicontiel.
154X-3 Act 34 <v 35 Hen, VII I^ c 16 5 2 Where divers. .
soomes of money been respected to. .Shirieffes..upontheyre
accomptes . . of the foresaide fermes and other vicountyles.
«393 NoRDEN spec. Brit.^ Essex 12 Hertfordshire, in the
timeofEdw. Ill, was annexed vnto this shire, as towching
vicountile iurisdiction. 1664 Spelman''s Gloss. 555/1 Vice-
comitaliOy vicountiles.
Vioour, obs. form of Vicar.
Viost, southern ME. tjightest. Fight v,
tVict^. Obs.—^ [ad, ll vict-us^ pa. pple. of
vituh-e to overcome.] One who is vanquished.
C-1400 Destr. Tro^ 2145 Qfte sith hit is senc.That a
victor of a victe is vile ouercomyn
t Vict 2. Obs.—"^ App. an abbrev. of Victim sb,
1639 G. Daniel Ecclus. xlvii. 3 As the Fatt is disparted
from the Vict, Soc David from the People, by the strict
Survey of Heaven.
Victail, -ale, obs. forms of Victual sb.
Victim (vi-ktim), sb. Also 5 vyctym, 6-7
victime. [ad. L. victima (in senses 1, 2). So F.
victime (i6thc.), Sp, and Pg. victima^ It. vittima.
The Rhemish translators of the Biljle were the first
to make free use of the word as English, and its
general currency dates only from the latter part of
the 17th century.]
1. A living creature killed and offered as a sacri-
fice to some deity or supernatural power.
1497 Bp. AtxocK MoHs Perfect. C iijVa Obedyence excellith
al vyctyms I/ri«/r</vyayms] and holocaustis in the whiche
was sacrcfyccd y« flesshe of other creatures. 158s N. T.
(Rhem.) Stark ix. 4^ Euery victime shat be salted with
salt. Ibid.^ Acts vii. 42 Did you offer victims and hostes
vntome? 1609 Bi^le (Douay) Lev. i. 3, etc. 1613 Pukchas
Pilgrimage i. vi. 33 Of sacrificing there were from the be.
ginning two kinds, the one called Gifts or oblations of
things without life : the other Victims (so our Rliemists
have taught us to English the word Victima) slaine sacri.
fices of birds and beasts. t6x6 Bullokak Eng. Expos. ^
Victime^ a sacrifice, a beast offered in sacrifice. [Also in
Cockeram, Blount, etc.] 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 784
Select four Brawny Bulls for Sacrifice,. .From the slain
Victims pour the streaming Blood. 170JS Addison Italy 3
Ulysses here the Blood of Victims shed. And rais'd the pale
Assembly of the Dead. i7»8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Sacrtjice,
The Priest, .then took Wine in a Vessel. .and. .poured it
between the Horns of the Victim. 177a Prikstlev Inst,
Relig. (1782) I. 202 The Mexicans used human victims.
18^ Thirlwall Greece VII. Iv. 105 He had inquired of
Peithagoras as to the nature of the tokens which he had
seen in the victims. 1867 Tennyson Victim v, But the
Priest was happy, His victim won. Ibid, vi, 'I'he rites pre-
pared, the victim bared.
Jig. 1646 Ckashaw Carmen Deo Nostro^ Hymn^ Thou
art love's victime, & must dy A death more mysticall & high.
1656 Cowley Pindar. Odes, Isaiah xxxi?'. ii, The Altar all
the Land, and all Men in't the Victims are. 173a Lediard
Sethos II. X. ^74 These 20,000 men were a victim to save
the rest of their nation. 177a Junius Lett. Ixix. (1788) 367,
I have bound the victim, and dragged him to the altar.
1818 Shelley yulian rj6 The red scaffold.. May ask some
willing victim. 1847 Tennyson Princ. iv. 112 Knaves are
men, That.. dress the victim to the offering up. 185s
KiKcsLEY Heroes iv. (1868) 50, I am accursed, devoted as a
victim to the sea-gods.
b. Applied to Christ as an offering for mankind. |
1736 BuTLEK Analogy 11. v. p 6 (Jesus Christ] is de- '
scribed.. in the Old 'iestament, under the same charac*
ters of a priest, and an expiatory victim. 1745 W. Robert-
son in Transl. ^ Parafihr. (Sc. Ch.) vi. 8 All Heaven's 1
Wrath tho' due to us On him, our Victim, lay. a 1833 J.
Dick Led. Th^ol. (1834) HI. Iviii. 119 In the other (case], i
VICTIMARY.
it was a man, the Son of the living God, who was the
victim. <:i86sW.C.Dix Hyvin, ' Alleluia, sing to yesus,'
I'hou on earth both Priest and Victim. 1870 H. Martin
Atonement iv, 74 They evidently concentrate attention.,
on that aspect in which Christ appears as the piacular
victim, or the Lamb of Sacrifice.
2. A person who is put to death or subjected to
torture by another ; one who suffers severely in
body or property through cruel or oppressive
treatment.
1660 R. Coke Justice Vind. Ep. Ded. 5, I designe no
more than to demonstrate, that it was.. the iniquity of the
times which made him (Charles I] a victim, and your sacred
Self an Exile. 1691 tr. Emiliane's Frauds Rom, Monks
(ed. 3) 61 The great Provost.. was one of the number of
these unhappy Victims. 1783 Crabbe Village i. 283 A
potent quack, long versed in human ills, Who first insults
the victim whom he kills. 1785 Burke Sp. Naivab ArcoVs
Debts Wks. 1882 I. 331 Among the victim.-? to this magni-
ficent plan of universal plunder, .you have all heard, .of an
Indian Chief called Hyder Ali Khan. 1839 Keightley
Hist. Eiig. II. 32 If he had not died the victim of a tyrant,
X854 Cdl. Wiseman Fabiola 11. xxii. 263 The hostile pas-
sions of heathen Rome, .excited by the coming slaughter of
so many christian victims. 1871 Freeman Norm. Cong.
(1876) IV. xviii. i6g The list of his possessions, lands of Earl
Harold, of the Sheriff Moerleswegen, and of a crowd of
smaller victims, is simply endless.
b. One who is reduced or destined to suffer
under some oppressive or destructive agency.
1718 Vmov. Solomon Ml. 170 Behold where Age's wretched
Victim lies : Sec his Head trembling, and his half-clos'd
Eyes. 174a Gray Prosp. Eton Coll. 52 Alas ! regardless of
their doom The little victims play ! 1799 Monthly Rev.
XXX. 539 This new poet.. is M. Esmenard, ..at present a
victim of the persecution which has followed that event.
i8a7_ Scott Highl. Widow v. About the centre of the pro-
cession . . came the unfortunate victim of military law. 1865
Visci. Milton & W. B. Cheadi.e A'.-IK./'dwa^tf viii. (1867)
124 Wc.even went tothe length of fixing upon one useless,
toothless old fellow [sc. a dog] as a victim to our appetites,
in case of extremity. 1890 C. B. Pitman tr. Boscowitz's
Earthquakes 211 The houses which had only partially
fallen in continued to collapse and make fresh victims.
c. One who perishes or suffers in health, etc.,
from some enterprise or pursuit voluntarily nnder-
taken.
1736-46 Thomson Winter 487 The last of old Lycurgus'
sons, The generous victim to that vain attempt To save a
rotten state. 183a G. R. Porter Porcelain <^ Gl. 259
Frauenhofer died . . at an early age ; a victim, it is said, to
unremitting attention bestowed upon an unhealthy. employ-
ment. 1847 Emerson Repr. Men, Montaigne Wks. (Bohn)
I. 338 I'he studious class are their own victims X851 Miss
VoNGE Caw/r<7j I. xxxi. 271 While here he narrowly escaped
becoming a seventh royal victim to the Crusade.
d. In weaker sense : One who suffers some in-
jury, hardship, or loss, is badly treated or taken
advantage of, etc.
1781 Gibbon Decl. ^ F. xxvii. (1787) III. 33 Gregory soon
became the victim of malice and envy. 1796 H. Hunter
tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) I. 342 That spirit of in-
tolerance, .of which they are the victims. 1835 Ure Phil.
Manujf". ^3 Several individuals, .are to a very great extent
the victims at least, if not the dupes, of scheming
managers. 1844 Dickens Mart, Chuz. xx, He went off.,
without further ceremony, and left his respected victim to
settle the bill. 1875 Abp. Benson in A. C Benson Life
(1899) I. xi. 393, I am that miserable man the Victim m
Residence, and there is a Cathedral Festival to-day.
3. In the phrase to fail a victim to (some thing
or person), in preceding senses,
1764 H. Walpole Otranto i, Manfred will suspect you, .,
and you will fall a victim to his resentment. 1769 Robert>
soaChas. K, IV. Wks. 1813 V. 411 Some officers, who rashly
attempted to restrain them, fell victims to their fury. 1803
Ellicott Jrul, 13 Many of the inhabitants that season fell
victims to the yellow fever. 1861 M. Pattison Ess. (1889)
I. 46 The Flemish and other foreign residents fell helpless
victims to the rage of the populace. 1884 Times (weekly ed.)
5 Sept. 17/2 It appeared as if he had fallen a victim to an
assassin. Ibid. 19 Sept. 6/4 He fell a victim to goodness
of heart and to the interest be felt in his people.
4. attrib. (chiefly appositive) and Comb., as vic-
tim becutj carrion, -flock^ horde^ -lamb^ ox; victim-
iaden adj. ; victim -ship, a ship carrying victims.
1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 733 The Victim Ox, that
was for Altars prest,..Sunk of Himself. 1697 — yEtieid
IV. 293 Blood of victim beasts enriched the ground. 2735
PorE Odyss, xiii. 27 A victim Ox beneath the sacred hand
Of great Alcinous falls. i8i» Byron Ch. Har. u. Ixxxix,
The Battle-field, where Persia's victim horde First bow'd
beneath the brunt of Hellas' sword. 1835 Thirlwall
Greece I. v. 133 Deceived by the black sail of the victim-
ship, which Theseus had forgotten to exchange. 1843 Cdu
Wiseman £ss,,Minor Rites (1853I I. 491 Tliere is one altar
..on which the same Victim-Lamb rt poses 01847 Eliza
Cook Thanksgiving iv, I could not .^ue for mercy at a
victim-laden snrine. 1851 Mrs. Browning Casa Guidi
Wind, II. 660 The tyrant should take heed to what he doth,
Since every victim-carrion turnstouse. x868J. H. Newman
Verses Var. Occasions 171, I cleanse Thy victim-flock, and
bring them near In holiest wise.
Hence Vi'ctlm v. trans., to slay in sacrifice.
1671 Crowne Juliana i. 11 Barbarous Idol, not content
with blood, But must have kingdoms victim'dat thyaltars !
1694 — Married Beau iv. 54 111 rather victim A hecatomb
of such as thou to her.
t Vi'ctimary. Obs. [ad. L. victimdri-us^L
victima Victim sb. So F. victimaira.} A slayer
of sacrificial victims.
165a Gale Magastrom. 373 So they were burned by the
victimarics or sacrificers themselves, in the sight of all the
people. 1660 — Cr/. Gentiles i. u. ix. 261 Amongst the
24
VICTIMATB.
RcMiums, the Priest did not kil the Victime, but the Popa
or Victimarie, at the beck of the Priest. 1778 Apthorp
Prtoal. Chr. 398 Who had the same office as the latin
papae and victimaries, that of killing the victims.
•\ ViddniAte, sb. Obs. rare. [ad. L. victimat-
usj pa. ppXe.of ziifimdrc : see next.] = Victim sb.j.
1583 Stubbes Anat. Ahises Ep. Ded,, Sacrifices, Vio-
timates & Hotocaustes offred. Ibid, O ij b, Hauin^ offred
vp their sacrifices, victimats and holocaustes to their false |
Gods.
+ Vi'ctimate, v, Obsr^ [f. L. victimdt-, ppl.
stem of victimarcj f. viciima Victim sbS\ (See
qaots.)
16x6 BoLLOKAR Ene:. Expcs., Vtciimat€y to offer in sacri-
fice, to kill and sacrifice. x^^^^Si\ivrtGlossogr.^ Victimate,
to Sacrifice, to make an Oblation.
Viotimhood. [f. Victim j*.] The state of
being a victim.
i86« Mrs. Carlylk Lett. (1883) III. 138 Wearing a sullen
look of victinihood.
Victimizablo, a. [f. Victimize v."] Capable
of being victimized.
1841 Emerson Ess. h. iii. (1901) 273 Have you been vic-
timised in being brought hither? — or, prior to that, answer
me this, ' Are you victimisable t '
Victimiza'tion. [f. next.] The action of
victimizing, or fact of being victimized, in various
senses.
1840 New Monthly Mag, LIX. 397 The man who does
not grow savage at victimization is an inert, unsentient
booby. x86o A. L. Windsor Etkica v. 278 On Pope's com-
plete victimization, perha[is, less stress is to be laid. 1885
L. OiAV^K^T Sympneumata 57 But the victimisation of the
infant terrestrial man was not to be so fully consummated.
1900 Pilot 30 June 544/1 The Companies Bill and the
Money-Lending Bill..nad_ the common object of putting
down fraud and victimisation.
b. Spec, in Theol. (See quot.)
1893 Month April 485 Christ's Body in its Eucharistic
state, which Theologians, when they explain the sacrificial
character of the Mass, call a slate of victimization.
Victimize (vi-ktimaiz), V. [f. Victim j^.]
1. trans. To make a victim of; to cause to suffer
inconvenience, discomfort, annoyance, etc., either
deliberately or by misdirected attentions.
1830 LvTTON Let. Sept., in M, Napier's Corr. (1879) 87
Your contributors are at full liberty to ridicule, abuse, and
(allow the author of Paul Clifford to employ a slang word)
victimize me. 1839 Col. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 166, 1
had the honour of being kindly victimised on the occasion
by our hospitable host, as the leader of the shooting world.
1848 Thackeray Van. FairxWy Becky . . described the occur-
rence, and how she had been victimised by Lady Southdown,
b. To cheat, swindle, or defraud.
1839 [see Victimizing ^^X.SL.I. xZ^TLHKCViK.HK\ Bk. Snobs
xxxtx. In a turf transaction, either Spavin or Cockspur
would try to get the better of his father, and, to gain a point
in the odds, victimise his best friends. 1859 J. Lang Wand.
India 20 After several officers have been victimized at play,
their friends are apt to talk about the matter in an unpleasant
manner. 1883 Greenwood Odd People 96 In what way has
the rascal victimised his customer?
2. To put to death as, or in the manner of, a
sacrificial victim ; to slaughter.
1853 7Vz/V'j Mag. XX, 487 Fifty thousand Gentoos were
victimized by the scimitar. 1855 Singleton Virgil II. 541
By this wound 'Tis Pallas, Paltas, victimiseth thee. And
Calceth vengeance on thy cursed blood. 1899 jgtk Cent.
Nov. 816 note, The sacrifice used to be human, and virgins
were victimised on the hill at Kandy.
trans/. x88o McCarthv Own Times Hit. IV. 148 The pris-
oners., must have shared the fate of those who were vic-
timised outside [by an explosion].
b. To destroy or spoil (plants) completely.
1849 yrnL R. Agric. Soc. X. 1. 96 The wireworm had
been at work to so fearful an extent, that in ten days the
whole crop seemed victimised. x88a Hardy in Proc. Berw.
Nat. Club IX. 463 Some shrubs had been victimised by the
winter.
Hence Vi'ctimized///. a. ; Vi'otimizing vbl.
sb. and ppl. a.
X849 SovEH Mod, Housew. 242 •Victimised Cutlets. 1850
Thackeray /*««£?««« Ixiii, [He] had pledged his word.,
to be content with the allowance which his victimized wife
still awarded him. 1855 Smedley H. CoverdaJe iv, A
..system of reprisals which those victimised individuals
appeared.. inclined to resent. 1859 Habits o/Gd. Society
XV. 372 The. . broken sentences of the victimized bridegroom.
t834 Tait's Mag. 1. 392/2 The Jews were to have bis money
any way. If not for their conversion, then for his own
♦victimizing. 1850 Thackeray Pendennis Iv, There was
no such thmg: there was no victimizing. 1839 Morning
Herald 3 Sept., The defrauded victims of.. a "victimising
artist.
Vi'Ctimizer. [f. prec] One who victimizes
another or others.
183X Fraset^s Mag. IV. 578 A gambling house, in which
the cards arc played for the victim by the victimises X837
Thackeray Ravenstuingu, He. .felt the presence of a vic-
timiser as a hare does of a greyhound. 1863 Bates Nat.
A mazon II . 46 The dress of the victimisers is arr? nged with
especial reference to their prey. 1879 ' E. Garrett * House
bjf IVorks II. 1^7 Rather partners in fall and loss, than
victimiser and victim.
tVictita'tion. Obs. rare. [f. L. victitdre
to subsist (on something), f. victus food, susten-
ance.] The taking of food or nourishment. |
1597 A. M. tr. GuiUemeau^s Fr. Ckirurg. 51/3 In eatinge j
a'.id drinckinge, without observingc anye rule of victitation. i
*S99 — tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physicke 155/2 He must ob-
serve a good dyet in al his victitations.
Victlar, obs. form of Viotuallkk. !
186
t Vi'ctless, a. Obs~^ [f. L. vict'US food : cf.
Victitation.] Lacking food; hungry, starved.
1615 Chapman Odyss. xvu. 285 Why thou vnenuied
Swaine, Whither dost thou leade this same victles Leager ?
This bane of banquets ; this most nasty bagger ?
Victor (vi'ktsj), JiJ.l Forms: a. 4- victor, 5
victore, uyctor, 6 Sc, wictor. 3. 4-7 victour
(6 Sc. wictour), 5 victur, -oure, vyctour(e,
-owre. [a. AF. victor^ victour (OF. victeur), or
I.* victory agent-noun f. vict~, ppl. stem of vinch'e
to overcome, conquer.]
1. One who overcomes or vanquishes an adver-
sary ; the leader of an army which wins a battle or
war. Sometimes collect., the winning army or
nation. Also const, of.
a. a 1340 Hampole Psalter xxiii. i A bedel ^at eftere l>e
victory cries J>at all |?e land is J>e victors. 1387 Trevisa
Higden (Rolls) II. 99 pe Saxons were victors, and eueriche
prouince, as he was strengere, made hem kynges. c 1400
Destr, Troy 2145 Ofte sith hit is sene. .Tliat a victor of a
victe is vile ouercomyn. 1448-9 J. Metham Jf^^i. (E.E.T.S.)
52/1403 Vowre welffare and prosperyte Is in m^ uyage, 5^
I may uyctor be. 1570 Levins Manip. 171 A victor, z'/V/on
1593 Wyrlev Armorie, Capitall de Buz i, Assailant con-
queror, this braue English king Triumphant victors his
noble offspring. 1606 Shaks. Tr. 8f Cr. iv. v. 67 What shalbe
done To him that victory commands? or doe you purpose,
A victor shall be knowne. 1665 Manlev Grotius'' Lo%V'C.
Warres 235 His Body, when found by the Victors, ..was
exposed to publike shame and laughter. 1697 Drviien
ALneidxu. 497 In vain the vanquish'd fly ; the victor sends
The dead men's weapons at their living friends. ij6» Hume
Hist. Eng. I. 6 Boadicea herself, rather th^n fall into the
hands of the enraged victor, put an end to her own life by
poison. 1781 Gibbon Decl. iJ- F. xxx. (1787) III. 161 The
Huns..soon withdrew from the presence of an insulting
victor, i8ai Scott Keniltu, xxxvii, The light yet strong
buckler, and the short two-edged sword, the use of which
had made them victors of the world. 1841 Elphinstone
Hist. Ind. II. 567 Two of the surviving brothers soon after
came to an open conflict, and the third attacked the victor
on the morning after the battle, 1B71 R. Ellis Catullus
Ixiv. 112 Thence in safety, a victor, in height of glory
returned.
/3. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 87 pan afterward >ey
serued J>e Macedonyes, when J?e Macedoynes were vic-
tours in )»e est loiides. a 1400-50 Alexander 186 pan sail
\>ax victoure 50W venge on aour vile fais. 1412-20 Lvdc.
Chron. Troy i. 4321 pe feld pei ban, and ben l^at day vic-
tours. c 1440 Promp. ParT/. 510/1 Vyctowre, victor, tri-
umphator. 1508 Dunbar Poems vii. 2oWelcum invincible
victour moste wourthy. 1581 A. Hall Iliad \. 78 Thinking
that victour now he stoode, thus Pandarus doth braue At
the stoute Greeke. 1658 Phillips, Victour^ an overcomer
or Conquerour.
b. transf. andyf^. One who overcomes in any
contest or struggle.
a 1400 Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS. xxiii. 132 Com tovs
wi(>-outen wene, Victor of olde Enemys. c 1430 Lydc. Min.
Poems (Percy Soc.) 97 Verray victor withe his woundes
fyve. 1447 Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 90 Help lady that
he.. Of his goostly enmyse may victour be. c 1450 Cap-
grave Life St. Gilbert 81 These same maydenes, desyring
to be victouris of her kynde & eke of \)e world. 1508
Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 326, I crew abone that crau-
done, as cok that wer wictour. 1567 Gude •$■ Godlie B.
(S.T.S.) 23 Christ,. .Victour of deid and hell. 1638 Junius
Paint, Ancients 345 Now having obtained the chase, the
victor calleth for a knife to take essay. 1687 Boyle Mar*
tyrd. Theodora\\\. (1703) 104 O admirable contest ! where
the noble antagonists did not strive for victory, but death,
..that the victor might perish for the vanquished. 173a
Pope E^, Bathnrst 313 There, Victor of his health, of for-
tune, friends, And fame, this lord of useless thousands ends.
181 X Shelley Ztwf 7 Since withering pain no power pos-
sessed,.. Nor time's dread victor, death, confessed. 1865
Daily Tel. 31 Oct. 6/5 The silent Victor that meets us all,
sooner or later.
fc. Sc. The dux of a school. Obs.
1651 Caldwell Papers {M^h\. CI) I. losToyshoillmaster
and doctor in Glasgow for W^ Mure his candilmas offering,
he being victor that year, 20.0.0. 1724 R. Wodrow L^e
y, Wodrow (1828) 78 The Archbishop Paterson's second son
was then in it [the school], and was what we then called
victor.
2. atirib. (chiefly appositive), passing into adj.
(cf. ViCTORioDS a.), a. Of weapons, etc., as
victor arms, arrow, -banner , -spear, sxvord.
1590 Spenser F, Q. 11. x. 23 He with his victour sword
first opened The bowels of wide Fraunce. 1605 Shaks.
Learv. iii. 132, 1 protest,.. Despite thy victor-S word,, .thou
art a Traitor. 1726 Pope Odyss, xix. 477 My victor arms
Have awed the realms around with dire alarms. Ihid. xxiv.
202 Thro* ev'ry ring the victor arrow went. 1776 Mickle
tr. Camoens' Lusiad 168 O'er the wild waves the victor-
banners fiow'd. Ibid. 229 The victor-spear One hand em-
ployed, 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam iv. xxv, Why pause the
victor swords to seal his overthrow?
b. Of persons, animals, etc., as victor brethren,
eagle, god, -hand, -head, -hero, etc.
^1640 Shirley Cont. Ajax ^ Ulysses (1650) 128 Upon
Deaths purple Altar now. See where the Victor-victim
bleeds. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. 111. 747 The Victor
Horse, forgetful of his Food, The Palm renounces, and
abhors the Flood. 1703 Pope Thebais 668 To Argos'
realms the victor god resorts, c 1716 Somkrville To Addi-
son,£state^ Warwicks., Thevictor-hostamaz'd, with horror
view'd Th' assembling troops. 1717 Pope Jliad xii. 257
The victor eagle, whose sinister flight Retards our host. 1730
Thomson Sopkonisba 11. ii. 7 If she may touch Thy knee,
thy purple, and thy victor-hand. 1776 Micklk tr. Camoens'
Lusiad 96 On Jordan's bank the victor-hero strode. Ibid.
328 The victor-youth the Lusian flag displays. 1814 Scott
Z(7rrf ij//f^« IV. xxXjO Scotland ! shall it e'er be mine.. To
raise my victor-head, and see Thy hills, thy dales, thy
VICTORIA.
people free? 184^ Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 388, 1, it seems, am
first Of all my victor brethren to declare The triumph past
and coming.
c. Miscellaneous, as victor-deed, -pxan, -palm,
-pomp, shore, -shout.
c 1381 Chaucer Pari. Foules 182 The olyue of pes, & ek
the dronke vyne, The victor palm, the laiirer to dcuyne.
1776 Mickle \.t. Camoens^ Lusiad 171 'Twas his in victor-
pomp to bear away The golden apples fiom Hesperia's
shore. 1803 Leyden Scenes Infancy iv. xviii, The groans
of wounded on the blood-red plain. And victor-shouts exult-
ing o'er the slain, 1808 Scott Marmion 111. xxiv, Shouting
crews her navy bore, Triumphant, to the victor shore. 1814
— Lord of Isles v. xxxii, Then long and loud the victor-
shout From turret and from tower rung out. 1819 Keats
Otho I. ii, I wonder not this stranger's victor-deeds So hang
upon your spirit. 1885 J. H. Dell Dawning Grey, Pre-
fatory^ For the leader that shall brin^!; To the field the
mightiest forces, shall the victor-paean ring.
t 3. Victor penny, ^ fee paid to the schoolmaster
by the scholar owning the victorious cock. Obs.
*5*5 Foundation Stat. Manchester Gram. School 15
April, (The Schoolmaster shall teach the children] with-
oute any money or other reward taking therefor as cokke
peny, victor peiiy, potacion peny or any other except his
said stipend.
t Victor, J<^.2 Obs, Chiefly .SV. Forms: a. 4-5
victor, 5 .S"^. victotir, •wictour(e, 6 Sc. wict-,
victore, 0. 4 victoire, 5 victoyre. [a. OF.
victore and victoire : see Victoky sb^ Victory.
«■ '375 Barbour Bruce iv. 277 Scho..bad him till the
battale spede, For he suld victor haf but drede. Ibid. viii.
255 Gif that we may. .Haf victour of our fayis heir, c 1375
Sc. Leg. Saints xi. {Simon ^ Jude) 176 To knaw hyme
& his helpe crafe, be quham ^u mycht J>e wictoure hafe.
<z 1400-50 Alexander 2096 Alexander J>e athill..A-vanced
with )>e victore & vengid on his faes. 1413 zt Pol. Poems
xii. 131 pat haj> victor, wole be euel payed, So many good
men ben lest. 1:1470 Henry Wallace vii. 148 The gold
takynnis.. Wictour in armys, that thou sail haifl^ be grace.
1533 Gau Richt Vay 45 Deid is swolit throw wiciore. 1549
Covipl, Scotl. Ep. 4, I suld nocht forjet the tryumphant
victore, .. conqueist be the vail^eant. .kyng of secilie.
p. 1390 GowER Conf. I. 37 Fulofte is sene,. The fieble
hath wonne the victoire. Ibid. 125 Tokepeanddraweinto
memoire Of his bataille the victoire. 1474 Caxton Chessi
II. iv. (1883) 52 Scylla that was Due of the Romayns wyth
cute had many fayr victoyres agaynst the Romayns wyth
Inne.
t Victor, V. Obs. [f. Victor 5^.1] irans. To
overcome, vanquish. Chiefly in pa. pple. and
ppl. a. Vi*ctored. Hence tVi'ctoring///. a.
1576 Bedingfield tr. Cardanus Comf 38 For that neither
in victory or victored he would hinder the common wealth.
'594 — tr. Machiavelli' s Florentine Hist. (1595) 12 It was
condescended among them, to diuide the places victored,
by foure parts. i6oz Segar Hon. Mil. .y Civ. iii. xii. 124
Whosoeuer is defender.. ought to be reputed victorious it
hee be not victored. x6«4 A. Holland Inquis. agst. PaPer
Persecutors 3 All the Pamphlets and the Toyes Which I
haue seene in hands of Victoring Boyes. 1683 Gadbury in
Whartofi's Whs. Pref., Where the Noble and Valiant Sit
Jacob Ashley was unfortunately victor'd, and taken Prisoner.
fVi'Ctorage. Sc. Obs."^ In5wictorag. [f.
as prec. + -age.] Victory.
<^ >375 Sc. Leg, .Saints xxii. {Laurence) 138 Fere marc
loyful wictorag pu sal resawe syne to \>'\ wag.
t Vi'Ctordom, Obs. rare. [f. as prec. -h -DOM.]
The condition of being a victor ; victory.
15*6 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 135 Innumerable
martyrs by the lyght & strengthe of this gyfte had the
triumphe & victordome of paynes vnsptekable. a 1540
Barnes Wks. {1573) 278/1 Then will I stand by, and looke
on, and see what victordome thou shalt get.
t Vi*ctorer. Obs. Also 6 viotorour, vic-
tourer. [Extended form of Victor sb^■, in com-
mon use c 1560-1610.] A victor or vanquisher.
"553 Brende Q. Curtius iv. 57 He that is so juste an
enemy, and so merciful a victorour. 1555 Edek Decades
(Arb.) 50 Greater commoditie hath therof ensewed to the
vanquisshed then the victourers. 1577 B. Googe Heres-
bach''s Husb. 1. (1586) 5 b, The Earth in the meane time
reioysing to be torne with a Victorers shaare. 1601 Holland
Pliny II. 300 The manner was to hang this ridiculous
puppet under the chariots of noble victorers riding in
triumph. 1631 Gouge God's Arro7vs in. § 71. 314 Like
victorers they continued to hold up their banners.
tVi'ctoress. Obs. [f. Victor 5^.1 -h -bss. Cf.
Victress.] A female victor.
1586 Warner Alb. Eng. u. xi. (1589) 44, I am bis Victor,
but thy selfe art Victoresse of me. 1590 Spenser F. Q. iii.
xii. 44 But when the victoresse arriued there, . . Neither of
them she -found where she them lore. 16x4 Heywood
Gunaik. v. 237 Oh Elphlede mighlie both in strength and
mind. The dread of men and victoresse of thy kind. 1634
[see Victress, quot. 1601I.
II Victoria ^ (viktoa-ria). [L. victoria (or Sp.
and Pg. victoria) : see Victory sb.'\
1. The word employed as a shout of triumph.
1638 Ford Lady*s Trial 11. i, Steal her away and to her
Cast caps and cry victoria t 167a Dryden Assignation iv.
iv, Victoria, Victoria! he loves you, madam. 1691 Wood
Ath. Oxon. II. 284 The judicious reader, .may easily rout
those Troops, which began too soon to cry victoria, and
thought, .but of dividing the spoil. 1855 Kingslev Westw.
Ho! xxxi, 'There go the rest of them ! Victoria !' shouted
Gary, as.. every Spaniard set all the sail he could. i86x
Gen. p. Thompson Audi Alt. Part. III. clxi 175 The
opposite party at the same time made simpletons of them-
selves by throwing up their caps and crying ' victoria '.
transf. 1863 Bradford Adz'ertiser 18 July 5/2, If you
conquered, all the post-horns in Europe were set to sound
* Victoria I *
2. A figure of the goddess Victory. rare^K
VICTORIA.
a 1700 Evelyn Diary 6 May 1645, The stamp of the
Roman Denarius varied:., if with a Victoria, so nam'd.
Victoria - (vikt6»Tia). [The name of the
Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, etc., from
1837 to 1901, employed attributively or by itself
as a designation of various things.]
1. A light, low, four-wheeled carriage having a
collapsible hood, with seats (usually) for two
persons and an elevated seat in front for the driver.
(1844 Art Union y ml. VI. 238 A caliche, .which the
French have named after Queen Victoria.] 1870 Pall Mall
G. 24 Au^. II, I have taken a victoria and driven to the
Porte Maillot to watch the engineers fell the trees in the
Bois de Boulogne. i8j« Maiiv .M. Grant Sun-Maid xi, A
victoria is the prettiest carriage a lady can possible drive
in. 1886 Pall Mall G. \o May 3/2 We are threatened with
an inundation of new cabs and victorias for the coming
season.
attrib. 1903 Motor. Ann. 258 The motor-car best suited to
India would be that. .with a canopy — or, better still, a
victoiia top.
2. Bol. A gigantic species of water-lily, Victoria
regia, indigenous to South America.
1846 LiNDLEY Vcg. Kingd. 4ir Floating plants. .on the
continent of South America, .are represented by Victoria.. .
Victoria, the most gigantic and beautiful of water plants, is
. .ailed Water Maize in South .America. 185J Phil. Trans.
CXLII. 289 The specimen of Victoria which flowered in
the Gardeiis oftbe Royal Botanic Society. 1866 Treas.
Bot. 1215 The Victoria.. \s2a delighted .. thousands, by the
size of its leaves and the beauty and fragrance of its flowers.
attrib. i8«i Bentlev Man. Bot. 445 The plant is com-
monly known in this country as the Victoria Water-lily.
1880 Bessey Botany 558 Victoria re^ia, the Victoria Lily
of the Amazon Valley in South America.
3. Astr. One of the minor planets, discovered by
Hind in 1850.
1851 J. R. Hind Solar System 91 The name selected for
the twelfth member [of the extra-zodiacal group] is Victoria.
Ibid, t)-! The discovery of Victoria, .was quickly followed
by that of another small planetary body. 1868 Lockyer
Elent. AstroH. 328.
4. A variety of domestic pigeon.
1879 L. Wright Pigeon Keeper 208 Victorias are simply
Hyacinths of a lighter shade. i88s Lyell Fancy Pigeons
97 These varieties.. have been promiscuously named Hya-
cinths, Victorias and Porcelains in our pigeon literature.
b. yicloria crown{ed) pigton, a queen's pigeon
(Queen sb. 14 b).
c 1881 Casselfs Nat. Hist. IV. 127.
5. A variety of plum characterized by its luscious
flavour and rich red colour. Also attrib.
i860 R. Hogg Fruit Manual 256 Denyer's Victoria...
Skin bright red on the side next the sun, but pale red on
the shaded side. 1883 H. Drummono Nat. Law in Stir.
W. (1884) 364 He arranges his. .plums iti his shop window.
He may tell me a magnum bonuni from a Victoria. 1883
sQth Cent. Nov. 870 Some sixteen years ago. .1 planted two
Victoria plums. Ibid.^ A Victoria plum tree.
6. A kind of woollen dress material.
1891 Times 26 Oct. 4/2 The parcels of miscellaneous
goods.. have consisted of blue victorias, meltons in all
colours, brown Venetians.
7. attrib. a. Victoria Cross, a British military
and naval decoration bestowed for conspicuous
bravery in battle. (Abbreviated V.C.) Victoria
Day, the anniversary of the birthday of Queen
Victoria, May 24. (Also called Empire Day.)
1856 Royal IVarrant in Lond. Caz. 5 Feb. 410/2 The dis-
tinction shall be styled and designated 'The Victoria Cross',
and shall consist of a Maltese Cro.>iS of Bronze, with Our
Royal Crest in the centre, and underneath which an estroU
)>earing this inscription 'For Valour'. 1863 Chambers
Bk. Days I. 319/1 The tst of March, 1857, is one among
many days associated with the bestowal of the Victoria
Cross upon heroic soldiers and sailors. 1901 Scotsman 28
Feb. 7/4 A bill was introduced in the Canadian parliament
to make Victoria day — May 24th — a permanent public
holiday throughout Canada.
b. Misc., as Victoria black, blue. Court, crape,
/rilling, lawn (see quois.).
1888 Jacobi Printers* Vor. 152 *yictoria blacky a fancy
black-letter character. 1891 Cent. Diit , "Victoria blue.
189s Bud's Hamlblc. Med. Sci. IX. 429 Victoria Blue..\%
a brilliant and useful nuclear slain. 1899 Cagney Jttksck's
Clin. Diagnosis x. 437 Staining with alcoholic solution
of Victoria-blue. 184;; M'^Culloch Brit. Emf. (ed. 3; II.
220 The principal sheriff". . visiting the county, .for the pur-
pose of holding statutory, registration, and small debt, com.
monlycalled*Kii:/o<-<o Courts. iSn Encycl. Brit. VI. 553/1
A very successful imitation of real crape is made in Man-
chester of cotton yarn, and sold under the name of "Victoria
crape. i88a Cauleeild & Saward Diet. Needlrw. 515/1
'Victoria /rilling,, .n description of cotton cambric Frill-
ing. Ibid., 'Victoria lawn,.. A description of mtislin..
employed as a lining for skirts of dresses. 1851 Catat. Gt.
P.xkib. 495 Cloakings:—Frazer tartan,.. 'Victoria [lartan].
Royal Stewart, Forbes, and Gordon. Ibid. 491/1 Silk and
worsted and cotton and worsted "Victoria velvet damasks.
tVictOTial, a. and sb. Obs. [a. OF. victorial
or ad. late L. victoridl-is, f. L. victoria Victory
sb. So It. vittoriale.'\
A. aiij. Of or belonging to victory ; victorious.
c 1460 Wisdom 11 19 in Macro Plays' Ti Now ye haue
receyuyde l>e crownnys victorjall To regne in blys with-
owtyn ende ! 1501 in Dunbar's Poems IxxxviiL 38 London, . .
thy Tour founded of old May be the hous of Mars victoryalL
1513 Bbadshaw St. Werburge 11. 298 They kneled all downe
with mycie reucrencc, Salutyiige the shryne with honour
victoriall. 1611 CoTGR., Victorial, Victoriall, of or belong-
ing to victorie. 1649 Robebts Clavis Bibl. 1 14 This Song
is a Triumphant Victorial Song, or Song for Victory that
Israel had over Sisera's Host. 1653 Urquhart Rabelais
187
II. xxvii. (1694) 163 Pantagruel for an eternal Memorial
wrote this victorial ditton.
B. sb.pl. Games in honour of victory.
1657 Jhornley tr. Longus" Daphnis <5- Chloe 83 They
carows'd, and danc'd, and celebrated victorials.
Victorian, a.l [f. the name of Victorius, an
ecclesiastic of the 5th century.] Victorian cycle,
period {see quot. 1728 and Dionysianiz. 3).
1718 Chambers Cyc/. s,v. Period^ Victorian Period^ an
Interval of 532 Julian Years, which elaps'd, thenewandfuli
Moons return on the same Day of the Julian Year. 1905
J. B. Bury Si. Patrick App. 372 I'he Celtic Church in
Britain and Ireland never adopted the Victorian cycle.
Victorian (vikio^-rian), a:^ and sb. [f. Vic-
toria 2. ]
A. adj. Of or belonging to, designating, or
typical of the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
1875 Stedman Vict. Poets i. 6 The significant likeness
between the Alexandrian and Victorian eras. 1880 C. H.
Pearson in Victorian Rev.\,^A,^ The changes., were more
radical than any programme of Victorian Liberalism
suggests. 1897 ^Iary Kingsley IV. Africa 591 An old-
fashioned petticoat such as an early Viclorian-age lady
would have worn. 1907 Miss F. F. Montr^sor Burning
Torch 426 The furniture., was adorned in a heavy Early
Victorian style.
B. sb. 1. A person, esp. an author, who lived
in the reign of Queen Victoria.
1876 N.Atner. Rev. CXXIII. 219 We can scarcely avoid
calhng him [Browning] the strongest, truest poet of the
Victorians. 1886 F. Hahri.son Choice Bks. lii. 61 He
[Tennyson], alone ol the Victorians, has definitely entered
the immortal group of our English poets.
2. An article of furniture from the time of Queen
Victoria.
1905 Elin. G'UiH Viciss. Evangeline 189, I shall have the
suite. .done up with pale green, and burn all the Early
Victorians,
Hence Vioto*ria&ism ; Victorianise v,
1905 Westm. Gaz. 2 Feb. 4/2 The turban.. is, of course,
an early Victorianism. 1905 Speaker 8 April 32/2 They
Victorianise his [Bunyan's] spelling and parade his Calvin-
ism on shiny paper.
VictO'rian, a. 3 [See def.] Of or belonging
to, native to, the colony of Victoria in Australia
(named in 185 1 after Queen Victoria).
In recent use occurring in a number of plant-names, as
Victorian dogwootit laurei, lilac, parsnip.
1857-^5 ^litle\ The Victorian Hansard; containing the
debates. .of the Legislative Council and Assembly of the
Colony of Victoria. 1867 Chatnbers's Encycl. IX. 787/1
The Victorian samples (of wheat] at the last Great Exhibi-
tion ranked amongst the very best. 1889 Maiden Useful
PL 449 Eucalyptus globulus. . . [Called] ' Tasmanian or
' Victorian Blue Gum ' from the colour of its foliage.
tVictoriat'.e, Obs. rare. [ad. L. vicldriUl-uSf
f. vicloria Victory sb.'\ A Roman silver coin
stamped with the image of Victory, equal in value
to half a denarius. Also altrib.
x6oi Holland Pliny II. 182 If this hearbe be taken in
wine to the weight of a victorial peece of silver, /.
halfe a Romane denier, it..stoppeth the course of a new
cough. 1657 W. Rand tr. Cassendi's Life Peiresc vi. 205
They make so freauent mention of Coines and Weights, as
Talents, Sides,,. Victoriates, Sesterces. 1771 Phil, Trans.
LXI. 490 What is now called the Victorial, was coined by
the Clodian Law.
Victorine (vi-ktor/h), sb.^ [? f. VicTOB-iA 5i +
-INE*.] A kind of fur tippet worn by ladies,
fastened in front of the neck and having two
loose ends hanging down.
1849 Ann. Reg. 11 1 The several articles now produced, a
bonnet, a fur victorine, &c. i86a Catal. Intemat, Exhib.,
Brit. II. No. 4502, Manufacturer of self-fasteners for vic-
torinesand mantles. x88i MissC M. \ouGE.Lads^ Lasses
Langley i. 47 The first prize was a lovely fur victorine. i^o*
Delineator Dec. 614/1 The Victorine and collarette are
again promised favour.
Victorine (vi-kt6rih), sb.2 and a. [ad. F.
Victoritty {. the name of the monastery of St,
Victor near Paris.] a. sb. One or other of the
founders or adherents of the type of mysticism
developed at St. Victor in the I2th and 13th cen-
turies, b. adj. Of or pertaining to the mysticism
of St. Victor.
1881 Encycl. Brit. XII. 583/2 The art of the Victorine
school was carried to its greatest perfection by Adam of St.
Victor. x88s-3 Schaff's Encycl. Relig. Knowl. II. 1603
There is a palpable connection . . between the pseudO'Diony*
sian writings and the Victorines. 1886 C. Bigg Christian
Platonists of Alexandria v. 189 Thus Ori^en .. became
also the spiritual ancestor of Bernard, the Victorines, and
the author of the De Imitatione.
Victorious (viktos-rias), a. Also 5-6 viotor-
iouae, -yous, -ius (6 -yua) ; 5-6 vyotoryous(e,
6 -ious. [a. AF, victorious ( = OF. and F. victori-
ettx) or ad. L, (ante- and post-class.) victdrids-us^
f. victoria Victory sb. So Sp. and Pg. victoriosOy
It. vittorioso.']
1. Having gained victory or obtained supremacy
as victor ; triumphant over adversaries or rivals ;
successful in any contest or struggle : a. Of per-
sons or an army. Also const, over.
cj^tM Destr. Troy iioi Hit was neuer herd .. In any
coste where ye come, but ye were clene victorius. i43a-5o
tr. Higden (Rolls) IV. 171 This Mitridates apperede ever
moore. .victoryous after that ^e noble consulles of the Ro-
manes., hade victory of hym. 1474 Caxton Chesse 11. iv.
(1883) 53 Be mercyfull to them wyth whom we haue ben
VICTORY.
victorious. 1535 Covebdale Ecclus. xviii. i God onely is
righteous, & remayneth a victorious kynge for euer. 1546 in
Eng. Gilds (1870) 197 The most valiant and victorius kinge,
.. kinge Edward. 1596 Nashe SaJfron-lValdcn Wks.
[ (Grosart) III. 183 The victorioust Capiaines and Warriours,
j the inuinciblest Cjesars and Conquerors. 1617 Mokvson
I Itin. I. 39 With much wonder that shee..was so victorious
against the Spaniards. 1667 Milton P. L, 11. 997 Heav'n
Gates Pourd out by millions her victorious Bands Pursuing.
aijzyyUEWTou Chronol. Amended W. {lyzS) 299 They led
their victorious armies against the King of Egypt. 1757 tr.
Keysler's 7'rav. III. 309 Giacomo da Pesaro,.. victorious
over the Turks in war, and over himself in peace. 1781
CowPER Table-t. 473 Vengeance at last pours down upon
their coast, A long despis'd, but now victorious, host. 1837
J. SxERLrNG Ess.^ etc. (1848) I. 176 Montaigne, .yet had
honesty and warmth of soul to see in Socrates a victorious
witness for the..lastingness of truth. 1840 Keightley
Rotn. Empire 11. vi. 3^6 Victorious over all his rivals,..
Aurelian celebrated a triumph with unusual magnificence.
1864 PuSEV Lect. Daniel ii. 60 The young monarch.. had
already shown himself.. energetic and victorious.
b. transf. Of things.
c Z386 Chaucer Man of Law's T. 358 Victorious tre, pro-
teccioun of trewe. That oonly were worthy for to here The
kyng of heven. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 111. xxii. (1904) 485
Love, be ashamed to be called Love ; cruell Hate, .is vic-
torious over thee. 1667 Milton P. L. u. 142 Th' Ethereal
mould Incapable of stain would soon. .purge oflf the baser
fire Victorious. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. 11. 420 The
smouldering flame the trunk receives ; Ascending thence, it
..At length victorious to the top aspires. 1781 Cowper
Conversat. 320 Now the distemper, spite of draught or pill.
Victorious seem'd, 1889 J. B. Bury Hist. Later Rom.
Emp. II. ix. I. 185 Julian's championship of the dying cause
furthered the victorious creed.
2. Of, belonging to, or characterized by victory ;
producing victory ; emblematic of victory.
Z490 Caxton Eneydos xvi. 62 He shulde be dygnc.to
obteyne by bataylles the conquesle vyctoryouse of the,.
empyre of Ytalye. a 1513 Fabyan Chron. cxlvii. (1533) 78
For the whyche vyctoryous acte, the sayde Charlys obteynyd
a surname, and was called. .Carolus Martellus. 1596 Spen-
ser P\ Q. VI. iv. 36 As their victorious deedes haue often
showen, Being with fame through many Nations blowen.
x6o6 Shaks. Ant. ^ CI. iv. ii. 43, 1 hope well of to morrow,
and will leade you. Where rather lie expect victorious life.
Then death, and Honor. ^1630 Milton At a Solemn
iI/«j/t:*i4TheChcrubick host.. With ihosejust Spirits that
wear victorious Palms. 17x2-4 Pope Rape Lock in. 104
Sudden, these honours shall be snatch 'd away, And curs'd
for ever this victorious day. 1791 Cowper Uiatt vni. 331
And I will give to thy victorious hand, After my own, the
noblest recompense. x8a9 Scott Guy M. Introd., He had
not power to explain the assurance of pardon which he con-
tinued to assert, or to name the victorious name on which
he trusted. 1831 — Ct. Rob. iv, It now became a serious
and doubtful question whether our victorious eagles might
be able to penetrate any farther into the country of the
enemy. X847 Mrs. A. Kerk Ranke's Hist.Servia 95 They
who had borne victorious arms against the Turks.
Victoriously (viktos-riasli), adv. [f. prec. +
-LT^.] In a victorious manner ; triumphantly.
ISM Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) v. vl NN ij b,
Of as moche that they ben escaped the more vyctoryously.
«iS»3 tABYAN Chron. vi. clxxvii. 175 He.. bare hym so
victoryously agayne the Danys that he forced theym to
obey to all theyr former promyse and condycions. X534
Act 26 Hen. VIII^ c. 3 § i His majestic hathe moste vic-
toriously, .defendyd and governyd this his Realine. i6s6
Gouge Serm. Dignity Chivalry § 6 [They] waged many
battels valiantly and victoriously. X655 Fuller Ch. Hist.
II. viii. S 7 All whom he is said victoriously to have van-
giiished. 1718 Pope Iliadxn. Argt., Hector., enters at the
Head of bis Troops, who victoriously pursue the Grecians
even to their Ships. 1755 Johnson, Triumphantly ,. .vie-
toriously; with success. \^j \}e.Q\jihqe,v Last Days Kant
Wks. III. 105 Over all which the benignity and nobility of
his nature mount, .victoriously to the last. 18B4 Manch.
Exa»t. 8 April 5/1 The Bill.. in due course.. will be sent
victoriously to the House of Lords.
Victorionsness (^viktos-rissnes). [f. as prec
+ -NE33.] The state or quality of being victorious.
1705 tr. Bosnian''s Guinea 4 Several Authors have repre-
sented Guinea as a Mighty Kingdom, whose Prince by his
Victoriousness had subdued numerous Countries. 1805 A.
Knox Rem. (1834) I. 38, I will add another instance of
Christian victoriousness. xSgx J, H. Newman Ca/^. in Eng.
369, I have an intense feeling in me about the power and
victoriousness of truth. 1876 M. Arnold Last Ess. Ch.
(1877) '44 No one has spoken more truly.. of the natural
victoriousness of virtue.
t Vi'CtOrize, v. Obs. rare. [f. Victor sb.^ +
-IZE.] a. trans. To make victoiious. b. intr.
To win the victory _^/- one.
S614 Sylvester Bethulias Rescue vi. 189 Most of all did
Ammon's Prince admire God's dreadfull Judgement: and
to scape his ire, Who Israel thus, of vanquisht, victorizd.
1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T. 11. io6Christ Jesus. .was
a Lyon, but it was to victorize for us, not to prey upon us.
t Vi'Ctorsllip. Obs. rare. [f. Victor i^.ij The
position of a victor ; the chief place.
x6xa Brinslev Lud. Lit. 281 I'o haue a disputation for
the victorship once euery quarter of the yeare. Ibid,, To
incourage them, and all the rest of them by their ensample
to striue at length to come vnto the Victorshippe.
Victory (vi'ktori), sb. Forms : 4-7 victorie
(4 uict-, 4-5 vittorio, 6 Sc. wictorie, -orrie),
victorye, 4- victory (5 .Sir. wictory) ; 4-6 vyk-
torye (4 fyotorye), vyctory (6 vyctorie) ; 4-5
Vict-, 4 wiot-, vikt-, 5 vittori. [a. AF. and OF.
victorie (var, of OF. and F. victoire), ad. L.
Victoria^ f. victor Victor sb?- Cf, Sp. and Pg,
victoria^ It. vittoria.}
1. The position or state of having overcome an
24-3
VICTORY.
enemy or adversary in combat, battle, or war;
sDpremacy or superiority achieved as the result of
armed conHict.
a. With the, as in the phr. to have {get^ wi$t) the
victory. Also const, ^(an enemy, etc.).
13.. A',Aiis.j663 (Laud MS.), Of tioye was )>ermne al
^ story, Hou Grcgeis hatlde:i ^e victory, c 1330 Art/t. <V
AftrL 337o(Kalbing), He ^iiked \>e king of gloric, t>athim
hadde ^(Mien be ^■ictorie, To ouercomcn his fomen. 1387
Trkvisk Nt^iiem iRoWs) II. 167 pcse men . . bee^» i-wonedto
haue the victorie and |>c maistrie in euerich fijt. ^1400
Desir. Troy 6134 Our ^oddis the gouerne, & soche grace
ienc, pat |k)u the victone wyn, thi worship to saue. c 1400
Maunoev. (Roxb.) ii. 5 When any man had t>e victory of
his cnmy. cs4ao Lydg. Assembiy 0/ Gods loii To wete
whydie of hem shuld haue the victory, thid. 1790 Thus
they contynu fyght for the victory. ^1440 Gesta Rom. iv.
9 (HarL MS.), So )ns yong kny^t . . fought with the enemeys,
and wan Jw victorie. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas, xxxvi.
(Percy Soc.) 190, I.. for her sake shalbe invincible Of tliis
great monster to have the victoiy. 1535 Covkrdalk Dan.
vii. 21, I behelde, and the same home made battail agaynst
the sayntes, yee and gat the victory off them. 159s Kyd
Span. Trag. I. ti. 64 In all this turmoyle, three long houres
and more, The victory to neither part inclinde. i6ix Bible
2 Mitcc. xii. II Whereupon there was a very sore battell;
but ludas side. .got the victory. 1647 Hexham i. s.v.. To
Carrie away the victorie, x666 Pepvs Diary 29 July, A
tetter from Sir W. Coventry tells me that we have the vic-
tory. 1737 L. Clarke Hist. Bible (1740) I. ix. 580 For
Lathyros having gotten the Victory, pursued it to the
utmost. 1777 Brand Pop. Antiq. 374 This so encouraged
the Grecians, that they fought strenuously, and obtained
the Victory over the Persians, x8ii G. Bruce Poems 8(
Songs 19 To him.. Wha. .can the victory bestow On those,
who to his precepts bow.
b. Witiiout article.
137s Babboux Bruce i. 473 With few folk thai had wictory
On mychty kingts. Ibid. 111.234 Scipio..has o£f the tempHs
tane llie army3..In name off wictory ofFerryt that. 1398
Trevisa Bartfu De P. R. v. xxiiu (Bodl. MS.), J>e cok
crowi^after bataile & victorie. X4»~ao Lydg. Chron. Troy
I. 3863 Nor in armys conquest nor victorie Ben not assured
vp^n multitude. 1457 Hardvng Chron. in Eng. Hist. Rev.
Oct. (1912) 748 Of his fose he had ay vyctory. I5»6 Pilgr.
Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 15 By the whiche they crucifye the
worlde, and hath victory of it. 1535 Coverdale Ps. Ixxx viii.
43 Thou hast taken awaye the strength of his swerde, and
geuest him not victory in the battayll. 1593 Shaks. 3 Hen,
yit IV. t. 147 Why so ; then am I sure of victorie. Now
therefore let vs hence. 1654-66 Earl Orrery Parthen.
(1676) 515 Surena covered with Blood and Victory came to
my Chamber. 1788 Gibbon Decl.^ F. xliii. IV. 282 Victory
is'thc fruit of moral as well as military virtue. 1791 Cowper
Iliad xvii. 681 For him Jove leads to victory. 1839 James
Louis XIV, I. 144 In following up the flying squadrons
of Grammont and Chalxit, [he] suffered victory to escape
from bis hands. 1847GKOTE Greece 11. xxxi. IV. 229 Victory
still continued on the side of Athens. x88x F. W. H. Myers
IVortiswortk 80 When in victory.. Nelson passed away.
C. personif,
xs^ B. Googe Eglogs^ etc. (Arb.) 124 In fyne lo Vic-
lorye at bande.., Bent for to spoyle our Foes of Fame.
X594 Shaks. Rick. Ill, v. iii. 79 Fortune, and Victorj; sit
on thy H el me. 1667 Milton P. L. vi. 762 At his right
hand yictorie Sate Eagle-wing'd. 1783 Crabbe Village 11.
152 Victory seems to die now thou art dead. i8so Keats
Hyperion 11. 342 That was before we knew the winged
thing. Victory, mi^ht be lost, or might be won. 1885
Harper sMag. ApnlSiQ/a He. .has now fallen in the arms
of victory.
d. Used interjectionally as an expression of
triumph or encouragement. (Cf. Victoria i i.)
1591 Shaks. i Hen. Vf^ iv. vi. i Saint George, and
Victory; fight Souldiers^ fight. XS93 — 3 Hen. F/, v. L
113 Lords to the field: Saint George, and Victorie. x68i
Flavel Metk. Grace xxviiL 479 The day of a believer's
death is better than the day of his birth. Never till then,
do we put off our armour, sheath our sword, and cry
victory, victory. 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam v. Song vi,
Victory, Victory to the prostrate nations ! xSsx — Hellas
948 Victory 1 Victory ! Russia's famished eagles Dare not
to prey beneath the crescent's light.
2. An instance or occasion of overcoming an ad-
versary in battle, etc. ; a triumph gained by force
of arms.
Cadmean, Pyrrkic victory: see those words. Moral
victory : see Moral ir. 7 c.
« . . Sir Benes (A.) 2500 Ol'te he J^ankede (?e king in glori
Of "grace & is viktori. a 1340 Hami'OLE Psalter xxiiL i
A bedel, |iat efterc be victory cries t>at all >e land is be
victors. cx38s Chaucer L. G. IV. Prol. 22 These olde
aprouede storyis Of holynesse, of regnys, of victoryis, Of
louc, of hate [etc.]. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.)
3 Lyke for Davyd afiyr his victory Reyjoyssed whas alle
Jcnisalcm. xa6o Capgrave Chron. 33 The ix. {labour of
Herculesj is the gret victorie of the beste Achildes, that
blewe out fyre at his mowth. 1508 Dunbar Poems vii. 66
Al parlament thow suld be hyerenownit, Thatdid so mony
viciorysc opteyn. 1584 Powel Lloyd's Cambria u Let vs
. .choose vnto vs a head, to leade, direct, and gouerne vs,. .
sith without a head, there is no victorie to be looked for.
x6oi Chcster Lov^s Mart. 33 This Brytish King in warres
a Conqueror, And wondrous happie in his Victories. 1659
B. Habus Parivats Iron Age 53 Where, after they have
been repulsed or routed, they have rallyed. and carried
a*»y nwny glorious victories. 1769 Kobert^om Chas. V,
lu. P35 The victory at Villalar proved as decisive as it was
complete. X815 Morning Chron. 22 June, We stop the
pr««» to announce the most brilliant and complete Victory
wr obtained by the Duke of Wellington. 1856 Froude
Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 00 The victory was great; but, like
many victories it was fatal to the conquerors.
8. Supremacy or superiority, triumph or ultimate
success, in any contest, struggle, or enterprise.
a. With the J or in pi., etc.
188
X3.. Leg. Rood (1871) 88 Mak yi^ in Y^ne armes forj^i,
|>an sail ^ou haue ^»e victori. a X340 Hampolf. Psalter xxvi.
6, I hope J>e victory thoro his help. 1377 Langl. P. PL B.
111. 331 Se what Salamon seith in Sapience bokes, That hij
bat ^iueth^ifies J^e victorie wynnelh. 14. . Tundale's lis. 88
Whom [5C. martyrs] Cryst Jesu eternally in gloryOrdeyned
hath a palme of his victory. 1526 Tindale i ^ohn v. 4
This is the victory that ouer commeih the worlde, euen oure
fayth. 1573-80 Harvey Lett. Wks. (Grosari) 1. 136 From my
chamber the daye after mye victorye. 1597 Hooker Eccl.
Pol. V. IxxL §7 Such is euer-more the finall victorie of all
truth. ? 1639 J. Taylor (Water P.) Part Summers 7'ravels
33 (Hindley, HI), The cooks hath laid small Isles of mutton,
which you may invade With stomach, knife and spoon...
With these, the victory you cannot fail. 1683 Norris
Passion o/Saviour 130 This little Victory He won, Sbew'd
what He could have done. J697 Drydf.n Virg. Georg. iii.
164 Observe, if he disdains to yield the Prize ; Of Loss ini.
patient, proud of Victories. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 11. (Globe)
598 But I hope I have got t!ie Victory over my self. X779
buKKE Corr. (1844) 11.273 We have obtained two victories,
..victories, not over our adversaries, but over our own
passions and prejudices. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi.
II. 74 The victory of the cabal of evil counsellors was there-
fore complete. X876 Mozley Univ. Serm. v. (ed. 2) 189
The victory over the terror of death, in self-devotion pro-
duces the highest state of mind.
b. Without article.
c X315 Shoreham vii. 407 Hy^t moste neades for ^je glorye,
Elles hedde y.faylled fyctorjre. X340 Ayenb. 167 Wyi>-oute
pacience non ne het> uictorie. X38a Wyclif Prov. xxii. 9
Victorie and worshipe shal the] purchace, that ^eueth 5iftis.
<z X450 Knt, de la Tour vii. (1868) 10 And that fast is to
make you haue victori ayenst youreflesshe. 1500-10 Dunbar
Poems xxxvii. 27 All honour we this Lord with.. glory,
..That wan on tre trevmphe of he victory. X59a Shaks.
Rom. ^ Jul. IV. i. 30 The teares haue got small victorie by
that: For it was bad inough before their spjght. 1605
Bacon Adv. Learn, i. v. § 11 Men have entered into a desire
of learning . . sometimes to enable them to victory of wit and
contradiction. X667 Milton P.L. xii. 570 That suffering
for Truths sake Is fortitude to highest victorie. X79a Gouv.
Morris in Sparks Life ^ IVrit. (1832) II. 261 He has gained
no victory but over his own conscience. i8s8 Scott E. M.
Perth xxxii, ' There is neither victory nor defeat in the
case,' returned the Prince, drily. * The girl loves me not '.
X83S T. Mitchell Ackarn. of Arisioph. 430 «(7^f, The
daughter of Antaeus is placed at the goal, as the prize of
victory.
4. The Roman goddess representing or typifying
victory ; a figure or statue of this.
1569 S penser Sonn.^ ' / saw raisde vp on pillers ', On eche
side portraide was a victorie. With golden wings. 1585 T.
Washington tr, Nicholay's Voy. i. xxi. 26 b, Within it [the
chariot] was Victory sitting with two wings. x6xo Holland
Cow^tfwV 5rzV. 99 Indeed by this very same portrature..I
have5een..the goddesse Victorie expressed. 1704 Hearne
Duct. Hist. (1714) I. 437 The Sepulchral Monument of one
Tatius..atSipylus; whoseTomb was adorned with Wreaths
of Plenty, held up by Victories. 1788 Gibbon Decl. <y /'".
xlv. IV. 419 Crowned with a winged figure of Victory. i8so
Shelley Naples 60 Bright Altar of the bloodless sacrifice.
Which armed Victory offers up unstained To Love, the
flower-en chained ! X841 Thackeray Sec. Fun. Nap. iii. 63
Statues of plaster representing., victories, and other female
personages painted in oil so as to represent marble. X864
Tennyson Boadicea 30 Suddenly giddily tottering,.. down
their statue of Victory fell. 187a Head Sel. Grk. Coins in
Electrotype Brit. Mus. 6 Above is a flying Victory, crown-
ing the bull with a wreath.
5. atirib. and Comb.y as victory -anthem ^ -flashing
adj., match, -worthy Adj.
x55a Huloet, \ictory worthyjPalmarius. X709 The Post-
Boy 1-3 Dec, The Victory Handkerchief, which gives
accotint of. .five most Glorious Victories.. over the French.
X769 in Waghorn Cricket Scores 70 A cricket-match was
§layed at Swaffham (being the victory match). i8»>
helley Liberty xv. Lift the victory -flashing sword. 1869
W. P. Mackay Grace ^ Truth (1875) 122 After we liave
joyfully sung the victory-anthem recorded in Romans viii.
+ Victory, V. Cos. rare. [ad. OF. mctorier or
med.L. victoriare (It. vittoriare)^ f. L, victoria'.
see prec] trans. To overcome, vanquish.
a X470 Harding Chron. CLXXXVii. ix, Greate syckenesse
so had hym victoried, And droue hym out from all his
region. 1576 Bf.dingkield tr. Cardauus' Com/. 45 b, If he
had beene victoryed, hee coulde not haue left to Alexander
meane and power of happy procedinge.
Vixtoryless, a. [-less,] Lacking victory.
X891 Brooke Early En^. Lit. 11. xvii. 102 Hell is then
described, the abyss of pain, swart, victoryless, deep-daled.
X914 Times 14 Nov. lo/i A protracted, victoryless affair of
mere give and take on three or four vast firing-lines.
Victress (vi-ktres), [f. L. victr- + -ess. Cf.
next and ViCTBlx.] A female victor or vanquisher.
i6oi HoLLKtiD Pliny I. 452 Posthumius Tubertus. .rode
triumphant in this manner, to wit, crowned with a chaplet
of Myrtle, dedicated to Venus Victresse [X634 Victoresse].
1606 — Sueton. 243 When the one of them was foyled and
overcome, a third [eagle] came at the very instant from the
sunne rising and chased the victresse away. 1637 H evwood
Dial, xviii, 244 She that's crownd Victresse by the Trojan
Boy, For meed this golden Apple shall enioy. 1658 W.
Burton Itin. Anton. 44 She as a Mother not a Victresse
calls. X74I Shenstone Judgment Hercules 514 Not such
the victress, Virtue's constant queen, Endur'd the test of
truth, c 1780 M. MoNSEY in Jeaffreson Bk. about Doctors
(i860) II. 84 O Venus, send dire ruin on her head; Strike
the destroyer, lay the victress dead. 1850 W. P. Scargill
Eng. Sketck'Bk, 21 Peggy Mumps, his sister, was victress
in a chemise race. ^ 1867 Howells Ital. Jourft. loi The
painter has done his b^t for the victress in this rivalry.
x888 Mrs. H. Ward R. Elsmere xlv, ' I wouldn't have
given it him,', .the supposed victress was saying to herself.
tVictrice. Obs. Also 5 viotrych, 6 -yoe,
victris. [a. OF. victrice or L. viciric-, victrix ;
see next.] - prec.
VICTUAL.
X387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VI. 421 O Elflede myjti, O
mayde meniiene drede; victrice of kynd, wel wor|>y )>y
name. 1447 Hokknham Seyntys (Roxb.) 85 He wyl now
defcndyn me, And of al thi serpentys me victrych make.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxx.xv. 63 Empryce of pryss, ..
Victryce of wyce, hie genetrice Of Jhesu. 1533 Annf
Boleyn^s Coronal, in Furniv. Ballads fr. MSS. uS^Sj I,
399 He kncwe, certes, that you, victrice, of ail ladies Should
haue the piice of worihynes. 1567 Drant Horace, Ep. x.
U viij. The victris hath a swifte recourse by stealth unto her
place. ? 1633 B. JoNSON Underwoods, Lady V. Digby ix.
96 And, ill her hand With boughs of Palme, [to have] a
crowned Victrice stand,
11 Victrix (vi-ktriks). [L., fem. ol victor Vic-
tor.] A female victor; a victress.
165X Biggs Neiv Disp. P 113 Before Nature is victrix in
diseases. x67a (Tuke] {title). Souls Warfare, Comically
digested into Scenes Acted between the Soul and her
Enemies, Wherein she comctli off Victrix. 17x6-90 Lett,
/r. Mist's Jrnl. (1J22) I. 174 Carried away by the triumphant
Victrix, who will be proud of the Conquest. X779 G.
Keate Sketches /r. Nat. (ed. 2) II. 9 The victrix has it
[a smockj slipped over her running dress, and marches off
triumphant. X853 C. Bronte Villette xxxii, In his victrix
he required all that was here visible. X895 E. J. Dillon in
Conte.iip. Rev. Nov. 620 A war w hich, if Russia prove the
victrix, will deliver Constantinople and the Balkan Penin-
sula into her hands.
Victual.C^^t 1)' •^'^- Forms: a. 4-6 vitaile (4
-aille), vitayle (5 -aylle), 5 vitayll, 5-6 -ail(l;
4-6 vytayle (5-6 -aylle, 5 Sc. wytaylle), 5-6
vytaile (5 -aille), 5 -ayl(l ; 4-5 vetaille (4
-aile), 5 vetayle, 6 -ay 11 ; 5 Sc. wittail(e, -aill,
wytaill, 6 vittayle, -aile, 6-7 vittail ; 5 Sc,
wictaill, 6 -ayll, -ayle, vectayll, 6-7 victail.
&. (Chiefly Sc) 5 vitt-, vet-, 6 vict-, 5-6 vyt-,
vitale; 5 wit(t)-, wyt-, wet-, wictale. 7. 5-6
vital! (6 -al, witall), 5 vytall, 6-al; 5-6 vitell
(5 vet", wetell), vitel, 5 fyt-, 6 vytel(l ; 5
•wetyl; 6vitoll. 5. 5 vittale, 5-6 vittail, 5 (9)
vittal ; 5-6 vittell (5 wytt-, 6 wett-, vyttell),
6, 8, 9 dial.^ vittel, 6-7, 8-9 Jial. vittle (7 victle),
9 dial, fittle, wittle. €. 6 wyltuel, wittual,
7 vittual, 8 vitual ; 6 viotuayle, ^V. "wictuale,
victuale, -wale, -uel(l, 5-7 victuall (6 wictuall,
-wall), 6 vyctual, 6- victual, [a. AF. and OF.
vitaile., -aille (OF. also vitale., -alle, vittalle, vict-
ailie) fem, :— late L. victtmlia, neut. pi. of post-
classical L. victudlisj f. r;zV/«j food, sustenance : cf.
Frov. vit^o)alha, Sp. vitualla, Pg. vitualha. It.
vettovaglia. The variant OF. and mod.F. form
victuaille has been assimilated to the L. original,
and a similar change in spelling has been made in
English, while the pronunciation still represents
the forms vittel, vittle, (See also Vitaly.)]
1. collect. Whatever is normally required, or may
naturally be used, for consumption in order to
support life; food or provisions of any kind.
Occasionally applied to food for animals, but more com.
monly restricted to that of persons.
a. X303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 10555 V was wunt to
lede vytayle To kny^ies t>at were yn batayle. 13.. Sir Beues
(A.) 3025 Al t>us l>emperur haj> him di^t.-par to schipeswi^
gode vitaile. c X385 Chaucer L.G. fV. 1488 HyPsipyle,
Askynge hem a-noon If they were broken or woo begoon Or
hade nede of lodesmen or vitayle. 1399 Langl. Rich.
Redeles in. 371 Devourours of vetaile t>at foujten er J^ei
paide. a X417 York Memor. Bk. (Surtees) I. 222 r ysshe and
other vitaill ar ofte tymes conceled..in this citee. c X450
Mirk's EestialgZ He schuld haue vii ^ereplente|>eof come
and all oJ>er vytayle. a xjoo in C. Trice-Martin Chanc.
Proc. iSth C. (1904) 4 Yf the dette besurmysed to growe by
the hying or sellyng of any maner of vetayll. a XS33 Ld.
BURNERS HuoH xlvi. 156 He shall departe in this lytell
shyppe..and take vytayle in to it for there prouy.syon.
a x^ Hall Chron., Hen. VI, 105 By that waie neither
man nor vitaill could passe or come. X548 Patten Exped.
Scotl. Pref. a viij b. The time and place whan and whither
they shall cum, and with bow much prouision of vitail.
X59S KvD Sol. «5- Pers. iii. 1. 50 Footemen . . well exercised
ill war ; And, as it seemes, they want no needful vitiaile.
j3. X375 Barbour Bruce ix. i68Quhar thai mycht get Till
thame and thairis vittale and met. c X375 Sc. Leg, Saints
XXX. (Theodera) 425 pai ordenyt hyr fare out-rydere, par
witale to be house to by. c 1400 Vwaine ^- Gaiv. 1873 Syr
Alers,.. with swith grete vetale. Come that kastel toasayle.
1^7 Act 3 Hen. VII, c. ix. §3 That every freman..may
iede, cari^, and goo, with his or their Vetale, Ware or mer-
chaundi.se. a X500 Bermxrd. de cura rei /am. (E.E.T.S.)
110 Geff thow. .base lo sel wetale in gret substance, Se be
na way na derth ^at thou desyre,
y. c 1400 Destr. Troy 5176 In J at prouyns is plenty all
of prise vitell. Of corne, & of catell. X47a Presentmts. 0/
Juries in Surtees Misc. (1890) 23 We say y* yer have boght
of latcunsesanabyll wety), y^ is to say. feche& herrynge,
bothe Thom Smythe & John Clyffe. Ibid. 27 For bryngh-
yng in of wetell for the welfare ot comhons. .: X475 Henrvson
Fables, Twa Mice 102 (Bann. MS.), Thair barbery wes tane
In till a spens with vitail of grit plentie. XSX3-4 Act 5 Hen.
VIII, c. 6 The great scarcyte of grayne and vytell at this
present tyme. X53X in I. Bulloch Pynours (1887) 61 The
berne of salt, .and all wther witall.. borne be the Pynouris.
X538 Starkev England \. iii. 74 In so much that vytel and
nuryschment suffycyent for them can skant here be found.
1570 Levins Manip. 13 Vital!, /*««, victus.
h. c 1480 IVyntoun's Crcn. I. 564 (MS. E.), Within (mt ile ar
citeis ten Stufht with wtttall gud and men. X483 Cely Papers
(Camden) 108 They schall lacke no men nor vettell. 1494
Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. I. 247 For a bayte that careit
the wrychtis and thar wyttell to the toche, vs. X573-80
Tusser Husb. (1878) 41 Twise a day giue him fresh vittle
and drinke. X599 Dallam in Early Voy. Levant (HakL
VICTUAL.
Soc.) 88 The Hand Zante hathe all theire provition of vhtell
from ihence. a z6x8 Sylvester Maidens Blush. 355 Th'
Heav'niy Herald, .sees there the Brethren lying Along the
Grasse, and busi« at their Vittle. 1663 Butler Hud. i. i.
316 B'or, as we said, he always chose To carry Vittle in his
Hose. 17*3 Swift SUllaat iVoodpark Wks, 1755 IV. 1. 40,
I must confess, your wine and vittle I was too hard upon a
little. 1748 Marv Leai'or Poems Sev. Occasions 124 When
you gather Strength a little, Ca» walk abroad and eat your
Vittle. 1780 Burns Robin shure in Hairst iv, Robin pro-
mised me A my winter vittle. 1847- in dial, glossaries, etc.
{Wore, Hereford, Shropsh., Warw., Gloc, Dorset) in the
\6xm.fiUle. i88i Gd. Words 846/1 It's a pity as you've no
stomach to yer vittle.
«. 1513 Ckomwell in Mcrriman Life ^ Lett. {1902) I. 39
The Krenche men.. lye yn waytc.to destroye the Con-
ductours of our victuayle. «5S9-66 in Wodroxv Soc. Misc.
{1844) 71 To hinder the victuall from comeing to Edinburgh.
1570-6 W. Lambarde Peramb. Kent 130 Deuouring and
consuming.. the victuall of the countrey. 1603 Knolles
Hist. Turks {1621) 1247 Germenchius hath put in three
moneths victuall into Hust in Transylvania. 16*7 Bacon
Sylva g 649 The Making of Things Inalimental, to become
Alimental, may be an Experiment of great Profit, for Mak-
ing new Victual. 1681 H. Nkvile Plato Rediv. 92 The
cheapness of Victual, and the want of Labourers. 1765
Hlackstone Comm. I. 60 It might seem to prohibit the
buying of grain and other victual. 18x7 Byron Beppo xxix,
.\nd Laura waited long, and wept a little,. .She almost lost
all appetite for victual. 1856 Hawthorne Eng. Note-Bks.
(18701 I. 1 1 1 A refreshment-room, with drinks and cakes and
pastry, but , .no substantial victual. 1859 Tennyson Geraint
4- Enid 201 A fidr-hair'd youth, that in his hand Bare
victual for the mowers.
+ b. Produce of the ground capable of being used
as food. Obs.
H^hite zn'ct ual (quot. 1799), = next.
c 1374 Chaucer Former A?e 36 Ther as vitayle is ek so
skars and thinne pat nat but mast or apples is ther inne.
c 1386 — Clerk's T. 3 Ther is at the West side of Ytaille. .
A lusty playne, habundant of viiaillc. 1615 Bacon Ess.,
Plantation (Arb.) 531 Then consider, what Victuall or
Esculent Things there are, which grow speedily, and within
the yeere. 1627 May Lucan iv. 99 Nor can the souldiers
goe To forrage : the drown'd fields no vittaile leaue. 1798
Malthus PoPul. (1878) 228 This may be justly attributed to
the effects of the scarcity and bad victual in the year 1783.
"799 J- Robertson Agric. Perth 147 The land is pulverized
andbelter made for the succeeding crop of white victual.
C. Sc. Grain, corn. ? Obs,
1473 Rental Bk. Cupar- Angus (1879) I. 171 Alsua tha sal
haue the tend vitale for ij*^ of here and mele. 1557 Rec.
/ttverness (^ew Spald. CI.) I. 7 To.. pay Isbell Damster
the hyest price of ane boll wyttuell andthrepects toentres.
1585 Reg. Mag, Sig. Scot. 292/1 For payment.. of aucht
chalderis 3 botlis wictuall, thairof 45 bollis beir and the
remanent meill. 1609 Skene Reg. Ma/., Stat. Robert /,
36 It is statute be the king, that all they quha buyes
victuall. .fra burgcssis at their granares, they .. may carie
that victuall quhere they please. 1678 Sia G. Mackenzie
Crim. La7vs Scot.\.xx\v.%iiib(^) 119 Usury is that Crime
. .committed in Bargains of Victual, or Tacks. Ibid. 11. xiv.
§1. 3IX A landed man, whose Rent exceeds a thousand
Merks, or ten Chalders of Victual. 17*6 P. Walker Li/e
A. Peden in Biog. Presbyt. (1827) I. 53 He enquired at Mrs.
Steil, if she wanted a Servant for threshing Victual? 1785
Burns i,rd Epist. to Lapraik vii, [Till] a* the vittle [be] in
the yard. An' theekit right. 1799 J. Robertson Agric. Perth
99 In drying on the iron floor, the victual must be constantly
turned. i8i» G. Chalmers Dotn. Econ. Gt. Brit. 262
Though neither the nominal, nor the real, prices of victual
were equal to those of the times of queen Anne. i8sa Galt
Sir A. tVylie xlii, He has been very kind to the poor, hav-
ing divided five load of victual among all the needful in the
parish. 1843 Report yedbitrgh Thirtage Trial ^^ A portion
of that corn or victual, ground at the mills, which is kept
by the miller.
fd. ;Seequot.^ Obs,-*"
1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 341/1 ViUlitOC ViaHdeSfXhit
terra for Hawks meat.
2. pi. Articles of food ; supplies, or various
kinds, of provisions ; in later use esp, articles of
ordinary diet prepared for use.
a. 13.. A'. Alls. 855 (Laud MS.), And Olyfauntz & ek
Camayles, Bobe hij charged wijr vitailes. a 1350 Will.
Palenu 1121 Wei l>ei were wamestured of vitayles i-now,
plentiuosly foral peple. 13187 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 55
Whanne der^e of vitailles is in al Engelond aboute, fwre is
be lasse i-solde. c 1444 Lvtx:. in Pol. Poems\^o\\%) II. 220
10 chese suych vitaylles ther braynes wer to woode. 14S9
Caxton Faytes 0/ A. 11. xxx. 142 Cartes shal folowe for to
bryng and arriue the vitailles fro the shippes. a 1533 Ld.
Berners Huon Ixi. 213 They bare all in to y« shypTS: vy*
tay ties suffycyent. 1555 Edkm Decades ( Arb.) 77 The vytayles
(especially the byskettc breade) corrupted by takynge water.
1496 Bp. W. Barlow Three Serm. ii. 47 Among all other,
limine and Dearth of vittails is not the least. 1607 Dkkker
& Webster Sir T. Wyatt Wks. 1873 I i 1. 103 Good victailes
makes good blood. 1616 R. C. Times* Whistle (1871) 85
Which! paide.., Because they should not think I came
to sharke Only for vittailes.
3. 1375 Barbour Bruce xv. 92 Schlr Eduard gert men
gang and se All the vtulis of that cite. ^14x5 Wyntoun
Cron. VIM. 5027 IHe] Saw his wictalis war nere gane. And
hop of reskew had he nane. 1453-4 Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin
(1889} I. 380 That at maner of viteiloures..shulde have
bene arrested by har bodys . . that byinn of them any vittalis.
1535 CovERDALE Ps. cxxxi. 15, I Will blesschlr vytales with
increase, & wil satisfie htr poore with bred. 1547 Boorde
fntrod, Knoiul, 11.(1870) 127 In the whych is vsed good
fashion and good vytales. 1575 ^" Harvey Leiter-bk.
(Camden) 97 Mye miserable Mistrisse . . is oftentymes driven
very harde. .for her vittales and lodginge.
■y. f:i4oo Melayne 1195 He garte dele his vetells then
Firste amaages oure wonded men. 1401 in Ellis Ori^.
iC*//. Ser. II. T, 15 We faylyth vitels and men. Ibid. i6They
mowe have godes and fytelles plente. c 148s J. Kay tr.
Caoursin's Siege of Rhodes P3 Also they lakked vytalles.
1510 Sel. Cases Crt, Star Chantber (Selden) 205 So he toke
189
fro many pore men their vitals to ther grete hurte. 1545
Brinklow Compl. ii. 13 In London and other placys ther be
many offended with the great price of vitells. 1599 Dallam
in Early I'oy. Lezmnt (Hakl. Soc.) 83 We could not gitt
any vitels. Ibid. 86 We ever had vitals reddie dreste for 3
dayes.
*- 1554-9 *S"on^J <5- Ball. Phil. Sf Mary (Roxb.) la And
dear cheape of vittels withe the thowe hast brought To the
towne. 1^ Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 46 With plate,
monny, harnes, horse, & wettelles. 1573-80 Tusser Husb.
(1878) 98T0 thy sheepe go and looke, for dogs will haue
vittles. 1606 Sir G. Goosecappe i, Good companions yfaith : I
see you come not for vittles. i6ai in Yost^x Eng. Factories
Ind. (1906) I. 271 Wee had great store of fresh victles.
c 164s T. TuLLV Siege of Carlisle (1840) 27 One John Head
..who pretended to fetch vittells out of the Country. 1696
Monthly Mercury VII, 87 We saw., vast Provision of
Vittles and Ammunition. 1731-8 Swift /'f/. Conversat.wi^
I would rather want Vittles than Elbow-Rooni. 1838 Jas.
Grant .S"*. Loud. \^\ Vou knows that no one can hact well
without vittals, and I have not had a mouthful since yester-
day. 1844 Dickens Mart. Chuz. ix. Dinner was announced
by Bailey junior in these terms,—' The wittles is up ! * 1893
' Q ■ (Quiller-Cooch) I saw Three Ships vi. 106 And so say
I, wi' all these vittles cryin' out to be ate.
e. 15J3 C^ROMWELL in Merriman Life ^ Lett. (1902) I. 39
As for victuaylys in our waye we shuld be sure none to
fynde. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 452 b. The Frenche-
men, to the intent they might have victualles in a readines
[etc.]. 1596 Edu-ard III, iv. ii. 4 That neither vituals nor
supply of men May come to succour this accursed towne.
x6io Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 422 Great store of
victuals and all things necessary. 1618 in Foster En^.
Factories Ind. (1906) 1. 45 When the Bannyans sayle by u
they heave vittuals overboard, .as a sacrifice, a 1687 Petty
Pol. Arith. U690) loi The Wages of a. .Labourer, .is 4s.
per week witliout Victuals. 1717 Swift Gulliver i. vi, I had
three hundred cooks to dress my victuals. 1774 Goldsm.
Nat. Hist. (1776) III. 299 The young animals, .began to
dispute about their victuals, although they were given more
than they could use. 1798 Charlotte Smith Vng. Philos.
\. 56 She once lost a salt spoon by one of them, whom
Master George thought proper to bring to her door for cold
victuals. 1840 Hood Up Rhine 218 It seems to me a very
odd proceeding for. .a town to lay a tax on the persons who
bring it victuals. 1865 Kingslky llereiv. xv, There was
..decking of the hall in the best hangings.. ; cooking of
victuals, broaching of casks,
t b. Clerk of the victuals, «= the victualler of
Calais (see Victualler 2 a tiote^. Obs.
c 1570 R. TuRPVN in Chron. Calais (Camden) Introd. 18
Havinge ther another offyce of the Queues Maje.sty called
by the name of Clarke of the Victuals.
t O. At victuals^ engaged in eating. Obs,
1681 H. FouLis Hist. Romish Treasons 40 Books read to
him whilst he was at Victuals.
1 3. //. a. Animals serving for food. Obs.
1:1550 Disc. CotHuion Weal Eng. ii. (1893) 60 The more
husbandrie is occupied, the more vniversall brede should
be of all victualles, as of neate, shepe^ swyne, gese, eges,
butter, and chese. 1641 More's Edit: V, 104 The Pageants
were amaking day and night at Westminster, and vitailes
killed which afterwards was cast away.
t b. Military stores ; munitions of war, Obs.
1653 H. CoGAN tr. Pinto's Trav. iv. 10 Moreover he
added, that they had great abundance of Victuals, amongst
the which there were 12 Basilisks.
4. An article of food. rare.
1558 Bp. Watson Sev, Sncram. ix. 50 This heauenly
foode is.. a strong vitale, making vs able to endure the pain-
ful iorney to the kingdome of hcauen. 1829 Carlvle Misc.,
German Playwrights (1840) II. 50 The Germans, who
instead of a measurable and sufferable spicing of theatric
matter, . .have in fact nothing else to live on but that highly
unnutritive victual.
6. attrib. and Comb, (chiefly Sc.)y as victual-
dealer j 'houset land-male, -merchant, office^ -rent,
•scanting vJ^\., silver, stipend, wain.
X496 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. I. 310 Giffin to the
skippar of the schip . . for jonk Gherardis mennis fraucht and
wittalissiluir, vij/i. i567MAPLETt7r. F'orest 105 The Female
..espying hir time, when and how she may come to the
Lawder or Vittailehouse. 1592 in Reg. Mag. Sig. ^w/. (1892)
Q0/2 The victuall land maillis of Clestrane benorthe the
burne. 1593 Nashf, Chrisfs T. Wks. (Grosart) IV. 95 If
there were any, that had repining victuall -scan ting Maisiers
tyrannizing neuerthelesse tor their work. 1600 Reg. Mag.
Sig. Scot, (1890) 354/a Pro preservatione navium contra
tempestates et lie victuell-housis, x668 in Extr. St. P. rel.
Friends in. (1912) 278 Of late since his Maljesjties imploy-
ment has slackn'd at the Victuall Office. 1765-8 Ekskinb
inst. Law Scot. 11. vi. § 40 If the landlord refuse^ to receive
his victual-rent when offered to him in due time. 1801
Farmer's Mag, Jan. 28 The farmer or victual-merchant.
Ibid., The profession of the farmer or the victual-dealer.
1818 Scott Hrt, Midi, xlv. There was no knowing how
long he might be in paying the next term's victual stipend.
1891 DoYLK White Company xix, The rogue got l^etween
me and the nearest French victual wain.
Hence Victnal-leBS a., destitute of victuals.
183X Carlyle in Froude First 40 Years (1882) II. 165, I
arrived at Liverpool, .quite sleepless, and but for your
dinner, ..quite victual-less.
Victual (vi*t'l), V. Forms : a. 4-5 vitaile (5
-aiUe), 4-6 vitayle, -aylle, 6 vitaill; 4-5 vet-
ayle» 5 -aiUe ; 4 vytaile (5 -aille), 4-6 vytaylle,
5 -ayle ; 4-7 vittaile (^Sc, victaile), 6 vytteyle,
vittaill- (6V, wictaill). i3. 5 Sc. vitt-, wittale,
5-6 vitale (5 vytale). 7. 4 vitele, 5-6 vitel;
5 vetele, 5-6 vitell- ; 5 vytel, 6 -ell ; 5 vitule,
6 -alle. 5. 5 vittall, 6 vitt-, vytteU; 5 Sc.
wittule, 6 Sc. wittall, wictill ; 6 vitle, 6-7
vittle (7 wictle). «. 6-7 viotuaile (6 Sc* wictu-
ale), 6-8 viotuall (6 Sc. wictwall), 6- victual
I (7 victu'l). [ad. AF. and OF. vitailler (also
VICTUAL,
OF. vit-, victuailler), f. vitaille Victual sb. Cf.
Sp. viluallar, V^. vitualhar, It. vettovagliare.'\
I. trans. To supply or furnish (a ship, castle,
garrison, body of troops, etc.) with victuals, esp.
with a store to last for some time,
a. 13.. Coer de L, 1382 Two hundred schyppys ben wel
vytailid, With force hawberks, swerdes and knyvj^s. 1375
Barbour Brnce 111. 339 For thaim thocht thai mycht
sekyrly Duell thar, quhiU thai war wictaitlit weile. 1390
GowER Conf, I. 194, I charge you and bidde this, That ye
the same Schip vitaile. £1450 Brut 11. 428 'Ihat Towne
and the Castelle weren welle vitailid and eke mannyd. 147a
Paston Lett. Suppl. 143 Thai stuffe and veiayll sore the
place. 1485 in 10//1: Rep, Hist. MSS. Comm, App. V. 318
That no.. man victaile, nor make to be victailed, none of
the saide men of warre. 1523-4 R. Grufhthe in Ellis Orig.
Lett. Sex. 1. 1. 193 They have ayded and vittaited the Kyng's
enymyes. 1553 Brende Q.CuriiusDVi], So great an army
as he had.. could not be vitailed in a desolate countrey.
/3. 137s Barbour Bruce iv. 63 The castell weiU vittalit
thai With met, and fwaill can purvay. 1473 Warkw.
CAto«. (Camden) 2 Certeyne castelles..whiche they hnde
vytaled. c 1520 M. Nisbet Acts xii. 2o_Thai askit pece,
for alsmeklle that thare cuntreis war vitalit of him.
y. C1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. 111. 2;r4 He werc^it more
traitour, ^if he lettide o^ere kny^itis..to vitele ^es men
asegid. c 1400 Destr. Troy 4710 At this tenydon truly was
a tried castell,. .Wele viteld, I-wisse, for winturs ynoghe.
c 1450 Mirk's Festial 205 When he had vyteld his .schippis,
and made bym redy. 148a Cely Papers (Camden) 109
Thaye hawe vetellyd and niannyd the town of Ary. a 1533
Ld. Berneks Huon Ux. 203 It was impreyngnable so it
were well vytellj-d. 1534 in Star Chamb. Cases (Selden)
II. 290 They may always vitaile theiie townes, castelles
and fortres-ses with sucheplayntie of vitailes. 1550 J.Coke
En^. 4- Fr. Heralds § 75 Richard, distroyed th' cost of the
Egiptians comminge to vytell the Soldane in Jerusalem.
6. ^1415 Wyntoun Crtf«. 11. 1580 (Cott. MS.), Eneas gert
twa schippis be.WittuJit and laid to J>e se. 1490 Ace. Ld.
High Treas. Scot. I. 129 Eftir at the Kingis schip wes
chaysit in DumbertanC,. .send with Johne of Hawto vittall
hir,..xviij Ii. 1555 Bradfobth in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721)
III. App. xlv, 129 For, Faye they, yf we have the sea to
vyttell us, we shall have jwwre to rule Ingland. 1587
Harrison Englatid 11. i, (1877) \. 6 The king, .commanded
the Londoners not to aid nor vittell them. 1611 J. Davies
(Heref.) in Coryat Crudities \. 3 He his Gorge with Grapes
did vittle. 1670 Milton Hist. Eng. w. Wks. 1851 V. 248
New Ships in every Port were builded, vittl'd, .. and
appointed to meet all at Sandwich.
«. 1558 Bp. Watson Se^'. Sacratu. Ser. i, 3 The fift thing
..is when his armye is. .well victualled,, .then to merche
forward. 1583 Stockeb Civ. Wanes Lowe C. in. 97b,
Letters from the Prince, aduertising ihem, that hee meant
the night following to victuall them. 1598 Bacon Sacr.
Medit., Miracles Ess. (Arb.) 103 He IChrist] multiplyed
the scarsitie of a few loues and fishes to a sufficitncy to
victuaile an host of people, 1640 Gent Knave in Gr, i. i.
Bij, A Leaguer cannot he planted, mann'd, victuall'd, and
munition 'd, with a small magazine. 1670 R. Coke Disc.
Trade 34 Before the Act we could Victual Ships with good
and substantial Food cheaper than the Dutch. 1709 Steele
Tatler No. 28 p 5 'Ihese dangerous Captains who could
victual an Army as well as lead it. 176^ Mnseutn Rust.
IV. 196 The very large extent of foreign trade, which
requires a great many more ships to be victualled out now
than formerly. 1777 Robertson Hist. Avier. 11. (1783) I.
100 This .<;quadron. , was victualed for twelve months. 1800
Wellington in Gurw. Desp. (1837) I. 265, I have also
written.. requiring the reason for which he did not victual
this corps. .as I ordered. 1836 Matjryat Midsh. Easy xvi.
Jack , . pushed his way through the prisoners, who were being
mustered to be victualled. 1865 H. Phillips Avter. Paper
Curr. II. 84 By unscrupulous foraging the troops were
victualed from day to day.
fig. 1648 Beaumont Psyche xil 189 They who with all
riotous Dainties strive To fortify the Belly, but can finde
No time to victuall and enforce (1702 recruit] the Minde 1
b. refl. To provide or stock (oneself) with
victuals.
I5S5 Eden Decades (Arb.) ^,75 They vyttayled them selues
with fresshe meate. 157* in Feuillerat Rezels Q. Eliz.
{1908) 163 Expences in vittelling him selfe and iii of his
fellows. 161a Selden Illustr. Drayton's Poly-olb. ix. 326
Lhewelin..compeld the English campe to victuall them-
selves with horse-flesh. 1719 De Foe Crusoe \\. (Globe) 335
If they could get Provisions to victual themselves with.
1768 in Kitson Life Jas. Cook vi. (1907) 90, ^£120 a year
for victualling himself. 1819 Scott Leg, Montrose v, He
will.. do wisely to victual himself for at least three days.
1887 Field 24 Dec. 973/1 To see that the crew properly
victual themselves.
2. intr. a. To partake of victuals ; to eat. Also
of animals, to feed or pasture.
"577 TusSBR Husb. (1878) 187 At meales my friend who
vitieth here, . . Shall both be sure of better chere, and .scape
with lesser cost. 1587 Tukbkkv. Trag. T. 55b, When..
euery man at boorde Had vittled well, and all was whiste.
i6aa Mabbe tr. Aleman's Guzman d'Alf. i. 38 In houses,
where men vittaile vpon the way, a man shall meete many
times with a bare couple of Hens. iBaa Bybon Juan yii.
xlviii, As a.. bell-wether [will] form the flock's connection
By tinkling sounds, when they go forth to victual. 1869
BLACKMOREj[,tfr«rtZ>.iii, Soon we found Peggy and Smder
[the horses] in company,., victualling where the grass was
good.
"b. To lay in or obtain a supply of victuals.
161S Chapman Odyss. in. 418 When he (there victling
well, and store of gold Aboard his ships brought) his wild
way did hold. 1655 Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 322
Others [say] that he hath only victualed or taken in fresh
water in those partes and is gone southward, a 1687 Petty
Pol, Arith. iii.(i69i) 61 Because the French cannot Victual
so cheap as the English, and Dutch, nor Sail with so few
Hands. 1709 Lond. Gaz. No. 4582/3 Men belonging to
Ships which are.. Cleaning, Refitting, or Victualling at the
Ports. 1735 De Foe Key, round World {iSio) 46 Which was
a voyage of such a length, that no ship could victual for.
VICTUAIiAGE.
Hence Vi*otu»lled /;>/«.
1855 KiNCSLEY If'fstw. Hot xxxii, Some five and twenty
of the soundest and best victualled ships.
Victnalage. rare. [f. Victual sb,^ Victual-
ling; victuals.
x62a Mabbk tr. AUmatCs Guzman <tAl/. 11. 343, I im«
ployed ail that tittle money that I had, in matters of victu-
allage. x^j C Brontb J. Eyre xvii, 1 could not proceed
to the schoolroom without, .running the risk of being sur-
prised with my cargo of victualage.
Victualler (vrt'lw). Forms : o. 4 vit-, 4, 6
vittailler, 5-6 vitailer (6 vict-), 6 vi(t)tayler
(viot-) ; 4 vytail(l)er, 5-6 vytayler (6 -ayller) ;
6 Titeilour, vitaylour, vittaiUor. h. 4, 6 vit-
eler, 5-6 viteller, 5 vital(l)er, vitalar, -eer,
vituller ; 5 veteler, 6 -eller, -uler ; 5 vytalere,
6 vytiller. 7. 5 vittaler, 6 -allar, victaller ;
5 vitteloxir, 5-6 vitteller (6 -eler, wytteller) ;
5-7 vitler, 6 vittler. 5. 5- victualler (7 -ailler),
6-7 (9) viotualer, 6 victuelar, 7 vict'lar. [a.
AF. and OF. vitaill{t)er, vUaillour (OF. also vit-
aiiieurj vit-, victuailUur), t vitaille Victual sb.'\
1. A purveyor of victuals or provisions ; spec, one
who makes a business of providing food and drink
for payment ; a keeper of an eating-house, inn, or
tavern; a licensed victualler (cf. b).
Also spec, (in local Irish use), a butcher.
«. 1377 Langl. P, PL B. II. 60 Forgoeres and vitaiUers
and vokates of J?c arches. 138* Rolls 0/ Parlt. III. 226/1
While vittaillers, bi suffraunce, prcsumen thiike states upon
hem. 1453-4 Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) 279 Al maner of
viteiloures, as wel deynsynes as foreynes. X530-X Act 22
Hen. VIII^ c. 13, Bere bruers and bakers whiche bene
comon viuylers. 1550 J. Coke Eng. <y Fr. Heralds § 133
To robbe the marchauntes of Eri^ande,. .lykewyse pore
vytaylers and fysshermen of all nacions. 1^5 Cooper
Thesaurus^ Caupo, a hucster ; a tauerner ; a victayler.
fi. C1380 WvcLiF Sel. Wks. III. 153 Bot men of lawc and
marchauntis, and chapmen, and viteleres, synnen more in
avarice i>en done pore laboreres. 1431 Coventry Leet Bk.
25 We commaund J»at no vitaler. .passe out of the Cite of
Couentre for to by fiscbe, ne non othur vitayle comyng
toward the Cite. <^x44o Promp, Paru. 511/1 Vytalere,
victuarius. 1477 Rolls 0/ Parlt. VI. 186/1 Every Mer-
chaunt Alien, and every other Vitaler, and other Straunger.
15x9 Presentmts. of Juries in Surtees Misc. (1890) 3a That
no veleller, nor other man, herber no begers nor vaca-
bundys. 1530-x Act 22 Hen. Vlll, c. 13 (1551) C v, Bere
bruers and bakers, whiche bene common vitellers. 1556
Ckron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 72 Every viteler to selle as
they wolde and had done beiore.
trans/, tci^yt Lvdg. St. Giles 109 [The hind] Of god
provided to be thy vitaleer. With a repaast of hyr mylk
moost soote.
■y. X467 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 408 That no maner vitteller
pay eny thynge for the occupacion of the kynges Borde.
xj*3 in lotk Rep. Hist, MSS. Couim, App. V. 400 Common
vittlers and hostlers. 1530 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec.
Oxford (1880) 87 Other vitlers and artyficers yn Oxford.
1573 in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz. (1908) 227 The vitteller
at Reading for the dyet of sundry persons. 1599 Breton
Miseries Mamllin Wks. (Grosarl) II. 37/2, I had sent away
this olde viiler with more crownes then shee was mistresse
of many a day before. x6oo~x2 Rowlands Four Knaves
(Percy Soc.) 45 The vitlers poasts all chalk'd with scores.
J. 1568 Grafton Ckron. II. 123 The bakers, Brewers, and
other victuallers of the City. 1592 Greene Groat's W. IVit
(1617) 34 Let not Tauemers and Victualers bee thy Execu-
tors. 16x4 J. Taylor (Water F.)^Nippin^ Abuses Diij b,
The vintner and the vtct'lar get most games From dayly
drunkards, and distemperd braines. 1^2 Ord. ^ Declar.
Both Houses: Lords Day 6 Any other Tipler or Victualler
whatsoever within your Ward. 1699 Poor MatCs Plea 19
We have as firm L^ws in England as need be to compel
the Victualler to sell a certain Measure of Drink, mention-
ing what Pots and what Price. 174a Lond. ^ Country
Brewer l (ed. 4) 29 This may be a benefit to a Victualler
that brews to sell again, and cannot vent his small Beer.
X765 Blackstone Comm. 1. ^14 The several inn-keepers and
victuallers throughout the kingdom. 1835 Willis Pencil-
lings \. ii. 20 A commissary from Villa Franca, who is to be
our victualler during the quarantine. 1844 Ld. Brougham
Brit, Const, xv. (1862) 221 Making victuallers pay for a
license to retail wines.
b. Licensed viciuallur, one who has a licence to
sell food or drink, but esp. the latter, to be con-
sumed on the premises ; a publican.
1824 {tiile)t The Licensed Victualler's Almanack and
Tablet of General Information for.. 1825. 1841 Dickens
Barn. Rudge xiii, Believing, .that the publicans coupled
with sinners in Holy Writ were veritable licensed victuallers.
X878 E. Jenkins Haverholme 26 They are hardly governed
by the abstract principle that a Licensed Victualler is a.,
healthy institution, I suppose.
2. Spec. a. One who supplies, or undertakes to
supply, an army or armed force with necessary
provisions ; \pl. those engaged in bringing up
victuals to an armed force.
Applied both to purveyors on a large scale, and to mere
sutlers, t Victualler 0/ Calais occurs as a special designa-
tion m the 15th century.
o.. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 3x^4 be vytailers J.ay alto-hewe, &
^c vvtailles with hymen bai ladde. 1447 Ordinance 0/
Excheauer 35. c. 62 (6) A v, Item for the tresourer of Caleis,
xl.s. Item for the vytayler of Caleis, xxxiii.s. iiii.d. 1489
Caxton Faytes of A. i. xiii. 35 Dyspensatours and vitaillers
of the oosL tfX5i3 Fabvan Ckron. \\\. 459 The kynges
hoost. .was plenteously vytaylled by y« Flemynges and by
other vytayllers. a 1548 Hall Ckron., Hen. VIII, 24 b, The
duke of Vandosme . . toke his aduantage and set on the vic-
tailers. 1591 Savile Tacitus, Hist. ii. Ixxxvii. 104 With
infinite vittailers and followers of the campe.
^1 y- '375 Barbour Bruce xiv. 407 Thai raid till meit the
190
vtttelleris, That with ther wittale. .Com,haIdand to the host
the way. Ibid. 429 Sum of thair mektU host has seyne
Thair come, and wendc Weill thai had beyne Thair vittei-
ouris. 1456 Sir G. Have La-w Arms (S.T.S.) 116 Playntis
of his men as to merchandis and vitalaris of the ost and
otheris. 1487 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 407/1 William Rosse
Esquier, Vittaler of the Towne of Caleis and Marches of the
same. 1587 Holinshed Chron. (ed. 3) III. 823/1 At last they
met with a vitteler comming from the campe, which was
their guide and brought them thither.
6. 1591 Savile Tacitus^ Hist. iv. xv. 179 The victuallers
and marchants [were] cut of. 1601 Ld. Mountjoy in Mory-
son Itin. (1617) II. 200 The Victualer issues, .but one pounde
and a halfe of beefe per diem, to a souldier. 1633 T.
Stafford Pac. Hit. 11. ii. (1821) 235 Although it seemeth to
us by the Certificate of the Victualler, that you were better
stored at your writing, then you knew for. 1681 Moores
Bitj^ed± Which careful foresight nothing could hinder from
being effectual, but the negligence of the Victuallers. 1709
Steele Tatler No. 39 r 4 Charles II. victual'd his Navy,
with the Bread which one of his Dogs chose. ., rather than
trust to the Asseverations of the Victuallers. tSoa James
Milit.Dict., Sutler and Victualler may be considered as
synonimous terms as far as they relate to military matters.
attrii. 1688 R. Holme Armoury in. xvi. (Roxb.) 103/2
Things necessary for Armyes. . . Victualler sutlers.
b. One who furnishes a ship or navy with pro-
visions. i^h,o agent-victualler {%e.t c^oX. 1769).
In early use, one who undertook to provision a trading
vessel in return for a share in the profits.
1431-50 in Cal. Proc. Chanc. Q. Eliz. I. Pref. 38 On
balyn^er cleped the Crislorre,..and therof Wolfe maister,
and Sir Ramfray Arundell and Sir John Trerys Knyghtes
owners and vitallers. 1613 Whitbourne Nem/oundland 26
Those men are yeerely hired by the Owners, and Victuallers
foorth of ships in those voyages. i6a6 Capt. Smith Accid.
Ytig. Seamen 35 The Ship hath one third part j the Victu-
aller the other third; the other third is for the Company.
1647 Haward Crown Rev. 20 Victualer of the Navy : Fee,
[;{;]58.o.o. 1757 W. Thompson R. N. Adiioc. 18 The Vic-
tuallers and their Officers Report .. being of equal Account,
it will be needless to animadvert thereon. 1769 Falconer
Diet. Marine (1780), Agent-Victualler, . . an officer sta-
tioned at a royal port, to regulate the victualing of the
king's ships, under the direction of the commissioners for
victualing the navy. 1796 Nelson in Nicolas Disp. (1845)
11. 248 Mr. Heatly, the great victualler, writes me that the
supply he is now procuring, will be the first and last, for the
Port of Genoa will be shut. 1809 R. Lancford Introd.
Trade loi Beg your victualler toget the beef properly salted.
1834 Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VI. 341/1 To the Victualling
establishment.. [at Malta) there is attached an agent victu.
aller and clerks.
3. A ship employed to carry provisions for a fleet
or squadron (or for troops over-seas) ; a victual-
ling ship.
a 157a Knox Hist. Re/. Wks. 1846 I. si6 Besydis the
galayis, being twenty twa then in nomber, thei had threscoir
great schippis, besydis vittallaris. 1588 Losses and Dis-
tresses o/the Spanish Navy Aiij b, They were in all, at
their coining forth, a hundred xxxv. sayle, whereof foure
were Galliasses, foure gallies, and ix. of them were vie-
lallers. 1625 in Birch Crt. f, Times Chas. /(184S) 1. 63 To
your last of the fleet, you must add five victuallers, and as
many horse-ships, having only seamen in them. 16^ Lond.
Gaz. No. 238/3 All these Men of War are to be attended
by a proportionable number of Galliots, Advice Boats, and
Victuallers. 1711 E. Cooke Voy. S. Sea 454 A Dutch
Squadron of about 13 Sail of Men of War and Victuallers.
^la^Ansons V<^. 11. ii. 131 We never were joined by any
other of our ships, except our Victualler, the Anna Pink.
13180 Ann. Reg. 204* Some men of war, which he had sent
with a convoy of store-ships and victuallers to the island of
Minorca. 1813 Southev Nelson I. 145 There were now
above 100 sail of victuallers, gun-boats, and ships of war.
4. Sc. 'One who deals in grain ; a corn- factor.'
1808 Jamieson.
Hence Vi-ctaallership.
1450 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 196/1 As in the vitelershipp of the
Castell. 1487 Ibid. VI. 407/1 The Office of Vitellershipp of
the forsaid Towne [Calais].
Victualling (vi-t'liq), vbl. sb. Forms: (see
Victual v.). [f. Victoal v."]
L The action of providing or storing a ship,
town, army, etc (now esp. the Navy) with victuals.
a. 1462 Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin[iSZg) 313 For the vitalyng
of the sayd citte. 146a Paston Lett. II. 102 My Lord
I'resorer had put hym to a gret charge for the vetelyng of
Mary Talbot. 149IS Naval Ace. Hen. VII (iZgb) 165 Cer-
teyn vitayle & fewell bought for vitaylyng of the seid Ship.
>S44 Star Ckamb. Cases (Selden) II. 281 His highnes pro-
clamacion for the vittalyng of his highnes Toune of Callis.
1570 B. GooGE Pop. Kingd. \. E iij b. They looke to vit-
tayling of Campes, when bloudie warres doe raigne. 1606
J. Clapham Hist.Gt. Brit. 11. i. ii. 179 By attaching some
of the Roman ships.. they became first acquainted with
their manner of vittailing.
^. Z509-10 Act I Hen. VIII, c. 20 § I Victuale goyng oute
of this your said Realme for the victualyng of your Towne
of Calice. 1551 Sir J. Williams Accompte (Abbotsf. CI.)
88 Towardes the victuellinge of his maiesttes armyes then
at Portesmouth. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 250
He commanded also the Prince.. to make prouision for the
victualing of his campe. 1650 Nicholas Papers (Camden)
168 It was become necessary for the victualling and seting
forth your fleete. 1705 Lond. Gaz. No. 4091/3 His Royal
Highness has. .appointed. .Captain Thomas Harlow to be
a Commissioner of the Victualling. 1755 Macens Ess. In-
surances 1. 165 The dear Victualling of the Ship in America.
18^ Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VI. 339/1 A Comptroller of the
Victualling of the Navy and of the Transport Service.
1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. iii. I. 390 There men might
learn.. how grossly the Navy Board had cheated the crown
in the victualling of the fleet. 1901 Whitaker's Aim. 154
Admiralty. . , Director of Victualling.
b. The business of supplying food and drink for
payment ; supply of food for this purpose.
VICTUALLING-OFFICE.
I 1534'" Gross Gild Merck. (1890) II. 192 It ys enacted.,
that no person ne persons shall ..exercise eny vytejyng,
byiiig or sellyng. .wythyn the scyd Town. 1552 in \oth
Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 390 A comon housse or
ynne for victuallinge and lodgingc of .. strangers. 158a
: LvLV Euphues (Arb.) 252, 1 keepe no victualling, yet is my
housean Inne. 1891 Anthony' sPhotogr. Bull. IV. 309 The
average return saloon fare is {,b including very liberal
victualling.
2. A supply of food for personal use.
1532 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scoll. VI. 119 To be in Edin-
burgh the v day of Januar with xxx dais wittaling. 1539
Cromwell in Merriman Life t, Lett. (1902) II. 234, I haue
..delyuered vnto him money for two monethts wagies
vitailling and al other thinges for that tyme necessary.
I a 1618 Sylvester Letanie 4, v, They from thee prepared had
■ Each one his sev'rall victualling. After his kind, herb, fruit
and seed. 1791 N. Chipman Rep. (1871) 27 The prisoner
j should pay to the gaoler one shilling and sixpence per day
i for his victualing. 1810 R.Anderson Cumbld. Ball. 112
leyme whispert, 'twad be best. For vittelin heame to run.
3. altrib., as victualling-bill, -board, -book,
i booth, -^ cart, ■\ coot, department (also trans/.),
dry store, establishment, -note, place, provisions,
service, -ship, -society, -yard.
174s De Foe's Eng. Tradesm. vi. (1841) I. 41 From whence
proceeded that black trade of buying and selling navy and
•victualling.bills, .ind transport-debts. 1809 R. Lancford
Introd. Trade 130 Bills victualling, bills issued by the
Victualling board, bearing interest till due and paid. 1846
A. Young Naut. Diet. 72 The master of any vessel outward-
bound has to apply to the searcher for a victualling-bill,
which is a warrant for the shipment of such stores as be may
require. 1867 Smvth Sailor's IVord.ti., Victualling-bill,
a custom-house document, warranting the shipment of such
bonded stores as the master of an outward-bound merchant-
man may require for his intended voyage. 1757 W. Thomp-
son R. N. Advoc. 13 Half an Hour after the -Victualling-
Board broke up, I was sent for. 1834-4 Encycl. Metrop.
(1845) VIII. 380/1 The Victualling Board, .consumes many
hundred tons [of old hoops] annually for the service of the
navy. i8«7 Smyth Sailors IVord-bk., ''Victualling-book,
a counterpart of the ship's open list, which is kept by the
purser, to enable him to make the necessary entries in it.
1588 Roxb. Ball. (1887) VI. 394 And *vittaling boothes in
ptentie were. Where ihey softl meate, bread, cheese, and
bcerc. 1578 Knaresb. Wills (Surtees) I. 13^ One "victual-
ling carte, a bord and a carte in the haie laith. 1568
WlTHALs Diet. 41 b/i A *vittayling cooke. 1839 Penny
Cycl. XIV. 343/2 To the eastward of Valletta, .are.. spa-
cious stores for the *victualling department. 1878 A thlettc
World -^^ May 99/2 Francis., led off with a clever double on
the.. chin. Bassano then retaliated on the victualling de-
partment [= stomach]. 1757 W. Thompson R. N. Advoc.
52 He was., appointed to inspect all the King's "Victualling
Dry Stores. 1834 "Victualling establishment [see Victual-
ling 2 h\ 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, "Victualling-
note, an order given to a seaman in the Royal navy by the
paymaster, when be joins a ship, which is handed to the
ship's steward as his authority for victualling the man.
X667 Pepys Diary 2 Aug., Though I lay down my "victual-
ling place, yet, as long as he continues victualler, I shall l)e
the better by him. 1770 Lanchorne Plutarch (1851) II.
83^/2 He.. furnished himself also with cattle and other
•victualling provisions. 1757 W. Thompson R. N. Advoc.
20 One . . had been in the "Victualling Service from a Boy.
1665 Pepvs Diary 28 April, Down the River to visit the
"victualling-ships. 1711 Broadside, Sailors Danger if
Hardship at Sea (title-p.). The loss of Seven large Trans-
ports and a Victualing Ship. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade,
* Victualling-society, a union or association of operatives,
&c. 10 supply themselves with meat and bread, &c. at the
lowest prices. 1757 W. Thompson R. N. Advoc. 48 The
Timber .. sent into Portsmouth "Victualling-yard was.,
complained of. 1846 A. Young Naut. Diet, 105 The Vic-
tualling Yards for the Royal Navy, where provisions and
.similar stores are deposited.
Vi'Ctnallillg-lloase. [f. prec] A house
where victuals .ire supplied or sold ; an eating-
house, inn, or tavern.
a. Z540-X Elvot Image Gov. 57 To see that no vitailyng
house, .shoulde haue their doores open. .either before the
soonne risen, or after the soone set. 1555 Eden Decades
(Arb.) 148 Tbey_..determyned to buylde townes,..that they
myght bee Ijay tinge places and vytailynge houses for suche
as sbulde iorney towarde the southe. 1568 Withals Diet.
41 b/i A vittellynge house, where meate is to be solde. 1617
Moryson Itin. 1. 122, 1 . .tooke a chamber in a vitling house,
in the Market-place.
^. 1S71 in 13M Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. IV. 2
Licenced to keep a victualinge house within the towne of
Ry. 1600-9 Rowlands Knaue o/Clubbes 16 T'will be my
castle for some three moneths space, while they search
Tauerne, rifle victualing-house. i66a in Extr. St. P. rel.
Eriends u. [igii) 146 To keepe an Alehouse or Victualling-
house within your precincts. 1712 Thoresbv Diary (1830)
II. 151 After dinner at a victualling-house, I walked to Mr.
Dawson's. 1737 Ceiitl. Mag. VII. 371/1 No License shall
be granted to sell it by retail but to Publick Victualling-
Houses, Inns, Coffee Houses or Alehouses. 1842 Act 5-6
Vict. c. 44 § lAny Act or Acts in force touching the Regu-
lation, .of. . Victualling Houses. iS8$ Law Times 28 Mai.
389/2 A refreshment and victualling house.. on the Steep
Holms, a rocky island in the Bristol Channel.
Vi'Ctnalling-O'ffice. [f. as prec] An office
concerned with the victualling of ships, esp. ol ships
of the Royal Navy.
1668 Extr. St. P. rel. Friends in. (1912) 278 The Place
was originally called Maison de diew, out now his
Ma[jes]tls victualing office in this Port is seated there.
1710 C. Shadwell Fair Quaker Deal L i. 9 We. .pry into
the Rogueries of the Victualling-Office. 1757 W. Thompson
R. N. Advoc. 48 The Labourers of Portsmouth Victual-
ling Office are. .employed in extra Hours. 1751 England's
Gazetteer s.v. Dover, The courts of chancery, admiralty, &c.
relating to them all, are kept in St. James's Ch., and here are
a custom. house and victualling.office. 1827 Scott Chron.
Canongate iii, Now, my wife had keepit a victualling office.
VICUNA.
191
VIDUATB.
X834 EM£ycl Metrop. (1843) VI. 350 The Victualling Office
at Plymouth.. is now brought almost into juxta- position
with it \sc. the Dockyard).
b. Boxing slang. The stomach.
1751 Smollett Per, Pic.c, He. .found it impracticable to
smite his antagonist upon the victualling office. 1785
Grosr Diet. Vuig^. Toftgve S.V. -lixo Sporting Mag;, y I.
80 Spring put in a heavy claim on his opponent's victualling
office.
11 Vicuna (vik?^'n^a), vicu'lia. Forms: a. *j
becunia, 7- vicuna, 8-9 vicunna,9va-, vecuna,
vicugna, vicunnia, 9- vicufia. ^. 7 vicugne,
9 vicune. [a. Sp. vicuna (Pg. vicunha), the
Quichnan name of the animal. See also Vigogne,
ViGONE, and Vigonia.]
1. A South American dLmma\{Aucheniavi£unna)i
closely related to the llama and alpaca, inhabiting
the higher portions of the northern Andes and
yielding a fine silky wool used for textile fabrics.
a. i6m R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea 47 It may be surmised,
that it is as that of the Becunia, and other Beasts, which
breed the Beazer stone. 1661 Lovell Hist. Ani/n. ^ Min,
28 The beast is about the bignesse and likeness of a Stagg.
Their hair . . is said also to help the gout : sc. Of that called
Vicunas. 1704 Collect. Voy. (Churchill) HI, 11/2 The Wild
Goats are numerous; theyarecall'd Vicunna's. ij^SAnson's
Voy. I. vi. 68 There are in ail parts of this country a good
number of Vicunnas or Peruvian sheep. 1771 tr. Permty''s
Voy. Malouine IsL (1773) 289 Several of our people went a
shooting . . and saw some carcases of vicunas. 1805 Luccock
Nat. Wool 14 We allude particularly to.. the camel, and
the dromedary, in the East, and the vicuna in South
America. 1847 Prescott Peru{\%y>\ II. 100 His dress.,
was composed of the wool of the vicuna wrought into
mantles, so fine that it had the appearance of silk. 1875
Encycl. Brit. I. 598/1 The vicugna is a much rarer animal
than the alpaca. 1894 Lydekker Roy. Nat. Hist. II. 413
During the wet season of the year the vicunias seek the
highest ridges of the Cordillera.
^. 1604 K. GIrimstone] D'AcosteCs Hist. IndifS iv. xl. 316
Amongst the most remarkable things at the Indies of Peru,
be the Vicugnes, and sheep of the countrie, as they call
them. 1613 Pt'RCHAS Pilgriviage {xi>\^) -jyz The Vicugne
somewhat resembleth a Goat, but is greater, c x8o6 Ace.
Viceroynlty Buenos Ayres 31 note^ There is also a wild
species of the pacos, called vicunes.
2. eilipt. VicuBa cloth ; also, a garment made of
this.
1851 Catal. Gt, Exfub. 491/1 Ponchos : — Plain and
brocade, striped ; aravenas. Vicunas. i8a^ Household
Words 24 Sept. 76/1 The verbiage by which coals are
transformed in to., alpacas, vicunas, ponchos, ..and siphon-
ias. 1883 Daily News 33 Sept. 3/3 A dress of cigar-brown
vicugna. 1887 Standard 15 Sept. 2/1 A thick diagonal
vicuna has been introduced as a jacket cloth.
3. altrib. and Comb., as vicuHa-fur, -hunter,
■skin ; vicu£La-cloth, cloth made of vicuna-wool
(hence eilipt vicuHa-coslume) \ vicu£La-wool,
(a) wool or fur of the vicuna ; {b) a mixture of
fine wool and cotton.
1851 Catal. Gt. Exhib. ^^0/2 Union cloth. . . *Vicuna cloth.
i88a Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needieiv. 515/1 Vicuna
cloth . . is employed as a dress material, and is very soft in
texture. 1889 Daily News 22 Oct. 6/1 Vicuna cloth is much
in favour for dresses just now. 1884 CasstrH't Fnm. Mag.
Oct. 697/2 The standing figure wears a pale brown *vicuna
costume. 1851 Catal. Gt. Exhib. 487/1 "Vicuna fur, with
woollen back. lUo C. R. Markham Peruv. Bark 135 lliis
ed us down into a valley, where I parted with my young
•vicuna- hunter. 1840 Penny Cyel. XVlII. 278/2 The finest
[ponchosj are made of * vicuna skins. 1804 Gent I. Mae. Nov.
1059 On board., were 20 sacks of * Vicuna [mis^r. Viennal
wool. iBiSAmer. St. Papers, For. Relat. (1834) IV. 327
The imports.. consisted of.. 771 arrobas of vacuna wool.
186s Catal. Intermit. Exhib., Brit. II. Na 4073 Tweeds
. .made from Vicugna wool. 1880 C. R. Markham Peruv.
Bark 135 The exquisite fabrics they weave from vicufia*
wool.
fVi-curats. Obs.~^ [See Vice- prefix.'] A
substitute in ecclesiastical functions,
a 1617 HiERON Aarons Bells (1633) 20 Their unlearned
and for the mo>t part ungodly Vi-Curates.
Vid.i, abbrev. of Vide v.
1609 Skene Ree. Maj. Table 04 The father by reason of
poverty may revoke the gift or donation made to his sotme.
vid. father. Ibid. 95 Querrell (complaint, pley). Vid.
Pleyes. 1706 Stevens Span. Diet, i, Enxaguaduras, vid.
Enjuagaduras. 1736 Ainsworth Eng.-Lat. Diet. i. Index
Geogr., Atrecht. Vid. Arras. 1788 Lempriere Class, Diet.,
iphimedusa, one of the daughters of Danaus.. .KiW.
Danaides. 1801 Levden Scenes Infancy i. xxii. note, Vid.
' Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border*. 1836-9 Todd's CycL
Anat. II. 626/3 Vid- the diagram yf^. 283.
t Vid.^, abbrev. of Videlicet. Obs.
1676 W. Harbord in Essex Papers (Camden) 61 He was
..found guilty of manslaughter by 6, vid: Ld. Trcatsurjer,
Ld. Privy Scale (etc. J.
llVidame (v-rdam). Also 6 vydara(e, vis-
damme, 7 vidam. [a. F. vidame, OF. visdame,
ad. med.L. vicedoniinus, f. vice- \lQT.' + dominus
lord.] Formerly in France, one who held lands
from a bishop as his representative and defender
in temporal matters.
X5a3 Ld. Berners Eroiss. I. xlv. 25 b/s The Vydame of
Calons dyd marueyles. 1550 Acts Privy Council III. 121
Ordre..for the sending of..oone of the Gromes of the
Chambre, to be furreror harbenger to the saide Visdamme.
1614 Srldkm Titles Honor 2$3E^c\iheT is there in France
any Vidame which holds not of some Bishoprik, vnlesse
that of Beauuais, . .and from the chief Town of the Bishop-
rique are the Vidames denominated. 1635 R. N. tr.
Camden's Hist. FMz. i. 47 The P'rench Embassadour in
England solicited her that the Vidame of Chartres.. might
be delivered to the King. 1680 Mackenzie Sci. Her. 87
To Counts, Vidames, and Viscounts [they allow] a direct
standing Helmet, with 9 Barrs. 17*5 tr. Dufin s Ecct. Hist,
iiih C. I. V. 179 The Advocates and Vidames succeeded
the Defenders, and by little and litt le these last Offices were
abolish'd. x8oi Ranken Hist. Prance I. 334 They em-
ployed a vidame, vice-dominus or commissary. z8o> Ibid.
11. 259 They commissioned generally their avoues, or
vidames, or some superior vassal, to levy and head the
troops of their barony. 185a Sir J. Stephen Lect. Hist.
France I. 131 The advocate or vidame of an ecclesiastical
corporation was usually some powerful count.
trans/. i6as in Birch Crt. .y Times Jos. I (1849) II. 346
Here is a speech of a new dignity of vidams to be created,
which should wedge in 'twixt knights and baronets.
Hence f Vidameship. Obs.
a 1641 Spelman Ant. Deeds Eng. Wks. (1723) 11. 342
These Officers obteyned likewise of their Lords the Bishops
to have the Office of Vidameship in Fee.
Viddeful, obs. Sc. form of Widdiful a,
Viddie, obs. Sc. form of Widdy sb,
II Vide (vai'dz), V. imp. [L. vide, imp. sing, of
videre to see.] * See, refer to, consult * ; a direction
to the reader to refer to some other heading,
passage, or work (or to a table, diagram, etc.) for
fuller or further information.
Freq. abbreviated as vid, : see Vid.* ; also occas. as v. V 5.
1565 Cooper Thesaurus App., Pysades, the sonne of
Strophius:.. Vide Pisades. x6a6 Bacon Sylva §59 For
which I haiie compounded an Ointment of Excellent Odour,
which I call Roman Ointment, vide the Reeeit. 1699
EvELVN Acetaria 51 The Limon is somewhat more acute,
cooling and extinguishing Thirst. . . Vide Limon. 1713
Swift Cadenus ^ Vanessa iii She then referr'd them to a
place In Virgil, vide Dido's case. 1813 J. Badcock Dom.
Atnusem. 33 Vide KoWxn passim. 1837 Wilkinson Mann.
^ Cust. Ane. Egypt \\. {1841) I. 66 note. Vide my Egypt
and Thebes, p. 194 note. 1857 Gosse Omphalos xii. 354
note, I have already proved that blood must have been in
..the newly-created Man {vide p. 276, supra).
+ Vide, aphetic form of Divide v, Obs.—^
1:1400 Destr. Troy 1249 The bourder of his basnet [he)
bresies in sonder, And videt the viser with a vile dynt.
+ Videl., abbreviated f. next.
1589 PuTTENHAM En^. Poesie (Arb.) S2 But the three is
made of one number, videl. of two and an vnitie. 1615 W.
Bedwell Moham. Impost. 11. 59 Therefore there remaineth
yet another great difficultie, videl. How this law should be
vniuersall.
II Videlicet (vide*liset, vai-), adv. and sb.
Also 7 videUicet. [L. videlicet, f. vidi-, stem of
videre to see ■¥ licet it is permissible. Cf. Scilicet.
The pron. {vi-, vaidiiiset) is also to some extent in use.]
A. cidv. That is to say ; namely ; to wit: used
to introduce an amplification, or more precise or
explicit explanation, of a previous statemeot or
word. (Cf. the abbreviated forms Vid.^, Videl.,
Vidz(t., and Viz.)
i^^Mann. ^ Househ. Exp. (Roxh.) 452 Alleodre percellis
that are enteryd and engfosyd in my lordis book : vide-
licet: Fcrst [etcj. 149a in Rymer /'>(Wra(i7ii) XII. 480/1
To serve him in his Werres, . .videlicet, himself, having his
Custrell and Page. 1509 Wi/l in Archaeologia LXVI. 310
Massez of Requiem to be saide and song for my Soule by
Preestes in maner and forme folowing videlicet Euery Freer
[etc.^ 1563 FoxE A. <S- M. 796/1 Sundry clauses, pointes,
matters..: Videlicet, amonges other thinges, where the
bishop offred to make particuler aunswere [etc.]. 1579
¥vi.K^Heskins' Pari. 131 We doe not take one thing: vide-
licet bread. i6oa T. Fitzherbert Apol. 27 The wprds of
our sauiour following the former in S, Mathew videlicet : I
wii geeuc thee the keyes of the kingdome of heauen. 1665
in Parish Bks. St. Julian's, Salop I. 125 (MS.), Due to
Math: Clemson for work done to tne Clock Videlicet for
a new Spring, ..for wyer and oyle, ${s'\. iw Swift Cir-
cumcision E.CurllWks. 1755 III. I. 165 The wisest man
that ever was, and inasmuch the richest, beyond all per-
adventure was a Jew, videlicet, Solomon. 1769 Phil. Trans.
LIX. 452 To confirm farther what I say, videlicet, that the
water, the more glutinous it is, the more it is disposed to
become luminous. x8s9 Scott Rob Roy Introd., One of
Rob's original profession, videlicet a drover. 1840 Barham
Ingol. Leg. Scr. i. Si. Odille, Then let's act like Count
Otto, and while one survives. Succumb to our She-Saints—
videlicet wives 1
B. sb. The word itself as used to introduce an ex-
planation or amplification, esp. in legal documents.
a 1658 Cleveland Wks. (1687) 100 You shall never take
a Pamphleteer, one of these Haberdashers of small Wares,
without his Videlieets, or his Vtpotes. Ibid., A Videlicet is
an Hie Canis, it argues a Bungling Writer, as that a Painter.
1774 Lu, Mansfield in Cowper Rep. (1783) 170 He has
stated it to be in Minorca ; with a videlicet. 1805 East
Reports V. 252 In Stukely v. Butler (Hob. 172) Lord C. J.
Hobart speaking of the use of a videlicet, says [etc.]. 1814
Stephen Frine. Pleading ^i^ And here, as in the case of
a local fact, the insertion of a videlicet will give no help.
llVide'ndaf sb.pl. rare. [L., pi. oi videndum,
f. videre to see.] Things worth seeing or which
ought to be seen.
1760 Sterne Tr, Shandy vii. xxxi, In my list, therefore,
of Videnda at Lvons, this, tho* laist, — was not, you see,
least. 1771 M. IvsoN Let. in Nichols Lit. Anecd. (1814)
VIII. 571 Gray's notes, .contain the Videnda in all parts of
Great Britain, as Houses, Antiquities, Views, &c.
t Vi'dent. Obs. rare. jad. L, vident; videns^
pres. pple. olvidire to see.] (Seequot.)
1588 J. Harvev Disc. Probl. 40 The holy prophets, .were
properly called Vidents, or Seers.
vide-rtifif; see Vied///, a.
Vidette, variant of Vbukttb.
Vidian (vi'dian), a. Anat. [f. Vidus VidiuSy
Latinized form of the name of Guido Guidi,
an Italian anatomist (died 1569).] The special
designation of certain anatomical features of the
head, as Vidian artery, canal, nerve.
1831 R. Knox Cloguet's Anat. 39 The posterior orifice of
the vidian canal. Ibid. 473 The superficial petrous fila-
ments of the vidian nerve. Ibid. 663 The Vidian or Ptery-
goid Artery. 1840 E. Wilson Anat, Vade M. (1842) 379
The Vidian branch passes backwards along the pterygoid
canal. 1875 Turner in Encycl. Brit. I. 824/1 At the root
of the pterygoid processes is the vidian canal, for the trans*
mission of a nerve of the same name. x886 Buck's Handbk,
Med. Sci. II. 328/2 A small nerve.. goes to the spheno.
palatine ganglion, and, after being joined by a branch from
the carotid plexus, is known as the Vidian nerve.
11 Vidimus (vsi-dimiJs;. [L. vidimus * we have
seen', ist pers. pi. perf. of videre to see. So F.
vidimus (from 14th c.).]
1. A copy of a document bearing an attestation
that it is authentic or accurate. Also attrib.
1436 Rolls of Far It. IV. 500/2 Credence shuld be yeven
to the copie named Vidimus sealed under the autentyke
scales, and approved as to ye Originall. 150a Abnolde
Chron, (1811) 230 We will the vidimus or copy auctentike
take eflTect and strenght as this present saufconduyt after
ten monethis past, a 1560 Rolland Crt. Venus iv. 310 The
prothogoU heirof I wald haif drawin In writ, for cost to be
my Vidimus. 1670 Blolnt Law Diet. s.v. Innoteseimus,
An Innoteseimus and Viditnus are all one. [Hence in
Chambers Cyel. (1728) s.v.] 1853 F, S. Thomas Hamlbk,
Fubl. Rec. 93 A Vidimus is similar to a Notarial Certificate,
in which the tenor of Royal charters.. and other writings
is copied and attested. Ibid., Each of these persons was
supplied with a vidimus copy of such letters, properly sealed
and authenticated. 1899 J. H. Round Cal. Doc. France I.
p. xxviii, He claims that the transcripts are most carefully
made from charters, cartularies, ' vidimus ', or other authen-
tic sources.
t b. Without article : Confirmation of authenti-
city or correctness. Obs.~^
1513 in Trans. Roy. Hist, Soc. VI. 362 The said Schir
William is oblist to gif vidimus tharapone.
c. (See quot. 1850.)
1850 Ogilvie, / 'idimus, an examination or inspection ; as,
a vidimus of accounts or documents. 1880 Black White
Wings xxi. He told us that the last vidimus of the affairs
of the Burgh of Strathgovan was most satisfactory.
t2. Arch. A design for a painted or stained-
glass window, Obs.
1526-7 in H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1765) \.
App. Dddj, Good and true patrons, otherwyse called a
vidimus, for to fourme glasse and make by other four
wyndowes of the seid churche. 176a H. Walpole Ibid.
108 What a rarity in a collection of drawings would be one
of their vidimus's !
•f" 3. The fact or reality ^something. Obs.~^
16x0 B. Rich Descr. Irel. xvi. 64 The vidimus of the
matter is, our Londoners are neither vowed nor sworne to
the Pope.
4. (Seequot.)
1884 Imp. Diet., Vidimus, . . an abstract or syllabus of the
contents of a document, book, and the like.
II Vidonia (vid^unja). [Of doubtful origin :
(see quot. 1833).] A dry white wine made in the
Canary Islands. Also attrib.
i7a3 Lond.Gaz. No. 6173/3,31 Pipes.. of. .White Vidonia
Madera Wine. 1816 Accum Chem. Tests (1818) 191 Various
wines or spirituous liquors :.. Vidonia. 1833 C. Redding
Hist. Mod. H ines (1851) 210 What is called Vidonia is pro-
perly the dry Canary wine, of a good body. . . Perhaps it was
so called because it is derived from the vidogna grape, or is
a corruption of Verdona. Ibid. 211 At Canary both Malm-
sey and Vidonia are grown. 1876 Encycl. Brit, IV. 797/1
(Canary Islands), None, however, is considered as good as
the wine of Madeira. The most esteemed kind is sent tq
England under the name of Vidonia.
Vidou, Vidoy, obs. forms of Widow.
Vidnage (vidiwed^). [f. L. vidua widow : cf,
next and -age.] The condition of widowhood,
viduity ; widows collectively.
183a Lamb Lett, xviii. (1865) 174 What can twenty votes
do for one hundred and two widows? I cast my eyes hope-
less among the viduage. 1894 Stoty of My Tivo Wives 67
One of the last acts of her viduage.
Vidnal (vi-di«al), a. Also 6 widuaL [ad.
late L. vidual-is, {.vidua widow. So OF. vidual,
Sp. vidual, It. viduale.] Of or belonging to,
befitting, a widow or widowhood ; widowed.
1550 Bale Apol. 37 The estate of widual clenncsse is than
most fytt, whan [etc.]. 1598 Florio, Vedouile, viduall,
widow-like. i6a4 Heywood Gunaik. vi. 282 Others there
bee that have kept a viduall chastitie even in wedlocke.
1647 Trapp Comm. i Tim. v. 12 * Cast off their first faith ' :
Not that of their baptisme. .but their viduall promised
chastity and service to the Saints. 1710 Norris Chr. Prud.
iii. 106 One may as well say, Virginal, or Conjugal, or Vidual
Prudence as any of these. 1752 Richardson Let. in Mrs.
Barbauld Life (1804) III. 192 Shall we show Harriet, after
a departure glorious to the hero, in her vidual glory? 1876
World V. 12 She too retains still a deeply vidual costume.
1897 F. Thompson New Poems 34 She. .Who in most dusk
and vidual curch, Her Lord being hence. Keeps her cold
sorrows by thy hearse. Ibid. 44 No more shall you sit
sole and viduaL
Hence Vidually adv.
1818 J. Brown Psyche 93 If marriage solace she prefers
Before a solitary pillow. Or wearing vidually the willow.
+ Vi'duate, a. Obs. rare. [ad. L. vidudt-us, pa.
pple. of vidudre, f. viduus destitute.]
L Destitute ^something.
z6qx Plukenett Let. to Ray 17 July (17x8) 349 Its Sullts
realfy viduate of Leaves.
2. Widowed.
VIDUATED.
coctor's viduate dame.
tVi-duated,/a.///^. and/5^/. a. O^j. [f. L.
vidtiai'y ppl. stem of viduare : sec prec] I-eft
widowed, desolate, or destitute.
x66o Watebhouse Arms <V Arm. 175 St. Pauls, thy vidu-
aied Mother Church. 1687 Wood Ltyi (O-H.S.) III. 218
In the beginning ofthis month came up at Oxon ' a health
to the Church dowager ', i.e. distressed or viduated Church
of England. ^17x8 Li/e K. Fratitpton (1876) 202 To inter-
cede with them at helm, that the Church might not be
viduated. X7«7 Bailev (\-oL II).
t Vidua'tioiL, Obs. rare. [f. L. vidudre : cf.
prec and -ation.] The state of being widowed
or bereaved.
1653 Waterhouse Apoi. Learn. 149 (T.), Their triumphs
rise from the church's viduation, from her learning's con-
tempt and prosternation. [1656 Blount CJMjc^., Vidua-
iion^ a dividing, a leaving alone, a depriving, a making
widow.]
Vidue, obs. Sc. form of Widow.
f Vidlli*fical, <?. Obs.—^ [f. L, vidua widow :
see -Fic and -al.] (See quot.)
1657 ToMuissoiA Renou's Dis^. 267 Mezereon is as much as
viduificai, or widow. making plant.
Vi'duiney «• Omith. [f. mod.L. zf/^z/rt widow-
bird : see -ink l.] Belonging to the Vzduinas or
widow-birds.
1896 G. E. Shelley Ft?r, Finches 294 By scientists the
Viduine Weavers are placed among the Ornamental Finches.
Vidnity (vidi«iti). Also 5 Scy 6 viduite, 6-7
-tie. [a. OF. viduiU (AF. veduete ; F. viduiti
— It. 7HduUd,)y or ad. L. vidttitds, f. vidua widow :
see -ITY.] The state of being or remaining a
widow ; the time during which a woman is a
widow; widowhood,
x4>o Indenture in J. Campbell Baltnerino iv. i. (1867)
25S The said Sir Williame is oblist that he sal nochttrete
the forsaid [Alesoun?] of Murray, .neither in virgimte na
viduite, til [alienate ?] ony parte of hir heritage fra the
richtwissairis. 1574 IVater/ord Arcktvesxixioth Rep. Hist.
MSS.Comm. App. V. 334 Every widowe shoulde have like
benefitt. .during her viduite... Aldermen's widowes shall
have but a balives shift during their viduite. 1575 in Agnew
Sherijffs Galloway (18^3) 1. 404 Patrick McKie. .shall infeft
..Katheren Agnew.. in her viduity in all and hailt the
lands of Larg. x6so Bp. Hall Honour Marr, Clergy^ \. vi,
As for that other which hee imagines, a vow of continued
viduitie, it was neither * faith nor ' first'. 1647 Trapp
Cofttm. Corinthians 75 Yet doth not the apostle simply
prefer virginity or viduity before marriage as better, a 1726
Gilbert Lanu Evidence (1791) 497 If a Woman, who has an
Estate during Viduity, makes a Lease for Years [etc.]. iTag
Mac/arlane's Geneal. Coll. (S.H.S.) II. loi Indenture be-
twixt Marion Oliphant in her Viduity on the One Part and
Pat. Gray of Broxmouth on the other Part. ^1x856 G.
OuTRAM Annuity^ Lyrics (1874) 27 There I met a waesome
wife Lamenting her viduity. 18915 Abst, Protocols To^vn
Clerks 0/ Glasgow {iZ^) III. gnote, Widows of rentallers
in the barony were entitled to enjoy their husbands' lands
during viduity.
ViduoUS (vi'di«(3s), a. rare-^. [f. L. vidti-us
or z/^w-a-J-'OOS.] Empty, unoccupied.
185s Thackeray Newcomes Ixvi, She gone, and her vidu-
ous mansion your heart to let, her successor, the new occu-
pant, . .finds her miniature, .hidden away somewhere.
t Vidz(t., obs. variants of Viz. = Videlicet.
15851 Puttenham En^. Poesie it. iv. (Arb.) 85 Both verses
be of egalt quantitie, vidz. seauen sillables a peece. i6i6in
Eastland Co. (Camden) 158 That the same [allowance] be
raysed vidzt to twenty nobles apeece. 1669 Mrs. A. Thorn-
TON Autobiog. (Surtees) 80 The articles of agreement ..
vidz., that ^1 his estate should be passed by fine and
recovery.
+ Vie, sb^ Obs. Also vye, uye, uie, vi. [a.
OF. (also mod.F.) vie :— L. vzia life]
1. An account of the life of a saint.
axzoaSt. MarJur. 34 Here i mai tellen ou..The vie of
one meidan, was hoten Maregrete. a xasjS yuliana 2 Her
cumseS )>e uie of seinte iuliane, ant teller of liflade hire.
a 1300 Marina 327 in Horatm. Altengl, Leg. (1878) 175 He
^at made & wrot bis vie, & hyre ha^ in memorie, From
shome Crist him sbilde.
2. Way of, or lot in, life.
a 1300 Cursor M. 3474 Oure lauerd..Had don hir in to
sikcrnes,. .Quat suld be J»aa childer vie, O )7air weird and o
bairlijf. Ibid. 21740 pecroice. .es. .Fondemcnt of ur clcrgi,
Reulc it es of hali vL 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xiv. 123
Angeles bat in hellepow ben, hadden ioye some tyme, And
diues in deyntees lyued, and in douce vye.
t Vie, J*-2 Obs. rare. Also vye. [Aphetic f.
envie Envy sb.^ Envy,
13. , Seuyn Sages (W.) 1028 Tho Ypocras wel he fond, Bi
craft of the childes bond, That he couthe al his mastrie, And
brast negh forth {read for] onde and vie. a 1450 Myrc 435
Ihesu cryst..t>at.-vnder pounce pylate Was I-take for vye
and hate, And soflfrede peyne and passyone.
f Vie, sb."^ Obs. Also 6-7 vy(e. [Aphetic ad.
F. envi increase of stake (in OF., challenge, pro-
vocation), vbl. sb. from envier to increase the
stake (in OF., to challenge, provoke, invite) :— L.
invitdre: see Envy z'.2 So Sp. and Pg. envite
(Sp. iembite)y It. invito. The adv. Avie is found
slightly earlier (1509-). See also Re vie sb.']
X. In card-playing : A challenge, venture, or bid ;
a sum ventured or staked on one's cards. Also in
fig. context. (Common ri 590-1650).
1533 More Debell. Salem Wks. 955/2 He fareth . . as
though we sate together playing at poste. For first he
castetb my contradiction as a vye, to witte whether I woulde
192
geue tt ouer with a face. XS91 Greene Conny Catch. (1859)
27 The Conny upon thys, knowing hys Card is the third or
fourth Carde,. .pawnes his rings if he hath any, hys sworde,
his cloake, or els what hee hath about him to maintaine the
vie. 159* WoTTON Lett. (1907) I. 273 Not unlike a bad
game at Mawe, wherein the first vye being scene, the ca»ds
are given before the second, ft z6i8 J. Davies (Heref.)
iK/V/«/'//rr. Wks.(Gr";art) II. 32/1 Both which an end do
make Of all Love's dmes saue when the Vies are paid.
1648 Gage West Ind. ix. 26 So the cards were handsomely
shuffled, the vies and rcvies were doubled. 1680 Cotton
Covipl. Gamester xxii. (ed. 2) 106 The Vye is what you
please to adventure upon the goodness of your own hand.
b. In the phr, to drop vie{Sy in fig. use.
1599 Nashe Lenten Stnffe Wks. (Grosart) V. 227 But
Parish for Parish.., both for numbers in grosse of honest
housbolders, . .and substantial! graue Burgers, Yarmouth i
shall droppe vie with them to the last Edward groate they
are worth. 1636 B. Jonson in Ann. Dubrensia (1877) 23, 1
cannot bring my Muse to dropp Vies Twixt Cotswold, and
the Olimpicke exercise.
2. A challenge to contest or rivalry ; a display of
rivalry or emulation; a contest or competition.
Occas. const, of. (Very common in 17th c.)
1568 T. Howell Arb, Amitie (1879) 64 O Gratious Golde,
Whose glittring vie Doth cheere and holde Eche gazing
eie. 1605 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iii. Captaines 10
Samuel succeds : Jews crave a King: a vie Of People-
Sway: States-Rule: and Monarchy. 1611 Spbkd Hist, Gt.
Brit. IX. xxiv. 876/1 They, .beganne a vie, who should be
first in shewing their alteration. i66> Owen Aniittad. Fiat
Lux xxi. Wks. 1855 XIV. 169 Let him begin the vie when
he pleaseth ; if I live and God will, I will try this matter
with him before comi>etent judges. 1674 Govt. Tongue vi.
109 The King of Ethiopia in a vie of Wit with the King of
Egypt, propos'd it as a Problem to him, to drink up the Sea.
b. In prepositional phrases, as at (a) vie^at the
vies, in vie {qf)j on vie. Cf. Avie adv*
1591 Harington Orl. Fur. xxxix. xiv. They wast the
fields, and seeme on vye to runne, By which of them most
damage may be donne. 1603 Florio Montaigne 1. xxxix,
Philip having heard his sonne great Alexander sing at a
feast in vie of the best musitians. 1636 Daniel Hist. Eng.
Wks. (Grosart) IV. 231 The Empresse at the Vies with her
Councell, resolues to send ouer her brother intoNormandie.
1653 H. CoGAN tr. Pinto's Trav. xlv. 264 It was worth him
above ten thousand Duckats, wherewith the Lords rewarded
him as it were in vye of one another in recompence of the
good service he did. 1674 Govt, of Tongue vi. § 12. 127
However as to this particular of defaming, both the sexes
seem to b« at a vie. a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Cre^v s.v.
Taudry, They..Bedeckt the Shrines and Altars of the
Saints, as being at vye with each other upon that occasion.
3. A challenge as to the accuracy of something ;
an objection or difficulty, rare.
1591 Horsey Trav. (Hakl. Soc.) App. 340 (HeJ hindred al
the procedings I had begone, standinge uppon terines and
vyes, saeing they were not the Quens letters I brought,
nether her hand and sealle. 1603 Holland Piutarch's
Mar. 1 197 Then came in Theon also with his vie, adding
moreover & saying, that it could not be denied, but that in
truth herein there haue bene great changes & mutations,
1640 Sanderson Serin. (1681) II. 177 For private men to
put in their vie, and. .to call in tjuestion the decency or ex-
pediency of the things so estabhshed, . . is it self indeed the
most indecent and inexpedient thing.
4. attrib.f as vie crown, stabs.
The meaning of three [?read thee] a vies wits in qnot. 1589
is not clear.
1570 FoxE A. ^ M. (ed. 2) III. 2292/2 The Lord of Tame,
with an other Gentleman beyng at Tables, playing, and
dropping vye crownes, y" Lady Elizabeth passing by, sayd :
she would see the game out. 1589 [? Lvlv] Pappe w.
Hatchet B ij, Thinkst thou thou hast so good a wit, as
none can outwrangle thee? Yes Martin, wee will play
three a vies wits. Ibid.^ Art thou so l^ackt that none dare
blade it with thee? Ves Martin, we will drop vie stabbes.
1593 Harvey Pierce's Superer. Wks. (Grosart) II. 128 Vie
stabbes, good Ecclesiasticall learning in his Apologie ; and
good Christian Charitie in his Homilie.
Vie (vai), V. Also 4, 6-9 vye, 7 vy. [f. prec.
or ad. F, envier: see prec. Sp. and Pg. envidar
(Sp. t embidar)y It. invitare are used in sense 1.
For an isolated earlier instance of the form see the note
to sense 7.]
f 1. intr. In card-playing : To make a * vie ' ; to
hazard a certain sum on the strength of one's hand.
The useof the word bj^ Singer Hist. Placing Cards {iZrS)
245 is merely an echo of invitasi in the Italian original (1526)
of the passage.
1565 Jewel Replie Hardings Answer 'w.yn-z Hecommeth
in onely with ioyly bragges, and great vauntes.as if he were
plaieinge at poste, and shoulde winne al by vieinge._ 1591
Gkeene Conny Catch. Wks. (Grosart) X, 27 They vie and
reuie till some ten shillings bee on the stake. Ibid. 95 The
next game they vied, and laid some fine pound by on the
belt. 1594 Carew Hiiarte's Exam. Wits viii. (1596J 112 To
play well at Primero, and to face and vie,, .and by coniec-
tures to know his aduersaries game, . .are all workes of the
imagination. ^1618-1640 [see Revib v. 4^
fb. In fig. context. Obs*
x62a Mabbe tr. Aleman's Guzman d^Alf. \\. To Rdr., He
hath made a second part out of my first; and I onely
imitated his second. And shall doe the like in the third, if
being elder hand, he shall vye vpon me. 1646 Quarles
yudgem. 4- Mercy Wks. (Grosart) I. 83/1 As for thee, thy
Cards are good, and having skill enough to play thy hope-
full Game, vie boldly, conquer and triumph. 1654 [see
Revie v. 4],
f 2. trans. To hazard, stake, or venture (a cer-
tain sum, etc.) on a hand of cards. Freq. in fig.
context Obs.
1577 Grange Golden Aphrod.^ etc. Pj, Then will they
vaunt, and graunt, and for affinitie. At cardes they will vye
and reuye, each their virginitie. 1591 Greene Conny Catcft,
Wks. (Grosart) X. 28 At last the barnacle plies it so, that
VIE.
perhaps he vies more mony then the cony hath in bis purse,
1613 PuRCHAs Pilgrimage i. xvi. 84 The worlds false-hood,
that playeth with Scepters, and vieth Diademes, vsing men
like Counters. 1640 Quarles Enchirid. i. c. G iv, You,
..Princes of this lower World, who.. vye Kingdomes, and
winne Crownes. ^1645 Howell Lett. II. xv, 1 find that
you have a very hazardous game in hand, therfore give it
up, and do not vie a farthing upon't, 1658-9 Burtons Diary
(1828) HI. 35 note. The Commonwealth party^nd the Pro-
tector's or Court party, began to vie stakes, and pecked at
one another in their light skirmishes.
f b. To venture (money) in other ways. Obs.
1599 Hall Sat. iv. ii. 93 More than who vies his pence to
view some tricke Of strange Moroccoesdumb arithmeticke.
1 3. To back (cards) for a certain sum ; to de-
clare oneself able to win (a game, etc.). Obs.
In first quot. in fig. context: for the use otpaircf. quot.
a 1618 in 3 b.
1583 Melbancke Philotimus Eeiij, So that hee which
hath my misaduentures, and is enthralled with thy presente
state, niaye vie the paire for sorrowe, whatsoeuer the stake
be. 1591 Gkeene Conny Catch. (1592) 7 He vie and reuie
euerie card at my pleasure, til either yours or mine come
out. 1598 B. JoNSON Ev,Man in Hitm. iv. ii, Wel. S'light,
here's a trick vyed, and leuyed ! 1655 J. Cotgrave Wit's
Interpr. (1662) 366 The first, or eldest, 'tis possible, sayes,
He vye the Ruff; the next says, He see it.
f b. In the phr. to vie it ; also in fig. context.
XSOX Flobio 2nd Fruites 69 S, Let vs plaie at primero.. .
A. What shall we plaie for ? S. One shilling stake, and
three rest... I vye it, will you hould it? A. Yea Sir, I hold
it, and reuie it. 1608 Chapman Byron s Trag, Plays 1873
II. 285 ^?/. Passe. Byr. I vy 't. a 1618 J. Davies (Heref.)
Wittes Pilgr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 38/1 One, vies it, beeing
but a Knaue, perchance. Against a King, or (^ueene, or
Paires of both. 1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes iv. ix. 235 All
this time the Knights play'd it at Dutch Gleek, and had so
vied it, and revied it, that they were all Honours in their
faces. 1688 R. Holme Armoury iii. xvl (Roxb.) 73/1 The
eldest hand may pass and com in againe, if any of the
gamsters vye it, else the dealer may play it out, or double it.
+ o. In fig. use. Obs.
1604 MmoLETON Father Hubburds T. in Bullen O. PI.
VIII. 95 One. .likened me to a sea-crab;.. another fellow
vied it, and said I looked like a rabbit 164X H. L'Estrange
GodsSab%ath-i,\ As for the Protestant writers,, .we dare vie
it with the .Anticiparians, and give them oddes, two for one
at least. 1654 Gataker Disc. APol. 3 He makes grievous
complaint elswherc of scurrilous Mercuries, that vie it with
his scurrilous Merlins. 1673 [R. Leigh] Transp. Reh. 100
To vye him, and see him, and re-vye him in contradictions.
This figure now is lost to any man that is not a gamester.
4. To display, advance, practise, etc., in com-
petition or rivalry with another person or thing ;
to contend or strive with in respect of (something).
Obs. or arch. (Very common in 17th c.)
c 1570 Bugbears ii. iv. 39 in K. W. Bond Early Plays
from Italian (1911) 106, 1 will vye slepes with him that
lookes oute of a hood. 1605 B. Jonson Voipone iv. vi, Out,
thou Chameleon harlot ; now, thine eyes Vie teares with
the Hyaena. 1641 Fuller Holy <v Prof. St. iv. vi. 267 The
Queen, vying gold and silver with the King of Spain, had
money or credit, when the other had neither. 1660 Ingelo
Bentiv. ^ Ur. i. (1682) 102 One eye vied drops with the
other. x69a R. L'Estrange F'ables ccclxxx. (1694) -^01
Nothing else will serve him. .but to vye Exellencies with
those that took him out of the Dirt. 1702 S. Pakker tr.
Cicerds De Finibus 11. 126 The Mortal might vie Pleasures
and Suinmum Bonum with the Eternal Being. 1710 Mrs,
Manley Power cf Love (1741) 11 So beautiful, that thou
may'st vie Advantages with the East and West. x8ax
Lamb Elia \. Some old Actors, I have seen some. .very
sensible actresses, .who. ! have seemed to set their wits at
the jester, and to vie conceits with him in downright
emulation.
t b. Similarly without const. Obs.
1597 J. King On Jonas (1618) 282 An auncient historic
of vowes vied and reuied between the citizens of Crota
1598 E. GuiLPiN Skial. {1878) 60 By and byThei'le be by
the ears, vie stabs, exchange disgraces. 1641 J. Jackson
True Evang. T. i. 40 They vyed cruelties, and strove who
should overcome each other therein. x6^ Weldon Crt.
Jos. /, 7 Had you seen how the Lords did vye courtesies
to this poor Gentleman, . . you could not but have condemned
them of much basenesse. 1694 Attebbubv Serm. (1723) I.
79, I think it by no means a fit and decent thing to vie
Charities, and to erect the reputation of one upon the ruins
of another.
t C. To rival (a thing). Obs. rare,
1607 Schol. Disc. agst. Antichr. i. ii. 72 He did it to vie
that triple crowne which the Emperour had. 1691 J.
Wilson Belphegor in. i. Bating that Palace^ there's not a
House in Genoa better furnish'd ;— and for Picture— I dare
almost vie Italy.
5. To match (one thing) with another by way of
return, rivalry, or comparison. Nowar^^.
1583 Melbancke Philotimus T iij b. Though I enuie thee
now, thou shouldest not vye it with malice._ 1633 G.
Herbert Temple, Sacrifice xx\\. The Jews.. vying malice
with my gentlenesse, Pick quarrels with their onely happj-
nesse. 1664 J. Wilson A. Commenius n. ii, I'll vie his
Autumn, with the pride of springs. 1685 Lady R. Russell
Lett. I. xxvii. 73, I will take your advice, and vie my slate
with others. 1718 Entertainer No. 19- 124 People would
never be so vilely corrupted, as to vie Shade with Substance,
and prefer Trash.. to intrinsick Worth. 1877 1'ennyson
Har. v. i. 86-7 Leofwin. And someone saw thy willy-nilly
nun Vying a tress against our golden fern. Harold. Vying
a tear with our cold dews, a sigh With these low-moaning
heavens.
1 6. To increase in number by addition or repe-
tition. Obs.
1596 Shaks. Tam. Shr. 11. L 311 Shee hung about my
iiecke, and kisse on kisse Shee vi'd so fast . - That in a twinkle
she won me to her loue. 15^ Sylvester Z>w Bartas 11. i.iii.
Furies 664 Sorrow . . Creeping in corners, where she sits and
vies Sighs from her heart, tears from her hlubbered eyes.
VIED.
1630 BRATHWAnEiif. Genilem. (1641) 24 Lest shee be forced
to vie sighes for their sinnes. 1633 G. Herbert Temple,
Easter in, Since all musick is but three parts vied And
multiplied.
t b. To add on ; to give or take by way of
addition. Obs.
a 1635 Randolph Atnyntas 11. iv, 161 Minds in love. Doe
count their daie^ by minutes, measure howres, . . And for
<ach vie a tcare. 1635 Quarles Emblems l. viii. Wks.
(Grosart) III. 57/2 One dotes; the other loathes : One frisks
and sings, and vies a flagon more To drench dry cares.
7. iitlr. To enter into, or carry on, rivalry ; to be
rivals or competitors ; to contend or compete for
superiority in some respect. Also const, for or in
(the object or matter of rivalry).
In Chaucer's Dethe c/ Blaunche iTi the Tanner MS. (15th
c.) has i"f, and Thynne (1532) vye, for exryeoUhe Fairfax
MS., which IS prob. the correct reading.
161S Brathwait .y/ra/l/Sarfo (1878J 146 Her teares by his
finde their renew'd Supplies, Both vie as for a wager, which
to winne. The more she wept, the more she forced him.
1648 Gage litest Ind. 209 In Rome Sir William Hamilton
. . vied much for the said Cardinals Cap. a 1700 Evelyn
Dtnry 6 June 1687, The Commanders profusely vying in
the expence and magnificence of tents. 1718 Prior Proto-
^nes^ApeUes 86 Howe'er Protogenes and I May in our
Rival Talents vie. 1736 Thomson Liberty iv. 291 Not un-
worthy, she {sc. Genoa) Vy'd for the trident of the narrow
J'^'r '7*S WoLCOT (P. Pindar) Lyric Odes, To P. Pindar
1, 1 hey show'd their gold-lac'd clothes with pride. In harm,
less sallies frequent vied. 1806 Miss MlTFORoin L'Estrange
Li/e (1870) 1. xi. 54 They all vied in paying me every
attention. 1814 Scott Ld. 0/ Isles l. v. As vainly had her
maidens vied In skill to deck theprincely bride. i8<o Maury
Phys.Ceog. Sea (Low) iii. § 168 The China seas and the
North Pacific may vie in the fury of their gales.
b. Const. wieA ; also -^ against, fan, f upon.
i6<M (see Revik v. 4 bj. 1614 W. Browne SJupi. Pipe v.
t. 3, Who gainst the Sun (though weakned by the morne)
Would vie with lookes, needelh an Eagles eye. aifeo
Montrose in Watson Sc. Poems (1711) III. 108 If m
the Empire of thy Heart, Where I should solely be,
Another do pretend a Part, And dare to Vie with me. 1683
Kennttt li. Erasm. on Folly (1709) 128 How the tawdry
butterflies vie upon one another. 169a Washington tr.
MittonS De/. Pop. vii. Wks. 1851 VIII. 183 Many other
things I omit, for.. my design is not to vie with you in
Impertinence. 1731-8 Swift Polite Com. Introd. 81 One
Isaac Newton.. might possibly pretend to vye with me for
Fame in future times. 1777 Robertson Hist. Amer. iv.
(1778) I. 359 They vie with one another in refinements of
torture. i8m R. & /. Lander Exped. Niger I. i. i In fact
they all vied with each other in making themselves agree,
able. 184a Macallay Ess., Clive (1897) 531 The wealth of
Clive was such as enabled him to vie with the first grandees
of England. 1871 Freeman Norm. Cong. (1875) III. xii.
79 Disunt Kings would have vied with one another in
oSering their daughters to such a bridegroom.
C. trans/. Of things.
i6js Krathwait Strappado (1878) 173 For know (though
my ability be poore) M y good-will vie's with any Emperour.
Ii6y8 !■ rver Acc. E. India f, P. 184 We beheld Lamps at
Night striving to vie with the Stars for Number and Lustre.
'7"? ''°'''' Dryope 23 Fruits that vie In glowing colours
with the Tyrian dye. 1747 Gray Utath J-av. Cat 10 Her
coat, that with the tortoise vies. 1773 Johnson Let. to
Mrs. Thrale 25 Aug., A library that for luminousness and
elegance may vie at least with the new edifice at Streat-
ham. 1813 F. Clissold Ascent Mt. Blanc 23 The glassy
pinnacles of the.. Alps,.. vying with the brightness of the
western horizon. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. x. II. 617 The
wealthiest merchant of London, . .whose banquets vied with
those of kings. 187a Jeskinson Guide Eng. Lakes (1879)
=24 Tlie view from the summit will vie with that from any
one of the Lake mountains,
t 8. To contend in debate. Obs.
a 1610-11 1734 (see Revie v. 4 cj.
Hence t Vied///, a.; Vioingi»W. sb. and///, a.;
Vie'ingly adv.
_ 160S .Armin Foole uion E. (1880) 5 lack Oates. .was deal-
ing to himselfe at *vidc-ruSe (for that was the game he ioyed [
in). 1607 Heywood IVom. Killed to. Kindn. 128 Gentle-
men, what shall our game be ? . . Faith, let it be vide-rufT,
and let's make honours. 1610 R. Cocks Diary iigoi) 114 I
Dec 12. Losteat vyed rufl'e ijs vjd. 1611 Bacon C<«arf< I
loucimg Diiels Wks. 1879 I. 681/t A difference, .made in
case of killing and destroying man, upon a forethought
purpose, between foul and fair, and as it were between
single murder and vied murder. 1610 Shelton Qiiix. (1746)
III. 245 My Sport shall be vy'd Trump at Christmas.
1591 Percivall Sp. Diet., Embite, 'vieng at any game,
Iteratio. 1689 Tryal Bps. 6 The King's Counsel have
answered your Objections, and we must not permit Vying
and Re-vying upon one another, a 166a Contemp. Hist.
tT'li"'' '^''^"*'''' Soc.) II. 43 Colonell Jones, governor of
Dublin, the other *veyinge gamster, played his parte very
well hitherto. 1831 Examiner 6gi/i People would have to
be careful how they, .exaggerate their afflictions, as they
are apt *vyingly with each other to do.
Vie, southern ME. variant of Fay z/.l
Viealde, southern ME. variant oifalde Foldz/.
tVieillard. Obs. Also 5 viellars (//),
veyllard, 6 villartl, vylarde. [a. F. vieillard
(OF. also viellard, -art, villard, etc.), f. vieiloM :
see -ARD.] An old man.
147.S Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 64 That noble duke Agamemnon
required of the goddis six suche wise viellars as was Nestor.
148S Caxton Chas. Gt. 117 Of whens art thou, veyllard?
(aisoo Cluster PI. i. 156 I'hat oulde vylarde Jacobe, doted
''?'. "St; .,^'590 J. Stewart Poems iS.T.S.) II. 38 This
vitms vieillard now mycht tak Of hir bis plesour. i6ai T.
Williamson (title), The Wise Vieillard or Old Man. Trans-
lated out of French into English.
Viei-rin^e. Med. Also vioriii(e. [app. f. the
Portuguese surname Vieira.'] (See quot.)
Vol. X.
193
^^iDnngiison's Diet. Med. Sci., Vieirin, bitter principle
from bark of Remijia Vellozi of Brazil, where it is used as
an antiperiodic and tonic, like quinine.
II Vielle (viie-1). [F. vielie, OF. viele, of doubt-
ful origin.] A musical instrument with four
strings played by means of a small wheel; a
hurdy-gurdy. Also Cornb.
1768 Sterne Sent, jfoum., Grace, The old man had . . been
no mean performer upon the vielle. 1781 Ann. Reg. 11. 1 1
Few songs, guittars, vielles, or organs enliven the evenings.
;f<>7. [s« Hurdy-gurdy iJ. 1880 Shorthouse J. Inglesant
II. II, He played upon a small and curiously shaped instru-
ment called a vielle, . . with four strings, and a kind of small
wheel instead of a bow. 1905 Edin. Rev. July 129 The
vielle.player's story, and the Papal election, and much of
the talk about music and the drama !
Vienna (vi|e-na), the name of the capital of
Austria used in various collocations, as Vienna
blue, cobalt blue ; Vienna caustitj, = Vienna
paste ; Vienna cross, a stitch used in fancy em-
broideries; Vienna green (see quot. 1852);
Vienna paste, a paste made up of equal parts of
caustic potash and quicklime ; Vienna •white
(see quot.).
183s G. Field Chromatography 1 1 1 (Cobalt blue] has been
called "Vienna blue, Paris blue, azure, and, very improperly,
ultramarine. 1865 G. B.W00D & Bache Dispcnsat. U.S.
Amer. (ed. 12) 1279 This preparation is a grayish-white
rwder, sometimes called 'Vienna caustic. l88a Caulfeild
Saward Diet. Needlew. 188/1 Persian Cross stitch, a
stitch ..also called "Vienna Cross. 184a Francis Diet.
Arts, * Vienna Green, the same as Schweinford green : it is
an arseniate of copper. iSja W. Gregory Handbk. Org.
Chem. (ed. 3) 214 Schweinfurt or Vienna Green is a double
salt, formed of acetate and arsenite of copper. 1867 Berke-
ley Hill Essentials 0/ Bandaging 148 "Vienna paste, that
IS, equal parts of potassa fusa and quick lime worked into a
paste with spirits of wine. i88< Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci.
II. 5/2 To prevent its diffusion it is usually mixed with
quicklime in what is known as Vienna Paste, or Potassa
curn Calce. 1861 Chambers's Encycl. II. 744 The * Vienna
white of artists is simply purified chalk.
b. The distinctive name of a grade of wheat-
fiour, and of certain forms of plain or fancy bread.
1879 U'ame's Model Cookery 605/2 Vienna Cake.. .Take
a large round spongecake and cut it very carefully into thin
slices (etc.). ZS89 R. Wells Pastrycook * Con/eet. Guide
12 Vienna Bread. Take 12 lbs. of Vienna flour (etc.). Z893
— Mod. Pract. Bread Baker 50 Vienna Bread. This
I claim to be our highest grade of white bread. Ibid. 52
Common Vienna Loaves. \^ 363 Breads f; Biscuits 61
Vienna Rolls.. may stand half an hour before baking if
desired.
Viennese (vi,en«"z), sb. and a. [f. Viknn-a
-H -E8E.]
A. SO. a. A native or an inhabitant of Vienna ;
also in collective sense, b. The variety of German
spoken in Vienna.
"839 J. Pagett Hungary /, Transylv. I. 2 The foolish
tales the good Viennese told us. i860 Chambers's Encyet.
'• 575/r In order to prevent the Hungarians coming to the
aid of the Viennese [in Oct. 1848). 1894 Parry Stud. Gt.
Composers, Beethoven 166 His behaviour was not of the
kind affected by polite Viennese.
B. adj. Of or belonging to Vienna ; originating
in Vienna.
1839 J. Pagett Hungary ,}• Transylv. I. i Viennese
Reports of Hungary. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 221/2 The
Viennese school of painting is of modern origin. 1889 R.
Wells Pastrycook f, Con/eet. Guide 10 Viennese Rolls.
Take 8 lbs. of Vienna Flour (etc.).
Viar (v3i-3i). rare. [f. Vie z/.] One who or
that which vies with another.
<^>7«> W. Hamilton in Watson Sc. Poems (1706) I.
68 'rheyll witness that I was the Vier Of all the Dogs
within the Shire, I'd run all Day, and never tyre. 190a
Academy 18 Oct. 41 1/2 We have flocks of poets who are
word-painters and nothing more, mere viers with painting.
Vier, southern dial. var. Fibe ; dial. var. Vaib
sb. ; obs. f. Veer v)- ; var. Vire sb.
Vierdour, variant of Vebdoub 2 Obs.
tVierge. Obs.-^ [a. OF. (also mod.F.) vierge
:— L. virgin-em Virgin sb.'\ The Virgin.
146a I'ol. Poems (Rolls) II. 270 Now biyssed saint George,
pi^ the vierge immaculat To be good mediatrix.
Vierge, var. Verge sb."^ Vies, var. Vives.
Viese, var. Vees 2. Vlesly, obs. f. Wisely.
View (vi«), sb. Forms : 4-6 vewe, 5-7 vew,
6 veu(e, vue ; 5, 7 vywe, 5-7 viewe (6 veiwe),
5-8 vieu (6 vieue, 8 vine), 5- view. [a. AF.
vewe, veue, vuc, vieue, view, = OF. veue (F. viie),
ppl. sb. from veoir (F. voir) to see. The OF.
veiie corresponds exactly to It. veduia in the same
sense.]
I. 1. a. A formal inspection or survey of lands,
tenements, or ground, for some special purpose.
Now rare or Obs.
1415-6 in Madox Form. Ang. (1702) 16 Wee [masons and
carpenters], beyng Vewers for the tyme of the seid Cite,
have 10 these Vewes afore writton, putte our sealles. c 14J0
Oseiiey Register 123 We schall Jeve to them suflicient
Lschaunge, by the vewe of lawfull men, in my othir londes
to a conuenient valewe. 1509 Set. Cases Star Chamber
(Selden) II. 7 As it apperith by the viewe and ouerseyng (of
the fields) takyn by maister Brudenell one of the kynges
Justeses. iw Fitzherb. Sum. 3^ b. The vieu of the
maner of Dale taken the tenth day of May, the .xiiii. yere
of the raygne of kyng Henry the .viii. 1607 J. Norden
Surv. Dial. i. 21 It is true that you say, such a view was
VIEW.
taken at the time, that euery Tribe might haue his portii
of inheritance. i6aa Callis Stat. Sewers (1647) 80 The
IS a diversity between a view and a .survey, for by the view
one IS to take notice only by the eye, but to survey is
by using other ceremonies and circumstances. i8m I.iNrnr '»■'
-. .........._..„v. .„.. v-Ai-i-is ojar. oewers (1647) 8° There
IS a diversity between a view and a .survey, for by the \
— ^e IS to — '-- — ■ . . .
oy using otner ceremonies and circumstances. 1834 Lincoln
etc., in Nicolay & Hay Life (1890) I. 119 note, V\*e . . resoect -
fully report that we have performed the duties of said view
and location (of a road], as required by law, and that we
have made the location on good ground.
tb. A formal examination or inspection ot
something, made by a properly appointed or quali-
fied person ; the charge or office of insijectine some-
thing. Obs. ^
In early quots. denoting the submitting of accounts to in-
spection. Ihe sense in quot. 1654 'S not quite clear. View
ojjrank.p/edge : see Frank-pledge i b.
HH Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 273/1 That the Collectours..
paye the money, .in youre seid Reseit, and make the views
of their accomptz. 1471 Paston Lett. III. 49 And on
baturday next comyng he shall send me a vewe of hys
acompte. 1497 Naval Acc. Hen. VII (1806) 83 It semeth
necessarie that another viewe be taken of all the Kynges
said ordenaunces within his said Tour of London. 1520
Coventry Leet Bk. 674 A veu was takon by the said Maier
and his bretbern what stores of all Maner of Corne, and
what nombre of people was then whithin the said Cite. 1538
tartular. Abb. de Rievalle (Surtees) 353 The office of the
ferme gathering in Swawdall, and the oversight of the
woddes and vue of ther grownde. 1558 in Feuillerat ReveU
Q. Eltz. {.^ifA) Table i. The Master and officers.. shall.,
peruse the remaines of the whole stuflTe and other stoare
lefte at the laste vewe. 1647 N. Bacon Disc Govt. Eng. i.
xxxviu. 92 Ihe Coroner.. even in those old dales had the
view of bloodshed. 1654 G. Goddabd in Burton's Diary
(1828) I. Introd. 188 That the excise of all tobacco of the
Lnglish plantations, be reduced from ^d. to id. the pound ;
and that thereupon, no view or allowance be made for, or in
respect of the said tobacco. 1700 J. 'Iyrrell Hist. Eng.
II. 819 Our Regarders or Viewers shall go through the
forests to make a View or Regard. 1802 James Milit.
Diet. S.V., The view of a place is said to be taken when the
general, accompanied by an engineer, reconnoitres it. z8ia
J. Smyth /"rocr. <j/'Cai/<w«j(i82i)329 BillofViewor Sight.
1827 Hallam Const. Hist. ix. (1876) II. 132 A view of ibis
armour was to be taken twice in the year by constables
chosen in every hundred.
t O. A review (of troops, etc.). Obs.
1565 Cooper Thesaurus s.v. Condo, Lustrum condere,
to apoynt a muster or view. i«8i W. Robertson Phrased.
Gen. (1693) 1269 A View of souldiers at a Muster, amiilus-
trtum. 1693 Luttrell Brief Retat. (1857) HI. 15 The
duke of Ormond took a view yesterday of his troop, and
ordered all that had bay or grey horses to change them for
black. i7ai De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 56 The view
being over, and the troops returned to their camps.
d. Law. (See quots.) 1 Obs.
1567 Expos. Temies of Law (1579), Viewe is when anye
actyon real is brought and the tenaunt knoweth not well
what lande it is, that the demaundaunt asketh, then the
tenantshal praye the viewe. 1607 CowELl Interpr., Veiours
..signifieth in our common lawe those, that are sent by the
court to take view of any place in question, for the better
descision of the right, a 1625 Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 366
View is in reall actions of the thing demanded,.. when it is
so necessarie as without view the defendant cannot well
answer. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. 298 He may, in real
actions^ demand a view of the thing in question, in order to
ascertain it's identity and other circumstances.
fe. By view of, under the inspection of. Ofo.— '
1700 Tyrrell Hist. Eng. II. 820 Every.. Earl, or Baron,
coming to us at our Command, and passing through our
Forest, may Lawfully take one or two Deer by view of the
Forester if present.
2. In general use : An examination, inspection,
or survey. (Cf. 18.)
1568 Grafton Chron. II. 277 They roadein the fieldesall
that daye, and made a diligent vewe. 1592 Stow Ann.
518 The which volume was since againe, .. by viewe of
dluers written copies, corrected by my self, 1622 Bacon
Hen.yil (1876) 29 Edward Plantagenet.. having passed
the view of the streets, was conducted to Paul's church.
i6<8 Denham Poems Ep. Ded. A iij b. Neither have I any
need of such shifts, for most of the parts of this body have
already had Your Majesties view. 1697 Dryden Virg.
Georg. 111. 450 We too far the pleasing Path pursue j Sur-
veying Nature with too nice a view.
t 3. An interview or meeting. Obs. rare.
iSao Sir R. Wingfield in Ellis Grig. Lett. Ser. I. L 170
Suche personnaiges as shall attende apon hym at the Veue.
Ibid. 173 The_ noble personnaiges of thys Realme..be
asmoche affectionatt to this Veue as could be wysshyd.
4. The exercise of the faculty of sight; the faculty
or power of vision ; the possibility or opportunity
of seeing something ; a. Without article.
Field of view : see Field sb. 16 b.
1573TUSSER Husb. (1878) 211 At length by vew, to shore
I drew. 1577 Holinshed Chron. I. 35/1 Thinking it good
to vnderstand all things by view that might appertaine
to the vse of that warre. c 1600 Shaks. Sonu. cxli, 'Tis my
heart . . Who in dispight of view is pleasd to dote, 1634
Sir T. Herbert Trav, 193 Hoise him vp to his greater
height of view. 1671 Milton Samson 723 And now at
nearer view, (it is] no other.. Than Dalila thy wife. 1697
Dryden Mneid XII. 1333 The hero nieasurd first, with
narrow view. The destinM mark, iw- (see Point sb} D.
12]. 1864 Ecclesiologist XXV. 274 The steeple, .may. .be
taken into view with the loftier saddleback of S. Alban's.
1876-7 in Abney /^AiJ/ofr. (1878) 207 The diminution of light
from the centre towards the margins of the pictures from
both these causes increases rapidly with any increase of
angle of view beyond 40°.
b. In the phr. to view, chiefly after vbs.
o 'S93 Marlowe & Nashe Dido i. i. Whose lookes set
forth no mortall forme to view. 1695 Woodward Nat. Hist.
Earth (1723) 24 'Pheir Parts when dissolved have the same
Appearance to View. 1746 Francis tr. Horace, Art of
Poetry 5 If he gave to View a beauteous Maid. 1757 W.
25
VIEW.
WiuoE E^gmtiad ix. 970 Towards the Cadmean gale ;
where full to view Expos'd, the armies and the camp she
knew. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India 11. v. vi. 586 One of
the most important features of the case was then held up
to view. 1^ Mrs. Stowk Uncle TonCs C. xl, Tom was
aheady lost to view among the distant swamps of the Red
River, i860 TvNDALL Ginc. i. iii. 28 The snow-floor had, m
fact, given way, and exposed to view a clear green lake.
C Similarly with the. (Cf. 14.)
1585 T. Washington tr. NicJwlay's Vcy. ii. ix. 42 b, Where
be sayth the second to lye on the North part, he may by the
view & eisight onely be reproued. 1603 G. Owen Pem-
brokeshire i. (1892) 3 That euerye shere is of biggnes as
the same appeareth to the vy we. 1664 Power Exfi. Phiios,
Pref. 15 The Knowledge of Man (saith the learn'd Venilam)
hath hitherto been determin'd by the View or Sight. i7«i
Rawsav Tartema 148 These give not half that pleasure to
the view. 1791 Mrs. Radcliffe Rom. Forest 11, It seemed
as if heaven was opening to the view. i8ao Shelley Sky*
lark 50 Like a glow-worm.. Among the flowers and grass,
which screen it from the view ! 1843 Tennyson Vision of
Sin. 23 ITheyl Caught each other with wild grimaces. Half-
invisible to the view.
d. With limiting terms (possessives, etc.).
1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 1357./2 He hath set
downe to the vew of all men these necessarie notes follow-
ing. 1591 Shaks. Rom. ff Jul, i. L 177 Alas that louc, whose
view is muffled still. Should without eyes, see paih-wayes
to his will. 1614 Latham Falconry (1633) 73 For your
flight to the Heame, it is wrought, flown, and maintained
by the eie and view of the Hawke. 1640 Bp. Reynolds
Passions Ded., This treatise hath had the marvellous felicity
to light on the view. .of a very gracious Princess, a 1668
Lassbls Fty. Italy (1698) II. 118 None are sufferai..to do
or speak anything scandalously that may shock civility or
publick view. 171X Pope Temple Fatne 420 Before my
view appear 'd a structure fair. iSxi Caby Dante, Parad.
xxii. 19 Elsewhere now I bid thee turn thy view. 1833
Tennyson Lady Clara Vere de Vere 34 When thus he met
his mother's view, ..She spake some certain truths of you.
X903 MoRLEY Gladstone I. Pref. note^ Between two and
three thousand papers of one sort or another must have
passed under my view.
fis- «59o Spenser F. Q. in. xi. 11 My Lady and my loue
is cnieily pend In dolefuU darkenesse from the vew of day.
e. Range of sight or vision.
1591 Savile TacitMSf Agricola (162a) 184 Lest any sparkle
of honesty should by mischance remaine within view. x^a>
WoLLASTON Reliff. Nat. i. 25 No one can tell, in strict
speaking, where another is, if he is not withtn his view.
a 17M T. Boston Crook in Lot {1S05) 1 1 Providing that the
crook in his lot should not be set afresh in his view. 1850
Tennyson /n Mem. Ixxv, Somewhere, out of human view,
Whate'er thy hands are set 'o do Is wrought 1855 — Maud
I. XX, Was it gentle to reprove her For stealing out of view
From a little lazy lover?
5. An act of looking or beholding ; a sight, look,
or glance.
1581 W. S. Compend. 21 b, The first view would displease
many. 1590 Shaks. Mids. N. in. 1. 14^ Mineeare is much
enamored of thy note; On the first view to say, ..I loue
thee. 1611 Sir W. Mure Misc. Poems i. 50 Seik no to
subdue And kill ane hert, bot for a vieu. 1667 Milton
P. L. iL 190 Who (canj deceive his mind, whose eye Views
all things at one view? 1697 Dryden Virg. Past. viii. 53,
I view'd thee first ; how fatal was the View ! 1704 J.
Harris Lex. Techn. I. s.v. Measures^ To see in one View
an Account of the Ancient and Present Measures of several
Parts of the World. 1746 Francis tr. Horace^ Art of
Poetry 495 That gives us Pleasure for a single View; And
this, ten Times reflated, still is new. 1813 Shelley Q- Mab
It. zoo The thronging thousands, to a passing view, Seemed
like an ant-hill's citizens. z886 Cornh. Mag. Aug. 224 For
an hour at each view will this monstrous eye. .gaze analys-
ingly on many hundreds of stars at once.
b. ellipt. A view-halloo.
1903 Lon^m. Mag. Jan. 244 There is, however, in my
bumble opinion, no great harm in a view when the hare is
first found.
6. The sight or vision ^something. Also with
possessives.
1588 Shaks. Titus A. in. ii. ^5 Out on the murderourt
thou kil'st my hart, Mine eyes cloi'd with view of Tirranie.
1600 Fairfax Tnsso xiv. xiv, Thy weak armies .. Shall
take new strength, new courage at his view. 163a
Guillim's Heraldry (ed. 3) in. ii. 113 Thus should their
view put us euer more in minde, to raise our thoughts to
Godward. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 23 Towards night
[we] got view o\ loanna lie. a 1771 Gray Dante 29 Pisa's
Mount, that intercepts the view C5f Lucca. 1794 Godwin
Caleb Williams 247 The view of his figure immediately
Stroduced a train of ideas into my mind. i8ao W. Irving
ketck Bk. (1S21) II. 29 We had now come in full view of
the old family mansion. 18^ I..ockhart Scott IV. viii. 263
He proceeded to thread his way westwards, across moor
and bog, until we lost view of him,
trans/. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. ff Art II. igi
Hitherto the distinction.. appears to have been scarcely
thought of. The distinct view of it was accidentally
obtamed by Stephen Grey, in the year 1729,
7. Visual appearance or aspect,
1551 Records Cast. Knowl. (1556) 152 If the earthe were
of anye bygnes in comparison to the worlde, then should
his scmidiameter beare some vewe of byggenesse to the
semidiameter of the skie. X570-6 Lambarde P ramh. Kent
(1826) 102 The same man also, persuaded partly by the
viewe of the place itseIfe,..supposeth| that Richborow was
of auncient time a citie of some price, itox Shaks. Rom. ff
Jul. I. i. 175 Alas that loue so gentle in his view, Should
DC so tyrannous and rough in proofe. 1603 G. Owen Pem-
brokeshire x. (1892) 3 It most Consequent el ye followe that
the shere must be but little, much lesse then other sheres
which seem lesse in vywe. 1667 Milton P.L. iv. 142 A
Silvan Scene, ..a woodie l"heatre Of stateliest view. Ibid.
347 A happy rural seat of various view. 1713 Guardian
No. I P I His Countenance is communicated to the Publick
in several Views and Aspects. 1718 Pope Iliad xvi. 203
Like furious, rush'd the Myrmidonian crew, Such their
194
dread strength, and such their dreadful view. x8i3 Crabbf
Tales xviii. 9 As certain ores in outward view the same.
fig' "S8i Pettie Guazzo's Civ. Conv, in. (1586) 123 To
maintaine himselfe in that view which belongeth to his
calling.
b. Aspect as affected by position.
1847 Leitch tr. C. O. Mailer's Anc. Art 450 The coins
exhibit his head generally in front view.
8. t a- Hunting. The footprints of a buck or
fallow-deer. Obs.
Common in 17th c. works of reference, but merely as an
echo of Turbervile,
1576 TuRBERV. Venerie xxxvi. 97 Then if she aske, what
Slot or view I found, I say, the Slot, or view, was long on
ground. Ibid. 239 The footyng or printe of an Hartes foote
IS called the Slot. Of a Bucke and all other Fallow Deare,
it is to be called the View. 1611 Cotgr., Foulee, the Slot
of a Stag, the Fuse of a Bucke (the view, or footing of either)
vpon hard ground, grasse, leaues, or dust. 1679 Lovell
Indie. Univ. 26 The strain, view, slot or footing of a deer
arc the marks he makes in soiling.
b. A sight or prospect of some landscape or
extended scene ; an extent or area covered by the
eye from one point,
1606 Bryskktt Civ. Life 93 Hauing the prospect not onely
of the citie, but also of the sea and hauen, . . and some com-
mending the ayre, some the delightfulnesse of the view.
1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 14, I neuer saw ground more
pleasant for view. 1667 Milton P. L. 11. 890 Before thir
eyes in sudden view appear The secrets of the hoarie deep.
X718 Prior Solomon 11. 22 Fish-ponds were made, where
former Forrests grew; And Hills were levelPd to extend
the View, 1756 Mrs. Calderwood in Coltness Collect.
(Maitl. CI.) 192 It R the finest vine ever I saw ; the ground
lies about it, you would think, in a circle. 1766 [Anstey]
Bath Guide vii. 4 Fine Walks, and fine Views, and a
Thousand fine Things. 1808 Pike Sources Mississ. ii. 220
From the flat roof of the church we had a delightful view
of the village. 1847 Tennyson Princess Prol. 68 Here were
telescopes For azure views; and there a group of girls In
circle waited. J883 Manch. Exam. 30 Oct. B/4 A local
resident .. whose house.. has a beautiful view down the
valley,
C. A drawing, painting, print, etc., representing
a landscape or other prospect.
a 1700 Evelyn Diary 18 Jan. 1645, We were then con-
ducted into a new Gallery, whose sides were paintedwith
views of the most famous places, towns, and territories in
Italy, ijog Uille)t Britannia Illustrata; or. Views.. of the
Principal Seats of the Nobility and Gentry of Great Britain.
X79X Robertson Hist. India App., Wks. 1851 VI. 510 Mr.
Hodges has published views of three of these [fortresses],
cx8ii FusELi in Lect. Paint, iv. (1848) 449 That kind of
landscape which is entirely occupied with the tame delinea-
tion of a given spot, ..what is commonly called 'views'.
1853 Mrs. Carlvlf. Lett. (1883) II. 220 The little view at
the top of this sheet is where I live in London. 1854 Haw-
thorne Eng. Note-Bks. (1883) I. 527 A photographist pre-
paring to take a view of the castle. 1898 Binns Story of
the Potter 222 Portraits, views, and fancy scenes were pro-
duced in different self-colours.
II. 9. Mental contemplation or vision (alone
or combined with ocular inspection) ; observation,
notice.
Point of vie^v. see Point sh.^ D. 12.
c 1440 Alpk. Tales 530 per is no thyng bod som peple will
§iff >er vew and t?er fantasye l>er-vnto. 1593 Norden {iitU\
peculum Britanniae. By the travaile and vew of John
Norden. i6ia in Eng, Hist. Rev. April {1914) 249- I w>|l
be bold out of my 2eale and duty to present yt [a proposi-
tion] unto his Magesties vieu. 164a in Verney Mem. (1907)
I. 243 But I hate to have my secrets laid open to every-
bodie's view. 1746 Francis tr. Horace, Epist. i. ii. 26 The
Poet sets Ulysses in our View. 176a Kames Elem. Crit. i.
(1833) 20 The mind extends its view to a son more readily
than to a servant. 1846 Whately Rhetoric (ed. 7) Introd.
vi. 34 Such a habit ..also, in a rhetorical point of view, if
I may so speak, often proves hurtful. 1850 HAwtHORNE
Scarlet Letter Introd., One.. who appeared to have been
rather a noteworthy personage in the view of our ancestors.
191 X y H. Round Kings Serjeants 254 After this, the
scalding serjeanty.. fades from view.
b. A single act of contemplation or attention to
a subject.
1570 Levins Manifi.Q^ A view of things, mstimatio. 1676
Dryden Anreng-zebe Ded., The hasty Critick, who judges
on a view, is as liable to be deceived. 1776 Adam Smith
W. N. I. i. V1869) I. 10 The advantage.. is much greater
than we should at first view be apt to imagine it.
10. A particular manner or way of considering
or regarding a matter or question ; a conception,
opinion, or theory formed by reflection or study.
Freq. const, of.
1573 G. H ARVR\ Letter-bk. (Camden) i Uppon a re^asnable
vew of the matter. 1679 Penn Addr. Prot, ii. ii. (1692) 60
Let us take the most impartial View we can. X736 Butler
Anal. I. iii. 50 Good Actions are never punished, considered
as beneficial to Society, nor ill Actions rewarded, under the
view of their being hurtful to it. X780 Mirror No. 100 p i
The view of Hamlet's character, exhibited in my last
Number. 1800 Trevelyan in G. O. Trevelyan Macaulay
(1876) I. i. 22 Miss Hannah took a more unselfish view of
the subject. 1836 J. Gilbert Chr. Atonem. ix. (1852) 281
Atonement presents to us this view of God, 1855 Bain
Senses ^ Int. i. ii. § 8 The application of this view of the
plan of structure of the brain will appear in the sequel.
X884 Sir W. B, Brett in Law Rep. 14 Q. B. D. 798 That
was the view which the judgment of the Court below
upholds.
b. An aspect or light in which something is
regarded or considered. (Cf. 7.)
X713 Guardian No. 5 p 3 The Widow of Sir Marmaduke is
to be considered in a very different View. 1719 Law Serious
C. X. 145 If we consider mankind in a farther view, as a
redeemed order of fallen spirits, X794 Paley Evid. ill. iv.
VIEW.
F 22 We are well warranted in calling the view, under which
the learned men of that age beheld Christianity, an obscure
and distant view.
o. //. Opinions, ideas, or theories, of an indi-
vidual or speculative character, held or advanced
with regard to some subject.
1769 Robertson Chas. K, in. f 33 Nor^did his political
views and maxims seem less strange. X79X J. Barlow
Conspir. Kings &6 Gallia's sons.. Make patriot views and
moral views the same. x8x8 Cobbett Pol. Reg. XXXIII.
106 Reformers, not so well able to express as to think,
would have bad an answer to all questions relating to their
views. X84X Arnold in Life ^ Corr. (1844) II. ix. 270 Of
course, he who believes his own views to be true, must
believe the opposite views to be error. X870 Jevons Elem,
Logic it. II It does not seem that the views of the logicians
named are irreconcileable. X883 Laiu Times 20 Oct. 408 The
time must come when the views of our committee will prevail.
d. Without article : Comprehensive survey.
1821-30 Ld. Cockburn Mem. (1856) 177 Allen's single
lecture contained as much truth and view as could be ex-
tracted from all the books in Europe on the subject.
11. A survey, a general or summary account^ oj
something.
X604 Dallington {title). The View of Fraunce. X613
CocKERAM II, The full View of a thing, synopsie. 1647 May
Hist. Pari. Title-p., A short and necessary view of some
precedent yeares. xyag Butler Sertn. Wks. 1874 II. Pref.
14 It may not be amiss to give the reader the whole argu-
ment here in one view, X779 Mirror No. 51, An author who
draws characters in the other manner. .gives a view of the
particulars themselves. 1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg. ii. 44/1, I
proceed finally to offer a combined view of the whole.
18x5 J. Smith Panorama Sci. fy Art. II. 157 With the
record of a late excursion of his we shall close this view of
the practice of aerostation.
12. An aim or intention ; a design or plan ; an
object or purpose.
X634 Sir*!". Herbert Trav. 83 [Nicanor slew Antiochus],
because interposing the view of his ambition. 17x1 Marl-
borough in loM Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. 1 . 1 44, 1 haue
no other views then what tend to the firmest vnion with his
Lordship. X759 Franklin Ess. Wks. 1840 III. 483 What-
ever view the governor had to serve by hjs opposition, he
neither did himself or views any service by it. 1771 Wesley
Wks. (1872) V. 20 It is necessarily implied, that a man
have *a sincere view of pleasing God in all things. 18x5
Scott Guy M. xxii, Part of Brown's view in choosing that
unusual tract.. bad been a desire to view the remains of the
celebrated Roman Wall. 1831 Society I. 295, 1 have told
you my views for Jemima. 1849 Grote Greece 11. xlvii.
(1862) IV. 160 Such were the views of Pericles in regard to
his country.
b. Regard or reference to a person or thing
(rare). + Out of a view (0^ with an eye to.
X718 M. ToMKiNS in W. Wilson Dissenting Ch. (1808) IL
540 He assured me he had no particular view to me, or sus-
picion of me, when he brought down that sermon among
others to Newington. X7a8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Choir, But
the antient Ballustrades have been since restor'd ; out of a
View to the Beauty of the Architecture. 1736 L. Welsted
Wks. (1787) 486 In view to the second tcommandment], this
necessity was greater.
13. A prospect, anticipation, expectation, or
outlook.
17x9 W. Wood Surv. Trade 17 That we were brought in
View of a truly safe, honourable, and advantagious Peace.
17*6 Shelvocke Voy, round World 210 AVe could have no
better views at present than of falling into their hands
sooner or later, 1755 Smollett Quix. (1803) II. 50 He that
hath good in his view, and yet will not evil eschew, his folly
deserveth to rue. X758 S. Hayward Serm. xiy. 408 It gives
the christian . . the sweetest composure in the views of death.
X813 Shelley Q. Mab iv. 253 Are not thy views of un-
regretted death Drear, comfortless, and horrible? 18*7 D.
Johnson Ind. Field Sports Pref. p. x, I entertain no view
of any emolument whatever from the present publication.
III. In various phrases.
+ 14. At or to the view (in hawking and hunting) :
By sight. Also in fig. context. Obs,
X486 Bk. St. Albans A), An hawke fiieth to the vew, to the
Beke, or to the Toll. X607 Chapman Bussy D'Ambois 11. Wks.
(1895) 148 Both fell as their spirits flew Upwards ; and still
hunt honour at the view. x6»8 Bp. H. King Exp. Lords
Prayer 144 Tis dangerous to hunt such abstruse mysteries
at the view, or looke too neere. X657 — Poems (1843) 17
Teach me to hunt that kingdom at the view Where true
joyes reign.
16. In (. .) view. a. In (Jke) view of, in the
sight of, so as to be seen by ; also, within sight of,
near enough to see.
tf X548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI, 174 These armies thus
liyng, the one in the conspect and vewe of the other, studied
all meanes and pollecies, how to take aduauntage eche of
other. X594 Sec. Pt. Contention (1843) 122 Richard The
second in the view of manie Lords Resignde the Crownc to
Henrie the fourth. \6^ SiR T. Herbert Trav. 22 An
Hand called Mjeottey scituate in view of some three other.
X667 Milton P. L. 11. 394 Neererour ancient Seat ; perhaps
in view Of those bright confines. X7X9 De Foe Crusoe i.
(Globe) 32 While I was in View of the Moor that was
swimming, I stood out directly to sea with the Boat. 1718
Watts Let. 20 July in Pearsons Catal. No. 76 (1894) 64
Are not my sermons in your view and within your reach?
/XX774 Goldsm. Hist. Greece II. 101 Here he chose his
station, in view of a temple dedicated to Hercules. X814
WoRDSW. Excursion ix. 706 For sacrifice performed Exult-
ingly, in view of open day. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fasr\\^
Shaking hands with them and smiling in the view of all
persons. . .
b. In view, in sight, in such a place or position
as to be seen ; also {b) in contemplation or notice,
under attention ; {c) as an end or object aimed at.
In the latter uses chiefly after have or keep.
VIEW.
1605 Shaks. Lear v. i. 51 The Enemy's in view. 1667
Milton F, L. i. 563 And now Advanc't in view they stand,
a horrid Front Of dreadful length. 1731 W. Halfpenny
Perspective 4 Here inserted more plainly to discover what
part of the Cube is in View. 1769 Robertson Chas. l', iv.
Wks. 1813 V. 415 Hissoldiers, now that they had their prey
full in view, complained neither of fatigue nor famine. 1780
CowpEK Progr. Error 570 None sends his arrow to the
mark in view, Whose hand is feeble, or his aim untrue.
\%\x Sportirtg Mag. XXXIX. 88 The hounds.. were run-
ning a hare hard in view. S856 Kane Arct, Expl. II.
XX vi. 262 There was nothing in view except Dalrymple Rock.
fiS' »757 FooTE Author 11. Wks. 1799 1. 149, Ishall never
be able to hold out long ; I had rather be taken in view.
(3j 1667 Milton P. L.x. 1030 Then let us seek Som safer
resolution, which methinks 1 have in view. 1690 Locke
Hum. Und. 11. x, § i By keeping the idea.. for some time
actually in view, which is called contemplation. \'j'j^ Mirror
Na 66, It is necessary that we keep in view the character
of Lady Anne, 1793 Smeatos Edystone L. Introd. 2 It is
probable the resemblance Josephus had in view, was chiefly
that of the outward form. 1840 Jmt R. Agric. Soc. 1. iv.
455 This should always be kept in view. 1891 * L. Malet'
Wages of Sin II. 38, I have a quantity of work in view.
(c) 1710 Ramsav Prosp. Plenty 165 This, this our faithfu'
trustees have in view, And honourably will the task pursue.
1771 yunius Lett. Iviii. (1788) 312 Liberty.. we all profess
to have in view. ?i78a A. Shirrefs Poems (1790) 278 So
fiercely they fought, having honour in view, Ten hours
quite elaps'd. 1853 Browning In a Balcony Wks. 1907
VII. 30 Who keeps one end in view makes all things serve.
1878 Stubbs Const. Hist. (1896) III. 453 It may be ques-
tioned whether the advisers of Henry VI.. had any deep
political object in view. 1908 Animal Managem. 291 And
with this in view, the saddles are very generally left on.
C. In that {this J etc.) view^ on that account, for
that reason or consideration. ? Ods.
1734 tr. Rollins A'tc. Hist. (1S27) I. 108 It is in that view
that Socrates, .set so high a value'upon Euripides. 1788
Priestley Lect. Hist. v. lit 401 How vastly profitable these
our plantations arc to us in every view. i8j^ in Scott Chron.
Canongate Introd. App.^ It was in that view that he pro-
posed to drink to the memory of bis late Royal Highness
the Duke of York.
d. In view of^ in prospect or anticipation of,
with a view to ; \b) in consideration or regard of,
on account of.
(a) 1709 Mrs. Manley Secret Mem. (1736) III. 16 Let us
with a chearful Boldness loose the Reins, in View of attain-
ing the Latter. Ibid. 27710 view of marrying Ethelinda.
1^9 S. WiLBERFORCE S^. Misslons (1874) 182 He writes to
this lady, in a letter with which she has entrusted me. in
view of this meeting. 1867 C. S. Parker id Quest Re-
^n-tned Part. 197 An unrcformed Parliament, wnich..has
never been more disposed to bestir itself for good than now
in view of approaching <lissolution. 1878 R. Simpson Sch.
Shaks. I. 26 Musters were being taken through England in
view of wars with Scotland and France.
(^) 1819 T. Hope Anastasius II. 160 In view of the readi.
ness she showed to second my search, all was, or appeared
to be, forgiven. 1831 — Ess. Origin Man HI. 113 In view
of the excellencies of the works embodied in it, {the lan-
guage] continued to be occasionally used. 1874 Morley
Compromise 54 Error, therefore, in view of such considera-
tions may surely be allowed to have at least a provisional
utility. 1B85 L. Oliphant Sympneumata zii In view of
this aspect of the class of phenomena in question, we regard
with leniency their presence in the human nature of the
past.
16. On or upon {the) vuwoft on ocular inspection
or perception of, spec, by way of inquest.
1488 Rolls of Parlt, VI. 414/1 All Enditements.. taken
afore any of your Corowners .., upon the viewe of the Body
of the said Thomas Portyngton. x5ia Act 4 Hen. VllI,
c 20 Preamble, [They] caused a Crouner to sit and inqucre
on the vieu of the Bodies of the said John Cristofore.
Gerard, and Genet. 1541 Act 33 Hen. y/lf, c.12 f i, All
inquisicions upon the viewe of persons slayne. .within any
the Kinges saide pallaces or houses. x6oo E. Blount tr.
Conesta^gio 228 Vet vpon view of the horse, they mette
tbem with the keies of the citie. i66t W. Lowth^k in
Extr. St. P. rel. Friends n. (1911) 118 His Maieslyes Jus-
tices of the peace, vpon viewe or haueing Informacion of
such persons soc offending. 1779 Mirror No. 66, The feel-
ings that arise on the view of ability, self-possession, know-
ledge of character. 1815 Ann. Reg., Chron. 47 An inquest
was held, .on view of the Ix-dy. 1841 L'pool Mercury 2/5
An inquest was held before Mr. Curry, on view of the body
of Win. Clare, aged 21.
b. On the view, by simple inspection.
1813 J. BAixroCK Dom, Amusem. 31 Making an estimate
of the original purity of the material • . may be accomplished,
first on the view ; second by heat. 1855 Macaulay Hist.
Eng. XXL IV. 615 The High Bailiff then walked round the
three companies of horsemen, and pronounced, on the view,
that Montague and Fox were duly elected.
O. On vieWy on exhibition ; open to general or
public inspection.
i88j Miss Bradoon Mt. Royal\\\.\\. 104 He shall be on
view ill the drawing-room before dinner.
17. With the (or a) view of^ with the object or
design of (doing something).
1713 Fres. St. Russia II. 112 You acted only with a view
of deceiving me. 1^54 Sherlock Disc. (1759) Li. 18 Religion
must be formed with a View of securing a future Happiness.
iSos O. Gregory Treat, Astron. 257 With a view of ascer-
taining more accurately the nature of the sun. 18*7 Fara.
DAY Chent, Manip. xxiv. 590 With the vipw, .of expediting
the acquirement of the necessary habits. 1884 in A. Cawston
Street I Mfiro7'. London {i893rio6 Power of taking possession
..with the view of carrying out the necessary work.
b. IVith a view to, with the aim or object of
attaining, effecting, or accomplishing something;
const, (a) with nouns or pronouns, or {b) with verbs.
Also {c), with regard to ; {d) in view of.
(«) 17*8 Chambers Cycl, s.v. Hair, It was with a View to
195
this, that such . .procured their Hair to be shaven off. 1767
CowpER Let. 20 Oct., I am willing to suspect that you make
thi.s inquiry with a view to an interview when time shall
serve. 1833 Hr. Martineau Vanderput .^ S. i. 20 [He]
allowed that such an indulgence might,— especially with a
view to increased knowledge,— be extended to a sufierer like
Christian. 1866 R. Chambers Ess. Ser. 11. 89 Providence
has constituted us with a view to activity. 1875 Helps
Soc, Press, iii. 49 The tendency is more and more to pro-
mote individual effort with a view to individual comfort.
1891 Laiv Times XC. 373/1 The Belgian Government
desired his extradition with a view to his trial in Belgium,
(^) 1723 Present St. Russia I. 160 With a View to secure
the Cuban-Tartars to the Russian Interest. X76S-8
Erskine Inst. La7u Scot. iv. iv. § 55 The forcible.. ab-
duction of the woman's person, with a view to violate it.
1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Charac. 54/2 The troops had been
embarked with a view to retake the island of Grenada.
184a Loudon Suburban Hort. 53 They might.. be advan-
tageously introduced with a view to watering summer crops.
x8gx Z,aw Times XCII. 105/2 The lady had contracted
specifically with a view to bind definite separate estate.
(c) 178s Palev Mot. Philos. vi. xii, VVar may be con-
sidered with a view to its causes and its cpnduct.
{d) 1808 Eleanor Sleath Bristol Heiress V. 329 With a
view to his approaching nuptials, Lord Castleton presented
him with a handsome service of plate.
C. With this (or that) view, with this intention
or aim, for this purpose.
1765 H. Walpole Veriue's Anecd. Paint, (ed. 2) III.
159 Preudhomnie went to Wilton with that view. 1769
Robertson Chas. K, iv. Wks. 1S13 V. 413 With this view
he dispatched a courier to Bourbon. 1815 J. Smith Pano-
rama Sci. ^ArtW. 191 With this view he fixed a cord to
a nail which was in one of the beams of the ceiling. 1857
Buckle Civiliz, I, ix. 573 With this view, the people, even
in their ordinary amusements, are watched and carefully
superintended. 1893 Liudon Life Pusey II. xxv. 164 With
this view the writer reviews fourteen of the Articles.
18. To take a view of, to take a look at, to make
an inspection, examination, or survey of, + Also
with the or without article,
1476 Paston Lett. III. 162, I suppose that my lorde wilte
take the vy we off alle hys retynywe beer. 1596 Pilgr, Perf,
(W. de W. 1531) 17 ITheylhad sente theyr spyes to take the
vewe of the countre. 1557 Order of Hospitalls F v. When
Veiwe is taken, whether the same ChiUIe be living, .in the
Howse or at Nurse. 1578 in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz.
{1908) 298 When my Lord Chamberleyne toke a viewe of
the stuffe at m' Brydemans. 1631 Weever Anc. Funeral
Mon. To Rdr., I likewise tooke view of many ancient Monu-
ments not inscribed. 1658 Wood Life (O.H.S.) I. 236 He
had taken a view of the monuments, a 1774 Goldsm. Hist.
Greece II. 233 The next day he took a view of all Darius's
money and moveables. 1780 Ne^vgate Cal. V. 30 No sooner
had he taken a view of it, than he declared, that, .he had
made the paper. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. <?• Art II.
305 In order to take a view of the means employed, to lessen,
increase, or otherwise modify the affinities of bodies.,
IV. 19. attrib, and Comb. a. In senses i and 4,
as view-day, -making, -worthy adj.
1589 Greene Ciceronis Amor Epistle Ded., Thinking no-
thing rare, nor view-worthy^ sufficicntly-patronized, vnlesse
shrowded vnder the protection of so honorable a Maecenas.
1600 Miildon (Essex) Documents (Bundle 162) 11, xxCCxd
for fire, and bredd, and beare spent in the Moote-halle on
the pcttie vew daye. 1607 in W. H. Hale Prec. in Causes
of Office (1841) 10 They shall certify., of the vew making by
the workmen.. and likewise how farr they have proceeded
in the repayer of the church.
b. In sense 8 b and 8 c, as view-hunter, -hunt-
ing, -lens, -station^ -taking, etc. ; view-finder, an
attachment to a camera by which it is more readily
adjusted to take a particular view.
1831 Carlvle Sart. Res. n. vi, I mean the epidemic, now
endemical, of View-hunting. 1837 J. E. Murray iww/w^r
i« Pyrenees II. 65 The most greedy view-hunters of them
all will leave it [Canigou] satisfied with the beauty and
magnificence of the prospect. 1886 Pall Mall G. 11 Sept.
4/2 It was his delight to make . . good roads to all the best
view sutions on his estate. 1889 A nthony^s Photogr. Bull.
II. 38 When the ordinary view lens, giving barrel distor-
tion, is used. Ibid. 339 If they are view-taking in a region
of streams and woods. 1801 Ibid. IV. 426 A revolving view.
finder, fiash-lamp, dark slide covers.
View, var. Vew (yew-tree), dial.
View (viw), V, Forms : 6-7 veue (6 vue),
vewe (6 veawe), viewe (,6 vieue) ; 6 vieu, veu,
vew, 6- view (6 veiw^, .S"^. wew). [f. the sb. Cf.
AVIKW z/.]
1. trans. To inspect or examine in a formal or
official manner ; to survey carefully or profession-
ally ; t to review (troops).
15J3 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cccxcvii. 278 b/2 Whan they
were nombred and viewed, they thought themselfe able to
fight with the greatest prince in all the worlde. 1539 Crom-
well in Merriman Life ff Lett. (1902) II. 237 Furthermore
his Maieste woolde that you shutd cause the stretes and
Lanes there to be vieued for the pavementes. 1560 Daus
tr. Sleidane's Comm. 258 Captaynes were sente oute to view
the situation of theyr ennemies Campe. 16x7 Moryson
Hin. 11. 251 In Christmas holidayes his Lordship viewed
the toune of Galloway, and judging it a place of great im*
portance [etc.]. 1613 Gouge Serm. Extent Gods Provid.
S 15 The Coroner and his Inquest comming to view the
bodies, found remaining but 63. 1697 J. Lewis Mem. Dk.
Ghcister (1789) 21 About this time, there came Scotch regi-
ments of dragoons to be viewed by the King in Hyde Park.
1714 Fr. Bk. of Rates 419 Offices.. in which all Goods
coming from Foreign Parts, or going to Foreign Parts,
shall be declared, viewed, visited, and discharged. 1749
Fielding Tom Jones \\\. xii. The Surgeon,.. having viewed
the wound, . .ordered his Patient instantly to bed. 1793
Sm EATON Edystone L. 8227 We.. took the opportunity of
viewing the progress of our moorstone works at Lanlivery.
VIEW.
X819 Shelley Cenci 1. i. 17, I once heard the nephew of the
Pope Had sent his architect to view the ground, Meaning
to build a villa. 1852 Dickens Bleak Ho. xi, ' Well, gentle-
men ! ' resumes the Coroner,. .* the first thing to be done is
to view the body'.
t b. spec. To inspect or examine (records, ac-
counts, etc.) by way of check or control, Obs.
1534 Henry VIII in J. Bacon Liher Regis (1786) p. vi,
[They shall] also se and veu such regesters, boks of
accoumpt. Ester boks, and all other writings, C1545 in
J. S. Leadam Sel. Cas. Crt. Requests (1898) 88 A com-
maundement . . to vue, serche, & ouersee cerlayn Courte
Rollis. >554-5 in Feuillerat Revels Q. Mary^ (1914) 178
Comissyoners specially appoynted and aucthorised to vewe
and take the accompte state and t'emayne of and within that
offyce. 1647 in \oth ReP, Hist. MSS. Coium. App. V. 495
The said twelve men . . shall view the late booke of Excise,
t c. To survey or explore (a country, coast,
etc). Obs.
1551 Bible Josh. vii. 2 Then Josua sent men from Jericho
to Ai.., saying, get you vp, and vewe the countre.
1607 J. NoHDEN Surv. Dial. i. 21 Joshua commaunded
..that euery tribe should choose out three men, that he
might send them thorow the land of Canaan, to view,
suruey, and to describe it. 165a Needham tr. Selden's
Mare CI. 189 They permitted none besides Merchants to
sail unto the Island without their leav, nor any man at all
to view or sound the Ports and Sea Coast. 1745 P. Thomas
Jrnl. Anson's I'oy. 32 The Commodore sent the Trial Sloop
to view the Island. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. I. 143 John
Davis.. viewed that and the more northern coasts.
2. To look at (something) more or less atten-
tively ; to scrutinize ; to observe closely.
Cf. examples oi viezu and re-view s.v. Review v. 2.
1548 Udall, etc. Erasm, Par. Luke xxiv. 199 Vieu and
beholde you my handes. 1563 B. Gooce Eglogs, etc. (Arb.)
lis When I had vewd these wrytten lines and markde the
Storye well, I loyed muche. 1577 — Hereshach's Husb.
I. (1586) 7 b, Let vs walke aboute, that I may viewe your
house tyll dinner be redy. a 1593 Marlowe & Nashe
Dido II. i. 73 Illio. Looke where .she comes: iEneas, viewe
her welL ^n. Well may I view her, but she sees
not me. 163a Lithgow Trav. ix. 390 [He] sent a Guide
with me. .to view the Mountayne more strictly... Hauing
viewed and reuiewed this [etc]. 1673 Ray Joum. Low
C. 27 A Museum well stored with natural and artificial
Rarities, which we viewed. 1697 Drvden Virg. Georg. in.
36, I, to the Temple will conduct the Crew: Ihe Sacrifice
and Sacrificers view. 17x8 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to
^^^^ Cf'«//3i July, The women flocked in to see me, and
we were equally entertained with viewing one another. 1748
Anson's Voy. 111. x. 405 The Chinese contented themselves
with viewing it [the conflagration!. 1791 Mrs. Radcliffe
Rom. Forest li, She stood for some time viewing the
shadowy scene. 1835 T. Mitchell Acharn. of Aristopk.
428 note. The writings of one who had viewed the manners
of Greece with no incurious eye. i^% Photogr. Attn. II.
&75 They.. give no false impression when viewed in the
developing tray.
absoi. 1818 Shelley Hymn Minerva 18 Pallas from her
immortal shoulders threw The arms divine ; wise Jove re-
joiced to view. iZvj Pollok Course T. i. vi, Thus view-
ing, one they saw, on hasty wing, Directing towards heaven
his course.
b. To see or behold ; to catch sight of.
f:xs86 C'tess Pembroke Psalms cxix. G ii, I quake to
view how people vile Doe from thy doctryne swerve. 1634
Sir T. Herbert Trav. 51 Where a little from us, wee
viewed a Blacke Tent, and going thither found three old
Arabians. x66o F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 331 One
plainly views the Isle, and go to the place you find nothing.
1706 Estcourt Pair Example v. i, IVhims. Look up and
view me then. Sytn. Thats a Jest indeed, when 'tis so
dark I can't see my own Hand. _ 1773 Life N. Frowde 27,
l..was not a Utile surprized to view such an extent of Sky
and Water. 18x0 Sporting Mag. XXXV. 152 The fox was
viewed .several times by the horsemen. 1848 Thackerav
Van. Fair Ixiv, The alternations of splendour and misery
which these people undergo are very queer to view. 1887
Field 31 Dec. 981/3 Mr. Godson viewed our hunted fox
sneaking away.
t c. To admit to an interview. Obs.
1676 Drvden Aurengz. in. i. 1435 I'll view this Captive
Queen ; to let her see, Pray'rs and Complaints are lost on
such as me.
d. hunting. With away : To see (a fox) break
cover ; to give notice of (the fox as doing so) by
hallooing.
i8$3 Whvte Melville D. Grand x. Excitement .. not
diminished by my ' viewing away' a magnificent old fox.
1856 'Stonehenge' Brit. Rural Sports i-zt/^ The first
whip is sent on to the point where the fox is most likely to
break, in order to view him away.and save time.by hallooing.
3. To survey mentally ; to pass under mental
review or examination ; to consider.
I 1591 Savile Tacitus, Agricola 255 When I view and
consider the cause of this warre, and our present necessity.
X634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 33 Hee had well viewed her
seuerall forces. 165;^ Sparrow Bk. Com. Prayer {\(it\) 50
These, .have been viewed and allowed by the. .Church for
many ages past. 1679 Penn Addr. Proi. 11. il 65 If we
will yet rise higher in our enquiry and view the Mischiefs
of Earlier Times, a 1704 T. Brown Satire Antients Wks,
1730 I. 22 When we view him to the bottom, we find in
him all the Gods together, a 1768 Secker Ser7H. 1 Thess.
v. ai-2 {1770) I. 16 Viewing Things on every Side, .is
grievous Labour to Indolence and Impatience. 1845 M,
Pattison Ess. (1889) 1. 13 Bede viewed the world only from
the retirement of his cell. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV.
12 All knowledge may be viewed either abstracted from tho
mind, or in relation to the mind. 1875 Helps Soc. Press.
v. 65 He.. has viewed the matter in hand more gravely.
b. Const, with (pleasure, etc.).
X746 Francis tr. Horace, Epist. i. viii. 14 Whate'er may
hurt me, I with Joy pursue; Whate'er may do me good,
with Horror view. 1758 S. Hayward Serm. xvii. 509 The
soul.. views his various perfections.. with pleasure. 1769
25-2
VIEWABLY.
Robertson Ckas. F, m. f 38 To view all the constable's
actions with a mean and unbecoming jealousy.
O. To regard or consider in a certain light.
1765 Mttseum Rust. IV. no If you, gentlemen, view this
matter in that important light I do. 1779 Mirror No. 28,
He seems to have viewed the unhappy people of that
country merely as the instruments .. to furnish himself and
his countrymen with, .wealth. i83« Lewis Use Sr Ab. Pol.
Ttntis X. 84 A third manner of viewing mixed govern-
ments. 1861 Palev Aeschylus (ed. 2), Ageun. 1548 note.
So far frcwn regarding the murder of her husband as a
crime^ she views it simply as a just retaliation. 1875
lowETT PUU (ed. 2) I. 32 Wisdom, viewed in this new
Ught merely as a knowledge of knowledge and ignorance.
4. intr. To look or see into something. rare~\
1711 Swift Exam. Na 27 f ii Mr. Harley [is] sagacious
to view into the remotest consequences of things.
Hence Viewed (vi;/d), Viewing,///, adjs.
"577 Grange Goldtn Aphrod. Fijb, For my vewyng eyes
haue seene your paynting penne. 1881 Society 4 Nov. 5/1
The hounds ran on the line of a viewed fox.
Viewably, Of/z/. rare-K [f. Viewz*.] Visibly.
1680 C. 'HzssK Church Hist. 357 Satan was seen to fall
like lightning from heaven, to wit, viewably, violently, and
velociously or swiftly.
Viewed, a. rarr'^. [f. View sb^ Inclined or
given to views or theories.
a 1635 Naunton Fragm, Reg. (1641) 33 It is a certaine
note of the times, that the Queene in her choyce, never
tooke in her favor a meere vew'd man, or a Mechanicke.
Viewer (vi«*9j). Also 5 vywer, vyewer,
5-6 vewer, 6 vewar. [f. View v. + -eb.]
1. A person appointed to examine or inspect
something, either on a special occasion or per-
manently ; in later use esp. an inspector or ex-
aminer of goods supplied by contract ; + spec, in
LaWy one appointed by a court to inspect a place,
property, etc., and report upon it.
Formerly the designation of certain officials in the town
of St, Albans: see A. E. Gibbs Corpor. Rec. St, Allans
(1890) II.
Z415-6 [see View s^. ij. X447 Scriptores Tres (Surtees)
App. ^. cccxiii. The said.. Alexander [etc.].. sail werkman-
like wirke the said myne..be the sight of certeyn vewers
tharto assigned. 1479-8Z Rec. St. Mary at Hill(ifjo$) iii
Item, payd to the vywers for to ouerse the howse J?at
dyghton dwellith in. Ibid.y Payd for the vywers labour and
aitendaunce at diuerse tymez. a 1548 Hall Chron.^ Hen.
VII I ^ 103 For thecapitalneof the horsemen was appointed
sir Edward Gyldford, by whom the currers and vewers of
the countrey were appointrd. 1601 J. Kevmor Dutch Fish'
1*^(1664) 7 She [the herring-buss] imployetb..at Land..
Viewers, Packers, Tellers, Dressers, Couchers to make the
Herrings lawfull Merchandizes. 1651 G. W. tr. CoTveVs
Inst. 252 The Judg commands the SherifFe, That at a day
assignnl, he cause a view to be taken by such Viewers or
Surveyers, as may certifie the Court [etc.]. 1700 Tyrrell
Hist. Eng. II. 819 Our Regarders or Viewers shall go
through the Forests to make a View or Regard. 1708 J.
CuAMBEKLAYNE St. Gt. Brit. (1710) 490 Viewer and
Examiner of Tobacco [at the Port of London). 1714 in
Hist. Northfield, Mass. (1875) 134 One-half of said fence to
be accounted as Public Fence, and the whole to be under
the viewers for the security of the Great Meadow. 1828
Webster, Viewer,.. m New England, a town officer whose
duty is to inspect something ; as, a viewer of fences, who
inspects them to determine whether they are sufficient in
law. 1834 in Nicolay & Hay A. Lincoln I. 119 note. To
appoint viewers to view and locate a road from Musick's
ferry on Salt Creek. 1863 Cornh, Mag. VII. 323 The very
viewers who first examine the stores, and on the nature of
whose report so much depends. x886 Pall Mall G. 6 Mar.
4/a A large number of viewers, male and female, are kept,
whose sole duty it is to see that everything is faultless and
in good order.
transf. C1540 J. Heywood Witty <5- Witless (Percy Soc.)
I And that experyens may schowe the trewer. Accept we
reson to be owr vewer. 1574 Hellowes tr. Gueuaras
Fam. Efi. (1577) 225 For if I will bee a Judge of your
goodes, for the same you will be a viewer of my life.
b. An overseer, manager, or superintendent of
a coal-mine or colliery.
1708 J. C. Compieat Collier (1845) 31 And now I must
leave you to your Viewer, or Head Under-over Man, who
is to take charge of a regular working of the colliery. 1761
Brit. Mag. II. 668 Mr. Curry, a viewer, and three others
were burnt at Hartley Colliery, near Newcastle upon Tyne,
by an explosion of foul air. X797 Curr Coal Vieiver 8 The
viewers or superintendents of collieries. iZx-^ Ann. Reg.^
Ckron. 49 Among the sufferers, .[was] one of the Viewers.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 964 Coal viewers or engineers regard
the dislocations now described as being subject in one
respect to a general law. 1867 W. W. Smvthe Cotd <§- Coal-
mining 175 Many of the most experienced colliery viewers
..hold to the opmion that they substitute one danger for
another. 1883 Gresley Gloss. Coal-M. 273,
2. One who views anything closely or attentively ;
one who looks at a thing with attention or interest.
1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Speculator^ .. a beholder: a
viewer, tsyaj. J om.s Bathes 0/ Bath t. 8b, The Phisicyon is
a viewer and sercher out of Nature. 1579 W. Fulke Con/ut.
Sanders 692 You are such a narrowe vewer of such idle
pictures. 1611 Bible Isaiah xlvii. 13 The astrologers \marg.
viewers of the heauens), the starre-gawrs. X7a9 G. Adams tr.
SophocL, Oedip.'Colon. i. iil II. 87 Be silent, for hither come
some ancient Men as Viewers of your Seat. 1857 Dickens
Dorrit u. xv, [The bride's outfit) was exhibited to select
companies of female viewers. 1899 Daily News 25 May
6/8 There will probably be amongst viewers of the collec-
tion more than one., who will covet [etc.].
3. One who sees or looks at anything ; a be-
holder, observer, spectator.
1576 Fleming PanopL Epist. 143 The Prouince where
you are.. hath.. many viewers of a yong Gentleman right
oobly dbposed 1593 Q- Eliz. Boeth. 56 Not thy nature
196
but weaknes of vewars sight makes the seeme fayre. 1599
Greene Aiphonsus iv. ii. 16 A canapie was set.. all beset
with heads of conquered kings,, .which, .strooke a terror
to the viewers harts, a 16*5 Fletcher & Massingkr
Cust. Country iii. ii, Can it be possible this frame should
suffer, And built on slight affections, fright the viewer ?
165s Benlowes Theoph. iii. xxix, Her eyes amaze the
Viewers, and inspire To hearts a warm yet chast desire.
1810 Crabbe Borough xvii. 33 'Tis summer now ; all objects
gay and new; Smiling alike the viewer and the view. 1880
1^ Wallace Ben-Hur\ii. v, The features, .were ruled by
a certain expression which, as the viewer chose, might [etc.].
1885 Meredith Diana xxvi, Teaching gloom to rouse a
songful nest in the bosom of the viewer.
View-halloo (vi«|hal«*). Also 9 -hoUoo.
i3. -hoUo(w. 7. -holla. 5. -hallo(a, -holloa,
-hilloh, -hiJlow. [f. View 2/. + Halloo, Hol-
Lo(w, HoLL.\, Hallo(a, and Hillo(a.
The earliest form recorded is vie^u-hollow (see ^), and early
examples of view-halloo have the stress on the penultimate
as in the first quot. The various forms are freq. written or
printed as two words without hyphen.]
The shout given by a huntsman on seeing a fox
break cover. Alsoy^.
a. 1791 S, Rogers Pleas. Mem, 11. 298 He scour'd the
county in his elbow.chair ; And, with view-halloo, rous'd
the dreaming hound, tj^ Sporting Mag. XI. 3 Atthe
very moment of ' Who ! Whoop ! ' a view halloo was given
by a third. 1858 Trollope Dr. Thome I. i. 21 He.. had
a fine voice for a view halloo. x8s9 Art o/Taming Horses,
etc. xii. 202 When a huntsman carries the pack forward . . to
a view halloo. 1873 Black Pr. Thule xxv, Lavender in the
distance heard a long view-halloo.
3. 1761 G. CoLMAN Jealous Wife 11. iii, What is become
of the Lady all this while?. .You told me she was not here,
and . . I was just drawing off another Way, if I had not heard
the View-Hollow. xZ^ Col. Hawker Diary (1893) I. 4 .A,
dragoon, .gave a view hollow, 1833 in R. E. Warburton
Hunt Songs (1883) ii. 8 Once more a view hollo from old
Oulton Lowe I 1846 R. Bell Canning vii. 198 Lord Mel-
ville . . was no sooner condemned, than . . Sir Thomas Mostyn
is said to have given a view hollo !
Y. 1816 T, L. Peacock Headlong Hall viii, Their landing
was hailed with a view-holla from the delighted Squire.
1858 Gen. p. Thompson Audi Alt. I. Ixv. 250 The do^s
that answered to the view-holla that chased them to their
end. x86i Ibid. III. clxii. 179 It is therefore 'Hark For-
ward ' again, and the View Holla is not far off.
5. 1840 J. T. J. Hewlett /*. Priggins v, Mr. Scrape gave
a loud view hilloh ! and galloped after me. 1853 Lyttom
My Novel i. ii, The Squire., bellowed out with all the
force of lungs accustomed to give a View-hallo ! 1886
Stevenson Dr. Jekyll 6, I gave a view halloa, took to my
heels, collared my gentleman,
Viewiness (vi?7'ines). [f. Viewy a.] The
state or quality of being viewy ; tendency to specu-
lative or unpractical views.
i8s» J. H. Newman Scofe Univ. Educ. Pref. (1855) p. xxi,
That spurious philosophism, which shows itself m what,
for want of a word, I may call * viewiness '. i86o Guardian
23 May 473/1 It exhibits the broad views of the writer, of
course, and is written with characteristic tendency to over-
generalisation and viewiness. x88o Athenseunt 2 Oct. 429/1
Viewiness is bad, no doubt, but it is still worse to be with-
out views.
Viewing (vi«-ir)), vbl. sb. [f. View z^.] The
action of beholding or observing ; examination or
inspection,
1548 Cooper Elyofs Diet., Inspection . . a viewynge.
1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. i. xv. (1634) 79 The Under-
standing minde, which with.. quiet viewing beholdeth all
those things that Reason is wont to discourse upon. 158*
Stanvhurst j^neis in. (Arb.) 79 Thee mount Leucates..
Vp peaks to the viewing. 1593 Galway Arch, in \oth Rep.
Hist. MSS. Contm. App. V. 453 A gennerall Assembly
houlden..for vewinge of the waste plott of grounde, 1613
in Scott. Hist. Rev. Oct. {1510) 12 Denton had the vewe-
ing and marshalling of all his evidences and was trusted
to have access unto them at his pleasure. 1633 Earl
Manch. Al Mondo (1636) 139 Often viewing will make
familiar, and free it from distaste. x67» Penn m Life Wks.
1726 I. 45 Such as foolishly think thy Dreams and Impos-
tures worth a viewing. 1785 Burns To W, Simpson
Postscr. iii. They thought the Moon..Woor by degrees,
till her last roon Gaed past their viewin. 1838 J. P. Kennedy
Rob of Bowl xiv. People are quick to censure, especially
such as look to the tobacco viewing.
attrib. 1571 Digges Pantom. i. xxi. G j, If it be lower at the
glasse than at the viewing station. 1897 Pop. Scz. Monthly
Nov. 138 The viewing differ from the taking screens.
Viewless (vi«-les), a, [f. View sb, or z'.]
1. That cannot be perceived by the eye ; incap-
able of being seen ; invisible. (Cf. Sightless a. 2.)
_ Originally and chiefly poet. ; in the 19th cent, not unusual
in prose, but frequently as a direct echo of quot. 1603.
1603 Shaks. Meas. for M. in. i. 124 To be imprison'd in
the viewlesse windes. 1634 Milton Comus 92 But I hear
the tread Of hatefull steps, I must be viewles now. i6ci
Davenant Gondibert \. li. 56 That viewless thing call d
Life.^ 1718 Pope Odyss. vi. 25 Light as the viewless air, the
warrior maid Glides through the valves. 176a Sir W. Jones
Arcadia (ijyj) 105 This pipe, on which the god of shepherds
play'd When love iiiflamM him, and the viewless maid,
Receive. 1794 Mhs. Piozzi Synon. II. 328 Whence is heard
the heavy roar of waters dashing through a bottom almost
viewless. ci8io Wordsw. Poems Nat. Indep. J^ Liberty
II. XXX, Gone are they, viewless as the buried dead. i8at
Scott Pirate^ vi, The air of majesty with which.. she ad-
dressed the viewless spirit of the tempest. 1849 C. Bronte
Shirley xxiii, The speed of the current in her veins was just
then as swift as it was viewless. 1873 M. Arnold Lit. ^
Dogma (1876) 385 We shall find ourselves more and more,
as by irresistible viewless hands, caught and drawn towards
the Christian revelation.
absol. 1831 Campbell View from St. Leonards 88 The
imaginative power That links the viewless with the visible.
VIGIA.
2. Devoid of a view or prospect.
1840 R, Bremner Excurs. Denmark, etc. II, .350 Long
and viewless, but with lofty, handsome houses on each side.
3. Having no views or opinions.
1885 Agnes Clerke Pop. Hist. Astron. 72 The turbid
sense of groping and viewless ignorance. 1892 Pall Mall
G. 4 May 1/3 The passion-less, conscience- less, viewless
creaiure of the Chronicle's fancy portrait.
Hence Viewlessly adv.y invisibly.
1828 Mrs. Hemans Spanish Chapel vi, For something
viewlessly around Of solemn influence dwelt. 1842 Tails
Mag, IX. 21 They rose higher and viewlessly in distance
on either side. 1890 Lippincott's Mag. May 668 View-
lessly your whole being has become slowly interorbed with
hers.
Viewly (vi«-li), a. Now on\y dial. [f. View
sb. + -LY *] Of good or attractive appearance,
c xs^ Mem. Dk.RichinondKn Camden Misc. III. p. Ixxiii,
To knowe whether the kinges highnes will take a
seriyne of my lordes servauntes suche as be veiwiy men,
and men of good honesty. 1638 Brathwait Bamabees
Jml. III. (1818) 137 A captain's wife most vewlie. 1825
Brockett N.C, Gloss., Viewly, pleasant to the sight, strik-
ing to the eye, handsome. 1828- in northern dial, glossaries.
1907 M. C. F. Morris Nunbnrnholvie 233 The more
' viewly ' appearance of the country-side.
View-point. Also viewpoint, [f. View j^.]
A point of view : a. A mental position or attitude
from which subjects or questions are considered.
1856 W. L. Lindsay Pop. Hist. Brit. Lichens 13 To paint
Nature from a higher and holier view-point. 1887 Fox
Boukne Eng. Newspapers I. vi. 156 Wilkes's private life
was at no stage blameless from a modern viewpoint. 1892
M. W. Strvker Dies Irae 13 Writing from the Roman
Catholic viewpoint.
b. In literal sense,
1858 W. Arnot Lawsfr. Heaven Ser. 11. xxv. 200 Change
the view.point, and the scene will change. 1875 W.
McIlwraith Guide Wigtownshire 75 Mochrum Loch is of
striking beauty from this view-point. 1880 Miss Bird
Japan I. 127 A zigzag path on the face of the precipice
tends to a view-point 200 feet below.
Viewy (vi77*i), a. [{. View sb,]
L Of persons : Given to adopting speculative
views on particular subjects ; inclined to be un-
practical or visionary.
1848 J. H. Newman Loss Sr Gain i. iii. 20 Sheffield, .was
. . fonder of hunting for views, and more in danger of taking
up false ones. That is, he was 'viewy', in a bad sense.
1865 Pall Mall G. I. 805/2 He there tempts viewyand in-
experienced witnesses into a frank confession of their weak-
nesses. 1885 Spectator 3 Oct. 1281/2 Lord Shaftesbury..
was no viewy or screaming philanthropist ;. .he was a man
of hard sense.
b. Similarly of writings, theories, etc.
1883 Black Shandon Bells \x, I doubt whether the public
care much about viewy books. 1885 Pater Marius the
Epicurean II. 145 Some fine speech you were pondering,
some knotty question or viewy doctrine. 1889 Spectator 9
Nov. 642/1 (HerJ explanation of the French elections is
viewy perhaps, but there is a thought in it which deserves
attention.
2. slang. Attractive in appearance ; showy.
1851 Mayhew Land. Labour I. 178/2 Then there's a
sort of meal, now and then, off the odds and ends of the
ham, such as isn't quite viewy enough for the public. 1851-
61 Ibid, III. 2-^0/2 The slaughterers cared only to have
them [sc. chests of drawers] viewy and cheap.
Vif, southern ME. var. Five ; obs. Sc. f. Wife.
Vifda, var. Vivda Sc, Vifelie, var. Vively
adv. Obs. Vifte, -tene, -tepe, southern ME,
varr. FiVE, Fifteen(th.
Vig, southern dial. var. Fig sb. and v,^
f Vige, V. Obs.-'^ [f. L. vigere to be lively, to
flourish.] trans. To invij^orate.
c 1540 tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden) I. 209 Rollo
betookehimselfe to reste and sleape {as it is a thinge which
moste of all vigethe the weried persons).
Vige*liary, a. rarr~^. [f. L. vigeni, var. of
vtcenl: see Vicenary a.] Of or relating to the
number twenty.
1837 Whewell Hist. Induct. Sci. (1857) I. 93 A method
of designating the successive numbers. ,by means of names
framed according to the decimal, quinary, or vigenary scale.
Viger(ous, obs. ff. Vigour, Vigorous.
Vigesimal (vai-, vidge-simal), a. [f. L. vlgesim-
uSj var. of vicesim-its : see Vicesimal «.] Of or
pertaining to twenty ; based on the number twenty.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Vigesimal, pertaining to the
twentieth in number, x-j^^j Bailey tvol. II). xSa? F. A.
Walter tr. Niebuhr's Rom. Hist, I. 215 The ancient
Azteks .. calculated a great year of one hundred and four
.solar years. This they divided according to the Quinaland
Vigesimal scale. 1871 Darwin Desc. Man I. v. 182 When
we speak of three score and ten, we are counting by the
vigesimal system. x88i Tvlor AnthroPol. xiii. (1904) 312
The vigesimal counting (by twenties) which is the regular
mode in many languages.
tVigesima-tion. Obs.~^ [ad. L. 2^;^-, vicesi-
ntdtio : cf. prec. and Decimation.] (See quot.)
X7a7 Bailev (vol. II), Vigesimation, a putting to Death
every twentieth Man.
Vige'simo-qua-rto, = Twentyfotjrmo,
1864 Wkbster. 1888 Jacow Printers* Voc, 152.
Vigeur, obs. form of Vigour sb.
Vight, obs. Sc. form of Wight.
Ii Vigia (vi*d,:^ia), [Sp, or Pg. vigia a look-
out, etc, :— L. vigilia (see next). Hence also F.
vigie.'\ A warning on a sea chart to denote some
hidden danger.
VIGIDITY.
1867 Smyth Saiior's IVord-hk., I'ig-ia, a hydrographical
warning on a chart to denote that the pinnacle of a rock,
or a shoal, may exist thereabout. 1875 Beui-ord Saiior's
Pocket Bk. V. (ed. 2) 147 Vigias. — Numerous imaginary
dangers are traditionally inserted in all Ocean Charts. 1899
M. Roberts in Brit. Soldiers (1900) 228 'There's a vigia
marked on the chart for bereaboats,* said Captain Spiller.
t Vigi-dity. Obs.—^ [Irreg. f. L. vig-ere to
flourish.] Vegetation, growth.
i6a8 T. Spencer Logick 46 Wee haue an example of this,
io the rationalitie of man, and vigiditie of plants.
Vigil (vi-d^il), sby Forms: 3 uigile, 4-6
vigile, 5-6 vygyle ; 4-7 vigille (5 vygylle),
vigill (6 vygill), 5 vigell, vygell, wygell,
6 Sc. wigel, 5-6 vygyl, 6 vigyl, 6- vigil, [a.
AF. and OF. (also mod.F.) vigiie, = Sp. and It.
vigilia :— L. vigilia watch, watchfulness, wakeful-
ness, f. vigil awake, alert. Cf. ViGlLV.]
1. EccL The eve of (i.e. preceding^ a festival or
holy day, as an occasion of devotional watching or
religious observance.
a tz»s /incr. R, 412 5e schulen eten. .eueriche deie twie,
bute uridawes and umbridawes and joing dawes, and
uigiles. I39| Langl. /*. Pi. C. x. 232 Eche halyday to
huyre hollyche (>e seruice,Vigilesand fastyngdayes forthere-
more to knowe. 1417 E. E. H^ilis (1882) 28 pe date of bis
my testament, .on Setrvsday in |« vygyle of be Holy Try-
nyte. 143S-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. gi Whiche takynge
b^'m in the vigille of Ester, ?afe choyce to hym (etc.). 1470-
85 Malory Arthur xiii. i.6i2 The vygyl of Pentecost whan
alic the felauship of the round table were comen vnto Game-
lot. 15*3 Ld. Berners Froiss, I. ccxiii. 108 b/i And y«
next mornyng, y« whiche was in the vigill ofsaynt Symonde
and lude, the Frenche kynge departed out of Calais. 1555
Edem Decades {\xh.) t\ The thyrdc day before the calendes
of Aprell : which was that yeare the vigile of the Resurrec-
tion of owre Lorde. 1509 Shaks. Hen. Kjiv. iii. 45 He that
shall see this day, and liuc old age. Will yeerely on the
Vigil feast his neighbours, And say, to morrow is Saint
Cnspian. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. iii. xiv. 43 The
dayes from henceforward to the death of Jesus we must
reckon to be like the Vigils or Eves of his Passion. 1704
Nelson Fest. Sf Fasts ix. (1739) 566 If any of these Feasts
fall upon a Monday, then the Vigil or Fast-Day shall be
kept upon the Saturday. 1808 Scorr Marmion 1. xxi. Since,
on the vigil of St. Bede, In evil hour, he cross'd the Tweed.
1834 K. H. DiGBY Mores Cath. v. viii. 233 Bjj the rules of
fraternities of workmen, playing cards on the vigil of Christ-
mas subject«d offenders to be banished from the society.
1884 AuDis & Arkold Catk. Diet. 843 He even contends
that the law of fasting binds on the vigil of the Epiphany.
trans/, aadyf^. a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold, Bk, M.AureL
(1546J rf iv, The calme seson moste sure, is the vigile of the
more vnfortunc. 1637 T. Jackson Wks, (1844) Vf. 188 The
very time itself. . being the vigils of that great anniversary,
November 5. 1796 Burke Regie. Peace i. (1902) 4a Tliis
manifesto . . is dated . .on the vigil of the festive day of cor.
dial unanimity so happily celebrated by all parties in the
British Parliament,
b, A devotional watching, esp, the watch kept
on the eve of a festival or holy day ; a nocturnal
service or devotional exercise. Chiefly in pi.
14.. Ckaucer*s Prol. 377 (Lansd.), It is ful faire to be
cleped ma dame And gone to vigiles al to-fore, c 1484
E, E. Misc. (Warton CI.) 24 When thy concianse wold the
have mad chastessed. With wygellus, fastynge or with
allmysdede. 1504 C'tess Richmond tr. De itnitatione iv.
viL (1893) 269 Wepe and haue sorowe that thou art yet.. so
slepy to holy vygylys, I55« Huloet S.V., Vigill, or saynctes
euen bcyiige fasted, ^J^rtt/i'/Z/Vw. 1591G. Flctchkr Riisse
Comtuonw. (HakL Soc.) 138 They have also three vigils or
wakes in their great Lent, .and the last Friday, their great
vigil, as they cal it. 1603 Drayton Odes ii. 13 Thy ancient I
Vigils ycerely, I have observed cleerely. 1649 Jer. Taylor
Gt. Exemp. 111. xvi. 54 There are some things, .voluntary, |
such as are., prostration, long prayers, vigils. ai68i 1
Wharton Fasts ^ Fest. Wks. (1&3) 31 At length the Vigils
themselves were inhibited ; and these Fasts.. instituted in
their stead. 1781 Gibbon Decl. ^ F. xxviL(i787) III. 34 As
the patience of the multitude might have been exhausted by
the length and uniformity of nocturnal vigils. 1836 J. H.
Newman /"anS^r-w*. III. xxi. (cd. 2) 338 These holy days..
were commonly ushered in by a Vigil or religious watching.
1840 Macaulay Ess.^ Ranke's Hist. F22 Thence he wan.
dered back to the farthest West, and astonished . . the
schools of France by his penances and vigils. 1896 Swete
Ch. Services 29 The solemnity of the Easter vigil was
deepened by a tradition that the Second Coming of the
Lord would surprise the world on some Easter Eve.
trans/. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 110 Ek to thee, Diane, I
preie, . . With al myn herte I wolde serve Be nyhte, and thi
vigile observe.
C. In the phr. to keep {a) vigil or vigils. Also
trans/. (Cf. 4 b.)
«555 W. Watreman Fardie Facions 11. xii. 296 The night
afore euery ordenary holidaie or feastefutl dale, the whole
clergie, and the people, ware bounde to kiepe Vtgill in euery
churche. 1616 m Catk. Rec. Soc. Publ. III. 40 They.,
expose the Blessed Sacrament, institute supplications &
keep a vigil throughout the whole night in prayer before
the same. 1695 Prior Ode to King i, Kt Mary s Tomb, (sad,
sacred Place I) The Virtues shall their Vigils keep. 1714
Pope IVi/e 0/ Batk 385 Visits to ev'ry Church we daily paid,
..The Stations duly, and the Vigils kept. 1717 — hloisa
21 Shrines ! where their vigils paleey'd virgins keep. 1803
Heber Palestine 251 Ve faithful few,.. Who round the
Saviour's cross your sorrows shed, Not for his sake your
tearful vigils keep. i8so W. Irving Sketch Bk. I. 89 The
first discoverer of the river and country, kept a kind of vigil
there. 1884 Addis & Arnold CaM. Diet. 843 St. Charles for-
oade the keeping of any vigil except that before Christmas.
d. pi. Prayers said or song at a nocturnal
service, spec, for tlie dead.
Sometimes applied to the Office for the Dead : cf. F.
vigiles des marts, and med.L, vigiliae. |
197
1483 Caxton G. de la Tour A iv. And .she sayd vygylles
for thedede men. 1671 Milton /'.A', i. i82They in Heav'n
their Odes and Vigils tun'd. 1679 Hist. Jetzer 5 If they
would yet further sing four Vigils for his Soul. 1834 K. H.
DiGBY Mores Cath. v. iii. 84, I have seen the sublime
Cathedral of Amiens on the night of All-hallows, when the
vigils of the dead were sung there.
t 2. A wake. Obs,
^ ^374 Chaucer Troylus v. 305 Of the fyr and flaumbe
funeral. .And of the feste and pleyes palestral At my vigile,
I pray thee take good hede That al be wel. 1606 Holland
Sueton. 234 Upon the top of the Apennine Hill, hee cele-
brated a sacrifice, with a Vigil \inarg. Or wake] all night
long.
f 3. a. One or other of the four watches into
which the Romans divided the night. Obs,
<:x38o WvcLiF Set. Wks. II. 44 Aboute >e four>e vigile
of J>e ny3t cam Crist to hem, walking on J>e water. 1533
Bellenden Livy (S.T.S.) II. 65 At J^e fourte vigill he rasit
his baner. 1536 — Cron. Scot. (1821) I. 259 The Romanis
. .at the third vigill maid thaim reddy to battall. 1656
Blount Glossogr. s.v.. The fiist Vigil began at six of the
clock in the Evening, and continued till nine.
t b. A place from which watch was kept. Obs,
1533 Bellenden Livy (S.T.S.) I. 284 The romanis.. be
wilfuTl eruptiouns fra t»are statiouns and vigilis [z/.r. wigelis],
effrayit l?e equis.
to. Bot. (Seequot.) Obs.
1783 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2) X. 8716/1 Vigils 0/ Plants,..
the precise time of the day in which the flowers of different
plants open, expand, and shut. 180a R. Hall Elem. Bot. 196.
4. An occasion or period of keeping awake for
some special reason or purpose ; a watch kept
during the natural time for sleep.
1711 PopF, Temp. Fojne 301 With studies pale, with mid-
night vigils blind. 17x3 Addison Guardian No. 120 f 7
There is nothing that wears out a fine Face like the Vigils
of the Card-Table. 1781 Cowper Retirem. 260 Soft airs,
nocturnal vigils, and day dreams ..Conspire against thy
peace. 1817 Byron Man/red iii. iii. 2 He hath pursued
long vigils in this tower. 1818 — Mazeppa x. The patient
scarcli and vigil long Of him who treasures up a wrong.
185s Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxiv. V. 139 His delicate frame
worn out by the labours and vigils of many months. 1879
Beerbohm Patagonia 23, I confess I should have liked
some companion to enliven my weary vigil.
^ trans/. 1817 Byron Man/red i. i. 6 In my heart There
is a vigil, and these eyes but close To look within. 1843
T. Martini^au Chr, Li/e (1867) 166 The vigils of eternal
Providence.
b. In the phr. to keep a vigil or vigils, (Cf. i c.)
C1695 Kkn Hymn, 'All ^aise to Thee* x, O may my
Guardian, while I sleep, Close to my bed his vigils keep.
1738 PopK Dune. I. 93 While pensive Poets painful vigils
keep. Sleepless themselves, to give their readers sleep. 1748
Gv-KS Alliance 42 There industry and gain their vigils keep.
1845 Hirst Com. Mammoth, etc. 98 Lies some quaintly
sculptured God, O'er the scene no vigil keeping. 1850 S.
DoBELL Roman i. Poet. Wks. 1875 I. 4, 1 steal forth to keep
my twilight vigil. 1856 Harriett Parr * Hear $uy prayer,
O heavenly Father' i. Bid Thy angels.. Round my bed
their vigil keep.
c. Without article : Watching, watch.
x8i6 Byron Siege 0/ Corinth xiii. While he alone, where
thousands pass 'd A night of sleep,.. In sickly vigil wander 'd
on. 1853 Kane Grinnelt Exp. xxiv. (1856) 195 Many miles
to the south. Captain Back passed a memorable term of
vigil and exposure. _ 1856 Merivale Hist. Rom. Emp. xli.
(1871) V, 06 The abiding sense of moral obligation, which
should hold sleepless vigil round the desk of the historian.
1893 C. Taylor Hennas ^ Gospels 35 Hermas and the
twelve virgins keep vigil by the tower.
5. A wakefulness, or period of this, due to in-
ability to sleep, Somewhat rare.
1747 Berkeley Tar-water in Plague Wks. 1871 III. ^81
In the plague are observed, .drowsiness, anxiety, vigils,
sinking of spirits. x8oa Coleridge Dejection viii, Tis mid-
night, but small thoughts have I of sleep: Full seldom may
my friend such vigils keep! iSaa Shelley Fragm. Un-
finished Drama 74 On a wintry bough the widowed bird . .
Renewed the vigils of a sleepless sorrow.
6. attrib, and Comb., as vigil-keepings -rage,
service^ -wasted adj.
1819 Shelley Peter Bellsrd vii. xv, To wakeful frenzy's
vigil-rages, As opiates, were the same [pages] applied. 1846
Keble Lyra /nnoc. (ed. j) 240 But who is this that comes
with mantle rude And vigil.wasted air 1 1896 Swete Ch.
Services 29 Every Saturday night was marked by a vigil
service. 1897 R. Kearton Nature Hf Camera 330 llie
terrible loneliness of his vigil-keeping.
t Vi-gil, sb.^ Obs,-^ [a. L. vigil-, see prec.] A
watchman, custodian.
1648 Hkrrick Hesper., Panegyric to Sir L. Pemherton
13 For no black-bearded Vigil <rom thy doore Beats with a
button'd-stafle the poore.
t Vi'gil, a. Obs.-^ [a. L. wW/.] Vigilant.
1576 Common Conditions Prol. 3 WTial openly by Actours
deeds in place shall straight appeare Beefore your vigill
wakefull eyes.
Vigil (vi*d.a;il), v. rare^ [f. Vigil j^.l] intr.
To keep a vigil or vigils.
1898 T. Hardy Wessex Poems 110 So l*ve claim to ask By
what right you task My patience by vigiling here?
Vi^ance (vi'd.:5ilans). Also 7 -ence. [a.
F. vigilance (=Sp. and Pg. vigilancia. It. vigil-
anza)f or ad. L. vigilantia : see next and -ance.]
1. The quality or character of being vigilant ;
watchfulness against danger or any action on the
part of others ; alertness or closeness of observation.
1570 LEvrNs Manip. 22 Vigilance, vigilantia. 1603
Holland Plutarch's Mor. 14 In regard of which enormi-
ties, it behooved parents to represse and bridle their wilde
and untamed affections with great care and vigilance. 16x0
VIGILANT.
I Shaks. Temp. iii. iii. 15 For now they are oppress'd with
trauatle, they Will not, nor cannot vse such vigilance As
when they are fresh. 1656 in Nicholas Papers (Camden)
III. 261 Y» discouery and preuention of his designes is
attributed to ye vigilance of Monke. 1713 Steele Guardian
No. 18 p 3 A Soldier's tprofession] . . should put him upon this
religious Vigilance. 1748 Anson's Voy. 11. xi. 253 Thus we
kept up our hopes, and did not abate of our vigilance. 1781
Jf'FFErson Corr. Wks. 1859 ^' ^^^ ^'s vigilance has.,
supplied the want of force m preventing the enemy from
crossing the river. 1841 Elphinstone Hist. hid. I. 45 The
King is to provide for his safety by vigilance, and a stale
of preparation. 187s Helps Soc. Press, iii. 40 Does not
this one fact show what constant vigilance it requires to
preserve the public health in a large city,
tb. A guard or watch. Obs.-~'^
1667 Milton P. L. iv. 580 In at this Gate none pass The
vigilance here plac't.
2. The state of being awake ; spec, in Path.^
abnormal wakefulness, inability to sleep, insomnia.
1748 Hartley Obseiv. Man i. i. § 3. 92 That moderate
Degree of Contraction .. which is observable in all the
Muscles.. during Vigilance. 1777 Priestley Matt, f^ Spir.
I. iv. 36 That imperfect manner [of thinking] which we call
dreaming, and which is nothing more than an approach to
a state of vigilance. 1858 Mavne Expos. Lex., Per^'igi-
/;««/,.. disinclination to sleep ; watching; vigilance. 1897
Allbutt's Syst. Med. III. 25 The probability of its occur-
rence is still further increased if, in addition to a continu-
ously high temperature, unusual restlessness or vigilance be
present.
3. attrib., as vigilance committee {U.S.), a
self-appointed committee for the maintenance of
justice and order in an imperfectly organized com-
munity; hence, vigilance man, work.
1858 New York Tribune 30 Sept. (Barilett), As gross a
violation of justice as vigilance committee or lynching mob
was ever guilty of. 1871 Moblev CW/.il/w. I. 357 Whether
the resource of the strongest be the thunders of Sinai or the
rope of the Vigilance Committee. 1885 W. A. Coote in Li/e
J. B. Paton {i()\^) xii. 211 The ordinary phases of vigilance
work had failed to arouse their enthusiasm. ]89a Gunter
Miss Dividends (1893) 84 They, .had organized a Vigilance
Committee before they built the town of Hamilton. Ibid.
85 The best citizens of these places were Vigilance men.
t Vigilancy. Obs. Also 6 vigilancye, 6-7
-ancxe, 7 vigillancy ; 7-8 vigilency. [ad. L.
vigilantia, f. vigilant-, vigilans : see next and
-ANCY.]
1. = Vigilance I. (Very common f 1 550-1 700.)
1537 Cromwell in Merriman Li/e ff Lett. (1902) II. 97
For your vigilancy .. touching the investigacioi. of th'oc*
currantes there. 1559 W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Glasse 3
If we. .should by our vigilancie, fynde out suche misteries.
1594 T. B, La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 11. 382 Wee must labour
..to quench such inclinations, as much as wee can, through
sobrietie, vigilancie, and continuall practise to the contrary.
i6a4 Capt. Smith Virginia vi. 237 Our vigilencies..pre-
uented the aduantage they expected. 1650 Weldon Crt,
Jos. I, 29 Endearing himself to the King by shewing his
diligence and vigilancy for his safety. 1686 F. Spenck tr.
Varilla's Ho. Medicis 65 While be was .. labouring at this
with that indefatigable vigilancy that made him subdue so
many places. 1707 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. 11. 367 The Con-
sideration of the Vigilancy of his Enemies. 1767 Eliz.
Carter Lett. (1808) 152 My material constitution cannot
possibly subsist in a state of perpetual vigilancy.
2. = Vigilance 2. rare—^.
1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 620 This Antidote.. takes
away too much vigilancy, and restrains fury.
Vigilant (vi-d3ilant), a. and sb. Also 6 -aunt,
7 -ent. [a. F, vigilant ( = Sp., Pg., It. vigilante\
or ad. L. vigilant-, vigilans, ^xt%, pple. olvigilare
to keep awake, f. vigil awake.]
A, adj. 1. Wakeful and watchful ; keeping
steadily on the alert; attentively or closely ob-
servant.
1:1460 Henrvson Fables, Paddock ^ Mouse xxiv, Be
vigilant, thairfoir, and ay reddie, For mannis lyfe isbrukill,
and ay mortall. 1538 Tonstall Serm. Palm Sund. (182^) 97
Saint Paule pay th . . Gyue you to prayer, beinge vigilant in it.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Contm. 120 Would to God you
were as diligent in avancing his glory, as they are vigilante
and circumspect in handlyng of their matters. 1611 Bible
1 Pet. v. 8 Be sober, be vigilant. 1640 Quarles En-
chirid. IV. xcix. Be very vigilenl over thy Childe in the
April of his understanding. 1660 in Verney Mem, (1907) 1.
561, I am forced to be vigilant least I should be by him in-
snared. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 65 r 4 You are so little
vigilant, as to let the Dogs run from their Kennels to this
Place. 1781 Gibbon Decl. «( F. xviii. (1787) II. 109 The
vigilant citizens improved the opportunity of the night.
i8ai BvRON Mar. FaL in. ii. Disperse then to your posts :
be firm and vigilant. 1849 Macallav Hist. Eng. ii. I.
374 A vigilant observer of all those minute circumstances
which throw light on the dispositions of men. 1855 Pres-
cott Philip II, II. iii. I. 171 He evaded the vigilance of the
custom-house officers and the more vigilant spies of the
Inquisition.
absol. 1848 Wharton Law Lex. 691/1 Laws come to the
assistance of the vigilant, not to the sleepy,
t b. Const, of, Obs. rare.
1654-66 Earl Orrery Partken. (1676) 166 Blacius is so
vigilant of his Daughter, that your Rival can derive no
advantage by his freedom. 1739 Swift Let. to Ld. Arran
Wks. 1841 II. 819/2 Your lordship's present agent being
extremely vigilant of all your lordship's interests, has lately
renewed the claim of the Ormond family to those tithes.
c. Her. Of animals : (see quots.).
c i8«8 Berry Encycl. Her. I. Gloss., Vigilant, This term
is applicable to the cat, when borne in a position as if upon
the watch for prey. 1863 Boutell Her. Hist, if Pop. (ed. 2)
57 The Lion . . may be Vigilant or Vorant— watching for his
prey, or devouring it.
VIGILANTE.
d. Vigiiant men, members of a Vigilance Com- 1
mittee (see Vigilance 3). U.S.
18*4 Missimri ItiUlligenctr 12 Feb. (Thornton), We hate |
what are called vigilant men ; they are a set of suspicious, j
mean spirited mortals, that dislike fun.
2. 01 attention, etc. : Characterized by vigilance. |
1531 'E.vtGT G<n*trnour\. xiii. (1880) 1. 131 To the augmen- i
tation of understandyng.. is required to be moche redyng j
and vigilaunt studie in euery science. 1570-* Lambarde
Perami. Kent (1826) 145 He tookc order with one Clere. .
that he shoulde have a vigilant eie to his arrivall. 1597
Hooker EccL PoL v. xxxiii. 1 1 That vigilant and erect
attention of mind, which in prayer is verie necessarie. 1641
J. Taylor (Water P.) Lt/tt iFa/kcr the Ironnwnger A ij b,
In which businesse there was used such vigilant care, that
they were both taken that very day. 1750 Johnson A*aw<*//^ !
Na 12 F a A long week, I lived with my cousin, before the ;
most vigilant inquiry could procure us the least hopes of a
place. 1784 CowpER Tmk in. 340 She has lost Much of
her vigilant instirifciive dread. Not needful here. 1836 W.
UviNG Astoria III. 64 They kept a vigilant eye., upon
every height where a scout might be posted. 1844 H. H.
Wilson Brit. India I. 400 It was impossible for him to
exercise a vigilant personal supervision over the officers of
the police.
1 3. Wakeful ; sleepless. Obs. rare,
i6ao Venner Via Recta vii. 131 It is a drinke very profit-
able..for students, for them that are too vigilant. 1631
LiTHGOW Trav. x. 439 Least the vehemency of chirking
frogs vexe the wish'd-for Repose,, .and cast him In a vigilant
perplexity.
B. sh. \. A guardian or keeper, rare.
x8ai Repository No. 80. no Persian women of rank..
hardly move but on horseback, and escorted always by trains
of eunuchs and other trusty vigllants.
2. One who is wakeful or watchful.
x8xa T. G. Wainewright Ess.^Crit. (1880) 267 Nina no
doubt shrank within her shadowy bower . . from the hazy
vision of these vigilants.
Hence f Vi'gilantness, vigilance. Obs, rare.
<x 1598 RoLLocK Passion xi. (1616) 97 Pilate had a great
vigilantnesse in hi* conscience. 17J7 Bailey (vol. II), yigi-
iantness. Watchfulness.
Vigilante (vid^ila'nt^). [a. Sp. vigilante
V'lGILANT a.]
1. ^''..S'. A member of a Vigilance Committee.
X865 A. D. Richardson Beyond Mississippi (1867) 487
The power [in Montana] is vested in the 'Vigilantes', a
secret tribunal of citizens, organized before civil laws were
framed. 1B83 Cent. Mag. XXIX. 194/2 P^n old-time Vir-
ginia City vigilante. 1888 Pall Mall G. 4 Sept. 7/2 Forty
well-armed vigilantes surrounded the camp and sent in a
committee., to demand the surrender of the thieves.
2. A night-watchman.
1899 F. T. BuLLEN Log :Sea-wai/ -jZ We. .found a big jug
of water, which Zeke carefully poured upon the head of the
muttering vigilante.
Vigilantly (vi-d.^ilantli), adv, [f. Vigilant
a. + -LT 2.] Li a vigilant manner ; watchfully,
alertly,
X531 Elyot (7<^. II. xiv. (iSSo) II. 185 To the intent to
persuade the reders to enserche therfore vigilauntly. 1587 in
\otk Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 445 To serve him
truly, humbly, diligently, vigilantly and faithfully. 1617
Collins Def, Bp. Ely 11. ix. 361 Then more vigilantly, more
accurately, and more circumspectly, he denies it vtterly.
x688 R. HoLHK Armoury in. 115/1 The Corrector in his
first reading of the Printed Coppy oughf to be very carefull
and vigilantly examine the proofe. 1731 Berkeley /4/<r2^^r.
vL \ 21 How vigilantly you guard against imposture. 1788
Gibbon Decl. <V F. Ixiv. VI. 311 These passes had been
vigilantly guarded. 18^ J. B. Williams Life Hale Pref.
p. ix. Such a misuse.. is to be vigilantly avoided. 1884
Church Bacon ix. 217 There is a group of them.. which
show how vigilantly, .be had watched the .. intriguers of
Elizabeth's and James's Courts.
tVi'gilate, v. Obs. rare. [f. L. vigildt-^ ppl.
stem oivigildre to remain awake.] intr. To be
wakeful or sleepless. Hence f Vi'gilating;*//. a.
1758 Phil. Trans. L. 517 The flowers are in their expanded
or vigilating state from five or six in the morning till about
ten. 1774 Westm. Mag. II. 184 If the same quantity be
given to a person, .who is heated with exercise, instead of
producing sleep it will cause him to vigilate.
t Vigila'tion. Obs. rare. Also 7 vigill-. [ad.
L. vigildtio (rare), noun of action f. vigildre : see
prec.] Wakefulness ; watching.
'597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirnrg. 28/1 The patient
mi^ht be debilitated [by] great abstinence, continualle vigi-
latione. 16*3 Cockeram ii, A Watching, vigHation. i6«
tr. .Sorefs Com. Hist. Francion x. 22 He believed that his
elaborate Vigillations were not well recompenced.
II Vigi-lia. Obs.-^ [L. vigilia : see Vigil sb?-'\
= Vigil sb^ 5.
^ 17^ Chambers Cycl. s.v- Poison., A good Anodyne, useful
in Vigilia's, Rheumatisms, Hysteric Cases, &c.
Vigilous (vi-d^ilas), a. rare"^, [f. L. vigil
wakeful, watchful + -oua.] Of or pertaining to
watching.
1853 G. J. Cayley Las Al/orjas II. i,I believe z/4?/a means
both, acquiring its metaphorical sense from t'le vigilous
uses of a rushlight.
tViply. Obs. Also 5 vigilie, vigylye, [ad.
L. vigilia : see Vigil j^.l]
1. = Vigil sb.^ i.
1377 Lancu p. pi. B. v. 416 Vigilies and fastyngdaj'es,
Alle Jfise late I passe. 1388 Wyclip ynhn xix. 42 Therfor
there thei putten Jhesu, for the vigilie of lewis feeste.
1447 Bokenham Seyntys Introd. (Roxb.) 6 In the vizylye of
the natyvyte. c Z465 Eng. Chron. (Camden) 40 The king
sailled forth in to Normandie. .and landid at Kitcaux, in
the vigily of Assumpcion of our Lady. 1588 in Cath. Tract.
198
(S.T.S.) 210 Obserue the fastes commandit . . in the cuinnes
or vigilies of certane solemne daies.
2. = Vigil ^^.1 5.
1665 G. Harvey Advice agst. Plague 3 Continual vigilies,
or a perpetual restlespess, with anguishing jactitations or
throwing ones self from one part of the bed to the other.
1694 Phil. Trans. XVIII. 25 A confused., expansion of the
Optick Nerve, attended with, .continual Vigilies.
ViSfiuti- (v3id.5i'nt3i) [a. L. vigintT twenty],
a first element employed in a few combs, in the
sense * having or consisting of twenty (things) ', as
VifiTintia'ngrtilar a, [L. viginti-angulus\ having
twenty angles. Also \ Vlfirintlquixitnple Math.,
the result of multiplying by twenty-five.
1690 Leybourn Curs. Math. 349 If any Root be multiplied
by. .5 the Product shall be the Root of the. .Vigintiquintuple
. .of the Squares of the Multipliers. iSsa T. Taylor Apu-
leius 329 He calls., the other [body! vigintiangular.
t Vigintile, a. Astr. Obs. [ad. med. or mod.L.
vigintilis, i. L. vTginti twenty : see -ILE.] Viginiile
aspect, the aspect of two planets when distant from
each other a twentieth of a circle or 18°. Also
absol.
j6j4JEAKE Arith. (1696) 10 Aspects... Vigintil [etc.]. 1686
Goad Celest, Bodies i. xi. 39 Sometimes the Quintile makes
a shew, and if I'hat have ought in it, the Bicjunitile will look
for some Respect ; and if so, then the Vigintile, and Quin-
decile, and Decile, &c. will also look to be courted. 1819
j. Wilson Diet, Astral. 99 To these [aspects of Ptolemy]
Kepler added eleven more, viz. the Vigintile, ..the quin-
decile,,.the semisextile [etc].
t Vigintivirate. Rom, Hist. Obs. [ad. L.
viginti-virdt-usy f. viginti-virt a board of twenty
men.] The office or position of the vigintiviri, a
body of twenty men charged with certain adminis-
trative functions ; this body itself.
1598 Grenewey Tacitus. Ann. \\\. vi. 72 He [Tiberius]
recomended Nero, one 01 Germanicus children, .. to the
Lords of the Senat : and requested that he might be dis-
pensed with for the o^c^ of Vigintiuirat. 1656 Blount
Glossogr., Vigintivirate, the Office of the Vigintiviri, or of
twenty men in like authority. 1793 Murphy Tacitus, Ann.
III. xxix. 196 That the young prmce might be excused from
serving the office of the vigintivirate.
Vigner, variant of Vineii, vineyard. Obs,
llVigneron (vm^sron). Also 5 vigneroun,
7 vineron. [F. vigneron, f. vigne Vine j^.] One
who cultivates grape-vines ; a wine grower,
a. 1456 Sir G. Hay Bk. Knighthood Wks. (S.T.S.) II. 60
The vignerounis labouraris had wroucht all the day, fra the
morne early till nycht. 1480 Caxton Ovids Met. xiv. xii,
Lyke a vigneron beryng a sarpe or croked knyf to cut
vygnes. 1585 Jas. I Ess. Poesie (Arb.) 15 Let Readers also
surely think and trow, They see the painfull Vigneron pull
the grapes. 1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acostd's Hist. Indies
IV. xxxii. 296 They are become with time and practise more
expert vignerons. 1658 Evelyn Fr. Gard. (1675) 273 Be-
cause it is a plant which js to be governed like the other
vines I refer it to my vignerons. a 1680 Butler Rem,
(1759) II. 117 [He] prunes The End of's Life, as Vignerons
Cut short the Branches of a Vine. 1731 P. Miller Gard.
Diet, s.v. Vitis^ But as to this, you need not consult
either the Merchants or the Vignerons. 1787 Jeffrrson
Ifr/V. (1859) II. 294, I .. can procure for you the best
crops from the vigneron himself 1801 Charlotte Smith
Lett. Solit. Wand. II. 123 Assisting the vignerons in their
now commencing labours of the vintage. 1834 Miss_ Berry
Jrnl. (1865) III. 424 To make some new wine, to give the
vignerons when getting in the general crop. 1884 Blackw.
Mag. Dec. 769/2 The vignerons of South Australia.. suc-
ceeded in producing a vinous liquid that [etc.].
^. 1683 Penn IVks. (1782) IV. 317, I would advise you to
send for some thousands of plants out of France, with some
able vinerons, and people of the other vocation. 1698 G.
Thomas Pensilvania i6 [These lands] have produc'd Choice
Wine, being daily cultivated by skilful Vinerons.
Vignette (vin'e*t, vine-t), sb, [a. F. vignette :
see ViNET.]
1. An ornamental or decorative design on a blank
space in a book or among printed matter, esp. at the
beginning or end of a chapter or other division,
usually one of small size or occupying a small pro-
portion of the space; spec, any embellishment,
illustration, or picture uninclosed in a border, or
having the edges shading off into the surrounding
paper ; a head-piece or tail-piece. Cf. Vinet 2.
1751 H. Walpole Let. to G. Montagu 13 June, He is
drawing vignettes for his [Gray's] Odes. i8os Dibdin
Introd. Classics 33 note^ The engravings have a spirit and
brilliance equal to the best finished French vignettes. i8ao
T. Hodgson Ess. Stereotype Printing 132 In the American
bank notes, the vignette, words, and writing, usual in
such notes, are surrounded by a curiously engraved border.
1866 Geo. Eliot F. Holt iii, An excellent guide-book and
descriptive cards, surmounted by vignettes, were printed.
1880 Print. Trades Jrnl. xxx. 5 Charming vignettes, and
head and tail pieces for bookwork.
b. An ornamental design, drawing, or picture in
a manuscript or written document.
1830 B'ness Bunsen in Hare Life (1879) I. ix. 347 How
many vignettes did I make in my idea for my intended
letter to my mother ! i860 Adler Prov. Poet. xvi. 352 On
the vignettes of the old manuscripts he is represented in the
costume of a traveller. 187S H. James Transatlantic Sk.
213 Assist, in the January twilight, looked like a vignette
out of some brown old missal.
2. A photographic portrait, showing only the
head or the head and shoulders, with the edges
of the print shading off into the background.
iB6a Catal, Internal, Exhib.^ Brit. II. No. 3182, Un-
VIGOGNE.
touched and coloured photographic portraits, vignettes,
cartes de visite. 1869 Eng. Meclt. 17 Dec. 328/2 Our pre^nl
style of vignettes, and the former style of cartes-de- visite,
are. .very pretty. 1877 Mrs. Forrester Miguon I. 296 He
found a coloured vignette of her that pleased him.
t3. (Seequot.) Obs.-^
1790 Bruce Trav. I. Introd. p. ix, Vignettes, or little
ornamental shrubs, which generally hang from and adorn
the projections and edges of the several members [of ruined
architecture], are finely expressed.
4. altrib. in various senses, as vignette head,
mojtiding, view, etc.
1842 Francis Diet. Arts, Vignette moulding, 2^. moulding
ornamented or enriched with vine leaves, grapes, or ten-
drils. 1869 TozER Highl, Turkey I. 129 The prettiest
effects were produced by the vignette views, seen through
the depressions. 187a Ruskin Fors Clav. xviii. f 12, I can
fet a pretty little long vignette view of the roof of the
antheon.. through a chink between the veneering and
the freestone. 189a Photogr. Ann. II. 501 Placing eight
J-lengihs, eight vignette heads and so on together.
Vignette (vin^e-t, vine*t), v. [f. prec] trans.
To make a vignette of; spec, in Photogr., to pro-
duce (a picture or portrait) in the style of a vignette
by softening away or shading off the edges, leaving
only the central portion.
"853 De Morgan in Graves Life Hamilton (1889) III.
478, 1 shall remember to have an Hippopotamus neatly
vignetted for the title-page. 1878 K^'ails Photogr. 246 For
outdoor portraiture an angle of a wall facing the north with
a background formed by a blanket is suitable for producing
pictures that can be vignetted, 1885 C. G. W. Lock Work-
shop Receipts Ser. iv. 401/2 A very good enlargement is
made by vignetting the picture with the opal.
transf, andy?^^ . 1883 Saintsburv in Academy 5 May 307/2
Forgetting that its chief function is to finbh off and vignette
isolated sketches of manner, character, and thought with
more precision .. than is possible or suitable in prose. 1895
Athenwum 5 Oct. 451/1 How happily is autumn vignetted
here and there!
b. To take in or introduce as a vignette.
189s Photogr. Ann. II. 54 Keep moving the mask so as to
vignette in the clouds.
Hence Vigne'tted ///. a.
1867 Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann. March 169 An album of
• vignetted ' heads of all my bird friends. 1886 Athenseum
18 Dec. 831/3 Tlie Wrath 0/ the P'ay,..-wiih vignetted
designs in outline.
Vigne'tter. [f. Vignette ^^. + -eb1.] A de-
vice Tor producing photographic vignettes, usually
consisting of a mask or screen with a central hole
or of graduated opacity from the centre outwards.
187s Knight Diet. Meek. 2710/1 Vignetter.., the photo-
grapher's instrument for giving a vignette appearance to a
portrait or print, the edges fading away insensibly into the
background. 1889 Anthony s Photogr. Bull. II. 23 A head
rest, vignetter and other accessories.
Vigne'tting, vbl. sb. [f. Viguette v,} The
actlou or process of producing vignettes, esp. in
photography.
1885 Pall Mail G. 7 May 11/2 The vignetting is, without
doubt, the most difficult form of printing. 1889 Anthony's
Photogr. Bull. II. 227 Generally, unless vignetting is de-
sired, the background may be made of hangings of some
rough material, absorbent of light.
b. attrib,, as vignetting glass, mask, table j etc.
1889 Anthony's Photogr. Bull, II. 261 For quarter-plates
and half-plates^ the vignetting mask should be about three-
quarters of an inch from the negative. 1892 Photogr. A nn,
II. p. clxxix, Vignetting Glasses. Ibid. 486 Revolving
Vignetting Table.
Vignettist (vin^e-tist, vine'tist). [f. \*ignette
sb, + -1ST.] An artist or engraver who produces
vignettes.
1884 F. Wedmore in Fortn. Rev. Jan. 67 Voltaire wrote to
congratulate Eisen^ the vignettist. 189a Athenaeum 7 May
597/1 This library is rich in the work of the vignettisis.
Vignite (v/n^ait, vi'gnait). Min. [ad. G.
vigmt (see def.) : named by Karsten (1828).] A
variety of magnetic iron ore found near Vignes in
the department of the Moselle, France.
1846 WoRCFSTi R (citing Dana). 1868 Watts Did. Chem.
V. 999 ; and in recent Diets.
+ Vi*gnoble. Obs. rare. Also 5 vygnoble.
[a. F. vignoble •,—\iO^. L, *vineobulum, f. L. vinea
vine-plantation, vineyard,] A vineyard.
14S0 Caxton Oviii^s Met, xi. ii. He [Bacchus], .lefte this
contre and translated hym unto vygnobles of Thymolon.
a 1700 EvKLYN Diary 13 Julv 1683, This gentleman was
owner of that excellent vignoble of Pontaq and Obrien.
Vignour, variant of Viner 2 Obs.
II Vigogne (v^'g^^n^). Also 7 vicogne. [F.,
ad. Sp. vicuna Vicuna.]
1. = Vicuna i.
1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 381 Vicognes are
like Deer without homes. 1774 Goldsm. Nat, Hist. (1862)
I. xiv. 234 The Sheep, the Goat, the Lama, the Vigogne,
the Gazella.
2. A textile fabric made from the wool of the
vicuna, used as a dress material ; vicuiia-cloth.
1876 Echo 30 Aug. (Stanf.). x88a Caulfeild & Saward
Diet. Needlevj. 515/1 Vigogne, a delicate all wool textile,
twilled, and produced in neutral colours. 1887 Pall Mall
G. 19 Feb. 8/^ The bride's going-away dress was composed
of chocolate brown vigogne.
3. Vigogne yarn, a mixture of the wool of the
vicuna, or other fine wool, and cotton.
1884 W. S. B. McLaren Spinning ^7 In making vigogne or
angola yarns, which are mixtures of cotton and wool. Ibid.
185 For mixing wool and cotton together for Vigogne yarn.
VIGONE.
t Vigone. Obs. [ad. F. vigopu : see prec]
(See quots.)
1656 Blount Glosso,p'. To Rdr., The Haberdasher is
•ready to furnish you with a Vigone, Codebec, or Castor, &c.
[bid., Vigone, a kind of Demicaster, or Hat, of late so called,
from the fine Wool, which for the most part they are made
oi, borne by a Icinde of sheep of Spain of that name. 1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vigone, .,3. sort of Spanish Wool! ;
or a Hat made of that Wooli. 1714 Fr, Bk. 0/ Rates 379
Hats of Vieone.
Vigoma (vig^u-nia). Also vigo(g)na, vegonia.
[App. a Latinization of F. vigogne Vigogne.]
1. a. Vigonia wool, vicnna-wool.
1763 Anil, Reg;., Chron. 163, 8 bales Vigonia, and 1 ditto
Alpaca wool. 1804 Genii. Mag. Nov. 1069 Vigona wool.
b. Vigonia cloth, vicuna-cloth. Also ellipt.,
= Vigogne 2.
l8s» Rep. 7uries,E.xhiHtion iSjr, 375/r [Brown & Foster's]
waistcoatings of plush vegonia will be found remarkable for
novelty and excellence. 1857 J. James IVorsted Manuf.
438 Vigonia cloth, merino robe cloth, . . shags, vigogna shags.
2. = Vicu.NA I. rare.
1834 Nat. Phihs. III. Phys. Geog. 55/2 The paco, which
in its domestic state is called bicunia or vigonia. 1839
Penny Cyct. XIV. 73 .\ herd of 36, including the kinds
called Llamas, Alpacas, and Vicunas or Vigonias.
tVi'gfOrate, v. Ohs. [f. L. vigordt-,f^\. stem
of vigordre to animate, invigorate, f. vigor Vigour
sb. : see -ate 3.] trans. To invigorate or strengthen.
i6j3 M. KiDLEt Magn. Bodies 63 They will be much re.
freshed, vigorated and animated with the polar and direc.
tory vertue. a i<^ J. Smith Set. Disc. vi. 207 All this
foreign force that is upon them, .serves only to vigorate and
impregnate their fancies and imaginations. 1670 Mayn-
WARING Physycian's Repos. 2t This Medicine vigorates and
cherisheth that part. 178a Paine Let. Abbi Raynet (1791)
Introd., To call three powers of the mind into action at once,
in a manner, .that each shall aid and vigorate the other.
Hence t Vi'gorating vbl. sb. Obs.
1670 H. Stubbe Plus Ultra 3 The Mercurial Cylinder
riseth and falls in the Magdeburgical Air-Pump, according
to the lessening or vigorating of the Spring of the Air.
tVigorioUB, a. Obs. rare. Also vigeryouse,
vygoryous, -ious. [Erron. var. of Vigorous a.]
= Vigorous a. i.
1501 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W.) v. vi. OOij, By hym
the whiche..is so vygoryous in all his puyssaunces. 1641
Vox BoreaJis Cj b, Man by the contrary being too vigor,
tous, looseth God his Image in his privilegde.
So t VigoTiously ndv. Obs.
c 1450 LovELicH Grail xii. 413 More vigeryousely neuere
reden men Into non place thanne they diden then, c 1489
Caxton Sonnes 0/ Aynton x. 263 Reynawd had medled
hynLselfvy-goriously among the frenshemen. ]6ot VVarner
Ali. Eng. Epitome 367 [The Danes] whom, albeit the King j
vijoriously withstood, yet they, .forceably helde themselues i
..m the Land.
Vigorist (vigorist). rare. [f. L. vigor Vigour
sb. + -1ST.] One who acts with vigour or energy,
or who advocates vigorous action.
1807 Svp. S.MiTH Lett. Catholics i\\\. An addition of pole-
mics..which must highly gratify the vigorists, and give
them an ample opportunity of displaying that foolish energy
Xn which their claims to distinction are foundesi, 1901
\ly News 1 Mar. 6/1 A repulsive study of the younger
vigorist who replaces the old Abb^.
Vigorito (vi-gorait). [f. as prec. + -ite l 4.]
A nitro-glycerine explosive used in blasting.
1879 Webster Suffl. 1884 Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl.
028/1 Bjorkmann, .gives the following recipe for the manu*
facture of the new explosive, vigoritc.
t Vi-«forize, v. Obs.-^ [f. L. vigor ViooUE sb.
+ -IZE.] trans. To invigorate.
1603 J. Davies {Hercf.) Microcosmos Wks. (Grosart) I.
m/i And, for the Veines and Artires needc each other, ..
They ineele, and..goe togither. Thereby to vigorize the
vitall Band Which the Hart's vertue wholy doth command.
Vigorous (vi-goris), a. Forms : 4, 7 vigrous,
5 vygepous, 5-6 vigeroos-, 7-9 poet, vig'roua ;
5-6 vygorous (5 vygorowso, 6 -ouse ; 5 Sc.
wygorouB-), 4- rigorous (5 vigopowa-, Sc.
wigorus-) ; 4, 6-7 vigotirous. [a. AF. vigrus,
vigerous, vigorouse, OF. vigorous, vigourous, vig-
ores, etc. (mod.F. vigoureux), = Pr. vigoros, Sp.,
Pg., It. vigoroso, med.L. vigorosus (Diefenbach) :
see Vigour sb. and -ous.]
1. Of persons or animals : Strong and active in
body ; endowed with or possessed of physical
strength and energy ; robust in health or constitu-
tion ; hardy, lusty, strong.
App. not in common use during the isth and i6th cent.
>3- *■- ^l"- 6923 (Laud MS.), We habbej. many pryuee
foo, pat.willen fonde to greuen vs, Bot Jjou (lee make
vigourous! ciyviArtK t, Merl. abbo (Kolbing), Herui,
bat was vigrous & lijt. On l>e scheld him hit a dint hard.
c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gm. Lordsh. 57 Euer ordeyn \A
(wughtes in goodnesse ; ^eld by selnyn glorious & vygerous.
c\^^ Promp. Parv. 510/1 Vygorowse, vigorosus, /erox,
1530 Pai^r. 3j8/i Vygorouse, vigoreux, vigoreuse. 1611
COTCR., Vigoureux, vigorous, lustie, liuely, strong. 1658
Phillips, Vigorous, full of vigour, (. strength, courage,
'""'"fsse. a 1687 Waller Presage Ruin Turkish Emp. 20
Bred in thecamp, fam'd for his valor young: At sea success-
ful, vigorous, and strong, aijtx Prior Dial. Locke 4-
Montan^e Wks. 1007 If. 238 We commend a Horse for
being Vigorous and Handsom. 1780 Harris Philol. Eng.
Wks. (1841) 450, I have seen great geniuses miserably err.,
and, Ijke vigorous travellers who lose their way, only wantler
the wider on account of their own strength. 1797 S. & Ht.
Lee Canterb. 7". (1799) I. 350 Vigorous in health and youth,
199
to him the water had long been an element almost as fami-
liar and as natural as air. 1844 Emerson Led. New Eng.
Re/. Wks._(Bohn) I. 268 Men are Conservatives when they
are least vigorous, or when they are most luxurious. They
are Conservatives after dinner, or before taking their rest ;
when they are sick, or aged. 1874 Green Short Hist. vii.
§ 7. 428 At forty-five he was so vigorous that he made his
way to Scotland on foot. 189X Mivart Ess./f Crit. I. 161
The life_ of every healthy and vigorous animal consists
mainly in the repetition of actions which have become
habitual.
b. So of the body or its parts, health, etc.
1618 J. Tavlor (Water P.) Penniless Pilgr. A iiij b, Mith-
ridate, that vigrous health preserues. 1651 — Joum.
Wales (1S59) 8 He was more then 80 yeares of age, yet of
a very able body, and vigorous constitution. 1683 Burnet
tr. More's Utopia (1684) 131 Their Bodies are vigorous and
lively. 1708 Lond. Caz. No. 4469/4 Thomas Scott,. .round
fac d, little vigorous Eyes. 1784 Cowper Task iv. 363 The
learned finger never need explore Thy vig'rous pulse. 1813
Shelley Q. Mah ix. 65 How vigorous then the athletic
form of age ! 1841 A. Combe Physiol. Digestion (ed. 3) 294
In twenty-five days the dog . . was in the enjoyment of vigor-
ous health and strength. 1870 Macduff Mem. Patmos xiv,
The strong frame, the vigorous pulse, and undimmed eye.
O. Of plants, etc. : Growing strongly and freely.
Also of growth or vegetation.
1706 London & Wise Retird Card. I. 109 Some Trees
are weak, others strong and vigorous. \^^ Anson's Voy.
I. V. 45 The vigorous vegetation which constantly takes
place there. 1783 Ceabbe Village 11. 119 The tall oak,
whose vigorous branches form An ample shade. 1800 Med.
Jml. IV. 237 My strongest and most vigorous plants grow
in a bed or bank sloping to the south. 184a Loudon Sub.
urban Hort. 37 In general . . the seeds produced by them [are]
the largest and most vigorous of growth. 1881 T. Moore in
Encycl. Brit, XII. 242/1 Near the base of the stem are two
prominent bud,s, which would produce two vigorous shoots.
d. Marked or characterized by, requiring or in-
volving, physical strength or activity.
1607 Walsh Li/e Virgil r 8 in Dryden Virgil, Which
work took up seven of the most vigorous years of his life.
1711 Steele Sped. No. 260 p i The Time of Youth and
.vigorous Manhood. 1746 Francis tr. Horace, Epist. i.
xviii. 79 While He the vigorous Chace pursues. 1797
Burke Regie. Peace iii. (1892) 213, I mean. .plentiful nour.
ishment to vigorous labour. 1836 J. H. Newman in Lyra
^t^-^' ^^^*9) 237 The keenness of youth's vigorous day
Thrills in each nerve and limb. 1837 Lockhart Scolt I. ii.
77 His professional visits to Roxburghshire and Ettrick
Forest were, in his vigorous life, very frequent. 1856 Kane
Ard. Expl. I. xxxi. 433 It requires the most vigorous efforts
• ^o t«ir from the oak ribs . . a single day's firewood.
2. Full of, exhibiting, characterized by, vigour
or active force ; powerful, strong.
a. Of natural agencies or phenomena, substances,
etc. Now somewhat rare.
(a) a tg4S Hall Chron., Hen. VH, 57 b. He had sayledno
great waye before that a vygorous tempest by reason of con-
trarietie of wyndes sodeynly arose. 1631 Lithgow Trav.
VI. 295 (They) tumbled downe . . starke dead, being suflfo-
cated with the vigorous Sunne. 1660 Boyle Neiv E.rp.
Phys. Mech. xvi. 105 We apply'd a Load-stone moderately
vigorous to the out-side of the Glass. 1770 Langhohne
Plutarch (187J) II. 792/1 The air was dark and heavy, for
want of that vigorous heat which clears and rarefies it. 1794
SULIVAN View Nat. I. 209 At first they [sc. monsoons] are
feeble,_ they afterwards become vigorous. 1909 A. Reid
Regality 0/ Kirriemuir xxw. 315 Granted a more vigorous
now of water, the Northmuir need fear no local rival.
(«) a i«6i Fuller Worthies (1840) III. 2 The fat of veni-
son is conceived to be. .of all flesh the most vigorous nourish-
ment. 16^1 Ray Coll. Words, Making Salt 209 A Rock of
Natural Salt from which issues a vigourous sharp Brine.
1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. in. 764 The too vig'rous Dose
too fiercely wrought ; And added Fury to the Strength it
brought. 17J8 Chambers Cycl., Elaterium is a vigorous
Purge, and is used in Lethargies. 1759 B- Martin Nat.
Hist. I. 23 Of a more vigorous and high Spirit than the
Hereford Cyder. 1801 Mar. Edgeworth Mor. T., Forester,
a Printer, The fresh seeds, . .scattered upon the vigorous
soil, took root, and flourished. i8a6 Disraeli Vio. Grey vi.
!, A pint of most vigorous and powerful wine.
b. Of the soul, mind, etc.
l«4o Walton Li/e Donne in D.'s Serm.Cj, His mind was
liberall, and unwearied in the .search of knowledge, with
which his vigorous soule is now satisfied. 1797 Mrs. Rad.
CLIFFE Italian xvii. His soul became stern and vigorous in
despair, a i8<» in Southey Comm.-Pl. Bk. (1849) II. 41/r
Whilst they lay apparently senseless,, .their minds were
more vigorous . . than they had ever been before. 1849
Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. II. 226 His [Bunyan's] vigorous
understanding and his stout English heart.
O. Of immaterial things, qualities, etc.
1634 Milton Comus 628 He . . Would . . shew me simples of
a thousand names, Telling their strange and vigorous facul-
ties. i<6s H. Hibbert Body Divinity 11. 105 All the cere-
monies, services and sacrifices at that time . . through Christ
..were vigorous, and for his sake acceptable to God.
167s I. OwzN /ndwelling Sin x. (1732) 121 Suggestions of
the Law of Sin, . . advantaged by any suitable or vigorous
Temptation. 1709 Berkeley TA. Vision f 3 At a near dis-
tance I have experienced [an object) to make avigorous and
large appearance. 1758 S. Hayward Serm. xvii. 518 Grace
may not he always in the same lively exercise ; sometimes
it appeals cool and indifferent, at other times vigorous and
lively. 1791 Mrs. Radcliffe Rom. Forest ii. Whose hopes
are, therefore, vigorous. 1837 Lockhart Scott I. x. 347
In her case sound sense as well as vigorous ability had
unfortunately condescended to an absurd disguise. 1849
Macaulay Hist. Eng. iii. I. 330 Where the opportunities
of vigorous intellectual exercise were frequent. 187a
Morley Voltaire (1886) 6 So vigorous and minutely pene-
trative was the quality of his understanding.
d. Of language, etc. : Energetic, forcible,
powerful.
i8»i ScoTT Kemlw. xxxvi, Doth your new spirit of chivalry
VIGOUR.
supply no more vigorous ejaculation, when a noble struggle
is impending? 1837 Lockhart Scott IV. ii. 40 It contains
many vigorous pictures, and splendid verses. 1864 Tre-
VELYAN Compel. Wallah (1866) 156 A copious fount of
vigorous English. 1873 C- M. Davies Unorth. Lond. (1876)
43 A vigorous hymn was being sung.
3. Of actions, measures, etc : Characterized by,
attended, carried out, or enforced with, vigour or
energy.
Freq. connoting some degree of boldness or severity.
1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. 81 They had so sharpe ancl vigor,
ous answere, that there was not one mantellet that abode
whole an houre. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. i. § 146 No
Man could expect that the vigorous designs and enterprizes
undertaken by the Duke, would be pursued with equal
resolution and courage. 1679 Everard Prot. Princes
Europe 12 [He]_did also by his most vigorous Representa-
tions .. cause his Imperial Majesty .. to resolve to arm
vigorously. 170a in lath Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. I.
81 The allies made a vigorous attaque on the conterscarpe
of Keiserswart. 1769 Burke Corr. (1844) I. 182 Various
matters have so dissipated me, as to hinder me from a
vigorous pursuit of this object. 1777 Watson Philip II, xiil.
(1812) II. 171 This measure .. shewed how firmly determined
the citizens were to make a vigorous defence. 1844 H. H.
Wilson Brit. India I. 33 The Nizam's troops being either
unable or unwilling to suppress the insurrection, it became
neces.sary to adopt more vigorous measures. tS^ Allbutt's
Syst.Med. VII. 556Ifin aseverecase[ofsimplemeningitis]
vigorous treatment is adopted at an early stage of the
disease, recovery is by no means hopeless.
b. Of persons, etc. : Acting, or prepared to act,
with vigour.
162(8 Baker tr. ^a/znc'j £<•«. (vol. II) 115 Having you on
my side, and knowing you to be as vigoroXis a friend of mine,
as I am [of you). 1701 Penn in Pennsylv. Hist. Sac. Mem.
IX. 44 Be vigorous about my property matters. 1796 Burke
Let. Noble Lord Wks. 1842 II. 258 To be commended by
an able, vigorous, and well informed statesman. 1856
Frovde Hist. Eng. (1858) II. ix. 323 A vigorous govern-
ment placed in circumstances of extreme peril.
4. Comb., as vigorous-growing, -looiing adjs:
1843 Loudon Suburban Hort. 37 When it is uished to
have plants of a vigorous-growing species. 1890 'R.
BoLDREwooD ' Col. Rc/orvter (1891) 269 A frank, stout,
gray-haired, but vigorous-looking man.
Vi'gorOTlsly, adv. Forms : (see prec.). [f.
prec. -f -LV -.] In a vigorous manner ; with vigour
or energy ; by means of vigorous action, measures,
etc. ; actively and strongly.
"375 Barbour Bruce 111. 142 Then the king. .Strak at the
tothir wigorusly, . . That at the fyrst strak he him slew.
e-1440 Lovelich Merlin 11378 He. .forth wente tborwh the
pres vigerously fyhtyng, with-owlen les. c 1^^ Merlin x.
15s Thei smyten in a-monge hem so vigorously that oon
myght here the crassinge of speres half a myle longe. 1481
Caxton Godfrey xvi. 44 The peple of the Royame of
Fraunce, . .aftir they herde this prechyng, entreprysed so
vygorously the werke of our lord,.. as ye shal here. 15x8
H. Watson Hist. Oliver 0/ Castile (Roxb.) M j. They that
were within the castell defended them vygorously. 1564
Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 306 The Quenis Majestic will
sa vigorouslie puneis him.. that the West Marchis sail tak
exempill thairof. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. i. § 69
The Duke [of Buckingham] . . being resolv'd to make
Peace with Spain, to the end he might more vigor,
ously pursue the War with France. 1685 Petty Last Will
p. iv. Having vigorously followed my studies, .at Utrecht,
Leyden, Amsterdam, and Paris. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 4
f 6 Except more effectual Measures were taken for acting
vigorously against the Enemy. 178J A. Monro Compar.
Anat. (ed. 3) 304 Pronation is performing vigorously. 1813
Sir H. Davy Agric. Chem. (1S14) 67 At the time the leaves
are most vigorously performing their functions. x86o
Tvndall Glac. I. XXV. 190, 1 saw Balmat. .thrust his hands
into the snow, and commence rubbing them vigorously. 1877
Lady Brassey Voy. Sunbeam ix. (1878) 148 Cheery looking
little dogs, barking vigorously.
b. Intensely, prominently.
1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 279 One or other inlightned
part of the picture becommeth more vigorously bright.
c. Comb., as vigorously-correct, disciplined,
•phrased adjs.
x8a4 J. Foster in Li/e 4- Corr. (1846) II. 60 There is no
one thing more urgently wanted, .than a class of vigorously
disciplined young scholars. 1867 F. H. Ludlow Fleeing to
Tarshish 132 A young man of such vigorously-correct
habits. 1897 Daily News 31 March 8/3 The Lady Mayor-
ess., made a short but vigorously-phrased plea.
Vi'gOrOUSIiesS. [f. as prec. -t -NESS.] The
quality or state of being vigorous ; vigorous con-
dition ; vigour.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 510/1 Vigorowsnesse, vigorositas,
/erocitas. 1530 Palsgh. 28,s/i Vygorousnesse, uigeur.
1648 Beaumont Psyche ix. 158 Perpetuall sparks of Vigor-
ousnesse they shot From the two founts of their prospective
fire. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. xvi. 67 Her coming to the
Crown inspirited the weakest and oldest with vigorous,
nesse and vivacity for a time. 1709 Berkeley Th. Vision
§ 56 The vigorousness or faintness of the aforesaid visible
appearance. 17*7 Bailey (vol. II), Sprightliness, Fulness
of Spirit, Liveliness, Vigorousness, i860 PuSEY Min. Proph.
619 The fulness of health, that is, the vigorousness of in-
corruption.
Vigour (vi'gaa), sb. Forms : 4- vigour, 4-5
vigoure, 4-6 vygour, 6 vygure, vygueur,
vigour, 7 vigor ; 5 vigoro, 6 vygor, 4-8, 9 {/..?.
vigor, [a. AF. vigur, vigour, OF. vigor {vigheur,
etc. ; later and mod.F. vigueur, = Pr., Sp., Pg.
vigor. It vigvre), ad, L. vigor-, vigor liveliness, ac-
tivity, force, f. vigere to be lively, to thrive, flourish,
etc. In some instances directly ad. L. vigor.']
1. Active physical strength as an attribute or
VIGOTTR.
200
VILD.
quality of living things; active force or power;
activity or energy of body or constitution.
a. In persons, animals, or their limbs.
13.. E,E. A/it't. P. A. 971 Inw>th not a fote, To strech
in pe strete ^ou has no vygour, Bot ^ou wer clene with-
outen mote c 1386 Chaucer Afan 0/ Laiv's T. 845, I seye
this entente That right as god spirit of vigour sente To hem,
and saued hem out of meschance, So sente he imght and
vigour to Custance. c 1400 Stntniot/e Ba6. 2738 There was
no man durst hem assayle, For drede of here vigour. 1484
Caxton Fahlfs of /E$0^ v. xii, Thenne the dogge toke
strengtbe and vygour ageyne. t$a6Piier. Per/. (W. de \V,
1531) 356 b, Bycause [he] wolde shewe hym selfemore than
man, he wolde, after that all his blode was shed, reserue in
hym v)-gour and vertue of lyfe. 1588 Shaks. /.. /.. L. iv.
■11. 30S As motion and long during action tyres The sin-
nowy vigour of the trauailer. 1608 \V u.let Hexa/la Exod.
%y^ His naturall strength or vigor was not abated. 1667
Milton P. L. vi. 436 Now we find this our Empyreal forme
..Inperisbable, and though peirc'd with wound, Soon clos*
ing, and by native vigour heal'd. 1680-90 Temple Ess.^
Health ^ i-cmff Life Wks. 1720 I. 278 That the Natives and
Inhabitants of hilly and barren Countries have not only
more Health in general, but also more Vigour than those of
the Plains. 1717 Prior Alma n, 128 Thus He who runs
or dances, begs The equal Vigor of Two Legs. 1775 Harris
Phihs. Arraitgem. (1841) 289 Health and sickness, vigour
and decay, are all to be found . .in each individual of the
human race. 1783 Crabbe Village \\. 132 When Honour
lovM and gave thee every charm, Fire :o thy eye and vigour
to thy arm. i83iTENNVSONffim>«tf 158 So that myvigour,
wedded to thy b'.ood. Shall strike within thy pulses. 1841
Lane Arab. Nts. \. 113 And this is the cause that prevents
the return of vigour to my body. 1888 Goode Amer. Fishes
276 The Muskellunge, Esox nobilior^ is the rival of the Pike
in size and vigor.
trans/. 1501 in Dunhar^s Poems (S.T.S.) Ixxxviii. 19
London, thou art the flour of Cities all;.. Strong Troy in
vigour and in strenuytie.
+ b. Freq. in ME. verse in the adverbial phrase
wUh (. .) vigour. Also in pi. Obs.
13'.. A". Alls. 1431 (Line), Bote wij? coyntise, and wi(>
vigour, He wan of t>at lond |>e honour. 13.. Coer de L,
1936 And ever men bare them up with levours, And slew
them with great vigours, c 1380 Sir Fenunb. 2322 Now
habbe)» t>es frensche lordes stoute conquered J>e stronge
tour, And habbe^ a-slawe & dryuen oute |>e Sar.synz with
vygour. <:i4oo Laud Troy Bk. 13330 The vanwardis met
with gret hidoure, Thei rod to-gedur with gret vigoure.
c. In plants or vegetable growths.
1604 E. G(rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies iv. iii. 209
Nature is contented to give them vigour to bring forth
fruites. 1664 Evelyn Sytva xxix. 90 It should be in this
status, vigour and perfection of Trees, that a Felling should
be celebrated. 1706 London & Wise Retir'd Card. L 181
That the Branches for Wood may not shoot out with so
much Vigour. 1731 P. Miller Gard. Diet. s.v. Vitis^ The
Vines . . must be annually dress'd, according to the Vigour of
the Plant. 1807 J. E, Smith Phys. Bot, 33 The more vigour
there is in a tree, ..the sooner is its alburnum made perfect
wood. 184a Loudon Suburban Hort. 470 In order.. to
equalise the production of fruit, and maintain a sufficient
degree of vigour in the vines. 1856 Stanley Sinai ^ Pal.
vii. (ed. 3) 286 The tropical temperature, calling out into
almost unnatural vigour whatever vegetation receives the
life-giving touch of its waters.
d. Const, tf/" (life, etc.). Sometimes with im-
plication of next. AXsoJig.
i6oB Marston Antonio's Rev. in. i, Before I touch The
banks of rest, my ghost shall visite her. Thou vigor of my
youth, iuyce of my loue, Seize on reuenge. 17^ Butler
Anal. I. i. Wks. 1874 L 29 These surely prove even greater
vigour of life than bodily strength does. 1874 Green Sliort
Hist.v.%\. 212 The vigour of English life showed itself
socially in the wide extension of commerce.
2. Mental or moral strength, force, or energy ;
activity, animation, or liveliness of the mind or the
faculties.
1587 W. Fowler Wks, (S.T.S.) L 22 In his youthe at that
tyme when the senses hes most force and vigeur. 1617
MoRYSON itin. 1. 197, 1 considered, that those kindes of gain-
ing onely required strength of body, whereas this and the
like required also vigor of minde. 1677 Temple E%s.^ Gout
Wks. 1720 L 135 The vigour of the Mind decays with that
of the Body. 1748 Gray Alliance 11 Those kindly cares,
That health and vigour to the soul impart. 1777 Robert-
son/^I'x/. /4«/r. yi. Wks. 1851 V. 584 A race of men. .in
their bodily constitution, as well as vigour of spirit, nearly
resembling the warlike tribes in North America, 1823 J.
Gillies tr. Aristotle's Rhet. 11. xiv. 31^8 Uhe mind retains
its utmost vigour to forty-nine. 1840 Dickens Barn.
Fudge ii, Leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full
vigour. 1856 Sir B. Brodie Psychol. Ing. I. i. 6 He had
lost none of his intellectual vigour.
3. Active force or strength as an attribute of
things, natural agencies, conditions, or qualities ;
intensity of effect or operation,
,i!.*^ Gascoign Life St. Bridget in ICal. Leg. England
(Pynson) 125 Nat dredying the vigour of the colde nor the
unpedymcnt of the great hete. 1534-^ More Treat.
S^rament (1576) 61 Although we belceue it, yet is that
beUefe m many of vs very faint & farre fro the point of
suche viuour and strength, as would God it had. 1554 W.
Prat A/ncaQ v*ij b, Moysines shed by nyght and by the
vygueur of the sonne. 1590 Shaks. Com. Err. iv. iv. 81 My
bones beares witnes^e, That since haue felt the vigor of his
rage, t^ Lithgow Trav. vi. 293 The vigour of the day
gone, and th*; cooling night come, wc aduanced. x6^ Bp.
WiLKiNs New World xiv. (1707) 119 'ITie Loadstone does
CMt forth its own Vigour round about its Body. 1653
W. Ramesev Asirologie Restored 72 Moreover a Planet
that is bot and dry, is lessened of his vigour in a term that
15 cold and moyst. 1789 W. Huchan Dom. Med. (1790) 243
If at the turn of the disease the fever assumes new vigour,
..the patient must be bled. 1798 Ferriab Illustr. Sterne
i. xa They bad seen absurdity in its full vigour. 1863 Geo,
Eliot Romola xliv. Her enthusiasm was continually stirred
to fresh vigour by the influence of Savonarola. x88o Ruskin
Arrows pfChace I. xii, The crystalline vigour of a truth.
b. Of drugs, medicaments, wine, etc.
154* BooRDE Dyetaryxx, (1B70) 280 Borage. .doth set a
man in temporaunce. And so doth buglosse, for he is taken
of more vygor, & strength, & eflfycacye. 1599 A. M. tr.
Gal>elhouer's Bk. Physicke 43/1 This salve must be praipared
before you annoynci your heade, and it continueth in his
vigor two yeares after other. x6oa Shaks. Ham. 1. v. 68
And with a sodaine vigour it doth posset And curd. .The
thin and wholsome blood. 164S4 Evelyn Pomona xxix, It
is a laudable way of trying the vigour of Cider by its
promptness to burn.
C. Of words, arguments, etc.
1532 More Con/ut, Tindale Wks. 813/2 Some thinges yet
shal I shew you . .in thys lasle booke besyde, that shal haue
such vygour and strength therin, that [etc.]. 1581 Pettie
Guazzo*sCiv,Conv.\\.{\iZt) ^^ It is certaine that a sen-
tence hath so much the more or lesse force and vigor,
according to the difi*erence of persons from whom it com-
meth, and of the words by which it is uttered. XS96
Edward III, 1. i. 44 The fiery vigor of thy words.
d. As an artistic or literary quality.
1774 Mitford Ess. Harmony Lang. 135 Vigor is added
by the rapid flow of the short syllables. 18^9 Ruskin Sev.
Lamps iii. §23. cji The relative majesty of buildings depends
more on the weight and vigour of their masses, than on any
other attribute of their design. 1873 E. Spon Workshop
Receipts Ser. i. 255/1 If. .the whole picture is wanting in
vigour and contrast, it is caused by over-exposure. 1896 H.
^\o\.\XiKY Stained Glass'x. 24 The painter has., to repeat the
two matt processes till he has obtained the necessary vigour
and depth in his work.
4. Legal or binding force ; validity. In vigour^
in force or operation.
1425 Rolls 0/ Parlt. IV. 277/1 But t?at never)jeles ^ap-
pointement stand in al thyngs unhirte, and in his vigor
and strengtbe. 1455 Ibid. 329/2 That the saide Lettres
Paientesbe. . in alsuch force, vigore and effect. 1644 Milton
Judgm. Bucer xxii. 6 Neither did she know the vigor of
the Gospel, wherin all cause of marying is debarr'd from
women, while their husbands live. X654 Bramhall Just
Vind, i. (1661) 4 Secondly,.. in abandoning the Court of
Rome they make not any new Law, but onely declare and
restore the old Law of the Land to its former Vigour. 1678
Sir G. Mackenzie Crim. Laws Scot. i. xxiv. § 2 (1699) 120
Then the former Act.. was in vigour, and so the Lords
could not restrict the annualrents to six [per cent], against
an expresse Law. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. vii. 11. 201
The Five Mile Act and the Conventicle hex were in full
vigour.
6. Strong or energetic action, esp. in administra-
tion or government ; the power, exercise, or use of
this, esp, as possessed by or as an attribute of a
ruler or governor.
Freq. implying some degree of severity or rigour.
C1618 MoRVSON ///«. IV. Ml. iii. 279 The Cantons of
Sweitzerland,..by inviolable observation of theire leagues,
constantly governed theire Commonwealth in the old viger.
X7ia Sped. No. 467 T 9 Never failing to exert himself with
Vigour and Resolution in the Service of his Prince, imi
C. MiDDLKTON Cicero I. iv. 234 The vigor of his Consulship
had raised such a zeal and union of all the honest in the
defense of the laws, a X781 R. Watson Philip III, 11. (1783)
143 When they reflected on the vigour and great abilities
he had exerted during this campaign. 1830 D'Israeli
Chas. I, III. v. 64 The Star Chamber, .was invested with
a vigour beyond the laws. 1844 Kinclake Eothcu xiii, The
slaying of the guide was of course easy enough, and would
look like an act of what politicians call ' vigour '. X874
Green Short Hist. vii. § 4. 375 The issue of the Scotch war
revealed suddenly to Europe the vigour of Elizabeth.
b. In wider use : Force, heartiness, energy.
1908 [Miss E. FowlerJ Betw. Trent ^ Ancholme 365 It
was sung, .with much vigour by the congregation.
6. The condition or state of greatest strength or
activity, esp. in the life of a man ; spec, in Med.j
the height or acme of a disease.
1563 T. Gale Enchirid. 35 b (Sianf.), There is another
excellent plaster which Galene vseth in the Vigour of an
inflammation. 1588 Kvd Housch. Philos. Wks. (1901) 244
They are in the vigor of their yeeres when the youth of their
sonnes begin to flourish. X656 J. Smith Pract. Phys.
153 [As a remedy for thirst, take] the decoction of the
Roots of Sorrel, which will look like red Wine ; Give drink
in the vigour. X607 Bentley Phal. (1699) 78 He was then
in the Vigour of his years. 1771 Encycl. Brit. III. 66/2
When this disease is at its state, or vigor, all the symptoms
are worse 17^ Fekriar Illustr. Sterne ii. 52 A work pro-
duced in the vigour of bis fancy. 1822 Lamb Etia i. Distant
Correspondents, Your puns and small jests are.. extremely
circumscribed in their sphere of action. .. Their vigour is as
the instant of their birth. 184X D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1867)
544 Shakespeare, in the vigour of life, withdrew from the
theatre and the metropolis. 1855 Brewster Newton II.
xxvii. 399 The flower of his youth, and the vigour of his
manhood, were entirely devoted to science.
+ 7. By or in vigour of^ by force of, in virtue of.
Obs, rare,
X636 Brathwait .fftfWf. Emp. 383 Who. .refused to per-
forme homage in vigour of a cession made by Albertus the
Arch-Duke. 1641 Hevlin Hist. Episc. 11. (1657) 366 By
vigour of his Episcopall function and the Authority of his
Chaire, he had power enough, to be straightway avenged
of him for the same.
Vigour, southern ME. variant of Figure sb.
+ Vigour, V. Obs.-^ In 7 vigor, [f. Vigour
5^.] trans. To invigorate ; to inspire with vigour.
X636 Feltham in Ann. Dubrensia D iij b, Nor does
Apolloes harpe ere sound more high, Then when *tis
vigor'd from a Ladies eye.
Vi'gonrless, a. Also vigorless. [f. ViGouit
sb. -(- -LE88.] Destitute of or lacking vigour.
X758 Phil. Trans. L. 756 Indeed one can scarce call it
living, merely to breathe, and trail about a vigorless body.
x888 Outlook (N.Y.) Apr.483 The marked contrast between
the vigorless conscience of Continental Europe, and the
vigorous conscience of the Puritans, tooa Westm. Gaz. 20
Jan. 4/2 In those vigourless days of Whig ascendency.
Vigourous(ly, obs. forms of Vigobous(ly.
t Vigoursly, adv. In 5 vygour(e)sly. [var.
of V1GOKOU8LY : of. viliainsly, etc.] Vigorously.
CX400 Mal'NDEv. (1839) ''iv. 155 Thei \sc. Amazons] gon
often tyme in sowd..: and thei meyntenen hem self right
vygouresly. c 1450 Lovelich Merlinz^igiz Merveilleng sore
what these knytites were, That so Vygoursly fowhten there.
Vigrous, Vigorous, obs. and poet, flf. Vigor-
ous a. Vigure, southern ME, var. Figure sb,
Vihte(n, southern ME. var. Fight sb. and v.
Vijs, obs. f. Vice sb. ; obs. Sc. f. Wise sb. Viked,
ME. var. Wicked a. Vikel(i, southern ME.
varr. Fickle a. and v.'^ Viker(y, etc., obs. ff.
ViCAR(y, etc.
Viking (vai'kiij). J/isl. Also vikingr, -er,
-ir; wiking, wioking. [ad. ON. and Icel.
viking-r (whence also Norw., Sw., Da. viking, G,
7viking)j = OE. wicing, OFris. wttsing^ ivising.
Of. also ON. and Icel. viking fern., the practice of
marauding or piracy.
The ON. word is commonly regarded as f. vik creek, in.
let, bay, + -iugr -xnc. ', a viking thus being one who came
out from, or frequented, inlets of the sea. The name, how.
ever, was evidently current in Anglo- Frisian from a date so
early as to make its Scandinavian origin doubtful ; wlcing'
sceaSa is found in Anglo-Saxon glossaries dating from the
8th century, and sx-wfcingas occurs in the early poem of
Exodus, whereas evidence for idkingr in ON. and Icel. is
doubtful before the latter part of the lolh cent. It is there-
fore possible that the word really originated in the Anglo-
Frisian area, and was only at a later date accepted by the
Scandinavian peoples ; in that case it was probably formed
from OE. wlc camp, the formation of temporary encamp-
ments being a prominent feature of viking raids.]
1. One of those Scandinavian adventurers who
practised piracy at sea, and committed depreda-
tions on land, in northern and western Europe
from the eighth to the eleventh century ; some-
times in general use, a warlike pirate or sea-rover.
o. 1807 0. Chalmers Caledonia I. in. iii. 341 At the age
of fourteen, Torfin commenced his career, as a vikingr.
c 1827 W. Motherwell Poet. Wks. (1847) 1^ It isa Vikingir
Who kisses thy hand. 1838 Crichton Scandinavia I. 176
H^kon commanded the intrepid Vikingr to be put to death.
1864 [H. W. Wheelwright] Spring »f Smnmerin Lapland
i. 8 When the ' Viking ' or pirate vessel . . hot e the ' Vikmger '
or dreaded sea pirate to the opposite shores of Britain.
B. 1840 LoNGF. Skeleton in Armour \\\, I was a Viking
old ! 1848 LvTTON Harold vi. v, A fleet of vikings from
Norway ravaged the western coasts. 1877 Black Green
/Jaj/. Axviii, I am already convinced that my ancestors were
vikings.
^ V. 1867 Freeman Noi-m. Cong. (1877) I. iv. 165 He [Rolf]
is described as having been engaged in the calling of a
wiking. 1868 Ibid. 11. vii. 96 '1 he wikings harried far and
wide. 1883 ViGFUSSON & Powell Corpus Poet. Bor. II. 139
The warden of the land had the heads of many Wickings
(pirates) cut short with keen weapons. 1904 E. Rickekt
Reaper '^■^ Beyond that, we were Wickings, back to the time
of Odin.
2. attrib,^ as. viking age, expedition^ invader^
line, skipy vessel.
X847 I. A. Blackwell Mallefs Northern Antig. 86
Halfdan enriched himself by successful Viking expeditions.
1864 [see I o], 1866 G. Stephens Runic Mon. I. 226 The
lower compartment is a noble Wiking-ship. 1867 Free-
man Norm. Cong. (1877) I. App. 665 He may have joined
the Danes or have done anything else in the wiking line.
1881 Daily News 3 Sept. 2/2 This Viking ship, with its
sepulchre chamber, in which the Viking had been buried.
1883 ViGFUSSON & Powell Corpus Poet. Bor. I. 259 The
Northmen confederates of the Wicking invaders. 1889 Du
Chaillu Viking Age I. iii. 26 We must come to the con-
clusion that the ' Viking Age ' lasted from about the second
century of our era to about the middle of the twelfth.
Hence Vi-kinglsm, Vl'kinffship, the practices
or spirit of vikings.
i88o_Stubbs Led. Stud. Hist. (18S6) 222 The conquest of
Palestine was to Robert of Normandy . . a sanctified experi-
ment of *vikingism. 1899 Somerville & Ross Itish R. M.
239, I prefer their total lack of interest in seafaring matters
to the blatant Vikingism of the average male. 1883 G.
Stephens Bulge's Stud. Northern Mythol. Exam. 15
*Wikingship began to be felt, .as an unbearable curse.
Vikitj Vikkid, -it, obs. Sc. flf. Wicked a.
Vii, obs. f. Vile a.j obs. Sc. f. Will sb. and v.
Vilain(e, etc, obs. ff. Villain, etc. Vilain8(ly,
var. Villains(ly Obs, Vilanie, -ye, obs. i.
Villainy. Vilans, var. Villains a. Obs.
II Vilayet (vila-yet). Also wilayet. [Turkish,
ad. Ar. ajil* weldy^, -yet district, dominion.]
A province of the Turkish empire ruled by a vali,
or govern or -general.
1869 Times i^ Oct., Those Ottoman subjects who have
passed an examination . . will be admitted for three years as
boarders to the Lyceum in each chief town of a vilayet.
1880 Fortn. Rev. Feb. 174 An honest man is sent to intro-
duce reforms into some vilayet. 1884 Pall Mall G. 5 April
.1/1 Everything seems to be going as well in the late
Vilayet of the Danube as it is going ill in the Pashalik •f
the Nile.
Vilayn, obs. form of Villain.
t Vild, sb. Obs.-^ (Cf. next, but perh. an error.)
1605 London Prodigal v. i. 265 My daughter is missing;
hath been looked for; cannot be found. A vild upon thee !
VILD.
201
VILE.
Vild (valid), a. Obs. exc. arck. or diaL Also
6-7 vylde, 6-7 (9) vilde ; 6 Sc. vyild, 6-7 (9)
vyld, 7 vU'd. [Variant of Vile tz., with excres-
cent -d. The earliest instances are Scottish (cf.
tylde for Tile sb^)^ but the form is extremely
common from ^1580 to 1650.] =Vile a.y in
various senses : a. Of action^, things, etc.
1560 RoLLAND Se7-cn Sogcs 48 1 he niorne he sail go to
the deid maist vylde, Howbcit he be my onlie sottin
.Chyldc. 1^68 T, Howell Arb. Ainitie (1879) 35 Shall I be
prest in simpler sort and vylder case then hee. 1597 J.
Payne Royal Exck. 24 Since whose vilde death mame a
good Christian have bene no less vmbraded and reproched.
i598'9 E. FoRUE Parismus i. (1661) 49 With great patience
he endured the imprisonment, continuing in that most
vilde place, a 1613 Overburv A IVt/e, etc. (1638) 38 Her
breath should be as horrible and vild, As evVie word you
speake is sweet and mild. 1650 Bulwer Anthropomet. 158
A vild thing, thus to *force and wrong Nature. 1713
Croxall Orig. Canto Spenser xiv. (1714) 14 With Witch-
craft vild he then enwrapt her round. 1748 Thomson Cast.
Indol. II. xxvi, O hide thy head, abominable war !.. From
Heaven this life ysprung, from hell thy glories vild ! 1767
MiCKLE Concub. I. XX, Loud and angrie then Gan she of
shame and haviour vild complain. 1805 Scott Last
Minstrel \\\. xiii, Could he have had his pleasure vilde, He
had crippled the joints of the noble child. 1853 N. 9f Q.
ist Ser. VI I. 234/1 (N. Cy. snyings). Looks as vild (worth-
less) as a pair of Yorkshire sleeves in a goldsmith's shop.
1866 Edmondston Gloss. Shetiofid, Vyldy dirty, filthy, vile.
b. Of persons.
1567 Gudei^Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 122 Quhen I was impotent,
Fragile, vaine, vylde, and pure. 1581 Rich Fareiv. (1846)
116 The desolate damscll.. ceased not to rebuke the vilde
caiiive. 1588 Babington Pro/. Exp. Lord's Pr, (ispfS) 235
The good Prophet had a bad seruant, a vilde Gehczi. 1608
Tarlton Cobler Canter b. (1844) 1^8 Vilde strumpet as thou
art. i6a8 Gaule Fract. The. (1629) 11 Lo how the vildest
Earth- Worme now tumes against thee ! 1656 Hevlin 5«n'.
France 324 That vilde Butcher (Herod] caus'd to cut in
sunder Eucry ^tale childe of two years old and under. 1767
MiCKLE Concub. i. xxii, Shc.clept her Lemman and vild
Slutt aloud. 1865 GiDLEY Aletes 145 Their influence mild
Withdraw from presence of those monsters base and vild,
Intolerance and Injustice.
absol. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. /K, in. i. 15 O thou dull God,
why lyest thou with the vilde, In loathsome Beds? 1607
— Tiwon I. L 15 When we for rccompcncc haue prais'd the
vild.
Vild, obs. So. form of Wild a.
Vilderbeeste, var. Wiluebeestk (gnu).
fVilderoy. Obs."^ The name of some fabric.
1769 LloytCs Even. Post ^o Oct.-i Nov. 420/3 Damasks,
\'iIderoys, Paolis, corded 'labbies.
Vildever, dial, variant of FiEt-DFARE,
Vildimes, obs. Sc. form of Wilderness.
Vi'ldly, adv. Now rare or Obs. [f. Vild a.
Common c 15(^0-1650.] = Vilely adfty.
1575 Chusciivaru Chippes (1817) 127 So vildly agaynst
my honour and trueth. 1588 Babington Prof. Exp. Lord's
Pr, (1595) 234 To haue true good will . .so vnkindely, yea so
vildly requited. i6o> Miduleton Phoenix 11. ii. J28 Cap-
tain ? off with that noble title ! thou becomest it vildly.
1655 Theophania 162 If Parmenio had sense of honor, he
could not thus vildly blemish the vertue of Artemia. 1681
HiCKERiNCiLL Blai.k Non-Conf. ii. Wks. 1716 II. 20 They
are vildly loth to lo>ie their domineering, insulting Kingdom
of Darkness. 1748 Mendez Sqr. Dames 11. xxix. in DcSsIey
Coll. Poems (1755) IV. 150 Have I not cause to weep from
rising morn .. 1 0 sec my deariing's fame thus vildly torn?
Vi'ldness, Obs. exc. arch, or dial» [f. as prec]
= VlLE.NE.S9.
1507 J. Va-^hz Roy ai Exck. 35 What vyldnesand wycked-
nes is not fownd in many of you ? 160a Dvmmok Ireland
(1^3) 4^ Enraeed with a consideration of the vildenes of
his men, ..[hel Drake from them in a fury. 160^ Markham
Cavai. u (1617) 22 His inward parts may retaine a secret
vildnes of disposition, which may be insufferable. 1654 E.
Calamy Serm. tgOct. (1655) 2 The body of vildnesse shall
then be a body of glory. 1866 Edmondston Gloss. Shet-
land 140 Vyldness, dirt, 61th.
Vildyveer, dial, variant of Fieldfare.
Vile >'9il)t a.y adv.^ and sb. Forms: 3-4 vil
(3 uil, 4 wil), 3-5 vyl (5 wyl), 5-6 vyil; 3-7
vylo (4 uyle, 5-6 .SV. wyle), 3- vile (3-4 file,
4-5 wile, 5 Sc. wille). [a. AF, and OF, (also
mod.F.) vil masc, vile fem. (- Pr., Sp., Pg, vil,
It. vile) :— L. vllem^ vtlis of low value or price,
cheap, common, mean, base.]
A, adj. 1. Of actions, conduct, character, etc. :
Despicable on moral grounds ; deserving to be
regarded with abhorrence or disgust ; characterized
by baseness or depravity.
c 1x90 S. Eng. Leg. I. 192/4 pare ne scholde vil dede ne
word neuere fram hire wende. IJ97 R. Glouc. (Rolls)
4504 Modred.huld hire in spousbruche, in vyl flessesdede.
/bid. 10003 He suor he wotde awrekc be of J>is vil trespas.
1303 R. Brunnk Handl. Synue 1586 Here wurdys were al
vyle & waste. 1377 Lancl. P. Pi. B. xiv. 79 So vengeaunce
fel vpon hem, for her vylc synnes. 1393 /bid. C. xxi. 97
Thenne gan faith foully t»c false lewes to despisen, And
calde hem * caytifs a-corscd ', for J^is wasa vjl vilanye. c 1450
Holland lloivlat 226 The Sparrowe Wenus he wesit for
his vyle deidis, Lyand in lichory, laJth, vnloveable. 1477
Caxton Dictes 67 Summe tliinges that ye louc & preyse ar
cuil and vyle. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comvt. 65 These
wycked theues. .cloke al this abomit>ation.. with the couer
of Christianitie, which is the vylest and moste vnworthiest
thine, that can be imagined, a 15S6 .Sidney Psalms v.
tv, Let their vile thoughts the thinckers ruine be. i6as
Bacon £"«., Envy (Arb.) 517 It is also the vilest Affection,
and the most depraued. 1651 Hobbes Lcviath. 11. xviii. 89
Vol. X.
Not onely an act of an unjust, but also of a vile, and un-
manly disposition. 1671 Milton .S'awjfjw 376 If aughtseem
vile. As vile hath been my folly, who have profan'd The
mystery of God. I7a7 De Foe Hist. Appar. iii. (1840) 22
Turning the whole frame of nature upside down by his vile
doings there. 1784 Cowper Tiroc. "jfn Within some pious
pastor's humble cot. Where vile example.. May never more
be stamp'd upon his breast. 1838 Lvtton Alice 82, I see
already that from the world, vile as it is, you have nothing
of contagion to fear. 1848 Thackeray Van. ^arV xxxiii,
'I'hat abandoned wretch,.. of whose vile arts he became a
victim. 1849 Macailay Hist. Eng. v. I. 555 The Earl's
past life had been stained by what they regarded as the
vilest apostasy,
b. Used to qualify nouns denoting faults of
mind or character. " rare,
a 1340 Hampole Psalter ix. i A vile errour it is l>at sym
men says that god does vnrightwisly. Ibid, xv, i-Here is
jje vile pride of men confoundid. 1567 Saiir. Poems Reform,
IV. 91 Quhat sail I wryte of joure wyle vanitie?
c. Of names, etc. : Implying (moral) baseness
or depravity.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 383 This graved the
moste, y* their religion was described by so vile & con-
temptuouse a name. 1590 Shaks. Mids. N. 11. ii. 107 Where
is Demetrius ? oh how fit a word Is that vile name, to
perish on my sword I 1743 Bulkelev & Cummins Voy. S.
Seas Pref. p. xvi. The Gentleman, .represented us to the
English Merchants in a very vile Light. 7<ii8oo A. Young
in Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric. (1846) II. p. xxiv, 1 am dis-
gusted with such vile assertions, 1868 Freeman Norm,
Conq. (1877) II. vii. 104 This was the vilest epithet in the
English language,
2. Of persons : Of a low, base, or despicable
character ; morally depraved or degraded ; cap-
able of the basest conduct.
a 1300 Cursor M. 1 153 Wit all hou sal bi halden vile, Quar-
sa l>ou wendes in exile. 1303 R. Brunne IfandL Synne
2597 5yf an okerer my5t founde be, pey helde hym vyler
J^an a lew c 1330 Arth. ^ Merl. 8738 (Kolbing), LeggeJ?
on |>e traitours vile, Spare J> nou^t, ac ste doun ri5t. a 1400-50
Alexander 186 {'an sail \>2X victoure 50W venge on 5our
viie fais. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. 11. 731 Repruffand thaim
as sotiis wille . . For to lieff it fayntly, And leif lownderaris
caytefly. i5oo-«o Dunbar /'<7^«/jxx. 14 Incumpanycheiss
honorable feiris. And fra vyle foikis draw the far on syd. 1535
CovEBDALE Job XV. i6 An abhominable and vyle man, which
dryncketh wickednesse like water. 1560 Daus tr. Slei-
dane's Comm. ^yj b, Freers vile in lyfe and learnyng. 1603
Dekker Batck/lars Banquet Wks. (Grosart) I. 156, I pray
thee wife tell me, where lies thy griefe ?..wherevpon the
vile woman fetching a deepe sigh, makes this answere. 1677
Earl Essex in Essex Papers (Camden) II. 133 There is a
vile woman who has bin guilty of severall wicked practices
here. 1708 Prior Turtle ^ Spnrrotv 429 Notions like these,
from Men are giv'n, Those vilest Creatures under Heav'n.
(XiTiS Burnet O^vn Time (1766) II. 47, I was against the
making use of so vile a man. 1807 Crabbe Par, Reg. in.
578 A victim to the snare, That vile attorneys for the weak
prepare. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. v. I. 591 In every age
the vilest specimens of human nature are to be found among
demagogues. 1883 Stevenson Silveraiio .Vff,(i886) 37 With
that vile lad to head them off, . . they would nave, .stumbled
through the woods,
absoL 1817 Moore Laila R.^ Fire-lVorshippers 11. 278
Bondage grows Too vile for ev"n the vile to bear !
b. Applied to animals, esp. of a destructive or
dangerous nature.
13 . . ^"/> Beucs (A.) 2624 par-fore hii deide in dedli sinne.
..After in a lite while pa! be-come dragouns vile. 1393
Lancl. P. PLC xxi. 158 Of alle fretynge venymes t»e vilest
is |>e scorpion. C1450 Holland H<nulat 88 The Howlet
wylest in wyce, Raikic vnder the rys. <^I470 Henry
Wallace xi. 287 Lordis, behald, inwy the wyle dragoun.
In cniell fyr he byrnys this regioun.
3. Physically repulsive, esp. through filth or
corruption; horrid, disgusting.
Also depreciatingly applied to the body.
a X300 Sarmun iii. in E. E. P. (1862) I To be-hend if we
wold loke, wel file bit is \>aX of us come. Ibid, iv, Hit is
wel vile ^>at commil» vte. 13. . SeuenSages (W.) 1353 Was
nowt the boi of wit bereued, Whan he tok his fader heued.
In a vil gonge slong hit inne ? c 1340 Hampole Pr, Consc,
610 Ilk man,.Suld thynk of J?e wrechednes of his kynde,
pat es foul, and vile, and wlatsom. <:i375 Sc. Leg. Saints
li. {Paul) 773 At his mastere askit he, quhar-for his birth
[sc. a frog] wes sa wile, sa foule, and sa horribyle. c 1425
Wvntoun Cron. 11. 576 In ^ar bledderis bolnyt bilis And
alkyn bruk and skab pAt wile is. 1533 Coverdale Phil, iii,
21 Which shal chaunge oure v>*le body, y' it maye be like
fashioned vnto his glorious body. 1553 £den Treat. New
Ind. (Arb.) 17 The Image, .is surely a thing most vyle to
beholde, and no less terrible. 1560 Bible (Genev.) Wisd.
xi. 13 They, .worshiped serpents, that had not the vse of
reason, & vile beastes, 16.. Sir W. Mure Sonn. xi. 2
Name spotted, fame defyId,..Too long in such a carioun
vyle inclois'd. 1637 Prvnne Will in Documents agst. P.
(Camden) 96 My vile body I bequeath to the dust, c 1738
Wesley's Hymns (17^4) 129 Array'd in glorious Grace Shall
these vile Bodies shine. 1746 Francis tr. Horace^ Epist.
u. ii. 106 Hence runs a madding Dog. . : Thencca vile Pig
polluted with the Mire.
b. Of clothes, etc. : Mean, wretched.
i5a6TiNDALE Jos. ii. 3 A man. .in goodly apparell and. .
I a poore man in vyle rayment. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's
Comm. 465 b. They put upon him a most vile garment. 1591
Spenser M. Hubberd 463 Farre vnfit it is, that person
bace Should with vile cloaths approach Gods maiestie. 1783
Crabbe Village \. 204 Such is that room.. Where the vile
bands that bind the thatch are seen, And lath and mud are
all that lie between. 1819 Shelley Cenct v. i. 85, I will
pass, wrapped in a vile disguise ; Rags on my back.
4. Of conditions, situations, treatment, etc.;
Base or degrading in character or effect ; igno-
minious. Durance vile : see DtJBANC'E 5.
X197R. Glouc (Rolls) 4374 Wannehii wolde. .noblemen,
as 3e be^, bringe in so vil seruage, 1340 Ayenb, 181 Huo
bet him let ouercome be his ulesse, he is ine a wel zor^uol
preldonie and wel vil. c 1400 Destr. Troy 2140 Hit sittis vs
all. For to proffer our persons & our pure goodes, To venge
of our velany and our vile harme. c 1460 Toivneley Myst.
i. 146 Thou has vs doyn a vyle dispyte, and broght thi self
to sorow and sitt. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 83 Many
thousandes of men . . lead away in so miserable & vyle cap-
tivitie. 1653 R. Sanders Moles xlviii. 15 A Mole appearing
on the lower part, or tip of the right Ear. ..To a Woman it
predicts, .she is desperately forlorn, and of most vile con-
ditions. 1718 Prior Henry ^ Emvta 616 Rescue my poor
Remains from vile Neglect. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones 11.
ii. Such base-born children, .ought to be brought up to the
lowest and vilest offices of the Commonwealth. i77o-j>4
[see Durance 5]. 1784 Cowper Tiroc. 456 To work at a vile
trade For wages so unlikely to be paid. 1879 Farrar St.
Paid (1883) 68g He had been a slave, in the vilest of all
positions.
6. Of things : Of little worth or account ; mean
or paltry in respect of value ; held in no esteem or
regard. Also absol.
f 1330 Cast. Love 1112 Woldestou l>i finger ^eue, .. So
vnworj? and so vyl chaffare to bugge ? 1340 Ayenb. 82
Hi neconne. .deme. .betuene precious an vil. 1390 Gower
Couf. Pro!. I. 33 This world.. That wliilom was so magne-
fied. And now is old and fieble and vil. 1416 Lydc. De
Cuil. Pilgr. 21 132 A thyng of no valu, And. .Most wyl off
reputacioun. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W, de W. 1531) 6 b, The
transytory honours of this worlde sholde appere to vs vyle
and nought. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 233 b, That
doctryne began to waxe vyle to him every day more and
more. 1670 Moral State Eng. 24 Who coniemneth Reli-
gion as a vile thing? who never nameth God but in his
Oaths or Burlesque? a 1677 Barrow Exp. Creediitgj) 23
The vilest and commonest stones. 1678 K. Barclay Apol.
Quakers v. § 23. 171 That it may cut off Iniquity from
him, and separate betwixt the Precious and the Vile. 17CX)
RowE Amb. SteP-Moth. i. i. 261 All returns are vile, but
Words the poorest. Ibid. 424 Everlasting Fame Grows
vile in sight of thee. 1784 Cowper Task v. 589 That low
And sordid gravitation of his pow'rs To a vile clod. x8i8
Shelley Rosa I. ^ Helen 667 AH that others seek He casts
away, like a vile weed Whii.h the sea casts unreturningly.
1867 Morris Jason vi. 388 And all the feasts that thou hast
shared erewiile With other kings, to mine shall be but vile.
1878 Browning La Saisiaz 75 Thou sea, wherein he counts
Not one inch of vile dominion.
b. Similarly of persons (or animals).
1340 Ayenb. 132 fe zo}>e milde wyle by hyalde uor vyl,
na^t ase milde y-praysed, 1390 Gowkr Conf. Prol. I. 112
To so vil a povere wrecche Him deigneth schewe such
simplesce. 1308 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. vi. xiv. (B'odl.
MS.), Soche children for trespas be made vile pore ser-
uauntes. c 1480 H enryson Fables, Lion <5- Mouse 10 Thow
catyve wreche, and wyle vnworthy thing. 1540-1 Elyot
Image Gov. 8 His boiidemen and moste vile servauntes.
1548 Latimer Ploughers (Arb.) 27 Appoynte them Judges
that are moost abiecte and vyle in the congregation. 1579
Spenser 'Sheph. Cal. Oct. 37 Abandon then the base and
viler clowne, Lyft vp thy selfe out of the lowly dust. 1653
W. Ramesey Asirol. Restored 245 They shall be indigent,
Gr and vile. 1674 Govt. Tongue iii. 20 Tis God only that
h power of annihilation, and we (vile worms) seek here
to steal that incommunicable right. 17x8 Pope Iliad i\. 235
But if a clamorous vile plebeian rose, Him with reproof he
check'd, or tamed with blows.
t o. Cheap, low (in price). Obs.
? 1490 RuleSt, Benet (Caxton) 134 To bye suche cloth that is
made in that countre or prouynce, of the vilest and lyghtest
pryce, 1551 Crowley Pleas, ff Pain 185 In euery place Ye
made mybloude vylar then golde. 1598 G renewev Tacitus^
Ann, VI. iv. (1622) 127 The value of lands was rated at a
very low and vile price. 1601 B. Jonson Ev. Man in his
Hum. I. i. 6i For he thats so respectlesse in his course Oft
sels his reputation vile and cheape.
6. Of poor or bad quality ; wretchedly bad or
inferior.
Now freq. used as an intensive to express strong dis-
approval or disgust.
(T1300 Leg. Rood (1871) 34 pe tre was vil and old. 13..
K. Alls. 5953 (Laud MS,), Porou? goddes wrethe [they]
shoten away, In to ^jat vile contreye. <;i4oo Laud Troy
Bk. 7274, 1- wis thei hadde a vile ny^t ; It my^t haue ben no
worse wedur, Off heuene & erthe hadde gon to-gedur,
C1400 Rule of St. Benct 2020 Schos J>ai sail haue... Of \>e
farest \>a\ sal not by, Bot );e vilist. igji Bradshaiv's St.
Werburge Prol. 20 [He] toke the payne and laboure Thy
legendc to translate.. Out of latine in Englisshe rude and
vyle. 1551 Turner Herbal 115 Cistus. .that cummeth out
of arabia..is viler then the other be. 1700 Prior Car/«,
Sec. iv, With the Blood of Jove there always ran Some viler
Part, some Tincture of the Man. 1746 Francis tr. Hor.,
Sat.tu v. 121 Writes he vile Verses in a frantic Vein? 1756
C. Lucas Ess. Waters III. 259 This vile structure was, this
year, removed. 1818 Scott Br. Lamm, xvii, This appear-
ance of Craigengelt. .is a most vile augury for his future
respectability. 1841 Barham Ingol. Leg. Ser. 11. Auto-da-
y>', A Vile compound, .called Olla podrida. 1851 Ruskin
Stones Ven. (1874) I. viii. 91 The vile cathedral of Orleans.
X903 Times 10 Jan. 6/6 It is scarcely possible to conceive a
viler day than . . this,
b. Used as an intensive emphasizing some bad
quality or condition; + also, heavy, severe.
a 1400-50 Alexander j^\t4, pan fandis he furth,..Come to
a velans vale Jjare was a vile cheele. c 1400 Destr. Troy
1249 The bourder of his basnet [he] brestes in sonder, And
videt the viser with a vile dynt. 1601 Shaks. Jul. C. 11. L
265 Will he steale out of his wholsome bed To dare the
vile contagion of the Night? 16x5 Work for Cutlers 9,
I think that Powder is a vile bragger, he doth nothing
but cracke. 171a Steele Sped. No. 474 P i 1'° .^*= obliged
to receive and return Visits, .is a vile Loss of Time. 1798
Ferriar Illustr. of Sterne ii. 54 The brightest wit is con-
founded with the vilest absurdity.
7. Comb.y as vile-born^ -hearted^ -natured, etc.
a 1548 Hali, Chron.^ Hen. VII, 7 Such a dongehvH knaue
and vylc borne villeyne. 1591 Spenser M, Hubberd 986
Be therefore counselled herein by me. And shake off this
26
VILE.
vile halted cowardrec 1607 Tournkor Rev, Trag. 1. i, I
uonder how ill-featurM, vile-proponion'd That one should
bclctc-J. 1660 Jkr. Tavlor Ductor 1. v. rule 8 §6 The
necessities of women mairieti to. .morose vilc-natur'd hus-
t«iids. 1888 Doughty Arabia Deserta II. 30 The HSyil
princes, .are perhaps mostly like vile-spirited m their youth.
B. adv. = ViLKLY iidv. Now only in combs.
01300 i,"«rt*r 3f. 16461 Iudasstode..for to be-hald and se
Hu vile M ^>ai wit him delt. c 1400 Destr. Troy 2145
Ofte siih hit is scne. .1 hat a victor of a victe is vile ouer-
comyn. 1590 Spenser F. Q. 11. x. i3 I'he noble daughter
of Corineus Would not endure to be so vile disdaind. 1595
Skaks. John II. L 586 A most base and vile-concluded
peace 160a Marston Antonio s Rev. iv. v. No, no song;
twill be vile out of tune, a 1734 North Lives, Gml/ord
(1890) I. 2S8 Roc was a close servant of Monmouth's : which
comes vile near siding against his master and benefactor
the Duke of York. 1905 JVeshfi. Gas. 16 Kcb. 1/3 The
vile-smellin;; tramp on which we had taken passage.
+ C. sd. A base or despicable person. Ods.
0400 Latui Troy Bk. 8t8 Sche wolde be more certayn
Thai he schulde here no-wayes be-gile Ne holde here aflfur
for no vile, c 1400 Song o/Rolami 76 They synnyd so sore
in \>SL\ ylk while that many men wept and cursid ^»at vile.
1530 Palscr. 285, 1 Vyle, a noughty person, loricart.
t Vile, V. Obs, AUo 4, 6 vyle, 4 vili. [ad,
AF. and OF. viler to blame, revile, or aphetic for
AVILE V.'\
1. trans. To bring to a vile or low condition ; to
abase or degrade. Also refl.
i»97 R. Glouc (Rolls) 802 (His he bigan is mone ; Alas,
ala^ t>ou lul>er wate [ ~ Fortune), |>at vilest me )>us one, I'at
bus clene bringst me adoun. 01300 Leg. Rood (1871) 34
pe tre wa$ vil and old ; and to vili our lord also..3Ut hem
^'o^te J>at tre to vair ^at he were ^>eron ido. 13.. E. E.
Aim. P. B. 863 Avoy ! hit is your vylaynye, ^e vvlen your
seluen. 1516 Pilgr. Per/. {W. de \V. 1531) 288 That the
hye god omnipotent wolde voudiesafe to vyle hymself so
lowe. 1530 Palscr. 765 2 I'hou oughtest to be a shamed
to vyle thy selfe with thyn yvel) tonge.
a To revile.
a lyoo Cursor AT. 25509 -Suet lauerd !., |>aa felun juus dai
and night, vild [Fat*/, reuiled] J>e wit al ^»air might.
3. To defile.
c 1400 tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. 147 In Jw ny?t byfore he
viled hym self (L. se/<xdasset\ with a comoun womman.
Vile, sonthern ME. var. Filr j^.i, zj.i, and z'.2
Vile ootte, obs. form of Wyliecoat.
Vilety, obs, form of Vilify v.
t Vilehead. Obs.-^ [f. Vile «.] Vileness.
1340 Ayenb. 130 Huanne J?e mati..knau|? his pourehede,
Jie vllhede, Jre brotelhede of his beringe.
Vilein, Vilein- : see Villai.n, Villein, etc.
Vileins, variant of Villains Obs.
+ Vilely, a. Obs.-'^ In 5 villiche, filich. [f.
Vile a. Q.i. next.] Vile in appearance.
1398 Trevisa Earth. De P. R. x. vii. (Tollem. MS.), The
fayrcr it was by his firste onynge to (w fyre, [>e more
unsemely and be more villiche \Bodl, MS. filich ; L. vi/ior]
in quenchynge of ]>e fyre.
vilely i,v3i'l|li), a(/v. Forms : a. 3-4 villiche
(4-5 fllliche), 4 vylliche, vyllyche. /3. 3-5
viliche (4 vileche), 5 vilich; 4 vilike, wilik ;
4, 6 vyly, 6-7 vylie ; 4, 6-7 vily (4-5 vili), 6
vilio, vilye. 7, 4-5 vileliohe (5 villiliche), 4
vilelik, 4, 6- vilely (6 vylely). [f. Vile a. +
-LT 2, after AF. and OF. vilemenL\ In a vile
manner (in various senses of the adj.).
a. CIS90 S. Eng. Leg. I. 296/82 Huy nomen and drowen
^ holie man villiche ^ru; )>e strete, Forto liuy comen
with^oute toun. ^1300 St. Margarete 123 Hire suete
tendre flesch so fiiliche to-drawe was so; Alias, hou mi^te
eni man for reu^e such dede do. 13.. Seuyn Sages (\V.)
1433 And than before the folk him bring. And thourgh the
toun htm villiche driue. 1340 Ayenb. 133 pet is wylny . . to
by y.hyealde vyi and villiche to by y-dra^e.
^. a 1300 Cursor M. 15833 f>ai huited on him viliker l>an
he had ben a bund. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 2609
No man was so hardy To bryng hym )>yng opunty, pat he
ne shulde vyly be shent. a 1340 Hampole Psalter i. 6
Hatben men sal viUere be dampned. 138S Wvclif Lev.
xviii. 28 Be ^e war, lest it caste out viliche also ^ou in lijk
manere. £1400 Destr. Troy 6912 Vlixes, his aune cosyn,..
To venge of ^at vilany vili dissirit. c 1425 Eng. Cong.
Ireland ^ Of the schame ^t hyme was done, & of t'st )iki
be was so vilich out of hys kynd lond I-dryue. 1553 T.
WiLsoM Rhet. 56 b, We shall sone make our aduersanes to
be lothed, if we. .declare how cruelly, how vilie, and how
maliciously the! haue vsed other men heretofore. 1568
Grafton CAr^x. II. 62, I will neytber cowardlye shrinke,
nor vilye forsake my flocke committed to my charge, 1616
Ckampnev Voc, Bps. 119 For which reason doubtles do our
English Puritans esteeme so vily of ordinations made by
ltisnoi>s- X677 Gale Crt. Gentiles iv, i. iv, § 6. 132 It is.. a
vile thing, vily to obey any vile thing, such as sin is.
y. 13.. Cursor M. 16951 (G'">tt.), He ^at neuer no sin did,
vr sinnes all he bare, And vilelik for vs was ledd. 13..
K. Alts. 3968 (Laud MS.), Ne had myne hauberk ben
^ strongere pou haddest me vilely yslawe. c 1430 Pilgr.
Ljy/Mankode iv, ii. (1869) 175 pilke beste was disgiscd so
vileliche, and so foule figured |»at [etc.]. 1555 Elen Decades
(Arb.)86 Declaringe howe vylely, vylaynously, and violently
he had byn vsed of omtc men. x^i Mulcastf.r Positions
xxxvii. (1887) 161 So vilely to abuse, where they ought to
honour. 1611 Bible 2 Sam. x. 31 The shield of the mightie
is vilely cast away. 1694 Wood Li/e (O. H. S.) III. 463
The commons [were] enraged at it and spoke vilely of the
£arl of Abendon and his son— calld them Jacobites. 174S
P, 1'homas yml. Anson's Voy. 144 Thi'. so generally re.
ceived, tho' vilely mistaken Opinion, has caused many poor
Sufferers to Endure more.. than from the Distemper it*
self. 1766 GoLDSM. Vic. IV. xxxi, How is it, sir, that., his
daughter [is] vilely seduced as a recompence for his
hospitality? 18x5 Scott Guy M. xxi, Some drawings 1
202
have attempted, but I succeed vilely. 1856 Mrs. Browning
Aur. Leigh ix. 619 A woman proud As I am, and I'm very
vilely proud. 1894 Gladstone //(jrac<r 111. v. 20 Swords, that
Roman once had been, From unresisting legions vilely taen.
Vilenage, obs. form of Villeinage.
Vileness (vsi-lnes). Also 5-6 vylenes,se,
6-7 vilene3(se, 6 vylynesse. [f. Vile a. + -ness.]
1 1. Foulness, filthiness, foul matter. Obs.
1495 Trevisa's Bartlu De P. R. viii. xxviii. (Caxton) 341
Though it passe by vylenesse and fylthe, it is not defoylled.
1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 229 By suche vilenes
dis^h^ure they nature. Their chekes dirtie, their teeth by
rustines Blacke, foule and rotten, expresseth their vilenes.
1530 Palsgk. 285/1 Vylenesse, nothyng clenly, fetardise.
155» HuLOBT, Vilenes, fylth, or oiduie, sordes.
2. The quality or character of being morally
vile; moral depravity ; baseness of character.
1536 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 169 b, Secondaryly [are
to be considered] the vylenesse, vnkyndnesse, & vnwortby-
nesse of man to that loue. iJSS Bradforth in Strype^cc/.
Mem. (1721) III. App. xlv. 128 The natural disposition of
the Spaniards whose vyleiies doubtles I cannot showe. 1588
Marprel. Epist. (Arb.) 32, I willso lay open your vilenes
yat I wil make the very stoones in Kingstone streets shall
smell of your knaueries. \i>-^^ Life Long Meg 0/ West in.
xviii. 46 (Hindley), I do enjoin you that.. you come into
the church, and there .. declare to the people the vileness of
your life, a ihyj Barrow IVk-s. (1687J I. vii. 85 God being
most holy and pure,.. we, sensible of our corruption and
vileness, may be fearfull and shy of coming near unto him.
1693 Creech in Drydens Juvenal x'm. (1697) 318 He ex-
patiates on the Vileness of the Times. 1740-a Richardson
Pamela (1785) III. x. 45 Her Vileness could hardly be
equalled by the worst Actions of the most abandoned Pro*
curess. 1769 Lett, yunius i. (1788)^ 37 Judges are superior
to the vileness of pecuniary corruption. 1850 'I'ennvson In
Mem. \\, 4 Is there no baseness we would hide? No inner
vileness that we dread? x868 E. Edwards Ralegh _\. i, 8
One of the very few worthies who had redeemed the vileness
of a reign. 1880 E. White Or/, Relig. 95 The vileness of the
temper wliich affronts the Eternal Mercy by the response of
a scoffing criticism.
b. An instance of this.
1863 PusEV in Oxf Lent. Serm. 14 When years of life have
been spent in such preference of self, self-will, ambition,
vilenes>es to God, 1871 Ruskin Eagle's N. §79 Ghastly
convulsions in thought, and vilenesses in action.
3. Low or mean condition,
1549 CoVERDALE, etc. Erasm. Par. Rom. xv, 41 He ther-
fore submitted hym self to our vilenes, to thend he would
by"lytle and lylle exalt vs to a hygher state,
4. Extreme badness or worihlessness.
1713 T. Thomas in Portland Papers (Hist. MSS. Comm.)
VI. 74 One [picture] which, upon account of the vileness
of the artist, ought not to have been placed there. 1807
Anna M. Porter Hungar. Bro, iv. (1832) 40 While she plied
the modelliiig-sticks, or the chisel, with equal vileness.
Vilen8(ly, varr. Villains(ly Obs.
Vilentyne : see Volentine.
tVilesse. Obs. rare. [a. OF. vt //esse (-esce)^
var, viel/esce, etc, (mod.F. viei//esse), f, viet/ old."]
Old age.
c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 3a Thouhe she be
yong, yet wol she., take a buffard rJche of gret vilesse.
c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode iv. ix. (1869) i8i pou shalt,
quod she, wite whan J>ou hast seyn vilesse, and Jjat she shal
bicomen in J)ce. And where is vilesse, quod j, and where
dweileth she, and what thing is it? (In ch.lv, p. 202, of
this work the reading viletee is prob. an error for vilece.\
Vilet, Vi'let, obs. forms of Violet.
t Vi'lety, Obs. Forms : a. 3-5 vilte (uilte,
4 filte), 4-5 vylte, 6 vilty, &. 4-5 vilete, 5-6
vylete(e, 6 vilety, 6-7 viletie, [a. AF. and
OF. vi/te ( = It. vi/tci, Pr. vi/tat), f. vi/ Vile a. Cf.
ViLlTY.] Vileness, in various senses ; a vile action.
o. aiu5 Ancr. R. 380, I hwuche uilte, i hwuche wo, he
ledde his lif on eorSe. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 1081 Gret
vilte bou askest ous, wanne we of one kunde Bet> icome.
1303 R, Brunne Hatidl. Synne 5206 He J>at was hanged on
a tre Bysyde Ihesufor vylte. a 1340 Hampole PsalterxXxx.
22 pat ^ou wit ^at ^ou ill did and see ^i vilte. 13. . E. E.
Allit. P. B. 199 Neuer 5et in no boke breued I herde pat
euer he wrek so wyt^erly on werk t>at he made, Ne venged
for no vilte of vice ne synne. c 1400 Rule St. Benet Iviii.
(Prose) 38 Alle l>e uiltez J>at man wilie put hir to. 14 . , ^. E.
Leg. (MS. Bodl. 779) in Herrig's Arckiv LXXXII. 352/84
For^eue hem ^is gult ^at do|> me soch filte. 1483 Caxton
Cold, Leg, 290/1 After the passion the Crosse was moche
enhaunced for the vylte was transported in to preciousyte.
1598 Barret Theor. VVarres v. i. 148 Whosoeuer shall.,
loose the same [horse] through vilty or negligence.
/3, a 1300 Cursor M. 20340 par-for J?aron hei [v.r. haue]
)>ou J>e t!)0ght,..J>at tai do me na vilete, c 1450 tr. De Imi-
tatione in. xxiii. 93 Having euer in mynde hi.s oune wicked-
nes & his vilete. 1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. viii. 74 For yf..it
happed that. .[I] put the to deth it shold to me be vylele
and reproche. 1504 Atkvnson tr. De Imitatione in. xxiv.
217 If man consyder well his vylete, pouerie & great in-
dygence, 1576 Bedincfield tr. Cardanus' Comf 57 b, And
misery, vilety, shame,, .are al more euil then death. i6oa
Secar Hon. Mil. ^ Civ. i\\, v. 118 Better it is therefore to
iusttfie honour by Armes, then incurre suspition of viletie.
Vileyn(e, obs. ff. Villain a,, Villein, Vil-
eyne, etc., obs. ff. Villaint. Vileyns, var.
Villains a. Obs. Vilfta(ly, obs. Sc. ff. Wil-
FDL(LV. Vili, obs, f. Vilely a(/v.
tViliaco. Obs. Also villiaco, vili-, viliago.
[ad. It. vig/iacco ( = Pg. ve//icuo^ Sp. bel/aco^ obs.
F. vi/iaque, vieil/aque) ■.~pop,L.*vi/t(rccumy -us, i,
L. vi/ts vile.] A vile or contemptible person; a
villain, scoundrel.
a. 1599 B. JoNSON Ev. Mail out of Hum. v. iii, Now out,
VILIFY,
baseviliaco! Thou my resolution ! i6oaDEKKER Satirom.
Wks. 1873 I, 187 Before they came near the great hall, the
faint-hearted villiacoes sounded at least thiice. 1630 J.
Tavlok (Water P.) Jacke-a^Lent Wks. i. 115/2 Panders
are plagued, and the chiefs Commanders of these valorous
villiacoes. .purchase the inheritance of a Jayle.
p. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, iv, viii, 48 Me thinkes alreadie
in this ciuill broyle I see them Lording it in London streets.
Crying Villiago vnto all they meete. 1607 Dekkek &
Webster Sir T. IVyati E ij b, A Dondego is a desperate
Viliago, a very Castitian, God blesse vs. 1651 Randolph's
Hey for Honesty 11, i, 10 \V hy you Villiago 's, my master
has brought home an old lame. .Dotard.
Vllifiige, obs, form of Village.
t Vilicate, v. Obs.''^ [Perhaps a misprint for
vi/ificate^ trans. To vilify,
1646 R. Junius Cure of Misprision §54, 113 Basenesse,
what it cannot attaine to, it will vilicate and deprave.
Viliche, Vilie, obs. forms of Vilely adv.
+ Vili -ficate, /(J, ///(?, Oks,—^ [ad. late L. T/fA-
ficat-us, pa. pple. oi vi/ificdre Vilify v."] Kenderetl
vile.
a 1440 Found, St. Bartholomew's (E.E.T.S.) 48 This
suttell serpent, iransformyne hym-eelf yn-to the lyknes of a
fair yonge man,.. more vyiyfycat with piecyousornamentis,
than I-bewtified for shynyng of his bewte.
Vilification (,vi:litike"'*j3n). [ad, L. type
^vUificdtio \ see Vilify v. and -fjcation. So
OF, vi/ification (15th cent.).]
1. The action of rendering vile in worth or estate ;
deg;radation. rare~^.
1630 Donne Deaths Duell (1632) 22 That,. that priuat and
retir'd man., must [in his dust], .bee mingled with the dust
of euery high way. ..This is the most inglorious and con-
temptible vilification.
2. Ihe action of vilifying by means of abusive
language ; reviling ; an instance of this.
1653 H. More Def Cabbala Pref, 83, 1 will not deny, but
they nave mingled their own fooleries with it. . ; Such as. .
reproaches against the Pleasures of the Body ; Vilification
of Marriage, and the like. 1660 Trial Regie. (1679) 203
Then you spake in vilification of Monarchical Government.
1664 H. Moke Myst. Inig. 230 Either way is declared that
which isa contumely and vilification of God. 1780 Bentham
Princ. Legist, xviii. §34 Ihus we have twogeneraor kinds
of offences against reputation merely; to wit, i. Defama-
tion and 2, Vilification or Revilement. ^ 1859 Bovo Recreat.
Country Parson iii, 83 If you try. . to live an honest, chris-
tian life, it will go hard, but you will live down such maU-
cious vilification, a 1884 M. Pattison Mem. (1885) 522 The
whole literary effort of the Catholic reaction .. had been
directed to beating down his fame by an organised system
of detraction and vilification.
b. An abusive remark or speech, rare.
1709 Strvpe Ann, Ref. I. xxxii. ^24 This epistle was
made up of falsehoods, misrepresentations and vilifications.
a 1734 North Lives (1826) ll. 164 In the mean time vilifi-
cations plenty there were at their tongues' end.
3. The action of bringing into disrepute.
x65a Earl Monm. tr, BentiToglio's Hist. Relat. 134 The
losse of reputation (the soul of Empire) to the Crown of
Spain ; the 'I'ruce being made to the so much vilification
thereof.
Vilifier (vi'lifaiaj). [f. next.] One who vili-
fies ; a defamer or abuser.
i6>i Florid, Vilificatore, a vilifier, a debaser. 1691 Wood
Ath. Oxon. 1. 103 He [T. Robertson] was a great Oppugner
and Vilifier of the Questionists in the University. 1707
Hearne Collect. 6 June (O.H.S.) II. 18 A Vilifier of the
Common -Prayer, a 17x8 Penn Tracts Wks. 1726 I. 713
Those that are Disturbers and Vilifiers of them that believe
in Him. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U. S. IV. ii. 2B8 Meantime,
the modern Prometheus, .stood conspicuously erect, con-
fronting his vilifier and the privy council. 1885 A/awcA,
Exam. 28 Mar. 5/4 The apology extracted from ids vilifier
is the smallest retribution which can be exacted.
Vilify (vi-lifsi), V. Also 5-8 vilifle, 7 villtfle,
8 -fy ; 0 vilefy, 7 villefle. [ad. late L. vt/ificare
(Jerome), f. vi/is Vile a. : see -(i)fy. Hence also
it. vilificare^ Pr., Pg. vi/ificar.']
1. trans. 'I'o lower or lessen in worth or value ;
to reduce to a lower standing or level ; to make of
little (or less) account or estimation. Also reji.
Freq. in the 17th c. ; now rare or Obs,
(a) c 1450 tr. De Imitatione in. ix. 76 If. . I vilifie myself
& bringe me to nou3t,..& make me dust as I am, ^i grace
shal be merciful to me. 1617 Morvson Itin. m. 85 He who
vilifies himselfe, doth not thereby save one penny. 1630
Brathwait Eng. Genilem. (1641) 21 Who humbled himself
in the forme of man..: vilifying himself to make man like
himself. 1653 H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. Ixii. 253 The
recompenses which God hath promised to those that vilify
themselves to serve him. a 1684 Lkighton Comm., i Peter
i. 23 (1850) 212 Are you not born to a better inheritance?. .
Why then do you viHfy yourselves?
(b) 1604 T. yl MGHT Passions v. § 4. 251 Long delayes and
many suites vilifie the giftes ;.,for..it is bought dearely,
which is purchased with long prayers.^ 1645 Milton
Tetrach. Wks. 1851 IV, ij^r Such a mariage, wherin the
minde is so disgrac't and vilify 'd below the bodies interest,
..is not of Gods institution. 1654 Whitix>ck Zof'/tJw/Za 448
Though seeming Commendations,, .yet, .enough to vilifie,
and cneapen the Noblest Merit. 1677 Govt. Venice 129
The Republick of Venice not only detains their Dukes
Prisoners in their Palace, ..but it daily retrenches their
Priviledges, to vilifie them the more. 1768-74 Tucker Lt.
Nat. (18^4) II. 29 It would vilify, and, 1 may say, vulgarize
the Ahnighty, to imagine him resident among ourselves,
X790 HuRKE Fr. Rev. 147 The wealth and pride of indivi-
duals, .makes the man of humble rank and fortune sensible
of his inferiority, and degrades and vilifies his condition.
183^ I, Tavlok Spir. Despot, v. 207 When [a hieraichy'sj
distinctions of rank are of iiuch vast compass as to vilify the
humbler clerical orders.
VILIORATE.
+ b. To make morally vile ; to degrade ; also,
to defile or dirty. Ol>s.
i6is J. Tavi.or (Water P.) Taylor's Rev. Wks. (1630) ir.
146 I Such Mijtiey, Medley, Linsey-Woolsey speeches
Would sure haue made thee vilifie thy breeches. 1619 H.
HuTTON Follic's Anat. (Percy Soc.) ig You vilific your
selfe with endlesse shame, Imposing scandall to each poet's
name. 1667 Mii.ton P.L. xi. 513 Thir Makers Image.,
then Forsook them, when themselves they villifi'd To serve
ungovern'd appetite. 1684 Contein/>i. St. Matt i. iv. (1699)
38 Altho' the hoiil be of it self of a most Noble Substance,
yet his Vices do so much vilifie it, that he makei^ it more
abominable than the Body. 1781 (see Vilifying/'//, a.].
ai/soi. 1749 Chesterf. J.ett. (1774) 1. 440 Nothing vilifies
and degrades more than pride.
+ c. To bring disgrace or dishonour upon. Obs.
1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt. 1^9 The Anabaptists, .resisting
the most painfull godly Ministers, and reproaching and
vilifying them, by their wicked lives. 1656 Earl Monm. ir.
Bo€calinrs Advts./r, Parnass. i. Ixxx vii. (1674) 117 [They]
blxish to think tliat their Ancestors have so shamefully
vilified their house. 1674 tr. Scheffer's Lapland ix. 34
Their Priests, who either take no care of instructing the
people, or vilify their doctrine by the sordidness of their
lives. 1749 Smollett Regicide u. x, Heav'n shall not see
A deed so abject vilify my name.
2. fa. To depreciate or disparage in discourse ;
to talk slightingly or contemptuously of. Obs.
(passing into next).
1586 Day Eng. Secretary i. (1595) 77 Your Vnclcs care,
was by vilefying his wealth vnto you . . to purchase for you
the endowment of a farre more greater and assured treasure.
1629 H. Burton Truth's Triumph a88 The Pontificiari so
much depressing and vilifying his owne indisposition. 1645
Pagitt Heresio^.(ed. 2171 As these Sectaries villefie others,
so they magnifie themselves. 1667 Anne Wvndham King's
Concealm. (i68i) 53 Some envious persons have sought to
diminish and vilifie the faithful services which the Colonel
..performed. 1691 K\t Creation 1.(1692) 162 To disparage,
deride, and vilifie those Studies which themselves skill not
of. 1736 Bl'Tler <4«a/. iL iii. Wks. 1874 I. 180, I express
myself with caution, lest I should be mistaken to vilify
reason. 1751 Johmsos Rambler No. 117 p i The disposi-
tion of vulgar minds to ridicule and vilify what they cannot
comprehend.
b. To depreciate with abusive or slanderous
language; to defame or traduce; to sp?ak evil of.
1598 Marston Jf<?. Villanie^oX. (1599) 168 When I once
hear.. some span-new come fry Of Innes a-court slriuing to
vilefy My dark reproofes. i6>4 Gataker Transubst. 51
After he hath thus spent some part of his railing Rhetonck '
in traducing and vilifying this Protestanticat Divine his
Adversary. 1659 T. Pfckk /'arwoji. Pmrp. 175 Mother*in.
Lawes, Poets much Vilifie. 1670 Baxter Cure Ch, Div,
ConcL Pref. §5 Not.. to hate and flyc from one another;
nor to vilifie and backbite one another. S713 Steeis
F.ngiishman No, 13. 83, I have really taken a secret Plea-
sure in seeing him employed in villifj ing me. a xjto Sewel
Hist, Quakers {^^^^^ I. iv. 348 One of those persons whom
even his enemies could not vilify without praising him.
1764 T. Hutchinson Htst. Mass. iii. {1765) 351 Randolph,
in return, vilified Dudley, in a great numl>er of letters.
184a Borrow Bible in Spain xxxviii, The priestly parly. .
spared no effort to vilify me, 1850 Mrs. Jamieson Leg.
Monast. Ord. (1863) 115 He was slandered and vilified by
the corrupt monks. 1889 G. C. Bhodrick in Ox/.Chron,
II May 7/7Those who had devoted theirwhole influence to
vilifying such a remedial policy.
absol. a 1854 H, Kefd Led. Eng. Lit. iv. (1855) 439 So
artfully does be misrepresent them, so vehemently does he
vilify.
1 3. To regard as worthiess or of little value ;
to contemn or despise. Obs. (Common in 1 7th c.)
1598 Marston Sco, i'illanie m. x, (1599) 223 Opinion
mounts this froth vnto the skies, Whom iudgemente rcxson
iustly vilifies. 1641 Baker Chron., Hen. /, 60 A private
man, vilified, and thought to have but little in him. 165a-
6a Hevlym Cos'uogr. iv, (1682) 64 Gold here so vilified that
they exchange it gladly for Brass. 1671 Tre.scmfield Cap
Gray //airs {1688) 40 For no man but vilifies that person in
his own estimate, who is loose bodied upon that account,
f 4, tn/r. To become common or worthless; to
lose value. Obs."^
a 1654 Binning Sinners Sanctuary x. WMts. (1735)210/1 It
is Ignorance that magnifies other Mysteries, which vilify
through Knowledge,
Hence Vi'lifled ///. a. ; Vilitying vbi. sb. and
/*/>/. a, ; Vilifyingly adv,
i8«8 Scott P. M. Perth xiv, He knows how willingly
Clement Blair will lay down a*viHfied life upon earth, x6ii
Bible '/VaiifA Pre/. P 12 Their second defence of their
^vilifying and abusing of the English Bibles. 1643 Chas. I
/'roclam. Wks. 1662 II. 345 To countenance the vilifying
of the Book of Common Prayer. 1676 Hale Contempl. 11.
1S3 In the midst ofall the.. Vilifyings that the World neaps
upon me. 1663 Patrick Pamb. Ptlgr. xv, I will not recite
all the *vilifying language, .which he was affronted with.
1705 Stanhopk Paraphr. I. 81 That vilifying Malice and
Contempt, which Proud and Profligate People. .let fly at
Them and their Office. 1781 J. Moore Vieiv Soc. /t. (1700)
II. 1. 68 Free from all toe villifying effects of dirt. 168a
liuNYAN Holy War 20^ Thou didst also teach the Town of
Mansout to speak contemptuously, and "vilifyingly of their
great King Shaddai.
Vilike, obs. f. Vilely adv.
t Vl-liorate, v, Obs.-^ [f. L. vllior^ compar.
of vJ/is Vile a., after meiiorate.'] trans. To make
less good ; to worsen.
a I7aa Lisle l/uib. (1757) 303 There is a medium in the
watery temperature of the earth, either exlream of which
vilioratcs the juice.
t Vnionty. Oh.-^ [f. as prec] The fact of
being che.ipcr or of less value.
1703 IR. NrveJ City * C. Purchaser 281 Mr. Wing's
Prices ate much cheaper than those about Liondon ;. . which
203
..proceeds from the Viliority of Commodities in his
Countrey.
Vilipend (vi-lipend), v. Also 5-6 vylypende
(5 philipend), 6 vilypend, 7 vilUpende, 8
-pend ; 6 velipend, Sc, weUepend ; 6-7 vile-
peiid(e. [a. OF. (also mod.F.) viiipetider, or ad.
L. viiipend^re, f. vUis vile, worthless + pendere
to consider, esteem. Cf. It vilipendere^ Sp, and
Pg, vilipendtar.']
1. trans. To rate or regard as being of little
value or consequence ; to contemn or despise ; to
treat contemptuously or slightingly.
Very common c 1500-1660, in some cases not clearly dis-
tinguishable from sense 2.
CX470 G. AsHBV Active Policy 105 For youre birihe of
theim discended, In whome al vices ben vilipended. 1:1480
Henbyson Fablesy Lion <$■ Mouse 135, For thy trespas thow
can mak na defens, my noble persoun thus to vilipend.
1491 Caxton yitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) 1. xxxvi. 4ib/i
The chyrches were pylled ; and the sacred vesselis vyly-
pended or dyspysed. isoa Atkvnson tr. De Imitatione
III. xlvii. (1893) 234 The more profoundly, .he descendeth in
humble coii.syderacion of hym selfe and vylypendynge hym
selfe. 1573 L. Lloyd Marrow 0/ Hist. U653) 157 Phidias
. .was threatned with death, to vilipend so great a Goddess
and to make her in Ivory, which was wont to be honoured
iti Marble. i6o6 Holland Sueton. Annot. 25 Whom they
did vilipend and despise, they were wont to cast stones at
their Images and Statues. 1635 Swan Spec. M. vii. § 3
(1643) 331 The terrible accidents that succeed eclipses may
not be forgotten nor vilipended. 1694 Motteux Rabelais
V. 251 Since, thanks to Jove's Benignity you're valid. Choose
not a frigid State, while yours is calid, Unless Salubrity
you vilipend. 17^1 Smollett //«/«//*. CI. 4 Aug., I would
not willingly villipend any Christian, if peradventure he
deserveth that epithet. 1814 Scott Wav. xiii, A youth
devoid of that petulant volatility, which is impatient of, or
vilipends ^he conversation and advice of his seniors. 1856
Frol'de Hist, Eng. 1. 182 One Richard Hunt was summoned
. .for vilipending his lordship's jurisdiction. 1879 Farrar
St, PaulXX, 213 This then is the proof that the doctrine of
Justihcation is not contrary to Scripture, and does not vili-
pend, but really establish the Law.
2. To speak of with disparagement or contempt ;
to represent as contemptible or worthless ; to
abuse or vilify. (Common in 19th c.)
a 1539 Skelton Bk.3 Poles Wks. 1843 I. 202 If that I am
exalted vnto honoure. .thou wylt vilepende me with thy
wordes. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. ^'///, 246 b, Vilipend-
yng all holy Religion, affirmyng it to bee an abusion of
the people. 1584 Leycesters Coiumw, (1641) 90 Hee..did
diininish, vilipend, and debase among his friends, the in-
estimable benehtes hce hath received from her Majesty.
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1120 Wherein he doth vili-
pend and mocke Socrates most, in that he demaundeth the
question. What is man ? 1651 C. Cartwbight Cert. Reljg.
I. 76 Vou shall find Luther, .vilipending those books iii
Scripture, which were received into the Canon, a 1806
C. J. Fox Reign yas. //(1808) p. viii. Even Dryden, who
speaks with proper respect of Corneille, vilipends Racine.
1848 Thackeray yan. Pair \v'\\\^ Menacing the youth with
maledictions, .and vilipending the poor innocent girl as the
basest and most artful of vixens. z88o Mereuhh Tragic '
Com, (1881) 227, I am the object of her detestation. .She
will seize her opportunity to vilipend me
Hence Vi*lipended ///. a. ; Vi'lipending vbi.
sb.sLudppl a. Also Vilipender, one who vili-
pends ; Vlllp«*nditory a., abusive.
1836 Hor. Smith Tin Trump. I. 9 Pleasant was the well-
known revenge of the *villipended author. 18^ H. Mayo
Pop. Super St. {1851) 197 The long-vilipended inBuence of
Mesmer. 183* IVestm. Rev. July 133 He . . would deserve
to be laughed at with the mathematical "viUpender of
Milton's poem, i^ Reg. Priiy Council Scot. I. 463 In
manifest "vilipending of thair Hienessis autoritie. a i6a6
Bp. Andrewks Comm. Decalogue 508 (T.), If it be to the
scorning and vilipending of a man, it may be called the sin
of the menofSuccoth, who slighted Gideon. 1659 C. Noble
A/isw. Immod. Queries 6 What greater vilipendings. .can
be cast upon any man ? 1884 Manch. Exam. 20 Feb. 4/7
An occasion for a wholesale vilipending of the Government.
tSiBHist. Perkin IVarbeck 15 Neither security or presump.
tion.. of their owne greatnesse, . nor 'vilipending and slight
regard of the contrary, a ij9m Fountainhali. Decis. I. 548
The Lords. .con.sidered his- -vilipending expressions and
carriage, and thought that deserved a fine. 18*4 Scott
St, Ronan's xii, Sir Bingo, .was.. in a thoughtless and vili-
pending humour, a 1849 ^- Coleridge Ess. {1851) II. 195
The passionate Romeo, and the vilipending Mercutio. 1884
Kendal Merc. ^ Times 22 Feb. 5/3 If * vilipenditory rhetoric
could overthrow a Government then Mr. Gladstone ought
to have collapsed.
t Vilipendency, Obs. rare. [f. prec. : see
-ENCY.] The expression of disparagement or
contempt,
1653 Waterhouse Apol, Learn. 149 The mighty Goliahs
of Rome, who by this way of vilipendency, hope to give our
Clergies flesh to be food for the birds of the Air. a 1670
Hacket Abp. Williams I. (1692) 77 Some Lords,.. not con-
tent with that vilipendency, ..would have this contempt
agains* the prelates ijiserted in their Journal Book.
tVilipendious, «. Obs, rare, [f, as prec.
Cf. Tg. vilipendioso.} Contemptible. AlsoTiU-
pe'ndioasly o^T/., abusively, opprobrious! y.
1536 in Froude Hist. Eug. (1858) III. 168 [They
inquired whether Cromwell,} whom they called most vili.
pendiously, [was put out of the king's council). 1630 J.
Tayi OR (Water P.) Laugh 9f be Fat Wks. u. 79/1 Thou
ignoble horse-rubbing peasant, ..being but a vilipendious
mechanical Hosller.
tVilipension. Chiefly ^r. Obs. Also 5-6
vilipensioun, 6 -pectioun, 7 vilepension. [a.
OF, viiipension, -pention^ or ad. med.L, vilipensio^
VILL.
noun of action f. I., vilipendere Vilipend v. Cf.
also It. vilipensione.'] The action or fact of con-
temning or despising.
1456 Sir G. WK\F.Cav. Princes (S.T.S.)98 Mekle lauchter
..en^enderis vilipensioun and lichtlynes quhen it excedis.
1500 20 Dunbar Poems ix. 116. 1 syniiit in.. he exaltit arro-
gance, . .derisioun, scorne and vilipentioun. 1535 Stewart
Cron. Scot. (Rolls) II. 512 With so grit schaine and lak, In
vilipentioun of the nobill blude. 1574 Reg. Privy Council
Scot. II. 386 Committand heirthrow. .conteniptioun and
vilipensioun of his authoritie and lawis. 160J /bid. VI. 377
In grittar contempt and vilipensioun of his Majestie. 1651
in jSlaitl. CI. Misc. III. 274 In vilepenbion of his precious
blwd bched for me and mankynd.
b. The condition of being despised.
1538 Abp. Brown in St. Papers Hen. V/Zl (1834) III. 6
The very occasioner and author off the vilipension and con-
tempt that 1 am yn.
Vilipe'lisive, a. [f. ppl. stem of L, vllipen-
dSre: see -IVE.] Abusive.
z8a4 Blackw. I^lag. XVI. 3 Strains not simply laudative
of Oporto, but vituperative and vilipensive of Boiirdeaux.
1838 Eraser's Mag. XVII. 468 Southey ..tacks vilipensive
prefixes and postfixes to several of these.
Vility (vai'liti), Obs. exc. arch. Forms : 5-6
vilite, 0 vylyte, vylite, vilitee, 6-7 vilitie, 7, 9
vility. [a. OF. (also mod.F.) vUitS (var. oivilt^
Vilety), ad. L. vilildSy f. vilis Vile a. : see -ITV.
So It. viiit^.']
1. Vileness of character or conduct ; moral de-
gradation or baseness,
1388 Wyclif Detdi, xxiv, i If. .sche fyndith not grace
bifor hise i5en for sum viiiie [L. vilitateiu\ he schal write a
libel., of forsakyng. 150a Atkvnson tr. De /mitadone
in. v. {1891) 199 That all vylyte or synne, specially thyn
owne synne & foulenes, dysplease the. 1549 Chalonf.r
Erasm, on Folly Piij, They coun.pt it vilitee for theim to
yeide theyr valiant soules to God, any where els than in a
foughten fielde. 1599 Sandys Europe Spec. (1632) 209 Then
surely have wee not now so great cause to dread him, as
to blame our selves and our wrangllngs and vility.
1S88 Doughty Arabia Deserta I. 556 Zelots, who of their
natural viliiy were busy-bodies, questioners of other men's
religion.
t 2. a. Mean or low estimate. Obs.'~^
c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode i. Ixi, (1869) 37 For charitee
holdeth in cheertee that that oothere holden in vilitee.
+ b. Meanness or lowliness of condition. Obs.
1549 Compl, Scotl. XX. 170 Al 5our gloire, veltht, and dig-
nite, sal change in vilite. c 1550 Disc. Common Weal Eng.
(1893) 123, 1 mervaile muche theare is anie (seinge a viliiie
and contempte of the thinge) will occupie the feate of hus-
bandrie at all. 1596 Bell Sutv. Popery 11. iv. 165 He
suffered.. in lime of his infancie, baseness of his mothers
womb, pouertie, asperitie, vilitie in the manger, a x6i8 J.
Daviks (Heref.) Witte's Pilgr. Ixxii, The Sunne. .Disdaines
not to behold the basest Worme, To glad his Soule and
grace his vility. 1664 H. Moke A/yst. tniq.y'x. 17'! hat idle
mistake .. may probably be grounded upon the seeming
vility of these figures. 1696 Kennett Rom. Antiq. n, v,
vi. 28 1 T he Comedians wore these [sc. socci\ to represent the
vility of the Persons they represented.
+ 0. Lowness of value or price ; cheapness. Obs,
16*3 CocKERAM Eng. Diet. II, Cheapnes, vility. 1638
pENKE^HMAN Artach. Cij, Such vilitie or cheapnesse of. .
graiiie, as td, the Quarter. 1674 Staveley Rom. Horse-
leech (1769) 221 The vility of habits [i.e. dress] should be
measured by the custom of every country.
t3. Impurity, filth. Obs.
x^qSc. Acts, yas. ^'(1814) II. 374/2 Becaus of ^e vilite
l^at cumis be slaying of tle.sche be the flescheouris. 1^5
Raynald Byrth Mankynoe 44 The refuce, drosse, & vilar
part of the outher blud. .separated from the purer for the
vylite & euel qualite therin comprehendyd.
VillCvil). Also6-8(9)ville. [a. AF. vill, vile,
OF. viU^ vylle^ ville farm, country-house, village,
collection of villages around a city (mod.F. ville
town) :— L. villa : see Villa j^.]
1. Law and hist. A territorial unit or division
under the feudal system, consisting of a number of
houses or buildings with their adjacent lands, more
or loss contiguous and having a common organiza-
tion ; corresponding to the Anglo-Saxon tithing
and lothe modern township or civil parish.
1596 Bacon Maxims Com. Lain iii. (1630) 14 If. .part of
the ville is his f^everali, and part his waste and common,
a 1625 Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 261 A plea of land which
is for land or other such things in demesne, .must alwayes
bee brought in a ville, or place knowne out of any ville.
And not in a hamlet which is parcell of a vill. 1672 M anlev
CowelCs /ntetpr., Vil/,..'\% sometimes taken for a Mannor,
and sometimes for a Parish, or part of it. a 1676 Halb
Prim. Orig. Matt. (1677) 235 'there are very many more
Vills and Hamlets now than there were then, and very few
Villages, Towns or Parishes then, which continue not to
this Day. I7»i Act Pnrlt. in Loud. Gaz. No. S92J/6 Any
Parish, Township, Vill, or Extraparochial Place. 1768
Blackstone Comm. IV. 291 '1 he party raising it must ac-
quaint the constable of the vill,,. and thereupon the con-
stable is to search his own town, and raise alt the neigh-
bouring vills. 1799 E. Hasted Hist. Canterbmy 106
This borough [i.e. StablegateJ. .was some time past erected
into a ville, in order to maintain its own poor. 1839 Stone-
house Axholme 316 One or two small houses have been
built here, but they are hardly sufficient to constitute a
hamlet or vill, 1874 Stubbs Const, /list. I. iii. 54 I'.he
social organisation of the vill may be identical perhaps with
that cf the mark. 1891 Atkinson Moorland Par. (ed. 2J 87
If.. there were more than one [field] within the vill.
2. poet. A village.
ai7oo Ken Hymnotheo Poet Wks. 1721 III. 383 Paro-
chial Priests were fix'd in ev'ry Vill, Who under him should
saving Tiuth instil. 1814 Wobdsw. Excurs. vm. 100
26-2
VILLA.
Among the tenantr>- of thorpe and vill, Or straggling burgh.
x8bi Clare ViU. Minsir. 11. 69 In every vill, at morning's
earlicsi prime, To early-risers many a Hodge is seen. 1834
Sir H. Taylor Arici'eide 11. m. ii, So in field or forest, Or
in wall'ii town, by stipend lured, or viil Surprised and sack'd,
by turns he lived at large.
+ 3. A villa. Obs. rare,
1684 tr. Eutropius X. 170 [Constantine] died in a publick
Vil! of the City Nicomedia. 1755 Amorv Mem. (1766) 11.
61 He saw a vill, that seemed to him of wood.and consisieii
of ground-rooms. 1766 — BuhcU {1770} MI. 203 The vill
here was ver>- odd, but a charming pretty thing. The house
consisted of letcj.
Vill, obs. Sc. fonn of Will a.
Villa (vi-la). [Partly a. L. vil/a country-house,
^rm, etc., j^erhaps a diminotive from the stem of
vuus >-iUage, hamlet, country-seat ; partly a. It.
vi//a (whence also F., Sp., and Pg. vt'ila) from the
same source.]
1. Orig., a country mansion or residence, together
with a farm, farm-buildings, or other houses
attached, built or occupied by a person of some
position and wealth; a country seat or estate ; in
later and more general use, a residence in the
coimtry, or in the neighbourhood of a town, usu-
ally of some size and architectural elegance and
standing in its own grounds.
a. Among the ancient Romans, Greeks, etc.
j6is G. Sandys Trav. iv. 274 Passing by Ciceros Villa,
euen at this day so called, where yet do remaine the
mines of his Academy. 1644 Stapylton Juvenal i. m
Who built so many villa's? when wast knowne Our
Fathers with seven dishes supt alone? 1697 Wai.sh Lifo
Virgil r 3 The beautiful Villa's of the Roman Nobility,
equalling the Magnificence of the greatest Kings. 1771 H.
Walpole l^ertue's Anccd. Paint. (1786) IV. 254 Pliny has
left us descriptions of two of his villas. As he used liis
iJiurentine villa for his winter retreat [etc.]. 1781 Gibbon
VecL ^ F. xxxvi. (1787) III. 443 'Ibe villa was pleasantly
seated on the margm of the lake. 1797 S. Lysons Kom.
Antiq. Woodchesier 16 The remains of a Roman house, or
rather, perhaps, of a villa. 183a G. R. Porter Porcelain
ft Gl. xiii. 269 The ruins of a villa built by Tiberius in the
island of Capri. 1838 Thirlwall Greece V. 97 The dwell-
ings which were thickly scattered in the neighbourhood of
the capital .. seem to have been chiefly villas of the more
opulent Sp.irtans, 1879 Froude Caesar iv. 52 Their great
men had country housesand villas, the surest sign of a settled
state of society.
b. With reference to modern Italy or other
Continental countries.
i6ii CoRYAT Crudities 139 A certaine Gentleman called
Bassano..liued at a villa that he had in the country. 1636
Massincer Gt. Dk. Florence i. i. And how, I pray you, (For
we, that never look beyond our villas, Must be inquisitive)
are state affairs Carried in court? (11700 Evrlvn Diary
27 Feb. 1644, We went to see Cardinal Richelieu's villa at
Ruell. Ibid. 10 Nov. 1644, We went to see Prince Ludo-
visio's villa. . . The house is very magnificent, and the extent
of the ground is exceeding large. i«7 [S. BkringtonJ
G. di Lucca's Mem. (1738) 238 Their Villa's, or Palaces of
Pleasure, are scattered all over the Country, 1756-7 tr.
Keysler's Trav. (1762) I. 510 The road from Pistoia to Flo-
rence..exhibits no villa's or plantations to the view, and
consequently, .there's the greater number of them in the
neighbourhood of Florence. 1806 Dallaway Obsert'. Fng.
Arckit. X, 232 The capricious lightness of an Italian villa.
1838 Murray's Handik. N. Germ. 320/1 On the borders of
the Havel.. is the little villa of GHenecke, once the resi-
dence of the minister Von Hardenl>erg. 1905 ' G. Thorne '
Lost Cause iii, The gay villa at Nice by the old citadel of
Mont-Albano.
c. In English use. Now merged in next.
1711 Shaftksb. Charac. III. Misc. in. ii. 184 note^ Be-
hold the Disposition and Order of these finer sorts of Apart-
ments, Gardens, Villa's ! 15148 Harilf.v Observ. Man i. iv.
S I. 427 The Villas and Cabinets of the Noble, the Rich, and
the Curious. 1799 Med. Jrnl. I. 338 Ihe profits of some of
whom are so extravagant, as to support them in enormous
magnificent town-houses and country villas. 1830 Pkaed
Poems (1865) II. 227 Hurrying madly after marriage To
some lord's villa. 1833 Loudon Encycl. Archil. § 1677 A
villashould always form part of a village, and be placed, if
possible, on rather higher ground. 184a Gwilt Archil.
S 3000 The villas at Foot'.s Cray and Mereworth, imitations
of Palladio*s Villa, Capra,..are the maxima of villas : be-
yond this the villa becomes a mansion.
Jig, 174a Young Nt. VA. ix. 1732 What behold I now?
A wilderness of wonders burning round; .. Perhaps the
villas of descending gods !
d. Hence, any residence of a superior or hand-
some type, or of some architectural pretension, in
the suburbs of a town or in a residential district,
such as is occupied by a person of the middle-
class; also, any small better-class dwelling-house,
usually one which is detached or semi-detached.
The word is frequently employed in the names given to
particular houses of this type, as Windsor Villa.
1755 Johnson Connoisseur No, 81 f 4, I cannot help
observing, that pe.sons polite enough to be ibnd of such
exquisite refinements, are partly in the same case with the
mechanic at his dusty Villa. 1781 Cowier Retirem. 481
Suburban villas^ highway-side retreats, 'J hat dread th' en-
croachment of our growing streets. 179a A. Young Trav.
France (1889) 1:4 To'Havre de Grace, ..the hills almost
covered with little new built villas. 1825 C. M. Westmacott
Eng. Spy I. 318 Incongruous edificies called villas. 1849
Macaulav Hist. Eng. iii. I. 349 No long avenues of villas,
embowered in lilacs and laburnums, extended from the
great centre of wealth. 1853 R. S. Surtees Sponge's Sp.
Tour it 6 The farm houses are dotted about as thickly ■ . as
to look like inferior * villas ' falling out of rank. 1881 Miss
Braodon Mt. RoyalW. ix. 167, I wish you would let me
build you a villa at Torquay or Dartmouth.
204
I 1 2. (See quot.) Obsr'' I
a 1700 Evelyn Diary 6 May 1645, In these [valleys] are
faire Parks or Gardens call'd Villas, being onely places of
recesse and pleasure, at some distance from the streetes,
yet within the walls [of Rome].
3. atirib. and Comb. a. Simple attrib. (passing
into adj.), as villa architecture, garden, -gale,
style, -work, etc. ; villa-house, f {") a house
attached to a villa; {b) a villa residence; villa
dwelling, residence, = Villa i c, d.
a 1700 Evelyn Diary 10 Nov. 1644, In the villa-house is
a man's body, . .petrified. 1813 Scott Let. 13 Mar. in
I.oclcltart, What I shall finally make of this villa-woik I
don't know. i8a8 R. Lugar «///<■!, Villa Architecture.
1833 Loudon Encycl. Archit. § 1620 All the essential com-
f >rts of a villa dwelling. I/>id. § 1624 Of the Choice of a
Situation for a Villa Residence. 1844 Disraeli Coningsly
IV. iii, A ..dwelling-house, built in what is called a villa
style, with a variety of gardens and conservatories. 185s
BliOWNiNG Old Pict. in Ftori-ncei, The aloed arch Of the
villa-gate. 1876 ' Ouida' Winter City xii. 367 Mrae. Mila
was organising alfresco dinners in villa gardens.
b. In instrumental or similative combs., as villa-
dotted, -haunted, -like adjs. Also in objective or
obj. gen. combs., aivilla dweller, owner, etc.
1843 f"t"y Cycl. XXVI. 264/1 The houses are for the
most part neat and villa-like. 1871 Miss Ckaik Fair
France 154 Flat, tame, and villa-haunted, what we should
call Cockneyfied. 1881 Miss Braddon Asphodel III. 148
The smiling waters of Thun, with its villa-dotted shores.
a 1894 Stevenson Lay Morals, etc. (igii) 123 It is. .from
the villa-dweller that we hear complaints of the unworlhi-
ness of life. 1898 Engineering Mag. XVI. 35 This sort of
villa-owner's selfishness.
Hence (in nonce-use) Villaette (vilaie't),a sm.ill
villa ; Villaftr (vi'lafai), v. trans., (a) to turn into
a villa ; (/') to cover with villas.
1836 Tait's Mae. III. 563 Sweet nestling cottages and
•villaettes upon the shrubby braes. i86a W. H. Russell
Dinry North ^ South (1863) 1. 274 Pretty villarettes {sic\ in
charming groves of magnolia, orange-trees, and lime oaks.
1884 Harpers Mag. Aug. 338/1 [The chateau] has. .been
..restored and *villafied. 1887 Oxford Mag. 9 Mar. 129
A railway which would viUa-fy the shores of Rydal.
Villadom (viladam). [f. Villa + -dom.] 'Ihe
world of villas ; suburban villas or their residents
collectively. (Freq. in recent use.)
1880 Macm. Mag. May 76 Respectable and well-to-do
villadom in the suburban counties. 1888 Eakl of Desaht
Heme Lodge I. i. i Oases in the desert of gorgeous villa-
dom. 1897 S. S. SpRlGGE Li/e IVakley xxv. 233 The street
still reserves many of the features of suburban villadom.
attrib. 1898 Dnity News 2 Mar. 5/6 The roads.. look to
be of the lower villadom type.
Village (vi'leds), sb. Forms : 4- village, 5
vylage, villach-, 5-6 vyllage, 5-7 vilage, 6
wylage, Sc. willage, -aige, v^elage ; also //.
6 vyllagies, Sc. willagies. [a. OF. village,
vilage (mod.F. village), = Vt.vilatge, Sp. village,
Pg. villagem (fem.), It. villaggio :— L. villaticiim,
neut. sing, of villdticus of or pertaining to a villa,
f. villa Villa : see -age. Cf. late L. villagium,
vilatgium.']
1. A collection of dwelling-houses and other
buildings, forming a centre of habitation in a coun-
try district; an inhabited place larger than a
hamlet and smaller than a town, or having a
simpler organization and administration than the
latter. (Cf. the note to Town sb. 4.)
c 1386 Chaucer Pard. T. 225 Henne ouer a myle, with-
inne a greet village, a 1400 Sqr. lowe Degre 491 He had
not ryden but a whyle, . . Or he was ware of a vyllage. X4aa
YoNGE tr. Secreta .Secret. 184 A Candrede in frensh and
in Irysh, is a Porcion of grovnde that may contene an
hundrid villachis. 1477 Rotls of Partt. VI. 184/1 In any
Tonne or other village not corporal, c 1515 Coctie LorelCs
B. 14 They sayled England thorowe and thorowe, Vyllage,
towne, cyte, and borowe. 1S73 Tlsser Husli. (1878) 85
Much carting, ill tillage, makes som to flie village. 1600
Shaks, a. Y. L. 111. iii. 60 A wall'd Towne is more worthier
then a village. i6co J. PoRV tr. Leo's Africa vii. 287 A
large and ample village containing to the number of sixe
thousand or mo families. 1617 SloRYSON Itin. 1. 51, I
remember not to haue seene a more pleasant village than
this (the Hague]. 1667 Milton P. L. ix. 448 Forth issuing
on a Summers Morn to breathe Among the pleasant Villages
and Farmes,..The smell of Grain. 1715 Watts Logic 11.
iii. S 4 Consider also, that . . the Customs of different Towns
and Villages in the same Nation, are .. contrary to each
other. 1770 Goldsm. Des. Village i. 1806 Gazetteer Scot.
(ed. 2), IVatlacetown ; a thriving and populous village in
Ayrshire.. .The village nearly joins tothe Newtown of Ayr,
and contains about 960 inhabitants, i860 Mill ICefrr, Govt.
(1865) 115/1 A mere village has no claim to a municipal
representation. 1882 T. CoAN Life in Haivaii 41 When the
meeting closed at one village, most of the people ran on to
the next.
transf. 1604 E. G[rimstone1 D'Acosids Hist. Indies 11.
vi. 94 There are whole villages of these Vros inhabiting in
the Lake in their boates of Totora, the which are tied
together and fastened to some rocke.
pltr. 1770 Gentl. Mag. XL. 559 To express the Condition
of an Honest Fellow and no Flincher, under the Effects of
good Fellowship, he is said to. .Come home by the Villages,
this is Provincial, when a man comes home by the fields he
meets nobody, consequently is sober, when he comes home
by the Villages, he calls first at one house, then at another,
and drinks at all.
b. Applied jocularly to a large town or city,
esp. Lontion.
1825 C. M. Westmacott Eng. Sf>y I. 129, I used to keep
a good prad here for a bolt to the village, la i860 Di;
VILLAGE.
Maurier in Moscheles In Bohemia (1857) 124 Living with
Henley, No. 85, Newman Street.. .This is a very jolly little
village, and I wish you were over here, i860 Hughes Tom
Broivn at Ox/, xxviii, You had much Ijetier come up to the
little village at once, Brown, and stay there while the coin
lasts. 1874 Slang Diet. 334 Bi.mingham is called 'the
hardware village .
O. Cambr. slattg, (See quot.)
x'iA^Slang Did. 266 A Cambridge term for a disreputable
suburb of that town, viz., Barnwell, generally styled 'the
village '.
d. ^'^^S'. A minor municipality with limited
corporate powers (seequots.).
1888 Brvck Amer. Comunv. II. 11. xlviii. 240 A minimum
population of three hundred, occupying not more than two
square mites in extent, may by popular vote become in-
corporated as a ' village '. Ibid. 247 Of these villages
and other minor municipalities there are v.irious forms in
different States. Ohio, for instance, divides her municipal
corporations into (rt) cities,.. (/') villages, with two classes,
the first of from 3000 to 5000 inhabitants, the second of from
200 to 3000, . .and Kc) hamlets.
2. The inhabitants or residents of a village ; the
villagers.
<xi5a9 Skelton Agst. Garnesche iv, 25 The corte, the
contre, wylage, and towne, Sayth..Of all prowde knauys
thow beryst the belle. 1770 Goldsm. Des. Vill. 207 The
village all declar'd how much he knew. i8ao Combe
Syntax, Consol. i. (Chandos) 138 The Village on their
Pastor gaz'd, At once afflicted and amaz'd. 1864 Tennyson
Aylmer's F. 35 A sleepy land,. .Where almost all the village
had one name.
3. transf. (from i). A small group or cluster of
the burrows of prairie-dogs. Cf. Town sb. 7 b,
1808 Pike Sources Mississ. 11. (1810) 156 ftote. The
Wishtonwish of the Indians, prairie dogs of some travellers,
..reside on the praiiies of Louisiana in towns and villages.
1814 Brackenkidce yrnl. in Views Louisiana -z-ig, I
happened on a village of barking squirrels, or prairie dogs.
1835 W. Irving Tour Prairies xxxii. 295, I learned that a
burrow, or village, as it is termed, of prairie dogs had been
discovered.
4. attrib. and Comb. a. Simple attrib. passing
into adj., = of or pertaining to, characteristic of, a
village or villages ; living in or belonging to a
village ; rural, rustic.
Freq. in poetry from the early i8th c.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nickolay's Voy. in. xiii. 95 The
Vomuchz or Grecian village men. 1594 Shaks. Pick. Ill,
\. iii. 209 The early Village Cock Hath twice done saluta-
tion to the Morne. 1608 Topsell Four-/. Beasts 160 Of the
Village dog or house-keeper. 1613 Shaks, Hen. VIII, ii.
iv. 159 Enemies, that know not Why they are so; but like
to Village Curres, Barke when their fellowes doe. 1634
Mii.TON Comus 346 Might we but hear. . Or sound of pastoral
reed.., or village cock Count the night watches to his
feathery Dames. 1697 Drvden Ded. ALneis Ess. (ed. Ker)
II. 233 Those village words, as I may call them, give us a
mean idea of the thing. 1703 Rowe Fair Penit. 11. i.
Faithful as the simple Village Swain. 1770 Goldsm. Des.
I'ill. 327 She once, perhaps, in village plenty blest, Has
wept at tales of innocence distrest. 1779 Mirror No. 42
p 4 1 he village-surgeon being then absent. 1783 Chabbe
Village \\. 2 No longer truth. .disdain. But own the Village
Life a life of pain. 1813 Scott Rokcby v. xxv, But village
notes could ne'er supply 'Ihat rich and varied melody. 1837
Ht. Martinfau Soc. Amer. III. 91 Much might be said of
village manners in America. >86o in F. Gallon Vac. Tour.
(1B61) 114 The literati of the southern Slaves are not to be
found among a higher class than the village clergy, and
masters of village-schools. 1871 Maine {title), Village-
Communities in the East and West. 1883 Smiles in
Longiu. Mag. June 159 He was followed to the grave by a
large number of the village labourers.
t b. Attrib., = village-like ; of the size or con-
stitution of a village. Obsr~^
164a Jer. Taylor Episc. (1647) 89 In populous Cityes, not
in village TowneSj for no Bishops were ever suffered to be
in village Townes.
c. In objective and obj. genitive, instrumental,
locative, or other combs., as village-founder^
-haunter; village-born^ •dwellings -lit adjs.
1649 G. Daniel Trinaich.^ Hen. V, ccxcix, These..
wrought more With village-haunters. 185a Badger Acs-
torians I. 343 The Jes were all Igr&ivy, that is village-
dwelling Arabs, who cultivate the soil. 187a Howeli^
Wedd. Journ. (1892) 270 The landscape of village-lit plain
and forest-darkened height. i88o Cornh. Mag. Jan. 35
The local hero or eponymous village-founder was the man
who cut down the jungle. 1891 Daily News 11 Sept. 3/4
The many village-born men in towns.
d. Special combs. : village burrow, = sense 3 ;
village butler Cant (see quot.) ; village-house,
the chief house of a Malay village.
X795 Potter Diet. Cant (ed. 2), Village butlers, o\A
thieves, that would rather steal a dishclout than discontinue
the practice of thieving. x86a S. St. Johk Li/i Forests Far
East I. 7 A passage raised on posts three feet above the
ground, led to the great village-house. 1893 W. ^* Hi-;dson
Iil/e Days in Patagonia i. 11 Like, .the vucacha's village
burrows, and the beaver's dam, it is made to last for ever.
Hence Village v. intr., to settle down to a vil-
leggiatura. Vi'llagedom, the condition or status of
a village; also, the system of village communities.
Vi'llagefal, as many as a villnge contains ; the
whole of the people of a village. Vi'Uagehood,
= villagedom. Vl'llageless a.y having no village,
Vllla'geous a., of or concerned with villages or
village-life, t Vi'Uageship, ? a village commu-
nity. Village ward(sa^z' J., in the direction of the
village. Vi'llagism, a mode of expression usual
in villages ; a rustic phrase.
VILLAGE-LIKE.
205
VILLAINIST.
x8i9 BvRON Let. to Hoppner d }\ix\e, I shall go back to
Venice before I *village on ihe Hrenta. 1867 McDowall
Hist, Dumfries xiii. 144 William I. raised it [Dumfries!
from humble "villagedom to be one of the King's own
burghs. t88i F. T. Palgkave Visions Eng. 4 O'er the land
is wrought The happy villagedom by English tribes From
Elbe and Baltic brought, c 1890 Stevenson In South Seas
IV. (1900) 312 A *villageful of jjay companions. 1897 Mahy
KiNCstev /K Africa 401 They come down in villagefuls
among the older tribes. 1890 Murray's Mag. May 662
Caudebec is only redeemed from pure *villagehood by its
possessio.T of a Mayor. 1889 Hissky Tour in Phaeton 169
An old and lonely country church, standing by itself,
*vtllageles^, on rising ground. 1858 THORtAU Lett. (1865J
171 Let it be a local and *villageous book. 176a ir. Busc/i-
ing^s Syst. Geog. IV. 72 The town contains some corpora-
tions of villages or *villageships. 1883 Haiper's Mag.
Sept. 41^3/2 We strolled *villageward. 1884 May Crom-
UFLiN BroTvn-Eyes aix. Then the two groups, .went back
villagewards. 177a Nl'gent Hist. Fr, Gerund W. 169 To
say, * Command me, in every thing," they would think a
vulgarity and *villagism.
Vi'llage-like, a. [f. Village sb.'\ Like or
resembling a village or that of a village.
1838 Ht. Martiseau West. Trav, I. 251 The village-like
character of some of the arrangements at Washington.
1840 Arnold Hist, Rome (1846) II. xxxv. 437 They lived
mostly in villages, or in small village-like towns. 1864 .*\.
McKay Hist. Kilmarnock 186 The town no longer pre.
sented a village-like aspect,
Vrllager. [f. Village ^^. + -eii^.] One who
lives in a village; now iisnallyf a working-class
inhabitant or native of a village.
1570 Levjns Manip, 80 A y\\\^%fiT,villicus. 1601 Shaks.
Jul. C. I. ii. 172 Brutus had rather be a Villager, Then to
repute himselfe a Sonne of Rome Vnder these hard Con-
ditions. 1634 Milton Comus 166 Som harmles Villager
Whom thrift keeps up about his Country gear. 1718 Rows
tr. Lucan i. 59 Nochearful Maid nor Villager is seen, >75s
Young Brothers 11. i, Eacii villager Is queen of her aflec*
tions. 1796 Morse Avier.Geog. II. 47 Vast districts, which
the nearest villagers took possession of. 1841 Ly iton Nt.
4* Morii. I. i, The desolate parsonage was committed to the
charge of one of the villagers. 1876 BANCsOFr Hist. U. S.
IV. 1. 314 All Frenchmen, alike townspeople and villagers,
were free.
transf. 1634 W. Wood New Eug. Prosp, (1865) 36 These
waterie villagers [ = fish] with thousands more, Doe passe
and repasse neare the verdant shore.
Hence Vl'llaffereM, a female villager, a village
girl or woman.
1873 M. Collins Miraftda II. 22 The vlllageresses were
terribly jealous at first. 1894 A. D'Hekistal Discord, Life
lot She was so indifferent about what the squiresses and
Vlllageresses might say about her.
Vlllagery (viled.^iri, vi-led.^ari). Also 6
villagree. [f. Village sb, + -(e)ry.] Villages
collectively.
Now chiefly as an echo of the Sbaksperian pa.ssage.
1590 Shaks. Mids. JV. 11. i. 35 Arc you not bee, That
frights the maidens of the Villagree. i8>a W. Tennant
Thane of Fife ni. I, Crowding they come from all her coasts
so rife Of villagery. a 1839 Galt D-ruton Destiny (1840) 5
A vista bright appe.^red Of riant villagery. 1883 Blaclnv.
Mag, Jan. 75/2 Unkempt mountain ponies startle the
maidens of the villagery.
Vi'llaget. rare. [f. as prec. + -ET. Cf. older
F. villagette (Godef.).J A little village.
1781 Twining Papers Set. 11. (1887) 81 The mountains. .
are, for some distance, so close to the river as scarcely to
leave room for even a villaget. 1846 D. W. Pltghe Harlech
Castle 26 Naenlwrog is a romantic villaget,
Vi*llaff ey, a- [f. as prec. + -v.] Somewhat
village-like.
i88a Advance (Chicago) 21 Dec, Washington Street lays
aside entirely the villagey aspect commonly a.-icribed to it.
1889 A. T. Pask Eyes 'i'hames loo The quiet watersidei- .so
villagey, and all that kind of thing, you know.
Villagflo, error ormispr. for vUiago Viliaco.
i8ao Scott Monast. xv, Truly, good villagio, your question
hath in it somewhat of embarrassment.
Villain (vi-lan), sb. Forms: a, 4 vyleyn, 6
viUein(e ; 4 vilaine, 4-5 vylayn (5 vil-), .^-6
vylayne; 5 vyllayn, 6 -ayne, -aine, 5-7 vill-
ayne (7 -ayn), 6-7 villaine, 7- villain. &. 4
velaun, 6 vyl-, vilane {Sc. veill-, vill-, willane),
villan, weUantt-,7 villiane, 7-8 villian, 8 villin.
[a. AF. and OF. vHein, vilain^ villain ( = Prov.
vilatif It. and Sp. villanOf Pg. z'/V/rti)):— popL.
*viilan-um, ace, sing, of *villanus (see Villains
fl.), f. L. villa Villa. See also Villein.]
1. Originally, a low-born base-minded rustic ;
a man of ignoble ideas or instincts; in later use,
an unprincipled or depraved scoundrel ; a man
naturally disposed to base or criminal actions, or
deeply involved in the commission of disgraceful
crimes: a. Used as a term of opprobrious address.
1303 R. Brusnk liandl. Synne 11557 Goddys treytonr,
and ry^t vyieyn ! Hast ^ou no myndeof Marye Maudeleyn,
1320-30 Horn Ch. (Riison) 857 The begger answered in
that tide, Vilaine, cunestow nought ride? c 1380 Sir
Ferutnb, 54^1 panne he cryde and gan to sayn : ' Whar ait
bow, Chariis, pow vylayn?' 1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. i.
Ivii, Ane me fand, quhilk said, and greit disden^eit, ' Auant
veillane, thow reclus impertite '. CIS90 Marlowe Faustus
vi, Villaine haue I not bound thee to lel me any thing?
1596 Shaks. Tani. Shr. i. ii. 20 Now knocke when I bid
you: sirrah villaine. x6aa Massingbr & Drkkeh Virg.
Martyr iv. iii, Theoph, It matters not. We can discharge
this work without his help. . ..S'a^. Villain ! 1663 CowLtv
Cutter Coleman St, v. xii, Villain, Rebel, Traitor, out o'
my sight. 1764 H. Walpole Otranto i, Presumptuous
villain ! cried Manfred, dost thou provoke my wrath? i8jx
Scott Kenilw, xli, Drunken villain,, .thy idleness and
debauched folly will stretch a halter ere it be long. 185S
KiNGSLEV West^u. Hoi w^'' Villain ! give me your papers !
cried Amyas.
b. In descriptive use. (Common from c 1590.)
a. ^1400 Rom, Rose 2183 Tbise vilayns arn withouten
pitee, Frendship, love, and alle bounty. I nyl ressey ve unto
my servise Hem that ben vilayns of emprise. 1474 Caxton
Chesse ni. iii. (1883} 99 They .anr.werd to hym that he was
a vylayne to requyre & desire of them thynge that was so
peryllous. 1483 — G, de la Tour h vij, For he is a chorle
and a vylayne that of his mouthe sayth ony vylony. 1509
liARCLAV Shyp of Folys (1874) II. 182 In all the worlde
nought vyier can I fynde Nor wors, than is a fals unkynde
vylayne. « 1533 Ltj. Hicrners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546)
E vij 1), The greateste vyilany in a villayne is to be gyuen
in largesse of lyes. 1590 Shaks. Com. Err. v. i. 29 Thou art
a Villaine to impeach me thus, He proue mine honor, and
mine honestie Against thee presently, if tliou dar'st stand.
i6a4 Capt. Smith Virginia in. 84 Ihe two most exact
villaines in all the Country. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 1. (Globe)
a6o He told me there were two desperate Villains among
them, that it was scarce safe to shew any Mercy to. 1769
Junius Lett, xv. (1788) 89 Every villain fancies himself a
man of abilities. 1813 Byron Corsair i. xi. He knew him-
self a villain— but he deem'd The rest no better than the
tiling he seem'd. a 1843 Arnold Hist, Later Rom. Coj/tmw.
(1845) II. 56 The soldiers.. told him that, .if he played the
villain he might win the throne. 1869 Ruskin Q. of Air
§ 128 They are not made villains by the commission of a
crime, but were villains before they committed it.
transf. 1691 Hartcliffe Virtues 241 Thus they slander
Human Nature, and make a Villain of it.
/3. 1535 Coverdale Job xxx. 8 They were the children of
fooles & vylanes, which are deed awaye from the worlde.
1570 Satir. Poems Reform. (S.T.S.) xiii. 95 Wa worth ^ow
Uillanis that slew that Prince maist wise. 1573 Nottingham
Rec. IV. 154 For be-callyng the Constabelles knaves and
wellanttes. 1593 Harvev Piercers Super. Wks. (Grosart)
II. 319 The Straunge Newes of the railing Villan. 1598 B.
JoNsoN Ev, Man in Hum. (Q.'j v, Gui. 1 obey thee varlet j
but for these villianes — . Mus. Keepe the peace I charge
you sir. 1678 Bunyan Pilgr, i. 132 He hath not been
afraid to rail on you, my Lord,, .calling you an ungodly
Villian. 1704 Hlair in \V. S. Perry Hist, Coll, Amer. Col,
Ch. I. 132 Several of them of the most noted good preachers
he afTronted and abused with the most opprobrious &
villifying names as Dog, Rogue, Rascal, Villin, Jesuit.
1717 Philip Quarll (1816) 66 'i'hose villians had most
sacrilegiously rifled and ransacked his habitation.
C. Used playfully, or without serious imputation
of bad qualities. Also applied to a woman.
1590 Shaks. Com, Err. \. ii. 19 A irustie villaine sir, that
very oft. . Lightens my humour with his merry lests. i6ot
— Tn>el. N, 11. v. 16 Enter Maria. , . Heere comes the little
villaine : How now my Mettle of India '? 1606 — Tr. <y Cr.
iii.ii. 35 lie fetch her ; it is the prettiest villaine. 1815'ScoTr
Guy M. If Jock, ye villain,.. are ye lying routing there, and
a young gentleman seeking the way to the Place? 1837
Dickens Pick-w. ix, 'Where's that villain Joe?' 'Here
I am; but I han't a willin,' leplied a voice. It was the fat
boy's. 190B R. Bagot A. Cuthbert xxiii. 300 If this after-
noon's post does not bring me a letter from Jim,..l shall
telegraph to the young villain.
d. (Usually with M^.) That character in a play,
novel, etc., whose evil motives or actions form an
important element in the plot. Also transf,
i8aa Lamb Elia \. Old Actors^ The fact is, you do not
believe in such characters as Surface — the villain of artificial
comedy — even while you read or see them. 1867 Freeman
Norm. Cong. I. iv. 252 Arnulf, as u*!ual, appears as the vil-
lain of the piece, 1879 D.Cook Nts.at the /'/oj' (1883) II.
323 Mr. Vezin represented the villain, a welcher, pretending
to be a Russian count.
+ 2. A bird {esp. a hawk) of a common or inferior
species, Obs.
1480 Caxton Myrr. 11. viii. 85 Ther ben popengayes..of
whom, as men saye, they that haue on eche foot fyue clawes
ben gentyl, and the vylayne haue but thre. 1575 Turberv.
Faulconrie 123 Of all kinde of hawkes.., as Sacres, Ger-
falcons, peregrine Falcons, and Vilanes. Ibid. 124 The
Vyilaine and the Lanerette may be sette vpon the stone in-
continently, as soone as they be made,
3. A person or animal of a troublesome character
in some respect. Const, to with inf.
189s J. G. MiLLAis Breath fr. Veldt (1899) 201 The sable
is a villain to run.
4. Comb.y as villain-like adv.
1605 Shaks, Lear v, iii. 98 He. .that names me Traitor,
villain-like be lies. 16x1 — Cytitb. v. v. 318 Villain>tike, 1 lye.
Villain, variant of Villein.
Villain (vilan), a. Now rare. Forms : a. 4
vilein, 4-5 vil-, 5 vyieyn, 4 vyl-, 6 viloyne,
villeine, 7 -ein ; 5-6 vyl-, 6 vilayne, 5-6 vyl-
ayn, 6 vylaine, vilane; 5-6 vyllayne, 6 vill-
ayne, 6-7 -aine ; 5 Sc. villayn, 5 6V., 7- villain.
/3. 5 veleyne, velaine, 6 velayn, velen. [a.
AF. and OF. vilein, vilain : see prec. and cf.
Villains a.]
1 1. Deficient in courtesy or good-breeding ; boor-
ish, clownish. Obs.
1340 Ayenb. 194 Zome Jwr bye|> zuo uyleyne to |>e poure
huanne hi ham yeuef? enye elmesse..t>et wel is wor^j (>et
zeluer. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 319 Will seith. .That such an
herte is to vilein, Which dar noght love, c^ 1407 Lvix;.
Reson i^ Sens. 1508 And she [Venus] kan also, in certeyn,
Hertys which that be vileyn Disposen hem to gentflesse,
2. Base in character or disposition ; given to
committing vile or criminal acts.
1340 Ayenb. 18 Vor-zojjc he is wel vileyn and ontrewe
auureye his Ihord ^etalleguod him hel* y-do, . .and [he] yelt
himkuead uorguod. 13^ Gower C<7///? II I. 283 And whanne
he hadde hem so forlein, As he the which was al vitein,
He dede hem out of londe exile, 1447 Bokenham Seyntys
(Roxb.) 226 To a cros of tre. .naylyd was he And hangyd
up betwyx thevys tweyne As mayster of hem and most
veleyne. c 1450 Merlin xxxiii. 690 Ihou art the moste
vileyn knyght that euer I mette in my lif. c\^^ Skklton
Death Earl Northitmbld. 24 Vilane hastarddis in their
furious tene, Fulfyiled with malice of froward entente.
a 1500-34 Cov, Corpus Chr, PI, i. 802 Owt I velen wrychis;,
har apon you I ciy ! 1540-1 Elvot Ima^e Gov, 170 \"e
I villaine generacion, full of pestiferous malice, 1598 Min.
[ Archdeaconry Colchester (MS.) 211 b, He sayd that Thomas
j Keinoldes, senior, dyd call hym theefe and villaine thefe in
ihe Church. 1605 Kowla.nus Hell's Broke Loose (Hunier.
i Club) 23 So these leawd wretches, sprung from Villain race.
That had all Pietie in detestation. 1611 Shaks. Cymb. iv.
ii. 71 Soft, what are you That flye me thus? Some villaine-
Mouiitainers? 1727-46 Thomson Summer 269 Where
gloomily retired '1 he villain spider lives, cunning and fierce,
Mixture abhorred! ^^1750 Shenstonk Loz'c <i- Hon, 269
No ! may the deep my villain corse devour. i8ia Shelley
Me.xican 111. 8 Thousands wake to weep Whilst they curse
a villain kin^. 1897 Gunter Ballyho Bey x. 123 Go, leave
me, vtllain-girl !
trausf. 1591 Spenser Visions Bellay xii, A troupe of
Satyres in the placedid rout, Which with their villeine feete
the streame did ray.
3. Marked by baseness or depravHy ; partaking
of the nature of villainy.
\-^ti Ayenb. 59 pe zenne of yelpynge. .is wel grat and wel
uoul, wel uals and wel vileyn. c 1385 Chaucer L.G. W,
1824 (Camb.i, Alias of the this was a vileyn dede. 1474
Caxton Chesse ul vi. (1883) 134 To thende that they shold
kepe them and defende them fro that vyllayne and horrihle
synne. 1513 Ld. Behners Froiss. I. Ixxvii. 99 God y- father
glorious be your conduct, and put you out of all vylayne
thoughtes. Ibid, ccxxix. 308 'lo wasshe, clens, and purge
hym of suche vyllayne dedes as he was gyltye in. 1689
Prior Ep, F. Shephard n8 When Lobb had sifted all his
Text,..' Now to apply,' has plagu'd me more, 'Ihan all his
Villain Cant before, 1850 Tennyson In Mem. cxi, Narrow-
ness or spite, Or villain fancy fleeting by. 1869 Blackmore
Lorna D. xv, This villain job shall not have ending here,
t b. Bringing or casting oppiobrium. Obs.
1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 53 He did a grete outrage,
His bro])er a foule despite, him self vileyn skandre. c 1440
Jacobus Well 154 A vyieyn woord is scharpei e l^an a rasour,
& more peryschande ])an an allys-pwynt. a 1450 Knt. de
la Tour (1868) 128 Tine tbinges di.strained her for to
eschewe diuerse plesauncez, . . and tho were loue, drede, and
shame ;. .shame, to be auised and saued from velanie {read
velaine] reprocbe. ^1530 Ld. Berneks Arih. Lyt. Bryi,
(1814) 374, I ensure you I wyll shcwe him these vylayne
wordes that ye say of hym.
4. t a- Of occupations : Low, mean. Obs.
1456 Sir G. Have La^vArms (S.T.S.) 114 He suld nocht
. .be na Stewart, na procuratour, na advocate, or ony othir
villayn craft, a 1533 Ld, Berkers Gold. Bk, M. Aurel.
(1546) Ddvij, Cursed bee soo vylaine an office.
b. Low or mean in respect of birth or position ;
belonging to the common herd.
1483 Caxton Cato c v, Thou art of vylayn blocd by the
fadres syde. ibid, i vj, Thou oughtest not to doubt neyther
old nor yonge, pouer ne ryche, ne noble ne vylayne. c 1500
in Hazl. E. F. P, III. 36 Who can than holde hym selfe fro
loue, nother fre nor vilayne ? 1513 Bradshaw St. iVerburge
I. 949 Nother of duke, erle, lorde, by auncetre,But of vylayne
people. 1528 Rov Rede Me^Ath.) 106 This is a grett pre-
sumpcion For a villayne bocbers sonne. 1816 Scott Old
Moit. xxxv, Sweeping from the face of the earth some few
hundreds of villain cburles, who are born but to plough it.
+ c. Of disposition : Mean-spirited, base. Obs.
1509 HAWEs/*rtj/. Pleas, xii. (Percy Soc.) 48 The vylayne
courage they do much refuse 'I'liat is boystous and rude
of governaunce. 1534 More Comf agst. Trib. iii. Wks.
1234/1 That seruante could skante be founden that were of
suche an vnkynde vyllayne courage, that (etc.],
5. Of bad quality ; vile, rare,
1607 CowELL Interpr., Villein fleeces, are fleeces of wolle
that are shorne from scabbed sheep. 1851 Mitchkll Fresh
Gleanings 161 And carters shout to their mules in such
villain /*a/<j/,r Lyonnais.
t Villain, V. Obs. Also 5 vileyn-, 6 vilayn-,
vlUan-. [ad. OF. vilaincr^ vil{J)aner, etc., f.
vilaiu Villain sb.'\
1. trans. To debase or degrade ; to insult.
i4ia-ao LvDc. Chron. Troy 1. 2492 For. .it is to hygh a
routhe A man tappere or dare do shewe his head When he
hath ones his honour vyllanede. 1475 Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.)
74 SutTre ye not the prelates of the Chlrche of that lande..
to be oppressed, revaled, ne vileyned. 153a More Confut,
Tindaie Wks. 344/1 When they liaue once vilayned the
sacrament of mairimonye. then woulde they make vs
vyolate the sacrament of the aulter too.
2. To call villain ; to address as a villain.
1609 Rowlands Crtw Kind Gossips E 2, Some Rascall
told my wife, ..And I was villaind for it sound at night.
Villainage, var. Villeinage.
Vi-llaindom, rarr~^. [f. Villain sb.'\ The
class of villains.
1880 W. F. Butler Far Out 267 In the simple and un-
lettered Africander the educated villaindom of Europe and
America has found a rich field for exploit.
Villainess (viManes). [f. Villain sb. + -ess.]
A female villain. (Common in recent use.)
1586 Marlowe ist Ft. Tamburl. v. ii. My w;ife, my
Queene and Emperesse, . . Villanesse to shame, disdaine, and
misery. 1865 Reader 20 May 563/3 Her villainess is a she.
devil. 187a M. Collins Pr. Clarice II. vii. 99 He can
follow his hero and heroine, his villain and villainess, into
holes and corners.
t Vi-llainist. Obs.-^ [f. Villain j/a] Aeon-
firmed villain.
1596 Nashe Saffron Walden Wks. (Grosart) III. 66
Somcglicking Remembrancers (not with the multiplying
spiriteof the Alcbumist, but the villani^t).
VIIiLAINIZE.
Villainise I'vilan^iz}, z\ Also 7-8 TiUanise,
9 villainise. [f. Villain' s^.]
1. trans. To render villainous ; to debase or
degrade.
16*3 tr. Fatnmg's Tkcat. Hon. 111. xii. 487 To blame or
abuse Ladies.. is.. for a man to vUIanire and shame him-
selfc 1700 Dbvden Wife 0/ Bath's T, 405 Were Virtue by
Descent, a noble Name Could never villanize his Father's
Fame. 1745 Law Ci*ftsid, ^tatt ll'oriJ m. 245 That those
Writings which villanize Mankind Iia\'e a pernicious
tendency towards propagating and protecting Villany.
SL To treat or revile as a villain.
Cf. ViLLAINlZEK below.
1857 Sir F. Palgrave Korm. ^ Eng. II. 437 Here in
Rouen had he been villainized, disgraced, liooted, im-
prisoned, bullied, degraded.
3. intr. To play the villain.
x88a Ecko 11 Feb. 3 Let us hope that.. these gentlemen
{if. actors), whose mission it is to dabble in crime.., will in
future ' villainise ' no more.
Hence Vi'llaiDiaing vbl. sb. Also Vl'Uaixiizer,
one who reviles or defames.
1599 Sandys Europx Sf>ec. (1605) P iij b, What renouncers
of God, blasphemers of his oiiely begotten sonne, viUanisers
of his Saints. 1678 Cvdwokth Intdt. Syst. i. v. § ^i. 890
The foundation [01 the atheistic ethics and politics] is first
laid in the villanizing of Humane Nature. 1691 Bentlev
Serift, i. i^ in the deba:>ing and villainizing of Mankind to
the condition of iiea^ts,
tVi'llainly, adv. Obs. Forms: a. 4 uilein-,
vilejm-, vyleyn-, vilain-, vylaynliohe ; 4
vUayn-, 5-6 vylayn-, 6 villaynly. ^. 4 vilan-
liche, 5 wylanlyche ; 4 vilenlyoh, villenliche,
4 vylenly, 5 velenly. [f. Villain a. + -ly 2 ]
After the manner of a villain ; villainously, vilely.
a. a i«5 MS. Rawl. B. 520 fol, 49 b, Homsokne : fcat is
quite of amerciament for entre of houses utieinliche ant
bi-tK>ute leue a^en |>e kinges pes. 1340 A} enh. 64 Efterward
huanne mtf zuere^ vileynHche by god and by his hal^en.
C1380 Sir Ferumb, 5345 How wer l>ou so hardy, ..come
armed on |»y stede,..& pus vylayn[li]che on t)y resoun J>y
message to me abede? 1483 Caxton G. de la TVwr evijb.
Within a lytell tyme after she deide vylaynly and sodenly
of an euyll deth. c 1500 Melusine xxi. 130 Perceyue you
not how Uiis Dogges oppressen vylaynly these valyaunt &
worthy crystensf a 1560 Phaer /Eneid ix. Aa iij b, If but
one harme Suffized had their sinne, and not with spyte all
female kinds 'I'hus viliaynly disdain.
^. cx'^jpArth. ^ Merl. 5794(K6ibini;), Sol>aideden, siker-
liche, Defuiland vilanliche, 1 oward . . king Rion. c 1380 Sir
Ferumb. 1825 To..presenty til him with such outrage t>ay
heuedes bi-fore him selue, & so vylenly beode ys message.
c 1400 Laud troy Bk. 7499 Thow art now dede and ouer-
throwen,. .Velenly thow hast thi mede. a 1450 Le Morle
Arth. 1156 Thou ouglitiste with no Ryghte to gabbe on
hym so wylanlyche, thus be-hynde hym, oute of hys syghte.
VillaiUOUS (vi'lanas), a. Forms: a. 4 vyl-
ayneus, 5*6 vylaynous, 6 velaynous, vilayn-
ouse; 6 vyllayn-, viUayn-, 6- villainous (7
villainujB, •einous). )3. 4, 6-7 vilanous, 5-6
vylanous, 6 -ouse, vilanus, 4, 6-9 villanous
(6 -ouse); 5 vilenous(e, 6 villenus, 7-8 -ous ; 7
villonous. 7. 6 velanus-, velanous, 7 vealin-
oua. [f. Vill.vix sb. + -ous, or ad, OF. viUnneus
msultini;, defamatory.]
1. Of persons: fa. Churlish, ill-bred, tmman-
nerly. Obs. rare.
13.. Gaw. <$- G>\ Knt. 1497 5* af stif in-noghe to con-
strayne wyth strenk(>e, \\i yow lykez, 5^^ ^^'y were so
vilanous i^at yow devaye wolde. ? a 1366 Chaucer Rom.
Rose 178 Ful foule and cherlysshe seined she, And eek
vylayneus for to be, And liiel coude of norture.
b. Having the character or disposition of a
villain; infamously depraved or wicked; vilely
criminal.
f iSSo RoLi.AND Crl. Vtnus iv. 281 Not for to say, Venus
is velanous: Bot that hir warkis may na les be vndone Nor
of befoir, bot Vesta is mair Famous. 1570 Levins Mani^.
226 Villanouse,_yfrt^///ffMj', 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV.w. iv.
138 There is nothing but Roguery to be found in Villanous
man. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. 475 The furious
outrage of that most villanous Rebell Ket. 1623 111 Foster
Eftg. Factories Ind. {1908J II. 244 A plooitof that vealinous
sirompitl Nabar Malle. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India 4- P.
368 They are yet reckoned a Villanous sort of Breed. 1719
De Foe Crusoe il (Globe) 500 We have not half done yet,
villainous Hell-huund Dogs ! 1793 Mrs. Inchbald Ev. One
ha% Faults 111. ii, I repeat, he is the vilest, the most villan-
ous of men. 1839 Darwin ^oy. Nat. iv. 83, 1 sliould think
such a villanous, banditti-like army, was never before
collected togetiier. 1855 Bkewster Newton II. xv. 56 The
Elector of Hanover, whom the villanous English wished to
deprive of the succession to the kingdom. 1869 D. Cook
Nts. at t/u Flay (1883) I. 116 Mr. Cowper gave a.. careful
portraiture of the villanous Siukely.
O. Miserable, wretched, rare~^.
i^ Stanvhurst Mneis 11. (Arb.) 45 Oh, quod he, what
region sbal shrowd mee villenus owtcast?
2. Of actions : Of the nature of villainy ; marked
by depravity or vileness of conduct ; deserving
severe condemnation on moral grounds.
14., Chattuf's L. G. /K 1824 (Fairf.), Alias of the thys
was a vilenouse dede. 1573-80 BARtr Alv. s.v., A Vilanous
and shamefuU act. 1599 Dallam in Early Voy. Levant
(Hakluyt Soc.) 84 He came but to speaUe with our Turke
abuute their vilanus plott, 1664 H. More Myst. Iniq. 11 1
Which Figment is still the more vile, if we consider, .with
what villainous and barbarous injuries it must necessarily be
conceived tobcaccompaiiied. 1681 H. Hallvwell /l/^/aw/,
80 [They] have incorporated themselves into the Dark
Society by all manner of villanous and flagitious actions.
1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 27 If their brutish
206
rage led them to one villanous action, they would soon go
on to another. i77« Prikstley Inst. Relig. (1782) I. 127
One villainous action is sufficient to imbitter a man's whole
life. 1813 Shkllev Q. Mtib iv. 184 Their cold hearts blend
Deceit with sternness, ignorance with pride, All that is
mean and villanous. 1837 Lvtton E. Mnltrav. ix. ii, I
have done a villanous thing, but I thought it only a clever
one. X846 Greener Sci. Gunnery 153 A villainous system
of covering or plating barrels with fine iron, over a body of
iron of the most inferior description.
b. Of looks, etc. : Indicative of villainy.
i^iBSovTH^'i Epistle tc Allan Cuunii/gkaffi, I shall show
thee, Allan,. .an array of villainous visages. 1840 Dickens
OldC. Shop xxix, Isaac [had] a very ill-favoured face, and
a most sinister and villainous squint. 1841 Borrow Zincalt
I. iv. II. 284 With an expression so extremely villanous, that
I felt uneasy. 1863 [see Leer sb.^\
3. Of words, etc. : Pertaining to or characteristic
of a villain ; vile, scurrilous ; offensively oppro-
brious or profane.
o. 1470-85 Malorv Arth. i. xxvii. 74 The most vylaynous
and lewdest message that euer man herd sente vnto a kynge.
X5S9 More Dyaloge iv. Wks. 261/2 Thus these wretched
heretiques . . lay more vilay nouse rebuke to the great maieste
of god, than euer any one ribaude layd vnto a nother. 1533
— Confut. Tindale Wks. 602/2 Wee fynde not that he
called hym false wretche, nor no suche vylaynous word.
a 1700 EvELVN Diary 28 Apr. 1696, A most villainous revil-
ing book against K. James. X78a Miss Burnev Cecilia ix.
viii, My heart swelled with indignation at so villainous a
calumny. 1883 Stevenson Treas. /si, 1. i, He at last broke
out with a villainous, low oath.
p. 15*3 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. Ixvi. 36/2 Whan the other
commons sawe that, they began to sterre and sayde to the
burgesses many euyll and vylanous wordes. 1559 Homilies
I. Agst, Contention 11. (1569) M viij b, Pericles being pro-
uoked to anger with many vilanous wordes, answered not a
worde. 1603 Shaks. Meas.for M. v. i. 265 One that hath
spoke most villanous speeches of the Duke. 1614 RALtiGH
Hist. IVorld v, i. 285 Princes doe rather pardon ill deedes,
than Villanous words.
■t*4. Shameful, atrocious, horrible. Obs.
1536 Pilgr. Per/, (W. de W. 1531) 301 b, Euer conspyr-
ynge for thy grace the moost vyllaynous & sha'mefull deth
of the crosse. 1529 More Dial. Concern. Heresyes iv. vii.
106/2 To pyteouse and to abomynable were yt to reherse
the vylanouse payne and tormentys that they deuysed on
y» sely women, a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon Ixx. 239 They
are worthy to receyue a velaynous dethe. x6io Holland
Camden's Brit. 359 Prince Edward . . was there put to death
and in most shamefull and vilanous maner his branes dashed
out. 16x6 Barbonr^s Bruce (Hart) 373 As Sir Dauid the
good Brechyne. .Was put to sa villanous a dead.
+ b. Villainous judgement^ a sentence of ex-
treme severity (see quot. 1641) passed on one
found guilty of conspiracy or other grave offence.
1607 Cowell Interpr.^ VUlenous iudgement . .\% that
whicn casteth the reproch and shame vpon him against
whom it is giuen, as a Conspirltour, &c. 1641 Tcrmes de
la Ley 264 Villeiiious judgment is., that the party found
guilty shall lose the benefit of the law, ..that his lands,
goods & chattels shall be seised into the Kings hands, . . and
his trees digd up, and his body imprisoned. ^ 1769 Black-
.STONE Comm. IV. 136 It now is the better opinion, tliat the
villenous judgment is by long disuse become obsolete; it
not having been pronounced for some ages.
6. Kxtremely bad or objectionable ; atrocious,
detestable.
1596 Shaks. i Hen. 11^, 11. i. 15, I thinke this is llie most
villanous house in al London rode for Fleas. X598 —
Merry IV, 111. v. 93 There was the rankest compound of
villanous smell, that euer offended nostrilL 1607 B. Barnes
Divils Charter v. ii. K 4, Out vpon thee, thou hast poysoned
mee with thy stinking breath or with thy villonous powders.
1638 R, Bakkr tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. Ill) 123 Women
are bound,, .for the very interest of their beauty, to shun a
passion, that makes such villanous faces, and sets so many
wrinkles upon their countenances. x67a Marvell Reh,
Transp, I. 5 The Press (that villanous Engine) invented
much about the same time with the Reformation. X706
Addison Rosamond i. it. Thou art ugly and old, And
a villainous Scold. x8o6 J. Beresford Miseries Hum.
Li/e I. 102 The only place, .which by some villainous mis-
chance you did not see. x8ax Cobbett Rur. Rides (1885)
I. 20, I passed through that villanous hole, Cricklade,
about two hours ago. 1853 Kane Grinnell Exped. xxvi.
(1856) 214 This is tlje second I have killed with this villain-
ous carbine. 1884 Chr. World 25 Sept. 719/2 The weather
was villainous. It rained every day.
+ b. k.%adv. Villainously, vilely. Obs,~^
1610 Shaks. Temp. iv. i. 250 We shall loose our time,
And all be turn'd to Barnacles^ or to Apes With foreheads
villanous low.
1 6, Low or base in respect of social position ;
servile. Obs. (Cf. Villein.)
X607 CoWELL Interir. s.v. Base^ Base lenents be they.,
which do to their lords villeinous service. Ibid, s.v. Villen*
a^e. This villanous soccage is to cary the Lords dung into
bis feilds, to plow his ground [etc]. 1645 Ussher Bod. Div,
(1647) 14J The slavish and villanous estate of the parents is
communicated unto all their off-spring. 1679 Blount A nc.
Tenures 155 note, I suppose, .by sanguiuem suum emere^
was meant, that the Tenant being a Bondman, should buy
out his Villainous blood, and make himself a Freeman.
1766 Blacksione Comm. II. 62 These were the only free
holdings or tenements ; the others were villenous or servile.
7. Comb. J as villainous- looking zfX].
i8^t Borrow Bible in Spain vii. They were villainous,
looking ruffians, 1844 Dickens Pictures fr. Italy (1846)
163 Seeingnothing but. .avillanous-looking shepherd. 1897
Marv Kingslev W. Africa 271, I must admit my good
friend was a villainous-looking savage.
Hence Ti'llainonsness (Bailey, 1727, vol. II).
Villainously (vi*lanasli), adv. Forms : (see
prec). [f. piec] In a villainous manner, in
senses of the adj.; atrociously, vilely, detestably.
VILLAINY.
o. 14S4 Caxton Fables of A uian ix. Better is to lyue in
pouerte tlian to deye vylaynously and uppressyd of the ryche.
( 1489 — Hlanchantyn vi. 26 Her true luucr, l?e whiche-.ye
haue betrayd & wounded vylaynously. 1555 Et>EN Decades
(Arb.) 86 Howevylely,vylaynously,and violently he had byn
vsed of owre men. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's \ oy.
I. XX. 25 They were thus villainously intreied, lying along
the ground as halfe desperate. j639Eut.LER Hoiy li'ariii.
xvii. 137 His Sonne was villainously strangled by Alexius
Ducas. X689 Lond. Gaz. No. 2443/3 On Sunday last Sir
George Lockhart . . was Viilaniously [i/c] Assassinated by on«
Cheeseley, who Shot hiiii through the Lack. 1749 t iklding
yi7/«7<?««xviii.xi,'l he Man whose Ruin he hath so villain-
ously contrived. X75S L. 'Iemple Sketches (ed, 2) 5 His
Verses were wliat one may call most villainously bad. 184s
Borrow Bible in Spain xl, He had a villainously formed
head. 189a A. E. Lee Hisl. Columbus 1. 725 Thedrainage
of the town was villainously bad.
^. 1^90 Caxton Eneydos Piol. 10 For a thynge more
noble IS to dye than vyianously to be subdued. 1533 More
Apol. ix. Wks. 865/2 Agaynste the be^te,. .these blasphem-
ous heretiques in theyr vngracyouse buokes so vilanouslye
ieste and layle, 1568 Grafton Chron. IL 355 Ihey set
nothing by them, but hated and spake .shamefully, and vilan-
ouslyofthem. i6oxShak.s. ^w^/. A^. iii.ii. 8o/l/a?7V(. Hee's
in yellow stockings. iVr 7'o/j'. And crosse garter'd? Maria
Most villanonsly. x63i Golge God's Arro^vs 111. % 60. 296
They had Villanously entreated the Ambassadors .. sent
unto them. x8as Cobbeit Rur. Rides 66 Verily the most
villanously ugly spot I ever saw in England. X863 W. C.
Baldwin A/r. Hunting ix. 436, 1 have been living villan-
ously since the death of my nags.
t Vi'llains, a. Obs, 1- orms : a. 4 vyleyn(y)8,
vileins, 4-5 vileyns (5 vileynes-) ; 4 vilains-,
4-5 velaynes-, 5 vilayn(e)s-, vylayn(e)8, vyl-
layns, villaynis. ^. 4-5 vylens, vllens (5
vyl-» vilenis, vylence, velena-) ; 4-5 vilans (5
velans, vilance-), 5-6 vylans, Sc. welan(y)s,
willans, 6 villanes ; 5 uelonis, vilonis-, vil-
onys-, vyloyns-. [a. OF. vileins^ vilains (nom.
sing, masc.) :— pop.L. ^villanus : see Villain sb.
and a.'\ = Villain a., Villainous a.
a. Of actions, speech, etc.
o. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 1555 Many tyme a
vyleynys \v.r, vylens] wurde Gadryl> foule ^ox^ to hurde.
Ibid. 1847 For l^at yche vyleyns synne, Vs here body parlyd
a-twynne. c 1386 Chaucer Melib. tAfi (Camb. MS.), He
dede neuere synne ne neuere cam there a vileyns word out
of his mouth. t;x45o Merlin ii. 26 Thow. .haste putte oure
frendes to so vileyns deth. 1456 Sir G. Havk Laiv Arms
(S.T.S.) 1 16 Quha ever strykis w iih wappin or oihir villaynis
man^e. X474 Caxion Chesse m. iii. (18S3) 97 For a man
ought not to demande ner doo to be doon to his frende no
vyllayns thynge that ought to be kept secrete.
&. c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 4412 Bot other M wille
noght do his rede Sal be done to vilans dede. a 1400-50
/J/^.r^«rt'tfr4i64He..Cometoa velans vale ^aiewasa vile
cbeele. c X400 Destr. Troy 527 Voidis me noght of villus,
ne vilans of lunge. c 1440 Aiph. Tales 236 And at Jie laste
he sulde hafe a vylans dead, a X4S0 Knt. de la 1 our (xZtZ)
25 With gret uelonis wordes, dispraising hyni. X460 Cap-
grave Chron. (Rolls) 122 He said vilens wordis ageyn the
Seint. 15*3 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xxxiv. 48 He that dydc
otherwyse, shulde be reputed as an euyll doer, and for a
vylans dede.
b. Of persons.
1390 Gower Con/, I. 28 Rome.. laste so Long time
amonges the Romeins Til thei become so vileins [etc.].
c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret.^ Gov, Lordih. 104 Man ys hardy
as a lyon,.. vyleyns and boystous asasse, rebell as a rambe,
c 1407 LvDG. Rcson ^ Sens. 3800 A cowarde and of no
renoun, And vileyns of condicion. c 1450 Merlin vi. 102 Yef
he be fool, or fell, or vilenis, ye owe better to suffre hym
than eny other. X470-85 Malory Arthur x. xxii. 450 He
is the moost coward and the vylaynst kyng and knyght that
is now lyuyng. X556 Olde Antichrist 92 Uheir legestres
were neuer ful ynough of such myscheuous villanes popes.
t Vi'llainsly, adv. Obs. Forms : (see prec).
[f. prec] = Villainly adv.^ Villainously aJv,
a. la 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 1498 That he shulde feele
..What sorowe trewe louers niaken, That bensovelaynesly
forsaken. ci2iJS6 — Pars. T. r 12 Than was his visage.,
vileynsly byspit. C1400 Love Bonavent, Alirr, (190^) 225
Jit was iiir sorwe moche more, seynge hir maister and lorde
so vileynsly ferde with. ^1430 Pilgr, Ly/ Manhode 11. c.
(1869) 112 Thou shalt neuere keepe thee so wel, that thou
ne shalt be vileynesliche treted. 1456 Sir G. Have Laiv
Arms (S.T.S.) 47 Thai war discoinfyie rycht vilaynsly.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 191/3 Whan they had so vylaynsfy
beten hym they put hym out of the cyte.
&. 13M WvcLiF 2 Sam. x. 5 The men weren schent ful
vilensly. a X400 Cast. Love (Halliwell) 1628 How vylensli
he wes ladde )et, With crowne of thornes on his hed set.
Ci4a5 Wynioun Cron. iv. 165 J-at l>e commonys willansly
Grewit sulde be throw J?ar mastry. ibid. v. 1676 pat he.,
had supprysit hyr welansly. 1460 CAi-CRAVECAr^w. (Rolls)
233 Thei that weie his rebelles he killid vilensly. 1470-85
Malory Arthur x. liii. 503 Whanne syie Harre sawe hyni
doo so vyloynsly, he cryed traytour knyjt leue of for shame.
x^-j Barbour" s Bruce v. 164 Thninobili mtnand thai worthy
Ar distroyit so vilonisly ! c 1500 Gest Rvbyn Hode cxiii. in
Child Ballads III, 62 Ihe abbot loihely on hym gan loke,
And vyianesly hym gan call.
Villainy (vi*lani), sb. Forms: a. 3-4 vileinie
(3 uil-), 4 vileynye, vyleyny(e, vileyne; 4
vylaynye, vilay nie, 5 vilainy. &, 4 vilani(ie,
wilam(e, 6 vilanie, 4-5 vylanye (6 -ie), 4-6
vylany, vilany(e ; 4 velani(e, -ije, 4-5 velanye,
4-6 -any (5 -ane), 6 welany ; 5 villane, wyl-
lanye, ^.r. willany, 6 vyllany, 6-7villanie, 6-9
villany (7 -ey). 7. 4 vilenie, -ye, vylenye
(fyl-), 4-5 vi-, vyleny, 5 vylney, Sc, vilne ; 5
veleni, -eny ; 6 villeny(e, 6-7 -enie, 5. 4-5
vilonie, -oDy(e, 4-6 vylouye, 5 -ony ; veloni,
VILLAINY.
207
VILLAN.
velonye, welonye ; villonye. €, 7 villainie,
7- villainy, [a. AK. vi/e{^i)ni€, vz'/at'nye, vilanie^
OF. viUinnie^ viilenu, vilanUy vHonie, vilenie (so
mod.K.). etc., =■ Pr. vilanta, -onia^ Sp., Pg., and
It. xnllania^ whence also med.L. viliania: sec
Villain sb. and -y.
The present spelling was rai'e before the i8th c. and did
not become esiabiisned until the 19th, when it gradually
displaced the more prevalent viilany.l
1. Action or conduct befitting, characteristic or
typical of, a villain ; evil or wrongdoing of a foul,
intamons, or shameful nature ; extreme wicked-
ness on the part of a person in dealing with others.
a. a isag Ancr. R. 216 Lechurs, l>et habbeS so uorloren
scheome Jret ham nis nowiht of scheome. auh secheS hwu
heo muwen mesi uileinie wurchen. i«97 R. Glouc. (Rolls)
1329 Vor it is ech prince iwis & king vileinie To defouli is
kni^tes t>oru warn he ab )>e maislrie. 1340 Ayenb. 18 He is
wei vileyn and ontrewe auoreye his lhord,..and yelt him
kuead uor guod, and vileynye uor corteysye. 13.. E. K.
Allii. /'. B. 863 Dos away your derf dyn & derez neuer my
gestes, .■Xvoy ! hit is your vyiaynye, ^e vylen your seluen.
/J. a 1300 Cursor M. 2422 Bot godd hir [kept] ^at was hir
wit..^at moghl naman o licherie Hir liody necht wit wjl.
anie. 13 . . E. E. A Hit, P. C. 7 r For iwysse hit arn so wykke
(>at in J>at won dowellez, & her malys is so much I may not
abide, Bot venge me on hir vilanye & venym bilyue. 1396-7
in Enz. Hist. Rev. (1907) XXII. 2C)7 We knowe wel J>at
euery tesyng opinli prechid turnith him to velanye t»at euere
was trewe and with cute defaute. c 14x5 Wvntoun Cron.
!i. 981 Tenelayus..mad hym cortasse welcummynge... Bot
he did willany J?ar agayn : pis Tenelayus he walde haf stayn.
a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) E vij b, The
f;rcatcste vyllany in a villayne is to be gyuen in largesse of
yes. 1538 Elvot^ Oiscetaitas, villany inactes; rybauldrie.
i$9S Shaks. yoAn ni. i. 116 Thou little valiant, great in
villanie. Thou euer strong vpon the stronger side, 1616
R. C Timei' IVhistU (1871) 55 From thirst of wcaUh &
golden villany I now am come to brutish gtuttonie. 1679
Haiton Corr, (CamdenJ 199 He hath been twice pillor'd,
and committed alt manner of villaney. 1x17x6 Blackall
i^ks. (1723) I. 95 He will hardly ever l>e able to carry his
Matters so cunningly, but that his Villany will at last be
discover'd. 1771 Junius Lett. liv. (1788) 300 '1 his may be
logic at Cambridge, . . but among men of sense and honour,
it IS folly or villany in the extreme. 1841 Jamrs Brigand
iii. 41 There is some mistake here, and I think some vil-
lany. 1855 Macaulav Hist. Eng, xii. Ill, 217 He had
been induced, by the villany of 'I'yrconnel, to trust himself
at Saint Germains.
personi/. ? a 1^66 Chaucer Rom, Rose 166 Another image,
that Vilanye V-clepcd was, saugh I... Vilanye was lyk
somdel That other image \sc. Felony]; and . . She semed a
wikked creature.
trans/. 3iX\d,^g. «6ii Shaks. Cymb.w.n. 13 Nothing rowts
vs,but I'he villany of oure feares. 1638 Sir T. Herbert
Trav. (ed. 2)349 Ignorant of the deceits of men, and unused
to the villany of powder.
Y* '^'3'5 Shorkham III. 328 Ac ys (deadly sin] ^at uoule
wyl al so To swyche fylenye. 1393 Langu P. PL C. vn.
433 Ich can nouht speke for shame The \-ylenye of my foule
mou)»e and of my foule mawe. a 14*5 Cursor M. 4405
(Trin.), Here may men se ^ vilcny pat he sou^te on his
lady, a 1450 A"///, de la Tour {1868) 36 He and y hadd
gret communicacion diuersc tymes, but it was neuer in no
ueleni, nor in no euell thought nor in dede. 1584 Stanv-
HUKST /Eneis 11. (Arb.) 61 In father his presence with
spightful villenye cancred, Thee soon that murthrest, my
sight with boucherye stayning. 1596 Spenser F. Q. vi.
viL 23 The gentle knight Would not be tempted to such
villenie.
i. c 1380 Wyclif Tracts Wks. (1880) 204 To be aschamyd
of cche cuyl spcche, & namely of lecherie & euyl conten-
aunce of synne & ribaudrie &■ vilonye. £1430 Hotu the
Good Wi/e in Babees Book (1868) 38 Kepe (>ee from synne,
fro vilonye, & fro blame. 1485 Caxton Chas, Gt. 44 Who
wold hauc thought that I shotd hauehadvylonyeofRoUand?
f. 1605 \st Ft. Jeronimo 11. iii. 49 O, that villainy should
be found in the great Chamber. i7»« Woluvston Relig.
Nat. vi. 133 He may .. endeavour to recover what has
been by any kind of violence or villainy taken from him.
i77aPENMANT Tours Scot. (1774) 10 Murdered by assassins
who crossed the moat to perpetrate their villainy. 1819
Sheli-ev Cenci i. iii. 175 Manhood's purpose stem, And
age's firm, cold, subtle vdlainy. 1843 Bethune Sc. Fireside
Stor. \oj Jenny and his other friends declaimed loudly upon
the villamy of Mr. M'Quiddit, in keeping him so long from
his own. 1861 Gem. P. Thomi'son Audi Alt. cxlvu III.
133 The same kind of villainy was meditated in China.
b. With a and pi., thisjhaty etc. An instance
or case of this ; a piece of wicked conduct or deal-
ing ; a vile act or deed.
13.. Genu, if Gr. Knt. 634 Gawan was for godc knawen,
& as golde pured, Voydcd of vche vylany, wyth vertuez
ennourned in mote. 1377 Lanci.. P. Pi. B. xvni. 94 For J>is
foule vyieynyc vcniaunce to 50W alle. 1390 Gower Conf.
\\. i:j3 Him thenkth it were a vilenie, Bot he rewarde him
for his dede. ^1400 Destr. Troy 6912 Vlixes,,To venge
of ^at vitany vili dissirit. 1483 Ca/A. Angl. ^00/ 1 A velany,
dedicus. 1568 Grafton Lkron. II. 755 Rcquiryng them
therefore to stuHie how to rcucnge and punishe so great a
villanie. 1593 Kvd Sp. Trag. in. viit. 12 Bought you a
whistle and a whipstaike too. To be reuengcd on their
yillanies? c 1618 Morvsom Itin. iv. (1903) 483 Though
indeedc they take it rather for a grace to be reputed actiue
in any Villany, espetially Cruelly and theft. 1677 Gilpin
Demoiiol. II, i. 187 Other Errours there are, that lead to
beastly and unnatural Viilanies. 1691 Hartcliffe Virtues
53 Under pretence thereof Wars might be raised, Robberies
and all manner of Viilanies committed. 1715 Dk Foe Voy,
round iVorld (1840) 42 If ihey are honest men and would
not appear in this villany. 174a Fielding J. Andrmvs i.
xjijv, The greatest viilanies are daily practised to please
thee. 18^ Macaulav Hist. En^. vi. II. 152 He was
detcrminetf to keep his place, if it could be kept by any
villany but on^. i860 Gkn. P. Thompson Audi Alt.
cxxviii. III. 86 But such is what the poor have to expect,
when they assistin the villainiesof the rich. 1867 Fkeeman
Norm. Conq. I. 411 ^thelred, if he had not ordered this
villany, at any rate made himself an accessory after the fact.
t 2. Treatment of a degrading or shameful nature
as suffered or received by a person ; ill-usage, in-
jury, indignity, insult. Obs,
Not always clearly distinct from sen?:e 3.
/t 1300 Cursor M, 17150 Befor mi moder eien. .Sufferd i
al )n& wilani [v.r, velani], 13. . A'. Alts. 2500 (Laud MS.),
per dude Alisaunder curteisie; He kepte hem from vche
vilenye, Darries moder, & darries wijf. c 137S Sc, Leg.
Saints i. {Peter) 548 He . . mad gret playnt of l>e schame, of
t?e vilne, and of pc blame, )>at lytil befor thoHt he. £^1440
Vork Myst, xx\\. 70 And gladly suffir I for thy sake swilk
velany. 1567 Trial Treas. Ciijb, Ve, ye they hane vsed
me with to much vilanie. 1586 J. Hooker Hist. Irel, in
HoUnshed\\.%^li Kildare pursuing Ormond to the chapiter
house doore, vndertooke on his honor that he should receiue
no villanie. X590GREKNE j'^^y'/i/ A'jri:^. Wks. (Grosart) VII.
263 To see villanie offered him, and to holde his peace.
+ b. In the phr. to put (a person) to villainy,
1513 Bbadshaw St. Werhurge II. 207 Wyddowes and
wyues were put to vilany, Maydens were corrupt and slayne
chamfully. 1C48 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Mark ix. 62
Syth menne shoulde se hym \sc. Jesus] sone after putte to
so muche shame and villany. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus,
CoHCulco, . . to treade vnder foote : to put to extreme vilanie.
t O. ? A punisliment of a degrading or ignomin-
ious nature. Obs.~^
a 1400-50 Bk. Curtasye 56 in Bahees Bk.^ Vf (>ou make
mawes on any wyse, A velany |?ou kacches or euer )>ou rise.
fS. Disgrace, dishonour ; ignominy; discredit.
Obs. (freq. c 1400-r 1500).
c 1375 Cursor M. 803 (Fairf.), pai clad ham |?an for velane
wibbrade leues of fyge tree. 1375 Barbour Bruce ix. 545
Schir Amery . . Raid till Yngland, and purchast ther Of armyt
men gret cumpany, 'I'o venge hym of the velany. c 1410
Chron. Vilod. 2384 V J>e niekely prey.. to correcty hit so
^at y naue no vyleny J»ere-by. 1436 Hen. VI in Rep.
Hist. M.SS. Comm. Var. Coll. IV. 199 To caste this land
oute of alt reputacion into perpetual reprofe, vylonye and
shame thorwgh the wordil, a 1470 Harding Chron. vn.
clxxxi. The kyng Kdwarde had all the viclorye, The kyng
Philyp had all the vilanye. c 1530 Ld. Bkrneks Arth. Lyt,
Bryt. (1814) 23 Dame Luke ., Icnew wtl y^ her doughler
Perron was no mayde, therfore she doubtecf greatly to haue
vylonye. a 1533 — Huon viii, 20 It slialbe greatly to your
veleny and reproche yf I be thus slayne by you. 1565
Jewell Reply Harding (1611) 371 They thought great
villanie in that kind of Death. 1594 T. B. La Primaud.
Fr. Acad, 11. 327 For this cause there is in Shame not
onely a feare of villanie, but indignation also, after the
committing of some fault.
fb. Used predicatively: A fact or circumstance
bringing disgrace or discredit to a person. Also
without const. Obs.
c 1340 Hamfole Prose Tr, sj It es a velany a man for to
be curyously arrayede apone his heuede. .and all his body
be nakede and bare as it ware a beggere, ? a 1366 Chaucer
Ro/u, Rose 12^1 But .she l^ym holpc his harme to aswage;
Hir thought It elles a vyianyc. a 1400 Afi nor Poems Jr.
Vernon MS. 533/173 5lf \^^ ^'OU chyde J>i .sogct, Hit is to
J»c vileynye gret. 1467 Paston Lett. II. 308, If I wer ther
withought I had the mor sadder or wurchepfull persones
abought me,.. it shuld be to me but a vyincy. 1470-85
Malorv Arthur 111. viii. 108 Ve haue doone a passynge
fowle dede in the sleyinge of the lady, the whiche will be
freie vylany vnto yow. 01533 L^- Berners Huon Iv. 185
t shal be to you greie velany [ed. 1601 dishonour].
f c. A person or thing that is the source of
discredit or disgrace. Obs, rare.
138a WvcLiF Ecclus. xxiii. 31 He shal ben vileny to alle ;
forth! that he vnderstod not ihedrede of the Lord. 1549
Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Galat. 21 The Gentiles..
coumpte his crosse for a vilanie and reproche.
t 4. To do villainy or a villainy ^ esp. to (a per-
son), in prec. senses. Obs.
a, 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Sywte 6516 The syxte synne
ys glotonye; J>at ys a shameful vyieynye |>at men doun of
mete and drynk. a 1330 Otuel 358 King charles . . was
hende & good, & nolde for hise wordes he^e Don otuel no
vileinie. 1:1380 Wyclif ,V^/. Wks. III. 287 pei.-don hym
more dispite and vileyne )>an didcn Judas Scarioth and
Jewis. a 14S5 Cursor M. 20340 (Trin.), perfore J>eron haue
Jhju Y\ ^>ou5t. .pat ^i me do no vilayne.
^. A 1300 Cursor M. 16306 Pilate said and badd (lai ne
suld do nim \sc. Jesus] na vilanL c 1385 Chaucer L. G. IV.
1B2 } Lucrece,W ni hast thow don this lady vilanye? f 1450
Mirk's Festial 106 By heipe of t>e fende, he made hym
lyke an angyll,and come to dyuers maydyns,..and soo lay
by hoin, and dude hom gret vylany. 1480 Caxton Chron.
Ettg. ciii. 52 b, 1 he kyng Osbright me hath done shame &
vilanye ayens my wyll. 15x6 Pilgr. Per/, (W. de \V. 1531)
254 [They] spared not to do all the vylany & shame to
the sone of god that they coude deuyse. 1597 Shaks. 3
Hen. IV, II. L 130 Pay her the debt you owe her, and vn-
pay the villany you haue done her. <»i683 Sidney Disc
Govt. I. i. (1704) 8 A third sort of Men who would neither
do Villanys, nor suffer more than the Laws did permit.
y. C138S Chaucer L.G.IV, 2333 Philomene^ This false
thef Hath don this lady jit a more myschef For fere lyst she
shulde his shame crye And don hym opynly a vilenye.
142a VoNGB tr. Secreta Secret, 136 In that he dothe to god
ouer-grete veleny.
5. f 1380 Sir Ferumb. 2254 He wende wi^ is ferete [to]
haue do J>e vylonye. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) III. 389
Atthalus hadde despitousliche i-scorned ^is Pausania, and
i-doo hym grete vilonye. c 1449 Pecock Repr, \. xvii. 100
Ther in thei doon foul vilonie to Cristis lawe of feith. 1474
Caxton Chesse 11. i. (1883) 20 Thanswer of a noble ik.
debonair prynce That suffred that villonye don to his
doughtcr.
+ 6. To say or speak (a, nOy etc.) villainy^ to
speak evil, to use wicked, low, obscene, or oppro-
brious language. Also, to speak villainy of, to
defame or throw discredit on (a person). Obs.
After OF, dire vilonie (Du Cange s.v. Viliania),
(a) a t^po Cursor Af. 7832 For qua lais hand in feloni O
king, or sais him vilani, .. wii-vten grith. He dei. 1303
R. Brunnr Handl. Synne 1549 A nunne. .pat jede to helle
for no (jyng ellys But for she spake euer vyleyny. c 1386
Chaucer Frol. 70 He neuere yet no vileynye ne sayde In
al hislyf vn to no maner wight. I4i9in S. lB>^x\.\\^y Excerpta
Historica (1831) 38 That no man saye no vilony to non
other, throughe the whiche vilony saynge, may falle sodenly
man slaughter, or risinge of people. 1474 Caxton Chesse
II. i, (1883) 20 This prince had also a frende that..sayd on
a tyme as moche villonye unto the prynce as ony man miht
saye. 1483 — Gold. Leg. 424/1 She,. said many Iniuryes
& vyionyes to fyacre contumeleyng & blasphemyng hym.
j6ii Bible Isaiah xxxii. 6 The vile person wil speake
villenie, and his heart will worke iniquitie.
{6) 1470-85 .Malory Arthur xx. xix. 832 Alle the world
wylle speke of yow v>-lony. 1568 Grafton Chron, II. 285
Do not a thing that should blemlshe your renowne, neither
geue occasion for any to speake vilanie of you. 1581 A.
Hall /Had v. 83 Al men of vs great villany would say.
t b. ^o tvonls of villainy. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 28531, I ha bene wont thorn lucheri
Wordes to --pek of vilany. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. p 22
If. .he be a talkere of ydil wordes of vanite or of vilonye.
1568 Bk. Nurture To Parents, Take heede they speake no
wordes of vilany.
fS. Lack of courtesy or politeness ; discourtesy,
incivility, rudeness ; boorishness, rusticity. Obs,
£M34o Hampole Pr. Cortsc. 1528 For ]jat somtyme men
held velany Now yhung men haldes curtasy ; And ]>at som
tyme was curtasy c.ild, Now wille yhong men velany bald.
c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 740 Crist spak hym self ful brode in
hooly writ. And wel ye woot no vileynye is it. 14.. Voc.
in Wr..\Vulcker 590 fuurbanitas, x-ylonye. C1480 in Hazl.
E. P. P. I, 45 Syr erle, he seyd, take and begyn ; He seyd :
nay, be seynt Ausiyn, That was to me vylony. £1481
Caxtoji Dialogues 2g For I reffuse not The cuppe ; That
were vylonye [F. Tillonic'],
a 1677 Bahrow Settn. Titus iii. 2 Wks. (1687) I. 259 This
practice [of railing and reviling] doth plainly signifie..ill
breeding and bad manners.. . In our modern languages it is
termed Villany, as being proper for rustick Boors. 1694
Drvden Love Triumph, i, i, But this large courtesy, this
overpraise You give liis worth, in any other mouth Were
villainy to me.
+ 7. The condition or state of a villein ; bondage,
servitude ; hence, base or ignoble condition of
life ; moral degradation. Obs,
£1386 Chaucer Pars. T. r g Certes wel aughte a man
hauedisdeyne of synne, and wi(>drawe him fro \>nt J>raldom
and vilenye. 1540 Coverdale Fruit/ul Less. 1. Wks.
(Parker Soc.) 1. 300 Jesus.. took upon himself the most
extreme shame.. to deliver us from eternal villany. 1543
T. Becon Neiv Catech. Wks. 1560 I. 415 1», These, these
goo about to bring vs vnto vilany.
t b. Low or wretched condition. Obs.
1570 Jewel Vie^v Seditious Bull (1582) 47 Haue not they
spoiled & wasted tliose two noble Cuntries & brought them
to such vilanie & miserie, as they neuer felt before?
t8. Imperfection, defect, or injury ia things.
Obs.-^
c 1400 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton) 11. Iviii. (1859) 56 The bones
stoden vp, as men, in the same persones, ryght as they were
byfore, withouten ony spot or vylonye.
0. hase, villainous, or wicked quality.
1703 Addison Dial. Medals ii. (1726) loi Ingratitude..
can arise-from nothing but a natural baseness and villany
of soul.
Hence f Vi'llainy (in 5 vylonye) v. trans. ^ =>
Villain v. i, Obs.—^
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 113/3 f'or as moche as they hane
dyspyted and vylonyed the blood of Jhesu.
Villakin (vi-lakin). [f. Villa + -KIN.] A little
villa; a villa-residence.
Chiefly in familiar or jocular use, or with some degree of
disparagement.
1730 Swift Let. to Gay 19 March, I writ lately to Mr.
Pope: I wish you had a little Villakin in his neighbour-
hood. 1730 Gay Let. to Sivi/t 31 March, I am every day
building villakins and have given over that of castles. 1805
J. Almon Corr. Wilkes V. 79 In this cottage (or villakin,
as he usually termed it) he passed the pleasantest hours
which he had enjoyed since the period of his adversities.
184X Tail's Mag. VIII. 258 The villakin was transformed
into a domestic paradise. 1883 Miss Broughton Belinda
II. 159 .Spick and span villas and villakins, each with its
half acre of tennis-ground and double daisies.
Vi'llaless, «• [f. Villa.] Having no villa or
villas.
1833 Eraser's Mag. VIII. 481 The touch at the end, as to
the villaless condition of Bulwer, is admirable.
Vi'llan. Also 6-7, 9 villane. [ad. med.L.
villan-us villager, etc., f. L, villa Villa.]
1. Hist. A villein ; an occupier of land in the
feudal vill.
i55« HuLOET, Villan, seruus, . . villanus, 1570 Levins
Manip, jo Villane, verna, 1609 Skene AVf. Maj. 98 Gif
ane over-ford causes marie the heires of his vassall, being
in his custodie, with villans (or bondmen) or Burgesses,
quhereby the heires are disparaged [etc.]. 1699 Temple
Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) 255 What Stock they were possessed of,
and how many Villans upon their respective Estates. 1809
Bawdwen Domesday Bk. 9 There are only t wo villanes there
and four bordars having one plough and a half. 1851 T. H.
Turner Pom. Arc/tit. I. iii. 105 To these woods [at Osterley,
Middlesex] resorted moreover all lawless men, fugitive
villans, and persons of the like description.
t2. A villager, a peasant. Obs.
1685 Hedges Diary (Hakl. Soc.) I- 208 Vineyards stored
with excellent good grapes, which the villanes carry every
night to sell at Shirash.
Villan, obs. f. Villain. Villanage, variant
of Villeinage. Villane, obs. f. Villain.
VIIiLANEIiLA.
I VlUanella (vilane-la). PI. -elle. [It., fern.
iSvillam//o rural, iMslic j i. vtl/afw: see Villa in
s6, and a.] (See later quots.)
1597 MoRLKY Introci. A/us. iii. 180 Though many times
the dittie be fine enough, >*et because it carrictli that name
yiiiatuUa ihey uke those disallowances as being good
enough for plow and cart. 1667 C. Simpson Compemi Mus.
159 Then, Cansonets, Vilanella^s, Airs of all sons ; or what
else Poetry hath contrived to be set and Sung in Mustek.
tHence in R. Holme Anttottry (1688) in. 159/2I >«>"
BusBV Did. Aftis.. I ilUnelln, the air of an old rustic
dance, the time of which was gay and brisk, and the measure
suongly marked. 18B4 W. S. Rockstbo in Grove Diet.
flfns. IV. 264 I'iliaHeiia^ an unaccompanied Part-Song, of
light rustic character, sharing, in about equal proportions,
the characteristics of the Canzonetta, and the Balletta.
Villanelle (vilane-1). Also 6 villanell, 7 -el.
[a, F. viilanelUy ad. It. viUamlla : see prec. In the
first quot. i>erh. an Anglicizing of the Italian word.]
1 1. = prec. Obs.
a 1586 Sidney Anadia, etc. (1629) 535 To the tune of a
Neapolitan Villanell. 1603 Tlorio tr. Moniaistte i. liv. 170
The ViltafulUs, homely gigges, and countrie songs of Gas-
conie. 1685 Cotton tr. Montaigne (1711) i. Hv. I. 472.
2. A poem of fixed form, usually of a pastoral
or lyric nature, consisting normally of five three-
lined stanzas and a final quatrain, with only two
rhymes throughout.
The first and third lines of the first stanza are repeated
alternately in the .succeeding stanzas as a refrain, and form
a final couplet in the quatrain.
1877 GossE in Comhitl Mag. July 65 It appears that
vtll^elles may be any length, if only they retain this num-
ber and arrangement of rhymes. 1877-8 Henley in BaU
lades ff Rondeaus (Canterb. Poets) 252 A dainty things
the Villanelle. Sly, musical, a jewel "in rhyme, It serves
its purpose passing well 1886 C. Dick Models etc 90 A
Vacation Villanelle.
Vi'Uaner. rare. [f. Villan + -er i.] =■ Villan.
186a TouLMiN Smith Pari. Reniemh. Oct. 189 The * In-
quisitio Eliensis ' states that book to have been the record
of an inqubition made on the oaths of the priest, the pro-
vost and six villaners of every Vill.
Villar (vi-lai), sb, and a. rare, [ad. L. villdris^
f. villa Villa : see -ab.] a. sb. A peasant hold-
ing land in the feudal vill; a villein, b. adj.
Pertaining or relating to, concerned with, the
feudal vill or vills.
1874 A. P. Forbes S. Ninlan ^ S. Kentigern Notes 313
Stephen gave his forest of Fumess. .a fishery at Lancaster,
and one or twoviliars with their property. 1897 Maitland
Domesday fif Beyond 13 Manorial and fiscal geography
interferes with physical and villar geography.
Villarsite (vila-Jsait). Min. [a. F. villars-
iUj f. the name of the French botanist D. Villars
(1745-1814): named in 1842 by Dufrenoy.] A
hydrous silicate of magnesium occurring massive
or in rounded grains at Traversella, Piedmont.
S846 Worcester (citing Dana). 1850 Ansted EUm. Geol.^
MiM.t e.tc §429 ^V//arj/^^, silicate of magnesia with iron and
manganese. 1855 Orr's Circ. Sei., Ceoi., etc. 511 Villarsite.
— Prismatic, ..Translucent. Col[our], yellowish-green. 1889
A. Irving Metamorphism pf Rock 55 Villarsite, which
agrees with olivine in crystal form and optical characters,
contains 4 to 6.2 per cent, of water.
Villate (viiA), Hist. [ad. med.L. vUlata,
f. L. viiia Villa.] A feudal territorial division
consisting of a number of vills.
The Latin term has had some currency in English histori-
cal works.
1897 Leader Rec. Burg. Sheffield p. xxvi. Proceedings
were taken against the constable and villate of Wakefield.
Villatic (vilse'tik), a. [ad. L. viUdtic-us^ f.
villa Villa.] Of or pertaining to a villa or villas,
or the inhabitants ; esp. (after the original sense of
villa'), rural, rustic ; village-.
The Miltonic passage has been freely echoed in the 19th c. ;
see the first group of quots. and 1822-56 in (^).
(a) 1671 Milton Samson 1695 The perched roosts, And
nests in order rang'd Of tame villatic Fowl. x82a Lamb
Corr. (1870) 164 Widgeon, snipes, barn-door fowls, ducks,
geese — your tame villatic things. 1889 Gd, Words Nov.
786/2 [Jacob] herding the tame villatic sheep of his father.
{^i X75> Johnson Rambler No. 147 f8 He.. consulted with
her . . how I might be . . disencumbered from villatick bashful.
ness. 1771-J Ess,fr.Batchelor{\T]-i) 1. 162 Two rebellious
enchanters, whom villatic rusticity styled, Cow-herd^— or
Cow-boys. 1822-56 De Quincey Confess. App. 284 Little
asteroids that formed ample inheritances for the wants of
this or that provincial squire, of this or that tame villatic
squireen. 1846 l.oyini.h Biglow P. Sen i. ix. Introd., A feel-
ing of villatic pride in beholding our townsman occupying
so large a space in the public eye.
+ Ville '. Afiat. Obs. [ad. L. villus Villus.]
= Villus ^. (Only in pL)
c 1400 Lan/ranc's drurg. 30 fe corde whanne he entri)>
into be brawn is departid into many smale J>redif , & J>ei ben
clepid villes \v.r. vylles)— )jat is to seie wrappingis. & b^se
villes ben of iij. manner. 1541 Copland GuydorCs Quest.
Chirurg. Ij b. Of what villes is the stomacke composed ? 1562
BuLLEiN Bulwarkcy Dial. Sorenes 9f Chir. 26 Iskyng [ =
yexingj proccdyng of driyng of the villes of the stomacke.
+ Ville 2, etc., varr. Fille^, chervil. Obs.
c 1265 Voc. Plants in Wr.-Wulcker 557 Cer/oliujUy i. cer-
foil, L villen. 01387 Sinon. Barthol. (Anecd. Oxon.) 15
Cer/oUum, \. villes. Ibid. 43 Ville, cerefolium.
V ille, obs. f. Vill ; var. Kills ^ Obs.
II Villeggiatnra (viled,:5at7iTa). Also (incor-
rectly) villegiatura. [It., f. vilUggiare to live at a
villa or in the country, f. villa Villa.] Residence
208
at a country villa or in the country; a holiday 1
spent in this way.
174a Walkole Let. id Mann 1 Nov., 1 don't wonder that
she hales the country; I dare to say her child does not owe
its existence to the Villcggiatura. 1765 Smollett Trav.
xxix. (1766) U. 80 The mountain of Viterbo is covered with
beautiful plantations and villas belonging to the Roman
nobility, who come hither to make the villegiatura in
summer. 1822 Sheli.ev Prose Wks. (1880) IV. 284 Lord 1
Byron is in villeirgiatura, near Leghorn. 1845 Pkescott |
in Li/e LongfcUo-M (1891) II. 22 We V^t^owrvi/leggiatura j
at Pepperell, not fliuing at all to Nahant thi^ summer. 1885 |
Times fwkly. ed.) 18 Sept. 15/3 ITheyJ occasionally left j
the cares and dignity of the Vice-iegal Lodge to come
down for a quiet villegiatura here.
So II Villegiature. Obsr^ [V\ ville^ialurc]
1740 Corr. betw. C'tess Hartford f^ C'tess Pan fret (1805)
II. 172, I am sorry the nobility of Florence diti not defer
their villegiature till Christmas.
Villein (vi-l/n). Now Hist. Forms :-o. 4
vilein, 4-5 vileyn, 5 veleyn, 6 vylleyne, 6-7
villeine, 6- villein, 8-9 villeyn; also 6-7 vil-
len. /3. 5 vylayn, 5-6 -ayne, 6 vynayn(e,
villayne, 6-7 villaine, 6- villain (7 vilain).
[a. AF. villein {vilein^ -eyn, vyleyn^ etc.), var.
villain^ etc., Villain sb. Both types of spelling
have been freely employed for this special sense of
the word, and the tendency to use the form villain
has increased in recent years.]
1. One of the class of serfs in the feudal system ;
spec, a peasant occupier or cultivator entirely sub-
ject to a lord {villein in gross Guess sb^- 2 e) or
attached to a manor {villein regardant Regardant
a. 1) ; a tenant in villeinage; also applied to a
person regarded as holding a similar position in
other communities, a bondsman, t Hence formerly
in general use, a peasant, country labourer, or low-
born rustic.
a. a 1325 MS. Raivl. B.S20 fol. 56 b, Also lith assise after
excepcion of villenage ^if )}Zt vileyn vnder hi=; louerdes
power purchasede ani lond. 1390 Gower Conf \l\, 325
Nou lete we this maiden hiere, And speke of Dionise ayein
And of Theophile the vilein, Of whiche I spakof nou tofore.
[Cf. p. 320, 1. 1358.] C1400 Maundev. (1839) 191 Olifauntz..
that he makethe for to ben brought up amonges bis Vileynes.
c X450 LovELiCH Merlin 1 1625 And while the veleyn
hadde seyd al this, Evere stood sire Vlphyii and herkened,
j-wys. 1587 HoLiNSHED Chron. (ed. 2) III. 1109/1 In case
my aduersaries villen or bondman be impaneled, I may
lawfuUie chalenge him. 1590 Swinburne Testaments 34
Amongest the second sort are comprehended such as lacke
freedome, & full liberty, as bond-slaue, slaues, and vil-
leines. 1620 J. Wilkinson Courts Baron 146 If any_ Vil-
leine or Bondman of blood hath purchased any land within
his Lordship, the Lord may seise both it and such villeines
goods at his pleasure. 1648 D. Jenkins Wks. loTheVil-
leine of a Lord, in the presence of the King cannot be seized .
X699 Temple Hist. Eng. 65 The Villens, that held nothing
but at the Will of the Landlord. 1765 IJlackstone Connn.
1.72 Villeins might be enfranchised by manumission. 1775
Archaeol. III. 80 Is it probable, that two day labourers, and
at that time villeins, should have any fine to compound?
x8x8 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) 1. 256 After the conquest the
estates of the great lords were cultivated by their villeins.
1848 LvTTON Harold i. v, The villeins are many and their
hate is strong. 1875 K. E, Digby Real Prop. {1876) 51
If the villein could not depart from the land, no more could
the lord remove him so long as he rendered the service due
to the lord.
fig. X607 HiERON IVks. I. 333 The scorner and scoffer at
the word, is euen a villen to his own piofanenes.
$. 1470-85 Malory Arthur \mi. iii. 277 Tliat..alle men
of worship maye disseuer a gentylman fro a yoman, and
from a yoman a vyiayne. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 148/2 It
happed upon a day that he tormented a vylayn or a carle
for the couetyse of hys good. 1532 Dial. Laws Eng. 11.
xliii. P V, Yf a vyilayn be made a preste, yet neuertheles the
lorde may sease his goodes. a X548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI,
104 There were slain and taken foure hundred gentlemen
and the villaines frankely let go. 1570 Lambarde Peramb.
Kent 452 Bondseruants, which we do now sence call by
a strained worde Villaines, ar not here talked of. 1600
Holland Ziz^y xLv.xliv. 1233 b, This K[ing]. .waswont. .to
acknowledge & cal himselfe the freed villaine and vassaile
of the people of Rome. 1622 Bacon Henry VII, 156 John
Cut, . . Henry Wyat, and such other Caitifes and Villaines of
Birth, have beene the principall Finders. X698 Fryer Acc.
E. India <y P. 267 They are Preferred to no higher Em-
ployment than to Cultivate the Earth as Villains, not In-
heritors. X714 Spect. No. 607 P 12 The Steward shall cause
these two Neighbours to swear., if he be a Free-man, era
Villain. 1750 Carte Hist. Eng. 11. 602 An act for disabling
the villains or copyholders of prelates and monasteries to
purchase lands in fee. 1776 Dalhymple Ann. Scot. 320 A
covenant between the Lord and the villain. 1839 Keightley
Hist. En^. I. 168 They the judges] were likewise required
..to receive the oath of fealty from all persons from the earl
down to the villain. x866 Rogers Agric. <V Prices I. iii. 62
Time out of mind the services of the villains had been com-
mutable for money payments, 1876 Freeman Norm. Conq.
V. 478 The villain was not a slave, but a freeman minus the
very important rights of his lord. As against all men but
his lord, he was free.
+ b. A servant, a retainer. Obsr^
1535 Goodly Primer, Passion iv. The villains had made a
great ftre beneath in the midst of the hall.
2. attrib., as villein burgher, class , issue, land,
etc. ; villein service, service which a villein was
bound to render to his lord as a condition of hold-
ing his land ; villein- socage, socage or tenure by
villein service (cf. quot. 1766); so villein-soeman,
j 1529 Rastell Pasiyme E iij b, Swanus . . besegyd Can-
, terbury, and wan it, . . and slew the monkys ; but euer
VILLEINAGE.
kept the .x. monk alyue to do vylleyne seruyce, & slew
.ix. of them. 1544 tr. Littleton^s Tenures xi. 40 b, Lande
holden in vyltenage or vyllayne landes. a 1625 Sir H.
Finch Law (1636) 2^ A villein shall make free land to bee
villein land, but villein land shall not makea free-man to be
a villein. 1651 G. W. tr. Coivel's Inst. 9 There may be vil-
lain Issue between those which are our Captives, xdji tr.
KtichitCs Jurisdict. (1657) 327 If my Villam Infant be in
ward of one, by reason that he holds of him by Knights
service. 1766 Blackstose Cotnm. II. 61 These villein-
socmen do villein services. Ibid. 79 But socage.. is of twj
sorts : free-socage, . and villein-socage, where the services,
though certain, are of a baser nature. 1776 Dalrymfle
Ann. Scot. 320 Merchetum . .\\2lS, also used for expressing
another r77/a/« custom. X864J. F. K\\tK Ch. the Bold l.v.
244 For what purpose were the taille and the gabelle levied
on the villain burghers, if the nobles derived no benefit
from these exactions. 1875 K. E. Digby Real Prop. (1876)
51 Freemen sometimes held lands by villein services. 1878
Stubbs Const. Hist. xix. III. 367 The villein class.. aspired
to holy orders as one of the avenues to liberty,
+ 3, As adj. Of base or servile birth; belonging
to the class of feudal villeins or serfs. Obs.
1551 in J. S. Leadam Sel. Cases Crt. Requests iSelden) 55
Your Oraiour repplyede that he was Free and of Free
estate and nott vyllayne.
Villein, obs, f. Villain sb. and a.
Villeiuagfe (vi-l/nedj). Now Hist. Forms :
a. 4-9 villenage (6 vyllenage, vyllynage,
vellenage), 5 vilenage. 3. 6-9 villanage, 7
villon-, villianage, 7-9 villainage. 7. 7- vil-
leinage (9 vileinage). [a. AF. vilenage, villen-
age, OF. vilenage, villenage, vila{i)nage, = Pr.
vilanatge, Sp. villanage, ?g. villanagem), or ad.
med.L. villenagium, vil{l)anagiwn, vileinagium,
from the same source : see Villein and -age.]
1. The tenure by which a feudal villein held or
occupied his land ; tenure of lands by bond-service
rendered to the lord or superior. Also called
tenure in villeinage.
o. a 1325 [see Villein i a]. CX450 Godstow Reg. (1905)
207, iiij. acres and an half acre and half a Rode of arable
lond, . . the whiche he holdith in vilenage or bondage. 1523
Fitzherb. Surv. 12 All these tenauntes maye holde their
landes by dyuers tenures..: as by.. burgage tenures and
tenure in vyllenage. 1544 tr. Littleton s Tenures xi. 40
Tenure in vyllenage is most properly whan a vylleyne
holdeth of his lorde to whom he is vyllayne certayne landes
& tenementes after the custome and maner or els at the
wyl of his lorde, and to do his vyllayne seruyce. 1598
Marston Sco. Villanie 1. ii. 176 Once Albion liu'd in such
a cruell age Than men did hold by seruile villenage. i6o»
KuLBECKE 1st Pt. Parall. 211 Villenage, is where a man
holdeth of his Lord, either by doing vnto him some parti-
cular base seruice, and such a one is called a tenant by
villenage, or by doing generally wbatsoeuer base seruice
his Lord will commaund and impose vpon him, and such a
tenaunt is termed in our Law a villaine. 1607 Cowell
Interpr. &.V., For euery one that houldeth in villenage, is
not a villein, or a bond man. 16x2 Uavies Why Ireland ^
etc. (1787) 204 There was but one freeholder made in a
whole country, which was the lord himself, all the rest were
but tenants at will, or rather tenants in villenage. 167*
ftlANLEV Cowelfs Interpr. s.v., Copy.holders is but a new
Name, for anciently they were called Tenants in villenage,
or, of base Tenure. X766 Blackstonr Comm. II. 92 With .
regard to the folk-land, or estates held in villenage. x8x8
Cruise Digest (ed. 2) I. 308 Copyholds being derived from
the tenure in villenage, they were not originally within
the jurisdiction of the king's courts at Westminster. 1818
Hallam Mid. Ages iii. viii. (1819) III. 259 The tenements
in villenage, whether by law or usage, were never separated
from the lordship. 1875 Stubby. Const. Hist. xvi. (1896) II.
475 So villenage grew to be a base tenure, differing in degree
rather than in kind from socage, and privileged as well as
burdened.
attrib. 1679 Blount Anc. Tenures 21 This was an usual
restraint of old in Villenage Tenure.
B' 1565 Cooper Thesaurus^ Ci?/£7«flriV. ..rusticall people,
tenantes in villanages. 1607 Norden SutTj. Dial. 11. 77 A
matter almost out of vse, a tenure called Villanage: that is,
where the Tenants of a Mannor were Bondmen and Bond-
v/omen. fzi6i8 Raleigh Rem. {1644) 59 The bondmen.,
were grievously prest by their Lords in their tenure of
■■ Villanage. 1681 H. Nevile Plato Rediv. 133 Not only all
Villanage is long since abollished, but the other Tenures
are so altered and qualified, that they signifie nothing to-
wards making the Yeomandry depend upon_ the Lords.
X776 Adam Smith W,N. hi. ii. L 473 Tenure in villanage
gradually wore out, 1812 G. Chalmers £><?/«. Econ. Gt.
•Brit. 23 It is extremely difficult toasceriain the time, when
i villainage ''ceased in England, or even to trace its decline.
1872 O. W. Holmes Poet Breakf-t. vi, We return to the
state of villanage, holding our tenement-houses.. of the
State.
fig. a 1653 G- Daniel Idyll v. 132 The Earth runs in one
Tenure, and we but Prevent Repeals; Villainage is the
Lott.
y. X641 Termes de la Ley 262 To hold in pure Villeinage,
is to do all that the Lord will him command. 1845 S.
! Austin Rankes Hist, Ref. U. 225 The abolition of the
I punishment of death, of the lesser tithes, and of villeinage
; were especially insisted on. X84S Williams Real Property
III. 265 Villeinage is to hold part of the demesnes of any
lord . . by villein services.
i t b. Land held by this tenure. Obs.
c 1450 Godst<r.v Reg. (1906) 576 The tythes of the villenagis
of medys and litell medis of the same towne. c 1460 Osetiey
Reg, (1913) 26 In cleydon, ij. hides of villenage, ^»e which
my modur 3afe to J>e same church.
2. The state or condition of a feudal villein ;
complete subjection to a feudal lord or superior ;
j bondage, serfdom, servitude.
a. 1531 Star Chamber Cases (Selden) II. 196 Ony maner
of Entree into the seid Courte Rolles.-Concernyng ony
VILLEINESS.
209
VINAIGRETTE.
v^'llenage agenst the seid defendauntes. 1551 in J. S.
Leadam S^. Cases Crt. Requests (Selden) 58 To dyscharge
the vyllynage and Iwndage of the bloudde of the said com-
playnants. 1600 Holland Lh'y xli. viii. noi They that
were to leave such yssue at home, gave their children as it
were in viilenage to some Romane citi/en or other whom
they liked of. 1643 Milton Str^'. Salve 26 Reduced to the
terms of the Peasants of France, "of viilenage and slavery.
1699 Temple Hist. Eng, 59 The Children that were born of
these miserable People, belonged to tlie Lord of the Soil, , ,
and thus began Viilenage in England. x8i8 Hallam Mid.
Ages (1872) II. 57 The viilenage of the peasantry in some
parts of Catalonia was very severe. 185a H. Rogers Eel.
Faith 418 Mr. Newman says that it was Cliristions, not
w/c«, that the Church sought to enfranchise; it little
matters; she sought to abolish all viilenage. 1866 Rogers
Agric. 4 Prices I. iv. 70, I do not doubt that the social
state of viilenage existed.
fig. 1590 Spenser F. Q. ii. xi. i No wietchednesse is like
to sinfull vellenage. 16134 Hieron Wks, I. 481 The con-
tinuall gamster is, as it were, in the state of viilenage to his
humor. 1644 Milton Diz>orce 11. iti. 36, I spake ev'n now,
as if sin were condemn'd in a perpetual viilenage never to
be free by law, never to be manumitted.
p. 1589 Warner Albion^ s England v. xxiii. loi Ihus
Eiiglands hope with Englands heire in one same Kark did
saile; When desprat from their viilanage was English bloud
of baile. 1607 Topskll Four-/. Beasts 449 For those
[ichneumons] that are ouercume in combates one with
aiK>thcr, are branded with a warlicke marke of Villanage,
or subiection to their Conquerors. 1700 Drvijen IVi/e
0/ BittWs T, 443 Their Glories shine ; But Infamyand ViU
lanage are thine. 1761 [see Serf 2 bj. 1796 Moti&e. A mer.
Geog. II. 245 Joseph II rendered an essential service to
humanity, in abolishing the servitude or vilianage of the
peasants of Bohemia. 1841 ELfHiNSTONS Hist. Imi, II. 287
The original population., had.. been conquered and reduced
to a sort of villanage by certain Afghan tribes. 1876
FsECMAN Norm, Conq. xxiv. V. 480 While the churl sank
to the state of villainage, the slave rose to it.
V. 16^1 Tertnesdela Ao* 262 b, The division of Villeinage,
is villeine of blood, and of tenure. 183a Ht. Martinrau
Dftttei'ara Vu 22 Then came the bondage and villeinage of
the Gothic nations. 1873 Spkncer Stud. Sociol. v. 103 When
villeinage had passed away and serfs were no longer main-
tained by their owners. iWq J^ssof}? Coming o/Frittrs\\.6t
•A man or woman born in villeinage could never shake it off.
3. The body of villeins; villeins collectively.
x8&4 Burton Scot Air. I. i. 31 The French peasantry or
villainage of the period.
Vi'lleiness. rare. [f. Villeik + -ess.] A
female villein.
i6ti Cotgr. s.v. C<?r/s, Femme de corps, a Villeinesse, a
woman of a seruile condition. Ibid, s.v. Femme.
tViUeining. Obs.—^ = Villeinage.
1471 \\\ Arehaeol. XLVII, 196 That .. ye .. pave yerely..
the sume of ten marcs according to the terms of th enden*
tures of Vilenyng between us and the said William.
VlUeinouB, -en(o)U8, obs. ff. Villainous a,
Villenie, -enye, obs. varr. Villainy. Villi, pi.
of Villus. Villiaco, -ago, varr. Viliaco Obs.
t Vi'Uicated, ///. a. Obs.-^ \l.\.,viUuat-tts,
pa. pple. of viiiii'iire to act as bailiff.] (See quot.)
Also VilUca'tion [ad. L. viUicatio\.
16x3 Cockeram I, I'iiiicatedf busied about husbandrie.
//'/(/. ,^ yiilicatiorit husbandry. 1656 Blount Glossogr.
(copying Cooper), yniicatioit, the rule of Husbandry under
the Master or Owner of a Manner.
Villiohe, obs. form of Vilely adv.
Villifomi (vi'lifpjm), a. Zool. [ad. mod.L.
viHiform-is : see Villus and -form. So F. villi-
/orme.'] Of the teeth of certain fishes : Having the
form of villi ; so numerous, slender, and clos'^ly
set, as to resemble the pile of velvet.
Also Bo/., * resembling villi '.
iS^Sa Uwkn in Tedifs Cyd. Anat. IV. 874/1 The teeth
of the Sheat.fish..preserii all the gradations between the
villiform and radutiform types, 1859 Murchison Siluria
(cd. 3) App. 562 The minute villiform teeth of osseous
Ashes. 1880 CIUnther Fishes 126 Very fine conical teeth
arranged in a band are termed villiform teeth.
Villify, obs. form of Vilify v, VilUn, obs.
f. Villain sb. Villipend, obs. f. Vilipend v,
Villoae (vil^*s), a. Bot. and lint, [ad. L.
viiios-us hairy, rough, f. viiitts Villus. Cf. It.
viiloso, veiiosOf Sp., Pg. veiioso.'\ = Villous a.
a. Bot, 1797 Bailey (vol. lit, ri/lose, hairy. t-js^Cham-
forj'C)r/. Suppl.s.v. Leaf, Villose Leaf. Sec Pi/osc I^af,
supra. i8it iVe7v Bot. Gard. I. 29 The involucre remote
and villose. 1844 FlorisVs 'Jrul. (1846) V. 26 The various
parts of plants, when clothed or furnished with hairs, are
described as being downy, pilose, villose, tomentose. 1887
W. Phillips Brit. Discomycetes 185 Margin fimbriate,
villose. white.
b, Ent. iSi^Samovkllr EntoMol.ComPfnd, 1^6 Dry/[/a]
emarginata. Blue, punctate, villose. i8a6 Kirbv & Sp.
Entotuol. IV. 39 The substance is unusually thick in the
bpinose caterpillars of butterflies; and in the pupa of one. .
it is villose. 1847 Hardy in Proc. Benu. Nat. Club II. 235
Abdomen and elytra fulvo-pubescent, the last with a villose
cinereous angulaicd band. 1861 Hagen Syno^. Neuroptera
N. Amgr. 153 Libel/ula j'uiia. . .tuscouSt villose.
Villosity (vil(?-siti). [ad. L. type ^villiSsUds :
see prec. and -ity. So F. vilhsiU, Sp. veUosidad.\
1. Bot.y Zooi., etc. The condition or fact of being
villose or villous.
a. 1777 LiGHTFOOT Flor. Scot. II. 606 This villosity [of
the leaf] soon wears off. i8a3 Scorfsby Jmi. 414 They
differ from both in the form and villosity of the leaves.
1839 Lindley introd. Bot. (ed. 3) 59 Villosity,. .when they
\sc. hairs] are very long, very soft, erect, and straight. 1857
Darwin in F. Darwin Life (1887) II. ^8, I find Moquin-
Tandon treats in his ' T^ratologie * on villosity of plants.
Vol. X.
b. 1789 Bfntham Princ. Legisl. xvii. 309 The villosity of
the skin. iSsz Dana Crust, i. 200 But slight traces of any
villosity can be detected. 1861 Hagfn SynoJ>, Neuroptera
N. Amer. i8o Thorax obscure biassy-brown, with brown
villosity.
2. a. A villous formation or surface, b. A villus,
1828 Stark Elem. Nat. Hist, II. 229 This villosity is
supposed to be composed of tubes adapted to taking up the
surrounding fluids. 1857 Bullock Cazeaux* Midivifery
70 Its internal surface, .exlybiting granulations, and some
extremely delicate villosiiies. 1870 De Quairefages Hum,
spec. 50 The modifications of the hair and villosities,
VillO'flO-, comb, form of L, villdsus ViLLOSE a.,
as in villoso-scabrotis ?i^),
1846 Dana Zooph: (1848) 390 Exterior finely striate and
villoso-scabrous or spinulous.
XrillOTlS (\ i-bs), a. [ad. L. villosus Villose a.
Cf. K. viileux.l
1. Anat. Covered with numerous thick-set,
slender projections resembling short hairs : a. Of
the inner coat of the stomach or intestines.
c 1400 Lnn/ranc's Cirurg. 169 |)e stomak & J?e guttis is
ordeyned a skyn, J>at is clepid be siphac ; & is a syngle skyn
& is not villous. 1731 Arbuthnot Aliments i. (1735) 7 The
quick Sensation of tne inw*ard villous Coat of the Stomach.
1733 Chevne Eng. Malady 11. vil. § 1 (1734) 184 Either it
[the stomach] is too thin and weak, ..or the inner villous
Membiane is worn off. 1769 Hewson in Phil. J'rans. LIX.
210 The lacteals in the cod.. are remarkable for having a
beautiful net-work of vessels between the muscular and
villous coat of the intestines. 1842 Combf. Digest. c)4 On
examitiing the surface of the villous coat with a magnifying
glass. iWi MivART Cat 183 There is thus a great contract
between its interior and the villous internal surface of tlie
small intestine.
b. In general use.
1764 Reid Inquiry it § rThe tnemhrana pitmtaria, and
the olfactory nerves, which are distributed to the villous
parts of this membrane. 179a Phil. Trans, LXXXII. 179
The tongue itself is extremely villous, having some very
long villi at the poiitt, which act, I conceive, somewhat like
capillary tubes. 1831 R. Knox Cloquefs Anat. 555 The
surface of the ciliary processes is reticnlated and villous.
1846 Carpenter Man. Phys. 192 The villous and vascular
condition of a Mucous membrane. 1870 Rqllkston Anim,
Life 124 The pharynx has a coarsely villous exterior.
S. Of the nature of villi.
1664 Power E.rp, Philos. \. 22 An Appendent Proboscis
or Trunk, consisting of many villous filaments in figure of a
Cone. 1854 C. H. Jones & Siev. Patliol. Anat. iv. 188
Rokitansky describes a variety of cancer, which he calls
x>illous^ from its consisting of a kiud of delicate fibrous
stalk branching at its end into villous processes. 1873 F. T.
Roberts Ilantlbk. Med. 44 The weak new ves.sels .in cer-
tain vascular cysts, or villous processes. 1876 BRifuowF,
'/'A. 4- Pract. Med. (187B) 93 Fungous, papular, villous, or
cystic formations.
Comb, 1869 G. Lawson ??m. Eye (1874) 13 Covered with
small red villous- looking granulations.
3. Of animals: Hairy, furry. rarr~^,
i66x LovELL Hist. Anim. 9f Miu. Isagoge b i. Horses
have most haire upon the mane, lions upon their shouldersj
..and the hare is most villous; in all they grow thick.
' 4. Bot. Of parts of plants: Thickly covered with
long soft hairs.
1766 Museum Rust, VI. 444 The flowers.. are succeeded
by a swelling, villous pod. 1787 Fam. Plants I. 41 Stigmas
two, villous on the side. 1808 Roxburgh in Asiat. Res.
VIII. 500 Leaves alternate,. .smooth above, villous under.
neath. 1844 Fiorist*s JruL (1846) V. 18 Its petals being far
less taper-pointed, and not villous. iSSi Card. Chron. XVI,
780 The whole plant is more or less villous.
b. Consistmg of villi.
s8ai W, P. C. Barton Flora N. Amer. I. 37 The lower
leaved, .invested beneath with a villous pubescence.
Hence Vl'llonsly miv.
1870 Hooker Stud. Flora 429 Empty glumes villously
cihate.
il Villus (vi"15s). Bot. and Anat. PI. villi
(vi'lai). [L. villus tuft of hair, shaggy hair, etc.]
1. Bot, A long, slender, soft hair.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn, I, V'illi,'\\\ Botany, are small
Hairs like the Grain of Plush or Shag, with which, as with
a kind of Excrescence, some Trees do abound. x88a Bower
& ScoTT De Bary's Pkaner. go Ihe multicellular heads of
the.. glandular hairs, villi, and scales.
2. Anat, A slender hair-like process or minute
projection forming one of a number closely set
upon a surface.
^l. i7»8 Chambfrs Cycl.^ Crusta l-'illosa, .. the fourth
lunic. .of the Stomach. ..On the inner Surface of this Coat,
are seen innumerable Villi or Fibrillae. 1771 Encycl. Brit.
I. 260/1 The villi of this intestine \,sc. the duodenum) are
thicker than In the stomach. 170^ [see Villous a. i b].
1848 Carpenter Anim. Phys. 174 The Lacteals originate in
the numberless villi, or minute projections- with which the
mucous membrane that lines the alimentary tube is covered.
s86i J. R. Greene Man. Anim. Kingd.^ Ccelent. 31 The
surface of this layer is often elevated into a number of villi,
or conical processes. i88i Mivart Cat 26 It may be pro-
duced into many, often relatively large, papillx or villi.
sing. 18^8 Carpenter Anim. Phys. 40 In the intervals of
the digestive action, only a few granules., can be seen at the
end of the ^llus. 1880 Beale Slight Ailments 89 Every
villus of the intestinal canal is supplied with nerve fibres.
Vilm(e,obs. varr. Film sb. Vilne, Vilony(e,
etc., obi. varr. Villainy. Vilou, obs. f. Willow.
Vilte, var. Vilety Obs. Vilthy, southern dial,
var. Filthy a, Vily(e, ohs. varr. Vilely aefv.
Vilyooit, obs. f. Wvliecoat.
Vim (vim). Orig. U.S. [Commonly regarded
as a. I„ vtmj ace. sing, of vis strength, energy;
but the earlier adverbial use (see quot. 1850) sug-
gests a purely imitative or interjectional origin.]
Force or vigour, energy, *go'. f Also as adv.,
vigorously, sharply.
1850 Odd Leaves 51 (Thornton), He thought of his spurs,
so he ris up, an' drove them vim in the boss's flanx. [bid.
gr. 187s Neio York Herald 17 April (Bartlett), With a
vim and determination that sometimes makes victory half
assured. 1876 F. L. Galt in Orton Attdes Sf Afnazons 11.
xliv. 586 [The Portuguese] seem still to carry about the vim
of a Vasco de Gama in their wanderings. 1880 Johnson
IV. L. Garrison 128 There was. .a Garrisonian gripand vim
in the anti-slavery sentiment of the county. 1894 Outing
XXIV. 259/1 He fought well and with a vim that I have
never seen equaled.
t Vimaue. Obs,—^ [ad. OF. vi?nauve, mod.F.
gitimauve. Cf. Maw sb'^'\ Marsh-mallow.
c 1410 Master o/Game xii. (MS. Bodl. 546) fol. 58, penne
take 36 of \>^ mauys & of |je vimauys & of \^ white lylyes.
Vi'minal, a. rar£r~^. [ad. L. viminal-iSy f.
vimin-, vlmen osier.] (See quots.)
1623 CocKtiHAM I, Viminal, apt or fit to bind with. 1656
Blount Glossogr. vcopying Cooper), Viminal^ apt towinde
or binde, belonging to Osiers or Twigs. [Hence in later
Diets, with varying definitions.]
Vimineous (viml-n/as), a. Now rare. Also
7 vlminious. [f. L. vimine-ns (f. vinn'n-,
vlmen : see prec.) + -ous.]
1. Made of pliable twigs or wickerwork,
1657 ToMLiNsoN Renou's Disp. 189 Chirurgions have in-
vented an Estuary of a vimineous texture like a bird-cage.
1664 Evelyn Sylva 37 The Timber is incomparable,., be-
cause it is exceedingly light, for Vine, and Hop-props, and
divers viminious works, 1717 Puior Alma 111. 172 As in a
Hive's vimineous Doine, 'l"en thousand Bees enjoy their
Home. 1736 H. Brooke Univ. Beauty vi. 309 Here lightly
some vimineous burdens bear.
2. Bot. Producing long, flexible shoots or twigs.
1664 Evelyn Sylva 3 Willows, and all the Vimineous
kinds, which are raised of Sets only. 1694 Westmacott
Script. Herb. 154 This vimineous Tree [poplar] is properly
but of two kinds. Hud. 222 This [the willow] is one of the
Vimineous family. 1731 P. Miller Gard. Diet. s.v. Vege-
tation, In some, it [the principle of life] is seated bothin the
J<oots, and all over the Trunk and Branches ; as, in the
Vimineous or Willow Kinds. 1857 A. Gray First Less. Bot.
236 r//«7«tfOKj, producing slender twigs, such as those used
for wicker-work. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1216/2.
Vin, southern dial, variant of Find v,
II Vina (v;'na). Also 8 vena, 9 veena. [Skr.
and Hindi vind.'] An Indian musical instrument
consisting of a fretted fingerboard, to which seven
strings fitted with pegs are attached, with a gourd
at each end ; an Indian lyre.
1796 Eliza Hamilton Lett. Hindoo Rajah (1811) I. 211
A musician softly touched the chords of a vena. 1817
Moore Lalla Rookh, F ire-worshippers v. Introd., As the
story was chiefly to be told in song,.. he borrowed the vina
of Laila Rookh's slave. 1837 [Mrs. Maitland] Lett. Jr.
Madras (1843) 55 First. .came in an old man. .to play and
sing to the vtna, an instrument like a large mandoline. 1896
///(/, Mag. Jan. 39 Instrumental music on the veena. . is also
much in vogue among them.
Viuaceous (vain^'Jas), a. [f. L. vtndce-us^
f. vtn-um wine : see -aceous.] Of the (reddish)
colour of wine ;, wine-coloured.
1688 Holme Armoury 11. 24^ The Throat [is] tinctured
with a lovely vinaceous, graplike colour. 1776 Pennant
Bp'it. Zool. (ed. 4) I. 267 'i'he rump a fine cinereous ; breast
and belly, pale chesnut dashed with a vinaceous cast. 1803
Bisgley Anim. Biog. (1805) II. 388 The fore part of the
neck and breast are vinaceous. 1815 Stephens in Shaiv's
Gen. Zool, IX. i. 91 Throat and sides of the head vinaceous.
1889 P. L. Sclater Argentine Ornith. II. 140 Beneath
plumbeous, with a strong vinaceous tinge,
b. Qualifying names of colours.
1788 I. White Jml. Voy. N. S. Wales (1790) r46 The
generaf colour of the bird otherwise is brown, changing to '
vinaceous red on the breast. 18x7 Stephens in Shaw's
Gen, Zool. X. 1. 5 Vinaceous-grey Coly, with a blue tail,
crested head, and shining green occiput. Ibid. XI. \. 84
Pigeon with the head,, of a vinaceous purple. 187a Coues
N. Ather. Birds 226 Olive-gray with a reddish tinge, crown
and under parts vinaceous-red. 1889 P. L. Sclater Argen-
tine Ornith. ill. r4o Above pale vinaceous brown.
c. eliipt, or as sb,
1819 Stephens in Shaws Gen. Zool. XI. i. 126 The belly,
sides, thighs, and under tail-coverts, of a reddish vinaceous.
1877 Coi;es & Allen N. Amer. Rod. 811 The prevailing tint
of the dorsal surface varies from gray to pale vinaceous,
Vinaore, Vinager, obs. forms of Vinegar.
tVlnager. Obsr° [Cf. med.L. vinageria^
vinacheria (Du Cange).] ? A wine-vessel.
<:i440 Promp. Pan: 510/1 Vynagere (A', vynagre, P.
vynegyr), vinarium.
II Vinaigrette (vin^gre-t). Also 7-8 vinai-
gret, 7, 9 vinegrette, 9 vinaigaret. [F. vinai-
grette vinegar-sauce (also in senses 2 and 3), f.
vinaigre Vinegae sbj\
1 1. A condiment prepared with vinegar. Obs~^
1699 Evelyn Acelaria 20 Cucumber,, .tho' very cold and
moist, the most approved Sallet alone, or in Composition,
of all the Vinaigrets, to sharpen the Appetite.
2. A small two-wheeled carriage drawn or pushed
by persons, formerly in use in France. Now only
Hist.
1698 W. King tr. Sorbiire*s yourn. Lond. 6, I saw a little
Master in a little Vinegrette, drawn along by two Boys,
much bigger then himself, and push'd behind by a Maid.
1698 M. Lister Joum. Pans (1699) 13 The Vinegrette, a
27
VINAIGROUS.
Coach on Two Wheels, dragg'd by a Man, and push'd
behind by a Woman or Boy, or both. i^8 A. Balfour To
Arms xxiv. 272 The vinegrettes plying hither and thilher
. . are like Sedans mounted on two thin wheels.
3. A small ornamental bottle or box usually
containing a s()onge charged with some aromatic
or pungent salts ; a smelling-bottle.
itii .Miss L. M. Hawkins Cteis * Gerlr. I. 55 She had
no resource but silence, her fan and her vittaigrette. »°47
C Bronte Tfatte Eyrtxsi\\ The matrons, meantime, offered
vinaiftrettes and wielded fans. i«66 Geo. Euot P-Holt
ixxix. She.. took up. .a gold vinaigrette which Mrs. Iran-
some often lilced to carry with her.
b. trans/. Applied to a person.
1836 T. Hook G. Gurtiry I. iv. 140, I would not.. have
veotuml to confess to my most exemplarj- parent, more
especially in the presence of the fair vinaigrette,, .the
adventure at Twickenham,
VlnaigrouB, a. rarr^. [f. F. vinatgie vine-
gar.] Vinegary ; sour-tempered.
1837 Carlvle Fr. Rev. 1. vil. ix. Even the ancient vinai.
grous Tantes admit it; the King's Aunts, ancient Graille
and Sisterhood.
Vinakir, obs. Sc. form of Vinegar.
Vinal (vai-nal), a. [ad. L. vTiial-is (rare), f.
vm-um wine, or directly f. vin-iiin + -al.]
+ 1. Addicted to, fond of, wine. Ohs.~^
1651 S. S. Weepers 6 His Vinal and Venereous temper
opened the little Wicket for the five other Deadly Sinnes.
2. Produced by, originating in, wine.
1658 R. White tr. Digby^s P<ywd. Syttip. (ed. 2) 110 The
bodies . .attract unto themselves . . such as are of their nature
, , ; as wine doth the vinall spirits, a 1700 Ken Edmund
Poet. Wks. 1721 II. 313 Their vinal Steams evaporating,
they Felt of their usual Vigour a Decay. 1894 Froude
Erasmus xi. 210 She drank it [the wine] to the last drop. . .
Then she.. tried to pitch him overboard. There is vinal
energy for you.
Vina'rious, a. rare'", [f. L. vinari-us, f. vlmiin
wine : see -abiods.] O^ or belonging to wine.
1656 Blount Giossogr.
Vinato-rian, a. rare~^. (See quot. and Vini-
TOBIAN a.)
1656 Blount Glossogr.^ Vinatorian, belonging to the
dresser of a Vineyard,
t Vince, v. Obs.~^ [ad. L. rn'mfre.'] intr. To
win the day, be victorious.
1530 Cromwell in Si. Papers Heu. VIII, I. 367 The
Fiorentynes dothe styll continew and defende the power of
the Pope, and it ys supposyd that they shall vynce.
fVincent. slang. Obs. rare. [Of obscure
origin.] The dupe in a betting game of bowls or
the like. Also Vincenfs law, the art of cheating
at bowls, etc.
1591 Greene Conny<atchvig 11. B ij b. The Vincents Law
is a common deceit or cosenage vsed in Bowling.allie.s,
amongst the baser sort of people. Ibid. 11. B iij. The vin-
cent,..that is the simple man that stands by, and not ac-
quainted with their cosenage.
Vincentiail (vinscnjan), sb. and a.l [f. Vin-
cent (see def.) + -IAN.] a. sb. A member of an
order of Roman Catholic mission-priests founded
by St. Vincent de Paul (1576-1660). b. adj. Of
or pertaining to this order.
1854 Newman in W. Ward Li/e C1912) 1. xi. 338 [I] went
off to Cork to the Vincentians.
Vincentian (vinscnjan), a.2 [f. Vincent (iee
def.) + -IAN.] Originating or associated with St.
Vincent of Lerins (died <r45o A. D.).
The reference is to St, Vincent's test of orthodoxy : ' quod
ubique, quod semper, quod ah omnibus creditum esk '.
1875 LiDDON in Johnston Li/e <V Lett. (1904) vii. 200 Your
difficulty seems to' be in the meaning of * Semper ' in the
Vincentian Canon. 1887 Ld. Acton Lett. Mary Gladstone
(1913) 182 No con.sensus, no Vincentian Rule, exists that
can decide this question.
t Vincetoxic. Obs.~^ [ad. med.L. vincelox-
iciim, -icus (used as a plant -name) , f. L. vinclre
to overcome + toxicum poison.] An antidote to
poison.
16^ J. Robinson Calm Ventilation vli. in Eudoxa, etc.
151 Some Vincetoxicks [printed -toricks] are generall, and
will be contrary to severall kinds [of poison].
Vinoh, obs. Sc. form of Wench sb.
Viucibility (vinsibi'Iiti). [f. next + -ITY.]
The state of being vincible; capability of being
conquered or overcome.
175a Richardson Corr. (1804) III. 203 An instance of his
favourite observation in behalf of the vincibility of a first
love. 1753 — Grandison (1781) VI. xii. 47, I don't know
what to say to the vincibility of such a Love. 1807 Ann,
Rev. V. 344 A belief in the vincibility of Frenchmen. 1856
J. Strang Glasgow jr its Clubs 141 In Egypt they bad
testified to the vincibility oi ih^ French Invincibles.
Vincible (vi-nslb'l), a. [ad. L. vtncibilis, {.
vincire to overcome : see -ible. So obs. F. vin-
cible, It. viruihile, Sp. vencible, Pg. vencivel."]
In the 15th cent, version of Higden (Rolls) IV. 167 vin.
cible occurs as an error for invincible.
1. Of persons: That may be overcome or van-
quished in battle or conflict, or in some contest ;
susceptible of defeat or overthrow.
■548 Udall, etc, Erasm. Par. Matt. iv. 33 b, Christ oner,
came hym to .shewe vnto vs that be was vincible. 1590 K.
Adams in Harl. Misc. I. 120 The English fleet, .dispersed
that invincible Navy, and made it vincible. 1610 J.
Havward Edw. VI, 75 He not easily vincible in spirit.,
drew bis sword and caused others to doe the like. x68o
210
C. Nesse Ch. Hist, 483 That Spanish Armado (which wa^
stiled Invincible, but proved Vincible). 1736 Ainsworth
Lat. Diet. 11, I'incibiiis, vincible, conquerable. 1851
WiLKS Hist. Naif Cent. 68 The allies .. could scarcely
believe that the Napoleon who had so often conquered them
was really vincible. 1899 S. E. Hf.rrick in W. H. Salmon
Cttliure Chr. Manhood 240 And the heart i.s so exultant, so
vigorous, and the man is so feeble and so vincible.
trans/. iSSzAtiantic Monthiy XLIX. 418 He [Peel] was
vincible by the truth.
2. Of material or imnrmterial things, obstacles,
nrguments, etc. : That may be overcome ; conquer-
able, surmountable.
a 1568 CovERDALE Bk. Death (1579) "o To heare Howe
viihurtfuU, yea wholesome and vincible death is become
thorow Christ, 1589 Marprel. .£>//. Title-p., Very in-
sufficiently furnished, with notable inabilitie of most vincible
reasons. 1631 Fuller Davids Sin xxxv. (1868) 49 Nought
i-i so hard but vincible by paijies. 1666 J. Smith Old Age
(1676) 153 All imminent evil is looked upon either as vincible
or invincible. x686 Plot Siaffordsh. 191 A Pox-stone, Le.
a stone scarce vincible by fire. 1753 Richardson Grandison
(1781) III. xxviii. 315 Were this great difficulty to be
vincible. 1786 AIrs. A. M. Bennett Juvenile I ndiscr. V.
130 He dreaded.. her sense of duty, her obedience to her
parents, had their objections been vincible. 1824 Hlackw.
Mag. XVI. 581 The form of faith that Lydia held (a vincible
objection in other circumstances) was made a reason. 1872
Chr. World Pulpit II. 183 It is because these influences
are vincible, .that we are exhorted not to grieve tlie Spirit
of God.
lo. Vincible ignorance^ an ignorance the means
of overcoming which are possessed by the ignorant
person himself. Cf. Invincible a. i c.
C1626 Donne Serm. Ixxvi. (1640) 775 God forgives none
of that which is left undone, out of a wilfull and vincible
ignorance. 1689 Dial, betiv. Timothy <V Titus 5 Though I
must tell you, Tim, 'tis vincible ignorance; for that you
have not read them, is your own fault. 172^ A. Shields
Life J. Renxvick Ep. Rdr. (1827) p. vii, Their Ignorance
also proved vincible, when they had got that One Minister,
whom he so reproaches. 1884 Cdth. Did. 424/2 AU vin-
cible ignorance of the things a man's duty requires him
to know is in itself sinful. 1891 Cath. Nexvs 31 Jan. 3/4
Violation of duty attended bycuTpableor vincible ignorance.
Hence Vi'&dbleness ; Vi-ncibly adv.
1654 Bramhall Just Vind. vi. fi66i) 157 Such Papists as
they count vincibly ignorant of Roman errours. 1656 —
Replic. viii. 325 The Roman Church, .doth not excom-
municate all the Christians of Africk, Asia, . .but only such
as do erre vincibly or sinfully. 1727 Bailey (vol. II),
Vittcibleness^ Capableness or Liableness to be conquered or
overcome.
Vi-ncture. rare-°» [ad. L. vinciUra, f. vifictre
to bind.] 'A binding or tying.'
1656 h\.ov\iT Glossogr. (Hence in later Diets.}
Vi'ncular, a. rare. [f. L, vimul-nm a bond or
tie.] Of a vowel : Connective. Also ellipt. as sb.
So Vincula'tion (see quot,).
187X Kennedy Public Sch, Lat. Gram. 9 The weakest
vowel is I, for which reason it is used as a Vincular, to
link parts in Flexion and Derivation. Ibid. 19 Vinculation,
or insertion of a Vincular Vowell.
f Vi'nculate, a, Obs.—^ [ad. L, vinctdat-us^
pa. pple. of vinculdre to bind,] Bound.
154X R. Copland Galyen*s Terap. D j, Yf the vlceres be
nat bounde yt thou mytygate the phlegmon. For it is
necessary that they be nat vyncuiate.
II Vinculnm (vi-qkiKliJm). PI. vinoula. [L.,
f. vinc'^ stem oi vincire to bind + -tilum -ule.]
1. A bond of union ; a tie. Usuallyy?^,
1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. iv. 697 The Religion of an
Oath is a Necessary Vinculum of Civil Society. 1699
Phil. 'Trans. XXI. 236 Which., does diffuse it self through
the Whole, and breaking the Vinculum of the more solid
Parts, does dissolve their Compages. 1710 T. Fuller
Pharm. Extemp. (1730) 4 The gentle Intestine motion of
Fermentation knocking asunder their Vincula of mixture,
they naturally fall to pieces. 1831 Blakey Free-ivijl igS
In material objects we do not see the connecting principle
— the vinculum^ as it is termed, which links cau.ses and
effects together. 1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics (i860) II.
vm. iii. 279 The vincula of the Intellectual World are
principally formulas of invocation, a 1871 Grote Eth.
T'ragin. \. (1876) 13 Intimate connection drives us to con-
ceive an ideal vinculum,
2. Math. A straight line drawn over t\Vo or more
terms, denoting that these are to be considered as
subject to the same operations of multiplication,
division, etc., by another term.
1710 J, Harris Lex. Techn. II, Vinculum, is a Term in
Fluxions, implying that some compound surd Quantity is
multiplied into a Fluxion, &c. 17^3 W. Emerson Fluxions
24 The fluxionary Part may be divided by the Fhixion of
the Root (or Part under the Vinculum). 1798 Hutton
Course Math. (1807) II. 292 When the Root under a Vin-
culum is a Compound Quantity; and the Index of the part
or factor Without the Vinculum, increased by i, is some
Multiple of that Under the Vinculum. [1842 Brande Diet.
Sci,, etc. 1297 Vieta first used the bar or line over the
quantities for a vinculum.] 1857 B. Smith Arith.^ Algebra
(ed. 4) 5 The sign vinculum, placed over numbers, . ,[is]
used to denote that all numbers under the vinculum, .are
equally affected by all numbers not under the vinculum.
1875 Encycl. Brit. I. 519/1 Each of these [quantities] has a
line drawn over it called a vinculum.
^g. i8»7 Tate Grk. Metres in Theatre of Greeks (ed. 2)
427 The words from to** to TroISa are inclosed as it were in
a vinculum of syntax. 1871 R. H. Hutton Ess. (1877) I.
38 The other notion of unity, .denotes the vinculum, or
sheath, under which branches of thought or existence,
really different in kind, are taken up into a single complex
root or stem.
3. Anat, A ligament or frenum.
1859 Matne Expos. Lex. (and in later Diets.).
VINDICATE.
VincUB, obs. or dial. Sc. var. Vanquish v,
Vind, southern dial. var. Fini> v. ; obs. Sc. f.
Wind v. Vindage, var, Vkndage Obs, Vin-
dak» obs. Sc. var. Window. Vinde, southern
ME. var. Find v. ; obs. f. Vine sb.
Vindemial (vindrmial), «. rare. [ad. L. (post-
classical) vindemidl'isy f. vindhnia Vindemy.] Of
or belonging to, associated with, the gathering of
grapes.
1656 Blount Glossogr. [Hence in Phillips, Kersey, etc.]
1819 H. Busk Dessert 418 Yes, come, Lysus, leave thy
lucid rills, Thy ivy borders and vindemial hills.
Viudexuiate (vindrmi^'t), », [f. L. vindim-
idt't ppl. stem of vindemidre^ f. as prec] intr.
To gather ripe fruit, esp. grapes. Hence Vin-
de'miatiug vbl. sb.
1664 Evelyn Kal. Hort. Aug. 72 Now vindemiate and
take your Bees towards the expiration of this Moneih. 1670
IJ1.0UNT Glossogr. (ed. 3), I'iiidetiiiate, to gather grapes
or ripe fruit in harvest, [Hence in Phillips, etc.] 1728
Chambers Cyc/., Vindeviiaiing, the gathering of Grapes, or
otlierripe Fruits. 1831 Whewell in Todhunter Ace. Writ.
(1876) II. 123 People will ask you to reckon your fruits : so
vindemiate as fast as you can.
Viudexuiation (vind/"mi?'*j3n). [ad. med.L.
vindeniidtiOj f. L. vindemidre : see prec] The
gathering of grapes or other fruits. Also trans/.
andyf^.
1609 C. Butler Fem, Mon. x. (1623) Tij, Of the fruit
and profit of Bees : Wherein is shewed first the Vindemia-
tion or taking of Combes. 1653^. G- Bacon's /fist. Winds^
etc. 305 Let this be the first Vindemiation or inchoated
interpretation of the Forme of heat. 1669 Worlidge Syst.
Agric. 277 / 'indemiation, the gathering of Grapes, or reap-
ing the Fruit of any thing ; as of Cherries, Apples, Bees, &c.
1727 Bailev (vol. Ill, and in later Diets.
V inde'iniatory, a. rare~**. [ad. L. vindemidt-
dri-us (Varro).] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr. ^ Vindemiatory^ of or balonging to
gathering Grapes, or ripe Fruit in Harvest.
II Viudexuiatriz (vindfmi^'-triks), [med, of
mod.L. fem. oi vindemidt or vintager, star in Virgo,
f. L. vindemidre : see Vindemiate v.'\
1. A bright fixed star in the constellation Virgo.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Vindemiatrix, a Fixed
Star of the third Magnitude, in the Constellation Virgo,
whose Longitude is 185 degr, 23 min. Latitude 16 degr.
15 niin. [Hence in later Diets.] 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v.
I'irga, Stars in the Constellation Virgo [include].., Upper
of North Wing, Vindemiatrix. 1843 Penny Cyel. XXVI.
373/1 Of the bright stars in this triangle, Vindemiatrix is
the one nearest to the line joining Arcturus and ^ Leonis.
i860 Olmsted Mech, Heav. 347 Twenty degrees north of
Spica, is Vindemiatrix, in the arm of Virgo, a star of the
third magnitude.
2. * A female vintager' (Bailey, 1721).
fVi'ndemy. Obsr~^ [ad. L.wW^W7iZ vintage,
fruit-gathering.] The taking of honey from bee-
hives.
1609 C. Butler Fem. Mon. v. (1623) Kiij, At the Vin-
demie, in a fair calm morning, before any Bees be abroad,
shut up close all the stalls in your Garden.
Vinden, southern ME. variant of Find v.
Vindicabi'lity. rare-°. [f. next.] *The
quality of being vindicable, or capable of support
or justification.*
1828-32 Webster (citing yml. of Science).
Vindicable (vi*ndikab*l), «. [ad. late l^.vin-
dicdbilis (Du Cange), f. L. vindicdre to vindicate.
Cf. OF. vindicable punishing.]
f 1. Vengeful, vindictive. Obs.-^
1632 Lithgow Trot'. 1. 7 Any obuious obiect of disastrous
misfortune : or perhaps any vindicable action, [which] might
from an vnsetled ranckour be conceiued.
2. Capable of being vindicated ; admitting of
being justified or maintained,
1647 Engl. Mountebank Cast. Sickly Water State s'^^^^'^^
freedoms, liberty of person, property of Estates given away
and become meere Notions, and not vindicable, nor pre-
servable by Law. 1713 Lond. Gaz. No. 5090/1 The most
vindicable Quarrel can be imagiu'd. 1736 Chandler Hist.
Persec. 436, i think this manner of subscribing to Creeds..
is infamous in its nature, and vindicable upon no principles
of conscience and honour. 1775 S. J. Pkatt Liberal Opin.
xlviii. (1^83) II. 39, I think every work of God vindicable.
1836 J. Hallev in W. Arnot Me/n. (1842) 61 Feelings which
were natural, but by no means vindicable. 1844 H. H.
Wilson Brit. India II. 336 Hostilities in this campaign
were generally prosecuted in a stern and inflexible spirit,
vindicable, perhaps, by the cruelty and treachery of the
Mahtatta princes.
Vi'ndicant. /Ionian Law. l&d.'L.vindicant-,
vindicans, -pres. pp\e. of vindicdre: see next.] The
claimant in a suit.
1880 Muirhead Gaius n. § 24 The praetor adjudges the
thing to the vindicant. /bid. iv. § 16 'Ihe vindicant held in
his hand a rod.
Vindicate (vi-ndikv't), v. Also 6-7 %%pa.pple.
[f. L. vindicdt-^ ppl. stem of vindicdre (also ven-
dicdre : see Vendicatez;.) to claim, to set free, to
punish, etc., f. vim^ ace. sing, of vis force + die-,
stem of iitc^re to say. Cf. It. vindicare, Sp. and
Pg. vindicar, F. vendiquer,^
+ 1, trans, a. To exercise in revenge. Obs."^
1533 Bellenden Livy (S.T.S.) II. 326 Praying t?am lo
provid Jjat t>e peple vindicat na Ire nor wraith [altered to
vse na vengeanc* nor punycioun] on ^am.
VINDICATE.
t b. To avenge or revenge (a person, cause,
wrong, etc.). Obs.
i6a3 CocKF.RAM I, Vindicate^ to reuenge. i6ss Stanley
Hist. Philos. I. (16S7) 17/2 Solon declared, thai it behoved
them.. that they should vindicate the Gods cause. 1660
Ingeuo Bcntk'. f, U>: u, (1682) 164 Resolving by God's
assistance to vindicate his Wrongs. 1665 Sir T. Herbert
Trtw. (1677) 67 News.. being bfought King Achbar that
Mirza Sharoph . . had been injured by the Ouzbeg Tartar ;
the King resolve*^ to vindicate him. 1713 Swikt Catienus
+ / anrjia Wks. 1 755 III. ]i. 18 But Cupid, full of mischief,
longs To vindicate his mother's wrongs.
to. To pnnish'; to visit with punishment. Obs.
163a LiTHGow Trav. vin. 367 There are seuerall Seates of
luslice heere (though none to vindicate beastlinesse). 1659
Pearson Creed i. 86 God is more powerfuil to exact sub-
iaction, and to vindicate rebellion. 1665 Manlev Crolius'
Lmu C. ll^ars<jy\ Privale Trespasses should be vindicated
upon the Authors thereof themselves, or else where they
lived. 1770 Burke Prts. DUcont. 8 Because our grievances
are.. not precisely those which we bore from the "Tudors,
or vindioated on the Stuarts.
1 2. To make or set free ; to. deliver or rescue.
Usually const. ym«. Obs. (common 1620-60).
1568-71 Wtle), The Warlcis of..Schir Dauld Lyndesay...
Newly correctit, and vindicate from the former Errouris
quhairwith thay war befoir corruptit 1370 Buchanan
Adinon. Wts. (S. T. S.) 22 How je haue vindicat this,
realnic out of thraldome of strangearis. 1613 Sir A.
Sherlev Trav. Persia. 85 Nothing will giue you more
honour then . . First to vindicate those places, in which your
religion is oppressed. i6»-5i I. Jones .S/o'/c-Z/m^ (1655)
2 To vindicate, as much as in me lies, the Founders of this
venerable Antiquity from oblivion. 1650 .\shmole Ana-
num in Fasc Chem. 166 A faithfull. .Teacher, that may
make the clear Sun conspicuous unto them, and vindicate
their eies from darknesse. 1665 Needham iMed. Medicinx
267 The Liquor ferments, and is vindicated from Putrefac.
tion and Stagnation. 1756 Burke ( ind. X,it. Sx. Wks.
1842 I. 21 We should renounce their dreams of society, to-
gether with their visions of religion, and vindicate ourselves
into perfect liberty. 1761 Hume /iist. Eng. I. xiii. 328 His
successful valour seemed to vindicate the nation from the
ignominy into which it had fallen by its tame submission.
absol. i6>8 Gaule Pract. The. (1629) no Caisar vindi-
cates from a knowne Enemie; Christ redeemes from a
secret Aduersarie.
3. To clear from censure, criticism, suspicion, or
doubt, by means of demonstration; to justify or
uphold by evidence or argument.
<ii635 Naunton Fragm. Reg. (Arb.) 61 And so I shall
onely vindicate the scandall of his death, and conclude
him. 1651 Baxter Inf. Baft. 150 O that God would find
out some way to vindicate his own honor, and clear his
cause, itei Langbaine Acc. Eng. Poets Pref , I might be
capable of doing them better Service, in vindicating their
Fame. 1736 Butler .'liial. II. viii. 389 The design of this
treatise is not to vindicate the character of God. 177(5 Sir
J. Reynolds Disc. (1778) 280 Pou.'^sin . . is said to have vindi-
cated the conduct of Julio Romano for his inattention to the
ma.sses of light and shade. 178* Miss Burney Cecilia v. ii,
I don't mean to vindicate what has happenetl. 1817 Jas.
Mill Brit. India 1. 11. ix. 413 Mr. Playfair admits that the
Indian tables cannot be entirely vindicated in this respect.
i8ss Macaulav Hist. Eng. xvii. IV. 7; Those who had
e(Tected_ this Revolution thought it prudent to send a
deputation to France for the purpose of vindicating their
proceediiig.s. i88f L'foo! Mercury i8 Feb. 5/2 He has no
secret treaties to vindicate, no occult motives to gloss over
in dubious pleadings.
b. With personal object.
1646 Crashaw Steps to Temple, Treatise Charity 13 These
learned leaves shalfvindicate to thee Thy holiest, humblest,
hand. maid Charitie. 1659 in Burton's Diary (1828) IV. 338,
I rise up to vindicate the Commiltee. 1675 Baxter Calh.
Tkeol. II. II. 238, I must be so far justiliedj that is, vindi-
cated against Calumny by my innocency in those points.
170* C. ^|ATHER Magn. Chr. 111. iii. (1852) 536 The mention
of this gives me an opportunity, .also to vindicate another
great man unto the churches of our Lord Jesus Christ.
refl. 1639 Massikcer Unnat. Combat IV. i, The torch
that feeds them was not lighted at Thy altars, Cupid.
Vindicate thyself, And do not own it ! a 1648 Ld. Herbert
Hen. VlUiit^&fi 232 It was thought, by some, he might
haue Vindicated himself in great part. 1679 J. S.MIT11
Narr. Popish Plot 19 There being no way left to vindicate
themselves, or discredit their Accusers, save the making
their recoinse to lies. 1818 D'Israeli Chas. /, II, v. 130
He could have vindicated himself, if his enemies had chosen
to be his listeners. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. v. I. 66t
The wicked judge and the wicked king attempted to vindi-
cate themselves by throwing the blame on each other.
C. Conn, from (a charge, imputation, etc.).
1664 H. More Apol, in Myst. Iniq. 487 Those more notable
Philosophick Truths \n the Scripture doth . . vindicate her
from that vile Imputation of Ignorance in Philosophy. 1675
J. Howe Living Temple 1. il. 20 He makes Velleius highly
vindicate from this imputation. 1700 Locke Hum, Und.
(ed. 4) IV. viii. 367 But how that vindicates the making use
of Identical Propositions for the Improvement of Know-
ledge, from the Imputation of Trifling, I do not see. 1713
J. Dart IVestmonasterium I. 87 This I here mention to
vindicate my self from those Mistakes of which I am not
guilty. 1798 Ferriar Hlustr. Sterne, etc. 37, I must vin-
dicate Sterne from a charge of plagiarism. 1815 Scott
Betrothed xxix. When he vindicated him from the suspicions
thrown out by Guarinc. 184s .M. PattisoN Ess. (1889) I.
iS He turned all his defence to vindicate himself from the
charge of treason. 1891 Speaker 2 May 526^2 It is.. the
first serious attempt that has been made to vindicate Horace
Walpole from the aspersions of Macaulay and his followers.
d. To provide justification for (something) ; to
justify by facts or results. Also with personal object.
170J Farquhar Tlvin Ri7faU IV. iv. For Heav'n's sake,
Mr. Richmore, what have I ever shewn to vindicate this
presumption of yours? 1749 Fielding Tom Jones v. vi, 'The
infidelity of Molly, .would perhaps have vindicated a much
211
1 greater degree of resentment than he expressed on the
I occa-sion. <z 1763 Shenstone Ess. Wks. 1765 II. 203 One
should not destroy an insect. .without a r«ason sufficient to
vindicate oi»e through all the courts of morality. 1836 J.
(JiLBKRT Christian Atomm. vii. (1832) 205 Ihe mere fact
of voluntariness is in.sutiicient to vindicate the justice of
allowing ihe assumed responsibility. i88a Pebouy Eng.
yourualism xx. 150 No man has more brilliantly vindi-
cated the sagacity which placed him in a position of power
and responsibility,
4. To assert, maintain, make good, by means of
action, esp. in one's own interest ; to defend against
encroachment or interference.
1650 Makvlll tloratian Ode 62 He nothing common did,
or mean, . . Nor called the gods with vulgar spite To vindi-
' cate his helpless right' 1654 Bbamhali, Just Vind. \. (1661J
4 That. .they. .vindicate that liberty left them as an in-
heritance by their Ancestours, from the incroachments
, ..of the Court of Rome. 1671 Milton F. R. ii. 47
Arise and vindicate I'hy Glory, free thy people from
thir yoke. 1738 Wkslev Ps. lxxx. ii, Stir up thy btrengih,
[ thine Arm make bare, And vindicate thy chosen Race. 1777
j Robertson Hist. Aitter. vi. (1778) 196 He thought the,
happy period was at length come for vindicating his own
I rights. 1831 SvD. Smith Wks. (1859) I. 394/2 Prevention
I of intrusion upon private property is a right which every
proprietor may act upon, and use force to vindicate. 1875
Stubbs Const. Hist. II. 4 The liberties of the nation are
not yet vindicated.
5. To claim as properly belonging to oneself or
another ; to assert or establish possession of (some-
i thing) y^r oneself or another.
1680 Drvden Ovid's Ep. Pref., Ess. (ed. Ker) I. 235 It
appears not from their writings, that any of the Grecians
ever touched upon this way, which our poet therefore justly
has vindicated to himself.. 1737 Centl. Mag. VII. 332
I'hough Christ's Appeal to the iioth vindicates that Psalm
to David, it vindicates none else. i8zaT. Taylor /J/k?^//«
218 Exciting a frivolous controversy about the boundaries
of the fields, he vindicated the whole of the land to himself.
185s PRESCOTT Philip 11^ \, (1857) 76 Paul the Fourth, one
of those remarkable men^ who.. have vindicated to them-
selves a permanent place in history. 1858 Hawthorne Fr.
^ ft' Noie-bks. II. 42 Grand enough to vindicate for him
all the genius that the world gave him credit for. 1884
Sckaff's Encycl. Relig. Knawl. III. 2466/1 Robert Flint. .
vindicates him t^^- Voltairej an honorable place in the
development of the philosophy of history.
b. Without const. : To claim for oneself or as
one's rightful property.
1715 Pope Odyss. iv. 224 Affianc'd in your friendly power
alone, The youth wou'd vindicate the vacant throne. 1733
— Est. Man\\\. 38 Is thine alone the seed that strews the
plain ? The birds of heav'n shall vindicate their grain. 1781
Cow-PER Truth 490 The soul.. Can. .Possess herself of all
that's good or true. Assert the skies, and vindicate her due.
1807 J. Barlow Coluinb. iii. 850 The wide-beak'd hawk,
that now beholds me die, Soon, .my flesh shall tear, And
wolves and tigers vindicate their share.
c. Spec, in Law, Also ahsol.
1x859 Austin Jurispr, (1863) III. 207 A right to vindicate
or recover the subject from any who may be in the possession
of it. 1880 Muirhead Rules Ulpian xxv. § 17 The senate
has decreed that he shall not be entitled to deduct his
fourth, nor yet. .to vindicate gifts under the testament that
have become caducous. 1880 — Gaius 11. §24 When he
has thus vindicated, the praetor asks the cedent whether
he makes any counter-vindication.
Hence Vi*ndioated ///. a. ; Vindicating vbl.
sb, and ///. a. \ Vi'ndicatingly adv.
i6a4GATAKER Transubst. 42 The vindicating of this piece
of antiquity to his right Author. 164a Drlmm.qf Hawth.
Skiamachia Wks. (1711) 191 The equity of his taking of
arms, for the vindicating of his crown and state from the
implacable malice of those men. 1700 Prior Carin. Sec.
XV, To rescu'd States, and vindicated Crowns His Equal
Hand prescrib'd their ancient Bounds. 1734 A. Shields i
Lt/e Renwick (1827) 177 Instead of a reproached Minister,
we got a vindicated Martyr. 1830 Mrs. Browning Sonn.
/r. Portug. xi, I obtain From that same love this vindicat-
ing grace, To li%-e on still in love. 1891 Meredith One of
our Conq. xii, Her mother required schooling to tell the
story vindicatingly and proudly.
Vindication (vindik^-Jan). Also 5 vyndi-,
vyndycacion. [a. OF. (now F. dial.) vindica-
tion vengeance, or ad. L, vindicdtio action of
claiming, defending, punishing, etc., f vindicdre:
see prec. Cf. Sp. vindicacion^ Pg. -a^ao, F. vendi-
cation, It. vendicaziotte.]
+ 1. a. The action of avenging or revenging, Obs.
148^ Caxton Fa&ies 0/ Msop i. xvi. An asse.. smote hym
(the lion] in the forhcde with hisfeete by maner of vyndyca-
cion. x^ — Eneydos xxii. 83 [She] pursued hym at al[« ■
houres, in alle places, for to distroye hym, in makynge
vyndicacion of the deth of his sayd moder. 1658 Phillii-s.
1690 NojiRis Beatitudes (16^^) Tj As to private Vindication
of Injuries, that which we more especially call Revenge,
this I shall readily allow to be utterly unlawful,
t b. Retribution, punishment. Obs.~^
1647 Mav Hist. Pari. I. ii. 17 Things carried so far on in a
wrong way must needs, .require a vindication so sharpe and
smarting, as that the nation would groan under it.
t 2. Deliverance; emancipation, Obs.-'^
16x3 Sir a. Sherlev Trav. Persia 7 So abhorred a neigh.
bour, from whom their vindication, into liberty, must bee
maintained by their own constancy.
3. The action of vindicating or defending against
censure, calumny, etc, ; justification by proof or
explanation.
1647 Clarenixin Hist. Reb, 1. § 1 So the Memory of those
. . may not lose the recompense due to their Virtue, but. .
may find a vindication in a better age. Ibid. x. § 85 The
soldiers publish'd a Vindication, as they call'd it, of their
Proceedings and Resolutions. 1669 Gale Crt, Gentiles
VINDICATOR.
I ?'o,.^.^''*> 'ihe vindication of the Jewish and Christian
I Religion, against the Gentile Philosophers, 1705 Audison
Italy (1733) 33 pere Mabillon is now engaged in the
Vindication of this Tear, which a learned Ecclesiastic.
, would have suppressed, as a false and ridiculous Relick.
1769 Junius Lett. IX. {17B8) 65 The author of the vindica-
, Hon of your conduct., writes from his own mere motion.
, i8as J. Neal Bro. Jonathan I. 299 Leave the vindication
, of your character to your children. 1837 Lytton E. Mai-
\ trav. I. XI, He enriched Mrs. Jones for life, in gratitude for
I her vindication of his lost and early love. 1870 Dickens
E. Drood vii, He begged to thank Miss Landless for her
vindication of his character.
b. In the phr. i/i vindication of,
x66o Coke Power ^ Subj. 266 It will not ill become mee,
sure, to add a word or two in vindication of Sir Edward
Coke, a 1667 CowLEV Ess., Obscurity y This seems a strange
Sentence, . . and looks as if it were in vindication of the men
of business. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 39 p 3, I can add
other circumstances in Vindication of the Account of this
Learned Body. 175a Bi-. Thomas in io//i Rep. Hist. MSS.
Comm, App. I. 307 Tht-ii Lord Sandwich spoke in Vindica-
tion of the Measure. 1845 Mf^CuLLOCH Taxation i. iv.
U852) 114 It has been .said, in vindication of this inequality,
that the properties are of a different description.
O. A justifying fact or circumstance,
1846 Trench Mirac. Introd. 45 The position which it
has won., is itself its vindication now. 1848 L.Hunt Jarof
Honey x. 134 The great vindication of evil is, we could not
manifest so much virtue without it. 1856 Kane /Ire/. Expi.
1 1, xvii. 179 It must., stand, .as my vindication for the step,
in case we should be overtaken by disaster.
4. . The action of asserting or maintaining.
1871 R. W. Dale Connnandm. vi. 166 The Command-
ment * Thou shalt not kill *, is a Divine vindication of the
greatness and sanctity of man. 1874 Green Short Hist.
viii. § 3. 490 The bulk of the members supported Eliot in
his last vindication of English liberty.
5. Roman Law, (See quots.)
1880 Muirhead Gaius 11. § 194 A legacy by vindication is
so called because the thing bequeathed becomes the pro-
perty of the legatee in quiritarian right the moment the
inheritance has been entered upon. Ibid, iv. § 5 Actions
in rem are called \ indications ; while those in which we
contend that something ought to be given to or done for us
are called coiidictions.
Vindicative (vindi*kativ, vi'ndik^'tiv), a.
Also 6 vendicatife, -yue, vindicatyfe, -iue.
[ad. OF. vindicatij {p\%o mod.F.), or med.L. vin-
dicdtiv-us'. see Vindicate v, and -ive. So Sp.
vindicat ivoy It. vendicativo,']
fl. = Vindictive a. I. Obs. (Common ,^ 1590-
1690.) a. Of persons (or things personified).
I5»x BradshaTv's St. IVeriurge (Chetham Soc.) 211 O
cruel! deth, o thefFe vindicatyfe, To persons vertuous ennemy
moriall. 1584 Leycester's Connnw. (1641) 13 This his sonne,
vyho..is..farre more insolent, cruell, vindicative,.. and fox-
like then ever hee was. a x6g7 N. Ferbar tr. Valdes* sio
Consid. (1638) 83 Understanding, that he doth not pardon,
when hee is offended, wee hold him for cruell, inhumane,
and vindicative. i66a J. BARCRAVE/'f/^/^/f.r. VII {iZtf) 53
Some people believe him vindicative ; but his anger is only
a soden impetus. 1693 Drvden Disc. Satire Ess. (ed. Ker)
II. 80, I.., being naturally vindicative, have suffered in
silence, and possessed my soul in quiet.
+ b. Of nature, disposition, etc. Obs.
1549 Conipt. Scotl. xii, 101 For thai ar of ane vendicatife
nature. Ibid. xx. 177 My vendicatyue particular affectione.
s6s8 Donne Serm. xxix. (1640) 287 They discerned not
between a zealous and a vindicative spirit. 1646 Sir J.
Te,mple /m/i Reb. 68 They let loose the reins of their own
vindicative humour and irreconcilable hatred. 1689 Shad-
well Bury F. iv. He is one of the Nobless, and his nature's
vindicative in Honour's cause, a X734 North ExameK
ni. vii. §79 (1740) 566 When Persons are fallen upon in our
Heat, as upon the vindicative Turns of Parties.
2, = Vindictive a. 2, Now rare. (Common
in 17th cent.)
1610 Bp. Carleton Jurisdict. 31 Vindicative power or
coaction belongs not to the Church. i&f9 Jer. Taylor G/.
Exemp. Disc. iv. 120 Repentance being in very many
actions a primitive duty, afflictive, and vindicative. 1678
Gale Crt. Geutiles iv. iii. vi. 200 That wherein he per-
petually is mistaken, is the making of Non-election or
Negative Reprobation a Vindicative act, the confounding
it with the judicial Sentence of Damnation. x8xa Ann.
Rig-i Gen. Hist. 78 His act, which he always defended as
vindicative of the injury he had sustained. 1854 Trench
Synon, IV. T, Ser. i. (i860) 27 The vindicative character of
the punishment is the predominant thought.
b. csp. As an epithet oi justice,
i6a6 J. Vates Ibis ad Cassarem 11. 30 God may separate
from any creature in regard of his love,.. and yet not be
angry with them, which alwayes presupposeth vindicative
iustice or fatherly castigations. 1^7 N. Bacon Disc. Govt.
Eng. I. liii. 150 In proceedings m cases of vindicative
justice delinquents might seem to be left rather to the fury
then mercy of the law. 16751 Mansell Narr. Popish Plot
Addr. c 2 b, They will find it ill striving against the Stream
and Current of Vindicative Justice.
3. Serving to vindicate by defence or assertion,
1660 T. White {title), Religion and Reason mutually
corresponding and assisting each other, a Reply to the
Vindicative Answer lately published against a Letter [etc.].
1863 H. Cox Instit. I. ix. 204 We have to treat of the vindica-
tive powers of each House; that is, its independent power
to vindicate its authority.
Hence Vindicativeness, vindictiveness.
i6ps Fuller Ch. Hist. v. Ded., Whilest his ignorant
auditors condemned their mutual vindicaliveness, the wiser
sort admired . .their peaceable dispositions. 171 1 Shaftesb.
Charac. III. 306 They.. extol Voluptuousness, Wilfulness,
Vindicaliveness, Arbitrariness, Vain-Glory.
Vindicator (vi-ndik^'taj). [a. late L. (eccl.)
vindicator^ agent-n. f. vindicdre Vindicate v. So
27-2
VINDICATORILY.
OF. vindicateitr. It. vindicatore, Pg, vindicador^
One who vindicates, in various senses of the verb.
fS66 Painter Pal. Pleas. I. 68 For as Romutus was the
first builder and peopler of that citic, so was Caiiiillus the
vindicator and deliuerer of the same. 1647 Clarendon
Hist. Reh. III. § 3 A man, who in the memory of many
Csent, bad sate in that House an earnest vindicator of the
»rs. i^i Baxter Inf.Bapt. 314 Dr. Twissc, and all our
modem vindicators of grace. 1603 Drvden Disc. Satire
Hiss (ed. Kcr) II. 87 A noble soul is better pleased with a
zealous vindicator of Roman liberty, than with a temporis-
ing poet. 1714 FoRTKscuE-Ai-AND Fortcscuc's Abs.ff /-//«.
MoH. Ded. 4 Our Author was so great a Lover and Vindi-
cator of it Ilhe Engli-ih Constitution]. 1701 Genii. Mag,
Jan. «/i A certain vindicator of the Marbles, .has taken
occasion.. to insult.. Le Clerc x8»7 Scott Surg. Dan.
xtii. When this eager vindicator of betrayed innocence
arrived in the capital of Hyder. 1849 Robertson Sertu.
Ser. I. xi. (1855) 190 Job knew that God was the vindicator
of wrongs. 1884 sped . ^ O^Li. 1320/2 Our author, .has. .
entered the lists. -as the vindicator of the claims of the
Highland Crofters.
Hence Ti-ndicatorsUp, the personality of a
vindicator. rarr~^.
1695 J. Sage Fnndam, Charter Presbyt. Pref. (1607) 1 4,
It was necessary for his Vindicatorship to justify this
Separation.
Vindicatorily, adv. [f. Vindicatory a.] In
a vindicatory or justifying manner.
1854 N. P. Willis in Ltfeff Lett. W. /rvi ng- (iZ6i) IV.
179 Thus vindicatorily of his frietid spoke the just and
kind Geoffrey Crayon. 1891 igth Cent. Dec. 1019 'i'he
vindicatorily personal denial of Councils of War in 1866.
Vindicatory (vi-ndik^tsri), a. [f. Vindicate
V. -*- -ORT.]
1. Serving to vindicate ; justificatory, defensive.
1647 Royally RoyallisCs Plea 13 The warre on the Kings
side IS vindicatory and defensorie. 1755 Johnson, Viudi-
catory^ defensory ; justificatory. 180a Mrs. J. West Infidel
Father 111. 25S No proud aggression of vindicatory virtue
would be '.-isible in her manner. 1863 Gto. Eliot Romola
111. xxiii, A favourable magistracy .. were writing urgent
vindicator^" letters to Rome on his behalf. 1884 tgthCeni,
May 860 The teaching of the parent Legislature does not
end with the record of the famous contentions and vindica-
tory triumphs of the past from which it is derived.
2. Avenging ; punitive, retributive.
1655 Bramhall Def. True Liberty 83 The afflictions of
Job were no vindicatory punishments to take vengeance
of his sins, . .but probatory chasti cement 5 to make triall of
his graces. 1765 Blackjtone Cojinit. I. 56 To make the
sanction of their laws rather vindicatory than remuneratory,
or to consist rather in punishments, than in actual particular
rewards. x8oo Ann. Reg. 153 The laws should be vindica-
tory on such occasions. 1874 Bl'shnell Forgiveuess <y Law
iii. 188 By the law., we are only held in terms of penal dis-
cipline and not of desert or vindicatory justice. 1882-3
Schaff's Encycl.Relig. KncnvL 1973 Every true philosophy
of punishment must recognize the deterrent, and especially
the vindicatory element, as well as the reformatory element.
VilldicatreSS(vi*ndik^'tres), [f. ViNDiCATOK :
see -Kss, and cf. OF. vindicateresse, med.L. vin-
dualrixj] A female vindicator.
1854 C. Knight Oftce upon a Time II. 201 Had the
vindicatress of the ' Rights of Women * lived in these days.
1878 Gladstone Prim. Homer 87 The Erinues, afterwards
called the Furies in a degenerated tradition, but more truly
the vindicatresses of nature and the moral order.
+ Vindict. Obs. rare, [ad. L, vitidkta.'] Ven-
geance, revenge ; retribution.
1639 Guild in Spalding Troubles (1828)1. 314 As Simeon
and Levi, pretending religion, but intending their own
private vmdict. 1675 R. Burthogge Causa Dei 141 The
Punishments annexed to them must be executed on
offenders, they being Vindicts and concerning God.
Vindictive (vindi'ktiv), a. and sb. [f. L,
vinduta vengeance, revenge + -ive.]
A. adj. 1. Of persons ; Given to revenge ; hav-
ing a revengeful disposition. (Cf. Vindicat-
ive a. I.)
1616 BuLLOKAR Eng. Expos. f Vindictim, reuengefull, or
apt to reuen^e. \'J^<^ Langhorne Plutarch (1851) II. 904/1
He was vindictive in his nature. 1787 Burke Corr. (1844)
III. 52 You have vindictive people to deal with, and you
have gone too far to be forgiven. 1808 Jebb in A. Knox &
Jebb Corr. {1834) I. 455 There exists in human nature, .a
[wrturbed dread of some superior, powerful and most vindic-
tive being. 1847 Mrs. A. Kerr tr. Rankers Hist. Scrvia
206 He was not vindictive: when he had once pardoned an
offender, he never recurred again to the oflTence. 1875
W. S. Havward Love agst. World 18 He is as vindictive
as a demon.
b. Of actions, qualities, etc. : Characterized by
a desire for, or the exercise of, revenge.
i6»7 J. Carter Plain Expos. 46 To forbeare irefull and
vindictive courses, to say or doc nothing at all in anger, or
hot bloud. 1619 J, Maxwell tr. Herodinn{i6-i^) 430 Nor
let any of you imagine tliat any vindictive resolution i.s
harboured against you, either by us or the Romans. 1743
Francis tr. Horace, Odes 11. viii. 8 When, .ycu engage To
meet high Heaven's vindictive Rage. 1791 Cowher Ilimi
III. 450 Then with vindictive strides he rush'd again On
Paris. 1807-8 \V. Irving Snlmag. (1824) 305 This spirit of
vindictive cowardice is not owing to any inherent depravity
of souL 1849 Macaui-AV Hist. Eng. i. I. 80 After the
fashion of oppressed sects, they mistook their own vindic-
tive feelings for emotions of piety. 1863 Geo. Eliot
Romola 11. xxx. With the first movement of vindictive rage
awoke a vague caution.
2. Involving retribution or punishment ; punitive,
retributive ; avenging. Now rare, a. As an
epithet of /«j/«i-^. (Cf. Vindicative a. a b.)
ttej R. CAEPEajTER Ccnsc, Chr, 100 They are euer awaked
212
with the remembrance of Gods presence, in all your action<;
and censures of vindictive or remuneratiue lustice. i65o
Jer. Taylor Ductor w. ii. rule 7 >; 5 For in all penal laws
and inflictions, although there be much of Vindictive
justice, yet this justice is but a handmaid to GovernmeTit
and Correction, a 1711 Ken Div. Loi'e Wks. (1838) 313
Our sins,, .which are the vast debts we owe to thy vindictive
justice. 1742 Ld. Cholmondelev in Johnson's Deb, (1787)
II. 150 It has l>een unanswerably shewn, .that vindictive
justice is of the highest importance to the happiness of the
public. i8a4 SouTHEV Collog. Soc._ (1887) 103 'ihe shallow
moralists who exclaim against vindictive justice, when
punishment would ceas3 to be just, if it were not vindictive.
b. In other contexts.
1656 Bramhall AV/^/Zc. i. n The judgements of God in this
life are more exemplary for the amendment of others, than
vindictive to the delinquents themselves. 1695 Blackmore
Pr. Arth. 11. 436 Th' Almighty his Vindictive Arm makes
bare. 1718 Pope Iliad xvi. 654 First to the fight his native
troops he warms, Then loudly calls on Troy's vindictive
arms. 1780 Cowi'ER /'?•(?§>'. Error 44 Pleasure brings as
surely in her train, Remorse, and Sorrow, and vindictive
Pain. i8»7 I'ollok Course J'. 11, He. .Amidst vindictive
thunders lets them try The stoutness of their heart. 187S
PosTE Gains 1. Introd., Sometimes the sanction is retribu-
Hve or vindictive, the expression of the conscience or moral
sentiments of the Society.
0. Of deities : Inliicting punishment for wrong-
doing.
1703 RowE Ulysses iii. i. Vindictive Jove prepares his
Thunder. Let the Wrong-doer and the Tyrant tremble.
1781 CowpER Export. 407 The fast that wins deliv'rance,
and suspends The stroke that a vindictive God intends, Is
to renounce hypocrisy.
3. Vindictive damages^ damages awarded not
only as compensation to the plaintiff but also as
a punishment to the defendant.
i8i3^««. Rjg.^Chron.bj It seemed established that there
was no gross misconduct ..on the part of the coachman, to
call for vindictive damages.
f B. sb. An act of punishment. Obsr'^
17»6 De Foe Hist. Devil i. i. 12 Who., could give a full
. .account of the deluge, whether it was a meer vindictive,
a blast from heaven ?
Vindictively (vindi-ktivli), adv. [f. prec. +
-LY 2.] In a vindictive manner; revengefully.
1737 Bailev (vol. II). 1755 Johnson, Revengingly., with
vengeance; vindictively. 1827 Pollok Course T. x,_ Has
He not. .given at times Example fierce of wrath and judg-
ment, poured Vindictively on nations guilty long? 1837
SvD. Smith Wks, {1859) ''• 287/2 Such a power might be
maliciously and vindictively exercised. 1878 Leckv Eng.
in 18th C. I. iv. 534 The leaders of fashion.. steadily and
vindictively derided them.
ViudictiveuesS (vindi'ktivnes). [f. as prec.
+ -NESS.] The state or character of being vindic-
tive ; revengefulness.
1676 Hale Contem^l. i. 476 If it found any corruptions
within, either of Pride, Vain Glory, Insolence, Vindictiye-
ness, or the like. 1679 Pranck Add. Narr. 45 That which
makes it more remarkable, is, That this Vindictiveness was
exercised towards men of his own Religion. 1740 Rhjhaku*
SON Pamela (1824) I. 381 Here, to recapitulate my faults, is,
in the first place, vindictiveness; I will not call it down-
right revenge. 1800 Cogan Passions 11. i. (1802) 195 I here
is a vindictiveness in fear, which may render it dangerous
to its most innocent cause. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India
III. 180 'i'he shield thrown over their dependants against
their tyranny or vindictiveness. ,1884 A. R. Pennington
IViclify'vi. 242 Hetellsus. .that vindictiveness had mingled
with his rigliteous indignation.
Vindicti'volence. noncc-wd, [f. L. vindida
vengeance, after malevolence. '\ The desire of re-
venging oneself or of taking vengeance^
1865 J- Grote Moral Ideals {i8y6) 261 Ill-will is perhap-s
always a form or mode of vindictivolence, i.e. is connecied
with a feeling of ourselves as somehow wronged.
t Vindi'Ctor. Obs.~^ [Irrcg. f. L. vindicta ]
= Vindicator.
1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles iv. 6 It being a Science that
teacheth the difference of good and evil ; and the Conser-
vator and Vindictor of al Laws.
Vindo, obs. Sc. form of Window,
Vine ( vain), j/'. Forms: a. 4 vygne (7 vigne),
vinyhe, 5 vyny. /3. 4-6 vyne (4-5 vyn, 5 viyn),
4- vine (3 vijue) ; 4, 6 wine, 5-6 wyne. 7. 6
vlnde, vynde. [a. OF.» vigne and vine (mod.
Y. vigne^ = Pr. and Pg. vinka, Cat. vinya, Sp.
vi/iaj It. vigna) ;— L. vinea vineyard, vine, etc., f.
vin-um wine.]
1. 1. The trailing or climbing plant, Vitis vini-
fera^ bearing the grapes from which ordinary wine
is made (=* Grape-vine); also generally, any
plant of the genus Vitis.
13.. K. Alls. 5758 (Laud MS.), In eueryche felde rype is
corne ; f>e grapes bongen on )>e vyne. 1377 Langl. P. PL
H. XIV. 30 though neuere greyne growed ne grape vjjpon
vyne. cx^^o Pallad. on Huso. vi. 57 Now vyne and tic
that were ablaqueate, To couer hem it is connenient. 1535
CovEKDALE Judg.'x^. 12 Then sayde the trees viito tile vynt :
Come thou and be oure kinge. 1562 Turner Herbal \\.
168 b, (ItJ is lyke vnto a gumme, and waxeth thickeaboute
the bodyc of the vinde. 1573 Tl'sshr Husb. (1878) 75 Get
doong, friend mine, for stock and vine, igpi Sylvester
Du Bartas \. iii. 586 There, th' amorous Vine calls in a
thousand sorts (With winding arms) her Spouse that her
supports. 1600 SuKFLET Cowitrie Farme vi. xxii. 774 Olde
writers are not of one minde concerning the first originall
and inuention of the vine. 1671 Salmon Syn. Aled.m.xxxi.
\o yHis,. .the Vine, the leeues bind strongly [etc. J. 1708
Philii'S Cyder i. 16 Everlasting Hate The Vine to Ivy
irs. Z776 Gibbon Decl. ^ F. ii. (1782J 1. 64 In the time of
VINE.
Homer, the vine grew wild in the island of Sicily. 1811
Scott Don Roderick in. ii, The land.. was rich with vine
and fliTck. 1856 Stanley .SV«ai <5- /W. iii. (1858) 164 The
elevation of the hills and table-lands of Judah is the true
climate of the vine. 1867 H. Macmillan Bible Teach, ix.
(1870) 186 The vine is one of the most graceful of plants.
b. A single plant or tree of this species or genus.
1. /z 1300 E. E. Psalter civ. 31 He-.smate ^lar vinyhes
and fi^eires in-twa. c 1315 (see z a], c 1440 Promp. Parv.
510/1 vyny, or vyne, xntis. Ibid. 510/.? Vyny, ^at bryng-
ythe forjie grete grapys, bumasta. 1604 E. G(rimstone]
D^Acosia's Hist. Indies iv. xxxii. 296 Peru and..Chille,
where there are vignes that yeeld excellent wine,
/5. 1303 R. Hrunnk HandL Synne 882 Euery 5ere at t?e
florysyngge, whan f>e vynys shulde spryngge, .A tempest..
fordede here vynys alle. 1340 Ayenb. 43 (»e zenne of ham
I et uor wynnynge. .deslruej? ^e vines ojjercornes. 1340-70
Alex, <5- bind. 847 >e telle vs l>at ;e tende nauht totulye pe
er^,..no plaunte wiiius. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 168 For
he fond.. how men schulden sette vines. 1422 Vonge tr.
Secreta Secret. 244 In al regions the hettes bene encitschid,
. -the wynes growyth, the cornes wixit rippe. c 1450 Mirk'i
Fcstinl %o He laketh a tranche of a vyne, and pultyth yn
I Tliomas bond. 1535 Coverdale Ceti. xl. g, I dreamed that
I there was a vyne before me, ..and the grapes llierof were
lype. is6aWlN5Er Wks. (S.T.S ) I. 45 1 he vnclene bar:s,
quha. .infectis the tender btirgeounis of the 5ong wynis.
1590 SrENSER F. Q, It. xii. 54 A Porch with rare deuice,
Archt ouer head with an embracing vine. 1610 Holland
I 'Can/den's Brit. (1637) 269 The vines.. which we have had
, in Britaine.. rather for .shade than fruit. 1697 Dryden
I '^"'^- Georg. IV. 388 Kaisins from the Grapes of Psythian
I Vines. 1731 RItller Card. Diet. s.v. ^7//J, Those in the
I Plains ..sow a Hole of Melons between Vine and Vine.
I 1794 Mrs. Raoclifkk Myst. Udolpho w. The vines were
j torn down from the branches that had supported them.
! 1830 ^I. Donovan Dom. Econ. I. 17 It is quite clear that
] wine could not have l>ecn first known at an Egyptian town,
if the Egyptians had no vines. 1870 H. Macmillan True
i Vine V. (1872) 190 The celebrated vine of Hampton Court is
I a most productive bearer.
\ c, A representation ©f a vine in metal, em-
' broidery, etc. ; also, in mod. use, an omainental
I figure cut by a skater on the ice.
fz 1400 Sqr, Icnve Degre 207 With vines of golde set all
aboute Within your shelde, . . Fulfylled with ymagery.
a 1400-50 Alexander -^b^j Be-twene ^e pelers was pi5t with
precious leuys, Gilden wynes with grapis of gracious stanes.
1506 Lincoln Wills (1914) I. 44 A whyte pece with a cover-
yng wroght with grapes or vynes on it. 1633 P. Fletcher
Purple Isl. xr. xlii, Agneia.. spying Methos fenc't in 's iron
vine, Pierc't his swoln panch. x88ii .Sheldon tr. Flaubert's
Salammbd g These cups were embellished on each of their
six golden faces by an emerald vine. 1891 G. H. Kingsley
sp. ^ Tra7t, (1900) 460 When you have a pair of skates on,
and an admiring circle of spectators to excite you into
developing your most exquisite * vines'.
d. collect. Vine-plants. rare~~^,
1779 FoKREsr Voy. N. Guinea 382 The Chinese keep the
ground very clean Ijetween the rows of vine.
2. Jig, a. Applied to Christ, in renderings or
echoes of John xv. i and 5.
CXJJ.S Shoreiiam i. 804 For iesus scy\) \>c vygne he hys,
And tice J>e greyn of wete. 13. . /;. E. Allit. P. A. 628 In
^le water of babtem J)ay dyssente, pen ariie Jiay boro5t in-to
be vyne. 1382 Wvclif John xv. 5, I am a vyne, ^e ben the
braunchis. c 1450 Mj-rr. oure Ladye 281, I as a vyne haue
fruited the swetnesse of smelle. .. In this Chapyter, oure
h>rde ys lykened to a vyne. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W.
1531) 222 b, For in that our lorde is as a vyne, and all
chiysiyans be as the braunches of the sayd vyne. 1568
Lauder Godlie Tract. 395 Christ Iesus, the faithfull wine.
1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. Ivi. (1611) 308 That true Vine
whereof wee both spiritually and corporally are branches.
1870 H. Macmillan True Vine 26 Its full significance was
not known until Christ, the True Vine, made it known.
b. In allusion to Ps. cxxviii. 3.
1787 M. Cutler in Z,//^,etc. (1888) 1. 289 He.. has married
a wife, who bids fair to be a fruitful vine, for she has had
three children in four year^. 1807 Crahbe Par. Reg. \. 477
Now of that vine he'd have no more increase, Those playful
branches now disturb his peace.
C. In miscellaneous uses.
1590 [see Elm sb. 3]. 1611 Shaks, Cymb. iv, ii. 60 Grow
patient, And let the stinking- Klder (Greefe) vntwine His
perishing roote, with the encreasing Vine. 1639 S. l>u
Verc;er tr. Camus' Admir. Erenis 149 Zotique..had like
a furious wild Boare made a prodigious spoyle in the vine
of many womens honesty. [Cf. Ps. Ixxx. 8, 13.I 1643 [see
Klm j<^. 3I. X784 CowpER Task vi, 969 He. .recompenses
well Tlie state, beneath the shadow of whose vine He sits
secure. (Cf. 1 Kings iv. 25.] i8ao Shei.lev Prometh.
Uub. II. iv. 64 That vine Which bears the wine of life, the
human iieart. 1B87 Meredith Ballads <y P. 43 The train-
ing of Love's vine uf flame Was writ in laws.
y. Applied, with distinguishing epithets, to some
species of Vitis distinct from the ordinary grape-
vine, and to many plants of other genera which in
manner of growth, or in some other feature, re-
semble this : a. IVild vinCy the fox-grape, Vitis
Labrusca (now rare or Obs^ ; also, one or other
of several wild climbing or trailing plants, esp.
bryony and traveller's-joy.
In quot. 1382 (and similarly in later version>) vine is a
literal rendering of the original text ; the plant intended is
app. the colocynth.
138a Wyci.ie 2 Kings iv. 39 And oon..foond as a wijld
vyne, and he gederde of it wijld gcurdis of the feeld.
c 1400 Maunuev. (Roxb.) vii. 26 pat er lyke vnto wjjlde
wynes. Ibid, xviii, 83 Pepre giowez in maner of wilde
wynes be syde J^ treesse of )« forest. 14. . in Wr.-Wiilcker
629 Oliaster, wyld \'yne. Labrusca^ wylde' vyne. 154'
Turner Xames Herbes (E.D.S.) 45 Labrusca .. may be
called in engli.she a wild vine. 156a — Herbal 11. 168 Of the
seconde kinde of I'itis sylmstris, called wild vynde. 1600
Sl'Rflet Countrie P'armc vi. xxii. 774 Grapes.. like vnto
VINE.
213
VINE.
them which the wilde vine (called of vs Aa^rttjra) doth now
bring forth. 1607 Topskll Four./. Beasts 372 Take of the
stalkes of Vitis ttlba, otherwise called Brioni, or wilde Vine,
two..handfuls. 1731 Miller Gard. Diet. s.v. Vitis^ The
Wild Vine, commonly called the Claret Grape. This Sort
of Grape is pretty well known in England. 1753 Chambers''
Cyct. Suppl. S.V. Vitisy The species of Vine enumerated by
Mr. Tournefort, are these: i.The common, or wild Vine.
1796 Withering Brit. Plant's (ed. 3) II. 67 Redberritd
Bryony. Wild Vine. 1814 Scott Lord of Isles 1. xxviii, As
the wild vine in tendrils spread, Droops from the mountain
Qak. 1855 Miss Pkatt Floiver. PI. I. 18 Clematis vitalba.
..Country people call It. .Wild Vine. Ibid. II. 312 A very
pretty climber ts this Wild Bryony,, .called also Wild Vine.
b. In other special names, chiefly of non-Hritish
plants.
Allegbany vine, an American biennial plant {Adiumia
///w^-i'irt), also called 'climbing fumitory'. Arbor vine:
see SpANrsn a. g. Balloon vine, an Australian plant (see
qiiots.). Bean ■^'xxi't^ Phascolus di-ocrsi/oiius (see Bean 8).
t Black vine, black bryony. Burdekin vine, an Aus-
tralian species of Vitis (see quot.). Caustic vine (see
quot.). Climbing vine, t (a) the Virginian creeper ; (/>) a
cinchonaceous plant, Psyckotria parasitica. Condor
vine, GoHolohus Cunditrango. Cypress vine, quanio-
clii. Deer vine, the twinflower (Z/«//c.i). Granadilla
vine : see GRANAorLLA b. Harvey's vine, an Australian
plant, Sarcopetalum Harueyannin. Hungry vine, tiie
green brier or cat-brier (Swilax). India-rubber vine,
Cryptoite^ia grandijlora. Isle of Wight vine, bryony
or black bryony. Lawyer vine : see Lawyer 6. Link
vine, a West Indian species of vanilla {V, articulata).
Madeira or Mexican vine, the climbing plant Boussin-
gaultia baselloides^ a native of the Andes. Matrimony
vine : see MATRiMONy 7. Mignonette vine : scj
MiGNONKiTE 3. Milk vine, (a) the Southern European
plant Periphca grxca-, (b) a Jamaican plant, Forsteronia
floributuia. Negro vine, a hairy-leaved species of I'incc-
toxicum. Pea vine: see Pka-vine. Pepper vine: see
Pepper sb. 5. Pipe vine: see Pipe sh\ w b. Poison
vine: see Poison i<^. 5 b. Potato vine: see Potato 7.
Red'bead vine, Abrus p>ecatorius (India). Rubber
vine : see Kluhkk sb} 12 b. Sand vine, Gonolobus lands
iN. America). Scrub vine, .-J «s/r. (a) the dodJer laurel
(Cassytha) : (/') the native rose (A'/tKcrdr/zf^/Wdt-x). Seven-
year vine : see Skves-ykar. Silk vine, - nriik vine («*.
Sorrel vine: sec Sorrel sh.^ 7 c. Spanish arbor-
vine : see Spanish a. g. Strainer, Virgima(n, Water,
White vine : see these words.
.Many of these names api^K-ar to be first rccordetl in the
Trias. Bot. {1866, and Suppl. 1874) and in American dic-
tionaries. In Chambers* Cycl. Suppl (1753) Tournefort's
species of Vitis, twenty-one in number, are enumerated.
iSSqMaidbn Useful pi. i^Cardiospermttm halicacabutn^
. . * Hcartsccd ', 'Heart-pea', * Winter-cherry ', * •Balloon
Vine*. Ibid. 161 'Balloon Vine' (because of its inflated
memhranouscapsule). IS5« Huloet,* Hlacke vyne,a/r<7M/>z.
1760 J. Lek In/rod. Bi^t. App. 331 Vine, Black, Tamns.
1898 Morris Anstr.il Eng. 490/1 "Burdekin Vine. Called
also Round Yam, Vitis opaca. Ibid. 84^1 Canstic-Plant,
or '^Qaxx&^ac-^x^v:^. .Sarcostemtna australis. 1760 J. Lkk
Introd. Bot. App. 331 Vine, *Climbing five. leaved, of
Canada, Iledera. 1846-50 A. Wood Ctasshk. Bot. 443
Quamoslit vulgaris. Bindweed. "Cypress Vine. Ibid. 449
Lycium Barbarum. 'Matrimony Vme. 1866 Trcas, Bot.
^■^^/i Some of the Australian species (of Cassythd\ are
called 'Scrub-vines. 1898 Morris Austral Kng, 22/1
Bauera rubioides^. .the Scrub Vine, or Native Rose.
4. The stem of any trailing or climbing plant.
Also collect, without article.
1563 HvLL Art Garden. (1574) 124 And if not on thiswise,
then may you let their \sc. gourds'] vine run along on the
earth, if you list. 1707 Mortlmkr Itttsb. (1721) 1, 179 On
the outside of this Kloor the Pickers [of hops] sit, and pick
them into Baskets after the 'Vines are strip'd from the
Poles. 1731 Miller Card. Diet, s.v. Meloity When your
Melons begin to appear upon the Vines. 1779 Forrest
Voy. N. Guinea 382 They do not let the vine, which bears
the pepper, twist round a chinkareen tree, as is the custom
on Sumatra. 1844 Welby Poems (1867) 163 When sweet
jasmine vines their wreaths were looping Around her
bower. 185s Delamer Kitchen Garden (1861) 117 Leading
points in growing frame cucumbers are, to pinch off the
shoot . . to keep the frame clear of useless vine. 1898 J i:an
A. OwE>r Hawaii iii. 79 A hero, .who descended by means
of a long rope, made of convolvulus vines, into the abyss.
b. dial. A straw rope.
1577 B. GooGE HercsbaclCs Husb. 28 Ryc.strawe ts
gentle and flexible, seruing for Vines. 1884 Jefkeries Red
Deer v. 97 The farmers, .hang a vine of straw along frjm
stake to stake. . . A vine is a rope of twisted straw.
O. U.S. A trailing or climbing plant.
184a LoNGE. Slave in Dismal Swamp ii, Where. .the
cedar grow>, and llie poisonous vine Is spotted like the
snake. 1856 .\. Gray Afan. Bot. (i860) 2 Ranunculacta;. . .
Herbs (or woody vines! with a colorless acrid juice. 1879
BoDDAM-WnErHAM Koraiitta <V Brit. Guiana g Nearly
every bouse has a garden, and passion-flowers, morning
glory, and other vines creep up the pillars. s886 C. I).
Warner Su/nmcr in Gard. 114 The bean is a graceful,
confiding, engaging vine.
H, t 5. A vineyard. Ods.
So AF. 7'/«if, vyne (Gower).
13. . E. E, A Hit. P. A. 507 pe lorde ful erly vp he ros To
byre werkmen to hys vyne. Ibid. 521 Gos tn-to my vync.
138* Wyclek Prov. xxxi. 16 She behceld a feeld, and
bo^tc it; of the frut of hir hondis slie plauntide a vync.
CS400 MAUNt)Cv. (1839) X. Ill The cursed Queen., that tok*;
awey theVyneof Nabaothe. 1430-40 I.vrx;. ^tftV/ajii.xxxi.
(»554) 67 Trust [thatj He will not refuse thyne axing. But
thee receiue to labour in his vine. 14S4 Caxton F^h-s of
j^sop I. X, A man was som tyme whiche fond a serpent
within a Vync. 151^ Bainuriwge in Ellis Orig; Lett.
Ser. I. I. 227 Boith m the Citie and also in vynes and
garthynges withoutt the Citie. 1560 Bible (Genev.) SoMg
Sol. i. 5 Thci made me the keper uf the vines: but I ktpt
not mine owne vine.
6. A grape. Obs. or poet.
a 1425 tr. Ardcrne's Treat. Fistula^ etc. 56 !f ^z\ be rede
l>ai ar called uve, i. grapez,and |?ai haue \-^ schap of a rede
vyne or grape. 1697 Drvden Virg. Past. x. 54 Ah ! that
your birth and business had been mine — To pen the sheep,
and press the swelling vine 1
7. Roman Anliq. => Vinea. rare.
1563 GoLuiNG Cxsar (1565) 51 b, H^ made Vines [marg.
ah instrument of war made of timber & hurdles for men to
go vnder safelye to the walles of a towne], and began to
make prouision of thinges meete for the siege. ai€\\ Bp.
MouNTAGU Acts ^ Mon. (1642) 480 The Romans.. plyed
their mines, . .their vines and other engines against the
walls and gates, a 1656 Ussher Ann. (1658) 142 Some say,
iho.se Engines of Battrie, as Rams, and Vines, and Galleries,
were there first invented. i86a Kington Fredk. II, II. 191
Various watlike Machines. . . TheSow, the Vine, and the Cat.
III. altrtd. a.n(\ Comb. 8. a. Simple attrib., as
vine-ardour, border, -bough, -bower, -bunch, etc.
1731 MiLi.KR Gard. Did. s.v. Vitis, Care is to be taken
.. not to mingle with them the Grapes of the "Vine-
.\rbour. 1839 tr. Lamartine's Trav. 147/1 Houses.. lying
under llie shade of vine-arbours or plaiie-trets. 1842
Loudon Suburban Hort. 467 The most valuable manure
that can be deposited in a *vine border. 1867 Morris
yason xiir. 222 .\ golden "vine-bough wreathed her golden
hea<l. 184^ tr. Uoffmeisters Trav. Ceylon, etc. xii. 462
A few *vine-bowers appear somewhat lower down. 1832
Tennyson Oinonc 177 Between the shadows of the *vir.e-
bunches Floated the glowing sunlights. 1886 Conder
Syrian Stone-lore vi. (1896) 221 A door sculptured with
vine-bunches. 1611 Florio, Vineto, a *vine-close, a vine-
plot. 1865 J. W. Ingraham Ti/litr of Fire 1. xiii. 152
There were wine^i from the *vine country of Hellrona. 1888
Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 238/2 The success of ""vine.culture
in .. the Canary Islands. i6oi Hoi.tAND Pliny I. 530
Strengthned with tiie wood of "vine-cuttings. 1782 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 2) X. 8725/1 From whence ColumeH.i gives the
title of malleolus to the vine-cuttings, 1857 Miller Elem.
Chcm., Org. vi. 405 Each vat is filled with vine cuttings,
and rapes. 1846 Keightley Notes Virg.^ Terms Husb. 358
The cross-pieces in the '* vine- espaliers. J847 Darlington
Amcr. /Kftv/V, etc.(i86o) 81 Vitacev. ('Vine Family.) 1600
SURFLET Counirie Faptnew. xxi. 769 To gather the greene
grapes from of the "vine frames. 1565 Cooper Tliesaunts
s.v. Pampinus, .\ "vyne garlande. 1587G0LDING De Mornay
XXV. (1592) 382 Assigning to one.. the Come countrie, and
to another the *vincgrounds. i8i8I<adv Morgan Autobiog.
(1859) 324 The vine-grounds being nothing but black earth
and dry sticks until the middle of summer. 1611 Cotgr.,
I't-ndange, .. vintage, *vine-harucst. 1733 Tull Horse-
Hoeing Husb, 158 The Ancients were perfect Masters of
(he *Vme-Husbandry. 1841 Lever C. O^Malley Hi. 262 A
little weak wine s.avouring more of the borachio-skin than
*vine-juice. 1886 Mrs. Caddy Footsteps Jranne D'Arc
35 One should make a point of seeing these "vine-lands in
October. 1861 Bkntlev Man. Bot. 495 P'itacece or Ampel-
i'()Vjr.— The "Vine Order. . .Usually climbing shrubs with
a watery juice. 1706 Pun.Lirs (ed. Kersey), Vitis,. .\hc
'Vine-plant. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 342/2 Some of the
finest of the soil is put into each hole, and the vine-plants
. .are carefully inserted. 1856 R. Knox tr. Fdiuards' Alan.
Zool, § 328 In the timber of the hedge-rows, of fruit-trees,
and of "vine-poles. 1601 HnLt.ANu Pliny I. Table s.v.,
*Vinc props and railes which be best. x6io HiiALEYiV.
Au^. Citie of God 2^1 First was carryed..a pine apple, and
a vine-prop. 1731 Miller Gard, Did. s.v. Vitis, Others
make use of a Vine-prop, or some other Piece of Wood.
1815 KiRBY & Sp. Entomol, xiv. (1816) I. 438 The upright
putrescent espaliers or vine-props. £"1380 Wvclif Serm.
.Sel. Wks. 1. 9^ Digge aboute pe '"vyne rotis, and dungc
hem wel. 1424 /;. E. Wills (1882) 56 Also I wull he haue
my maser of a vine rote. i6ot Holland Pliny I. 545 To
open a slucc.for to overflow their Vine roots with the
river. CX440 Pallad. on Husb. Table (1896) 15 "Vyne
sciouns, to seite. i6ot Holland Pliny I. 529 In setting a
nource-garden with vine-sions. Ibid. 527 A *vine-set or
cutting, that hath joints standing thin. 1648 Hexham 11,
F.en ',vij n^aerdt-schcutc, a "■ Vine-shoote, or Sprigge. 1793
HoLCROFT tr. Lavater^s Physiog. i. 5 Though tliese vine-
.shoots look well, they will bear but few grapes. 1647
Hexham i, A *vine slip, een IViJngaert-suijtsel. 17*5 Fam.
/>/W.s. v., Vine-slips, .being put into the Ground will easily
take Root. 1854 Whittier Poems Nature, Fruit-Gift 22
Perchance our trail, sad mother plucked.. A single vine-
slip, 1855 Singleton Virgil I. 48 Now on the merry *vine-
spray swell the buds, x%jzHv.\o Sel: Grk. Coins in Electro-
type Brit. Mus. 38 Rose with bud, and vine-spray with
bunch of grapes. 161 X Cotgr. s.v. Sarm^nt, To bridle
himselfe with a "vine>sprig; be so drunke that he cannot
spcakc. 1794 Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udoipiw xlix, She
found the old woman within, pickin.:; 'vine-stalks. x888
Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 237 The conformation of the *vine
stem has elicited a vast amount of explanatory comment.
1531 Tindale Exp, t fohn (1537) m He y' is cut from y '
*vynestockc. .can nut but abyde vnfrutcful. 1600 Surflet
Counirie Farme in. xxxiv, 497 The Italians graft it [sc.
olive-tree] vpon the vine, boring the vine stocUe tieer vnto
the earth {etcl. 1690 Tkmci.e Ess. Anc. ff Mod, Learn,
(1909) 19 A large Table at Memorancy cut out of the thick-
ness of a Vine-stock. 1868 Morris Earthly Par, (1870) 11.
in. 3 Above them did they see the terraced way, And over
that the vine-stocks, row on row. 1898 Manson Tr<^.
Disioses 462 The male worm is characterised, .by the
peculiar "vine-tendril-like tail, 1846 LoursA S. Costeli.o
/'our Venice 192 There is., no want of gardens and *vine.
terraces. 1848 Clough Amours de Voy. in. 16 Ah ! that I
were far away. .Under the * vine-trellis laid. 1694 Motteux
Rabelais iv. i. 3 A Golden *Vine.Tub of Mozaic work.
1727 Bailey (vol. II), Wicker, a *Vine Twig, an Osier
Twig. 1776 J. Bryant Mytkol. III. 229 The soft pliant
vine-twigs, moving round In serpentine direction. 1883
Browning Fcrishtah's Fancies, Sltah Abbas, I weep like a
cut vine-twig. 1601 Holland Pliny 1. 404 A great standing
tup or boll to be scene of "Vine wood. 1700 tr. Da net s
Did. Grk. -V Rout. Antitj. s.v. Templum, A Pair of Stairs
made of Vine-wood. 1818 Keats Endym. iv. 257, I saw
Osirian Egypt kneel adown Before the "vine-wreath crown !
b. Objective and obj. j^enitive, wilh agcnt-
nouns, as vine-cutter, -grower ^ 'planter^ etc, and
vbl. sbs. or ppl. adjs., as vine-bearing, -dressing,
-growing, etc. ; also vine-prop adj.
(a) 1388 Wyclef 2 Kings xw. 12 He lefte of the poremen
of the lond vyntilieris, and erthetilieris. fz 1586 Sidney
Arcadia n. xv. (1912) 247 The King one morning. .saw a
vine-labourer, that findmg a bowe broken [etc. J. 1601
Holland Pliny I. 501 Yet kind it is and wholesome for the
Vine-planter and husbandman. 1611 Coigk., Vendengeur,
a Vintager, or vine-reaper. 1648 Hexham ii, Een..ivijn-
gaerdenier,..a Vine-gardener. 1801 tr. Gabrielli's Myst,
Husb. II. iig One of our vine-cutters was telling yesterday
[etc.]. 1835 T. Mitchell Acharn. of A ristop/t. App. 24$
A metaphor which the vine-growers of .■\thens easily appre-
ciated. 1884 Knight Diet. Alec/i. Suppl. 928/1 Vine puller,
a machine for extracting vines.
{b) cxiio Pallad. on Husb, Table (1896) 16 Vyne couer-
ynge and vindage apparayle. 1580 Hollybano Treas. Fr.
I'ong, Binement, a vine working, weeding. 1590 Si'Enser
F. Q. I. i. 8 The s:iyling Pine, the Cedar proud and tall,
The vine-prop Elme. i6oi Holland /*//«> Table s.v., Vine
planting and pruning. 1791 Cowieb Iliad 11. 613 .Arne
claims A record next for her illustrious sons, Vine-bearing
Arne. 1848 Buckley Iliad in An enclosure of land,.. plea,
sant, vine-bearing, and arable. 1867 Acglsta Wilson
Vas/iti i, Had Timour been trained to cabbage-raising and
vine-dressing. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 237/1 A vine-
growing country hitherto free from Phylloxera.
C. With pa. pples. and adjs., chiefly in instru-
mental sense, as vine-bordered, -clad, -covered,
-croivned, etc. ; also vine-like adj., vine-wise adv.
1868 Morris Earthly Par. (1870) I. 11. 457 He saw a man
draw nigh Along the dusty grey * vine- bordered road. 1854
J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) I. ix. 162 The luxuriant
valleys and *vine-clad hillsides. 1856 R. A. Vaughan
Mystics (i860) I. 115 Among the luscious slopes of vine-clad
Burgundy.^ 1791 \V. Roscoe in H. Roscoe Life (1833) I.
108 The *vine-cover'd hills and yay regions of France. 1840
Hood ' TV Tourists <V 'Trav."* vi, Old Castles you'll see on
the vine-covered hill. 1743 Francis tr. Horace, Odes tii.
xxv. 27 When " Vine-crown'd Bacchus leads the Way. 1851
S. Jackson tr. Krummacher's Elisha vi. 90 From the sea-
coast to the vine-crowned banks of the Jordan, 1625 K.
Long tr. Barclay's Argenis iv. xviii. 306 Behold, with
frolicke stirre comes Bacchus here, In's *Vine-deck't Cha-
riot high. 1825 pRAFU Poems (1865) II. 158 The merriest
girl in all the land Of "vine-encircled France. 1746 Francis
tr. Horace, Sat. 11. iv. 55 The *Vine-fed Goat's not always
luscious Fare. 1871 Palgrave Lyr. Poems 50 Lines of
white, *vine*garlandcd. a 18^5 Mrs. Hemans Shepherd-
Poet of A ips 54 The cabin's *vine-hung eaves. 1835 Willis
Peticilliii^s II. Iviii. 147 'J'he same square, *vine.Iaccd, per-
fectly green pa>tures and cornfields. 1855 Singleton Virgil
I. 107 For thee, With'*vine-leafed autunni lai'en blooms
the field. 1822 Ilortus Angiicus \\. 208 * Vine-leaved Kitai-
belia. 1727 P. Blair Pluirmaco-Bot. v. 215 Viticulated.or
* Vine-like Leaves. i^^T^uov. Early Hist. Man 345 Stories
..of the climbing from earth to heavtn by a tree or vine-
like plant. 1740 DvEH Ruins Rome 35 The "vine-mantled
brows The pendent goats unveil, a 1593 Marlowe Ovid's
Eleg. 11. xvi. 33 Alihough *vine-plant«d ground Conteines
me. 1848 Buckley Iliad 39 Vine-planted Epidaurus.
1809 J. .\Iontgomeky West Indies, gic. (i8io) 34 On pure
Madeira's *vine-robed hills of health. 1839 Bailkv Festus
143 A *vine-shadowed cottage door, a tB6g Rosseth
House 0f Life xc, Upon the broad ■vine-sheltered path.
1876 Lanier Psalm West 183 O Stars wreathed 'vinewise
round yon heavenly dells. 1791 Cowper Iliad vi. 1 59 They
their wands *Vine-wreathed cast all away. 1828 Miss Mit-
I OKD Village Ser. iv. (1863) 71 Working at her needle under
the' vine-wreathed porch.
9. Special Combs.: f vine apple (see Squash
j^.2 i); vine-bamboo, a species of panic-grass
{Panicufn divaricatuni) ; f vine-bind (seequots.);
vine-black (see quot.) ; vine-bower, a species
of clematis {Clematis Viticeila) ; vine-disease,
one or other disease attacking vines, esp. vine-
mildew and the vine-pcst {Phylloxera) ; fvine
dragon [ad. Y . drageon],{&t^ quot.); vine-feeder,
any insect living on vines ; vine-fly, ? — vine
sawjly; vine-fungus, = vine-mildew, vino
gall-insect (sec quot.) ; vine-garden, + -garth,
a vineyard ; vine-grub, = Vink-fretter; vine-
hook, -knife, implements used in pruning vines ;
vine-leek, round-headed garlic {Allium ampelo-
prasttm); vine-louse, the phylloxera; f vine-
man, -master, a vine-dresser or vine-gi owcr ;
vine-mildew, a disease of vines caused by the
fungus Oidiuni Tuckeri; the fungus or mould
itself; vine-moth, a species of pyralis infesting
vines; •}■ vino-pear (see quots.); vino-pest, the
phylloxera ; + vine-press, a wine-press ; vine-
rake U.S. (see quot.) ; vine-rod, a lod of vine-
wood, spec, as the staff of a Roman centurion ;
vine-sawfly, a species of sawfly, the larva; of
which feed on the vine ; vine-scroll, an ornament
representing a vine ; vine-scrub, in Australia,
scrub abounding in various species of K/V/V ; vine-
snail [K. escargot des vigncs], tlie Roman snail;
t vine-wand, = vine-rod; f vine- water, the sap
which issues from vines when pruned ; vine-
weevil, a small weevil destructive to vines;
vine-worm (see quot.); vine-worts, the order
Vitacex.
.Also, in recent .-Vmerican dictionaries, vine-beetle, -borer,
-chafer, -cxirculio, -jlea-bcetle, -gall, -gall-louse, -hopper,
•inch-worm, .procris, .root-borer, -slug, -sphinx, etc.
1871 KtNGSLiiY At Last viii, Overhead, sprawled and
dangled tlie common "Vine-bamboo, ugly and unsatisfactory
in form. 1483 Cath. Angl, 402/1 "Vynbynd, cornubus.
VINE.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 537 A ceriaine hearbe, which the
Sicilians in their language call Ampclodcsinos, (1. Vine-
bind). i860 lire's Did. Arts (ed. 5) Ili. 966 *Kiiwr Hack,
a black procured by charring the tendrils of the vine and
levigating them. 185* Johnson Garif. Z?/c/.,*Vine Bower,
CietM.Uis I'iticclia. 1854 Forrkster in P roc, H oyal Soc.
VII. 156 On the *Vine.Disease in the Port-wine Districts of
the Alto-Douro. x6oi Holland Pliny 1. 536 The manner
of. .planting by a trees side a *Vine Dragon (for so we use
to call the old braunch of a Vine past all service, which
hath done bearing many a yeare, and is now growne to be
hard). 1855 Zoologist XIII. 4680 Speyer gives Agrotis
aquilina as a *vtne-feeder. x66i Walton Angler (ed. 3) 97
Now for Flies;.. I will name you but some of them, as. .the
cloudy, or blackish Hie, the flag-flye, the *vine-flye. 1668
Chahlkton Onomast. 47 //j,..lhe Vine-Fly. 17*8 Cham-
bers Cyd. s.v. Fishing Fiy, Natural Flies are innumerable:
. .the Tawny-Fly, the Vine-Fly, the Shell Fly. 1857 Hen-
FREV Btn. 5 6.^6 The *Vine Fungus appears to be a plant of
this tribe \Oidium\ rarely producing perfect fruit. 1753
Ckatttbers Cycl. Suppl., */'7«tf Gallinscct, an insect of the
gallinsect class, principally found on the Vine, though cap-
able of living on some other trees, c 1449 Pkcock Repr.
IM. xvi. 383 Whanne money is paled to., a laborer in a *vyne
g.irde!n for his day labour in the same vyne gardein. 1839
W. Chambers Tour Rhine ^7/1 A tolerably lon^ reach of
the river, between banks nchly clad with vine gardens.
c 1440 Alph, Tales 201 When (>aj come l»er, t»e *vyne-garth,
at no frute was in befor, was growyng full of rype grapis.
1687 Mi^GE Gt, Fr. Did. u, Vine-fretter, or * Vine-grub.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Vine-grub, a' kind of Worm
that gnaws the Vine. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v.,
Reaumur observes, that . . boih the winged and the unwinged
Vine-grubs are females. i6oi Holland Pliny I. 547 Men
are wont to take their *'Vine hookes when they be newly
ground & sharpened [etc.). 1615 Thomas' Did. (ed. 10),
AverrttHCo,. .to purge vines with a vinehookc. t^^xCatk.
Angl. 402/1 A *vyne knyfc, /^il.r, /a/c icula. 1611 Cotgr.,
Serpette,A Vine knife, or Gardeners knife. 1715 Fa/ft. Diet.
S.V. Vintage, You must also provide Paniers, Dresners,
Vine-Knives, Shovels and Rakes. 1597 Gerarde Herbal
I. lxxx\iii. 139 The *Vine Leeke groweth of it selfe in vine-
yards, and neere vnto vines in hot regions, whereof it both
tooke the name Vine Leeke and French Leeke. 1852
G. W, Johnson Cottage Gtird. Did. 24/2 A[lliui>i] nmpelo-
prasum (vine-leek). x88a Gard, Chron. XVI L 20 The new
*Vine-louse Convention, held at Berne. 1550 Coverdai.e
Spir. Perle vi, Wks. (Parker Soc.) L 115 The heavenly
•vineman bringeth the Christians unto the winepress. 1579-
80 North Plutarch (1612) 368 In the morning.. he went
out.. with his vine-men to labour in his vineyard. 1588
Fraunce La^viers Log. i. i. 2b, The word..isinetaphoricalI
.., being borrowed of the *Vinemayster. 1855 Ogilvie
Suppl. 283 Oidium tuckeri is the *vine-mildew, parasitical
upon the leaves and green parts of vines, x^^y Chambers's
Encycl. IX. 800/2 The vine disease, or vine mildew,, .has of
late years made great ravages. 184a Louuon Suburban
Hort. Ill A . . very efficient mode of destroying the * vine-
moth in France. 1704 Did, Rust. (1726), * Vine-Pear, or
Damsel-Pear, is gray, reddish, round, and pretty big. 1731
Miller Gard. Diet. s.v. Pyrus, Poire de Vigne, i.e. The
Vine Pear. 1887 IVestm. Rev. June 364 The ravages of the
*vinc-pest with the terrible name of Phylloxera vasteitn.r
in France. 1897 Outing^ XXIX. 434/1 Then came the
terrible vine-pest, and on its heels came ruin. 1587 Greene
Euphues Wks. (Grosart) VI. 237 Alaytng the heate of
Bacchus "vynepresse, with the sweete conserues fetcht from
Myneruaes Library. 163a Lithgow Trav. x. 459 A Vine-
presse house, standing afone amongst Vineyards. 1760-73
H. Brooke F^ool 0/ Qual. (1809) II. 125 As grapes are
squeezed in a vine-press. 1846 Keightlev Notes Virg-t
Georg, II. 4 The vinepress, or va\ in which they trod the
grapes. 1875 Knight Diet. Meek. 2710/2 * Vine-rake, an
implement for pulling sweet-potalo or other vines off from
the ridges preparatory to the digging of the ground. 1601
Holland Pliny I. 406 For the Centurion hath the honour to
carie in his hand a *Vine-rod. /z i66z Holvday Juvenal
(1673) 263/1 They may get a vine-rod, that is, a centurion's
place. 1856 Merivale Rom. Emp,\\\\. (1871) V. 145 Some
showed him the,scars of their wounds, others the marks of
the centurion's vine-rod. 1851 T. W. Harris Insects Injur.
Veg. vi. (1862) 512 Fir Saw-FIy. — *Vine Saw-Fly. — Rose*
bush Slug. [Ibid. 522 A kind of saw-fly which attacks the
grape-vine,.. named Selandria Vitts. Tlie saw-fly of the
vine is of a jet-black color.] 1886 Conder Syrian Stone-
Lore ix. (1896) 357 The *vine-scrolls and grape-bunches on
the oldest mosaics of the Dome of the Rock. x88i A. C.
Grant Bush-Life xxii. Impenetrable *vine-scrubs Hue the
river>banks at intervals. 1889 Lvmholtz A ff'iong Cannibals
24 Along the streams vine-scrubs often abound. 1831 J.
Davies Alat. Med. 413 Some animals of an inferior class,
such as bull-frogs, the * vine-snail, turtle, viper, crayfish, &c,
1601 Holland Pliny I. 406 The *Yine wand is now entred
into the campe, and by it our armies are raunged Into bat-
taillons. 1736 Bailey Household Did. s,v.. The *vine-
water without distilling, will have the same effect. 1882
Garden 11 Mar. 172/1 Specimens of the black *Vine weevil
(Otiorhynchus sulcatus), a very destructive insect. 1896
LoDE.MAN spray. Plants 280 Fire-worm ; Cranberry-worm ;
*Vine-worm; Blackhead {Rhopobota vaccintana). 1846
LiNDLEY Veg. Kingd. 439 The propriety of placing Leea
along with *Vineworts has been questioned. 1870 H. Mac-
MiLLAN True Vine vii. (1872) 296 «c/^, The vine-worts,
distinguished for their wholesome and nutritious qualities,
seem closely allied to the Umbellifera.
Hence Vine v, trans.^ to graft {in or into a vine) ;
intr,^ to develop tendrils like a vine.
1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Fam. Love 15b, The vine
braunch is to be vined in the vine. Ibid. 16 Neither doth
the Greeke or Latin translation afford any such lermes of
vinyng intoavine, as ye seme to import. 1796 C. Marshall
Gardening xv. (1813) 2^7 Sticking pease is to take place as
soon as they begin to vine (or. put forth tendrils).
Vine, obs. Sc. form of Wine sb*
II Vinea (vi-ma). Also 7 vinia, [L. vinea :
see Vine sb!\ A kind of protective shed or pent-
house anciently used in siege-operations.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 406 How to approch the walls of
their enemies, to give an assault under a frame devised for
214
the purpose, which thereupon look the name Vmea. 1614
GoRGKs tr. Lucan 111. 106 Their Vinias to the wall they
brought, Couerd with greene turfesall aloft. 1678 Phillips
(ed. 4). 1718 RowK tr. Lucan 111. 721 Beneath the Vinea
close th' Assailant lies, 1783 W', Gordon tr. Livy's Rem.
Hist. II. xvii. (1809) 130 The Vineae and other works were
repaired. 1885 Oman Art War 47 The vinea and testudo,
the catapult onager and balista, were as well known in the
tenth century as in the first.
ViueSrl (vi'n/.il), a. rare, [ad. L. vJuedlis, f.
7inea Vi^v.sb.'] Of or pertaining to vines or wine ;
living on vines ; consisting of wine.
1659 H. M«RE Immort. Soul iir. xii. 454 These exhala-
tions of the Vineyards must spread, .from., the Canaries to
England. ..So that there will be an Hemisphere of vineall
Atoms of an incredible extent. 1859 Mavnk Expos. Lex.,
Vinenlis, applied by Mirbel to plants that grow spontane-
ously on tlie vines, ..vineal. 1908 Daily Chron. 30 Oct. 9 ''5
To obtain a 50 per cent, drop on Italian vineal exports to
that country.
Vineat, variant of Vinet l Obs.
Viaea'tic, a. rare"^, [a. L. vlneatic-tts^ f.
vJtiea Vine sb^ (See quot.)
\t%(i^\j:s\)ti-xGlossogr., Vineatick, belongingto Vines, apt,
or that serves for Vines.
Vine-braucli. Also vine branch. [Vine
sb.'\ A branch of a vine-tree.
r 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 11201 The vyne-braunche with alle
here grapes, c 1440 Fallal, on Hush. Table (1B96) 15 Vyne
braunchis, to cnoynte. 1535 Coverdalk John xv. 6 He
that abydeth not in me, is cast out as a vyne braunche.
1560 BiBLK (Geneva) Nahum ii. 2 The emptiers haue
emptied them out, & marred their vine branches. 1603
Holland PlutardCs Mor. 685 He that gladly would in
winter season weare a chaplet of vine branches. 1673-4
Grkw Anal. PL, Anat. Trunks i. § 8 In Summer time,.,
the Vessels also, in the Barque of a Vine- Branch, do Bleed
a Sower .Sap. 1691 Ray Creation 11. (1692) 128 If in
Summer-time you denude a Vine-branch of its Leaves, the
Grapes will never come to maturity. 1731 Miller Gard.
Did. s.v. Vitis^ That Bulk which they have acquir'd upon
the Vine-branches. 1770 Langhorne Plutarch (1851) II.
1107/1 He lifted up the vinebranch, with which the cen-
turions chastise such as deserve stripes. 1818-2J Encyd.
Metrop. (1845) XIV. 490/2 The vanilla is a plant of the
thickness of a small vine branch. 1845 J. Coulter Adv. in
Pacific xi. 133 Posts of wood, interlaced by vine branches.
Vined, a^ rare. [f. Vine sb^
1. Ornamented with the representation of a vine.
1577 Harrison England n. xxiii. (1877) 1. 351 A table
hauing at each hand an image vined and finelie florished
both aboue and beneath. 1624 Wotton Elan. Archil, 31
Other licentious inuentions, of Wreathed, and Vined, and
Figured Columnes, which our Author hinibelfe condemneth.
2. Impregnated with the qualities of a vine.
1600 SuBFLET Countrie Farmc iii. x.v.\iv. 408 These
Oliues will tast both of the one and of the other, and be-
come as it were vined Oliues.
tVinedage, variant of Vendage Obs»
1574 Heli.owks Gueuara's Fani. Ep. (1577) 237 Since
your garden is blasted, your vinedage ended,, .your prime
tyme finished.
Vine-dresser. [Vine sb^ One occupied in
the pruning, training, and cultivation of vines.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Joel i. 11 Houle, o ye vine dressers
for the wheat, and for the barly. x6ii Bible Jcr. tii. 16
Nebuzaradan . . left certaine of the poore of the land for Vine-
dressers and for husbandmen, a 1653 Gouge Comm. Heb.
vii. (1655)11. 131 The Apostle exemplifieth the equity of this
..by a Vine-dressers partaking of the fruit of it. 1709
Lond. Gaz. 4556/1 Of these there are, Husbandmen and
Vinedressers, one thou^nd eighty three. 1763 Mills Sys!.
Prad. Husb. IV. 341 That so the vine dresser may dig all
round the vine. x8i8 Lady Morgan Autobiog. (1859) 123
When the vines were all gathered, the vinedressers came in
procession under the castle windows. 1884 J._De Mille
Castle in Spain iv. Shepherds, goatherds, and vine-dressers
stared lazily up.
fig. X770 Burke Pres. Discont. Wks. 1808 II. 273, I do
not mean those branches [of trade] which bear without the
hand of the vine-dresscr.
Vine-fretter. Now rare or Obs. [Vine sb.^
A grub or insect (in later use, a species of aphis)
feeding upon vines.
1608 TorsELL Serpents 105 After the manner of Vine-
fretters, which are a kind of CatterpiUers, or little hayrje
wormes with many feete, that eate Vines when they begin
to shoote. 1661 LovELL Hist. Anim. ^ Min. Isagoge c 2,
The butyri in vines, and ipes, and the vinefretter in the
leaves thereof. 1715 Fam. Did, s.v. Diseases of Trees, The
Vine«fretter, a little black Animal, does a great deal of Mis-
chief to Trees. 176a Mills Syst, Prad. Husb. I. 471
Almost all the peas in his neighbourhood were destroyed
that year by a kind of vermin called vine-fretters. 1777 W.
Hooper Helvetius' Treat. Man I. 91 note, We should, .in-
close a vinefretter in a phial. 1848 Bahtlett Diet. Amer.
374 Vinefretter^ . .an insect very destructive to vines, rose
bushes, cabbages, &c. in the Southern States. 1895 Dublin
Rev, Oct. 444 He considered the generation of vine fretters
from a new point of view.
Vinegar (vi-n/gai), J^. Forms: a. 4-6vyne-
gre (4fyn-), 5-6vynagre, 6 -ygre ; 4-7 vinegre
(5 uin-, win-, 6 winnegre) , 7 vin'gre ; 5 ven-
agre, 5-7 venegre ; 5 vyneygre, -aygre, 7
vinaigre. ^. 5-6 vyneger, 6 -egyr, vynyger;
5-7 vineger (7 -ere, vinneger), 6-7 viniger
(7 win-) ; 5 venegur, 6 -eger ; 5, 7 vinager, 7
vinaiger, 5-6 vineager. 7. 6 vynegar, 6-
vinegar (8 ven-). 5. 4 vyuacre, 5, 7 vinacre,
7 vinaicre ; 6 vinyoare, vinyker, vyneker,
venyker, -iker, Sc. vinakir, venaker, wynakar,
-akir, 7 Sc. wiuiker. [a. OF. vyn egre (14th cent.),
VINEGAR
vinaigre (so niod.F.), f, z^/w :— L. vimim wine +
egrCj aigre Kager a, Ci. l*r. vina'i)grej Sp. and
Pg. vinagrc, It. vinagro. Some of the spellings
are influenced by the later F. form, or by mod.L.
vinitm (tcre.'\
1, A liquid (consisting of acetic acid in a dilute
form) produced by the acetous fermentation of
wine and some other alcoholic liquors or si)ecial
compounds, and employed either pure or with
various admixtures in the preparation of food (or
as a relish to this) and in the arts, etc.
The chief sources of vinegar are indicated by the names
7vine-, malt-, sugar-, and wood-vinegar. Radical vinegar :
see Radical a. g. Thieves' vinegar : see Thief 5.
a. a 1300 Cursor M. 16762 + 13 Vinegre t*t gall \.^ jews
blend And to his mouth put Jjore. c 1315 Shokkham i. 829
A! so longe hyt hys blod, Ase lest l>e forme of wyne, Nau^t
of fynegre kende [^kind] chald. 136a Langl. /'. /'/. A. v.
70 Venim.., or vinegre, I trouwe, Walle)> in my wombe.
a 1425 tr. Ardcrne's Treat. Fistula, etc. 40 pe Inyse of
celidone y-medled wih vinegre and warmed at pe fire. 1489
Caxton F'aytes of A. i. xiv. 37 Flessh, benes, salt and
vynaygre. a \<po Bole's Chron. in Six Toivn Chron. (1911)
118 Powles steple was sodenly on fire, .but it was holpcn
and quenched w* vinegre. 150a ARNOr.uK Chron. a iij
b/i To make winnegre shortly it nede be. 1552 Huloet,
Vynygre, and honye sodden together, oxymeli. 1561
HoLLVBUSH liotn. Apoth. 2 Let the same, .putalitle vinegre
thereto. 1662 Chari.eton Myst. Vintners (1675) 164 Of
which we have an instance in the making of Vinegre.
a 1699 J. Beaumont Psyche (1702) ix. 8t A flood, to which
most fretful Vinaigre [1648 Vinaiger] Is gentle Oile.
^. c: 1408 Durham Ace. AV//j (Surtees) 52 In vinager et
cepis emptis. 1409 Ibid. 53 In j quart de vineger empt.
c 1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) 6 Goode wyne schalle turne to
venegur be dene. ^1440 Ccsta Rom. xxviii. 105 (Hark
MS.), Vyneger was gode, ..wyn is gode,. .and muste shalle
be gode. 150a Arkoldk Chron, 72b'i lo make veneger
shortli if [ye] haue nede. 1539 ELvorCaj/. Helthe 22 Olyues
..dothe corroborate the stomake. .being eaten with vyneger.
1598 Barret Theor. Warres v. iii. 133 Vineger to coole the
Ordinance. 1608 Armin Nest Ninn. (1842) 20 The king
calls for winiger to his sallet, because his sweet meate
should haue sower sauce. 1612 Webster White Devil iv.
iii. 105 Best wine Dying makes strongest vinneger. 1647
Cowley Mistr., Passions iii, Since Love by mixing Poyson
there. Has made it worse than Vinegere. 1660 Bovle Ne^v
Exp. Phys. Mech. 189 Spirit of Vinager being try'd after
the same manner, exhiljited a moderate number of bubble^i.
■y. 1577 B. GooGE HeresbaclCs Husb. 148 Hard Cheese
wrapped in clontes wet in Vinegar.. retnrne to a softnesse.
1596 Lodge Wits Miserie M, .One cast his paile of water
at his head, another his oile, another his vinegar. i6is
Woodall Sitrg. Mate Wks. (1653) 11 Vinegar I utterly
niislike. 165a in Gross Gild Merchant (1890) I. 133 In
buying and selling a can of vinegar. 1732 Pope Ess,
Man It. 138 As heav'ns blest beam turns vinegar more
sowre. 1750 tr. Leonardus' Mirr. Stones 93 If it be
drenched nine times in vinegar, it makes a fine eye-salve.
1789 W. BucHAN Dotn. Med. (1790) 109 They ought.. to
keep the patient very clean, to sprinkle the room where he
lies with vinegar, or other strong acids. 1815 J. Smith
Panorama Sci. Sf Art II. 386 Vinegar appears to have little
or no effect upon iron, unless assisted by the air. 1838 T.
'Jhomson Cltem. Org. Bodies 103^ The weaker the wine or
the beer.., the more readily it is converted into vinegar.
1888 £//r>r/. Brit. XXIV. 241/1 All sources of alcohol may
be regarded as possible materials for making vinegar.
h. a 1400 in Rel. Ant. I. 196 Seeth the rote in vynacre of
wyne. 1497 Naval Ace. Hen. VII {iSgt) 88 Vinacre, ..j
hoggshed. c if/oo Kennedy Passion of Christ 963 Intill
wynakar l>ai soupit it full sone. 1533 Gau Richt Vay 41
'Jhay suld..giff to hinie vinakir and gal to drink, 1583
Shuttleiuorths' Ace. (Chetham Soc.) 8 A querte of vinycare,
iiij^. X583-4 Ibid. 16 For foure quartes of veniker, xvj''.
2586 Ibid. s6 A gallon of vyneker, xvj-*. 165a Gaule
Magastrom, 44 The water of the wisemen, the philosophers
vinacre, the minerall water. 1691 in Hawick .Archmoi.Soc.
Trans. (1905) 13/2 I[tem] for osters and winiker, brandi and
^pis, \£,\:>- 6. o.
fig. a 1670 Hacket Abp. Williams i. (1693) 59 To stoop
this Vinacre to the very Lees ; some will say [etc.].
fb, ellipt. The accidental conversion of wine
into vinegar. Obs.'~^
1384 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. xn. xiv. {1886) 201 A
charme against vineager. That wine wax not eager, write
on the vessell [etc. J.
O. With a and pi. A particular kind, or special
preparation, of vinegar.
1839 Ube Did. Arts 13 'ITie fallacy of trusting to the
hydrometer for determining the strength of vinegars. 1875
H. C. Wood Therafi. (1879) 18 Vinegars are those prepara-
tions in which vinegar, or dilute acetic acid, is used as the
menstruum.
2. In allusive use : a^ With reference to the
painful or harsh effect of vinegar on a wound,
or on the teeth (after Prov. x. 26).
1S48UDALL Erasmus Par. Mark ii, 20 He that put in
the vinegre of sorowe, dyd also giue him the oyle of good
hope. 1590 Nashe Mart. Marprcl. Wks. (Grosart) I. 224
It IS vineger to his teeth, and maketh him very sawcie with
his g. of Cant. 1645 Quarles Sol, Recant, in. xii, To
qualify with oyle The soule-afflicting vin'gre of his toyle.
1656 in Clarendon Hist. Reb. xv. § 109 Our desire is . . not to
pour Vineger but Oyl into the wounds.
b. With reference to Hannibal's use of vinegar
in making his way over the Alps, according to
Livy XXI. 37 (cf. Juvenal x. 153).
Cf. the quotation for vinegar- railing in 6.
1636 QuARLEs Eiegie Wks. (Grosart) III. ii/i We cut
our way Through these our Alpine griefes, and badly rise
With the sharp vinegre of suffused eyes. 1776 in Boswell
Johnson 12 Apr., Davies said of a welbknown draniatick
authour, that 'he.. made his way as Hannibal did, by
vinegar ; having begun by attacking people '. 1779 Warner
VINEGAR.
in Jesse Seiwyn ^ Contetnp. (1844) IV. loS The Alps of your
difficulties subside before you, and without vinegar,
3. fig. Speech, temper, etc., oi a sour or acid
character. (Cf. 5 b.)
x6oz Shaks. Tivel. N. iii. iv. 158 Heere's the Challenge,
reade it : I warrant there's vinegar and pepper in't. i68e
Crowne Hen, Vl^ Prol., A little Vineger against the Pope.
1848 Dickens Dombey xHi, Mrs, Pipchin.. freshened the
domestics with several little sprinklings of wordy vinegar,
1873 [see Verjuice sb. 2].
+ b. In the phr. to wish one at vinegar, Ohs.'^^
1774 Earl Carlisle in Jesse Seiwyn <5- Contemp. (184^)
III. 73 He will soon do something, and play some prank,
which I dare say his uncle will wish him at vinegar for.
4. slang, (See quots.)
a vjoQ B. E. Did. Cant. CretVy I'inegar, a Ctoak. 1715
* AVry Cant. Did.,, I 'inegar^ . . the Fellow that makes a Ring,
and keep^ Order among Wrestlers, Cudgel-Players, &c.
1785 Grosk Diet. yulg. y., I'inegar, a name given to the
person, who with a whip in his hand, and a hat held before
his eyes, keeps tha ring clear at boxing matches and cudgel
playings.
6. attrib. and Comb. a. Attrib., as vinegar-
bottle (alsoyf^.), -cask, -cruet {a\?>o fig.), -tnaptn-
factoryfj -poty •poultice, -powder ^ -work^ -yeast ;
ohj. genitive, as vinegar -dratver, -?>iakery -making ;
also vinegar-flavoured, -tart adjs.
1459 Paston Lett. I, 490 Item, j. "venegre botell. 1593
Nashe Christ's T. To Rdr., It will bee some of their des-
tinies to Carrie the vineger bottle ere they die. x6oa znd
Ft. Return Parnttss. i. ii. i What Ingenioso, carrying a
Vinegar bottle about thee, like a great schole-boy giuing
the world a bloudy nose? 1706 Stf.vrns Span. Diet, i,
t'ifiafrera, a Vinegar-bottle, or Cruit. 1837 Hebf.rt
Engin. ^ Meek. Eucycl. II. 850 In some country districts,
the people keep., a "vinegar cask, into which they pour such
wine as they wish to acetify. 1713 Lond. Gqz. No. 5086/3
A Sett of Casters with 'Vinegar Crewels. 1744 Parsons
in Phil. Trans. XLIII. 187 A little Piece of Camphire,
exactly shaped like a common Vinegar-Crewet, having a
round Bottom, and a long taper Neck. 1851 H. Mklvillk
lyhale xvii, Mrs. Hussey soon appeared with a mustard-
pot in.ona hand and a vinegar-cruet in the other. 1873
Lblano Egypt, Sketch'Bk. 113 A moro^^e, narrow-mindeti,
hide>bound set of vinegar-cruets, a 1704 T. Brown /.o^^n/V;
Wks. 1711 IV. la He is a "Vinegar-drawer. 1601 Holland
Pliny II, 158 "Vinegre dregs are knowne to be verie good
for to heale burnes. 1809 Mai.kin Gil Bias vii. xiii. p t8
A "vinegar-flavoured vintage of Parnassus, 1611 Cotgr.,
I'inatgrier,..^ "Vineger glasse, violl, or bottle, ibid.^
i'inaigrier, a Vineger-man, or "Vineger-maker. 1697
Lend. Gnz. No. 3283^3 AH Malsters.., Brewers,.. Victual-
lers, and Vinegar-makers. 17*3 Hid. No. 6134/4 John
Gregory, .. Distiller and Vinegar- maker. 1853 Ure Diet.
Arts (ed. 4) II. 903 This axiom cannot be too strongly in>
culcated into the minds of vinegar-makers. x86a Miller
Elem. Chent., Org. (ed. 2) 60 In the ordinary process of
"vinegar-making from sugar and water. 1611 Cotgr.,
Vinaigrier, a "Vineger-man, or Vineger-maker. 1839 Urk
Diet, Arts 1278 "Vinegar manufactory, by malt. x84a
Penny Afag. 29 Oct. 425/1 The vinegar-manufactories are
but few in number. 1669 R. Montagu in Bttecleuch MSS.
(Hist. MSS, Comm.) I. 448 A "vinegar pot, oil pot, and
sugar box. 1854 Mayne Expos. Lex.,Cataplasma Aeeti,
. . the "vinegar poultice ; made of vinegar and bread crumb,
or th» like. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Suppl. s.v., A sort of
•Vinegar-powder, or Vinegar in a dry form. 1599 Nashk
Lenten Stuffe Wks. (Grosarl) V. ■p^ Let none of these
scumme of the suburbs, be too "vmegar tarte with mee.
itio6 \^Qrxw\Ariosto'5Sat.\\. {161 1) 53 Aviniger tart looke
or dowdy brow. 17*8 Chamiiers Cycl. s.v. Rape, 'I'he Rape
\%. .put into a Place to sour itself, liefore it is cast into the
•Vinegar Vessel. 18^ Ube Diet. Arts 2 When new vessels
are mounted in a 'vinegar work, they must be one third
filled with the best vinegar that can be procured, /bid. 2
5>everal azotized sub«ances serve as re-agents towards the
acetous fermentation, — such as vinegar-ready-made, "vine-
gar-yeast, or lees.
b. Attrib., in the sense * extremely sour in
temper or disposition* ; also in combs., as z/^H/'^ar-
faced, -hearted k6\%,
1596 Skaks. Merch, K. 1. t 54 Other of such vineger
aspect, That they'll not shew tneir teeth in way of smile.
1597 Return /r, Parnass. I. ii. 165 Such barmy heads wil
alwaies be working, when as sad vineger wittes sit souring at
ihebottomeof abarrell. 1654 H. L'Kstrange C/ioJ, 7(1655)
28 The Commons nothing mortified with these tart and
vtnacre expressions [of the king], kept close to their proper
stations. xGAxRumpSongsici^T^) 1, 161 From a vinegar Priest
on a Crab-tree stock... Libera nos. 1604 Motteux Rabe-
lais V. iii. II More grum, vinegar-fac d,. .than any kind
whatsoever in the whole Island. 1824 Miss Ffrkikt.
Inher. xxix. The habitual vinepar expression of his long
triangular visage. 1843 Miall tn Noneonf. II. 145 A peev-
ish and vinegar- hearted step-mother. 1846 De Quincey
Orthogr. Mutineers Wks. i860 XIV. 108 He was too vine-
gar a fellow for them ; nothing hearty or genial about him.
1847 E. Bkoste IVuthering Heights ti, Vinegar-faced
Joseph projected his head from a round window of the barn.
1850 Mrs. Cari.vlk Nexv Lett. (1903) II. 13 Vou may fancy
the vinegar looks of the Lady of the House and the visitors
whom I had kept from their dinner one mortal hour.
6. Special Combs. : 1* vinegar beer, ? beer em-
ployed for conversion into vinegar ; "Vinegar
Bible (see quots.) ; vinegar-eel, a minute nemat-
oid worm {Angnillula aceti) breeding in vinegar ;
vinegar-fleld, -^ vinegar-yard \ vinegar mother,
■ vinegar-plant (b) ; vinegar-plant, {d) the
Virginian sumach, Rhus typhina\ (b) a mould
which grows on the surface of liquids undergoing
acetous fermentation ; vinegar-raiUngyJ]f., bitter
abuse; vinegar- tree, = vinegar-plant (a) ; vine-
gar worm, ■= vinegar-eel \ vinegar-yard, a yard
or open space in which vinegar-casks are arranged.
315
1677 Act 2Q Chas. 11, c. 2, For every Barrell of Beere com-
monly called *Vineger beere brewed or made to be sold.
Six pence. 1834 Lowndes Bibliogr. Man. I. i3o A most
magnificent edition, called 'The *Vinegar Bible', from an
error in the running title at St. Luke, chap, xxii, where it is
read ' the parable of the vinegar ', instead of ' the parable of
the vineyard '. 1868 Macray Annals Bodl, Lib. 147 Baskett,
the printer, presented to the Library a magnificent copy on
vellum of the 'Vinegar' Bible, printed by him in 1717.
1836-9 Todd's Cycl. Anal. II. 113/2 The Anguitlula
acetif or common *Vinegar.eel. 1842 Penny Ma^. 29 Oct.
426/2 Behind the store-house, .is ihe *viHe^ar-/ield, a. re-
markable feature in most vinegar-works. 1839 Ure Ditt,
Arts 2 The Germans call it the *vinegar mother, as itserves
to excite aceiification in fresh liquors, 1853 Ibid. (ed. 4)
I. I In the vinegar of wine, .there appears a peculiar mould-
plant, belonging to the genus Mycodernta Pars. ; which is
usually called vinegar mother. 1797 Eucycl. Brit, (ed. 3)
XVI. 228/1 The.. Virginian sumach, or *vinegar plant,
Ljrows naturally in almost every part of North America.
1857 Hf.sfrf.v Bot, § 637 Flocculent or gelatinous masses,
constituting the curious object called the Vinegar-plant.
i866 Treas. Bot. 1217/1 The exact mode in which the
Vinegar.plant operates on the solution is not known. 1609
Dekker Gull's Horti-bk. Wks. (Grosart) II. 203 'Ihough,
with HannibatI, you bring whole hogs-heads of "vinegar-
railings, it is impossible for yon to quench or come oner my
Alpine-resolution. 1874 Treas, Bot. Suppl. 1350/2 *Vine.
gar-tree, Rhus typhina. 1896 tr. Boas' Text Bk. Zool. i6j
Afiguillula aceti, the ^Vinegar worm, lives in sour paste
and in vinegar. 1703 Lond. Ga::, No. 3893/4 A Distilling-
house, Brew-house, and *Vinegar-yard. 1858 Simmonds
Diet. Tratit', /7«<'^rt;-'^rtriy,a place where vinegar is exposed
to season.
Vinegar (vi-n/gaj), v. [f. prec] trans. To
treat with vinegar in some way ; to add or apply
vinegar to ; to restore by means of vinegar. Also
fig. Hence Vi-negaring vbL sb.
1610 B. JoNsoN Aleh. \\\, v, Ihen, to her Cuz, Hoping,
that he hath vinegard his senses. As he was bid, the Faery
Queene dispenses, By me this Robe. 1781 Gibber Rival
Pools V, Ev n forgive her all.. .No, faith ! I must crab her,
she must be viIleg.^r'd ! 1804 W. Irving in Life ^ Lett.
(1864) I. 89 Where I should be detained, quarantine*!,
smoked, and vineg.ared. 1831 Bentham Memorandum-
Bk. Wks. 1843 XL 73 Vou do as you do by a cucumber,
when you cut it into slips to be eaten, when it has been
peppered, salted, and vinegared. 1837 Dickf.ns Ptckn: x.
The landlady.. proceeded to vinegar the forehead, beat the
hands, titillate the nose, and unlace the slays of the spin-
ster aunt 1841 — Barn. Rudge xix, After, .much damping
of foreheads, and vinegaring of temples, and harlshorning
of noses, and so forth, 1897 It^estm. Gaz. 18 Feb, 2/1
Aurora rose and thrust a smelling-bottle under his nose,
tapped his hands, vinegared him.
Vinegarette, variant (a.{tei vinegar) of Vinai-
grette.
1855 Thackerav The Al/naek's Adieu i, And at parting
I gave my dear Harry A beautiful vinegarette !
Vinegarisll (vi'n/garij"), a. Also 7 vinegrish.
[f. ViNEOAR sb.l Somewhat resembling vinegar
(in taste); sourish. Also^^,
1648 Hexham 11, Azijnachtigh, Vinegrish. 1669 W.
SiMPsoM Hydrol. Chytn. 163 Animal juyces.. degenerate
into acid, sowre, vinegarish liquors. 1693 Kvelvn De la
Quint, Compl. Card. I. 141 Tis another fault to be some-
times so Vinous, as to contract from thence a Vinegarish
sharp taste. 1845 Temple in E. H. Coleridge Life Ld.
Coleridge (1904) 1. vii. \t-^, 1 expected that Scott.. would
have given him rather a vinegarish reply; but [etc.]. 1867
Q.}.^Vi\i\K Syn.9f Antonytns, Acid, Syn...Acetose. Vine-
garish.
Vinegarist, rarr-^. [f. as prec] A vinegar-
maker.
1676 WoRLiDGE Cyder 146 The Rape our Vinegarists make
use of, they have out of France.
Vinegary (vi-n/gari), a, [f. as prec] Re-
sembling vinegar ; sour like vinegar. Chieuyy?^.
1730 Bailey (fol.), Acetous, Vinegary, or being something
like Vinegar. 18^ Dickens Dombey xxxi, A vinegary face
has Mrs. Miff. 1850 Kingslev A. Locke (1876) II. 33 So
you'll just leave alone that vinegary, soul -destroying trash.
1870 Kriswell Mod, Men Lett. viii. 143 Commonplace
bishops and vinegary bishops' wives. 1879 Miss Braddon
Vixen iii, This is one of Miss Skipwith's servants, .. rather
a vinegary personage.
Com7>. 1885 Advauee {Chicago) 6 Aug. 509/3 A vinegary
visaged lady. 1891 C. Roberts Adrijt Amer. 116 The
only person who was in the house was a vinegary- looking
woman, who told me that I could not stay.
Vine'lty. rare~^. [f. L. vine-us vinous + -ITY.]
Vinons quality or property.
178a Priestley Corrupt. Chr. vi. II. 42 Innocent the
third_ acknowledged that, after consecration, there did
remain in the elements a certain paneity and vineity, as he
called them, which satisfied hunger and thirst.
Vine-leaf. [Vine sb.'\ A leaf of a vine.
(■ 14*0 Lydg. Assevtblyo/Gods 353 Of grene vyne leues he
weryd a ioly crowne. £1440 Promp. Parv. 510/2 Vyny
\^t.t,patnpinus, abestrum. c 1475 Pict. Voe. in Wr.-Wiilcker
810 Hie pamplus, a vyneleffe. a 1513 Fabyan Chron. vi.
(181 1 ) 160 They were fayne to take vyne leuysto couer with
theyr secret membrys. 1601 Holland Pliny I. Table s.v.,
Vine leaves to be cleansed once in the spring. 1634 Peacham
CompL Gentl. xii. fioo6) 109 Whereby we are taught to
know. . Bacchus by his Vine-leaves. 1731 Miller Gard.
Diet. s.v. Vitis, That vile Taste of a rotten Vine Leaf.
1765 Sternr TV. Shandy vii. xHii, There were two dozen of
eggs covered over with vine-leaves at the bottom of the
kisket. 1818 Shelley Rosal. ^ Helen 1258 lis casements
bright Shone through their vine-leaves in the morning sun.
iSaSEneycl. Brit. XXIV. 238/2 The imago, .shortly afier
lays its eggs upon the upper surface of the vine leaf.
attrib. 1874 H. H. CoLE Catal. Ind. Art S. Kens. Mus.
258 Muslin. Figured; diaper vine-leaf pattern.
b. \ Une-lecf miner y an insect infesting vine-leaves.
VINET.
Also vine-leaf folder, hopper, roller. (In recent Amer,
Diets.)
1830 Insect Architecture (L. E. K.) 238 The vine-leaf
miner, when about to construct its cocoon, cuts.. two pieces
of the membrane of the leaf.
Vineless (voinles), a. [f. Vine sb.^ Having
no vines ; destitute of vines.
1898 Mehedith Odes Fr. Hist. 7 Broken hoops, .. vineless
poles, worm-eaten posts.
Vinelet (vai-nlet). [f. Vine sb.^ A young
vine,
_ i88r Blackmore Christimull \\\, A human form.. roiled
in upon a newly-potted platoon of those sensitive vinelets.
Vinell, obs. variant of Vennel.
Vinello, obs. variant of Vanilla.
+ Vi'ner l. Obs. Forms : 4-5 vyner (4
vigner), 5 viner, -ere. [?ad. med. L. vindriumf
f, L. vinum wine. Cf, Vinert i.l A vineyard.
a 1340 Hampolf Psalter\x\\\\. 52 He sloghe in haghil he
yyners of ha. //'///. Cant. Hab. 27 Burioyn sail noght be
in he vyners, 1382 Wvclif Luke xiii. 7 Sum man hadde a
fyge tree plauntul in his vyner. ^1449 Pecock Repr. in.
xvii. 389 The lord of the vyner. .and of the werk doon in
his Vyner.
t viner -. Obs. Also 4 vinour, 5 -oure, vyn-,
vignour ; 6 vyner. [a. OF. vignour^ vigneur,
or AF. viner (Gower) vine-grower; with sense 2
cf. OF, vinier^ vignier wine-merchant,]
L A vine-grower or vine-tlresser.
o. 1390 GowFR Couf. III. 148 The king and the vinour
also Of wommcn comen bothe tuo. 1398 Tbevlsa Barth.
De P. R. .XVII. cxciii. (Bodl. MS.), Vligois be kindevinoure
of he erJ7e,..for his ire rereh vp and susteynel? bowes, frute,
& spraies of vines, a 1470 H. Parkeu Dives ^ Pauper
(W. de W. 1496) I. xxii. 58/1 Some ben shepeherdes, . ,
some vynours, some of other craftes as the contre axeth,
1474 Caxton Chfsse 11. iii. (1883) 41 Vf the smythes, the
carpentiers, y' vignours and other craftymen saye that it is
most necessarye to studye for the comyn prouffit.
^. 155a Huloet, Vyner, or orderer, or trymmer of vynes,
vineior. 1570 Levins Manip. 77 A viner, vinitor. 1611
Klorio, I'ignaiot a vineroll, a viner, a vine dresser.
2. A member of the Vintners' Company.
i674MAnvELLZ(f. Mayor ^ Crt. Aldermen xviiij And now,
worshipful sirs, Go fold up your furs, And Viners turn
again, turn again.
Vrner3. 6^.^. [f. Vine sb. 4c + -er1,] An
implement for gathering the product of ' vines \
190a Encyel. Brit. (ed. lo) XXVI. 558/1 By the aid of
modern machinery, the [pea-] pods are gathered bya viner.
t Vineroll, alteration of viueron Vignehon.
1598 Florio, Vendemmiatore, a vintager, a vineroll, a
vintner, a maker of wines or a grape gatherer. 1611 Ibid.
Vienaio, a vineroll, a viner, a vine dresser.
vlneron, obs. variant of Vigkeron.
t Vinerous, a. dial. Obs. (See quot.)
1674 Ray JV. Co. IVords 50 P'inerous, hard to please.
Vineiry (vai-neri). Also 5 vinary, 6 vynery.
[ad. med.L. vindrium (cf. VinekI and OF. vigne-
rie) or f. Vine sb. + -eby.]
1 1. A vineyard. Also in fig. context. Obs.
c 1430 LvDG. Commend. Our Lady 45 Paradys of ple-
saunce, gladsom to all good, . . Vinarye envermailyd. a 1513
Fabvan Chron. vii. (1811) 511 The kyng shuld haue in
recompencement of his wrongys, the eriedam of Bygorre,
& the vynery of Ramer,
2. A glass house or hot-house constructed for the
cultivation of the grape-vine. Also attrib.
1789 Abercrombie {title). The Hot-House Gardener on
the.. Methods of forcing Early Grapes,.. and other Choice
Fruits, in Hot-Houses, Vineries, Fruit-Houses, Hot-Walls,
&c. 1805 LouDON Improv. Hot-Houses 34 A considerable
depth [of flue] may generally be obtained.. in vineries and
peach houses. 1842 — Suburban Hort. 215 A vinery
twenty-five feet long by thirteen feet six inches wide in the
roof. 1879 Florist 9f Pomologist Mar. 37/2 A three-quarters
span or hipped roof vinery.. . For general purposes there is
no better form of vinery than this.
3, Vines collectively.
J883 Cent. Mag. XXVI. 720 Overgrown with masses of
vinery. 189^ Outing XXVI. 445/1 Its ruins. .are over-
grown with vinery and bushes.
fVinet^. Obs. Forms: a, 5 vyn net t, vyn-
ette, -ett, 5-6 vynet, 5-7 vinet, 6 viuite, 7
vinnet; 5 venett(e, 7 venet. fi. 6 vynyette,
vyniet, viniet, vineyet, vineat, 7 vignet. [ad.
OF, vignete, vignette (whence obs. It. vignetta
(Florio), Sp, vifieta, Pg. vinheta) dim. of vigne
Vine sb. Keadopted in the i8th century as Via-
NETTB sb.']
1. A running or trailing ornament or design in
imitation of the branches, leaves, or tendrils of the
vine, employed in architecture or decorative work.
14x1-20 LvDG. Chron. Troy 11. 656 And J»e vowsyng ful of
babcwynes{- bahoonsl, pe riche koynyng, [je lusty table-
mentis, Vynnettis rennynge in J>e cascmentis. c i4»o Life
Alex. (1913)64 Bitwene l^e pelers of golde, ware hyngande
venettez of golde & syluere, wit leues of golde. And \>q
brawnchez of this venett ware sum of cristalle, . . & sum of
Onyches, and bay semed as (>ay hade bene verray vynes.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII, 7 Appareyled in Crymosyn,
satyne, and purpull, embrowdered with golde and by vyn-
yettes [Holinslied viniet] ran floure delices of golde. Ibid,
Kyrtels of Crymosyne and purpul satyn, embroudered with
a vynet of Pomegranettes of golde.
attrib. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 93 The Pervincle.. Pass-
ing good and proper indeed for vinet and storie worke in
borders.
2. = Vignette sb. i b and 1.
VINET.
a. 14«7 rattoK Ltll. II. 336 For viij hole vynets, .. prise ]
the >-}neU, xiid. Item, for xxj demi vynets. 1573 ^''^ !
Limming (1588) s Trace all thy letters, and set thy Vinels
or flo»Tes, and then thy imagery, if thou wilt make any. ^
"579 Fl-l-'O! Confut. Sanders 691 Commonly such super- 1
fluous viniies (I trowe they call them) bee not set to, vntill
they presse the whole leafe. l6i« Peacham Centl. Exen.
I. XV, (i634> 47 You may, if you list, draw..any kinde of
wilde traile or vinet after your owne invention. xSj^Star'
CJutmSer Dtcm cone. Printing 11 July §0 That no person
shall hereafter print ..\-p6n any booke or books, the name,
title, markeorvinnet of the Company or Societyof Stationers. ,
3. 1584 Star Ckamftr Decree Printers >,■ Stat. (1863) 10
'that everie founder of letter, cutter and pocher, be likewise
bound not to cast any letter, vineyet, mark, singing notes,
or such like. 1611 Cotcr, Vignettes, Vignets; branches, or
branch-like borders, or flourishes, in painting or Ingraverie.
b. An ornamental border on a p.ige.
i«30 Brathwait Eng. Cenllem. Draught of Frontisp.,
Upon the other Border or Venet of the Picture, is presented
a Summer Arbour. lhid~, In the middle betwixt the Venets,
is the Portraiture of a comely Personage.
3. An ornamental title-page or similar production
containing various syitibolical designs or figures.
156a Leigh Armorie (heading). The Description of the
Viniet with the circumstaunce thereof, contayned in the
fyrst Page of the booke. 1570 FoxE ^. * .it/.(ed. 2) I. 688/2
Certaine there were which resorted to him, of whom some
were drawers for his petygree and vyniet. 16*5 F. Markiiam
Bk. Honour IV. iii. § 3 Prudence.. is to be esteemed aboue
all other Vertues : for Philosophy cals it the Guide, .tnd our
Heraulds make it the first in the Vinet.
Hence t Vlnettlng (vignetting) vbl. si. Ohs.
1611 CoTGK. , rignetteiiieiil, a vignetting; a bordering, or
flourishing with the branches of Vines, or other plants.
t Vinet 2. Obs.—^ In5vynet(te. [(. L. vTnea.'\
= ViXEA.
1408 tr. I'egetins' -Art War iv. xv. (MS. Digby 233) fol.
120/2 The vynet [MS. Land vynette] is a gynne of werr &
framed of li^t tymber.
Vineter, variant of Vinter.
Vi 'lie-tree. Also 4 vintre, 4-5 vyntro, 4-6
vyne-tree (5-6 Sc. wyne-). [Vine sb."] A tree
of the genus / 'itis bearing grains. Alsoyff.
A 1300 Cursor M, 7159 Arid sua hair corns did he brin,
(air oliues, wit ))air vinlres. a 134a Hamtole Psalter
cxxviL 3 pi wife as vynlre haboundand in sides of \i house.
c I37S Sc. Leg. Saints vi. (T/ioiiias) 401 Ensampil tane ma
be suRiciandly be |>e wyne-tre. 1483 Cat/i. Aug/. 402/1 A
vyne tree, argitis.firopago, vitis. 1501 A cc. Ld. High Treas.
Scot. \\. 105 To the Fianch man that set the wyne treis in ]
Strivelin, xiiijs. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Kpist. 336 The |
Vinelree hath yeelded her purple grapes, by clusters. l6oi |
Holland Pliny I. 519 The manner how to graffe a Vine ;
tree. 16*4 Fisher in F. White Repl. 340 The Saints being
but branches of Christ lesus, the true Vinelree. 1786 G.
Frazer f alio/ Man 136 Vou will be as a fruitful vine-tree.
1786 Abercrombie Arrangem. 43 in Card. Assist., Kver.
green Frees and Shrubs, Proper for. .shrubberies, . . &c. (in-
clude)..Vine tree, winged leaved. 1813 Q. Kev. IX. 159
Oft to mark, with curiouseye. If the vine tree's time be nigh.
•)• Vinetry. Obs.—'^ [App.f. Vinet 1-h-rt.] Or-
nament, decor.ition. In quot. fig.
l6a»PEACiiAM Couifl. Cent. 43 First your hearer coveteth
to have his desire satisfied with matter, ere he looketh upon
the form or vinetrle of words, which many times fall in of
themselves to matter well contrived.
t Vrnew, sh. Obs. Also 6 viuue, 7 vinow, 8
vinnow. [var. of Finew sb. Cf. mod. Hamp-
shire dial. vinny.'\ Mould, mouUliness.
1538 Elyot, Mttcor, fylth, vinue, suche as is on bred or
meate longe kept. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 9 If it were
not thus well followed, soone would it catch a vinow, begin
to putrifie (elc.|. 1706 Phillips (cd. Kersey), Vincw,
.Mouldiness, Hoariness, Mustiness. a I7»a Lisle Hush.
(1757) 303 Two sorts of vinnow on cheese, one in the nature
of mouldiness, or long downy vinnow, not blue.
+ Vi'liew, 1). Obs. Also 6 venu-, 6-7 vinow.
[var. of Finew v. Cf. mod. Som. and Dev. dial.
vinny^ intr. To grow mouldy.
1570 FoxE A. ff M. (ed. 2) III. 2250/2 Which bread doth
vinow, and mice oftentimes doe"eate it. 1581 [see Finew 7>.\.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 364 Soone it vinoweth and catcheth
a kind of inustiiies.
Hence + Vi-newing vbl. sb.
ISS» Csee FiNEwiNC ibl. sb.\ 1563 Cooper Thesaurus,
Mucor, filthe : vinewynge : hoai encsse. 1^80 Hollvband
Treas. Fr. Tong, Mucilage, venuing, hoarmesse.
+ Vinewed, a. Obs. Also 6 venued, vynued,
uinewed, 7 vinnewd, vinowed, vinnow'd. [1.
ViNKW sb. or V. Cf. FlMEWED a. and ViNiJiEDa.]
Moulded, mouldy.
1538 Elvot, Afucidus, fy\i\iy : vinewed. iS58WARDElr.
Alexis' Seer. (1580) 103 You must take first of the saied
paste, that is not mouldie, vinewed or putrified. _ 1574
Newton Health Mag. 55 Sweete Almonds .. decline to
mo>*sture, unlesse they be vinewed and restie for then they
are drye. 1576 — Lemnie's Complex. (1633^ 179 Such a
like hoary downe, or uinewed mouldinesse. i6ox Holland
Pliny I. 530 It it be let alone,, .(the vine] would proove to
be slender, vinewed, leane, and poore. 1654 Gavton Pleas.
Notes III. it 71 Like a mouldy Cheese, where three parts
are blew and vinnow'd. 1668 WiLKlNS Real Char. 70
Mould, Horiness, Vinnewd.
fig. 160a (see FiNEwED a,\
Hence t Vi newedneBS, Obs. rare.
1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Situs, . .horenesse : mouldinesse :
vinewednesse. 161X Cotgr., C//(»»x/m«<?'^, .. mouldinesse,
vinewednesse. Ibid., Moisissure, mouldinesse,. .vinowed-
nesse-
+ 'VinewineBS, -ewy, varr. Finewine.ss, -kwy.
1717 HailevivoI. II), Vine'Miness, Mouldiness, Hoarine.ss,
Mustiness. Ibid., Viuewy, mouldy, hoary.
216
Vineyard (vi-nyiid). Forms: 4 vinjerd, 6
-yard^e, vinjard, -yearde, 6 vyny(e)arde, wyn-
yard, 7 viniard ; 4-5 vyue3erd(e, 5 -5orde,
-ye(e)rd, 6 -yearde ; 4 vineyard, 5 -yerd, 0
-y',e)arde, 5- vineyard ; Sc. 5 wyne-, 6 wine-
^arde, wynejard, -yaird. [f. Vine sb. + Yaud
sb., after the earlier wineyard, OE. ivin^card.']
1. A piece of ground in which grape-vines are
cultivated ; a plantation of vines.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter civ. 31 He smate taire vynjerdis '
& i>aire fige trese. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn.
cxli. (Bodl. MS.), pis tree, .is beste in gardines to close hem
wil> and vine5.irdes. 1431-50 ix. Iligden (Rolls) I. 337 In
(>is lond is plente of hoiiy and of inylk and of wyn, ami
noujt of vyne3erdes. c 1450 Mirk's Feslial 66 A husband-
man, .hyryd men to his vyne^orde for labour. 1483 Caxton
G. de la Tour f vj, A good nu-in . . whiche had an Aker of a
vine yerd. 1535 Covrrdale Job xxiv. 6 They, .gather the
grapes out of his vynyarde, whom they haue oppressed by
violence, c 1583 [R. Browne] A nsw. Cartwright 45 Where
no yarde is, there may bfcvynes growing, but there can bee
no vineyarde. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. 171 There is
a right learned man tliat feareth lest hee have inconsider-
atly put this down in writing, as if this land were unfit for
vineyards. 1661 J. Ciiildrey Brit. Bacon. 71 This Shire is
very full of Vineyards. 1693 Evelyn De la Quint. Compl.
Card. II. 73 The good Grapes, which Compo.se part of our
Gardening, and the common Grapes that grow in Vineyards.
1756-7 tr. Keyslers Trav. (1760) IV. 449 The vineyards
begin to bear two years after their planting : and continue
in heart fifty or sixty years. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist.
IV. 211 When they [baboons] set about robbing an orchard
or a vineyard,.. they do not go singly to woi-K. 183a G.
DowNES Lett. Cont. Countries I. 218 We sought the
elevated Cathedral, which stands without the town in the
midst of vineyards. 1840 Hood Up Rhine 162, I was rather
disappointed at Bonn, by the first sight of what sounds so
poetically, a vineyanl. 1878 Emerson Misc., Fort. Republic
Wks. (Bohn) III. 387 The wine merchant has. .also, I fear,
his debts to the chemist as well as to the vineyard.
b. fig. A sphere of action or labour, esp. of an
elevated or spiritual character.
Chiefly in allusion to passages of the New Testament, as
Matt. XX. 1 and xxi. 28, 40.
CI37S Sc. Leg. Saints xxvii. iMnchor) 1293 Trawale |>ar-
for all thi-mycht in goddis wyne-3arde (or to vyne feile folk
(jat hundine ar with .syne, c 1380 Wvclif Serm. Sel. Wks.
1 . 98 pis housbonde is God, and |)is vyne3erde is his Chirche.
1555 Eden Decatles (Arb.) 51 This noble and Catholyke
prince, .whom God raysed for a"Capitayne..vnder whose
banner they myght ouercome theyr enemies and pourge
ids vineyarde from suche wycked wcedes. 1596 Dal-
iivMPi.E tr. Leslie's Hist. Scat. II. 467 Mr. Ninian. .\ya.s a
faithful labourer in the Lordes viniard, ernist, and bi.ssie.
x6i8 Baret (title). An Hipponomie; or the Vineyard of
Horsemanship deuided into Three Bookes. i6a8 in Foster
Fug. Factories India (1909) III. 295 Their principall
merchants and factors, who are indeed Ihe true labourers
of their viniard, and th' other, if riglitlie considred, no
other then carriers. 170a Clarendon's Hist. Reb. I. Pref.
p. xviii. Every Man..lh.at had laboured all theheat of the
day in the Vine-yard, .was not..recoinpenced immediately
according to iheirMerit. 1771 Smolleit Humph. CI., 'To
.Sir IK Phillips 10 June, The vineyard of mttliodism lies
before you. 1791 Hampson Mem. IVesley III. no The
assiduity of Ihe labourers in this vineyard was the chief
visible cau.se of their success. ^ 1804 Med. Jrnl. XII._ 12
Sincerely wishing you success in your labours in the vine-
yard of humanity. 1905 G. Thorne Lost Cause x, 'I'he
League Ml go on safe enough, there'll always be labourers
in the vineyard.
H O. = VlNEA. Obs.-'^
1650 R. Stapvi.'ION Strada's Lo7u C. ll'ars ix. 58 The
pioners, working under long and thick hoards, in the form
of a Tortois, covered with raw hides to secure them fi oin
Granadoes (anciently called Vineyards, and Galleries) to
enter the ditch.
2. atirib.tmA Comb., T&vineyard-c-ulture, -dresser,
-ground, etc. ; + vineyard leek, a wild species of
leek.
iS6a Turner Herbal 11. 102 The wild or wynyard leke is
more hurtfull for the stomack then the comon leke. 1577 tr.
Bullinger s Oerades {isg-z) 1121 The ministers of the Church
are sometime called .souldiers or vineyard-keepers. 1636
Prvnse Unbish. Tim. (1661) in Like as an higher place is
made for the Vineyardkeeper, to keep the Vineyard, so an
higher place also is made for the Bishops, a 1704 T. Brown
Dcclam. De/. Gaming Wks. (1709) III. 146 Bacchus was
made a God, a Vine-yard-keeper [etc.]. 1731 P- MlW-ER
Card. Diet. s.v. Vitis, I have seen in one Place in this
Vineyard-Plot great Pieces of old Vines replanted after
the aforesaid manner. 1733 Tull Horse-Hoeing Husb.
(title-page), A Method of introducing a Sort of Vine-
yard-Culture into the Corn-Fields. Ibid. vii. 62 Without
which they could not give it [sc. corn] the Vineyard-
Hoeing. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v, Pomtm, The
wild viney.ird leek, c i8ao S. Roceks Italy (1839) 41 As I
rambled through thy vineyard-ground. Ibid. 223 When on
a vineyard-hill we lay concealed. 1848 Clough Amours de
Voy. u. 122 And we believe we discern some lines of men
descending Down through the vineyard-slopes. 1849 K. H.
DiGBV Compitum II. 361 Pope Urban I should be painted
with grapes and a vine, being the patron of vineyardmen.
1B84 Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl. 928/1 A French double
vineyard plow.
Hence Vl'neyarded a., enclosed as a vineyard ;
covered with vineyards; 'V'i-iieyardintr, the culti-
vation of vineyards ; vine-growing; Vi'iieyardist,
one who engages in vine-growing.
i8ao Keats Isabella xvii. In that land inspired, Paletl
in and *vineyarded from beggar-spies- 1886 Mrs. Caddy
Footsteps Jeanne D'Arc 83 One now walks from the train
to the town by the side of vineyarded hill-slopes. 1870
Cougregationalist ig May (Cent.), Profits of *vineyarding
in California. 1868 Rep U. S. Comm. Agric. (1869) 267
VINNY.
The necessity of depending mainly upon professional *viiie.
yardists. 1897 I.. H. Bailey Princ. Fruit-grooving 291
Careful vineyardisls are able to continue the practice [of
girdling] year after year without apparent injury to the vine.
■Vineyet, var. Vinet Obs. Vineyetour, var.
ViNirou Obs. Vinger, southern MK. var. FiN-
r.Eii sb. Vingre, ol)S. f. Vinegak sb.
II Vingt-et-un (v^ut^on), vingt-un (vgnton).
Also 8 -une. [F., 'twenty-one'.] A round game
of cards in which the object is to make the number
twenty-one or as near this as possible without ex-
ceeding it, by counting the pips on the cards,
court-cards counting as ten, the ace one or eleven
as the holder cliooses. (Cf. Van John.)
Also applied to a game at dominoes: see Stone sb. 13.^ •
a. 1781 IVestm. Mag. IX. 604 Give the Beau-monde im-
pertinent advice. Proscribe I'ingt.une I prohibit box and
dice! 1790 A. C. Bowers Diaries J*,- Coriisp. (1903) 109, I
was sat down with every M iss in Winchester to play Vingt
une. 1804 Jane Austen IVatsons (1879) 358, I have played
nothing but vingt-un of late. 1868 li. F. Pardon Card
I layer 69 Vingt-un may be played by two or more players.
fj. 184Z Dickens Amer. Notes (1850) 13/1 This passenger
is reported to have lost fourteen pounds at Vingt-et.un..
yesterday. 1853 ' C. Bede ' ( 'erdant Green xi. 102 It was a
very diiTerent thing to playing vingt-et-un at home. 187a
K. Braddon Li/e India viii. 338 Happy gamblers, who
look upon the scientific game much in the same way as
they do vingt-et-un.
ViniC (v3i-nik), a. Cheni. [f. L. vin-tim wine,]
Obtained or derived from wine or alcohol.
1835 T. Thomson in R. D. ^ T. Thomson's Rec. Gen. Sci.
II. 98 The term racemic .acid given by the French is prefer-
able ; because vinic is the name applied frequently on the
Continent to tartaric acid. 1857 Miller FU-m. Clurn.. Org.
■-•8 Vinic Acids. Ibid. 119 Ethylic or Vinic Alcohol, Spirit
of Wine. Ibid. 155 Ethylic or Vinic Ether. 1876 Harlev
Royle's Mat. Med. 330 Vinic aether prepared from alcohol.
Vi'niculture. [f. L. vhii-, vinum wine -i-
Cultuke sb^ The cultivation of grapes for the
liroduction of wine.
1871 Echo 3 Jan., The fair for the best and newest speci-
mens of viniculture has been held in Florence last week.
x88a .Advance (Chicago) 23 Nov., Viniculture from year to
year is gaining ground in Southern Palestine. 1891 H. M.
SrF.PHENs Portugal 368 He did not neglect to encourage
agriculture and viniculture.
Hence Vinlcu'ltnral a. ; 'Tinicn-lturlst.
188S Voice (N. Y.) 5 July, The Vinicullural Commission
will establish in San Francisco, a Wine Exchange. 1888
Sci. Amer. 24 Nov. 327/2 Ihe harvesting of the grape crop
is the period of anxiety for the vinicullurist.
"Viniet, variant of Vinet l Obs.
Vini'ferOUS, a. rare. [f. L. vmi-, vmum
wine : see -ferous.] Producing wine.
183a G. DowNES Lett. Cont. Countries I. 80 On the left
lies the villiferous district of La Cute.
Vinification (vainifik^-Jan). [f. as prec. ; see
-kication.] The conversion of grape juice or the
like into an alcoholic liquid by fermentation.
i88a Lib. Univ. K'non'l. VII. 71 The vinification (of
Greek wines] is very imperfect. 1894 Thudichum (title),
A freatise on Wines:.. with Practical Directions for Viti-
culture and Vinification.
Vining (vai-nii)), a. [f. Vine sb.'] Twining
like a vine.
1814 Lewis & Clark Trav. Missouri xw'i.dSi^) III. 124
Vining and whiteberry honeysuckle. 1897 Voice (N. Y.)
4 Mar. 5/3 The vining maples twined in so close about it
that we had to get right in the water and follow up the
stream.
Vinipote. rare-°. [f. L. vwt-, vmutn wine -f
foliis having drunk.] (See quota.)
t6a3 Cockeram i, / 'inipote, a wine drinker. 1656 Blount
Clossogr., I 'inipote, a drinker of Wine, a Wine.bibber, a
Drnnkartl.
Viniter(ie, obs. forms of Viniter, Vintry.
+ Vinitor. Obs. Also 7 vineter, vineyetour.
[a. I., vinitor, f. vinum wine.] A vine-grower.
'559 Abp. Sandys Serm. iii. (1585) 48 Nowe it behooueth
the vinitor to take great heede what vine heplanteth in this
vineyard. 1595 Charldon Fiil/ordo et Ful/ordx 33 This
skilfull vinitor.. halh cau.sed the stones th.it pestered the
vineyard to bee gathered out. 1606 True 1^ Per/. Relat.
!J dd 3, The branch beares fruit no longer then it continues
in Ihe naturall .and proper Vincent and pruined by the
.same Vinetor. i6a4 Capt. Smith I'irgiiiia iv. 155 The
Vineyard our Vineyetours had brought to a good forward-
nesse. 1631 R. H. Arraignvi. Whole Creature \\\. 280
Had not lezabeL.made him a Potion and Caudell of the
l.loud of the Vinetor, and tirapes of ihe Vineyard.
Vinito'rian, a. rare-", [f. L. vinitori-tis
("Columella), f. vinitor : see prec] (See quot.)
" 1656 Blount Glossogr., I initorian, of or belonging to the
keeping a Vineyard or Vines.
Vinnel, obs. variant of Vennel.
Vinnewed, variant of Vinewed a. Obs.
Vinnied, a- dial. [var. Vinewed a.] Mouldy.
1519 HoRMAN Vulg. 162 b. This bredde is olde and venyed.
1670 H. Stubbe/'/ks Ultra 40 The moon is a Cheese.. odly
figured . . (and perhaps a little vinnyed in some parts). 1787
Gkose Prmt. Gloss., Vinnied, fenny, mouldy. 1834- in
south-western dialects (Eng. Dial. Diet.).
Vinnow, Vinnoveed, Vinnowy, variants of
ViNEW sb., Vinewed a., Finkwv a. Vinny,
dial. v.ir. Veny ~, Fenny a.2, Finny a.^
Vi'nny, v.. Obs. exc. dial. Also 6 vynye.
[var. of ViNEW v., Finew J'.] intr. To become
mouldy.
VINO-.
217
VINTAGE.
14. . l''<x. in Wr.-Wiilcker 597 Mucido^ to vynye. 1837-
in Somerset and Devon glossaries.
Vino- (vai'Dtf), combining f. L. vinum wine,
employed in a few chemical terms, as vino-acetous,
-methylic, -sulphureous.
1730 Fhil. Trans, XXXVI. 289 And tlie Retort being
clapped in the Hand, there is found in the Receiver a Vino-
sulphureous Gas. 1843 TiZAR»i>rtf:('/«^ 519 Vino-acetous
fermentation. 1864 Watts Diet. Chem. II. 542 Methylate
of Ethyl ; Ethylmeihylic Meihylethylic, or Vinomethylic
Ether.
Vi'nolence. rare, [See next and -ence.] =
next.
1430-40 Lydc. Bochas iv. ix. (1554) 106 b. He. .Through
vynolence lost oft his reason. 1607 B. IUrnrs Diviis
Charter i. ii. A 4, Such odious Auarice and perfidie, Such
vinolence and brutish gluttony. [17*7 Bailey (vol II),
VinoUncet I'inoUntness, I>runkenness.]
Vi'nolency. rare. [ad. L. vTfioientia, f. vitw-
lenttts : see next and -Excv.] Drtuikenness.
i6a3CocKKRAM I. [Also Bailey (1721), etc.] 1804 Trotter
Drunkenness ii. 21 note^ No bad assemblage of thephaeno-
mena of Vinolency.
7111016X11: (vai'n^lent), a. Also 4-6 vyno-.
[ad. L. vinolent-us, f. vinum wine.] Addicted to
drinking wine ; tending to drunkenness. j
138s WvcLiF Titus I. 7 It bihoueth a bischop for to be
witnoute crime,.. not proud, not wrathful, not vynolent. |
cxi/iS Chaucer IVi/e's Frol. 467 In ubmmen vinolent is no ;
defence, This knowen lecchours by experience, c 1386 — :
So'upn, T. 223 They ben.. Al vinolent as hotel in thespence.
i4ia-ao LvDG. Chron. Troy 11. 5758 For m.in or woman ^at
is vinolent Is verreyly a beste vnresonable. c 1440 Capgrave [
Life St. Kath, iv. 1533 Venus was lecherous and also
vynolent, 15x5 Barclay Eghges (1570) C vj72 There is wq
secrete with people vinolent. By beastly surfeit, the life is
breviate. 1556 Laldkr Tractate 286 5e ^ulde nocht chuse
vntothatcureAne Vinolent nor wod Pasture. 1656 Blount
Glosso^r. 1837 Wheelwright tr. Aristoph. II. 80 note^
The vinolent propensity of the Athenian females.
Hence Vinolentness, drunkenness. rare~^,
1727 HaII.KY IV'^l. II).
Viuo'logist. rare—'^. [f. L. vTn-um wine +
-CLOG 1ST.] A connoisseur in wines.
1845 Ford llandbk. .Spain i. 309 The true vinologist ,
should so down into one of the cuevas or cellars and have
a goblet of the ruby fluid drawn from the big-bellied
Tinaja,
Vinomadafied, a. rare-"^. [f. L. v/"«-7//« wine ■
■\- made/ieri io be soaked.] Soaked with wine. '
165* Ur<;uhabt 7^w/ Wks. (1S34) 239 He, with his vino-
madefied retinue, resolved to press in upon the page.
Viiicmeter. [f, L. vinum wine + -omkteb.]
An instrument for measuring the strength or purity
of wine ; an oenometer. !
1863 Atkinson ir. Gauofs Physi,.s 81 Lactometers and ;
vinomcters..are used for measuring the quantity of water :
which is introduced into milk or wine for the purposes of
adulteration.
Vinook, variant of Vkrneuk v. \
Vinose ^v^inJ'-s), a, [ad. L. vinos-ns full, or
fond, of wine. Cf. It., Sp., and Pg. vinoso, Pg.
vinhoso.'\ = ViNOUS a.
J7»7 Bah EY (vol. II). X73a Hist. Litteran'a III. 382
The Acids.. are divided by the Author into Vinose and
Acetose. x8a6 Examiner j S7/2 Their salaried tutors, their
rich professors, their vinose and indolent fellows.
Vinosity (v^inpslti). Also 7 vinocitie. [ad.
L. vitwsitds (Tertullian), the flavour of wine, f.
vinds-us: see prec. and -ity. So OF. and F.z'/«-
osit^, It. vinosith, Sp. vinosidad, Pg. vinosidade.']
1. The state or quality of being vinous ; vinous
character or flavour.
1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. 33 Vessels of Oyles and
Aromaticall Liquors.. ..\nd some yet retaining a Vinosity
and spirit in them, which if any have tasted they have farre
exceeded the Palats of Antiquity. IHence in Blount
Glcssogr. {\tt\\.\ 1714 Manoeville Fab. Bees (1733) IL
210 If we c^nisider, now necessary fermentation is to the
vinosity of the liquor. 1757 A. Cooper Distiller i. ii. (1760)
20 It is common with Distillers, in orderlo. .give it a par-
ticular Flavour, or improve its Vinosity. 1843 Tizakd
Brewing 465 The vi.nosity and mellowness [of vinous
liquors! are at the same time improved. 1889 Pail Mall 'i.
20 July, A Medoc wine-taster can tell at a sip what sort of
ground a bottle of wine has grown in;.. that grown on a
Stony layer is marked by greater body and vinosity. 1890
O. Crawfurd Round Calendar 195 All the rich and subtle
chemistry of vinosity, which help to cheer and sustain the
body.
2. Fondnesi for, addiction to, wine.
x6s4 Hevwood Gunaik. vii. 348 The souldiers. .reproov-
ing his intemperate vinositie. Ibid. ix. 441 Riois, Reuels,
Banquets, Pride, Surfets, Vinocitie, Voracitie. 1857
Fraser's Mag. LVI. 486 Aristophanes himself, notwith-
slandin:; his jokes on the vinosity of Cratinus, is said in
Atben^eus to have been well primed with wine when he sat
down to write.
■Vinour(e, obs. variant-^ of Viner 2.
Vinous (.^^i'"3s), a. [ad. L. vinds-us^ f. vinunt
wine : cf. Vinose a. and F. vineux (.OF. vineus).']
1. Of the nature of wine ; having the qualities of
wine; tasting or smelling like wine; made of, or
prepared with, wine.
1664 Power Exp. Philos. i. 65 The fermentation and heat
presently appears, with a kind of vinous steam. i68oB<>vt r
Exp. Cltem. I'rinc. i. 26 Fermentation rarefy's the oyly
parts of the Juice of Grapes, and subtilizes them into vinous
Spirits. (694 Salmon Bate's Dispens. 1171;?) JM'2 So will
the Liquor be Vinous in Smell, and more delicious in I'aste.
1713 J. Warder 'J'rne Amazons 156 The most wholesome
Vol. X.
of all the Vinous Liquors in the World. 1741 C. Middle-
ton Cicero 1. iv. 324 He was obliged, he said, to take some
vinous medicines. 1818 AccuM Chetti. l^ests 72 All vinous
fluids, even the mildest, contain a portion of a free acid.
1856 N. Hawthorne E/tg. Note-bks. 1. 242 They would
perhaps have preferred a vinous potation. 1874 H. R.
Kevnolus John Bapt. ill. § 2. 154 John was deprived from
his birth of all vinous stimulu.s.
b. Producing wine or similar liquor, rare,
1676 Worlidge {title\ Vinetum Britannicum : or, a
Treatise of Cider;. .Together with the Method of Pro-
pagating all sorts of Vinous Fruit-Trees. 1708 Ozell tr.
Botieau's Lutrin 41 Burgundia's vinous Fields she hovers
round.
2. Pertaining to, characteristic of, wine.
1708 J. Philips Cyder 11. 106 Water will imbibe I'he
small Remains of Spirit, and acquire A vinous Flavour.
1719 London & Wlse ComPL Gard. 78 it has a vinous and
delicious Taste. 177SS1RK. '^K^^nObserv. IV ines Ancients
9 A more rich and sweet taste than is natural to them in a
recent true vinous stale. 1834 J. Forbes Laenncc's Dis.
Chest (ed. 4) 173 An accumulation of blood., which, .tinges
the lungs of a livid or vinous colour.
b. Vinous fermentation: (see quot. 1857).
1748 Hartley Obscfu. Man 11. iii. § 2. 220 All Liquors
which have undergone vinous Fermentation.. have a Mark
set upon them as dangerous, c 1791 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
VII. 216/1 When the vinous fermentation was finished,
the liquor. .was found converted into vinegar. 1815 J.
Smith Panorama Set. 9f Art II. 502 Tlie vinous fermenta-
tion never takes place except in substances containing
sugar, and it is most remarkable in those which contain
the most of the saccharine principle. 1857 Miller Eiem.
Chein., Org. 102 When spirit of wine is formed from sugar,
the change is called the alcoholic or vinous fermentation.
^g. 18^ Lowell w4wo«^ fiiy Books Ser. 1. 147 The Re-
formation had passed the period of its vinous fermentation.
3. Caused or produced by, resulting from, indul-
gence in wine.
1776 Johnson in Bos7vell 12 Apr., I have heard none of
those drunken, — nay, drunken is a coarse word,— none of
those vinous flights. 1818 Scott Rob Ray xii, It has even
been reported by maligncrs, that I sung a song while under
this vinous influence. 1850 Thackeray Pendennis xlvi,
Frank and familiar. .from vinous excitement. 1874 Ld.
Lvtton in Lady Balfour Lett. (1906) 1. 318 On our way
back to town I was seized with a vinous inspiration.
b. Affected by, showing signs of, the use of
wine.
1847 L. Hi;nt Men^ Woitun., 4- B, L ix. 161 He was a
shortish stout man, in powder, with a huge vinous face.
1848 Th.^ckeray Van. Fairxxx'w, Winking at his cousin
with a pair of vinous eyes. i88a ' F Anstey' Vice Versa
iii. 44 C. gave a vinous wink.
4. Addicted to wine.
1816 T. L. Peacock Headlong Hail ii, Indefatigable in
his requisition for the proximity of his vinous Achates.
x8so liYRON ynan wu xlii. The vinous Greek to whom he
had address "d His question, much too merry to divine The
questioner, fiU'd up a glass of wine. 1859 Thackeray
Virgin, x, Let us fancy them reeling to bed, ..and their
vinous General, .conducted to his chamber by the young
gentlemen of the house.
5. With names of colours: Like that of (red)
wine ; having a wine-coloured tinge.
1834 Penny Cycl. II, 79/2 The general colour of the body
is a dark vinous red on the upper parts and silvery grey
beneath. 1881 Garden 25 Mar. 203/2 The colour of the
flowers is a yellow-green with blotches of deep vinous-
purple at the basis of the flower-cup. 1887 W. Phillips
Brit. Discomycetes ts Cup.. rough, vinous-brown. 1894
R. B. Sharpe Handbk. Birds Gt. Brit. 1. 65 Ear-coverts
and throat vinous-chestnut.
b. Of the colour of wine; vinaceous, hX'&oComb.
1894 R. B. Sharpe Handbk. Birds Gt. BriL I. 19 Tlie
white or vinous-throated birds. Ibid. 80 The median and
lesser wing-coverts vinous.
Hence Vi-noualy adv. ; Vi'nonsness.
xjvj Bailey (vol. II), i'inousness, winy Quality, Taste or
Smelt. 1836 hraier's Mag. XlII. 733 He felt himself
*vinously inclined'. 1859 Meredith R. Eeverel x\\i. He
determined to overbear his client vinously. 1891 — One of
our Conq. vi, His voice and words had a swing of convic-
tion: they imparted vinousnessto a heart athirst.
Vinow, Vinowed, variants of Vinew sIk and
Z;., Vl!fEWKDa.
Viaquish, Sc. var. Vanquish sb,
1844 H. Steihens Bk. Farm III. 1122 It is quite a new
disease on the Border |.. nor did I ever hear its name save
from Galloway, where it was called the vinquish.
Vint, sh. rare. [Back-formation from Vintage
sb, Cf. next.] Vintage,
1639 G. Daniel Ecclus. xxiv. 88 Opulent AsGehon, in the
season of the vint. 1895 Snaith Dorothy Marvin vii, Such
is the l>eauty of this rarest of vinis [that, etc.].
Vint (vint), V. [Back-formation from Vintner
or Vintage.]
1 1. trans. To sell or vend (wine). Obs.-"^
ijtB North Mem. Music (1846) 112 The taverner finding
the sweets of vinting wine and taking money.
2. To make (wine, etc.); = Vintage v. i.
1857 Trollope Barckester T. xxi. II. 38, I wouldn't give
a straw for the bc^l wine that ever was vinted, after it had
lain here a couple of years. 1908 Academy 11 April 666/1
M r. Pickwick . . drinks a brandy that was vinted and distilled
in Sirius.
Vintage (vi-ntedj), sb. Also 5-6 vyntage.
[a. AF. vintage (1353), altered f. oivindage, ven-
dage Vendage, OF. vendange, by association with
ViNTER or Vintner.]
1. The produce or yield of the vine, either as
grapes or wine ; the crop or yield of a vineyard or
I district in a single season. Now rare or Obs.
Quot. 1460 refers to the capture of large supplies of wine
from the French.
c 1450 Brut II. 372 pere l?ay restid ham n while, and sette
^e cuntre yn pees t'i rest tylle J>e vyntage were redy to sayle.
a 1460 Capgrave Chron. 239 Than the vyntage of Ynglond
took a othir felauchip, where thei had a thousand tunne wyn
and V. hundred. 15*3 Ld. Berners Froiss.xxW. (i^ii) II.
55 And there he taryed tyll they had inned all their corne
and vyntage. 1589 Fleming i''irg. Georg. 11. 21 Not one
and selfe same vintage hangs on our Italian trees. 1605
^hCLQii Adv. Leaiti. i. iv. § 11 By reason of their stirring and
digging the mould about the roots of their vines, they had
a great vintage. 1657 Burton's Diary (18^8) I. 327 'J'he .
commonwealth will be cheated ; for most of the wine of this
vintage is now in the vintners* cellars. 1697 Drvdkn Virg.
Past. V. 109 Two Goblets will I crown with sparkling Wine,
The gen'rous Vintage of the Chian Vine. 1713 Young Last
Day II. 348 Shi»e we in arms? or sing beneath our vine?
Thine is the vintage, and the conquest Thine. 1748 Grav
Alliance 57 With grim delight the brood of winter view A
brij;hter day.. ; Scent the new fragrance of the breathing
rose, And quaff the pendent vintage as it grows. 1818 AI ks.
Shelley /•rankenst. i. (1865) 62 Never did.. the vines yield
a more luxuriant vintage. 1818 Shelley Euganean Hills
221 Where.. the milk-white oxen slow With the purple
vintage strain, Heaped upon the creaking wain.
Jig. 1586 Warner .(4 /(&. Eng. iv. xxi. (1589) 8g The Vintage
of my thrifiles loue isblasteain the bloome. 1647 N. Bacon
Disc. Govt. Eng. 1. ii. (1739) 19 This was the vintage of
Kings and great men, but the gleanings of the People were
much more plentiful. 1820 Shelley Ode Liberty xii. 7
How like Bacchanals of blood Round France, the ghastly
vintage, stood Destruction's sceptred slaves, and Folly s
mitred brood !
b. poet. Wine, esp. of good or rare quality.
1604 Dekker Honest Wh. Wks. 1873 II. 51 We had ex-
cellent cheere, rare vintage, and were drunke after supper.
1725 Poi'E Odyss. IV. 67 In solid gold the purple vintage
flows. i8ao Keats To a Nightingale ii, O f for a draught
of vintage, that hath been Cool'd a long age in the deep-
delved earth. 1859 Tennyson Elaine 266 The great
knight,.. Whom they with meats and vintage of their Lest
And talk and minstrel melody entertain 'd. 1887 Bowkn
Aineid i. 729 Soon for the goblet she asks,. .Then with the
vintage hllsit.
trans/. 1856 B. Taylor Summer s Bacclmnal 109 Where
the crystal vintage of the mountain Runs in foam from
dazzling fields of snow.
c. Used with reference to the age or year of a
particular wine, usually connoting one of good or
outstanding quality ; now spec, a wine made from
the grape-crop of a certain district in a good year
and kept separate on account of its quality.
1746 Francis tr. Horace, Epist. i. v. 6 Nor old, .. nor
excellent, my Wine, Of five Years Vintage, and a marshy
Vine. 1760 JoHN-soN idler No. 97 ^4 He may. .regale his
palate with a succession of vintages. 1817 Bvron Matt/red
11. i. 18 Taste my wine; *Tis of an ancient vintage. 1864
Tennyson Aylmer's F. 407 Honest Avtrill-.fetch'd His
richest beeswing from a binn reserved For banquets, praised
the waning red, and told The vintage. 1888 Encycl. Brit.
XXIV. 605 The principal claret vintages of the igih cen-
tury are considered to have been those of 1815, '25, '2S
(etc.]. Ibid. 608 The last year when the wine was shipped
as a vintage.
trans/. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libra7y {iByg) III.
231 There are vintages( Loth material and intellectual,
which are more frequently praised than heartily enjoyed.
d. A property yielding \vine. rare^^.
1840 Hood Up Rhine 231 Last summer we purchased a
small cask of wine from a woman whoowns,a little vintage.
2. The gathering of the ripe grapes in order to
make them into wine, including the preliminary
processes of wine-making, as pressing and placing
the juice in the fermenting vats, etc. ; the grape-
harvest.
Also in the phrase -^to make vintage (sec b).
id) 1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII, c. 14 §2 From Burdeux to
London for everie tonne Wyne at thefyrst vintage,, .xviij.s.
1550 NicoLLs Thuiydides iv. 114b, Sone after that, a Ijtle
bifore the viTitage, that selfe somer. 1560 Hicle (Gencv.)
Miaih vii. i, 1 am as the somer gatherings, & as the grapes
of the vintage. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 405 The grape-
gatherer in lime of Vintage. 1656 Blount Glassogr., yin-
/rt^^,.. Vine-harvest, Grape-har\*est, Grape-gathering, Wine
making. 1710 J. Clarke tr. Rohauifs Nat. Philos. (1729)
I. 175 For if it rains a little before the Vintage, the Wine is
sharper. 1790 liuRKE Fr. Rev. 261 The produce of the vin-
tage in Guienne and Languedoc. 1833 Redding Mod.
Wines iii. (1851) 53 The time of the vintage being fixed, the
gathering is begun as early in the day as possible. 1863
T. G. Shaw IVine, line <>- Cellar xi. 285 Ihe vintage is
ofien delayed to such a late period of the season as to in( ur
the danger of injury from frost. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV.
605/1 The vintage in Me'dcc usually commences between
the middle and end of September and lasts from t«o to
three weeks. 'Ihe process is a very simple one.
/g. f86o PusEY Minor Proph. 197 It was a vintage, not
of wine, but of woe. ...r--. «. t j 1
(b) 1600 Nashe .Summer's Last Hilt Fjb, My Lord askes
thee, what vintage thou hast made? 1609 Bible (Douay)
jer. xxxi. 5 Ihe planters .';hal plant, and til the time come
they shal not make vintage. 1731 Miller Card. Dtct. s.v.
Vttis, My Conjecture is founded upon more than twenty-
1 five Vintages, which I have seen made.
Jig. 1609 Bible (Douay) La?n. i. 12 See if there be sorow
I like to my sorow ; because he hath made vintage of me, as
our Lord hath spoken. .
] b. The season or time when this is done. Also
■ with a and pi.
1616 Bullokar Eng. Expos., Vintage, the time of yearc
i when wine is m.-tde. 1651 R. Child in H artlib s Legacy
' (1655) 148, I lived in Chamntoii two leagues from 1 aris, a
I whole Vintaiae, purposely to see how wine was made in
France. 1764 Harmer Obs€rt>. i. § 18. 43 If -St. Jeromemay
I be believtd, the vintage of Tudaa is not till (he end ot Sep-
I tember or beginning of October. 1858 Simmonijs Utcl.
VINTAGE.
Trade, f^rii/aifr, the season of gathering grapes. 1876 W. C.
BnvANT in St. Nicholas Mag. Dec. 101/2 The cider -making
season in autumn was, at the time of which I am speaking,
somewhat correspondent to the vintage in the wine countries
of Euro)>c.
3. cUtrib^t as vinia^-bal/, -iiay^ -dintur, -eve^
feasty 'festival^ -god, -hofne (after harvest-home),
-fftaMj etc
1876* OuiDA ' IVtMterCity xiv, Forthe Palcstrina •vintage
halls. 1857 Emekson Poems 51 'I'was the "vintage-day of
flcid and wood. 183B Miss Pariwe River ^ Desert II. 31
A •vintage-dinner, at which I have just assisted. i8a6
Mas. Hemans Forest Sanctuary i. xliii. The hour, the
scene,, .came floating o'er my mind— A golden •vintage.eve,
a i8ao S. Roghrs Jacquel, Poems {1839) 24 Thro' Provence
had ceased The vintageand the 'vintage- feasL 1846 Grote
Greece ( 18691 I. 36 Even the spontaneous joy of the vintage-
(east was conferred by the favour.. of Dionyscs. 1833
PkiUlcg, Museum II. 297 The difficulty of assigning a
•vintage festival to the month of February, ito? Encycl.
Brit. vll. 247 The lesser Dioiiysia.. were held. .in the
month of December. This was a vintage festival. 1873
Symonds Gr^. /'oets ix. 276 The cultus of the *vintage-god
[sc. DionysusJ. 1657 Thornley tr. Longus^ Dafiknis <y Chioe
65 The young gallants thinking to keep the •Vintage holy-
dayes. 1839 T. Mitchell Frogs of Aristoph. Introd. p.cxix,
The ingathering of grapes, and, if we may be allowed such
a term, the * vintage -home which followed. 1800 Moore
AnacreoH lix. 12 Ihe choral song, the *vintage hymn Of
rosy youths and virgins fair. ijo6SrKVEssi,yenMmi(tdor,
a •Vintage-man that gathers the Grapes. 1694 Motteux
Rabelms v. vii. ag An infinite number of Httie pimping
Wine-presses, all full of *Vintagemongers, who were pick-
ing, examining, and raking the Grapes, i860 Pusev Min.
Proph. 197 Where aforetime was the *vint.iec-shout in
thankfulness for the ingathering, there, .should be waiting.
c iSao S. Rogers Italy (1839) 280 From the first hour, when
•vintage-songs broke forth. 1836 Earl Carnarvon Portn.
gat if Gallicia I. 94 Groups of vintagers., were gathering
f rapes, and singing the vintage song. i6ox Holland Pliny
I. 148 Staphis-.waxeth ripe .. at •vintage time, 1671
Milton P. R. iv. 15 As a swarm of flies in vintage time.
1731 Miller Carrf. Diet. s.v. VitiSy Dew is rarely wanting
in Vintage- Time. i8ao Shelley Prometk. Unb. \. i. 574
'Tis the vintage-time for death and sin. 1885 Pater Marius
XX vii. II. 222 To see their emperor living there.., his hands
red at vintage-time with the juice of the grapes.
b. In sense i c, as vintage claret^ class, wine, etc.
1888 Encyct. Brit. XXIV. 608/a The cheaper wines are
an exception . . , also those of the so-called * vintage ' class,
which are the finest wines of a good year kept separate and
shipped as the produce of that.. year. 1895 Westm. Gaz.
31 Dec. i/i There does not seem to be much ' depression ' in
the nutrket for vintage wines. 1900 ibid, i Sept. 2/1 We
are allowed to make our little bids for fame with clean
shirts, cut hair, sound coats, vintage clarets.
Vintage, v. [f. prec.]
1. intr. (See quot.) rare.
1598 Florio, Vendemmiare, to vintage, to gather grapes,
to make wine.
2. trans, a. To strip (vines or a vineyard) of
grapes at the vintage. Also^^. ? Obs.
1618 Bacon Lett. (1734) 87, I humbly beseech his Majestie
that these royal boughs of forfeiture may not be vintaged
or cropped by private suitors. 1648 tr. Senault's Paraphr.
yob 222 They either carry away the corne which is not yet
cut, or pillage the vines which are not yet vintaged. 1694
Motteux Rabelais iv. xxiii. 99 The Devil take me.. if the
Cl<»e of Seville had not been all gather'd, vintag'd, glean 'd
and destroy *d.
b. To gather (grapes) in order to make wine ;
to make (wine) from gathered grapes,
Usualljj with special reference to the production of wine of
fine quality (cf. Vintage sb. i c).
1888 Encyct. Brit. XXIV. 605/2 If. .a first growth is vin-
taged a little too late and does not succeed so well as some
second growths. 1890 Patt Mall G. 29 Sept. 3/2 The De-
partment of the Marne, where the true sparkling champagne
IS vintaged.
Vintager, [f. Vintage sb, + -eb.]
1. One who gathers grapes in the vintage ; a
labourer or worker at the vintage.
158^ Fleming Virg. Georg. 11. 21 The grapes which
Le>btan vintager doth crop from Methym vine. i6ix Cotgr.,
yendengeur, a Vintager, or vine-reaper. 1706 Phillips (ed.
Keriey), yinlager, a Vine-reaper, or Grape-gatherer. 1731
Miller Gard. Did, s.v. Vitis, Because there are green
Grapes that the Vintagers ought not to gather and mingle
with the others. 1796 H. Hunter tr. St.'Pierre*s Stud.
Nat.iijqai II. 454 The basket of the vintager, and the
apron of the reaper. 1806 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. IV. 719
'I he annual dances of the vinlai^ers, in which they smeared
their faces with lees of wine. 1846 Landor Story 0/ San*
lander Wk». II. 464 The officer was. .threatening both
vintagers and mules for their intractability. 1887 Pater
Imag. I'oriraits 167 The sharp sound of a IJell— death-bell,
perhaps, or only a crazy summons to the vintagers.
fig. iMo H. More Apocat. Ajioc. 147 They are the same
that are pressed here by Christ's Vintagers or Grape-
pressert. 1865 Mozlkv Mirac. \. iii. 207 An element of
n-opbecy . . unfolding itself beneath the fostering care of the
Divine vintager.
b. tranf. Also aitrih.
1607 ToPSELL Four'/. Beasts 6 A . . hill, abounding in these
beasts [jr. monkeys], who are a great hinderance to the poore
vinugers of the countrey of Calechut, for they will climbe
into the high palm trees,.. breaking the vessels set to re.
ceiue the Wine. 1899 T. U Peacock Mis/ort. Elphin 16
From the flower cups of summer on field and on tree Our
mead cups are filled by the vintager bee. 1871 I^well
Study \iVind. 7 A dozen of these winged vintagers Uc
rolnns] bustled out from among the leaves.
2. A bright star in the constellation of Virgo.
After \»vindemiator\ cf. Vinormiatrix.
1588 Ashley Wagenat^s Mariners Mirr. Bj, Pra:uinde<
miatrix. The Vintager. 1601 Holland Pliny J. 604 Eleven
daies before the Calends of September,., the star named in
218
I^tiiic Vindemiator, /. the Vintager, beginneth to shew in
the morning.
Vi'utaging, vbL sb. [f. Vintage v^ The
action or jirocess of gathering the grapes at the
vintage.
1830 H. N. Colkridge Grk. Poets (1834) 218 Then follow
successive representationsof acityat peace,..of reaping, of
sheaf-binding, of vintaging. 1870 Morris Earthly Par.
III. 28a And timorous must he let the time go by For
viniaging. 1890 O. Cra wfurd Round Calendar in Portugal
198 i he maize-harvest. .comes just after the vintaging of
the grapes.
t Vintaine. Obs. rare. Also 5 vintayne.
[.1. OF. vintaine, -eine, -ene, (also mod.F.) vingl-
aine (= Pr. and Pg. vintena, Sp. veintena), f.
vingt twenty.] A company of twenty soldiers, etc.
13.. Sir Beues (A.) 3367 Make we J>re vintaine, pat be
gode and certaine ! pe ferste ich wile me self out lede.
1:1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) XXV. 114 pai er wele arayd and
ordaynd by thowsands, hundretlis and vintaynes.
II Vintem (vintch). Forms: a. 6 vintiin
(vinton), 7 ventin, vinteen, 8 vinten, 8-9
viutin. ^. 8-9 vintain. 7. 8-9vintem. [Pg.
vintcm, f. z^/w/f twenty.] In tlie coinage of Portu-
gal and coimtries colonized from there : A small
silver coin of the value of 20 reis, equivalent to
about i\d. sterling; also, a copper coin of the
same value.
a. 1584 Barret in Hakluyt Voy. (1599) II. l a74» 5 vintons
make a tanga, and 4 vintenas make a tanga of base money.
1598 W. Phillip tr. Linschoten \. xxxv. 69/1 There is like-
wise a reckoning of I'intiins^ which is not likewise in coyiie,
but onely named in telling: of the.se foure good, and fiue
Ijadde doe make a Tan^as, 166a J. Davies tr. Mandelslo's
Trav. II. (1669) 86 Eight of these Hasarucques make a
Ventin. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India i^ P. 207 The Tango,
5 Vintcens. 1743 Hulkelev & Cummins Voy. S. Sens 206
We had hitherto been suppli'd at the Rate of eight Vintins
each Man per Day. 1775 Twiss Trav. Portug, i^ Sp. 22
Exacting a vinten, or about three halfpence per head. 1805
T. LiNDLEV ypy. Brazil 260 The ships. .sell the beef on
board by retail, at two vintins a pound.
3. 1718 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Coin, Portuguese Coins.. .The
Vintain, whereof tlie'y have two sorts, -the one Silver, and
the other Hillon. 1819 J. H. Vaux Mew. I. 218 They stop,
and eni^ity their [water-J vessel, for which they receive a
vintain.
y. X736 Chandler llisf. Persec. 183 Dr. Geddes tells us
of one. .who was allowed no more than three Viniems a
day; a Vintem is about an English penny farthing. 1801
Southkv in C. C. Soutliey Life (1849I '*■ '3^ ^''^ ferry
price varies, .from one vintem to nine, — that is, from a penny
to a shilling. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 326/2 At Rio de
Janeiro, .there are vintenis of copper also current for 20
rees. 1856 H. Owen Here ^ There in Portugal 122. I
purchased.. for three vintents (a trifle more than three-
pence), a capital figure of a negro dandy.
t Vintenary. Obs, rare. Also -are, [ad.
med.L. vintendrius, f. vintenum twenty : cf. next.]
A military officer in command of twenty men.
c 1450 Contin. Brut 540 Sir John Ward, knyght, with x
Centenaries, .and viij vyiitenaries. Ibid. 541 Sir Howell
Griffith. .with..ij Cand iij vintenares, and iiij M'CC Walsh-
men.
tVintener, Obs. rare. [ad. OF. vintenier
{vingt-), f. vintene Vintaink.] = prec.
c 1450 Contin. Bfut 541 The nombre of Jjc retenue..,that
is to say, of erles, ..Constables, Centeners, capteyns, vyn-
teners. Archers on horsbak [etc.]. 1533 [see next].
t Vinteney. Obs. rare. \i. UF. vintene, vin-
teine Vintaine.] = Vintaine.
1533 Chron. Calais (Camden) 156 One vintener with his
hole vinteney shall kepe the stand watche. Ibid. 157 The
saide vintener and constables, .shall not depart more than
fy ve of the vinteney and iij of the constables at one tyme.
t Vi'Hter. Obs, Forms : a. 3 viniter, 5
vineter. ^. 5 vintere, vynter, 5 vinter. [a.
AF. viniter, vineter, vyn-, vinter, OF. and early
xtio<\.V,vinet{t)ier {=Vt. vinatier. It. vinatliere,
Sj). vinaiero, Pg. vinhateiro, med.L. vlnetdrius,
vindtdrius) wine-scUer, f. L. vinum wine.] A
vintner,
xa97 R. Gloijc (Rolls) 11226 In J>e souJ?half of ))e toune &
sut>pe J>e spicerie, Hii breke fram ende to ober & dude al to
robberie. Vor Jjc nier was viniter, hii breke ^e viniterie.
1428 E, E. iVills {iS^2) 77 lohnToker, Citezein and Vineter
of London, c 1430 Lvdg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 192 I'he
vintere tretethe of his holsom wynes, Of gentille frute
bostethe the gardener, i486 Rcc. St. Mary at Hill (1905)
10 lohn Walworth, late Ciiezein & vynter of london.
Hence tVi*ntere«B, Vi-ntress, =ViNTNEREas.
1681 RvcAUT tr. Gracian's Critick in The Nobles.. were
served with Cups of Gold, which a pritty Nimph, the
Vinteress of this Habylon, filled with much Courtesie. X7«7
Bailky (vol. II), Vintress, a Woman Tavern-keeper.
Vintiin, obs. form of Vintem.
Vintir, obs. Sc. form of Winter.
Vintner (vi-ntnaj). Forms: a. 5vyntenere,
-tyner, 5-6 -tener, 6 tenar {Sc. ventonnar),
6-7 vintener ; 6 vyntoner, 7 vintoner. 0. 5-6
vyntner(e, 6- vintner (8 vinctner). [Alteration
of Vinter.] One who deals in or sells wine ; a
wine-merchant ; fan innkeeper selling wine.
o. f 1430 LvDO. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 211 Masouns,
carpenterys, of Vngelond and of Kraunce, Hakerys, brow-
stcrys, vyntenerys, with fressh lycour. c 1440 Promp. Parri,
510 Vynienere, vinarius. c 1470 Cath, Anel. 402/1 (Add.
MS.), Vyntyner. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 25
Or as the vyntenar gyueth frely to his customers or byers
a taste of his wyne. 1530 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec,
VINY.
Ox/ord (1880) gi Novyntoner sliuld set any wyne a broche.
1587 HARKtsoN England it. vi. (1877) 1. 149 Such [wine] as
was anie waies mingled or brued by the vintener. 1617
MoRVsoN Itin. \\\. 156 J hey had not our Vinteners fraud
to mixe their Wines. 1636 J. Tavlor (Water P.) Trav.
Signes Zodiack A v b, All the worthy Company of Vin-
toners. 1669-70 Marvell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 301 One
Mr. Wadlow, a vintener, . .was represented as notoriously
faulty.
0. c \i^<bti Promp. Parv. (Winch. MS.), Vynlnerc, vinarius.
i^Z^Cath.Angl. 402/1 A\yrnneT..,vinitor,mer0thecariui
1540 Cooi'ER ElyoCs Dict.,Oenopola, . .a tauerner or vintner.
1570 H. GooCE Pop. Kingd. IV. (1880) 54 Straight after this
comes Vrban in, the Vintners God deuine. 159a Greene
Upst. Courtier Gij, Now sir for the vintner, bee is an
honest substantiall man, a friend to al good fellowes. 1605
Hreton Old Man's Lesson Hij, The Vininer, the Grocer,
the Comfit-maker,, .doe by the venting of their wares^
the better maintaine their trades. 1657 Trapp Comm.
Job xxxiii. 3 They.. may here k-arn..noi to huckster the
Word of God, or corrupt it with their own mixtures, as
Vintners do their wines. 1687 Lond. Gaz. No. 2285/4
Charles Courtney. .Vintner and Innholder. 1715 W. Half-
penny Sound Building List of Subs., Mr. Peter Hudson, of
Richmond, Vinctner. 177a Johnson in Boswetl 6 April,
Mr. Pitt might think it an advantageous thing for him to
make him a vintner, and get him all the Portugal trade;
but [etc.]. 18x0 Crabbk Borough v. 195 Uncheck'd, the
vintner still his poison vends. 1849 Macaulav Hisf. Kng.
V. I. 633 Once, merely from a malignant whim, he staved
all the wine in a vintner'^ cellar, i&o Dixon Windsor III.
xxxi. 306 A vininer was a big man in Elizabeth's time.
t b. Merchant vintner. (Cf. Mekchant sb, i
and Merchant tailor, etc.) Obs.
«53*~3 ^^^ 24 Hen. VI U, c. 6 If at the tyme of any suche
sale of Wyne purposed to be made, the merchauntvyntencr,
or other owner, .thereof, do., declare [etc.]. 1600 Chester
PI. Proem. (Shaks. Soc.) 4 And you, worthy marchauntes
vintners that nowe have plenty of wine, Amplifye the storie
of those wise Kinges three
Hence Ti'ntncress, a female vintner. Vl'ntner-
sMp, the occupation or position of a vintner.
Ti'ntnery, the trade of a vintner ; wine-selling.
'•^i ]• Johnson Acad. Love 89 Hosts and Vint'neresscs
looke to your score. 1673 O. Walker Ednc. 67 He that
lives abstemiously.. needs not study the wholesomnes of
this meat,, .nor is critical in cookery and vintnership. 1816
Stkuthers Poet. Wks. (1B50) I. 148 Before engaging in the
tempting career, let them consider.. how they will enjoy a
Vintnership. 1833; Carlvle Fr. Re^: 11. v. ii, Unless. .the
father of bim did, in an unexceptionable manner, perforin
Cookery and Vintnery in the Village of Ouarville.
tVi'ntOJl. Obs. [Obscurely related to VlN-
TENABY or Vjnteneb.] (See quots.)
1610 Holland Camden's Brit. i. 275 The whole country
[i.e. the Isle of Wight] is divided into eleven parts: and
every of them hath their severall Centoncr, as one would
say Centurion, their Vintons also, leaders as it were of
twenty. 1751 En^.Gazetteers,.\. Wight- 1 stand, Hhn miWuz.
heie IS divided into 11 bands, over each of which is an
officer, called a centurion, though he commands more than
100 men ; and the inferior officers are called vintons.
Vinton, obs. f. Vintkm. Vintre, obs. f.
ViNK-TREE, Vintress: see Vinteress.
Vintry (vi'nlri). Now arch, or I/ist. Forms :
3 viniterie, 5 vyntrye, 6 vyntry, 5-6 vyntre
(6 ventre), 6 vyne-, vintree, -trie, 6, 8 vintrie,
6- vintry. [f. Vinter + -v : see -eby.] A place
where wine is sold or stored; a wine-shop j a wine-
vault, or a number of these.
1*97 [see Vinter]. 14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wtilckcr 619/30
V im tria, yyniiye. 1593 ' P. Vovlvace' Bacchus' Bouniie
C j, Claudius Tiberius, ..for the zeale hee had to the vintree,
was merely termed Caldius Biberius tnero. 1901 Contemp.
RtT. May 728 In the markets, restaurants, and vintries,
Jesus saw. .that men's faces were not joyful and friendly.
b. \\'ith the (and usually with initial capital) :
A large wine-store formerly existing in the City of
London ; also, the immediate neighbourhood of
this as a part of the city.
The name survives in the designation of the church St.
Martin Vintry, now united with St. Michael Paternoster
Royal and All Hallows the Great and Less.
a 1456 Scogan's Moral Ballad (heading). At a souper of
feorthe merchande in the Vytitrein London. <zi5a9SKELTON
Replyc. Wks. 1843 I. 208 Ihey iuge them selfe able to be
Doctours of the chayre in the Uyntre At the Thre Cranes.
1556 Chron. Gr, Friars (Camdcnj 86 Item the furst day
of Febiuarij [1554] the qwenes grace came, .un-to the yclde-
halle of Londone,. .& wente home agayne by watter at the
Crane in the ventre. 1557 in Mar.->den Court Adm. (Selden)
II. 98 Haye Wharf or the Three Cranes in the Vynetree.
1598 Stow Sutt. 191 Then next ouer against S. Martins
church, is a large house builded of stone and timber with
vaults for the stowage of wines, & is called the Vintry.
[1687 MiEGE Gt. Fr. Diet. 11, Vintry, a great Place for
selling of Wine. (Hence in Phillips and Bailey).] 179a
Pennant London 310 In this neighborhood was the great
house called the I inlrie. with vast wine-vaults beneath.
i8a6 Scott Woodst. v\\, Ihe bargain was made in a cellar
in the Vintry. 1836 Herbert Livery Companies Lond. II.
630 St. Martin in the Vintry was, in the reign of Edward I,
called St. Martin Baremanne church.
attrib. ZS98 Stow Surv. 189 The Vintry ward, so called
of Vintners, and of the Vintrie.
Vinue, variant of Vinewj^. Obs.
Viny (vsini), a. Also 6-7 vinie, 7, 9 viney.
[f. Vine sb. + -v.]
1. Of or pertaining to, of the nature of, vines ;
composed or consisting of vines,
1570 H. GooGE Pop. Kingd. iv. 54 Fast vpon his head a
crowne of vinie leaues is wounde. 1600 Surflet Countrie
Farme in. xxxiv. 498 Both the nourishment and vinie
qualitie pf th? stoc^e of the said vine. 1614 Treig. Nero i.
VINYL.
219
VIOLAN.
in. in Sullen Old Pi. (1882) I. 19 Not Bacchus drawn from
Ni&a downe with Tigers, Curbing with viny rains their
wilful heads. 171a ir. Pomet's Hist. Drugs I. 143/2 Colo-
quintida is a Fruit.. that grows upon a climbin;; or viny
Plant. 1715 Pope Iliad 11. 701 Whom strong Tyrinthe'.s
lofty walls surround. And Epidaure with viny harvests
crown 'd. x8i6 Ann. Reg., Chron. 539 The cranberry is of
the low and viny kind. 1848 Bailev Festiis (ed. 3) 213
Who enter are by kindest angeW clad. .in robes Woven of
sunset clouds, while viny wreaths Gemberries bearing form
their coronals.
^i. fig. Of an embrace: Clinging, close.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia iv. (1605) 395 These unfortunate
louers. .not forgetting with vinie embrace men ts, togiue any
eye a perfect moddell of affection. '
2. Abounding in, full of, or covered with vines;
bearing or producing vines.
x6za Drayton Poly-olb. xv. 109 The Skeld, the goodly
Mose, the rich and Viny Rheine, Shall come to meet the
Thames. 1633 P. Fleicher Pise. Eel. 11. xiij, From thence
he furrow'd many a churlish sea, The viny Rhene, and
Volgha's self did passe. 1680 Morden Geog. Kect., Germany
(1685) 115 Wurtzburg,. .environed with Meadows, Gardens,
and Vinie Downs. 17*9 Fenton Ded. Lady Harley 104
Wks. {1790) 375 'i'rophtes, atchicv'd on Gallia's viny plains.
1735 'J'noMSON Liberty 1. 58 Haise's viny coast; where
peaceful seas., ever kiss the shore. 1841 W. Spalding //(i/y
Hf It. Isl. I. 277 The steepest, but most lovely of pleasure-
paths, conducts through viny woods and white villas to
[etc.]. 1854 F. Tennyson Days <J- Hours 87 Whisper of
viny hills, and sands of gold.
3. Comb., as viny-crowned mVy
1819 WiFFEN Aonian Hours 122 'Twas too sad For viny*
crowned Thalia.
Vinyl (vai'nil). Chem. [f. L. z//«-«/// + -yl.]
The compound univalent radical CHaCH, isomeric
with ethcnyl, and characteristic of many derivatives
of ethylene (which is the hydride of vinyl). Also
attrib,
1863 Watts Diet. Chem. I. 675 Bromide of vinyl, C'H*
Br. x8'/3 — Fownes' Chem, (od. 11) 611 Vin>rl alcohol. .is
produceo by combining ethine or acetylene with sulphuric
acid, whereby vinyl-sulphuric acid.. is formed. Ibid. 61-2
The univalent radical vinyl.. may be supposed to exist in
it [vinyl alcohol].
Vinahe, obs. form of Vine sb.
Viol (vai-al), sb.^ Forms: a. 5 vyell, 6-7
viall, vyall (6 wyall), 7 vial. &. 6 veol, 6-7
viole (7 vyoUe), vioU (7 wioll), 7- viol (7
vyol). [Orig. ad. AF. and OF. vieie, vielU (see
Vielle), but subsequently assimilated to, or re-
placed by, OF. and Y, vioU ( « It., Sp., Pg. viola^
Prov. vittla).
That OF. I'/diV and vielle represent earlier *iW»/i? and
*videUe (with variant forms of the diminutive suffix) is
indicated by the med.L. vidula, vituia. On the relation
of these to Germanic forms, see the note to Fiddle sl>.\
1. A musical instrument (in common use from
the fifteenth to the eighteenth century) having five,
six, or seven strings and played by means of a bow.
Now llisi. or arck.
a. x^^CKXjosG.dela TVwrk vj.SyreGeflTroy called hym
before hyni and dt:maunded hym wheie his vycll and clauy-
cordeswerc. ax^iO-y^Cov.CorfiusChr. Pi. 1.538 The whyle
thatt I doresst, Trompettb, viallisand othur armoneSchall
ble> the wakyng of my maieste. a 1533 Ld. Berners Ifuon
li. 170 He spyed lycng beside hym an harp and a vyall
heron he coude well play. 1540 Rutland MS S. (Hi^t.
MSS. Comm.) IV. 304 To a man to hcipe to hryng the
wyalls betwixt Croxton and Belwer, \\d. 1578 E. CLtKKe:
in Hakluyt Way. (1600) III. 751 1 hey were exceedingly
delighted with the sound of the trumpet, and vialles. i6a6
Hacon Syiva % 102 If any Man think that the String of the
How. and the String of the Viall, are neither of them Kquall
Bodies,.. he is 111 an Errour. 1664 Pepys Diary 28 Sept.,
So home, and find Mercer playing on her Vyall, which is
a pretty instrument. 1684 Bunyan Piigr. 11. I1847) 336
Christiana, .could play upon the Vial.
3. lua Aec. Ld. High Prens. Scot. VIII. 149 To be..x
piir of hois to the four playerris on the veolis, four trumpettis
uf ware, and twa taburnerris. 1560 Bible (Genev.) Amos
V. 33 For I wil not beare the melodie of thy violes. 1581
Marbeck liJk. 0/ Notes 545 .Sing vnto him with Viole, and
instrument of ten strings. 1604 Dkkkek ICing's Enter,
tainm. Wks. (1873) I. 307 Nine Boyes..sang the dittie
following to their viols and other instruments, a 16x9
HiNOK J. Bruen iii. (1641) 10 By occasion of Musitians and
a chest of Viols kept in the house, he was drawn by desire
and delight into the Dancing -schoole. 1676 T. MACt:
Muiic's Mon.i^j The Viol is an Instrument. .very much
in use. 174J VoUnc Nt. 'Ph. viii, 745 Dost call the bowl,
the viol, and the dance, Loud mirth, mad laughter? 1776
Hawkins Hist. Music IV. ni. vii. 339 Compositions of many
parts adapted to viols, of which there are many. 1801
Blsby Diet. Mus. S.V., I'he viol was for a long while in such
high esteem as to di>pute the pre.eminence with the harp.
1839 LoNCF. Black Knight v. Pipe and viol call the dances.
Torch-light through the high halls glances. 1875 Fortnum
Maioliea x. 88 On another [cup] are the figures of a gentle-
man and a lady who plays the viol, in the costume of the
iSth or early i6tb century.
+ b. One who plays a viol. Obs. rare,
■540 in Vicary's Anat. (1888) App. xii. 341 Item, for Hans
Highorne, Viall, wagis, xxxiij s. liij d. 1647 L. H award
Cra-.VH Rev. « Musicians and Players,. .Six Sackbuts :
Eight Vials: 'Inree Drumsteds.
2. With distinguishing terms, denoting esp. the
form or tone of the instrument.
See also Bass-viol, gamba viol Gamba ' i (quots. 1598,
S710), iyra viol Lyra 5, and Viol da gamba.
x6ii CoHV AT Cruditifs 250, I heard much good musicke,
..especially that of a treble violl. 166s [see Viol da gamba
iX 1664 Pefvs Diary 5 Oct., The new instrument was
brought called the Arched Viall,. .being tuned with lute-
strings, and played on witli kees like an organ. X7a4
Short Expiic. P'or. IVds. in iMiis. Bks., yioia Bastardo, a
Bastard Viol, which is a Bass Violin, strung and fretted like
a Bass Viol. 1730 Bailey (fol.), Viola tenoro, a Tenor-
Viol. Ital. 1836 DuBOUKG Kw/mi. (1878) 9 The wiW class
— conststing of the viol d'amore, or treble viol ; the viol da
braccia, or tenor viol ; and the viol da gamba, or great
viol. 1889 Grove's Diet. Mus. IV. 267 Viola di Fagotto
(Bassoon Viol), a name sometimes given to the Viola
Bas tarda.
b. Viol d"* amove or d^ amour (see quot. iSoi).
Cf. viola tt'amore s.v. Viola ^. The F. form viole d'amour
is also occasionally employed.
a 1700 EytLVN Diary 20 Nov. 1679, The viold'amore of
5 wyre-strings plaied on with a bow. 1760-72 H. Brooke
Fool o/Quai.{iZoc)) UL 145 The psaltery, the viol damor^
and other instruments. i8ox Busby Diet. Mus., Viol
d' Amour, or Love Viol, a viol, or violin, furnished with
six brass or steel wires, instead of sheep's-gut, and usually
played with a bow. [1856 Mrs. C. Clarke tr. Berlioz
Instrumentation 29 The viole-d'amour is peculiarly appro-
priate to chords of three, four, or more notes.] 1880 Short-
house y. inglesant xxiii. If you could accompany me for
some months, with your viol d amore, across the mountains.
1889 Daily News 25 Jan. 2/2 Two performers upon that
once obsolete but recently revived instrument, the viol
d'amcre.
t 3. A variety of organ-stop. Obs.~^
1688 Brr. Smith in Hopkins Organ (1870) 453 Choir
Organ.. -A Violl and Violin, of mettle,. .61 pipes,. .12 foote.
4, atlrib, and Comb., as viol bowj -case, class,
-lesson, -play, species, -string; viol-maker, -tuning,
A 1668 Davenant Play-house to Let Wks. (1673) 76 A
man may biin^ a Pageant through the streets As privatly
upon my Lord Mayor's day. As a burden of Viol-cases
hither. 1674 Playi-ord Music loi In the choice of your
Viol Bow, let it be proportioned to the Viol you use. 1676
T. Mack Music's Mou. 258 This. .may suffice for the Best
Directions in Viol-Play. Ibid. 264 Viol-Lessons of all sorts
of Forms, and Shapes; Suited to the Five Best of the Viol-
Tunings. 1687 MitcE Gt. Fr. Diet. \x, A Viol-maker, nn
Faiseur de Violes. ^TJ^ Hawkins Hist. Music IV. in. vii.
342 That sweet and delicate tone, which distinguishes the
viol species. 1836 [see 2]. 189^ H. N. Howard Footsteps
Proserpine 7 Life is the viol-string, Love is the melody.
Hence Tiol v, intr., to play the viol. rare^^.
1865 J. M. Ludlow Epies Mid. Ages II. 212 A thousand
dancini;, and a thousand violHng.
+ Vi*ol, sb:^ Naut. Obs. Also 7 vial, violl,
vyoU ; 8-9 voyol, 9 voyal. [Of obscure origin.]
(See later quots.)
16*7 Capt. Smith SeoJuan's Gram. 11. 8 The violl is
fastened together at both ends uith an eye or two, with a
wall knot, and seased together, e 1635 Capt. Botelkr
Dial. Sea Services (1685) 236. 1667 Davbnant & Drvden
Tempest 1. i, Afust within. Our vial's broke. Vent, within.
Tis but our vial-block has given way. 1711 W, Suthercand
Shipbuild. Assist. 153 VioTcabl'd, as big as the Fore Stay.
Ibid. 165 Viol, a large Hawser used to heave in the Cable.
1769 Falconer Diet. Marine (1780', Voyol, a large rope
used to unmoor, or lieave up the anchors of a ship, by
transmitting the effort of the capstern to the cables. 1841
R. H. Dana Seaman's Man. 133 Viol, or Voyal, a larger
messenger sometimes used in weighing an anchor by a
capstan. (Cf. 1867 Smyth Sailor's tVord-bk. 713 Viol, or
Voyol, a large messenger formerly used to assist in weigh-
ing an anchor by the capstan.) 1869 W. M, Thomas tr.
Hugo's 'Pollers 0/ Sea 191 Its chain was there, and. .might
still be of service, unless tlie strain of the voyal should break
away the planking.
b. attrib., esp. in viol'block.
1667 {see above). 1694 in Navy Board Lett. xxix. 833
Blocks. Vyoll, of 54 inch. 1751 Smollett Per. Pic. Ixxii,
He may man his capstans and viol block, if he wool ; biit
he'll as soon heave up the Pike of TeneriflT, as bring his
anchor aweigh ! 1704 Riggi"g ^ Seamanship I. 157 Voyol
or Viol Block is a Targe Mngle-sheaved block. .. It is used
in heaving up the anchor. (1867 Smyth Sailor's IVord-bk.,
Viol Qt Voyol Block, a large single-sheaved block through
which the messenger passed when the anchor was weighed
byihe fore or jeer capstan. Ibid., This voyal-purchase.]
Viol, obs. form of Vial,
Viola ^ (vai-fJla). [a L. wV/a violet.]
+ 1. The violet. Alsoyf^. Obs. rare.
1:1430 Lvix;. Minor Poems (1911) 300 Haile, fresshe Rose,
planted in lericho ! Swettest viola, that neuer shal fade.
c 1480 Henrvson Fables^ Lion <V Mouse 16 The Kosis reid,
. .The Prymeros, and the Purpour Uiola.
2. A large genus of herbaceous plants of the
order Vio/acex, including violets and pansies;
a plant or species of this genus.
1731 Miller Gard. Diet, (as Latin generic name, and so
in many later Diets.] 1843 Penny Cyci. XXVL 345/2 The
principle . . has been separated by Boullay from some species
of Viola. Ibid., The capsule is like Viola. 1888 Encyel.
Brit. XXIV. 241/2 The violas are credited with powerful
emetic .ind diuretic properties. 1904 iVestm. Gaz. 23 July
4/2 The Alpine viola, in wondrous shades of mauve and
violet and purple, stands an inch above the grass.
b. A hybrid garden-plant of this genus, dis-
tinguished from the pansy by a more delicate and
uniform colouring of the Howers.
1871 Field 11. 250/2 There is still a good early.flowering
white Viola wanted. 1888 Encyel. Brit. XXIV. 241/2
' Bedding violas,' which differ from pansies in some slight
technical details, have been raised by crossing V. lutea
with V.calcaraia. 1897 Westm. Gaz. aa Nov. 1/3 Patches
of pale mauve and purple show where colonies of violas
and pansies are in bloom.
attrib. 1871 Field IL 250/2 Another manifest want in the
Viola tribe. 1896 Daily Netus 22 June 3/5 Viola Show.—
The first show of the National Viola Society was held on
Saturday afternoon.
3. attrib. In chemical terms denoting substances
derived from the viole? or pansy.
[ad. L. (poet.) >;W-
So OF. violable. It.
1868 Watts Diet. Clietn. V. 1001 Violin, or Viola- Etnetin.
an emetic substance contained, according to Boullay, in all
parts of the common violet, 1887 Buck's Handbk. Med.
Sci. V. 490/2 Little, if anything, of value has been found in
pansy; a glucoside, violacjueicitrin, of probably no active
properties, and a little salicylic acid.
II viola 2 (v/>-u'la). [It. and Sp. viola, == F.
viole Viol sb.^"]
1. A four-stringed musical instrument slightly
larger than a violin ; the alto or tenor violin,
X797 Southey Lett. Reszd. Spain xv. 265 The King of
Spam wished to hear his daughter play on the viola, and an
express was.. sent to Lisbon for her instrument! 1801
Busby Diet. Mus., Viola, a tenor violin., .The part it takes
in concert is between that of the bass and the second violin.
1845 £. Holmes Mozart 14 The father, .took the bass part
on the viola, Wenzt played the first violin, I the second.
1891 Meredith One oj our Cong, xxviii, Colney brought
his viola for a duet.
attrib. 1856 Mrs. C. Clarke tr. Berlioz' Instrumentation
25 Viola players were always taken from among the refuse
of violinists.
b. One who plays the viola.
1894 Daily News 25 Apr. 5 Herr Ludwig Strauss, for many
years viola in the quartet at the Monday Popular Concerts.
c. A variety of organ-stop.
1876 H1LE.S Cateclt. Organ ix. (1878) 65 Viola, an open
stop of narrow measure, and a particularly soft and agree,
able. .tone.
2. Viola da (also di) gamba, - Viol da gamba i .
1714 Short Expiic. For. Wds. in Mus. Bks., Viola Da
Gamba, is the same as Viola Basso, or Bass Viol. 1:787
Ann. Reg., Chron. 210/1 1 he Viola di Gamba is not an in-
strument in general use ; and will perhaps die with him, but
his performance rendered it exquisitely charming, 1885
Daily Neivs 17 Aug. 6/1 (Stanf,), The early i8th century
room contains the spinet, the viola da gamba, and the viola
d 'amore.
b. = Viol da gamba 3.
1876 HiLES Cateck. Organ ix. (1878) 66 Viola di Gamba,
or Gamba,. .is of tin or metal, and the tone is soft, and some-
what cutting. 1889 E. J. Payne in Grove Diet. Mus. IV.
267 Under the incorrect title of Viola da Gamba it desig-
nates an organ stop of 8 ft. pitch, with open pipes, in the
choir organ.
3. Viola d' amore (or f d'amour) : see Viol lab.
i7a4 Short Expiic. For. Wds. in Mus. Bks., Viola
D' Amour, a kind of Treble Viol, strung with Wire, and so
called because of its soft and sweet Tone. 1885 [see 2).
1889 Grove's Diet. Mus. IV. 267.
Violable (vsi-^inab'l), a.
abilis, i. violdre to violate.
violabile, Pg. violavel,"]
fl. Destructive. Obs."^
a 1470 Harding Chron, lii. ii, V« Pightes & fugitiues..
Destroyed the lande by waire full violable.
2. Capable of being violated, in senses of the vb.
xijSa HuLOET, Violable, or able to be defiled,.. or easy
to be violated, violainiis. i6i« Selden Illustr. Drayton's
/'o/y-d/^. xvL 255 Churches, Plough 's, and High-waies should
haue liLerties of Sanctuarie by no authoritie violable,^ 1633
Marmion Fine Companion 111. i, Alas, my heart is Tender
and violable with the least weapon Sorrow can dart at me.
i6j4 Case 0/ Bankers <S- Creditors Introd. 4The Subjects
Broperty is not violable but by his own consent. 1858
ushnhll Serm. New Life 347 If God had no violable
sympathy he would be anythmg but a perfect character.
188^ J. Martineau Types Eth. Th. I. 1. 11. 331 A rule
which Spinoza treats as absolute, and will not allow to be
violable, even to save one's life.
Hence Vi'dableness, * capableness of being
violated' (Bailey, 1737, vol. II).
Viola xean, a. rarr~K [-acean.] = next.
a 171X Ken £"rt'w/««<^ Poet. Wks. 1721 IL 162 The Hyacinth
of violacean H ue, The purple Amethyst, and Sapphire blue.
Violaceous (v^i^W^-fss), a. [f. L. violdce-us
violet-coloured, f. viola Viola > : see -aceous.]
1. Of a violet colour; purplish blue.
1657 ToMLiNSON Renou's Disp. 498 Incrassated by coction
to make it more violaceous. 1686 Plot Staffordsh. 175 [.\
transparent stone] of an Amethystine violaceous colour, and
a genuin luster. 1790 Shaw Nat. Misc. \\\. F 2, The Vio-
laceous Partridge. 1819 Stephens in Shaw Gen. Zool. XI.
1. 42 The inferior tail-coverts are whitish, with violaceous
tinges towards the sides. 1844 Florist's Jrrd. {1846) V. 17
The flowers differ in having the violaceous tint, .mixed with
the crimson in the texture of the flower. 1876 Duhrinu
Dis. Skin 247 In color they possess a dull red or even
violaceous hue.
b. Qualifying names of colours.
1790 Shaw Nat. Misc. in. Fa, Violaceous-blackish Par-
tridge with a cast of green. i8o» — Gen. Zool. III. n.
521 Violaceous- brown Snake. Ibid. 549 Violaceous-green
Snake. x8a8 Stark Eiem. Nat. Hist. I. 108 Violaceous
black ; sides of the wing and tail-feathers white. 18^ tr.
Pereira's Polarized Light (ed. 2) 268 The extraordinary
violaceous blue tint which immediately precedes the yellow-
ish red.
2. Bot. Belonging to or resembling the order
Violaceas,
Hence Vlola-ceously adv.
x888 Harper's Mag. Aug. 336 The stricken flesh . .changes
color, spots violaceously.
WolBX.a.tvn^sb. Bot. [f. Viola 1.] B.. adj
Resembling or related to the genus Viola, b. sb.
pi. The ' violal alliance ' in Lindley's classification.
1846 LiNDLEV Veg. Kingd. 320 They seem evidently to
join the Violal Alliance. Ibid. 325 A perigynous form of
Violals. Ibid. 338 Violal Exogens, with polypetalous
flowers. ^^ ^ . , -,, i
Violan (vai-^an). Mm, [f. L. v«i7/a V iola * ;
named by A. Breithaupt, 1838.] (See quots.)
28-2
VIOLANTIN.
1850 Ansteo Elem. Geoi., Afin. etc. § 407 Pistacite, . . Vio>
lane, Withainite,are either synonyms or varieties of Epidote.
1857 Dana Min. (186a) iS-j Violan ts a dark violet-blue
mineral, resembling glaucopbane. x86ft Watts Diet. Chem.
V. 1000 Violoii^ a ;Ailicaie of aluininiuii), calcium, magne-
sium, and sodium. ..It occurs massive, and in indistinct,
elongated, granular concretions.
Violan(d, obs, variants of Violin.
Violant, obs. form of Violent v,
Violantin (v3i(Jlge*nlin). Chem. Also -ino.
[f. L. viola Viola 1 + ;,Allox)antin.] * A com-
pound containinjj the elements of violuric and
dilituric acids ' (Watts).
1866 W. OoUNG Ahzm. CJtem. 128 Baeyer has increased
the list of compounds by his discovery of pseudo-uric acid,
hydantoine. violantine [etc.]. 1873 Watts Fowues" Chem.
(ed. 11) 939 Hydurilic acid. -with nitric acid of ordinary
strength.. yields alloxan, together with violuiic acid, viol-
antin, and dilituric acid.
Violar, variant of Violeu,
t Vi'Olary. Obs.-~^ [ad. L. violdriunij f. viola
Viola 1.] A violet-bed.
1657 Thorni-ey tr. Longus' Dapknis 9f Ckloe 182 The
Violaries, how are they spumed and trodden down !
Viola-scent, a. rare-^. [f. L. viola Viola i.]
* A]>iironchinj; a violet colour' (Smart, 1840),
'tViolastre. Obs.-^ [11. 01^ , vioiastre {mo^.Y ,
viol&tre) violaceous.] (See quot.)
c 1400 Mauhdf.v. (1839) xiv. 160 There ben also Dyamandes
in Ynde, th:it ben clept Violastres (for here colour is liche
Vyolet, or more browne than the Violettes),
Vi'Olate, pa.ppU. and ///. a. Now ov\^ poet.
Also 5 violatt, 6 -at, -ait, 6 vyolate, ^V. weol-
ait. [ad. L. violdt'us^ pa. pple. of violate i see
next.]
1. Characterized by impurity or defilement,
trt^Ss Digby /l/j-i^ (1882) ill. 1557 Now, lord of lordes,
to Jn bly^syd name sanctificatt, most mekcly my feyth 1
recummend. Pott don ^ pryd of mameiites violatt ! 1513
Douglas y£neid\. i. 12 For weill wL-^t Eneas In violait ( L.
pollut0\ luif. .quhat thingis mycht be controvit By wemen
in fury rage that stranglie lovit. 1594 IVarres Cyrus C ij,
The prince .. bare my daughter thence with violate hands
Vnto his pallace. 1856 Mrs. H. King Disciples, Agesilao
Jililoiio (187^) 30J Take home the lesson to thee,.. Who
makest of ihis lovely land, God's garden, A nation violate,
corrupt, accurst.
2. As pa. pple. Violated, in various senses of the
verb; subjected to violation or injury.
1503 Hawes Examp. Virt, vii. iiz Mayden and moder
yet not vyolate. a 1513 Fabvan Chrou. vii,32i The peace
.. was, by the kynge, vyolate and broken. 15SS Euen
Decades {.krh.) 317 Wherwith. .no parte of the maiestie of a
kyn^ is vyolate. 1590 H. Barrow Brief Discoverie 4 That
heauenly patterne left by the Apostles was soone violate.
/( 1619 FoTHERBY Atheont. II. ii. § 5 (1622) 203 If lustice may
be violate, for any cause at all. 1675 Marveul Corr. Wks.
(Grosart) II. 479 It was declared and resolved to be an uii-
douted ancient standing order, not to be violate. 1733 W.
Crawford Infidelity {1836) 159 The law of innocency.,
being violate by man's apostacy. 1847 Tesnvson Priuc. vi,
44 And now, O maids, behold our sanctuary Is violate, our
Laws broken.
b. = VioLATEn///. a.
1655 Theophaniii 169 My Fathers blood, Agnesias languish-
ing griefs, my violate marriage,, .raised several passions.
Violate (vai-^^'t), v. Forms : 5 violatt, 6
-at, 5-6 vyolat(e, 6 voyolate, Sc. wiolate,
violet; 5- violate, [f. L. violat-^ ppl. stem of
violdre to treat with violence, to outrage, dis-
honour, injure, etc]
1. trans. To break, infringe, or transgress un-
justifiably; to, fail duly to keep or observe : a. An
oath or promise, one's faith, etc.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 347 His bloode be schedde
in lyke wyse that' dothe violate and breke this bonde of
luffe. 15*6 Pilgf. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 187, I haue
despoused you to a noble man, se y' you violate not your
fayth & spousage. 1558 Knox l-'irst Blast (Arb.) 50 If any
man be affraid to violat the oth of obedience, which they
haue made to siiche monstres. 1596 Edw. Ill, iv. iii. 27
Ah, but it is mine othc, my gratious Lord, Which 1 in con-
scieoce may not violate. 1624 Capt. Smith yirginia 111.
viii. 76 Your promise I find . .euery day violated by some of
yoursubiects. 1651 Hobbks Leviatk.x. xiv. 68 A Power set
up to constrain those that would otherwise violate their
faith. 1769 RoBKRTSos Cluis. K, vii, Wks. 1813 III. 53 The
indeceucy of violating a recent and solemn engagement.
1777 R. Watson Philip II, 11. (1839) 25 Being convinced
that Henry would never violate the truce of Vaucelles.
183^ Thirlwall Greece I 239 Fearing lest the sight of the
fertile land.. might tempt the Heracleids to violate their
compact with him. 1844 H, H. Wilson Hrii. India I. 189
These arrangement-^ were scarcely concluded when the
Kaja manifested a dis|>osition to violate them. 1878 Brown*
INC La Saisiaz 18 .She violates the bond.
b. A law, commandment, rule, etc.
155J HuijOET, Violate a lawe or custome, soluere legem,
uel morem. 1579 LvLV Enphues (Arb.) 195 Thou praisest
ye Empresse for instituting good lawes, and grteuest to see
them violated by the I^adyes. x6xi Biblk Ezek. xxii. 26
Her priests haue violated my law, and haue prophaned
mine holy things. 1651 Hobbics Lez'inth. it. xxvii. 153 He
which does Injury, .should suffer punishment without other
limitation, than that of bis Will whose Law is thereby
violated. 1691 Hartclipfk Vir/nes 363 If we live contr.-iry
Co this, we violate the I.aw of him that made us. 1726
Swift Gw/Z/Vrr- II. vii, Power,, .liberty, and. .dominion. All
which, however happily tempered by the laws of that king-
dom, have been sometimes violated by each of the three
parties. 1774 Hubkk Corr. (1844' L 485, I have not usually
made any scrui>lc to violate, in some degree, the strict letter
220
and sumtnwn jus of decorum and propriety. 1836 J.
Gilbert Chr. Atoneifi. vii. (1852) 204 It is of the essence
of atonement, that while it protects all rights, it must not
violate any. 1841 W. Spalding Italy .\ It. IsL 111. 126
The sovereigns, resolved to violait their own late piece-
dents of non-intervention. 1875 Manninc; Mission H, Ghost
i. II The predestination of God in no way violates or takes
away the perfect liberty of the human will.
C. Abstract and moral qualities, etc.
1588 KvD HoHseh. Philos. Wks. (1901) 253 First wold 1 that
the parched earth did riue, ..Ere I to lose or violate my
chastity beginne. 1671 ^lu-ioa Samson A. 893 An impious
crew Of men., violating the ends For wliich our countrey
is a name so dear. 171^ Wollaston Relig. Nat. vi. 137
He that would not violate truth, mu.st avoid all injustice.
a 1745 SwihT Hen. /, Wks. 1768 IV. 290 He was a strict
observer of justice, wliich he seems never to have violated.
1794 Paley Evid. III. vii, {1817) 360 UifFerences of opinion
..accompanied with mutual clianty, which Christianity
forbids them to violate. 1836 J. Gilbert Chr, Atonem. iii,
(1852) 62 Let not the Rationalists be suB'ered, in the very
name of justice, sacred 'as it is, to violate justice. 1892
Tennyson Daivn iii, The press, .easily violates virgin Truth
for a coin or a cheque.
2. To ravish or outrage (a woman).
c 1^0 Alph. Tales 57, 1 hafe violatt & fylid many mens
wyvis, & per chuldie. a 1533 Ld. Behneks Hnon cxiii.
398 He made it to be cryed in euere strete that no man
shulde be so hardy on payne of dethe to vyolat any woman,
or deflowre any inayd. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's
Voy. I. XV. 16 [To] see hi.s wife and his daui^liters rauished
and violated. i6xi Cotgk., Forcer^.. io violate; force, or
rauish (as a woman). 1696 Phillips (ed. 5). 1709 .■\ddison
Tatter No. 117 f 4 She was discovered by Neptune, and
violated after a long and unsuccesful Importunity. 1754
Sherlock Disc. (1759) L xiii. 344 We gratify our Lust by
violating his Wife or Daughter. 1841 Ei.phinstone Hist,
hid. 1 1 . 509 This young man, . . having attempted to violate
the wife of a Bramin, was imprisoned. 1879 Fife-Cookson
IVith Armies 0/ Balkans 38 It was alledged however that
they [sc. the Cossacks] committed .separate exce.-^ses of their
own, violating all the Turkish women tfiey could find.
absol. t8ai Shelley Helltxs 951 Impale the remnant of
the Greeks ! despoil 1 Violate 1 make their flesh cheaper
than dust !
3. To do violence to ; to treat irreverently ; to
desecrate, dishonour, profane, or defile.
1490 Caxton Eneydos xxi. 76, I haue not rented, vyolated
ne broken, the pyramydeof his faders sepulture, ta 1500
Chester PI, (Shaks. Soc.) I. 2171'his man.. Is not of God,..
Which doth voyolate the Saboath daye. 1513 Douglas
Aineid xi. xi. 127 Quha evir with wond dois hurt or violat
Hyr haly body onto me dedicat. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasni.
Par. Jolut xix. 115 k place perdye detestable and violated
with dead bodyes. 1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye
0/ Love 13 Gods ministery is an holy and sacred thing,
in thought not to be violated. 163s Pagitt ChristianO'
graphie I. iii. (1636) 129 If by chance any Catholicke Priest
shall celebrate upon one of their Altars, they violate it and
breake it. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. {1677) xj They
i would commonly violate the graves of those dead men we
; buried. 1673 Lady's Calling 11. i. § 7 She that listens to any
wanton discourse has violated her ears. X797 Mks. Rad-
CLIFFE Italian xvi, What sacrilegious footsteps thus rudely
; violate this holy place. 1846 Arnold Hist. Later Roman
Commiv. I, vii. 277 Some of the most famous and richest
temples, .were violated and ransacked. 1849 James Wood-
man ix, It would be searched, and the sanctuary violated.
rejl. 1606 Shaks. Ant. ^ CI. iii. x, 24 Experience, Man<
hood, Honor, ne're before, Did violate so it selfe.
b. To destroy (a person's chastity) by force.
159J Arden 0/ Feversham 38 That injurious riball, that
attempts To vyolate my deare wyues chastiiie. x6io Shaks.
Temp. I. ii, 347 'J'hou didst seeke to violate The honor of
my childe. 1769 Blacks tone C<7w;«. IV. 213 The civil law
..not allowing any punishment for violating the chastity
of her, who hath indeed no chastity at all.
c. To interfere with by appropriation.
x8a3 Lamb Elia 11. Poor Relations, A particular elbow-
cliair was appropriated to him, which was in 110 case to be
violated. 1840 Dickens f7/^/C^/rc/>x.\v, No boy attempted
to violate the sanctity of seat or peg.
+ 4. To vitiate, corrupt, or spoil, esp. in respect
of physical qualities. Obs.
1555 Eden Decades (.^rb.) 98 If wee. .consyder the large-
ne.s and wydeiies of. .the mouthes of the famous ryuer of
Ister,.andliowe farre they violate orcorrupte the salte water
with their freshenes. i5(>8 Yong Diana 61 But this mis-
chieuous absence doth violate and dissolue those things,
which men thinke to be most strong and firme. 1620 Vennek
Via Recta vii. 131 They breede phlegme, violate the lung.s,
and soone offend the stomack, .by their windie and cloying
substance. 1656 Stanley Hist. Philos. iv. iii. (1687) 141/2
He said, that Coals, when they forsake the nature of Wood,
acquire a solidity not to be violated by moisture.
•f* b. To damage or injure by violence. Obs.
1595 Daniel Civ. Wars i. Ixxxiii, Like to a River that is
stopt his Course Doth violate his Banks. 1606 G. W[ood-
cockk] Hist. Ivstine xliv. 136 For first it lieth not within
the railing heate of the Sunne, as AfTricke doth; neither is
it violated with outragious windes like France. 1634 T.
Johnson Parey'' s Chirnrg. xv. xiv. (1678)335 If the fracture
violate.. the spinal marrow contained therein, then the
I Patient can scarce scape death. 1658 Evelyn Fr. Card.
(1675) 208 Couch it down without violating any of the
leaves. 1675 J. Rose Eng. Vinfyard Vind. 41 Fear not
your ves.sel if well made ; since the force of the working.,
will not violate it as some imagine,
t c. To despoil ^something. Ods.~^
1646 G. Daniel Poems Wks. (Grosart) II. 57 When the
bleake Face of winter spreads The Earth, and violates the
Meads Of all their Pride.
1 5. To treat (a person) roughly or with violence ;
to assail or abuse. Obs,
a i6s8 Pkeston lireastpl Love (1631) 88 If a man should
come and violate thee with ill termes thou wouldest be
angry with him. 1639 Chas. 1 Dedavations Wk.s. 1662 II.
VlOLATIOIf.
27 Precedents of former times were di.MaWyed, the Speaker
violated (etc.J. 1635 R. N. tr. Camden's Hist. Eliz. 111. 239
The Act was made against those which should viwlate the
king by seditious writings.
6. To break in upon ; to interrupt or disturb ; to
interfeie with rudely or roughly.
1667 Milton P. L. iv. 883 To question thy bold^entrancc
on this place; Imploi'd it seems to violate sleep. 1697
Drvden /Eneid xii. 474 O Trojans! cease From impious
arms, nor violate the pv.-ace. 17x2 Wollaston Relig. Nat.
vi. (1724) 132 Since he, who begins to violate the happiness
of another, does what is wrong. 1775 Johnson Tax. no
Tyr. 31 Le;;islation passes its limits when it violates the
purse. 1796 W. CoMiiE Boydell's Thavtes II. 3 (Pope's]
garden has not yet beeir violated. It retains its early form.
1809 W. Irving Kuickerb. 111. vi. (1849) 175 The dark forests
which once clothed those shores hrtd been violated by the
savage hand of cultivation. 1819 Shelley Cenci v. i, 13 To
violate the sacred doors of sleep.
7. To treat without proper respect or regard ; to
do violence or injury to (feelings, etc.) in this way.
x69a Dryden St. Euremont's Ess. 81 Never were they
more careful of hindring the Majesty of the Roman People
from being violated. 1705 Addison Italy, Monaco 15 They
have never entertain'd a Thought of violating the Publick
Credit. 1713 Bekkeley in Guard. No. 3 Pi A Body of
Men, whom of all other a good Man would be most careful
not to violate, I mean Men in Holy Orders. 17*9 Uuti.kr
Serm. Wks. 1874 II. 24 Man may act. .in a way dispropor-
tionate to, and violate his real proper nature. 1798 Hloom-
field F'armer's Boy, .Summer 336 Ere tyrant customs
strength sufficient bore To violate the feelings of the poor.
1817 Shelley Rev. Islam vm. x.\vii, Do ye thirst to bear
A heart which not the serpent Custom's tooth May violate?
183a Lamb Elia 1. Compl. Decay Beggars, Do we feel the
imagination at all violated when we read the 'true ballad ',
where King Cophetua woos the beggar maid?
Hence Vi'olating vbl. sb.
1548 CoofEK Elyot''s Diii., Violatio,..^ violatyng, a
breakyng. 1581 Nowhi.l & Day in Confer. \. (1584) Cij,
Master Campion did vs wrong, to charge vs with violating
of the Maiestie of the holy liible. 1585 T. Washington tr.
Nicholar's I'oy.u. xiii. 48 b, The violating and deflouring of
, .hisdaughteis, & other Ladies. i6iz Cotgr., Violation, a
violation, or violating. 1671 Phillips (ed. 3)8. v. .VacnV<r_^>wj,
A robbing of Churches, or violating of holy tbing.s. 1765-8
Erskine Inst. Law Scot. iv. iv. § 52 'Ihe violating of a
bride, or espoused virgin. 1769 in Bostcn Gaz. 8 Jan. (1770)
3/1 Since the Tories are so set upon ruining this continent,
as not even to scruple the violating their own plighted faith.
Violated (vai-Jl^Hed), ppl, a. [f. prec. + -ED ^.J
That has been subjected to violation.
1593 Shaks. Lucr. 1059 Thou shalt not know The stained
taste of violated troth. 1600 — A. V.L. iii. iL 141 Violated '
vowes, twixt the soules of friend, and friend. i6as K. Long
tr. Barclay's Argenis 111. xxi. 217 He foresaw the infamy
of violated hospitality, 1645 Milton Tetrach. Wks. 1851
IV. 164 They argue nothing to the continuance of a false or
violated Mariage. 1697 Dryden A£neid xii. 221 Of ev'ry
Latian fair, whom Jove misled 'l"o mount by stealth my
violated bed, c x-jGio Smollkit Ode to ludep, 6 Deep in
the frozen regions of the north, A goddess violated brought
thee forth. 1784 Cowpeh Task 11. 340 By him the violated
law speaks out Its thunders. z8a8 Tvtler Hist. Scot.
I. ti8 In vindication of his violated rights. 1879 Dixon
Windsor II. xii. 131 The violated charters were restored.
Violater (vai-<W<f't3j). Now rare, [f. Vio-
late z/.] = Violator.
1523 Ld. Bk.rners Froiss. I.ccxii. 107/1 We shall punysshe
all such as vtolaters and brekers of the peace, .as the cas
shall requyre. 1608 Willet Hcxapla Kxod. 274 The
punishment of the . . violater of the sabbath. 1645 Gataker
God's Eye on Israel 83 Amnon was an incestuous violater
of his sister. 1665 Manley Crotius* Lo^v C. Wars 914
They iiiade a League, wherein it was agreed, That the
King should give Assistance against the Violators thereof.
1718 Chamberlayne St. Gt. Brit. (ed. 4) 1. in. xi. 267 The
Two Proctors, .assist in the Government of the University,
. punishing all Violatcrs of Statutes.^ X767 R. Burn Eccl,
Laiu (ed. 2) III. 31 Violaters of virgins consecrated to
god. i8ia L. Hunt in Examiner 21 Dec. 801/2 Calling
us libellers and violaters of the law. 1863 W. H. Russell
Diary North <V S. I. 355 Here were seventy murderers,
pirates, burglars, violaters, and thieves.
Violation {\^\lPie^'l^vC), Also 5-6 vyolacion,
violacion(e, 6 -acyon, -atioune. [a. OF. vio-
lacion (F. violation, — 'Sx>. violation, Vg. viola^do^
It. violazione), or ad. L. violation-, violdtio, noun
of action f. violdre to violate] The action of
violating, in various senses.
1. Infringement or breach, flagrant disregard or
non-observance, ^some principle or standard of
conduct' or procedure, as an oath, promise, law,
etc. ; an instance of this.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) III. 291 An objeccion was
made to hyin of the violacion of his religion and beleve.
C1440 Gesta Rom. xxxiv. 133 (Hart. MS.), pe Emperour
beynge in gret wrethe, for violacion of his precepte & co-
maundement. x^x^StarChmnb. Cases (S>e\Aen) II. 150 The
further violacion and disordryng of the ordenaunces, vsages,
and auncient cusiunies of the said towne. 1597 Hooker
Eccl. Pol. v. l.xii. § 15 'ihe harme that growetb by violation
of holie ordinances. 1611 Shaks. Wint. T. iv. iv. 4S8 It
cannot faile, but by The Violation of my faith. 1655 S.
Ashe Fun. .Serm. Gataker i3 It will be no violation of the
Law of charity to affirm, that he was never truly good who
doth not strive to be better. 1681 Flavel Mcth. Grace
xxxiii. 556 This is a sure rule, that the greatest violation of
conscience is the greatest sin. 1711 Addison Sped. No. 99
r? The great Violation of the Point of Honour from Man
to Man, is giving the Lie. 1768 Bi^ckstone Comni, III.
153 The violation, or non-performance, of these contracts
might be extended into as great a variety of wrongs, as the
rights which we then considered. 1776 Gibbon Ded. <V /.
iii. (1782) I. 73 Without any violation of the principles of the
VIOLATIVE.
coiistUuiion. i8a4 L. Mukbav Erig. Gram. (ed. 5) I. 232
Of ihis rule ihere aie many violations to be met with. 1863
KiNGi-AKE Crimea (1877) I. 360 it would be regarded by
the Czar as a flagrant vioUttioii of treaty. 1875 Jowtxr
/*/«/<' ied. 2) V. II Laws arc pas:>ed concerning violations
of military discipline.
b. Without const, rare.
1481 Coventry Leet Bk. 475 Eny thyng.. wherby the seid
irewes & other conuencions passed betwen vs .. myght
fall ill vj'olacion or Ruptur in any wyse. a 1513 Fauyan
Chron. vii. 472 'i'he peas whiche then was proctayuied. .
whiche endured nat longe without vyolaciuii. 1640 Gkim-
STON speech 9 Nov, (1641) 5 I'o adjourne the house upon
atiy command whatsoever, without the consent and appro-
bation of the House it selfe, were breaches and violations
that highly impeached our priviledges.
t2. The action of treating or handling violently
and injuriously. Obs.
cx^^ Digby Myst. (1882)11. 179 Ail.. with furyous vyola-
cion..Thus shalbc subduyd. 1616 liuLtoKAR Eng. Expos.,
yioiathn,An offering of violence, abreaking. a i6s6Ussher
Ann. VI. (1658) 424 Perseus,. sent away the Rodians open
Vessels, and Eudemu-; their President without Violation,
nay even civilly entreated. 1699 Evelyn fCal. Hort. (ed. 9)
23 To apply the Collateral Branches of his Wall Fruits..
(without violation and unnatural bendinL,', and reverting)
to the Earth or Borders.
3. a. Defilement of chastity, etc. ; in later use
esp. by means of violence.
1497 Bp. AixocK Mons Perfect. D iij. In clennes of body &
soule without voluntary poltucion or vyolacion. 1516 Ptler.
Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 182 Thou..conceyued thy chyTde
without corrupcyon or violacyon of thy virginite, 1696
Phillips (ed. 5) s.v,, A forcing of a Woman .igainst her
Will, is call'd a Violation of her Chastity. 1737 Bauey
(vol. II), Rafie...a. Ravishing, or forcible Violation of the
Chastity of a Woman, or Virgin.
b. Ravishment, outrage, rape.
1599 Shaks. Hen. V, in. lii. 21 What is't to me, when you
your selues are cause, If your pure Maydens fall into the
hand Of hot and forcing Violation? 17*8 Chambers Cycl,
S.V. 1769 Blackstone Comm. IV. 81 By violation is under*
stood carnal knowledge, as well without force, as with it,
1810 SoUTHEY Kekama IX. 126 When .\rvalan, in hour
with evil fraught, For violation seized the shrieking Maid.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXV. 171/2 The law [of treason] has been
held to apply to a criminal connection by consent as well
as to a forcible violation.
4. Desecration or profanation of bomething
sacred.
1546 Gardiner Detect. DefilsSophistrie 15 b,The break-
yng of the most blesAed sacrament, by the ministre in the
masse, doib no violacion to christes most precious body
there present. 1548 Udall, etc Erasm. Par, Mark lit. 26
'I'hey sawe the dumme beast might lawfully be drawen out
of the hole, lest it sboulde perysiie, without anye violacion
or breache of the sabboih. i7a8CHAMBERS Cycl. s.v. 1777
R. Watson Philip 11 Kity^iti The Spanish soldiers them-
selves, .were afterwards., touched with remorse on account
of their violation of the churches. 1849 James Woodnian
Uf What he desires to do, that he will do— even to the
violation of sanctuary. 1856 C. Knight Hist. Eng. I.
xxvii. 423 The violation of a sacred place byniurder was
considered a greater crime than the murder itself.
5. Improper use ^something.
1833 Shelley Chas. /, u. 75 Look that those merchants.,
take fullest compensation For violation of oiur royal forests.
Hence Viola'tionaJ a. rare,
1810 Hestham Packing (1821) 94 Something or other.,
'injurious', * prejudicial , ' hurtful', or *vioIational '. 1876
J. J. O. Wilkinson Hum. Set. <y Div. Rev. 25 Medicine
has made great strides of late, and this is owing noticeably
to violational .science, [yiolatioiiism and violationist are
also used in this work, pp. 577, 579, etc]
Violative (vai-aU'tiv), a. Chiefly U. S. [f.
Violate v, + -ive.] Involving or causing viola-
tion (tf/" something).
a 1797 J. P. Andmews Maii.CoHsiit. 211 (Thornton), Vio-
lative of a vested legal right. 1856 F. Piebce Message to
Congress a That no act shall remain on its statute book,
violative of the provisions of the constitution. 1878 Masque
Poets 26 Those Who ha%'e dared in violative wise To assault
with strong and impious blows, The awful, slumbering
Pharaohs. 1891 Nation (N. V.) 24 Dec 495/a Four of the
judges held that the act was violative of the amendments,
and therefore invalid.
Violator (v3i*^'t(ifi,-3j). Also 6-7 -our. [a.L.
violator^ agent-noun £ violdre to vitjlate. So K.
violaUur (OF, violatour). It. violatore^ Sp. and
Pg. violador. Cf. Violateb.]
1. A ravisher or outrager of women.
i43»-5o t"". Higiien (Roils) III. 33 Sardanapallu^, a man
hauenge grete delectacion of women, and a violator of
t>eim. 1603 Shaks. Meas./ar M. v. i. 41 That Angeio is an
adulterous thiefc, An hypocrite, a virgin violator. 1748
Richardson Clarissa VI. 327 If, by vowing love and honour
at the altar to such a violator, I could sanctify.. his un-
precedeiited and elaborate wickedne^. 1864 Tennyson
Boadicea 50 Me the sport of ribald Veterans, mine of
ruffian violators !
2. A desecrator or profaner of something sacred
or venerable.
1577 Holinshed Chron. 11. 825/1 But Guye de Mount,
fort was excommunicate, as a violatour of the churche.
159' '" J?s- Campbell Balmerino \ Abbey (1867) in. ii.
178 Ordanis the sessione of the kirk of Balnlerinoch to cause
violatorts of the Sabhaih day publlctlie to make publict
repentance thairfor. X638BAKEK tr. Balzac's Lett. {\o\ II;
13 The persecutcrs of those who submit themselves arc to
me in equal execration with the violatours of sepulchers.
1665 Manlev Grotius' Lotv C. Wars 30 Commanding the
Inquisitors to execute judgement upon violators, and
novelties in Religion. 1841 Lvtton St. <t Morn. \. i, Now
. .glared m>on the startled violator^ of the sanctuary, with
glassy eyes and borreitt visage, a grim monster. 1865
221
Baring-Gould Were-VVolves xv. 250 It is well known that
Oriental romance is full of stories of violators of graves.
1898 Meredith Odes Fr. Hist., Rev. x, They, violators oi
home, dared hope an inviolate home.
3. An infringer, breaker, or transgressor (of a
law, compact, etc.).
1643 C. Vernon Consid. Exch. 104 That due punishment
be inflicted upon the violators thereof. 1644 Milton M.
Bluer 'W^s. 1851 IV. 331 I'hey.. are no more in bondage
to such violators of Marriage. 1676 Temi-le Let. to Sir J.
Williamson 21 Mar., Nor could it easily be found out how
the Violator of any such Passport should be punished. 1738
Warburton Div. Legat. 1. 16 The Violator of the Laws of
the Society. 1775 Di-: Lolme Eng. Const. 11. xvi (1784) 239
To give up the violators of these laws. 1809 W. Irving
Knickerb, (1820) 199 Whoever thought wrong, ..was a
flagrant violator of the inestimable liberty of conscience.
1881 JowETT Thiicy'd. I. 76 Those who attack others, not
those who defend themselves, are the real violators of
treaties.
4. One who injures, disturbs, or interrupts vio-
lently.
179a A. Young Trav. France 31 The incendiaries, robliers,
and violators of mankind. 1828-32 Wlbstek s.v., A violator
of repose.
Violatory, a. rare. [f. Violate v. + -oky.]
==■ Violative a.
iBoj Times 13 July, Nothing was so violatory oi the rules
of ratiocination and eloquence. 1850 W. Anderson Re-
generation 144, I contend, that the dogma is glaringly un-
philosophical, and violatory of common sense.
II Viol da gamba. Also 6-7 de gambo, 7
di gambo, de gamboys ; 7- de gamba, 9 di
gamba. [ad. It. viola da gamba * leg-viol*: cf.
Viola 2 and Gamba ^.j
1. A viol held between the legs of the player
while being played ; in later use restricted to the
bass viol corresponding to the modern violoncello.
'597 J Rowland {title). The Firste Booke of Songes or
Ayres of foure partes with Tableture for the Lute: So
made that all. .may be song to the Lute, Orpherian or Viol
de gambo. 1599 H. Jonson Ez'. Man out 0/ Hum. in. iii.
Fast. I doe more.. admire your, .predominate perfections,
than-.eiier I shall haue. .facultie toexpiesse. Satti. Vpon
the VioU de Gambo you meane? 1601 Shaks. Ttvel. N.
I- iii. 27 He playes o'th Viol-de-gamboys. 161 1 Corvat
Crudities 252 I heir instruments ten Sagbuts, foure Cornets
and two Violdegambaes of an extraordinary greatnesse.
i66a Pi.AVKORu Skill Mus. 11. (1674) 91 Of thi-; Viol de
Gambo there are three several sizes, ..viz., Treble Viol,
Tenor Viol, and Bass Viol. ..These three Viols agree in one
manner of Tuning. 1774 *J. Collier* Mus. Trav. 34, I
think the effect was equal to any viol di gamba I ever
beard. 1789 Bukney Hist. Mus. \\\. vii. 361 Charles I.,
had been a scholar of Coperario on the viol da gnmba.
1801 BusBV Diet. Mus.. Vioida Gamba, or Greater viol, a
viol with six strings, formerly much used in Germany.
Penny CycL XXVL " '
1843
. 343/3 Vio^ (1^ Gamba.. was the last
survivor of the family of viols. 1908 ^Aberdeen yrnlj*
N. iV Q. I. 32/1 The music cea- ed, and died away in a long
note, like the stroke of a vioUde-gamba.
2. An organ-stop having a tone resembling that
of the above instrument.
^ i8$a Sf.idel Organ 108 Viol di gamba, or simply gamba,
is one of the finest registers. x88i C. A. Edwards Organs
157 The Viol-di-Gamb.-i is soft, reedy, and sweet,
t Viole, z'. Obs. rare. Alsosvyole. [ad. OF'.
violer^ ad. L. violare : see Violate z/.] irans. To
violate.
a 1450 JCnt. de la Tour 75 He took fro them all that he
couthe, and enforced their wyues, and vyoled their dough-
ters. 1480 Caxton Ovid's Met. xi. xxii, She moche en-
forced her for to flee for t'escape fro hyme, to th* ende that
she were not vyolcd ne defowled.
Viole, obs. form of Vial, Viol sb.^
Violence (vai-^l^ns), sb. Also 4 uiolence,
4-6 vyoleuce, 5 Sc. wyol-, w^iolence, 5-6 vio-
lena (7 voyolence). [a, AK. and OF. (also
mod.F.) vioiefue, ad. L. violentia vehemence, im-
petuosity, etc., f. violentus Violent a. Cf. Pr.
violcnsa^ -ansa, Sp, and Pg. vioien^ia^ It. vtolenza,'\
1, The exercise of physical force so as to inflict
injury on, or cause damage to, persons or property ;
action or conduct characterized by this ; treatment
or usage tending to cause bodily injury or forcibly
interfering with j^ersonal freedom.
CIS90 Beket 932 in S. Eng. Leg. \. 133 ^if ani man hontl
on ov set, ich ov Iiote al-so pat ^e pe sentence of holi
churche, for swuche violence ^ do. 1303 R. Brunnk
Handl. Synne H142 Clerk to bete, or handes on ley yn vyo-
lence, hyt ys grete eye. c: 1340 Hampole/***. Consc. 1175
pe world es . . a sted of mykel wrechednes, . . Of filthc and of
corrupcion, Of violence and of oppression. (■ 1380 Wvclif
Wks. (iSSo) 161 pei holden neuer nei^cr lawe of god in
dymes takynge, & taken hem bi vyolence & stronge curses
ajenst mennus goode wille. c 1490 Prymer 74 Lord ! y suffre
violence; answere |k)u for me! ?a 1445 [YGascoicn] /.//^
St. Bridget in Neto Leg. England (Pynson) 123 \Vhen y*
cvtezens sawe y' by prayers they profyted nat, somwhat
with vyolence, neuerthelesse reuerently they ledde hir out
of hir house vnto the wntersyde. 1504 Atkvnson tr. De
Imitatione i. xxiv. 174 They that by vyolence restrayne
theyr selfe fro synne and euer be busy to make the bodye
oljedyent to the soule. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Covun.
38 Then might they also be in the more hope to give the
repulse to the 'I'urke, with all his violence, a 1596 Sir T.
More II. iii. 14 They intend to offer violence To the amazed
Lombards. 1617 Morvson itin. iii. 47 Charles the fifth..
was wont to say, that the King of Spaine ruled over Asses,
doing nothing without blowes and violence. X651 Hobbhs
Lei'iath. 11. xx. loj Promises proceeding from fear of death,
or violence, are nu Covcnaius. 1718 Free'tkinker No. 58,
VIOLENCE.
20 Almost all the Governments. .had their Commencement
in Violence. 1759 Johnson Rasselns xxxvii[ij. The violence
of war admits of no distinction. 1784 Cowpkr Task i. 604
In remote And barb'rous climes, wliere violence prevails,
And strength is lord of all. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit.
Intiia IIL 524 The Government, .protected llieni against
the perils of violence and rapacity, and ensured them tran-
quillity and repose. 1876 Bhistowe Theory <y Pract. Med.
(iti78) 532 It occasionally originates.. in the effects of very
violent muscular exertion or of violence inflicied from
without.
Personif. 1609 Dkkker Work Armorours Wks. (Grosart)
IV. 131 Violence hath borne many great offices, and Money
hath done much for him. 1787 Burns Death R. Dumias
V, Mark ruffian Violence, ingrain'd with crimes, Rousing
elate in tiiese degenerate ttme.'^.
b. In the phr. to do violence to, unto (or with
indirect object) : To inflict harm or injury upon ;
to outrage or violate, t Also to make violence,
a 1300 Cursor M. 19325 pai dyrst na uiolence to J)am do
For |je folk J>am helded to. 13.. E. E. AlUt. P. B. 1071
When venkkyst was no vergynyte. ne vyolence maked.
1390 GowEK Con/. III. 340 He telleth hem the violence,
Which the tretour Strangulio And Diunise him hadde do.
153s CovKRUALE Luke ili. 14 Do no man violence ncr
wronge. 1594 Kvd Cornelia iv. i. 28 luba and Petreus,
fiercely combatting, Haue ^ch done otlier equall violence.
1603 Shaks. Ham. i. iu 171 Nor shall you doe mine
eare that violence, To make it truster of your owne
report Against your selfe. a 1619 Fletchkr, etc. Knt.
Malta V. ii, They have done violence unto her Tomb, Not
granting rest unto her in the grave. 169a Dkvdi^n St.
EuremonCs Ess.g^, I make no question, but that in the
violence of the Triumvirate, he did much Violence to him-
self. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xu. iii, To say the truth,
we have., often done great violence to the luxuriance of our
genius, i860 PusEV AUn. Proph. 474 They did violence to
the majesty of tlie law,.. and then, through profaning it,
did violence to man.
c. In weakened sense : Improper treatment or
use of a word ; wresting or perversion of meaning
or application; unauthorized alteration of wording.
1596 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (ed. 2) 143 But Master
Camden with Icsse violence.. deriueth it [sc. dele\ from the
Bryttish Dole. 1659 Pkakson Creed \\. 294 Being in some
places Adonai cannot be read for Jehovah, without mani*
fest violence offered to the Text. 1663 Kvklvn Chalcogr.
7 Neither the Paradigmatic. or any of the Plastic can be
call'd Sculpture without a Catachresis and some Violence.
1749 FiKLuiNC Tom Jones iv. vi, A passion which might
without any great violence to the word, be called love. 1856
Maurick Gosp. St. John vii. 94 Wherever violence is done
to the truth of language, I believe more or less of violence
is done to some higher truth. i86x Palkv Aischylus (ed. 2j
Supplices 510 tiote. But this is a reckless alteration. He
might with less violence have written iraTjih^. 1875 E.
White Li/e in Christ iv. xxvii. (1878) 446 The violence of
the projX)sed interpretation Is.. conspicuous.
a. Undue constraint applied to some natural
process, habit, etc., so as to prevent its free de-
velopment or exercise.
1715 tr. Gregory's Astron. (1726) I. 200 We must.. not
make our Reason and Philosophy perpetually offer violence
to our Sight and other Senses. 1749 Fielding 'J'om Jones
VL iv, He was obliged to attend near a t^uarter of an hour,
though with great violence to his natural impetuosity, before
he was suffered to speak. 1847 ^J- Veowkll Anc. Brit.
Ch. ix. 93 The first Christian missionaries in Ireland seem
to have carefully avoided all unnecessar)' violence to the
ancient habits of the aborigines.
e. Law. (See quol )
1867 Smvth Sailor's Word-bk. 713 Violence, the question
in tort, as to the amount of liability incurred by the owners
for puiragcs and irregularities committed by the master.
2. With a and pi. An instance or case of violent,
injurious, or severe treatment; a violent act or
proceeding.
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxiv. (Pelagia) 234 pe feynde . . can
cry,..* A!ace ! I thole but defence of hyme H^ald gret wyo-
lence. 1390G0WER Con/. I II. 208 The tidinge of this violence
. . Sthe sende anon ay wydewhere I'o suche frendes as sche
hadde. 1435 MtsVN Fire 0/ Loi-e u. vii. 86 Well J>is is cald a
rauischyiiye als Ve todyr, for with a violens it is doyne &
als wer agayns kynde. 1508 Dunbar Gold. Targe 159 Cur-
age in thame was noucht begoune to spring ; J"ull sore thay
dred to done a violence. 1596 Si'ENSEK Sttite irel. 5 10 b, She
perhaps, for very compnssion of such calamities,will not only
stop the stream of such violences, and return to her wonted
mildness, but [etc.]. 1649 Milton Eikon. Pref., A tedious..
warr on his subjects, wherein he hath so fair exceeded his
arbitiary violences in time of peace. i68a Hurnet Rights
Princes ii. 64 He lamenis the Violences that were used in
some Elections. 1704 Co/. Rec. Pennsylv. II. 191 If they
were clear of the violences done lately upon a family of the
English. 1759 H. Walpole Let. to G. Montagu 23 Dec,
Has your brother tfild you of the violences in Ireland ? 1818
CoBBEiT Pol. Rtg. XXXIII. 12 They saw nothing but the
violences on Sir Francis's side. 1850 Kingslky A. Locke
Pref., If the violences and tyrannies of American Demo-
cracy are to be really warnings to us tetcl. 1864 Maini;
Anc. Law vi. (1870) 206 The violences inseparable from the
best-ordered ancient society.
b. In weakened sense (cf. i c and i d),
1706 EsTCOURT Fair Example iv. i, I yielded to the In-
treaty of my Friends, Acted a violence on my reluctant
Heart, And gave my trembling Hand.. to Another. 1777
Hume Ess. ^ Treat. 1. 184 If behave but resolution enough
..to impose a violence on himself. 1793 Smeaton Edystone
L. § iig It would yet be a violence to myself, to refrain
from doing the Proprietors justice. «8i8 Ckcisk Digest
(ed. 2> IV. 371 Then a violence would be offered, as well to
the words, as to the meaning of the party.
3. Force or strength of physical action or natural
agents; forcible, powerful, or violent action or
motion (in early use freq. connoting destructive
force or capacity).
VIOLENCE.
Now often merging into next, with an intensive sense. i
c 1384 Chaucer /A Fame 11. 775 For whan a pipe is blowen ,
sharpe, The aire ysiwyst with violence, c 1386— Cam. Veom,
Frol i T. 355 Thise metals been of so gret violence, Oure
walles mowe nat make hem resistence. 1:1400 Maundev.
(Rojcb.) xxxiii. 151 Sum ware drouned by violence of pe
wawes. i4i6LYDG./?tf(;w//. /*//i'>'. 12210, I.-sawha whel \
..By vyolence tourne aboute Contynuelly to-for my face.
ic6a Daus tr. SUidane'sCoiiwt. 414 b, Than chiefly was the
citie meruelouslye beaten with shot, the violence wherof
was so great, that [etc J. 1603 Shaks. Meas./orM.nu 1.
125 To be imprison'd in the vicwle-;se windes. And blowne
with rcsilesse violence round about. «6io Holland Crtw/«
list's Brit. 513 The river Aufon.-breaketh forthwith more |
violence upon the flats adtoyning. i6s9 Leak lyater-wks. \
I To make the Water enter therein with force, . . the vessel . . |
shall be made as high as may be, that it may give so much [
the more violence to the Water. 1703 MoxoN Mech. Exerc. 1
84 The shorter the Stuflfthat the Tennant is made on, the
less Violence the Tennant is subject to. 1793 Smeaton
Edysiom L. §61 note^ The strokes of the sea may at the
Ed>-stone be so great as to wash the poison out again from
the wood, that in a situation of less violence could, .slowly
insinuate itself. 1841 Lane Arab. Nts. L 104 He knocked
a fourth lime, and with violence. i86a Darwin Fertil.
Orchitis ii. 57 The pollinia cannot be jarred out of the
anther-cells by violence. 1895 Law Times Rep. LXXIIL
156/2 Two vessels.. drifted through the violence of a storm
on to the toe of a breakwater.
4. Great force, severity, or vehemence ; intensity
^some condition or influence.
1390G0WER Cimf. L 280 Wrathe.. Which hath htsewordes
ay so bote. That all a manncs pacience Is fyred of the vio-
lence. 1-1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xv. 70 Oft tymes he fell
by violence of |jat sekeness. Ibid, xviii. 81 pe grete violence
of hete J>al dissoluez J>aire bodys. 1577 Googe Heresbach's
Hitsb. 28 Rye..sufferelh the violence of mystes and froste.^^
1604 E. G[rimstone1 D'Acosta''s Hist. Imiies 11. x. 103
Arabia, the which is buint with the Suniie, having no
showres to temper the violence thereof. 1658 Phillips s.v.
Itttercident^ An extraordinary critical day, ..being caused
by the violence of the disease. 1701 J. Purcell CAtf/:cA
(1714) 137 If an Inflammation arises, ..Bleeding is to be
order 'd, and repeated according to its Violence. 1794 Mks.
Radcliffe Myit UdolphoxXx, .She went off as peacefully as
a child, for all the violence of her disorder was passed. 1809
Med, Jml. XXI. 518 The inflammatory complaints, par-
ticularly pneumonia, have recurred with considerable vio-
lence. 1874 j. L. Patterson Ess. Ke/ig: <§; Lit.^rd Sen 134
It is yet obvious that, .these laws apply with a far different
and more grievous violence to the Catholic, than to any other
..Church.
b. Intensity or excess ^contrast.
1874 H. H. Cole Catal. Ind. Art S. Kens. A/us. 218
Violence of contrast either of light or dark colours, or gaudy,
florid, and large ornament are among the common sources
of error which ruin design.
5. Vehemence of personal feeling or action ;
great, excessive, or extreme ardour or fervour ;
also, violent or passionate conduct or language ;
passion, fury.
c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 47 But arclie wives,
egre in ther vyolence, Fers as tygres for to make affray.
1563 GoLDiNG Ca-far (1565) 119 The enemy being not able
to withstand the violence of oure fotemen,..toke them to
flyght. 1604 Shaks. 0th. 11. i. 224 Marke me with what
violence she first lou'd the Moore. 1654 Nicholas Papers
(Camden) II. 84, I was trubled to see the violence it putt
him into. 1696 Phillips (ed. 5), F/W^«£-^, .. figuratively
spoken of Human Passions and Designs, wlien unruly, and
not to be govem'd. 1735 Somerville Chace in. 544 He
vents the cooling Stream, and up the Breeze Urges his
Course with eager Violence. i8t8 Coleridge Friend {\%t>fi')
142 To ej^pect that the violence of party spirit Js never more
to return. i8ai Scott Kenihv. xxxii, I said nothing to
deserve such a horrid imputation as your violence infers,
1841 Elphinstone Hist. Ind. II. 321 It was concluded by
Akber's reproving the mullahs for their violence.
+ 6. Violation (?/"some condition. Obs."^
<"754 Fielding Remedy Afflict. Wks. 1775 IX. 251 Nor
is there any dissuasive from such contemplation [of the loss
of friends): it is no breach of friendship, nor violence of
paternal fondness.
+ Vi'Olence, v. Obs. [f. prec]
1. trans. To do violence to ; to violate.
Common in the i7tk century.
i6ia T. Taylor Comm. Titus \\\. i The one was so faiTC
from violencing the other, as one of them could not stand
without the other. 1630 tr. Canssins Angel Peace 6 The
most Sacred things are violenced, and the most Profane are
licenced, a 1677 Barrow Serm. (1686) III. 304 In doing
otherwise he would thwart and violence his own conscience,
and be self>condemned.
2. To compel or constrain ; to force (a person)
to or from a place, etc., or to do something, by
violence.
i6ao Brent tr. SarpCs Counc. Trent vn.(i676) 618 Shew-
ing there was a desire to violence the Fathers by weariness.
1647 Hammond P<nver 0/ Keys ii. 8 Sure 'twill not be
thought reasonable, that these two shall be forced and vio*
lenct^ to consent to that. 1648 SyMMONs Vind. Chas. I
206 They have done what they could to violence him from
his Religion.
Hence f Vi'olencing vbl. sb. Obs.
i6ia T. Taylop Comm. Titus t. 6 Christ himself taxeth it
as a violencing of the first institution. ai6i5 Donne Ess.
(1651) 83 The distortions and violencing of Scriptures. 1649
Hammond Chr. Oblig.^ etc- 68 A kind of constraining and
violencing of the spiriL
tVi'Olency. Obs, Also 6 violeusie, -eye,
6-7 -cie. [ad. L. vioienda: see Violence sb.^
Violence, in various senses.
1545 Raynald Byrth Mank^-nde Y v, Accordynge to the
aptitude or feoblenessc in re^Istence of the place receauyng
ic : and the force or violencye of nature, .sendynge it. 1556
J. Heywood Spider 4- Fiy xix. 25 My cane wheele catchth
222
holde of the corner poaste Against my will, and by violencie,
Asunder crussheth it. 1559-66 Hist. Estate Scot, in Wodroxv
Soc. Misc. (1844) 66 To resist the violencie of their adver- \
saries. 1607 Walkington Opt. Glass \. (1664) 13 Such fare, as ,
may banish and expel contagion and violencie from natu.e. j
b. In pi. Cf, Violence sb. 2.
c 1630 Sanderson Serm. (1681) II. 258 Although ihe text '
speaks expresly only of death ; yet . .all other violencies and ^
injuries are intended. 163a Sir T. Hawkins tr. Malhieu*s
Unhappy Prosperitie 199 Of all his violencies, the most
execrable was the death of the Architect, who skilfully re-
edified, .the. .portall of Rome. 1660 J eh. 1! k\loia Ductor
iiL ii. rule 3 § 2 He may do what is in his natural capacity
to avoid these violencies and extremities of nature. j
Violent, obs. form of Violon.
Violent (v^i'^ent), fl. {adv.^ sb.). Also 5
wyolent, 5-6 vyolent, violente. [a. OF. (also
mod.F.) violent, or ad. L. vioient-us (whence It., I
Sp., and Pg. violento) or violent -t violens (whence |
\i.violente)y forcible, impetuous, vehement, etc., f. i
vis strength.] 1
A. adj. I, 1. Of things : Having some quality ,
or qualities in such a degree as to produce a very
marked or powerful effect (esp. in the way of
injury or discomfort) ; intense, vehement, very
strong or severe : a. Of the sun, heat, etc. f Vio-
lent signs (see quot. 1679).
c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 852 It myght )« ayr swa cor-
rumpud mak, pat men J>arof t)e dede suld take, Swa vile it es
and violent. 1390G0WER Conf. III. 116 That planete which
men calle Saturnus,. . His climat is in Orient, Wher that he
is most violent, c 1400 Destr. Troy 339 A playne, Full of
flouresfresshe,..With voiders vnder vines for violent sonnes.
i4xa-ao Lydg. Chron. Troy i. 2158 So violent and fervent
was t>e hete. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholny's Voy. iv.
xxvi. i45b,Vppon thecoales, .they castacertaine seede, the
smoke whereof was so violent, that foorthwith it made them
..dissy. 1604 E. G[rimstone] WAcosta's Hist, Indies 11.
vii. 97 If the sunnebeames be weake, they draw vp no fogge
from the rivers, if they be violent tetcj. x6ai G. Sandys
Ovid's Met. IV. (1626) 67 Signes onely vtter their vnwitnest
loues: liut hidden fire the violenier proues. 1679 Moxon
Math. Diet. 161 Violent Signs., are those in which the
Malefick Planets, viz. Saturn or Mars have any notable Dig-
nitie. . . And also those in which there are any violent fixed
Stars of note, and within the Zodiac. {Hence in Phillips,
1696.] 1719 London & Wise Compl. Card. 171 Till such
times as tht violent Frosts are over. 1815 J. Smith Pano-
rama Sci.^ Art II. 380 Being again evaporated to dryness,
it is.. exposed to a violent heat in a crucible. 1864 Swin-
burne Atalanta 815 And thunder of storm on the sand,..
Fierce air and violent light.
b. Of poison, f the blood, etc.
C1386 Chaucer Pard. T. 539 Sterue he shal, and that in
lasse while. Than thou wolt goon a paas nat but a Mile;
This poyson is so strong and violent, a 1400 Stockholm
Med. MS. ii. 24 in Auglia XVIII. 308 Powdyr of betonye
eke is good, Medelyd with hony, for vyolent blod. 1460-70
Bk. Quintessence 22 Discreet maistris seyn, l^at l>e feuere
agu comounly is causid of a uyolent reed coler adust [etc.],
I7a8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Sublimate, Corrosive Sublimate
. .is then a violent Poison, which corrodes and destroys the
Parts of the Body with much Violence.
O. Of pain, disease, etc.
14.. W. Paris Cristine 314 (Horstm. 1878), Foure men
rokede hire to & froo, To make hire payne more violente.
c 1450 Mirk's Festial 257 And l?en was J>ys kyng smyton
wyth a meselry Jiat was soo vyolent to hym, t>at . .he slogh
hymselfe. 1607 Shaks. Cor. iii. i. 222 Those cold wayes,
That seeme like prudent helpes, are very poysonous, Where
the Disease is violent. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Poison,
The Hyoscyamus [is successful] in Ha;morrhagies, violent
Heats and Inflammations. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xi.
ii, The violent fatigue which both her mind and body had
undergone, 1776 'J'rial 0/ Nundocomar 2-^/ 1 Some days he
has violent purgings, at other times he gets better. 1799
Med. Jml, II. 474 .\s the intestines had been sufficiently
emptied ..by a violent diarrhoea. 1803 Ibid. X. 102, I think
the influen/a distinguishable from a common catarrh, inas-
much as the symptoms are, in general, more violent, painful,
and distressing. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. \x.
100 The patient . . was attacked . . by intensely violent macu-
lated fever. 1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med. VIII. 739 I'he con-
dition was associated with violent headaches and neuralgia
of the tongue of the same side.
d. Of passions. (Cf. sense 8 c.)
1586 T. B. I.a Priuiand. Fr. Acad. i. 291 Even the vio-
lentest and most common passions of mans nature. 1605
Shaks. Macb. 11. iii. 116 Th expedition of my violent Loue
i Out-run the pawser. Reason. Ibid. iv. iii. 169 Alas poore
I Countrey,.. Where violent sorrow seem es A Moderne ecs-
! tasie. 1697 Dryden ALneid i. 948 A love so violent, so
strong, so sure, That neither age can change, nor art can
: cure. 1711 Addison Sped. No. 120 p 10 This natural Love
! in Brutes is much more violent and intense than in rational
Creatures. 1789 W. Buchan Dom, Med, (1790) 119 Love
j is perhaps the strongest of all the passions ; at least, when
; it becomes violent, it is less subject to. .control. 1797 Mrs.
I Radcliffe Italian i, She was of violent passions, haughty,
vindictive, yet crafty and deceitful. z8o8 W. Wilson Hist,
Dissent. Ch. I. 272 Parker was a man of violent passions.
t e. Of taste or smell : Very strong. Obs.
1604 E. G[himstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies iv. xxvii.
284 It hath a strong savour, and in my opinion, too violent.
ijrSo Newgate Cat. V. 232 In the morning she perceived a
violent smell of sulphur.
f. Of colour : Intensely or extremely bright or
strong; vivid. Also y?^. of outline.
1768 Sterne Sent. Journ.., Le Dimanche, As the blue was
not violent, it suited with the coat and breeches very well.
1873 B. Harte Fiddletown 11 Her hair, which was a very
viofcnt red, was [etc.]. 1886 Ruskin Prseterita II. 204 The
accurate study of tree branches . . had more and more taught
me the difference between violent and graceful lines. 1888
Cent. Mag. Feb. 539/1 Rouge, if too violent, by a natural
VIOLENT.
law of color causes the planes of the cheeks to recede from
the planes of the . . whiter portions of the face.
2. Of natural forces : Possessed of or operating
with great foice or strength ; moving, flowing,
blowing, etc., strongly and impetuously.
c 137S Sc, Leg. Saints x.xxviii. (Adrian) 509 Of ^>e hewine
a rayne gert fal, sa wyolent & fellonny, j^at J»e fyr slokit
wes in hy. 1508 Dunbar Gold. Targe 238 Thay fyrit gunnis
wyth powder violent. 1593 Shaks. Kich. II, 11. i. 34 For
violent fiies soone burne out tiiemselues. 1600 E. Blount
tr. Conestaggio-22^ Hee knewe it [ariver] was verie %iolent,
running betwixte high mountaines without anie foide.
1610 Holland Camden's Brit. 680 It carrieih so violent a
streanie that presently it is able to driue a mill. 1658 T.
WiLLSFORD Nature's Secrets 107 Venus and J,.. increases
the flowing of the Seas, causing violent '1 ides. 1711 E.
Cooke Vopf. S. Sea 382 The South and S.W. Winds, which
are the violentest Winter Winds there. 1794 Mrs. Rad-
cliffe Myst. Udolpho xxix. The accumulating clouds..
assumed a red sulphureous tinge that foretold a violent
storm. 181^ J. Smith PanoramaSci. ^ Art II. 46 In some
places the time of change is attended with calms, in others
..with violent tempests. 1854 Poultry Citron. II. 407/2
The circumstance of their having been in a violent storm and
completely drenched. 1875 Encycl. Brit. III. 809/2 'ihe
violent explosives disintegrate the rock into a plastic mass.
b. Of noise: Jblxtrcniely loud.
x6ox Kyds Span. Trag. in. xii a. 131 Then, sir, after
some violent nojse, bring me foorth..wiih my torch in my
hand. 1761 in Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 56/2 There appeared
a prodigious smoke, attended with the same violent noise.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. 4 Art II. 836 At the instant
of its beginning to melt, it explodes with a violent report.
i8sa Dickens Bleak Ho. vi, The stranger only answered
with another violent snort.
3. Of persons ; Acting with or using physical
force or violence, esp. in order to injure, control,
or intimidate others; committing harm or doing
destruction in this way ; f acting illegally, taking
illegal possession.
138a WvcLiF Matt. xi. 12 The kyngdam of henenes suf-
freth strengthe, or violence, and violent men rauyshen it.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rollsj 1. 87 Men l-ey acounte> vio-
lent aiid wonnnen mylde, and euere t»ei bcet» vncsi to iiir
neihebouies. ^1460 Wisdom iioi in Macro Plays 71 With
my syght 1 se Jjc people vyolent. 1533 Moke Apol. xl. 225
The man is bysyde so violent and so iubardouse, that none
of iheym dare be a knowen to speke of it. 1555 Sc.
Acts, Alary (1814) II. 494/2 The actiounaganis the vio-
lent occupyaris and posscssouris foiisaidis. 1560 Bible
(.Genev.) Ps. Ixxxv. 14 The pioude are risen against me, and
the assemblies of violent men haue soght my soule. 166a
Bk. Com. Prayer, P'or Restoring Public Peace, The out-
rfltge of a violent and unruly people. 1687 Assitr. Abbey
Lands 195 A violent possessor of Church-lands, 178a J.
Brown Nat.i^ Rev.Relig. \, i. 29 Violent injurers of others
being public pests of society. 1849 Macaulay Hist En^.
v. I, 662 He had.. been very unwilling to employ a.-) his
deputy a man so violent and unprincipled as Goodenough.
absol. 1388 Wyclif Job v. 15 God schal make saaf . .a pore
man fro the bond of the violent. 1535C0VERUALE Matt. xi.
12 V" kyngdome of heauen suffreth violence, and the vio-
lent plucke it vnto them.
b. Of the hand. Chiefly in the phr. to lay vio-
lent hands on or upon (also Sc, + ifi).
^'375 Sc. Leg. Saints nxy'vix. {Margaret) 125 pan ware
handis wyolent layd one l>at cristis Innocent. 1539 More
Dyaloge iv, Wks. 274/1 Al our dedes good or badde ascend
or descende by the violent hande of God. 1588 Shaks. Tit.
A. III. ii. 22 'leach her not thus to lay Such violent hands
vppon her tender life. 1597 in Maitl. CI. MiiC. 1. 129 A. H.
..IS futid,,ane quha hes put violent handLs in his father.
1605 Shaks. Macb. v. viii. 70 His tiend-like Queene, Who
(as 'tis thought) by selfe and violent hatids, 1 ooke off her
life. r66a Bk. Com. Prayer, Burial DeatU The Office en-
suing is not to be used for any that . . have laid violent hands
upon themselves. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xii. iii, He
laid violent hands on the collar of poor Partridge. 1753
Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v. Vices, Staying him \sc. a hor>eJ,
by degrees, with a steady, not a violent hand, c 1850
Bryant The Path 70 What guilt is_ theirs who, in their
greed or spite, Undo thy holy work with violent hands !
fc. With to (a person or thing), Obs,
1588 Shaks. Tit. A. v. ii. 109, I pray thee doe on them
some violent death, They haue bene violent to me and mine.
1645 IsiiLTON Tetrach. 67 Colluders your selves, as violent
to this law of God by your unmercifull binding, as the
Pharises by their unbounded loosning !
4. Of actions : a. Characterized by the doing of
harm or injury ; accompanied by the exercise of
violence.
13. . £. E. Allit. P. B. 1013 J>is was a vengaunce violent
J>at voyded j^ise places, pat foundered has so fayre a folk &
J>e folde Sonkken. c\-^ Antecrist in Todd Three Treat.
■ Wyclif \\t pe first peisecution of be chirche was violent,
whcnne cristen men weren coinpellid bi exilyngis, beiyngis,
& de^s to make sacrifice to ydols. 1548 Cooper Elyot's
, Dii.t., A'a///f7,.. violent taking of a persone. 1598 Shaks.
' Merry W. in. ii. 44 To these violent proceedings all my
' neighbors shall cry aime. 1606 — Tr. <v Cr. v. in. 21 [To
use] violent thefts, And rob in the behalfe of charitie. 1617
Moryson Iti/t. III. 43 Ihe more violent, at least more
: lasting persecution of them by fier under Marie, late Queene
of England, a i7ao Sewell Hist. Quakers 1. Pief. as.
They . . have at length Triumphed . . by suffering, . . and
under violent Oppression from High and Low. 1809-10
CoLKRiDGE Friend (1865) 140 There could be no motive for
a sudden and violent change of government. 1840 Dickens
Old C. Shop liii, Thus violent deeds live after men upon the
earth. X849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. v. I. 546 The injustice
with which he had been treated would have excused him if
he had resorted to violent methods of redress.
b. Characterized by the exertion of great physi-
1 cal force or strength ; done or performed with
I intense or unusual force, and with some degree of
I rapidity ; not gentle or moderate.
VIOLENT.
In later use (f>) tending to a weaker sense.
[a) 1398 Tkevisa Barth, De I\ R. m. xv, (1495) 60 By
vyolent stoppyng of the throte and of the arter>'es. 15*6
Pilsr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 114b, By the violent fall of
the sayd crosse in to the morteys. a 1547 Si;rrev in Totters
Misc. (Arb.) 27 The lofty pyne the great winde often riiies ;
With violenter swey falne turrets stepe. 1595 Shaks. ^ohn
V, vii. 49 Oh, I am scalded with my violent motion And
spleene of speede, to see your Maiesty. 1601 — A/fs Weil
in. ii. 113 O you leaden mess^igers, That ride vpon the
violent speede of fire. 16&4 H. Power Exp. Philos, 93 We
perceived., the little particles of air.. on the suddain to
become more visible by a violent and rapid dilatation. 1669
SruRMV Mariner's Mag. v. xii. 60 The Piece is Level, and
will carry the Bullet Horizontally in his violent Course.
17*5 De You. Voy. round World (1840) 332 There was.,
some more violent motion at a distance. 1798 S. & Ht.
Lf.k Canterb, T. \\. 133 Wine acted powerfully on a consti-
tution already feverish with violent exercise. 1837 Whe-
WKLL Hist. Induct. Sci. (1857) I. 7 Classifying them into
Natural Motions and Violent Motions.
Kb) x8s7 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. viii. 536 The action of
bromine upon indigo is analogous tothat of chlorine, though
It is less violent. 186a H. Spencer First Princ. r. v. § 32
(1875) iig During those early stages. .both political and
religious changes., are necessarily violent ; and necessarily
entail violent retrogressions. 1868 Bain Mental ^ Mor.
Set. IV. iii. 341 A certain impetus has been given,. .and, if
restrained outwardly, it seems to be more violent inwardly.
c. Tending to wrest or pervert the meaning,
i7»o Watekland Eight Serm. 104 That we ought not to
be wise beyond what is written, nor put a violent Construe-
tion on any Passages.
5. t a. In violent, by force or constraint. Obs—^
c 1440 Al/^h. Tales 148 feii. .told hym M \>a\ tuke not his
son & made him freer ( = friar J in violent, bod he ofTerd hym
^erto on his awn gude wilt.
t b. Due or subject to constraint or force ; not
free or voluntary ; forced. Oh.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 124 They desyre the I
kynge to forsee, that there be no violent counseil called, in j
a place suspect & perillous, to the intent that vnder the
name of a counsel, the true doctrine be not extinguished.
1574 Hellowes Guenara's Earn. Ep. (1577) 297 All violent
marriages engender hatred betwixt the married. i6a5 N. ,
Carpenter Geog. Del. 11. v. (1635) 71 This conformity of the
water dropps in a round figure Is rather Violent, then
Naturall. 1667 Milton P. L. iv. 97 Ease would recant
Vows made in pain, as violent and void.
c. Of death : Caused by or due to physical vio- 1
lence ; not natural.
1588 Shaks. Tit. A. v. ii. 108, I pray thee doe on them !
some violent death. 1593 — 2 Hen. F/, i. iv. 34 The Duke :
yet liues, that Henry shall depose: But him out*liue, and
dye a violent death. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. 11. xxL 114
Though Soveraignty..is,..in its own nature, not only sub- '
ject to violent death, by forreign war ; but also [etc. J. 1790 \
Palev Sert$t. Wk:<. (1834) 598/2 Sudden, violent, or untimely ;
deaths.. leave an impression upon a whole neighbourhood.
i8u Scott Nigel xxv, Men, who had both, within.. less
than half an hour, suffered violent death. 1836-7 Dickens
Sk. Boz, Scenes xxv, Whose miserable career will shortly
terminate in a violent and shameful death. 1863 Boyd
Graver Thoughts Country Parson Scr. i. iv. 67 The violent
end of the martyr Stephen.
d. Sc. Law. Of profits: (see quot. 1765-8).
15945c. Ads, yns. r/(i8i6) IV. 69/1 In all tyme cum-
ing the partic pursewit be ane vther for eiectioun sail find
cautioun for the violent protfittis. x6o6 Ibid. 286 The saidis
decreittit..may bring J>e danger of the ;eirlie violent prof-
feittis vpoun the persones. 1678 Sir G. Mackenzie Crim.
Laws Scot. II. vi. \ 4 (1699) 190 When spoiliies or ejections
arc civilly pursued, the conclusion is violent profits (which
is the double Rent of the Lands, and restitution of thething
craved). 175a W. Stewart in Scots Mag. (1753) 294/1 It
can be no more than violent profits, which is often modified
in inferior courts. 1765-8 Erskine Inst. Law Scot. \u vl
{ 54 Violent profits arc so called, because they become due
on the tenant s forcible or unwarrantable detaining the
possession after he ought to have removed. 1814 Scott
Wav. Ixvi, Even when ye hae gottt;n decreet of spuilzie,
(^pression, and violent profits against them. 1838 W, Bkll
Diet. Latv Scot. 1028 In rural tenements, the violent profits
are held to be the full profits which the landlord could have
made... In urban tenements, the violent profits are gener-
ally estimated at double the stipulated rent.
6. Of persons, their temper, etc. : Displaying or
exhibiting passion, excessive ardour, or lack of
moderation in action or conduct. Cf. sense 3.
1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. in. § 149 If this Bill were once
passed.. the Violenter Party would be never able to prose-
cute their Designs. 1654 Gataker Disc. Apol. 27 Some of
the violenter sort of the other partic. 1706 Hearne Collect.
(O.H.S.) 1. 291 Dunster, one of y« Violentest Whiggs. 1715
Burnet Hiit. Own Time (1766) I. 155 One of the violentest
Ministers of the whole party. 1769 Burkk Corr. (1844) I.
215 He entertained me with an account of the present state
of Lord Chatham's politics ; violent, as before, against the
ministry. 1858 Ld. Granville in Fitzmaurice Li/e (1905)
I. 306 Shaftesbury,. is much more violent for you than he
was against you. x888 S. Maimon Antob. ix. 59 In my
passions I was violent and fmpatient.
ahsol. 1681 pRVDEN Abs. ^ Achit. To Rdr.,The Violent on
both sides will condemn the Character of Absalom. 17x3
Pope Lett. (1735) I. 200, I am no way displeased that I
have offended the Violent of all Parties already.
7. Of language, or writings: Resulting from, in-
dicative or expressive of, strong feeling.
1749 Fielding Tom Jones xi. v, Hc.concludedbya very
fond caress, and many violent protestations of love. 1818
Scott Hrt, Midi, xiv, The letter,.. the contents of which
were as singular as the expression was violent. i8a6 Dis-
raeli Viv. Grey v. xi He wrote violent letters, protesting
his innocence. i8^» j. Morlev Voltaire (1886) 5 The tem-
perament which mistakes strong expression for strong judg-
ment, and violent phrase for grounded conviction.
II, 8. In intensive use: Very or extremely
223
I great, strong, or severe, a. In legal nse, chiefly
j <SV., of suspicion or presumption,
I ^ 1516 Sc. Acts, yas. y (1875) XII. 36/2 All Lawis excludis
; pe said governour fra administracion and governance for
suspicioun vehement and violent. 1678 Sir G. Mackenzie
Crun. Lanvs Scot. n. xxiv, § 3 (1699) 256 Except the Pre-
sumptions be very violent, I cannot allow this Limitation.
Ibid. xxv. § 4, 263 Presumptions are divided, in Presump-
tions that are violent. .and these that are not violent 1768
Blackstone Comm. III. 371 Violent presumption is many
times equal to full proof.
b. In general use.
1578 TiMME Caluine on Gen. 30 It is too violent a cavill
I that Moses for instructions sake, distributeth all those
I thinges which he made at once, into sixe days. 1589 Putten-
; HAM Eng. Poesie in. ii. (Arb.) 153 My Lord the simple
I woman is not so much to blame as her lewde abbettours,
I who by violent perswasions haue lead her into this wilful-
nesse. 1607 Shaks. Cor. iv. vi. 73 He and Auffidius can no
more attone Then violent'st Contrariety. 1641 Milton
Animadv. v. Wks. 1738 I. 92 If your meaning be with a
violent Hyperbaton to transpose the Text. 1807 Syd.
Smith Lett. Catholics Wks. 1859 II. 176/1, I cannot make
use of so violent a metaphor. 1830 Herschel Study Nat.
Phil. 154 Ammonia is, however, a violent outstanding ex-
ception. 189X Farrar Darkn. ^ Dazvn Ixii, Judsea was in
a state of violent revolt, and the presence of an able general
was urgently needed.
C. Of feelings, etc.
'593 Shaks. Lucr. 894 Thy violent vanities can never last.
160^ Dekker GulVs Horn-bk. 27 That argues a violent im-
patience to depart from your money. 1638 Junius Paint.
A ncients 45 A blind fit of a most violent and irresistible fury.
174a Fielding Jos, Andre-.vs i. iv, The violent respect he
preserved for her. a X77oJortin6V?-77/. (1771) II. ii. 28 Re-
pining and discontent arise from a violent affection for
things here below. 1828 Lytton Pelhavt \. xxiii, The
duchesse was in a violent fright. 1846 Mrs. A. Marsh
Pother Darcy II. xiil 231 With that feeling of violent
irritation which the slightest contradiction now produced.
"?7S JowETT Plato (ed. 2) V. 76 The intemperate life has
violent delights, and still more violent desires.
t B. As adv. Violently. Obs.
1709 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Mrs. Heivet 12 Nov.,
These wars make men so violent scarce, that these good
ladies take up with the shadows of them. 1711 W. Rogers
Voy. 39 This was a fair pleasant Day, but violent hot. 1719
Lonekjn & Wise Comil. Gard. 171 If it freezes so violent
as that we are expos'd to danger.
+ C sb. Something which acts with violence or
force ; a violent passion or person. Obs. rare.
1619 Lushington Resurrect. Rescued (^1659) 21 All those
Violents of the Soul which have mischiefs for their Objects,
. .as sorrow, fear and despair. 1667 Decay Chr. Piety iv.
^3 Did the Covetous extortioner observe that he is involv'd
m the same sentence, [andjremcmber thatsuch Violents shall
take not heaven, but hell, by force.
tVi-olent, v. Obs, [ad. OF. (also mo<iF.)
violenter, or ad. med.L. vtolentdre to compel by
force : see prec]
1. trans. To strain or wrest the meaning of
(words, a passage, etc.). rare.
X549 Latimer jM Serm. be/. Edw. VI (Arb.) 150 Thus
they force and violent thys place to make for theyr purpose,
wher no such thynge is mente.
2. To constrain or force by violence ; to compel
or coerce (a person).
Freq. in the 17th c, esp. in Scottish writers.
1598 Florio Vehementare, to vrge, to force, to constraine,
to violent. 1634 Ld. Wariston Diary (S.H.S.) 200 My
saule violented and urged God by this argumenting prayer.
i^ R. Baillie Dissuas. Vindication Pref, I could no
longer be dumb, but so violented, I at last do open my
mouth. 1678 Sir G. Mackenzie Crim. Laws Scot. \. xxxiv.
§7 (1699) 164 The civil Law in detestation of Force and
Violence, did allow three several Remedies to the person
violented. 1717 Boston in Ace. Li/e {1908) 227, I hope
the Reverend Commission will not violent me, which they
will do, if they transport me to Closeburn. 17*5 Wodrow
Corr. (1843) ill. 179 This matter would., be softly handled;
and the woman and her brother look like cniel and in-
human..people, in violenting the good man in this matter.
re/l. 1730 Boston iT/f/M. (1899) 225, 1 would fain have
caused draw the nail again, but because of one that was
present I restrained and violented myself
b. To compel or force (a person) to {unto, into)
some action or to do something.
1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. xi. xvii. 157 When a great Adver-
sary stepping in so violented his Majesty to a Tryall, that
all was., frustrated. 1660 — Mixt Contempt, xxxvii. {1841)
202 Surely many moderate men designed a good mark to
themselves. . . But query whether, . , in our late civil destruc-
tion, they were not violented to outrun the mark. J710
Blackwell .SVA^wrt Sacrum v. 103 Sin and Damnation
violenting him (as it were) unto the same. 1711 Wodrow
Hist. Suff, Ch. Scot. I. 469 The Procedure of this Period, in i
violenting People into the Declaration. '
3. To bring about (an action) by force or com-
pulsion. rare~^.
1650 R. Gentilis Cofisiderations 53 The free putting him- I
selfe into his hands. . being done willingly, not violented by
any extrinsecall mover.
4. To perpetrate or attempt with violence.
a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Anglesea iv. (1662) 19 This
Bishop Farrar was afterwards martyred in the raign of
Queen Mary. I find not the least appearance, that his
former adversaries violented any thing against him under
that Queen.
6. tntr. To act or rage with violence. rare~^.
The I St Folio reads 'no lessc*.
s6o6 Shaks. Tr. ^ Cr. iv. iv. 4 (Q.), Why tell you me of
moderation? The greife is fine, full, perfect, that I taste,
And violentetb in a scnce as strong As that which causeth it.
Hence t Vi*olented ///. a. Obs.
164s Howell Tivelve Treat. (1661} 9c It reaches to their
VIOLENTLY.
very soules and consciences, by violented new coercive
Oaths and Protestations, c 1643 Observ. on his Majesty's
late Answers 24 A strange violented wrested conclusion
Violently (vai-^lentli), adv. [f. Violent a, +
-LY 2.]
1. By means of physical strength or violence ; by
the exercise of improper or unlawful force ; for-
I cibly. Now Obs. or arc^.
138a WvcLiF Ezeh. xxii, 29 Puplis of the loond . . violentU
rauysheden the nedi man, and tourmentiden the pore man.
<:x4oo Maundev. (1839) viii. oi And there was oure Lord..
! scourged and smytten and vylenllyentreted. c 1440 Jacob's
i Well 16 Be |>is artycle are )>ey vnderstonde acursyd J)at
I stelyn or beryn violently out of holy cherche holy cherch
i good. 15*6 Pilgr. Per/ (W. de W. 1531) 254 How vio-
' lently and without all. .pite they racked that blessed body.
1535 CovERDALE Lev. V. 23 He shal restore agayne that he
j toke violently awaye, or gat vvrongeously. 158a N. T,
1 (Rhem.) John vi. Annotations, Not compelling or violently
, forcing any against their will. 1631 Gouge God's Arrojvs
I II. §7. 142 What is violently or fraudulently gotten, wilbe
lavishly spent. 1695 Ld. Preston Boeth. 1. 32 If thou
hadst rather be thought to have been violently remov'd,thou
hast done thyself this Injury. 1786 Burke W. Hastings
Wks. 1842 II. 108 After he had. .unjustly and violently
expelled the rajah Cheyt Sing.. from his said lordship.
, 1823 Scott Quentin D. xxxiii, To restore the banners of
I the community, which you took violently from the town.
I b. With other than physical violence ; in some
I illegal, unwarrantable, or improper manner.
I i55« T. Wilson Logike (1580) 16 Neither can any Lawe
i bee able, violently to force the inwarde thought of man.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 216 Luther was in dede
condemned at Rome, but his cause not heard, violently
and tyrannically. i6a6 Gouge Serm. Dignity Chivalry % i
The forenamed point, The Dignity of Chivalry, is not vio-
lently wrested, but properly ariseth out of my Text. 1849
, RusKiN Sezi. Lamps iv. § 18. 108 You will infect that form
itself with the vulgarity of the thing to which you have
violently attached it,
2. By or with great or extreme force, strength,
or vigour ; with impetuous or violent motion or
action ; so as to produce a violent effect.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 25 [Jeyh al an oost stood
by |7e pond and torned )?e face thJderward, ^e water wolde
drawe hem violentliche toward ^ pond. ?ai4oo Morte
Arth. 2571 With |>e venymous swerde a vayne has he
towchede ! That voydes so violently J?at alle his witte
changede ! (z 14x5 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula, etc. 54
Som tyme a man is smytyn som party of ^jc legge violently
without wondyng of >e skynne. Ibid. 65 pis (remedy).,
wirkej? no^t so violently as puluis sine pari for |pe vert-
grez (^t entrej? not here. 1495 Trevisa*s Bnrth. De P. R.
XI. xiii, (Caxton) 398 Though a bledder be lygi^te yet it
makyth grete noyse and sowne yf it be strongly btowen
and afterwarde vyolently broken, C153S M. Nisbet /"ro/.
Rom. (S.T.S.) III. 339 The greattest appetite ouircumis
the less, and charyis the man avay vyolently with hir. 1595
Locrine 11. v. 66 The currents swift swimme violently with
blood, 1597 A. M. tr. GuHlemeaus Fr. Chirnrg. 30/2 If
the Arterye be greate, and violently beateth. 1613 Purchas
Pil^image (1614) 351 'Ihe streame shooting violently ouer
their heads without wetting them. 1669 Sturmy Mariner s
Mag. v. xii. 60 At 10 deg. mounture, [the gun] carries the
Bullet violently 248 Paces. 1711 Budgell Sped. No. 161.
P3 An huge brawny Fellow, who twirled him about, and
shook the little Man so violently, that [etc.]. 1750 tr.
Leonardus' Mirr. Stones 132 When it is kindled by fire, it
rarifics, and is violently dilated. 1777 R. Watson Philip II,
XXI. (1839) 449 The ships were driven violently against
each other. 184a Lover Handy Andy xxvi, The bells rang
violently through the house. 1857 Miller Elem. Chem.,
Org. i. 48 The chlorinated derivatives of Dutch liquid are
violently decomposed by potassium, i860 Tvndall Glac.
I. xxvii. 211 The windows shook violently,
3. With great intensity or severity; to a high
degree or pitch ; intensely, severely.
14.. Brut II. 328 Grete. .hetes, & berewit)al a grete pes*
tilens., destroyed & slow, violently & strongly, both men
& wymmen without noumbre. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg.
I. 136 Lest soaking Show'rs shou'd pierce her secret Seat,
Or scorching Suns too violently heat. 17*4 Lond. Gaz.
No. 6306/2 The Small Pox are come out very violently on
the Queen Widow, 1745 Li/e Bav/yide- Moore Carew 34
Violently afflicted with the Sea.sickness. i8oa Arab. Nu,
(1815) II. 172 He wept most violently. 184a Thackeray
Fitzboodle's Pro/ Misc. Wks. 1857 IV. 6 The consequence
was that I became so violently ill as to be reported intoxi-
cated. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xiii. III. 351 The civil
war. .broke forth again more violently than before.
b. In intensive or emphatic use : To a very
great or extreme degree or extent ; very greatly,
powerfully, or strongly.
1601 Sir W. CoKNWALLis Disc. Seneca (1631) 43 It is no
charity to give so violently as to lay waste the maine of an
estate. x6ji Fletcher Isl. Princ. in. i, 1 may be mad, or
violently drunk. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India 1. 1. i. 3 This
splendid fortune had violently attracted the attention of
Lurope. 1845 Dickens Chimes i. f i A great multitude of
persons will be violently astonished. 1869 Eng. Mech. 19
Nov. 224/3 We see it [an ellipse] violently foreshortened.
4. Strongly, in respect of feeling ; with deep
feeling or emotion ; ardently, passionately, vehe-
mently,
1617 Moryson Itin. in. 55 My selfe weary of expecting
companions, and violently carried with the desire to returne
into my Countrey, did all alone . . passe ouer the Alpes. i68a
NoRRis Hierocles 35 Not violently agitated by our domes-
tick passions. 17*6 Swift Gulliver 11. vi, He then desired
to know . . how it came to pass that people were so violently
bent upon getting into this assembly. 1780 Mirror No. 78,
As I was not violently inclined towards literature. 1841
Lane Arab. Nts. I. 90 Upon which the man.. became vio-
lently enraged. 1906 Lit. World 15 Nov. 492/1 Her work
..throws her in contact with a fiery young idealist,, .and
she falls violently in love with him.
VIOIiENTNESS.
5. coUog, In a flashy or showy manner ; * loudly*.
178a Mmk. D'Arblay Diary 15 Dec, She was violently
dressed,— a large hoop, .. ribands and omanients extremely
shown.
Vi'Olentness. ? Obs, [f. Violent a.] The
state or quality of being violent; violence.
169a Sir W. Hope Fencing Master 148 If all that take not
a»-ay the violentness of his Pursuit. 17*7 Bailey (vol. II),
V'ioUniness^ Violence, Korcibleness, Vehemence, Sharpness,
Boistcrousness, Outragiousne;^ 1737 Hracken Farriery
Impr. (1756) I. 24 The Violentness of the Seasons. 1748
Washington JmL 4 Apr.. Writ. (1889) I. 5 ^h'S ^^y «"r
tent was blown by ye violentness of ye wind.
llViolento. Obsr"^ [It. :— L. viohnUts Vio-
lent a.] A violent person ; one using or inclined
to use violence.
ai66t Fuller Worthies, C^"'^*"^^- '• (1662)218 He. .was
no Violent© in the Troubles of Francford, but with all
meekness to his might, endeavoured a pacification.
Violer (vai-jJlaj). Now arch. Also 6 Sc, veolar,
6, 9 violar, 7 vioUer. [ad. OF. violcur (AF.
violour) : see Viol sh^ and -er ^,] A player of the
viol, in early use esp. one attached to the house-
hold of the king, a noble, etc. ; a fiddler.
Chiefly in Sc. use, and frequent in Scottish records and
accounts of the i6th and 17th centuries.
1551 Ace. Ld. Hi^k Treas. Scot. X. 32 To the saidis vlol-
aris to by thame leveray. 1551-a ibid. 67 Be the lordis
compositouris speciale command to my lord governouris
\-eolaris. 1^7 Flemi.sg Contn, HoUnslied III. i^sti/a An
other stateiie pageant, .made by an other companie of the
rhetoricians, called painters or violers. 1617 in 3»rfAV/.
Hist. MSS.Cowm, 413/1 His Maiesties violens that accom-
paneit the saidis knychtis to this burgh. 1678 Sir G. Mac-
kenzie Critii. Laws Scot. w. iv. § i (1699) 185 James John-
stoun Violer, arraignedbefore the Magistraisof Edinburgh.
a i-jzz Sir J. hwa^K Decisions (1759) I. 364 A Violer. .was
serenading in the night-time with his fiddle. 1824 Scott
Redgauntlet let. xii, They have brought another violer
upon my walk ! 1825 — Belrot/ied kkx, I had forgot, .the
distance bet\veen an Armorican violer and a high Norman
baron. 1843 James Forast Days iv, Come, Master Violer,
let us hear the notes of the catgut.
Violescent (v3i(?le*sent), a. [f. L,. viol-a
Viola 1 + -ESCENT. Cf. Violascent (z.] Tending
to a violet colour ; tinged with violet.
1847 Webster. 1893 Vizetklly tr, Zoia's Dr. Pascal 1,
Under the sky of a fiery, violescent blue. 1896 — tr. Zola's
Rome 4 The yellow .sunflashes.. sharply outlined the vio-
lescent shadows.
Violet (vai-iTlet), ^b^ Forms : 4- violet (6
Sc, violat), 4-7 violett, 5-6 vyolet (5 -ett,
wyolet) ; 5-6 violstte (5-6 -ete), vyolette (5
-ytte) ; 5 vyalett, vielet, 6 vilet, 7-9 vi'let.
[In senses 1-2, a. O¥.vioicte,violei(e{mo^.¥. vio~
lette, =■ It. viohtta, Sp. and Pg. violeta)^ dim. of
vioU Viola ^ In senses 3-4, a. OF. violete^ vielcte^
vilette fern., or violet^ vielet^ vilet (mod.F. violet)
masc, of similar origin.]
1. A plant or flower of the genus Viola, esp. K.
odorata^ the sweet-smelling violet, growing wild,
and cultivated in gardens ; the flowers are usually
purplish blue, mauve, or white. a. In sing,
without article or with the.
C1330 Artk- (J- Merl. 3061 Mirie it is in time of June,..
Violet & rose flour Wonel> |?an in maidens hour. 1387
Tkevlsa Higden (Rolls) i. 261 Of (jat hille [the stones]
smelle^ swete as violet, c 1400 Filgr. Sowie (Caxton, 1483)
IV, xxviii. 74 The white lely, the rede rose, the fresshe violet.
c 1440 Palliid. on Husb. i. 1014 In busshis, treen, & herbis
they may fynde Herbe origane, and tyme, and violette.
c i4f8o Henkyson Fables, Lion ^ Mouse iii, The rosis reid
. . and the purpour violat bla. c 1530 Crt. 0/ Lffve ccvi, Eke
eche at other threw the floures bright, The primerose, the
violcte, and the gold. 1589 Gkkene Menaphon (Arb.) 36
There growes. .the cowsloppe, the primrose, and the violet.
1667 Milton P, L. iv. 700 Underfoot the Violet, Crocus,
and Hyacinth with rich inlay Broiderd the ground, a 1718
Pkior Garland i, The Pride of ev'ry Grove I chose, The
Violet sweet, and Lilly fair. 1785 Martvn Lett. Bot, xxxi.
(1794) 477 Antirrhinum, Fumitory, Violet, Impatiens, and
Orchis. 1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. ^tfr/iWsSSTheviolet
is well known to be coloured by a blue matter which acids
change to red. 1855 Kincsley Heroes^ Titeseus i. 199 The
meadows [are sweet] with violet.
b. With a and pi. : A single flower, plant, or
species of this.
C1374 Chaucer Boeih. i. met. vi. (1868) 25 Vif \>o\x wilt
gadre violettz, ne go |7ou not to J>e purper wode whan )Te
feide chirkynge agriseb ofcolde. ^1400 Maundev. (1839)
xiv, 160 Here colour is.. more browne than the Violettes.
14.. Now. in Wr.-Wulcker 712 i/ecviola, a vyolytte. 1483
Catk. Angt. ^Qili A violett, viola. 1576 Fleming Panopt.
Epist. 352 What man is able to affirme, that he euer sawe
the Springtide without Marche Violettes? 1598 Vong
Diana 469 Roses and vilets strewing. 1613 Dekker
Strange Horse Race Ep. Ded , It can bee no shame 10
gather a Violet, growing close to the ground. 1697 Dryden
Virg. Georg. iv. 269 He spoils the Saffron Fl w'rs, he sips
the Blues Of Vi'lets. i7«B-46 Thomson Spring 448 Where
purple violets lurk With all the lowly children of the shade.
1791 CowpEB Odyss. V. 86 Meadows of softest verdure,
purpled o'er With violets. t8ii A. T. Thomson Lond. Disp.
{1818) 408 Violets have an agreeable sweet odour, and a very
slightly bitter taste. 1880 Bessey Bot. 551 The genus
Violn, the Violets, includes about half of the species of the
order.
o. colled. An<\^\. Theplant, or more usually the
flowers, pulled or plucked for use in medicine or
in making confections.
collect, a 1400-50 Stockh. Med. MS. 11 For to makj-n sur-
224
ripe of violet. 14.. Afed. Rec.in Rel. Ant. I. 52 Forthestane:
tak grummel, percel, rede netiil, violet, franken ensens,
and chiristane kirnels. a 14x5 tr. A rderne's Treat. Fistula,
etc. 67 Oile of violette with white of iii. eiren well stired to-
gidre. 156a Turner Herhalw. 164 The violet is better that
IS gathered in the niorninge. 1811 A. T. Thomson Lond.
Disp. (1818) 688 Syrup of Violet.
pL a 14x5 ir. Ardertte's Treat. Fistula, etc. 93 Oile of
violettez may be made in t>e same m-iner. Il/iii., Oile of
violettz. 156* 'i'uKNER Herbal w. 164 Violettes make a man
to slepe, and they are good for the disease of the vuula,
1563 HvLL Art Garden. (1593) 83 The Violets ought espe-
cialTy to be gathered in March, and dryed in a shadowey
place of the aire. 1631 Jordan Nat. Bathes vi. (1660) 41 If
Matthiolus his reason were good, then Roses and Violets,
and Vinegar should be hot. 1718 Ql'iNcv Compl. Disp. 181
Violets. .are in everyone's acquaintance, for their Use in
Medicine. 1736 Bailey Housh. Diet., I'iolets :irco( a. laxa-
tive quality, and are us'd medically in syrups, juleps, con-
serves, oils, &c. 1855 Mayne E-xpos. Lex. 539 losacchar,
..old name for the sugar of violets. 1861 Henti.ey jl/a«.
Hot. 458 The Violets generally, have been used on the Con-
tinent, as demulcent expectorants. 1887 Lady 20 Jan. 38/3
Small cut-glass dishes of pink and white bon-bons, together
with candied violets.
d. Jig^. (Applied esp. to persons.)
141S-S0 Lydc. CAr^«. 'J'roy 111.4380 Somme also.. With
I»e lillye of virginite And violettis of parfit chastite, As-
cendid ben a-boue ]>e sterris clere. 14. . — 'J'o My Soverain
Lady 96 O violet, O flour desiree, Sith I am for you so
amorous [etc.]. c 1440 J 'ork Myst. xxv. 498 Hayll ! vyolett,
vernand with swete odoure. 1593 Shaks. Rich. II, v. ii. 46
Welcome my sonne : who are the Violets now. That strew
the greene lap of the new-come Spring? 1842 Tennyson
Will Waterproof \a,j How out ofplace she makes 'Ihe violet
of a legend blow Among the chops and steaks !
2. \Vith specific epithets : a. Denoting sj>ecies
of ViolUy or varieties of the common violet.
The number of these is very large, and only the older or
more prominent are illustrated here. Tournefort's species
(53 in nil) are enumerated in Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. (1753)
s.v. Viola; later lists may be found in Loudon Kncycl. PI,
(i8-'9-36) i£6 and Johnson Cottage Card. Did. (1852)912-3.
Americian species are given by Gray Man. Bot. (i860, etc.)
and in recent American dictionaries. See also Dog-
violet.
1753 Chambers* Cycl. Suppl. s.v. / iola. The purple "alpine
Violet, with very small leaves, c 1710 Petiver Catal. Ray's
Fng. Herbal Tab. xxxvii, *Bog Violet. 1777 Lightfoot
Flora Scot. (1789) II. nog P'iola A/V/'fl, .."Hairy Violet.
X578-160X *March Violet [see Makch sb.^ 2 b]. X7a8
Bradley Dict.Bot.^.w. Viola, Single March Violets. Jbid.y
Double March Violets, 1731 1\Iiller (Pan/. Diet. s.v. Viola,
Greater hairy March Violet, without SnielL 1^$^ Chambers'
Cycl. Suppl. .'i.v. Viola, The round-teaved *marsh Violet.
1777 X.XGMTVOOT Flora Scot. (iyS<)) I. 506 Viola palnstrts,..
Marsh Violet. 1657 Coles Adam in Eden 175 *Mountain
Violets with jagged Leaves. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl.
s.v. Viola, The great flowered yellow mountain Violet.
1858 Irvine Handbk. Brit: PL 688 Viola lutea. Yellow
Mountain Violet, or Yellow Pansy. 1836- *Neapolitan
Violet [see Neapolitan a. b]. 1856 Delamer Fl. Gard.
(i86t) 106 The *Parma Violet has very light-blue double
flowers. 1880 Miss Kraddon fust as I am xxi, A con-
servatory all abloom with snowdrops and Parma violets.
cx^xo Petiver Catal. Ray's Eng. Herbal 'i'sh. xxxvii.
Yellow *Rock Violet. 1856 Dei.amkr/'/. Card. (1861) 106
Such are the "Russian and the Neapolitan Violets, amongst
the singles. x866 Treas. Bot. 1218 '2 Large- flowered simple
kinds^iT.^., the Russian Violet. 1578 Lvte Dodoens 11. 148
The *sweete Violet is called . . in Latinc Viola nigra, Viola
purpurea. 1785 Martyn Lett. Bot. xxvi. (1794) 405 The
Sweet Violet, that scents the banks, hedges, and borders of
woods. 1853 RovLE Alat. Jifed.(ed, 2) 327 The. .Sweet Violet
. .is found wild on the borders of fields. 1731 Miller Card.
Diet. s.v. Viola, White *s wee t -seen ted Violet. 1831 Davies
A/at. Afed 338 Sweet Scented Violet. Viola odorata. 1597
Gicrarde Herbal -jo^ The vpright Pancie is called. . Viola
assurgens, ..Tricolor, that is to say .Straight, or vpright
Violet 'three coloured. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v.
Viola, The mountain three coloured Violet, or pansie, with
variegated flowers. Ibid., The *tree Violet, with blue and
white flowers. Ibid., The yellow-flowered tree Violet. 1851
Clknnv Handbk. Fl. Card. 164 The tree-violet is a double-
flowered, dark variety, which, if kept trained to a single
stem, acquires the appearance of a miniature tree. 1846-50
A. Wood Class-bk. Bot, 178 Viola tricolor. *Tricolored
Violet. Pansey. Heart's-ease. 1597 Gerakde Herbal 700
Vioia caniria syluestris. Dogs Violets, or *wilde Violets.
1731 Miller Gard. Diet. s.v. Viola, Wild or Dogs Violet.
C1710 Petiver Catal, Ray's Flng. Herbal Tab. xxxvii.
Hairy *Wood Violet. 2829 Loujjon Encycl. Plants 186
Viola sylvestris, wood violet. 1903 Wcstm. Gaz. 19 Feb.
4/2 Such pretty toques of wood violets are coming over
from Paris ! 1597 Gerarde Herbaljoo Viola inartia lutea.
*Yellow Violets. 1657 Coles Adam in Eden 175 Yellow
Violets of Virginia. 1796 Withering Brit. PI. (ed. 3) 11.
263 Viola lutea. Yellow Violet or Pansies-
b. Applied to plants of other genera, as bulbous^
tlog^s tooth, false, rock, toothed violet.
See also I'og sb} 3, Calai hian a.. Corn sb.^ 11, Dame's
Violet, Guernsey, Marian j<^.' 2, Mercury j^. 11, Queen
sb. 14 c, Rai'E sb.^ 4, Water sb.
1597 Gekarde Herbal 120 Viola Bulbosa, or 'bulbed Vio-
let. ..In English we may call it the *lJulbose Violet. 1578
Lyte Dodoens liv. 216 White *bulbus violet. 1633 John-
son Gerarde's Herbal i. Ixxxviii. 149 Touching thelaculties
of these bulbous Violets we haue nothing to say. 1688 R.
Holme Armoury 11. 66/2 The bulbous Violet ;..the Flower
hangeth down its head. 1760 J. Lee I/itrod.Bot. App. 331
Violet, Bulbous, Galanthus. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 835 The
Toothed Violet, or after some *Dogs tooth Violet, is com-
monljj called Dentaria. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App.
331 Violet, Dog's Tooth, Erythronium. 1846-50 A. Wood
Class-bk. Bot. 253 Dalibarda repens. * False Violet. x866
Treas. Bot. 1218 '2 "*Kock Violet, ChrooleP'is yolithus.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 85 In number of leaves this floure
passeth the *Sea-violet aforesaid, which never exceedeth
five. 17*5 Fam. Diet, s.v., Mr. Cbomel particularly dis-
tinguishes them into two sorts, viz, the Sea-Violet, or our
VIOLET.
Lady-Glove, and March-Violets. 1657 Coles Adam in
Eden 333 Some have called the yellow Lupine 'Spanish
Violets, ..and. .Virginia Roses. 1597 Gerarde HerbalS$2
Of "toothed Violets, or Corallwoort^. i7a8 Bradley Diet.
Bot. S.V., Dentaria, ,. 'loothed Violets, and Coral-Wort.
Ibid., Buib-bearing toothed Violet.
3. Cloth, dress, or vestments of a violet colour.
Not always clearly separable from next.
1380 in Test. Karleol, (1893) 139, j cote de violett. az4oo
Sir Degri'v. 625 Sche come in a vyolet. With why^the perl
ovtrfret. c 141s Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 696 And where
be my gounes of scarlet, . . Grenes also, and \i^ fayre violet ?
1483 in R. Davies K?r>feA'^t-. (1843) 142 The aldermen shalbe
in vielet & the xxiiij^' in blew, a 1513 Fadvan Chrou.
vir. 523 He was mette with the prouost of y* marchantys
with a company of XV. C. hor.se, y*^ cylezynsbeyngcladde in
whyte and vyolette. c 1580 in Eug. Hist. Rev. July (1914)
520 In every tene clothes you muste have ij li^ht popengaye
grenes, ij light violettes, ij light skye coUers, ij azars and ij
Blewes. 1598 Stow Sun'. 130 The Maior with, .the Alder-
men are accustomed to be present in their Violets at Paules,
on Good Friday, and in their Scarlets., at the Spittle in
the Holy daies (except Wednesday in Violet). 17J1 C. King
Brit. Merch. II. 96 What is become of our noble Manu-
facture of Plunkets, Violets, and Blues, formerly made in
Suffolk? 1849 Macaulay Hiit. Engl. x. II. 599 He was
well pleased that, in his own palace, an outcast . . should, as
king of France, dress in violet on days of court mourning.
1889 Pater G. de Latour (1896) 29 The mass said so
solemnly, in violet, on Innocents' Day.
4. A purplish blue colour resembling that of the
violet ; a pigment or dye of this colour.
Partly a substantival use of the adj.
a 1400-50 Alexander 4336 Nouthire to toly ne to taunde
transmitte we na vebbis, 'i'o vermylion ne violett ne variant
littis. £^2400 Maundev. (1839) xiv. 160 Here colour is licbe
Vyolet. c 1475 Fromp. Parr, 5io(K.), Violet, coloure, viola-
ceus. 1604 E. G[rimstone] D' A costa's Hist. Indies i\.x\\\\.
284 There are other kindes which they call gilleflowers of the
Indies, the which are like to a fine orange tawnie vellet, or
a violet, a 1641 I'-i'. Mountacu Acts ^ Mott. (1642) 367 Of
the same stufTe and colour that the Stole was of, that i.s, of
a violet inclining to red. 1688 R. Holme Armoury \\. ix.
(Roxb.) 382/1 Cassocks of fine scarletted murrey (which is
violett), 1730 Bailey (fol.), Purple, . .a red Colour, border-
ing on Violet. 1796 H. HuNTEK \x. St,- Pierre's Stud Nat.
(1799) I, 543 More than one Churchman considers violet as
the most beautiful of colours, because his lUshop wears it.
1815 Stephens Shaw's Gen. Zool. IX. i. 56 The whole
plumage is of a beautiful blue green, changing in certain
lights to violet, 1852 Thackeray Esmond ii. 11, I think I
never saw such a beautiful violet as that of her eyes. 1884
Marq. Dufferin in Lyall Life (1905) II. 64 A tremendous
thunderstorm had.. dyed Olympus and his adjoining peaks
with the deepest, blackest violet.
5. a. attrib., in various senses, as violet bank,
-bed, breath, a-own, family , flower , etc.
Sometimes Jig., as violet-virtue, or in fig. context. The
city 0/ the Violet Crown, Athens (after Gr. ioaTt'^ai-ti,
'Affiji'ai, used by Pindar and Aristophanes).
1801 SouTHEY 'i halaba vii. xiii, 00 on a *violet bank l"he
Arabian Maid laid down, Her soft cheek pillow'd upon
moss and flowers, a 1822 Shelley Triumph Life tz Violet
banks where sweet dreams brood. 1853 Hickie tr. Aristoph.
(Uohn) I. 267 The *violet-bed beside the well. 1862 Mere-
dith Mod. Love xl, 'J'he *violet breath of maidenhood.
1834 Macaulay Ess., Pitt (1897* 308 Pitt.. loved England,
as an Athenian loved the City of the *Violet Crown. 1851
Mrs. Browning Casa Guidi Wind. 37 Was the violet
crown that crowned thy head So over-large. .It slipped
down? 1877 MoRLEY Crit. Misc. Ser. 11. 385 A thrill like
that which the. .sight of the dear city of the Violet Crown
moved in an Athenian of old. 1849 Balfour Man. Bot.
§768 Violacex, the * Violet Family, a 1400-50 Alexander
1539 He castis on a Cape of kastand hewes,..A vestoureto
vise on of *violet floures. X598 Florid, VioHna, a little
violet fiowre. 1620 Vennfr Via Recta vii. 147 Of Violet
flowers with sugar, there is made a Conserue, and also a
Syrupe. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v. Vioia, Violet
flowers, fresh gathered, are emollient, and gently purga-
tive. 1814 Scott Ld. Isles vi. ix, When beams the sun
through April's shower. It needs must bloom, the violet
flower, 1658 Rowland tr. Moufefs Theaf. Ins 908 Grape-
honey, Bean-honey, Lilly-honey, *Violet-honey, &c. 1728
Chambers Cycl., Populenm,..^x\ Unguent prepared of the
Buds of black Poplar, *Violet Leaves, Navel-wort [etc.].
1857 Henfrev Bot. §416 Violacex. The *Violet Order.
182s Shelley Chas. I, i. 46 Nor leave the broad ..and
btaten road. .For the * violet paths of pleasure. 1611C0TGR.,
Vioiier,..s. *VioIet root or plant. J728 Chambers Cycl.
s.v. Oil, Palm Oil [is], .a thick unctuous Liquor, of a yellow
Colour, and a *Violet-smell. 1804 Med. Jrnl. XII. 230
The flowers have a violet smell, a 1814 Intrigues of a Day
I. i. in New Brit. Theatre I. 76 Ihat may soon 1 e washed
away. Only a little milk of roses, or *violet soap, and all
will be well. 1828 Miss Mitford Village S^r. 111. {1863)
J17 Here 1 used to come almost every morning, during the
*violet-tide. 1862 Goulbukn Pers. Relig. 11. iv. I. 261 Here
is the bosom-adder of vanity colled up in the *violet.tuft of
humility. 1628 Feltham Resolves 11. vi. 12 It may seenie
strange, .that such a poore *vioiet Vertue [sc. humility]
should euer dwell with Honour. 1620 Venner Via Recta
vii. 125 If there be neede of cooling with Rose, or •Violet-
water and Sugar.
b. In adj. combs., cliiefly instrumental, as violet-
crowned., -embroidered, -garlanded, -imvoven,
-scented; also violet-hued, -like, -sweet.
1837 B. D. Walsh Aristoph., Adiamians 11. vi, The en-
voys.., in order to cheat your Assemblies, Would call you
all ' *violet-crowned '. 1869 A. R. Wallace Malay A re hip.
I. 366 A beautiful violet-crowned dove. 1637 Milton
Comus 233 In the *violct imbroider'd vale Where the love-
lorn Nightingale Nightly to thee her .sad Song inourneth
well. 1836-48 B. D. Waish Aristoph., Knights v. i. He
is dwelling now in ancient and fair :ind "violet-garlanded
Athens. 1867 Miss P>RADnoN R. Godwi?i i. There were no
tears in the large *violet-hueti eyes. 1S20 Shelley Frometh.
Unb. IV. 107 Two runnels of a rivulet, Between the closs;
moss *violet -in woven. Have made their path of melody.
VIOLET.
i8j^ Greenhouse Cot»p. 1. 107 Purple ''violet-like flowers on
coriaceous roundish leaves. 1840 Mrs. Norton Dicam 238
The *violet-scented lanes — the warm south-wall. 1859
Geo. Eliot A. Bede xii, An afternoon in which destiny. .
poisons us with violet-scented breath. 1851 Mrs. Brown-
ing Casa Guidi Wind. i. 411 Like some new bee-swarm
leaving the old hive, Despite the wax. .so *violet-sweet.
C. With vbl. sbs., as violet farming, -plucking^
'poisonings setting. »
fi44o Pallati. on Husb, (1896) 268 Vioiette settyng in
Feuerer. 1833 T. Hook Parson's Dau. i. i, Daisy-picking
and violet-plucking [were now] the only pursuits she really
loved. 1896 Westm. Gaz. 28 Oct. 8/2 The aljove case of
violet-poisoning. 1902 Daily Chron, 17 July 6/3 Rose
culture, violet farming, bee-keeping, or poultry rearing.
6. Special Combs.: f violet-apple, a violet-
scented sort of apple; violet-blind d., colour-
blind as regards the violet rays of the spectrum ;
heiice violet-blindness ; f violet-pear, a violet-
scented sort of pear ; violet-powder, a variety
of toilet-powder; YitncQ violet -poxoder \h. \ f vio-
let tables, lozenges made from violets and sugar ;
violet tree ;?) ; violet-wood, {a) kingwood ;
{b) the wood of the Australian Acacia pendula ;
{c) the wood of Andiraviolacea, a tree of Guiana ;
violetworts, Lindiey*s name for the Violace:^.
1664 in Evelyn Pomona 47 Herefordshire affords several
sorts of Cider-apples, as. .the Gennet-moyle, the Summer.
*vio!et or Fillet,and the Winter-fillet. 1676 Worlidgf. Cyder
163 The Violet-.AppIe is of a most delicate aromatick taste.
1894 Abnev Colour Vision (1895) 70 The kind of colour
that these colour blind imagine as white, wliether they bo
red-, green-, or *vioIet-b!ind. Ibid. 73 So far I have only
met with what appears to be one genuine case of "violet
blindness. 1683 Evelyn A*a/. Hor(.{cd.-j) 104 ''Violet-pear.
Petworth-pear, otherwise called the Winter- Windsor. 1858
SiMMONDS Diet, Trade, *l'ioiet-pozvder, powdered starch
or flour scented, used, .to powder the skin. 1859 Habits 0/
Gd. Society 1. 114 The use of violet-powder after shaving, now
very common ... is one that should be avoided. 1876 Miss
Brouchton yoan vi, She has, however, violet-powdered
her fresh cheeks. 1620 Venner Via Recta vii, 147 There
is.. made of Violets and Sugar, certaine Plates, called
'Violet Tables, which are very pleasant to the taste. 1878
H, M. Stanley Dark Cont. II. ix. 281 Vou may also see
here[fc. Rarundu] the Strelitja vagina, or the wild banana,
or the *violet-tree, and the oil-berry tree. 1698 T. Fboger
yay. 129 Letter-wood (as they call it) and that of * Violet, .,
are very common in that country. 1843 Holtzapfkel
Turning I. 89 King-wood, called also Violet-woocl, is im-
ported from the Brazils. x8sa [see Myall ^J. 1866 Treas.
Bot, 1218/2. 1846 Lindlev I'eg. Kiug.i. 338 The *Violet-
worts are di.-itinctly de5ned by their definite stamens,
tVi-olet, sb:^' Obsr-^ [ad. It. violetta^ dim. of
viola \'iOLA ^.'\ (See quot. and cf. Violette.)
s688R. HoLMKArwoury in. xvi. (Roxb.) 58/1 The Violet
or Violin, a diminitiue of the viol, being a very small Instru-
ment, yet in all respects answereth to the forme of the
Treble Viole in the body.
Violet (vai'tXIt't), a. Also 4-6 violett, 5 vyo-
let(te, vyelett, vlalet, 6 violitt. ^a, OF. violet j
vielet, villet (naod.F. violet') adj. : see Violet sb.\
Cf. It. violetto, Pg. violete.l^
1. Having the colonr of violets ; of a blue or
blaish-purple colour.
In early use only of woven fabrics.
1370 Bjiry IVills (Camden) 5, j violett toga, c 1440 Promp,
Parr'. 509/2 Vialet, yn colowre, violacens. 1464 Maldon
(Essex) Court Rolls Bundle 40, No. 6, ii togas blewe et
yyolette, i dobelet. c 1481 Cely Papers (Camden) 202 Item
iij stykkes of tarny sateyn or els vyelett sateyn of Bruges.
i5»4 l^incoln IV'ills (1914) 1. 130 S. violitt reband with silver
aglyttes. 1544 Knaresborough Wills (Surtees) I. 34 To
Agocs Gill my violett kirtell. 1575 ^'f' ^*'^'^y. Council
Scot. III. 195 Thre single pandis, freinyeit with violet silk.
ci6ao MoRVSON Itin. iv. v. i. (1903) 438 Next rode some
20, of the Pope's Chamberlayns and cheefe officers, cloathed
in gownes of violett Cloth. i8ir Sir H. Daw Cheni.
Philos. 223 The luminous particles at the violet end of the
spectrum. 1857 Miller F.lem. Chem., Org, viil 537 Boiling
nitric acid colours it violet, i88f Marq. Differin in Lyall
Life (1905) II. 64 Directly fronting you, risesa magni5cent
violet stretch of mountain.
b. Qualifying colour^ hue, tint^ etc.
CX400 Maundev. (Roxb.)xvii. 80 Men find dyamaundz of
violet colour. 1548 Cooper Elyot's Diet., Violarius, he
that dieth violet colour. i6ox Holland Pliny II. 621 There
is not one of these Ameythysts, but it is transparent with
a Violet colour. 1622-3 Essex Archdeaconry Depositions
Bk. (MS.) 27 Feb. 26 One cloake for a man made of broade
cloath and of a violett couler. 1648 Hexham ii, Pen Vio-
lette venve, a Violet Dye or colour. 1706 London & Wisk
Retir'd Gard. I. ix. 41 The Maugeron is [a plum] of a
Violet Colour, large and round. 1750 tr. Leonardits' Mirr.
Stones 79 The carbuncle brandishes its fiery rays, of a vio-
let colour, on every side. 1800 tr. Lagrange's Chem. I. 419
Hydrogen gas alters the colour of bismuth, and gives it a
violet tint. 1834 J. Forbf.s La^'nnecs Dis. CAM/(ed.4)4D5
The lung . , was of a violet hue, soft and flabby, a 1878 \V,
Carleton Farm Ballads (1893) 84 The squire swore oaths
of a violet hue.
O. Qualifying names of other colours, as violet
blacky bhtey etc
In later use frequently hyphened (cf. next), and in some
cases (esp. violet-blue) also repr. the sb, used attrib.
17x8 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Red, In Limning, and Fresco,
for a Violet Red, .. they use a natural F.arth found in Eng-
land. 178a Latham Gen, Syn. Birds 1. 11. 754 The quills
of a violet brown. 1819 Stephens Shaw's Gen. Zool.
XI. I. 3 The wings.. are of a fine deep violet-blue. 1843
Florist's Jrnl. (1846) IV. iii Flower-spike producing three
to four flowers, and very handsome, of a beautiful violet-
purple, 188a Garden 17 June 418/1 The petals.. bordered
with violet-crimson.
Vol, X.
225
d. Forming adj. combs., vls violet- black j 'blue,Gtc.
Many e.vamples occur in Shaw's Ge?t. Zooh
1697 Drvden Virg. Georg. iv. 394 From one Root the
rising Stem bestows A Wood of Leaves, and Vi'let-purple
Boughs. i«3 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v. Star-zvort^ The
tall hairy New England aster with very large violet-purple
flowers. xSoa Shaw Geu. Zool. III. n. 423 Violet-black
Snake, with the abdomen and sides crimson. 1819 Stephens
I/'id. XI. I. 59 The upper parts of the body [are] violet-red.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 746 The whole liquid
assumes a very strong and fine violet-blue colour. 1887 W.
Phillips Brit. Discomycetes 70 Hymenium violet-brown;
juice violet.
2. a. In names of varieties of fruits or plants, as
violet clover ^ maize f plum, etc. Also ellipt.
1706 London & Wise Retir'd Card. I. 147 The Fourth
ikind is} the Violet* Fig. Ibid., The Violet ripens per-
fectly well. « 172a Lisle Husb, (1757) 379 A violet-plum,
a standard,.. which is a plum that does not cleave fiom
the stone. 1725 Fam. Diet. s.v. Plum, The Violet Dam-
son or Maugeron Plum. 1760-72 tr. Juan ^ Ulloas V'oy,
(ed. 3) II. 140 They first pulverize the cochineal by grind-
ing, and after mixing four ounces of it, with twelve of violet
maize, they form it into square cakes. 1786 Abercrombie
Arrangem. 13 in Gard. Assist, Cherry plum, Violet plum,
Apricot plum, i860 Hogg Fruit Mnn, 72 Figs. ..Skin
dark. Flesh red. ..Early Violet, Malta. Ibid. 251 Purple
Gage (. .Violet Gage). 1867 Chambers's Eneycl. IX. 803/2
The Violet Moss {Byssus Iolithus),.yiisis formerly in use as
a popular remedy for feverish cutaneous eruptions. 1890
Times 22 Sept. 4/2 The cut of violet clovers in France is not
likely to be large,
b. In names of birds, insects, etc., as violet
beCy cormorant^ crab, creeper^ heron, etc. ; violet-
ear, one or other species of the genus Petasophora
of humming-birds ; violet-fly, an artificial fly
used in angling ; violet-tip, an American butter-
fly (see quot.).
Latham's names are repeated in Shaw's Gen, Zool.
(181 1-26).
1845 Eneycl. Metrop. XIV. 153/1 A *violet bee, which
they now sent offifrom the balloon], flew quickly away with
its usual humming noise, c i88a Cassetl's Nat. Hist. V.
367 'I'he Violet Carpenter Bee {Xylocopa violacea) . .'in-
habits the south of Europe. 1785 Latham Gen. Synop,
Birdsm. 11.600 *Violet Corvorant...This bird is said to be
wholly black, glossed with violet. 1826 Stephens Shaw's
Gen. Zool. XIII, i. 86 Violet Cormorant, Phalacrocorax
violaceus. 1774 Golds.m. Nat. Hist. (1824) III. 86 The
* Violet Crab of the Carribec Islands. 1895 Pall MallG.
26 July 2/3 The much advertised land-crabs are precisely the
same 'violet crab ' . . found on similar tropical islands. 178a
Latham Gen. Synop. Birds I. n. 705 *Violet. Creeper. 1861
Gould Trochilidae IV. PI, 223 Brazilian *VioIet-ear. Ibid.
PI. 226 Mexican Violet-ear. 1887 R. B. Sharfe G«ulds
Trochilidx Suppl. V, PI. i Petasophora Germaua, Guiana
Violet-ear. 1676 Cotton Walton's Augler 11. vii. (1874) 253
A fly called the *Violet-Fly; made of a dark violet .stuff;
with the wings, of a grey feather of a mallard. 1787 Best
Angling {fifX. 2) 101 The Violet fly. ..Dubbed with dark
violet stufT, and a little dun bear's hair mixed with it. 183a
LvrTON Eugene A. i. Ix, The old Corporal .. busily em-
ployed in fixing to his line., what anglers.. call tho' violet-
fly , 18x5 Stephens .9/iaw'f Gen. Zool. IX. 11. 249 *Violet
Grosbeak, with a streak above the eyes. 1785 Latham
Gen. Synop. Birds III. 1, 97 *Violet Heron,, .of a blueish
black, glossed with violet. 1788 Ibid. I. n. 756 *Violet
Humming Bird;. .the whole head, the neck, back, breast,
and belly, of a violet purple. 1864-5 J. G. Wood Homes
ivithout H. iv,I(i868) 88 The * Violet Land Crab of Jamaica
{Geearcinus rurieola) is the most familiar of these creatures.
183a J. Rennie Consp. Butterfl. ^ M. 205 The *Violet
Pygmy i^Microsetia violaceella). Wings;.. first pair deep
black, with a tinge of violet. X785 Latham Gen. Synop.
Birds III. 11. 600 *Violet Shag. Violet Corvorant. x^
Baibd Cycl. Nat, Set. 307/2 Jauthina. The "Violet Shells.
—A genus of molluscous animals belonging to the class
Gasteropoda. X845 Gosse Oeean vii. (1849) 343 The *Vio
let-snaif (yofithina/ragilis),. .\j\\Qse shell. .is of a pearly
white above, and beneath violet. 1873 Dawson Earth .V
Man iv. 76 Those singular molluscous swimmers by fin or
float known to zoologists as violet-snails. 1783 Latham
Gen. Synop. Birds II. 11. 574 *Violet Swallow, ..general
colour of the plumage deep blue, reflecting violet in different
tints. Ibid, i, 222 'Violet Tanager, . .colour of the plumage
a deep violet. Ibid. 57 *Violet Thrush,.. the whole plum-
age of a changeable violet blue, x88x S. H. Scudder
Butterfiies 167 The most conspicuous case [of dimorphism]
is in the largest, the *'Vio\ct-Tip{Polygoniainterrogatiouis),
where the two forms were once universally considered dis-
tinct species.
o. With names of minerals, etc.
1796 KiHWAH Elem. A/in. (ed. 2) II. 280 Violet Cobalt ore.
1830 De la Beche Rep. Geol. Cornwall, etc, xv. 497 The
violet rock crystal, or amethyst, seems scarce. 1867 Cham,
bers's Eneycl. IX, 803/2 VioletStones, . .certain stones found
upon high mountains, as in Thuringia. ..which, in conse-
quence of being covered with.. Violet Moss, emit a smell
like that of violets. 1871 Routledge's F.v. Boy's Ann. June
335 Violet ebony is used for making inlaid chairs.
3. In parasynthetic combs., as violet-eared,
-headed, -hooded, -horned, -ringed, etc.
178a Latham Gen. SynoA. Birds I. 11. 767 *Violet-Eared
Humming Bird ;. .beneath theears, is a very splendid violet
spot. 1898 Daily Ne^vs 12 Feb. 6/3 Violet-eared waxbills,
African firefinches, black-crested yellow bulbuls. X78a
L.\THAM Gen. Synop, Birds 1, 11. 718 "Violet- Headed
Creeper, Certhia violacea. 1815 Stephens Shaw's Gen.
Zool. IX. I. 8 Violet-headed Curucui (Trogon violaceus).
1847 Tennvson Princ. 11. 354 With .scraps of thundrous
Epic lilted out By •violet-hooded Doctors. x8aa Hortus
Augl. II. 10 "Violet-horned Poppy. 1880 A. H. Swinton
Insect Variety 4 A "violet-ringed Oak Eggar caterpillar.
x8ai Shelley Fpipsych.(x)Axi thou not. . A *violet-shrouded
grave of WoeV a i8aa -^ Death Adonis 4 Wake *violet-
stolcd queen, and weave the crown Of Death. 1786 Aber-
crombie Arrangem. 77 in Gard. Assist. ^ White, "violet
VIOLIN.
striped [tulip]. X803 Shaw Gen. Zool. IV. ii. 382 Violet-
striped Acanthurus. Acanthurus Sohal. X78a Latham
Gen. Synop. Birds I. ir. 754 *Violet Tailed Humming Bird.
i8iiShaw Geu. Zool. VIII. 1.208 "Violet-throated Creeper.
Certhia affinis.
Violet (vai-Jlet), v. [f. Violet sb> or «.]
1. trans. To tin^e with a violet hue.
x6a3 tr. Favine's 'J heat. Hon. i. iv. 35 For the Noble
Kings of France mourne in Scarlet violetted. 183a [R,
Cattermole] Beckett, etc. 192 The sea, Yet darklier vio-
leted, almost frowned With splendor. X855 Meredith
Amazing Marriage v, One flank of the white in heaven
was violetted wonderfully,
2, intr. To gather violets,
18x3 Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life {1870) I. 226 To.
morrow I shall go violeting, 1827 Mrs. Hemans in H. F.
Chorley.il/ew/. (1836) 1. 151 Having accompanied you again,
and again, as I have done, in ' violetting and seeking for
wood-sorrel, 1873 Argosy XVI. 270 How delightful was
that day among the Kentish Downs! We began it by
violeting in the woods.
Violet-coloTired, a. [Violet j<$.i or «.]
Having the blue or bhiish-purplecolourof a violet.
155^ in Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., Var. Coll. IV. 221 The
xlviij and other onneste men in violet collord gownes. 1653
H. CoGAN tr. Pinto's Trav. Ixxii. 253 Six or seven pieces
of Violet coloured Damask. X671 Woodhead St. Teresa
II. 276 A longer Coffin in fashion of a Tomb was provided,
which they covered with violet coloured Silk. 1781 Mor-
timer Husb. (ed. s) II. 244 The Violet coloured Tulip
striped with White. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v. Star-
ivort. The broad-leaved paniculated aster with deep violet-
coloured flowers. 1800 Herschel in Phil. Trafis.XC. 516
A violet-coloured glass . . stops 955 rays of light. 1857 Miller
Elem. Chem., Org. vii. § i. 447 The liquid, .deposits beauti-
ful violet-coloured prismatic crystals. 1886 Yv^o\:x>^ Oceana
ii. 27 Looking round us and down into nothing but the
violet-coloured ocean.
Violetish (vai-JletiJ), a. [f. Violet sh?--^
-ISH.] Somewhat violet in colour.
x87X Routledge's Ev. Boy's Aun. June 359 A grey partak-
ing of a violetish tone. 1906 Westm. Gaz. 24 Feb. 16/3 Its
flesh is a violetish black or a blackish violet, overrun by a thin
network of white veins.
Viole 'tte. rare^^. [ad. It. violetta.} = Violet
sb/'i
1884 Haweis My Musical Life I. 239 The smaller viols or
violettes of the seventeenth century fell into violins.
Violety (vai'^eti), a. [f. Violet .f^.i + -y.]
Of or belonging to violets; more or less violet in
colour.
183X Keightlev Mytlwl. Anc. Greece ^ It. 399 His
mother called him lamus, Violety. 1891 T. Hvrdv Tess
(1900) 06/2 Dark eyelashes and brows, .. and large eyes
violety-oluey.blackish.
Violin {y^\divny val'^in), sb. Forms : 6 vio-
line, 7 vyoline, viallin, 7- violin, [ad. It.
violino (Pg. violinOf Sp. violin)^ f. viola Viola 2,
Of. ViOLON.]
1, A musical instrument in common use, having
four strings tuned in fifths and played with a bow ;
a fiddle.
In general structure the vIoHn is composed of a resonant
box of elaborately curved outline, and a neck or handle
from the end of which the strings are stretched over a bridge
to a tail-piece.
X579 Spenser Sheph, Cal., April 103, 1 see Calliope speede
her to the place, where my Goddesse shines : And after her
the other Muses trace, with their Violines. 15B9 R. Harvey
PI. Perc. (1590) 6 Then were it high time for. .all Peace.
Makers, to put vp their pipes, or else in steed of the soft
violine, learne to sound a shrill trumpet, x6o8 B. Jonson
Masques Wks. (1616) 964 The first [dance] was to the Cor-
nets, the second to the Vyolincs. 16x8 Bolton F'lorus
(1636) lis Some excellently pleasing lesson plaid upon soft
winde-instruments, or Violins. 1^0 Pepys Diary 6 Mar.,
I played upon a viall, and he a viallin, after dinner. iTxr
Steele Sped. No. 258 f 4 Violins, Voices, or any other
Organs of Sound. X756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) II. 10
Orpheus or Amphion in bronze, playing upon a violin. 1843
LvTToN Zanoui i. j, He was not only a composer, but also
an excellent practical performer, especially on the violin.
1884 Haweis My Musical Life I. 237 The violin is not an
invention, it is a growth.
trans/, 1670 Lachard Cont. Clergy 62 People. .pre-
sently phanst'd the Moon, Mercury.and Venus to be a kind
of violins or .trebles to Jupiter and Saturn.
b. With distinguishing terms.
160X B. JoNsoN Poetast, iii. iv, Come, we must haue you
turne fiddler againe, slaue, 'get a base violin at your backe.
c 1670 Wood Life (O.H.S.) I. 212 Before the restoration
of K. Charles 2 and especially after, viols began to be out of
fashion, and only violins used, as treble-violin, tenor and
bass-violin. 1685 Plavford {title), The Division- Violin :
containing a Collection of Divisions upon several Grounds
for the Treble. Violin. J7a8 Chambers Cycl. h.v., The Word
Violin, alone, stands for Treble Violin. Ibid., The Counter.
Tenor, Tenor, or Bass-Violin. 1888 Eneycl. Brit. XXIV.
245/1 The tenor violin, in compass a fifth lower than the
treble violin, appears to have preceded the latter.
C. To play first violin^ to take the leading part.
(Cf. FiDiiLE sb. I b.)
1780 Mme. D'Abblav Diary May, [He] seemed to think
nobody half so great as himself, and. .chose to play first-
violin without further ceremony.
2. One who plays on the violin ; a violinist.
1667P1 pvs /^/rtr>'2o Feb., They talked how the King's
viallin. Bannister, is mad. c 1670 Wood Life (O.H.S.) I.
485 Thomas Baltzar, one of the violins in the king's service.
1690 J. Jacksom Let. to Pepys 25 Dec, Corelli the famous
violin playing, in concert with above 30 more. xS^^ Penny
Cycl. XXVI. 346/3 At the early age of twenty he was
chosen to fill the situation of first violin in the royal chapel
of Turin. 1878 Miss Fothekgill {title). The First Viofin.
29
VIOLIN.
3. A variety of organ-stop, rarc^,
1688 [see Viol si>.^ 3J.
4. ait rib. and Conth,, as violiit-boio, -case, class ,
family y etc; violin-maker^ -niakitig^ -player \
violin hike, -s/iapeii adjs.
1858 SiMMONDS Diet. Trade^ *yu>lin'b<nv^ a bow strung
with horse-hair, for playing on a violin. 187S Knight
DUt. Mtch. 3711/1 The Hindus claim to have invented the
violin-buw. 168^ Lorn/. Oaz. No. 2041/4 Lost.., a black
Leather •Violin-Case, with a Violin in iu 1840 Dickkns
O/J C. Shi*p xxxiv. She might as well have been dressed ni
a viuUn^jase. 1864 Esgel Afns. Anc. Nat. S6 Two other
Hindoo instruments.. belonging to the *violin class. 1876
Stainek & BAKRKTr Diet. Afus. Terms 449/1 *l lolmclef,
the G clef placed upon the first line of the slave. 1865 J.
HtxLAH TraKsitton Perioti Music 34 Of these instruments
it would easily be found that incomparably the most im-
portant were the •Violin family. 1837 Penny CycL VIII.
19S/1 Crulh,..a. musical instrument of the 'violin kind.
■884 'Edna Lvall' l^e Tivo xix, *Violin-like sensitiveness
of nature. 1683 Loiui. Gaz. No. 1862/8 Mr. Aguttar, "Vio-
lin-Maker in the Strand. 1843 Penny CycL XXVI. 346 The
same author [M. Otto] also gives the names of many German
violin-makers. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 27 11 /a Antonio
Stradivarius.. stands, by common consent, at the head of
all viol in -makers. Ibid.f The art of *violin-making.. ap-
pears to have reached its culminating point in the produc-
tions of the Cremonese school. 1861 Adams jooo Mns.
Terms lo&Coriievtxiiie, in "violin music, indicates the open
string. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 2712/1 *Violin-piano^
. . a form of the pianoforte patented . . in England by Todtl.
1865 Baring-Gould Werewolves ix. 137 A *violin-player,
who .. confessed to thirty-four murders. 1888 Encycl.
BrU. XXIV. 242/2 uote^ *Violin rosin is called in French
colophane. i86a Catal. Intemat. Exhid., Brit, 11. No.
5433, "Violin school for joint practice of the elementary and
advanced classes. i8oa R. Hall Elem. Bot. 158 Panduri-
iorxxi, P^intluri/ormis, * violin-shaped. 1841 Spalding Italy
<V It. Isl. III. 160 Among the manufactures, those of the
fiw^ arts, leather, and "^violin -strings, are alone industriously
practised. 1871 tr. Schellens Specir. Anal, App. 433 The
motion of a point near the end of a violin string. 1884
Thompson Tumonrs of Bladder ^■z A very small ecrajeur,
with violin-string ligature. 1843 Penny CycL XXVI. 346
A lyre, or lute,.. may be considered .. as the parent of all
instruments of the 'violin tribe.
Violin, V. rare. [f. prec]
1 1. trans. To entice by violin-playing. Obs.-'^
1713 Gentl. Instructed {,^6.. 5) i. Suppl. iv. p. xlii, Wasnot
Madam V/. plaid out of her Reputation, and violin'd into
a Match below her Quality ?
2. intr. To play the violin ; fig.^ to play a lead-
ing part,
1895 Meredith Amazing Marriage xxx, How does he
enjoy playing second fiddle with the maid while Mr. tall
brown-face Taffy violins it to her ladyship?
Hence Violining vbl. sb.
1899 Daily News 15 Feb. 5/2 The songs.. and the violin-
ing -all perfect in their degree.
Violin, var. Violine *.
llVioli'na. C/iem. [-tnaI.] = next.
1836 S.MART. 1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 293
Viofina..is more soluble in water. .than emetina. 18^3
Penny CycL XXVI. 345/2 The principle on which this
property seems to depend has been separated by_ Boullay
from some species of Viola, and has been called VioHna.
Violine ^ (vai-fSlain). Chem, Also -in. fa. F.
violine^ f. viole Viol i + -ink 6. Cf. prec] A
bitter emetic principle found in the common violet.
1831 J. Davies Man. Mat. Med. 338 An alkaloid prin-
ciple, nearly related to emetine, discovered by M. Boulay,
who has called it Violine, i86x Bentlky Man. Bot. 458
The emetic property is due to a peculiar alkaloid named
violiney which greatly resembles, if it be not identical with,
emetine. 1887 Bucks Handbk. Med. Sci.V. 490/2 Viola
odorata contains a gastric irritant called violin.
Violine^ (vai-tJbin). Chem. [f, L. viol-a
Viola i + -ike s.] A violet-blue colouring matter
or colour. Also attrib.
i8«D D. G. Price in Repertory Patent Invent, (i860)
XXXV. 159 The colouring matters I produce embrace
shades of purple and pink. Three of these I name respec-
tively, ' violine', * purpurine ', and ' roseine '. x86i Cham-
bers's Encycl. III. 721/2 Violine is very slightly soluble in
water, is readily dissolved by alcohol. 1903 Daily Chron.
31 Oct. 8/4 Green is a dye that has receded from the aflfec-
tions of the smart, while violine is one that is equally
ascending the scale of success. Ibid. 5 Dec. 8/4 A model in
violine beaver, trimtned with a plume to match.
:h a plume to matcn.
■^ [f. Violin j^.] Violin-
Vi'olinism.
playing.
1844 H. F. Chorley Music <5- Manners III. 61 Royalty
thus did its part in fostering a school of vioHnlsm.
Vi'Olinist. Also 7 violinest. [ad. It. (also
Sp.) violinista^ f, vioUno Violin sb. Cf. F. violon"
isU.'\ A player of, or performer on, the violin.
c 1670 Wood Life (O.H.S.) I. 274 Nathaniel Crew, M.A.,
fellow of Lina Coll. ; a violinist and violist, but alwaies
played out of tune. 1696 Aubrey Misc. xii. 98 Mr. Davys
Mell (the famous Violinist, and Clock-maker). 1773 Phil.
Trans. LXIII. 270 Our ablest violinists concivecl that it
was too difficult to be performed. 1845 E. Holmes Mozart
121 A natural surj}rise that., the most striking acquirements
of ^reat players in our own time should be found in a vio-
linist of that early date. 1888 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci.
VI. 36 Violinist's cramp may attack the right hand which
holds the bow, or the left hand which fingers the strings.
1899 Allbutt'i Syst. Med. VIII. iz, I have been informed
that in violinists.. the bow arm is always considerably
lunger than the left arm.
• Violist (vai-^ist). [f. Viol ^<^.1 + -ist.] A
,player on the viol. (Also as the title of a book.)
^1670 Wood Life (O.H.S.) I. 274 He was a violinist, and
the two former vioUsts, a 1699 B. Helv (title\ The com-
226
pleat Violist, or An Introduction to the Art of Playing on
the B.1SS Viol. 1705 PhiL Trans. XXV, 2069 Upon these,
a Sonata was perform'd by those two most eminent VioHsts.
a 1734 North Lives I. 13 He outdid all his teachers and
i>ecaine one of the neatest violists of his lime. 178a Buhnkv
Hist. Music (1780) II. iv. 266 The Minstrels, .were at all
times the best Violists of their age. 1894 Daily Ne7us 5
Feb. 5/3 A large viol, so large that a boy was placed inside
to sing the air while the violist played the bass.
VioU, obs. form of Vial sb., Viol sb.
Violon (v3i'<)flf5h). Also 6 violan, -and, 7
-ent, vyolon, phialon. [a. F. violon (i6th c.)
violin, or (in sense 2) It. violone bass-viol. Cf. Sp.
violon violoncello.]
f 1. A violin. Also, a violinist. Obs.
a. issa Honseh, Exp. Princess Eliz, 38 in Camd. Misc.
(1853) I!, Paid in rewarde unto sondrie persons at S. James,
her grace ihen beyng there—, .to the warderobe, xl.s. ; the
violans, xl.s. 1594 Plat Je^vdldio. \. 39, Were it not, . . I
coulde finde in my hearte to commauiide the Violands to
cease. 1610 Guillem Heraldry iv. vi. 200 Hee beareth
guies, three treble violents transposed argent strini^ed sable.
0. 1593 Drayton Eclogues iii. 113 Tune the Taber and
the Pipe to the sweet violons. i6oa Cakrw Cornivall 139 b,
He could not only turne, and make Virginals, Organes,
Vyolons, ..but also tune, and handsomely play vpon them,
1603 in \Qth Rep. Hist. MSS. Cooim. App. I. 32 Gifin to a
sat of phialonis when they played at my chamber dor, xls.
1606 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iv. Tropheis 436 In Argos
the chaste Violon For's absent Soveraign doth grave-sweetly
grone.
2. A variety of organ-stop.
i8sa Seidel Organ 108 Violon.. is one of the finest and
most common pedal-registers. 1876 Hiles Catech. Organ
ix. (1878)63 ViolonoT Violone, Double Bass. .\n open flue-
stop; the tone is penetrating and fine, in imitation of the
Double Bass.
Violoncellist, [f. next + -iST.] One who
plays the violoncello.
1835 G. Hogarth Musical Hist. 423 As a violoncellist,
Lindley has, for many years, been unrivalled, x88x Macm.
Mag. XLIII. 435 It chanced on one occasion that the vio-
loncellist\ instrument did not arrive.
II Violoncello {\^\d\')i\5Q-\oj a\c-\o\ vtxdX^n-
tje'lo). Also 8-9 violincello. [It. violoncello,
dim. of violone : see Violon. Hence also Pg.
violoncello, Sp. -celo, F. -ce/le.']
1. A large four-stringed instrument of the violin
class; a bass violin. Cf. 'Cello.
a. t^t^S/iort Explic. For. Wds. in Mus. Bks., Violon-
cellot IS a Small Bass Violin, just half as big as a common
Bass Violin, in Length, Breadth, and Thickness. 1741 Fr.
Barsanti mtle), A Collection of Old Scots Tunes, with the
Bass for Violoncello or Harpsichord. 1795 Mason Ch.
Mus. \. 73, I know and confess that this ana the violon-
cello are the most perfect of all stringed Instruments. 1867
TROLLOPECArt?//. Barset II. xlix. 55 Of all the works of his
life this playing on the violoncello had been the sweetest to
him. i88z C. A. Edwards Organs 149 If the bass siring of
a Violoncello be vibrated, other sounds besides that proper
to the string may be detected.
^. 1773 Barrington in Phil, Trans. LXIII. 271 note, Mr.
Zeidler, who plays the violincello at Covent-Garden theatre.
1797 Mrs, Berkelev Poems G, M. Berkeley p. ccccxii, Dr.
Berkeley was esteemed the finest gentleman-performer on
the violincello in England. 185a Dickens Bleak Ho. vi,
Mr. Skimpole could play on the piano and the violincello.
2. An organ-stop having a tone similar to that
of a violoncello.
1876 Hiles Catech. Organ ix. (187S) 63 Violoncello, an
8 feet stop, resembling in construction the Violone.
3. attrib. and Comb., as violoncello bow^ player,
species.
x8i8 Blaquiere tr. PanantCs Resid, Algiers 267 The
arabebbah, of the violincello species, with one string. 1888
Encycl, Brit. XXIV. 246/1 One of his best violoncello bows,
which are rarities, was recently sold in Paris for j£44. 1899
Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 12 In the violoncello players who
perform solos, .there is very great strain.
Hence Violonce'lloing///. a.
1830 Miss MiTFoRD Village Ser. iv. {1863)266 C)ne fluting
brot'her ; one fiddling ditto ; a violoncelloing music-master ;
and a singing papa.
II Violone (yiAo-ne), [It., f. viola Viola 2.]
The double-bass viol.
Also as the name of an organ-stop: see Violon 2.
1784 Short Explic. For. IVds. in Mus. Bks., Violone^ isa
very large Bass Violin, or Double Bass. 1730 Treat. Har-
mony 35 This Error is daily run into, by giving Divided
Basses to be play'd on the Violone or Double Bass. 1824
Mechanic's Mag. 31 July 335 Having made a violin, a viola,
and a violoncello, I have long since conceived the idea of
making a violono [j:V1, or double bass also. 1865 J. Hullah
Transition Period Music 118 Those Gothic abominations,
the violin, the viola, the violoncello, and the violone. 1873
H. C. Banister Music 221 The Contra-basso, or Double-
Bass (also termed Violone), is the largest of the stringed
instruments.
t Violous, irreg. variant of Violent a.
16*3 Fletcher & Rowley Maid in Milliw. \, Fro. The
. .Count shall pay for it 1 Gil. You are so violous.
Violnrate (vai^liua-r^). Chem. [f. Violur-ic
a. + -ATE 1 c] A salt produced by the action of
violnric acid on a base.
x868 Watts Diet. Client. V, looi Hydurilic acid is warmed
with water and nitrate of potassium, whereby deep-blue
vrolurate of potassium is formed. Ibid. 1002 Violurate of
Ammonium.
Violuric (v3i^liu»'rik), a. Chem, [f. Viol(kt)
+ Ubic a.] Violuric acidy an acid produced by
the action of nitric on hydurilic acid.
1866 Odling Anim. Chem. 128 Baeyer has increased the
list of compounds by bis discovery of pseudo-uric acid,..
VIPEB.
and the violuric and barbituric acids. 1868 Watts Diet.
Cltem. V. looi Violuric acid crystallises in shining, yellow-
i>h, rhombic octahedrons.
t Viorne, Obs.~^ [a. F. viorne (16th c.) :— L.
vllmrna, pi. oi viburnum.'] The wayfaring-tree.
1637 Holland Camden's Brit. 421 inter vibuma Cu-
pnssus, that is, the Cypresse-lree amongst the Viorncs
[1610 among smal twigges].
Vipa*rlous, app. a mistake or misprint for
vivacious * tenacious of life ',
1849 LvTTON Caxtons XII. ii, .\ cat the most viparious is
limited to nine lives.
Viper (vai'pai). Also 6 vyper, vypar, vepor.
[a. OF. vipere^ vipre (mod.F. vipere,^ Vx. viper a,
vipra, vibra fem., vibre masc.,Sp.and 1'^. vibora^
It. vipera) or ad. L. vipera viper, snake, serpent,
contracted from vlvi-pera, f. vivus alive, living,
and parere to bring forth. See nlso Wiveb.]
1. The small ovo-viviparous snake Felias bents
(formerly Coluber berus or Vipera communis),
abundant in Europe and the only venomous snake
found in Great Britain ; the adder ; in general
use, any venomous, dangerous, or repulsive snake
or serpent.
The flesh of the viper was formerly regarded as possessing
great nutritive or restorative properties, and was frequently
used medicinally.
1516 TiNDALK Acts xxviiu 3 When Paul had gaddered a
boundle of stickes. And putt thein into the fyre, a viper (be
cause off the heet) creept out. 154S Brinklow Lameut.
116 The vypar aboue all other ..serpentes is most fullest of
poyson. 1551 Turner //*■; (^a/( 1 568) i.Bv,Garlyke..helpeth
tlie bytyng of a veper. 1583 Gbef.ne Mamiliia 1. Wks.
(Grosari) II. 74 The Elephant being enuenomed with the
Viper, eateth him vp, and is healed. 1616 Bullokar Eng.
Expos., Viper, a venemous serpent in some hot countries
lying much in the earth, hauingashort taile, which gratetli
and maketh a noise as he goeth. 1634 Pkacham Compl,
Gentl. (ed. 2) xii. 109 Some mortals also are kiiowne by their
cognisances, as. .Cleopatra by a viper. 1697 Dkvden Viig.
Georg. III. 629 With that rank Odour from thy Dwelling-
place To drive the Viper's Brood, and all the venom 'd Race.
1750 tr. Leonardus' Mirr. 67o«cs- 65 The proper virtue of
the Sicilian is, to subdue the poison of vipers. 1769 Pen-
nant Brit. Zool. III. 17 Vipers are found in many parts of
this island. 1805 Binglev Anim. Biog. (ed. 3) III. 95 The
Viper is the only one, either of the Reptile or Serpent tribes,
in Great Britain, from whose bite we have any thing to fear.
1857 Borrow Romany Rye App. ix. The duty of the true
critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.
trans/. EiTi^ Jig. 1535 Jove ApoL Tindale 24 .\t not these
the venomouse tethe of vepers that thus gnawe a nother
mannis name? 1555 Kuen Decades {Xrh.) 193 'these blind
and swalowyng sandes, the Spaniardes caule Vypers : And
that by good reason, bycause in them many shyppes are
entangled. 1606 Shaks. Tr. 4- Cr. iii. i. m^ Hot bloud,
hot thoughts, and hot deedes, why they are Vipers, is Loue
a generation of Vipers? 1713 Waterland Serm. Assizes
Cambr. 13 Special care therefore must be taken to find out
this lurking Viper [sc. piidej in our Bosoms, and to cast it
far from us. 1819 Scorr Ivanhoe xxvii. Then comes remorse,
with all its vipers, mixed with vain regrets for the past.
b, ZooL Applied with distinguishing terms to
other species of the genus Vipera^ the sub-order
Viperina, or snakes resembling the common viper.
For Itomed, pit, red, sand, water, yellow viper, see those
terms.
1736 Mortimer in PhiL Trans. XXXIX. 25^ Vipera
fusca : the brown Viper in Virginia. In Carolina it is
called the Truncheon-Snake. xw Catesbv Nat. Hist.
Carolina (1771) II. 44 The Black Viper . . is short and thick,
of slow motion. Ibid, 45 The Brown Viper, .is. .in length
about two feet, and large in proportion. tj'jZ Encycl. Brit.
(ed. 2) III. 2t^/i The Vipera, or common viper of the
shops. . . It is a native of Egypt, and other warm countries.
180S Shaw Gen, ZooL III. n. 377 Egyptian Viper.
Ibid. 382 Swedish Viper. 1834 M^Muktbie C«2/iVrV^«/wi.
Kingd. 185 Viplera] brachyura, Cuv. (Ihe Minute Viper.)
1843 Penny CycL XXVI. 347/2 Variegated Viper— that
described by Mr. Bell from Hornsey Wood. 1845 Encycl.
Metrop.XA.y. 1099-1101 [Various species]. x86x Hulme
tr. Moguin-Tandon 11. v. i. 250 The Vipera Berus (DaudJ
or Small Viper (Coluber Ammodytes, Linn,). x88x Nose-
horned viper [see Viperling].
C. ZooL One or other of the snakes belonging
to the genus Vipera, of which the common viper
is the type, or to the family Viperidse.
The vipers were formerly classified (following Linnaeus)
under the order Coluber, from which they are now separated
(cf. quot. 1834). The Viperidae form one of the four families
into which the suborder Viperina (or Solenoglypha) is now
divided.
180S Shaw Gen. ZooL HI. ti. 364 The species (of Coluber]
differ greatly in size and habit, according to their respective
tribes; some, as the Vipers, having large, ftattish, and sub-
cordate heads, with rather short than long bodies and tails.
1834 McMurtrie Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 185 The vipers,
most of which were confounded with the Colubers by Lin-
nffius, on account of their double sub-caudal plates, require
to be separated from them from the circumstance of theu-
having poisonous fangs, c x88a Cassell's Nat. Hist. IV. 311
The Vipers ( Viper ida;)..hsiVfi a large broad hea<L a vertical
and long pupil in the eye, and the top of the headis covered
with very little plates and scales.
2. yff . A venomous, malignant, or spiteful person ;
a villain or scoundrel.
In some quots. the influence of sense 3 or 3b is perceptible.
Ixsa6 Tindale Matt. iii. 7 He sayde vnto them : O genera-
cion of vipers, who hath taught you to fle from the ven-
geaunce to come?] 1591 (jkeene Conny Catch. Wks.
((^rosart) X. 39 These villanous vipers, vnworthy the name
of men, base roaeues,.. being outcasts from God, vipers of
the world. X607 Shaks. Cor. iii. i. 265 Where is this Viper,
That would depopulate the city, & be eucry man himself?
VIPER.
1613 J. Taylor (Water P.) it-'aUr/ntns Sidf Wks. (1630)
173, I will regard such Vipers and their slander ho little,
that their malice [etc.]. 1649-4 Vicars God in Mount (1844)
149 That most mischievous Viper of our Church & State
too, Mathcw Wren Bp. of Elie. 1693 Drvden Juvenal \\,
8j6, I (she confesses) in the Fact was cautiht; I'wo Sons
dispatchingt at one deadly Draught. What Two, Two
Sons, thou Viper, in one day? 1S19 Shf.llev Cenct i. iii.
165 Cenci {to Beatrice), 'I'hou -painted viper! Beast that
thou art I Fair and yet terrible ! 183a Warren Diary
I. ate Physic. II. ii. 85 ' Cannot this infamous scoundrel [>e
brought to justice?' I inquired. * If he were, he may
pf ovc, perhaps, not worth powder and shot, the viper ! ' 1846
ftlRS. A. Marsh Father Darcy II. iv. 85 *What a genera-
tion of vipers ! ' thought he, ' what a hydra brood of op-
pressors I' 1850 Mabsden Early Purit. (1853) 403 The
seditious carriage of some vipers of the lower house.
3. Jn other figurative or allusive uses: fa. In
allusion to the supposition that the female viper
was killed by her young eating their way out at
birth. Ohs.
Cf. Pliny NaU Hist. x. Ixn. 82.
1601 B. JoNsoN Pottaster v. iii, Out viper, thou that cat'^t
thy parents, hence I 1608 Shaks. Pen 1. i.64, 1 am no viper,
yet I feed On mother's flesh which did me breed. "
b. In allusion to the fable of the viper reared
or revived in a person's bosom : One who betrays
or is false to those who have supported or
nourished him ; a false or treacherous person, Cf.
Snake sb. 2 a.
Partly after the similar L. uses, in sinu7<iperam habere
(Cicero) and viperam nutricare sub nla fPetronius).
1596 Edward Iff, i.i. 105 Degenerate Tray tor, viper to the
place Where thou was fostred in thine infancy, a x688 Bp.
S. PARKKRin H. Coleridge AVrM./F^rM/t^f (1852)1.68 Ten-
derness and indulgence to such men were tonourish vijjers in
our bowels. X689 Muses Fareiv. to Popery zZ Ev'n thy Royal
Patron was not spar'd..O stiangc return to a forgiving
King, But the warm'd Viper wears the greatest Sting. 1749
Fielding Tom Jones xvin. viii, He is the brother of that
wicked viper which I have so long nourished in my bosom.
i8ai-s Shfli.ev Chas. /, 11. 214 Mark the consequence of
warming This brood of northern vipers in your bosom. 1911
RiKRR Ld. llclland I. iii. 164 The Newcaslles had been in
terror lest they had raised a viper in their midst.
4, (ittrib. and Comb. a. Comb., as viper-cttrUd^
-haunted^ -hemied^ -viotdhed^ -nourished adjs. ;
viptr-catcher, -hnHUt\ -hunling.
4X1593 Mablowk Ovid's Elegies rii. xi. 26 Our verse great
Tiiyu»i a huge space out-spreads. And gtues the viper curled
Doggc three heads. 1607 Topskll Eour-f. Beasts 526 If it
happen that .any man chaunce to light vpon these Viper-
nourished hlindc-Donnise. 170a R. Mi:ad Poisons 29 Our 1
Viper-Catchers have a Remedy, . . in which They do place . . I
great Confidence. 1774 lioLosM. Xat. Hist. (1776) VII. log .
The seeming rashness of one Tozzi, a viper-catcher. 1801
Shaw Gen. kool. III. 11. 465 Viper-headed snake. Colul'er i
yiperinus. 1804 //vV. V. i. 120 Viper-mouthed Pike. Esox j
Stofuias, 1843 Peitny Cycl. XXVI. 549/1 In Kngl.ind
these reptiles were caught with a cleft or forked stick, which
the viper-catcher drove down immedLitely behind the head,
1851 Borrow Lnvengro iv. When a person is timid in viper-
hunting he had better leave off. Ibid.^ Kesides Ijeing a
viper-hunter, I am what they call a herbalist. 1904 W. M,
Gaixichan Fishing Spain 102 These viper haunted spots.
b. Simple atlrib., as viper bite^Jat^Jlesh^grottp,
kindy oily spirit, virus.
1711 IJailkv, Viperousy of the Viper kind or l>elonginp to
Adders. ■ 1754 Bartlet Gentlem. Farriery Index, Viper
bite, how lo l>e treated. 1767 Go«x:h Treat. Wounds 1. 199
Viper oil or fat, which shou'dI>e fresh, is a sovereign remedy
against the stinging of bees. .and other venomous insects.
1776 G. White Selbome 20 April, This little fry [of fifteen
vipersj issued into the world with the true viper spirit about
them. 1S43 /Vwwv O'tV. XXVI, 349/1 Pliny, Galen, and
others pr.iise the efficacy of viper flesh in the cure of ulcers
(etc.). 1870 fjii.i,MORE Ir, Eigitier's Reptiles ^ Birds ii. 88
Such are the terrible weapons of the Viper group, 1891
'Son of Marshrs' On .Surrey Hills 61 Viper-oil,. you
would find in all the woodmen's cottages. 1894 Daily
Netvs 8 Feb. 5/4 By heating some viper virus at a tempera-
ture of 85 degrees Centigrade.
o. With intensive force (passing in later use into
adj.), = Venomous, extremely bitter, viperous.
■591 Svi-VKSTKR Du Bartas i. vi. 05 York and Lancaster,
Ambitious broachcrs of that Viper- War. 1605 fbid.j Sonn.
Late Peace xxviii, All the tempests of our Viper- Warrc.
1788 Burns I^oeVs Progr. 30 Viper-crtlics cureless venom
dart. 1876 Sir E. M, Thompson t'hron. A. de Usk 221 'J he
viper rate of Ixjmlardy, split up into Guelphs and Ghibel
lines. 1899 Miss B. Harraden Fowler 75, I can't abide
the little viper man. /bid. 83 He don't like that little viper
gentleman any more than I,
6. Special combs., as vii>er-broth, broth made
from vipers, or in which a viper has been boiled,
formerly supposed to possess nutritive or invigor-
ating properties: viper-fish, a deep-sea fish of
the family ChaulioJonlidm, csp. Chaitliodus sloani
{Cent. Did. 1S91) ; viper-gourd, an East Indian
climbing gourd, Triihosanthes colitbrina, remark-
able for its Ugliness {Treas. Bot, 1866;; viper-
grass, =" viper's grass ; also atlrib, ; viper-jelly
(cf. viper-brolh) ; f viper-mouth (see quot. and
cf. viper-fisk alx)vc); f viper-stone, = Serpen-
tine sb. 3 ; viper-weever, the lesser weever,
Trcuhinus vipera; viper-wine, wine medicated
by an extract or decoction obtained from vipers,
formerly drunk on account of its supposed restora-
tive or vitalizing properties; f viper- worm, «
Viper i.
1707 Floveb Phjtsic. Puite-Watch 327 Hunted Venison,
227
Stale Meats, "Viper Broths, or Wine. 173a Arulthnot
Kult-s 0/ Diet in Aliments^ etc. i. 509 Viper-broth is both
anti-acid and nourishing. 1843 Fenny Cycl. XXVI. 349/1
'rhe lingering belief in the wonderfully invigorating quali-
ties of ' viper broth ' is not yet quite extinct in some places.
1656 J. Smith Pract. Physick 238 Topicals must be Specifical
Resolvers, as *Viper.grasse. 1711 C Cleve tr. Cmvleys
J'lants III. C's Wks. III. 347 Viper-grass, full of a milky
Juice Good against Poison. 1757 A. Cooper Distiller m.
XV. (1760) 1 70 Of Viper-grass ten Ounces. 1771 Eticycl. Brit.
III. 102/2 A decoction tnade of barley,.. viper-grass root,
and liquorice. 1796 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 232
Wall Viper-grass, /bid., Common Viper-grass. 1863 Prior
Brit. PI. 234 yipcr-gr ASS,.. Scorzonera edulis. 170a R.
Mead /'m(»«j 34 Jhe Patient ought to eat frequently of
* Viper Gelly; or Broth. 1743 Catesbv Nat. Hist. Caro-
li'ia{iy7i) II. J jg n/era Ji/ar/»a, the *Viper-Mouth. This
Fish is eighteen inches in length. f^i,B Phil. Trnns.\L.
442 Speaking of the Serpentine or *Viper-Stone, he relates
a very extraordinary Accident. 186^ Col'ch Brit. Fishes
II. 48 The * Viper Weever, however, is common on most of
the shores of Britain and Ireland. 1631 Massinger Beleeve
as You List IV. i, Your *viper wine, So much in practise
with gray bearded gallants, [is] But vappa to the nectar of
her llppe. 1631 Quarles //ist. Samson Wks, (Grosart) II.
149/2 Their Viper-wines, to make old age presume To feele
new lust, and youthfull flames agin. 1745 Emza Heywood
FemuleSpect. No. 12 {1748) II. 292 Lady Frolick pouring a
glass of viper wine down his throat. z8oa Shaw^^w. Zool.
in. II. 372 Galen .. relates very remarkable cures of tliis
disease [sc. elephantiasis] performed by means of viper wine.
1896 Academy 28 Nov. 448/3 The legend that I_-ady Digby
died of drinking viper-wine, 1591 Sylvester /)>( Bartas
I. vi. 199 'I'h' innammel'd Scorpion, and the "Viper-worm,
iS9» — Tri. Faith iv. v, The deadly sting of th' ugly Viper-
Worm.
b. Si^ecial collocations with z'iper^s, forming
names of plants, as viper's bugloss, the plant
Echium vulgare or a variety of this; viper's
grass, a plant of the genns Scorzonera, esp. S^
hispanica ; f viper's herb, viper's bugloss ; vi-
per's plant, viper's grass.
1S07GERARDE //erhal II. cclxxii. 658 *Vipers Buglosse, or
wall Buglosse. 1678 Phillips (ed. 4), Vipers Buglosse, a
•Solar herb, the roots and seeds whereof are Cordial and
Kxpellers of Melancholy. 1698 Petiver in Phil. Trans.
XX. 402 In Texture very much resembling our Vipers
Bugloss. 1777 Jacob Catal. Plants 33 Echium angHcum,
Knglish Viper's Bugloss. Echium vnlgare. Vipers Bug-
loss, 1840 /'Vtfr/f;V7r«/. {1846)1, 106 .\ flinty soil nourishes
the Three-leaved Speedwell and the Viper's Bugloss. 1869
KusKiN Queen 0/ Air % 87 It [the serpent spirit] enters into
ihe forget-me-not, and the star of heavenly turquoise is
corrupted into the viper's bugloss. 1597 Gerarde Herbal
It. ccxlii. 596 There be diuers sorts of plants conteinedvnder
the title of Viperaria, Scorzonera, or "Vipers grasse. i6b9
Parkinson Paradisus 301 This Spanish Vipers grasse hath
diuers long, and somewhat broad leaues. /bid., 'i his purple
flowred Vipers grasse hath long and narrow Jeaues. 1718
< )zEM. tr. Toume/ort's I'oy. 1. 174 A Flower of an inch and
half diameter, yellow, like that of the common Vipers-grass,
184J J. B. Kraser Mesopot. ff Assyria xv. 359 East of
Mosul, a species of vipers' -grass, .abounds, and affords a
plentiful nutriment, 1^5 Oelamer Kitchen Gard. (1861)
32 Scorzonera, Viper*.s-Grass, or Spanish Salsify. 1597
CiERARDB Herbal 11. cclxxii. 659 It is called. .in English
vipers Buglosse, Snakes Buglosse, and of some *vipers
herbe, and wilde Buglosse the lesser. 1884 tr. De Candolles
Orig. Cultivated I"* I. 45 Scorzonera hispanica-.-wn'^ for-
merly supposed to be an antidote .igainst the bite of adders,
and was sometimes called the *vipt;r's plant.
Hence (chiefly in nonce-use) Vi'poran, fVipeT-
eal, t Vi'perod, Vlpo'rian adjs,^ of or pertain-
ing to a viper ; viperinc, viperous ; Vipe'rifornt
a., having the form of a viper ; viperinc.
1877 Talmage Serm. 338 The acid of a soured life, the
'viperan sting of a bitter memory. 1748 Phil. Trans.
XLV. 662 Hence perhaps the *vipereal Venom ..may
derive its Force. 1560 Fitzwilliam /.et. in Fronde Hist.
A"'/f-. (1863) VIII. lb There was not under the sun a more
craftier "vipercd undermining generation. x866J. \\. Rosi:tr.
Ovid s Met. 115 And Perseus triumphant homeward brings
*Viperian spoils, <: i88a CnssclCs Nat. Hist. IV. 301 The
poisonous Snakes are divided into two groups — the ' Viperi-
form Snakes and the Venomous Colubrines.
+ Vi'peral. ObsJ~^ [ad. L, vlperdi-iSf f. vipera
VirKR.T A medicament derivftd from the viper.
»7i6 Nl. Davies Athen, />rit. II. 552 The great Pox which
can scarce ever l>c cur'd without Viperals or Mercurials.
t VipereOUS,«. 0/'j.~' [f. L. t'f/^^r^-Kf (hence
It. vipcreo)^ f. Vipera Viper: see -ecus. Cf.
ViPERious rt.] Viperous, venomous.
In the first cjuot. after Ovid Metam, iv. 490 ; in the second
translating Virgil Atneidwx. 349-51.
c i6jo Rohinson Maty Magd. 547 A dreary hagge of
Acheron . . in the palaces of Pleasure stood, Shakinge y« frie
of her vipereous brood, /bid. 565 And one vpon y« wretched
mayd shee slunge, That ..glided on her brest with gentle
h.a.st, And there vipereous cogitations plac't.
Vi'pereSS. z-^/-^. [f. Viper -j- -ess,] A female
viper. In quot.y?^.
1647 R. Stapvi.ton Juvenal 102 But Pontia did confesse,
* My sons I would have poyson'd '. Viperesse !
Vi-perine, j/'. » n/r^. [f. Vipek + -i.ne 5.] (See
quot.)
i86t HuLMi: tr. Moqutn'Tandon ii. v. ii. 204 Prince Lucicn
Bonaparte has shown that the poison of the Viper consists
essentially of a principle to which he has given the name
Echidnine or Viperine.
Viperiue (v;*iperMn, -^in), a, and sb.^ Also
S -in. [ad. L. vtperiU'US (hence OF. viperin^ I''.
vip^rin, It., Sp., and Pg. viperiito), f. vipera
Viper : see -ine i.]
1. Resembling a viper or that of a viper ; having
VIPER-LIKE.
the nature or character of a viper ; venomous,
viperous; viper-like. Chiefly in fig. or allusive
use (cf. Viper 3).
a i55o/w/a^(r HyPocr. \\. 291 in Skelton's Wks. (1843) II.
426 H is county pallantyne Haue coustome colubryne, With
codes viperyne And sectes serpentyne. 1604 R. Cawdrky
Table Alph. (1613), Viperine, like a viper, or of a viper.
1648 E. Simmons Pre/, to Wodenote's /lerm. Theol. A 8 b,
If ever the Title of Rex diabolorum was rightly applyable
to the King of this land, 'tis since ttie viperine birth of these
miscreants. 1657 J. Sergeant Schism Dispach't 22 Lingua
viperea I Viperine tongue ! 169; Evri.vn Numism. ix. 299
Cssar Borgia's Viperine Aspect. 1716 M. Davies Athen.
Brit. II. 150 Of all the Poetick Salts,., the Satyrical {is] most
Viperin and Piercing, the Kclogist and Idilian the most
Country.wise and Native. 1873 /^outledge^s Vng. Gent I.
Mag. ^\x\\e 401/ 1 He [a grass-snake] raised himself up in
true viperine fashion.
+ b. Jig. Of glosses (see Viper 3 a). Obs.
1647 Tbapp Comtn. Matt. v. 22 Our Saviour, .taking away
their viperine glosses that did eat out the bowels of the
text. 1648 Commoner's Liberty 18 Had he any other way
to weaken what must of necessity be inferred from them,
but by such ^'iperine glosses.
c. Of persons.
165a Gaule Magastrmn. 362 Archilocus, a viperine satyr-
ist, and not onely so, but a petulant obscure poet. 1716 M.
Davies At/un. Brit. II. 'lo Rdr. 40 Implacable Enemies of
the most invenemated Viperin, or rather Draconick kind,
who are .. continually gnawing and corroding the very
Bowels. .of the Church of England. 1845 Hkowning /.ett.
{1899) I- 48 A viperineshe-friendof minewho, I think, rather
loves me, she does so hate me. X903 Times 16 Dec 11/5 The
convention of the virtuous heroine and the viperine adven.
turess.
2. Of or pertaining to a viper ; obtained from or
natural to vipers.
1608 TovsvAA. Serpents 286 They [tortoises] eate Origan,
for that herbe is an antidote against Viperine poyson for
them. 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. x. ^47 Viperine
Medicines are good in the Itch and Leprosie. 170a R.
Mead J'oisons 33 'I'he main Efficacy of the Viperine Flesh
is to quicken the Circle of the Blood. 1728 C'hambi-.us Cycl.
s.v. Kyi^r, The Virus, .proves a nimble Vehicle to carry the
Viperine Spicula almost every where suddenly. 1851 W. J.
Bkodekip Z-^arri />". Note Bh. Nat. [1852) 224 The viperine
remedy had classical authority for its ministration. 1904
Brit. Med. Jrnl. 17 Sept. 670 These two being examples of
mixed colubrineand viperine poisons.
3. Zooi. Of snakes : Resembling or related to the
common viper ; now spec, belonging to the suborder
Viperina {Soknoglyphd).
1803 Shaw Gen. Zool. III. 11. 355 Viperine Boa. Boa
I 'iperina. 1870 Gii.lmore tr. Fign/er's Reptiles <V Birds ii.
41 His Venomous Colubrine Snakes have certainly a much
nearer resemblance in other respects to the Colu bridal than
they have to the Viperine Snakes, /bid, 47 The Viperine
Snake (Tropidonotus j^iperinus). . .Thhis the smallest of all
the European Colubridx. 1887 Gunther in Encycl. Brit.
XXII. 191/1 'i'he poison of Viperine snakes invariably
destroys its coagulability.
4. sb, Zool. A snake belonging to the Viperina.
1887 GiJNTHKR in /Zncycl. Brit. XXII. iqt/i In the other
venomous snakes (Viperines and Crotalines) the maxillary
bone is very short, /bid. 798/2 The Death Adder ..differs
from the other Viperines in having the poison-fang perman-
ently erect.
t Viperious, a. Obs. rare. [f. Viper -f -lous.
Cf. Vii'EREui s (7.] Viperous, venomous. Hence
t Viperionsly adv, Obs.~^
C15S0 Treat. Galannt (i860) 12 If ye beholde the gal-
auntes progenye vyperyous That out of France be fledde.
1538^7. Papers Hen. K///(i834) III. 2 He made there.. a
comment on the saide letter,, .with souch a stomake, as 1
thinke the three mouthed Cerberous of Hell coulde not have
uttered it more viperiously. a 1670 Hacket Abp. Williams
I. (1692) 92 Our viperious countrymen, the English Jesuits
in France, . .retorted that argument upon us.
Vi^erish. (vai-perij"), a. [f. Viper + -ish.]
1. pg. Venomous, viperous, spiteful.
1755 Smollett Quix. (1803) II. 40 Tell me, you viperisli
scoffer, what you think hath won this kingdom? i860 W.
Collins Wom. White in. narr. W. Hartwright vii, She cast
one viperish look at me as I entered the hall. 1880 Miss
liRAPDON Just as I am xlv, He listened to her viperish
speech. 1889 Spectator 14 Dec. 839 All sorts of characters,
from the most malignant and \iperish to the noblest and
most self- forgetful.
2. Somewhat resembling a vijier ; viper-like.
1863 Miss Braddon Aurora Fioyd-Kv, Itseemed as if her
footfall had startled some viperish creature. 1873 Symonus
Grk. /^oets vii. 218 [Medea's] viperish loose hair and throb-
bing skin.
Hence Vi'perishly adv..^ witli the rapid and
sinuous motion of a viper.
1870 Temple Bar Mag. XXIX. 180 Men. .with lissom
wrists that can make a foil curl viperishly round an anta-
gonist's blade.
Vi'per-like, adv. and a. [f. ViPKR.]
A. Oiiv. In or after the manner of a viper. Only
in allusive use (see Viper 3).
1630 Drayton Muses Eliz. x. 117 This cruel! kinde thus
Viper-like deuoure That fruitfull soyle which them too fully
fed. 1646 J. Hall Poems i. 43 Had not thy mother horn
thee toothlesse thou Hadst eaten Viper-Iike a passage
through, 1677 HoRNECK Gt. Law Cottsid. iv. (1704) 741
If Absalom had not had a kingdom in his eye, he would
hardly have, ..viperlike, preyed upon the bowels that
did feed him. a 1700 Dryuen P.S. to //ist. League Wks.
1821 XVII, 162 The government in which they live, and
which, viper-like, they would devour. 1719 Madden The-
mistocles iv. i. (ed, 3) 44 Can I live By Athens' Ruin, working
out my Way Into the World, most Viper-like, by gnawing
E'en thro' my Mother's Bowels? 1771 Kelly Clementina
29-2
VIPEBLINQ.
228
VIRAGO.
III. t, They'll else blast all llie comforts of your life, And,
viper-like, with death return your fondiie^^ 18^ Klandrau
Marz'ard Episodes 277 He couldn't bring himself at that
late day to arise, viper like, from the hearthstone and smite.
B. adj. Like or resembling a viper.
1888 EncycL Brit. XXIV. 247 The genus Echis consists
of but one species (£. cariHat^...\\. is a viper-like snake.
1903 Westm. Gaz. 3 Mar. 2/1 The noise of the little brass
viper-like being in the corner as it whirred and hissed and
snapped its teeth.
Vi*perling. [f. Vipbb + -iixc] A young
viper.
1847 Biacinv. Mag, LXII. 299 Young viperlings come
into the world in full maturity of malice. 1881 Daily Ncivs
28 Dec 3/2 About three weeks ago the nose-horned viper
..distinguished herself by presenting the Gardens at one
fell swoop with six-and-foriy viperlingts 1897 G. C. Bate-
man yivariu7fi 222 The Viper produces, at one time, from
thirty to 6fty little Viperlings.
Viperous (vsi-peras), a. Also 6 vyperos,
-ouse, viperouse, 7-8 viperous ; 6 vipros, 7
Tiprous, 7-8 /ivA vip'rous. [f. Viper -t- -ous.]
L Of or pertaining to a viper or vipers.
Rarely in literal use.
/5^. 1535 Stewart CroH. Scoi, (Rolls) 11. 144 With vipros
vennum inwart in his mynd, ..DissaitfuUie that tyme he
gart him trow, That he wrocht ay for his plesour and prow.
x6oa Rowlands Tis Merrie tvhen Gossips vuete (Hunter,
CI.) 13 No viperous tongue thy pleasant vayne will strike.
1608 D. TIuvillI Ess. Pol. ^ Mor. 130 With the filthy slime
of their malicious and viperous iawes. a 1665 J. Goodwik
Filled w. th^ Spirit (i86j) 55 Men of a viperous spirit, and
desperately set upon their own ruin and destruction. 1765
Beattie Judgm. Paris ciil, Censure spreads the viperous
hiss around, a 1859 Macaulav Hist. Eng. xxv. (i86i) V.
304 Papers about the brazen forehead, the viperous tongue,
and the white Hver of Jack Howe. 1886 Daily Ne^vs 8 April
5/3 What viperous venom and what rat-like rage.
■ at. X614 Gorges Lucan ix. 391 Rut when she [Medusa]
comb'd her crawling crowne, The viprous venome trailed
downe, 1706 De Foe yitre Divtno xii. 268 In vain supplies
of vip'rous Blood they bring.
t b. In allusive use (see Viper 3 a). Obs.
xS6x T. Norton Calvins Inst, m. v. (1634) 319 Out of
that ancient custome the confessions and satisfactions that
are at this day used, tooke their beginning. Truly very
viperous births. 1603 J. Da vies (Heref.) Wits Pil^r. Wks.
(Grosart) II. 52/2 The Viperous Iron Teeth of Time may
gnaw away, to wrack, through my Works Wombe. 1638 Sir
T. Herbert Trav, (ed. 2) 127 Whether [it bej. .from vapors
in^endred in the bowels of the earth, and loth to bee im-
prisoned in a wrong orb, (the subterranean fire] rends its
passage by a viperous horrid motion ; or [etc.].
2. Composed or consisting of vipers. Freq. with
admixture of sense 4,
Chiefly in fig. use or as a term of opprobrium, esp. in
Tiperous hrood ox geruratiott; freq. in the ijthc, now rare
or arch.
fiS' «S38 Bale Tkre La-wes 1754 Oh ragynge serpentes
and \->'pcrouse generacyon. isSiS J. Hooker Hist, Irel. in
Holinsked II. 42/1 The loose life of that viperous nation.
160S Dent Patkw. Heaven 152 This viperous brood [of
liars] doe but watch their times and opportunities. 1643
Quarles Loyal Convert Wks. (Grosart) I. 142/2 A viper-
ous Generation (which hath long nested in this unhappie
Island). 1670 Devout Commun. (1688) 124 That the Lord
of all should.. take into his bosom the viperous brood, that
have so often spit their venom in his face ? 1706 E. Ward
Hud. Rediv. (1707) II. vii. 13 For in this pious Christian
Nation There is a vip'rous Congregation [etc.]. 17x4 L.
Milbourne Traitor^s Re^vard Pref., His way of extolling
his viperous generation is so very impudent and rediculous,
that fete.]. 1814 SouTHEV Roderick v. 115 These were
Witiza's hateful progeny; And in an evil hour the unhappy
King Had spared the viperous brood. 1874 Farrar Christ
viii. (1884) 53 A formalism and falsity which made them
vipers of a viperous brood.
lit. 1648 J. Beaumont /'jyc^^ii. 128 She. .rent from thence,
before Psyche's astonish 'd eyes, that viperous fry Which her
snarl'd soul in unfelt bands did ty. 1688 Phil, Trans.
XVni. 128 Vipers, and all the Viperous Brood.
fb. In allusive use (cf. 4 b, and see Viper 3 a).
16x5 W. Hull Mirr, Maiestie 39 Sinne is a viperous brood:
the life of the daughter, is the death of the mother, 1627 in
Rushw. HisU Coll. (1659) I. 514 This forwardness of you is
the more remarkable, when that Viperous Generation, .do,
at ease, with tooth and nail, essay to rend the Bowels of
their Mother. 1648 Canterburie March B 2, Hence Vi-
prous Brood ! what make you heare, Who thus the King-
domes Bowels teare?
to. Of hair, etc. Cf. Snaky a. i. Obs, rare.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple IsL xii. xxx, Her viperous locks
bung loose about her eares ; Yet with a monstrous snake
she them restrains. 1648 J. Beaumont Psvche xi. 8 Then
from his own viperous Tresses He Pluck*d three large hand-
fuU of his longest Snakes.
3, Of actions, qualities, etc. : Worthy of or be-
fitting a viper; malignant, treacherous, venomous.
Very common in the 17th c. ; now rare ox arch.
iSca Brisklow Compl. xxiii. 48 b, How haue thei be-
witched the Parlament howse in making such vyperos aciys
as the beast of Rome neuer made him selfe I i«5 in Strype
Eccl, Mem. (1721) III. App. xlvi. 142 Their wicked lyves,
and viperouse behaviour toward the said bbhope. 1604
Coke » State Trials 26, I want words sufficient to express
your viperous treasons. 1631 \S^^\'t.K A fu. Funeral Mon.
252 The viperous malice of this Monkish broode. 1646 J.
Hall Poems i. xi. 27 Wee'l suffer viperous thoughts and
cares To follow after silver hairs. «i7i6 South Serm.
(1744) X. 285 Let us now see into how many cursed conse-
quences, this viperous piece of viUanyislike to spread itself.
18x4 JEFFERSON IVrit. (1830) IV. 399 Passions so vehement
and viperous.
b. Of language, writings, etc.
1605 Camden ^fw. Epit. 34 Vpon Stigand-.I findc this
most viperous Lpiuph in an old Manuscript. 1611 Shaks.
I Cymb. III. iv. 41 'Tis Slander, .. whose tongue Out-venomes
: all the Wormes of Nyle ; . .the Secrets of the Grauc this
viperous slander enters. 163* Lithgow Trav. 1. 3 The
viperous murmurings of miscreant villaines. 17*8 P.Walker
Life Peden (1827) 270 This is a viporous, groundless wicked
Story. 1809-10 CoLERiocK Frietui (1865) 58 In one of those
viperous journals, which deal out profaneness, hate, fury,
and sedition throughout the land, i860 Motlky Neihcrl.
(1868) I. ii. 37 Wit.. expended in darting viperous epigrams
at Court-ladies. 1905 Athenxum 12 Aug. 217/1 Lockhart
was. .annoyed. .especially by the viperous notes from a
Whig hand.
4. Of the nature cf a viper ; resembling a viper
in character or action ; having the attributes or evil
qualities of a viper,
Freq. in the 17th c. ; now rare.
1593 G. Harvev Piercers Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. 20
Good Sir, arise, and confound those Viperous Cryticall
monsters. 1607 Shaks. Cor. in. i. zSTSpeake breefely then,
For we are peremptory to dispatch This Viporous Traitor.
i6ai in Foster Eng. Factories Ind. (1906) I. 347 These
viprous, dessemblinge, and crockadillike currs. 16S0 Spirit
of Popery 24 The Viperous Author of the Reformed Bishop.
1760 H. Brooke P'ool ofQual. (1800) I. i3oNo6tep-dames,
nor viporous instruments, shall ever hereafter insinuate be.
tween us. i8ai Shelley Adonais xxxvi, What deaf and
viperous murderer could crown Life's early cup with such
a draught of woe ?
+ b. In allusive use (see Viper 3 a). Obs.
1591 Shaks. i Hen. K/, 111. i. 72 Ciuilldissention is a viper-
ous Worme That gnawes the Bowels of the Common-weaUli.
1603 J. Davies (Heref.) Microcosmos Wks. (Grosart) I. 56/2
Woe woorth such vip'rous Cousins that wil rend Their
Mother's wombe (the Common-wealth) to raigne, 1648
Hunting of Fox 11 Such viperous Schismaticks as would
eate out their way. 265a Bf.nlowes Theoph. xn.ix, Twas
vip'rous Nero slew his own indulgent Mother.
O. fig. Of things.
1803 VVoRDsw. Prelude ix. 576 The stings of viperous re-
morse, Trying their strength, enforced him to start up,
Aghast and prayerless. 1880 Sat. Rev. No. 1311. 734/1
Considering how much damage these viperous little craft
are likely to do in war. 1885-94 ^' Bridges Eros «$■ Psyche
April xi, A savage beast, The viperous scourge of gods and
humankind.
Hence Vi'peroasly adv.^ in or after the manner
of a viper; venomously; Ti'peronsnesso'iperous
nature pr character; venomosity. rare.
1587 Holinshed Chron. III. 419 In that copious treatise
hauing spoken as maliciouslie & *viperouslie as he might.,
of VVickliffes life. 1648 J. Beaumont Psyche in. 210 O how
the peevish and reluctant elves (Mad with their own birth,)
viperously contend The worried bowels of the heart to rend I
1649 Cockayne Found. Freedom Vind. i Whose seeming
sugered words are mixed with wormwood, promising fair-
nesse, but viperously stinging the poore despised Army.
i7a8 P. Walker _Z//^ Peden To Rdr. (1827) p. xxv, Mr.
William Vetch,, .in his dotted old Age, wrote so viporously
and maliciously against him. 1G51 Mr, Lovers Case 37 Is
it possible that such virulencyand '"viperousness of words as
these should proceed from any other Principle ? 1717 Bailey
(vol. II), Viperousness.
Vi'pery, a. rarr-"^. [f. Viper + -y.] Consist-
ing of vii>ers ; viperous.
1909 R, Bridges ParaPhr, Virg, /Eneidsi. Poems (1913)
458 On those convicted tremblers then leapetb avenging
iisiphone with keen flesh-whips and vipery scourges.
t Vi-politic. Obs. [yi-pre/.l (Seequot.)
1632 B. JoNSON Magn. Lady i. vii, [He is] a Vi politique !
Or a sub-aiding Instrument of State I A kind oflaborious
Secretary To a great man 1
+ Vi-pre-sident. Obs.-"^ [f. Vi- + President
sb^ A vice-president.
a 166S Davenant Masque Poems (1672) 164 We have had
new orders read in the Presence -Chamber, by the Vi-
President of Parnassus.
t Vipseys, obs. var. of or error for Gipsies.
1610 Holland Camden s Brit. 715 Those famous waters
which commonly are called Vipseys, rise out of the earth
from many sources not continually, but every second yeere,
and beeing growneunto a great bourne runnedowne by the
lower grounds into the sea. 1674 Blount Glossogr, (ed. 4).
1727 [see^ Gipsies]. 1777 Ann. Reg. 11. 146 Vipseys or
gypseys in Yorkshire, .means a torrent which flows only
now and then or once in a few years.
Vi-CLUeen. rare. [Vi- />r^] A vice-queen.
1862 H. Marryat Vear in Sweden I. 327 There Linalies
like a vi-queen in her grave.
Vir, variant of ViRit Sc.
tViragin. ■ Obs. rare, fad. L. viragin-y stem
oi virago, Cf. It. viragineT] = Virago.
1576 FoxE A. ^ M. (ed. 3) 2005/2 This most rough brake
(wherwith this Viragin rather then Virgin., boasted her selfe
to be .sent of God to ryde and tame the people of England).
165s Fuller Ch. Hist. vi. 364 The aforesaid two Virgins, ur
rather Viragins, travelled to Rome with three the most
beautifull of their society.
Viraginiau (virad^i-nian), a. and sb. [f. L.
viragin- (see prec.) + -IAN.] a. adj, = Vira-
GiNOUS a. b. sb. The language of a virago.
164a MiLioN Apol. Smect. Wks. 1851 111. 292 The re-
niembrance of his old conversation among the Viraginian
trollops, 1869 O. W. Holmes Old Vol Life, Citiders fr.
Ashes (1891) 242 Her face. .showed itself capable of some-
thing resembling what Milton calls the viraginian aspect.
1899 B. Cai i:s Lady of Darkness ii. 12 She was rating him
in voluble viraginian.
Viragi-nity. r^r^-**. [f. as prec. -^-ITy.] The
character or qualities of a virago.
1846 Worcester (citing Q. Rev.).
ViraginoUS (vira^-dginss), a. [f. as prec. +
-ous.] Of the nature of, having the characteristics
of, a virago.
1666 Third Adv. Painter 24 She dry'd no tears, for she
was so Viraginous, But only snufling her trunk Cartilagin*
ous. 1835 Brockett A'. C. Gloss, s.v. Stang, He is carried
through the whole hamlet, with a view of exposing or sham-
ing the viraginous lady. 1886 Sat, Rev. 10 July 58 Besides
the viraginous loves of Fanny Douglas there is much other
love-making in the novel. 1890 Ibid. 16 Aug. 214 Virile
was exactly what Mme.de Stael was not, though she may
have been viraginous.
Hence Vira'glnonsly adv.
1644 R. CuLMEH Cathedral Nemsfr. Cantcrb. 21 In comes
a Prebend's wife, and pleaded for ihe Images there, and
jeered the Commissioners viraginously.
Virago {y\it%o). Also 6 virragoo, 7 ver-,
vyr-, firago. [a. L. virago a man-like or heroic
woman, a female warrior, etc., f. vir man. Hence
also OF., F,, and Sp. virago.']
1 1. Woman. (Only as the name given by Adam
to Eve, after the Vulgate rendering of Gen. ii. 23.)
c 1000 Mlvmc Horn. I. 14 Beo hire nama Uirago, J?aet is,
fa;mne, for3an 3e heo is of hire were genumen. a 1300
Cursor M, 633 Virago gaf he hir to nam ; ^ar for hight sco
virago, for malted o J?e man was sco, 1388 Wvclif Gen. ii.
23 And Adam seide..This schal be clepid virago, for she
IS takun of man. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 37 b/i, And Adam
gaf here a name lyke as her lord and said, she shal be called
Virago, whiche is as moche to saye as made of a n^an and is
a name taken of a man. la igoo Chester PI. i. 150 Sbee
shalbe called, 1 wisse, Viragoo, nothing amisse, For out of
man tacken shee is. 1547 liooROE Brei'. Health ccxlii. 82 b,
First when a woman was made of God she was named
Virago because she dyd come of a man. 1576 Gascoigne
Drootiie Doomes Day i. p 6 Before Kva sinned, she was
called I'trago, and after she sinned she deserved to be
called Eva.
2. A man-like, vigorous, and heroic woman ; a
female warrior ; an amazon. "^ow rare.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VI. 413 The strong virage
[L. virago potentissiina\ Elfleda.,halp moche her broJ>er
pe kyng in jevynge of counsaile. a 15x3 Fabvan Chron.
VI. clxxx.(i8ii) 178 Elfleda,..this noble venqueresse Virago
and made, whose vertue can I nat expresse. 1513 Douglas
^neid xn. viii. 56 The mynd. .Of Juturna, the verray
virago; Quhilk term to expone, be myne avis, Is a woman
e.\ersand a mannis office. 1553 Eden Treat. New Ind.
(Arb.) 24 One of his wiues. .decketh her selfe moste gor-
giousIy..and procedeth like a Virago stoutly and chere-
fully to the fire, where the corps of her husbande was burnte.
158a Stanyhukst ^neis\. (Aib.) 34 No swarms or trooping
borsmen can apale the virago. 1613 Pl'rchas Pilgrimage
(1614) 383 This Sultan presented bin with the head of that
Virago Periaconcona vpon the top of a Launce. a 1641 Bp.
MouNTAGUy4. ^ M. (1642) 361 Shee so ruled as Queene eight
yeers and better t a man-like virago of a stout and noble
spirit. 1677 W. Hl'bbabd Narrative (1865) II. 20 I'hat
young Virago kept the door fast against them. 1712-4
I'opE Rape Lock v. y] To arms ! to arms ! the fierce virago
cries, And swift as lightening to the combate flies. 1781
CowTER Let. 5 Mar., And as to the neutralities, I really
think the Russian virago an impertinent puss for meddling
vith us. 1831 Carlvle Sart.Res, iii. xi.Did not the same
virago boast that she had a Cavalry Regiment, whereof
neither horse nor man could be injured. 1885 zgth Cent.
May 472 She [VittoriaColonna] was a virago, a name which,
however misapprehended now, bore a different and worthy
signification in her day.
f b. Applied to a man. Obs, rare.
£'x6oo Day Begg, Bednall Gr. iv. i. (1881) 78 Come iheij,
my mad Viragoes, . .now I'll turn swaggerer myself. 1601
Shaks. Twel. N. ni. iv. 300 Why man, hee's a verie diuell,
I haue not seen such a firago. . . 1 hey say, he has bin Fencer
to the Sophy.
3. A bold, impudent (+ or wicked) woman ; a
termagant, a scold.
1 1386 Chauckr Mnn of Law's T. 359 O Sowdanesse,
roote of Iniqiiitee, Virago, thou Semyrame the secounde
|eic.]. 1680C. Nesse C//. ///j^ 178 God sets this black brand
upon this virago Jezabel. 1724 Swivx Quiet LifeV^Vs, 1755
Iv, I. 48 He saw virago Nell belabour, With Dick's own
fctaff, his peaceful neighbour. 1770 Burke Corr, (1844) I.
^30 No heroine in Billingsgate can go beyond the patriotic
icolding of our republican virago. 1838 Jas. Grant Sk.
Loud. 175 It now devolved on her to act the part of a wife
who played both the tyrant and virago at home. 1865
Trollope Bclton Est. xxvii. 329, 1 believe Lady Aylmer to
be an overbearing virago, whom it is good to put down.
X891 C. Roberts Wf/r^if Aiiicr. 90 Three women— a mother
and two daughters. These were the greatest viragoes 1
ever saw.
transf. 1713 Warder True Amazons (ed, 2) 23 But the
Numbers are not great of these forward Viragos I = young
bees]. 1793 G. White Sclborue Hi, Every hen is in her turn
the virago of the yard.
4. a. attrib.^ chiefly appositive, as virago f am Hy^
girl, heroine^ etc. ; aho virago-sf rain,
1598 Florio, Bri/alda,a. .mankinde, virago woman. 1621
J. Taylor (Water P.) Superb. Plagellunt C vi. Like shaine-
lesse double sex'd Hermaphrodites, Virago Roaring Giiles.
1639 G. Daniel Vervic. 161 But the Virago Queen.. doth
aggravate Th' aggreived Lords. 1746 Francis tr. Hor.^
Sat. I. i. 131 But a bold wench, of right virago strain, Cleft
with an a.\e the wretched wight in twain. 1760-2 Goldsm.
Cit. IV. Ixii, Petticoated philosophers, blusterinc heroines,
or virago queens, a 1843 Southey Comm.-pl. Bk. (1851) I.
470 Edward Ill'squeen Philippa wasofaviragofamily. x86a
Ansted Channel Isl. 360 Montfort was taken prisoner ; his
countess, one of the virago heroines of tlie time, was besieged
in Hennebon. 1891 Farbar Darkn. i^ Dawn i. If she had
not made Galba and his virago-mother feel the weight of her
vengeance, it was only because they were too insignificant.
b. Comb., as virago- like.
1602 Marston Ant. ^ Mel. Induct., Wks. 18^6 I. 4 An
Amazon should have such a voice, virago-like. 2615
Bkathwait Strappado (1878) 92 He doth renew his battery,
and stands too't, And she, Vyrago*like, yeelds not a foote.
Hence Vira'goish a., somewhat resembling, or
VIRAGON.
characteristic of, a virago; Tira'^oshlp, the
character of a virago.
1666 KiLLiGREw Siege 0/ Urbin i.ii, How shall we answer
at ihe Resurrection ? for our Viraq;oships ? for our own, antl
others blood, thus shed ! 1887 E. Berdoe St, BernariVs
288 The over-dresied, robust, virasioish lady patient. z888
LadvD. Hardy Dang. Exper. I. iii. 59 Mrs. Brown*s rather
viracoish, coarse-featured face. ^
t Viragon, irreg. f. Vibagin or Virago.
1641 I'ox Borcalis Cjb, Wherein Women against the
I^ws of God, Nature, Nations, they act Man, and play the
very Viracons.
Virall, obs. f. Vibl. Virallay, obs. f. Vire-
LAi. Viranda, etc., obs. f. VEitANnA. Viran-
doed, var. Veranua(h)eu a. Virchippe, ob>.
f. Worship. Virdingal, obs. var. Farthingale.
t Vire, sb.'^ Obs. Also 4 fyre, 4-6 vyre, 5 Sf,
wyr, wyir. [a. OF. vire ( = Prov., Sp., Pg. vira)y
f. virer to turn.] A form of quarrel or bolt for a
cross-bow. (Cf. Viretox.)
1375 Barbour Bruce v. 595, I haf a bow, hot and a vyre.
Ibiii. 623 He Losit the vyre and leit it fle. 1390 Gowkr Con/.
1. 164 As a fyre Which fieth out of a myhti bowe, Aweie he
fledde for a throwe, c 1400 I^aud Troy Bk. 4802 Thei fau^t
vn-armed in here atyres With longe Arwes and scharpe vires.
c 1425 Cast. Perscv. 2113 in Macro Plays (1904) 140, 1 schal
slynge at |?ec many a vyre, & ben a-vengyd hastely here,
c 1500 Lancelot 1092 The red knycht, byrnyng in loues fyre,
Goith to o knyclit, als swift as ony vyre. 1513 Douglas
^neid V. xi. 16 This virgine sprent on swifilie as a vyre.
fVire, J^.2 Obs.—^ In 5 wire. [ad. L. »/>/«.]
= Virus.
c 1400 Lan/raiic's Ciritrg.^ 77 For eucry oldc wounde
hauynge rotnes or wire, )>at is ^inne venymous quyttir or
ony oHr WnS-
+ Vire, i^.^ Obs, rare. Also 5 Sc. wyre, vyre.
[ad. OF. virer to turn : cf. Veer z^.-]
1. trans. To whirl or throw.
1375 Barbour Bruce xvii. 702 lohne Crab. . In his fagattis
has set the fyre, An-.! our the wall syne can thame wyre.
2. inlr. To turn ; to wind about.
1456 Sir G. Have Laxo Arms (S.T.S.) 119 As the dure
tumis about apon the herre, . . and vyris and revyris. n 1586
SinNEV Arcadia (1622) 436 No, no, hee hath vired all this
while, but to come the sooner to his affected end.
t Vire, z'.2 Obs. rare~~^. (Origin and meaning
doubtful: cf. Vire j//.l)
f X400 Laud Troy Bk. 5448 Many a Gregey was euel
al^red, With brode arwes al to-vired ; The! wounded hem
with arwes brode.
Vire, southern dial, var, FiBE ; obs. Sc. f. Wire,
Virelay (virel/'j. Now Ilisi. or arch. Forms:
4-7, 9 virelai (5 virallay, 7 virilai, 9 -lay), 5-6
vyrelay ; 4 verelai, 6-7, 9 verilay, 6 ver(re)-
lay. [a. OF. virelai (14th c), an alteration (prob.
after /a« Lay sb.^) oivireli'. see Virly,] A song
or short lyric piece, of a type originating in France
in the 14th century, usu. consisting of short lines
arranged in stanzas with only two rhymes, the end-
rhyme of one stanza being the chief one of the next.
Chiefly current in the Chaucerian period, from ^1575 to
1610, and in the 19th cent.
<: 1385 Chaucek L. G. W. 423 Balnde, He niade..manye
an ympnefor your halydayis That hightya baladis, round >
lys, & vyrelayes. 1300 Gower Con/. I, 133 kM. he caa
carolles make, Rondeaf, balade and virelai. 14. . Lydg. Ta
Soverain Lady 40 Thus nutny a roundel and many a vire-
lay In fre^^&he Englisshe..! do recorde. 1483 Caxton G.
de lit Tour A'}, For in that time I made., vyrelayes in the
mooste best wyse I cowde. a 1500 Chaucer's Drenteg^s
Som to make verclaies & laies, And som to othere diverts
pleyes. ijaj Ld. Berseks Froiss. II. xxvL 30/1 Whiche
boke was called the Melyader, conteyninge all the songes,
baladdcs, rundeaux, and vyrelayes, whiche the gentyll duke
had made in his tyme. 1579 Spenser Shepk. Cnl. Nov. 21
But if thou algate lust light virclayes, And looser son^s of
louc to vndcrfong. 1593 Draytom Eel. iii. 55 With damtie
and delightsome straynes of dapper Verilayes. 161^ J.
Davies (Hcref.) Eclogue 34 Let thy Virilaies Kill enuious
cunning swaines..With enuy. 1700 Dryoen Flower^ Lea/
365 And then the Band of Flutes bc^an to play, To which a
Lady sung a Virelay;. 179S H. WalpoleZ.*^. to Mrs. //.
More 13 Feb., I received your letter and packet of lays and
vtrelays. 181a D'Israeli Calam. Auth. (1867) 76 Thus he
lived, like some old troubadour, by his rhymes, and his
chants, and his virelays. 1851 Mrs. Browning CasaGuidi
IVimi. I. 233 O Dead, ye shall no longer.. Drag us back-
ward by the garment thus. To stand and laud you in long-
drawn virelays ! 1880 F. Hueffkr \n Afacm. Mag. No. 255.
51 Every one will admit that a halting rondel or virelai is
simply an abominatim.
trans/. 164a H. More Song 0/ Soul n. i. iii. 5 You chear-
full chaunters of the flowring woods, ..To mournfuU note
turn your light verilayes, Death be your song, and Winters
hoary sprayes. 1818 Milman ^awwri/i The merry birdj
..sprina-tide virelays carolling.
Virelle, obs. form of Virl.
Vireut (v^ia'rent), a. [ad. L. virent-, vireiis^ ;
pres. pple. oivirere to be green. Cf. IL virenle.'] '•
fl. Verdant; fresh, not faded. Obs.
■595 Z-^Wm* in. ii. 11 By reason of the fatall massacre
Which shall be made vpon the virentplaines. 1606 N.Baxter
Sidmy's Ourauia, Song E iv b. Then comes the Deaw, and
doth them recreate : Making them fresh, virent, and fortu*
nate. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 94 In these [rootsl
yet fresh and virent, they carve out the figures of men and
women. 1646 G. XiKHWA. Poems Wks. (Grosart) I. 33 For
through y» Place is nothing witberd ; butstill-virent Bayc:»
. . Appearc.
2. Green in colour.
1890 J. Wbicht Retrospect ii. 69 Let not the virent snake
229
entwine thee round. 1837 Tait's Mag. IV. 107 The sun.,
illuminated its virent tints. 1852 Bailey Festus (ed. 5) 490
One hand a staff of virent emerald held.
Vireo {y\'^t\6). Ornith. [a. L. vireo^ -eonis
(Pliny) sotpe small bird, perhaps the greenfinch.]
Any small American bird belonging to the genus
Vireo or the family Vireonidsc, ; a greenlet, a fly-
catcher.
Many species are distinguished by special epithets, as
black-capped^ black- headed., blue-heeided, gray, mountain,
plumbeous, red.eyed, ".vhite-eyedy yellow-throated^ etc.
1834 Audubon Ornith. Biogr. II. 287 The Vireos quench
their thirst with the drops of dew or rain that adhere to the
leaves or twigs. 1845 Hin<,T Com. Mammoth, c\.c. 155 In
yon oak a vireo shrills. 1869 J. Burroughs in Galaxy Mag.
-Aug. 170 The Vireos, or Greenlets, are a sort of connecting-
link between the Warblers and the true Fly-catchers. 1878
CoUEs Birds Colorado Valley 485 The Vireos were long
supposed to be in the curious case, that some species
possessed ten primaries, and others only nine.
Vi'reoniney sb. and a. [f. L. vireon-, vireo (see
prec.) + -iNE.] a. sb. A vireo or bird related to
this. b. adj. Characteristic of the vireo and related
birds.
_ 1878 CouES Birds Colorado Valley 48^ The genus Icteria
is still a.ssociated by some leading ornithologists with the
Vireonines. Ibtd, 523 The nest is always built after the
usual Vireoiilne style of architecture.
Virescence (vire -sens). [See next and
-ENCE.] a. Bot, Regular or abnormal develop-
ment of a green colour in leaves or flowers, b.
Greenness.
1888 CasselCs EncycL Diet. 1904 R. J. Farrer Garden
Asia 167 The fields, whose wealth of virescence glimmers
ghostly.
VireSCent (viresent), a, [ad. L, virescent-,
virescensj pres. pple. of viresc/re to become green.]
Greenish ; turning or becoming green. Alsoyf^.
j8a6 Blackw. Mag. XX. 324 In the most flourishing and
virescent condition of any pool, ditch, or otherwise in the
empire, i^^ Eraser's Mag. XXX. 326/2 Virescent juvenil-
ity or green old age, z88i T. Hardv Laodicean v. ii, The
summer.. tipping every twig with a tiny sprout of virescent
yellow. i88a Garden i July 12/3 He also exhibited.. some
virescent flowers of Auricula.
t Vireton. Obs. rare. In 6 vyre-. [a. OF. vire-
ton (= Prov. viralon)f f. virer to turn : cf. Vire
sb.^y and Sp. and Pg. virote."] A cross-bow bolt
so constructed as to rotate on its axis while flying,
c i^oo Melusine 269 They, .saylled foorth by such wyse
that It seined as it had be the vyreton of a Crosbow. Ibid.
■2%-j No sarasyn durste hym abyde, but casted at him fro
ferre sperys, darts, stones & arowes, vyretons & quarflles,
with tlieire crosbowes.
t Viretote. Obs, [app. of OF. origin, f. virer
to turn.] An unsettled state or condition.
C1386 Chaucer Miller's T. 584 (Ellesm.), What eyleth
yow? som gay gerl, god it woot. Hath broght yow thus vp
on the viritoot. (For variants see Meritot.J [i8aa Scott
Nigel xviii, Here you come on the viretot, through the
whole streets of London, to talk some nonsense to a lady.]
Vi'rgal, <«. rare, [f. L. virga rod,] Made of
twigs or rods.
173a Fielding Covent Gard. Trag. i. iii. Oh ! would'.st
thou bear.. To see the hangman lift the virgal rod? 1880
Daily Tel. 23 Feb., The terrible ' Croquemitaine ' and his
frt;jhtful spouse, .flourish their virgal sceptres to the terror
of msubordinate juveniles.
Virgalieu, Virgaloo, varr, Vergaloo.
■ Virgate (vaigt^), sb. Hist. [ad. med.L. vir-
gata (sc. lerrx)y f. L. virga lody used as a rendering
of OE. gifrd-iattd Yard-land.]
1. An early English land-measure, varying greatly
in extent, but in many cases averaging thirty acres.
i6ss Fuller Clt, Hist. vi. 337 Indeed, it is beneath a
Prince, .to stoop to each Virgate and rod of ground. x66i
liLOUNT Glossogr. (ed. 2), Virgate 0/ Land, See Yard. land.
1688 R. HoLME Armoury in. 137/2 Virge, or Virgate of
land is 20, in some places 24 Acres, or in some 30 Acres. 1710
Hearne /*. Langto/t's Chron, (1810) U. 600 The town,
according to Domesday Book, consisted of VIII. virgats
of Land. Ibid., Each virgat comprehending fourty acres.
1747 Carte Hist. Eng. I. 436 The survey was made by.,
carucates, virgates and acres. 1781 Warton Hist. Kidding-
ten (1783) 45, I have discovered that lady Elisabeth Monta-
cute.. possessed one virgate, about the year 1330. 1840
Penny Cycl. XVI. 173/2 Reckoning four virgates in each
hide and thirty acres to make a virgate. x868 Freeman
Norm. Cong. II. App. 54B In Sussex we find a virgate of
land at Apredoc which Harold [etc.]. 1895 Pollock &
Maitlanu Eng. Law I. 347 The hide is generally regarded
as made up of four, but it may well be of six virgates,
2. As a linear measure : A rod or pole.
177a Shrubsole & Denne Rochester 42 The first land pier
. .shall be built, .by the bishop of Rochester ; to plank three
virgates or Yards, and to lay three sullivas or large beams
on the bridge. 1809 Bawdwen Domesday Bk. 152 Wood
pasture three quarentens long, and one quarenten and one
yircate broad,
Virgate (va'.igA), a. Bot, and Zool. [ad. L.
virgdtusy f. virga rod.]
1. Rod-like ; long, slender, and straight,
1821 W. P. C. Barton Flora iV. Amer. I. 17 Branches
virgate, elongated, one-flowered. 1831 Lindlev Introd,
Bot, 47 From this kind of branch [sc. vimen\ that called a
virgate stem, cauUs virgaius, differs only in being.. more
rigid. 1846 Dana Zoopk. (1848) 652 Branchlets. .long before
branching, and virgate.
2. ' Twiggy ; producing many weak branchlets
or twigs* (7>tf(W. Bot.f 1866).
VIRGILIAN.
ViTgated,(7. r(7ri:. [J. v.. virgat us: see prec]
1. Rod-shaped ; long and narrow.
>75» J- Hill Hist. A turn. 543 The Felis, withaii elongated
tail, and virgated spots. The Tyger.
2. Bot. (See quots.)
1776 J. Lee Introd, Bot. Explan. Terms 380 Virgatus,
virgated, with many slender Twigs, c 1789 Encycl. Brit.
(eti. 3) III. 444/2 Virgated, having small weak pliant
branches of unequal length.
3. Streaked, striped.
1803 Shaw Gen. Zool, IV. n. 420 Virgated Sparus. Sparus
Virgatus.
VlTgater. IHst. [f. Vikgate j*^. -f-ERi.] A
person holding or cultivating a virgate of land.
1897 Maitland Domesday ^ Beyond 416 Even the villein
yirgater on the monastic manors of the thirteenth century
is often expected to have four oxen. 1900 N. 4- Q. 9th Ser.
VI. 382/1 Next above the four virgaters just mentioned are
. .four bovators.
Virga'tion. Geol. [f. L. virga twig +
-ation.] a system of faults branching out like
twigs from a bough.
x897_ Geogr. Jrnl. (R. G. S.) IX. 87 The Western Balkans
form in their southern part six ranges, the orographical ex-
pression of a geological ' virgation '.
t Virge. Obs. [var. of Verge sb.^^ after L.
virga^
X, = Verge sb.^ lo.
1540 Wc/ 32 Hen. VIII, c. 20 § 7 Within the virge lymited
and accustumed to his Graces Courte. 1596 Bacon Max.
1^ l/se Com. La7vii. (1635) 5 Controversies arising within the
Virge. Which is within xii. miles of the chiefest Tunnell of
the Court. 1671 F. Philipps /?^^. AVci-i^y. Table, The Kings
granting Protections under the Great Seal of England to
such as are his Servants . . when e.^pecially imployed by him
..out of his Palace or Virge thereof.
b. trans/, = Verge j^.l 12.
a 1639 T. Carew Poems, To Ben Jonson 48 Thou art not
of their ranke, the quarrell lyes Within thine owne virge.
1671 F, Philipps Reg. Necess. 385 Within the Virge and
compass of loyalty and modesty.
2. A rod or wand ; esp. a rod of office.
i6io G. Fletcher Chrisfs Vict. 11. Ivi, A hundred Kings,
whose temples wear impal'd In goulden diadems,. .And of
their golden virges none disceptred wear, a 1646 M. Phi*
deaux Introd. Hist. (1648) 102 Hadrian the second.. kept a
greate stirre to bring the Bulgarians under his virge. a x668
Davenant Poems (1672) 230 Thereforemy Robe, that in his
Altar lay, My Virge, my Wreath, I took ; and thus did pray.
1717 SwuT Horace i. Ep. vii. 97 Suppose him now a dean
complete . . ,The silver virge, with decent pride, Stuck under-
neath his cushion side.
b. = Verge sb.^ 4 b.
163s Calthrope Relat.betw. Lord ^ Copy-holder ^\ Al-
though some bee called Coppy-holders, some Customary,
some Tenants by the Virg [j/c],..yet doe they all agree m
substance and kinde of Tenure.
3. = Verge sb.^ 9 b.
168S [see Virgate j(^. 1}. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey) s. v.
Yard'Land^ In the Statute of Wards, An. 28, E, i, it is
caird a Virge 0/ l^and,
4. = Verge sb.^ i a.
1608 Toi'SELL Serpents 252 They suffer also vomiting with
a spasnie or crampe, and inflamation of the virge. 1698
Frvkr Acc, E. India ^ P. iv, v. 177 Many of these Apes
fell by our hands ;.. opening them I found, .their seminary
Vessels turgid, their Virge White and Nervous.
t Virge, obs. variant of Verge v."^
1693 W. Freke Sel. Ess. v. ^8 True Vertue is a Streight
line, that neither virges for Laziness nor Glory.
Virgean, a, rare. [f. L. virge-us, f. virga
Virge.] Twig-like, (Applied to a variety of the
Ogham alphabet.)
1793 Hely tr. C Flaherty' s Ogygta II. 104, I find these
seven vowels A. O. U. E. L ^. Oi. thus decyphered in
Virgean characters.
Vergenite, obs. form of Virginity.
t Vi'rger. Obs. [var. of Verger '^, after
Virge or med.L. virgdriits.J An official rod-
bearer ; a verger.
1671 F. Philipps Rrg. Necess. 176 The Virgers or Tip-
staves attending upon the said Courts, 1704 South in T.
Warton Li/e Bathurst (1761) 185 You may deposit it with
Mr. Thomas Rooks, virger of Christ-church. 1776 Ann.
Reg. M. 8 The archbishop, .came to visit us at the convent,
..attended by a virger. 183a Index Rolls o/Parlt. looi/i
Office of Virger, or Usher to the Order of the Garter,., con-
firmed to William Pope.
So tVlTgeror, = Vergeber. Obs. rare,
1581 [A. GiLBv] Pleas. Dial. Soldier ^ Chapl. L vij b,
9 The Cannon. 10. The pettie Canon, it. TheVirgertr.
1663 Wood Life (O.H.S.) 1. 482 After them came the vir-
gerer and six bedells.
fVl-rgifer. Obs.~^ [a. med.L. virgifer, f. L.
virga Virge + -fer bearing.] A verger.
16*9 Acts Durham High Commission Crt. (Surtees) 17
Examinate.., being one of the Virgifers, did goe unto him
and tooke holde of him and soe carried him forth.
Virgilian (vaid^i'lian), a, and sb. Also 6 Sc.
Virgiliane, 6, 8 Virgillian. [ad. L. Virgilidn-us,
f. Virgiii-us: see -an, and cf. OF. and F. Vir-
gi/ien,]
A. adj. 1. Of or pertaining to, characteristic of,
the poet Virgil ; agreeing with, or suggestive of,
the style of Virgil.
1513 Douglas Mneid Concl., Completit was this wark
^'irgiliane, Apon the fest of Marie Magdelane. c 1590 J.
ViBaiLlANISM.
230
VIRGIN.
the Virgilian Verse, Quadmpfii.inti put>\-m [etc.]. 1718
J. TRAPptr. I'ir^/ Pref. to /Enei^ (1735) 1. p. Ixxxvti, What
could be more well- man ner'd, more delicate, and truly Vir-
ginian? c 1754 Warvon in Boswell "JohHson (1904) ].
180, I told him, I thought it a very sonorous hexameter. I
did not tell him, it was not in the Virgilian style. 178a V.
Knox Ess, Ixiii. (1S19) I. 26 The style (of the poem] is benu-
tiful and Virgilian. 1846 Keightlkv iV^/« * "/>f., Georg.
II. 485 This mode of supplying the ellipse, .is certainly the
more Virgilian. 1886 Swinburne Misc. 151 An instinctive
dignity and precision not unworthy to be called Virgilian.
b. Virgilian lots [tr. L. sortes Virgiliattse], a
method of divination consisting in taking a passage
of Virgil at random.
1838-45 Encyci. Afetnf. XXIV. 737/1 It is said that
Charles I. and Ix)rd Falkland made trial of the Virgilian lots
a little before the commencement of the great civil war.
2. Of agricultnre : Practised according to the
methods described in the Georgics of Virgil. Also
of persons following these methods.
xjM^ W. Benson yir^tTs Husk 11. Pref. p. xvi, I am
certam the Husbandry of England in general is Virgilian.
1731-3 TuLL Horse- Hi>t'ing Husb, xix. 271 The Virgilian
farmer must be content to have only his Labour for his
Travel. 1764 J. Randall (//V/f), The Semi-Virgilian Hus-
bandry, deduced from various Experiments.
B. sb. 1. One who is specially devoted to, or
skilled in, the study of Virgil's works.
1577 Grange Golden AphroH.^ etc. Q iij l\ You would a
good Virginian be.
2. One who practises agriculture after the
methods laid down by Virgil,
1731-3 TuLL Horse-Hoeing Husb. xix. 272 The Virgilian
is commonly late in his sowing. Ihid. 279 This puts the
Virgilians upon a Necessity of using of Dung.
Hence Vir^i'lianism, the characteristic style of
Virgil ; a Virgilian expression.
1850 L. Hunt Antobiog. x. (i860) 164 When I had the
pleasure of bearing him [Campbell] afterwards, I forgot his
Vir^ianisms.
t Virgils, sK pi. Obs,—^ [ad. L. Virgilis&:\
The Pleiades.
c 1440 Pnllad, en Hush. x. 154 In simer tyme hym Hkelh
we! to glade, That whan Virgilis doun goth, gynneth fade. |
Virg^iu (va'jd.^in), sb. and a. Forms ; a. 3, 5 !
uirgine, 3-7 virgine (6 wir-), 4, 6 virgyno
(5 wir-), 4-5 vyrgyne (4 wyr-), 5 vyrgina.
0. 4 uirgin, 4-6 virgyn (5 uirgyn,6 wirgynne),
5-6 vyrgyn (6 wyr-), 5- virgin (5 wyr-, 6 wir-
gin). 7. 4 vergyno, 4-5 vergine (4 uer-),
vergyn. 5. 5 vyrgene (wyr-), 5-6 virgen(e.
[a. AF. and OF. virgitUy virgenCy viergene^ etc.
(= It. vergine, Sp. virgen, Pg. virgem) :— L. vir-
ginetHy ace. of virgo maiden. OF. also had the
reduced forms virge^ vi4rgej mod.F. vierge^
I. 1. EicL An unmarried or chaste maiden or
woman, distinguished for piety or steadfastness in
religion, and regarded as having a special place
among the members of the Christian church on
account of these merits.
Chiefly ased with reference to early Christian times.
c laoo Trin. Cofl, Horn. 185 Dar haue^ . . martirs, and con-
festers, and uirgines maked faier bxie inne to wunien.
a 1225 Leg. Kaih. 2310, I J»e feire ferreden of uirgines in
heouene. £'1*90 Beket •zyyz in 6\ Eng. Leg. I. 172 Fair was
l»at processioun..Of Martirs and of confessours and of vir-
gines ber-ta 1303 R. Hkunne Handl. SynneZ^io And she
ys callede Seynt lustyne, A martyr and an holy vyrgyne.
13.. E. E. Allit. P. A. 1098 pis noble cite.. Was sodanlyful
..Of such vergynez in be same gyse ['at was my blysful an.
vnder croun. 1389 in Eng. Gilds {187a) 8 .Seint Katerine be
gjoriouse virgyne and martyr, c 1430 Li/e St. Kath. (1884)
59 pe wykked tyraunt..saat in hys astat and bad b^t be
holy virgyn schold be presented to hym. 1500-20 Dunhar
Poems XXV. 46 Patriarch is, profeitis, and appostillis deir,
Confessouris, virgynis and marteiis cleir. c 1610 Wq^iten
.SW«/* (i886) 92 Modwene.. became the mistresse of verie
many like professed and hoHe virgins. i6s» J- Taylor
(Water P.) Sfwrt Relat. Long yourn. (1859) 10 The pious
and chaste virgin Winifrid. 17*8 Chambers Cycl, s.v., Iti
the Roman Breviary, there is a particular Office for Virgins
departed. 1810 E. L). Clakke Trav. Kmsia (1839) 56/1 A
host of saints, virgins, and bishops, whose pictures covered
the walls. i86» Burton Bk. Hunter iv. 326 St. Ursula and
her eleven thousand virgins.
2. A woman (esp. a young woman) who is, or
remains, in a state of inviolate chastity ; an abso-
lutely pure maiden or maid.
In earl^ use chiefly of the Virgin Mary : cf. 4 and 5.
a i3ioin Wright Lyric P. xxx.83 When y lyggeondethes
bed, ..On o ledy myn hope is, moder ant virgyne. c 1375
Sc. Leg. Saints Pto\. 50 Til schoconsawit godissone, ..scho
beand altyme vergine chaste, a 1400-50 Aie.rnnder 4665
Voide & vacand of vic^s as virgyns it ware, c 1430 Lydc.
Attn. Poems (P*:r>,-y Soc.) 8 .Alle clad in white, in tokyn of
clennes, Lyke pure virginis as in ther cnietuis. ^1485 E.
E. AfisciWAnon CI.) 36 When hedyssenddyt. -tntoachast
wombe of a wyrgene dene. 1536 BKi,t.ENi)EN Cron. Scot.
(1821) II. 163 He that revisis ane virgine, bot gifschodesire
him in manage, sal be heidiL 1568 Satir. Poems Reform.
xlvii. 58 Remember first ^our former qualitie, And wrak na
virgenis with ^our wilfull weir. x6oi Shaks Alts Well 1. 1.
146, I will stand for't a little, though therefore I die a Vir-
;in. 1634 W. TiRWHYT tr. Balzac's Lett, (vol.1) 318 Nor am
Ignorant that never any woman was so vicious, who haih
..A heretofore bin a Virgin. 1671 Milton P. R. 1. 138 Then
[thou] toldst h*rr doubting how these things could be To
her a Virgin, that on her should come The Holy Ghost.
«737 Whiston Josephus. Antig. iii. xii. % 2 Moses.. per-
mitted him \sc. the high-priest] only to marry a virgin.
%io^ Med. Jrnl. XVII. 494 Ruysch's subject, though not a
f
virgin, may have yet lieen troubled with tliis complaint.
1845 Day tr. Simons Anim. Cfum, I. 230 The venous blood
of virgins gave, in 1000 parts [etc].
Jig. 1526 TiNDALE 2 Cor. xi. 2 For I coupled you to one
man, to make you a chaste virgen to Christ, i860 Pusf.y
Min. Proph.ioy God regarded as a virgin, the*people whom
He had made holy to Himself; He so regards the soul which
He has regenerated and sanctified.
b. An old maid, a spinster.
1759 Johnson Idler No. 53 P 6 Lady Biddy Porpoise, a
lethargick virgin of seventy-six.
o. transf. Of things.
x6ao Capt. Smith Nc.v-En^. Trials Wks. (Arb.) I. 243
From which blessed Virgin [i.e. the colony of Virginia]..
sprung the fortunate habitation of Somcr lies. Ibid.^ I'his
Virginssister (called New Kngland, Apt. 1616, atmy humble
suite). 1756 Nugent Gr. Tour, France IV. 303 They give
it [sc. Peronne] the name of yirgin^ because it was never
taken. 1837 Whkwem. Hist. Induct. Sci. iv. iii. 2^2 In the
language of the New Platonists, the number seven is said to
be a virgin, and without a mother. 1897 IVestm. Gaz. 18
Jan. 8/3 tiimilarly,in Africa, the highest mountain is still a
virgin.
d. Virginity. (After i Cor. vii. 37.) rare.
1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemplar Disc. iv. § 12 S. Jerome
affirms that, to be continent in the state of widowhood is
harder, then to keep our virgin pure.
e. Entom. A female insect producing fertile
eggs by parthenogenesis. (Cf. 12 g.)
1883 Imperial Diet, (and in later Diets.).
3. A young woman, a maid or maiden, of an age
and character affording presumption of chastity.
13.. Sir Beues (A.) 2689 A wende, a mi^te leue namore.
And 5et him ]>ou^te, a virgine Him brou3te out of al is pine.
c 1380 WvcLiF Wi's. (1880) 330 God . .seil> hi lob |>at a man
shuld make couenaunt w\\t hise wittis to ^enke not on a
virgyne. 1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) 111. 37 Wliiche coni-
maundede also virgynes to be mariede with owte eny
dowery. c 1450 Mirk's Fcstial 16 Then wasschosomeke yn
all hor doyn^ys, J»at all othyr vyrgenes called hor qweiie
of maydens. 1538 Starkey England 11. i. 151 The wych
some schold .. m dystrybutyd .. partely to the dote of
pore damosellys and vyrgynys. 1579 <»osson ScA. Abuse
(Arb.) 20 The Harpies haue Virgins faces, and vultures
Talentes. 1596 Shaks. Tam.Shr. iv. v. 37 V ong budding
Virgin, faire, and fresh, & sweet, Wliether away? 1697
Drvdem Mneid \. 440 She seemed a virgin of the Spartan
blood, a 1700 EvtLYN Diary 25 May 1645, Rare pieces,
especialy of Guido, Domenico, and a virgin named Isabella
Sirani. 1757 Burke Abridgm. Eng. Hist. Wks. _X._ 252
Vortigern was struck with the beauty of a Saxon virgin, a
kinswoman of Hengist. 1790 Wolcot (P. Pindar) Rozv'
land /or Oliver^ Ode to Affectation ii. Say, virgin, where
dost thou delight to dwell ? With maids of honour, start-
ful virgin ? x8o6 W, Herbert Set. Icel. Poetry \. iig Two
of the Valkyris or virgins of slaughter. 1838 Dickens Old
C. Shop ix, The beautiful virgin took another pinch [of
snufT]. 1871 R. Kixis Catullus Ixiv. 87 A royal virgin, in
odours silkily nestled.
b. Jn allusions to the parable of the wise and
foolish virgins (Matt. xxv. 1-13).
i6ao Gataker Spirituall Watch 63 Either you are
a wise Virgin or a foolish one : if a wise one, the company
hath need of you ; if an unwise one, you of it. 1756-7 tr.
Keysler's Trav. (1760) I. 182 On the sides of this entrance
are seen the five foolish and the five wise virgins, in stone.
i8a6 Scott Woodst. ii. Why shouldst thou not talk like one
of the wise virgins? 1873 Carleton Farm Ball. 22 Next
mornin' an ancient virgin took pains tocall on us. Her lamp
all trimmed and a-burnin' to kindle another fuss.
4, The Virgin Mary^ the mother of Christ.
Also, an image or picture representing her.
a 1300 Cursor M. 24977 Conceiud o J>e hali gast, born o
Jre virgine marie, r 1360 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 21 He is \>g
sone of J»e vergyne marie. <ri400 Maundev. Prol. (1839) i
The seyd blessed and gloriouse Virgine Marie. 1470-85
Malory Arthur xvii. v. 697 Also the holy ghoost shewed
hym the comynge of the gloryous vyrgyne marye. 1533
Gau Richt ray (S.T.S.) 39 Quhen the virgine Maria hard
the saUitatione of the angel. 1547 Homilies i. Obedience
iii. And here let vs not forget the blessed virgyn Maries
obedience. 1611 IJible Matt. i. (heading), Christ, .was.,
borne of the Virgin Mary when she was espoused to
loseph. 1655 Vaughan Silex Scint. Ded., Jesus Christ,
The Son of the living God, and the sacred Virgin Mary.
1717 Isee Madonna 2l 1776 Ld. Hailes Ann. Scotl. 1. 134
He ascribed his deliverance to the Virgin Mary. 1823
Scott Qucntin D. v, He wore his national bonnet,., with a
Virgin Mary of massive silver for a brooch._ 1885 J. King
Angl. Hyninology 3 'I'he hymn of Hannah is the prototype
of the Virgin Mary's ' Magnificat '.
b. attrib.y or in possessive, in popular names of
plants (see quots.); also (after Gaelic use) Virgin
Mary's nut, the IJonduc or Molucca nut.
1703 M. Martin Western Islands 39 If she would but
take the White Nut, called the Virgin Maries Nut, and lay
it in the Pale into which she was to milk the Cows. 1823
K. Moor Suffolk Wds., Virgin Mary thistle, the beautiful
and magnificent Carduus Benedictus, or Blessed Thistle.
1855 Miss Pratt Flower. PL III, 230 Milk Thistle. ..This
very handsome stately plant, the Virgin Mary's Thistle
(etc.J. 1869 M .y Q- 4th Ser. III. 414/2 In some parts of
Uerkshire the spotted persicaria. .is known as 'The Virgin
Mary's pinch *, from the dark thumb-like mark in the centre
of its leaves. 1873 Gard. Chron. 26 April 57^/3 Fulmon-
aria officinalis. — This plant is known in Cheshire as Virgin
Mary s Honeysuckle. 1880 Miss Jackson 5>4^(?/jA. Word-
bk. 464 Virgin- Mary's- cowslip, Pulmonaria officinalis^
common Lungwort.
6. The Virgin (also the blessed^ holyjCic.y Virgin)^
— sense 4.
(:i33o R. Brunnr Chron. Wace (Rolls) 5873 Syn Crist
cam of \>^ vyrgyne, Nyne score 5er euene, & nyne. c 1340
Hampole /v. Cohsc. 4370 t>is was \)at lohan saw in a vision
Of hym |>at semed l^e virg>*n son. 1390 Gower Con/. II.
>86 For be that cause the godhede Assembled was to the
inaniiede In the virgine. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes 0/ Ayinnn
i. 37 God, that of the vyrgyn was borne in l>edeleym. i5»6
Pilgr. Per/, (W. de W. 1531) 10 b, Hymselfe saycnge in the
gospell, Excepte ye eate the flesshe of the sone of the virgyn
[etcl. 1555 Eden Decades (.Arb.) 139 Desyringe almyghtie
God and the blessed virgin to fauour his beginninges. i6a3
Cockeram III, Valentiuenns^ a certaine heretiques, who
held opinion that our Sauiour receiued not his flesh from the
blessed Virgin. 1643 Caryl Expos. Job xx. 17 And this is
the food which the Virgins son our Immanuel was prophe-
sied to eat. 1704 [see Annunciation 2]. 1756-7 tr. Keys-
ler's Trav. {1760) I. 286 The church of the holy virgin at
Lireyo. 17517 Coleridge Christabel i. 139 Praise we the
Virgin al! divine Who hath rescued thee from ihy distress !
iBoi Scott Eve St. John xl,' Alas ! away, away ! ' she cried,
' For the holy Virgin's sake ! ' 1867 Jas. Campbell Bal-
merino ir. ix. 122 A full length figure of the Virgin and
Holy Child standing within a Gothic niche. 1876 Bancroft
Hist, U. S. II. xxxiii. 329 Uttering a special prayer to the
immaculate Virgin.
b. A picture or image of the Virgin Mary ; a
madonna.
a 1^00 Evelyn Diary 23 April 1646, There are two
Kacristias, in one of which is a fine Virgin of Leonardo da
Vinci. i8«3 Galt R. Gilhaize ix, M>; grandfather, -seized
the Virgin's timber leg, and flung it with violence at them.
1840 Penny Cycl. XVII. 140/1 A most exquisite Virgin in a
tabernacle in the open street at Prato. 1883 Parker's Guide
to Ox/ord 87 Ihe niches have been filled with the Virgin
and Child [etc.].
6. A person of cither sex remaining in a state of
chastity. Usually in pi.
a 1300 Cursor M. 24685 He ledis lijf lik til angels, For
uirgins all ar \>z\. iwo Gower Con/. III. 277 Hou that
Adam and Eve also Virgines comen bothe tuo Into the
world and weie aschamed [etc.]. c 1440 Alpk. Tales 297
When |>e Emperour Henrle and Ranegunde his wyfeabade
alway dene virgyns. 1451 Catgravk Li/eSt. Gilbertxxxi.
107 Fro |?at tyme in whech he was take fro J>e world, a-non
was he set a-mongis J>e dauns of virgynes.
7. A youth or man who has remained in a state
of chastity.
c 1330 Arth. ^ Merl. 891 j (K.), J>isNacien5. .bicome presl,
niesse to sing; Virj^ine of his bodi he was. c 1386 Chaucer
Pars. T'.Pgso Virginitee b.iar oure lord Ihesucrist, and vir-
gine was hym' sclue. c 1450 Ix)VElich Grail xxxix. 559 A
virgyne evere schal he be alle da^es of his lyve certcinle.
1470-85 Malory Arthur xvii. xviii. 715 Thow arte a clene
\yrgyn aboue all knyghtes. a 1513 FABVANC/irt?//. vi.ccxiv.
232 This kynge Edwarde lafte after hym no childe, for he
V as accoinpted for a virgyn whan he dyed. 1585 T. Wash-
ington tr. Nicho/ay*s I'oy. ni. xvi. 101 These Calenders.,
say themselues to be virgins. 1613 J. Hayward Norm.
Kings -2^6 It is certaine also that Ansehne, the most earnest
enforcer of single life, died not a Virgine. 1653 H. Cogan
tr. Scarlet Gown 14 It is held for certain, by them which
know him, that he is still a Virgin. 1700 Tyrrell Hist.
Eng. II. 78s He was reputed a Pure Virgin. 1847 *•■■
pyaccPs Li/e St. Philip Neri 11. xiii. 253 A famous harlot, . .
having heard it said that Philip «-as a virgin,, .audaciously
boastpd that she would cause him to fall. 1880 A. I. Ritchie
(7/. St. Baldred 49 King Malcolm [IV] is universally said
to have died a virgin.
/ig. 1798 Lamb Rosavmnd Gray iv. 498 His temper had
a sweet and noMe frankness in it, which bespake him yet a
virgin from the world.
8. Astr. = Virgo.
c 1480 Henkyson Fobles, Fox ^- Wol/ iv, Mercurius, the
Cod of Elotptence, Inio the Uirgyn maid his residence.
c 1491 Chast. Goddes Chyld. 11 Whan the sonne in tyme of
yere begynneth to wythdrawe dounwarde thenne reigneth
lie in a planete that we call Virgyne 1509 Hawes Past.
Plens. XLiv. (Percy Soc.) 216 Tyll peace and mercy made
right to encline. Out of the Lyon to enter the Vyrgyne.
c 1550 Rollani) Crt. I 'cnus Prol. 43 The Virgin, Libra, and
the Scorpion. 1596 Si-enser F. Q. v. i. 11 The Virgin, sixt
in her degree. 1667 Milton P. L. x. 676 Thence down
amaine By Leo and the Virgin and the Scales, As deep as
( npricorne. 1697 Creech Manilius 11 70 The Twins, Vrn,
Virgin force his Sign to bend By Nature's I-aw. 1730-^6
Thomson Autumn 23 When the bright Virgin gives the
beauteous days, And Libra weighs in etpial scales the year.
1762 Falconer Shipwr. 1. 157 Now, in tlie southern hemi-
•■phere, the sun Thro* the bright Virgin and the Scales had
run. 1868 LocKVER Guilletnin's Heavens (ed. 3) 326 The
Virgin and Bootes are, with the Lion, the most important
constellations in view.
9. a. eilipt. Applied to varieties of apple and
pear.
1664 Evelyn Kal. Hort. 80 The Squib-pear, Spindle.pear,
Virgin, Gascogne-Bergamot. x886 Cheshire Gloss. 378
I 'irgins, a kind of apple.
b. Ent. Applied to species of moths and butter-
flies. "
x83a J. Renmie Coftsp. Buiterfi. ft M. 49 The Virgin
(Triphaina Innuba.) Wings two inches to two inches one-
third, of uniform colour. ^ Ibid. 100 The Virgin (Brepha
Pnrthcnias) appears the end of March.
10. ailrib. and Covib., as virgin-biiih , -born
adj., -produced ^^y-t -violator, -worship', virgin-
bower, = Virgin's boweb; virgin-stock, the
Virginia stock; virgin-tree, Oriental sassafras.
165a Crashaw Carmen Deo Nostro Poems (1904) 271 The
*virgin-births with which thysoveraign spouse Made fruit-
ful! thy fair soul. 1864 Pusey Lect. Daniel v\n. 484 That
announcement of the Virgin-birih of Him, of whom it is
said, she shall call His Name Emmanuel. 1899 Daily Ne-MS
j6 Sept. 7/1, I fail to see how those who deny the virgin
birth of Our Lord can in any way claim part in the Christian
Church, \t^x Milton P. R. iv. 500 Then hear, O Son of
Uavid, *Virginborn. 1846 Trench Mirac. 46 The Virgin-
born, the Son of the Most Highest. J7a5 Fam. Dict.^
^Virgin-boiver, a Plant of which there are two sorts [etc.).
t8io Scott Lady 0/ Lake i. xxvi, 1 he clematis, the favourd
flower Which boasts the name of virgin- bower. 1861
N. Syd. Soc. Vear-bk, Med. ^ Surg. tSbo, 377 They are
VIRGIN.
231
VIRGIN.
altogether equivalent to "virgin-produced 'zooids'. 1786
AatiBCKOMBte Cani. Assist. 55 Sweet peas, pansies, "virgin-
stock. 1891 Cent. Diet. s.v. Stocky Ihe somewhat similar
Malcolmia mafitiiiia,..m England called Virginia or
virgin stock. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1219/1 "Virgin-tree, Sassa-
fras t'arthenoxylon. 1603SHAKS. Meas.Jor M.\. i.41 That
Angelo is an adulterous thiefe, An hypocrite, a "virgin vio-
lator. 1848 KiNGSLKY'.S'a/«/'f i'rag. Iiiirod. p. xviii, I should
. . have copied the introduction o£ "Viryin-worship into the
original tale.
11. Ill possessive collocations: virgia^s garland,
a garland of flowers and coloured paper formerly
carried at the funeral of a maiden ; f virgin's
honey, -oil, =vtr^'n koney^ oil (see 17b); f Vir-
gin's sea, = Virginiafi sea Virginiaw a. i d ;
Virgin's spike (scie Spike sb^- i bj ; *{• virgin's
thread (see quot.).
1825 BKOCKErriV.C. Gloss.^ *VirgitCs garland^ many
country churches In the North are adorned with these gar-
lands ; In token, says Bourne, of esteem and love, and as aii
emblem of reward in the heavenly Church. i8s8 Craven
Gloss t Virgin's Car/a/ii/s. Many- of the Churches in the
Deanery of Craven are .adorned with these garlands. [De-
scription follows.] 1879-^1 Miss Jackson Shropsh. Word-
i>k. ^63 Virgins-garlands still exist; as,. at MInsterley,
where there are several, the most recent of ihem being of
the date 1764. 1611 Cotgr., Mielvierget *Virgins honii,
the hoiiie wliich of it selfe, and without pressing, distills
from ihe comlje. 1785 hum. Diet. s.v. Empyema, They
mix a quartern of Virgins Honey, with two Paris Pints
thereof. 1611 CorcR., Huile Virginal^ ^Virgins Oyle ;
the Oyle that comes from the Oliue of It selfe, and withont
pressing. 1603 in Shirburn Ballads txxvii. 7 His Empyre
. . Halfe which her bea%ome foorth doth lay fron» German to
the Virgin's [v.r. Virginian] se.i. 170^ Diet. Rust. (1726',
Virgin S'Tlireoii, a sort of Dew, which flies in the Air,
like smalt untwisted Silk or Yarn, and falling lipon the
Ground or Plants, changes it self into a form like a Spider's
web.
II. attrib. jassing into adj. 12. Of persons
(usually of the female sex) : lieing a virgin or vir-
gins ; remaining in a state of chastity.
Virgin Queen, a name for (^ueen Elizabeth of England.
1560 Bible (Genev.) "Jer. xiv. 17 For y" virgine daughter
of my people is destroyed, .with a sore grleilous plague.
1^99 Shaks. Much Ado v. lii. 1;^ Pardon, godde-tse of the
night, Those that slew thy virgin knight [sc. Hero).
1611 SfEEu I'luat. Gt. Britain 1. xi. 21/1 Ursula, ..with
her companie of canonized Virgin-Saints. 1633 FoRt>
Broken Heart Prol., The virgin <>isters then deserVd fresh
bays. Ibid. 111. v. To virgin-wives, such as abuse not wed-
lock By freedom of desires. 1658 BKsr.owES Tlteoph. vi. xxv.
Hail, blessed Virgin-Spou.se, who did^t bequeath Breath
unto him, who made thee breathe ! 1697 Drvdem /Kneid
XI. 754 The Volscians, and their virgin leader, wait His lasC
commands. <x 1718 Paknell ///x/Vi/ 34 In sucb a shape. .
As virgin- goddesses are proud to wear. 1738 tr. Guazzo'x
Art Convert. 45, I am, with Respect to any concern with
Women, as true a Virgin-man as I came from my Mother'^
womb. 1786 PoLWHELK tr. Id^llia 0/ Theocritus^ etc.
(1792) 11.38 And still the Arabian maids have their hair
inwreathed with hyacinths, like the virgin companions of
Helen. i8>7 Polloic Course T. x. Stars, the virgin
daughters of the sky. i8u L. Ritchie IVand, by Seine
40 The virgin-martyr SL Honoria.
b, la predicative use. Also^^., and const, of
and to. rare,
1667 MiLTOM P. L. IX. 376 Likest she seemd..to Ceres in
her Prime, Vet Virgin of Proserpina from love. 1849-50
Alison Hist. Europe XIV. xcvi. § 21. 218 Germany, alike
virgin to revolutionary passions, and unused to revolution-
ary suffering, has had a firebrand tossed into its bosom.
1859 Tennyson Guinevere 553 Yet not less, O Guinevere,
For I was ever virgin save for thee.
O. The Virgin Mother, the Virgin Mary.
r«i7ii Ken Sion Poet. Wks. 1721 IV. 321 His Virgin-
Mother had Angelick Grace] iTao Welton Suffer. Son
of God I. X. 2^2 The Humble Deference of the sacrect
Virgin<Mother in Regard to Him, who wa.1 her Son, and
her God too. 1817 Sco rr Monks of Bangor's March ii, On
the long procession goeSj.,.And the Virgin-mother mild In
their peaceful banner smiled. 1846 Mrs. A. Maksh Father
Darcy II. i. ti, I. .would fain enlist every holy saint in
the calendar, and implore the virgin mother herself. x86o
TesNvsoM Sea Dreams 234 The Virgin Mother standing
with her child High up on one of those dark minster-fronts.
d. Virgin wid^uj, a widow who has been de-
prived of her husband before the consummation of
the marriage.
a 1644 QuABLES {title). The Virgin Widow. A Comedie.
X700 Dkvden Pal. 4- Arc. ni. 927 A Virgin- Widow and a
Mourning Bride. 188a Stevenson i\fen <v B, 243 Isabella,
virgin-widow of our Richard II. 1887 J.Gairdner in Diet,
Nat. Biog. IX. 291/1 On a April [i502].,he_[Prince AnhurJ
died at Ludlow, and Catherine was left a virgin widow.
e. transf. (See quots.)
1674 Jkakb An'th. (1696) 663 Seven, the old Magi called
a yirgin Number, supposing the Force thereof great, as a
Virgin in her full strength. 1725 Pam. Diet., Virgin- Vine,
a Plant reckon "d by many among the sorts of Snake-Weed.
_..]Tis call'd the Virgin- Vine, because, if it may be so said,
it is a Maid, and has hitherto brought forth noihine. 1849
( >WKN Parthenogenesis 76 The development of an Aphis m
the body of a virgin parent. 1888 F. R. Cheshire Bees ^
Bee-Keeping II. ^30 The cage may be used in introducing
both laying and virgin queens.
f. Of a fortress, city, etc. : That has never been
taken or subdued,
it8o Burke (Ecott, Reform Wks. III. 340 That bouse-
hold, which has Ijeen the stronghold of prodigality, the
virgin fortress which was never before attacked. 1856
N. Brit. Rev. XXVI. 103 She stands and grows and
thrives, a virgin land for now eight hundred years. 1868
Chambers's Encycl. X, 186/1 Widdin..is called by the
Turks the Virgin Fort, from Its never having been taken.
1873 Tristram Moab v. 78 Ibrahim . . was never able to take
Kerak, whose proud boast Is that It yet remains a virgin city.
g. Virgin generation, procreation^ or {re)pro-
duition, parthenogenesis.
1849 Owen Parthenogenesis 28 The structures,, which
Reaumur, .cited In order to solve the problem of the alleged
virgin procreation. 1859 Totlds Cyil. Anut. V. 37/2 Pro-
fessor Owen lias given the name of Parthenogenesis, or
Virgin- production, to this mode of generation. 1881 Encycl.
Brit. XII. 574/2 \\ln\t:..//yn/enoptera reproduce by the
union of the two sexes, yet parthenogenesis or virgin repro-
duction Is of not uncommon occurrence.
13. Composed or consisting of virgins.
c 1586 C'f ESS Pembroke /'s. lxviii. Iv, Taught by thee. In
this iryumphant song, A virgin army did their voices try.
1596 Shaks, Mereh. V-% in. ii. 56 Voiig Alcldes, when he did
redeeme The virgine tribute, paled.. 'I'o the Sea-monster.
1698 Fkver Acc. E, India <5- P. 290 The Graces Adorn our
Parks and Malls Crowned with Virgin-Garlands, a 1711
Ken Psyche Poet. Wks. 1721 IV. 306 Psyche then left
the lovely virgin-choir. i8ao Kkats To Psyche 30 Though
temple thou hast none,. .Nor vlrgln-cliolr. 1857 Emerson
Poems 13 The lover watched his graceful maid, As mid the
virgin train she strayed. 1885-94 K. Bmiixjes Eros ^ Psyche
April 22 And next the virgin tribe in white forth sail'd.
14. Of or pertaining to a virgin ; appropriate to,
or characteristic of, virgins : a. Of parts of the
body, articles of dress, etc.
i^3& Shaks. L. L. L, v. IL 816 Come challenge me, ..And,
by this Virgin paliiie, now kissing thine, I will be thine.
1608 — Per, IV. ii. 160 Untied 1 still my virgin knot will
keep. 1616 Drumm. of Hawth. Madrigals xlv, Ibis
virgine Lock of Haire To Idmun Anthea glues. 1650
BuLWER Anthropomet. Pref, 'J"he Midwives do the Virgin
Zone cashere. 1684 Bi/nvan Pilgr. \\, Introd. Lines 182
Come see her in her Virgin Face, ;iiid learn Twixt Idle
ones, and Pilgrims to discern. 17*5 Pope Odyss. iv. 1050
Iphthtiua the fair, .. whose blooming charms Allured
Eumelus to her virgin-arms. 1807-S Wordsw. Eccl. Sonn.
II. XXV, Mother ! whose virgin bosom was uncrost With the
least shade of thought to sin allied. «8io Scott Lady of
Lailte ni. v. Yet ne'er again to braid her hair The virgin
snood did Alice wear. 18x9 S. Rogers Hum, Life Poems
(1839) 10 Moves in her virgln-vcU the gentle bride. 1846
PROWKrr Prometheus Bound 31 Thou favoured maiden,
Why in thy virgin-zone still braced?
fig. 1855 Thackeray Ni-^vconies xxxix, Whenever you
found luiu he seemed watchful and serene, his modest
virgin-lamp always lighted and trim.
b. Of qualities, feelings, etc.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 11. xvii. (1622) 165 Though the
purenesse of my virgin-mind be stained, let me keepe the
true simplicity of my word. 1611 2nd Maiden's Trag. ni,
i. In Hazl. Oodsley X. 433 Hast thou.. overcome Thy
honour's en'mies with thine own white hand, Where virgin.
victory sits. 1633 Ford Broken //. 11. ili. The virgin-dowry
which my birth besiow'd Is ravish'd by another. 1^51
HoBBEs Govt. 9f Soc. xvili. % 14. 362 Hither also in some
respect tends the Virgin-life of Ecclesiasticall Persons. 1667
Milton P. L. ix. 270 To whom the Virgin Majestie of
Eve.. With sweet austeer composure thus reply'd. 1713
Audison Cato 1. vI, Lucia. Was ever virgin love distress'd
like mine \ i7»o Welton Suffer. Son of God I. iv. 67
Without the least Injury to her Virgin-Purity. 1757 Gray
Bard 1 18 Her . . face Attemper'd sweet to virgin-grace. 176a
GoLUSM. at. \V. Ixxxviii, A lady In the virgin bloom of
sixty-three. 1808 Helen St. Victor Ruins of Rigonda I.
55 These., are mere virgin scruples. 1839 De Quincey
Recoil. Lakes Wks. 1862 II. 201 The honourable election
of a self-dependent virgin seclusion, by preference to a
heartless marriage t 1848 Thackeray Van. Pair til, The
picture of youth, unprotected Innocence, and humble virgin
simplicity. 1885 ' Airs. Alexander * Valerie's Fate ii. We
must^ not disturb her virgin .thoughts with a question of
marriage.
15. Comparable to a virgin in respect of purity
or freedom from stain ; pure, unstained, unsullied.
In early use in fig. context.
13.. £. E.Allit. P. A. ^36yilc leuen on marye..Pat ber
a uarne of vyrgyn flour. ^1450 Godstow Reg. 20 With
blessyd Seynt Cuthhurge, hat virgyn flour. 1^6 Spenskk
Prothalamion 32 The virgin Lillie, and the Primrose trew.
la^ Shaks. Merch, V. w. vii. 23 What sales the Siluer,
with her virgin hue? 1610 — Temp. iv. 55 The white cold
virgin Snow vpon my heart. 1633 Foku Broken II. v. I,
The virgin-bays shall not withstand the lightning With a
more careless danger, than my constancy The full of thy
relation. 1641 Milton Reform. 1. Wks. 1851 III. 19 These
that must be call'd the ancientest, and most virgin times
liCtweenChristand Constantine. j^sWavghah SilexSci'd.
I. Search 70 What shades, and cells, Faire virgin-flowers,
and hallow'd Wells I should rove in. 1743 Francis tr. Hor.,
Odes I. xxvi. 9 Sweet Muse, who lov'st the virgin Spring,
Hither thy sunny Flowreis bring. 1819 S. Rogers Hum,
Life Poems (1839) 14 A funeral garland hung Of virgin-
white. 1818 Keats Endym. \\. 113 My veined pebble-floor,
that draws A virgin light to the deep. ^ 18^ De Quincev
Recoil. Lakes Wks. 1862 II. 23 A glittering expanse of
virgin snow. 1861 Thackeray Pour Georges Iv. 225 To lead
a pure life, to keep your honour virgiru 1885 R. Buchanan
Annan IVater \\\, The garden was covered with a sheet of
virgin white.
D. Not yet touched, handled, or employed for
any purpose; still undisturbed or unused ; perfectly
fresh or new.
1590 Shaks. Mids. N. i. \. 70 The Rose,, which withering
on the virgin thorne..dIes tn single blessednesse. 16^
Drumm. op Hawth. Exequies A, Alexander t6 How oft
have we Some Chloris Name graven in each Virgin tree?
1785^ Ckabhe Newspaper 29 Unbought, unbless'd, the
virgin copies wait In vain for fame. 1799 Wordsworth
Nutting 21 The hazels rose Tall and erect, with tempt-
ing clusters hung, A virgin scene. 1813 D'Israeli Cur.
Lit. Ser. 11. I. 415, I propose to give what., may be
called the Philosophy of Proverbs— a topic which seems
virgin. 1838 Thirlwall Greece II. xii. 108 A..Samian,
named Culieus, reached Tartessus, and found, as Herodotus
says, a virgin mart. X867 F. Francis Angling Ix. (1880J 307
Salmon.. hatched in perfectly virgin waters. 188a Flovek
Une.xpl. Baluchistan 176 It was at lea^t a virgin country
which.. had never yet been entered by white man. 1879
Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 258 The ravages of Small-pox in a
virLjin race.
O. Terfeclly free or clear ^something.
i88(} Harpers Mag. May 878^2 The Sierra Madies in
Mexico are still virgin of sportsmen and skin-hunters.
16. Employed lor the first time.
1627 Drayton Agimourty etc. 87 When th* Earleof March
..His Virgine valour on that day bestowes. 17*5 Pope
Odyss. 1. 389 His virgin sword i^gysthus' veins imbru'd.
1760 Stehne Tr. Shandy 1. ix, But lit] is honestly a true
Virgin-Dedication untried on, upon any soul living, a 1839
Pkakd Poems 1.1864) il- 16 As on the day that saw him
wield His virgin sword in battle field.
b. Forming a first essay or attempt; coming at
the beginning or outset.
1627 E. F. Hint. Edw. II (1680) 8 The first Virgin-works
of his greatness, a 1628 F. Gkevili e Sidney (1652) 225
Her Virgin-triumph over that.. invincible Navy. 165s N.
Culvekwel Treat. 1. xi. (1661) 76 Instlncls. .the first-born
faculties.. that are presently espoused to their Virgin-
objects. 1708 OzELL tr. Boileaus Lutrin 121 A Youth ..
entring ihe Lists, his Virgin-Motion makes. 17/1 Smollett
Humph. CI., To Sir VV. Phillifs 10 June, Tim Cropdale. .
had happily wound up the Caiastrophe of a virgin-Tragedy,
from the Exhibition of which (etc J. 1857 Hkavysege Saul
(i86g) 27 Now quit thee well on this thy virgin field. 1873
Hamkbton inteil. Life\.\\\. 191 'Jhat interest you preserve
in all its virgin force, and this force carries a man far. 1891
Daily Ne^vs 21 Feb. 3/2 That any measure dealing with. .
the Hou^e of Lords could only be undertaken by the viigln
energy of the session.
17. Special collocations: a. Virgin earth, soil,
etc., soil which has not hitherto been brought into
cultivation, and retains all its natural power of
producing vegetation. Virgin forest, a forest of
natural growth as yet untouched by man. Virgin
rock, etc., native rock not yet cut into or quarried.
1709 T. Robinson in Vind. Mosaick System 103 A small
Parcel of * Virgin-Clay, digged some Fathoms under
Giound. 165a French Yofksh. Spa ii. 13 Helmonts
sabulum or "vlrgin-tarth, which he saith is a certain sand
continued from the Center of the earth In divers places,
even to the superficies of the same. 1692 Boyle Hist. Ait
44 Hoping to find In the salt of what he supposed to be
Virgin-earth, the true receptacle of an universal spirit, 1744
Behkelky Siris § 141 Virgin earth becomes fertile, crops
of new plants ever and anon shew themselves. 1^99
J. Robertson Ag/ic. Perch 280 Hence the astonishing
fertility of all new soil, or what is called virgin earih. 1812
Ne^u Botanic Gard. I. 64 A third part of fresh virgin earthy
from a pasture ground. 1886 J. Bakkowman ^c. Mining
'J erms 6g * Virgin field, a mineral field untouched or solid.
1851 G. F. Richardson Geol. (1855) 443 A *virgin forest of
the Isle of Gouahan, one of the Mariana Islands. 1813 SiK
H. Davy Agric. Chun. (1814) 358 Strawberries and potatoes
at first produce luxuriantly in '^Virgin Mould, recently
turned up from pasture. 1877 J. Northcote f a/ai:*^?//^^ i.
i. 10 They choose rather to excavate In their own fashion
In the *virgln rock below, 1837 H. Martineau Soc. Amer,
II. 106 The slave population .. Is killed off. .on the 'virgin
soils to which alone it is, in any degree, appropriate. 1857
Livingstone Trav. xlx. 372 Virgin soil does not give such
a heavy crop as an old garden. 1888 Bhvce Amer. Commiv.
HI. Ixxvi, 6 No event, no speech or article, ever falls upon
a perfectly vligin soil. 1868 Rep. U. S. Commissioner
Agric. (x86(/) 18 It {sc. present practice] will doubtless con-
tinue in vogue till our 'virgin wheat lands are run over by
pioneers.
b. In special names of various substances (usu-
ally denoting one in a pure unmixed state or ob-
tained as a fiist product), as virgin barm, breccia,
comb, copper, dip, gold, etc. (see quots.).
1893 R. Wells Mod. Pract. Bread Baker 10 *Virgin
barm, or bastard barm, as it Is sometimes called, is made in
somewhat the same way as Parisian barm. 1839 Civil Eng,
«V Arch. Jml. II. 454/1 Seme Santo, or * Virgin Btereia,
Very small red, chocolate, ..white and yellowish anguluus
fragments. 1891 Cent. Diet., *Vi7gin clay, in industrial
arts,.. clay that has never been molded or fired, as dis-
tinguished from the ground substance of old ware, which is
often mixed with it. 1639 G. Daniel Ecclus. xxlv. 65 My
Memory Is pleasant as the Honey, and my ffee Is sweeter
then *Virgin-Combes. 1666 Dryden Ann. Mirab. cxlv,
With glewy wax some new Foundations lay Of Virgin-
combs, which from the Roof are hung. 1867 Tomlinson's
Cycl. Arts App. 693/2 Some virgin comb that had never
seen the light was placed in clean linen. 1728 Chambers
Cycl., * Virgin Copper, is that which has never been melted
down. J796 Morse Amer.Geog. I. 167 Remarkable for the
abundance of virgin copper. 1725 P'am. Dict.^ *l^irgtn-
Creojn, a Dish for which having the Whites of five
Eggs, let them be well whip'd and put into a Pan, with
Sugar [etc.]. 1856 Olmsted Slave States 343 Theflow
of the first year. .is of higher value than the ordinary
dip. It is called * *virgln dip.' 1884 C. S. Sargent Rep.
E'orests N. Amer. 517 ' Virgin dip,' or ' Soft white gum
turpentine ' — the product of the first year the trees are
worked. 1673 E. Bkowne Acc. Trav. Hungaiy, etc. 5^9
'I'here have been pieces of pure or "virgin Gold found in this
Mine. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Gold, Virgin Gold, is
Gold, just as It is taken out of the Mines before It have
undergone any Action, or Preparation of Fire. 1777
Robertson Hist. Amer. vii. (1778) II. 343 A late governor
of Sante Fe brought with him to Spain a lump of virgin
gold. 1837 Lockhart Scott {1839) IV. 141 Sir John Mal-
colm had given him some Indian coins to supply virgin gold
for the setting of this relic. 1733 Tull Horse-Hoeing Husk
xiv. 182 This came out of the Ricks at Winter with a much
finer Colour, and as fine a smell as the *Virgin-Hay. a 1648
DiGBY Closet Opened ii67j) 4 It is of three sorts, *Virgin-
honey, Live-honey, and Stock-honey. 1679 M. Rusueh
Further Discov. Bees 64 The ignorance of many Country
people not knowing which Is right Virgin-Hony, and wbico
VIRGIN.
b not. twt Mortimer //iisl: (1721) 1. 283 TJie H™?y
which firsi flowsof it self from the Combs is called V irgin
Honey (as is also the Honey which comes from the hrst
Years Swarm). I77« Fletcher ^/t/M/ Wks. 1795 '■ "^
tute. Some poorhungr>- hearts will say, ' One ihmg ;s need-
ful for us. We cannot have too much virgin-honey . 1BO7
rcmli.sons Cycl. Arts App. 695/1 Any exi^nments on
this subject must be with virgm honey, or that drained from
the new comb, a 1718 Woodward ^at. Hist. Fossils \.
tnic> 1. S97 Lead-Grains so pure as nearly to approach the
Flnenei of •Virgin Lead. l6«?.«'V.. ^'■'^■,^^;'^
•Virgin-Mercurythey call that, which discovers itself with-
out At help of fire. 17S7 "■ Ap/"-V fri^'. t-?*") IJ- '44
Viruin mercury, .is that which is entirely prepared by
S2. ,6«>*.V- Trans. IIL 821 Yet sometimes there
are great Masses found all "f P^'Sdr", which is call d
•Viriinmettal. 1740 Somerville HMmct 1. 202 W th his
Plam Of toughest 'virgin Oak in rising [hel aids H.s tremb-
UrTLimbs. 1719 BoVER Diet. Roy„l 1, De think v>'rgc,..
sw«r^SJ pure ?)>.l, 'Virgin Oyl. .853 Ure Diet. Art; II.
284 In the district Monlpellier, they apply the term virgin
oil to that which spontaneously separates from the paste of
crushed olives. 1857 Miller F.lcm. Clum., Or^. 359 I he
ripe olives are first subjected to pressure without the applica.
tion of heat ; in this manner the finest oil, or virgin oil, is
obtained. 1758 Borlase Nat. Hist. Corniu. 199 ihe most
perfect copt)er..is the Malleable (from its purity called in
Cornwall the •Virgin-ore). 1811 Bvron Sardanap. iv. 1,
The miner lights Upon a vein of virgin ore. 1611 Cotgr.,
rarchtmin verri, Cleere Parchment, *virgine Parch-
ment 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Firgin Parchment,
a sort of fine Parchment made of the Skin of a young
I^mb. i8»3 Scott Quentin D. xiii. It was fastened round
his middle by a broad belt of virgin parchment. 1839 Urk
Diet. Arts 897 The best [olive oil), ca^ed *virgin salad oil,
is obtained by gentle pressure in the cold. 1888 i«c* s
Handbi. Med. Sci. VI. 297/1 In this way the bubbles and
sour odor are developed, and what is known as "Virgin
Scammony" is produced. I7»6 Shelvocke !;<>);. round
World 167, 1300 dollars weight in ingots of *virgin silver.
177« Ad*m Smith W. N. 1. xi. 11. 1. 182 Silver is very
seldom found Virgin. 1B06 Forsyth Beauties Scotl. IV. 10
It had the appearance of metallic, m.-illeable, or what is
called, virgin silver. 1873 E. Spon Workshop Receipts
Ser. I. 238/2 The silver found in the trade, even under the
name of virgin silver, retains traces of copper. 1833 J.
Holland Manuf. Metal II. 39 Run, or "vugm steel;—
which, indeed, in the proper sense of the term, is no steel at
Cunnerxv. 16 inis is caiieo soipnur > ivum, iiiu uy ou.,i„
Virgin Sulphur. iiszCH>.«BmsCycl.s.v.SuJp;ii,riulp/iur
viimiii, native or virgin sulphur, is that which 15 dug in this
form out of the earth. 1706 /I r< 0/ Fainting C1744) 283 On
this they laid their "virgin tints, with light strokes of the
pencil 1753 Hogarth Anal. Beauty xiv, 190 Let us then
call class 4 of each colour ' bloom-tints ', or, if you please,
•virgin tints', as the painters call them. .1799.G- =>".t»
Laboratory I. 430 Take the first, or 'virgin wine, which
runs of itself from the grapes.
18. Comb., as virgin-eyed, -minded, -vested zA]s.
1848 B. D. Walsh Aristoph. -^inote, Jove's virgin-eyed
daughter. 1867 Earl Lvtton Lett. (1906) I. 224 There
exists nowhere.. a more virgin-minded community of young
men. 1871 Swinburne Songs be/. .Sunrise, Quia Multum
Amavit 18 Thou wast fairest and first of my virgin-vested
daughters. . . . ., „
Hence Vi'rgln v. a. tntr. with it. I o remain a
virgin, b. trans. To speak of, mention (virgins).
1607 Shaks. Cor. V. iii. 48 That kisse I carried from thee
deare: and ray true Lippe Hath Virgin'd it ere since.
1615 Massinger AImc Way m. ii, Marg. You 11 haveme,
sir, preserve the distance that Confines a virgin? Over.
Virgin me no virgins ! I must have you lose that name, or
you lose me.
Virginal (vS-idijinal), sb. Forms : 6 virgin-
alles, -ynal(le)8, 6-7 virginallts, 6- virginal(s,
7-8 virginelles. [App. of the same formation as
ViBGiXAL a.,but the reason for thename isobscure.]
1. A keyed musical instrument (common in Eng-
land in the i6th and 17th centuries), resembling a
spinet, but set in a box or case without legs.
a. In plural form, applied to a single instrument.
IS30 Palsgr. 711/1 Set my virgynalles, entonnez nies
espviettes. a 154a Hall Chron., Hen. VIII, 8 Exercisyng
hym self dayly in . . plaiyng at the recorders, flute, virginals,
and in setting of songes. 1591 Florid ziid Fruites 129
He plaies also upon the cittarn, virginals, violme and llute.
1601 B. JoNSON Ev. Man in Hum. CQ.) 11. in. 161, I can
compare him to nothing more happely, then a Barbers
virginals; foreueryone may play vpon him. 1660 Pepvs
Diary 8 Dec., Her daughter played after dinner upon the
virginals. i66» Plavford Skill Mus. i. i. 4 But Lessons
for the Organ, Virginals, or Harp, two staves of six lines
together are required. 1710 J. Ciiein in E. Dunbar .yc.
Li/e (1865) 15, 1 can. .play on the Treble and Gambo, Viol,
Virginelles and Manicords. 1786 Lounger (lySj) II. 192.
1 could play pretty well on the Virginals at home. 1823
RoscoE tr. Sismondi's Lit. Eur. (1846) 1. v. 128 The clan-
cord was a sort of spinet resembling the virginals. 1841
Barham Ingol. Leg. Ser. 11. Nell Cook, And fine upon the
virginals is that gay Lady's touch. 1873 Dixon Two Queens
XIL iii. II. 298 Himself a player on the virginals and organ.
b. A pair of virginals, in the same sense. (Cf.
Paibj*.'6.)
icu Test. Ehor. (Surtees) VI. 159 A paire of virginals.
■US Lane. Wills (Chetham Soc.) II. 67 My best paire of
viTginalls. 1630 Dkkker 2nd Ft. Honest Wh. H iv. No,
for she's like a paire of Virginals, Alwaies with lackes at
her taile. l6«6 Pepvs Diary 2 Sept., Hardly on« lighter
or boat in three that had the goods of a house in, but there
was a pair of Virginalls in it. 1684 Bonvan Filgr. 11. 93
"The Dining.Room, where stood a pair of excellent Vir-
ginals. 175s J. Collier (Tim Bobbin) Let. Wks. (1775I
177 You know I have a pair of rusty old Virginals in a
Corner of the School, which have about eight Strings left
out of forty-five.
23.2
c. As a singular, with plural denoting more than
one instrument.
The plural use (u) prob. preceded the singular.
(<i) 1566 Sternhold & Hopkins Ps. cl. 14 Praise dim
with Tymbrell and with flute, orgaines and virghials. 1598 .
Sylvester Du Bartas 11. i. Handycra/ts 567 Wiery Cym- 1
bals. Rebecks sinnews twin'd. Sweet Virginals, and Cornets
curled winde. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. Kf Comimv. 187
'I'hose [teeth] that are left, leaping in their heads, like lacks
in Virginals. 1644 DlGBV Nat. Bodies vii. (1658) 57 Artificial
musical instruments (as organs and virginals that playd by
themselves). 1694 Patent Specif. (1856) No. 337. i Harpsi-
chords, virginalls or the like. 1833 Ht. Martineau Three
Ages i. 7 Large and airy study, .ornamented with books,
manuscripts, maps, viols, virginals, and other musical
instruments. ,,..,, , ,
(*) 1570 Levins Maiiip. 15 Virginall, cymbala. 1597
Breton Wit's 'I'rencAmourWks.iGTOinn) II. 14/1 Let nie
euer loue musicke, though I cannot tune a virginall. 1625
Gill Sacr. Philos. 11. 188 In an Organ or Virginall, all
manner of tunes, all concords, and discords are, which are
possible to bee made or conceived by any Musician. 1667
Pepys Diary 23 Jan., He and I did see the organ, but I do
not like it, it being but a bauble, with a virginal joining
toil 1604 Phil. '/■raMS. XVIII. 73 He shews the best way
how' to have an Organ or Virginal tuned. 1709 Addison
Taller No. 157 r8 That ancient serious Matron-like In-
strument the Virginal. 1789 Burnev Hist. Mus. III. 1. 5
note. The Virginal is a keyed instrument of one string, jack,
and quill, to each note, like a spinet. 1843 ^'""jy Cycl.
XXVI. 360/2 The compass of the virginal was from the
second added line below the base to the second added line
above the treble-or four octaves. 1889 Brinsmead Hist.
Pianoforte 91 The instrument which gradu.ally superseded
the clavichord in England was the vugmal.
traiisf. IS93 Harvey Ne^u Lett. Wks. (Grosart) I. 266 Is
not the Verse of M. Spencer in his braue Faery Queene, the
Virginall of the diuinest Muses, and gentlest Graces?
2. attrib. and Comb., as virginal book, jack {]KC«.
sb.^ H), -maker, master, tniisic, music-book, string,
■wire. , , , ,
i6«j Pepvs Diary 16 Mar., Thence home by coach, buy-
ing at the Temple the printed •virginall-book for her. 1^4
•Virginal jack [see Jack sb.^ 14I. iSaa F. Markham Bk.
War IV. viL 146 Men should not like virginall lacks be
skipping up here and there, and in every corner, c 1638
G. ¥lattes in Worlidge Syst. Agric. (1669) iv 1 6. 44 These
may be made to play up and down like Virginal Jacks. 15S1
Acts Privy Comic. (1891) III. 306 Robert Gundet of West-
minster,'"virginall maker. C1580 Mundav J ie%v Sundry
Examples (Shaks. Soc.) 93 A Virginal maker that came to
look Ravens quils found the man slam. 1640 in bir I,.
Sharp Chron. Mirab. (1841) 44 Thomas forcer, Virginal!
master. 1874 Ouselev Musical Form 48 It was very com-
monly employed three hundred years ago for *virginal
music. 1889 Brinsmead Hist. Pianoforte 93 Queen L liza-
beth must.. have performed music that would be considered
exceedingly difficult even now, if she really played the
nieces that are in her "virginal music-book. i6a6 bacon
Sylva § 13 The sound of a "Virginall String, as soone as the
Ouill of the Jack falleth from it, stoppeth. 1743 Emerson
Fluxions 265, I took a virgin.-il Siring 29. Inches long.
iMl Ireland, .Stat, at Large {.1761) )]■ 4i8 ♦Virginal and
ghittern wire, the pound, ^l. 1698 Ph,l J ra;s. XX. 433 It
was a Piece of small Virginal Wire. i8ia J. Smyth Pract.
ofCustomsi^i^i) 279, I Cask, 63 lbs. Brass Virginal Wire.
Hence f 'Vi'rginal v. itUr., to tap with the fingers
as on a virginal. Obs.-'^ „. „ , .
1611 Shaks. Wint. T. l ii. 124 To be padling Palmes, and
pinching Fingers, .. Still Virginalling Vpon his Palme?
Virginal (V3-Jd3inal), a. Forms: 5- vir-
ginal (5 -alle, -el,-ele),6-7 virginall (6-eall);
5 virgynal, 5-6 -all, 6 vyrginall ; 5 vyrgynal,
5-6 -all. [a. OF. (also mod.F,) virginal ( = Sp.
and Pg. virginal. It. virginaW), or ad. L. virgindl-
is, f. virgin-, virgo : see Virgin sb. and -al.]
1. Of or pertaining to a virgin or to virginity.
14.. in Tundale's Vis. (1843I 129 For of hur wombe the
cloysture vyrgynall Euer was lyke bothefyrst and lastC,losed
and schytt as castell principall. c 1440 Capcrave Life St.
Kath v. 1314 He hath stodied with al bene and ineende
Thi virgynal body to destroye and shende. 1513 Bradshaw
.St. Weriurge I. 2973 In the vyrgynall wombe of blessed
marye. 1579 Fulkf. Heskius' Pari. 170 The Virginall
bowels of his vndefiled mother. I59» R-,D. Hypneroto-
machia 78 This honourable Nymph had her virgineall . .
body covered with a..stuffe of greene silke. i6ia Field
Woman's a Weathercock ill. ii. in Hazl. Dodsley II. 53
And thy Bellafront presents herself. Lav d in a bath of
contrite virgin.al tears. 1650 Jer. Taylor Holy Living yjS
The load was too great, and did sink thy tender and vir.
ginal body to the earth. 1721 R. Keith tr. 7'. a Kempis,
.Solil. Soul xxii. 294 Thanks also be to holy Mary thy
Mother, from whose virginal Flesh thou didst take the
holy Members of thy Body. 1846 Landor Imag. Com:
Wks. I. 537/1 Can the calmest face,.. or can the most vir-
ginal apron, do away with or cover this? 1854 Cdl. Wise-
man Fabiola (1855) 201 One. .whose brides never nut oH
their virginal wreaths. 1878 H. M. Stanley Dark Cont.
I. XV. 400 They are all comelyand brown, with fine virginal
bosoms.
b. Virginal generation, parthenogenesis.
1879 tr. Haeckets Evol. Man I. ii. 28 The so<alled par-
thenogenesis, or virginal generation, of Bees.
2. Of qualities, actions, etc. : Proper to, charac-
teristic of, a virgin.
cuil HoccLEvK De Reg. Princ. 3584 O humble maide !
who IS it \a.\. can The debonaire humblesse tellen al, Restynge
in t>y clennesse virginal? 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg.im b/i
There ben twelue vertues vyrgynal. .wyth out whiche no
vyrgyne may be agreeable to god. 1493 Petronilla 58
(Pynson), She fulfylled his byddynge in certeyn Withoute
erutchinge of virgynall mekenesse. a 1519 Skelton A «/><)'c.
V. Whiche is the most clere christall Of all pure clennesse
virgynall. 1590 Spenser F. Q. ii. ix. 20 Gentle court and
gracious delight She to them made, with mildnesse virginall.
VIRGINIA.
t6o8 Shaks. Per. iv. vi. 62 Without any more virginal
fencing, will you use him kindly? i6a7 Donne Strm. Wks.
1839 V. 613 Where is th.at Soul?.. Is it come back in the
virginal integrity in which I made it ? 1640 lip. HallC/i>7J-
tian Moderation 1. §8. 76 Virginall chastity is a grace
worthy of our fervent prayers, worthy of our best endeavors.
1850 KiNGSLEY A. Locke i. No foundlings educated in a
nunnery ever grew up in a more virginal and .spotless inno-
cence. 1873 DoRAN Lady of last Cent. iii. 73 The . . affected
virginal coyness with which [she], .received, .their rather
audacious gallantry. 1891 Farrar Darkn, ff Daunt xxx,
'ihat beautiful mixture of manly courage and virginal
modesty. . ,
transf. i86a S. Lucas Secularia 133 Many.. were pnvi.
leged to behold the West in all its virginal freshne-ss and
splendour. 1868 J. H. Newman Verses Var. Occas. 211
He lifts his hands, there issues forth A fragrance virginal
and rare.
3. Of persons : Continuing in a state of virgin-
ity ; having the chastity or purity of a virgin.
1483 Caxton Cold. Leg. 99 b/2 Ihe vyrgynal corapanye
of thynnocentes. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems Ixxxv. 79 Bricht
ball cristall, ross virginall, ..Aue Maria, a 1513 Fabvan
Chron. I. xxvii. 19 Most virgynall flour, of al most excellent.
1346 Bale Eng. Votaries 1. (1550) 5 Ye shall easely per-
ceyveby their actes, that these virginall votaries hath bene
the verye .\ngels of darkenessse. 1567 Abp. Parker Corr.
(Parker Soc.) 304, I would it were indifferently credited to
understand, whether the married sort or ihe virginal pastors
had done most spoil to the church. 1867 E. F. Bowden
Fathers of Desert 267 O Virginal Mother, arouse my soul
to penance and guide me to the way of salvation. 1886 W.
Alexander St. A ug. Holiday 14 Such virgin gifts for spirits
virginal. 190S G. Thorne Lost Caiise-xM, She was pure but
not virginal in temperament.
4. transf. Fresh, pure, unsullied, untouched.
a 1659 OsBORN Observ. Turks Wks. (1673) 344 Learning. .
resembling dead Honey, which is stale, coorse, and le-ss use-
ful, none being pure and Virginal, but what is sucketl from
every Flower that may be found in the wild Field of a
general Commerce. [1767 A. Campbell Lexiph. i A novel
exhibition which is purely virginal.] 1811 W. R. Spencer
Poems 152 Shall the earth, 'mid the roses of June, Mays
virginal violets scorn? 1866 'Hi. \i.iio\.\> Empedocles \.n.
The grass is cool, the seaside air Buoyant and fresh, the
mounlain flowers More virginal and sweet than ours. 1889
Jos Thomson Trav. Morocco 24 From no point of view..
does Tangier look so beautiful and virginal.. as from this
particular gateway.
tVirgina'lity. Obs. rare. [f. prec.-f -ITV.J
The state or quality of being virginal.
a 1450 Kilt, de la Tour 149 Within her pure uirginalite of
her flcsshe, blode, and bone, the Sone of God toke humanite.
1721 Bailey, Virginality, Maidenliness.
Virginally (vS-jdjinali), ao'z'. [f VIRGINAL
a. + -L\ '■^.] In a virginal manner ; like a virgin.
1882 Stevenson Men ^ B. 35 Virginally troubled at the
fluttering of her dress in the spring wind. 188a Miss C. P.
WooLSON Anue loi Young ladies, dancing virginally by
themselves. ,.. ^ . .
t VirgineOUS, a- Obs. rare. \i. L. virgzne-us
(f virgin-, virgo virgin) + -ous.] Virginal, virgin
1585-7 Rogers 39 Art. Pref. (1607) r3 Her Faith, he:
wisedome her virgineous and chast behauiour he would
euer celebrate. 1694 Motteux Rabelais V. 248 Your Phrase,
robustly propt, with ease produces Fractions in many weak
Virgineous Cruises. r v tt ' r
t Virginet, var. of (or error for) \ irginal sb.
1 c 1680 AsHMOi.E Mem. (1717) 4 Mr. Henry Hinde, Orgaq-
ist of the Cathedral, . . taught me the Virginetts and Organ.
tVirginhead. Obs. [-head.] -next.
1598 Sylvester Dii Bartas 11. i. Eden 662 Unlike it is.
Such blessed state the noble flowr should miss Of Virgin,
head 1611 J- Davifs (Heref.) Sco. Folly Ep. cxxv, Two
foes of honord name in Honors bed, (The field) desirde (like
virgins newly wines) To lose their valours lusty virgin-head.
Vi-rginhood. [f. Virgin j<5. -i- -hood.] The
condition or state of a virgin ; virginity.
i6-i6 Davenant Platouick Lorners 111, To live in sweet
unskilful! virgin-hood, The Angels life, for they no sexes
know 1871 Browning Balaust. 821 But thou, my girl, how
will thy virginhood Conclude itself in marriage fittingly?
1874 WiTiiROw Catacombs of Rome (1877) 527 The abandon-
ment of the lofty vantage ground of virginhood.
Virginia (v3rd.?i-nia). [f. L. virgin-, virgo
^•IRGIN sb. (in honour of Queen Elizalielh) -I- -lA 1.]
With the various applications of the word cf. those of
Virginian a.^ .. ,r , . . •
1. The name of that part of North America in
which the first English settlement was made in
1607, subsequently one of the original thirteen
States' of the North American Union, used attrib.
in Virginia colony, company, landscape, trade, etc.
1609 in Capt. Smith Wks. (Arb.) p. xcviii, I am bold to
writ?the truth of some late accidentes, be falne his Mates,
ties Virginia collonye. 1611 Ibid. 641 It came to be appre-
hended by someof the Virginia Company, im^n^airne
Peerage Evidence (1874) 170 Copertnersm a Virginia trade
carryed on by them under the firm of Oswald Denmstoun
ant^^Company. .78- Ann. Reg, Hist. 47/. The Virginia
militia gave the British troops a warm reception. 185s
KingslIy Westiv. Ho ! xxix, [They] joyfully unloaded heir
Virginia goods, and replaced them with powder and shot.
,888 Encyel. Brit. XXIV. 256/2 The most striking feature
of thousands of square miles of Virginia landscape.
b. In names of plants and trees, as Virginia
cedar, corn, ivy, pea, tobacco, wheat ; Virginia
creeper, Amfelopsis hederacea and qmnquejolta,
common climbing plants of the family I ilaiese ;
■Virginia Trine (see quots.).
Also Virginia snake-root, spiderwort, stock, sumach,
-.uitch.lmzel ; see the sbs. .ri. 1. c .
1731 Miller Card. Diet. s.v. Jumperus, The three Sorts
her
Id
VIKGINIAN.
of *Virginia Cedars . . afford excellent Timber for many Ui.es.
1888 Efuycl. Brit. XXIV. 258 2 The principal timber trees
..are.. yellow or pitch pine; red or Virginia cedar. 163 1 in
Capt. Smith IVks. (Arb.) 564 Whatsoeuer is said against
the *Virginia Come, they rinde it doth better nourish
than any prouision is sent thither. 1704 Petiver Gazopkyl.
M. xiv, This adheres to Trees by its hoary fibres, as our
•Virginia Creeper doe:* to Walls by its tendrels. 1786
Abercrombie 6'ar<^. Wj^i>/. 153 Xrain and nail climbers —
to walls, &c. as virgin's bower, passion flower, Virginia
creeper, &c. 1857 Henfrey Bot. §452 The species of
Ampelopds known as 'Virginia Creepers' exhibit some
intetesting phacnomena. 1870 Dickens E. Vrood it, The
Virginia creeper on the cathedral wall has showered half its
deep-red leaves down on the pavement. 1639 Parkinson
Parad, 612 Vitis^ sen potins Hedtra Virginensis, the
•Virginia Vine, or rather luie. 1607 in Capt. Smith Wks.
(Arb.) 97 We daily feasted with good bread, *Virginia
pease, pumpions and putchamins. 1657 Coles Adam in
Eden 333 Some have called the yellow Lupine Spanish
Violets,.. and.. 'Virginia Roses. 1706 Phillips (ed. Ker-
sey), * Virginia-Tobacco, the Tobacco-Plant growing in
those Parts. 1786 Abercrombir Card. Assist. 115 Sow..
cape- marigold, yellow sultan. Vin;inia tobacco, &c. x6s9
Parkinson Parad. 564 The 'Virginia Vine, .beareth small
Grapes witliout any great store of iuice therein. Ihid. 612
This slender, but tall climing Virginia Vine (as it was first
called; but luie, as it doth better resemble). 1651 R. Child
in Hartlib's Legacy (1655) 36 The hill where their Corn is
planted, called *Virginia.Wheat. 1688 Phil. Trans. XVII.
078 English Wheal {as they call it, to distinguish it from
Maze, commonly called Virginia Wheat).
C. In names of birds, insects, etc., as Virginia
bat, chafer, didapper^ frog, goatsucker, red-bird,
snap-beetle, squirrel; Virginia nightingale^ the
cardinal grosbeak,
1688 Phil. Trans. XVII. 991 The Night Raven, which
some call the *VirKinia Bat, is about the bigness of a
Cuckow. 1704 Petiver Gazopkyl. Dec. 111. Tab. xxvii,
Marshal's •Virginia Chaffer. t^B&Phii. Trans. XVII. 997
Tcale, Wigeon,..*Virginia-Didapers. 1706 Phillips (ed.
Kersey), * Virginia- Frog, a kind of Frog that., makes a
noise like the bellowing of a Bull. i-jZ^hKruKnGen. SynoP.
Birds II. II. 595 * Virginia Goatsucker., inhabits Virginia in
summer; arrives there towards the middle of April 1688
Phil. Trans. XVII. 995 Of "Virginia Nightingale, or red
Bird, there are two sorts. 1695 Lond. Gaz. No. 3108/4 A
Parcel of choice Virginia Nightingales, with choice Mock-
Birds,, .are to be sold by Tho. Bland. 1706 Phillips (ed.
Kersey), Virginia-Nightingale, a Bird of a pure scarlet
Colour, with a tuft on the Head. 1731 {see Red «. 17 bj.
1808 A. Wilson /J w«r. Omith. (1831) II. 273 Numbers.,
having been carried over both to France and England, in
which last country they are usually called Virginia nightin-
gales. 1783 Latham Geu, S^itop. Birds II. 11. 777 Tetrao
Virginianus, "Virginia Partridge, smallerthan the Common
Partridge. z8o8 A. Wilson Amer. Omith. (1831) II. 276
They are generally known by the names red-bird, "Virginia
red-bird,.. and erested red-bird. 170a VT:\\\v.v.Gazophyl. i.
1 10 The Velvet-eyed *Virginia Snap-Iiectie. 1609 in CapL
Smith /^A"j, (Arb.) p. c, I tould him of the "Virginia squirills
which they say will fly.
d. Miscellaneous combs., as Virginia tobacco
(cf. 3) ; Virginia fence, a rail fence made in a
zig-zag manner ; to make a V. fence (see quot
1861) ; "Virginia reel, a country-dance.
1745 Franklin Drinker's Diet. Wks. 1887 II. 26 He
[being drunk] makes a "Virginia fence. i78^ANBUKev Trav.
II. 324 The New Englanders have a saying when a man
is in liquor, he is making Virginia fences. i8s6 T. Flint
Recollections 206 The universal fence split rails, laid in a
worm trait, or what is known in the North by the name of
Virginia fence. 1844 P. H. Gosse in Zoologist II. 708 The
fences, which are almost wholly made of rails set up in the
zig-zag fashion so general in the north, commonly called a
Virginia fence. 1861 Lowell Biglow P.Sct. ii. Introd., Poet.
Wks. (1912) 285 * Virginia fence, to make a : ' to walk like a
drunken man. 1859 Bartlett Diet. Amer. (ed. 2) 497
'Virginia reel, the common name throughout the United
States for the old English ' country-danse *. 1694 Salmon
Bate's Dispens. (1713) 14/1 If you steep good "Virginia To-
l>acco in the Water, . .it will be much more effectual. 1747
W. Douglas Brit. Settlements N. Amer. (1760) I. 116 Vir.
gtnia tobacco, and Brazil, and Varinas totxu:co, differ upon
this account.
2. ellipt. A variety of tobacco grown and manu-
factured in Virginia. Also aitrib.
1618 in CapL Smith IVks.iXrh.) 541 There are so many
sofisticating Tobaco-mnngers in England, were it ncuer so
bad, they would sell it for Verinas, and the trash that re-
maineth should be Virginia. 1650 B. Discolliminium 47
My bare purse will reach no higher then to Democraticall
Virginia, which many times tasts like some Levellers old
leathern linings. 1681 T. Flatman Heraclitus liidens
No. 9 (1713) L 53 The Reforming Troops, .offering the In.
cense of Virginia, and the Drink-offering of the Bottle, to
their Idol of the Long-sword. 171a Addison Sped. No.
329 p6 He bid him stop by the way at any good Tobacco-
nist's, and take in a Roll of their best Virginia. 1803 Sir A.
Boswell Spirit of Tintoc xix. He's ta'en his spleuchan frae
hisbreeks For a quid o" the right Virginia. 1864 Hawthorne
^y. Felton{\^%^ 301 A. .German pipe. .puffed out volumes
of smoke, filling the pleasant western breeze with the fra-
grance of some excellent Virginia.
3. Astr. One of the minor planets.
1868 LocKVER Elem. Astron. ^28 Minor Planets [include]
..48. Doris. ^9. Pales. 50. Virginia. \in^ Encycl. Brit,
II. 807 /a Virginia [discovered] 1857, October 4 (by) Fer-
guson [at] Washington.
Virginian (vaid^i-nian), sb. and a.^ [f. prec.
+ -ANJ
A. sb. One of the aboriginal natives or in-
habitants of Virginia.
1588 Hariot Brief Rep. Virginia Bib, [If mulberry
trees are planted] there will rise as greate prolite in time
to the Virginians, as.. doth now to the Persians. 1607-ia
Vol. X.
233
in Capt. Smith Wks. (Arb ) 79 Of the manner of the Virgin-
ians governement. 1619 Middlkton Love <V Aniiq. in
Bullen O. Pi. VII. 321 The civilly instructed Irishman, and
that kind savage the Virginian. \'j\t^ De Foe Crusoe i.
(Globe) 209 The_ Brasilians, and Virginians, and other
Natives of America. 1859 Thackeray / 'iyginians xl, A
young savage Iroquois, Choctaw, or Virginian, who has
lately been making a little noise in our quarter of the globe.
b. A white settler in Virginia ; a native or in-
habitant of the modern State of Virginia.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XVIU. 659,1 The Virginians
who are rich, are in general sensible, polite, and ho^itable
and of an independent spirit. 1843 Penny Cyci. XXVI.
372/2 Parts of the Navigation Laws were deemed highly
injurious to the interests of the Virginians. 1876 Bancroft
Hist. U. S. II I. xiii. 2q8 Two regiments composed of Penn-
sylvanians, Marylanders, and Virginians, remained as a
garrison.
B. adj. Of, belonging or relating to, the State
of Virginia ; connected with or interested in Vir-
ginia.
With the various applications of the adj., cf. the attributive
uses of Virginia.
1609-ia in Capt. Smith IVks.i^xh.) 169 For the honorable
and better sort of our Virginian adventurers, I think they
vndersiaiid it as I liaue writ it. 161^ Chapman Masque
Inns of Court A ij, On their heads liigh sprig 'd- feat hers,
compast in Coronets, like the Virginian Princes they pre.
sented. 1781 Ann. Reg., Hist. 46/2 The second line [was
composed] of Virginian militia, a 1797 H. Waliole Geo. II
(1822) I. 346 An Indian half king, ..who in the Virginian
accounts is called a very considerable monarch. 1859
Thackkray Virginians vi, The scanty pay and patronage
of the Virginian government. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U. S.
I. XX. 545 Virginian and Marylan>l volunteers joined to-
gether, and .. besieged the fort.
b. In names of plants and trees, as Virginian
anemone, azaro/e, bindweed, cowslip, date plum,
dogwood, fir, grape, guelder-rose, hemp, ivy,
jasmine, poplar, etc.; f Virginian climber, —
Makacock ; Virginian creeper, ~ Virginia
creeper.
Also Virginian poke, snake-root, sp.'der-ivort, stock,
sumach, witch-hazel : see the sbs.
i8u Hortus Angl. II. 50 ^Virginian Anemone... Petals
green ; flower-stalks long ; seeds shaggy. 1785 AIaki vn
Lett. Bot. xxi. (1794) 290* Virginian Azarole has oval leaves
wedge-shaped at the base, shining and deeply serrate.
17^31 Miller Gard. Diet. s.v. Sviilax, Rough "Virginian
Bindweed, with a smooth Ivy Leaf, commonly call'd Zarza-
parilla. Ibid. s.v. Juniperus, Red ^Virginian C<:-dar. Ibid.,
The White-bcrry'd Virginian Cedar. 1861 Bentley Man.
Bot. 660 yuniperus virginiana, the Virginian Red Cedar.
1688 Holme WrwiTMrv 11. 68/2 The*Virginian Climber ;. .
these Flowers are of a whitish colour, thick spotted with a
Peach colour. 1704 Diet. Rust.iij^t), Virginian Climber,
or Maracac, comes out of the Ground in May with long
round winding Stalks. 18^ A. Gray Man. Bot. (i860) 323
Mertensia Virgimca, *Virginian Cowslip or Lungwort.
x88s Garden 20 May 352/1 'Ihe Virginian Cowslip. .attains
true development in semi-shady spots. 1856A.GRAY A/<i».
Bot. (i860) 78 ^;«/f/o/«>, ..*Virginian Creeper. 1871 H.
Macmillan True Vine \\. (1872) 41 The Virginian creeper
is known to botanists by the generic name of Ampelopsis,
derived from its vine-like habit of growth. 1866 Tnas,
Bot. 4 1 1/2 Diospyros virginiana is the * Virginian Dale
Plum or Persimon, a native of the United States. X715
P'atn. Diet., * Virginian- Dogivootl, a Tree of the natural
growth of Virginia, about the size of the common Cherry-
Trec, blossoHUiig early in the Spring. 1731 Miller Gard.
Diet. s.v. Abies, The * Virginian Firr Tree, with small
roundish Cones. Ibid. s.v. Vitis, The wild "Virginian
Grape. 18*9 T. Castle Introd, Bot. 95 The "Virginian
gelder-rose, a common garden shrub, affords a very perfect
specimen of this kind of inflorescence. 1899 Loudon Encycl.
Plants Z^^ Wfw/V/a, . . *Virginian Hemp. [Cf. Hemp 5.)
i^rsi Miller Gard. Diet. s.v. Hedera, Round-Ieav'd *Vir«
gmian Ivy, 1664 Evelyn Kal. Hort. Sept. 75 Yellow
*Virginian Jasmine. s88a Gardt-n 29 April 297/1 The pure
blue of 'Virginian Lungwort combines happily with alpine
Auriculas. 1^31 Miller Gard. Diet. s.v. Acer, The "Vir-
ginian flowering Maple was rais'd from Seeds which were
brought from Virginia. 1669 Evelyn Kal. Hort. ted. 3)
Aug. 23^ Single flowers. Shrub Spirxa, Agnus Castus, the
•Virginian Slartagon, Maiva arborescens. 1715 Earn.
Dict.s.v., "Virginian-Myrtle, otherwisecall'd Candle- Berry-
Tree. 1843 Penny Cyel. XXV. 341/2 Tulip-tree, the Eng-
lish name of the Liriodendron tulipifera:..\n America,
where it is a native, it is also known by the names White
wood,. ."Virginian Poplar, and the Poplar. 1731 Miller
Gard, Diet. s.v. Rubus, The 'Virginian Raspberry-bush
with black Fruit. Ibid. s.v. Rosa, The Wild *Virginian
Rose. i6s9 Parkinson Parad. 444 "Virginian Silke.
1731 Miller Gard, Diet., Periploca, Virginian Silk... The
\ lower consists of one Leaf, i860 Chambers's Encycl. I.
468/1 Asclepias Syriaca, Syixa^xi or Virginian Swallow-wort,
sometimes called Virginian Silk, appears to be a native of
North America. ..It is frequently cultivated in flower-
gardens. x866 Treas. Bot. 1219/1 Virginian Silk, Periploca
grxca. X731 Miller Gard. Did. s.v. Veronica, Tall "Vir-
ginian Speedwell, with many Spikes and white Flowers.
18x9 Loudon Encycl. PI. (1839) 196 Asclepias syriaca.
•Virginian Swallow-wort, i860 [see Virginian silk above],
1842 Penny Cycl. XXIV. 217/2 T. Virginiana, the "Vir-
finian Tephrosia, . , is a handsome plant with reddish
owers. 1844 Stephens Bk. Farm I. 393 The cock's-spur-
thom {Crataegus cms gallt) and the *Virginian thorn (C
Vit^niana) have been proposed. 1741 Compl. Fam.Piece
II. in. 386 There are several other Trees and Shrubs which
are now in Flower, as. ."Virginian Trumpet-flower. Olives,
..Capers. 1640 Howell Dodona's Gr. 180 In this "Vir-
einian-Vine, the saying of the wisest of Kings may be veri-
r^ed, That a good Wife is a Tree of life. 1731 Miller
Gard. Did. s.v. Vitis, The Virginian Vine or Common
Creeper, ijzs Earn. Did., * Virginian Wild Crab-tree, a
Plant that blossoms somewhat like the Apple, but very
pleasant to the Smell.
VIRGINITY.
o. In names of birds, quadrupeds, etc., as Vir-
ginian Colin, deer, nightingale, owl, etc.
.'?*3. Yaerell Brit. Birds II. 348 Ortyx Virginiana,
•Virginian Colin. 1781 Pennant Quad. I. 104 'VirginUn
Deer with slender horns... A quite distinct species, and
peculiar to America, c 1880 Casscll's Nat. Hist. III. 68
The Virginian Deer, is the 'Common' Deer of North
America, and is slightly smaller than the Fallow Deer
Ibid. 301 The Eagle Owl.. and its relative, the "Virginian
Eared Owl of America, are the largest of all the family.
1801 Shaw Cen. Zool. II. i. 155 "Virginian Flying Squirrel.
.Sciurus Volucella. 1817 Stephens Ibid. X. i. 153 *Vir.
finian Goatsucker. Capriiiiulgus virginianus. 1809 Ibid.
II. I. 215 'Virginian Horned Owl. Strix Virginiana.
i6«8 Chaeleton Onomast. 85 Coccotkraustes Virginiana,
. . the "Virginian Nightingale. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl.
s.v. Nightingale, Virginian Nightingale,, .the common,
but improper, name of a bird of the §ross-beaked kind. 1775
Shekidan Duenna 11. i, She is a nightingale— a Virginian
nightingale. 1806 P. A. Bruce Kcon. Hist. Virginia I.
H9 The cardinal or red bird, which was always described
as the Virginian nightingale, on account of the clearness
and strength rather than the variety of its notes. >8oaSHAW
Cen. Zool. 1. 11. 473 Didelphis Virginiana. "Virginian
Opossum. 1843 Varreli, Brit. Birds II. 348 I'erdix Vir-
giniaiia,''Vkgmian Partridge. 1884.$/. fames' Gaz. 28 Apr.
6/2 The so-called Virginian partridge .. has unaccountably
failed to adapt himself to the English climate. iS6j Cham-
bers's Eiuycl, IX. 809 "Virginian Quail, or Colin (Ortyx), a
genus of birds of the family J etraonidx, c\ox\y allied to
quails and partridges, c 1880 CasselFs Nat. hist. IV. 144
Some ot the American Parlridges are familiar to us in this
country, such as the Virginian Quail {.Ortyx virginianus).
178s Latham Gen. Synop. Birds HI. i. 228 R alius Virgi-
nianus, "Virginian Rail. (Hence in Pennant (1792) and
Stephens (1824).] aijoa Evelyn Diary 19 Sept. 1657, 2
"Virginian rattle-snakes. 177^ Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1824)
II. 7iThegrey *Virginian squirrel .. is larger than a rabbit,
and of a greyish colour, 1783 Latham Gen. Synop. Birds
II. II. 546 Parus Virginianus, "Virginian Titmouse.
[Hence in Pennant (1792) and Stephens (1817).]
d. Miscellaneous uses, as Virginian plate,
silver (see quot.) Virginian sea, that part of
the Atlantic Ocean lying off the coast of Virginia ;
+ Virginian vapour, tobacco-smoke.
In quot. 1617 (and under Vikgin j3. ji) Virginian is an
error for Vergivian, an epithet (derived from Ptolemy) of
the Irish Sea.
1864 Strauss, etc. Eng. Workshops 60 This new com-
pound to which the inventors have given the name of "Vir-
ginian plate or Virginian silver. i6ia Capt. Smith Map 0/
Virginia Map, The "Virginian Sea. [1617 Morvson liin.
III. 156 This famous Hand in the Virginian Sea, is by olde
Writers called lerna,.. by the English at this time Ireland.]
1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 256/1 On the S. it is bounded by
North Carolina and Tennessee, . .and on the E. by the Vir-
ginian Sea of the Atlantic Ocean. 1631 Lenton Charact.
F 7, He, .then Hues by "Virginian vapour a week after.
t Virgi-nian, a.2 Obs. [f. Vikgin sb. -t- -ian.]
Virginal ; virgin.
1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 754 Whether it be Vir-
ginian modestie, and after the vse of Virgins, shee would
-say nay at first. 1758 J'.lalioratory laid Open 319 The best
Virginian honey.
t Virgi'nic, a. Chem. Obs. Also virgineic.
[f. ViKoiN-iAN a.l + -ic.] Virginic acid,&n acid
obtained from the fat-oil of Virginian snake-root.
1837 R. D. Thomson in B?-it. Ann. 350 Virginic acid,
. .Quevenne considers the whole of the oil to constitute the
acid to which he has applied a name from Virginia, from
whence the plant was originally sent by Dr. Tennant..in
1738. 1868 Watts Diet. Client. V. 1002.
Virginity (vsidai-niti). Forms : 4-5 vir-
gynyte, 6 -ite ; 4-6 vyrgynyte, 5 -enyte, 6
-inite ; 4-6 virginite (itee, 4 wirginite, 5 Sc.
verginite), 5 -yte, 5-7 -itie, 6- virginity, [a.
AF. and OF. virginite (mod.F. virginite, = It.
verginilA, virginith, Sp. virginidad, Pg. -idade),
ad. L. virginilat-, virginitas, f. virgin-, stem of
virgo : see Virgin sb. and -ity.]
1. Tlie condition of being or remaining in a state
of chastity ; abstinence from or avoidance of all
sexual relations ; bodily chastity, as a virtue of
great commendation, or as conferring especial
merit or sanctity ; the mode of life characterized by
this, esp. as adopted from religious motives.
a. Of persons of either sex (or without special
limitation of sex).
a Z300 Cursor M. 24681 Man or womman, quelrer it be,
)>at liues in wirginite, Quat fanding J^at pai fele. 1377
Langl, F. pi. Vt. XVI. S03 Wedloke and widwehode with
virgynyte ynempned. In toknynge of be Trinite was taken
oute ofo man. (;i386 Chaucer If y^ j /'rtj/. 62 When sawe
ye in eny maner age That highe God defendid mariage By
expres word ?. .Or wher commaunded he virginite? 1516
Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531 ) 83 Well may virginite be com-
pared to a floure. Nothynee is more fayre, more beautefull,
ne more pleasaunt than is virginite. 1547-64 Bauldwin
Mor. Phitos. (Palfr.) vil. vii, The first degree of chastity is
pure virginity, and the second faithfull matrimony. 1570
AscHAM Scholent. (.Arb.) i. 85 Commonlie they cum home,
common contemners of mariage . . : not because they lone vir-
ginitie, nor yet because they hate prctlie yong virgines, but
[etc.). 1651 Cartwricht Cert. Relig. I. 174 Origen. .saith
that such as live in virginity, doe not that which is com-
manded, but above what is due. a 1711 Ken Psyche Poet.
Wks. 1721 IV. 256 Virginity's a Heav'niy tender Grace,
Connatural to the angelick Race. 1837 Hallam Hist. Lit.
I. vi. %i The faculty of theology at Paris, censured the
Colloquies for slighting the fasts of the church, virginity,
monkery, pilgrimages, and other established parts of the
religious system. 1840 Newman Par. Sertn. V. vii. 103
30
VIRGINITY.
Therefore marriage was in repute, and virEmity in dis-
esteem. 1871 Freeman Norm. Cong. (1876) IV. xix. 422 An
exaggerated reverence for virginity had been growing up in
theCnarcb from the beginning.
b. Of men (esp. ecclesiastics or other religious
persons).
c xyj^ Sc Ltg. Saints xxxvi. {Baptisf) 14 Angele als calHt
wes ne [John the Baptist), fore kepyng of verginite, 138a
Wycuf Jokn Prol., Double witnesse of virginyte is jouun
to hym..in this that he is seid loued of God byfor othere
disciplis. 1430740 Lydg. Bochas i. (Bodl. MS.) 58/2 He
lyued euer in virg>-nyte. 1456 Coventry Leet Bk. 288 John
EuauKgeUst. Holy Edward, crownyd kyng, brothur in vir-
gin>te. 1585 T. Washington tr, Nidtolay's Voy. iii. xvi.
loi Heethat wil enter into this religion must . . obserue . .
nrginitie and abstinence. 1615 Bedwell Mohanu Impost.
11. 1 68 By this perfection, that is, by virginitie, it is knowne
that he was of God accepted for his perfection. 1657
Fabindon Serm. (1672) H. 1191 Some have placed Perfec-
tion in Virginity,., making themselves eunuchs for the king-
dom of heaven ; and have laid an imputation upon the
state of Matrimony as most imperfect. 1658 Bromhall
Treat. Specters v. 307 f He] defended the married Priests
against the Monks, which observed the vow of Virginity.
1868 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1877)11. App. 538 The resolu-
tion of Eadward. .to devote himself to a life of perpetual
virginity. 1884 Catk. Diet. 556/2 Catholic feeling.. has
attadbed itself strongly to the virginity of St. Joseph,
C. Of women. Also in plirasesyf(?z«/tfr, gem., etc.,
of inrginiiy^ chiefly with reference to the Virgin
Mary,
CX386 Chaucer Pars. 7*. F948 The thridde manere of
chastitee is virginitee, and it behoueth ^at she be hooly in
hcrte and dene of body, thanne is she spouse of Ihesu
crist and she b the lyf of Angeles. 1390 Gower Con/. II.
336 And thus cam this Calistona Into the wode of Tegea,
Whcr sche virginite behihte Unto Diane, c i^xo Hoccleve
Mother qfGoa'6$ Wei oghten we thee worsshipe & honure,
Paleys of Cryst, flour of virginitee, 1432-50 tr. Higden
(Rolls) Vi. 91 Seynte Etheldreda,..whiche contynuede in
virginite thau^he sche was mariede twyes. 1447 Boken-
HAM S^ntys Introd. (Roxb.) 6 Whan I gan inwardly tore-
membre..Ofhyrthatis gemmeofvirgynyte. 1500-90 Dun-
bar Poems Ixxxvi. 17 Roiss Mary, . . O chast conclaif of clene
virginite. That closit Crist but crymes criminale. 1540 Hykde
tr. Vives Instr. Ckr, lVom.i.\\. (1541) 15 b, Virginite was
euer an holy thinge euen amonge theues, breakers of Sayn.
tuary, vngratiousliuers [etc.]._ 1603 Dekker Patient Crissill
816 Master Fameze, sweet virginilie is that inuisible God-
head, that turns vs into Angells, that makes vs saints on
earth, and starres in heauen. 1634 Milton Comus 738
List Lady,, -be not cosen'd With that same vaunted name
Virginity, X71X Addison Sped, Na 164^ P 5 That Vow of
Virginity in which she [a novice] was going to engage her-
self. 19x1 Edin. Rev. July 62 Jacqueline aspired to the
veil, dedicated herself to virginity and the spiritual life.
d. Personified.
£:x40o Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483) iv. iv. 60 This noble
lady was suster to Aungels and was cleped vyrgynyte.
<:x4SO Lydg. Assembly of Gods 842 Many pety capteyns
aftyr these went. As. .Clennesse, Continence, and Virginite.
2. The state or condition of a virgin or chaste
woman ; chastity, as the natural or normal condi-
tion of an unmarried woman ; maidenhood. Also,
a condition affording presumption of chastity ;
spinsterhood.
X303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 2875 Graunte me two
mone1>es ar y dye, pat y may wepe my virginite. 13..
E. E. Allit, P. B. 1071 By how comly a kest he was clos
J>ere, When venkkyst wasnovergynyte, nevyolencemaked.
£1400 Laud Troy Bk. 18560 For me is leuere in my centre
Be sclayn in my virginite, That I falle not in joure
handis, t>an go with 50W. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron.
III. 130 pat scho mycht murnand be Twa moneth hir vir-
ginite. i5oo-aa Dunbar Poems Ixxxiv. 13 Evin so women
wairis thair virginitie On thame that maist ar holdin on-
worthie. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L. i. i. 298, 1 denie her Vir-
ginitie: I was taken with a Maide. X634 Sir T. Herbert
Trav. -zo The [Malagasy] youth scarce knowing twelue,
the maid ten yeares m the World, the title of Virginity.
1709 Addison Tatier No. 102 F i Some pleaded their un-
spotted Virginity ;others their numerous issue. 1750 Johnson
Rambler No. 39 P S The reproach and solitude of antiquated
Virginity. 1796 H. HvNrERtr.St.'Pierre*s Stud. Nat. (1799)
II. 543 They dispense premiums on virginity 1 1825 Scott
Lett. 24 Aug. in Lock/iart, The celebrated * Ladies ' . . who
. .selected this charming spot for the rep>ose of their time-
honoured virginity. 1884 Cat/t. Diet. 556/2 Mary, then,
was the Virgin Mother of God. She remained in perpetual
virginity.
b. Freq. in phrases, esp. with possessives, as io
ravish^ rob^ etc. (a woman's) virginity\ to keep^
lose, etc. (one's) virginity ; sometimes with
approximation to a concrete sense.
1390 Gower Con/. IL 316 Thus this tirant there Beraft
hire such thing as men sein Mai neveremor be yolde ayein,
And that was the_ virginite. /hid. 339 To robbe the vir-
ginite Of a yong innocent aweie. ? X4oa Qoixlev Ballade
xii. in Vorksk. Arc/ixol, Jml. (1908) XX. 46 This Tereus
kyng, The virginite rauysht by treson Of Philomene, c 1440
Gesta Rom. ix. 23 (Harl. MS.), Whan he was ded, J>er come
a kny^t, and spoiled me of my virginite. 1485 Caxton St.
Wenefr. 9 She chase leuer the smytynge of of her hede than
to lose her vyrgynyte. 1563-81 Foxe A. Sf, M. 94/2 Her
heare hanging about her shoulders in two parts deuided
(wherewith her shamefa^t chastitie and virginitie was
couered). 1599 Shaks. Much Ado iv. i. 49 If you..Haue
vanquisht the resistance of her youth, And made defeat of
her virginitie. i68a Rowlands Good Newes ^ B. 21 Since
Nans_ virginity past help is lost, They'l teach him what
a maidenhead will cost, c: 1706 Prior True Maid r For
my Virginity, When I lose that, says Rose, 111 dye. 1728
Chambers Cycl. s.v., That the next Relation, .of the Maid's,
shall undertake to enjoy her before him, and takeaway her
Virginity. 1759 A. Butler Lives Saints (ifiai) X. 489
These holy martyrs seem, ,to have met a glorious death in
234
defence of their virginity from the army of the Huns. x866
B. Taylor On Leaving California Poems 272 Mother of
mighty men, thou shalt not mourn Thy lost virginity.
j^g. x65a Cbashaw Carmen Deo Nostra, -yd Ele^y 6 O
had he nere been at that cruell cost Nature's virginity had
nere been lost.
fo. With a or pi. Obs,
1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta*s Hist. Indies v. xv. 367
Some were appoynted to serve theGuacasand Sanctuaries,
keeping their virginities for ever. 1632 Lithgow Trav. iv.
157 The men.. and the Virgines. .both shall haue their Vir-
ginities renewed, as fast, as lost. 1634 W. Tirwhyt ir.
Balzac's Leti. 269 Nor was ever any virginity so britle, as
that she brought into the world.
d. Used as a title : A virgin or unmarried
woman, rare^^,
X755 M RS. F. Brooke Old Maid No. 9. 64 You must know
then, my good sister virginity, that [etc.].
3. ^g. The state of being virgin, fresh, or new.
1610 G. Fletcher Christ's Vict. 11. lix, See, see the
flowers that . . blowe. And of all, the virgin rose, . . How they
all unleaved die, Loosing their virginitie. 1639 Fuller
Holy War xix. (1647) 31 Cana the less.., where he shewed
the virginity of his miracles, turning water into wine. 169a
South Serm. (1744) XL 8 As the purest water.., when it
slides into a dirty and a muddy Kennel, it immediately
loses its clearness and virginity. 18.. Whittier Pr. Wks.
(i88g) IL 187 What avail your abstract theories, your hope-
less virginity of democracy, sacred from the violence of
meanings? 1896 Daily News 14 Feb. 5/4 Pretty well for
what Lord Rosebery would call the virginity of the
Session. 19x5 J. Kelman Salted iv it h Fire ix. 121 Men's
prejudices, .had destroyed what Ruskin calls the virginity of
the eye, and it was the main endeavour of Jesus to restore it.
Hence Virgi'nityship, spinsterhood.
1741 Mrs. Montagu Lett. \. 299 Old Virginityship is
certainly Milton's Hell ' Where hope ne'er comes that comes
to all.'
Vi'rgin-like, a. and adv, [f. Virgin sb^
A. adj. Resembling a virgin or that of a virgin ;
characteristic of or befitting a virgin ; maidenlike.
1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 1. 432 Oh cursed and
furious envie!.. seeing by thee man was first beguiled, and
induced afterward.. to water the earth, being yet virgine-
like, with his brothers blood, a X593 Marlowe & Nashe
Dido III. iii, And here we met faire Venus virgine like. Bear-
ing her bpwe and qiiiuer at her backe. 1603 Florio Mon-
taigne III. v. 520 When I heare them bragge to have so
virgin-like a will and colde minde. i6xx Shaks. Cymb. iii.
iL 22 Oh damn'd paper,.. Art thou a Fcedarie for ibis Act,
and look'st So Virgin-like without? 172X Strvpe Eccl.
Mem. II. 376 [To] restore unto it again that Virgin-like
Attire, a 1794 Sir W. Jones Enchanted Fruit Wks. 1799
VI. 189 Rich bowls... Some virgin-like in native pride,
And some with strong Haldea dyed. 1848 Thackeray yan.
Fair iii, She had previously made a respectful virgin-like
curtsey to the gentleman.
B. adv. — ViHGiNLY adv. rare.
'595 J- Weever Epigr, (1599) Evj, Chaste Lucreda
virgine-fike her dresses.
tVi'rginly, a, Obs.-^ [f. as prec. +-ly1.]
Virgin, virgin-like.
X548 Udai.l, etc. Erasm, Par. Luke xxiv. 88 Dooe ye not
knowe the menyng of it to bee the enclosure & tabernacle
of the virginly chastitee, whiche neither any inortall man
entreyng vnto it, ne the soonne of God..liath violated or
defoiled?
2.] As or
a virgin ;
in a way becoming to a virgin or virgins,
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. ^g^/j The holy ghoost shewed
unto saynt germayn of ancerre how she shold serue god
holyly & virgyiiely, X823 Moore Rhymes on Road v. 34
Whose beginnings are virginly pure as the source Of some
mountainous rivulet. 1895 Meredith Amazing Marriage
I. XV. 161 Virginly sensible of treasures of love to give.
Virgin's bower. [Virgin sb, ii.] The
British climbing shrub Clematis Vilalba^ tra-
veller's joy.
^597 Gerarde Herbal u, cccxiii. 741 Vpright Clamberer
or Virgins Bower, is also a kinde of Clematis. x688
Holme Armouiy 11. 68/2 The Virgins Bower groweth like
the Honysuckle. 1796 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) IL
500 Traveller's-joy. Great Wild Cli.Tiher. Virgin's Bower.
i8x8 Keats Endytn. 11. 417 Virgin's bower, trailing airily,
184a Florist's frnl. (1846) III. 36 The twisting or bending
back of the petioles over any horizontal body,.. as in the
Virgin's bower. 1870 Morris Earthly Par, III. iv. 261
And woodbine, and the odorous virgin's-bower, Hung in
great heaps about that undyked tower.
b. Applied to other species of Ckmatis^ esp. to
the American species C, virginiana, or employed
as book-name for the whole genus.
x668 WiLKiNS Real Char. n. iv. § 6. in Clematis, Virgins-
bower. X7S3 Chambers^ Cycl. SuppL, Virgins Bovver, . .
in botany, the name of a genus of plants ; . . The flower is of
the rosaceous kind. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 331
Virgin's Bower, Clematis. 1771 J. R. Forster Flora
Amer. Septentr. 25 Clematis viorna. Virgin's bower,
violet. Virg. Car. 1845-50 Mrs. Lincoln Led. Bot. 65
One of our most beautiful climbing plants is the Clematis
virginica, or virgin's bower. X856 Delamer Fl. Garden
(1861) 158 Virgin's Bower — Clematis moniana, Viticella,
and its varieties, are hardy climbers, pretty when trained
over lattice- work. _ 1866 Whittier Maids of Attitash 15
Hardback, and virgin's-bowcr. And white-spiked clethra-
flower. 1880 Bessey Bot. 564 Clematis, the Virgin's Bower,
of many species.
c. With distinguishing terms.
X704 Diet. Rust. (1726) s.v., The Purple Virgin's- Bower. . .
The Double-purple Virgin's- Bower. 1707 Mortimer Ihtsb.
iilii) IL 190 Double Virgins Bower is a climbing "Tree,
fit to cover some place of Repose. 1731 Miller Gard.
Diet. s.v. Clematitis, Purple creeping Climber, or Single
Vi'rginly, adv. [f. as prec, 4- -ly 2;
like a virgin ; in or after the manner of ;
VIRGO.
Virgins Bower. Ibid.t Blue Climber with a double Flower,
or Double Virgins Bower. iBzz Hortus Anglicus IL39
Clematis Cirrkosa. Evergreen Virgin's Bower. 1863
Chambers's Encycl. III. 73/2 Ciejtiatis Jiammuia, a native
of the south of Europe and north of Africa, , .is the species
known as Sweet Virgin's Bower.
Vi'rginsllip. rare. [f. as prec. -*- -ship.] The
personality of a virgin. Used with possessives as
a title or form of address.
1643 H. More Song of Soul i. in. xlvii, And Gabriel
sware he would wait upon Her Virginship. 1673 Davenant
Distresses v. i, Will your vex'd Virginship Vouchsafe to
stay here, till you be well swadled.
Vi'rgin's milk. V Obs. [transl. med.L, lac
virgims.l A chemical preparation having a
milky appearance : a. A cosmetic preparation or
wash for cleansing or purifying the face or skin
(see quots.). Cf. I^ac virginis i.
x6ooSuKFLET Countrie Farme in. Ixxiii. 604 Virgins milke
is thus made with a filtre. Ibid., This virgins miike is good
to heale ringwormes and saucie and red faces. 1694 Salmon
Bate's Dispens. (1713) 289/1 The Tincture [of Benjaminl
made with the Alcohol of Wine, being mixt with a great deal
of Water, makes a kind of Milk, which by some is call'd
Virgins Milk, which serves for a Wash for the Face and
Skin. 17XJ tr. Pomet's Hist. Drugs L 187 This Tincture
of Benjamin and Storax is call'd Virgin \sic\ Milk. i72x
Bailev, Virgin's milk, a sort of Chymical Composition,
called Benjamin water, 1835 Penny Cycl. IV. 257/1 A
solution of benzoin in alcohol, added to twenty parts of
rose-water, forms the cosmetic called Virgin's milk.
•{"b. (See quot.) Obs. rare"^.
X704 J. Harris Lex, Techn. 1, Virgin's Milk, is made of
dissolving Saccharum Saturni [i. e. lead acetate] in a great
deal of Water: It will turn white as Milk; whence the
Name. [Hence in Bailey.]
t Virginty, Obs. rare. In 4 vergynte. [f.
Virgin sb. : see -ty.] Virginity.
13. . E. E. Allit. P. A. 767 In hys blod he wesch my wede
on dese, & coronde clene in vergynte.
Virgfin wax. Also virgin-wax ; 5-8 vir-
gin's wax. [tr. med.L. cera virginea : cf. ViRGjy
17 b and II. So F. cire-vierge.'] Orig., fresh,
new, or unused bees-wax, sometimes that produced
by the first swarm of bees ; in later and more
general use, a purified or fine quality of wax, esp.
as used in the making of candles; white wax.
a, 13. . K. Alis. 334 (Line. MS.), After, he tok virgyn wax,
And made a popet after l^e quene. a 1^00 Sgr. lowe Degre
688 She sered that body with specery, With wyrgin waxe
and commendry. « 1425 tr. Arderne''s Treat. Fistula, etc.
30 pan putte to a Htle oyle of olyue,. .wi)> als miche virgine
wax togidre dissolued at J'e fire by it self. £'1440 Promp.
Pa>-v. 510/2 Vyrgyne wex, cera virginea. 150a Ace. Ld,
High Treas. Scot. II. 37 Payit to Robert Bertoune for
virgyne wax that he brocht hame to the King. 1538 in
W. M. Williams Ann. Founders" Co. (1867) 55 The Her&e
to be garnyshed with xxx other great Tapers with ij
Branches of Virgyn waxes. X594 Plat Jcvsell-ho. 57 An
excellent cement for broken glasses. Take one part of
Virgin-wax [etc.]. X626 T. H[awkins1 tr. Caussins Holy
Crt. 9 He hath imprinted ail his perfections vpon our
Sauiour..as one should impresse a golden seale vpon
I virgin-waxe. ^164$ Howell Lett. (1650) I. 33 They say,
I the young King's picture was found in her closet in virgin-
wax, rt 1711 Ken Hymnotheo Poet. Wks. 1721 III. 310
Like Virgin- Wax, he soft'ned the hard Bone, And wrought
it till to female shape 'twas grown. X79S W. Blake Lett.
(1906) 54 Take a cake of virgin wax. .and stroke it, .over
' the surface of a warm plate. 1821 Scott Kenilva. vi, Be-
sides lesser lights, the withdrawing-room was illuminated
by four tail torches of virgin wax. 1861 HuLMEtr. Moquin-
Tandon n. iii. ccix, Wax which has been completely de-
prived of its colour is called virgin or white wax.
fig. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 11. xii. (1912) 229 You use vile
j VuTcans spight..to melt that Virgin-waxe, Which while it
is, it is all Asias light.
attrib. 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe Wks. (Grosart) V. 256
The most intenerate Virgine wax phisnomy. 1654 Gayton
Pleas. Notes iv. viii. 223 The convoy presently departed,
leaving him . . with a Virgin-waxe-light, m a golden Candle-
stick.
&. 149s Trevisa's Barth. De P. R. xxx. Ixi. 897 The more
newe wexe is the more able it is to take inpressyon and
pryntynge of dyuers fygures and shapes, and suche wex is
callyd vyrgyns wexe. X535 IVardr. Kaih. Arragon 41 in
Camden Misc. Ill, Item, seevyn hooUe tapers of vyrgyn's
waxe. 1567 M aplet Gr. Forest 37 Cerfolie . . being wrought
& tempered with Virgins Waxe, remedieth all kinde of
swelling. X607 Walkington Opt. Glass 39 The purest
virgins wax. X658 Rowland tr. Moufefs Theat. Ins. 915
Simple and natural Wax is the thicker part of the combs
that contains the honey ; and it is either virgins wax, or of
a second sort ; virgins wax is that the younger swarms of
Bees make from the young branches of flowers. (That is
the first Swarm put into a new Hive.) 1660 Boyle New
Exp. Phys. Mech. x. 76 Slender Tapers of white Wax
(commonly called Virgins Wax). 1736 Bailey Housek,
Diet. s.v. Eye-salve, lake one ounce of May butter, half an
ounce of virgins wax [etc.].
II Virgo (v3-Jg(7). Astr. [L. : see Virgin sb.\
(With initial capital.) a. The zodiacal constella-
tion lying between Leo and Libra ; the Virgin,
b. The sixth sign of the zodiac, which the sun
enters about Aug. 20-23.
axooo in Saxon Leechd. III. 244 An Jraera tacna ys
xehaten aries, . .fifta leo', syxta uirgo, )>set is mseden, X390
Gower Conf. III. 121 After I,eo Virgo the nexte Of Signes
clepeil is the sexte. <:x39x Chaucer Astrol. u- §28 Alle
signes in thy zodiak fro the heued of aries vnto the ende of
virgo. 1588 Shaks. Tit. A. iv. iii. 64 Tit. Good Boy in
Virgoes lap.. .Jf«rtr. My Lord, I aime a Mile beyond the
Moone. Your letteriswith lupiterby this, c 1600 W. Fowler
JK^i, (S.T.S.) I, 269 Leolmay] lye of al the beastes forlorne,
VIBGOUI.E(E.
as virgo may with gemini bewar. 1664 Butler Hud. II. iii.
534 Quoth Wizard, So ! In Virgo? Ha ! quoth Whachum,
Na Has Saturn nothing to do in 't. 1697 Creech Manilius
II. 70 .\gainst the Crab and Bull the Goat declares, And
Virgo too, and Libra feels his Wars. 1771 EncycL Brit, I.
460/2 In 14 days afterwards, the moon comes to Virgo and
Libra, which are the opposite signs to Pisces and Aries.
17S7 Burns Let. to Mmrc 2 Aug., Yet I went on with a
high hand with my geometry, till the sun entered Virgo,
a month which is always a carnival in my bosom. 1843
PrtiHyCj'c/.XXVl. 373/1 Virgo,.. the sixth constellation
in the zodiac... It is best known by two remarkable stars ;
the first, Spica (a Virginis):..the other, Praevindemiatrix,
or Vindemialrix (« Virginis). 1868 Lockver GMtllemin's
Heaz'eiis (ed. 3) 395 This zone . . is known under the name
of the nebulous regions of Virgo.
+ VirgOule(e. Obs. Also 7 vergoule. [a. F.
Virgoiilie, the popular pronunciation of Vilk-
goureix, the name of a village in the province of
Limousin (Hatzf.).] = next.
1699 Evelyn Kal. Hort. (ed. 9) 18 Pears. Winter Musk, . .
Vergoules, the great Surrein. Ihid. 134 Ice-Pear, Dove-
Pear, Virgoule, Readman's-Pear. 1719 London & Wise
Comfl. Card. 53 La VirgouUe. The Virgoulee, otherwise
call d the Bujaleiif, Chambrett, the Ice-Pear [etc.]. Ibid.
160 Autumn, and Winter Pears, especially the largest ; as
the Beums, i'irgmUs, and Ban.Cretiens. 1741 Compl.
Fam.-Piece 11. iiL 406 These Pears; [Nov.] Martin Sec,..
Virgoule, Sucrevert.
II virgonlense (v»rg«I&). Also 7 Virgu-
leua. 7, 9 Vergouleuse, 8 Virgoleuse. [F. ot>-
gouleuse, f. Virgoulee (see prec.).] A jnicy variety
of winter pear. Also aitrib. with pear. Cf.
Vkeoaloo.
1698 .M. Lister Journ. Paris (1699) 159 The Virguleus
Pears were admirable. 1(99 Evelyn Kal. Hort. (ed. 9) 167
Pears. Bergamot de Busy. Vergouleuse. 1706 GentiCs
yardiiiier Solitaire 40 The Marquise, the E,ister Berga-
mot, the Virgouleuse. 1715 Fam. Diet. s.v. Pears, Pears
which become ripe in November. — The Virgouleuse is an
old Pear, well known for its Goodness. 1818-31 Webster,
Vergoul,.use, a species of pears contracted to vergaloo.
«845 A. ). Downing Fruits >, Fruit trees Amer. 450
Virgouleuse... An excellent old French variety [of winter
pear). .It is, however, a very different pear from the Vir.
galieu of New.York, which is the White Doyenne', i860
HoGC Fruit Mail. 219 Virgouleuse... Fruit large and
pyriform. Skin smooth and delicate, pale lemon colour...
November till January.
II Virgnla (v5-jgiala). [L., small rod or twig,
critical mark, dim. oivirga twig, rod, wand, etc.]
1. Zool. A small rod like growth or formation :
+ a. One of the spines of a ray. Obs.
i«6i Lovei.l Hist. Aitim. ^ Min. bjb. They {sc. rays]
take their prey, by hiding themselves in the inudde and I
putting out their virgula;, and so alluring the smalt fishes,
comming to them as weeds.
b. The rod-like axis of a graptolite.
1907 Fossil Ini-ertebr. Anim. Brit. Mus. 47 The colony
acquired a median supporting rod or virgula ; this ended
often in a disk.
2. t a. Virgula divina or divinatoria, a divin-
ing- or dowsing-rod. Obs.
1656 Cowley Pindar. Odes, To Mr. Hobs Note 28
Virgula Divina (see Divining vbl. si. 2). 1669 Worlidge
Syit. Agric. vL i 3. 80 It is th; onely Plant for the Virgula
Divina, for the discovery of .Mines. 1674 Blount Gtosso'r.
(ed. 4), Virgula divinatoria, is a Rod of Hazel, wherewith
Miners pretend to discover where the Ores of Metalls lie.
1691 LocKK Lower. Interest 40 Not of the nature of the
deusing.rod, or virgula divina, able to discover mines of
gold and silver.
b. = Ron sb. 6 b.
i8a6 Peacock in Eucyct. .Metro!: (1845) I. 411 Of this
description are the virgube, or rods of Napier, which were
formerly much celebrated and very generally used.
3. fa. = ViBQULE I. Obs. rare.
iTi8 Chambers Cyel. s.v. Point, A Point with a Virgula,
cali'd a Semicolon. Ibid. s,v. Comma.
b. Mus. (See quots.)
i8ai Bi;sBV Diet. Mus., Virgula, the name of one of the
ten notes used in the middle ages. 1876 Stainer& Barrktt
Diet. Mus. Ternti 450/1 Virgula, (i) The stem or tail of a
note. (2) .\ neume.
Virgnlar (va-jgi«?15j), a. [f. L. virgula (see
prec.) •^ -arI.]
1 1. Of musical syncopation ; Denoted by a smaU
dash or stroke. Obs.~^
1609 Douland Ornith. Microl. 51 To the same Signe
there may belong a double Diminution, to wit ; virgular and
numerall, thus : (p 2. Virgular syncopation is much used.
2. OfOgham characters, etc : Having the shape
of small thin rods ; consisting of slender rod-like
lines or strokes.
i8»7 G. HiGGiNs Celtic Druids 3 Another example of an
Irish character called a virgular ogham. Ibid. 35 The
virgular alphabets of the Druids.
Vi'rgalate, a. [ad. L. virgulat-us, f. virgula :
see -ate] (See qnots.)
1840 Smart IValier'j Diet., Virgulate,.. shifxd like a
liule rod. 189a Crozier Diet. Bot, Terms 199 Virgulate,
diminutive of virgate, shaped like a little twig or rod.
Virffole (v5ugi«l). [a. F. virgule, or ad. L.
■virgula Vikoula.]
L A thin sloping or npright line ( /, | ) occurring
in medixval MSS. as a mark for the caesura or as
a pimctuation-mark (frequently with the same value
as the modern comma).
1837 Hallam Hist. Lit. i. viii. {26 In the manuscripts
of Chaucer, the line is always broken by a csesura in the
middle, which is pointed out by a virgule. 1895 HoFE-
235
MAN Beginnings of Writing m According to Orozco y
Berra these virgules or commas represent the verb to blow
or to hum.
2. Clockmaking. (See quot.)
1884 t'. J. Britten Watch ^ Clockm. 2S4[A] Virgule. .(isj
an escapement having points of resemblance to the verge
and to the horizontal,
t Virguler, error for prec. or Virgula.
1610 Marcelline Triumphs Jos. /, Cj b, Let them
measure the Syllables, weigh the Words, controule the
pomts and Virgulers.
tVirgult. Obs. [ad. L. virguUa (nent. pi.),
bush, thicket, copse, slips or cuttings of trees, f.
virguia Virgula.]
1. A bush or shrub ; a set of young shoots ; a
branch or twig.
ij^ox Douglas Pal. Hon. i. Prol. xii, Amyd the virgultis
all in till a fary, As feminine sa feblit fell I down. 1656
Blount Giossogr., Virguli^ . . a company of young shoots, or
many young tender Sprigs and Sprouts growing together
out of the ground. 1657 Tomlinson Kenou's Disp. 240
Certain red berries adhere to its virgults.
2, A thicket or copse.
1736 Drake's Eboracuni 1. vii. 334 A loft and a virgult, and
three other measures of land,
Virgu-ltate, a. rare-°. [f. mod.L, virgult-um
(see next) + -ate.] Virgulate.
1888 Cassflts EncycL Did,
II Virgultum (vajg^-lt^m). Bot. [mod.L. :
see Virgult.] A young slender branch or twig.
x866 Treas. Bot. 1219/2 ; and in recent Diets.
fVir-hime, southern ME. var. Fire-iron i.
t^iWS Gioss. W. lie BibbtisTv. in Rel. Ant. II. 81 Flint,
cailJeun % vir-hirne, lefnsH.
Virial (vi-rial). Physics, [a. G. virial (Clau-
sius), f. L. vir-^ pi. stem of vis force, strength.] In
Clansius* kinetic theorem of gases : (see quots.).
1870 tr. Clansiiis m Lond., eic Philos. Mag. Aug. 123
We will therefore give to the mean value which this magni.
tude has during the stationary motion of the system the
name of FrWa/of the system. 1875 En<ycl. Brit. III. 39
When an attraction or repulsion exists between two points,
half the product of this stress into the distance between the
two points is called the virial of the stress.
VlTioido. nonce-wd. [f. L. vir man, husband
+ -CIDE 2 J The slaying of men or of husbands.
J766 G. Canning Ant i- Lucretius i. 71 The impious
Danaides, Grecian stories tell, For barbarous viricide con-
demn'd to hell.
fViricund.a. Obs.-'^ [Irreg. f. L.z/2>zV/j (see
next), after rubicund.'] In a green state.
1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Pkysicke 191/2 Take
hojjpes with the stalckes, and roote, ether vincunde, or
e.\siccated,
Vi rid, a. poet, and rhet. Also 7 viride. [ad.
L. virid'is green, blooming, vigorous.] Green,
verdant.
1600 Fairfax Tasso xii. xdv, Her tombe was not of viride
Spartane greet. Nor yet by cunning hand of Scopas
wrought. 1658 H. Crompton PieHdes 82 The virid Mar-
joram Her sparkling l)cauty did but see. 1794 T. Tavloi*
Pausanias* Dtscr. Greece I. 61 There is, also, a temple of
Earth the nurse of youths, and of virid Ceres. iSia H. & J.
Smith Rej. Addr. x. (1873) 97 The pillars, .blooming in
virid antiquity, like two massy evergreens. 1866 J. B. Rose
tr. Ovids Met. 341 And as he spoke the virid bough upon
Wound a-s he wa.s, the dragon turned to stone.
li Virida*rium. Roman Antiq. [L. viridd-
Hum plantation of trees, pleasure-garden, f. viridis
ViBiD <!.] A pleasure- garden or green court of an
ancient Roman villa or palace.
a 1700 Evelyn Diary 10 Nov. 1644, We went to see Prince
Ludovisio's villa where was formerly the Viridarium of
the poet Sallust. 1832 W. Gell Pompeiana I. viii. 168
A sort of court, probably planted with flowers, and some-
times called a viridarium. 1848 Lvtton Harold i. i. The
wide space between the columns, which had once given
ample vista from graceful awnings into tablinnm and
viridarium, 1891 Farrar Darkn. <fr Dawn x. As Titus
went across the viridarium, or chief green court of the
Palace.
tViridary, sb. Obs. rare. [In sense I ad.
med.L. viridaritis vcrderer, f. L. viridis VluiD a. ;
in'sense 2 ad. L. viridarium Viridarium.]
1. A verderer.
?i3.. in Arnolde Chron. {1502) p. Ixxx/i And moreouer
euerych xl. daies bi al the yere forestirs and virydaries shall
come tcgedurs to see [etc.]. 1601 W. Watson Sparing
DiicoT. a 3 Being but aduanced to the dignitie . . of a vice ■
president, nay but of a viceprotonotary, nay but of a vice-
uiridary.
2. A viridarium or garden.
1657 Thornlev tr. Longus* Daphnis * Chlo€ 190 Seeing
how fair and flourishing the Viridarie [was).
t Viridary, iz, Obs. (Of obscure meaning.)
Perh. an attrib. use of the sb. (see sense i, quot. 1601), but
the allusion is not obvious.
1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 147 [The Jesuits)
haue a new iricke of a viridary post or current of time to
gaine time withalt, in keeping Nobles, State and all the
people ii) suspence of euents, vniil they haue what they
looke for.
Vi-ridate, j3. Chem. [f. Virid-ic + -ate1.] A
salt formed by the action of viridic acid.
1868 Watts Diet. Chem. V. 1002 Coffee-beans owe their
green colour to a small quantity of calcic viridate. Ibid.^
The blue precipitate of lead-viridate is decomposed by
sulphydric acid.
fVi-ridate, z/. Obs-'' [f. late L. w>?V/«r£ to
grow green, f. viridis Vibid a.] (See quots.)
VIRIDITY.
i6»3 CocKERAM I, Viridate, to wax or make greene. i6«6
Blount Glossogr.^ Viridate, to make green and lusty
fVindeer. Obs-"- [ad. med.L. viridaHus
(see ViRiUABY j^.), after words ending in -€er^ A
verderer,
1609 Skene Reg. Maj., Stat. K. William 12 Gif he be
found the third time with grene wode, he sail be presented
to the virideer (the keiper of the grene wode and grassej
t Viri-deous, a. Obs,-'^ [Irreg. f. \..viHd-is
ViiiiD a.] Virid.
1688 Holme Armoury 11. 313/2 Viridis, virideous, green,
colour.
Viride'SCence. rare. [Cf. next.] The quality
of being viridescent.
1841 Blackm. Ma^. L. 697 An artist of this school.. is
signalized by the flatness and viridescence of his canvass in
a moment. 191s Natio7t 25 May 282/2 More like potatoes
than_the tender viridescence that we like best.
Viride'SCent, a. rare. [ad. ppl. stem of late
L. viridescire to become green, f. viridis ViRiD a. :
see -ESCENT.] Somewhat green or virid. Alsoyf^.
1847 Darlington Amer. Weeds, etc. (i860) 433 Virid.
escent, greenish. i88<> Stevenson Lett. (1899) II. 158 The
front of the mountain ivied and furred with clinging forest,
one viridescent cliff. 1907 Sat. Rev. 5 Oct. 420/2 Philo-
sophers, like gods, may have a crude and viridescent old age.
llViri'dia. Chem. [mod.L., f. L. viridis
Virid a. Cf. Viridine 3.] A vegetable alkaloid
obtained from the rootstock of Veralrum viride,
an American variety of white hellebore ; jervine.
1874 Garrod & Baxter Mat. Med. 383 The researches of
Dr. H. C. Wood have led him to conclude that Viridia and
Veratroidea both exert a depressant influence on the heart.
Viri'dian, sb. and a. [f. L. virid-is Virid a.]
a. sb. Veronese green, b. adj. Of or pertaining
to this colour,
i88a W. T. Suffolk in Science Gossip Mar. 49 The fol-
lowing list of colours contained in my own box may prove
useful . . . Viridian. [Note.] A transparent oxide of chrom-
ium, perfectly permanent, of great u.se both by itself and in
compounding other greens. ^ 1903 Sat. Rev. 21 Mar. 356/2
The patch of green bank shimmering up to viridian pitch
encouraged by.. greys.
Viri'dic, a. Chem, [f. as prec. + -ic] Viridic
acid (see quot.).
1868 Watts Diet. Chem. V. 1002 Viridic acid,.. am acid
produced by the oxidation of cafi'etanic acid in presence of
ammonia.
Viridine (vi ridain). Also -in, [f. as prec. +
-INE. Cf. F. viridine,']
1. Bol, = Chlorophyll, Chromule.
1837 p. Keith Bot. Lex, 59 The pulp constituting the
parenchyma of the leaves was at one time designated by
the appellation ol viiidine, because it is generally of a green
colour. 1859 Mayne Expos. Lex. s.v.
2. Dyeing. A green aniline dye (see quots.),
1875 lire's Diet. Arts (ed, 7) 1. 72<^Viridine. A green dye
has been obtained.. by acting on rosolic acid with aniline
and benzoic acid. ^ x88j Mature XXV. 546 R. Meldola..
investigates the action of benzoyl chloride upon diphenylam-
ine, and the action of oxidising agents upon the product.
The substance thus produced is a green dye, ' viridin '.
3. Chem, = ViRiDiA, Jervine.
1877 H. Watts Foivnes' Chem. (ed. 12) II. 610 Parvoline,
. .Coridine, . . Rubidine, . . Viridine. (CiaHiyN.) x886 Buck's
Handbk, Med. Sci. Ill, 604/1 The viridine and veratroid-
iiie of Bullock are now supposed to have been impure con-
ditions of jervine and rubijervine respectively. 1888 H. C.
Wood Thera^. (ed. 7) 392 The root-stock of Veratrum
viride.. contains two alkaloids, yfrz'/wtf and veratroidine. . .
Dr. George B. Wood named them viridine ^nA veratroidine.
Viridite (vi-ridait). Min, [f. as prec. + -ite l
2 b. Named viridit by H. 'Vogelsang, 1872,] A
mineral compound occurring in certain rocks in the
form of minute greenish particles.
1879 Rutley_.S/W. Rocks X. 166 Viridite includes mineral
matter which is probably referable to different varieties of
chlorite and serpentine. 1883 Science II, iii/i Yellowish-
green needles of epidote and viridite. i8oa J, D. Dana
Min. 664 Viridite,.. A collective name. ..They are gener-
ally in scal;^ or fibrous forms and are often the result of the
decomposition of amphibole, pyroxene, chrysolyte, etc
Viridity (viri'diti). Now rare. Also 5 vyr-
idite, (S-7 viriditye, [ad. OF. (also mod.F*.)
viriditi ( ^ It. vtriditd)^ or L, viriditat', viriditds,
f. viridis Virid a.]
1. The quality or state of being virid or green ;
greenness, verdancy. Also in fig, context.
f 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 78 God Almyghti
. . Hath florisshed the erthe on every side, The woodes and
the medowes wyde. Withe Crete hahundance of vyridite.
'597 A. M. tr. Guilletneau s Fr. Chirurg. 29/2 'Iner re-
mayneth somtimes a viriditye or greenes about the aper-
tione. Ibid, y/2 The matter of our woundes resoiveth it
selfe into viriditye. 1605 J. Dove Confut. A theism 90 'I'he
Bush bore the heat of the fire without losse of viriditye.
1661 Feltham Resolves (ed. 8) 11. Ivii. 304 The Soul of Man
..was planted in the Element of Vertue, and while 'tis
nourisht by it, it spreads and thrives with fruit and fair
viridity. 1670 Evelyn Sylva (ed. 2) 238 This deification of
their Trees,^ and amongst other things, for their Age and
perennial viridity,.. might spring from the manifold use
which they afforded. 1875 Sat. Rev. XL. 553/1 To mark
more clearly the distinction between black and green tea,
the practice has arisen of imparting to the latter ' an obvious
viridity' by means of various pigmentary substances.
2. fig. t a. (See quot.) Obs.-^
1656 Blount Glossogr. (copying Cooper )j Viridity, ,.
lustiness, strength, manliness. [Hence in Phillips, etc.)
b. = VeBDAN'CY 3.
80-2
VIRIDOUR.
ifas T. Hook Sayings Ser. n. Passion ^ Princ. W, What (
iatelfectual viridity that exemplary creature possesses !
i^ Ckattib. Jrni, IX. 99 A desire to extenuate, .my dear i
parent's viridity and trustfulness in the matter. 1859 Helps '
Fritmds in C. Scr. 11. I. viii. 264 The next in innocency;—
may we say, in viridity?
t Viridour. Ods. rare. In 6 virydour. [ad,
med.L. znridarius verderer, with ending assimil-
ated to Vbrdour^.] « Vebdebeb2 I,
?I3.. Charter 0/ Forests in Amolde Ckron, (iSii) 212
[That] eaerych forester of our fee from hensforth attache
plees of forest as wele of grasinges as of our veneri and them
presente to y« virydour of y« prouince.
Viri-fio.a. rarr-^, [f. L. vir-us Virus + -(i)ric.]
Virulent, poisonous.
iSSs Pali MaltG. 20 Jan. 4/1 I' was further ascertained
that the maximum of vinfic effect is produced in the medulla
oblongata.
Virile (vi'rail, -il, V3i»'r3il, -il), a. (and sb.)*
Also 5 viryle, 6 vyryll, 6-8 viril (7 -ill), [a,
OF. viril or ad. L. viriHSy f. vir man : see -ilb.
So F., Sp., Pg. viril, It. viriU,1
1. Of, belonging to, or characteristic of a man ;
manly, masculine; marked by strength or force,
a. Of things, qualities, etc.
X490 Caxton Eneydos ix. 36 O the fortytude viryle of
wymmcn, or loos & pryce of chastytc femynyne. 1604 T.
Wright Passions^ Clymact. Ytars 3 The next clymacter-
icall yeere in them of solide and virile constitution is an 100.
1651 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. 11. iii. (1739) 17 And yet the
power of this grew as virile and Royal, as u would acknow-
ledge no Peer but the Parliament. 167^ J. Goodman Penit.
Pard. III. ii. (1713) 292 There is a virile state of vertue
attainable when duty is tturned into nature. 1728 Chambers
Cyci. S.V., The Virile Age. .is the Strength and Vigour of a
Man's Age, viz. from thirty to forty-five Years. x8aa T.
Tavlor Afuieius viii. 175 Stammering words of an uncer-
tain meaning, she breathed out her virile soul. 1858 Gen.
P. Thompson Audi Alt. Part. II. Ixviii. 7 It was an act
not reconcileable with virile sense, on the part of either the
proposers or the accepters. 1875 G. Maciwnald Malcolm
III. XV. 199 She punished her husband for the virile claim to
greater freedom.
absol. 1876 Stedman Victorian Poets (1887) 407 Only the
virile and heroic can fully satisfy her own nature and master
it for good or evil.
b. Of dress : Denoting the attainment of man's
estate ; distinctively belonging to men in contrast
to youths (or women).
1603 HoLU^ND Plutarch's Mor. 51 Having put on your
virile robe and growen to mans estate. 1631 Brathwait
Eng. Gentlew. (1641) 340 One of this ranke. .forbore not to
uDWoman herselfe, by assuming not onely a virile habit, but
a virago's heart. 1738 Chambers Cycl, s.v. Kobe^ At Rome,
they gave the Name Virile Robe, Toga Viri/is, to a plain
kind of Gown which their Youth assumed when arrived at
Puberty. 1761 Ace. 0/ Books in Ann. Reg. 298/2 Girls
wore it [i-e. the firxtexta] till they were married, and youths
till they took the viril robe. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair
xliv. The assumption of the virile jacket and pantaloons.
2. Of persons : a. Full of masculine energy or
strength ; not weak or effeminate.
151a Helyas in Thorns Prose Rom. (1828) HI. 51 He
semed almost a man viril in his force. 1S80 Scribner's
Mag. iMay 124/1 His instrument broke for want of a firm
and even hand to use it—.a virile, devoted master to prolong
the strain. 1890 Hosmer Anglo-Sax. Freedom 319 All had
. . been disciplined and made strongly virile by that priceless
polity . . which had been inherited from Anglo-Saxon ances-
tors. 1S93 J. Strong New Era 102 The more virile a man
is the more positive are his defects.
t b. Of a woman : Nubile. Ods.~^
1^8 Hexham ii, Manbaer,. .a maide that is Martageable
or ripe for a Husband, or Virill.
O. Of sex : Male.
1697 Evelyn Numism. viii. 287 A Treatise of Illustrious
Women showing how far they surpass the Virile Sex in all
sorts even of Martial undertakings and Affairs.
d. absol. as sb, A virile person.
1903 Critic XLIII. 374/1 It is the fashion of the* viriles*
—to coin a word — to stigmatize the poetry, .as ' decadent.*
3. Virilt member (or yard\ the male organ of
generation.
1541 R. Copt.ANO Gwydi)»'j Quest. Chimrg. Kj, It is the
yerde vyryll that is the cultyuer and labourer of the felde
of mankynde. 1607 Topsell Four-/. Beasts 89 But it is
good to leaue as many of the vaines and nerues of the virile
member vntouched and whole as may be. 1610 Holland
Camden's Brit. i. 135 Frico, whose image they devise and
pourtray with a great viril member. X7»8 Chambers Cycl.
5.V. Penis, The Member, or virile Member,.. one of the
Srincipal Organs of Generation in the Male Kind. 1856
Iayne Expos. Lex. 672/1.
Hence Tl'rileness, * manhood, manliness'.
I7»7 BAlLtY (vol. II).
Virilescence (virile-sens). [See next and
-XNC£.] The condition of becoming virile, spec.
of assuming physical characteristics of the male.
1836-9 TodtCs Cycl. Anat.lX. j\tj-z The change to viril-
escence in the former \sc. birds] bein^ more marked and
striking than in the latter \sc. mammalia). 1853 Dungllson
Med. Lex. 908 Virilescence, . . the state of the aged female
in which she assumes certain of the characteristics of the
male.— Mehliss. 191s A. Harrison in £»^. ^^z/. Feb. 493
The virilescence of women would seem to imply the emascu-
lation of men.
Virilescent (virile-slnt), a. [f. Vibile a. +
-E4CBNT.] Assuming characteristics of the male.
1836-9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. II. 716/2 Two cases in which
a virilescent type was shewn principally in the hair of the
female deer.
236
Virilify (viri-lifai), v, [f. Virile a. + -ipy.]
trans. To make virile or manly.
1849 J. Wilson in Blackxv. Mag^. LXVI. 647 It is merely
his manhood that quails, which his wife has to virilify.
t Viri'liously , o,dv. Obs. rare. [Irreg. f. L.
virilis Virile a.\ Manfully.
163a LiTHGOw Trav. V, 178 [The] Knights of St. lohn..
virihously expulsed the Saracens from thence. 1637 —
Siege 0/ Breda 25 The Enemy did divers times sally forth
upon them, but they were ever viriliously repulsed backe
to their owne repugnable limits.
Virilism (vi-riliz*m). [f. Vibile a. + -ism.] A
form of hermaphroditism.
1896 Nat. Science Sept. 154 They can be referred to in.
fantilism. .and virilism.
Virility (viri-liti). Also 6-7 -tie, -tye. [ad.
F. virilite (OF. virilite) or L. virililas, f. virilis
Vibile a. : see -ity, So It, virility, Sp. viHlidady
Pg. 'idade.'\
1. The period of life during which a person of
the male sex is in full vigour ; mature or fully
developed manhood or masculine force.
1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. i. 531 The parts are
these; infancie, childhood^ youth, adolescencie, virilitie,
and old age. i6a3 J. Wodroephe AfarriKv Fr. Tongue
yj^h The first Aage of Man is called Virilitie, in which nee
is in his Best Force, Vnderstanding and Disposition. 165a
J, Wright tr, Camus' Nat. Paradox i. 4 At such years
as but just passing out of Virility he saluted only the first
and freshest time of Old-Age. 17*8 Chambers Cycl. s.v.
Virile, For which Reason some compare Youth to Summer,
and Virility to Autumn. 1757 Burke Abridgm. English
Hist. Wks. X. 329 When a young man approached to
virility, he was not yet admitted as a member of the State.
i8as-7 Good Study Med, (1829) II. 27 At puberty it [the
pulse] is only 80; about virility 75. 1859 Mayne Ex^os*
Lex. 1333/2.
b. transf. ox fig.
i6» A. Court Constancie i. 41 The ruine of Townes is
still at hand;. .they haue their Youth, their virility, their
Olde age, like men. 16*7 Donne Sertn. 2T4 Our Virility,
our holy Manhood, our religious Strength consists in a
faithfuU Assurance [etc.l. 1671 E. Panton Si^ec. Juventutis
89 In the Youth and Virility of our Empire our Nobles
handled all affairs of State. 1875 Maine Hist. lust. xiii.
395 Dming the virility of his intellect.
C. Masculine vigour ; masculinity of sex.
1890 Amer. Naturalist Nov. 1030 We may infer, there-
fore, that sexual power and high sexual characters go hand
in hand, and that in proportion to the .idvance toward
organic perfection virility increases. 1898 Ailbutt's Syst.
Med. V. 839 Both these men were literary men of more
sensitiveness than virility,
2. +a. The generative organs. Obs. b. The
power of procreation ; capacity for sexual inter-
course.
1597A.M. ir. Guillemeau^s Fr.Cltirurg.2h/2That suture
or seame which passeth along the virilitye. i6n Spekd Hist.
Gt. Brit. IX. iii. §23 William of Anco was punished with
losse of both his eyes and his virilitye. 1650 Bulwer
Anthropomet. 205 He neverafter would trust any of his
Eunuchs with any part of their virility. 1659 Milton Civ.
Po7ver Wks. 1851 V. 316 No less then the amercement of
thir whole virilitie. 1721 G. Roussillon tr. Vertofs Rev,
Portugal 1^6 The King.. was for bringing half the prosti-
tutes of Lisbon to prove his virility. 1756-7 tr. Keyslers
Trav. (1760) III. 194 Such mutilated persons as have volun-
tarily and deliberately deprived themselves of their virility.
1859 Mavne Exfos. Lex. 1333/2 Virility,.. mort particu-
larly the generative power ot man.
+ C. pi, = prec. Obs.
1646 Sir T. Bkowne Pseud. Ep, in. ix. 124 Castrated ani-
mals in every species are longer lived then they which retaine
their virilities. 1650 BuLwEK/4«Mro/(7w«/. 206 Sealing up
his Virilities in a Box, delivered it unto the King.
3. Manly strength and vigour of action or
thought ; energy or force of a virile character.
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mar. 1275 Yet could they never
observeand keepe the virilitie of visage, and lion-like looke
of his [sc. Alexander], 163a Lithgow Trav, v, 211 Thus..
discharged he the function of his calling . .with prudent and
magnanimous virilitie. 1716 .'Vddison Freeholder No. 26.
?7, I have lately been told of a Country-Gentlewoman,
pretty much famed for this Virility of Behaviour in Party-
Disputes. 1768 Tucker Lt. Nature I. 262 Etymologists
derive virtue from virility, supposing it to denote a manly
strength and vigour of mind. 1845 Ford Handbk. Spain \.
2 Thus the virility and vitality of the noble people has been
neutralised. 1855 Motley Dutch Rep. \\. i. (1866) 118 The
famous moustache upon her upper lip was supposed to in-
dicate authority and virility of purpose. 1891 Farrar
Darkn. i^ Dawn xi.v, A mind in which every spark of
virility was dead, and which was rapidly degenerating into
a mass of sensuous egotism.
b. transf,
1597 MonLzv Introd. Mus. 177 These motions be more
masculine causing in the song more virilitie then those
accidentall cordes. 1889 W. Wilson State §1195 The
result some day to be reached will be normal liberty, poli-
tical vitality and vigor, civil virility. 1894 E. Brooks in
Educator iVhWdiA.) Oct. 15^ Those universal and compre-
hensive principles of education which unite the parts of the
science into an organic unity of power and virility.
t Viring-rope. Obs.-^ [app, f, Virez*.] ?A
warping rope.
1336 Ace. Exch. K. R. 19/31 m. ^ (Publ. Rec. Off.) In
Ix. petris cordis de canabo . . pro tribus viryngropes indt
facie nd is.
fVirlnus, obs. var. Verinas, Varinas.
x666 J. Davies Hist. Caribby Isles 192 It is made more
excellent than that which commonly goes under the name
of Virinus-Tobacco.
VIRON.
t Viripotence. Obs.—° [f. Vibipotsnt a.l :
see -ENCK.] 'Marriageableness' (Bailey, 1727).
So t Vlrl-potenoy. Obs.-^
165* Peyton Catastr, Ho. Stuarts (1731) 6 Mary Stuart
, .when she attained to viripotency, was bought for a Con-
sort to the Dauphine of France.
t Viri'potent, ".' Obs. [ad. late L. viripo-
tent-, viripotens, f. vir man, husband +polens able.]
Of a woman : Physically fit for marriage ; of a
marriageable age.
1587 HoLiNSHED Chron. (ed. 2) III. 38/1 The kings
daughter affianced, .vnto him, and being now viripotent or
manable. /hid. 101/2 He would not suflfer his Sonne xo
marrie hir, being not of ripe yeares nor viripotent or niari-
able. 1623 CoCKERAM i. 1656 Blount Clossogr,
t Viripotent, a. ^ Obs.~' [a.A.'L. viripotent-,
viripolens (Plautus), f. vires strength.] Possessed
of strength or energy.
1646 Gaule Cases o/Conscience 113 Of giving Potions to
make people love or hale as they please. Making the
Strength of youth impotent, and dead Bodies viripotent.
+ V iritrate. 06s.— ^ [Of obscure origin : cf.
ME. irate, trat TiiciT sb.-'\ An abusive term applied
to an old woman.
c X386 Chauceii Frtars T. 284 This Somonour clappeth at
the wydwes gate Com out quod he, thou olde virytrate, 1
trowe thou liast som frere or pieest with thee.
Virk, dial. var. Firk v. Virk(e, obs. Sc. ff.
WoKK V. Virkin, dial. var. Firkin. Virking,
ol)S. Sc. f. Working vbl. sb.
VirL Now only Sc. Forms : a. 5-6 vyroU
(5 vyrolfe), virol. /3. 5-6 vyral, 6 wyrall,
viral(l. 7. 5 vyrille, vyr-, virelle, 6 wiirell,
9 virrel, 8- virl. [a. OF". virol{e and virelle:
see ViBOLE, Verkel, and FERRULE.] A band of
metal, ivory, or bone, placed round the end or
some other part of a piece of wood, etc., to keep it
from splitting or wearing ; a ferrule.
a. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 510/2 VjTolfe, of a knyfe {K.
uirol, P. vyroll.), sfiruln. cusa Medulla (Cant. MS.),
Tolus est summitns templi eminens rotunditas, a bolle or
a toppe or els a rownde vyrolle. 1530 Palsgk. 285/1 Vyroll,
uirolle. 1^ Reg. Privy Council Scot. III. 319 Ane battirt
..montit upoun ane auld stok, and hir axtre and quhclis
garnysit with foure virols of irn.
^. 1496 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. 1. 289 Item, for iij«
nalis to the wyndbandis and the vyralis, iiij.s. 1503 /6id.
II. 389 Item, for sevin score viraiis and diamandis for speris,
ilk pece vj d. 1547 in N. 4- Q. 9th Ser. IX. 109,2 Item
three staves, every of theym having a picke with two
graynes at the nelher end and a wyrall of Iron tynned.
iSSa in Strype Sect. Mem. (1721) II. 539 One of the king's
canes, . . garnished with gold ; and having at the end a viral
of gold.
y. 14.. in Wr.-Wiilcker 735 //tfC jf//rw/a, a vyiille. 1481-4
Ace. Exch. K. R. A,gbhi (Publ. Rec. Off.) Vitelles Plates
pro diversis poleys. 1483 Cath. Angl. 402/1 A vyrelle of
a knyfe. ijtt Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. IV. 272 Foure
dusson of wirrellis with diainontis. 1715 Ramsay Gentle
Sheph. 1. i, A winsome flute, O' plum-tree made, wi' iv'ry
virles round. 1787 Burns Brigs Ayr 84 Five taper staves
as smooth's a bead, Wi' virls an' whirlygiguins at the head.
1813 W. Tennant Anster Concert in Li/e (1861) I. 25 Braw
flute, wi' ivory virls, man- 1890 Service Notunduiiis 1*5,
I gaed in to Willie Gaud's as I cam bye and got him to put
a new vitrei on my staff.
trans/. x8a3 Galt Gilhaize xii. He walked with slow and
tottering steps, wearing a virl of fur round his neck.
Hence 'girled ///. a., furnished with a virl or
ferrule. Also 'Vi'rlet, a small virl.
^■n-i Statist. Ace. Scot. IX. 371 The blade is.. set in a
halt of Tortoise-shell, or stained horn, girt with silv.r virlets.
x8aa Galt Sir A. ll'ylie III. v. 35 An ivory headed cane
virled with gold. 1842 D. Vedder Poems 217 A staff. .Cut
frae the gallows wood, Weel virled about wi' murderer's
banes.
Virlat, obs. Sc form of Varlet.
t Virly. Ohs.~^ [ad. OF. virely, vireli, in ori-
gin probably a meaningless refrain employed in
dancing songs.] A light dance, or sport accom-
panied by dancing.
C1430 Ptlgr. Lyf Manhode iii. xxx. (1869) 152 Boistows
j am. and hahinge, and wronger Tothe virly j gohippinge.
Virm, obs. Sc. f. Worm sb. Vlnnet, obs. Sc.
var. Wormwood. Virmilion, obs. f. Vermilion.
Virmin, obs. or U.S. f. Vermin sb.
II 'Virole. Her. Also virolfi. [a. F. virole
ring, ferrule (see Virl), and virol4 provided with
a ferrule.] (See quots.)
1722 A. NisuET Her. 226 From Vires^ are the Terms
Viroles, and Virole, in the Blazons of Figures, that have
Hoops and Rings round them. 1780 Edmondson Her. II
ViroU, is the hoop, ring, or mouth-piece of the bugle or
hunting horn.
Hence Viroled a.
c 1828 Berrv Encycl. Her. I. Gloss., Virolled, this term
is sometimes used for the garnishings of the buglc-hom,
being the rings or rims, which surround it at various parts.
t 'viron, sb. Obs. Also 4 viroun, 5 vyrouu,
vyrown, vyme. [a. OF. viron (f. virer to turn),
used as prep, or in the phr. en viron Envibon.]
1. Circuit, compass ; a circling course. /« (he
viron of, round about.
a 2380 St. Augustine 1221 in Horstm. Altengl. Z<ff. (1878)
82 pe viroun (L. circulum] of J>e wattres wondurliche He
schewed. 1382 Wyclif Judg. ii. 12 The .'.ones of Vrael..
folweden alien goddis, goddis of the puple that dwelten in
the viroun of hem. c 1400 Arth. 8f Merl. (L.) 1616 pe rede
VIBON.
dragoun . , Drof ]>eo white feor adoun In to )>e pleynes a
gret vyroun. c 1440 Pronip. Parv, 510/2 Vyrne, or sercle,
. .£in€St ambitus^ circulus.
2. In viron, round about ; = Environ oiiv.
<:i38o WvcLiF Sel. li^ks. II. 311 In viroun and wi^mne
J>ci weren ful of ijen. 1447 Bokenham Seyntys {Roxb )
107 Summe blewe so sore that the Haume up sprong Aboutyn
hyr sydyseven in vyroun- <: 1450 Lovelich J/^//« 3196
[He must] serchen jn market & town Abowtes al this conire
in vyrown. c 1450 — Grail xlii. 46 5it loked he bothe vppe
and down Al abowtes that scbipe in vyrown.
t Viron, v, Obs, Also 5 vyroun, 5-6 viron
(6 vjrron) ; 5 vymyn. [ad, OF. virontur^ f.
viron : see prec, and cf. Environ v."}
1. trans. To go round ; to make the circuit of.
138a Wyclif Pre/. Epist. St. Jerome i, We han redde in
olde stories, sum men to han vyrounde [L. lustrasse\ pro-
uynccs.
a. To environ or encircle, to surround {with
something).
c 1440 ProiHp. Parv. 510/2 Vyrnyn a-bowte, or cIosynCA".
ctosyn abowtyn), valio, circuntvallo. Ibid.^ Vyrnyn a-bowte,
or gon a-bowte, ambio^ circumcio. c 1440 Psalmi Penit,
(1894) loThu art my refute yn my woo. That hath vironed
me aboute. 1513 Ld. Berners Froiss. I.ccccviii. 711 They
vyroned rounde aboute the towne. ci53g — Artk. Lyt.
Bryt. (1814) 139 The curtaynes were of grene sendall vy-
roned wyth golde & asure. 1587 Tuhberv. Trag. T. (1837)
40 We may presume the service there was rare,'Because the
board was vironed round with states.
t Viroary. Obs.-^^ [Cf. prec. and Environby.]
Environment.
1600 TotRNEUR Trans/. Metam. Ixxxv. D vj, Her stream-
ing rayes haue pierc'd the cloudie skies, And.. Cleared the
world of her blacke vironries.
Virose Cvwr^u-s),a. Nowrar^. [ad. L.2j/mf-
«j, f. vli-us Virus.] Poisonous; suggestive of
poisonous qualities; rank and unwholesome : a.
Of things, esp. plants.
1680 MoRDEN Geogr, Rect.^ Germojty (1685) 124 The virose
streams and particles of Mercury, or other Minerals
descending from off their Mountains. i7o» Phil. Trans.
XXIII. 1167 Most of them are of an Aromatic Smell and
Taste, but some are foetid, virose, and fervid in their I'aste.
1767 A^ii/. Hist.m. Ann. Re^. 98/2 The root of the oenanthes
that is like hemlock, with virose juice. 1845-50 Mrs. Lin-
COLN Led. Bot. App. 205 yirose^ nauseotis to the smell,
poisonous. x866 Treas. Bot. 1219/2.
b. Of smell or flavour.
1756 P. Browne Jafunica 174 This plant, .is of a virose
heavy smell. 1761 Phil, Trans. Lll. 92 By that time the
plants will.. have acquired an highly virose smell. 1817
J. E. Smith in Encycl. Brit. (ed. 4) Suppl. II. 403/1 Some
[leaves] have a virose or nauseous flavour about them. 1831
J. Davies Manual Mat. Med. 309 Its smell is virose and
nauseous. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVII. 206/1 The virose and
nauseous odour which characterises crude opium.
t Virour. Obs.-^ [ad. late L. viror, f. virerc to
be green.] Green growth, verdure.
1^7 ToMLiNsoN Renou's Disp. 1. vii. xiii. 403 Ivy,.cir-
cumvests..vicine Plants; which it kills with its multifarious
convolutions and virour [L. orig. virore\.
Virons (vai-rss), a. rare. » Vihose a.
1661 LovELL Hist. Anim. Sf Min, 240 They are pleasant
to the pallate ; but of evil juyce, and virouse. 1887 A. M .
Brows Anim. Alkaloids 26 The liquid ptomaines possess
a virous, cadaveric odour, occasionally suggestive of musk
or odoriferous plants.
Virr (v3r). ^V. Also vir. [Of obscure origin.]
Force, vigour, energy.
c 157s Bal/anr's Practices (17 5^)493 Making of the course
of the water to be of greiter force or strentb than of befoir,
or 5it to be of less force or virre than of befoir. 1710
RuDDiMAS Gloss. Douglas' ^n^iSf Bir, force, noise which
an arrow, or such like makes in the air. Scoti boretdes Vir
promtnciant. 174a R. Forbes Jrnl. /r. London (1755) 31
Syne we laid our heads together, an' at it wi' virr. 1790
Shirrefs Poems 141 Bessy ran, and brought some whinsi
wi' vir, Frae out the nook. i8o8-9a in Eng, Dial. Diet,
Virre, southern ME. var. Fir ; var. Vebre Obs.
Virrok (obs. So.) : see Wibbock. Virry, obs,
Sc. f. Worry v. Viraohepe, Virschip, obs.
Sc. ff. W0R.SHIP; Virschypful, obs. f. Wor-
.SHIPFUL. Virse, southern ME. var. Fubze.
Virsling, obs. Sc. var. Wbestlino. Virst,
southern ME. var. Fibst sb. and «., Frist sb,
Virste, obs. var. Wblst sb. Virsute, obs. var.
Vebsute a. Virtiginous, obs. f. Vertiginous.
Virtigo, obs. f. Vebtigo.
tVirtival. Obs.-^ {sni.Y. vertiveiU: cf.VxR-
TIWELL.] A bush or metal support for an axle.
ij^ Ann. Reg., Chron. 32 The hghtning. .finally threw
the axis of one of the clock hammers out of the bouches or
virtivals, by which it was supported.
II Virtu, vertn (vajt«% vautw). Also verti,
virtiH. [a. It. virlit :— L. virtHt-em, ace. sing, of
virtus Virtue. The form verlu follows French
spelling without justification, as the Italian sense
of the word has never been current in French.]
L A love of, or taste for, works of art or curios;
a knowledge of, or interest in, the fine arts ; the
fine arts as a subject of study or interest.
a. 17M Richardson Statues, etc in ttaly 290 The whole
Nation have a sort of Love to what they call the VirtU, and
know Something of it, 175a Foote Taste Prol , Virtu to
such a height is grown, All artists are encourag'd— but our
own. 178a Han. More Let. in W. Roberts Mem. (1834) I,
348 Mr. Locke, a man of fashion, .. and so deep in virtd,
that every artist of every sort allows Mr. Locke to b^t him
237
even in the secrets of his own art, i8ao Scott Let. in
Lockhart (1837) IV. xi. 358 It may be the foundation of a
set of bronzes, if stout Lord Waiter should turn to virtu.
1858 Carlvle Predk. Gt. in. viii. I. 266 No noble Nation
sunk from virtue to virtu, ever offered such a spectacle
before.
personi/. 1841 Lvtton Nt. -V Morn. Introd , A lumber.
room ; Lumber, indeed ! what KtV/w double-locks in
cabinets is the real lumber to the boy !
0. 174a Pope Dune. iv. 569 Her children. .Who study
Shakespeare at the Inns of Court, Impale a Glow-worm, or
Vertu profess. 1771 Mackenzie Man Feel. (1886) 147
Fashion, Bon ton, and Vertu, are the homes of certain idols,
to which we sacrifice the genuine pleasures of the soul.
1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 118 A Walpole for
love of vertu far renown'd. 18^ Cunningham Brit. Paint.
I, 236 This country af that period., exported swarms of men
with the malady of vertu upon them. 1871 Smiles Charact.
ix. (1876) 262 There [at Rome], the virtus or valour of the
ancient Romans has characteristically degenerated into
vertu, or a taste for knicknacks.
b. Man {gz gentleman') o/virlu, a virtuoso.
1749 Fielding Tout Jones xm. v, They., may be called
men of wisdom and vertu (take heed you do not read virtue).
1787 Gentl. Mag. ix6if\ Being in company lately with
several gentlemen of virtu, I found in their conversation
frequent use of the word Taste in a sense I was unaccus*
lomed to. 1811 Jeffrey in Edin. Rev. May 31 There are
few things, about which men of virtu are more apt to rave,
than the merits of the Grecian architecture.
O. Article, object., piece^ etc., of virtu, an article
such as virtuosos are interested in ; a curio, antique,
or other product of the fine arts.
a. 1771 GoLDSM. Haunch 0/ Venison 8, I had thoughts in
my chambers to place it in view, To be shown to my friends
as a piece of virtu, x8ss T. Hook Sayings Ser. 11, Man 0/
Many Fr. (Cotbum) 148 Soon were they doomed to with-
draw their eyes from the innumerable bits of virtu which
surrounded them. 1857 *-■• Sumner in S. Longfellow Li/e
Loug^, (1891) II. 343 Stirling's house is full of the choicest
arlicTes of virtii. 1^9 S. C. Bartlett Egypt to Pal. iv. 74
An immense number of articles of virtu from Egypt are
now scattered through the world.
&. 1815 J. Scott Vis. Paris (ed. 2) ii6 The manufacture
of some decoration, some piece of vertu, some elegant trifle.
18^ Thackeray Kew/. Fair xlix, Bareacres Castle was
theirs, . . with all its costly pictures, furniture, and articles of
vertu. 190a Ssaith IVa^/arers ii. Every object of vcrtit
that I ever possessed.
2. A Special branch of this study or interest.
1745 6 Mms, Delany in Li/e «5- Corr. (i86i) II. 429 Last
Tuesday Mr. Brtstowe, an uncle of Miss Dashwtxxl's, dined
here ; he is a great virtuoso, understands all the virtus to
perfection.
3. collect. Objects of art ; curios.
Not always clearly distinguishable from sense i.
1746 H. Walpole Let. to G, Montagu 17 June, My books,
my virtu, and myother follies and amusements take up too
much of nw time to leave me much leisure to think of other
people's affairs. J768 Let. in J. H. Jesse Selivyn (J- Contemp.
(1843) II. 308 My longing to see my own collection ofvirtu
at Castle Howard is wonderful. 1773 W. Mason Heroick
Ep. Sir W. Chambers 7 Whose orb collects, in one reful-
fent view, The scatter d glories of Chinese Virtu. 1839
!arham In^oL Leg, Ser. i. Ace. New Play, Some Vandal
or Jew, With a taste for virtu. Has knock'd off his toes, to
place, I suppose. In some Pickwick Museum. 1858 D.
Costello Millionaire 0/ Mincing Lane ii. Pictures,
crockery, gimcracks of all kinds— what is generally known
as virtu.
attrib. 179s J. Wolcott (P. Pindar) Ep. Sir W. Hamil-
ton Postscr. 4 What Britons, knozving in the Virtti trade,
Soon as a grand discov'ry shall be made, Are near thee, . .
prepar'd to bite f
Virtual (v3'Jti«al), a. (and sb.). Forms : 4,
7-8 vertual (7 -all) ; 5 5r.wertual(e, -all; 5-7
virtuall ^5 -lUle), 6- virtual, [ad. med.L. znrtud-
lis, f. L. virtus virtue, after L, virtuosus. Hence
also It. virtualCy Sp. and Pg. virtual^ F. virtuel."]
1. Possessed of certain physical virtues or capa-
cities; effective in respect of inherent natural
qualities or powers; capable of exerting influence
by means of such qualities. Now rare.
1398 Tbevisa Barth. De P. R. xix. viil (Bodl. MS.), But
vertual lijt igadered in a Htel place or in a pointe is cleped
mocbe li^t. 1477 Norton Ord. Alch. v. in Ashm. (1652) 62
But our chiefe Digesture for our intent, Is virtuall heate of
the matter digerent. a 1593 Marlowe Hero ^ Leander
ni. 89 So to all objects.. his senses' flame Flowd from his
parts with force so virtuall, It flr'd with sence things weere
insensuall. i6a6 Bacon Sylva §326 See if the Virtuall
Heat of the Wine, or Strong Waters will not mature
it- 1657 R. LiGON Barbadoes (1673) 106 Though the vir-
tual beams of the Sun, give growth and life to aU the Plants
and Flowers it shines on. 1675 E. Wilson Spadacrene
Duneltnensis Pref., Even ordinary water admits of a virtual
mixture at least, as Experience evidenceth in Chalybeate
waters. 1898 >iEREDiTH Odes Fr. Hist. 91 It was the
foreign France the unruly feared, . . Not virtual France, the
France benevolent. The chivalrous.
b. Of herbs : Possessing specific virtues, rare,
1660 F. Brooke Le Blanc's Trav. 364 To Rivers they
sacrifice the shels that come from them, to fountains fruits
and vertual herbs. 1830 T. Aird Captive 0/ P'ez nr, Slie
knew., every virtual plant, and every sovereign flower
Beneath the moon.
t2. Morally virtuous. Obs,
ci4*S WvNTouN Cron. VII. 1218 His awyn oyssc to lif
wertual, May mirroure and ensample be Til alkyn statis.
/bid. VII. viii. 2206 lohun of Salerne, prest cardynate. Com-
mendii a lorde wertuale. 1607 Dekker l-Vh. 0/ Babylon
\yks. 1873 II. 216 Vou by your heauenly Influence change
bis vilenes Into a vertuall habit fit for vse.
1*3. Capable of producing a certain effect or
result ; effective^ potent, powerfaL Obs,
VIKTUALITY.
H3*-5o tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 177 For a man and the
worlde be assimilate in iij. thynges, in dimension diamet<
ralle..,in disposicion naiuralle, and in operation virtualle.
Ibid. 185. x^Pilgr. Per/ (Pynson) in. ix. 47 b, That is
called after Saynt Thomas virtuall attencyon which causeth
a person in the begynnyng of his prayer to haue an ac-
tuall consideracion of the prayer or duety that he hath
to do. 1619 W. ScLATER Exp. I Thess. (1630) 37 So ver-
tuall was the speech of Paul a Prisoner, in the heart of his
Judge. 1640 Shirley Arcadia iv. iii, I meant it .\ draught
for false Zelmane, it being virtual To increase affection.
167J JossELVN New Eng. Rarities 12 The Loone is a Water
Fowl, alike in shape to the Wobble, and as virtual for Aches.
1683 MoxoN Mech. Exerc, Printingi, Dr. Dee..asa ver-
tual Proof of his own Learned Plea, quotes two Authentique
Authors.
b. A/eck, (See quots.)
1815 J. Smith Panorama Set. ^ Art II. 124 Whatever is
the real length of the leg ^ a [of a siphon], the virtual or
acting length when in use, only extends from b to the sur-
face of the fluid. xSas J. Nicholson Oper. Mech. 67 The
velocity. .due to a head of 15 inches; and this we call the
virtual or elective head.
4. That is so in essence or effect, although not
formally or actually ; admitting of being called by
the name so far as the effect or result is concerned.
X654 Ter. Taylor Real Pres. 21 We affirm that Christ
is really taken by faith, . . they say he is taken by the
mouth, and that the spiritual and the virtual taking him in
virtue or effect is not sufficient, though done also. 1664
— Dissuas. Popery ii. §8 But even this attention is not
necessary that it should be actual, but it suffices to be vir-
tual._ 1697 BuRGHOPE Disc. Reiig. Assetnb. 166 We shall
find it to amount to no less than a vertual renunciation of
our baptism. 1734 Waterland Diss. Exist, First Cause
30 Every Proof a priori proceeds by Causes either real or
virtual. 1769 Burke Obs. Pres. St. Nat. Wks. 1842 I. 112
One part of it could not be yielded, .without a virtual sur-
render of all the rest. 1787 Bentiiam De/ Usury viii. 73
Heading, Virtual Usury allowed. 1830 Milner Suppl,
Mem. Eng, Cath. 132 To prevent the virtual choice of a
Catholic Bishop by an A<Catholic Ministry. 1844 H. H.
Wilson Brit. India III. 211 He had reigned thirty-three
years, during the first ten of which he was virtual sovereign
of the greater part of Hindustan. 1883 A. Barratt Pkys.
Metempiric 157 The simplest conscious action involves
actual or virtual thought.
b. Virtual Churck^ a council or similar body
acting in the name of the whole church. Also
ellipt. as sb.
1646 J. Maxwell Burden 0/ Issachar 20 Whatsoever
power, .the Catholike Church, or her virtuall and Repre-
sentative, an oecumenical Councel, justly challengeth ; this
general Assembly vindicateth to it selfe. ibid. 45 It was
not consented to by the Church : that is, the Virtuall Church,
the Generall Assemblie. 1654 Bramhall Just Vind. viii.
(1661) 230 In all which .. they understand .. the virtual
Church which is inuested with Ecclesiastical power, that is,
the Pope with his Cardinals and Ministers,
C. Optics, Applied to ihe apparent focus or
image resulting from the effect of reflection or re-
fraction upon rays of tight.
(a) 1704 J[. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Virtual Focus, or
Point 0/ Divergence in a Concave Glass. 17^8 Chambers
Cycl., Point 0/ Dispersion, is that wherein the Rays begin
to diverge ; usually call'd the Virtual Focus. 1808 J. Web-
ster Nat. Philos. 185 They issued from the virtual focus in
the axis of the lens. 1831 Brewster tV'"i- 11 The point
A', behind the mirror, .is called their virtual /ocus, because
they only tend to meet in that focus. 1874 LommeVs Light
90 The lenses of the second group have virtual foci.
ib) 1831 Brewster Optics ii. 18 In convex mirrors the
image is always a virtual one formed behind the mirror. 1859
Parkinson Optics (1866) 130 A I'amiliar instance of a virtual
image is that formed by a common looking-glass of an
object in front of it :— the image of an object under water is
virtual. X885 Buck's Handbk. Med, Sci. I. 39/1 If their
direction, after the refraction, be prolonged backward, their
prolongations meet to form a virtual image.
d. Dynamics. Of velocity or momentum (see
quot. 1867).
1818 Barlow in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) III. 41/1 [The]
principle.. of virtual velocities .. is now, by most foreign
writers, made the foundation of the whole theory of statics.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 373/2 The name of the principle
of virtual velocities.. is very ill fitted to express the idea
which is to be conveyed. [Full account follows.] 1867
Thomson & Tait Nat. Phil. I. \. § 237 If the point of appli-
cation of a force be displaced through a small space, the
resolved part of the displacement in the direction of the
force has been called its Virtual Velocity. Ibid., 'Ihe pro-
duct of the force, into the virtual velocity of its point of
application, has been called the Virtual Moment of the
force.
Virtualism (v5'Jti«aliz'm). [f. prec. + -isM.]
The Calvinistic doctrine of Christ's virtual presence
in the Eucharist.
1883 Ch. Times XXI. 775 The haze and cloud of Genevan
Virtualism. 1905 Treasury OcX. 5 Charles Wordsworth. .
a learned exponent of ' virtualism ' in Eucbaristic doctrine.
Virtualist (va-atiwalist). [f. as prec. + -IST.]
One who holds or advocates virtualism.
1897 Month Sept. 331 Without devoting much space to
the attempt to prove that St. Thomas was a Virtualist.
1908 Sat. Rev. 12 Sept. 322/2 Our countrymen, .knowing
their Church Catechism, are neither Zwinglians nor Vir-
tualists.
Virtuality (vaatiwee-liti). Also 5 vertualyte.
[f. Virtual a. -t- -ity, perh. after med.L. *virtuali-
tas. Cf. F. virtuality. It. virtualit^, Sp. virtuali-
dad, Pg. virtuaiidade.']
+ 1. a. The possession of force or power. Obsr^
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg, 25 b/i Now we may saye that
Jhesus in his ascension was right hye of iiii maners of
VIBTUALLY.
iievght that is to wyte of place, of rcmuneracion or reward,
of knowlecbe, aod cwf vertualyte or strengthe.
•f* b. Something endoweti with virtue or power.
1614 Kauiich Hist, iVorlH 1, L 7 This omnipotent Spirit
of God., St. Augustine sometimes taketh..for the holy
Ghost; sometime for a winde or breath, ..or. .for a created
N'irtuaiity.
2. Essential nature or being, apart from external
form or embodiment.
i6«6 Sir T. Browne Pseuti, Ep. vii. il 343 In one
graine of come . . there lyeth dormant the virtuality of many
other, and from thence sometimes proceed an hundred
eares. 1688 R. L'Estrange Brief Hist. Times 11. Pref.,
The Two Main Pillars of the Old Cause were the Protesta-
tion (that was afterwards Emprov'd into a Covenant) and
the Virtuality of the Sovereign Power in the Two Houses.
i8« tr, Custine's Empire of Czar II. 272 When the church
abdicates its liberty, it loses its moral virtuality. 1858 H.
BusHNELL Nai, <V Suptmat. xiii. (1864) 418 The govern-
ment of the world b waiting on Christianity, and is thus in
highest virtuality a supernatural kingdom.
3. A Tirtnal (as opposed to an actual) thing,
capacity, etc. ; a potentiality.
1836-7 Sir W. Hamilton Metapk. xxxviii. (1870) II. 357
Our inclinations, dispositions natural habitudes or virtuali-
ties. 1843 Carlyle Past ^ Pr. iv. i, A Virtuality perfected
into an Actuality. 1885 Mrs. H. Ward tr. Amiel's JniL
II. 263 Is not mind the universal virtuality, the universe
latent t
Virtually (vautiwali), adv. Also 5 vertual-
liche, 5, 7 vertually. [f. Virtual a. + -i>y2.
Cf. F. virtuelUmenty lt.,Sp., Pg. virUiaimente.']
1. In respect of essence or effect, apart from
actual form or specific manner ; as far as essential
qualities or facts are concerned.
Passing into next by a slight weakening of the sense, the
idea of simple equivalence becoming more prominent than
that of essential qualities.
C1430 Pitgr. Lyf Maithode I. Ixxxvii. (1869) 49 Serteyn,
quod she, localliche j vnderstonde not, but oother weys;
vertualliche j vnderstonde summe, ymaginatyfltche summe.
1495 TreviseCs Bartk. De P. R. vui. i. Sviijb/i The
venue of god made and ordeyned primordyall matere
in y* whiche as it were in a massy thynge the foure ele-
mentes were veriually and not dystyngued in tale and
notubre as they arne now. 1639 Fuller Holy War i. xxiv.
40 But these and many more voluminous engines (for the
ramme alone had an hundred men to manage it) are now
virtually epitomized in the cannon. 1673 [R. Leigh] Transp.
Reh.1% He defeated, .the other ten nations virtually and
inclusively. 1690 C. Nesse O. ^ N. T. I. 206 All the lesser
pearls. .are contain'd vertually in this one diamond, n 1768
SECKER.S"^rw. (1770) III. xvi. 378 If the Jews had prevailed,
they would have imagined their Success a full Proof, that
the Messiah was yet virtually, though not corporally,
amongst them.
b. In effect, though not formally or explicitly ;
practically ; to all intents ; as good as.
a s6oo Hooker Disc, fustificaiion (1612) 32 No man is
ignorant of their first principles, which doe vertually con-
taine whatsoever by naturall meanes, is, or can be knowne.
a 1616 Bp. Andrewes Semt. (1856) X. 237 That was but
virtually as good as bom, this actually born indeed. 1649
Fuller Holy ^ Prof. St. in. iv, 160 Continue correspon-
dencie with . . some Professour or Secretary, who virtually is
the whole University, or Stale. 1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt. 02 It
is sufficient that the parent be virtually and dispositivefy at
present a believer, a 1718 Prior Alma n. 183 By the Peep-
holes in his Crest, Is it not virtually confest That there his
Eye took distant Aim. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man 11. ii.
$34' 170 As far as this b virtually included in the Precepts for
loving God above all and our Neighbour as ourselves. 1791
Burke App. Whigs Wks. 1842 I. 497 It is virtually a begg-
ing of the question. 2817 W. Selwvn Laiv Nisi Prius
(ed. 4) il. 1152 The seamen may sue.. the owners, as the
persons virtually contracting with them through the agency
of the master. 1856 Froude Hist, Eng. {1858) I. ii. 160
The cause was virtually transferred to Rome, where Henry
. . was unlikely to consent to plead. 1878 Lecky Eng. in j8tk
C. I. ii. 301 Before the middle of the 18th century the laws
against Catholic worship were virtually obsolete.
a. Virtuously, morally, rare,
1539 in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) I. App. ex. a^ [All per-
sons shall] virtually and devoutly, .hear their divine services
and masses. 181a Cary Dante^ Purg, xxx. 118 This man
Was. .So gifted virtually, that in him All better habits
wonderously had thrived.
3, In respect of (physical) virtues, rari^^.
1660 BuRNEY Kc'pj. Awpoi* (1661) 75 The Prince is not
placed in his Chair of State, as the Sun has its spherical
collocation amidst the Planets, and is chiefest vertually.
4. With virtue or power ; effectively. rare-~^.
1604 Dekker King's Entertainm. Wks._ 1873 I. 30a
Beames from thine eyes So vertually shining, that they
bring, To England's new Arabia, a new Spring.
tVi'rtuate,!'. Obs, [f Virtue + -ate.] trans.
To render efficacious ; to invest with a particular
virtue or quality.
163a G. Sandys Ovid's Met. vii. Note 354 Medea. .now
likewise invokes the Earth, Aire, Winds, Mouotaines, &c.
as either producing or virtuating magicall ingredients.
1657 W. MoRicE Coena quasi Koii^ xi. 132 ifone but God
could . .sancti5e, and virtuate the Signs and Elements [etc.].
■689 G. Harvey Curing Dis. by Expect, v. 35 The pre-
paration ..is virtuated with an abstersif quality.
Virtue (V3*iti«), sb. Forms : a. 3-6 uertu,
vertu (4 vertw-, vartu), 3-8 (9 Sc^ vertue (4
uertue, 5 vertuwe), 4-5 wertu (5 wertw-) ;
4-7 verteu, 4-6 vertew (4 -ewe), 5-7 wertew
(5 -ewe) ; 4 ver-, wertow, 5 wertou-, 9 north,
diat. varter, Sc, verier. i3. 3-4 uirtu, 4-5, 7
virtu, 6- virtue; 6 virtew. [a. AF, and OF.
vertu {y.vertUj = li.vir/u, Sp. virtudj Pg. vir-
238
ttuie), ad. L. virtut-y virtus manliness, valour,
worth, etc., f. vir man.]
I. As a quality of persons.
1, The power or operative influence inherent in
a supernatural or divine being. Now arch, or Obs,
c xaso Kent. Serm. in O. Eng. Misc. 30 Besech ure lorde
J>et he do ine ^e his uertu. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne
5852 ' Pers ', he seyd, ' . . l>ou art weyl with Ihesu ; He shewej?
for t>e grete vertu.' 1338 — Chron, (1810) 184 If 5our God
be so clere, & of so grete vertewe. As 5e preche oft tide.
c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 1391 For though so he that Mars
is god of Armes Youre vertu is so greet in heuene aboue
That (etc. J. a 1435 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula, etc. ^7
pat it[Bubol may neuer be cured. .but if it plese god..for
to help wtj» his vnspekeable vertu. a 1450 Mirk's Fesiial
6 Hopyng )?at Jje vertu of Cryst schull put away his tempia-
cyon. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. xqj-z After the passion of
Jhesu Cryst. .he was transported from Infirmyte to Vertu.
'557 ^' ^'' (Genev.) Epist. ♦iiii, In his owne vertue he rose
agayne. 1570 T. Norton tr. Nmvets Cateck. 25 b, All
things would runne to ruine, and fall to nothyng, vnlesse by
hys vertue, & as it were by hys hand, they were vpholden.
1594 Drayton Idea 489 All unclean Thoughts, fouleSpirits
cast out in mee, Onely by Vertue that proceeds from thee.
165s Stanley Hist. Philos. 1. 1. 14 That the world is ani-
mated, and that God is the soul thereof, .. whose divine
moving vertue penetrats through the element of water.
1738 Wesley Ps. lxxx. xx. Look on them with thy flam-
ing Eyes 1"he Sin-consuming Virtue dart. 1850 Neale
Med. Hymns (1867) 27 Michael, who in princely virtue
Cast Abaddon from on high.
b. An embodiment of such power; esp.//., one
of the orders of the celestial hierarchy.
a 1300 Cursor M. 10523 Godds virtu or gret prophet. Or
angel elles >ai him let. 13.. A". E. A Hit. P. A. 1125 l>e
steuen mo^t stryke J>ur5 Jw vrhe to helle, pat J>e vertues of
heuen of loye endyte. 138a Wvclif Mark xiii. 25 Vertues
that be in heuenes, schulen be mouyd. 1398 Trevisa De
P. R. II. xvi. (1495) c j b/2 The seuenth ordre [of angels] is
Vertues. 1533 Gau Richt Vay 4 And siclik ihay dremit
and maid innumerabil pouers and vertus and laid to siclik
orisons. 1575 Timme tr. Marlorafs Expos. John 146/a
Hee hath committed these partes in charge, to the Angell.
For the which cause the Angelles are called, powers, or ver-
tues. 1584 R. Scot Discov. IVitchcr. xv. iL (1B86) 315 Two
and twentie legions of divels, partlie of the order of vertues,
& partlie of the order of thrones. i6ao Quarles Peutxo-
logia, Glot'ia Coeli 13 Where troups of Powers, Vertues,
Cherubins,..Arechaunting praises to their heauenly King.
1667 Milton P. L. x. 460 Thrones, Dominations, Prince-
doms, Vertues, Powers, a 1711 Ken Hymnothco Poet.
Wks. 1721 III. 200 Virtues, who turn the orbs celestial
round. 181S Cary Dante, Par. xxviii, 113 Dominations
first; next them, Virtues; and powers the third. 1880
EncycLBrit. XI. 792/1.
+ C. An act of superhuman or divine power; a
' mighty work * ; a miracle. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 19566 (Edin.), pe haligaste, it was sa
gode, bate t?a men |jat it undirfange mo^te do suilc uirtuz
and sua strange. ^1305 St. Christopher 127 in E. E.P,
(1862) 63 On such god, he setde, 5e schulde biieoue: t>at
such virtu mai do. «: 1375 Sc, Leg. Saints x. {Matthew)
232, I traste lat ^u ma do J^e sammyne-lyk vertu fore his
sake. 138a Wyclif Matt. xi. 20 Thanne Iliesus began for
to seie repreue to citees, in whiche ful manye vertues of
hym ben don. c 1400 Apol. Loll. (Camden) 28 Crist in a
coost of J>e Jewes mi^t not do ani vertu ^r. for \>k vntrou|».
i5a6TiNDALEMrtrAvi. 2 What wysdom is this ihatisgeven
vnto him ? and such vertues that are wrought by his hondes ?
2. Conformity of life and conduct with the prin-
ciples of morality ; voluntary observance of the
recognized moral laws or standards of right con-
duct ; abstention on moral grounds from any form
of wrong-doing or vice.
a laas Ancr. R. 26S Nu hit is vertu. .uor to wakien, uor
hit greueS ^. 1390 Gower Con^. I. 7 Tho was vertu sett
above And vice was put under fote. 1399 Langl. Rich.
Redeles iti. 206 So vertue wolde flflowe whan vicis were
ebbid. c 14SO Hoccleve Mot/ter of God o Modir of mercy,
..pat of al vertu art superlatyf. 1484 Caxton Fables of
j^sop IV. XX, The roote of alle vertue is obedynce and
humylyte. 1531 Elyot Gw. ii. x, If vertue be an election
annexed unto our nature, and consisteth in a meane, which
is determined by reason. 1545 Brinklow Lament. 79
Reformacion or redresse-.wherby to expulse vice, and en-
creace vertu. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. m.
iL 71 b, [They] haue enclined, & finally returned vnto their
naturall and primitlue vertue. i63X Burton Anat. Mel. 1.
i.ii. xi,Theprincipall Habits are two in number, Vertue, and
Vice. 1655 Stanley Hist. Philos. I. in. 107 He describes
morall vertu in his discourses and writings. 1691 Hart-
CLiFFE Virtues 9 There were also those, who taught, That
Virtue was that excellent thing, in which we should find our
chiefest Good. 1736 Butler Anal. i. iii. §4 Virtue consists
in a regard to what is right and reasonable, as being so ; in
a regard to veracity, justice, charity, in themselves. lyjt
Chatham Lett. Nephew ii. 7 Lessons of honourj courage, . .
humanity, and in one word, virtue in its true signification.
X791 Burke Corr. (1844) III. 200 Vice is never so odious.,
as when it usurps and disgraces the natural place of virtue.
i8s8 Carlyle Misc. (1857) I. 83 He thinks that to propose a
reward for virtue is to render virtue impossible.^ 1850 F. W.
Robertson Led. 75 That alone is virtue which has good
placed before it ana evil, and seeing the evil, chooses the
good. 1875 JowETT Plato (ed. 2) V. 179 Unless we know
whether virtue is one or many, we shall hardly know what
virtue is.
phr. [1669 Dryden Tyraiintc Love n. i,To follow Vertue,
as its own reirardj "^697 Vanbruch Reletpsev. iii, Virtue is
its own Reward : There's a Pleasure in doing good, which
sufficiently pays it self, 1756 Home Douglas in. i. 1771
Smollett Humph, CI., To D, Leivis 12 June, I shall be
content with the reflection, that virtue is its own reward.
18^ Smedley F. Fairlegh xxxviii, Supposing this^ ini-
quitous engagement . . broken off by your exertions, is Virtue
to be its own reward?
VIRTUE.
b. Personified, or rej^^arded as an entity,
140S Hocclkve Let. Cupid 457 Vertu so dignfc is and so
noble ill kynde, That Vice and she wol not in feere abide.
c z4ao Lydc. A ssembly of Gods 2074 Then may ye say ye
have a sure staff To. , walke by the way of Vertu hys loore.
1x1586 Sidney Arcadia iii. xx. If ever Vertue tooke abodte
to shewe his (else unconceaveable) beautie. 1593 Shaks.
3 Hen. VL III. ii, 63 That toue which Vertue begges, and
Vertue graunts. 1607 Dekker Northw. Hoe v. Wks. 1873
III. 73 Virtue glories not in the spoil, but in the victory.
1660 Ingelo Bentiv, i^ Ur. 11. (1682) 68 If Virtue be so happy
when it is afflicted. 169a Prior Ode Imit, Horace viii,
Virtue is her own Reward, With solid Beams and Native
Glory bright. 17*6-46 Thomson Winter 1039 Virtue sole
survives, Immortal never-failing friend of man. 1770G0LDSM.
Des. Will. 108 But on he moves to meet his latter end.
Angels around befriending Virtue's friend. 1799 Campbell
Picas. Hope \. 530 So Virtue dies, the spouse of Liberty !
1818 CoLKVUOGv: Friend (1865) 72 A wound in feelings
which virtue herself has fostered. 1B60 All Vear Round
No. 64. 322 Man may bow before virtue, but virtue never
bows before man.
C. spec. Chastity, ^exual purity, esp, on the pari
of women. Of easy virtue : see Easy a, 1 2.
X599 Shaks. Much Ado iv. i. 84 Hero it selfe can blot out
Heroes vertue. 1706 Estcoubt Fair Example v. i, Ne'er
let the fair one boast of Virtue prov'd Till she has well
refus'd the ^Ian she lov'd. 1740 Richardson I'amelaiiSa^)
I. xiv. 252, 1 say not this, to excuse the lady's fall : Nothing
can do that ; because virtue is. . preferable to all considera-
tions. X749 Fielding Tom Jones 11. iii. That order of
females whose faces are taken as a kind of security for
their virtue. 1819 Shelley Peter Bell 3rd in. viii. There
are mincing women, mewing.. Of their own virtue. 1885
Mabel Collins Prettiest Woman ii, She played the woman
of virtue— and played it well.
transf. 1845 M^Culloch Taxation i. iv. (1852) 121 The
tax will then fall with its fuH weight upon men of integrity,
while the millionaire of ' easy virtue ' may well-nigh escape
it altogether.
d. .SV. Industry, diligence, rare.
1546 Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 757/2 Quhairthrow all vii tew
and marcnandice within the said buri;h is abusit, ceissit and
dekeyit. 1641 Sc. Acts, Chas. /(1B17) V. 657/2 It isnecessar
that in everie schyre at leistthair be ane schooll or hous of
vertue erected. I6id. 658/2 Any parcellis of cloth, seyis, &c.,
. . made in the saidis houses of vertew. 1803 Scott Let, in
Lockhart (1837) I. xi. 386 In many parts of Scotland the
word virtue is limited entirely to industry,
3. With a and pi. A particular moral excellence ;
a special manifestation of the influence of moral
principles in life or conduct.
anas Aticr. R. 368 I>et o3er J^ing is..deuociun, reoufuU
nesse, nierci, pite of heorte. ., edmodnesse, & o3re swuche
uertuz. cx»30 Hali Meid. 1 3 pis is ^et J>e uertu |>at halt.,
ure feble flesch..in hal halinesse. « 1300 Cursor M. 571
Alle virtus has [that] saul i-wis, ^at vte o sin vnsaked is.
c\-^x%Spec, Gy Wariu. 71, I wole t>e teche, Faire uertuz
for to Uke And foule hewesto forsake. 1377 Langl./*. PI
B. XI. 370 Sufi'raunce is a souereygne vertue. c 1400 Destr.
Troy ^oiy Ho..voidet all vanities, & virtus dissyret. I4as
YosGE ir. Secreta Secret. 147 The beste good of all is good
of vertues and grace, c 1440 Jacob's Well 82 Ot»ere synnes
am contrarye toon vertew, as pride iscontraryetolownesse.
»Sa6 Pilgr, Perf, (W. de W. 1531) 2 All maner of goostly
matter, concernynge the perfeccyon of graces and vertues.
1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie 111. xxiii. (Arb.) 274 Ihe word
became not . . her sex, whose chiefe vertue is sham efasi nesse.
1601 Shaks. Alfs Well iv. iii. 84 Our crimes would dis-
paire if they were not cherish 'd by our vertues. 1644 M ilton
Areop. (Arb.) 44 How great a vertue is temperance, how
much of moment through the whole life of man? x68a
BuNYAN Greatness of Soul^V.%, 1853 I. 138 It is a sport
now to some to taunt and squib and deride at other men's
virtues. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr, III. 207 They confess
too, that Self-Denial is a Christian Vertue. 1761 Hume
Hist. Eng. il. xxviii. 136 Courage, preferably to equity or
justice, was the virtue most valued. 1797 Godwin £n-
guirer i. ii. 9 Human virtues without discrimination are no
virtues. 1835 Thirlwall Greece I. 321 Thousands.. pro-
claimed the virtues of the deceased prince superior to those
of all his predecessors. 1865 Lubbock Preh. Times xiv.
{1869) 553 Neither faith, hope, nor charity enters into the
virtues of a savage.
transf. 1680 Moruen Geog. Red., China (1685) 423 Their
chief practice or special Virtues are Theft, Murder and
Adultery. 1719 Young Busiris \. i. When rage and rancour
are the proper virtues, And loss of reason is the mark of
men. x8ao Byron Mar. Fal. iv. ii, But they were not
aware that there are things Which make revenge a virtue by
reflection.
b. In enumerations of certain moral qualities
regarded as of special excellence or importance, as
the four cardinal virtues (see Cardinal a. 2), the
three theological virtues (see Theological a. i),
or the seven virtues opposed to the seven deadly
sins, .
cx3«> Cast. LoT'e 827 J>at bej> J>e seuen vertues wij> winne
To ouercome be seuen dedly sinne. 1387 Trevisa Higden
(Rolls) I. 5 pe metynge of J>e ^.re waies of |>e ^\it vertues of
deuynyte, and (>e metynge of foure weies of J>c foure chief
vertues. <: 1400 Cursor M. 25391 (Cott. Galba), Now
haue I sayd \\z askinges seuyn..whilk seuyn veriuse vn-
till us wins, and als fordose seuyn dedly sins. 1411-a
Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 4755 Prudence, attemperance,
strengthe, and right, Tho foure ben vertues principal.
c 1415 Cast. Persev. 1694 pe seuene synnys I forsake & to
J?ese vij vertuis I me tak. ijsa Abp. Hamilton Catech.
(1884) 7 The twa principal vertewes caliit Faith and Hoip.
1500 Spenser Let. W. Raleigh in /'. Q, Pref., The twelve
private Morall Vertues, as Aristotle devised. 1693 D'
Emilianne's Hist. Monast, Orders 249 Of the Order of the
ten Virtues, or Delights of the Virgin Mary, called also of
the Annunciade. 1753 Challoner Cath. Chr. Instr. 2 To
nourish.. in our Souls the three Divine Virtues of Faith,
Hope and Charity.
VIRTUE.
o. All the Virtues^ a name given to the Opposi-
tion in the House of Commons in 1815-16.
On the model of* All the Talents ' applied to the Grenville
Ministry of 1806-7 : see Talent sb. 6 d,
i8t6 Sir G. Bingham Lett. 1 Jan., in Comh. Mag. (1900)
Jan. 34 Bonaparte.. has heard that 'Alt the Virtues', with
Sir Francis Burdett at their hefcd, were to advocate his
cause and recall.
d. A personified moral quality, or a representa-
tion of this in painting, sculpture, etc.
1851 E. J. MiLUNGTON tr. DidrotCs Chr, Iconogr. V. 84
Each Virtue bears a characteristic attribute. . . Liberty, like
..the twelve sister Virtues, .is decorated with a large nim.
bus. 1885 J. R. Ai.i.EN Early Chr. Symbolism 277 Crowned
figures armed with shields .. to symbolise the Virtues
trampling on the Vices overcome.
4. To make {a) virtue of necessity (or f need)^ to
do with apparent willingness, or as if performing
a meritorious action, what one in reality cannot
help doing; to submit to circumstances with a
good grace.
After OV./aire de necessiti vertu, h./acere de necessi-
tate virtutem (Jerome In Rufinum 3, n. a).
(«) c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iv, 1586 Ihus makeb vertue
of necessite By paciens, and J>enk ^at lord is he Of fortune
ay, J>at nought wolc of here recche. C1386 — Sqrs. T.
593 That I made vertu of necessitee And took it wel
syn J>at it moste bee. 1411-3 Hocclevh De Keg. Princ.
1252 Make of necessite, reed I vertu ; For better rede can
I non. C1480 Henkyson Test. Cresseid ^y% I counsall
the male vertew of ane neid. 1578 Whetstone ^nd Pt.
Promos ff Cass. v. v. Good Maddame way, by lawe, your
Lord doth dye. Wherefore make venue of necessity. 1646
Earl MoNM. Ir. Biondis Civil Wars v. 115 Villandras
weighing the danger made vertue of necessity, hee went to
Toulosse. 1659 J. Wright tr. Camus' Nat. Paradox x.
245 However, I will have patience, and making Vertue of
Necessity, I will forbear.
0) «S^ Stocker Civ. IVarres Lawe C. i. 28 b, They
were en^rced to behaue themselues..and of necessitie, to
make a vertue. 1588 Greene Pandcsto (1607) 10 Shee was
faine to make a vertue of her neede. 1614 Day Festivals
X. (1615) 297, 1 wil make a Vertue of this Necessitie. 1639
S. Du Verger tr. Camus' Admir, Events 46 They make a
vertue of that necessity. 1677 W. Hughes Man o/Sin 11.
ix. 144 Their Modem Doctors, whom the Arguments of the
Protestants have compelled to make a Vertue of Necessity.
a 1708 [see Necessity sb. 5]. 1764 tr. Gil Bias 1. v. L 21
And making^ a virtue of necessity, I put the best face I
could upon it, and went about the work she set me upon.
1837 [see Necessity sb. 5J.
b. To make a virtue of, to make a merit of, to
gain credit by.
184a Lover Handy Andy xiii. Mat, who saw Furlongwas
near the mark, thought he might . . make a virtue of telling
him.
5. Superiority or excellence, unusual ability,
merit, or distinction, in some respect.
138a Wyclif Wisd. X. 2God..ladde hym out fro his gilte,
..and ^af to hym vertue of hauynge alle thingus. £1384
Chaucer //. Fame ir. 18 Now shal men se Vf any vertu in
the be To tel al my dreme aryght. c 1400 Brttt 1. 229 Miche
peple wer out of here mynde, vt God hat> sent ham her
myndc a^eyn ^ou? vertu of |?at holy martr*. c 1450 Hol-
land Houlate 264 Thir fowlis. . weraly awysit, full of wir-
tewe, The maner, the mater, and how it remanyt ^147$
Ran/Coillear 162 Thow hes walkit, I wis, in mony wyld
land, The mair vertew thow suld haue, to keip the fra blame.
1484 Caxton Fables of Auiatt xii, For what veitue that
ony man hath none oughte to preyse hym self. i6oa
S^egkfsCfuiucer (ed. 2) civ, Vertue flourisheth in Chaucer
still, Though death of him hath wrought hb will. 1631
Makkham Cheap Hiisb. (ed. 6) i. iL 10 Our English Gentry
. .aime for the most part al no more skill than the riding
of a ridden and perfect horse, which is but onely the sell-
ing forth of another mans vertue. i8a8 Macaulay Ess.^
Hallam's Coitstit, Hist. (1897) 85 That unsparing impar-
lialily which is his \sc. Hallam's] most distinguishing virtue.
b. An accomplishment. Now rare or Obs,
15. . Aberdeen Reg. (Jam.), The singcir to pas & remane
in Pareis for ane yeir to leir wertcws. 1591 Shaks. Two
Gent.\\\.\.'^\-i,Sp. Item, she can wash and scoure. La. Aspe-
ciall vertue. 1608 — Per. iv. vi. 105 Proclaim that I can sing,
weave, sew, and dance, With other virtues, which I'll keep
from boast. 1615 Markham(^/V/<^), The English Hus-Wife,
Contayning, The inward and outward venues which ought
tobcinacompleat woman. As, her skill in Physicke, .. Cook-
cry, [etc.]. 1656 Duchess of Newcastle True Relation in
Li/e(t6B6) 280 Tutors, .for all sorts of virtues, as singing,
dancing, playing on music, reading, writing, working, and
the like. s8o8 Scott Autobing. in Lock/tart i. (1842) 4/1
Robert sung agreeably— (a virtue which was never seen in
mej.
o. = ViRTa I. rare,
1709 Tatler No. 38 P 12 He has by rote, and at second-
hand, all that can be said of any man of figure, wit, and
virtue in town. i8s8 Edin. Rev. XLVIII. 61 The Italians
commonly call a laste for the fine arts, or skill in them, by
the name of Virtue.
+ 0. Physical strength, force, or energy. Obs.
Common a i325-r420 as a rendering of L. ■uirtus.
a i3a5 Prose Psalter xxviii. 10 Our Lord shal ;euc vertu
to his folk, a 1340 Hampole Psaiter xxxii. j6 Geaunt sail
noght be safe in multitude of his vertu. 138a Wyclif /-«/t*
X. 19, 1 hau v^uui to ?ou power of..tredinge, on serpents,
and scorptouns, and on al the vertu of the enemy, c 1400
Land Troy Bk. 9291 He my^t not wel his breth blowe. He
was In poynt to ouer-throwe; His vertu hadde he dene
lore. I4aa Vonge tr. Secreta Secret. 242 Hit servyth to
the stomake and to the entraill, and than thay gederith
hare slreynth and vertu, wyche was amcnuset and febelit.
c 14S0 tr. De Imitatione in. ix. 76 pou art oure heipe, our
vertu, h. our sirengbe. c 15*0 Melusine xxx. 226 He . .
smote Zelodius vpoii his helmet, by suche strengthe & vertue
that he made hym to cnclync vpon his hors neck.
239
+ b. An armed force. Obs. rare,
138a WvcLiF 1 Mace. i. 4 And he gadride vertu, and ful
stronge oosl. Ibid, xiii. 54 And Symont see? Joon, his sone,
that he was a mxm of bateil, and he putte hym duyk of alle
vertues.
tc. Flourishing state or condition. Obs,
C1400 Three Kings Cologne fi836) 8 Whan l>e citee of
Aeon . , florisshed and stode in his vertue, loye and pros-
perite. 1484 Caxton Fables 0/ Msop iii. xvi, He that
gouerneth not wel his bely withe grete payne he may hold
the other lyrames in theyr strengthe and vertue.
7. The possession or display of manly qualities;
manly excellence, manliness, courage, valour.
In later use tending to pass into sense 2.
13. . Coerde L. 2810 A baroun of gret vertewe. a 1400-50
Alexander 5324 Quat may >i vertu now a-vaile & all J^ine
vayn pride? <: 1410 Lvdg. Assembly of Gods 1092 Syres,
put no dowte, Vertu shall retorne & haue hys entente. Thys
felde shalbe our. c 1450 Merlin xxxii, 656 The Bretouns
hem difTended as peple of grete vertu. 15*3 Lo. Berners
tr. Froiss. I. cxcii. 228 The lord Pynnand his company
defended themself by great vertue. 1549 Conipl. Scotl. Ep,
2 Quhar for jour heroyque vertu is of mair admirattone,
1579 FEtiTOs Giiicciard. u. 104 The bastard of Burbon
was made prisoner, notwithstanding he fought with great
vertue. Ibid. Yet his vertue defended his person, a z668
Lassels yoy. Italy (1698) II. 86 Marius.. from a common
soldier came by his warlike vertue to be seven times consul.
1710 Shaftesb. Advice to Author u. § 1. 67 They [sc, the
Muses] were more to him than his Arms or military Virtue.
1758 Johnson Let. to B. Langton 21 Sept. in Bonvell^ A
man that languishes with disease, ends his life wiih more
pain, but with less virtue. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II.
IV. ii. 70 The English were called upon for the utmost
exertions of their virtue.
II. As a quality of things.
8. In the prepositional phrases in or by (also
•f through or with) virtue of by the power or effi-
cacy of (something aiding or justifying); hence, in
later use, by the authority of, in reliance upon, in
consequence of, because of. (Cf. 10 e.)
(a) cx»y>IIali Meid. i? Engel &meiden beon euening in
uertu of meidenhades mibte. £^1330 R. Bkunne Chron.
(i8io) 18 pe Kyng with ^w maistrie went in to be toun, pe
pris he had wonnen in vertew of Criste's passioun. 16x7
Fortescue Papers (Camden) 29 They should talke of the
points of religion but by way of discourse, and not as in
vertue of the commission (etc.! 1660 Jer. Taylor Worthy
Commun. \. iv. 75 Christ in heaven perpetually offers and
I represents that sacrifice to his heavenly Father and in
vertue of that obtaines all good things for his church. 1703
I Maundrell yottrn. Jerus. (1707) 105 In vertue of which
I perswasion, the Olives, and Olive stones, and Oyl which
< they produce, became an excellent commodity in Sp^in.
: 1754 Sherlock Disc. (1759) ^* "■ 77 ^^ *** '^^ Head of all
j Creatures in Virtue of having created them. 1793 Smkaton
i Edystone /.. 1 344 The experiment . . was ordered in virtue
of an observation that had occurred in the course of the
work. i833_ Ht. Martineau Three Ages u. 39 In virtue of
I an office which he heldj he had liberty to pass through the I
i palace garden. 1879 \ roudk Csesar xiii. 188 He remained j
' a senator in virtue of his quaestorsbip.
j (b) C1350 Will. Palerne 284, I ^ conture..bi vertu of I
j }»ing J»at |>ou most in l»is world louest. <:i38o Wyclif Wks. \
I (1880) 33 Bi vertue of Jjis cheef domesman he owiJ> to be j
excused fro bis somonynge of worldly prelat. c 1386
Chaucer Parsons T. r 340 It may wel wexe fieble and '
faille hy vertu of baptesme and by the grace of god thurgh
penitence. 1495 Rolls of Par It. IV. 290/1 That they mowe '<
be vertue of the same lokett, be fully excused att alle lymcs. '
149s Act II Hen, VII^z, 53 5 i Noo. .personc the whiche '
. .therwith entermedlede to your use or by vertu of your [
letters patentes. 1553 in Feuillerat Revels Q. Mary (1914)
149 By vertue of a warraunte sygned with her Nfaiesties
ounc handcs. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holvished III. 1376/2
They shall loose the fiue shillings that iheyshould receiue. .
by vertue of my will. 1617 Sir T. Wentworth in Fortescue
Papers (Camden) 25 When indeed he was in effect out of j
the Commission before, by vertu of that direction. 1663 '
Heath Flagellum (1672) 47 Upon some pretence of private
business of the Colonels and by vertue thereof in a Disguise '
of a Servant [etc]. 1681-6 J. Scott Chr. Life (1747) III. 283 I
So we Christians by vertue of our Covenant with God in ;
Christ, are separated from all otherSocieties. \6qiEftg.AHc.
Const. Eng. 44 Violating the Fundamental Laws and consti.
tutions of the Government by vertue of which he became
King. 1785 Burke Sp. Nabob Arcot Wks. 184a 1. 318
No others, by virtue of^ general powers, can obtain a legal
title, .to exercise those special functions. 1838 Thirlwall
Greece III. 287 The refugees who retired by virtue of the
treaty from Amphipolis, found shelter at Eion. 1868
Lockyer Elem. Astron. 8374 The planets, when they are
visible, appear as stars, and, like the stars, they rise and
set by virtue of the Earth's rotation.
(c) c i>^ .V. Eng. Leg. I. 11/346 And Jwru^ vertue of >e
holie croiz he ouer-cam alle is fon. c 1330 Sir Tristr. 1894
Hole sche was & sounde J»urch vertu of his gle. c 1380 Sir :
Ferumb. 157 pe barouns.-prayede god Jjorw vertue of hem i
Schold sauye hem that fro hebc men. <:x4oo ^r«^ ccviii. '
237 He come to |?e Gildehall of London, and axede Jje keies
of be ;ates of Jtc citee Jjrouj vertue and strengh of his com-
mission.
{d) 1586 Marlowe 1st Pt. Tambitrl. v. ii, So.. Must
Tamburlaine^ by their resistlesse powers. With vertue of a
gentle victorie. Conclude a league of honor to my hope.
9. Without article : fa. Of precious stones :
Occult efficacy or power (as in the prevention or
cure of disease, etc) ; ia later use, great worth or
value. Obs.
a i*7a Luu£ Ron 170 in O. E. Misc. 98 Hwat speksiu of
eny stone t»at beoj) in vertu ol«r in grace, c 1340 Hampole
Pr. Consc. 9198 pus may a man.. Alle ^e cete of heven
lyken . . to precyouse stanes of vertow fete], c 1350 Will.
Palerne 4425 pe ston . . was of so stif vertu, \f3X neuer man
vpon mold miu it him on haue, ne schuld he with wicche-
craft be wicched neuermore. c 1400 Melayne 978 His
VIRTUE.
helnie & his hawberke holde, Freth ouere with rede golde,
With stones of vertue dere. 1470-85 Malory Arthur vii.
xxvu. 254 A coronal of gold besette with stones of vertue
*°.'^® valewe of a thousand pound. X503 Hawes Examp.
yirt. xui, 242 The roof was set with stones of vertue. 1509
— Past. Pleas, xxvii. (Percy Soc.) 127 With perles and
rubies nibicond. Mixte with emerauds so full of vertue.
b. Of plants, waters, etc. : Efficacy arising from
physical qualities ; esp. power to affect the human
body in a beneficial manner; strengthening, sus-
taining, or healing properties.
a 1300 Cursor M. 34 Bot be the fruit may scilwis se O
quat vertu is ilka tre. Ibid. 1016 Treis o frut |ran es )?ar
sett pat serekin vertu has at ette. 1300 Gower Coff. III.
129 His herbe is AnabuIIa named, Which is of gret vertu
, proclamed. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 16 5e
schail draw wateris. .Outeof wellisof oure Saviour, Wiche
have vertu to curen alle langueres. \^6% Turner Herbal
I II. 31 It is sayde that there is an other Magadaris in Lybia.
I ..It hath like vertu with Laserpitio. iSo^Shkks. Ham.
! IV. vii. 145 No Cataplasme.. Collected from all Simples that
haue Vertue Vnder the Moone, can saue the thing from
^*=ath. 1655 Culpepper, etc. Riverius 1. xiii. 48 This
following Fomentation is of wonderful Vertue. 1678 Lady
Chaworth ill 12M Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V, 48 A
wolfes tooth for my pritty godson, that Lady Fingall gave
me as a thinge of much vertu. .and antidotal against con-
vulsions. 1706 Phillips {ed. Kersey), Birds-Eye, an Herb
..of singular Virtue against the Paisey. 1778 Johnson if^
to Mrs. Thrale 15 Oct., The second [night], .not so much
better as that I dare ascribe any virtue to the medicine.
1841 Myers Catk. Th. in. 1 27, 102 Distilling healing virtue
into better waters. 1865 Parkman Huguenots i. (1875) 6
There was a fountain of such virtue that, bathing in its
waters, old men resumed their youth.
O. Efficacy of a moral nature; influence work-
ing for good upon human life or conduct, f Also,
in early use, miraculous power (of the cross, etc.).
C1300 St. Margareie 316 Of gret vertu is hire lyf, ho so
|>eion (>o5te. c 1305 in E. E. P. (1862) 90 If >u woldest |?at
sD^eihure..Gret vertu ic wole (»e telle of ^>esueteholi rode.
<:i4a5 Hampole's Psalter Melr. Pref. 12 In bis boke is
muchc vertu, 10 reders wi)> deuocyown. c 1430 Lyac. Min.
Poems (Percy Soc.) 9 Thes rialle gilTtes been of verieu
most, Costly coragis most sovereignly delyte. 1549 Latimer
Plojtght-rs (.Vb.) 32 Purposinge to euacuate Christes death,
1 and to make it of smal efficacitie and vertue. 1567 Gude ^
Godlie B.iS.T.S.) 14 Our haptisme dotit with sane tit ude.
And greit vertew, to wesche our sinfulness. 1841 Myers
Cath. Th. in, § 17. 64 Few questions.. could well be rhore
j important, if Divine virtue is to be ascribed to every letter
I of Scripture.
d. Superiority or excellence in respect either of
: nature or of operation ; worth or efficacy of any
kind.
j «390 Gower Conf. IIL j6 Selden get a domb man lond.
j Tak that proverbe, and understond That wordes ben of
j vertu grete. c 1400 Destr. Troy 8388 The walles [werej vp
I wroght..With stones full stoute, stithest of vertue. 14*3
I Jas. 1 Kittgis Q. xx, In vere, that full of vertu is and gude,
j Quhen nature first begynneth hir enprise. 1596 Spenser
F.Q. V. i. 10 The blade, .was of no less virtue, then of fame.
I 1665-6 Phil. Trans. I. 282 Vet have these two Load-stones
I no connexion or tye, though a Common Center of Virtue
I according to which they joyntly act. 1669 Bunvan Holy
Citie 153 Gold is the choice and chief of all Metals both for
I worth, colour, and vertue. 1^79 Forrest yoy. N. Guinea
339 The latter [sc. cinnamon] is vastly superior in richness,
sweetness, and virtue. x^i*C\9.\ Datite, Par.viu 132 The
elements Are by created virtue inform'd. 1830 Hekscmel
Study Nat. Phil. 59 There is virtue in a bushel of coals
properly consumed, to raise seventy millions of pounds
weight a foot high. 1883 N. York Chr. Union 21 June,
The new Sound steamer * Pilgrim * is regarded as a model
of mechanical and constructional virtue.
+ e. Of laws, etc. : Operation, vigour. Obs.
C14SO Hari. Contin. Higden (Rolls) VIII. 511 Whiche
statute was ordeynede to talce vertu and begynnynge at the
feste of the Purificacion. 1471-5 Rolls of Par It. VI. 162/1
That the said late Ordenaunce . , be and siond in strenght
and vertue, unto the xxvi day of May, 165a Needham
Selden^s Mare CI. 59 The Sea- Laws which were used and
in full force and virtue in both the Empires were borrowed
fiom the Rhodians. 1686 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. L 171 All
those laws shall and are hereby Continued to Stand and be
in full force and Vertue untill y« End of the first Session,
t f. In virtue J virtually. Obs.
<ri633G. Yiv.RViv.KT PHest to 7Vw//«xxi, A most plain and
easy framing the question, even containing, in virtue, the
answer also.
10. With limitation to special instances (usually
Mtf t^V/«^^. ., orwithpossessives) ; a. In senses
9 a and 9 b.
ci»90 S.Eng. Leg. I. 312/42B Also man^ jwane he is
i-bore, onder heore \sc. the planets'] power i-wis, Schullen
habbe dluers lijf, euere ase heore vertue is. axyya Leg.
Rood (1871) 32 pat water hi honurde muche..Ac hi nuste
noj^ing of l^e tre^ pat al |« vertu made. 1320-30 Horn Ch.
567 Rimneld . . bi-taujt him a ring pe vertu weic sche knewe.
13.. Guy War^v. (A.) 1660 Thtlke monk Sorgien was, pe
vertu he knewe of mani a gras. c 1400 Maundev. v. (1839)
50 Who so kutte hem \sc. balm-branches] with Iren, it wokfe
destroye his Vertue and his Nature, 0450 Myrr. our
Ladyeyj A drynke. .whiche is swete to taste, and effectuall
to hele the woundes of synners by hys verteu. 1593 Eabl
01-- Shrkwsbukv in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. IIL 39, 1 would
your Lordship wolde once make trial of my Oyle of Stags
blud, for I am .strongly persuaded of the rare and great
vertu thereof, i6a6 lUrjiTj Sylva § 17 It is an Errour in
Phtsidans, to rest si nip y vjjon the Length of stay, for en-
creasing the vertue. liut if you will haue the Infusion
strong letcl. 1640 Nabbes Bride i. ii. Like those pills
which an unwilling patient Doubting their vertue takes.
«757 A. Cooper Distiller i. \. {1760) 6 Till at last the whole
Virtue or saccharine Sweetness of the Malt is extracted.
1759 Miixs DuhanieCs Husb. i. ix, (1762) 52 By this means
VIRTUE.
240
VIRTUOSO.
the sun., will be prevented from exhaling the virtue of your
manure. 1769 Mrs. Raffald Eug, Housekpr. (1778) 1 It
will draw all the virtue out of the roots or herbs, and turn
it to agood gravy. 1845 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 11 The
virtue of Su Martin's precious relics was in the most active
operation during the mth and sixth centuries.
b. In sense 9 c
c IS50 Mtid, Maregrttt xlv, Sclawen was )>c dragun
t>oru t>c uertu of ^ rod. c 1340 Hampole Pr, Come. 3821
Pardon, .es of J>c tresur of haly kirke, pat es gadirde..Of
J>e vertu of Crestes passion. 138a Wvchf Rom. i. 16 For-
soth I schame not the gospel, for it is the vertu of God in
to heltbe to ech man bileuynge. ^ 1450 M.E. Med. Bk.
(Heinrich) 138, I coniure 50W fyue croppes in Jw verieu of
)m V woundcs, ^t crist sufTred on )»e roode treo. 1473
Warkw. CA»wi«, 18 Kynge Edwardcrequyrede hyme by
the vertu of sacrament that he schulde pardone alle tho
whos names here folowe. 1516 Pitgr. Per/. (Pynson) r. vii.
20 Hauyng grace and werkyiig lherafter..by tne vertue of
the same he may meryi and deserue the crowne of glory.
1557 N. T. (Genev.) Pkil. iit 10 That I may knowe him,
and the vertue of his resurrection, a 1617 Bavne On Eph.
(1658) 23 A thing wrought not by any power of nature but
by the vertue of Gods Spirit, a 1639 Hinde J. BruenVu
(1641) t63 Doth not the vertue of the death and resurrection
of Christ require it, that henceforth wee die unto sin. .?
O. In sense 9 d.
(Z1340 Hampole Prose Tr. 2 It falles the flesche may
noghte of his vertu noghte defaile ay whils J»e saule ia
swylk joyes is rauyste for to joye. c 1386 Chaucer Syr.'s T.
302 But fynally the kyng asked the knight The vertu of
this courser, and the might. And prayd him tellen of his
governaunce. 1477 Norton Ord. Alck. i. in Ashm. (1652)
19 For cause efficient of Mettalls finde ye shall Only to be
the vertue Minerall. 1535 Coverdalr Wisd. xix, 19 The
fyrc had power in the water (contrary to his awne vertue),
1584 Sir T. Ckaloner {title\ A shorte Discourse of the
most rare.. Vertue of Nitre, wherein is declared the., cures
by the same effected. 159a Dasiel Co/up/. Rosawond "Wks.
(1717) 47 Pleasure had set my wcll-schoord Thoughts to
flay, .\nd bid me use the Vertue of mine Eyes, a i6s8
RKSTON Effectual Faith (1631) 118 If it bee the vertue of
ahorse to goe well; If it be the vertue of a knife to cut well,
if it be the vertue of a Soldier to fight well. 1634 Sir T,
Hf.rbekt Trav. 20^ Ac the top [of the date palm].. is a soft
pith, in which consists the soule and vegetatiue vertue of
that tree. 1759 Franklin Lett. Wks. 1840 V. 364 Both
these stones nave evidently the two properties;.. the virtue
seems strongest towards one end of the face. 1815J. Smith
Panorama Sci. ff Art II. 170 A piece of soft iron, .capable
of supporting as much as the magnet from which it derives
its virtue. 1841-4 Emerson Ets.^ Sp'ir, Laivs Wks. (Bohn)
I. 57 The virtue of a pipe is to be smooth and hollow. 1878
Browning £a.S'a/j/a2 370, 1 shall, .bless each kindly wrench
that wrung From life's tree its inmost virtue.
d. In similar use of immaterial things, f Also
in sense 9 e.
ctj^iSpec.Gy IVarw. 658 If l>u coujjest knowe and sepe
uertu of numilite. 1340-70 Atisaunder 513 |>e uertue of il
uictorie. . Is noght stabled in strength of no stiff* prese. 1300
GowER Con/. III. 30 The vertu of hire goodly speche Is
verraily myn hertes leche. 1450 Roils 0/ Parlt. V. 196/a
That the seid Lt:tters Patentes,. .aftre the strengihe, forme
and vertue of the same,.. stonde and abide in the force and
vertue. c 1477 Caxton Jtisdn 21 b, Fayr tordes displese yow
not yf the uertue of my corage knowe not now the feblesse
of my body. 1563 Man Musculus" Commonpl. 28 The
Apostle witnesseth, that the law is the vertue of sinne.
1579 Lylv Euphues (Arb.) 112 Theold verse standeth as yet
in his old vertue. 1607 Puritan iii. \. 74 The aniazd widdow
Will. .wonder at the vertue of mywords. 164a J. M[arsh]
Argt. cone. Militia 18 The name of a Parliament onely,
and not the power and vertue of it. 1691 T. Hf ale] Acc. Neio
Invent.^! Whether the Harwich, .suffered any thing from
her said sheathing, in her virtue of Sailing. 1746 Wesley
Princ. Methodist 63 Works beyond the Virtue of Natural
Causes, wrought by the Power of Evil Spirits. 1818 Scott
//rt, Midi, xiiiif David, .came, through thegreat virtue of y^
to be of opinion that he might safely so act in that matter.
1851 Robertson Serm.Str. iii. xvii. (1882) 227 He hath im-
parted to us the virtue of his wrestlings. 187a Morley
. Voltaire (1886) 4 A collective religious tradition that had
tost its virtue.
+ e. By (or in) the virtue of^ = sense 8. Obs.
c 1380 WvcLiF W>&s. (1880) 32 He schal be excused fro J»e
lasse bi ^e vertue of be hei^ere iuge. 1654 R. Codrington
tr. lustine xvi. 25^ [Many of them] delivered themselves
from their, .calamities by the virtue of an ingenious shame,
1656 Bramhall Replic. vii. 292, I confess persons deputed.,
by the King doe often excommunicate and absolve .. but
thisisbythc vertueof their own habit of Jurisdiction. i68x-6
J. Scorr CAr. Li/e (1747) III- 201 By interceding for us
as Priest in the vertue of his Sacrifice. 1695 Dryden Ess,
(ed. Ker) II. 124 The painters, by the virtue of their out-
lines, colours, lights, and shadows, represent the same things
and persons in their pictures.
IL With a and pi. A particular power, efficacy,
or good quality inherent in, or jjertaining to,
something: a. Of plants, medicines, precious
stones, etc. (Cf. 9 a, 9 b, and 10 a.)
1377 Langl. P. PL B. XIV. 37 Viuilles of grete vertues,
for al inanere bestes. a 1400 Stockholm Med. MS. 26 The
vertuis of violet, c 1400 Maundev. vi. (1839)6^ Many othere
Vertues it [an oak-tree] hathe: where fore Men holden it
fulle precyous. cx^*^ Cursor M. loii (Trin.) Mony vertues
Iwreissenc pe crbes cuer I-Uche grene. 1470-65 Malory
Artk. XVII, v. 696 This Salamon was wyse and knewe alle
the vertues of stones and trees. 1551 Turner Herbal Prol.
A lij, I declare also the vertue'i of euery herbe. 1585 T.
Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. 11. ii. 32 b, Wild asses,
wbicbe haue in their head a stone, hauing the vertue
apinst the falling sicknes. 1597 Gerarde HerhaU. ii. 4
These kindes of grasses do agree as it is thought, with the
ccnnmon Medow grasse, in nature and vertues. 1607
TofSEix Four/. Beasts 34 There are sundry vertues con.
fected out of this beast. 1649 ^^- Rkynolds Hosea \. 22
Wine drawcth a nourishing vertue from the flesh of Vipers.
>099Dahpi£r ^^.(1729) III. 1.379 The Sulphurousness or
other Vertue of this Water. 176* H. WxLPOtK Vertue* s
Anecd. Paint. (1786) I. 280 It is said in the note that Sir
Nathaniel was famed for painting plants, and well skilled in
their virtues. 1796 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) I. 324
The plants of this class are supposed to have various spe*
cific virtues. x8o6 Med. Jml. XV. 327 Have practitioners
yet proved the full virtues of the digitalis? 1838 Murray's
Hand-bk. N, Germ. 374/2 The hot mineral springs,. owe
their virtues to the presence of sulphur and alkaline salts.
1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics viii. iv. (i860) 11. 53 Each
planet, according to its mind or mood, shed virtues healing
or harmful into minerals and herbs.
b. Of animal bodies, the elements, or other
physical entities.
Expulsive virtue : see ExPtJi.siVE «, 1,
C1384 Chaucer H. Fame ii. 42 For so astonyed and
a-sweved Was every vertu in my heved. c 1386 — Prol. 4
Whan that Aprille..hath..bathud every veyne in swich
licour. Of which vertue engendred is the flour, c 1400
Lan/ranc^s Cirurg. 15 pe vertues of lymesjxju must knowe,
J>at he se, whanne \>G worchinge of ony vartu failith in ony
lyme. 1451 Capgrave Li/e St. Gilbert 120 Hir left arme
had lost pe vertue of felyng. 1480 Caxton Myrr. in. viiL
145 The sterres that ben in heuen whiche haue vertues on
therthe. 1544 Phaer ^<^Vk. /,/>& (1560) Sv, When achilde
nesethout of measure, that is to say with a long continuance
& therby the brayn & virtues animal be febled, it is good to
stop it. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy, iv. xxix.
151 The sacred fountayne..is of such a vertue, that putting
into it any burning thing [it] is sodainly extinguished. 1604
E. G[rim5tone] tr. D'Acosta's Hist. Indies iii. xxi. 188
This moisture from heaven hath such a vertue, that ceasing
to fal vpon the earth, it hreedes a great discommoditie and
defect of graine and seedes. a z6b8 Preston Effectual
Faith (1631) 59 If the Loadstone be of such a vertue, let it
show it by attracting the Iron to it. 1684 R. Waller Nat.
Exper. 46 The imperceptible pores of those passages by
which the attractive Vinue issues out. 1709 T. Robinson
Nat. Hist. IVestmoreld. v. 26 A very active Principle, or
Virtue, that operates in the Generation of Stones. 1755 B.
Martin Alag. o/Arts ^ Sci. 389 What seems most wonder-
ful, is, that the magnetic Virtue should not be interrupted
by the Glass.
C. In miscellaneous uses.
i486 Bk. St. AlbanSf Her. aj, Ther ben here the verluys
of Chyualry. 1568 Grafton Ckron. II. 2o6Money is of so
great a vertue that it corrupteih Popes. z6sf Hobbrs
Thucyd. (i8a2j 70 For a great and a little claim imposed..
by way of command hath one and the same virtue to make
subject. 1676 HoBBEs Iliad Pref. (1686) i Concerning the
Vertues of an Heroick Poem. 170a Rouse's Heav. Univ.
Advert, 4 They may inwardly perceive by a most4>owerful
and most secret Vertue imprinted in their Souls and Hearts,
18x5 J. Smith Panorama Set. <y Art I. 276 It is not
meant that there is any peculiar virtue or charm in the
point called the centre. 187a Ruskin Eagle's N. § 18 Over
these three kingdoms of imagination, art, and science, there
reigns a virtue or faculty,. the appointed ruler and guide of
every method of labour.
III. 12, Comb. ^^% virtue-bindings -proof y -wise
adjs.
1667 Milton P. L. v. 384 No vaile Sliee needed, Vertue.
proof, no thought infirme Aiterd her cheek. 1691 Satyr
agst. Prenck 21 And she must be but little Verlue-proof,
Who can be taken with such fulsom Siufl\ 1816 L. Hunt
Rimini ill, 6 The holy cheat, the virtue-binding sin. 1838
.S. liEi.LAMV Betrayal 49 And wisdom's self revealings,
virtue- wise, Thy darkness comprehending not.
t Virtue, v. Obs.—^ in 4 vertue. [f. prec ]
reji. To exert (oneself).
1390 Gower Con/. I. 372 For schrifte stant of no value To
him that wol him noght vertue To leve of vice the folic.
Vi'rtued, a. rare. [f. Virtue sb^ Endued
with virtue or efficacy.
X609 Hevwood Brit. Troy iv. xi, He discends unto his
knees Taking the vertued chaplet from his head. 1635
QuARLES Embl. V. iv. 21 hut has the virtu'd Steele a pow'r
to move? Or can the untouch 'd Needle point aright? 1897
J. Primmer J. Primmer in Rome {1^3) no The old woman
..rubs her hand on the toes and passes the virtued hand
across the child's forehead.
Vi-rtuefy, v. rare-^. [f. as prec. + -FY.] trans.
To render virtuous.
1834 Chalmers On Const. Man 11. ii. II. 244 It is this
which virtue/ies emotion, even tliough there be nothing
virtuous, which is not voluntary.
t Virtuehead. Obs.-'^ In 5 vertued, -hede.
[f. as prec. -h -HEAD.] Virtuousness,
<ri45o in Archiv Stud. neu. SPr. (1900) CIV. 308 In
taryeng is oft full grete drede. Where a begynnyng causith
vertued [z/.n vertuhedej.
Vi'rtneless, a. Also 4-7 vertu-, 6-7 vertue-.
[f. Virtue sb. + -less.]
1. Destitute of efficacy or excellence ; ineffective,
worthless.
<^ '374 Chaucer Troylns ii. 344 Wo worth l>e faire gemme
vertules. Wo worth J>at herbe also )>at doth no bote. 1390
GowER Con/. III. 129 The seronde is noght vertules, Clola
or elles Ptiades It hatte. 1548 Udall^ etc. Erasm. Par.
Mark ix. 58 In the presence of the disciples they depraued
the name of Jesu, as a thing vertuelesse, and of no efficacie,
1600 Fairfax Tasso vi. Ixviii, And vertuelesse she wisht
all herbes and charmes, Wherewith false men encrease their
patients harmes. 16*7 Hakewill Apol. 11. v. §3, I do not
consent with them who would make those glorious Creatures
of God vertulesse. c 164a Observ. his Majesty's late A nsw.
<V Expresses 9 Parliaments are thus vertulesse and void
Courts. 18x4 New Monthly Mag. X. 264 The winds of
March., are far from being virtueless. 1856 Ruskin Mod.
Paint. Ill, IV. V. § 4 The architecture of Palladio is wholly
virtueless and despicable.
2. Destitute of virtue or moral goodness ; im-
moral, vicious.
14M Hoccleve Let. 0/ Cupid 262 But swyche filthes
1= low women] as weren vertulesse, theyquytten thus, this
olde clerkis wisse. 140;^ Scogan Mor. Balade 133 That,
whan ye come in your juges presence, Ve be not set as
vertules behynde. 1533 More Apol. x. Wks. 867/2 Howe
badde so euer they reken me, I am not yet fullye so vertue-
lesse, but that [etc.], 1594 O. H. Quest. Profit. Concern, 23
The strange and monstrous life and death, of a vertulesse
recreant. i6oa Hoiv Choose Good Wi/e 1. i. in Hazl. Dods'
ley IX. 9 O, too unkind unto so kind a wife, Too virtueless
to one so virtuous. 1650 Fuller Pisgah 11. (1869) 112 We
know the wicked mans.. name, and yet ,. his virtueless
name shall rot. 1803 Mary Charlton Wi/e ^ Mistress
I. 307 You are not to become a worthless, virtueless, shame-
less fine lady. 1847 G. Harris Li/e Ld. Hardwicke xiii,
III. 222 Sallies of indignation, possibly not altogether
virtueless, which on special occasions were wont to emanate
from this monarch's lips.
Hence ViTtuelessness.
1891 H. S. Constable Horses, Sport <5- War 221 The
cowardice, imbecility, and virtuelessness of the other classes.
t Virtuification. Obs.-^ [Cf. Virtoefy z/.]
The action of enduing with virtue.
165a Urquhart Jewel 17 The Bonification and virtuifica>
tion of Lully, Scotus's Hexeity, and Albedineity of Suarez.
||VirtTl0Sa(v3iti«|0u-sa). Now ra/-^. [It., fcm.
ol virtuoso ViKTUoso.] A female virtuoso.
1668 Shadwell Sullen Lovers 11, D'ye think, I that am
a Virtuosa understand no better, then to leave you now you
are not well ? 1^5 Plumk Li/e 0/ Hacket (18651 20 Pope
Gregory XV. had canonised Ignatius Loyola, .and Madam
Teresia, a Spanish Virtuosa, 1754 CHESTtRF, in World
No. 98 P 8 Consequently those respectable titles of virtuoso
and virtuosa have not the least relation to the moral
characters of the parties. 1796 Burnkv jV^w/. Metastasio
II. 161 This virtuosa^ being unemployed, will doubtless
have offers from other quarters. i8a6 Margravine of
Anspach Mem. I. viii. 310 The Virtuosa the other day
had sung a Hebrew air, which began at the end. 1847
I.EITCH tr. C. O. Mailer's Anc. Art §425. ^05 A musical
virtuosa playing at the same time on a standing and lying
stringed instrument.
t V irtttOSef -y*^. Obsr-^ InSvertuose. [An-
glicized form of Virtuoso : cf. next.] A virtuoso.
a 1711 Prior Ess. Leamivg p 6 The Gentleman who
likes Medals very well will always be desirous to possess the
best of them, and the Antiquary or Vertuose will be sure to
top false ones upon him.
Virtuose (v3Jti«|^o*s), a. [ad. It virtuoso :
cf. prec] Having or exhibiting the characteristics
of a virtuoso ; of or pertaining to virtuosi.
1890 Academy 17 May 346/1 Mme. Carreno is essentially
a virtuose player, and it was in pieces by Liszt that she
astonished her audience. 1906 Athenmum 8 Sept. 281/3
The virtuose element is prominent, but thought, feeling,
and a poetical atmosphere are evident in the music.
Virtuose, obs, form of Virtuous a.
Virtuosi, pi. of Virtuoso.
Virtnosic (v3Jti«i^u*sik), a. [f. V1BTUOS-O +
-It'.] = VlRTDOSK a,
i88j) Academy 13 April 261/3 Of late we have had only
fugitive pieces of the romantic, and even virtuosic, schools.
1899 Scotsman 13 Nov. 9/4 The Capriccio, on the other
hand, can only be described as a piece of virtuosic music.
Virtuosity (v9Jtiz/|(7-siti). Also 5 vertuosyte,
7 vertuositie. [In sense i ad. med.L. virtuosi-
tas, f. late L, virtuosus Virtuous a. In other
senses f. ViRTUOS-o + -ITY : cf. F. virluositS.']
1 1. a. Manly qualities or character. Obs.~^
a 1470 Harding C/irir?«. lix. i. For his wyt and virtuosyte,
Able he was, as Chronyclcs coulde fele. To haue ruled all the
emperalyte.
tb. Virtuousness. Obs. (Bniley, 1721).
2. The pursuits, interests, or temperament, char-
acteristic of a virtuoso ; interest or taste in the fine
arts, esp. of a fastidious, finical, dilettante or
trifling nature.
1673 H. Stubbk Further Vind. Dutch War 82 We are
regenerated from the School of Aristotle to that of
Epicurus, from all Moral Gallantry and Virtue, to a most
impertinent and effeminate Virtuosity. 1676 Wood Li/e
(O. H. S.) II. 360 Edward BendloweSj.. a great poet., spent
about 7 hundred a yeare in vertuositie and on flattering
poets. 18*3 W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. I.V. 408 Charles-
Augustus had imbibed . . a taste for merit, a virtuosity
in human excellence, to employ his preceptor's phrase.
1840 Blackvj. Mag. XLVIU. 491 The Viennese, by their
wise virtuosity, do the thing \sc. eating and drinking)
gently, and like gentlemen. 1^6 Svmonds Renaiss. It.^
Cath. React. (1898) VII. xii. 189 This, .state of things, .was
due rather to the abuse of science and of virtuosity.
b. Spec. Excessive attention to technique, or to
the production of special effects, in vocal or in-
strumental music (also transf. in art or literature).
1865 Reader 18 Mar. 321/3 For this sentiment, this type
of art, as applied to matters musical, there is a special
name. It is called * virtuosity \ 1877 E. Prout in Academy
17 Feb. 150 We have a short .sketch of the history of piano
virtuosity. 1884 Haweis Musical Li/e II. 608 It is doubt-
ful whether two such extraordinary personalities as those of
Paganini and Liszt have ever appeared in the world of
virtuosity.
e. With a and pi. A special study or interest
of the kind affected by virtuosi,
1883 Century Mag. XXVI. 280 I've been cultivating some
virtuosities, among other things.
3. Virtuosi collectively.
1831 Carlvle Sart. Res. r. iii. Where all the Virtuosity
and nearly all the Intellect of the place assembled of an
evening.
!l Virtuoso (v3Jti«i^"-si)). Also 7-8 vertuoso.
PI. virtuosi (7 vert-) and virtuosos. [It.
virtuoso (also vertuoso) ' learned, skilled, skilful,
VIRTUOSO.
241
VIRTUOUS.
full of learning' (Baretti) :— L. virtuosus: see
VlRTU0U3a. Hence also K. virtuose^ \ virtuoso^
It is frequently difficult in particular instances to decide
which of the senses is intended.
+ 1. One who has a general interest in arts and
sciences, or who pursues special investigations in
one or more of these ; a learned person ; a scien-
tist, savant, or scholar. ObsJ^
Sometimes tending towards a depreciatory sense, as in a.
a. 1651 ill Brent tr. Stupis Counc. Trent (1676) xxv,
There have happened to come to Venice., divers Virtuosi in
several professions. 16&0 Boyle New Exp. Phys. Meek.
Proem 2 Perceiving by Letters from. . Paris, that several of
the Virtuosi there, were very intent upon the examination
of the Interest of. the Ayr in hindring the descent of
the Quick-silver. 1684-5 — ^fin, li^aters 73 The little ,
Bodies that the ingenious Mr. Lewenhoeck, and since him
divers other Virtuosi, have observ'd in Water wherein
Pepper has been infus'd. 1709 T. Robinson Nat. Hist,
li^estmoreid. xii. 69 That new Rypothesis so stiffly main*
tained by some of our learned Vtrtnoii. 1759 Dublin Sac.
IVeekly Observ. I. No. 26. 172 Some Virtuosi tell you that
continued Fermentation and repeated racking certainly
s[x>il your Cyder. 1754 Fif.lding Voy. Lisbon p 16 The
former receives the thanks of mankind ; the latter [i. e. the
antiquary] of that valuable part, the virtuosi. [1855 Kings-
ley iVestiuani Hot xvi, Philip .Sidney.. has given up his
rightful place toward the head of the table that he may
have a knot of virtuosi all to himself]
3. 1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boccalini's Advts./r. Parnass. i.
V. 8 The gallant Dispute which arose .. between some
L'^tterati of the State, deserves to be written ; every one
of these Vertuosie defended their own Opinion as the
best. 1665 Glanvill Scepsis Sci. x'u 58 As great Wits, as
it may be e'rc saw the Sun, such as Pythagoras, Des-Cartes,
Copernicus, Galileo, More, Kepler, and generally the ver-
tuosi of the awakened world. 1700 T. Bkow.n tr. Ftesny's
Amusem, 36 The Projectors who are generally broken
Citizens, were coop'd up in the Counters and Ludgate ;
..the Vcrtujsi were confined to Gresham-College.
y. 1636 Blount Glossogr.^ Virtuoso^ . . a learned or ingeni-
ous person, or one that is well qualified. 1660 In<;rlo
Bentiv. 9f Ur. 11. (1682) 22, I must not otfend these
Virtuoso's with laughing at them. 1676 Glanvill Ess. hi.
30 .Another excellent Virtuoso of the same Assembly, Mr.
John Evelyn, hathveryconsiderablyadvancedthe History of
Fruit and Forest-Trees. 1706 K.Ward Wootien World Diss.
(1708) 60 He's no Digbian Virtuoso, .. for he knows not
how to sympathize with any mans Wounds whatever. 1731
Berkelbv Alciphr. \\.\ 14 Certain particularities discovered
in that animal by a mo<lcrn virtuoso. 1778 Eng;, Gazetteer
(ed. 2) s.v. Comb.. Martin, They were neglected till the
reign of queen Elizabeth, when Sir Btavis Bulmer, a vir-
tuoso in refining metaU, got great quantities of silver from
them. [1834 SouTHEY Doctor vi. (1862) igThere were in him
undeveloped talents which might have raided him to dis-
tinction as. .a virtuoso of the Royal Society.)
5. 165S E\Rr. MoNM. tr. BoccalinCs Advts./r. Parnass. I.
ii. 5 Appearing much displeased at the affront done this
man, he first honoured him with thename of Vertuoso[etc.].
1633 Kknnett tr. Erasm. on Folly 60 To these arc to be
added those plodding Vcrtuoso's that plunder the most in-
ward recesses of Nature. 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. I. 852 He
was afterwards an eminent Physician, Vertuoso, and
Knight. 1700 T. Brows tr. Fresnys Amusem. ix. (1709) 89
The Vertuoso despises the Rich for making such a bustle
about so foolish and pale-fac'd a Metal as Gold.
2. One who has a special interest in, or taste for,
the fine arts; a student or collector of antiquities,
natural curiosities or rarities, etc.; a connoisseur ;
freq., one who carries on such pursuits in a dilet-
tante or trifling manner.
a,0. x66s EvKLVN Chalcogr. \\\. 34 The Greeks and inven-
tive Romans, who. , publish 'd so many thousands of medails,
and Coynes as are in the hands and collections of the KiV-
tttosi, 1675 Houses llial To Rdr., There be many men
called critiques, and wits, and vertuosi, that are accustomed
to censure the p>ets, and most of them of divers judge,
ments. a ^^xx Shaftesb. Charac. III. 1^7 A Wor.se thing
than this happens commonly to these mferior Virtuosi.
In seekin; s) earnestly for Raritys, they fall in love with
Rarity, for Rareness-sake. 1781 \. MooRR View Soc. Italy
(1790) II. Ixxi. 367 I'he beautiful head of ,\lexanderis uni-
versally admired by all the virtuosi. 1839 Hai.i.am_//i>/.
Lit. II. viiu §61 The well-known word virtuosi, applied to
these lovers of what wai rare and beautiful in art or nature.
1851 D. Wit-sos Prk, Ann. (1863J I. v. 153 Ihe virtuosi
to who^ in^pection it was submitted. 187$ Morley Crit.
Mite. Ser. 1. (1877) 349 For intellectual dilettanti and
moralising virtuosi-
y, 8. c 16^ CowLEV Queen's repairing Somerset-house 86 If
any prouder Virtuoso's sens: .\t that part of my Prospect
take ofTence. 1657 Dkvden & Dk. Newcastle Sir VI/. Mar^
ail \\\. (beginning), I am sure, in all companies I pass for a
virtuoso, a 1700 EvKi.YN Diary i Mar. 1644, One of the
greatest virtuoso* in France, for his collection of pictures,
achates, medalls, and flowers, xjaa Mandevillk Fah. Bees
u. 414 Look upon the mighty labours of antiquaries,
botanists, and the vertU'>so's in butterHies, cockle-shells, and
other odd productions of nature. 1749 Fielding Tom yones
vm. X, A great number of nicknacks and Curiosities, which
might have engaged the attention of a virtuoso. 1787
Mme. D'Arblay Diary June, Virtuosos being next, .named.
Colonel Manners inveighed against them quite violently.
\Z*^Gentl. Mag. XCV. l 332 The Virtuoso will appreciate
justly this small volume as a very instructive and agreeable
manual. 1858 Mrkivale Rom. Fmp liii. (1^65) VI. 324 For
painting and sculpture, as Grecian arts, he may have ac-
quired the taste of a virtuoso. 1885 J. Payn Talk of Town
1. 183 He was a virtuoso and antiquary himself, and there-
fore recognised the full extent of his danger.
tram/. 1819 Lytton Dez<ereux 11. vi. Sailer is a shaving
virtuoso. 1837 Lockhabt5Vo// IV. v. 161 Excellent dishes,
—such .. as Scotland borrowed from^ France before Cather-
ine dc Mcdicis brought in her Italian virtuosi to revolu-
tionize the kitchen like the court
3. One who has special knowledge or skill in
Vol. X.
music ; spec.^ in modern use, one who excels in, or 1
devotes special attention to, technique in playing
or singing.
1743 Bp. Berkeley in Fraser Li/k viii. {1871) 289 Such 1
virtuosi as the country affords ; I mean in the way of music.
1764 Advert, in iV. Sf Q. 3rd Ser. IV. ^86 The late famous
Vertuoso Handel, received during his Life-time, such parti-
cuiar protection. 1834 Beckford Italy II. xxxi. 222 note,
AH these virtuosi. . were either contraltos of the softest note,
or sopranos of the highest squeakery. 1859 Wraxall tr.
R. Houdin xi. 155, 1 had often heftrd a nij^htingale sing,
which I thought was the 'star' among the virtuosi. x<>oo
Daily News ig June 4/7 A piece of little or no musical
merit. . has of late years come again into fashion with violin
virtuosi.
4. attrib.j as virtuoso collection^ country^ expres-
sion^ kind., scheme f etc.
1668 Cowley Ess. Verse l^ Prose, 0/ Avarice, As if thou
No other Use of precious Gold didst know, But that of
curious Pictures to delight With the fair stamp thy Virtu-
oso Sight. 1700 T. Brown tr. Fresnys Atnusem. x. (1709)
loo The Philosophical, or Virtuosi Country. 1710 Shaftesb.
Charac. (1711! I. 157 In Philosophy, Matters answer ex-
actly to this K/y/«i3J(7. Scheme. Ibid. 333 To the Academys
of Painters, Statuarys, and to the rest of the Virtuoso-
Tribe. 1727 Gav Fables 1. xvi. 24 Her head's of virtuoso
kind. 1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal O^in. civ. (1733} III. 251,
I would peep into the. .opinions of men, with a sort of vir-
tuoso vigilance. 1835 Willis Penciliin^s 1. vi. 38 About
his mouth and eye there was the proper virtuoso expression
of inquisitiveness and discrimination. 1856 Kane Arct.
Expl. II. ix. 93 Near these is a virtuoso collection of cups
grouped in a tumulus or cairn. 188a Annie Edwardes
Bidlroom Repent, I. 52 With her Slradivarius tucked, in
true virtuoso style, under her chin.
VirtnO'SOShip. [f. prec. + -ship.] The state
or condition of bemg a virtuoso ; the profession of
a virtuoso.
a 1711 Shaftesb. Charac. III. 160 Let us view Philosophy,
like mere Virtuoso-ship, in its usual Career. 1749 Mrs.
Montagu Lttt. (1813) III. 98 Vanity and virtuosoship go
band in hand. 1778 Phit. Snrv. S. Irei. 34 Too refined..
by Italian virtuosoship, for the relish of his country neigh-
bours. 1831 Carlyle Misc. Ess., Schiller (1872) III. 6$
Apart from virtuosoship, or any technical object, what a
hold have such things on our universal curiosity as men.
1887 E. GuRNEY fertium Quid II. no The most brainless
and soulless form of virtuosoship.
Virtuous (v5uti7/i3s), a. Forms: a. 4-5 ver-
tuos, 4-6 -uose, 4-7 -uouse, 4-8 -uous (4
-0UOU8, 'Uutis, -ueous), 5 -uus, -uow8(e, -ueux
(*SV. wertuo(u)88e, -uwisse, -utis, 6 vertwus) ;
5 vertuea (wert-), vertuys {Sc. -uyse, -uise),
5-6 -uis ; 5 vertus (.St. -use), wertuz (Sc. -us) ;
4 vertiuus, 5-6 .Sc. verteous, 6 Sc. -ewous,
-ewus, -eus, wertoous. Also superl. 5 vertues,
6 vertuest, vertuost. &. 4 uirtuous, virtuus,
5 virtuose, 7- virtuous, [a. AF. and OF, ver-
tttotiSy OY,veriitos, ver tuus ,(o.homoA.¥ .)vertuettx,
etc., =» Pr. vertuoSj Cat. virUtos, Sp. and Pg. vir-
ttiosOi It. ver-, virtuoso, late L. virtuosus^ f. L.
wV/tfj Virtue sb. See -ous.]
L Of persons, personal qualities or actions, etc.
f 1. Distinguishetl by manly qualities ; full of
manly courage ; valiant, valorous. Obs.
\y.K. Alis. 2408 (Laud MS.), Alisaunder and tholomeus,
Mid her men |>at weren so vertuous, pat hij weren passed
ostes twa Ibid. 3319 Ne seij ich neuer so hardy kni^th..
So stronge on hora nc so vertuouse. c 1330 Arth, ff Merl,
4310 For alle hem werrej? Galeus, pe riche king so vertou-
ous. c 1450 Merlin xxix. 595 The slaughter [wasj grete on
bothe sides. Neuertheles whan Merlin saugh the satsnes
so vertuouse, he [etc. J. 1474 Caxton Cfiesse iv. vi. 178 Ye
shalle vndersiande that they ben stronge and vertuous in
bataylle. cufi^ — Sonnes of Aymon xx, 451 'Brother',
sayd reynawde, ' I praye you that ye shewe yourselfe ver-
tuous & stronge agenste our enmyes '. x6o6 Chapman
Gent. Vsher i. 1, My Lord, I know too well your vertuous
spirit ; Take heede for God's louc if you rowse the bore You
come not ncere him. c 1611 — lliaii xiii. 148 With this all
strengths and minds he mov'd ; but young Oeiphobus, Old
Priam's son, amongst them all was chiefly virtuous. x6n
Bkaum. & Fl. King -V ^o ^- '1 ^*"st all men that are ver-
tuous Think suddenly to match themselves with me? Icon*
quered him and bravely, did 1 not?
t b. Of an act : Evincing a manly spirit ; brave,
heroic, courageous. Obs. rare.
ic6o Whitehornk tr. MachiavelCs Arte Warre 85 Thei
had appointed rewardes to euery worthie acte : as he that
faightm^, saued the life of one o\ his Citezeins, . . to him that
had..slainc the cnemie, and so euery vertuous act, was of
the Consulles knowen and rewarded. 1653 Cogan Diodorus
Siculus V. iL 174 The child,.. catching them [sc. two Dra-
gons] by the throat, strangled them both ; for which his
vertuous act, the Argives called him Hercules.
to. Capable, able. Obs.'^
1483 Caxton Cato e viij, It happeth oftymes that they to
whome nature hath denyed . . her forces or strengthes been
better and more vertuous to gyue a good counccyl than the
other.
2. Possessing or showing virtue in life and con-
duct ; acting with moral rectitude or in conformity
with moral laws; free from vice, immorality, or
wickedness; good, just, righteous.
The prevailing sense. In some early quots. as a general
term of commendation (cf. sense 3).
a. c 1340 Hampole Prose Tr. ia pe mare t»at a saule es. .
joynedc to ourc Lorde Godd, pe mare stabill it es and
myghty, .. gude, peyseble, Inffande, and mare vertuous.
1390 GowKR Coh/. II. 78 Bot if a man of bothe two Be riche
and vertuous also, Thanne is he wel the more worth, c 1400
Apoll. Loll, gi Crist is more exellent & vertuosar Jtan oter
createris. a 1475 G. Ashby Active Policy 480 Looke that
youre servauntes be of the best, . . And euericlie in his degre
vertuest. 1509 Fisher Funeral Serin. C'tess Richmond
Wks. (1876) 301 All the vertuous and deuoute persones to
whome she was as a louynge sysier. 1534 Cromwell in
Merriman Li/e ^ Lett. (1902) L 375 Diuerse other vcrtuose
prestes men of good lernyng and reputation, shuld so testifie
of her, 1563 liotnilies 11. Peril Idol. ill. Ss iij b,The vertu-
est and best learned.. auncient fathers. 1567 Pavnell tr.
Trcas, .4)uadis o/Gaule E ij b, I neuer saw a wiser, vertu-
ouseror a more temperate prince. 1611 Bible Transl. Pre/.
p8 A man may be counted a vertuous man, though hee
haue made many slips in his life. 1640QuAKi.ES Enchiri.
dioH xci. If a Prince expect vertuous Subjects, let his Sub-
jects have a vertuous Prince. 1695 Ld. Preston Boeth.
IV. 172 The Reward of vertuous Men. 1701 Rowe Amb,
Step-Moth. Ep. Ded., Two Vertuous (or at least Innocent)
Char.icters. 1706 Stanhope Paraphr. III. 206 Approving
ourselves vertuous in our Behaviour as well as ortnodox in
our Belief.
trans/. I4a6 Lvdg. De Guil, Pilgr. 22098 Byholde 5onder
a Chartrehous, An ordur that is full vertuous. 1530-40
Wrioihesi.ey Chron. (Camden) 1. 109 The howse of Sion
. . which was the vertues [ = most virtuous] howse of religion
that was in England.
0. 1487 Barbour's Bruce iv. 742 He had beyn fals and
couatus; Bot his vit maid hini virtuous. 1660 Ingelo
Bentiv. ^ Ur. 11. (1682) 72 When that which is worse hath
cunnini;Iy contriv'd the destruction of Virtuous persons.
1691 Hartclipfe Virtues 397 It were impossible so long as
Men .. have a desire of their own Happiness, but they
should be virtuous. 1707 Curios, in Husb. ^ Card. 7 Eccle-
siasticus injoins Labour and Agriculture as a Duty of virtu,
ous Men. 1777 R. Watson Philip II (1839) 23 Thus did
this monarch, who was not less virtuous than most of his
cotemporary princes, deliberately resolve to add treachery
to the perjury and falsehood into which he had been
betrayed. i8s6 Disraeli V. Grey v. xiii, I have been
too weak to be vinuous : but I have been .. tried most
bitterly. 1859 G>:o. Eliot A, Bede xvii, Let your most
faulty characters always be on the wrong side, and your
virtuous ones on the right. i88t yrttl. Inst. Bankers II.
IX. 563 The virtuous debtor, whose insolvency was attribu-
table to unavoidable losses and misfortune.
b. Of women. Freq. = Chaste iz.
In quol. C1400 merely an epithet of commendation.
c 1386 Chaucer Man 0/ Laiv's T. 526 They can not gesse
That sche had doon so gret a wikkednesse. For they ban
seyen hir so vertuous. c 1400 Destr. Troy 2432 Venus the
vertuus was verely the fairest, c 14J0 Chron. Vilod, 1573
per nasse .\ wysor wommon, .Ny veituoser in levyng,..l-en
was J>is holy niayde. 1536 Cromwell in Merriman Lije 9f
Lett. (1902) 11. 21 Soo hath his grace I tliinke chosen the
vertuost lady and the veriest gentlewoman that lyveth.
rt 1578 LiNUESAY tPitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 157
Queue Margarit was werie wyse and werteous in hir hus-
bandis lyme, bot sune efter his deid. .sclio became leichor-
ous of hir body. 1598 Shaks. Merry W. iv. ii. 136 Mistris
Ford, the honest woman, the modest wife, the vertuous
creature, that hath the iealious foole to her husband. i6xz
Bible Prov. xii. 4 A veituous woman is a crowne to her
husband. 163a High Commission Caj^J (Camden) 265 That
she being a vertuous and a chaste lady, he called her whore
often tymes. 171a Steele 6/*^c/. No. 286 p i In my Opinion,
and in that of many of your virtuous Female Readers. 17..
Suffolk Miracle ii. in Child Ballads V. 66/1 Her beauty
was beyond compare, She was both virtuous and fair. 1796
H. Hunter tr. St.-l'ierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) III. 77 ' She
will be virtuous', said she, 'and she will be happy : I knew
calamity only in ceasing to be virtuous'. 1837 Lyttqn
£. Maltrav. 11. i, Madame D'Epinay's memoirs are of this
character. She was not a virtuous woman— but she felt
virtue and loved it. 1843 Bethunk Sc. fireside Stor. 35 A
virtuous woman.who has given her heart . . toone whom [etc.].
i" o. Used as a title of courtesy in addressing or
referring to persons, esp. ladies of rank or emi-
nence, Obs.
c iS3a Du Wes Introd. Fr. In Palsgr. 896 Most illustre,
ryght exellente & ryght vertuouse lady my lady Mary of
Englande. 1588 Kvn Housek. Philos. Ded., To the Wor-
shipfvll and Vertvovs Gentleman Maister Thomas Reade,
Esqvier, Health and all Happines. x6i6 Sir W. Mure
Misc. Poems xvii. title. Epitaph of the wery excellent, ver-
tuouse..and trulie honoured Lady, the Lady Arnestoun.
a 1700 Evelyn Diary 4 Feb. 1668, I saw the tragedy of
'Horace' (written by the virtuous Mrs. Phillips).
d. absol. (as pi.), chiefly with tke.
1390 GowER Coil/. III. 226 He putte awey the vicious
And tok to him the vertuous. ^ I4>S Wvntoun Cron,
VII. 832 He chastit ^>a Jiat war wiciousse, And relewit al
werluouSMC. 1589 Nashe A/iat. Absurd. Wks. (Grosart)
1. 35 The acts of the ventrous, and the praise of the
vertuous. 1597 MoRLEY Introd. Mus. Ded., A second be-
ing, .causing vs Hue in the mindes of the vertuous, as it
were, deified to the posieritie. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. iv.
xlvi. 373 As if^ the Vertuous, and their Vertues could be
asunder. ^1711 Ken Urania Wks. 1721 IV 498 They
priz'd an humble modest Air, Sang more the Virtuous than
the Fair. 1759 Johnson Rasselas xxxvii[i,] But the angels
of affliction spread their toils alike for the virtuous and the
wicked. C1805 Levoen in Li/e ^- Poems (1875) 195 The
.•ioft descending dews of sleep, That bathe the virtuous in
serene repose. 1846 Mrs. A. Marsh Father Darcy Il.viii.
137 Theesteem of the noble and virtuous 1 would still retain.
e. Of the disposition or mind.
1584 PowEL Lloyds Cambria 398 Of a good and vertuous
disposition. 1598 Shaks. Merry W. i. i. 189 Slen. If I ^
drunke, He be drunke with those that haue the feare of God,
and not with drunken knaues. Euan. Sogot-udge me, that
is a vertuous miiide. i6oa Ld. Cromwell iv. i. 20 He was
my Maister, And each vertuous part, That lined in him, I
tenderd with my hart. 1634 Milton Comus 211 These
thoughts may startle well, but not astound The vertuous
mind. 1660 Ingelo Bentiv. ff Ur. 11. (1682) 196 ManyVer-
luous Dispositions are fair Resemblances of the Divine
Perfections. 1780 A. Hamilton Let. to Miss Schuyler
Wks. 1850 I. 187 A virtuous mind cannot long esteem a base
one. 1784 CowpER Tiroc. 436 The most disint'rested and
81
VIRTUOUS.
virtuous minds. 1816 Shelley /Jarwiwi 0/ World u, 136
The bliss . . Which . . Dawns on the virtuous mind.
f. Sc, Diligent or industrious in work.
Perhaps due to Prov. xii. 4 : see b. above, quot. 1611.
17*5. Ramsay GeniU Shtik. u ii, I've heard my honest
uncle afien say. That lads should a' for wives that's verluous
pray, a iSaj Scott in Jamteson Sc. Diet, Suppl. s.y., Her
daughter was the most virtuous woman in the parish, for
that week she had spun sax spyndles of yarn.
3. Of acts, life, manners, etc. : Characterized by,
of the natnre of, virtue ; according with, or con-
forming to, moral law or principles ; morally good
or justi5able.
Occas. in a weakened sense: 'estimable, commendable,
praiseworthy.'
cxyjs Sc. Leg. Saints xix. 6^4 God to christolore gafe
sic grace of vertuyse larc. Ihici. xxxvi. 424 Aganis l>aim,.
|>at awantis Jiaim-selfe of uertuise lif. a 1393 Chaucer
GcntiUsse 17 Ther may no man . , beqweythe his heyre his
vertuous noblesse, a 1400 Apol. Loll. 36 In meknes, pouert,
paciens, & labour, & o>er vertuus dedis. 1450 Lett. Marg.
0/ Anj'tm, etc. (Camden) 97 'I'he womanly and vertuoiise
governance that ye be renowned of. 1484 Caxton Fables
0/ Auian xi, Noneoughte to preyse hym self but oughte to
doo good and vertuous werkcs whereof other may preyse
hym. 1509 Fisher Srmi. Wks. (1876) 271 Blewyd are tho
whiche haue made vertuous ende and conclusyon of thcyr
lyfc in our lorde. 1585 T. Washington tr. Ntcholays Voy.
II. vii. 37 [They] are much giuer. too musick and all other
vertuous & honest exercises. 1607 Shaks. Timon in. ii.
44 If his occasion were not vertuous, I should not vrge
it halfe so faithfully. 1667 Milton P. L. veil 550 That what
she wills to do or say. Seems wisest, vertuousest,discreetest,
best. I7i« Steele Sped. Na 500 p 3 There is one thing I
am able to give each of them, which is a virtuous Educa-
tion. 1759 Johnson Rasselas xxxiii, The present reward of
virtuous conduct. 178a J. Brown Commend. Vieiv Nat. <J-
Kev. Relig. 1.25 To constitute an act truly virtuous, it must
originate fro n a virtuous principle or habit, 1836 J. S. Gil-
bert Ckr. A tonem. \x. (1852) 297 Can pride be virtue, or can
any act be truly virtuous, if done in pride? 1838 Dickens
Nickleby i. My Father has got it \s€. my uncle's money]
now, and is saving it up for me, which is a highly virtuous
purpose. 1871 R. W. Dale Comntandrn. Introd. 11 It is
only the virtuous man who knows what is virtuous.
+ b. Of writings : «= Mobal a. }, b. Obs.~-^
1509 Hawes Past. Pleas, xiv. (Percy Soc.) 53 He made
also the tales of Caunterbury ; Some vertuous, and some
glad and mery.
o. Of a blush : Chaste, modest.
1818 Byron yuan i. Ded. vii. Your bays may hide the
baldness of your brows — Perhaps some virtuous blushes.
■t*4. Belonging totne virtuosi. Also absoi, with
the. Obs. rare.
a 1660 Butler J?ew. (1759) I. 10 Most excellent and vir-
tuous Friends, This great Discovery makes amends For all
our unsuccessful Pains. 1685 Petty IFill in Ld. Fitz.
maurice Ltye (1895) 319, 1 obtained my degree of Doctdr of
Phisick in Oxford, and forthwith thereupon to be admitted
into the College of Phisitians, London, and into severall
clubbs of the virtuous.
H. Of things, their operations, etc.
5. Producing, or capable of producing, (great)
effect ; powerful, potent, strong.
In some quots. influenced by or approximating to sense 6.
13. . A". Alls. 5228(Laud MS.), Hij maden fyres vertuous
Fyue hundreX vche gret als an hous. 1390 Gower Conf. III.
137 That word above alie erthli thinges Is vertuous in his
doinges, Wher so it be to evele or goode. 1598 Chapman
Iliad IV. [vni.] 22 Then wil I to Olimpus top our vertuous
engine binde. And by it euerie thing shall hang. 16x6 J.
Lane Contn. Sgr.'s T. ix. 394 Til! happelie her ffather slewe
the snake, and by his virtuous wordes did th' venom slake,
b. Of actions, qualities, etc.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II, 185 Touchynge te J»ridde
liknesse, |jat is vertuous worchynge. J4aa Yonge tr.
Secreta Secret. 246 Therfor the dygestion is the bettyrand
more vertuose in wyntyr than in any othyr tyme. 14x6
LvDC. De Guil. Pilgr. 3427 And ye may ther..Maken
thyngcs fresshe of hewe, And whan ye lyst, trans-
forme hem newe, Your power ys so vertuous. 1578 Lvte
Dodoens I (heading), Plantes .. their temperature, com-
plexions, and vertuous operations. 1590 Shaks. Mtds. N.
III. ii. 367 Then crush this herbe into Lysanders eie ; Whose
liquor hath this virtuous propertie. To take from thence all
error. 1644 [K. Parker] ym Populi 18 Such causes as re-
main more vertuous then their effects, as the water heated
is lesse hot then the fire. 1667 Milton P. L. iii. 608 With
one vertuous touch Th' Arch-chimick Sun, so farr from us
remote. .Produces, .so many precious things. 1797 Cole-
BiDGE Christabeli, xxi, It is a wine of virtuous powers ; My
mother made it of wild flowers. 1813 Scorr Rokeby i. ix,
Vet the soil.. Had depth and vigour to bring forth The
hardier fruits of virtuous worth.
6. Endowed with, or possessed of, inherent or
natural virtue or power (often of a magical, oc-
cult, or supernatural kind) ; potent or powerful in
effect, influence, or operation on this account;
spec, having potent medicinal properties or quali-
ties ; efficacious or beneficial in healing. Now
arch. a. Of precious stones, etc.
13.. Gaw. *( Gr. Knt. 2027 His cote, wythi-econj-saunce
of p% clere wcrkez, Ennurned vpon veluet vertuuus j^ionez.
13.. E. E. Allit. P. B. laSope vyoles & J>e ves<elment of
vertuous stones. 1398 '1'revisa Barth. De P. R, xvi. Itii.
fBodL MS.). [I'he more] t»at Jacinctus is liche to t»e Saphire
in colourc,..be more vertuous it is. r 1400 Maundev.
(Roxb.) xvii. 80 If J>e dyamaund be gude and vertuous, J>e
adamand drawes no^t ^e nedill to him. 1483 Caxtow Gold.
Leg. 214/2 A Marf^aryte, whyche gemme is white lytyl and
verluouse, ..The virtu of thys Stone is sayd to be .lyenst
effusyon of blood. 1503 Hawe-S Examp. Firt. iv. 40 Of
vertuous turkeys there was a cheyr. a 1533 Lu. Berners
I/uon cxtix. 562 The stone was eo vertuous that none coud
esteme thevalure thcrof. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 499 There is
242
a virtuous Bezoar and another without virtu which appear
to the show alike.
b. Of things in general,
1340 Ayenb. 113 Me zayl> ^t hit [sacramental breiid] is
ope substance l>et is uirtuous and substanciel aboue onder-
stondigge. ^1440 Gesta Rom. IxiL 264 (.\dd.MS.), This
knyght than had a vertuous welle beside his bedde.
c 1510 Gesta Rom. (W. de W.) A iij. All my lemporall
rychesse 1 haue exspended, & almoost no thynge is lefte
me, excepte a vertuous tre . . in the myddes of my iie empyre.
«5»7 Brunswyke {title)^ The vertuose boke Of the distylla-
cyon of all maner of waters of the herbes in this present
volume expressed. 1586 M ablowe ist Pt. Tamburl.
III. i, For neither rain can fall vpon the earth, Nor Sun re-
flexe his vertuous beames thereon. i59oSpENSEtt /■". Q. 11. xii.
86 Streight way he with his vertuous staffe them strooke
And streight of beasts they comely men became. 1629
A. SvMMER Spir. Posie i, iii. 13 Behold the timely vertuous
presence of Gods Providence. 163J Milton J'enseroso 113
Canace. ., That own'd the vertuous Ring and Glass.
C. Of herbs, etc.
1390 GowER Con/. III. 129 And ek his herbe in special
The vertuous Fenele it is. C1407 Lvdg. Reson ^ Sens.
4433 The erbys , . be so vertuous, 'Inat no beste venyinous . .
Ne may in no Wyse apioche. C1460 ll'isdom 92 in Macro
Plays 38 The drede of God, ..J>at makyst. .swete wertuus
herbys in |>e sowll [to] sprynge. 1578 Lvte Dodoeus v. xxv.
584 The leaves [of mallow] are good for all the greefes afore-
sayde, . .yet they be nothing so vertuous as the roote. 1609
C. Butler Fern, Mon. (1634) 108 Where the flowers are most
fragrant and vertuous, ..there the Honey dews.. are most
fine and pure. 1614 W. B. Philosopher's Banquet (ed. 2) 81
Fylberds. .are vertuous in Medicine. 163* J. Havward tr.
Biondts Eromena 84 These our mountaines are full of
vertuous herbes. 1700 Drvden Floiver ^ Leaf 418 The
Ladies sought around For virtuous herbs. 1853 G. John-
ston Nat. Hist. E. Bord. I. 264 Twenty-five * elegant '
copper-plates containing the figures of many of the most
virtuous herbs. 1871 Browning Balaust. 2124 Cutting the
^oots of many a virtuous herb To solace overburdened
mortals! 1884 — Ferislitah Wks. (1896) II. 665/1 By
application of a virtuous root The burning has abated.
d. Of drugs, etc.
x6oo Rowland Lett. Humours Blood \\. 77 Strong sodden
Water is a vertuous thing. 1c 1614 J.DaviesZ,^.'. Wks. 1876
1. p. xlviii. Least the intention of to much Reading hinder
the working of those vertuous drugs. 1615 Chapman
Odyss. X. 283 Before her gates hill-wolves, and lions, lay ;
Which with her virtuous drugs so tame shemade, That [etc.].
1694 Salmon Bate^s Dispens. (1713) 43/1 By that means you
will have a very strong and virtuous Spirit. 1871 Haw.
THORNE S. Felton (1879) 99 It is the most virtuous liquor
that ever was.
t 7. Of great excellence or worth. Obs.
c 1400 Laud Troy Bk.g^()o For now is non so glorious, Ne
non in this world so vertuous, As Ilion was the while it
stode. CT^^oChrou. Vilod. 1171 Harp he couthe & syng
welle t>crto, & carff welle ymagus, & peyntede bothe— Suche
virtuose werkus he woUle welle do. c 1430 Lvdg. Min.
Poems (Percy Soc.) 80 The douflfe-.Unto the erthe she
toke hir flight. And sang a song ful gracious. Of al songes
most vertuous.
Itl. 8. Comb, (in sense 4), as virtuous dis-
posedy -Hke^ -makings -inhided adjs.
1450 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 206/1 By ther Founders and
other vertuous disposed persones. 1654 Whitlock Zooto-
mill 347 Becoming. .as virtuous-making a Pattern among
Wives, as she was before among Virgins. 1699 Shaftksb.
Charac. (1711) II. 36 If that which restrains the Person, and
holds him to a virtuous-like Behaviour, be no Affection to-
wards. .Virtue it-self, ..he is not in reality the more virtuous.
1807 Europ. Mag. LII. 460/2 Thosejon whom the virtuous-
minded Muse Ne'er breath 'd a portion of her hallow'd fire.
Vi'rtuously, ^'^z'. Forms: (see ViBTuousa.),
[f. prec. + -LY -.]
1. In a virtuous manner ; according to or in con-
formity with moral laws ; uprightly, righteously ;
chastely, purely.
c 1380 WvcLiF Sel. Wks. III. 46 Qwikenynge hem wil> my
grace, to lyve in mekenes vertuously. 1422 Vonge tr.
Secreta Secret. 236 How that ye shal kepe youre sowle fro
vices and ill maners, and vertuosly to lywe. 1463 Bury
/i^///f (Camden) 36 Arem?niberaunceof oold love vertuously
set at alle tymes to the pleseen of God. 1509 Paternoster^
Ave Sf Creed A ij. To dyspose men to be vertuously occu-
pyed in theyr myndes and prayers. 1597 Hooker Ficcl.
Pol, v. Ixvii. § 12 How should a vertuou-ily disposed minde
better resolue with it selfe then thus? 1604 Shaks. Oth.
IV. i. 7 They that meane vertuously, and yet do so, The
Diuell their vertue tempts, and they tempt Heauen. i68a
NoRRis H ierocles -ii The denial of Honour to our Parents
wherein we think we doe vertuously. 1691 Hartcliffe
Virtues 105 To be vertuously Magnificent, is with daily
Provisions to feed the Hungry. 1709 Steele Tathr
No. 33 p6 This Woman, who could be so virtuously im-
pertinent, as to admonish one she was hardly acquainted
with. 1838 Dickens Nickleby xxviii. Here Mrs. Wititter-
ley tossed her head — not passionately only virtuously. 1847
Carlyle Misc. IV. 223 This we say the present editor has
virtuously forborne.
1 2. Bravely, courageously, valiantly. Obs, rare,
14a* VoNGE tr. Secreta Secret. 162 Therfor the troians
vertuosly the grecans into hare tenlis fleynge suyt. c 1530
Ld. Burners .^rM. Lyt. Bryt. (1814) 109 Hector encountred
the fyrst so vertuously, yt he ran him thrugh out with his
spere.
t3. Witli great skill or excellence. Obs.-^^
C14J5 WvNTOUN Cron. vm. 981 (Cott.), pat buk Qwhar
Master lohun Barberc.His dedis ditit mar wertusly pan
I can thyrik in al study.
t4. Virtually. Obs. rare.
1426 LvuG. De Guil. Pilgr. 6030 .Somme vnderslonde cer-
teynly That he ys ther vertuously ; .Somme seyn ' ymagina-
tiue *, And somme* representatiue '. 150a Ord. CrysienMen
(W. de Vy. 1506) IL viii. 104 Also this fourth commaunde-
ment y* is the fyrst of y seconde table conteyneth in hym
vertuously y« .vii. werkes of mercy.
VIEUIiENT.
t5. Powerfully, strongly. Obs.—'^
In quot. nsed affectedly.
1588 Shaks. Timon\. \\. 232, 1. Lord. We are so vertuously
bound. Tim, And so am 1 to you. a. Lord. So infinitely
endecr'd.
Vi'rtuousness. Also 5 vertuosenes, 5-^
-uousnes (6 -uDuseness), 6-7 -neB8e,6-8 -ness ;
6 vertousnes, -usnes, .5V. -eousnes. [f. as prec]
1 1. The condition of being endowed with in-
herent virtue or power. Obs,~^
1398 Trevisa Barth DeP. R. viil xvi. (1495) v vij b/i The
Sonne. .hath a vertu of plente [1535 plentilul] vertuousnes
for he yeuyth vertu of generacion to thyse nether thyngcs.
2. The State or condition of being virtuous ; vir-
tuous quality or character ; moral rectitude ; good-
ness, probity.
c 1449 Pecock Repr. i. xvii. 96 Thei laborid euere in
mekenes for to haue it in greet mesure, whilis thei my5ten
haue laborid forto haue had kunnyng of moral vertuosenes.
i5a8 Roy Rede me 11. (Arb.) 72 'ihey are slaunder of ver-
tousnes. Occasion vnto-vtciousnes. 1576 Newton /.tf;««/V'j
Complex, {ydy^ 39 Behaviour, countenance, ray ment,. .all
smells of vertuousnesse. 1608 L. Machin Dumbe Knight
in, I know you hate me for my vertuousnesse, 1650 Baxter
Saints' R. in. xi. (1662) 471 And so their chief Virtuousness
lieth in that Will or Love which is contained in them. 175^
Butler Anal. i. iii. § 4 the pleasure or advantage in this
case is gained by the action itself, not by the morality, fie
virtuousness or viciousness of it. 1754 Edwards Pr£ed.
I i^'ill i\i. VI. (176-2) 178 In order to the Vertuousness of an
Act, the Heart must be indifferent in the Time of the Per-
formance of that Act. 1833 Chalmers Const. Man (1835)
I. i. 100 He meddles not with the virtuousness either of
humanity or justice. 1865 J. Grote Moral /deals viii.
(1876) 117 But that is a very low degree of virtuousness
where conscience does no more than guard from wrong ac-
tion. 1879 H. Spencer Data of Ethics iii. 38 Perfection of
nature, or virtuousness of action.
t3. High or worthy character; excellence,
merit. Obs~'^
1585 Ld. Berners tr. Frotss. II. xxvi. 71 heading. Of the
great vertuousnesse and largesse that was in therle of Foiz,
Virulence (viTi//lens). [ad. L. vlruhntia '•
see next and -ence. So OK. and F. virulence^
1. Extreme acrimony or bitterness of temper or
speech ; violent malignity or rancour.
1663 Jer. Taylor Fun. Servi. Bramhall Wks. 1831 IV.
vii. 75 It was also such honor, that it is greater than the
virulence of tonaues, which his worthiness and their envy
had armed against him. 1696 Tate & Brady Ps. cxl. 3
Their sharpcn'd Tongue the Serpent's sting In Virulence
exceeds. 17*8 Young Love Famew. 150 Our virulence is
thrown On others' fame, thro' fondness for our own. 1748
Richardson Clarissa {1811) I. iv. 28 My sister, who had
treated Mr. Lovelace with virulence, came into me and in-
sulted me as fast as I recovered. 1796 Bp. Watson Apol.
Bible 322, I have been frequently shocked at the virulence
of your 2eal. 1838 Dickens Nickleby xxi, The ill will of
Mi.ss Knag had lost nothing of its virulence. 1867 Smiles
Huguenots Eng. xi. (1880) 194 The persecution .. was
carried on with increased virulence, until resistance almost
disappeared.
b. An instance of this.
a iy74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 295 The leaders, how-
ever they may sometimes encourage these virulences toserve
a turn, do not enter into the same sentiments themselves.
2. The property or quality of being physically
virulent or full ol virus ; extreme poisonousness or
vcnomousness ; malignity or violence (of disease).
1748 Anson's Voy. 1. x. 106 A general dejection prevailed
amongst us, which added much to the virulence of the
disease. 1789 W. Buchan Dom. Med. (1790) 519, I have
frequently known the disease return with all its virulence
after a course of goat-whey. 1815 J. Smith Panorama
Sci.^ Art 11.48 The wind is salubrious, stopping infection,
and removing the virulence of distemper. 1834 Mrs.
SoMERViLLE Connex. Ph^s. Sci. xxvii. 28^ Venomous
snakes, .decrease, .in the virulence of their poison with de-
crease of temperature. 1878 H. M. Stanley Darh Cont.
II. xii. 361 The itch disease was rabid ;.. about a dozen of
the men were fearful objects of its virulence.
attrib. 1896 Allbuit's Syst. Med. I. 721 Whether. .the
virulence test is satisfactory and exclusive is a doubtful
matter.
Virulency (vi-riwlensi). [ad. Ij.virukfiiia, f.
vtrulettfus : see next and -f.ncy. So Sp. and Pg.
viritlencia, It. vii'uleuza^
1. = Virulence 1.
a 1617 HiERON Wks. (1620) II. 487 Men of corrupt minds
shall. .bee as it were moued..to goe on in their virulency
and spite, and scorne of good Profession. 1647 N. Ward
Simp. Cobler (1843) 6 The zeale of the one, the virulency of
the other, must, .kindle combustions. 1672 Clarendon Aw.
Tracts (1727) 269 Those differences which are debated be-
tween Roman Catholics themselves with so much virulency
and animosity. 1738 Birch Milton in M.'s Wks. I. 28 He
was always remarkable for an Haughtiness of Temper and
Virulency of Style. 1847 E. Bronte Wuthertng if eights
ii, Several incoherent threats of retaliation that, in their
indefinite depth of virulency, smacked of King Lear.
2. = ViKULENCE 2.
1651 French Distill, v. 135 The powder, .is very good to
be strewed upon old ulcers, for it doih much correct the
virulency of them. 1669 W. Simpson H^drol. Chym. 73
The Hyacinth .. becomes the infallible indication of the
Plague, by which afterward . .the virulency .. is driven forth.
X694 Salmon Bate's Disf>ens, (1713I 561/2 Lest the Particles
of the Mercury. .should. .create Pains, Aches, Rottenness,
or a Virulency never to be taken away. 1710 T. Fuller
Pharm. Extemp. 283 The Particles of lhe< Quick-.Silver . .
oftentimes impress an indelible Virulency upon the Brain.
Virulent (vi-ri«lent), a. Also 5 verelent, 6
vyruleot. [ad. L. vlrttlcutus poisonous, f. virus
VIBITLENT.
ViRDS. So OF. and ¥. viruleni^ It., Sp., and Pg.
virulento.^
L Med. + a. Of wounds or ulcers : Character-
ized by the presence of corrupt or poisonous
matter. Obs. (passing into next).
c X400 LaJt/ranc's Cirnrg. 77 marg.. Off olde verelenC
woundcs. Ibid. 80 If ^ vlcus b« virulent, hat is to seie
venemi, loke if ^at ^e venym i?at goib out be redisch or
^elowisch. 1541 R. Copland Guyiion's Form. R iv, The
gouernati accomplysshynge the entencyon after the vlcera-
cyon is to drye the rottenesse tiiat is thycke and flesshy,
Llody, and vyrulent. 1578 LvTt: Dodoens 28 Chamaepitys
..l.-iydupon great woundes, a;id virulent., healeth the same.
1600 SvfLVi-v.T Countrie Farwe 11. xlii. 266 A certaine person,
well knowen vnto me. hauirig a virulent vlcer, in manner of
a Polipus in his nostrils. i-jxZ Chambers Cyci., Ulcers are
. .Virulent, which instead of Pus, or Sanies, yield a malig-
nant ViruSf &c.
b. Of diseases, etc. : Characterized by extreme
malignancy or violence.
1563 T. Gale Aniidot. 22 b, Yf the desease be malygne or
Virulent,.. put in more of the Argentum Viuum. 1604
Salmon A'd/^'j /?/i/««^. C1713} 28/i'lt maybe us'd.-inthe
Cure of virulent Gonorrhoea's. 1748 Anson's Voy. i. x. loa
The scars of wounds which had been for many years healed,
were forced open again by this virulent distemper. 1799
Med. Jml. I. 203 They deny that the contagion has become
more frequent ..while the disease itself has thus been ren-
dered less virulent and fatal. 1866 Rogers Agric. f^ Prices
I. iv. 66 Scurvy in its most virulent form, and leprosy, were
common disorders. 1871 Tvnoall Fragni. Set. (1879) I. v.
178 Germs. .which may be pushed by foul air into virulent
energy of reproduction.
trans/, i860 Emeksom C^«rf. Life^ Fate Wks. (Bohn) 11.
327, 1 find the like unity in human structures rather virulent
and pervasive. 186^ Merivale Ront. Snip. Ixv. VIII. 170
A virulent insurrection was still glowing throughout a large
portion of the empire. 1871 TYNt>ALL/'>«^///. Sci. (1879) II.
xiii. zggThere is often a virulent contagion in a confident tone.
2. Of serpents, material substances, plants, etc, :
Possessing venomous or strongly poisonous quali-
ties ; highly injurious or fatal to life ; extremely
noxious.
1577 Stanvhuhst Descr. Irel. 7/2 in HolinsfudW^ Ire-
land bred no snake before' S. Patrick was borne : ergo^ it
engendered no loade, no Adder, no Frogge, nor any other
virulent worme. 1634 Sir T. Hekbkkt 'frav. 196 They
giue the too forward maydens a virulent potion. 1657 W.
Cole Adam in Eden c. The Viper and all other virulent
Creatures whatever. 1671 R. Bohun IVittd 132 Herbs or
mineralls, with Virulent, and Deleterious Qualities. 1807
J. E. Smith F/tys. Hot, 316 How the same soil. .should in
a leaf of the vine or sorrel produce a wholesome acid, and in
that of a spurge or manchineel a most virulent poi->on.
1839 Carlvle Chartism i. (1858) 4 While the virulent
humour festers deep within, poisoning the sources of life.
1877 F. T. Roberts Hamibk. Med. («l. 3) I. 8 In certain
cases it contains specific agents in the causation of disease,
and promotes their development or renders them more
virulent.
fig. 1894 P. PiNKERTOM Adriatica^ On Asolan Hills^
Jealousy's virulent darts. Fortune's opprobrious thrusts.
+ b. Potent, powerful, effective. Obs.~^
>S99 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer^ s Bk. Physicke ifi A very ex-
cellent water for the payne. of the heade...It wilbe very
good and virulent for the heade.
c. Obnoxiously violent or strong, ftonce-use.
1771 Smollett Humph. C/., To Sir IK. Phillips 6 May,
Nay, I am convinced that she has likewise a most virulent
attachment to his person; though her love tfcver shows
itself but in the shape of discontent.
3. fig. Violently bitter, spiteful, or malignant ;
fuUofacrimonyorenmity : a. Of action or feeling.
1607 HiERON Wks. I. 325 Where hee rules, there is a ran-
courou* heart and a rayling tongue,'there malicious and viru-
lent courses cannot bee wanting. 163a Massincer Maido/
Hon. III. iii, I bring you. .the sting Of virulent malice, fes-
tering your fair name. Plucked out and trod on. 1796 Dk,
Wharton in }LXi\%Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. IV. 339 Every virulent
vote, every passionate rtproach . . are so many real com-
mendations of my conduct. 1769 yttnius Lett. %v. (1788)
89 The virulentexaggeration of party must be employed, to
rouse.. the passions of the people. 1815 W. H. Ireuind
Scribbleomania 98 On my head I may draw down your
virulent spite. 185s Brewster Newt^it II. xviii. 165 We
have failed, like Mr. Baily, to discover the ground of Flam-
steed's virulent antipathy to Halley. 1867 * Ouida ' C.
Castlemaine*s Gage i She was hated by Whig beauties
with virulent wrath.
b. Of speech or writing.
1631 StarChamb. Cases (Camden) 29 He is greatly faulty
in his virulent termes and charging the same upon my Lord
Falkland. 1689 Wood i:/> (O.H.S.) III. 315 A virulent
pamphlet.. wherein he foolishly reflected on Kmg William.
1713 Steele Englishm. No. 15. loi It is impossible.. to
escape the virulent Pen of that Rascal the Examiner, 1777
Priestley Disc. Pitilos. Necess. 172 Your virulent censures
of myself., are abundantly too severe. 1840 Macaulay Ess.^
Clive (1851) II. 526 The meetings were large, stormy, even
riotous, the debates indecently virulent. 1868 Freeman
Norm. Coftq. II, App. 540 He stops twice in the course of
his history to apostrophize. . Harold. .In terms of virulent
abuse.
O. Of persons, their dispositions, etc.
i6i» PuRCHAs Pilgrimage (1614) 215 Let him take heed of
striking hb wife, said another, or to be virulent in termes
against her. 1647 Clarendon Contempl. Ps. Tracts (1727)
472 Let the virulent tongues of ill men traduce us with what
calumnies they please. 1693 J. EDWARt)S Author. O. 4- N,
'Pest. 150 ( Appiun), a virulent writer against the jews. 1714
Swift Pres. St. Aff. Wks. 1841 I. 495 Since the virulent
opposers of the queen.. have so far prevailed, .as to make
leicj. i79« Gouv. Morris in Sparks Life ^ Writ. (1832) 1 1.
327 His enemies here are as virulent as ever. 1833 I. Taylor
Fanat. i. 3 The deluded religionist, even when virulent in
an extreme degree. 1855 Macaulay //if/. Eng. xiii. III.
243 .
276 He had since disgusted some virulent fanatics by his
humanity and moderation. 1883 F. M. Peard Contrad. I.
42, I am glad you don't consider me very virulent.
Hence Virulent 7;. iratis., to render virulent.
1661 Feliham Kcsoives (ed. 8) 11. Ivi. 301 They say.
Certain spirits virulented from the inward humor, darted on
the object, convey a Venom where they point and fix.
Virulently (vi-rizJlemli), adv. [i. prec. +
-LY -.] In a virulent manner ; with virulence or
violence : a. Of actions, language, etc.
*599 Broughton's Lett. xi. 38 The raising of whose bones,
more virulently, then truly, you obiect to this our /l/oj^a/i-
cailland. 1607 R. C[ahew] tr. Estienfu's World Wend. 274
There was neuer yet controuersie in Christian religion so
stoutly, so vehemently^ nor so virulently canuased and
yentil.ited. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. 11, § loi Which,
it may be, made the other to be the more virulently re-
membered. 1709 Hearke Collect. (O. H. S.) II. 306 Sache-
vereli . . levell'd his. .Anathemas most virulently against him.
1783 Hailes Anc. Chr. Ch. ii. 23 The device of forging
acts of Pilate, in which Christ was virulently defamed.
x8i6 ScoTT Bl. Dwar/'w, Sentiments so virulently misan-
thropic. 1856 Miss Mulock J. Halifax xxvi. Catholics
were hunted down both by law and by public opinion, as
virulently as Protestant nonconformists.
b. Of poisons, diseases, etc.
x63a Massincer & Field Fatal Dowry ur. i. This
potion that hath wrought so virulently 1 1858 Copland
Diet. Pract. Med. III. 11. 1341/2 The., effects of the malady
having become thus virulently contagious. 1867 H. Mac-
millan Bible Teach, vi. 112 Though some kinds are viru-
lently poisonous, yet a large number are highly useful to
man. 1876 yml. R. Geog. Soc. XLVI. 54 Several are
pitted with sinall-pox, which ranged virulently, .about ten
years ago.
Vi'mlentness. rare, [f. as prec. + -NESS.]
Virulence.
^1676 Hale True Relig. 111.(1684) 43 These bitternesses
and virulentnesses.. have been commonly of two kinds. 1717
Bailey (vol. II), Virulentness, poisonous Nature; also
Maliciousness.
II Virus (vaia-ros). [L, virus slimy liquid,
poison, offensive odour or taste. Hence also F.,
Sp,, Pg. vtn4S.']
In Lanfranc^s Cirurgie (c 1400) 77 the word, explained as
*a thin venomy quitter', is merely taken over from the
Latin text.
1. Venom, such as is emitted by a poisonous
animal, Also^^.
1599 Brottghtons Lett. iv. 14 You. .baue. .spit out all the
vints and poyson you could conceiue, in the abuse of his. .
person. 1701 M^M.n Poisons 26 The Story of Cleopatra..
pouring the Virus of an Asp into a Wound made in her Arm
by her own Teeth. 17*8 Chambers O-c/. s.v. Viper, By the
Microscope, the Virus [of the viper] was found to consist of
minute Salts in continual Motion. 1867 Dk. Argyll Rergn
of Law i. 37 That the deadly virus shall in a few minutes
curdle the blood. 1879 R. T. Smith Basil Gi. ix. iii He
it was who hollowed the minute sting of the bee to shed its
virus through.
2. Path. A morbid principle or poisonous sub-
stance produced in the body as the result of some
disease, esp. one capable of being introduced into
other persons or animals by inoculation or other-
wise and of developing the same disease in them.
X7»8 Chambers Cycl., Virulent^ a Terni apply'd to any
thing that yields a Virus j that is, a corrosive or contagious
Pus. 1771 Smollett Humph. Cl.^ To Sir W. Philip
3 Oct., When lie examined the egesta,z.r\d. felt his pulse, he
declared that much of the z'irus was discharged. 1799 Med.
frnl. I. 44B Whether opium applied externally, may or
may not prove an antidote to the canine virus. 1800 Ibid,
III. 352 Ihc pustules.. contain a perfect Small-pox virus,
i8a6 S. Cooper First Lines Surg. (ed. 5) 165 In consequence
of the virus being mixed with the saliva of the rabid animal.
1878 T. Bryant Pract. Sing. I. 73 It should never be for-
gotten that it is the virus which infects the system. 1899
Allbutt'i Sysi. Med.VWl. 602 Possibly there is some virus
acting on the nerve-centres.
attrib, x86o W. T. Fox in Trans. Obstetr. Soc. 1 1. 210 The
general symptoms being the result of virus action. Ibid.
228 This latter action is alike common to all forms of virus
disease.
3. fig. A moral or intellectual poison, or poison-
ous inHuence.
17^8 Warner in Jesse Selwyn 4- Contemp. (1844) III. 317
Venice is a stink<pot, charged with the very virus of hell 1
1807 SouTHEY //. K, White 12 As if there were not enough
of the leaven of disquietude in our natures, without inocu-
lating it with tliis dilutement — this vaccine virus of envy.
ax834CoLEBiix;E5"^a^f. A>/«(iB75) 189 Thecorrosive virus
which inoculates pride with a venom not its own. a 1884
M. Pattison Mem. U885) 239 The clerical virus would have
lingered in the system.
4. Violent animosity ; virulence.
1866 Alger Solit. Nat. ^ Man iv. 360 Two classesof men,
however, he did hate with especial relish and virus.
t Vis, sb.^ Obs. rare. [ad. L. vis-us sight, f.
ppl. stem of vidire to see.] Vision, sight.
c 1340 Hampole /'riJjtf yr. 34 Ifa manelufeanojjer whilke
es absent he desyris gretty his presence for to hafe J>e vys of
his hife and his Hkynge. . .(>are-fore we may noghte hafe )>e
vis of His lufe here in fulfilling.
II Vis (vis), sb,'^ PI. vires (vai'r/z). [L. vis
(pi. vlres^^
1. Strength, force, energry, vigour.
c 1630 T. Goodwin Serm. Wks. 1681 \. iil 39[Christ] Who
then must be the immediate Uniter, by his own Vis or
Power exerted in it. 1650 Hubbert Pill Formality 104
There is a certain vis, a power infused into the soul. 1788
Trifter No. ^7.231 Charmed with the prospect which the
vis of combined effects presented to him, he resolved to in*
vestigate the springs of action. t88a Dr. J. Brown John
Leacjt, etc. 1B3 His verses. .had more imaginative vis^
VISA.
more daintiness of phrase [etc.], 1888 Abp. Benson in A. C.
Benson Life (1899) II. v. 200 There isnoi'/>and there is also
no learning, among them (^«r. Reformers], out of Germany.
1907 P. T. Forsyth Positive Preaching v. 163 '1 he great
moral vis of the Reformation subsided into the renewed
intellectualism of the seventeenth century dogmatists.
2. In special collocations with other Latin words.
In addition to those illustrated below, various others are
or have been in use, as vis acceleratrix, centrifuga^ centri-
Peta, impressa, insita, etc. A number of these appear in
dictionaries from about 1700 onwards.
a. Vis major, such a degree of superior force
that no effective resistance can be made to it.
i6ot Holland Pliny I. 599 Hailes, stormes of wind and
raine, and such like impressions of the aire, which whenso-
ever they doe light, are tearmed by the Lawyers, Vis major,
i. the greater violence. s866Ld. Blackburn in Hurlstone&
CoUman Hep. IV. 271 He can excuse himself by shewing
tliai.-the escape was the consequence of vis major or the
act of God.
b. Vis inertia, the resistance naturally offered
by matter to any force tending to alter its state in
respect of rest or motion ; also iransf., tendency
on the part of persons, etc., to remain inactive or
un progressive.
1706 [see Inertia i]. 1710 J. Harris Lex. Techn. II.
s. v., This Vis Inertise is no where more conspicuous, than
in the sudden Motion of a Vessel full of Liquor upon
a Horizontal Plane. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man 11. i.
§ 6. 31 Matter is a mere passive thing, of whose very essence
it is, to be endued with a Vis inertiae. 1781 /'////. Trans.
LXXI. I. 312 Not so much owing to the smallness of the
quantity of powder that takes fire in that case as to the
vis inertiae of the generated fluid. 1836 I. Taylor Phys.
The, Another Life li. 32 'Ihis power of the mind in over-
coming the vis inertix of matter.
transf. 1755 Chesterf. Z<-/. to Bp. of Water/brd ■zS'^yine,
Writing seems to be acting.. which my vis inertia! will not
suffer me to undertake. 1780 H. Walpolk Lett. (1858.)
VII. 405 By the time absolute power is attained, it will..
be charming in speculation, but prove to be nothing but
the vis inertix. s8z8 Edin. Rev. XXIX. 361 The vis in.
ertix which strengthens the subject in repelling the aggres-
sions of his rulers. 1878 Sir G. Scott Led. Med. Archil,
vii. I. 272 There is a vis inertiae in Art which is not easily
overcome.
c. Vis vivUf the operative force of a moving or
acting body, reckoned as equal to the mass of the
body multiplied by the square of its velocity.
1780 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2) V. 3317/1 TheMjf/fa,or abso-
luteapparent strength ofthestroke. xZcA Edin. Rev.yi\\
122 Ihe proposition on which the whole theory of tlie fw
viva is actually founded. 1849 Sir W. Thomson Math, fy
Phys. Papers (1882) I. 107 Notes on Hydrodynamics. On
the Vis-viva of a liquid in motion. 1870 Lond. file. Philos.
Mag. Sept. 210 But a part only of the vires vivie produced
during the efflux has been transformed into heat. 1875
Croll Climate <5- T, App. 546 The vis viva of vibration
depends upon the force of the stroke.
d. Vis vita&y vital force.
i7$»Gentl, Mag. 67/1 All medicines whatever, which tend
to lessen the vis vitx, are pernicious, a 1817 T. Dwight
J'rav. New Eng., etc. (1821) I. 385 A pungency, entirely
peculiar, accompanied the smell ; and appeared to lessen
the vis viiae in a manner, different from any thing, which
I had ever experienced before.
e. Vis afronte^ a force operating from in front
(as in attraction or suction). Vis a tergo, a force
operating from behind ; a propulsive force.
x8ia Good Study Med, II. 15 Hence arose another hypo-
thesis, which ascribed the propulsive power to a progres-
sive vis a tergo. ^ 18*5 Ibid. (ed. 2) II. 18 The secernents
or extreme arteries.. operate by a kind of suction, which
may be regarded as a vis a front e. 1873 T. H. Green
Introd. Pathol. ^{fid. 2) 19 Ihe combined effect of the
diminished vis a tergo and of the arterial degeneration
may, in £ome cases, be alone sufficient to cause arrest of
the circulation.
i" ViS| sb."^ Obs. rare. [Arbitrary shortening of
Visit sb. : see first quot.] A short visit or call.
1754 World No. 62 r 8 When a fine gentleman chuses to
signify his intention of making a short Visit.. I am for an
abridgment of the word, and only calling it a Vis. Ibid,
P9, I may observe .. that the Vis seems to be chiefly con-
fined within the bills of mortality. 1807 Southey Life A.
Bell (1844) II. 562 If you cannot make me a visit, at least
make me a vis, if you can, before your return to Swanage.
Hence fVi* v. trans. ^ to pay a short visit to,
(Cf. Viz v.) Obs.
'754 World No. 62 f 8 Lady Changeherfriend's compli-
ments to Lady Fiddlefaddle, and intends to Vis her lady-
ship this evening.
t ViSr sb,^ Obs. rare. Abbreviation of Via-X-
VI8 I. Also attrib.
1809 Sporting Mag. XXXIII. 276 The Vis Landau will
be the fashionable vehicle among the Members of the
Whip Club. 1814 Byron Let. to Moore 9 April, In utter
contempt of a hackney-coach and my own vis, both of
which were deemed necessary for our conveyance.
Vis, var. Vice sb.^\ obs. f. Visa; obs. Sc, f.
Wise sb. and a. Vis., abbrev. f. Viscount.
II Visa (vf-za), sb. [K. visa, a. L. visa, fem. pa.
pple. of videre to see.] — Via^ sb.
1831 Edin. Rev. LIV. 200 No trust whatever, .can be
placed in the simple certificate given by conscience. .. Be-
yond this, .its visa does not reach. 1859 B. Jerrolo Life
D. yerrold jog On going to the Austrian Consul in London
for the visa of my father's passport. 1885 Field 4 April
439/3 We had hoped to.. return through Finland, but were
unable to obtain the Russian visa at Stockholm. iSpS
Daily News ig Dec. 5/2 Notificationof the witness hst
was made yesterday to the Parquet, which began by refus-
ing its visa.
81 -a
VISA.
Hence 'Ti-** v. trans., to \isi. Also Vi'saed
^/. a.
1S47 Webster s.v. /*/V, Hence, travelers speak of getting
their passports vistud. 1858 Homans CycL Commerce
1500/2 For each passport so visaed, 1896 li^estm. Gaz.
3 Mar. 3/2 For want of the same readily visaed passport.
tVi'Sable, '?. Obs.—^ [f. Vise z/. + -able.]
Able to plan or act wisely.
c 1440 LovELiCH Merlin ix. 9544 (TheyJ seiden he was a
worthy knyht, vayllaunt & vysable jn every fyht.
Visage (vi'zed^), sb. Forms: 4-6 vysage (4
fysa^e), uisage, 4- visage (4, 5 .SV., wisage,
wysage), 5 visache, 6 visadge, 6 Sc. visag
(wissag), vissage ; 4 vysege, fisege, 5 fyssege ;
5 vesage, -ayge, Sc, wesage, 6 ^V. vessage.
[a. AF. and OF. (also mod.F.) visage,-^^, visage,
visaje, Pg. visagem. It. visaggio^ i, L, 'vis-us face
(cf. Via sb>) : see -age.]
1. The face, the front part of the head, of a
person (rarely of an animal).
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 5S87 He hydde hys
vysege al |»at he my^t, Out of knowlych of here sy?t. 13 . .
Coerde L. 827 Sche gahchyd herself in the vysage. c 1340
Nominale (Skeat) 14 Forhede, visage, and browes. c 1380
Sir Ferumb. 1162 (>e bond J»at is fysage was bonnde wy)».
f 1400 Lan/ranc's Cirur^. 141 To treten of anotamie of ^e
visage, a j^$o Afirk's /-'estial 141 Then had \>U Vaspasyan
..a inaledy yn hys vysage. ^1489 Caxton Sonnes 0/
Ay$non ix. 230 They scratched theyr vysages & pnUed
theyr heeres. 1568 Graftos Chron. II. 296 He was sore
hurt in the bodye and in the visage. 1588 Shaks. /,, L. L.
V. ii. 144 Vpon the next occasion that we meete, With
Visages displayd to talke and greete. 163a J. Porv in
Ellis Orig. Lett, Ser. 11. III. 272 One out of the house dis-
chardgedhaileshot upon Mr. Atturntes sonnes face, which
..pitifully mangled his visage. 1653 W. Ramesev Astral,
Restored 297 Rubbing their feet about their visage and
head, whence the vulgar usually say at such times, the
cat washeth her face. 1697 Drvden ^neid ix. 1019 Scalp,
face, and shoulders, the keen steel divides ; And the shared
visage hangs on equal sides. 1715 Pope Iliad 11. 331
Sbmnk in abject fears, From his vile visage (he] wiped the
scalding tears. 1784 Cook's Voy. II. iv. i. 273 Sometimes
the orator of the canoe would have his face covered with a
mask, representing either a human visage, or that of some
animal. 1797 Godwin Enquirer 1. xii. 108 There are no
wrinkles in his visage. 1843 Borrow Bible in Spain vi,
The sun burnt my visage, but I heeded it not. 1847 C.
Bronte y. Eyre xxvi. The maniac bellowed : she parted
her shaggy locks from her visage, i860 Tvndall Glac. i.
v. 41 The ruddy lire-light . . lending animation to the visages
sketched upon them \sc. the walls] with charcoal.
't'b. In em's (or the) visage, in or to one*s face,
X430-40 LvDC. Bochas V. X. (1554) 120 b, On a day, the
story telteth us, With Aflfricans and folkcs of Chartage,
Sipbax the Romaines met in the visage. 1470-85 Malokv
Arthur t. xi. 61 But euer the xj Kyiiges and their hooste
was euer in the vysage of .Arthur. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg.
18/2 That the moneye-.he tooke and dyde with all his
prouffyt, and [it] was prevyd in his vysage that [etc.]. 1521
Burgh Rec. Stirling {\Z%-f) 12 Frier Wynssent. .protestit
solemnitlyin presensof the saidis bailies, and in the vesiagh
\sic\ of the haiU court, that [etc.].
2. The face with reference to the form or pro-
portions of the features,
a 1300 Cursor M. 18858 O suilk a modfir, wel slik a child.
Wit fair wisage. 13.. K. Alts. 6425 (I^ud MS.), Ano]>er
folk bisiden is, WiJ» brode visage, & pleyn, I wys. 1375
Barbour Bruce i, 383 In wysage wes he sumdeill gray.
<r 1386 Chaucer Prol. 110 A not-heed hadde he, with a
broun visage. 1422 Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 228 Tho that
baue grete visachysand fleschybene dysposyd to concupy-
scence. c 1470 Gol. ^ Gaxv. 88 With vesage lufly and lang.
Body stalwart and Strang. 1480 Caxton Myrr. 1. xiv. 46
They be d>-uerse in somme caas or of body or of membres
..or of the visage. (11533 Lu. Berneks Huon xxiv. 71, I
neucr sawc.soofayre a creture in y* visage. 1550 J. Coke
Eng. ff Fr. Heralds §5, Saynt Gregory.. writeth,.howe
the vysages of Englande resemble more unto aungelles tlian
earthly creatures. 159* R. D. Hypnerotovtachia 34 b,
With a visage adulterated betwixt a mans and a Goates.
x6a5 B. JoNSON Staple News 11, i, Shun. And such a par-
boil'd visage ! Fit. His face looks like a dyer's apron, ju^t.
1697 Drvden ALneid ix. 890 Old Butes' form he took, . . His
wrinkled visage, and his hoary hairs. 171a Steele Spect.
No. 518 P9 The intrinsick Worth. .is ordinarily calculated
from the Cast of his Visage, the Contour of his Person [etc.].
X769 E. Bancroft Guiana 133 The visage of this animal is
erect, & pretty much resembles that of the Quato. 1775
AoAiR Amer. Ind. 5 Their faces are tolerably round, con-
trary to the visage of the others, which inclines mucli to
flatness. x8so W. Ikving Sketch Bk. I. 72 Their visages,
loo, were peculiar : one had a large head, broad face, and
imall piggish eyes. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola iii, A visage
like mine, looking no fresher than an apple that has stood
the winter. x866 G. Macdonald Ann, Q. Neighb. xxxii.
(1878) 554 The form of her visage was altered.
3. The face or features as expressive of feeling or
temperament ; the countenance.
133^ R. BRUNNKCAr^w*. (1810) 308 BoldelyJ>ei bed bataile
with village fuUe austere. <:i38o Wvclif Wks. (1880) 307
^tf ^i froJ?en bi irose fisegea^en men ]>at tellenhem treut^e,
noo drede )»ei frozen heere owen confusion, c 1400 Rom.
Rose 7^<y2 Of her estat she her repented, As her visage
represented. 1448 Hen. VI IVill in J. W. Clark Cambridge
(1880) 158 As they wolanswere before the blessed anddrede-
ful visage of our Lord Jhesu in his.. last dome. <ri5oo
Lancelot 460 The king stondilh heuy cherith, And to the
clerkis his visag so apperitb, That all thei dred them of the
kingis myght. a 1533 Ld. BRRNERs/ZiM^nlxiv. 221 He was
so ouercome with ire . , , that his vysage became lyke a flame
of fyer. a 1547 Surrey in Totters Misc. (Arb.) 29 A visage,
stem, and myld : where bothe did grow, vice to contemne,
io vertue to reioyce. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron.
Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 58 Mr. George.. without slope of toung
244
ansuering, nocht moveing his continance nor changing his
vessage. 1603 Shaks. Mens, /or M, hi. L 90 This outward
sainted Deputie. Whose setled visage, and deliberate word
Nips youth ith head. 165a C. B. Stapvlton Herodian xix.
158 A mighty Bulke he had and Visage grim. 1667 Milton
P. L. II. 989 Him thus the Anarch old With faultring speech
and visage incompos'd, Answer 'd. 17*8 Young Love 0/
Fame \. 219 Hence aching bosoms wear a visage gay. 1771
GoLDSM. Haunch Venison 105 A visage so sad, and so pale
with affright, Wak'd Priam in drawing his curtains by night.
x8io Scott Lady of L. iii. iv, His grisled beard and matted
hair Obscured a visage of despair. 1834 HoCG Domestic
Manners Scott (1882J ^i He looked up to me with a visage
as stern as that of a judge. i860 Motlev Netherlands
(1868) I. i. 2 A plodding invalid, .with, .dreary visage.
tb. To make good visage, to appear cheerful or
composed ; to make oneself pleasant or agreeable
io others. Obs.
CX386 Chaucer Shipman^s T. 230 We may wel make
cheer and good visage, And dryve forth the world, as it may
be. 1390 Gower Con/. III. 211 A king schal make good
vi.sage, That noman knowe of his corage. a 1450 Kjit. de
la /(JKr (1868)3 There be suche men that lyethe and mak«
ithe good visage and countenaunce to women afore hem,
that .scornithe and mockithe hem in her absence. 15*5 Ld.
Berners F'roiss. II. xcix. [xcv.] 291 Than the duke and
these two knyghtes rode along their batayle arid made good
vysage.
4. trans/. The face or visible side of the sun or
moon.
1390 Gower Con/. III. 109 The Mones cercle so lowets,
Wherof the Sonne out of his stage Ne seth him noght with
full visage, c 1480 Henrvson Fables, Fox tj- IVol/ \\,
Hesperous put up his cluddie heid, Schawand his lustie
wisage in the sky. X500-20 Dunbar Poems xxxiii. 2 As
3ung Awrora,. .In orient schewhir visage paile. 1590 Shaks.
Mids. N. I. i. 2IO To-morrow night when Phoebe doth be-
hold Her siluer uisage, in the wat'ry glasse. X634 Milton
Comus 333 And thou fair Moon.. Stoop thy pale visage
through an aniber cloud. And disinherit Chaos. X667 —
P. L. v. 419 Earth and the Sea feed Air, the Air those fires
Ethereal, and as lowest first tlie Moon ; Whence in her
visage round those spots. 1794 G. Adams Nai. ^ Exp,
Philos. IV. xxxix. 88 Sometimes she looks full upon us, and
her visage is all lustre. 1847 Whewell hist. Induct. Sci.
(ed. 2) I. 137 note^ Aratus says of the moon, ..As still her
shifting visage changing turns By her we count the monthly
round of morns.
+ b; The face or surface ^the earth. Obs.~^
c xsoo Lancelot 1374 He distroys by vengance of his suerd
The synaris fra the vysagis of the Erde.
5. In various figurative uses. (Cf. 7.)
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 899 Dowble wordes slye, Swich
as men clepe, 'a word with two visages', c 1557 Abp. Parker
Fs. Ixxx. 2J4 Visite thy vyne O Lordc.that it may be re*
uiued continiially by the brighte visage of thy presence.
x6o2 Shaks. Ham. 111. iii. 47 Whereto serues mercy. But to
confront the visage of Offence? 1611 — I Vint. T. i. ii. 266
Beseech your Grace Be plainer with me, let me know my
Trespas By it's owne visage. 1646 J. Hall Horx Vac. 10
To propose his adversaries arguments with tlieir edge
blunted ; nor. .to set them out in more horrid visages then
they truly carry. 1818 Shelley Eug. Hills 173 The tattered
pall of time, Which scarce hides thy [i.e.Venice's] visage wan.
t 6. An image or likeness ; a portrait, Obs.
f X375 Cursor AL 1971 (Fairf.), I made mon ofter myne
awen visage. ^1400-50 Alexander 3362 (Dubl.), Who-
someuer in ]?at ilke hys vysage [z'.r. ymage] behaldes, pe
face is to ^>e foldward pe fete into t>e welkyn. 1570-6 Lam-
BARDE Peramb. Kent (1826) 395 This is the lively visage in
deede, both of the one and the other.
7. An appearance or aspect. -^ By the first visage^
at first sight.
142a Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 157 Ofte tymes verite hath
a vysage of lesynge, and ofte tymes a lesynge hath a coloure
of verite. 1456 Sir G. Have Laxv Arms (S.T.S.) 193
As be the first visage it semys that he suld nouthir obey to
the tane na to the tothir. 1531 Elyot Gov. i. x, To here
ihinges merueilous and exquisite, whiche hath in it a visage
of some thinges incredible. 1693 Ray Creation i. (ed. 2) 103
'J'he sad and melancholick Visage of their Leaves, Flowers
and Fruit. x8ix Pinkerton /*^/?a/. I. 351 Noble serpen-
tine, .is generally of a dark leek green, and of an unctuous
visage. 1905 Times, Lit. Supp. 27 Jan. 28/3 Freeman.,
tries to reconstitute the visage of the towns Pippin.. took
and the towns he passed by.
f 8. An assumed appearance ; an outward show ;
a pretence or semblance. Obs.
1390 Gower Con/ III. 227 Thing which men nevere afore
knewe He broghte up thanne of his taillage, And all was
under the visage Of werkes which he made tho. 1524 St.
Papers Hen. V/II, VI. 280 Demonstracions and colorable
deallnges, .sounding more to a shewe and visage then to
any parfite frute. 1534 More Com/, agst. Trib. iii. Wks.
1211/2 They see him so many times make a great visage of
warre, whan he myndeth it not. 1604 Shaks. Oth. i. i. 50
Others there are Who trym'd in Formes, and visages of
Dutie, Keepe yet their hearts attending on themseUies.
a 1684 Leighton Comm. 1 Pet. iii. 15 ' Be not deceived;
God is not mocked.' He looks through all vis.ages and
appearances, in upon the heart.
t b. To give a visage, to create an appearance
or impression. Obs.
1549 Bonner jn Foxe A. Sf M. (1563) 717/1 Lest that
they tarieing with such preachers should.. gyue a vysage
to the encouragement of other. Ibid. 718/1 Your tarieng
with him still . . shal geue a visage, that there doctrin is
tollerable.
9. Comb., 2,% visage-burner, -changed ad].
i6j5 K. Long tr. Barclay's Argenis 11. viii. 88 As once in
Tyre Pale, guilty, visage-chang'd Penthevs appear'd. z8a4
J. BowRiNG Batavian Anthol. 158 Beast— an noyer— visage-
burner— Fair-one's spoiler— maiden's hate,
t Vi"Sage, v. Obs. rare. [f. prec. F. envisa-
ger is recorded only from 1583, and there is no in-
dependent evidence for Palsgrave's visager^
VIS-A-VIS.
1. trans. To face or confront.
c 1386 Chaucer Merch, T. 1029 Al hadde man seyn a
thyng with bothe hise eyen, Yit shul we wommen visage it
hardily, And wepe and swere and chide subtilly.
2. To look upon or at ; to regard or observe.
1450 Paston Lett. I. 150 My Lord was with the Kyiige,
and he vesaged so the mater thatalle the Kynges howshold
was and is aferd ryght sore. 1530 Palsgr. 765/2 This man
hath vysaged me wellsythe I cameinadores. 1531 Elvot
Goz>, 11. ii. The theues. .humbly approched to Scipio, who
visaged them in suche fourme that they.. made humble
reuerence.
Hence +Vi'saging vbl. j/^., meeting, encounter-
ing. Obs,
a 1500 Gough Chron. in Six Town Chi-on. (1911) 159 The
duke of Somerset! and Sir John Nevyle knyght son of the
Erie of Salisbury had grete visagyng to gidder at London.
Visaged (vi-zed^d), a. [f. Vjsage j^^.] Hav-
ing a visage of a specified kind.
Frequent (from the 15th c.) as-the second element in
combs., e.g. black-, close; double', grim-, hard-, long-,
sharp-visaged : see these adjs.
13.. A'. Alls. 6351 (Laud MS.), Anojjer folk bisyde is
Visaged after hounde I wys. X607 Walkington Opt. Glass
65 By reason of his sad heavy humor, always stoically
visaged. x6t3 T^vo Noble K. v. iii. 52 Arcite is gently
visagd. X638 Mayne Luciau (1664) 132 Before his arrivall
he made a linnen head to his Dragon, visaged like a Man,
and painted like one. 1865 H. Bushnell Vicar. Sacr. 11.
ii. (1868) 153 Christ passes before us visaged in sorrow. 1894
Heslop Northumbld. Wds. 375 Hickory/yeced, pock-
marked, ill visaged.
Visar, obs. Sc. form of VisoB.
Visard.(e, obs. forms of Vizard.
II Vis-a-vis (vi:zav/"-), sb.jprep., and adv. Also
8 viz-a-viz, 8-9 vis-a-vis. [F. vis-h-vis face to
face, f. vis :— L, visum, ace. of visits sight, face :
see Vis sb,'^'\
A. sb, 1. A light carriage for two persons sitting
face-to-face. Obs. exc. Hist.
X753 H. Walpole Let. to G. Montague 17 July, He was
walking slowly, .with., two pages, three footmen andaw/V-
d-vis following him. 1768 J. Byron Na^r. Patagonia (ed.
2) 230 The common vehicle hei^e is a calash, or kind of vis-
Ji-vis, drawn by one mule only. X781 W. Hayley Triumphs
0/ Temper 11. 98 Her quick eyes sparkle with siu-prise to see
The glories of a golden viz-a*viz. 183X Sir J. Sinclair
Corr. II. 357 It is necessary to purchase a very strong car-
riage. . . A vis-a-vis is the best shape, made so that it can be
converted into a bed. 1844 Act 7 <y 8 Vict, c- 91. Sched.,
Every horse, .drawing any coach.. chaise, phaeton, vis-a-
vis, calash, curricle.
pittr. X77S Mme. D'Arblay Early Diary (1889) II. 13
Not being much in town, the new vis-a-vis were not familiar
to him. 1787 in Sixth Rep. Dep. Kpr. Publ. Rec. \\. 177 A
new method of hanging Coaches, Vis a Viss, and other
Bodies. 1801 Sporting Mag. XX. 41 The number of coaches
. . vis-a-vis . . and nondescripts, X834 in J. Tomlinson Don-
caster (1887) 265 Mrs. Belcher for Chaises and visivis \sic\.
2. One or other of two persons or things facing,
or situated opposite to, each other.
c X757 Let. in J. H. Jesse Selivyn ^ Coniemp. (1843) 1. 158
We are reduced to Miss Wylde, who has a most charming
vis-a-vis, Mr. Ward, who sings Hke a nightingale. X766
G. Williams Ibid. II. 56 My z'w-a-e'/s thinks you have done
wrong to let even the music-meeting go off unattended.
X840 Hood Up Rhine 113 There you are, at an Innkeeper's
ordinary, with alt kinds of low company, and a common
soldier for your vis-a-vis. 1865 W. G. Palgrave Arabia
II. 204 Menamah, though larger in extent than Moharrek,
has a less showy appearance : it is a centre of commerce,
as its vis-a-vis is of government. X893 Martin in Barrows
Pari. Relig. 11. 1142 Does it make no difference to us,
whether we have for our vis-a-vis on the other shore of the
ocean a Christian or a pagan power ?
b. esp. in dancing. Also as//,
x8o8 NIiss Berry yrnls. ^ Corr. II. 371 It seems per-
fectly indifferent to them [the peasant men and women
dancing] who is their vis-a-vis. X834 Marryat P. Simple
(1863) 231 Miss Eurydice had but a sorry partner, but she
undertook to instruct me. O'Brien was our 2'/j-a-^:j with
Miss Euterpe. 1841 Thackeray Gt. Hoggariy Diamond
V, Lady Jane Preston . . asked me to dance with her. We^ had
my Lord Tiptoff and Lady Fanny Rakes for our zns-d-Tns.
X877 Miss Grant Sun-Maid xiv, Partners were scrambling
for vis-k-vis and places.
3. A meeting face to face ; an encounter.
1867 Baker Nile Trib. ii. 41 'ibis being my first vis-a-vis
with a hippo, I was not certain whether I could claim the
victory. 187X ' M. Legrand ' Catnbr. Freshtn. 345 Every
minute brought him nearer the dreaded z/i j-a- p/f with an
omniscient M.A.
B. 1, prep. Over against, in comparison with,
in relation to ; also lit., facing, face to face with.
*755 H. Walpole Let. io R. Bcntley 16 Nov., What a
figure would they.. make vis-a-vis his manly vivacity and
dashing eloquence. 1759 Chesterf. Lfit. 1,1792) IV. 161,
I allow his army will be what you say; but what will that
be vis-a-vis French, Austrians, Imperialists Swedes, and
Russians, who must amount to double that number? 1847
E. Bronte IVuthering Heights i, His master dived down
to him, leaving me z>is-a-zris the ruffianly bitch. 1907
IVestm. Gaz. 24 July lo/i He is responsible vis-k-vis the
Government for their efficiency.
2. adv. Opposite, so as to face (another or each
other),
X807 Byron Let. in Moore Z./>t (1830) I. ii^i Even the hero
of my Cornelian (who is now sitting vis-a-vis, reading a
volume of my Poetics) passed me in Trinity walks, i8t6
Gentl. Mag. LXXXVI. i. 6 The captivating air and fasci-
nating manners of a French lady, who sat vis-a-zns. 1871
Nesbitt Catal. Siade Colt. Glass 75 A pair of doves are
poised zris-a-vis.
b. Const, to or with.
VIS-A-VIS.
1814 Scott If^av. Ixi, Waverley .. found himself in the
desired vehicle, Tis-d-vis to Mrs. Nosebag. 1841 Mrs.
MozLRY Lost Brooch II. XX. 142 Only too well pleased lo
find myself once again vh a vis to Constance Duff. 1870
Disraeli Lothair xxi, Lothair was there vis-a-vis with
Miss Arundel.
Hence Vls-^via v, ; Tis-ii-visness.
1839 LEVERy/. Loi-reguer vi, -Xhe hissing kettle on the
hob was vis a vis'd by a gridiron with three newly. taken
trout, 1887 E. GuRNEY Tertium Quid I. 371, I doubt
whether it would involve anything like the sense of vis-a-
vis-ness or parallelism, suggested to me now by such a
phrase as ' posited myself in space '.
Vise, abbrev. form of Viscount.
Viscaclia (viskcenja). Also 8 viscaoho, 8-9
viscaccia, 9 vizcacha, vischacha. [a. Sp. vis-
cacha (also biscacha Biscacha), ad. Quichuan
{Ji)tiiscacha. Hence also F. viscaq7ie.'\ One or
other of two large burrowing rodents of South
America, related to the chinchilla.
a. The Za^/////;; c«z;iVr/V, inhabiting the upper
Andes from Chill to Ecuador ; the Alpine viscacha.
1604 E. G[bimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies iv. xxxviii.
314 There are other small animalles which they cail Vis-
cochas, and are like to hares, although they be bigger. 1781
Pennant Hist. Quadrup. 1 1. 376 Allied to this [Cape Hare]
seems the ViscachoSy 01 V'iscachas^ mentioned by Acosta
and Fcuill^, in their accounts of Peru. i8ox Shaw Gen.
Zool. II. I. 209 Viscw.cia. . . This species is said to have the
general appearance of a Rabbet. i8zi W. Walton Peruv.
Sheep 175 They afford furs and ornamental skins,, .particu-
larly the viscacha, which is a species of rabbit. 1849 Sk.
Nat. Hist.f Mammalia IV. 126 The general colour of the
viscacha of the western acclivities of the Peruvian Andes. .
is grayish ash, clouded here and there with a tint of brown.
1879 E. P. Wright Animal Li/e (Cassell) 196 I'he Alpine
Viscacha {Lagidiitm cuvierii) inhabits the lofty Andes of
Chili, Bolivia, and Peru.
b. The Lagostomus trickodactyUts of the south-
em Argentine pampas.
X836 Partington's Brit. CycL Nat. Hist. II. 26 The Vis-
cacha {Lagostomus trichodactyius) is about the size of a
rabbit. 1855 prr'j Circ. Sci.yprg. Nat. III. 464 The Vis-
cacha. .inhabits the great plains of Buenos Ayres, where it
digs burrows for itself. £^i88s CasseiCs Nat. Hist. III.
138 The Viscacha lives on the Pampas from Buenos Ayres
to the borders of Patagonia.
So Vlscache. rare~^.
1847-9 'I'odds Cyci. Anat. IV. I. 373 In the viscache the
squamous portion of the temporal bone ts. .deeply indented.
t Viscate, /;*/. fl. Oh.-^ [ad. I,, viscdt-us:
cf. next and Inviscate v,'\ Inviscated.
c 1400 Liin/ranc's Cirurg. 136 Wlke blood is not viscat tn
J>e substaunce of dure matris, as pe mater is in empostymes.
Visoated, ppl. a. [f. L. viscCit-usy pa, pplc.
of viscare, f. viscus, viscum birdlime.] (See quots.)
16*3 C0CKERA.M I, I'iscatedy taken with Bird-lime. 1656
Bloi;nt G/ossogr.^ Viscated^ dressed, or taken with Bird-
lime.
II Viscera (visera), sb.pl, [L., viscera \i\tcxm\
organs, pi. of viscus Vrscua 2. Cf, It. viscere, Sp.
and Pg. visceras, F, visc^res.']
1. Anat, The soft contents of the principal cavi-
ties of the body ; esp. the internal organs of the
trunk; the entrails or l-owels together with the
heart, liver, lungs, etc.
1651 BtGCS Ntiv Disp. p 174 Exhausting the stock of ali-
ment from the vasa and I'tscera. 1667 Phil. Trans, II. 545
Also lifting up the Viscera of the lower Belly. ijriSQfiNcv
Compt. Disp. Ill For in the Intentions, the Seat of the
Complaint is most commonly in the Viscera. 1750 PkiL
/"ra/w. XLVII. 83(11 Uj to keep them from touching the
abdominal viscera of this animal. 1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 500
Instancing its powerful effects in obstructions of the viscera,
especially in hver cases. 1845 Budd Dis. Liver yi Great
stress is laid on the case of the mollusca, animals whose
liver is generally immense in proportion to their other vis-
cera. 1878 W. H. Dall Later Preh. Man 18 The viscera
had evidently been removed, but the muscular and cutane*
ous tissues were in tolerable preservation,
•\\i. fig. - HowEL j(^.* 3, Obs.
X65S P^ CuLVERWEL Treat. 11. vi. (1661) 141 Do you think
now that God will trust these with his more special mercies,
with his viscera and tender mercies ?
2. transf. The interior ; the inner parts : =
Bowel sb.^ 4.
1709 T. RoBtNSON Vind. Mosaick Syst. 41 If the Atheist
wilt venture himself into the Interior Viscera or Bowels of
the Earth. i8>8 Lights 4- Shades I. 210, I dived into the
viscera of Newgate-market.
Visceral (vi'seral), a, [ad. med.L. visceralis
(Du Cange) internal, f. viscera', see prec. So
OF. visceral (fig.), F. visciral^ Sp. visceral^ It,
viscerale.]
+ 1. a. Affecting the viscera or bowels regarded
as the seat of emotion ; pertaining to, or touching
deeply, inward feelings. Obs,
1575 Fenton Gold. Epist. (1582) 117 Thys warre is called
Viscerall, for that it is bredde and begon in the hearte, and
dissolueth and takes ende in the hearte. i6s6T. H[awkins]
tr. Caussin's Holy Court 288 He is vnited to all men, as
oftentyinesas they receyue him, by a viscerall transfusion of
himseffe, as one shouUl melt one waxe within another. 1617
DoNS'E Serm. (1640) 28^ Christ here sends Paracletum in a
more entire and a more internall and more Viscerall sense— a
Comforter. 1640 Bp. Reynolds Passions xi. 109 Love is of
all other the inmost and most viscerall affection ; and there-
fore called by the apostle. ' BoweU of love '.
f b. fi^. Lying in the entrails or inward parts.
i6s4 Donne Serm. xvii, (1640) 167 There is the land of
245
Gold, centricall Gold, viscerall Gold, gremiall Gold, Gold
in the Matrice and womb of God.
2. Phys. Of disorders or diseases: Affecting the
viscera or internal organs.
1794 in Morse W;wr. Geog. I. 500 The Lebanon pool is
famous for having wrought many cures.. even in visceral
obstructions and indigestion. 1845 Ford Handbk. Spain
II. 91Q A spring.. much frequented for visceral disorders.
1862 Smiles Engineers HI. 247 Disease also fell upon him,—
first fever, and then visceral derangement. 1876 IIristovvk
Th. ^ Piact. Med. (1878) 288 'Ihe visceral lesions and
cachexias which supervene on ague.
3. Anat. Of or pertaining to, consisting of, situ-
ated in or among, the viscera.
i8s6 KiRBY & Sp. Entomol. xxxviii IV. 62 The bronchix
..may be considered as consisting in general of. .visceral
ones which enter the cavity of the body, and are lost
amongst the viscera and the caul [etc,]. 1853 Kanr
Grinnell Exp. xxx. (1856) 259 The lost art of petrified vis-
ceral monstrosities seen at the medical scliools. 1870
RoLLESTON Am'm. Li/e Introd. p. xix, In the sub-kingdom
vertebrata. .visceral systems exist in specialized and differ-
entiated forms. x88o Bastian Brain 34 Such communica-
ting branches are especially numerous in the course of the
visceral nerves.
b. Visceral cavity^ that part of an animal body
in which the viscera are contained.
1846 Dana Zooph. (1848) 11 A visceral cavity closed
below. 1851 S. P. Woodward Mollusca i. 31 Sea-water is
admitted to the visceral cavity of many of the moUusks by
minute canals. x868 Duncan Insect iVorld Introd. 14 It
is the unoccupied portions of the great visceral cavity
which serve as conductors to the blood.
4. Pertaining to the viscera of animals used as a
means of divination.
1833 Mks. Browning Prometh. Bound Poems 1850 I. i6r,
I.. taught what sign Of visceral lightness, coloured to a
shade, May charm the genial gods. x86i Col. Hawker in
C. E. Byles Life * Lett. (1905) xvii. 382, I have visceral
augury.
5. Anat. a. Visceral layer, a portion of the
arachnoid membrane.
1840 G. V. Ellis Anat. 13 That portion of it. which
covers the brain, or the visceral layer, is separated from tiie
brain by a considerable interval. 1875 Sir W.Turner in
Encycl. Brit. I. 865/1 Many anatomists regard the arach-
noid as the visceral layer of a serous membrane.
b. Visceral arch y one of a set of parallel ridges
in the region of the mouth in the embryonic skull.
Visceral cleft, one of the intervals between the
visceral arches.
1870 Rolleston Anim. Life Introd. p. xlvii. The malleus
of Mamnialta . . being developed out of the proximal elements
of the first visceral arch. 187a Mivart Elem. Anat. i.
(1873) 5 These arches are separated by temporary aperfures
termed 'visceral clefts'. 1875 Sir W. Turxer in Encycl.
Brit, I. 8-ii/i Immediately below each maxillary lobe four
arches, called branchial or visceral, arise in the ventralaspect
of the head.
Hence Vi'soerally adv. (In quot.y?^.)
a 1636 C. FitzGeffrev Comp. to7u. Captives iil. (1637) 38
Then shall your compa-^sion extend it selfe more visceralTy
towards your afflicted brethren.
Viscerate, v. 'are, [f. Visceka + ate :i,
after eviscerate.'] Irans. To eviscerate, disem-
bowel. Alsoyf^.
17J7 Bailkv (vol. II), FiVc^r/i/;^, having the Bowels taken
out. ij^ sporting Mag. XII. 53 A butcher was employed
one evening to viscerate a mare. 1830 Examiner 659 i
A vain pretender, who.. falls a victim to his temerity and
is dissected ; — viscerated to the edification of the profession.
Visoeration. rare-^. [ad, L. viscerdlio, f.
viscera Viscera.] (See quots.)
1613 CocKERAM I, I'isceration, a dole of raw flesh. 1656
Blount Glossogr. (after Cooper), Visceration.. ^ood chear,
a dole or distributing raw flesh at the death of rich men, or
when hogs are killed ; also the garbage that Hunters give
their Dogs.
Viscero- (vi-ser*?), combining form, on Greek
models, of L. viscera Viscera, employed in ana-
tomical terms, as viscero-branchidl, 'pericardial^
-pleural (etc.), adjs. Also viisceropto'fiis Path.
(see quot. 1897).
The more correct combining form visceri- is given in
some dictionaries, as viscericardial, etc.
1W3 E. R. Lankbster in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 667/1 The
pericardium is extended soastoforma very large sac passing
among the viscera dorsal wards.. the viscero. pericardial
sac. Ibid, 679/3 The visceral nerves of the viscero-pleural
ganglion.pair. 1888 Hov/e.^ 8i Scott Huxley «f Martins
Biol. i. 108 Viscero-utotor nerves ; seen to arise from both
sympathetic and lumbo-sacral plexus for distribution to the
pelvic viscera. 1888 W. Hrrdman in Encycl. Brit. XXIII.
613/1 A third great sinus, the viscero-branchial vessel. 1897
AllbHtt''s S^st. Med. III. 587 The names enteroptosis or
visceroptosis have been applied to cases in which various
abdominal organs have become displaced from their normal
positions. 1905 H. D. Rolleston Dis. Liver 11 In other
cases the symptoms are due to visceroptosis.
t Viscero Be, a. Obs.~^ [-ose.] = next.
1690 }, KnwARtJS Demonstr. Exist. God 11. (1696) 83 This
viscerose sort of flesh is most suitable . . to those vessels and
parts of the body which are composed of it.
tVi'scerous, a. Obs. [f. ViscER-A + -ous.]
Of the nature of, resembling that of, the viscera.
1657 W. Coles Adam in Eden x!ix. It [fumitory] pre-
vaileth in Chronicall diseases arising from stoppings ofthe
viscerous parts. 1668 Culpeppf.r & Colk Barthol. Anat.
Introd., Viscerous flesh or the flesh of the Bowels. waS
Chambers Cycl. s.v. Flesh, The Antients made five differ-
ent kinds of Flesh :. .The third, Viscerous, as the Flesh of
the Stomach and Intestines.
VISCONTIEL.
Viscid (vi'sid), a. [ad. late L. viscid-us, f.
L. viscmu birdlime (see Viscous a.). Hence also
OF. viscide, It. viscido.]
1. Of fluid orsoftsubstnnces : Having a glutinous
or gluey character ; sticky, adhesive, ropy. (Cf.
Viscous a. I .)
1635 Brathwait Arcad. Pr. 235, I meane by sweatings
and suffumigations to extract all those 
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